The Montage

The

MONTAGE Serving the St. Louis Community College - Meramec community since 1964 • ACP Award Recipient VOLUME 59, ISSUE 4

DEC. 7, 2023

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE MONTAGE

graphic by kayla coachman

In this issue...

“TRANSFORMED UPDATE” pg. 2

‘FTWD’ FINALE REVIEW pg. 4

ALUMNUS PROFILE pg. 5

JAKE’S TAKE pg. 7

SPORTS pg. 8

2 NEWS

Dec. 7, 2023

‘Transformed’ In The Holiday Season JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

photo by : jacob politte

photo by : jacob politte

Construction work continues at the Communications North (CN) entrance on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. This area once contained a skybridge that connected CN and the now completely demolished Communications South building.

Demolition of the old library building continues on Tuesday, Dec. 5th. Demolition of the Communications South and Business Administration buildings took place weeks ago.

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ork continued at Meramec and the other STLCC campuses this past month on the various “Transformed” projects. Meramec continues to see steady demolition along Big Bend Road and as of press time, demolition of Business Administration and Communication South has been completed, and demolition of the old Library building is nearing completion. According to Skye Lusfey, Business Administration’s slab removal began the week of Nov. 13 to make way for the new building’s footings and foundations.

Following the completion of the demolition of the skybridge that once connected Communications North and South, the sidewalk to the south of Communications North reopened on Friday, Nov. 17. The southern entrance of the building will remain closed until contractors are able to fill in the old columns and install a new door at a yet to be determined time in early January.

After some complications with the new Science South entrance ramp, the contractors had to re-pour some of the sections they had to remove. They are targeting sometime this week to install new railings, and once installed, the east entrance to Science South will be ready to reopen.

Skye Lufsey from the Corporate College campus regularly sends The Montage updates regarding the projects college wide. To view more updates and photos of the construction, please visit meramecmontage.com.

photo by : jacob politte Debris from the Business Administration and Communications South buildings remain on the construction site on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

Takeaways From Meramec’s Town Hall

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LILLIAN THUM STAFF WRITER

n Tuesday, Nov. 7th, the Student Government hosted a Town Hall event with Campus President Dr. Feleccia Moore-Davis and Dr. Keith Ware, the Vice President of Student Engagement.

Many of the questions covered related to the construction going on and the issues with WiFi. When the issue of the WiFi was raised, President Moore-Davis explained how the broken WiFi was due to the construction causing issues. Regarding the construction work itself, Moore-Davis revealed that the land that the library once sat on will be the home for the building scheduled to be the new Center For Emerging Technology. She said that this new building will, at least in part, have a focus on artificial intelligence and sustainability.

This new building will have multiple floors.

Interestingly, Moore Davis seemingly confirmed that the library will eventually find a home on the first floor, while the upper floors will host various classes and workshops to develop student’s skills with technology, including a maker-space and an entrepreneurial center. This new space will allow

for more growth within the college. Dual enrollment and early college admissions are increasing and as a result this could result in an increase in staff, particularly in the technology department.

It was also revealed that STLCC as an organization is introducing AI into the school in other ways as well. One of the planned integrations concerns services that are provided by enrollment services.

Moore-Davis assured those in attendance that this integration is being done with precautions in place. Experts in the field are being consulted and there have been focus groups with various local businesses to assure that everything is going smoothly.

This includes student data. Measures are being

Graphic courtesy of Articulus taken to be certain the AI integration will stick

by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guidelines.

NEWS 3

Dec. 7, 2023

Langrehr presents updated draft for College Re-Org

STAFF JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR DAKOTA PULCHER PHOTO EDITOR KAYLA COACHMAN STAFF MORGAN DANIELS STAFF TY DEFRATES STAFF JACKSON GERKEN STAFF MACY GILLICK STAFF DAN GUNTLI STAFF AMELIA KIRSCH STAFF CARRAH MCDANIEL STAFF LILLIAN THUM STAFF EMILY WEBER STAFF RYAN WINZEN STAFF

Shannon Philpott-Sanders Faculty Adviser

Facebook.com/ meramecmontage/

Instagram.com “meramecmontage”

O

JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

n the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 4, the Board of Trustees held a special work session. At the session, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Andrew Langrehr presented a revised, updated draft of plans for the college’s upcoming reorganization of Academic Affairs.

