MONTAGEthe
School Success Teams coming this fall.
PAGE 5
OPEN MIC NIGHT
Student music takes center stage.
PAGE 9
GAMING FOR FUN
Meramec Club brings games to the table.
PAGE 7
THE AI DEBATE
Montage readers make their voice heard.
PAGE 14
THE FACES OF MERAMEC
STLCC Plans to Eliminate DEI Policies
LINDSEY UNNERSTALL STAFF
WRITER
Gov. Mike Kehoe’s new Executive Order banning the use of state funds for DEI and Missouri public agencies from considering DEI in their policies is already taking effect at STLCC.
Kehoe’s Executive Order was signed on Feb. 18 and aims to eliminate funding for any public state agencies’ DEI positions and policies. This will affect all Missouri public colleges and universities, including all STLCC campuses. So far, the college has already removed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion information from its website and is in the process of switching Chief Engagement Officer
D’Andre Braddix’s role and job title.
equity, inclusion in terms of who is not being engaged right now, whose needs we are not meeting. With this new role I’m not really focusing on those areas; I’m looking at how to build community within the college.”
According to Chancellor Jeff Pittman, many of the changes on campus following the governor’s executive order will be regarding verbal policies, grammar and removing what is considered “DEI language” from the school’s website and formal policies.
“We’re an open access institution; all students are welcome here. Our values are to provide an educational pathway for anyone that wants it. In that regard, we’re lucky because our mission provides all those
“To hear that the college that I’m going to, with such a diverse group of people, is changing these policies is kind of sad.”
“Under the Chief Engagement Officer, the role entailed furthering the college’s mission, vision and values through strategic engagement, so that was both internally here at the college and externally in terms of community engagement,” Braddix said.
- Meramec Student Jamorah Triplett
opportunities for students regardless,” Pittman said.
wording of class course descriptions and learning outcomes to comply with the order, however, course curriculums will not be changing at this time.
“As a publicly funded institution, if we are required by the state government to change the policy, we will. [However], Dr Pittman was very clear that a verbal change doesn’t change the fundamental mission of what we do or who we are,” Lee said.
“We believe in being an open door institution.”
First year Meramec student Jamorah Triplett said she feels a lot of emotion regarding the Executive Order’s possible effects on campus.
“Hearing about it kind of made my heart drop,” Triplett said. “It’s weird because it’s a place that’s open for everybody, and with me being a minority it is kind of scary. To hear that the college that I’m going to, with such a diverse group of people, is changing these policies is kind of sad.”
Philosophy Professor Danielle Walker feels similarly.
“It’s extremely disheartening and disappointing, specifically since my daughter is about to enter college,” Walker said. “It impacts my community, because I am a woman of color, an African American, and really it will impact all Americans, because DEI isn’t just about race. It impacts people with disabilities, learning accommodations, international students, and it could impact all of us.” Administrators
“I will now be the ‘on buds’ person, supporting students, faculty and staff through academic affairs, helping to foster engagement within students and faculty within their schools,” Braddix said. “While in my Chief Engagement role, I’d have a connection to diversity,
Robert Lee, dean of the South County campus, is part of the response team tasked with determining what is considered DEI and how to properly address situations regarding the executive order. He suggested that there will be changes in the
Continued on p. 3
Special Section Spotlights students, staff and faculty on the Meramec campus. See pgs. 10, 11 and 12.
PROFESSOR
CHRISTAAN EAYRS
JEAN DEMPSEY
CAMPUS LIFE DIRECTOR SEAN COONEY
Ali Almamori
STUDENT IZZY LEYBA
JASONPROFESSOR MEYER
MERAMEC
The Music Program at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students. Classes are available for general education credit and the Associate in Arts degree with a concentration in Music to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music program. ** SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE **
COURSES
MUS 101,102,201,202 Music Theory I,II,III,IV
MUS 103 Music Fundamentals
MUS 113 History of Jazz Music
MUS 114 Music Appreciation
MUS 115 Class Voice I
MUS 121,122,221,222 Class Piano I,II,III,IV
MUS 128 History of Rock and Roll
MUS 130 Beginning Guitar
MUS 138,139,216 Jazz Combos I,II,III
MUS 141,142,241,242 Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV
MUS 150 Fundamentals of Music Technology
MUS 152 Audio Engineering
MUS 154 Music Recording
MUS 211,212 Music History I,II
Interested in performing in an ensemble? All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!
ENSEMBLES – CORE42CREDIT!
Music 131 – Concert Choir*
Music 132 – Orchestra
Music 134 – Symphonic Band
Music 138 – Jazz Combos
All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal. *Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Singers/Jazz Choir
For more information, contact Music at Meramec Dr. Jerry Myers, Program Coordinator, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638
NEW MERAMEC LIBRARY
Coming Fall 2025!
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY CENTER
LARGE WINDOWS AND NATURAL LIGHT
BOOK STACKS AND COZY STUDY NOOKS
COMPUTERS AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT
FRIENDLY LIBRARY STAFF READY TO HELP
Join the Team
Meetings every Tuesday at 2 PM via Zoom or in Student Center, Room 220A
Now hiring editors, writers, photographers and graphic designers. To apply, contact Faculty Adviser Shannon Philpott-Sanders at ssanders147@stlcc.edu.
BY RYAN WINZEN
Pathway Spotlight: Design and Creative Arts
Meramec offers several unique design and art courses on its campus
RYAN WINZEN NEWS EDITOR
At St. Louis Community College–Meramec, creativity doesn’t just happen in the classroom — it’s nurtured across galleries, theaters and professional studios.
Meramec’s School of Communication, Design, and Creative Arts Pathway invites students to explore everything from graphic design and photography to interior architecture to deaf communication studies — with hands-on experiences that prepare them for realworld careers.
