05-08-25FullIssue

G N MO TAE the

PROFESSOR CHRISTAAN EAYRS

NEW INITIATIVE

GAMING FOR FUN

School Success Teams coming this fall.

Meramec Club brings games to the table.

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OPEN MIC NIGHT

THE AI DEBATE

Student music takes center stage.

Montage readers make their voice heard.

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OR CAMPUS LIFE DIRECT SEAN COONEY

8

May

2025

Volume 60 Issue 8

STUDENT IZZY LEYBA

PROFESSOR SEY JEAN DEMP

STUDENT Ali Almamor i

THE FACES OF MERAMEC

PROFESSOR JASON MEY ER

Special Section Spotlights students, staff and faculty on the Meramec campus. See pgs. 10, 11 and 12.

STLCC Plans to Eliminate DEI Policies Administrators say college will still work to make students feel welcome 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.”

LINDSEY UNNERSTALL STAFF WRITER

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ov. 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.

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

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.

“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, - Meramec Student Jamorah Triplett

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.

“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,

opportunities for students regardless,” Pittman said.

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

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.”

meramecmontage.com S er ving the St. L ouis Communi ty Colle ge - Me ra me c Ca mpus c o m m u n i t y s in c e 1 96 4

Continued on p. 3

A T

M E R A M E C

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 MUS 103 MUS 113 MUS 114 MUS 115 MUS 121,122,221,222 MUS 128 MUS 130 MUS 138,139,216 MUS 141,142,241,242 MUS 150 MUS 152 MUS 154 MUS 211,212

Music Theory I,II,III,IV Music Fundamentals History of Jazz Music Music Appreciation Class Voice I Class Piano I,II,III,IV History of Rock and Roll Beginning Guitar Jazz Combos I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Fundamentals of Music Technology Audio Engineering Music Recording Music History I,II

Join the Team Meetings every Tuesday at 2 PM via Zoom or in Student Center, Room 220A

Interested in performing in an ensemble?

All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!

ENSEMBLES – CORE42 CREDIT!

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

Now hiring editors, writers, photographers and graphic designers.

To apply, contact Faculty Adviser Shannon Philpott-Sanders at ssanders147@stlcc.edu.

STAFF JACOB POLITTE RYAN WINZEN JACK JURSNICH NADIA AGARWALLA ETHAN BECKNER JULEE CHAU RYDER GEORGE-LANDER ZEYAD GHOUNEM NINA GOMEZ BEATRICE JOHNSON ELMEDIN KARAMOVIC GRETA MCGLAWN FARAHNAZ NAZARY SUHAYLLA NAZARY HIBA OBEED IAN SCHRAUTH LUCAS SEGALL BRENDAN SMITH OLIVIA STACK LINDSEY UNNERSTALL

MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF STAFF

Shannon Philpott-Sanders Faculty Adviser

The Finish Line ‘Phase 1’ is almost complete JACOB POLITTE

MANAGING EDITOR

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fter 2 years of demolition and construction, the two new STLCC Transformed buildings at the Meramec campus are nearly complete.

Per Skye Lufsey, Substantial completion will be reached on Tuesday, June 3.

Lufsey explained that this means that most of the construction work will be wrapped other than minor touch-ups.

With that being said, the ball is already rolling when it comes to departments that will be moving in.

“Furniture will start going into the

new library at the start of May and will progress to the rest of the buildings’ classrooms, labs, offices, and gathering spaces over the next few weeks,” Lufsey said. “Our IT team will install TVs, computers, teacher stations, and other equipment beginning in mid-May.” She continued, “Departmental belongings will start moving into the new buildings as early as Monday, May 19. Employees will move in beginning Tuesday, June 3, once the building has reached substantial completion and we have an occupancy permit. It will take several weeks to finish all the moves, but services and departments will be available in the new buildings once they settle into their new spaces, including Academic Success and Tutoring, Testing

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Center and Enrollment Services.”

Lufsey said to keep an eye out for the signage that will be posted in the coming weeks that identifies who is moving, when they’re moving and where they’re moving.