Among other anecdotes, it’s noteworthy that Deans for the Sciences and Technology, Engineering and Math are set be housed at the Meramec campus. They are joined by the District Director of the Center for Plant and Life Sciences and the Coordinator of Exceptional Programs.

Meanwhile, the Deans of English/ Languages and Communication/Design/ Creative Arts deans will be housed at the Wildwood campus, and the Nursing, Health Sciences and Library Deans are set to be housed at the Forest Park campus. The Florissant Valley campus will house the Deans of Education/Public Service/Social Sciences and of Industrial Occupations/Business/Culinary, while also being the center of operations for Dual Credit/Enrollment Partnerships and District Director of the Child Development Laboratory Center.

Excerpts from Langrehr's presentation can be viewed on the right, and the presentation can be view in STLCC's BoardDocs page or or the STLCC Board of Trustees YouTube channel. Stay tuned to meramecmontage.com for more updates on this ongoing story.

These two graphics were a part of VIce Chancellor Langrehr's presentation to the Board of Trustees. The next step in the process begins in earnest next month and the process is projected to be completed by July 2024.

NEWS BRIEFS Youtube.com “TheMeramecMontageNewspaper”

Twitter.com “themontage”

THE MONTAGE To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., at 314-984-7857.

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 seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122.

One copy of The Montage is free of charge.

Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager.

Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.

Proud member of

Annual Poinsettia Sale Ongoing The Meramec Horticulture Department’s annual poinsettia sale began on Nov. 27 and is set to last until Dec. 22, or until supplies run out. Those looking to purchase a red, white, or pink poinsettia can do so by visiting the Meramec Greenhouse (located behind Science South) every Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Each poinsettia only costs $10, and only cash and check payments will be accepted. For more information, please contact Eileen Casey in the horticulture department.

Collections for Archers Market Grab-and-go, non-perishable food items are still being collected for the Archer’s Market (a service provided by Meramec’s Student Advocacy & Resource Center) until the end of the week. This food drive is being organized by Professor Becky Winter’s English students. Please place items in the boxes located in the following locations: •

Clark Hall Room 130 (near the back entrance on the first floor)

• • •

CN 125 (near the Testing Center on the first floor) CN - English department Student Center lobby

Suggested food items include: Mac-n-cheese cups, oatmeal cups, chili or ravioli in a cup, fruit cups, Rice-aRoni cups, fruit snacks, granola bars or ramen cups.

Email Professor Winter with questions at rwinter@stlcc. edu.

Laptop Returns and Renewals As the end of the semester approaches, STLCC Libraries are collecting student loaner devices. All laptops and devices on loan for the fall semester must be returned within two business days following a student's last scheduled final exam.

However, if students have a laptop and are enrolled for spring courses at STLCC, they may renew their laptop loan online. Any and all questions should be directed to the campus’ library service desk.

Board of Trustees Highlights TY DEFRATES STAFF WRITER The STLCC Board of Trustees met on Thursday, Nov. 16 for their monthly meeting. Topics discussed included: •

www.MeramecMontage.com •

Recognition of Student and Staff Accomplishments: Recognition of Mid-America Regional Emmy Award Winner Mariah Richardson External Audit Report

• • • • • • • •

Quarterly Finance Report STLCC Transformed – Florissant Valley Update Employee Benefits Trustee Travel Resolution for Policy Revision Standing Committee Consent Agenda Items Chancellor’s Report Board Chair’s Report

To watch the latest meeting, visit the BOT YouTube channel (@stlcbot).

