The Advocate Vol. 50 Issue 5 - October 17, 2014

The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College

Oct. 17, 2014

Volume 50, Issue 5

the

advocate

RICK

MEASURE

91

STEVES

BLESSES

BUD PAGE 4

Surviving the violence PAGE 3

Lives of Beasley PAGE 6

Playing Pinocchio PAGE 8

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OPINION

October 17, 2014

Editorial | The people have spoken: freedom and separatism today As a young woman, Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist, survived a gunshot wound to the head by Taliban members in 2012. This month, Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating women’s rights to pursue education in the Middle East. People like her are looking to turn the tide with their strong voices, but ISIS is determined to gag them.

ISIS is slaughtering those who don’t stand with them in their quest to establish a radical Islamic state span-

ning the whole Middle East. These extremists murder and rape. They steal cultural artifacts to make profit. They recruit journalists for propaganda and jihadists to carry out their genocide. They spare no time in proclaiming their hatred of what the modern west is all about: freedom.

Radical Islam mars the image of their faith and they have failed to place their religion in the right context of society. The West has evolved: While not displacing religion, we also do not allow any one religion to dominate society.

There are things wrong with western civilization, for sure. We have a long road of progress still ahead of us, but we should be grateful for the level of freedom we’ve achieved. Citizens in many countries want what we have and they are not silent anymore. From the peaceful yet paralyzing voices of Hong Kong, to the bloody feud for a renewed constitution in Ukraine, large parts of the world have been begging for democracy lately.

What sparked such uprisings? Is the U.S. government behind them?

In November 2013, Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych promised to sign an accord with the European Union but decided instead to keep a stronger relationship with Russia.

Needless to say, the Ukrainian people were outraged that overnight, their dreams of becoming more independent were shattered. That’s when protesters took to the streets of Kiev. Russian leader Vladimir Putin offered Ukraine cheaper gas supplies and $15 billion in loans, but the people saw it as manipulation. The protest quickly changed to battle, as police forces abducted and shot protesters.

Around the same time, Venezuelan youth demanded both social and economic security. Ignited by the outrage over prevalent crime, high food prices, and inflation, students were joined by government opposition groups in calling for change. Those protests also turned violent after police shot three protesters during a

peaceful march.

There’s a growing concern that the United States government is promoting the rebellion against modern leaders. The U.S. has been criticized for lending money to Syrian rebels and other constituents fighting for democracy. While the U.S. certainly has influence over large parts of the world, it’s hard to believe that we are the one rallying all the protests. If the people didn’t want to speak out for democracy they wouldn’t be protesting and getting beaten , or worse, for doing so. Ultimately, no matter who is influencing the people, it’s their own voice that matters.

In democracy, government is supposed to represent the people - not rule over them.

Whenever the government burdens the people so much that they feel their freedom is being compromised for the wealth of the government, the people fight back. The public reserves the right to fight tyranny. We have to keep in mind that this is something that people die for.

As far as America encouraging people to turn from their leaders, we shouldn’t push our way of life onto different cultures. We have been guilty of this through propaganda tactics such as Voice of America, which has been used to broadcast pro-U.S. viewpoints and entertainment to many parts of the world to make our lifestyle attractive to others.

However, if this is something that people desire, who are we not to affirm their actions? If not “boots on the ground,” how about “chants through the air”? Technology allows us to communicate faster than ever before.

Perhaps we should be encouraging those trying to make a change in their country. Perhaps we do this already.

We think this starts with us acknowledging that groups such as ISIS threaten the progress of societies. Yes, ISIS are blood thirsty terrorists, but they’re more than that. We should stand with the people, wherever they are striving to becoming separate, free nations.

We should not allow ISIS or any other group or government force stand in the way of people who want to become free.

Chat with Barney: What do you think/ know about ISIS?

Dude, I don’t like ‘em.

Anden Morehead

They are in America and threatening to attack. The government is doing hardly anything about it. We are turning a blind eye to ISIS. Justin Sage

chatwithbarney@gmail.com

Graphic by Heather Golan

the advocate Editor-in-Chief Greg Leonov Lifestyle Editor Jon Fuccillo News Editor Hayden Hunter

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Sports Editor Brandon Raleigh

Opinion Editor Emily Wintringham

Copy Editor Hayden Hunter

Video Editor Aurora Angeles

Ad Manager Greg Leonov Photo Editor Beka Haugen

Graphic Designer Heather Golan

Reporters Will Darkins Adam Elwell Jacob Young Jacob Swindell David Ahlson Isaiah Ishman

Advisers Howard Buck, Dan Ernst Bob Watkins E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030

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. Cover graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate

the advocate

OPINION

October 17, 2014

Column | The prince turned monster

and the woman who overcame As a super heroine, Isis is awesome.