A formal “Open House” for the new buildings has not yet been finalized, but is expected to take place in the fall. Other projects are set to begin soon, including massive renovations in the Student Center.

Photos of recent construction can be seen below.

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X.com “@TheMontage” To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., at 314984-7857 or email ssanders147@ stlcc.edu.

Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the Board of Trustees or the administration.

The Montage is a student publication produced four times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122.

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The lobby of the new Financial Services and Enrollment Center; the staircase in the lobby of the new Center for Emerging Technology; exterior construction work continues on May 6; a crane in action near Clark Hall.

Elimination of DEI Policies Continued from p. 1 Walker said she discusses topics in her classes such as racism, environmental racism and discriminatory practices, and she plans to continue to teach about all of them.

Communications Professor Christaan Eayrs said he doesn’t plan to change the way he teaches or interacts with his students because of the changing policies.

“I don’t think what I do in class or how I interact with my students is going to change much. I respect my students, I recognize and acknowledge their differences, thinking of each of them as a unique individual and that won’t change.

And my desire to help them find access to resources and support that they need to be successful won’t change,” said Eayrs.

Braddix said he believes that diversity,

equity and inclusion policies have been misinterpreted by many.

“Unfortunately, people often get wrong what it’s meant to be because people implement it in the wrong way, but I was very proud of the way we were implementing DEI here at the college, in which every single person was considered,” Braddix said.“The college’s heart is absolutely in the right place, and I think we will continue to live up to our commitment.”

Although the policy changes might be harder to recognize in a community college, the impact is still felt by many, said Walker.

“Only 6% of tenured philosophy professors are African American. And of course, even fewer are African American females,” she said. “So. it’s a topic that’s very near and dear to my heart because

I know that I’ve had to, by force, make space for myself because there might not have necessarily been space for me.”

She continued, “I am the only African American teaching in this department here, I was the only African American at UMSL and I was the only African American at Maryville. It’s more common than not that diversity is not a common practice or a common priority in philosophy departments in this country, so I definitely do take the removal of the policies a little personal.”

In regard to the future of DEI policies at STLCC, Braddix said having a voice is important.“If people are unhappy with where we are, the best thing you can do is vote. Only 42% of people aged 18-29 voted in the last election; 58% of people aged 18-29 forfeited their opportunity for their voices to be heard.”

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PHOTO BY RYAN WINZEN

Pathway Spotlight: Design and Creative Arts Meramec offers several unique design and art courses on its campus RYAN WINZEN NEWS EDITOR

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t 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.

“I coordinate between different programs so that everything for the students are met

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.”

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.”

- budget the department, fill the classes, schedule the classes,” said Linder.

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,

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.

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.”

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.

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.

School Success Teams on the horizon Chancellor Pittman shares how new council will drive progress JACOB POLITTE

MANAGING EDITOR

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he 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

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faculty, representation from each pathway on these councils.”

and address factors affecting student progression, retention, and completion.

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.

Success of the initiative will ultimately be measured by various means, including Key Performance Indicators, data tracking, resource allocation, progress reports, feedback and more.

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.

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.

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

GRAPHIC BY JACOB POLITTE

Flowers For The Newsroom

The Montage bids farewell to Room SC 220A STAFF WRITER

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.

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.

“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.”

BRENDAN SMITH

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.”

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.”

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.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

“I’m definitely an early bird in a lot of ways,” he joked.

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.

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Behind the Scenes of Campus Life Meet the Team Working to Add Life to the Meramec Campus BRENDAN SMITH STAFF WRITER

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or 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 PHOTO BY NADIA AGARWALLA gallery. So, I used it to show off the gallery,” Manders said. “I wanted Students participate in Earth Day activities in the quad. to showcase different areas of the campus, and I’m looking forward to showcasing new buildings for next semester.” we’re always here to run events and create that campus community.”

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 According to Walkenhorst, being a part of Campus Life is also a rewarding experience effort to interact with more students and clubs on campus, said Cooney. and the interactions with the Meramec community make the staff feel special.

“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

“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.

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.

However, personal stylist Kara Klefos said she believes it’s a space to spark creativity.

