The Advocate, Issue 7 - Oct. 30, 2015

October 30, 2015

advocate Independent Student Voice of MHCC

Volume 51 Issue 7

What’s Happening?

This time of year, there are too many things happening on campus and around town. Here’s a really, really big lineup!

Motorcycle Show

Looking for the best Portland haunt? We’ve tried most. Haunted house reviews, p. 5

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OPINION

Editorial

STEM degrees are great, but humanities feel like black sheep One of Mahatma Gandhi’s seven “social blunders” is knowledge without character, a premise that is becoming more important the more it is forgotten in primary and secondary education around the U.S. More and more lately, secondary education has been leaning towards STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) content. Even though the humanities field seems to have fallen out of the national focus, even if it’s not the foundation of our education system, the two disciplines definitely work best in conjunction.

Maybe we’re being a little melodramatic, and it should be noted that the Advocate staff has a pretty clear pre-existing bias, since we’re pretty deeply rooted in the humanities. While any growth in education is typically a good thing, most humanities students have been walking around for years now with a bitter taste in their mouth,

knowing that at the end of their education they could still just end up an overqualified barista. Joining the flock of business students who are only there on campus to get an “actual” job is looking better and better by the day.

And for good reason: Science is great at giving quantitative answers.

Where it’s not so great is filling in the gaps. To put it crudely, science tells us how stuff works, but it does nothing to tell us why it’s there. Simply: why is there stuff, as opposed to not stuff?

The two go hand-in-hand, really. Knowledge without character ultimately builds up to war, and if we all had character but no knowledge we would probably starve. It makes no sense to divide the two, even from a strictly productive standpoint: Workplaces want employees that are both creative and efficient. Why build anything, without first asking ourselves why we’re doing it?

advocate-online.net

ASK JAX Greetings, resident MHCC students: Is there a thought you can’t seem to get over?

Email us so we can tell you why you’re wrong in our new ask column!

Full disclosure– you might leave feeling worse.

Got something on your mind? He might not be able to help, but at least you get attention.

Contact us at:

To submit questions email us at Advocatt@mhcc. edu, call us at 503-491-7250, comment on our website: advocate-online.net, find us on facebook: facebook.com/ TheAdvocateOnline, or tweet us at MHCCadvocate.

Submissions should be kept under 200 words, and signed with a pseudonym.

‘The art of humility’ does not equal self-deprecation Emily Wintringham

the advocate

Sometimes I get stuck on a topic; particularly when one comes up that might make me want to analyze my character.

Humility seems to be a vital component to leadership, but what

does it entail? How does one become humble, and why is it so important?

I’ve attended Bible studies where we discussed the art of humility.

The definition I encountered was basically this: Thinking of others, over oneself.

I used to mistake humility for self-deprecation. I love the kind of humor that humiliates the self, yet learned that humiliation doesn’t equal humility. I assumed that it kept me “humble,” since I wasn’t overestimating myself.

Now, I’ve learned that overdisplaying the negative aspects of oneself is still self-seeking, or at least self-centered.

When I’m trying to find my balance and figure out how I can

become humble and get rid of my pride, the constant variable is always myself or I. Affirming other people, complementing them, discussing

“I’ve learned that over-displaying the negative aspects of oneself is still self-seeking, or self-centered.” their problems, and really listening instead of talking helps take myself out of the equation.

It doesn’t have to be negative.

Humility can be: “Hey, Mom, I

really love your scarf. Your eyes are popping in contrast.”

So, the trick isn’t to concentrate on my own faults, but on other people and how I can support them.

Being humble entails a lot of things.

It entails being able to admit faults, but not admitting the fault out of guilt – for doing anything out of guilt is actually a way of appeasing oneself.

I know I can’t speak for absolutely everyone, though.

Humility means the ability to not be easily angered, or easily offended.

It’s being able to recognize when someone may be ignorant or has different intentions than what you might be assuming.

Just as I’ve been discussing with the other extremes, it’s also not

letting things go just to avoid conflict, in fear that one might come across as a nuisance.

I hope you can recognize more of these scenarios in your own life.

Sometimes, we don’t want to come across as prideful, yet we then go to the opposite, seemingly self-harming alternative. However, unless our motive is centered around the wellbeing of others, it’s not likely to yield any positive outcomes.

True humility takes practice.

