The Montage - May 5, 2022 by The Montage

The

MONTAGE Serving the St. Louis Community College - Meramec community since 1964 • ACP Award Recipient VOLUME 57, ISSUE 8

MAY 5, 2022

WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

‘A Series of Synchronicity’

Professor Gary Gackstatter provides illustrations for new book JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

eramec Music Professor Gary Gackstatter recently added another achievement to his prolific career. His drawings and illustrations were recently included in author Greg Childs’ new book, “Tracing Time: Seasons of Rock Art on the Colorado Plateau.” According to Gackstatter, the book, which was released on April 19, has record sales for publisher Torrey House Press. It has already sold out of its first edition, and more copies are currently being printed. “It was just… it’s just been a series of synchronicity, I guess you could say… happy accidents,” Gackstatter said. “And it was a lot of work.” While Gackstatter is a published author, his previous books have been about the subject he teaches: music. But in his “free time” he also draws. He says that his drawings were noticed by Childs, who then reached out to him to collaborate. “I’ve been really studying the Pueblo

tribes, the Hopi, Zuni, Tewa… for years leading up to my Chaco Symphony that we premiered here,” Gackstatter said. “And that created an opportunity to draw. And that’s what I do in my -quote unquote- free time. And I started drawing scenes from the Southwest, the ancient buildings that they built, things like that. And I started drawing petroglyphs with pen and ink. And a very, very well-known writer author out there [Childs] has published 13 books on the Southwest. And that would include New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. He lives out there and he saw my drawings and asked me if I could provide some illustrations for his new book.” He continued, “So this is something new for me. It’s a big honor. And that artwork is going to be seen by thousands of people. And it’s really a treat. It’s like I said, it’s an honor to be able to be a part of this project and watch it be so successful.” “Tracing Time: Seasons of Rock Art on the Colorado Plateau” is available to order now in both print and e-book formats through Amazon and other outlets.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARY GACKSTATTER

PHOTOS BY DAKOTA PULCHER LONG NIGHT AHEAD: Meramec students spent the evening of April 20, 2022 in the library participating in the Long Night of Procrastination sponsored by the STLCC-Meramec Writing Center and Academic Center. Tutors were on site to assist with final projects, papers and assignments due the last few weeks of the spring semester.

Join the Team Meetings every Tuesday at 4 PM via Zoom or in Student Center, Room 220A

Start your summer early. Get a jump on the warm weather. Experience a special series of professional and personal enrichment classes available for a limited time.

stlcc.edu/CE Non-Discrimination statement: https://stlcc.edu/college-policy-procedures/ consumer-information/nondiscrimination-statement.aspx

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

STLCC Counselors are here to help! Students come to counseling for: • Anxiety and/or stress • Depression or thoughts of suicide • Difficulty concentrating or lack of motivation • Relationship issues • Loneliness or isolation • Managing anger • Weight or body image concerns • Personal counseling • Crisis counseling • Adjusting to college • Accessing campus resources • Concerns about alcohol or drug use

If you are not sure whether counseling can help, please email us at counseling@stlcc.edu or call or text us at 314-539-5151 to talk about it.

NEWS 3

May 5, 2022

STAFF

JACOB POLITTE

GENEVA LEE BRUNO GRUBESIC

MANAGING EDITOR

Finding ‘Safe Connections’

Where domestic violence ends and healthy relationships begin

NEWS EDITOR STAFF

DEVYNN LEJEUNE STAFF DAKOTA PULCHER STAFF ADELAINE TUDOR STAFF MAX WILSON STAFF

Shannon Philpott-Sanders Faculty Adviser

Facebook.com/ meramecmontage/

Instagram.com “meramecmontage”

Youtube.com “montagelax”

DEVYNN LEJEUNE STAFF

very year, statistics show that at least 10 million men and women in the United States will be victims of some form of abuse. “Safe Connections” is one of the longest running orgniaztions in the St. Louis area that focuses on sexual and domestic violence prevention. They offer a variety of services that assists with education and therapy for survivors of abuse. Safe Connections is a non-profit organization that has served the community of St. Louis for over 40 years. The organization’s main goal is to reduce the infleunce that domestic violence and sexual abuse has by provding group and indivual therapy to those in need. They also offer prevention education and a 24-hour crisis hotline. The non-profit helps almost 20,000 people every year. Before the organization was named Safe Connections, it was solely a domestic violence hotline. The organization quickly figured out that the victims that were seeking help needed therapy, which then prompted the non-profit to hire mental health therapists for extra support. In 1988, Safe Connections realized that for them

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

www.MeramecMontage.com

the help they need. Safe Connections therapy services are free and are available for people ages 12 and up. The Safe Connection therapists are specialized to help survivors who have suffered from abuse. They are there to provide survivors with a safe space to talk and recover from past and present trauma. It is never too late to reach out and ask for help if you are suffering from any form of abuse. Safe Connections is an easily accessible, safe program that can help you or a loved one who has been a victim of violence. For more information visit the Safe Connections website, but for more urgent issues call their hotline at (314) 531-2003.