Douglas B. Bell

In my personal opinion, they are just a group of terrorists that hate the world.

They need to be stopped.

If not, they will kill lots more people.

Anonymous

Graphic by Heather Golan

Megan King I honestly thought it was some corporation in America. I just learned it’s a terrorist organization.

I understand it’s terrible.

Knock it off, ISIS. Andy Martinez It’s the most hilarious spy agency ever. Sterling Archer is the greatest lead ever. Malori Archer is the number one agent in the organization.

Mathew Beasley

Correction: In the Oct. 10 issue of the Advocate, Jon’s top five was not updated.

The correct artists were: Minus the Bear: “Pachuca Sunrise”, Band of Horses: “The Funeral”, Macklemore: “And We Danced”, Rocky Votolato: “Suicide Medicine”, and Fleet Foxes: “Mykonos”. The Advocate regrets this error.

Public Safety Intern I remember in the beginning how he was so charming. He was amazing. His compliments and adoration made me feel like I was on top of the world. I took his early declaration of love for romance and proof that he was a sensitive guy.

I was wrong.

As time went on, things began to change.

He was still a charming, sensitive man, but every once in a while I would notice something else. It started with him shoving me down onto the bed during arguments. It continued with occasions where he threw wine in my face and tore the hood half off of my sweater when jerking me by it across the room. Since he was still charming most of the time, it was easy to accept that I “deserved” this treatment.

More time passed, and the charming side began to disappear more often. I was subjected to this scarier side of him more and more. His abuse began to escalate to occasions where I would get slapped across the face or punched in the back of the head. I still justified it. I would think: “If I hadn’t upset him by my own actions, this wouldn’t have happened.”

The day he kicked my front door down and assaulted my roommate was the day I thought I could leave.

I was wrong.

Instead, I continued to justify his actions.

As my friends began to notice his not so charming behavior, their approval of our romance began to decline, and his approval of my friends became nonexistent. I slowly began to lose touch with anyone that took me away

from him. The times that I was able to spend with my friends were tarnished by his constant need to call, and my duty to him required frequent pictures to prove where I was at.

At this point, the charming him was rarely ever around. My life became consumed with trying to keep him from becoming angry while also trying to keep my own sanity. Inwardly, I was spiraling downwards fast, and this became apparent through many of my actions. My mind and heart were in a constant battle because the part of me that wanted to believe he would change was having a harder time trying to defeat the fast-growing realization that he was, in fact, a monster.

Many of my friends began to disappear.

I stopped talking to anybody about the abuse because I wasn’t ready to hear what they had to say. I became isolated and alone. My life was driven by fear, my fear of his unpredictable anger and my fear of facing the truth.

Several times, I tried to leave, but his threats, along with my false hope, caused me to reconsider.

I began crying myself to sleep several nights a week, plagued with a confusion that left my emotions spinning almost all the time. I became an expert at keeping all of this hidden.

I also started finding ways to keep him from getting angry but this only lasted for a short while. Soon his anger would become more unpredictable as he began to seek out things to get angry about.

I realized more and more everyday how badly I needed to get out, but I felt trapped. My heart ached with the growing reality that this was not normal, but still, I stayed.

The abuse became even worse.

Horrible words were used to address me on a daily basis at this point. I was growing accustomed to occasions where I would struggle to breathe and fight to break free as I was being strangled. I was constantly accused of things that were untrue and found myself being punished for “crimes” that I never committed.

The day I woke up was the day that my reflection in the mirror was that of me sporting a black eye. The tears came as I began to realize that if I didn’t make a change, I would always live in fear and always be making up stories to explain frequent injuries.

This was the beginning of the end. I considered every option. Fleeing the country, calling the police, moving someplace unknown...

My mind was plagued with questions of how and when. I had made this person the center of my life, and although I was slowly rebuilding my lost friendships, I was still very weak. I had completely lost sight of myself, one step at a time.

Today I look back and realize that nothing I could have done would justify the abuse I endured and I understand that there is no excuse for that kind of behavior. Although it took a while to heal, I look around the room and notice that my walls are finally free of bullet holes and freshly punched holes.

I no longer have to clean up mayonnaise or peanut butter sandwiches that have been thrown at me. I can expect to buy a set of glasses without worrying about them being broken.

Today I realize that there are men out there who are understanding and supportive. Men who don’t need to be in control in order to be able to control themselves. Most importantly, I realize that I am stronger than I thought.

