volume 57
Issue 7
february 16, 2023
news: Black history events
page 2
opinion: controversy over ai Page 3
arts: ‘‘ant-man, last of us review
prom cast released Pages 5-6
The award-Winning Student Newspaper of Illinois valley Community College
A tuition payment increase decision was delayed by the IVCC board Thursday evening. The Board of Trustees will resume the discussion at the March meeting.
President Jerry Corcoran explained that the tuition increase plan was delayed to preserve the college’s enrollment resurgence and not jeopardize the rising trajectory for the upcoming fiscal year. The board agreed to hold off on this matter to explore alternative options going forward.
Corcoran ensured commitment to this issue and noted, “It’s important to be mindful that the federal and state grants we have been receiving for two years to help everyone deal with the effects of the pandemic will eventually go away, so we should include in our three-year plan what measures will be taken without further financial support and not jeopardize our reputation for quality in programs and services at an affordable price.”
In addition to the ongoing tuition increase deliberations, the board discussed the funding increase of an additional $39,007 for student mental health
and wellbeing. Moreover the board announced, pending future appropriations, IVCC will receive $93,000 a year for three years for continued mental health support.
In other action, tenure recommendations were approved in the meeting for three instructors. Nancy McDonnell in cybersecurity, Rick Pretzsch in economics, and Kaity Ritter in Medical Assisting were all granted tenure by the board.
McDonnell founded the cybersecurity program three years ago and has taken on many computer networking courses.
“Nancy is great at connecting with students,” said Shane Lange, Dean of Workforce Development.
Rick Pretzsch instructs economics and advises the student economics club. Dean of Natural Sciences and Business Ron Groleau praised Pretzsch’s ability to engage students by relating classroom topics to real-world applications.
Ritter established the Medical Assistant program three years ago and aspirers to one day expand it to offer an associate degree.
Retirement dates were approved by the board for 15 individuals, each retiring within the span of the next
three years. They are faculty Margie Francisco, Christine Blaydes, Richard Mangold, and David Kuester, as well as administrators and support staff Fran Brolley, Walter Waligora, Judy Day, Matthew Suerth, Cynthia Cardosi, Karen Gregorich, Lynn Moore, Marla Forbes, Marlene Merkel, Mark Quincer, and Steve Gillio.
Judy Day, executive assistant to the President and secretary to the Board, noted in her letter to Corcoran concerning her retirement, “Upon retirement I will have been at IVCC for 38 years and worked in Student Services, Academic Affairs and the President’s Office. It has been a privilege to serve the students, staff, faculty, administration and board and an honor to serve the district with you.”
Noting Day’s and Brolley’s retirements, Corcoran closed his report saying, “Together, they have given 73 years to IVCC and are so much alike: gifted, dependable, professional, respectful and respected. We all go our separate ways in a few short months, but I’ll never forget all they have done to make IVCC a wonderful place in which to work and change peoples’ lives.”
The Board of Trustees will meet againe on Thursday, March 9.
Editor: Elisabeth Farrell
Assistant: Ryan Nolasco
Staff: Drake Weber, Julian Godina, Eric Lockwood, John Cheli, Mia Mazzorana, Noah Simon, Logan Bland, Erin Brooker, Matthew Goodbred, Kendra Martin, Natalie Neal, Macy Anderson, Bonnie Hall.
IV Leader, a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, is published monthly by students of Illinois Valley Community College. Editorials and columns express opinions of student and staff members and do not necessarily express the views of IVCC, the administration or the Board. Editorial opinions are those a student editorial board.
Letters to the editor must be signed and should be addressed to the IV Leader Office B-316, IVCC, 815 N. Orlando Smith Rd., Oglesby, IL 61348-9691.
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Read the IV Leader online, meet the staff, apply for a staff position, and explore the newspaper’s long, distinguished history online.
IV Leader is a member of Associated Collegiate Press and the Illinois Community College Journalism Association.