Plato said: “the unexamined life is not worth living.” So, good character comes by examining oneself, but perhaps in the context of humility.

The focus should be through the lens of caring for others.

the advocate Editor-in-Chief Adam Elwell Arts+Entertainment Editor Ivy Davis News Editor Gloria Saepharn Sports Editor Clay Vitale

Graphic Designers Ayla Buckner Cody Holcombe Gabrielle Madewell Photo Editor Nick Pelster Opinion Editor Adam Elwell

Public Relations Manager Emily Wintringham Features Editor Jon Fuccillo Video Editors Ben Baxter Chuck Masi Thomas Stewart

Ad Manager Joseph Frantz Copy Editor Quincy Smith Staff Writers Isaiah Alder Nicole Kaadi Monique Mallari Karianne Morley Konah Nimo

Web Editor Matana McIntire Advisers Howard Buck Dan Ernst Front cover by Ayla Hannah and Cody Holcombe

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.

NEWS

October 30, 2015

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Hacking games train future cyber crime-fighters Gloria Saepharn the advocate

MHCC’s very own cyberprevention group will participate in the National Cyber League’s fall season games, set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The event is held online, on a cloud-based platform (also known as the NCL’s stadium).

Competitors from Mt. Hood may access the games through one of the school’s computers or in the comfort of their own homes.

The Cyber Security and Networking program here at MHCC

is based on teaching students to adapt to new technology, as well as the current industry standards. The “cyber world” is ever-evolving and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Mt. Hood has developed a CyberSecurity Center to provide access to Information Security and Information

Assurance resources, and is Oregon’s only community college with an Associate of Applied Science degree program in CyberSecurity & Networking.

“Competitions are a great way to learn about cyber security by applying offensive and defensive maneuvers in a competitive environment,” said P a u l Morris, Senior

Information Systems Technology Management faculty member for MHCC.

“They encourage our students to practice and hone cyber security skills in a controlled, real-world environment.”

The connection between the Oregon Center for CyberSecurity and NCL involves the common goal to protect the future of the cyber and digitized world online, as well as learn how “hackers” can help provide fixes.

Programs such as these provide people with the ability to think ahead of their time and identify loopholes in computer security, observers say.

As for the games, the NCL wants to enlist a new generation of cyber security professionals by providing an “inclusive individual and team competitive sport experience,” according NCL’s website.

“The competition provides us

with a playing field where we can get feedback and determine how well we’re doing. Our curriculum for the cyber security degree seems to be in flux all the time,” Morris said.

“Being a part of the competition will result in our students earning gainful employment with employers who are looking for security professionals.”

The preseason games for this competition were Oct. 22-28, and Game 1 starts on Saturday. They are for individuals. There are two games in the NCL season, and the second occurs on Nov. 14. A postseason runs Nov. 16-23, and the NCL National Championship game will run Dec. 5-12.

For more information about the games, visit the National Cyber League website, at: nationalcyberleague.org

Upcoming Salmon Festival to raise awareness Adam Elwell the advocate

This Sunday, Nov. 1, MHCC’s geography department will sponsor an annual Salmon Festival next to the Multnomah Falls Lodge, along with the U.S. Forest Service.

Geography and criminal justice instructor Chris Gorsek said the point of the festival, which is free to the public, is to raise awareness about wild fish populations in the Pacific Northwest, which seems to

entail more and more than comes to mind at first glance.

Gorsek said there are the obvious effects humans have on water quality, and the hard-to-miss obstructions, such as dams. But there are more subtle effects, too, like soil erosion smoothing out riverbeds where salmon used to lay their roe (eggs) in gravel, or seals and sea lions waiting behind dams where fish back up, creating “dueling protected species,” he said. Portland’s hotter summers lately have been hurting

salmon populations: Since water moves more slowly behind dams, those areas actually get too hot for some fish to live in. And to top it off, a lot of storm runoff goes straight into rivers, carrying “oil, radiator fluid [and] industrial run-off”.

The festival isn’t all doom-andgloom, however. Gorsek emphasized that it is entirely possible to change this scenario.

“There are things that we can do to make these streams cleaner, and clearer,” he said.

a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Barney, Mt. Hood’s mascot, and Smokey the Bear are both expected to be in attendance. Students from Mt. Hood’s cosmetology will be doing face-painting.

“I hope people realize there are things we can do to make the water quality better,” said Gorsek, about what attendees should be thinking on their way out.