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the advocate

NEWS

October 17, 2014

Rick Steves talks

‘pot’ Photo and story by Hayden Hunter the advocate

M

any may know of Rick Steves from his popular travel show, “Rick Steves’ Europe,” or as a popular guidebook author, but might not know him as a strong advocate of ballot Measure 91 on the November ballot and the legalization of marijuana in Oregon.

On Sunday, Steves presented a seminar in the MHCC Town and Gown Room, talking about the benefits of legalizing pot in Oregon.

The crowd was a wide assortment of people covering several nationalities, it appeared.

Given his many travels, Steves has a unique perspective on drugs he feels he should share with people who are less fortunate. He was previously involved in a documentary titled “Marijuana: Time For a Conversation, Seattle,’ ” well before Washington state voters approved looser marijuana laws.

“It was so controversial that it could only air after ‘Girls Gone Wild,’ ” he said.

Sunday’s event started with Steves talking about everything except weed, but he explained how Europe is ahead of the U.S. on what Europeans call “pragmatic harm prevention,” he said. “Pragmatic harm prevention is when you deal with and improve the lesser of two evils in a situation.”

Steves gave several examples.

According to Steves, Europeans believe

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that there will always be lonely, horny men who can buy sex if they want to. Because of this, prostitution is legal in most countries there, he said. However, prostitutes have to get checked at least twice a year for STDs. And, if a client starts to step over the line, the prostitute presses a button, but instead of a pimp coming, a police officer does. “It doesn’t work out like that all the time, but that is what they hope happens,” he said.

Another example Steves gives is that locals in Scandanavia had a problem with underage students drinking, driving, getting in horrible accidents, and dying around graduation time. Instead of stiffening laws, the public chose to forgo them altogether, and instead help plan a more safe tradition. Parents hire a truck and a driver, the students decorate it, and then they go from parents’ home to parents’ home, getting progressively more drunk. And nobody dies anymore, he said – immediately emphasizing how tough of a sale that would be in the U.S., which prompted the crowd to burst into laughter.

He said the underlying problem with the United States is that it has a “moralization problem.” The U.S. cannot do the things that Europe does because we are too morally stubborn to allow it, basically.

There’s more: Instead of viewing drug addiction as a crime and having prisons and

fines, Europe instead views it as an ailment and provides its addicts with counselors and doctors. “In much of Europe, the word ‘addiction’ means ‘slave,’ ” said Steves.

As a result, in Europe more drug addicts are alive and not in prison. In America, we lose more than twice as many heroin overdose victims, per capita, than Europe does, he said.

Then Steves got to the juicy content: marijuana.

He explained that some countries in Europe are just as, if not more, strict than America on many drugs but said “in most of Europe, weed is about as lucrative as a can of beer.

“Coffee shops in the Netherlands do not sell coffee in their coffee shops,” he said, only half kidding. Instead, they legally sell marijuana. Minors cannot go inside and adults can only buy a certain amount of weed. The shops cannot advertise any of their products.

Steves joked that he has to go into these shops “for research,” giving a big smile immediately after. Inside the shop the barista, by law, cannot bring the menu to individuals.

The customer is told to push a button that illuminates the menu, he said. He called this “a good effort to not bring drugs to the people” – people have to consciously seek out drugs if they want them.

Each shop can sell as much weed it wants in a day, but may have only 1 pound in stock, requiring several deliveries a day so the store is never carrying too much at one point, Steves said.

The U.S. once pressured the Netherlands to close the coffee shops, but the mayors dug their heels, according to Steves, saying, “We don’t want criminals to be peddling an addictive substance on every dark street corner only looking to make more money in the long run. We like our coffee shops.”

And so, the hardcore addictive population in the Netherlands is shrinking and aging every year, he said.

Steves said Americans smoke far more marijuana per-capita than the Dutch, and the Dutch smoke less than the average European.

This, while America has spent $1.5 trillion on the so-called ‘war on drugs’ in the last 40 years.

“This is a losing war on drugs and I’m so happy we are looking at different solutions,” said Steves. He calls the opposing side to Measure 91 the “Pot Prohibition Profiteers,” who raise fears its passage would turn Oregon into “Hempfest.”

According to Steves, that is about as likely as the PPP achieving a drug-free society.

Steves Continued on page 9

the advocate

NEWS

October 17, 2014

MHCC associates evaluate President Derr’s leadership Greg Leonov the advocate

Mt. Hood’s annual president’s review has been completed and reflects favorably on the college’s top leader, but there is room for improvement.

