4 2 2018 CAYUGA COLLEGIAN VOL 65 ISSUE 17

Collegian Cayuga Community College Auburn & Fulton, New York

cayugacollegian@gmail.com

Vol. 65 Issue 17

April 2, 2019

CAYUGABRIEFS POPULAR CCC ADJUNCT PROFESSOR PASSES Reinaldo Mercado, 60, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, 2019. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, son of the late Herminio and Irma Mercado. He is also predeceased by his ex-wife, Marti (Bethel) Mercado in 2009. Reinaldo worked as a professor for many years with Cayuga Community College and OCC. He also tutored many Syracuse University students. Reinaldo enjoyed hosting dinner parties and loved spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his son, Reinaldo (Danielle) Mercado; his daughter, Ana Mercado; brothers, Herminio, Edgardo, Arnaldo, Orlando and Eduardo; many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

ATTENTION GRADUATING CAYUGA-CC STUDENTS Students who completed graduation requirements and received their degrees between June 2018 and May 2019 are eligible to apply for graduation awards that are funded by the College Foundation and awarded by the Student Awards Committee.

Applications forms will be sent by email to all students. Additional application forms can be picked up in the Auburn CAS (Teresa Hoercher) and the Fulton Library (Kathy Sipling).

Specific criteria apply to each award. Applicants should read the criteria carefully for each award to determine eligibility.

Applications are due by email to Kathy Gross (gross@cayuga-cc.edu),

by Monday, April 22, 2019. Late applications will not be considered.

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UNFINISHED FIELD RENOVATIONS PREVENT CCC SPARTANS FROM SLIDING INTO HOME

By Aidan Crandall, staff writer

The brand-new CCC Spartans Baseball Team won’t be playing on their new ‘Field of Dreams’ until this week. A delay in renovation work at Auburn’s Falcon stadium has moved their true home-opener to Saturday, April 6, when they take on the Genesee Community College Cougars in a double-header beginning at noon.

“That is well out of our hands and control.

We are trying to focus on the things that we can do to help our team improve. With that said it will be great when we get to our new home, the guys are really looking forward to it as are the coaches,” said Spartan Head Coach T.J. Gamba, an Auburn native. “There’s a lot of excitement. The feedback from the com-

The team has played four ‘home’ games on at the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex located in Cortlandville.

Gamba said the team is eager to compete at their new home stadium.

“We want to get on the field at Falcon Park. It’s great that we can play at the sports complex, but we want to play on our home turf. I’ve had conversations with people in the Auburn area who are excited to see us compete on the new field, so I know the community is looking forward to seeing it as well,” said Gamba. “We’re looking forward to coming home.”

Despite a number of early season losses, Coach Gamba says the team has been concentrating on establishing good routines for indoor workouts and conditioning drills. “Each team member is committed to competing to the CCC Spartan pitcher, Dave Wilson of Ancaster, Ontario, best of our abilities and capabiliCanada, on the mound during Fall 2018 play. ties,” he said. “Overall everybody has done their part in buying into munity has been great. The players are ready our philosophies and working hard to raise to go. The coaches are ready to go. We played our level of play. The captains have played a some games in the fall, but it’s not the same key part in that happening.” thing as the start of the regular season in the It’s a rigorous schedule for the Spartans, spring. Now it’s just waiting for the weather who play 30 games in April. Cayuga’s 16-man to cooperate so we can get out there,” said roster will be tested by frequent doubleheadGamba. ers, but Gamba said the team is versatile,

2018-2019 MEN’S BASEBALL ROSTER NO. NAME

POS.

B/T

CL.

HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 22 24 25 28 32 40

IF-P IF-OF IF-C-P C-IF OF-IF IF IF-P IF-P C-OF C P-IF P-IF P-IB U-P OF P-IF

R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R

Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman

Visalia, CA / Golden West E. Syracuse, NY / East Syracuse-Minoa Marcellus, NY / Marcellus Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Adams, NY / South Jefferson Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Camden, NY / Camden Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Nedrow, NY / Onondaga Skaneateles, NY / Skaneateles Ancaster, Ontario, CAN / Ancaster Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Auburn, NY / Auburn HS Auburn, NY / Auburn HS

Zac Legarretta Sam Jenkins Matt Spicer Eric Gatewood Claeb Beach Tyler Daddabbo Brandon Fasce Wyatt Palmer Evan Ryan Josh Stevens Adam Lupo David Wilson James Roeschlaub Anthony Micucci Nick Petrosino TJ Baranick

with most players able to handle multiple positions.

That versatility is exemplified in the team’s captains, each of whom plays multiple positions. Team captains are Timothy Baranick (infielder, pitcher, catcher), Zac Legarretta (infielder, pitcher) and Adam Lupo (pitcher, infielder).

