The Advocate - Issue 19 - February 28, 2020

Volume 54, Issue 19 February 28, 2020 advocate-online.net

FOR THE STUDENTS BY THE STUDENTS

Coronavirus: echoes from the Spanish Flu PAGE 3

Saints women light up court PAGE 5

Concordia closing its doors PAGE 6

SLAM POET HITS HOME

PAGE 8

2020 Oregon Book Award finalist visits MHCC PAGE 6

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2019 FIRST PLACE

General Excellence

Pacific Northwest Assoc. of Journalism Educators

OPINION | NEWS

A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T

JUSTICE FOR ALL? NOT QUITE

Omar Carrillo The Advocate

On Feb. 18, President Trump granted clemency to almost a dozen convicted criminals – a large majority of which were not just any kind of criminal.

Among them, for example, was David Safavian, former Republican lawyer and lobbyist who was

found guilty in 2009 and served a year in prison for obstructing an investigation and making false statements regarding a former fellow lobbyist, Jack Abramoff.

Another was mental healthcare company partial-owner Judith Negron, responsible for her role in a $205 million Medicare fraud scandal.

These individuals, mostly people of wealthy and powerful standing, had previously been found guilty of financial wrongdoing and/or purposeful federal dereliction of duty. “White-collar crimes,” is how such acts are often described.

These offenses ranged from tax fraud to lying to government officials – and all but two of the persons had violated the law to better their self-interest, despite an already comfortable quality of life.

In granting a special kind

of forgiveness to this particular demographic of culprit, Donald Trump has further revealed an attitude that waves away any sort of personal responsibility toward others, as long as the other hand is firmly grasping a fistful of cash.

One cannot adequately argue that white-collar crimes are, by any means, “victimless.” The combined influence these convicted persons wielded over an economy that affects hundreds of millions of people is astronomical, and the damage to citizens that comes with flaunting such an amount of economic power far exceeds the measly jail time and fines these wrongdoers were ordered to pay.

On the other hand, two of those invididuals forgiven by Trump were serving far harsher sentences than were the privileged ones. Both are women who were serving years of

time for nonviolent, drug-related offenses.

Tynice Nichole Hall, having served almost 14 years for crimes related to drug offense, and Crystal Munoz, who served 12 years for the same, both had far less affluent backgrounds than the rest who were granted clemency.

While it is ultimately good news that they are able to finally move on from these past transgressions, their tougher initial sentences further highlight a harsh dichotomy in a legal system that continues to punish the much less affluent, and favor the greedy.

For example, use of marijuana has seen sweeping legalization in numerous states across the country, and yet those previously incarcerated solely for possession charges remain behind bars – even while those guilty of far more

destructive crimes are allowed to live freely.

Far more destructive crimes, yes, but ones that sound a lot less scandalous than “drug possession.”

They’re merely “white-collar,” you see…

And yet, the results of such crimes carry much more weight upon the rest of the world’s shoulders. American economic processes having such an immense effect on global trade, after all.

This latest spree of pardonings proves to be just another public act of mercy from the president, nothing more than an act of showmanship meant to convey some sense of justice to observers.

In still prioritizing the lives and lifestyles of those most like himself, Donald Trump shows once again a disinterest in administering actual justice, after all.

WHAT IS THE CENSUS AND HOW DOES IT WORK? Brad Le

The Advocate March marks the beginning of the decennial (once every decade) U.S. Census: Next month, official census forms will be mailed to millions of households across the nation.

For some people, this may be their very first census – a national count where all people living in the U.S. are to be tabulated by the government. The census is a national priority and a nonpartisan duty that the federal government must perform, as it is explicitly mentioned as a duty in the Constitution under Article 1, Section 2: “Enumeration shall be made within every subsequent term of ten years.”

However, like all things that aren’t done on a regular basis,

information about the census can be unclear and accompanied by misconceptions.

For one: The Trump administration, hate it or love it has certainly brought the topic of unauthorized immigrants to the forefront of American politics.

Some undocumented immigrants may be afraid of the census, as they fear the survey will help ICE agents.

Simultaneously in support and in contradiction of their suspicions, the census is used to count all people living in the United States – including the unauthorized.