D I T O R I A L
A recent explosion of AI in the academic world has many students and staff rethinking the future of school.
Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a general-purpose chatbot that responds to prompts using information from across the internet. For example, one could have written, “Editorial on AI in school settings” into the textbox, copied the 400 words that popped up in 4 seconds, and pasted it all as their own in this newsletter.
I did not do that, of course. But I could have.
Truth be told, (with a bit of revising) it would be hard to tell if I did—so I’m sure you can see where this could be a problem for kids who don’t necessarily care about academic integrity. Plus, it’s not just articles that this chatbot can write, but research papers, plays and poems, resumes, music and more.
In the future, it’s likely that ChatGPT will implement a watermark feature, signaling work not created by a student. But DigitalTrends says that may take a while, and it’s entirely possible that paying for a premium subscription could make that problem go away. It’s also not a longshot to say there will soon be competitors to ChatGPT, creating a conglomeration of hard-to-track plagiarism with no standard rules. And while some schools are ban-
ning ChatGPT across campus networks, you know as well as I do: when there’s a will, there’s a way.
Technology has long been turning itself over into bigger, better, and more mind-blowing designs. Should professors and students simply accept AI as part of the classroom, just as computers were introduced to US schools in the 1980s? It seems fair to say that, whether they agree or not, the answer will be yes.
As a result, many educators are sure AI spells the end of essay writing, as there will be no verifiable way of proving a student has submitted their own work. This idea is concerning for a number of reasons: the main one, a lack of critical thought in the classroom, and later the real world.
This is a reasonable fear, but one that may focus too much on the past.
For years, there has been strain in the US education system over its emphasis on test scores, rote memorization, and rigid structure. Though I don’t expect AI alone to magically solve these problems, I do feel it can bring much-needed change to an outdated program.
Less focus on keyboards and screens can be an avenue to more hands-on learning—especially important for kids who will go into the workface to avoid the ever-growing cliff of college debt. Priori-
To me, it’s the month created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States.
-Paige Worden, Ladd
Chuck Berry is my top pick. Also Howard Jones, and Tommy Vext is great, too.
-Liam McGann, Mendota
-Allie Hernandez, DePue
tizing talking over typing in grade school may help to slow rising trends of social anxiety. And before I say this, let me clarify: I am pursuing a career in education. But if kids gain a smidge more free time thanks to ChatGPT in a world where every moment of their day is dedicated to sports, school and work… would it really be that bad?
I’m no scholar, and I’m certainly not trying to sell you on system-wide plagiarism. I simply think AI isn’t something we should necessarily fear; if used—or not used—correctly, I think it can redesign a curriculum in serious need of reform.
I love the annual soul food buffet, it’s my favorite part of the year.
-Perris Stachlewitz, Mendota
I really Lauryn Hill. Her music entirely changed the music industry. She pushed back against an industry that was so against Black artists, but especially woman Black artists. She has become a political and overall influential icon with her music. She has a certain rawness in her music that anyone could take inspiration from.
-Amaya
Olivas, MendotaAcross our amazing country, there are millions of sights to see… and none are as breathtaking as a trip to the west.
Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Montana, and here are my thoughts on the eighth most beautiful state in the country!
The state is 150,000 square miles to begin with. That makes it the fourth largest state in the country, only falling behind giants like Texas and Alaska.
A massive open web of plains makes up the east of the state, with nothing but open sky, land and wildlife, with occasional ranges and Native reservations covering the countryside.
As I traveled west, the real beau-
ty was revealed. Here, the plains turn suddenly into mountains, growing in size.
Ponderosa pine tree forests begin to emerge, covered in magnificent powdered snow.
Roads begin to diverge into the mountains, and take a slight amount of skill to maneuver.
Unexpected weather only adds to the experience. As treacherous as this may seem, the unparalleled views are worth it.
There is nothing like driving 20 minutes up a mountain to be suddenly surprised with a bird’s eye view over the terrain.