“I like to look at vintage designers,” said Martin. “There are so many pictures of every runway on there- it’s beautiful.”

“I feel it’s so important because it’s a really great indicator of what genre of clothing someone likes,” said Klefos.

Besides showcasing runway models, Pinterest can generate ideas for fashion styles.

Klefos works for the company Stitch Fix. Her clients send Pinterest boards full of

“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.”

Club Spotlight: Tabletop Role-Playing Group The TTRPG meets bi-weekly to play games and hangout RYAN WINZEN NEWS EDITOR

A

roll 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.”

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PHOTO BY RYAN WINZEN Members of the TTRPG play a game during a club meeting in the Campus Life student room in t he Student Center.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE MERAMEC THEATRE DEPARTMENT

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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.

Creativity on Campus Meramec’s Annual Juried Art and Design Exhibition BEATRICE JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

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n 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.”

GRAPHIC BY ZEYAD GHOUNEM

Music Rules The Stage Three Student Bands Take Top Honors at Open Mic Night JULEE CHAU STAFF WRITER

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n 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

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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 “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.

won’t be able to retire, so the name we chose was an ironic play on that joke,” said Dennison.

the day,” said Muhammad. “Music is constantly in the background, and I’m always exploring new songs.”

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.

“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.

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

“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 perfor ming, I love lear ning how to connect with an audience and overcoming my own fears.”

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.

Student Julee Chau plays a simple cover of “ur so pretty” by the band “Wasia Project” on her piano keyboard.

“People talk about how our generation

“Foxglove & Lily” band members jam out to the song “Romantic” by Mannequin P.

Students Ali Almamori and Chloe Rose have some fun with a impromptu karaoke session on stage.

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PHOTO BY RYDER GEORGE-LANDER

Wildwood Professor Jason Meyer meets with reporter Hiba Obeed to discuss his love for teaching.

Professor Jason Meyer: Teaching, Writing, Rocking HIBA OBEED STAFF WRITER

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ith 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 MAYA CAUS

CONTRIBUTOR 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…

And that helped get me into grad school, too,” he said.

future wife.

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.

While working at the college, he met Amber Schmisseur, a f e l l o w 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.

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

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.”

THE FACES OF MERAMEC Ali Almamori: Community and Self Expression OLIVIA STACK STAFF WRITER

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igh School Senior and dual enrolled student Ali Almamori strolls around the STLCCMeramec campus in a flowy skirt, a fitted tank top, and accessorized with jewelry. He waves to every familiar face he sees, and always has a smile on his face. Students often stop to say a quick hello during his walks on campus.

Almamori, dressed in a graphic t-shirt with his hair tied back, fidgeted with his hands.

“I always try to make sure some part of me reflects in the way I dress,” Almamori said. “It’s a way for me to be more approachable.”

Almamori is currently in his fourth semester of college. He has a love of art and fashion that he displays through his appearance. He is a member of the Campus Activities Board (CAB), which hosts a variety of events on campus. His journey in leadership at the college started when he joined Pride Club, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ equality.

He served as president for two semesters. “I kind of restarted the Pride Club organization,” he said with air quotes.

Throughout his leadership in Pride Club, Almamori has made friends that he still keeps in contact with to this day. He is always welcoming new friendships into his life, said Almamori. For example, he connected with new people during an incident on campus.

“There was this racist guy who was standing on the Quad holding a sign and saying offensive things. I met a lot of people and befriended them to heckle the guy. He tried to spread hate, but he ended up bringing people together,” Almamori said with a smile.

This incident strengthened his love for building communities, said Almamori. He described himself as an extrovert who is always eager to meet new people.

He said that he is smiley and energetic. He continues to meet new people and makes an effort to get to know them.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Ali Almamori poses for a two-dimensional photo on the STLCC-Meramec campus.

“I’m so glad I became a student at Meramec,” Almamori said while he clasped his hands together.

“I made a lot of new friends and built a community.”

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Almamori describes his friend group as multicultural and diverse, which reflects on his background and experiences. Almamori describes himself as half Iraqi and he grew up with three older sisters.

