4-23-2012

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Honors Night

New gender studies class now offered Kaitlyn Durocher Agora Staff

photos courtesy of Mark Spenoso

Dr. William McCloskey, professor of English (far left) was named the outstanding faculty member of the year. Dr. Patricia Easton (pictured above with Dr. Grace Yackee, vice-president of instruction), adjunct professor of psychology, was named outstanding adjunct faculty member of the year.

Travis Trombley (left) was named outstanding student of the year.

Students, staff recognized for achievements Agora Staff

After a year of hard work and dedication, students and staff were recognized for their achievements at Honors Night April 18.

The Outstanding Faculty Award was given to Dr. William McClockey, a professor of English at MCCC since 1993. He taught part-time at the college for 16 years before that.

Patricia Eason, a psychology professor, was awarded the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award.

Travis Trombley won several honors, including the Faculty Association Outstanding Student Award and the Outstanding Humanities Student Award.

Before announcing the outstanding faculty award, Dr. Grace Yackee, vice president of In-

struction, read a long list of student comments about Dr. McCloskey.

One student noted how interesting Dr. McCloskey makes his classes.

“This instructor is filled with so much information, I could sit in his classroom all day long,” the student wrote.

Dr. McCloskey said he was honored by the award. “ I’m joining a list of some of the great teachers who have been here at the college,” he said. “I was very shocked and surprised and very humbled by it. I’m just thrilled to death.”

Yackee said students described Eason as an amazing teacher who was helpful, dedicated and able to explain complex topics.

Dr. Eason is active in the community and in professional organizations, and traveled recently to Haiti to help disadvantaged children, Yackee said.

Yackee quoted a student who described the adjunct winner’s impact on students.

“I walked into the classroom full of anxiety.

Dr. Eason walked in, and the whole atmosphere changed,” the student wrote.

Eason thanked the students who nominated her for the award.

“I feel very honored.All the students who took the time to honor me – it’s really, really cool,” she said.

See HONORS NIGHT, Page 3

If you are looking to expand your knowledge on the world in which we live today, have an interest in gender studies, or simply want more credits, then the new Introduction to Gender Studies course is the class for you.

Starting next fall, MCCC will be offering a course that analyzes the role that gender plays in society. It is a social sciences course that will be taught by three different professors, breaking down the semester into five weeks per professor.

The three professors are: professor of history Edmund La Clair, professor of psychology Melissa Grey, and professor of English Carrie Nartker.

La Clair and Grey are both new professors at MCCC, transferring from colleges such as Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and the University of Michigan-Flint. Nartker has been a professor at MCCC for several years and is currently on maternity leave.

La Clair developed the idea for this class when a student approached him and asked if he could teach about the history of gender.

T h i s sparked La Clair’s interest and he Edmund La Clair Professor decided the of History course would be best taught with three teachers instead of just himself, due to the fact that there are different viewpoints on the topics being taught.

Three teachers for the course are necessary because there are many different aspects that pertain to gender, he said.

La Clair will be teaching on the history of gender, Grey will teach on the study of scientific examination of sexuality and how gender is a part of it, and Nartker will be teaching the literary and sociological treatments of gender.

If this course is successful for two semesters, then it will be offered as a permanent course. The course is open to any student currently, but eventually there will be a reading requirement put in place.

Since there will be different opinions presented throughout the course, students may have different beliefs towards the facts being taught. However, the course is not meant to be a controversial one.

“You’re entitled to your own beliefs,” Grey said.

Grey also said she thinks it is necessary to know different beliefs and views so that way people have a better comprehension of others around them.

“Gender is the building block in which human society is organized,” La Clair said.

La Clair said he believes that studying gender roles helps people understand expectations in society and how society operates.

“Gender is the building block in which human society is organized.”

KONY2012 comes to campus Lorrie Mayzlin Agora Staff

photo by Mandi Davis

Members of the Gay-Straight Alliance put on the Day of Silence, an event meant to bring attention to LGBT bullying and harassment.

Day of Silence honors victims Mandi Davis Agora Staff

Students took a vow of silence to draw attention to the bullying of people based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

The event, known as the Day of Silence, was Friday, April 20, and members of the MCCC Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) took part.

The club had a table set up in front of the Admission’s Office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where members of the group remained

Inside:

silent, handed out literature and displayed signs about their cause.

This is the second year that the GSA participated in the national event, which is sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

The Day of Silence is a day of action where students across the country take a form of silence to call attention to the effects of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) bullying and harassment in schools.

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It was founded in 1996 at the University of Virginia. Since then it has flourished with almost 8,000 secondary schools, colleges and universities participating by 2008.

In 2001, GLSEN became the organizational sponsor of the event.

The network’s website gives legal advice to those who plan to take silence that day.

See DAY OF SILENCE, Page 3

Ask anyone who doesn’t regularly visit Facebook about the name Kony and they are likely to tell you, “It’s not a ‘who,’ it’s a hotdog with chili on it.”

If you ask those who do access Facebook about Kony, they will tell you that his name is Joseph Kony and he is the head of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a long-time guerrilla group out of Uganda.

However, most people do not understand the need to get this man behind bars and some could not pinpoint where Uganda is located or why it would be important for United States citizens to care.

So what is Kony 2012?

Kony received a huge surge in attention in March 2012, when a 20-minute video went viral on YouTube entitled KONY2012.

The film, produced by film maker Jason Russell, from the campaign group Invisible Children, Inc., was created to draw attention to Kony in an effort to increase US involvement of the issue.

The video, viewed more than 80 million times as of March 17, has remained a hit button topic around

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photo by Lorrie Mayzlin

Student Government member Paula Anders proudly displays her support for the KONY2012 movement at Family Fun Night.

the world.

The goal of KONY2012 is not to make Kony famous in a good way, but to make him infamous to flush him out and bring him to justice. The power of the people has been heard since the night of April 20 when across the world, posters

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went up bearing Kony’s name.

MCCC’s International Studies Club along with the help of Student Government placed Kony posters on campus and around the county of Monroe.

See KONY2012, Page 2

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Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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campus news

April 23, 2012

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New gas lines at MCCC Shana Kritzer Agora Staff

Faculty and students may have noticed construction crews around campus for the past few weeks, as Michigan Gas Utilities has been installing new gas lines.

The college is abandoning the current gas line, which runs directly under the new Career Tech Building site.

Crews are beginning to install new gas mains and services throughout the rest of the campus.

The crews are using various installation technologies to allow little disturbance to campus life, including directional drilling technology, according to Jim Blumberg, director of the Physical Plant at MCCC. The crews are drilling underground, and pulling plastic gas lines through the holes, Blumberg said.

Small holes will be opened to allow the crews to connect sections of the piping to-

gether, he said.

Students should notice few problems, Blumberg said, because the directional drilling technology being used offers the least amount of disruption possible.

The total construction is expected to take about three weeks. Sidewalks and roads will remain open.

The crews will need to connect the new service lines to the existing boiler rooms.

Each tie-in will result in a shutdown of approximately four hours.

MCCC will have a short interruption of service to each building as the service is transferred to the new gas services. The gas service transfers will be scheduled some time during May. Students and faculty will be notified in advance when service will be disrupted.