Professor and Department Chair Tim Linder, who has taught at STLCC since 2008 and teaches graphic communication courses, said this Pathway stands out because it is unique.
“One thing that’s different is that we have a lot of different unique areas and events. Theatre shows, musicals, galleries, guest speakers,” said Linder. “We also have different labs. Printmaking lab, photo studio, our sculpture, and our ceramic
studios all have unique equipment for the students.”
As the Communications department chair, Linder said his responsibilities surround supporting the art program and the Pathway.
for what classes they would be the most interested in,” said Linder. “Let’s say they wanted to do graphic design, we would introduce them to the program design. We would put them in touch with the program coordinators.”
architecture graphics and technology 1 and 2. 1 teaches AutoCAD and 2 teaches revit, lighting design. 2d design, computer art studios, where they learn Adobe Design,” said LeClerc.
“I coordinate between different programs so that everything for the students are met - budget the department, fill the classes, schedule the classes,” said Linder.
The Graphic Design department was recently responsible for The Legacy of Design Show. A collection of work that was created by graduates of the graphic animation and interior design programs.
“One thing that’s different is that we have a lot of different unique areas and events. Theatre shows, musicals, galleries, guest speakers.”
Linder said that students who are on the fence about pursuing the art pathway should talk to faculty in his area.
“It’s a good idea to come to the department and meet me or faculty and we can guide them in the right direction
Interior design professor Erin LeClerc talked about what sort of students enroll in interior design courses.
“If you’re interested in art and design, but don’t know how to make it into a career, then this is a great way to utilize those skills and make it into a career you’ll love,” said LeClerc. Leclerc said she is happy to talk to students about courses in interior design at STLCC-Meramec.
“The main interior design studios,
What it Takes to Be an Early College Kid
LUCAS SEGALL STAFF WRITER
Skipping the traditional high school path isn’t easy — but for students like Ivan Camacho, balancing college deadlines, high school requirements and real-world pressures has paid off with a head start on both a degree and adulthood. At schools across the St. Louis area, early college programs are giving motivated students a chance to earn two years of college credit — and life lessons — before they even pick up their high school diplomas. “99% of the students who earn a degree earn either the General Transfer Studies A.A. degree or the General STEM Transfer Studies A.S. degree, with the intention of moving on to a 4-year program,” said Josh Orndorff, the coordinator of dual enrollment/credit at St. Louis Community College Meramec.
Students participating in programs like early college are not just taking classes toward their degrees; they are also earning their high school diplomas at the same time.
“This program is not for everyone,” said Ivan Camacho, a senior from Lindbergh
High School in his second year of early college. “There were often times when I didn’t even have time to stop for a lunch break because I was so focused on completing an assignment or project,” he said, noting that he sometimes had two or three assignments due back-to-back.
Some high school students are not able to succeed in college yet. “You will find that unsuccessful students tend to have one thing in common, and that is a lack of responsibility and organization,” said Orndorff. “This is relatively broad but includes students with poor time management skills, students who struggle to keep track of assignments and due dates, and students who simply don’t have the motivation to make the necessary lifestyle changes to improve their ability to learn effectively.”
These students who do not make the cut are not kicked out of school— they are simply sent back to their high school to
focus on getting a diploma.
As long as students have what it takes, then the school is happy to welcome them, said Orndorff. “Whatever stereotypes that might exist about students in this program would be false; this group is comprised of every racial, ethnic and socio-economic background that you could imagine,” said Orndorff.
She also said there are many career options for interior design students. “Usually, they begin to work as design assistants for interior design firms. Some of them even go on to start their own business,” said LeClerc.
Getting involved in extracurricular organizations on campus is also a great way to learn more about the arts, said LeClerc. “There is a student club called Interior Designers of Meramec. We usually connect with professional organizations and they go to their chapter meetings and they plan tours of local architectural locations,” said LeClerc.
Linder said that Meramec is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. “Very few community colleges are NASAD accredited. We renew every 10 years, and our next renewal is in the fall of 25,” said Linder. “I think it’s such a broad and bountiful collection of different areas of the arts.”
Early college students are consistently earning high grades in their classes, said Orndorff. “During the Spring 2024 semester, 50% of grades earned by dual enrollment students were A’s. B’s accounted for another 21%, and C’s were 12%,” said Orndorff. “I would say that five or fewer students, out of around 100, withdraw from the program early each year.”
Students in early college not only have access to the classes but are also encouraged to join clubs and get active in the community around campus. “I think that any time there is a student who is really eager to learn and grow, our faculty jumps at the opportunity to support them. We see our students taking part in faculty-supported clubs that promote their passions,” said Orndorff. Students are made part of the early college community along with the STLCC community.
The early college program gives students lessons in school and life, said Camacho. “Early college has taught me how to manage my time and my mental health. I don’t think I would have the job, GPA, opportunities, or mental maturity I have now if it wasn’t for the things that early college has taught me about myself,” he said.
PHOTO
School Success Teams on the horizon
Chancellor Pittman shares how new council will drive progress
JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR
The college is introducing a new initiative beginning this fall.
STLCC is introducing “School Success Teams” within each of the six Pathways schools, while also introducing the Student Success Council, which it says will provide strategic oversight and guidance. This initiative will help staff and faculty understand their roles in supporting student success.
Chancellor Pittman told The Montage in April that the initiative aims to align faculty and staff in helping students succeed, focusing on the unique needs of the college’s four campuses.
“We see student needs, and we think we had to think of a better way to align the faculty and staff in helping students succeed at the college,” Pittman said. “And that’s really all this is. It’s just another initiative that’s going to be focused on students.”
Pittman claimed that the initiative, which is still in the process of being fully formed, was a faculty-led creation, and that feedback from those involved is vital.
“We absolutely need their input,” he said. “And you know, we want faculty representation from
faculty, representation from each pathway on these councils.”