The team won one game in their first four contests. The losses were only by a total of five runs, giving them a two-run differential.

Much of the focus for the Spartans’ first season is on fundamentals, said Gamba, including pitchers keeping the ball low in the strike zone and letting the team’s strength, defense, make plays behind them.

Offensively, Gamba expects the Spartans to be creative, relying on speed, baserunning and moving runners over to push runs across the plate.

“I love the core of this team. They’re an athletic group, and I think we can keep building as the season goes on,” he said. “We should compete if we execute. We’ve got great defense, especially up the middle.”

It was just last October when Cayuga Community College administrators and Auburn City officials broke ground at Falcon Park announcing the approximately $2 million plan to give Falcon Park synthetic turf turning the facility into a 10-month operational field for three seasons, spring, summer, and fall. The college leases the field for use by their fall and spring men’s and women’s sports teams.

—CCC Athletic Director Pete Liddel contributed to this report.

WHY YOU NEED A YELLOW DOT

By Hannah Stevens, staff writer

“The Yellow Dot” is a safety program operating in 22 states. Sponsored by the US Department of Transportation, The Yellow Dot Program helps first responders at accident scenes identify a person if the person is unable to communicate. This kit also communicates to them your medical history and any medical issues you may be experiencing, so they can better help and save you if you cannot tell them what may be happening to you.

The kit comes with two yellow dot stickers.

You are instructed to place one where it can be easily seen in your home and the other in your car window where it will be visible to paramedics. The yellow dot will signal them to look for a yellow card containing your personal and medical information inside your home and in the glove compartment of your car.

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

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HOW I SEE IT...

Megan Swartwood EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shopping for clothes has always been one of the things that I enjoy doing with my friends on the weekend. As teenagers, we can never have enough clothes.

Even if my closet is full, I will still say, “I have nothing to wear.” Even though this isn’t the biggest problem, I always want more clothes.

Clothes are a way that people express themselves and how we build our unique style.

However, some clothes can become very expensive. Buying new clothes every season can become bad for your bank account and also sur-

prisingly the environment.

Think about all the clothes that are in America alone. Where do all those clothes go when people don’t want them anymore? Some clothes end up in landfills. Clothes don’t decompose. That is why clothing pollution is a large problem. The clothes never really disappear and neither do the chemicals that are used to dye the clothes. They leach into the ground causing more damage to the environment.

So, how can we help? Shop at thrift shops!! Once I discovered that you can find a bunch of great quality brands and clothes at thrift stores, I was so excited. The clothes that you can find is insane.

Most of my favorite pieces are from the thrift store. I have found Adidas joggers for $3, a Ralph Lauren sweater for $4 and my favorite jeans, American Eagle, for $5.

When you thrift your clothes, you are not only helping the environment, but your wallet as well.

Thrifting is also super fun since you never know what you will find. The money also usually goes to a great cause, so everyone wins.

So before you almost spend $200 on a couple of shirts, check out your local thrift store first. You won’t regret it.

SELFLESS TEEN HELPS HOMELESS

By Jordan Martinez, contributing writer There is never a good time to be homeless, but Central New York winters make it much harder.

Thank goodness there are people out there like Zoey and her family.

Zoey is a high school student whose family has had to deal with some challenges.

However, despite all that she and her family go out to help the homeless in Auburn. Why do they do it? Zoey says it is because they care about them.

Zoey’s grandmother, Rose, calls her an angel. “I never expected my granddaughter could be such a nice person.”

When they have room, Zoey says they try to take in between three and six families. “I don’t like to see anyone else suffer,” she said.

Zoey is one of four children being raised by her grandmother. Her father is in jail and her mother died when she was a baby.

Zoey says she goes to church regularly and when she is not in church, she is helping the homeless. She says she helps the homeless because she is determined to pay it forward.

“If I see someone suffering, I take in to account what is happening in their life and why they are suffering. I can’t think about anything else.”

Zoey would like to remind people there are always people out there suffering. She says sometimes it is hard to tell because despite their troubles, they always have a smile on their face. “Just be on a look out for homeless people and just give them a smile or a dollar to brighten up their day.”

CCC Criminal Justice Club member, sophomore Bethany Deidrich, is a Criminal Justice major working to become a corrections officer. She is handing out the Yellow Dot program kits on Cayuga’s Auburn campus.

A YELLOW DOT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE Placing a photo of yourself inside the envelope along with your perinent health and identification information. This is to help first responders to not only identify you and your medical history, but also to allow them to more easily and quickly contact your family and advise them of your condition.

This is a free kit and is being given out here at Cayuga Community College to all college students, staff and faculty who wish to get it. There is a table for more information in the main hallway on the Auburn campus at the front of the school.

Have an opinion you would like to share?