The project timing was dictated by the construction of the new building and the need to provide a new gas feed line into Construction workers are busy around the clock, putting in new gas lines around MCCC campus. campus.

Photo by Shana Kritzer

Grants keep Learning Bank doors open Christina Cusumano Agora Staff

Since its grant funding ended in September 2011, the Learning Bank has been seeking financial support from a variety of public and private sources to continue its operations and community services.

Opening on Feb. 6, 2010, many lives have been changed through the services provided by the Learning Bank Network of Monroe County.

The Learning Bank has helped adults in the community with completion of GED’s, enrollment at MCCC, and obtaining training for new careers.

To help start the Learning Bank Network, a $300,000 No Worker Left Behind Demonstration Grant was awarded by the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth in 2009.

Only ten grants were awarded in the state, and the original grant covered the

period of Feb. 17, 2009 through September of 2010.

A second No Worker Left Behind “Scale Up” grant was awarded to the Learning Bank (one of only five awarded in the state), in the amount of $200,000.

The Scale Up grant covered the period from Sept. 14, 2010, through Sept. 30, 2011.

The College has just been awarded a third grant in the amount of $50,000, which will fund operations though June 2012.

As part of this most recent state grant ,the Learning Bank Network will be exploring the feasibility of extending Adult Basic Education and GED preparation to areas currently lacking those services, via distance learning.

The Learning Bank recognizes that there are several school districts within Monroe County that do not have ade-

quate resources to provide such services, and there is a critical need to assist people in attaining ABE/GED’s, and transitioning to higher education and/or employment opportunities.

The Learning Bank also recognizes that in reality, many students with high school diplomas seeking admission to MCCC score below the developmental level and need remediation to be successful in college.

“MCCC does include as part of our educational objectives, that we provide intellectual and personal development for adults in a wide range of lifelong learning opportunities,” said John Joy, dean of Corporate and Community Services.

“The college must be part of the solution to the problem of inadequate basic skills,” Joy said.

Joy said he thinks this educational inadequacy is a communitywide problem that

should be supported by the entire community, including state funding.

Grant funds are used to pay operational expenses on the Learning Bank Offices, and also towards instructor and tutor wages/benefits, internet services, software, instructional books and supplies, and testing equipment.

MCCC is one of twelve community partners that have supported the Learning Bank Network with either cash and/or inkind service.

In addition to these partners, organizations such as The LA-Z-BOY Foundation, The Knabusch Trust, Rotary Club of Monroe, and Meadow Montessori have provided financial support, along with several individual donors.

“Clearly, the state has been pleased with the performance of the Learning Bank Network by continuing to award grant funds” Joy said. “The Community

has been very supportive as well.”

Other services the Bank offers are GED Prep and Testing, Tutoring, National Career Readiness Certificates Prep and Testing, Career Counseling, Financial Literacy Classes, Computer Literacy, Life Skills Seminars, and Resume Workshops.

In addition to those services, the Bank wants to build on the idea of a more student-centered learning environment.

“We are hopeful in the next few months that the state will entertain our application to establish a state supported learning lab similar to those funded in the Detroit area,” Joy said.

The Learning Bank is located in a former Monroe Bank and Trust branch office at 1102 E. First St. MB&T has donated $20,000 per year in cash and is currently allowing the Learning Bank to use the office/classroom space rent free.

One Book, One Community ends with war panel David Topolewski Agora Staff

General William Tecumseh Sherman made famous the words “war is hell.”

That was the topic of discussion for a panel that was the final One Book, One Community event: “War is Hell: Whether It’s the Civil War or the Iraq War.” “William T. Sherman had it right. War is hell,” said panel member Tammie Pierce, whose son, Joshua, has served the last year in Afghanistan.

Pierce was joined by three others on the panel: Rev. Larry K. Loree Jr., pastor of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Monroe and an Air Force chaplain; Edmund La Clair, an MCCC history professor; and Tinola Mayfield-Guerrero, an MCCC adjunct professor of sociology.

Numerous times Pierce voiced her opposition to the current war in Afghanistan.

“We need to get out of Afghanistan; we should have never been there,” she said.

All panel members agreed that the current war in Afghanistan and the previous war in Iraq were not “just” wars.

La Clair said he does not believe war can be moral, explaining that countries fight wars to crush the opponent.

After the discussion, MCCC student Chris Murphy said he agreed with La Clair.

“When you have death involved, there never will be a moral war,” he said.

Student Travis Trombley disagreed, however.

“You can have a justification for war, but everything has so many sides to it changing and distorting the vision, that it can be twisted in favor or against it,” he

said.

Ashley Powers disagreed with Trombley, pointing at the crusades to defend her position.

“People believe wars can be moral, but people have the wrong reasons for war; look at the crusades,” she said.

Student Patrick Felder said he went because he thought it was an interesting opportunity to see an older generation’s take on the subject. Felder’s opinion of the morality of war landed between classmates Trombley and Powers.

“I believe in the purpose, but wish there was a way to do it without the casualties.

I just rarely see a reason to justify it,” he said.

The panel also discussed Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, who is accused of killing 17 Afghan villagers. Rev. Loree suggested the possibility of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as the reason for the charges against Staff Sgt. Bales.

Pierce’s son was 10 miles away from the massacre. She said she was blown away by the fact that her son was sent on a mission the next day.

Mayfield-Guerrero, a philosopher, was also stunned, saying it was absurd to her that nobody used the moment to reflect upon anything.

The idea of a military draft was quickly shot down by all panel members. They agreed the effects would be disastrous.

“If they started the draft today, it would be really scary. I would rather have my son on the front lines with guys who signed up,” Pierce said.

Student Brandon Berns, who said he has friends who are serving now, also agreed.

KONY2012 movement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The initiative for MCCC and Monroe County is called “MCCC COVERS THE NIGHT 2012.”

MCCC IS Club posters had information for the public to glean more information from the International Kony claims himself to be “the spokesperson of God, and states a multinational host of thirteen spirits, including a Chinese phantom had visited him” per an article written by Daniel Howden in November 2008.

The captured children are brainwashed and then ordered to go back and murder their own family members, thus sealing their fate to rely on the LRA for life.

Kony was indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands in 2005, but had evaded capture. The LRA oper-

ates in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan.

In October 2005, the International Criminal court announced that arrest warrants had been issued for five members of the LRA for crimes against humanity following a sealed indictment.

After the 9/11 attacks, the United States declared the LRA as a terrorist group, and on August 28, 2008, the United States Treasury Dept placed Kony on its list of “Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” a designation that carries financial and other penalties.

In 2008, President George W. Bush personally signed the directive to the United States Africa Command to provide financial and logistical help to the Ugandan government during their unsuccessful Operation Lightening Thunder. No US troops were directly involved, but 17 US advisers and analysts provided intelligence,

photo by Mandi Davis

Panel members, from left, Tammie Pierce, mother of current active duty military member; Rev. Larry K. Loree, pastor of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church; MCCC professor of history Edmund La Clair; and adjunct professor of sociology Tinola Mayfied-Guerroro discuss war and its affects on the family. The discussion was the final event of One Book, One Community, a month-long community project surrounding the novel “March” by Geraldine Brooks.

“The idea of a draft in today’s world is disastrous. America needs guys that want to defend the country at any cost,” Berns said.