Study Abroad Program Returns Students can take their education global once more DEVYNN LEJEUNE STAFF

Twitter.com “themontage”

to break the cycle of abuse, they need to include youth in their programs as well. The Crisis hotline that the nonprofit offers is a 24 hour, year round service that allows victims to call when they’re in crisis. The operator will give the caller resources and a plan so they can make their way to safety. The trained hotline providers help with safety planning, and can even provide transportation in emergencies. The helpline is for all victims who have or are experincing domestic violence, rape, emotional, mental, physical, and any other forms of abuse, regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. Victims’ loved ones, family, and friends can also call on their behalf to get them

Have you ever wanted to get an education while traveling? Each year Meramec offers students the opportunity to enroll in their abroad programs, with the exception of the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The various abroad opportunities give students the chance to see other cultures while also receiving an education. STLCC offers students three destination choices which include, Canterbury, England, China, and Stirling, Scotland. The programs are guided by STLCC staff and faculty. Those who do decide to partake in the programs will receive college credit while indulging in lifestyles different from their own. The Canterbury options for the program consist of the upcoming fall semester spanning from September to December, while the spring semester option lasts from January to May of next year. Students who take part in this program will be attending Canterbury Christ Church University, a British institution that is located in the

historic area of Canterbury, with classes taught by British professors. Students can decide whether they would like to stay with a host family or live in university housing. To be a part of this specific abroad program students must have finished at least 12 college credit hours, a minimum GPA of 2.75, and have received a C or better in College Composition I. China also has an abroad program during the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters. Students will be able to attend one of the partner universities which include, Xi’an International University, Xi’an, Shaanxi province or Hunan Normal University, Changsha, and Hunan province. The courses offered in the Chinese abroad program only have limited courses taught in English. To attend this program students must be 18 years or older, a Minimum GPA of 3.0, and a C or better in College Composition I. Students can attend the Scotland abroad program during the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters as well. During the program students will be able to attend the University of Stirling. All of the abroad programs require participants to be 18 years of age or older and to have a valid passport. STLCC also requires COVID-19

vaccinations for everyone wanting to travel abroad. For short-term abroad programs, which are about 7-21 days, usually range from $2,000-$5,000 per person. Study abroad programs that last a semester range from $5,000-$9,000 and airfare, cost will range depending on the student’s chosen destination. Most abroad programs that STLCC offers also allow for students to apply for financial aid and scholarships to take advantage of these abroad opportunities. Some scholarships include Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, Boren Awards, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Fund for Education Abroad, Critical Language Scholarship, and the Fulbright Programs. Study abroad programs allow students to see the world while building their educational resume. Take this opportunity and apply for the next upcoming program. For more information visit the STLCC website and read their abroad program tab or contact the District Coordinator for International Education, Christopher Sulincevski, at csulincevski@stlcc.edu.

STAY TUNED TO MERAMECMONTAGE.COM THIS SUMMER FOR EXCLUSIVE STORIES AND INTERVIEWS.

4 ART & LIFE

May 5, 2022

‘WWE 2K22’ does indeed hit different

2KSports’ latest, and potentially final WWE game is a home run

“

Jacob POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

WWE 2K20” was just not good. The gameplay was clunky, the graphics regressed, and everything about the game itself felt stale and uninspired. It was exceptionally bad, and so poorly received that 2K took what ended up being an over two-year break to figure out its next step. That next step was “WWE 2K22” which was released in early March after months of delays. And while the game doesn’t appear to play much different than its predecessor, it is a much needed improvement over it. Despite the upgrades, there is still a lot of room for improvement. In particular, the MyGM mode, where you book and promote your own brand on a weekly basis, suffers from extreme limitations in both the matches you’re allowed to make and the amount of matches you’re allowed to make. The allure of the mode is essentially running the business side of things, and perhaps future games that have the mode will expand the mode to be a lot more inclusive. A recent “patch update” to the game somewhat rectified this by adding another championship to each