Send your submission to cayugacollegian@gmail.com. Your submission must include the writer’s full name, college year and home town. Anonymous letters and letters written under pseudonyms will not be published. For verification purposes, submissions must also include the writer’s home address, e-mail address and telephone number.

FALL 2018

The Cayuga Collegian welcomes letters from its readers. Submissions must be emailed to cayugacollegian@gmail. com. Submissions must include your name, address and daytime phone number. All letters to the editor do not reflect the viewpoint of the Collegian office, its staff or advisor. All letters are simply the opinions of the writers themselves.

All letters may be edited for content or length.

Megan Swartwood Kaitlyn Diego Marc Baan Aiden Crandall Hannah Stevens

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR STAFF WRITER STAFF WRITER STAFF WRITER

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EMAIL THE CAYUGA COLLEGIAN AT CAYUGACOLLEGIAN@GMAIL.COM Mary G. Merritt

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SPARTAN SOFTBALL SCORES MARCH 16 LOSS V. LACKAWANNA 23 - 3 MARCH 16 LOSS V. LACKAWANNA 14 - 7

SPARTAN SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

SPARTAN SPORTS

APRIL 2

APRIL 2

APRIL 6 APRIL 6 APRIL 7

APRIL 7

TOMPKINS CORTLAND 3:00 PM at Herman Ave. Elementary School TOMPKINS CORTLAND 5:00 PM at Herman Ave. Elementary School AT NIAGARA CC 1:00 PM AT NIAGARA CC 3:00 PM JEFFERSON CC 1:00 PM at Port Byron High School JEFFERSON CC 3:00 PM at Port Byron High School

New Cayuga Community College Softball Coaches Chris Amoia and David Plish believe they’re building the foundation to grow the Spartans’ softball team for this season and beyond.

2018-2019 WOMEN’S SOFTBALL ROSTER NO. NAME

CL. B/T

2 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 14 18

Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore

Kyra Cottrill Kaylee Shackleton Deanna Shackleton Ashley Stephens Mikaela Withers McKayla Murray Hanna Keysor Libby Plish Shelby Koch Keirstan Bozeat

R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R

W H A T

I S Y O U R P A S S I O N ?

There is no doubt that you already know that your education is important for your future. Unfortunately, many students do not know what they want to focus the degree on. In this new series, will be interviewing many advisers and chairpersons of the countless departments you as students can study to help you find your future passions.

If you want to be a television or film director, this will give you direction.

Steven Keeler, the chairperson of SOMA (School of Media and the Arts) started his career in media at a young age when he walked into a local newspaper and asked for a job.

Starting from the bottom, the future professor worked his way up quite fast. From there he worked as an editor for several filming companies and even owned his own business.

This is when he found himself impressed by the students he met from Cayuga Community College, “They were always the most prepared and experienced.”

Professor Keeler never thought about becoming a teacher, but from what he saw this made him want to help the future generations of media producers.

Professor Keeler is very passionate about media of all types. This passion has rubbed off on the students of SOMA. You can see it

in the focus and excitement that every student in the variety of classes he teaches has on their faces.

His love for the SOMA Department and the students studding within the program had given them the opportunities to use the most up-to-date cameras, editing tools and everything you could ever need to make your own movie, television production, or radio show.

So what is SOMA, you might be asking?

SOMA is for those who are into expression of any kind. From here, you can learn the skills to paint, take superb photos, write inspiring scripts, direct a news program, become a radio DJ and yes, even a newspaper reporter.

You will find all you will ever need to live out your passion for media.

Professor Keeler added that it was his and the other advisers and teachers in the SOMA Department to help prepare the students learn all they need to go to the next step.

They are here to help you with transferring to a four-year school or to go out on your own.

There are many success stories that come out of SOMA. Professor Keeler shared the story of Dave, a former graduate, “NFL Films liked his skills and work ethic and hired him as an assistant camera operator,” Professor Keeler said. “He worked his way up to Director of Photography and won an Emmy Award for his work on the HBO series, Hard Knocks.”

If you love movies, the radio, music, photography, painting, drawing, and want to become the best you can be in these Arts feel free to email Professor Keeler with any questions at – Keeler@cayuga-cc.edu Remember your future is yours and the whole staff here at Cayuga Community College is here to help you reach yours.

NEW INITIATIVE TO HELP THOSE WITH ADDICTION IN CAYUGA

By Bryan Bush, contributing writer Addiction costs those caught in its grasp a heavy fee.

The disease inflicts suffering on a physical, mental, and spiritual level making it difficult for addicts to even regain the hope to recover. Few make it to recovery. Even fewer get a second chance.

Joel Campagnola knows the huge cost of addiction first-hand. In December 2015, just three days after Christmas, Campagnola lost his son, Nicholas, to an overdose.