In addition, to view all board

documents, contracts, proposals, and archived meeting agendas, visit STLCC’s Board Docs page by scanning the QR code below:

4 ART & LIFE

Thank God, ‘Fear’ Is Over

Head stratching Walking Dead show finally ends

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JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

t says a lot that many of the reviews that any reader will see when searching “Fear The Walking Dead” almost always are negative ones. The flagship show, which bowed out a year ago, lost its way for a while but cleaned up its act in tremendous fashion, and ended with some dignity. World Beyond, another Walking Dead spinoff, did the same.

That being said, it’s no surprise that “Fear” didn’t stick the landing. It’s highly possible that no one ever really expected it to. It’s a badly written show with a tremendous cast, none of whom should be blamed for the fact that all of this was mostly a drag to watch even when in the series’ later years it sometimes reminded the audience of the show it used to be.

In retrospect, Seasons 1 through 3 of this show are its true high point of both popularity and relevance. Season 3, in particular, is an absolute masterpiece of television, and arguably one of the best seasons of any show in the entire franchise. Season 4, in its early episodes, showed that same promise. But right around the time that Madison Clark supposedly perished in a blaze of glory at a baseball stadium, any trace of that remarkable third season burned up with her.

The show then fell off a cliff and never truly recovered. Morgan Jones (actor Lennie James) from the flagship was brought in, and everything centered around Morgan, which was a mistake.

Morgan was a compelling character in his own right, but shifting the focus to him was a slap in the face to every fan and every long time cast member on the show.

Even after Madison came back (after her children were written off the show by both death and what turned out to be an illness that led to a crappy Messiah complex), the show struggled, even if having Madison back made the show feel somewhat fresh again. Madison’s return has been the eighth and final seasons biggest highlight, even if actress Kim Dickens can’t rise above some of the truly awful material she was presented with. Hopefully her paycheck cleared every week; it’s not her fault.

The final six episodes of “Fear” attempted to appeal to long-time fans by delivering some semblance of closure and revisiting a beloved Season 3 story: the antagonistic feud between Madison and Troy Otto. Troy Otto should be dead as he was literally bludgeoned with a hammer on-screen and then proceeded to drown on-screen, but whatever. Madison should also be dead, but she’s not. Logic didn’t matter on this show.

Madison and Troy always had an entertaining dynamic, and exploring it further wasn’t one of the show’s worst ideas. Again though, the series’ knack for terrible writing and plotting got in the way, as this could have been so much better than it ended up being.

What does work is just how desperate Madison acts, and those glimpses of her being the absolute psychopath that creator Dave Erickson wished for her to become. Madison, at points during the season’s second half, arguably commits more evil acts than Troy does, and has no problem sacrificing people, even children, to succeed in her goals. Some fans and critics criticized the show in recent weeks for this (it may have more to do with how inconsistently characters in the show are written from one episode to the next), but it’s the most genuine form of Madison that they could have presented, and it’s also completely out of character for the show that they’ve been making for the last 4 years. If nothing else, the showrunners should be commended for taking that risk of having

Dec. 7, 2023

FROM THE ARCHIVES The Montage covers a local story that became a national story

their lead walk that dangerous line of villainy.

Madison Clark is no hero and never has been, no matter what anyone wants viewers to believe.

She had been gone so long that some people likely forgot that. Madison always looked out for her kids and only her kids (not even her husband got that same level of concern) and everyone else was expendable. It tracks, no matter what the show chose to do differently every single week.

In the series finale (which is somewhat better than the rest of the season), Madison redeems herself by apparently sacrificing herself in the same kind of way she did in Season 4. Everyone believes she’s dead. Of course, because no one ever truly dies on this show, she actually survived.

And in the ultimate act of absurdity, Madison’s long lost daughter Alicia, who she’s been separated from for at least a decade in the show’s timeline, appears out of nowhere (after actress Alycia Debnam-Carey departed the show last year) to Madison in Georgia. After a fairly good reunion scene, the two and another companion make the decision to travel back to where it all started, Los Angeles, to “help” people there. They only clue in Victor Strand (the fantastic Colman Domingo) to their survival as the group all decide to go their separate ways.