Multnomah Falls reliably attracts weekend crowds, and Multnomah Creek is a great place for viewing salmon this time of year as the fish migrate up the Columbia River Gorge to spawn. Mt. Hood students will help explain the ways of salmon and threats their population.

MHCC initially got involved in the Salmon Festival after the previous event that was hosted at Oxbow Park on the Sandy River for close to 25 years dissipated.

This year’s festival runs from 10

Gloria Saepharn

Motorcycle show

Motorcycle enthusiasts are getting revved up for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show, which runs in Portland this weekend, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, at the Oregon Convention Center. Leather and chrome are abundant, as vendors sell motorcycle-related gear and parts.

There will be performances by No Limit Stunt Team, School of Rock, demo rides, live music, tattoo artists and more. The traveling Show is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and children 11 and under are free.

Motorcycle parking is also free.

For more information, visit the website: motorcycleshows.com - Nicole Kaadi

MHCC open swim

Good news for all you Halloween fanatics: The Mt. Hood Aquatics Center is having a spooky open recreation swim.

The Halloween Open Rec Swim is open to all students, faculty and community members tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. This might sound crazy, but bring your costumes, because there will be prizes available for those with the best outfit – as well as games for everyone attending.

Admission is free for MHCC students/staff with I.D.; $5 for adults and $3.75 for children and seniors.

Please note: all children under 8 must be accompanied in the water by an adult.

- Matana McIntire

the advocate

Mt. Hood Community College hosted a Halloween Harvest this

Wednesday afternoon in the Main Mall.

There was a trick-ortreat trail, a spooky house, candy, a petting zoo, a henna artist, and a wheel that you could spin to win prizes.

The crowd slowly began forming as classes started and ended. I saw the goats, possible miniature horse and alpaca and silently freaked out (in my mind, of course). Candy is practically bait for parents to bring their children and they did – there ended up being many kids roaming around and getting candy from the Associated Student Government-sponsored event. Some ASG members also happened to be dressed up for this event.

Photos by Emily Wintringham

MHCC hosts harvest festival

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NEWS

advocate-online.net

MHCC’s astronomy teacher says space is a beauty Gloria Saepharn the advocate

If you’re the slightest bit interested in stars, comets or planets, our interim Planetarium Director Will Blackmore is just the guy you want to talk to.

MHCC has its own planetarium located in the main mall, below the library. It features displays that the directors plan and coordinate, with pictures and other images projected onto the dome-shaped ceiling of the room.

Blackmore is an alumnus of MHCC and was on the s p e e c h and debate team, as well as involved in the student government senate. As a student, he sat

in the seats in the planetarium and watched shows that re-ignited his passion for space. As a child, he “asked so many questions that my parents eventually couldn’t answer” and read many books related to space, he said. Space has always been a part of his life and was something he always thought was a beautiful thing, he said.

Before teaching at MHCC, he “found himself” in Namibia, in Africa, he said. He taught astronomy for about three months and led night tours in the Kalahari Desert to explain the sky, stars and objects visible in the Southern Hemisphere for people that visited the area.

Teaching on the other side of the world reminded him how much he loved astronomy and how much he loved communicating that passion of science and space to other people.

One of the reasons why Blackmore has stayed close to MHCC and its planetarium is of his “pure love of the universe,” he said.

In his youth, Blackmore read a lot of science fiction and science books

by Isaac Azimov and Stephen Hawking and watched “Cosmos,” the television series hosted by astronomer Carl Sagan. He said he grew up knowing that he wanted to be an astrophysicist – “maybe someday someone will send me to space” – he thought.

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“Pat Hanrahan is doing a fabulous job (as Mt. Hood Planetarium director) and I hope to be a full-time instructor here at some point, but we’ll leave that up to the

administration,” he said. His current role backing Hanrahan and teaching classes “has definitely enriched me as a person,” he said, and he enjoys being able to reach out and seeing the same passion in his own students that has helped keep his flame alive.

“There’s an interesting synergy when you become a teacher – you’re constantly learning,” he said.

Blackmore sees a positive future for astronomy and chances for more discoveries. “This year alone has brought us NASA’s Dawn spacecraft orbiting dwarf planet Ceres,” he said. “Being able to see those brightly reflective spots on the surface are inspiring people’s imaginations – whether it’s a lake of water, ice on the surface, or ‘alien structures,’ it’s inspiring.”