Per an email sent out in March, each School Success Team will include division deans, program coordinators, advising managers, and representatives from various support services.
Thus, students will benefit from support that addresses their specific needs, and will have a dedicated team focused on their success and well-being. Those teams will work closely with campus leaders to implement strategies to enhance the student journey, with the ideal outcome of making it smoother and more enjoyable.
The email also outlined potential benefits for staff and faculty, with the main benefit being a better understanding and more collaborative environment with students in their Pathways.
The Student Success Council, made up of presidents, vice presidents, and other key representatives, will oversee the work of the School Success Teams, per the college. They aim to systematically analyze
and address factors affecting student progression, retention, and completion.
Success of the initiative will ultimately be measured by various means, including Key Performance Indicators, data tracking, resource allocation, progress reports, feedback and more.
Pittman said that the groups will meet on a quarterly basis.
“They’ll be generating reports, and then we’ll respond accordingly with resources to help students succeed,” he said.
Flowers For The Newsroom
The Montage bids farewell to Room SC 220A
BRENDAN SMITH STAFF WRITER
This issue of The Montage, the final of Volume 60, is also the final print edition published while The Montage is based out of Room 220A of the Student Center. As a result of the ongoing STLCC Transformed projects, the Student Center is scheduled to be heavily renovated, and The Montage will be moving to another space on the Meramec campus for the fall semester and beyond.
The May 2025 issue marks the end of the era, as The Montage has been produced out of Room 220A since before the new millennium. It also marks the end of an era for The Montage’s Managing Editor Jacob Politte, who is leaving the role and opting to take on a smaller section editor role after a near 4-year tenure.
“It’s time,” Politte said. “I love reporting, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish as an editor. But I’ve been doing this for a while and it’s time for someone else to take the reins.”
Politte said he had probably become a little too comfortable, bringing many of his personal belongings and books into the room to make his “office” feel more comfortable. He joked that moving those items back out has been “kind of a pain.”
Politte has also used the same Mac computer at the same station since 2019. While he’s ready for a change, he said he’s feeling a little “weird” about the upcoming shift in location.
“I think I’ll feel weird not sitting there anymore,” he said. “When you’re used to it, and you’re used to kind of the same role in the same space, you get a little comfortable,” Politte said. “You don’t really appreciate how comfortable things are until you’re not in that space anymore.”
Montage Faculty Adviser Shannon Philpott-Sanders has worked out of the room since she took over from the previous adviser in the fall of 2007 and has bore witness to a lot of chaos.
“When I first started here in 2007, we did not leave from production night until like two in the morning, sometimes later. You can imagine that everyone gets a little slap happy later at night,” Philpott-Sanders said.
Politte said he took pride in always completing the issues during the afternoon hours.
“I’m definitely an early bird in a lot of ways,” he joked.
Despite all the chaos, Philpott-Sanders will still hold a special place in her heart for Student Center Room 220A.
“I know it’s just a room, but many current and former staffers will say it holds a special place in their heart,” she said. “It was kind of a home away from home.”
NEWS BRIEFS | MAY 2025
STLCC Student Named PTK International President
Lulu McGowan, a student at the Forest Park campus, was recently elected as the International President of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for the 20252026 school year.
McGowan, who began her studies at STLCC in the fall of 2022, was a graduate of nearby Nerix Hall High School.
She defeated 26 other candidates overall in three different rounds of voting during the election process,
which concluded at the PTK Catalyst event in April. New Process for Students Changing Majors
The college recently announced what they call an improved process for students to change their majors beginning today, May 8.
Students will no longer access the Change of Major form in Banner Self-Service.
Instead, students will start the process by meeting with their student success advisor, who will assist them and ensure they choose the appropriate major to meet their career goals. The college touted that “[the]
process will be an automatic workflow, progressing through a series of steps, and will seamlessly update the student’s major in Banner.”
Additionally, “Pathway” and focus area information will be captured for each student, allowing the college to track student persistence and completion.
“Pathway” information will be easily accessible for student success advisors and will aid them in helping students stay on the path. If there are students that have any questions or need further information, the college advises that they please contact Delifna Dornes, registrar.
GRAPHIC BY JACOB POLITTE
SUBMITTED PHOTO
ART & LIFE |
Behind the Scenes of Campus Life
Meet the Team Working to Add Life to the Meramec Campus
BRENDAN SMITH STAFF WRITER
For every club event, holiday celebration and campuswide scavenger hunt at STLCC–Meramec, there’s a team working behind the scenes to turn student ideas into reality. The Campus Life office isn’t just about planning events — it’s about helping students lead, connect and create a true sense of community on campus, said Meramec Campus Life Manager Sean Cooney.
“For planning an event run by the Student Government or Campus Activities Board, we start with the students. The students will come up with the ideas of the events, and they’ll plan the event,” Cooney said, “It’s our job to make sure the contracts get done, we order the materials, we make sure the spaces are reserved and we can ensure everything on the back end is good for them, then they get to run the event itself.”
Campus Life’s goal is to assist clubs, organizations and the students that participate in them with their events and to encourage the students to lead their own activities.
“I was impressed by Chem Club taking the reins on Trunk or Treat around Halloween. It was such a good example of a large-scale student-led event, which is what we’ve really been pushing for,” Student Activity Specialist Melody Walkenhorst said. “They brought together 10 or more clubs and invited the whole community, not just the campus, but families outside of Meramec. It ran smoothly, and it brought together so many people. I want to see a lot more of that going on.”
“We like to remind people that we’re always here to run events and create that campus community.”
With activities that have no club attached to them, Campus Life attempts to use them as a way to show off parts of the campus that many students may not have visited, said Student Activity Specialist Katie Manders.
“With ‘Find Archie’ it started off showcasing different areas, and I’ve had students come up to me and say something about not knowing that we had a gallery. So, I used it to show off the gallery,” Manders said. “I wanted to showcase different areas of the campus, and I’m looking forward to showcasing new buildings for next semester.”