“I have a few friends overseas right now. They’re tough; I am proud of them and guys like them let me know that this country is safe,” he continued.

An audience question focused on the care returning veterans receive. La Clair

equipment, and fuel to Ugandan military counterparts. The only success that Operation Lightening Thunder saw was the rescue of 100 children.

In May 2010, President Barack Obama signed into the law the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. This legislation is aimed at stopping Kony and the LRA. The bill passed unanimously in the US Senate on March 11, and in may 2012, a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill was agreed to by a voice vote in the House of Representatives.

November 2012, President Obama delivered a strategy document to Congress, asking for more funding to disarm Kony and the LRA, and in October 20122, he authorized the deployment of approximately 100 combat-equipped US troops to central Africa with the goal to help regional forces remove Kony and senior LRA leaders from the battlefield.

responded by saying that America has never properly cared for returning veterans.

“We want to forget these wars as soon as we’re done fighting them,” he said.

Rev. Loree Jr. disagreed with La Clair, and pointed out how far the country has come in respect to returning military personnel. He offered a story about how his father was treated when he returned from

Vietnam, when tomatoes were thrown at him.

Students said the panel discussion was interesting and fun, though Travis Trombley believed the discussion to be too one sided.

“It was informative and I enjoyed it; it just seemed they should have been more objective,” Trombley said.

Professor shares love for reading Shana Kritzer Agora Staff

There is so much new technology in the world that older types of entertainment seem to have fallen in the cracks. Professor Cheryl Johnston is hoping to help reignite students interest in reading.

On Monday April 23, Professor Johnston handed out books around campus to celebrate World Book Night. She is handing out the book Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton.

World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. It is held in the US as well as the UK and Ireland. It involves tens of thousands of people going out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out free paperbacks.

World Book Night was first launched in the UK in 2011, and has now gained popularity in the US, with news of more countries to come in future years.

April 23 was chosen for World Book Night due to the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, as well as

Shakespeare’s birth and death.

A total of thirty books will be given out in honor of the celebration. To see the whole list go to worldbooknight.org World Book Night is a nonprofit organization, the books are specially produced, not-for-resale. Book givers receive 20 copies of the same book, a book they have chosen.

When choosing her book, Professor Johnston decided that Q is for Quarry was a great choice because it is a murder mystery book.

“If anything can gain a reader’s interest, it would be a mystery book,” Johnston said. “That is the kind of book most people can get into.”

Professor Johnston didn’t think handing out books in the C-building would be as productive as if she went out to some of the other buildings. Her plan was to hit more places such as The Cellar, and East and West Tech.

This is the first year that MCCC participated in World Book Night said Johnston. She is happy to be the first to take part in such an enriching

event.

“Hopefully next year I can pass this on to someone else, and keep the tradition going,” Johnston said.

Johnston reached out to nonreaders specifically, and trying to show them how reading for pleasure can open up all kinds of doors.

Students spend so much of their time reading textbooks for classes, reading a book for entertainment is something that rarely crosses their minds Johnston said.

The book that was given out at MCCC came from The Book Nook in downtown Monroe. Q is for Quarry is part of a series of fictional books written by Sue Grafton. It is the 17th novel in Grafton’s series of alphabet novels.

Anyone can sign up for World Book Night next year, and help to spread the gift of reading. The organization welcomes readers to come to their website to get on the list for next year. Interested parties can also contact Professor Cheryl Johnston for more information.

campus

April 23 2012

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Professor prepares for transition to dean Taylor Pinson Agora staff

Kimberly Lindquist has only ever wanted to do one thing.

Lindquist is a lifetime resident of Monroe County. She’s married, has two children and a grandchild.

She loves to read, exercise – particularly running, and is an avid deer hunter with a gun or bow.

She loves all of these things, but what she is most passionate about is nursing.

“I can recall wanting to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. I never really had any interest in doing anything else besides being a nurse.“ Lindquist said. “It’s always been nursing since the very beginning.”

Lindquist, who is taking over next week as dean of MCCC’s Health Sciences Divison, has been a nurse for twenty years.

She graduated from MCCC’s own program in 1992 before going on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and her master’s from University of Toledo.

“I graduated with my ADN degree from MCCC 20 years ago, and thanks to that fundamental nursing education, have enjoyed a very diverse and successful nursing career,” Lindquist said after she was promoted last month.

After earning her master’s degree, Lindquist was hired by Henry Ford Community College. She worked at HFCC for four years, teaching a variety of courses in-

photo by Taylor Pinson

Kimberly Lindquist has been promoted to Dean of the Health Sciences Division. She is currently a nursing professor at MCCC.

cluding Medical Surgical I, II, and Leadership/Management, and obtaining tenure.

“I thought I had found the position I was going to be in for quite some time” said Lindquist.

Soon after gaining tenure, Lindquist learned of an opening

at MCCC. “Even though I had obtained my tenure status at HFCC, being a Monroe County resident and an MCCC graduate, and having the utmost respect for this program, I decided to make the jump, leave a tenured position, and start over

Honors Night

here,” Lindquist said.

Lindquist was hired by MCCC as an assistant professor of Nursing last year.

“It was a good decision and one I don’t regret at all,” Lindquist said.

Besides teaching, Lindquist has done many things during her career, including a six-month stint as a medical surgical nurse.

“It’s a very diverse career.

That’s the nice thing about nursing, you can do a lot of different things,” Lindquist said.

She starts her new position as dean of Health Sciences Division and Director of Nursing at MCCC on May 1.

“I have experience teaching.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the classroom, so I’m pretty wellversed when it comes to teaching strategies, student-centered learning, some of those things that are very important to today’s college student,” Lindquist said.

Lindquist also has experience working in an administrative role. She spent four years on the nursing evaluation committee at HFCC, contributed to the college’s Self-Study Report, and helped with its program accreditation; she also had extensive administrative experience from her time as a nurse.

“I was the director of nursing at a long-term care facility for a period of four years. I had some administrative responsibilities in that environment, so I have a good understanding of employee dynamics and what it takes to lead and manage a group of professionals; so I think that is helpful as well,” she said.

Lindquist has plenty of work ahead of her in her new job. The most pressing issue is an overhaul

of MCCC’s nursing program to ensure it stays accredited.

“We are a fully accredited program, but we do have some areas we have to address,” she said, “The faculty is working very hard on a complete curricular revision and update, so that really is the priority right now.“ “I’m a graduate of this program, so I am certainly invested in the program. I’m also a community member. The success of this program is very important to me.”

Lindquist went on to praise her faculty.

“I feel very fortunate to be here at this community college, stepping into a leadership role. I have to compliment the faculty here.

They work very hard. They’re very passionate about the program,” she said.

“This has been a reputable program for many years and they are adamant in maintaining that reputation. They’re a big reason why I became interested in becoming the dean of Health Sciences,” she said.

Lindquist said she it was important to her that the faculty was collaborative, cooperative and supportive of the nursing program.

“It’s not without challenge,” she said. “But they’ve done a phenomenal job and will continue to work together and move the program in the right direction.”

The entire unedited interview with Lindquist can be heard at www.mcccagora.com.