Tom Scales, MHCC political science instructor, explained that the census “includes citizens, legal residents, undocumented immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, incarcerated people, etc.”. The census does not care about an individual’s status, only that they

are living in the United States.

Americans aren’t exactly famous for their participation in the U.S. government, especially when it comes to voting. However, unlike the voluntary act of voting, participating in the census is mandatory.

Some Americans question the validity of the census and why it is necessary, but the effects of an accurate counting of population serve only to benefit all of us, as a people.

There are 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are assigned, proportionately to the nation’s population, to get fairly accurate representation in Congress. States with a high population have the most representation there, which is why large states such as California or Texas overpower smaller states

for the students by the students Editor-in-Chief Chloe Collins Associate Editor Omar Saradi

Graphic Design Editor Eli Rankin Copy Editor Chris Barney

Arts & Entertainment Editors Kurt Larson Eli Rankin

Broadcast Producer Naethaniel Lile

Opinion Editor Omar Saradi

Broadcast Tech Director Gage Linhares

News Editor Daniella Young

Broadcast A.D. Wensdai Pearson

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Broadcast Hosts Robert Frank Thomas Silk Kurt Larson Mazey Copeland

Photo Team Bethy Fallgren Landon Spady Fletcher Wold

Broadcast Graphic Designer Annie Avila

Staff Writers Brad Le Daniella Young Kel Buell Laura J Clement Omar Carrillo Ash Espinoza

Photo Editor Maysee Thao Ad Manager Parrish Chang

such as Oregon and Washington in political power.

In Oregon’s case, it is very likely that our state is increasing in its proportional size and could likely gain an additional U.S. House Representative – increasing Oregon’s political representation from seven, to eight representatives (U.S. senators and representatives combined).

In addition, as Scales noted, the census is “essential to ensure equitable distribution of over $800 billion in federal funds across the states and local communities each year.” If there are people who are not counted in the upcoming census, communities who are the most inaccurately represented stand to lose the most money that they should be getting.

Come March, most people will receive their census form by mail.

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Social Media Manager [Position Open] Distribution Specialist Julia MacDonald Advisers Dan Ernst Howard Buck

Scales added that households will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone.” If a person forgets to participate, there will be more reminders, which would eventually lead a census worker to personally confirm and assist that person with the form.

The census remains one of the oldest responsibilities of the U.S. government. Be sure to understand it and participate, so that you and your community get the representation you all deserve.

For more, see: 2020census.gov

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NEWS

FEBRUARY 28, 2020

SAFE TO BE ALERT RATHER THAN ANXIOUS Carson Koch The Advocate

Investors watched in horror as on Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1,000 points, the third-biggest single day dip in the stock exchange’s history.

The cause?

COVID-19, otherwise known as coronavirus, the infectious respiratory disease that has been on everyone’s newsfeeds and minds since 2020 began.

The coronavirus was believed to be first transmitted to humans in a food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Immediately, many elderly persons began presenting to local hospitals with severe pneumonialike symptoms, and quickly the proper authorities were notified.

The World Health Organization began to track and make strong efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

When reading coronavirus stories, the outlook often seems grim. By Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that nearly all Americans would be impacted by the virus, in some way.

However, around 100 years ago, in the shadow of the first world war, a much more powerful virus swept across the globe – one from which we can learn, and even draw hope. This was innfluenza – one of the deadliest plagues in human history.

In early 1918, this virus crossed the species barrier. The origins are disputed, but its effects on history are not. We do know that one of the first documented outbreaks was in the U.S. Army’s Camp Funston, in Kansas. On March 14, 1918, one

cook reported for sick leave with influenza. By noon the same day, he was joined by 107 others in the camp – followed by another 1,100 in the following weeks.

The flu’s spread was rapid among the overcrowded U.S. military bases. Soon, numerous camps around the country were reporting cases, On the outside, it appeared that nobody noticed.

Thirty eight soldiers died in Camp Funston. Around the country, death tolls soared to near 6,000.

Still, nobody noticed (so far as public/media scrutiny).

WAR’S HUGE IMPACT But a much larger problem was brewing, one that would eventually cost the lives of millions. By 1918 the U.S. had entered World War I, and troops like the ones in Funston were headed for the battle trenches of France. Influenza was now destined for the unsanitary, cramped and horrid world of trench warfare.