While the Campus Life office has on average more interactions with organizations like the Student Government and the Campus Activities Board, the office makes an effort to interact with more students and clubs on campus, said Cooney.
“We do our best to interact with as many of the clubs as possible equally, but it really comes down to who’s hosting the events and activities. That’s where our job is to help. We encourage all of the clubs to interact with us a lot. The goal is that we’re seeing all of the clubs often,” Cooney said, “We like to remind people that
we’re always here to run events and create that campus community.”
According to Walkenhorst, being a part of Campus Life is also a rewarding experience and the interactions with the Meramec community make the staff feel special.
“This makes it feel like a real community, and something that I actually look forward to going to and not just checking off boxes,” Walkenhorst said. “It feels so special to get to be a part of that.”
Pinterest: A Personal Tool For Creativity
OLIVIA STACK STAFF WRITER
For sophomore Zoe Martin, Pinterest isn’t just another app — it’s her creative playground, her style guide and her daily escape.
As more young users turn to the platform for fashion ideas, artistic inspiration and even emotional relief, Pinterest has quietly become a deeply personal space where creativity thrives without the pressure of traditional social media.
“Pinterest is my TikTok,” said Martin. Pinterest is known to have a wide variety of categories such as art, fashion, and even cooking recipes.
However, personal stylist Kara Klefos said she believes it’s a space to spark creativity.
“I feel it’s so important because it’s a really great indicator of what genre of clothing someone likes,” said Klefos. Klefos works for the company Stitch Fix. Her clients send Pinterest boards full of
ideas and she matches what they give her.
“This helps me a lot because it’s the one thing that really gives me an idea of color palette print and textures,” said Klefos.
Pinterest boards have also helped boost sales for Klefos. She believes that the app helps her determine the best style options for her clients.
“The biggest indicator is what someone is drawn to, and to ensure that clients keep the products I send them,” Klefos said while gesturing with her hands. “It helps with sales because it’s guaranteed to have higher keep rates.”
In addition to assisting business, many users are drawn to the fashion aesthetics.
“I like to look at vintage designers,” said Martin. “There are so many pictures of every runway on there- it’s beautiful.”
Besides showcasing runway models, Pinterest can generate ideas for fashion styles.
“It can help people find and shop for new clothes to add to their closet and
help them curate their style,” said Klefos.
Martin is an art student who loves to get inspiration for her work on Pinterest. She flips open her laptop that’s decorated with Ethel Cain stickers
“It’s where I get most of my inspiration for my art,” said Martin. “It helps contextualize my ideas.”
Klefos uses Pinterest every time she gets her hair done, and even for tattoo ideas.
“I got my favorite tattoo design from Pinterest,” said Klefos.
Along with providing inspiration for art and fashion, Pinterest can be used as an escape from reality, as sophomore Hiba Obeed describes. “It’s therapeutic and a stress reliever,” said Obeed. “Sometimes when you’re using your brain so actively, it’s almost like a passive habit to look at pictures that are visually appealing.”
In addition to Pinterest being used as a stress reliever, it can encourage people to consume more media.
“I have used it for five years and I haven’t deleted it,” said Obeed. “It is media-based and well-curated so people can find common interests.”
While users can find common interests, they can also form communities.
“In the art community, there are a lot of great people and art to take inspiration from,” said Martin.
Pinterest primarily targets young audiences who have an interest in art related concepts. The app has gained popularity through the use of influencers as well.
“I was 13 when I downloaded Pinterest,” said Martin. “Emma Chamberlain inspired me to get it. I liked the vibes and I wanted to follow the fashion trends.”
Although Pinterest is considered a social media, users tend to engage with it more privately than socially.
“It’s my own separate space for me,” said Klefos. “It’s so refreshing to have your own space to be creative without being too social.”
Students participate in Earth Day activities in the quad.
PHOTO BY NADIA AGARWALLA
Club Spotlight: Tabletop Role-Playing Group
The TTRPG meets bi-weekly to play games and hangout
RYAN WINZEN NEWS EDITOR
Aroll of the dice can turn strangers into heroes, monsters or lifelong friendsIn the Tabletop Role-Playing Group (TTRPG), students gather twice a week to create epic stories, battle mythical creatures and forge real-world friendships — whether they’re seasoned Dungeon Masters or newcomers learning to play for the first time.
The Tabletop Role-Playing Group (TTRPG) began three years back and is a place for students to participate in a variety of different tabletop role-playing games.
The group plays games such as Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), The Quiet Year, Monster of the Week, Call of Cthulhu and Bubble Gum Shoe.
Getting involved is easy, according to Club President Elizabeth Pufahl.
“I went to the campus expo and D&D club was one of the options. I talked to the person at the table, and she said it wasn’t official yet, but a few people came right before and said they wanted to start the club,” said Pufahl. “I got the info and showed up to the first session that we decided to meet and it went from there.”
Pufahl said the club follows a routine schedule for different games.
“On Tuesdays, we have our semesterlong games. We start the second week of school that has a continuous story going on,” said Pufahl. “On Thursday, we do one shots, something that we just fit into that one meeting session. The story starts and ends on that one Thursday.”
PHOTO BY RYAN WINZEN
She said that members are glad to help newcomers learn the rules of the games.
“We are also happy to teach new players. A lot of our members learned how to play D&D,” said Pufahl.
Vice President Connor Paulus said the social aspect of the club is what makes the club stand out.
“D&D is better when you play with new people and explore things with them. It’s a really good way to get to know people. I have a lot of friends who I wouldn’t have if I didn’t play,” said Paulus.
Kenny Paulus runs games of D&D on Tuesdays, acting as the Dungeon Master(DM). “You have to facilitate the story while having a sense of balance and understanding of the rules of the world,” he said.