Clubs take part in Earth Day

photos courtesy of Mark Spenoso

Dr. Ronald Campbell (left) presented the Dr. Ronald Campbell Student Government award to Christopher Holmes (above).

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In introducing Trombley as the outstanding student of 2011-2012, professor Alex Babycz noted how difficult the decision was.

“Travis stood out just a little bit higher than the other students. They were all wonderful. It was a difficult task,” he said.

He noted that besides being a writing fellow, Trombley has taken 21 credit hours the past two semesters, and has been able to maintain a 4.0 grade average.

Trombley said he was honored to win the award. “ I feel like there are so many other students who should have won this. But I’m very honored and very grateful,” he said.

The Outstanding Diversity Program of the Year Award and the Outstanding Student Program of the Year Award were presented to the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).

The Dr. Ronald Campbell Student Government Award went to Christopher Holmes.

Dr. Campbell, MCCC’s first president, personally presented the award to Holmes.

Danielle Pearch received the Business Student of the Year Award.

The George Rhodes Writing Fellow Award went to Kaitlin Moore.

Kelly Cunningham won the Outstanding CIS Student award.

The Carol Kish Scholarship Award for nursing went to Jacqueline Corser. The Winter Cohort for the Outstanding Nursing Student Award was Tammy Ogle, while the Fall Cohort was Derek Cousino.

The Winter Cohort for the Spirit of Nursing Award for the US Army/NSNA was Amanda Paul, and the Fall Cohort was Kayla Baker.

The Outstanding Respiratory Therapy Student Award was

Michelle Dangler

the event will be allotted four tickets for guests, and are asked to turn in any unused tickets to the Registrar’s Office.

The tickets can be picked up with the cap and gown. The tickets are free, though the gowns are not. The fee to purchase the cap and gown is $25, and includes one tassel. Additional tassels may be purchased for an extra cost.

To better allow more people to witness the ceremony, commencement will be broadcast

given to Julie Charlton Donaldson.

Justin Alcorn received the Industrial Technology Award for Products and Process Technology.

Tyler Eagle received the Outstanding Journalism Award, and awards for Excellence in Journalism went to Mandi Davis and Taylor Pinson.

The Organic Chemistry Award was given to Courtney Carr.

Joshua Zarza received the MASS Mathematic Competition Award.

Scholars for various programs were also noticed for their hard work and dedication, including Writing Fellows and those who were on the Winter 2011 and Fall 2011 Dean’s List.

Also, all clubs were acknowledged for their hard work and contributions throughout the year.

Commencement Ceremony Agora Staff

On Friday, April 27, MCCC will hold its annual Commencement Ceremony in the Health Science building at 7 p.m.

The ceremony is held in honor of those who are graduating from MCCC this year. This event is not open to the general public, as the only way to get tickets is from a graduating student.

Each student participating in

live on several Monroe-area cable channels, and will also be broadcast live in the Meyer Theater.

The theater can accommodate up to 475 people. This is the first year that MCCC has attempted such a broadcast.

There will be a rehearsal at 1 p.m. on the same day as the ceremony.

It is expected to last approximately one and a half hours. It also will be held in the H building auditorium.

photos by Lorrie Mayzlin

Above: Student Government member Michelle Kotanova handed out water bottles at the Earth Day fair in Loranger Square in downtown Monroe.

Left: Michelle Dangler manned the booth for International Studies club.

GSA hosts Day of Silence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 While participants do have the right to participate between classes and outside of school, they may not have the right to stay silent if a teacher requests them to speak.

Jeremy McGarry, member of the GSA, participated in the event and explained why he participated.

“I want to make a difference; no matter how small it may seem, it’s still creating a difference,” McGarry said.

Another member of the GSA, David O’Shea, was at the event taking his own vow of silence.

“I am doing this because I want to make a difference in the world.

I also just like helping people,” O’Shea said.

David Nixon, president of MCCC, is a supporter of the group who came by the table and gave a silent nod of appreciation to the group.

Later that day in an interview, Nixon shared his feelings on how appreciative he is to see the group

active in an event such as Day of Silence.

“It’s important for students to learn more about it, it’s important for those who are affected personally to know that we are a open, welcoming community of learners here at MCCC,” Nixon said.

The GSA was awarded Outstanding Diversity Program/Event of the Year at Honor’s Night.

The group also received the Outstanding Student Program/ Event of the Year for its Transgender Day of Remembrance, an event designed to bring awareness of the growing violence against transgendered people.

Nixon attended Honor’s Night and wanted to let the group know how proud he is of its accomplishments.

“It is a proud moment for an institution of higher learning to have that much student involvement.

Of course we are very proud of the Gay-Straight Alliance students and the others involved in that to be honored at such a large public gathering such as Honor’s

Night,” he said.

MCCC Gay-Straight Alliance hosted Nursat Ventimigila, Director of Victim Service from Equality Michigan, as a keynote speaker on Thursday, April 19.

Ventimigila spoke about students’ right with respect to GSAs and other LGBT related issues, bullying and harassment from a legal perspective.

Amanda Bennett, co-adviser of the GSA, gave insight as to why the speaker will be on campus.

“The group wanted to have an informational presentation to go along with the Day of Silence.

When we found out that we could have someone from Equality Michigan come to speak, we jumped at this opportunity,” Bennett said.

Penny Bodell, another co-adviser of the GSA, explains the purpose behind having the keynote speaker.

“Equality Michigan’s purpose and goal is to promote equality for the LBGT community,” Bodell said.

opinion mcccagora.com • The Agora

4

April 23, 2012

Why do I have to breathe their smoke?

Why is it that even though we are a non-smoking campus, people still insist on smoking near the doors outside of the buildings?

Should a non-smoker be forced to walk through their carcinogenic billows?

I’ve even heard that the construction workers were smoking while they work on the gas lines.

Aside from the fact that we are a smoke-free campus, could this also be dangerous?

One would think that it could be dangerous.

What do we have to do to escape second-hand smoke?

Ted Boss Agora Staff

It is really frustrating having to come to school and be exposed to something that I do not wish to have in my life.

Regardless of what people may think, I am trying to be a healthy person and part of that decision is not smoking and putting my health at risk.

I am the father of three beautiful little girls. I would like to be around to see them

grow and eventually get the chance to spoil my grandchildren, possibly even great-grandchildren.

Has the policy been enforced by campus security? I haven’t a clue. But what I do know is that outside of nearly every door you can find cigarette butts.

There should be some kind of repercussion for this obvious disregard for school policies.

Whether it is a probationary period for the offender, or some other fate, there needs to be something in place, because the smokers seem to not care.

It seems like smokers feel that they are entitled, or even above the law, when it comes to their nasty

habit.

Yes, they have the right to pollute their lungs with the 50-plus carcinogens that they take in from the smoke, but second-hand smoke is just as deadly to non-smokers.

Unlike the smoker, the non-smoker does not get a choice when they are forced to inhale the smoke when they are merely trying to go to class.

I think that the school should take a better look at the policy and enforce it.

Making a healthy environment for students and faculty alike should be their ultimate goal.

Give me your tired, poor, huddled ... students

Pageants are misunderstood Pageants have been controversial in today’s society.

Do they glorify hard work and the platforms that each contestant represents?