The air begins to feel crisp and full of authenticity.
A breeze brushes through your hair and chills you to the bone.
Arriving in the upper north-west of the state introduces a visitor to one of the most gorgeous places in America: Glacier National Park, home of melting glaciers and alpine forests.
BY JOHN CHELI IV LEADER COLUMNISTIt is safe to say that there are few states in America that can rival the brilliance and aesthetic of Montana.
So, who wanted a sequel to 2011’s “Puss in Boots”?
I wasn’t one of those people, but I’m glad one was made!
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” was an amazing movie, with a great new look, and a surprisingly mature theme to it.
Antonio Banderas reprises his role as the famous swashbuckling feline, and gives a great performance as we see a new side of the typically self-aggrandizing cat.
With Puss down to the last of his nine lives, he learns of a way to possibly restore them to continue his adventurous lifestyle through a magic wishing star. Except, he’s not the only one hunting for the star.
More famous fairy tale characters like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Jack Horner have their own reasons for getting to
the star and compete with Puss for it.
All the while Puss is on this treacherous journey for the magic star, he faces the looming reality of his mortality, knowing one slip-up could be the end of the legend.
What I found most surprising about this movie was the depiction of Puss’ anxiety throughout the movie and the messaging around it, as it really affects who he is as a character and harms his relationships with his close friends. His anxiety grows so bad at one point it leads to a full-blown panic attack, which was disturbingly realistic to the real thing.
Luckily, through those friends he is able to overcome his fear of death and, by the end of the movie , returns to being everyone’s favorite fearless hero.
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a movie I could not recommend enough to anyone.
The third “Ant-Man” movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantu mania,” is coming out on Feb. 17.
When I think back on the first two “Ant-Man” movies, I become more excited and nervous for the upcoming threequel.
The first movie, simply titled “Ant-Man,” was released in 2015.
It’s about an ex-convict named Scott Lang taking up the Ant-Man mantle from an aging scientist, Hank Pym.
Along with Hank’s daughter, Hope, they plan a heist to steal world-threatening technology away from the wrong hands.
I really enjoy this first install ment. It’s very funny and the story and most of the characters are inter esting.
The worst character is the villain, Yellowjacket. He’s not very interest ing because his power, shrinking, is exactly the same as Ant-Man’s.
However, I really like how small in scale the movie is, no pun intend ed, when compared to the rest of the MCU.
It doesn’t try too hard to make a large impact on the overall MCU like many other Marvel movies do.
This makes “Ant-Man” a movie that anyone can enjoy. Plus, there are a few cameos and references to other movies in the universe for hardcore fans.
The second installment, “AntMan and the Wasp,” came out in 2018.
Scott teams up with Hope again, but this time around, she is also a superhero: the Wasp.
The duo is trying to retrieve Hank Pym’s lab, which is shrunk down to the size of a suitcase, because it has fallen into the wrong hands. Sounds familiar.
However, the sequel’s villain is much more interesting than the original. Her name is Ghost, and she has the ability to walk through walls.
On the downside for some peo ple, this movie is far more connected to the larger MCU, unlike the first “Ant-Man.”
For example, the movie deals heavily with the ramifications of Ant-Man’s appearance in “Captain America: Civil War” from 2016. Also, the post-credit scenes will probably confuse people who hav-
BY ERIC LOCKWOOD IV LEADER COLUMNISTwhen the MCU feels connected, but I also love the more standalone stories, which the Ant-Man movies always used to be.
Finally, if the plot of “Quantumania” involves stealing technology that has fallen into the wrong hands, I will be very disappointed.
I’ll just have to wait and see when “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is released.Marvel poster for “Ant-Man” available under fair use.
The new HBO series “The Last of Us”, based on the captivating video game series by the same name, first released in 2013, has been transformed onto streaming platforms with its premiere on Jan. 15.