Kenny Paulus said he enjoys
participating as both a player and a DM. “I like a mix of it. It flexes different muscles.”
The scheduled meeting times are also something Kenny Paulus said he likes about the club.
“It’s good to have a time every week where we can play. I don’t always have time to play with my other group,” he said.
Pufahl acts as the other DM and specializes in creating her own campaigns.
“If it’s for a game I would run throughout the entire semester and I would take a couple of days to write out my session,” said Pufahl. “For a one-shot, I would take a few hours at most to think up one and write my notes out.”
Connor Paulus mentioned that the club is a great environment.
“I know it can sound intimidating; everyone here is here to help and have a good time. We are always welcoming new people,” said Connor Paulus.
The TTRPG meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 5:30 in the club room on the second floor of the student center.
Meramec Theatre Department Performs ‘James and The Giant Peach’ with Audience Participation
MEGHAN WEEMS
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
At St. Louis Community College-Meramec this spring, theater magic wasn’t just happening onstage — it was happening in the aisles, on benches and even in the hands of a top-hat-wearing toddler.
Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach transformed the Meramec Theater into a whimsical world where children didn’t just watch the story unfold — they were part of it.
From April 16 to Easter Sunday, under the direction of J. Michelle Rebollo, Meramec’s Theater department invited families, students and young dreamers into Dahl’s tale of adventure, magic and marvelous friendships.
With live music, onstage seating, and playful fourth-wall breaks, the production offered young audiences a rare chance to experience the wonder of live theater up close — and maybe even wriggle right into the story themselves.
“I hope all the kids in the audience had fun. A lot of the shows we do are aimed at adult or college audiences, the kid-centered shows give people a
chance to show their kids that theater can be for them too,” said wig and makeup supervisor Chloe Ortiz.
A child himself- the titular character of James in the play escapes his malevolent aunts with the help of a magic old man, five anthropomorphic bugs and a gargantuan peach.
The ensuing tale is full of childlike wonder and ‘marvelous, marvelous things’ as James and his odd band of beastly friends travel across the Atlantic Ocean from England to New York Cityonly with the aid of a pack of seagulls and friendship, taking the audience on a journey full of courage, comedy, and the occasional outburst of song and rhyme.
James’ unlikely cohort of insects includes a spider, grasshopper, centipede, ladybug and earthworm: all transformed into character by the addition of wings, legs and antennas.
Meanwhile, James’ evil Aunts Spiker and Sponge are the picture of fairytale villainy in their multi-patterned neon skirts, tights, and character shoes.
“The costumes really give you that sense of storybook imagination and eccentricity I think of when I think of Roald Dahl,” said Emmie Harris, a
Thursday night audience member.
The grasshopper specifically has a special edition to his costume- a synth violin.
Throughout the show two foleys- played by Brandon Ortiz and Ambrose Lemons respectively- and the grasshopper himself play live musical accompaniment on their handheld synths.
“You know, the goal is for any audience member to have a good time at any age,” said music coordinator Brandon Ortiz.
Lemons played the clarinet and at one point an electric guitar even made an appearance on stage, played by Ortiz. These live aspects untraditionally immerse the audience with the movement on stage and add a bit of modern magic into the classically fantastical tale.
The play also connected with its audience by routinely breaking the fourth wall, with characters directly asking the audience to shout answers back onstage. Several families were seated on a variety of wooden benches onstage to watch the show from an even closer angle- to the evident delight of one top hat wearing toddler Thursday night.
“I love onstage seating in any kind of production,” said Harris, “it’s definitely cool for the kids, they had to literally wrangle that little boy.”
This kind of interactive theater is designed to get young kids interested in and familiar with theater, performing arts and live shows, said Rebello. It offered an introduction for a child’s first show, though it promises entertainment for audiences of all ages.
Members of the TTRPG play a game during a club meeting in the Campus Life student room in t he Student Center.
ART & LIFE
Creativity on Campus
Meramec’s Annual Juried Art and Design Exhibition
BEATRICE JOHNSON STAFF WRITER
On April 18, the Meramec campus hosted an award ceremony, which marked the beginning of the Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. This exhibition highlights works in studio arts, design, and digital media created by STLCC Meramec students.
Dante Siebova was one of the artists awarded during this ceremony, receiving first place in the applied arts category for her “Gravity Falls Inktober Art Book.” Siebova had several works featured in the exhibition of various media, including
sculpture, stained glass, and digital art.
“Inktober” is a challenge where you draw every day of October, with a new prompt for every day, says Siebova.
“I decided to come up with my own prompts based on the TV show Gravity Falls since the new book was just released,” she says.
The book has hidden messages that can be seen in UV light. “There are easter eggs and mysteries incorporated into my work. I think this was the best project I’ve made because it’s really complicated and intricate, and I managed to execute it within a month,” Siebova says.
Siebova says this award made her feel like
she was on the right track. “I feel like I can say my work pays off, and the people that surround me and motivate me to push myself forward get to see me grow,” she says, “I encourage people to share their artistic experience because you never know what opportunities await you.”
Em Aguinaga was another artist who was featured in the exhibition. Aguinaga had two pieces featured in the art gallery, a sculpture and a drawing. “I’d like people to take away from my drawing that the subject is a person, not just representationally, but also physically. You talk to these people after class, and they’re not just a subject to you paint, but also a person you get to know and represent,” they say.
Danny Bess, Secretary of the Design, Visual, and Performing Arts departments, says the event is one of the largest events held on the Meramec campus. “The theater seats 370 people, and we brought 350 in, which doesn’t even include the staff and the workers. If we used the theater, we would be at max capacity.”
Jurors are invited from various schools throughout the area to choose artwork.
The gallery had about 450 submissions and of those, 200 were selected, says Bess, “that room isn’t built for that much artwork, so not only did we have so many people, but we had so much artwork, we had to use the glass cases outside of the gallery to house more artwork.”