Or do they create snobby, boastful girls who care only about wearing a shiny crown and being able to say they are the winner?

Growing up, I never really paid much attention to pageants, due to the less positive thought process that many Americans hold about these contests.

However, about two years ago I started dancing at a studio called Lighthouse Dance Company and my perspective on this topic changed.

Through dancing at this studio, I was able to meet numerous girls who compete in pageants and I got to know them personally.

Once I got to know them, I realized that they did not fit the snobby stereotype I had associated with pageants.

Instead, they turned out to all be great, selfless girls striving to better their community, Kaitlyn not win a title.

Durocher Now, I see that there is more to Agora Staff pageants than just makeup, bathing suits, and crowns. There is a whole other side to the pageant world that most outside viewers do not get the chance to see.

For me, personally, the most important

and exciting facet of the competition is the fact that if you win, you get to go to appear all around your county, state, or even nation, and promote a platform of your choice.

The girls who compete for the right reasons work hard to bring awareness and change to a cause; it can be anything from donating organs to ending child abuse.

If people would look past the obvious points of what pageants are about, they would realize that there is more to them than what meets the eye; a pageant winner who is in it for her cause can make a huge difference in the world around her.

Hence, this coming August, I will be competing in Miss Monroe myself. I don’t necessarily desire to go on to the national level, but I definitely would like to win my county’s title because I am

very adamant and passionate about my platform: bullying.

I was bullied all throughout high school so I know first hand the pain it causes and I do not want any other child to have to go through that.

For this reason, I decided , despite many years of negative thinking, to compete in the pageant.

Already, I am making new friends, working on my talent, and trying to promote my cause.

Even though everyone has different opinions about the world of pageantry, I encourage people to try to see the true side of it.

Getting involved can be easy and if everyone stands up for a cause, then changing a society can be even easier.

Pageants do exactly that.

Just buy the real, paper, printed book New-fangled technology has allowed us to have cell phones, portable computers, and now, even convenient electronic books — aka ebooks.

With ebooks come a variety of new devices like the iPad, Kindle (along with the Kindle Fire), and the Nook.

All of which allow us to pull books, and other information, right to the screen.

Usually, when one purchases a book on one of these devices, they are cheaper (or the same price) that the actual, physical book.

Not to mention that with some of these ebooks readers, like the iPad or Kindle

Nicki Kostrewza Agora Staff

Fire, you can listen to music, check your Facebook, and do many other things, while also having the privilege of reading your most loved books.

If you think about it, most cell phones today (which many Americans obtain because of their

abilities) can already do those things in a smaller and convenient way.

Some cell phone devices even have apps that let you buy books as well!

Now, lets talk about having the physical book right in front of you, to hold the actual printed copy of your most beloved author — feels good, doesn’t it?

Makes you all giddy and such, right?

And what if something happens to that expensive ebook reader of yours, hmm?

Say it breaks or gets stolen, what are you supposed to do?

That expensive device can cost any-

where from $90 to $600.

Add in the cost of apps, books, and music, it’s quite a lot in the end, if one were to really think about it.

So, if we already have a smaller and more capable way to have multiple forms of media in our hands (cell phones), then why waste your money on an ebook reader?

Just buy the actual printed version!

You not only get the satisfaction of owning it, if something bad were to happen you don’t end up wasting a lot of money.

Everyone knows what the Statue of Liberty is, where it is located and what it represents (freedom for immigrants to our nation).

However, fewer know that at the base of lady liberty is a sonnet called “The New Colossus.”

It includes the iconic lines, “Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

While this may describe immigrants to the country, it also describes every student on this campus, and possibly Lorrie campuses across the country.

Mayzlin This semester, for Agora Staff some reason, seems longer than any other semester I’ve yet taken.

I am not sure if it’s because we didn’t really have a winter, I had more time-consuming and exhaustive classes, or the fact that I ran into someone who almost ruined my college career, or just having more to study.

When I was asked to write an editorial for the last issue of the Agora this semester, I was at a loss for ideas on what to write on.

Normally, my editorials are complaints about SOMETHING, and for a change, I have no complaints, except I am tired.

I am ready for the winter semester to be over with. I am ready for the next semester to come because it means I am one step closer to transferring to the University of Toledo to complete my four-year degree (and hopefully move on to Law School).

I think my sentiments regarding the “winter” semester resonate with other students on campus, because it is the one complaint that most of have had since spring break – we are all tired and ready to move on to the next chapter in our college careers.

It’s kind of funny that it is called a “college career,” because it is not something that I would consider a career — since there is no pay involved.

If every different segment of your life is called a “career,” then I have had many, and a couple will continue until my last breath (wife and motherhood).

Nevertheless, my last editorial for the last issue of the Agora for the winter semester is simply a way to voice the one common bond every student on campus mutters under their breath: “I am tired.”

The Agora Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 384-4186, agora@ monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff. Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer. All letters to the editor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. E-mail submissions: agora@monroeccc.edu .

Staff Members Editor Tyler Eagle Asst. Editor Nicki Kostrewza Adviser Dan Shaw

Ted Boss Christina Cusamono Mandi Davis Michelle Dangler Kaitlyn Durocher Shana Kritzer Miles Lark

Robin Lawson Lorrie Mayzlin Michael Mayzlin Taylor Pinson Tyler Rogoff Jacob Thompson David Topolewski

features

Try these tips for fightng stress

mcccagora.com • The Agora

es, t o r n r life u o u ze y ... yo i n a h Orgsearc re

S andchedu hom le yo ewo ur s rk t tudy ime

April 23, 2012

Stress doesn’t just dwell in students’ heads – it fills them, leaving room for W stu he nothing else. Try filldy n it’ ing your head with .... s t i these ideas for ST me UD to reducing stress, Y instead.

e to m i t it’s STUDY n e Wh dy ....

Bud stu monegyet your , too..

Get research books ahead of time in the library instead of waiting until the last minute when all the good books are checked out.

If you’re a day person, it would serve you better to get a good night’s sleep and then get up two or three hours earlier to study when you mind works better.

If you do better studying late at night, try to arrange your schedule so that you can either sleep in a little or take a power nap in between school and work.

Robin Lawson Agora Staff

College students face their own version of stress, so why shouldn’t it have a name of its own?

How about: “Student Study Stress Syndrome.”

It’s not surprising that students suffer from high levels of stress. After all, they have their whole lives ahead of them – and what they do at college could determine its quality.

Whether they end up the customer at McDonalds or one of the minimumwage employees could depend largely on whether they graduate.

Stress doesn’t just dwell in students’ heads – it fills them, leaving room for nothing else.

Stress can lead to sleep-deprivation as students pull all-nighters trying to cram as much information into their brains as possible.

A study published in the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Journal states that students who pulled all-nighters routinely received lower grade point averages than those who didn’t do the extra studying.

Students often try to compensate by drinking large amounts of energy drinks or caffeine.

According to Pediatrics Magazine, as many as 50 percent of young adults admit drinking large doses of energy-boosting beverages; this includes college-age students.

Because the FDA categorizes these drinks as “nutritional supplements,” they are allowed to bypass the caffeine limit of 71 mg per 12 ounces set by governmental regulations.

A caffeine overdose can result in heart attack, stroke and even death.