To be frank, although all of that is ridiculously convenient, it’s the absolute bare minimum that this finale needed to accomplish. The two Clarks should have never been separated in the first place all those seasons ago, especially because the original premise of the show was centered around that family. When that changed, it morphed into something else and killed what made it special, despite a stellar cast that could have still worked alongside them under better behind-the-scenes leadership.

The legacy of “Fear The Walking Dead” will be one of squandered potential and bad writing.

This show started off unique and different in the first half of its lifespan, even if it took a second viewing and hindsight to truly appreciate it.

In the show’s second half, it became a weaker, dumber version of its predecessor. There was nothing special about it anymore. With multiple, more engaging and better spinoffs in production, “Fear” won’t be missed.

No one will visit its grave. And perhaps no one should.

It’s better off left alone, unless you pretend the show died at the Gonzalez Dam in Season 3, and everything after that was a dream.

Perhaps a “dream” would explain all of the crap that came after.

jacob politte MANAGING EDITOR As The Montage approaches 60 years in print, it’s notable that archived digital copies that can be viewed by readers on The Montage’s “Issuu” page only date back to 2010. The rest are not lost to time, however.

Print copies, both loose and binded, still exist. They date all the way back to the very first issue in 1964 and can be accessed in the Library. As we approach our sixtieth year in publication, The Montage would like to take you back in time to some of those issues throughout the coming school year. This month, we’re revisiting a dark period in the history of the city, and how STLCC reacted to it.

The Ferguson riots following the death of Michael Brown and the subsequent acciqtual of Officer Darren Wilson in 2014 were seen and talked about throughout the entire world. Staffer Ashley Higginbottham was on the scene in Fergsuon following a grand jury’s decision not to Wilson for the shooting, capturing one of The Montage’s most memorable covers.

The Montage covered the events extensively throughout the fall 2014 semester, and in the Dec. 3, 2014 issue that was no different. Editor in Chief Spencer Gleason spoke with Meramec’s then Vice President of Student Affairs Kim Fitzgerald about the college’s decision to cancel classes for the week immediately after the verdict came down, noting that while the college had been preparing for the possibility of doing so, that it all happened very quickly.

“It’s got many layers of issues political, social, racial.

The entire thing,” Fitzgerald said. “It was kind of upsetting to see these things unfold, so I think that I am glad that they made the decision before everybody went to bed and we got the message out to students.”

In an opinions column titled “The Way It Is: Burning The Bridge Of Change,” Opinions Editor Ryan Orbadovic harshly condemned the riots.

He wrote, “People can fight the police with violence and break the law, but when that adrenaline high fades away, those who fought have dug themselves, other community members and people everywhere a deeper hole to climb out of.”

He ended that piece with a call to action: “Rise up with a peaceful rebellion and prove that “stereotypes” is just a word.

Dec. 7, 2023

ART & LIFE 5

Rousseau Wins Mid-American Emmy Meramec Alumnus enjoying continued success post-STLCC ryan winzen staff writer Nicholas Rousseau is an alumni of St Louis Community College, who has gone on to have a successful career with the Higher Education Channel (HECTV), a local media organization based in St Louis.

“I always liked the evening news because it felt like I was watching something new. When I watched the evening news, I felt like I learned something about the world. It’s not just here in Missouri, it’s all over the country and the world,” said Rousseau.

Rousseau explained how his interest in the news began at an early age.

“I always watch the news, it’s funny because I always get called a news geek.

My father started this habit because he was always watching it. I can name more newscasters from the 90’s than kids cartoon characters from that era.”

This interest in both the news and filmmaking gave Rousseau the drive to start learning about the basics of filmmaking.

“Since YouTube came out, I started playing with a camera. I did not take any filmmaking classes in highschool, but I knew the basics before going in.”

Rousseau started at St Louis Community College Meramec in the fall of 2009, taking classes such as filmmaking 101 and film appreciation.

After graduating from Meramec in 2013, Rousseau transferred to the University of Missouri-St Louis,

majoring in media studies.