The flu virus thrived in close proximity to many other hosts, and the constant rotation of soldiers meant the flu had a constant stream of bodies to feed upon.

Troops afflicted would be quarantined, yet some British troops did go home to England – and now, hopes of containing influenza was a pipe dream.

By then, influenza had traveled to Spain. Spanish newspapers were unrestricted during wartime due to that nation’s neutrality. The sickness was covered wall-to-wall, which is where influenza got its

most popular name, Spanish Flu. Things were getting worse.

Nobody truly knows why, but as the war raged on, the virus changed.

In the beginning, Spanish flu would leave a victim sick for only a few days, but survival was likely.

Similar to the coronavirus, it only killed the very young and elderly (the most vulnerable persons), but after spreading in Europe’s trenches, it had developed much more alarming traits. It began to target the young and healthy, eventually becoming so lethal it could end a life within 24 hours.

This version of Spanish Flu caused a cytokine storm (mass immune system response) in victim’s bodies, which caused

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the lungs to fill with fluid. The stronger the person’s immune system, the stronger the response, and the stronger the response, the deadlier the virus became. Patients died from drowning, because the immune response drowned them

National Champion Slam Poet Andre Bradford after the slam poetry event hosted at MHCC on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

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million persons, globally, are believed to have died.

BETTER TOOLS TODAY A century later, with the outbreak of coronavirus, it is important to remember what we learned. Doctors back then could not even directly view a virus. It was like fighting a ghost. Today, we know the cause was the H1N1 virus. We vaccinate for it every year during the flu season. Some of us (myself included) have been vaccinated for it this year.

Thankfully, deadly flu is, for the most part, a memory. We now have the WHO, already working diligently to stop corona’s spread.

The recent cruise ship quarantine, while scary, was a bold and necessary move. As of Sunday, Feb. 23, there were just 35 cases here in the United States.

How to avoid/prevent further spread of the flu? Wash your hands when you get home from a public place, or frankly, any time you touch something outside of your home. If you are young and have experienced few or no past illnesses, you have every single advantage on your side; do not panic. If you do feel fever, chills, or shortness of breath, get checked out. It is simply a matter of being alert. If you are older with past medical issues, you should not take any chances with any fever, and see a doctor.

Be alert, not anxious. Today, we have learned lessons from influenza and have hundreds of years of science on our side.

Plagues are a thing of the past; science will win and we will add coronavirus to the list of eradicated diseases. #alertnotanxious

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in their own fluids.

A GLOBAL THREAT By mid-1918, Spanish Flu had gone global. It had returned to the United States on troop transport ships. In Philadelphia, the morgue filled with bodies, mass graves were dug for the mounting dead, and the city ran out of coffins and then the wood to build more.

Some 14,000 patients would end up dying in Philadelphia, alone.

In India, Mahatma Ghandi nearly died of Spanish Flu. He was lucky to survive. An estimated 1420 million of his fellow Indians would eventually die. In Japan, it spread after a sumo wrestling match and was called “SumoDisease.” To combat its spread the Japanese wore face masks, a tradition still commonly practiced today.

In the most isolated and remote regions of Alaska, entire indigenous populations were wiped out. Dogs, now feral, ate their bodies.

Pacific Islanders were especially vulnerable and some islands lost as many as 90% of their population.

In American Samoa, authorities quarantined the entire island until 1920 to save inhabitants’ lives.

However, just as fast as Spanish Flu came on, it disappeared, later in 1918. This is either attributed to herd immunity, or a mutation that weakened it. Either way, it just stopped.

To this day, we are still counting the flu’s death toll. It killed more U.S. citizens than did the battles of World War I. In total, 20-100

The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication.

All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.

Kel Buell The Advocate Kel Buell is an aspiring voice actor and an insomniac with a mischief management problem. He has several titles, including but not limited to, Lord of Chaos, Casual Eldritch Being, Loki, and Idiot (just to name a few). He enjoys long walks on the beach, horror stories, listening to music 24-7, and writing about himself in third person. He also dabbles in becoming a polyglot (he is currently fluent in Elder Futhark, English, and Ogham, and is working on at least three other languages) and world domination.