The action and adventure game series, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, lets gamers control a smuggler named Joel Miller tasked with transporting teenage girl, Ellie Williams, across a post-apocalyptic US.
The game is played from a third-person perspective. Players use firearms, improvised weaponry and stealth to defend themselves against humans and cannibalistic creatures infected by a mutated fungus.
The relationship between Ellie and Joel is the focal point of the game. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson portrayed the duo through voice and motion capture in the game.
The dramatic new TV show provides a remarkable mix of horror and intensity, elevated by an incredible cast. A breathtaking adaptation of one of the most impactful stories told in video games, it brings Joel and Ellie’s journey to a whole new audience, while taking the essence of what made the original tale so enduring. The series also builds out the world of the game, even switching up some aspects to create a stunning new dynamic.
The performance is anchored by the outstanding lead performances from Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal.
Ellie is the charming, driving force of the show, acting as a reminder to Joel of what he has lost since the apocalypse, while also providing him with a sense of purpose. Bella Ramsey leaves a lasting impact as Ellie, effortlessly shifting between vulnerability, determination and youthful
excitement.
Pedro Pascal brilliantly embodies the character of smuggler Joel Miller, acting as a foil to Ellie’s youthful charm. He is quiet, displaying powerful emotions with merely a look on his face. Pascal is fearless and emotionless when faced with adversity, and able to represent all sides of Joel’s personality, which ranges from warm and caring to ruthless and violent.
The shape of the story will be familiar to anyone who has played the game previously, but it still offers surprises with constant alterations of the main storyline, highlighting the danger that lurks within the post-apocalyptic world.
For example, Bill’s character, played by Nick Offerman, is given new depth, as one handwritten note from the game is expanded into a remarkable piece of entertainment in the form of heartbreaking, apocalyptic love.
The plot stays true to the original story for the most part, but does occasionally stray away to shine a light on previously unexplored corners of the world.
Certain shots or lines of dialogue will have players doing their best Leonardo DiCaprio impressions by pointing at the TV, fitting in perfectly with the aesthetic of the show.
A diligent use of flashbacks paints a bigger picture of the world and provides context through societal snapshots of life both before and after the fungus mutation.
The show presents two hallmark episodes that push queer relationships to the center of the series to celebrate them.
Given the post-apocalyptic setting that suffocates any kind of happiness, these rare sparks of life and love are all the more impactful and make the show incredi-
bly diverse and captivating. Visual effects, like paint scabs and fungal veins, are the cherry on top to an already brilliant show.
The hectic, tense nature of the story is emphasized by limited still camera shots, and the show focuses on the fallout of violence over the actual violence itself.
But the best aspect of the show are the audio effects: the echoing of gunshots ring out, along with distant cries and nearby, unsettling clicks which echo throughout a world so quiet that any sound is cause for concern.
Additionally, the original score of the game provides familiar refrains from Gustavo Santaolalla’s iconic soundtrack, singing in harmony with original pieces during the most action-packed moments of the show.
Neil Druckmann, who wrote and co-directed the original game, assisted Craig Mazin with the scriptwriting for the nine-episode season. Given the immediate success of the show, it was renewed for a second season.
More than 4.7 million viewers across platforms watched the premier on day one, and over 22 million people joined in on the first 12 days.
Overall, the show is one of the best live-action adaptation of a video game. It is very appealing to fans of the game, and even those who haven’t played, considering the show encapsulates all aspects of thrilling, captivating and dramatic television.
Barry Glickman: Matt Valle
Dee Dee Allen: Tracey Childers
Emma Nolan: Zoe Starkey
Alyssa Greene: Lexi Johnson
Trent Oliver: Jake Jakielski
Shelly: Jennifer Walk
Mrs. Greene: Kelly Johnson
Mr. Hawkins: Don Grant Zellmer
Shelby: Courtney Atkinson
Kaylee: Bree Ninis
Coach: Brian Towne
Angie: TBA
THE COMPANY:
Tricia Kelly
Gennaro Piccolo
Alessandro Deleon
Ethan Darrow
Levi Bland
David Zuniga
Zoe Bush
Ken Persky
Victoria Campbell
BY NOAH SIMON SPORTS COLUMNIST
The spring show from the IVCC Fine Arts Department has been announced: ‘The Prom,’ a hit musical comedy.