roster and increasing the number of matches to make on a given show, but there is still a long way to go. The game’s Universe mode is also a bit confusing and a bit of a waste of time, but it also is essentially MyGM without the limitations of financial aspect. It’s also worth saying that the game’s “Showcase” mode, which this game centers on the legendary Rey Mysterio, is a letdown. Removing the commentary tracks and having Mysterio himself give commentary over the match at various points was actually an inspired choice, but the matches themselves were, for the most part, not the classics that the majority of fans remember. That probably boils down to the fact that so many of Mysterio’s rivals are currently under contract to other companies, so not much could’ve been done about that. Still, it makes for an underwhelming mode. Where the “Showcase” mode falters, the “MyRise” mode thrives. That mode, where you take a superstar that you create and have them progress from the bottom to the top of the company, is a ton of fun, filled with fantastic and inspired storylines with a lot of variety. The modes’ many choices actually affect the stories that you’re playing

through, and how your character is perceived. And the mode itself is extremely creative. This was also the case in 2K20, but this version of the mode is much better than that one. As for the gameplay itself, the graphics don’t appear to have changed much on a surface level, but the game is a lot less glitchy than previous entries in the series. The game also institutes and introduces a brand new (and extensive) combo system that may be an adjustment for some players (especially during the Showcase mode), but also greatly enhances the experience of playing a match. The game has a few inaccuracies when it comes to the talent and arenas that are featured, although the former isn’t really the fault of the game developers. That’s because the characters in the game change their personas rather

frequently; because of this, the game feels a bit outdated in some ways. It’s not a massive issue. It’s also worth noting that an extended roster is on the way, with multiple groups of downloadable characters still to come. This was reportedly the last game that 2K was currently contracted to make with WWE, and the relationship between the two organizations is very much up in the air. The game was reportedly seen as a make-or-break affair, and while there is still a lot of room for improvement, “WWE 2K22” does indeed hit differently. In a very good way.

YOU CAN DO IT HERE

At Webster University, transfer students are a vital part of our campus and student life. About 50% of Webster University’s undergraduate students join our community with transfer credit from accredited institutions and military training. We offer guaranteed admission for students with an associate degree from a community college. Our transfer scholarships make earning a degree from a private university affordable. We understand the needs of transfer students and are here to support your success. For more information visit: webster.edu/transfer Webster University has been offering online degrees since 1999.

WebU_Meramec_9.75x8.indd 1

Recognized for excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative transfer pathways for community college transfer students by Phi Theta Kappa for the 6th consecutive year.

4/13/22 11:22 AM

ART & LIFE 5

May 5, 2022

‘WrestleMania’ perfectly balances nostalgia with the future For two nights this past April, the WWE got it right

JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

WE is not known for delivering satisfying programming to it’s hardcore base of fans nowadays. The product is like a fastfood restaurant: a basic menu, full of things that aren’t that good for you and made for quick and thoughtless consumption. Instead of building the future stars of tomorrow, the company seems locked into a prison of their own making by constantly relying on the aging stars of yesteryear. While the company continues to do record business, its television presence has plummeted and the returning parttimer stars suffer from consistently diminishing returns. No new stars, outside of a small handful, are being made. No one really cares unless you’re a diehard fan of the product. Expectations for the “WrestleMania 38” event held over the course of two nights earlier this month at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, were rather low. The build to the event on WWE’s weekly television shows were exceptionally lackluster, and the match card, despite a few notable gems, looked the same. However, the 2022 edition of “WrestleMania” didn’t just exceed expectations. It blew them out of the water. This was easily one of the better editions of “The Show Of Shows” in many years, possibly since the 2015 edition. It may have surpassed it. The event’s first night may be, topto-bottom, the best “WrestleMania” in over 15 years. Not a single match disappointed, and even a legitimate injury in the show’s first bout did not damper the proceedings. Every match on Night 1 arguably over-delivered, and even non-wrestler Logan Paul had a fantastic showing that won many fans watching it over, earning him a lot of respect for taking the event seriously in addition to his fantastic work as a bad guy on the show. While the returning Ronda Rousey underdelivered in her supposed main event match, the show instead relied

on the ultimate dream scenario for its actual, impromptu and surreal final match for Night 1: the in-ring return of the legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin. For the first time in 19 years,

it could have been considered the holy grail of pro wrestling. Austin was offered numerous big-money opportunities to come out of retirement over the years against some fairly big

Austin competed in an unadvertised, but officially sanctioned match against wrestler Kevin Owens, which Austin won. Another Austin match, especially after nearly two decades of retirement, seemed like a pipe dream. Essentially,

names, and refused every single one of them. The thought of him coming out of retirement, even in his home state of Texas and despite numerous reports that he may wrestle at the show, seemed like an incredible stretch.