After his time at UMSL, Rousseau began his career in the industry as an intern for STL TV. After that, he got a job at HECTV. His duties there include video producer, occasional cameraman, and interviewer.

“I interviewed people like animator Marlon West,” he said. “I interviewed filmmaker Ken Burns. I interviewed Elsa Garrison, who works for Getty images.”

Rousseau has mentioned some struggles that he has faced during interviews.

“I interviewed Adam Wainwright,” he said. “It was interesting. We didn’t talk about baseball, but we had to talk about his foundation. I wanted to ask him baseball questions, but I knew I had to stay on topic.”

Rousseau mentioned that his favorite part of being a producer is imagining the product, then seeing it finished through.

“I love seeing it come from my head to the video. Everything looks different in your head, but you change it and make it look better,” he said.

“Sometimes you can play the video in your head when you close your eyes.

It’s a great feeling seeing it come to live, that’s the magic happening.”

Due to all his constant hard work, Rousseau was awarded a Mid-America Emmy for his interview with Disney animator Marlon West.

Even with winning an award, Rousseau still plans to continue

photo courtesy of special school district of st. louis county working just as hard as he did before, getting new stories from different people.

“Everybody has their story, even the person walking down the street.”

Rousseau ended with some advice for current STLCC students, as well as

students everywhere.

“Continue doing your craft, it might be tough, it might be hard. Continue the grind. It doesn’t matter if you win or not, we are all winners in life by accomplishing our goals.”

A Q&A With the Makers of the Crafting Club Club members discuss the goals of a new club on campus macy gillick STAFF WRITER The crafting club is a brand new club at Meramec this semester.

According to the president Gail Nuestro, The Crafting club is open for anyone who wants to chat with others, make the craft and be creative with other students. The club meets every Tuesday at 4 and some activities they do are painting on mason jars and little canvas or make bracelets, according to the club’s Vice President Mariana Briceño.

What’s your club like? What do you do?

Nuestro: The club is mostly like an arts and crafts club, so anyone can come that just wants to hang out and make something cool. So if people just want to come chat with others or make the craft. It’s just a place for people to come and be creative together.

Why do you want people aware of your club?

Nuestro: Since there’s not really an art club at Meramec so we wanted to make a clay club, but then it would be cool to be more general and would be less stressful than an actual art class.

So people can spend that one hour each week meeting other students and having a community here. Also, getting something cool out of it that they can have and keep forever.

Why did you join the club?

Nuestro: [We’ve] wanted to make a club since coming to STLCC and then we were inspired by when we went poetry painting we should do an art/clay club. Then that didn’t work because we couldn’t find an advisor.

We thought about it more and still wanted an art club to never get to take art classes as a science and stem major student. And for lots of people that’s common when they get overwhelmed with work or class and have to leave after school. Our club gives them a way to meet others and be creative and express themselves. It’s not intense or anything because it’s just hanging out and you get to make something simple and feel more of a community at the college.

What’s your club like, what do you do?

Briceño: We meet every Tuesday at 4 and try to be as active as possible. We try not to use the time to plan. our fall party and we did bracelets and painted

submitted photo From left to right: Top Row: Dheeksha Ananth( club secretary),Jennifer Pham( club member), Matt Andrews( club treasurer),Gail Nuestro(club president) Bottom row: Aiturgan Talant( club chair of communications), and Mariana Brinceño.

mason jars. Also we painted little canvases. Try to do activities instead of planning because it’s boring. We don’t want to meet to plan, we want to meet to do something we like. We plan once for the whole semester so we plan ahead. To me, [it] is a way to express what I’m feeling and helps me destress.

It’s important for a college student that an hour helps her relax and she likes painting and enjoys it.

If you’re interested in joining, contact the club advisor at skelly130@ stlcc.edu

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Currents, Meramec’s student literary magazine, is accepting submissions for the 2024 issue.

Poetry

Flash fiction & short stories Personal essays

10-minute & one-act plays Artwork

JOIN OUR TEAM!