Stress makes people do things they normally wouldn’t do, like cheating, eating too much or not enough, drinking alcohol, excessive smoking, stealing and mood changes, including everything from being irritable to dangerously violent.

What’s important to learn is what is causing the stress and how to relieve it, which usually means getting to the root of the problem and solving it.

Some reasons for Student Study Stress Syndrome can be: 1) Cramming — waiting until the last

Budget your money, too minute to try to learn an enormous amount of information.

2) Distractions — whether it’s a member of the opposite sex, trying to keep up with friends, problems back at home, financial worries, roommate conflicts, teacher conflicts or any other reason that keeps a student from concentrating.

3) Time Deficiency — attending class during the day, working until late hours, and then going home to do homework and/or study for tests.

4) Money worries — whether a fear of losing financial aid or stress from not getting enough hours or money from the job.

5) Overwhelming class load — two many classes or classes that are more difficult than the student can easily understand.

These reasons for stress can lead to sleep-deprivation, exhaustion and many health issues. Worse, they can result in accidents, clinical depression and even death.

On an almost weekly basis, at least one student nationwide is reported to have committed suicide due to school-related stresses or, having suffered sleep-deprivation, walked out in front of a car or fell asleep at the wheel and killed others.

A report from Michigan State University reports stress as the second most named reason that students drop out of college.

The No. 1 reason was loss of financial aid - often due to those grades they were stressing themselves to attain.

Many other national studies offer various percentages, but overall it seems that about nearly 50 percent of college freshman drop out due to stresses from either

financial aid loss or inability to keep up.

Other studies state that this rises to nearly 75 percent who drop out in their second year.

Now for some solutions.

Schedule ahead

Schedule your study and homework time. If you have to read 50 pages and take a test on the contents within the next 10 days, divide up the time, allowing more study time on days you don’t work.

Most important, plan to complete this two days ahead of schedule, so that if something comes up you still have two more days to study.

When it’s time to study...

There is a time and place for everything.

When it’s time to concern yourself with your financial aid, your work schedule, your ongoing conflict with a roommate or teacher, or whether or not your parents may be getting a divorce, then focus on these.

But when it’s time to study ... STUDY! Don’t try to study while filling out financial aid papers or working on the job; focus on one thing at a time.

Stay organized

Organize your notes so you don’t waste time looking for papers.

Information security program starts in fall Briefly: Culinary scholarship created Michael Mayzlin Agora Staff

MCCC will begin offering a new program — Information Assurance and Security — in the fall of 2012, .

The program will require 60 credit hours and result in an Associate Of Applied Science Degree.

Professor William Hilliker is in charge of the program in close collaboration with software company CyberWatch and Eastern Michigan University.

Information assurance takes into consideration the management of risks associated with the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information and data over computer systems and networks, as well as handling physical information.

“Information security involves a little bit more than just simply setting a password on a wireless network,” Hilliker said.

The program rollout will take place over two semesters, beginning with the offering of IAS 105 - Everyday Computing and Responsibility, in the Fall 2012

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semester.

This introductory course is only offered online at the moment.

IAS 103 - Information Assurance Overview, will be offered in the Winter 2013 semester, along with several required CIS classes.

The basic requirements for MCCC degress, such as math, language and science will also be required for Information Assurance and Security program.

Most of the credits earned will be directly transferrable to Eastern Michigan University, Hilliker said.

The program was designed with the intention of students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Information Assurance and Security is a promising, rapidly growing field which will demand qualified and educated individuals, Hilliker said.

Students interested in pursuing the degree are encouraged to contact Hilliker.

His office is E115, and his office hours are Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. and Thursday 9-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

A culinary scholarship has been established at MCCC in the name of Dave Hartzell.

The scholarship was created by Alyce Castellese and Esther Hartzell in memory of their father and husband.

“Dave’s dream was realized by taking the MCCC culinary program and starting a new career at the age of 60,” said Esther Hartzell.

“Maybe this scholarship will make someone else’s dream come true and keep Dave Hartzell’s memory alive.”

The scholarship was created by an initial gift of $2,000 to The Foundation at MCCC, with plans to donate $2,000 every year for this annual scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must: • Be a first or second year student in the MCCC culinary skills and management program • Be a resident of Monroe County.

Food serve replacement sought A committee has been created to search for a replacement of the Frog Leg Inn Bistro for providing food servive at MCCC.

Budget yourself, not only with your time, but with your money.

Live within your means. Buy used books. Bring sack lunches.

Don’t waste gas driving anywhere you don’t need to go.

Put on your calender the dates you have to reapply for financial aid and get there early.

If you’re excellent at Math or Science, etc, put up a notice that you will tutor for extra money.

You can babysit and do your homework or study when the little ones are asleep.

There are many solutions to financial problems; mainly it’s tightening your belt and getting a good job.

Rethink your class load

If you’re taking too many classes, talk to your guidance counselor to see how you can lighten your load.

If you have difficulty with one class, that’s enough to throw you into a tailspin; don’t chose two hard classes in the same semester.

If you must, however, find a tutor. They can be expensive, but often you can barter. You can tutor someone in Science if they’ll tutor you in Math.

Stress is what you make of it.

Prepare, get control. Don’t live for today, plan for tomorrow ... and next week.

Think positive. A car goes where the steering wheel takes it. Your body goes where your brain leads. When you prepare ahead and believe you will succeed, most often you do.

CTC groundbreaking planned

A request for proposals for the management and operation of the cafeteria and catering was advertised in the Monroe Evening News last week, according to Jean Ford, director of Auxiliary Services and Purchasing.

The committee will review the proposals and conduct interviews, Ford said. She said six individuals have expressed interest so far.

Tadd and Catherine Cousineau announced last month that the The Frog Leg Inn Bistro would not return next fall.

A groundbreaking ceremony for MCCC’s new Career Technology Center will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 4.

Site work for the $17 million building began last fall and continued this spring. Construction will start soon after the groundbreaking.

In conjunction with the groundbreaking, WJR-Radio broadcaster Paul W. Smith will hold his morning news show in the La-Zboy Center Atrium from 6-9 a.m.

Business students honored

Business students honored

Eight Business Management student were inducted last month into the Ethos Honor Society at Eastern Michigan University.

The students – Suzanne Stevens, Ashley Bugg, Samantha Ford, Alaric Curey, Jennifer O’Dell, Rachel Riffle, Jessica Gossard, and Corrie Sloan – attended ETHOS Week, which occurs each March with the purpose of promoting business ethics and furthering ethics education.

The MCCC students, along with other students, faculty, staff, alumni, and business people were inducted into the society during the March 16 luncheon that capped off Ethos Week. They were required to recite the Ethos statement at the induction ceremony. The recitation affirmed their commitment to ethical conduct.

America’s favorite pastime is on display through the end of April at the Whitman Center in honor of the new baseball season.

A presentation by Rich Adler, a local baseball historian, was held last week.

In conjunction with the presentation, the Whitman Center is hosting an exhibit entitled “Baseball: Across a Divided Society,” which utilizes information and photography provided by the Library of Congress.

The display was developed by Sean McDonald, graphic designer at MCCC and Mark Spenoso, the college’s digital imaging specialst. It consists of 20 images depicting early baseball (1860s-1920s). The photographs tell the story of how baseball emerged as the American national pastime.