“WrestleMania 38” Rating:

Until the moment the bell rang, no one seriously thought Austin would wrestle again. And many of those people could not have seriously believed that a 57-year old Austin would wrestle a near 15-minute match that would have action take place all over the stadium and saw him take as many hits as he gave Owens. Owens himself may have lost the match, but he had to have been the happiest man on planet earth at the end of night. Wherever his career goes, he achieved something that no one else before him did, and likely no one else will be able to do again by bringing Austin back. Night 2 could not possibly match the energy or reception of Night 1, but wisely did not try to. The night had a slower energy but still had plenty of solid matchups, even if the title unification main event between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar failed to excite the crowd for the most part. The shining jewels of Night 2 again involved two matches with non-wrestling, and Stone Cold. The “Anything Goes” match featuring Johnny Knoxville and his “Jackass” crew was just plain great and stupid fun that elicted a great response from the crowd. And former NFL linebacker and current WWE commentator Pat McAfee’s match with newcomer Austin Theory was perhaps the best worked bout of the night, with an even more fun and chaotic post-match segment featuring WWE owner Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin where Theory, even in defeat, looked like a star on the rise. From top-to-bottom, “WrestleMania 38” succeeded in what it set out to do despite the low expectations many had for it. It perfectly balanced nostalgia and the future, and everyone involved looked great, leading to the best WrestleMania in years.

6 ART & LIFE

May 5, 2022

Happy Mothers’ Day!

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ sends a powerful, heartwarming message

GENEVA LEE NEWS EDITOR

ow can apathy and all emotions at once, complete numbness and total feeling, twinned, exist at once? So many chores and crises near and away, witness to everything. It is…too much. Everything Everywhere all at Once (2022) delves into nihilism in the face of the infinite barrage of attentionand care - demanding tasks every person is subject to everyday. Tall expectations, duty, disappointment. The main character, Evelyn, is a laundromat owner who is facing an IRS audit, divorce from her husband, Waymond, and estrangement from her daughter, Joy, who sexuality Evelyn refuses to accept. While at the IRS, Evelyn discovers that it is possible to “jump” between different versions of oneself in infinite realities—created by splits in one’s decision-making, the life an individual would have had if they had made a different choice in the past—and one can acquire all of the memories, experiences, and skills of the alternate self. She learns that in another universe, she pushed Joy too hard in mastering jumping, and she now experiences all aspects of all realities at once, driving her insane and turning her into “Jobu Tupaki.” Jobu Tupaki seems committed to destroying all universes, and Evelyn is tasked with

stopping her. The film shows Evelyn’s alternate lives—one she is particularly pulled into is a life where she turned down Waymond and became a Chinese movie star. A chef, an opera singer, so many lives that are just better. Evelyn becomes increasingly skilled at jumping, and when she encounters Jobu Tupaki, she learns her daughter isn’t trying to destroy the multiverse, but pull Evelyn in so that she experiences and understands the abject apathy of believing that nothing matters when there is so much at once. Evelyn falls into the same despair, until her husband reminds her to always be kind and hopeful, and she tells Jobu Tupaki that she will always choose to be with her, no matter where else she could be, and she will always cherish the small, bright moments of joy and meaning with her against

the deluge of all else. Jobu Tupaki reconciles with Evelyn and becomes Joy again. This sci-fi film, like many others, distracts with the fanaticism of the genre and complexity of the plot so that the audience doesn’t even recognize the emotional impact until the film tips its hand and pulls tears at the perfect moment. The resonance, the understanding, and empathy of this film, how I feel every day in a world that is too harsh and too much for just one girl who just wants to lay on the floor, and how it is love that strikes through the dense metal of life and cuts parts and sandstorm with blue clean air. Everything is an ode to love, to mother’s love, honoring the bond between child and caregiver (whether that is a mother or another parent, grandparent, sibling, mentor). There is no one in life who compares