Almamori said he has a passion for personal expression. He started journaling and creating art work at a young age. An example of this is an Instagram post he made, where he is styled in a long dress and posed in front of an edited collage of album covers by the artist “Hole.” He said he believes that he is able to process his feelings through his creations.

“If I’m able to put my thoughts on paper, I can understand my feelings and thoughts better,” said Almamori.

“It’s one of the only things I can focus on for a long period of time. Creating art is what fulfills me the most.”

Almamori is currently enrolled as an early college student. He is focused on academic and social involvement.

“I’m interested in being a good student and I was awarded an opportunity to join accelerated classes, so I took that chance,” Almamori said and smiled. “ I want to graduate with my associates and maybe get an art degree.”

Alamori plans to transfer to either Depaul University or Webster University next semester. He is still exploring and figuring out his major. Although he is still undecided about his major, he plans to study classes that align with his interests.

“I’m going to take classes in psychology and art, because I have a love for art, and I love people,” said Almamori.

Despite a busy schedule, Almamori encourages other students to put themselves out there and take opportunities to meet and get to know other people.

“If you’re looking to make friends on campus, there are so many lovely people around. If you’re approachable, you will find your people,” he said.

Izzy Leyba: Stories in Nerd Culture BRENDAN SMITH STAFF WRITER

While simultaneously cooking and talking on a call, Izzy Leyba recounts their experiences in the world of Tabletop Role Playing games (TTRPG), including their part in the creation of the Tabletop Roleplaying Group, often shortened to the TTRPG Club, on campus.

“During my first year at Meramec, I had gone to the campus expo and asked who I now know is Kathy, but at the time I didn’t know them, if there was a Dungeons and Dragons club, and she turned to me and said that there wasn’t one, but that I would be able to start one,” Leyba said, while their voice was still warm and bubbly, they started staring blankly into the air, remembering the events. “After I asked her how, she told me that there was another student going through a similar process and to ask them. After talking to that other student and finding out that we were trying to start the same thing.”

Leyba has been into “nerd culture” for

most of their life, so Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) was not an interest that started in college. Leyba started playing with friends in high school with their stepdad as a Dungeon Master (DM), to assist them in getting into the game. An interest that quickly expanded.

“I have been very nerdy for most of my life, I was and am very into cosplay and anime, and during my sophomore year of high school, I got really into a D&D podcast and found out that my stepdad was already a player,” Leyba said. “So I got my friends together and asked my dad to DM for a session, and I loved it.”

After the first session, Leyba got very interested in D&D, diving into many campaigns, which are the storylines in which D&D is played, even DM-ing for a few of them.

“At one point, around the middle of my second year at Meramec, I was involved in about 10 campaigns and was the DM for about three of them. They weren’t very long campaigns, but it definitely ate away at my free time,” Leyba said.

Dungeons and Dragons isn’t the only

game the club plays though. Since the name of the club is the Tabletop Role Playing Group, they partake in any game that has that role playing aspect.

“While we didn’t do many games outside of D&D while I was there, I know Puffy [the third and current president] has done Bubble Gumshoe a few times, and some other stuff, I knew we didn’t want to limit the club to just the one game,” Leyba said.

While Leyba had fun running the club during their time at Meramec, it wasn’t entirely without issues. Between the stress of timing, and little help from the co-founder, tension ran high.

“With a TTRPG club, things are very different from other clubs. While other clubs meet to discuss projects and topics, they don’t really rely on the members to be there every single meeting to help with a currently running plot that has other club members involved. And on top of that, the other student I founded the club with was not very good at timing things out,” Leyba said, adding the last part a little quieter.

All that being said, Leyba said they still continue with their passion for TTRPGs, now finding themselves playing with friends instead.

“I have been doing a few campaigns now outside of Meramec, a lot of the time it just depends on other life stuff, but I still try to have fun with it,” Leyba said.

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THE FACES OF MERAMEC Sean Cooney:

Explorations in Education & Beyond NINA GOMEZ STAFF WRITER

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beautiful mountain range just outside of Yellowstone park, a perfect sky paired with mountains in early June, the Grand Tetons is Sean Cooney’s favorite spot he has traveled to.