“Knowing the processes, the chemicals and the physics that goes into that beautiful dance of the cosmos just enhances that beauty to me – when I look at planets, comets and all of the different pieces, I can’t help but feel intimately connected as a part of that,” he said.

On the controversial topic of Pluto, Blackmore said he doesn’t believe that Pluto is a ‘planet,’ but rather, a dwarf planet. “It doesn’t follow the same pattern in terms of its chemical makeup,” he said.

“We have rocky planets close, but gaseous planets further out” in the

Spooky Planetarium Show The Spooky Stellar Phantoms planetarium show will run tonight at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Shows will last 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how interactive attendees are. Admission is $2 for someone with an MHCC I.D. “It’s been awhile since we’ve had a special Halloween show. There was a lot of demand from various people,” interim Director Will Blackmore said. “If you wear an astronomy or space-themed costume, it’ll be $1 off,” he added.

Earth’s solar system, he said. “Pluto is a rocky, icy, large comet that was captured, as far as we can tell.”

Many planets in the galaxy are much larger than Pluto, even those further away from the dwarf planet.

Although there are many definitions of just what a dwarf planet is, many in the scientific community continue

to argue whether it’s a planet, or not. “Pluto’s surface area is just a little bit bigger than Russia, so it’s pretty teeny,” said Blackmore.

The interim director spoke highly of upcoming landmark event.

“Make sure to plan for the 2017 total (solar) eclipse,” he said. In August 2017 “there will be a total eclipse coming directly through Oregon at a time of year that we’ll actually be able to see it. In order to be able to get full totality, we need to go to Eastern Oregon,” he explained.

He and Hanrahan are already planning some college events around the memorable display. He suggests astronomy fans make sure they look ahead, too.

“It’ll miss Portland just by a little bit – but do not miss a total eclipse,” Blackmore said.

October 30, 2015

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Robin Hood travels to MHCC Nicole Kaadi the advocate

a play.

The production’s quirky cast includes: Little John: Michael Tippery Friar Tuck: Hannah Hensley Robin Hood: Ethan Archer Maid Marian: Jennifer Kuenzi Sheriff of Nottingham: Chris Botcheos Prince John: Chase Jackson King Richard: Sable Van Meter Guard: Matt Ludwick Merry Men/Narrators: Jade Bebell & Katie Diorio However, some rolls may be changed throughout the show dates do to the use of understudies.

The troupe will be doing shows

for schools Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, and 23 at 10:30 a.m.

For MHCC students or staff with children, or just anyone who wants to see an interactive play, there will be two public performances at 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Tickets are $2.

All Robin hoods from web

Logo from web

Young audiences will figuratively take a journey through Sherwood Forest with the cast of the MHCC theatre group as they perform this year’s autumn interactive production: “Robin Hood.”

Guests chosen at random will be able to interact or go onstage as the actors perform a condensed 45-minute version of the trials of the beloved outlaw, and his merry men, in his quest to be with his beloved Maid Marian. The stage is set with a sort of fairy tale quality, in either Sherwood Forest or the castle, as Robin

Hood sets out to beat the sheriff and win his lady’s hand in marriage.

Mt. Hood Theatre Director Mace Archer said, “The interactive aspect of the play allows the actors to make really funny and broad character choices because the characters are not realistic everyday people, which adult plays tend to do.”

All but two performances will be held for local children’s groups, and the cast will adjust appropriately, Archer said.

“I think the actors love the scale and size and the unpredictability of what the kids will do,” he said. And, adults should enjoy watching their children having fun being a part of

Proves to be the best haunted house yet Ayla Buckner the advocate

4.5/5 on the haunted house scale.

High-end haunts have always been a favorite for people who enjoy the efforts put into a true quality production, whether it be a play at an opera house or a perfectly executed haunted house.

FrightTown, located inside the dreary gray catacombs of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, tops the list on conceptual execution for a creepy Friday night scare.

Once down the stairs, it was hard to decide which house to enter first. I would assume that long lines would dictate this on any other evening, but since I was late, as usual, I was greeted by sinister-looking ticket-takers hoping to usher me inside.

Each house has a different theme.