“There was a lot of ‘Keep doing what you’re doing – continue to engage the community, continue to get the word out that Mt. Hood’s an excellent college,’ ” said MHCC President Debbie Derr.

The administrative decision making process at Mt. Hood was one area of focus where Derr was deemed successful, but could still improve, she said.

Communication about the decision making process was judged similarly. “We need to continue to do more around communication and having people understand how decisions are made at the institution,” she said.

Discussions will play a large role in setting the college’s future course.

The president plans to have her executive team talk to representatives of all of Mt. Hood’s employee group councils, such as public safety, facilities, student services, councils that include students, and others. “That’s really where strategies will be developed,” she said. “We have governance councils that have a work plan each

year, and that work plan then will move the college forward.”

Ideas and concerns that are brought up in councils are to be included in Mt. Hood’s strategic plan, closely tied to its budget process and determining funding.

“We’re not there yet. We’re kind of a toddler in this area right now, so we kind of start to walk, and then we fall down, and then we get ourselves back up and off we go,” said Derr about budget allocations based on the strategic plan.

This year, Derr requested that the board conduct a “360” performance review. In a “360,” the board, president, faculty, and classified association officials participate in

the president’s evaluation. Students would usually participate as well, but due to the late timing, “there were not enough students on campus” to provide input, she said.

“The process for me is: I have to do the self-evaluation and pull together information related to my goals, and then (make) progress on my goals,” Derr explained.

Other participants of the “360” review then evaluated Derr’s performance and leadership, rated on a five-point scale. Derr received threes in the areas of communication, understanding decision-making processes, and continuing to engage in the community.

The performance evaluation is done yearly, and is an official human resources document not available for public view.

Derr said she hopes to start her next evaluation with more student involvement in early May and have it finished by the end of June.

Photo by Carole Riggs

“Continue to engage the community, continue to get the word out”

Mt. Hood fundraiser doubles its initial goal Will Darkins the advocate

Mt. Hood Community College’s employee fund drive provided faculty and staff members the opportunity to donate money to various scholarship funds in September.

The fundraiser first set a goal of $10,000 in donations, but ended up earning $21,000.

The total pleased Al Sigala, executive director of the MHCC Foundation and alumni relations board, who directed the fundraiser this year. He said, “People themselves decided, ‘You know, I can give back a little bit,’ or in some cases, a lot.”

Prizes were offered to contributors who donated larger amounts of money to the cause.

These included free Chipotle lunch coupons, iPads and a personalized parking spot on campus, which went to Zack Custovic from the Information Technology department.

Employees’ contributions went

toward Foundation scholarships that range across areas of study at the college, including adult basic skills, cosmetology, and mathematics programs.

Teachers and staff members were provided a lunch catered by GE Capital. “The lunch was just another way we could get the staff and teachers together, and stress the importance of raising money for these scholarship funds,” said Sigala.

Activities will continue on Oct. 24 with an event titled “Bowling for Scholars.” Teachers, staff, and community members will form bowling teams in an effort to promote fundraising from outside donors.

“There is even a team called, ‘Les Miserabowls,’ ” said Sigala. “It’s a fun way to fundraise, but internally, it’s also a great tool at increasing morale.”

Visit the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation’s web page, http://www.mhcc.edu/ foundation/ for more information regarding fundraising and the bowling tournament.

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the advocate

LIFESTYLE

October 17, 2014

Beasley back in school, gaming Jake Swindell the advocate

Web Photo - Walk the Moon

‘Walk the Moon’: leaves Portland wanting more Adam Elwell the advocate

It’s Friday. The concert was last Thursday, and I won’t be surprised if I’m still sore by the time you read this.

What concert left me like this?

Anthrax? Behemoth? Nope, Walk the Moon.

You might have heard their hit indie single over the radio back in 2011- “Anna Sun,” but what you probably wouldn’t guess about this guitar-pop quartet is that their live performance is ridiculous. It’s not like they’re doing anything over the top; there were probably less than 250 people at the Wonder Ballroom in North Portland.

They even followed the stereotypical set list: open with a hit, and then build up until a crescendo where they play the hit that got them noticed, then walk off of the stage even though the crowd knows it was planned, they chant anyway, they come back out, play a slow song and then a real dance number to close out the evening. Voila! Just grab your friends and that guy you know from that thing, and you too, could have a mediocre tour.

What really sets WTM apart though, is the communication with the crowd. A lot of bands will just chill on stage and play their music - which is fine, it’s what we paid to see - but what they don’t realize is, if you’re holding a microphone,

and your music isn’t entirely awful, the people will do whatever you tell them too. It’s an affable ploy that the crowd can’t get enough of.