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SPORTS | COLUMN

A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T

KICKING THE STEREOTYPES

Brad Le

The Advocate I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I never really grew up having an interest in sports.

However, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that my first- and second-ever Portland Timbers soccer game filled me with many ranges of feelings – from a rising sense of patriotism to disappointment, from a feeling of massive excitement and optimism to devastating sadness and sorrow, and from a moment of pleasure to a moment of envy and jealousy.

I never anticipated that I would feel those ranges of emotions. I came into Providence Park, the Timbers’ stadium, as someone who stereotyped soccer players and fans as hooligans and passionately obnoxious. I still remember listening to the news in 2007 as a 6-year old, when Manchester United and A.S. Roma had a riot at their game, which led to the Italian riot police intervening.

Though I was certain that we Oregonians weren’t as intensely interested in sports as the Europeans, I was once again surprised in my two preseason game visits with the Timbers, against the Vancouver Whitecaps (Feb. 16) and New England Revolution (Feb. 22).

I hold a little bias and preference toward the Timbers, mostly because Marco Farfan (age 21) was born and raised here in Gresham and graduated two years before me at the same high school (Go Centennial!). I also have a younger cousin who was into soccer and loved the Timbers. Other than that, I had very little to connect to.

Arriving at my first game, I was greeted by enthusiastic and kind fans and workers for the Timbers.

I had seldom ever been greeted so heartwarmingly. When I was seated PA G E 4

the crowd started singing song after song; the amusing thing was that some of them weren’t even played (on the PA system), so they were singing with no context other than for some camaraderie, including “Country Roads” and “YMCA.” Strangely, I fell under the spell, and although I did not sing out loud with the rest, I certainly felt connected to the Timbers in a way I did not anticipate.

It was as if the Timbers and I

were family and that the scum known as the Seattle Sounders were the enemy, despite the fact that they weren’t present for either of the games.

I’ve seen fans so patriotic (loyal to their team) that they would claim their team “never did anything wrong,” no matter how bad it really was. I heard someone shout that New England did not make a single score, despite the final score being 3-1 in favor of New England.

Personally, I was a patriot for the Timbers until they made their mistakes, after which I transitioned to being disappointed in them.

Needless to say, the soccer culture is full of good people.

Though culture wasn’t something I was considering before I attended the games, I couldn’t help but notice so many traditions that I never expected. I learned that the Timbers’ birth can be traced to 1975, whereas Major League Soccer (MLS) was formed in 1996. The superfans of

Photos by: Maysee Thao | The Advocate Graphic by: Parrish Chang | The Advocate

the Timbers, the Timbers Army, were a supportive bunch and were the ones performing the most notable imagery in support.

I noted that the Army used their scarves to be a symbol of support, and waved often. During the National Anthem, the Army would flap their scarves once during every time the singer stopped for breath, and then wave them enthusiastically during the “O’er the land of the free…” segment of the song. I was told how the Elvis

Presley song “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is always sung in the 85th minute of each Timbers game.

The most surprising tradition drove me from a mood of optimism to a story that made me feel devastated and sorrowful. “Timber Jim” was the longtime lumberjack mascot for the Portland Timbers, from 1978 to 2008, most famous for cutting a piece of a log for every score the Timbers make. In 2004,

Jim w a s informed that his youngest daughter, Hannah, had died in a car accident at age 17.

He later sung the song, “You Are My Sunshine,” a favorite of hers, for the Army. Now they sing it around the 80th minute of a game, in her honor.

This truly shook me to my core; it must have been a similar shock to the Timbers followers at the time, as Gianna Bryant’s death was to the NBA last month.

Upon my arrival, I was certain I had regular seats to the game as a credentialed member of the press, but I was pleasantly surprised. I hadn’t known that I would be given

a VIP experience, sitting in the press box with the commentators and statisticians for the Timbers.

Not only were the seats great, the other amenities were great, too. The free food (the beef barbecue and Kalua pork were to die for), drinks, and desserts, plus a charging port, had me feeling like a king – almost spoiled.

That was, until I got to see the crowd during the game.