PHOTOS BY HIBA OBEED
Students, staff and facutly peruse the art on display in the Meramec Art Gallery at the annual reception on April 18.
Music Rules The Stage
Three Student Bands Take Top Honors at Open Mic Night
JULEE CHAU STAFF WRITER
On the afternoon of April 1, Meramec students showed off their talents at “Open Mic Night.” Campus Life sponsored the event featuring students who read their personal poetry, performed in comedy skits, played instruments and sang their favorite songs. Some students took the occasion as an opportunity to showcase their bands.
“The aim of the event was collaboration and to have fun; we really wanted to hear the voices of STLCC,” said Khup Mung, vice president of Music Club. The event had a “Minions” theme that was reflected in the flyers and decorations.
While students enjoyed catered food from “Raising Canes,” they competed for the top three prizes, which included Beats Wireless Headphones for 1st place, JBL Bluetooth Speakers for 2nd place and a Vinyl record player for 3rd place. Student Peter Guidry came in first place with his singing of “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé.
“I listened to Michael Bublé’s rendition of the classic song so many times to learn about tone and inflection; meeting him at least halfway in power was my goal,” said Guidry. He said he practiced for a full week for the event.
Student band “Foxglove & Lily” rocked the stage with their rendition of
“Romantic” by “Mannequin P.” They proudly landed 2nd place. The band includes main vocalist RJ Muhammad, drummer Joshua Swamp, and Kristen Irene and Owen Schrader, who both alternate bass and guitar.
“Foxglove & Lily are both poisonous flowers; they symbolize that something beautiful can also be deadly and I think that’s the hallmark for the type of music we want to make,” said Muhammad.
The band formed last fall when a traveling priest came on campus and started shouting islamophobic and homophobic rhetoric, Muhummad said. In an act of protest, the students started playing together to drown him out, and decided to form a band as a result of the experience.
Another student band, “Retired,” commanded attention with their cover of “Fell in Love with a Girl” by The White Stripes. Their strong vocals and instrumentals ripped through the event space, ultimately helping them land 3rd place. The band consists of main vocalist Nate Ennenbach, guitarist Spencer Clark, drummer Beth Penton and bassist Dan Dennison.
“People talk about how our generation
won’t be able to retire, so the name we chose was an ironic play on that joke,” said Dennison.
The band came together when Clark asked his friends to join him for open mic nights at different places. They’ve since formed a strong bond, “our jam time and hang out time are intertwined because we value band chemistry,” said Clark.
When asked what music means to them, the victorious Meramec students had a diverse range of answers. “Foxglove & Lily” vocalist RJ Muhammad sees music as inspiration.
“Music is everything to me, it’s how I get ideas for my art and writing. I put on music even when I’m preparing for
the day,” said Muhammad. “Music is constantly in the background, and I’m always exploring new songs.”
“Retired” vocalist Nate Ennenbach said music is a form of expression. “Music comes down to expressing things creatively, and I think I have a special ability to put all my emotional weight into a song. I feel blessed to be able to share that with other people,” said Ennenbach.
“Retired” drummer Beth Penton likens music to community. “I met a lot of my best friends through groups that I’ve played with,” said Penton. “With performing, I love learning how to connect with an audience and overcoming my own fears.”
PHOTOS BY JULEE CHAU
Winners of Open Mic Night crowd the stage following the April 1 event in the cafeteria: (from left to right) Spencer Clark, Beth Penton, Nate Ennenbach, Peter Guidry, Dan Dennison, RJ Muhammad, Owen Schrader and Joshua Swamp
Students Ali Almamori and Chloe Rose have some fun with a impromptu karaoke session on stage.
“Foxglove & Lily” band members jam out to the song “Romantic” by Mannequin P.
Student Julee Chau plays a simple cover of “ur so pretty” by the band “Wasia Project” on her piano keyboard.
ART & LIFE | 10
THE FACES OF MERAMEC
Professor Jason Meyer: Teaching, Writing, Rocking
HIBA OBEED STAFF WRITER
With a history teaching at multiple Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) campuses including Florissant Valley and Wildwood, English Professor Jason Meyer uses his love and admiration of literature to expand not only his own compass, but to inspire his students to think and read more critically.
Meyer looks back at his career, from when he started out as a reading specialist. “First my goal was to teach in an elementary setting, but then it became evident that I could make my way into a college classroom and would enjoy the added freedom that came along with teaching in a college setting,” he said while laughing and clenching his keychain. “So I went for it and I still think it was a good move; I’m still enjoying myself on a daily basis.”
His love for literature and teaching stems from
experiences he had early on in his life, he said. “I think it must have to do with a few teachers I had in elementary school that really took an interest in me and instilled me with confidence,” said Meyer looking off into the distance. From then on he said he always knew the goal was to have his own classroom. He found himself concerned with the state of media literacy sternly saying, “You know what concerns me most is the way that the internet has worked on people’s minds, the way that social media has influenced the way we interact with one another and the way we interact with the world,” said Meyer. He went on to stress the importance of questioning the media. “We have to do the fact-checking, we have to understand what tech companies and politicians are trying to do to us as a people because they have goals- and uh, they’re not for the greater good alright,” said Meyer.
When he isn’t focused on teaching, Meyer said he enjoys reading and writing—mainly fiction and poetry. “I find that when I have time to sit with a novel, I’m often reading it not only as somebody with a love of
literature and a love of story but I’m reading to improve my craft,” Meyer said slowly articulating each word.
Another common theme throughout his life’s journey has been music. From dancing to music with his parents as a child to starting a band, to co-opening a record store, music has always been a key part of Meyer’s life.
“I can remember being a young young boy, you know, 5-6 years old and dancing to Michael Jackson with my parents in the late 80s,” Meyer said smiling. “And it’s always been that same thing. It’s a matter of listening and being moved,” Meyer said while chuckling.