I felt each appealed to one’s own ‘horror profile’ – gory, psychological, and paranormal. The first house,

“Baron Von Goolo’s Museum of Horrors,” offered a creepy taxidermy walk-through, with a few other fun snarky rooms, such as the overbearing “marijuana judge” sentencing everyone who passed to 100 years in Hell for lighting up, followed by a glowing tiki “devil-weed” gallery of black-lit masks.

The next house had a much more frightening appeal, and was aptly named the “The Madness,” inspired

by H.P. Lovecraft.

Let’s just say there’s a room with a man and a werewolf I’d rather not talk about, which I cannot un-see. I almost missed the third house completely, so blown way by the first two that I was sated, slipping into a snuff-audience stupor afterwatching the people inside the “Death Ride” scream in terror as a hydraulic coffin shook them senseless.

On my way out, however, THE “Baron Von Goolo” approached me

and asked if I seen all three houses – and, after I showed my ticket, he instrcuted, “There, my dear,” and pointed towards The Witch House.

“The Witch House” felt like a slow burn, leading you through a dilapidated building with the energy of something gone terribly wrong.

Cue the mutated monsters, swinging rooms of bodies and gore, and the snapping jaws of a giant,

zombified h o r s e .

Certainly the most intense house, The Witch House offered the most special effects, with specially placed animatronics, loud sound effects, and lively actors who I frequently noticed just inches away from my face.

This haunt has been consistent for a few years now, and is a solid option to take a date or an out-of-town friend. If you head to the show before it closes, make sure to swing by one of the

locations where you can pick up a coupon – they are listed on the website and will save you some money if you go with someone. I was only disappointed to see that there wasn’t a gift shop; I would definitely have bought the T-shirt!

And, as one of the Advocate’s graphic designers, I must give a nod to FrightTown’s design team: From buses to billboards, they’ve marketed themselves into the premiere Portland haunt and have the chops to back it up.

Check out our haunted house video online at advocate-online. net Exhibit Hall beneath the Memorial Coliseum, Rose Quarter, 300 North Winning Way, Portland, frighttown.com. $20-$40.

a

Read more haunt reviews @ http://www.advocate-online.net Watch the Haunted Ghost Town video @ http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Njgt_l_ i0UE

5

Libra - Your mantra this week would best be described as a falsetto scream. Remember to breathe through your nose and visualize while you do this.

Scorpio - Mercury’s position indicates your habitual method of transit is outdated. Didn’t you see that bitching hoverboard thing a few months ago? Get with the times, you old fart.

Sagittarius - So do you actually believe these things, or do you just read them because you’re not clever enough to be self-deprecating on your own? Either way, I can’t say the outlook is good.

Capricorn - I’m pretty sure you would punch another person for a billion dollars, right? Don’t look so shocked – we’ve established that you’re for hire, now we’re just haggling over the price.

Aquarius - ...So you’re actually this old and you’ve never been on a vision quest? I’m not going to say you’re not an actual adult, but plenty of cultures would. Now would be the week to discover your spirit animal.

Pisces - Uranus’ placement indicates you’re abnormally stressed.

Friendly tip: head butts are a severely under-appreciated form of psychotherapy, and who doesn’t love surprises, right?

Aries - We’ll start with the bad news: This is not going to be a good-looking week for you. The good news is, if you stop showering, you could save some money on a costume.

Taurus - Yeah, you could get a costume, but Christmas is right around the corner anyway, and you’re going to have to hook up lights to your battery and twist them around your wipers and everything again. Is it really worth your time?

Gemini - This week is clearly your time to shine: Welcome to the fast and dangerous world of underground professional peanut racing, where competitors push a peanut on the ground with their nose in a race to be the last one pushing.

Cancer - Happiness is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Well, I guess it depends on how you interpret “hop.”

Whatever you do, definitely don’t jump, skip, and then hop.

Leo - Yeah, pretty hunky-dory week for you, it appears. You do a cartwheel; I guess that’s kind of noteworthy, like, when was the last time that happened?

Virgo - Now is the time for spontaneity – flip all the objects near you, violently, and see what shapes happen.

6 PAGE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

advocate-online.net

Rier empowers women with art

Monique Mallari the advocate

MHCC’s Fireplace Gallery will exhibit “Inner Turmoil,” featuring various illustrations and drawings by artist Erika Rier, through Nov. 24.

Throughout the gallery inside the Student Union, the artwork explores a variety of topics, including women’s rights, politics, mythology, and daily life.