Campagnola says due to the societal stigma many experience once admitting they’re an addict or alcoholic, his son suffered in silence for five years, afraid to ask for help.

He says the high school senior and captain of the wrestling team was afraid of being judged or rejected.

Tragically, Nick is not alone.

Dr. Jerimy Blowers, Coordinator for Wellness & Intervention Services at CCC, says the fears Nick experienced can keep many sick and suffering in isolation.

“Addiction is the only disease that convinces the individual that they don’t have a problem.”

Blowers says he counsels hundreds of students each semester through life’s pressures. “[Students] come in with pre-existing struggles and school is like adding kerosene to the fire.”

“We are at war here. This is domestic terrorism right here that we are trying to

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fight,” said Campagnola. “This war isn’t being fought on some distance battlefield.

It is being fought here – in our homes, in our streets sideby-side with family and friends.”

Those fighting no longer need to fight alone. Since Nick’s passing, Campagnola has worked relentlessly to raise both money and awareness within Cayuga County. He started Nicks Ride 4 Friends, a grass roots not-for-profit, which is committed to help countless numbers of people seeking to enter treatment and start their personal journeys of recovery. Located at 12 South Street in Auburn, the organization’s headquarters serves as home base for Recovery Peers who provide assistance to transition and reconnect people in recovery to a healthier way of life.

Campagnola says it is vital for the community and family to support those who are suffering and not isolate or push them further.

“These are not numbers…these are people’s lives,” added Blowers.

If you, a friend, or family member struggles with alcohol or substance addiction, please reach out.

PAGE THREE

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY Urban Legends

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In this addition of “Our Shadow World” we are heading to the United Kingdom to learn more about the strange creatures called The Black-Eyed Children.

The Black-Eyed Children (AKA BlackEyed Kids or BEK’S) are not solely a UK anomaly, but have been spotted in the United States and in Continental Europe as well, but we will focus on the origins of this Urban Legend which started in the 1990’s in the UK. So, who are or what are the Black-Eyed Children? Well clearly, we don’t know, or they would not be considered an Urban Legend.

Some researchers say that they might be demons, ghosts of murdered children or even an unknown creature in their own right. There is plenty written about them on-line including eye witness testimonies, police reports, and even shocking videos. Unfortunately, even with all this evidence of their possible existence, we still can’t confidently say what the Black-Eyed Children truly are.

In every account, the eye witness descriptions are strikingly similar. Black-Eye Children are always described as kids, male or female, and all between the ages of six to 16. All are reported as being very pale and gaunt in appearance. The most striking observation of all, in every report the witnesses have clearly described their oversized black eyes (hence where they get their name). Eye witnesses say their pupils are so large that no part of their sclera, (the white part of your eyes), can be seen. Reports say that the Black-Eyed Children are known for roaming secluded areas such as woods or rarely-used back roads. They have been seen during the day, but more often they are spotted very late at night. It is when they interact with people the horror seems to begin.

Clearly, interactions with people and Black-Eyed Children do not happen very often, but when they do, they are described as pure nightmare fuel. Reports go like this; a child or small group of children will approach an adult. Rarely will they walk up to a person out in the open, more often they will walk up to someone sitting in their car or even knock on someone’s front door.

Once they are seen by the adult, the children will ask if they can enter the adult’s car or home. If told ‘no,’ the children will become insistent and then aggressive. It has been reported that the children will come up with all types of excuses. Everything

from the mundane to an emergency. It is then when things get scary. If a person continues to tell the children ‘no,’ the child will finally reveal their black eyes. People who have reported interacting with the BlackEyed Children say this is when they begin feeling sick and their will to continue saying ‘no’ starts to break. It is unknown what exactly could happen to people who let the Black-Eyed Children into their car or home.

The Legend says a person could get cursed or killed, or they will just disappear. Clearly, none of this has been confirmed.

At this point you are probably asking what type of evidence confirms the existence of the Black-Eyed Children? Well, in our digital age it seems without video evidence there just is no evidence. When it comes to the Black-Eyed Children this does not seem to be an issue. Some of the strongest video evidence seems to come from Cannock Chase, in Staffordshire, UK. One of the creepiest videos was captured by a drone pilot who caught an image of a girl dressed in white standing at the edge of a wooded area. When the pilot tried to get the drone closer, he says she went deeper into the woods. Even the Daily Mail, (a news outlet in the UK), posted a video taken in the Cannock Chase Woods which looks to be a young child is standing in between the trees in the middle of the night. These two examples are just a small portion of videos that can be found on-line.

This is a weird world where new species are discovered every day. We do not and might not ever know what the Black-Eyed Children are, let alone if they even truly exist. This is the allure of Urban Legends.

The only advice I can give to you, the readers; if a young kid covering their face demands to come into your car or home, call the police.

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