But 2,000 ft above and dragging a friend whose never gone camping, the story changes. The elevation got high quickly. Then the perfect day in June turned into a 40 degree freezing rain and snow on the ground sleepless night where they drifted in and out of sleep trying to forget the cold. They still had another half of the trip ahead of them afterward. “They were like, ‘Oh we had a blizzard on memorial day,’ and I was like, ‘what?’ It was kind of crazy. That night in yellowstone will live in infamy within our friend group,” Cooney says as he laughs.

PHOTO BY NINA GOMEZ

When Cooney is not on his adventures of exploring all 50 states (he’s “somewhere in the 40s” now), he is exploring his new horizon that is STLCC-Meramec.

Cooney is the new Campus Life Director on campus. “I was looking for that next step, for that manager level experience, but then I was looking at, well how do I broaden my horizons? I really wanted to go to somewhere where it was really different and community college is very different from a four year institution.”

to remembering his past job, but it is where he learned what he wanted to do, work with students. “It really goes back to the students at the end of the day, I’ll remember homecoming, sure, but I’ll remember the students that I worked with and the impact I had on them and the impact they had on me. They made me a better person. I learned from them. It’s always a growing experience, so it’s the students that really make the difference and that’s what I’ll remember.”

For Cooney, giving back is a big part for him. “Getting back to community college, to that part of my educational journey ,assisting those students, that was a big draw for me,” he says.

Cooney reflects on his time there and how after his hard work and building connections within the university became an opportunity for him to gain experience and afford his graduate degree, “There’s always doors that you don’t see,” Cooney says.

Before STLCC, Cooney was Assistant Director of Engagement and Programming at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIU). After being raised in Peoria, Illinois, it was in Carbondale he began his undergraduate in Sports Administration. He then began his graduate degree in higher education for student college personnel, got his first job as admissions and transfer recruitment, and then lastly as Assistant director up until 2024.

He has a lot of nostalgia when it comes

Now at his newest opportunity, STLCC, Cooney is excited. The 2-3 week interview process landed him the job as Campus Life Manager here at Meramec, his first day being in “mid-November”.

“I’m always a nervous interviewer, and this was the first time I was interviewing somewhere away from the institution that I had gone to and worked at. So there were some nerves there, the usual stuff.”

Cooney says he already had a connection

to community college before beginning this position. “I had gone to community college for a year before I transferred, that’s part of the reason this job stuck out to me. I wanted to stay in the education world,” he said.

He remembers when he went to community college for a year before going to SIU. He feels he didn’t take advantage of the opportunities he could have. “And that’s another reason why I took this job. I really want to make sure students understand that there are opportunities to be involved and be on campus at community college, it doesn’t just have to be just going to class and going straight home, right?” Cooney says there are ways to build community here, “it doesn’t have to be just studying, it can be a big piece of your educational experience.

On a mission to make sure students enhance their experience while at STLCC, Cooney’s goals for his time at STLCC are to continue to grow engagement, provide clubs opportunities, new clubs to form, and to grow the community. He says that is important. “My big goal is to provide more opportunities for students to meet other students to engage in the campus, to make sure they know the resources

that are here, and to have fun, to know there’s going to be activities and events.

For the end of the semester SGA and CAB planned a trivia night, an outdoor movie, and are the background of the Spring Fest event. Cooney is the advisor of SGA (Student Government Association) and of CAB (Campus activities Board). He “sits in the background” and is there for students if they need help with purchases or contracts. “It’s all about guiding a student and not holding their hand,” he continues, “It’s fun to see students process their ideas and come up with new ones, and to see them grow. It’s been a really good transition.”

What Cooney’s biggest hope for students is for them to push themselves. “Get involved, push yourself out of your comfort zone. And that starts with getting involved from day 1 in a club, or just asking questions in a classroom.” Doing the little things he says will push you further, “It’s about literally just going to the dining hall with some new people and grabbing a meal. Go to class, meet someone, and go grab lunch with them afterwards in the cafeteria. It’s the little stuff that pays off, and you’ll look back and it’ll feel a lot bigger in retrospect.”