Rier, 38, is an illustrator who works with art mediums ranging from ink and watercolor togouache on paper. She created a style known as “Folk Surrealism.” Previously having worked with oil paint, she had “a chip on my shoulder that I needed to be an oil painter to be, you know, a ‘well-rounded’ artist,” she said. “Drawing was my passion but I avoided it. I did a lot of oil painting through my 20s.”

Rier claimed her style was inspired by “Indian and Persian miniatures, Victorian tales, fairy tale illustrations from the late-1800 and 1900s artwork,” and more. More inspiration came from looking through her stepfather’s sketchbooks and work by French painter Édouard Vuillard, which she found fascinating, questioning “How do people do this? How do they make

The Advocate brings you weekly words.

With these words, you can impress your instructors, whoop-ass at Scrabble, or simply wait for more new words next week.

Moist: Adj - Defined by the Advocate as “a word most people dislike hearing, meaning damp or humid.”

Gossamer: Noun - a fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs or spun by a spider.

Malicious: Adj - characterized by malice: intending to do harm.

Lurid: Adj - very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect.

paintings that look so realistic, especially Renaissance painters?” she said.

“I just remember looking through his art book and thinking ‘I want to become an artist when I’m older.’ ” As for Rier’s artwork displayed at Mt. Hood, many pieces involved morphed animals and mostly women, since she’s an advocate for women’s rights.

She didn’t hesitate when asked about the significance of morphing those creatures together: “I feel like the ideas I want to show is different aspects of being a woman in modern-day, modern culture, but (also) feeling like just drawing a female herself doesn’t really get that across,” she said.

“So, if I draw a woman who’s part bear, and part woman, you see that fierceness: the more aggressive and violent bear. Where if I drew a woman being aggressive, it wouldn’t carry the same kind of weight behind it.”

In high school, Rier took general art classes, spending most of her time in the art room if there were no classes going on, she said. To her, the art room was “a safe place” to be, a way to avoid being bullied elsewhere. She began attending college at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, in western Massachusetts, after her sophomore year in high school in 1993 to pursue writing, prior to attending Burlington College, through 1999.

Rier’s gallery exhibition is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Photos by Nick Pelster

Top: a small section of the pieces ‘And the Boat That Goes.’ Bottom: ink and water color piece. Left: Hanging cut-outs of Reir’s art.

No Shame Talent Show Ivy Davis and Nick Pelster the advocate

The No Shame Talent Show was hosted in the Studio Theatre on Oct. 22, inviting a variety of people to present their different talents.

There were three rules for the talent show, created by Mt. Hood’s thespian community: Stick to “original content, don’t

hurt anybody, and don’t hurt the space,” organizers said. These set rules really opened a door for people to get creative and present some amazing pieces that provoked emotions of joy and even some sadness.

The skill level of the pieces had the crowd responding with applause, at times, that lasted almost as long as the performances.

Ten minutes before the show, the lobby of the Stu-

dio Theatre was packed with people crowding around a small sign-up sheet for their 5 minute slot. By 4:30 p.m., a solid crowd of 25-plus were seated in the small black chairs waiting for show to start.

Shortly after, the lights went dim for Benjamin Rullo to kick off the show by presenting his video piece called, “The Retro Phonecord.” He introduced it as “a video I made in my digital media class last year; please enjoy,” and moments later, laughs flowed through the theatre. It was a start to a great show.

The next performances included poetry, a self reflection and songs. A standout performance was “Disappear by Brandonn and Makena.” Brandonn

played the ukulele while Makena sang, and their song had the crowd begging for more.

A halftime show was a game where two thespians asked the audience for something that reminded them of a carnival and the audience screamed, “Cotton candy!” They based a skit off of cotton candy and did it in 60 seconds, then cut it to 30 seconds, then to 15 and finally to 5 seconds.

After the break three more music acts went on, the last being a piano piece named “Elegy of the Soul,

by Erika Dizon.” As the show ended the crowd was assured by their hosts that this wouldn’t be the last No Shame Talent Show, but only the first of many to come.

A second No Shame Talent Show is tentatively scheduled on Nov. 19. Good news, since the talent show has shown it can give MHCC students a safe and encouraging output for their work.

SPORTS

October 30, 2015

The Advocate’s take:

Who do you have?

Stories by Clay Vitale

Why the Mets win...