⏰ Time Commitment: Just 1-2 hours per week! �� No experience required – we welcome all levels of expertise For questions or guidelines, contact Dr. David Taylor, faculty advisor, at dmtaylor@stlcc.edu

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 115,116 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

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

Music Theory I,II,III,IV Basic Music History of Jazz Music Appreciation Class Voice I,II Class Piano I,II,III,IV History of Rock Music Beginning Guitar Jazz Improvisation I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Fundamentals of Music Technology Audio Engineering Music Recording with ProTools I Music History I,II

Interested in performing in an ensemble?

All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!

MUS131, 132 and 134 are CORE42 performance courses!

ENSEMBLES

Music 131 – Concert Choir Music 132 – Orchestra Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 138 – Jazz Improvisation All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal.

Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Singers.

For more information, contact Music at Meramec Dr. Jerry Myers, Program Coordinator, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638

Contact Shannon Philpott-Sanders at ssanders147@stlcc.edu for more information.

Dec. 7, 2023

OPINIONS 7

Jake’s Take: A Bunch of Loose Threads There’s a lot to talk about, and one page to get it out on.

JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

A

s of press time, there’s less than a month left in 2023, and the year continues to be busy locally and on a national level. There are a lot of thoughts I’d like to share on a alot of topics. So, instead of just limiting this column to one topic, I’d like to briefly discuss a few.

Metro Transit’s adjustments to the STLCC Transformed projects leave a lot to be desired STLCC Transformed has been transforming the campus on a daily basis, and demolition projects necessitated the closure of the Big Bend entrance to the Meramec campus, and with it, the relocation of the campus bus stop to the Parking Lot T this past June.

While that relocation is likely temporary, I do wish that more thought and effort was put into the process.

I’m not exactly sure what the level of collaboration between STLCC and Metro was, but the result is an absolute eyesore that not only feels detached from the rest of the campus, but can feel a bit unsafe during the late evening hours.

I don’t say that lightly. As someone who does not live close by in Kirkwood (instead commuting from my home near the county line), I rely on Metro buses to get to campus almost every week. I didn’t notice any cameras near the bus shell, and I haven’t seen any Campus police patrolling the area recently. While Meramec doesn’t have a lot of crime, it still does feel a little odd that an area that students use frequently doesn’t seem to have many eyes on it.

Not to mention, the bus shell itself has seen better days. It is the same stop used at the Big Bend entrance, and it retains all of the vandalism and uncleanliness that came with it. While that is likely Metro’s job to fix (and I don’t really anticipate it ever getting fixed), the college should definitely look into at least getting fresh plexiglass and perhaps a new bench for it, if not ask for a new shell structure entirely.

It may not be important to the college in the grand scheme of things. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time at STLCC, it’s that the college

does not like to look second-rate.

Appearances are important to them.

Students using public transportation deserve better than a hollowed-out, vandalized bus stop that doesn’t offer much in the way of protection from anything and isn’t watched very closely.

The death of Rosalynn Carter and the crazy endurance of Jimmy Carter President Jimmy Carter left office sixteen years before I was born, and almost 28 years after I was born, he remains among the world of the living.

Until Nov. 19, his wife of 77 years also was by his side.

The death of Rosalynn Carter should not have affected me as much as it did. People die. In the last few years, countless people that I’ve known in my life have died. It’s sad, it sucks, but it’s a fact of life: one day, everyone dies.

But after a recent trip to Atlanta for the ACP/CMA Journalism Conference, I did visit The Carter Center and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, the very same place where she laid in state just last week. The Carters were a couple far ahead of their time when it came to how they handled political business, and the Museum in particular was a true highlight of that, even if the American public didn’t appreciate it at the time.

But the post-mortem legacy of Rosalynn Carter, and the eventual one of her husband Jimmy, will not ultimately be defined by their politics.

It will be defined by their humanity, and the countless hours of public service.

Up until right before the pandemic began, the two were still participating in building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Over the years, Rosalynn herself was a leading advocate for Mental Health causes, and her work is featured heavily at the Library.