Prof. Jean Dempsey: A Long-Time Passion for Writing FARAHNAZ NAZARY STAFF WRITER

Jean Dempsey, an English professor at STLCC-Meramec, found her passion through teaching and helping students who are native and non-native speakers.

Dempsey started her career in 2011 as a part-time faculty member on the Meramec campus while she was getting her master’s degree.

She said that STLCC is a place where students from all over the world with different backgrounds and cultures get together to improve their lives, so she chose the college because of its diversity.

PHOTO BY NINA GOMEZ

“I like to work with immigrants and refugee students,” said Dempsey.

“In my opinion, a good instructor or professor should be compassionate and empathetic. An instructor should understand that their students are people who have their own lives and many of them have struggles that make it difficult for them to be successful, but it is important that an instructor be understanding and helpful.”

According to Dempsey, her passion for reading and writing was fostered long ago. “I became an English teacher because I was interested in reading and writing since I was a child,” she said.

Later, when she started college, she decided to major in English. Dempsey said that she thinks the best part of teaching English for her is meeting new students from different countries,

cultures and backgrounds, which has helped her to inform herself about others.

In the classroom, she said she tries to utilize different methods of teaching, and one of those methods is encouraging teamwork, where she divides the students into small groups to have conversations. These conversations help them solve their problems, which builds their confidence and courage, said Dempsey.

Expanding her teaching strategies was also the focus of her sabbatical research, said Dempsey. “I want to explore new teaching strategies and create more engaging and effective learning experiences for my students,” she said.

MONTAGE

OPINIONS | 13

the

We Are The Media How X has freed the free press

JACK JURSNICH OPINIONS EDITOR

T

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

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACK JURSNICH 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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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

Human suffering is so long, but memory is so short.

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.

OPINIONS | 14 I

8

May

2025

AI 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 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

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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.

MONTAGE

A Photo Finish

SPORTS | 15

the

JACOB POLITTE

MANAGING EDITOR

Looking back at some of the moments captured this year

PHOTO BY JACOB POLITTE

PHOTO BY LUCAS SEGALL Imran Din-Gabisi, a Freshman player, shoots a three-pointer in the Nov. 6 game against Missouri Baptist University. Din-Gabisi, a freshman who came to STLCC from Capital City High School in Jefferson City, was a part of a team that finished the season with a record of 14 wins and 15 losses.

Archie observes as students get comfortable in STLCC’s new eSports facility in September.

PHOTO BY LUCAS SEGALL

PHOTO BY JACOB POLITTE

PHOTO BY JACOB POLITTE

Nick Bonczkowski runs towards his teammates to celebrate after hitting at home run at Busch Stadium in September. Bonczkowski hit two home runs during the game, although the team was behind in points when the time limit on the game expired.

Nick Bonczkowski holds a broken bat in the player dugouts of Busch Stadium in September.

The bat was split in two when another player hit a ball in the game against East Central College.

Chancellor Jeff Pittman holds a personalized eSports jersey at the South County Open House in September.

Archers: By the Stats As of May 5, 2025 PCT = percentile of performance compared to opponents

M

12-36 Overall 48 Games .250 PCT

W

EXHIBITION GAMES NOT SCORED

SPOTLIGHT ON SOFTBALL | RECENT GAME RESULTS 4/26/2025 at Mineral Area College

W, 5-0

4/26/2025 at Mineral Area College

W, 6-1

4/28/2025 vs. East Central College

L, 3-2

4/28/2025 vs. East Central College

W, 4-2

5/2/2025 vs. Moberly Area Community College

W, 9-1

5/2/2025 at Mineral Area College

L, 8-6

5/3/2025

vs. East Central College

W, 8-0

5/3/2025

at Mineral Area College

L, 3-2

102-49 Overall 151 Matches .675 PCT

W

36-10 Overall 46 Matches .738 PCT

COMICS | 16

8

May

2025

GRAPHIC BY GRETA MCGLAWN

GRAPHIC BY RYDER GEORGE-LANDER