But what Meyer finds the most rewarding aspect of his life is completely separate from his background in music, writing and education. “The most rewarding things to me generally center around my daughter- when she acts with kindness, or when I hear her teachers tell me that she’s a good friend at school; those things are extraordinarily rewarding,” Meyer said gazing into the distance smiling. “I think she’s on the right path. I guess I am a bit of a family man.”
Professor Christaan Eayrs: A Life Plan, Unknown
And that helped get me into grad school, too,” he said.
future wife.
Christaan Eayrs never had a master plan — not for his career in media, his journey into education, or even for meeting the woman who would later save his life by donating a kidney. But somehow, each piece fell into place.
“All of these things have kind of happened without a lot of planning but they’ve all seemed to unfold really good for me. I feel really fortunate,” said Eayrs as he rested his head in his hands while reminiscing on his life work.
Raised juggling full-time customer service jobs and high school extracurriculars, Eayrs discovered his love for writing through contributions to the school paper. Still, uncertainty shadowed his early college years. “I struggled as a young person knowing exactly what I wanted to do or how to identify myself,” he said with his fingers together, his faded ginger eyebrows furrowed over the black framed glasses.
Eayrs attended Missouri Western to receive his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies and Bowling Green State University to receive his master’s in arts. He knew he wanted to pursue a career in media but said he felt lost and low in confidence on what to do. Luckily for him, he had many instructors who encouraged him to find his calling, and there was one in particular who stood out. “She was super helpful and encouraging even when I wasn’t so sure myself…
As an undergraduate student, Eayrs had the help of his public relations instructor, Diane Gorcyca, to finish out his studies. The two worked on researching together which, “was a rare opportunity as an undergrad,” he said. When deciding on submitting a research paper to a conference, he wasn’t sure of himself or his potential to have his paper accepted, according to Eayrs. He would recall those moments as Gorcyca stepping in and said, “You can do this, you have the capability to write this sort of way.” That very same paper was accepted in the conference.
After graduate school, Eayrs built a career from the ground up: starting at a small radio station in Iowa, where the demands of a modest operation forced him to master multiple roles — on-air shifts, music direction, commercial writing — and gave him the skills to pursue broader opportunities.
“It was a small station so you had to do lots of different things which was really helpful, too. You learn lots of different skills and are asked to do different things, so it was a really good experience and I’m glad I did it,” he said as he took a sip from his sage green water bottle, nearly blending in with his button down shirt of the same shade.
It wasn’t long before teaching entered the picture. After teaching assignments during grad school, Eayrs decided to fully pivot toward education. He landed a full-time position at STLCC-Meramec in 2011, bringing him closer to his Missouri roots — and eventually closer to his
While working at the college, he met Amber Schmisseur, a fellow communications professor. What began as casual friendship slowly grew into something deeper.
“We just started hanging out a little more… and next thing you know, we’re married,” Eayrs said, fidgeting with his silver wedding band and smiling. Eayrs’ passion for media continues to blend with his personal interests. He attends TV tapings, collects concert setlists and records — experiences he said he eagerly brings back to his students to enrich their learning.
Over the years, Eayrs’ quiet, steady mentorship has launched careers — from journalists to Emmy Award winners — and he still hears from former students thanking him for the role he played in their paths. “It’s really rewarding,” he said, nodding.
As he reflects on his life, Eayrs said simply, “It all kind of unfolded in front of me… piece by piece.”
PHOTO BY RYDER GEORGE-LANDER
Wildwood Professor Jason Meyer meets with reporter Hiba Obeed to discuss his love for teaching.
MAYA CAUS CONTRIBUTOR
How X has freed the free press
JACK JURSNICH OPINIONS EDITOR
TWe Are The Media OPINIONS
hroughout this honeymoon period of the past election, I’ve heard the phrase “We Are The Media” being thrown around by republicans and Elon Musk. The saying refers to how trust in corporate media plummeted during the election, and now that these sources have lost their credibility, decentralized media has taken over. No longer is our media concentrated into just a few outlets and influenced by private interests. The media is in the hands of the people now, hence the phrase “We Are The Media.” However, there are some people who aren’t sharing the same enthusiasm, and I’m not surprised to say that it’s mainly democrats. I don’t know if it’s just party rhetoric or useful idiots parroting talking points, but it seems like they think that “We Are The Media” means Elon is saying “I Am The Media.” On the surface, this makes sense but this isn’t true at all.
People will point out that while Elon has been at X, right-wing content has consumed most of the site, and more accounts have been banned under Musk than with previous owners. Though, when looking into this, these accounts were banned mainly because of bots and spam. Old Twitter slacked on banning spam and bots, and they would hardly communicate with people unfairly banned, whereas now, these issues are quickly resolved.
Right-wing media has definitely taken the spotlight on X, but I don’t think this is a show of controlled media by Musk. In fact, I think this is what
happens when you let both sides play fair. The only reason people see more right-wing content now is because the restrictions from before have been lifted. There’s a chance that right-wing content is overshadowing left-wing content through popularity and interactions, but that really depends on a person’s feed. I understand people won’t like this new influx of content but that’s a reality everyone needs to live in if they want things to be equal. If you don’t like certain content, then there’s a feed for that.
More on the complaints show people freaking out about things like pornography and violence being allowed on the platform. Of course, not everyone wants to see this stuff – including me –but on any other site on the internet,
is this content illegal? If not, then why can’t it be on X? Obviously, you have the option to filter out this stuff, but given that there was no option before, I can’t see how this is a bad thing. If people don’t want porn or violent content in their feed, they can either change the law or change their feed. Simple.