In the stands, I saw such united patriotism. I thought it would be reserved only for an external national threat. For a long time, I wanted to join them and participate in their traditions. When the current mascot, Timber Joey, cut a log slice and shared it for the crowd to touch, I went from being cozy in the press box to feeling envious and jealous. I would’ve given up my comfortable spot to simply be there with the Timbers Army, celebrating with such vigor. (I concede that I am grateful for the accommodations I received from the Timbers, but hope that if I attend again, I will be with them!)

As for the soccer games themselves, I couldn’t help but contrast the two I saw.

The Whitecaps contest was bitterly fought, with tripping and aggressive plays on every yard of the field. There always was something going on, and I was glad that my first game was a score of 2-1, a Timbers victory. The second game was more like a dance or a duel, where the ball shifted slowly back and forth but with a smoothness, rather than open aggression While the game ended with a 3-1 Portland loss, I admit I enjoyed this morenuanced game more than the first.

In sum, I was certain that the stereotypes I had held about soccer would be broken, as it is almost always what happens when I finally see something in person. What I did not expect was to be emotionally involved in a sport I had little connection to or fascination with.

I can’t help but say that the Timbers not only left me thoroughly surprised, but also that they have rocked me to my very core.

SPORTS

FEBRUARY 28, 2020

SAINTS SOPHOMORES LOOK BACK ON BASKETBALL CAREER

Daniella Young The Advocate

Saturday marks the final home game for the MHCC Saints women’s basketball team – and the last time on the home court for three sophomores in the middle of a strong season.

Center/forward Emily Webber (No. 32 on the roster); shooting guard/point guard Mina Sete (No. 25) and shooting guard Tatyana Lyles (No. 3) have all learned a lot from playing the game, with an extensive background when it comes to basketball.

Along with a fourth sophomore, guard Bri Rosales (No. 22), who came from Las Vegas, the trio have helped lead the Saints to fourth place in the South Division of the Northwest Athletic Conference.

The Saints (18-9 overall, 10-5 in the South) clinched a playoff spot in the 16-team NWAC championship tournament that starts March 5 in Everett, Washington (thanks to a loss Wednesday by Linn-Benton Community College).

But first comes “Sophomore Night,” when the Saints host LinnBenton at 2 p.m. in the Yoshida Events Center, when the secondyear players will be honored. (The Saints men wrap up their season against the Roadrunners right after, at 4 p.m.)

Webber and Sete both attended high school in Utah: Webber went to Tooele High

said Lyles, averaging 11.1 points per game.

Said Sete, who scores about 7 points per game, “ It’s

School and Sete went to Alta High School, both near Salt Lake City, while Tatyana Lyles attended Antelope Va l l e y High

School in L a n c a s t e r, California.

In their second year playing for Mt. Hood, all three are also majoring in General Studies. The three also had similar views when thinking about where they see themselves in the future.

“Hopefully I’ll be done with school,” said Webber.

Said Lyles, “Hopefully, I can start my business, start my family.”

Each of the sophomores said the sport has had a significant

Photos by Bethy Fallgren | The Advocate Graphic by Parrish Chang | The Advocate

impact on each of their lives growing up: “I’ve been playing competitively since fifth grade,” said Webber, who currently leads the Saints with 12.5 points per game and was recently named NWAC Player of the Week for her strong play.

“I got the love for basketball,”

Pictured in graphic above: (from left to right) No. 25, Mina Sete; No. 32, Emily Webber; No. 3, Tatyana Lyles.

taught me a lot of life lessons.

I’m grateful to have played for so many years.”

With their years of playing ball, each holds many favorite memories from the sport.

“Traveling with the (MHCC) team and NWACs (the league championship tournament) last year” were highlights for Webber.

Lyles and Sete listed their allstar games in high school as a favorite memory, the latter also recalling her eighth- and ninthgrade state championships.

All three were recruited to Mt. Hood by head coach Jeremy Vandenboer, who Webber said “teaches us life lessons... teaches us how to be a better person.” She and Sete met Vandenboer, who had recruited several players from Utah previously.

Lyles said Vandenboer and her teammates were main inspirations for coming to Gresham, specifically “the relationships,” she said. Playing with the Saints “kind of builds you to be stronger in life,” she said.