April 23, 2012

arts and entertainment

mcccagora.com • The Agora

MCCC’s Drama Club shows “The Curious Savage” Nicki Kostrzewa Agora Staff

“The Curious Savage,” a play by John Patrick, was performed in the little theater April 21-22.

The story is about a woman (Ethel Savage) who is left a large sum of money from her husband, who recently passed away. However, her stepchildren are doing all they can to get their grubby hands on the money.

When the widow puts her money into some bonds, the stepchildren realize that they won’t be able to get it. They think that maybe putting her in a sanatorium would make her come to her senses.

While on the inside, however, she starts to feel that the people inside the walls are saner than those who are outside.

Since the beginning of the fall semester, the Drama club has been fun rising to be able to purchase the rights to the show.

“There are a number of students involved, members of the club and various college students. We even have some alumni in the show and working on lights/stage direction,” said Kevin Smith, Drama Club president.

There are only 11 roles in the play, making each and every role valuable to the entire performance. Mrs. Ethel Savage, who the play is centered around, will be played by Kylie Parks.

Other members of the club who are not taking the stage worked on ticket taking, setting up the set, and concessions sales to help the night go smoother.

“The show went great! I was pleasantly surprised by our performance mostly because we were all so nervous,” Smith said.

Agora Staff

Photo by Mandi Davis

Olivia Bacarella (Miss Willie).

Photo by Mandi Davis

Blue Man Group amazes fans Ted Boss

Top from left to right: Hope Laurain (Fairy May), Jake Zapor (Dr. Emmett), Kylie Parks (Mrs. Savage), and Ryan Reynolds (Hannibal). Middle: Cara Kern, who plays Mrs. Paddy. Bottom: Eric Black (Jeff), and

From left to right: Kevin Smith (Tidus) and Kylie Parks (Mrs. Savage).

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Photo by Mandi Davis

From left to right: Kevin Smith (Tidus), Cara Kern (Mrs. Paddy), and Jake Zapor (Dr. Emmett).

The Blue Man Group will be performing in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre from Tuesday, May 1, until Sunday, May 13.

The Blue Man Group comes across as being part rock group and part performance art group.

The original trio formed in the late 1980s when the three friends, then in their twenties, joined together to perform as a guerrilla theater group in the streets of Manhattan.

By the early 2000s, the Blue Man Group had grown from its meager beginnings into a $28 million operation with 473 employees, adding an additional 27 more Blue Men to the fold.

Every facet of the Blue Man Group’s performance is carefully orchestrated. One aspect of their performance that amazes me is when they play the drum trombone. It is absolutely entrancing.

The Blue Man Group released its first album, Audio, in 1999, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

They have since released two more albums and a multitude of DVD’s and music videos.

The Blue Man Group has also starred in a series of very entertaining television commercials for multimillion dollar computer chip maker Intel.

If you’ve never seen Blue Man Group, it’s a must-see. If you’re already a fan, don’t miss it.

April 23, 2012

arts and entertainment

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Games keep readers, viewers wanting more Movie entrances audience, series lovers Nicki Kostrzewa Agora Staff

With the early hours of the night approaching, the air seemed tenser as I walked into the theater to watch, “The Hunger Games.”

Let me tell you, I haven’t read any of the books, but I heard mixed reviews about both. Most said that the books were phenomenal, but the movie left some minor details out that were supposedly beneficial to the story line.

But as far as I’m concerned, I think the movie was really great for those of us who don’t have time to read the books.

The storyline was beautiful; it really makes you think, “what if, what if we had to go through that?”

Or how would we react if we watched someone else do that in their society?

And if you really think about it, you could tell in the movie who has more humanity coursing through their veins, compared to others who were going through the games.

And of course, the little love story in there makes it worth watching, too. It makes the story a little more exciting, and it really makes you realize that there were still little glimmers of hope for

humanity.

Some questions I’ve heard from the public about this movie include, “Well isn’t it too bloody?”

My response is: not really. Yes some things are shown, but not enough to make you turn away from the screen and shudder — just enough to know that they will not be in the rest of the film.

Just a little hint-hint for those of you who haven’t seen this movie: Watch out for the little old-fashioned hints of the society; the dress of members, the actions, conditions, etc.

I think people would be surprised how much of the future and the past really came together in this movie.

According to Box Office Mojo.com “The Hunger Games” is still the number one movie out there, for the fourth week in a row. The opening week earned the movie over $21 million. The total gross of the movie overall was over $336 million.

Wow. This movie is great. The book may even be better, but let me tell you this: watch and read them all if you have the chance. It not only looks great visually, but it might even look better in print. I defiantly give this movie a 10 out of 10.

Story causes closer look at today’s society Kaitlyn Durocher Agora Staff

Many of the books and movies that we all know and love can relate to people’s lives in ways that, at first, may not be noticed.

The newest hit in the box offices, The Hunger Games, compares to today’s society in numerous ways.

Making more money than Twilight and Harry Potter, The Hunger Games has become extremely popular with both young and older generations.

However, some viewers of the movie or even those who read the books do not realize that the themes and lessons found within the Hunger Games hold true to today’s world.

The Hunger Games is based around the life of a girl named Katniss Everdeen. Katniss is an independent, strong, smart girl who cares for her family after her father died in a mining accident.

The Everdeen family lives in a state which is known as District 12.

In this movie, there are twelve districts, which would be considered equal to states or territories. There is also one main district, the Capitol.

Those who live within the districts are considered poor and are controlled by those who re-

Old time games take another shot, entertainment still found within Tyler Rogoff

Agora Staff

In honor of the remake of Final Fantasy X, and the lack of games coming out this month to review, I will be reviewing FFX, which may be my favorite game of all time.

Final Fantasy X was released for the PlayStation 2 back in late 2001. It was the first Final Fantasy game to feature voice acted characters and the first to have a true 3D world.

Final Fantasy X is set in the world of Spira, a world that is decimated by a creature called Sin. Sin is the embodiment of all mistakes by people, but mainly due to their dependent use of machina (machines).

The main character is Tidus, a blitzball player, who is also the son of Jecht, the world’s greatest blitzball player.

Tidus becomes the guardian of a summoner named Yuna, daughter of High Summoner Braska. Summoners are those who travel from temple to temple to receive Aeons, the embodiment of a person who sacrificed their life to defeat Sin. Summoners pilgrimages are designed to make them strong enough to make The Final Summoning, which is used to defeat sin. High Summoners are those who have defeated Sin. The storyline of Final Fantasy X is, in my opinion, the best of any game I have ever played. Between

character development, voice actors delving into their roles, and the plot with the twists, the story starts out quickly for a Japanese RPG but gets stronger as the story goes, even with a very strong middle point.

By today’s standards, the graphics are weak. But when FFX was released, the graphics were some of the best ever seen in a game. The pre-rendered cutscenes in the game look as good as games released today.

The graphics don’t hold back the game by any means, though, when playing through it today. They won’t blow anybody away, but they don’t make the game unplayable either.

Leveling up is done in a different fashion. Each character is placed on the Sphere Grid, which is a board game of sorts. Defeating enemies will earn you specific spheres, which will unlock nodes on the grid.