Fact checking was a huge issue for many users before Musk took over. There were problems with the fact checks being too biased, but since that feature has been replaced by community notes, I haven’t seen anyone have a problem with it yet. Community notes pull not from a single source but from all sources. Users can provide feedback to a post and a community note will be added to that post. If people think a post is false, the post won’t be taken down but a
Lighting Hope in a Burning World
NADIA AGARWALLA STAFF WRITER
The world is on fire. Countries once lauded as the epitome of democratic power are rapidly devolving into shambles. Global warming has become so monstrous that many scientists are now calling it irreversible. While billions of people starve and suffer every second of every day, corporate greed and callousness grossly inflate the wealth that weighs down the pockets of the richest people, almost to the point of tearing. Wars are waging, sea levels are rising, world leaders are fighting, incompetent, or downright malicious, diplomacy everywhere is fraying, and I cannot even predict what new fear I will hear about next following the headline “BREAKING NEWS” in my inbox. There is no escaping it: the world is on fire, and I watch horrified as the inferno rages ever higher.
Like many people, part of me is tempted to ignore it all. Sleep this chaos away and wake only when the floods have receded and new growth springs up from the ashes. The most fearful voice in me screams that that is all I can do, for there is nothing in my power that will ease any of the suffering I see or the strife that surrounds me. But my better, more rational, more empathetic
side stays calm. It looks straight into the chaos and asks me just two questions: amongst all this nonsense, what can you do to join the fight to bring about a kinder world, and what joy can you find to stay resilient everyday, while human civilization is eating itself whole?
There is a quote by gay author and activist Dan Savage that easily captures the whole of this, though much more eloquently: “During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night. The dance kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for.”
Meanwhile, national leaders, and even our own president, looked on with scathing indifference. Like then, we too, will have to brace ourselves against constant soul-shattering bad news and the callousness of some of our own so-called leaders. We too, will have to endure unbearable difficulties, but that does not mean we have to tolerate it. We can – and indeed must – fight back.
Human suffering is so long, but memory is so short.
Human suffering is so long, but memory is so short. The world has ended many times over countless eras. What is hard to internalize is that people have always rebelled against injustice, danced and rested between battles, and ultimately, seen the fight through. Today, few people remember the tragedy that accompanied the US AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Back then, for many in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, it was a desperate, unending heartbreak, where loved ones died left and right.
But what does fighting back even mean? For some, it’s protesting; but not everyone is a protestor. Not everyone has the time, energy, or means to scream in the face of authority, or challenge them hand to hand, word for word. Luckily, there are a myriad of organizations and coalitions right here at home that we can join with to work together in multiple capacities, covering bases we could not otherwise fulfill alone. Participating in your city or county library’s resources and events are a great place to start. Getting a library card and showing up just once a month to borrow something, do a puzzle, play games, or just to talk to people is an easy first step to building the community bonds necessary to enact positive change and push back
community note will be added to show that users say that post is false. Community notes allow things to stay posted and truth to stay prioritized, so really this feature is a win-win.
The whole point of Musk taking over Twitter was to allow all teams to join the fight, and when I see people complain about the phrase “We Are The Media”, it doesn’t sound like they understand what they’re complaining about. Whether it be propaganda or real content, you can’t have a democracy if you can’t let all sides duke it out. People can’t see propaganda from real content if they have someone holding their hand the whole time. We need to stop treating people like cattle and let them find the truth on their own.
against injustice. These nourishing connections and happy experiences are just as vital as gritting your teeth and lobbying for library funding. Another great way to get moving with joy and purpose is to join an advocacy group.
One of my personal favorites is LEAD STL, which mentors youth in culturally aware and intersectional social justice leadership. Another is the OLPH Food Pantry, which is a small, local volunteerrun food pantry that feeds tens of St. Louisans for free weekly. Remember: the aid you give to your community is not just about moral duty or anti-injustice. It is about taking sustainable measures to stay hopeful, and finding the loving will to stay resilient.
No matter who you affiliate with, remember that action is not just hands and voices raised in the streets or speaking on Capitol floors day after day. It is also local, especially local, and starts with community connection. Intentionally finding joy in our communities is also an action, and one that fuels our own power to tame the flames engulfing our world.
Injustice will not prevail, and we must ensure that without burning out too. We will see every crisis to the end and we will do it all together.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACK JURSNICH
OPINIONS |
IAI Usage in The Montage
am a staff member at Meramec, and I have been a long time reader and avid fan of the newspaper until recently. The increasing use of AI generated graphics is supremely disappointing, and a little bit frustrating. In a previous issue, the graphics were labeled as “generated” by whatever staff member made them.
In the most recent issue, there seem to be AI generated images simply labeled as “by” the staff member who had them generated. From what I can tell there are 4 images that seem to be AI-generated: a report card with a big “C- Grade” along with some AI slop gibberish, a Palestine and American flag next to each other (the American flag seems to have the wrong number of stars), Jordan Peterson holding a weird little cross (I had to look closely to be sure, but I’m confident it is AI), and Trump and Netanyahu standing together (their skin looks like it’s made out of velvet).
The frustration I have comes from the fact that 1. So many similar images like these could be found online or made very easily with a photo editing program, and 2. It comes off as lazy when there is an abundance of talented visual artists and designers right here on campus. Even aside from the aesthetic, the ethical implications of normalizing AI usage is worrisome. AI is being favored over real people.
The environmental impact of AI is devastating. The power of AI to make realistic (yet fake) images could contribute to misinformation. I could go on. I really hope The Montage stops taking the easy way with these graphics, otherwise I will most likely not continue to support the paper.
— Hans Mohr
Stop using AI images, it’s making the montage look bad and lazy. Specifically looking at the report card image. Those aren’t even words. Not even if it looked good would make it okay because there are many negative effects to society and the environment. I know for a fact that there are students here that can make something 1000000x better than the garbage that was on the paper. PLEASE DO BETTER.
— John Linnell