Joining the Saints also allowed Lyles “to get out of California and explore another world. MHCC seemed like a good choice,” she said.

All three agreed that off the basketball court they enjoy hanging out with friends and eating food.

Webber’s favorite food is breakfast burritos, and she enjoys Café Rio in Utah; her favorite artist to listen to is Billie Eilish.

Sete said she loves pasta, fruit, and mangoes, and enjoys listening to R&B, and to Russ.

Lyles’s favorite food to enjoy is seafood, and she is also a fan of R&B and rap, specifically the late Nipsey Hussle.

Meantime, the team is looking forward to the championship tournament, but also anyone who can make it to attend their MHCC finale. As for the Saints’ tournament hopes in Everett, the three women agreed, “We’re excited and confident.”

Photos by Fletcher Wold | The Advocate

Far left: Mina Sete goes in for a lay-up.

Center left: Tatyana Lyles lets a shot fly.

Left: Emily Webber drives with the ball.

Above: Bri Rosales heads for the hoop.

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NEWS

A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T

AUTHOR GABRIEL URZA SHARES LIFE STORY Laura J. Clement The Advocate

Author Gabriel Urza was the guest lecturer at MHCC’s “The Mouths of Others” speaker series on Feb. 20, sharing his many interesting experiences in life and that of becoming an honored writer.

Urza is a 2020 Oregon Book Award finalist, for his 2019

Gabriel Urza speaks at “The Mouths of Others” event on Feb. 20.

novella, “The White Death: An Illusion,” which has been nominated for the Ken Kelsey Award For Fiction. The awards are to be announced on April 27.

He was introduced to the Visual Arts Theatre audience by MHCC literature/composition instructor Jonathan Morrow, who told listeners the novella (a work of fiction longer than a short story, but shorter than a full novel) chronicles the life of a 14-year-old magician and illusionist known as “The Great Bendini,” who dies under mysterious circumstances, during a magic act.

The story, given from the perspective of the intertwining lives of three characters, is set in a small Basque town in Spain during the second half of the 20th century. Morrow told the crowd, it’s a fascinating study of a curious character that takes readers both backward and forward in time.

Actor and writer Michael James Shaw is quoted as saying, “the book is so strong, beautiful and lyrical, that it’s difficult to tear yourself away,” Morrow added.

The son of immigrants who came from the “Basque country” within Spain, Urza attended law school at the University of Nevada and became a public defender at the young age of 25. He was inexperienced and “barely swam,” he told those in attendance. He recalled forgetting a client’s name, and his clients list included a cow rustler.

“I met bailiffs and judges,” he continued. “One day, I walked past a judge’s conference room and 10 minutes later, the judge had been shot! (The judge lived.) He was a divorce judge,” he added.

Urza acknowledged that seeing “dark things” such as these, along with difficult challenges he saw his colleagues facing, prompted him to take a writing class at the University of Nevada. “That changed my life,” the author said. He decided to quit his law job and pursue graduate studies after being accepted in the MFA writing program at Ohio State University.

Photos by Maysee Thao | The Advocate

Having always been intrigued by stories of his country of ancestry, and desiring a change after a romantic disappointment, Urza dropped everything and journeyed to the Basque region. There, he enjoyed experiencing and delving into its political history.

It was here that he completed his first book. “All That Followed,” a fictionalized novel based on a true story, was published in 2015.

It takes place during a time of political upheaval and is based on the kidnapping and killing of a Spanish politician for the Popular Party (PP), Miguel Angel Blanco, who was murdered by the separatist group ETA, in 1997.

Publishers Weekly chose “All That Followed,” for its Best Summer Books of 2015 list. It also was an Indie Next pick for August 2015.

Today, Urza lives in a small house in Hood River with his wife, 4-year-old son and another family member. He is an assistant professor of writing at Portland State University. He plans on traveling to Peru this summer, and later expects to be assisting an attorney friend with a murder trial.

CONCORDIA CLOSES ITS DOORS Omar Saradi The Advocate

Exactly 115 years since it opened, Concordia University of Portland is closing its doors, after Spring Term 2020 – citing “[Y]ears of mounting financial challenges, and a challenging and changing educational landscape,” according to the Feb. 10 closure update on the university’s website.