Up until recent years, even into their old age, the pair never stopped helping others. Forget their politics, it only matters in the end that they were good people. Perhaps that’s why they were rewarded with a long and happy life.

I’m not sure how much time Jimmy Carter realistically has left. There’s no real timetable for hospice care; my father was in it for almost two full years before passing away. But I know that he’s probably very tired all of the time, and he’s absolutely missing his wife.

The Meramec Bus Stop, photographed on Tuesday, Dec. 5 by Jacob Politte.

Inside The Carter Center in Atlanta on Oct. 31, 2023. Photo by Jacob And at age 99, I don’t think he has any regrets left to have. If there’s anyone that deserves to go out the way he wants, it’s Jimmy Carter. In whatever time he has left, I truly hope he finds peace and solace in those around him.

Henry Kissinger is also dead If you haven’t taken a history course or spoken with a history professor recently, just know this: Henry Kissinger was a monster who died peacefully last week at the age of 100.

Google him, you’re gonna be really mad about some of the stuff he did if you’re even a remotely decent human being, and especially if you’re a student of history. I hope he rots. That’s all I have to say about that.

The Grand Theft Auto VI trailer FINALLY dropped I probably shouldn’t admit to playing any sort of “Grand Theft Auto” game in a public forum. It’s the sort of thing everyone does, but doesn’t shouldn’t brag about due to the content in the franchise. If anyone asks, I absolutely obey all the traffic laws while driving in the games and yield for all pedestrians.

Jokes aside, the wait for the sixth main installment has been so drawn out and so incredibly long that it’s basically become a meme of sorts. The last time any sort of microtransaction-free Grand Theft Auto game (I’m looking at you, GTA Online’s SharkCards) came out for me to play, I had just started my senior year of high school, back before Michelle Obama ruined unhealthy school lunches (I got out just in time). I was a teenager, and seeing a new Grand

Theft Auto game after all this time feels like a fever dream.

The gameplay shown in the trailer looks incredible by the way, and with two more years to refine it even more, I can only imagine what Rockstar Games will manage to cook up. Not to mention, I’m very excited to see what they can do with the new, but familiar location. Vice City forever.

A thank you to my staff Before the semester ends, I would like to end this column by saying a sincere thank you to all of those currently on The Montage staff, some of whom will be departing at the end of this semester and next semester as well.

In my opinion, the issues that we’ve published over the past year have been some of the strongest that The Montage has put together during my tenure on the staff. That would not have been possible without all of your hard work and dedication, and eagerness to explore new topics and contribute in whatever ways that you can. Every single one of you should be very proud of all of the hard work you’ve done.

For those interested in joining, come on in. We don’t bite.

Life seems like it always moves so fast, and there’s always a lot to talk about but sometimes there’s no one to talk about it with. While there may not be a Jake’s Take in every issue, I’m glad that I have this outlet sometimes to get my thoughts and feelings out when there is an important topic to discuss.

Thank you for reading. Merry Christmas, everyone.

8 SPORTS

Dec. 7, 2023

Lady Archers looking ahead to next season

The future of Women’s Basketball at STLCC appears promising despite setbacks MORGAN DANIELS

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STAFF WRITER

ovember typically marks the start of basketball season at St. Louis Community College. However, this year, the Women’s team will not be playing. The girls’ season was canceled a week before their first game due to players being unable to meet the eligibility requirements and others quitting.

Formerly a team of ten, they quickly became a team of six, posing various risks to the players.

Despite only having a few months to familiarize herself with the team, new Women’s basketball head coach Mariah West understood the safety concerns related to only having six team members.

“We are not in the business of potentially hurting athletes but in the business of helping and keeping them healthy,” West said. “Low numbers can take such a toll on athletes, physically, emotionally, and mentally.”

Athletic Director Sharon Marquardt shared a similar testament, saying, “[It wouldn’t] be fair to the girls that were playing or the other teams that were playing us with only having six with the possibility of somebody getting hurt [or] somebody not making the grades at the end of the semester.”