So that’s exactly what lead singer/keyboard player Nicholas Petricca did. He said “jump” we said “how high?” Multiple times during the show Petricca and company walked on the crowd.

Petricca’s intense vocals (He uses almost no after-effects, even for his shows he only uses one microphone) were aided by some impressive solos by guitarist Eli Maiman.

Coming off of touring with Panic! at the Disco over the summer, this is the bands first solo tour- and it suits them. When Panic! and WTM came to Edgefield in August WTM absolutely killed.

They’re live performance is especially geared towards an outdoor venue, and they were just thrillingthe crowd almost refused to dance when Panic! took the stage in front of the screaming little brats.

But now that they have their own tour the party just never seems to end while they’re on stage. They even had time to cover a Beyoncé song. Beyond awesome!

The chemistry between the group is tangible too. A lot of times with small, singer-songwriter bands everyone ends up hating the lead singer (go figure?) But when they take the stage WTM is first and foremost, harmonized.

Instead of giving up when everything falls apart, Matt Beasley decides to take his future into his own hands.

“I’m not a gamer because I have no life; I’m a gamer because I’ve lived many (lives),” said Beasley, 38, after explaining the layout of Halo 3’s Grifball gameplay and rules.

Grifball is played by a group of amateur and professional gamers who Beasley and his group compete with on a regional, national, and international level.

Beasley is enrolled in Mt. Hood’s broadcasting program to further his knowledge and exploration on story-

boarding for games.

Before joining the Integrated Media program, Beasley was part of the gaming development program at MHCC, but soon realized he was looking for more than just gaming logistics. “I Matt Beasley want to be drawing the player into the game and creating objectives that keep gamers involved with the story,” he said.

Beasley has also done voice work for Machinima’s product that is pro-

duced utilizing Halo 4’s forge component that is part of the theater aspect in Halo.

But each story has an end, and a beginning. Last April, Beasley was hit by a car while riding his scooter in Portland. He suffered a snapped spine and multiple fractures in both hands and his foot was almost completely torn off. “Got some really fun scars,” he said, revealing scars that were clearly once much more than just scratches. He now has metal running through to the top of his leg.

Beasley was hospitalized for three weeks and ended up being bedridden for 10 months.

Beasley Continued on page 9

Tomas Tellez B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences

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the advocate

LIFESTYLE

October 17, 2014

First-year MHCC student Ezra Vervin reveals her character and lead as Pinocchio

P

inocchio was never just a moral lesson about the dangers of lying.

Its appeal ran deeper, and the upcoming Mt. Hood Children’s Theatre production is not just a rework of the same old story, notes Ezra Vervin, 24, the actress who plays the lead role and plans to bring the classic story and character to life.

When interviewed, Vervin was suffering through a cold and jokingly admitted that if she could keep the cold for the effect it had on her voice, she would.

This is because she’s a female college student at Mt. Hood playing a young boy, a wooden one at that.

This is not really a big challenge for the veteran performer, though, who started acting at her high school in Maryland and has stuck with it ever since.

It is Vervin’s dedication to acting that brought her to Mt. Hood in the first place. After leaving a four-year school in Maryland and scouting college after college, including a year in Arizona, she came to MHCC. “The faculty here seemed more involved than any other college I’ve been to. The teachers seemed to be involved and caring ... it felt right,” she said.

After staying away from the stage for awhile Isaiah Ishman and focusing on acting in films, her part in the the advocate Pinocchio play is a good change of pace for her, she said. “This play kinda reawakened me to why I started acting in the first place and it’s refreshing.”

Asked how she prepares for a character like Pinocchio, she said she has pretty much been prepared for the role her entire life: “I think I can relate to his childlike innocence.”

On the nature of the play itself, “the play is kid-friendly without dumbing anything down,” Vervin said. It isn’t just for kids, however, as she and the entire cast are bringing some serious skill, effort, and charisma to an already timeless classic.

Vervin is one of the lucky people to have found their passion in acting.

“It would be so easy for me to get my degree and be a teacher but I couldn’t, I have to do what I love,” she said. She really likes “being someone else and being outlandish and being out there and doing something that people can’t, but we can, because we’re actors.”

There are a lot of versions of the Pinocchio story, including the Disney adaptation we all saw as children, but Vervin assured, “the journey is definitely going to bring you in” to the Mt. Hood production. “People know the the story but I think there are slight differences and surprises. I think it’s going to get the audience involved.”