All staff members and students will be greatly affected by the closure.

Students who wish to continue their education will be assisted by the college to transfer credits and to enroll at different institutions, according to Concordia officials.

Last week the university brought representatives from other Christian and private colleges, as well as public colleges and universities, to the campus in northeast Portland. Concordia students had spent the earlier part of February protesting their discontent with the university’s PA G E 6

decision.

The students I spoke to after the surprising announcement said they were unhappy with the university’s handling of the news, including the abrupt way it was made public.

One second-year student, My Tungkongnuch said that “(the announcement) was heartbreaking for everyone including the staff, because we all heard it the same day.” Students were also angry about the lack of transparency between the Board of Regents and the student body, since they were previously told that the financial issues weren’t going to affect their education or tuition.

The university will continue to hold information sessions until early March. The next one is for the University of Honolulu’s nursing program. To assist faculty and staff members, Concordia will hold job fairs from a variety of institutions, colleges and universities.

Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, will be the parent

institution for the school of law; the transfer for this is supposed to be as smooth as possible.

As for MHCC, the college’s nursing program extended its application deadline to late February in order to help potential transfers by Concordia nursing students.

The academic records of students will be preserved even after the closure, Concordia officials say. Any degrees that alumni have received will still be of value and transfer credits will still be regionally accredited, but transfer opportunities will have to be figured out with the receiving institution, officials say.

Again, it’s emphasized that Spring Term 2020 will be the final term for academic instruction.

The 24-acre campus itself will return to the ownership of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod upon closure, where it will seek a buyer for the property.

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COLUMN | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FEBRUARY 28, 2020

FINAL ‘JEOPARDY!’ FOR ALEX TREBEK?

Chris Barney The Advocate

If the clue, “This game show gives answers to which contestants respond with questions,” were given, most people would answer enthusiastically with “What is ‘Jeopardy!’ ” The ongoing show has been hosted by Alex Trebek for 36 seasons. Being its host for that length of time, combined with the popularity the show has gained over that period, makes for a storied career.

The question then becomes “Why is Alex Trebek so loved?”

According to polling responses

cited on YouGov.com, “Alex Trebek is described by fans as: Intelligent, Professional, Intellectual, Classy and Experienced.” The fact of the matter is, his run as host is quite impressive. He has been around for many huge moments. There have been some events throughout that are also contributing factors, namely high-profile contestants such as Ken Jennings, James Holzhaur and Watson (an IBM computer). The spectacular runs of these contestants, and contests involving computers, have created many memorable moments.

From my view, Trebek has always struck me as a man of great intelligence. He never seems to become upset and has an interesting demeanor. Whenever I have watched the show and seen him in action I have always found the way he works to be calm and mild, yet exciting.

A more serious, recent development in Trebek’s history is that he was diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer in March 2019.

At one point during his treatment he seemed to be in

remission and the (test) numbers that doctors look at when working with cancer patients were, in his case, much like those of a healthy human. In an unexpected turn of events, those factors spiked again, and he required further treatment.

This has left many viewers speculating as to how much longer his legendary career will last, who will replace him, and questions of the like.

First of all, there’s the question of

Web photo

how Trebek is processing this.

In an interview last year with ABC News, Trebek said, “I have learned something in the past year and it’s this: We don’t know when we’re going to die, Because of the cancer diagnosis, it’s no longer an open-ended life, it’s a closed-ended life because of the terrible... survival rates of pancreatic cancer.

“Because of that, and something else that is operating here, people all over America and abroad have

decided they want to let me know now, while I’m alive, about the impact that I’ve been having on their existence,” he said. “They have come out and they have told me, and my gosh, it makes me feel so good.”

Asked about how he would handle his final show, if it were to come time for that, Trebek said, “It’ll be a significant moment for me, But I’ve kind of, in my mind, rehearsed it already, and what I would do on that day is tell the director, ‘Time the show down to leave me 30 seconds at the end. That’s all I want.’

“And I will say my goodbyes and I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me... then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.”

Overall, we can know that for the time being, Trebek has no plans of retiring and hold out hope that despite the grim diagnosis, we will have many more episodes with the host we all seem to know, respect and love.