The postseason is all about teams catching fire at the right time, and nobody has been hotter than the New York Mets. After beating the Dodgers in Game 5 of the best-of-five series, they steamrolled a powerful Cubs team to clinch their first World Series berth since losing to the crosstown rival Yankees in 2000.

The Mets’ offense was an awkward mix throughout the season, ranking at the bottom of MLB in batting average and hits, yet fourth overall in doubles and among the top ten in home runs.

Lately they’ve been showcasing the latter, as extra base hits spark big innings, being a key to manufacturing runs, and they tend to chase opposing starting pitchers early. And the sooner a team removes its starter, the less chance it has of winning.

Bullpen arms get taxed with more innings, especially with additional high-leverage situations, as effectiveness drops and injuries rise.

New York has been the complete package in the postseason, adding to their power prowess with great defense, a lights-out pitching rotation and superb relief corps.

The Kansas City Royals, however, have been playing

from behind in their last two series, so they’re not used to being up. Even with the Mets hobbling away from Kauffman stadium in Kansas City down 0-2, returning to Queens for the next three games will spell doom for the American League champions.

The Metropolitan faithful will rattle the Royals’ cage, and New York has a definite shot at returning to KC ahead 3-2.

How can this possibly be done?

The National League champions feature three of the top starting pitchers in baseball in Matt Harvey (the Dark Knight), Noah Syndergaard (Thor), and Jacob DeGrom (DeGrominator) – and those nicknames certainly do them justice. All three have the ability to control tempo, keep hitters off balance and miss bats.

And let’s not forget the hottest player of all, Daniel Murphy. The Mets’ secondbaseman has been affectionately referred to among opposing fans as “This F****** Guy,” which will tend to happen when you hit seven home runs in 10 games. Then there’s New York’s longest-tenured player, David Wright (Capain America), at third base, who has been champing at the bit for a shot at the title.

These factors and the strong supporting cast will lead New York to dispatch the Kansas City Royals in six games, and hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time since 1986.

Why the Royals win...

If there’s any question about who’s hotter, the Royals are the answer. They came from behind to dispatch the Astros, and bested the favored Blue Jays in six games. Nobody gave Kansas City a chance before the season, with just t h r e e out of 87 media “experts” surveyed even picking them to win their division, let alone make it to the World Series.

A few necessary deadline trades boosted their odds, especially the addition of Ben Zobrist. “Zorilla” has provided a level of depth this team lacked.

He can play almost anywhere in the field, bats from both left and right sides, gets on base and has some pop in his bat; and he’s just the beginning. The Royals’ lineup features a bevy of lefthanded power hitters, perfectly countering the hard righty throwers the Mets have.

New York can get to the Royals’ starting pitchers early, huh? Too bad Kansas City’s game plan all season long has been to unleash its bullpen sooner than most teams, thus saving the arms of the starters. It’s sure worked, so far. The unheralded Johnny Cueto shut down that “potent” Mets lineup, going the distance for a complete-game win in Game 2 – the first AL starter to pitch a complete Series game since 1991.

The first two of the “Big Three” in New York’s rotation have not lived up to the hype, mainly because the Royals feast on fastballs. The harder they throw, the further the ball goes.

KC has knocked out the Dark Knight and terminated the DeGrominator – so don’t be surprised when they cause Thor to drop his hammer tonight.

The three-game set at Citi Field this weekend doesn’t worry Kansas City. With a 2-0 series lead, they can drop two games and still be ahead. Games 6 and 7 are back at home, where they’ll finish off the Metropolitans and wear the crown fit for Royals.

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7

Olympic swimmer visits MHCC

web photo

Clay Vitale

the advocate

Visitors can meet USA National Team swimmer Maya DiRado this Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Mt. Hood Aquatic Center.

Maya is a two-time world champion for Team USA and also swims for Stanford University. She will be competing in the 2016 Olympic Trials, and specializes in freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events. The

entrance fee is $2 per person, and the following outlines her schedule for the day:

3 p.m. – Meet and Greet 3:30 – 5:15 p.m. – Autograph Signing 5:15 – 6:30 p.m. – In Water Demonstration / Clinic 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Wrap Up and Photos For more information, please contact the Aquatic Center at 503-491-7243

8 PAGE

SPORTS

advocate-online.net

SOOR passion fills Mt. Hood Special Olympics Oregon regional swim meet coverage from MHCC Aquatic Center

Saints compete in weekend tournaments Cross Country Regional

All photos by Emily Wintringham

By Emily Wintringham The Advocate MHCC’s Aquatic Center was packed with a lot of energy during the Special Olympics regionals on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Competition got off to a fast start after the national anthem ceremony at 10 a.m. and lasted a full six hours.