Weekday morning performances of Pinocchio, staged for local schoolchildren, begin on Nov. 5.

The lone public performance is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 in the College Theater. Cost is $2.

Check out PINOCCHIO video at www.advocate-online.net

Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate

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the advocate

NEWS

October 17, 2014

Steves Continued from page 4

Beasley Continued from page 6 He still cannot run, but, on the bright side, he is still able to skip.

This forced break was where Beasley discovered his gaming abilities. “All I could do was play video games. I turned out to be pretty good at it,” he said. And this was what impacted his decision to study gaming at MHCC. There is more to Beasley than one might guess. For about a decade, he has been a DJ at venues around the country and spent a summer internship shadowing several DJs that toured with BBC Radio One’s music festival.

Beasley pegged the name DJ Blue, because of his blue bleached hair while performing. His audience and fans gave him the stage name, and he was not one to argue. Beasley ended leaving the DJ business when the party scene got a little too wild, but he definitely still feeds off the energy of others.

“I am powered by people. A large part of why I play video games is the social circle that I have with other gamers,” people he now calls close and personal friends, he said.

Photo courtesy of Matt Beasley

Beasley was confined to bed for 10 weeks after a scooter accident. He is now enrolled in Mt. Hood’s broadcasting program and hopes to learn about storyboarding to help him with game design.

Nutshell News “Real Talk, Real Issues” On Oct. 27, Mt. Hood will hold a political-minded event in the Jazz Café from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to get students and anyone else who is interested acquainted with Oregon state legislators and local lawmakers.

The event is called “Real Talk, Real Issues,” and is organized by Skye Troy, Associated Student Government’s director of state and federal affairs.

Thirteen elected officials, including area mayors and state senators and representatives, will be present to hold interactive roundtable discussions about politics and public issues.

“It’s about face-to-face contact... it’s about making it personable, making it tangible,” Troy said about her expectations for the event. “They are here to serve us, not themselves.”

-Greg Leonov

Halloween bowling Mt. Hood’s ASG will hold a “Heroes versus Villains”-themed bowling event at Mt. Hood Lanes at 9:30 p.m. on Oct 30, the night before Halloween.

The event is free for Mt. Hood students with an ID; otherwise it is $2 per person. All lanes will be available for bowlers who wish to participate in the event.

More than $300 worth of prizes will be given for a costume contest. Snacks and refreshments will be available.

-Greg Leonov

Casino Night

On Nov. 12, the Student Union will host a “Casino Night” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Students with an ID will be able to enter for free. Guests may attend by donating $2 or donating canned food for Barney’s Pantry.

The event will feature casino-style games and a magician.

Casino Night is meant to be an event for students to enjoy, MHCC student leaders said.

“You have to have fun sometimes,” said Skye Troy, ASG director of state and federal affairs.

“There is not a reservoir of good people who would ruin their lives if only they could smoke pot. Anybody who wants to smoke pot does already,” he said.

Steves said “Measure 91 is being called the gold standard marijuana law by all of my buddies in Washington and Colorado. You know a law is good when police and schools are endorsing it, especially when it involves marijuana.”

In Washington, heavy taxation of marijuana is creating a black market, he said. Oregon’s proposed tax is much lower; where Washington plans to collect $100 million a year, Oregon would be getting only tens of millions of dollars in new taxes, he said.

Steves said three key aspects to Measure 91 are: our state is perfect for growing hemp; hemp has medicinal value; and smoking is a civil liberty.

Meanwhile, 800,000 people are arrested every year in America on marijuana-related charges, most of them poor, he said. About 80,000 are serving in jail right now. Oregon arrests or cites 13,000 people a year, relating to marijuana.

Contrast that to Colorado, where crime rates are down, revenue is up, teen use is the same and DUIs are the same after that state legalized weed, Steves said.

“The sky is not falling,” he said.

Layers of Learning club brings MHCC together through literature Adam Elwell the advocate

The “Layers of Learning Circle” is MHCC’s newest reading group.

“This isn’t a club; the Layers of Learning Circle is a free, five-week non-academic course,” said club co-founder and Diversity Resource Center Coordinator Melinda Bullen.

The group has met twice so far and its first selection is “Freaks and Revelations,” by Davida Wills Hurwin, a book Bullen bumped into while attending the National Student Leadership Diversity convention. The book is a true story, and during the convention she had an opportunity to talk with its two protagonists, who work at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

“This true story is not only powerful, but also one of tolerance and forgiveness in the face of extreme difference,” said Bullen. “This is the kind of book that

the Layers of Learning Circle was created for.”