Nodes are broken down into types, such as HP, Ability, or Strength, and the types are split between certain spheres to activate them.

Characters finish their area of the Sphere Grid and are then able to move into another character’s grid, allowing major customization in development.

The more recent Final Fantasy games have all had side games as well, and blitzball is the most fun one I have found.

I spent as much time playing blitzball as I spent playing the story in some playthroughs. It is a mix of water polo and football.

Players swim in a sphere of water and attempt to score goals on the other team. A simple game by nature, and not very difficult with a good team, but the fun level can be through the roof for some.

Final Fantasy X has a fantastic battle system as well. A turn-based system that has one character attack at a time, but if the character has enough speed, they can attack multiple times before an enemy is able to counter.

It gets away from the typical active time battle system that Final Fantasy is known for, but the system works very well and is deep but simple at the same time.

Final Fantasy X is my favorite role playing game ever made, and is possibly my favorite game ever.

I purchased a PS2 after selling my original just to play it again, and bought a replacement when that PS2 died.

The remake will update the graphics while keeping the game the same, and will allow those who never experienced the game to play it, and those who loved it to play it again.

I still give FFX a 10/10, and urge all of those with a PS2 to play it if they have not, or experience the story once again if they have played it.

side in the Capitol, the wealthy people of the nation.

The rulers of the Capitol greatly abuse their power. The most surprising thing that the Capitol does to demonstrate its power is holding The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games happen once a year. Two children from each district are chosen to participate. When in the game, the children fight until there is only one person, the winner, left alive.

Clearly, there is a distinct line of power shown throughout this story. The people in the Capitol view themselves as superior because of their wealth and use it against those in the districts.

Those living in the districts submit to the Capitol because they have come to believe that they are, in fact, inferior to the citizens of the Capitol.

This demonstration of the “haves” and “have nots” shown in this movie is also found within our own society. Just like in The Hunger Games, our nation has both poor and wealthy people whose power is given to them based on their income.

Another way The Hunger Games story line relates to our society’s values is in the way of appearances.

In the movie, Katniss has to undergo a huge transformation

of her looks in order to be more appealing to the people who watch The Hunger Games.

This way of thinking is common within our society. Adolescents strive to look a certain way so that way their peers will view them as “cool” or “good looking,” which in return gains their friendship.

Love and relationships are also demonstrated throughout the plot.

Katniss is told to fake her love for her fellow competitor in order to win viewers’ favor. However, the boy she is faking her affection toward, Peeta, is not pretending his love for her.

Peeta truly loves Katniss and would sacrifice himself before letting her die in the games.

Although this type of true love is rare in our world, it still is manifest in the lives of a few.

There are people in our society who would do anything for one another and could not bear losing what they have.

Obviously, The Hunger Games is more than just a story about a future generation and how they live.

The story line has numerous themes that can relate to the lives of everyday people.

The Hunger Games hits home and makes people think about many different aspects of life.

Simple plot holds viewers’ attention Taylor Pinson Agora Staff

There are worse ways to spend an afternoon than watching Lockout.

The plot is simple: An important hostage is being held in an impenetrable fortress, and the only way to rescue her is to send in a cynical loose-cannon of questionable loyalty.

It’s a tried-and-true formula from the big book of movie cliches, and frankly it still works.

This time, the setting is a giant floating space prison with hundreds of murderous convicts.

The hostage is the president’s daughter – adequately played

by Maggie Grace of TV’s Lost, and the sarcastic action hero is a framed government agent that will be granted his freedom for accomplishing the mission – played with a fair amount of charm by Guy Pearce.

The story moves along at an acceptable pace, the action scenes are entertaining, the acting is adequate for an action movie, and the special effects get the job done.

Overall, Lockout is an enjoyable if somewhat forgettable experience. It knows what it is and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

If you’re looking for a cheesy action movie, with some light sci-fi elements tossed in, give Lockout a look.

sports mcccagora.com • The Agora

8

April 23, 2012

Volleyball team hosts tournament Story and photos

by Tyler Rogoff

“Word is finally getting around about our team, and interest is growing.”

- Corinne Heller

V

olleyball teams from the Monroe area came to play in the MCCC fundraiser volleyball tournament.

The tournament was held to raise money for next season’s womens’ volleyball club.

T

he team is mostly self funded by the players.

“Through fund raising, we are able to get new players and more funding to go to new tournaments,” coach Denise Lockard said about the reasoning behind hosting the tournament.

Seven teams showed up to play in the tournament. Washtenaw Community College’s women’s volleyball team competed. Other teams were groups of friends who played just to have fun, while a couple were built with winning in mind.

Teams were split into two pools, with round robin play determining what teams would advance

to which bracket. The top two teams from each pool played in the gold bracket, while the others advanced to the silver bracket.

The A pool had MCCC, Washtenaw Community College, the Setaholics, and the Court Jesters, while the B pool consisted of Floral City Beverage, the Margarita Mommas, and Nick & Nino’s.

MCCC won four sets and lost three in round robin play, making it to the gold bracket by winning the tiebreaker set with Washtenaw Community College.

“I feel that we are finally playing up to our potential,” Corinne Heller said after round robin play.

The MCCC club team ad-

vanced to the gold bracket as the second seed out of their pool, along with the Setaholics, the Margarita Mommas, and Nick & Nino’s. In the silver bracket were Washtenaw Community College, the Court Jesters, and Floral City Beverage.

In the first round of the silver bracket, Washtenaw Community College had a bye and Floral City Beverage defeated the Court Jesters. Floral City Beverage then defeated Washtenaw Community College to win the silver bracket.

The gold bracket saw MCCC matching up with Nick & Nino’s, while the Setaholics played the Margarita Mommas. Nick & Nino’s easily handled MCCC, while

the Setaholics came from behind after losing the first set and defeated the Margarita Mommas.

In the finals, Nick & Nino’s got out to an early lead, but never were able to dominate the Setaholics like they did their other opponents. Nick & Nino’s won the first set, then defeated the Setaholics in a tiebreak in the second set to win the championship.

This was MCCC’s final tournament of the season. Players are only eligible to play two years with the community college, and many of the teams hitters have exhausted their eligibility.

Libero Rachel Swanson said that one of the hardest things

about the season was integrating new players to their system, as many had to change positions and learn a new formation after playing four years in high school with other coaches. Swanson also said that the team did build chemistry throughout the season and played their best at the end of the year.

Corinne Heller echoed those statements, also saying that the team could have done better if they had more practice time.

Heller also feels that the team is getting better and building for the future through tournaments like these.

“Word is finally getting around about our team, and interest is

growing,” Heller stated.

Rachel Swanson would like to see the team grow by joining other leagues besides the ALCC recreational league to help push the team farther.

Coach Lockard was overall pleased with the way the season turned out as well.

“We had moments that were wonderful, but also some that were disappointing,” Lockard said.

Lockard is also excited for the future, feeling that the team has a good base to work with and a new influx of players and coaches for next season can push the team to the next level.

Upper Left: Rachel Cousino, a student at MCCC, spikes the ball over the net.

Upper Right: MCCC student Kaitlin Bedra serves.

Left: Corinne Heller, another student at MCCC, sends the ball back over the net.