Don Grant Zellmer, the director and choreographer for the show, shared some important information.
When asked why the Fine Arts Department decided to put on this show, Zellmer said that they were “looking for a new property.”
He goes further to say that the show has great music, an inspiring message and that it is full of “laugh out loud” humor.
‘The Prom’ premiered on Broadway in 2018 and became quite successful, with a 2020 movie release on Netflix as well.
Finally, Zellmer states that the show is “not an old fashioned musical” and that it can “resonate with all ages.”
‘The Prom’ hits the
IVCC theater from April 13 to 23.
A synopsis of the play is provided by Stageagent. com: The careers of four eccentric Broadway stars are struggling and they desperately need a new stage upon which to shine bright once more.
Seeking out a cause, they head straight to small-town Indiana. Through social media, they have heard of trouble brewing around a school prom.
Local girl, Emma Nolan, wants to take her girlfriend to prom, but the homophobic PTA are on a mission to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow. Determined to transform lives and put themselves back in the limelight, the Broadway celebrities muscle in to change the town and give Emma the prom she deserves.
The Eagles men’s team wraps up their regular season on Feb. 23 with a 7:30 p.m. contest vs. Black Hawk at home.
The Eagles have a 6-2 conference record and are 11-17 overall. Vijay Wallace leads the
Eagles with 15 points per game.
The women’s team also finishes the regular season with a 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23 contest vs. Black Hawk. The Eagles are 5-22 overall with a 2-6 conference record.
Bad is a good term to use when talking of the 2022 Chicago Bears. They finished an abysmal 3-14, a 10-game losing streak, last in the division, and they were the worst team in the entire NFL. But with being bad there comes a good.
The Bears, being the worst team in the NFL, managed to secure the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft. But, before we dive into that, we must start at the re-signing period and cuts.
The Bears have an absurd amount of cap space to spend if they are pleased to do so. The free agency list for the Bears is quite lackluster. Running back David Montgomery headlines the list.
In my honest opinion, you do not spend a dime on the expiring contracts with the exception of long snapper Pat Scales. The Bears already have Khalil Herbert as a bud-
ding star in the backfield and they also have converted wideout Velus Jones into a back as well. Not to mention, it is so easy to find, draft, and replace a running back.
To the 2023 free agency class: Wide receiver, O Line, and D Line have to be a priority. Unfortunately for the Bears, this year’s FA class is a doozy. But let’s name off all the players that have to be targeted anyways.
The five receivers that should be targeted: DJ Chark, JuJu
Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Myers, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman.
The five O-Lineman that should be targeted: Orlando Brown, Nick Gates, Isaiah Wynn, Jawaan Taylor, George Fant.
The D-Lineman who should be targeted: Yannick Ngakoue, Da’ron Payne, done. End of list.
If you are Ryan Poles you HAVE to throw as much money as Da’ron Payne as he wants. He is young and can be a true game wrecker.
Now onto the draft. There
shouldn’t be much explaining here. Get the house for the No. 1 pick.
Get the house. For starters, you have to find a way to get an early second to make up for the Chase Claypool mistake. But anything less than three firsst-round picks is a failure. Ryan Poles is an NFL general manager for a reason.
This is a once in a career decision. Justin Fields is still very much unproven as a passer. You want him to be your franchise guy? Go the extra mile.
BY LOGAN BLAND SPORTS COLUMNISTvolume 57
Issue 7
february 16, 2023
eagles prepare for postseason
Page 7
bears next moves
Page 7
IVCC photo