Another book the group considered was “Where the Roses Smell the Best: A Literary Companion to Portland,” by Unique Ink. Each book selected for the group is chosen because it has some connection to a “cultural question, conflict, or group,” said Bullen. “It is a reading group, for sure, but we work hard to create a series of experiences through the five weeks that makes it pretty special.”

Bullen said the books are selected by her and Lauren Smith, who co-facilitates the Learning Circle, although suggestions from participants are welcome.

“For the Spring Term we have asked our campus chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) to select the book,” she said. “We would love to get groups and organizations more involved.”

The group meets in the Diversity Resource Center, with the next meeting set for noon to 1 p.m. on Monday.

-Greg Leonov

9

the advocate

SPORTS

October 17, 2014

The Kansas City Royals celebrate going undefeated into the World Series.

Web photo - Kansas City Royals

Cinderella hoping for ‘Royal’ finish Hayden Hunter the advocate

With the MLB playoffs going on, and despite my team not being in the running anymore, I am still really excited for this year’s World Series.

So far, the Kansas City Royals (better yet, this year’s Cinderella) are the team to look out for. Cinderella went up against the Oakland A’s in the Wild Card game and beat them. Then they went head-to-head with the Los Angeles Angels, a team that had the best overall record

in the MLB, and swept the series, 3-0, and if that weren’t enough, Cinderella decided to go 4-0 in their American League Championship Series with the Baltimore Orioles.

This is a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs in 29 years, and now they are undefeated after eight playoff games. Not bad for a team that wasn’t even invited to the dance for almost three decades.

In that first game against the A’s, the Royals were down 7-3 in the eighth inning and they brought in a young man, Brandon Finnegan, who played in the College World Se-

ries only four months ago, in June. Now, he will be pitching in the “real” World Series.

This guy is only one year older than I am, that’s nuts! He has gone through three different teams in the last three months alone, ultimately making his way to that mound in front of Oakland. I certainly have high hopes for my personal MVP pick for the American League playoffs.

Kansas City has won the AL pennant and will play either the St. Louis Cardinals or the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. It’s looking like the Giants (as of the Advocate’s

Thursday deadline, the Giants lead 3-1 in their National League Championship Series and only need one more win to clinch the spot).

I can’t say for sure who will win it all, as both teams (will be) good.

If I didn’t know everything I do about the Royals’ postseason, I would probably say the Giants, if they make it. However, given what I do know, I would have to bet on Cinderella. They have had a gresat postseason and are hoping to make history as the first team to go undefeated all through to the title.

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the advocate

SPORTS

October 17, 2014

Volleyball team scrapes with Cougars, lose in four Brandon Raleigh the advocate

Last Friday at Mt. Hood, the Saints gave the South Region-leading Clackamas Community College Cougars a battle, before dropping the match in four sets (27-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17).

In the first set, the Saints got off to a quick start and led late in the game, before the Cougars stormed back.

In volleyball, the first team to 25 points wins a set, but it must win by two points.

The Saints were first to 25, but the Cougars’ 24 points forced the win-by-two rule.

The Cougars stole the set, scoring three straight points for the 27-25 victory.

Set Two played out to the Saints’ favor.

They started out strong and never looked back, taking the set 25-22.

With the match deadlocked (1-1), some started to wonder if the Saints might just be able to take down the undefeated (in league play) Cougars.

Next came a hard-fought third set between the two squads. The Cougars had a strong start, yet the Saints fought their way back late in the set, before Clackamas held on for a 2522 win.

In Set Four, the Cougars showed everyone why they are the team to beat in the South Region. Their (25-17) victory gave them the

match over Mt. Hood.

Statistically, there were some monster performances for the Saints.

Sophomore setter Shealee Lindsey had 40 assists, 11 more than the whole Cougars roster.

Freshman outside hitter Jessica Pedro and sophomore right side hitter Devin Saucy helped the Saints on the attacking end. Pedro recorded 18 kills, while Saucy had 13 kills.

Sophomore libero Kiana Miller led the Saints on the defensive end with 19 defensive digs.

MHCC coach Andrew Clifton had positive things to say about the match. “I think we kept our emotional control well, especially playing the top-seeded team in the South. We definitely were ready to play.

“They did a good job of learning what (the Cougars’) weaknesses were during the match as well. As the match went on, we learned more about them,” he said.

Clifton said the Saints need to work on finishing out games. He said the Clackamas match was a good indicator of what his team is capable of this year.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say that it was a really good match, and I think that’s evidence of the level of play we were playing and it’s just being able to sustain that at the most crucial time,” he said. “Once we kind of get that taken care of, we’ll be a really tough team to beat.”