HARLEY QUINN’S GUIDE TO BREAK-UPS ADVOCATE POLL Kel Buell The Advocate

It really pays to do your research.

This is beautifully demonstrated in DC Comics’ most recent movie, “Birds of Prey.”

Not only does the film beautifully reflect the original comics, its plot is interesting, the acting is stellar, and it keeps you laughing almost all the way through (fitting of a movie featuring Harley Quinn, no?)

The movie starts off with the audience following Quinn (Margot Robbie) as she goes through her most recent (and presumably last) breakup with the Joker. After an astonishing amount of drinking, some explosions, and some new life decisions, Harley is off to make her own way in the world.

There is just one downside: She also has a massive target on her back.

Also featured in the

movie is Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell); Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead); Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez); and child pickpocket Cassandra Caine (Ella Jay Basco).

4 out of 5 stars

I should also mention the highly eccentric, and unstable, villain of the movie, the Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). He is the head of his own burgeoning mob group and is going through great pains to obtain a gem known as the “Bertinelli Diamond.”

Which also happens to be the main plot point of the movie, as our dear, little pickpocket pulls it out of the wrong pocket.

All-in-all, the movie is well-scripted, well-acted, and well-executed, all while managing to remain fairly faithful to the comics.

Although DC hasn’t had a great history with its movies, with the notable exception of Wonder Woman, they’ve really hit the nail on the head with this one.

Two points of note.

One, this movie is very much not for kids. Two, Bruce the hyena is the best character – you cannot tell Web Graphic me otherwise.

Enjoy the movie.

RESULTS:

DO DATING APPS WORK?

45%

55% YES

Parrish Chang | The Advocate

NO

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A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T

A SLAMMING PERFORMANCE

Ash Espinoza The Advocate

If you didn’t already know, a National Champion Slam Poet, S.C. Says (aka Andre Bradford), paid MHCC a visit at the Student Union on Wednesday.

Pizza, drinks and other snacks were provided for those who attended the midday performance and discussion and anyone else who happened to be passing through.

If you were fortunate enough Fletcher Wold | The Advocate

to drop by, even if it wasn’t for very long, you were definitely in for a treat. I was able to enjoy the whole performance and can say it was an amazing experience!

Bradford, who is based in Austin, Texas, not only captivated his audience with beautiful slam poetry but his stories and words took my breath away. It’s not every day you get to sit down and listen to someone who paints a picture with his voice and the words he chooses. He took on some tough-to-swallow topics, giving us a little insight on his opinion on racism and shining a bit of light on how he sees and feels about it, using comparisons to sneezing to make it not only easier to understand/stomach but also to show us how it can be viewed by those around us.

He gave the audience a look at the word “empathy” and how

it can change not just someone else, but also how it can impact you by just showing empathy to others – how it can actually make you feel better because, just like you, someone else has either gone through it (such trouble) or is going through it, even now.

Bradford told a bit about himself and the things he’s faced and seen in his life. Though not all of it was positive, you could really see how the positive and negative events have shaped him into the person he is today. And, although he said he still wants to pursue acting, he knows his words as a poet are helping those around him.

In my opinion, that is a beautiful thing, in itself.

Throughout the performance, Bradford held the audience’s attention and the vibe that settled around the room

was curious, insightful and relaxed. He included us in his visit by giving us examples we could relate to. By the time the event ended, he gave everyone the option to present a poem of their own (which I rather nervously but excitedly participated in) and gave us all a chance to ask him any questions we had, whether related to writing, his work, traveling or his personal experiences.

The poet happily gave an answer that I’m sure left everyone with a feeling of sated curiosity. Talking with him afterward, I found him to be super sweet and nice, and also very upbeat and energetic. He just made me smile a bright grin, just being in his presence.

If you want to learn more about Bradford, visit: scsayspoetry.com

There is a Teacher Shortage!

Act Now and Be Part of the Solution!

Earn an Elementary Teaching License Right Here at MHCC For more information, contact EOU Gresham: Margie Webster at 503-491-7000 or mwebster@eou.edu Or

Dr. John Knudson-Martin at 503-491-7427 or jknudson@eou.edu Or

MHCC Academic Advising at 503-491-7315 or advising.questions@mhcc.edu

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