Swimmers occupied five lanes per round, and the athletes were awarded first-through-fifth place promptly after each performance.

There were tears of joy, tears of disappointment, and allaround excitement.

As a reporter, I had the wonderful chance to speak with a few athletes who competed.

For many of the athletes, the story is mostly one of not giving up.

Megan Paxton, 36, has been involved with Special Olympics since she was 10, and has won her “fair share” of golds and silvers at the world games, she said, which she credited to her coaches.

“I’ve had so many great

coaches for a long time,” said Paxton. “I had a really good coach, Cindy. I respect and admire her, she was a great coach, not only for her personality but more than that, it’s how she challenged me by putting me in longer distances when she felt I was ready.”

Paxton noted that her coaches, past and present, help cheer her and everyone else on.

For instance, she remembers the first time she competed and mixed up the order of her individual medley race. “I was a little embarrassed, but I learned from the mistake. I’ve always been good about learning from my mistakes.”

Her mother agreed, congratulating Megan by greeting her with a gold medal. Paxton took first in the 200-meter individual medley and second in the 200m backstroke.

“The lesson to her was to memorize and repeat over and over again the order until it internalized,” said Cindy Paxton, her mother. “She never made that mistake again.”

Her coach, Ann Beringer said,

Top: Competitors swim the breast stroke. Above: James Schmeer congratulated by Lauri Hyde. Right: Lauri Hyde swimming the freestyle.

“She’s one of the most positive people I know.”

Lauri Hyde is another great example of an athlete who has committed a lot of time to the Special Olympics. It was quite obvious that she provided

excellent encouragement to her teammates. Her quiet demeanor showed a level of grace, yet she was equally enthusiastic.

Hyde, obviously a very sociable person, was encouraging many athletes she knew – not only her teammates.

As a reporter, I couldn’t help but tear up when seeing her grasp the hand of a friend of hers she went to school with, James Schmeer.

Schmeer took second in the 200m freestyle and the100m freestyle.

Nearly every time I looked at Hyde, she congratulated and encouraged people in a soft and sincere way.

“I swam for Special Olympics for about 30 years,” she said, beginning at 8 years old. Sports had been a long tradition in her family, as her sister used to coach in Minnesota. As soon as Hyde plunged into the water from the diving board, with no fear, her family knew she was “made for the water,” she said.

Lauri agreed with them, saying, “It was a lot of fun and I made lots of friends”. When she was 10 years old, her family

moved to Gresham, where Lauri swam year-round with the Eastmont Aquanauts.

Lauri’s mother, Tracy Hyde, added that “Special Olympics provides the opportunity for her to compete and the possibility of

winning.

“It also encourages the athletes to exercise and eat sensibly in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Tracy Hyde said. Both the training and meets provide the athletes with the venues, coaches, and volunteers to allow them to learn how to participate in different sports, she said, “while developing good sportsmanship, and reconnecting regularly with their friends.”

For more information, or if you would like to get invovled with Oregon Special Olympics, please visit http://sports.soor.org/

The NWAC Cross Country South Region championship races occur today, with Mt. Hood competing. The Saints will run at Clackamas Community College, with the women taking off at 11 a.m. and the men following at noon. The course is almost entirely made of grass, with a few short sections of gravel. Each school participating (Clark, Lane, Treasure Valley, Rogue and host Clackamas) has an unlimited number of participants, and a total of seven runners per team can place.

Grab your Halloween costume and watch some volleyball

Mt. Hood hosts the annual Dorian Harris Halloween Classic volleyball tournament starting this afternoon.

The Saints enter the round-robin with 10 other schools, including Clackamas and Umpqua. Tacoma bested Clackamas last year in the finals to win the tournament, but has a league game that will not afford them the opportunity to repeat.

It appears to be a wide open field as Mt. Hood shares Group A with Linn-Benton, and will face Big Bend in the first match on Court #1, set for 2 p.m. today. Matches continue throughout the evening with the tournament commencing tomorrow, Halloween day.