This Saturday, Mt. Hood plays in the Grays Harbor Crossover in Aberdeen, Wash.

The Saints take on Shoreline Community College 11:30 a.m. and Wenatchee Valley Community College at 6 p.m.

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Photos by Brandon Raleigh - the advocate

The Saints pushed top-ranked Clackamas last Friday, taking the second of four sets before losing.

Mt. Hood hopes to get back on track this weekend at the Grays Harbor Crossover.

11

the advocate

SPORTS

October 17, 2014

Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate

Lindsey sets Saints up for success Brandon Raleigh the advocate

Photo by Brandon Raleigh - the advocate

(Left) Shealee Lindsey sets against Clackamas CC last Friday. (Far right) Lindsey at practice.

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When attending a Saints volleyball match in Mt. Hood’s gymnasium, it’s easy to spot the raw athletic ability of second-year setter Shealee Lindsey. The plays that Shealee, “Shea” for short, makes at any given point can easily change the momentum of an entire match.

The 5-foot, 4-inch Lindsey began playing volleyball her freshman year at Pendleton High School, later joining club volleyball her junior year.

Volleyball wasn’t her first sport. At age 9, she began playing softball and has played ever since. During her time at Pendleton, she won all-league honors, all-state honors, and 5A Player of the year awards for both volleyball and softball.

Lindsey, who plays in the outfield for MHCC softball, helped last year’s team bring home the NWAC championship.

Pendleton High school has had a rich tradition and connection in recent years with Saints women’s programs. Former Saints coach Chelsie Speer, who recently led MHCC to two South Region crowns, coached Lindsey at Pendleton before her time at Mt. Hood.

When Lindsey isn’t setting up a kill, she enjoys hanging with friends and shopping.

She lists both her sister, Jessi Lindsey, and cousin, Rylie Engelson, as role models. “I look up to my older sister a lot because she’s the one that really got me into sports when I was younger, like softball starting out.

She never played volleyball, but her and my cousin just pushed me to do the sports,” she said.

Both Jessi Lindsey and Engelson are former Saints.

Jessi played softball, while Engelson was an All-American in volleyball (later playing for Eastern Oregon University).

Currently working on a transfer degree, Shea Lindsey would like to get into the sports medicine field.

She described important pre-game rituals. “We listen to music in the team room, me and Kiana (Miller) have to hit the top part of the door before we walk out of the team room, and we walk out in pairs together,” she said.

Lindsey discussed what it’s like playing in a volleyball match: “It’s really fast-paced. In softball, you have a lot of time to think about mistakes you made and get frustrated about it, but in volleyball you have to recover right away

or it’s just all a big mess.”

This year, she’s had to make the transition from playing under Speer to new head coach Andrew Clifton.

“It’s definitely a change from anything I’m used to in the past. It’s actually a nice change in pace,” she said. “He really pushes us more than a lot of us think we can handle. I think he is a really good coach.

“In the beginning, it was hard because it was so much different but once we got the hang of it, it’s gotten a lot easier to settle in,” she continued. “Once we start putting it all together and getting the hang of it, we do a lot better.”

Clifton had some good things to say about Lindsey.

“She has bought into the program. She works super hard and she’s open to learning new things,” he said. “All the things that new coaches struggle with in their first year, she’s been a model athlete on the team that has helped out with the transition.

“She has always been somebody on the team that I know I can count on to try her best to put the game plan forward,” he said.

Lindsey’s main goal this season is to push the Saints to the NWAC playoffs, with anything more a bonus.

The top four teams in the South make it to the playoffs, and Mt. Hood is currently in fourth.

Once volleyball season ends, Lindsey finds familiar ground in playing softball for veteran head coach Meadow McWhorter.

“It’s a nice change... something to look forward to after volleyball’s over. It’s definitely the closest thing to family because everyone is so tight on the team and Coach makes it really fun,” she said.

After she’s done at Mt. Hood, Lindsey would like to attend a four-year university, preferably a school in California. Lindsey isn’t sure what sport she will play, waiting on the scholarship offers she gets from schools.

Mt. Hood has been a great experience for Lindsey, she said. “I’m definitely really glad that I chose to come here because its not too far away from home, but it’s far enough away that I can get the feel for how it is to be on my own.”

She continued, “I like Mt. Hood and how close everyone is. Team-wise, I think it’s a lot more family oriented.”

Lindsey will be vital in Mt. Hood’s final push this season, hoping to set up another Saints playoff run.