The news came as a bummer for Coach West.

Having only assumed her role as head coach in September, a little more than a month before the start of the season, she had little time to get acclimated to her team’s skill set.

“On one hand, I was excited to be with the girls and teach them my system/program,” she said. “But on the other hand, I knew it would be an uphill battle because we started behind the ball.”

Unfortunately, this year’s cancellation wasn’t the first for the team. The girl’s season was canceled last year, too. The team played a few games but had to end their season early due to a shortened roster.

However, the team’s cancellations are not an anomaly among community colleges within the NJCAA conference. A few schools have had to

cancel their Women’s basketball seasons in the past year, like Lewis and Clark Community College, Metropolitan Community College, and this year, Kaskaskia College.

“There is a little bit of a trend,” Marquardt shared.

“I don’t know why that’s happening. I’m just hoping that we can recover from the last two seasons.”

Though the team has yet to play, Sharon Marquardt and Mariah West are staying optimistic and working towards rebuilding the program and maintaining the Archers’ reputation among regional schools to continue recruiting committed players. Coming from Jefferson College, Coach Former Archers athlete Alisa Tran, right, mid-air catching a ball West is experienced in passed from teammate. Archived photo courtesy of St. Louis what’s needed to build Community College. a competitive team.

Marquardt has been clear since she became director Recruitment is one of her last fall that the athletics program is committed main objectives so far.

“We are planning to get out and recruit—locally to seeing athletes as students first. She expects all and in other places,” she said. Eight other states get coaches for the Archer’s athletic teams to “bring in-state tuition, so that broadens our horizons. We quality students that also care about their academics are also looking to find a second assistant to help us and athletics.”

Not only is Coach West working to ensure she get out there. Maybe even try to get an international.”

Marquardt is encouraging Coach West and her staff brings in quality recruits, but she’s committed to to have at least ten girls signed by March to ensure maintaining the relationships she’s already formed the team is headed in the right direction. While she with the team.

“I check in with the girls weekly,” she shared, “even acknowledges it might be difficult, considering high school basketball season ends around the same time, though the season is canceled, I am not canceled as their coach and a part of their village to help them she’s confident in Coach West’s abilities.

“She’s a go-getter, and I think she will be the move forward in life.” person to turn the season around,” Marquardt said.

While there is an emphasis on recruitment,

Men’s Soccer Season Ends in Overtime at NJCAA Nationals Jacob Politte MANAGING EDITOR The Archers Men’s Soccer season has come to an end on the grandest stage.

In the second of two games at the NJCAA National Tournament in Tucson, Arizona on Nov. 14, the Archers fell to the Phoenix College Bears with a 2-1 loss in an extended overtime period. This loss ended the season for the Archers; it was the first time that the team had ever reached the national stage.

This year, they had won both region and district championships.

“The initial half of the match was marked by a fierce back-and-forth battle, with both teams creating scoring opportunities that narrowly missed finding the back of the net,” the Archers Athletics website reported.

They continued, “In the 58th minute, the Archers’ Garrett Havrilla drew a crucial foul in the box, providing Raphael Kistmann with an opportunity to bury a penalty kick. Kistmann’s clinical finish gave the Archers the lead. Despite the Archers’ lead, the Bears managed to equalize with a goal of their

own just 8 minutes before the end of regular time, forcing the match into overtime. In the 95th minute of overtime, the Bears were awarded a penalty kick that ultimately secured their victory. The tightly contested match ended with the Bears emerging triumphant.”

Watch parties were held in the Cafeteria on for both games, and were attended by both students and

faculty from across the entire campus.

Following the end of the season, and because of their contributions during it, two standout sophomores, Alexander Gatto and Raphael Kistmann, have been named to the DII Men’s Soccer All-American Teams. Gatto has been named to the second team, while Kistmann was named to the third team.

The 2023 Men’s Soccer Team. Photo courtesy of Archers Athletics.

Stay on top of what’s happening with STLCC Athletics at

https://www.archersathletics.com