to her, whose name every person cries when in their greatest need… Mom. This is the same person who gave us life damned us to these circumstances, entered our names into a social contract to which we never consented. Mothers are the ones who not just give but force life. But they are the ones who hold our hands always, even imperfectly, who show us the world, who find the four-leaf clover in the field and put it between the folds of the book so we can keep and look at it years later. They’re the ones who give life Life. Most action movie heroes are the buff, tall, white men who male yuppie viewers wish that they were, the Captain America whose shoes they could see themselves filling in their dreams. Michelle Yeoh, who plays Evelyn, 59 years old, a mom, ESL, twiggy, who doesn’t “achieve” glory or material wealth at the end, let alone widespread recognition or fame—I see my mom, Michelle, 52 years old, a mom, on the screen. I see a regular woman, with shortcomings, with the wrinkles I’ll have, a person that I could actually be. There has rarely ever been a movie made that can make its audience feel like this. This is the only film that has really understood arguably the most important thing in life. The thing that matters most. The person who is everything and is everywhere with me at all times.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS CURRENTS IS THE STUDENT LITERARY MAGAZINE PRODUCED BY STLCC-MC STUDENTS AND IS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN THE SPRING. WE ACCEPT POETRY, FLASH FICTION (UP TO 500 WORDS), SHORT STORIES AND ESSAYS (UP TO 2000 WORDS), ONE-ACT PLAYS, AND ART WRITTEN OR CREATED DURING YOUR TIME AS A STUDENT AT STLCC. SUBMISSIONS ARE ACCEPTED DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTER.

For submission guidelines, scan the QR code or contact Dr. David Taylor, faculty advisor, at dmtaylor@stlcc.edu

JOIN OUR TEAM! Currents is seeking students interested in being part of our editorial team! Because this is a student-run publication, this is an excellent opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the editing and publishing process, shape the literary landscape of our campus community, and help build your resume. The expected time commitment is 1-2 hours per week. No experience needed.

We’re looking for students with a background in creative writing, art, or graphic design. For more information about volunteering, please contact Dr. David Taylor, faculty advisor, at dmtaylor@stlcc.edu

May 5, 2022

OPINIONS 7

Jake’s Take: Confession Time

Looking back at the last year and beyond, and looking towards the future JACOB POLITTE MANAGING EDITOR

s you may have guessed, this is the final issue of the school year. It’s also the end of my first year as Managing Editor. Yes, I do intend to be here next year too. After that, I do not know what the future holds. I’ve just turned 26, and my life has changed in so many ways since I walked into the Montage newsroom almost 4 years ago. I’ve never lied in any of these columns that I’ve written, and I’m not going to start now. So it’s time for a confession: I honestly never intended to be an editor for The Montage at all. I did it on a much smaller level in High School, and I decided long ago that I didn’t want the responsibility. My intention was only to come on board

MAX WILSON STAFF WRITER When I was first coming to terms with my sexuality and gender identity, I heard one refrain over and over: it gets better. Speakers that came to our Gender and Sexuality Alliance club emphasized it. Dan and Terry Savage even started the It Gets Better Project, prompting a slew of YouTube videos of queer and trans adults saying… you guessed it: it gets better. It became a mantra, I suppose: hold on through these crappy times, it will get better. I might one day feel comfortable enough to not hide the fact that I’m gay. Although, looking back at pictures of myself, I doubt anyone ever suspected I was straight. My favorite middle school outfit was camouflage cargo shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Maybe one day, I told myself, I could live authentically. Just get through this, and it will get better. If a young queer or trans person

and write entertainment reviews for the website. I made it a point, at the beginning, to not take any stories that would try and pull me in any further than that. Obviously things changed, but I’m not sure what exactly did. Perhaps a sense of ownership over my work, or even just ensuring the future of the paper for years to come. Perhaps the last one is why I’ve stayed so long. Someone’s got to do this, even if the college itself doesn’t really want to invest much in it despite all of the awards we win every single year. Despite what people tell me, I don’t think I handle stress all that well. Production weeks are often intense. The process of putting this paper together can be exhausting, and I don’t think that people who haven’t done this job before really can understand that.

It’s a job that’s gotten harder since the newsroom has become less crowded following the COVID pandemic. Despite the bewilderment of my mother and those closest to me, I don’t have a high energy level. At 26, there’s nothing more satisfying to me than a midday nap. That’s what happens when you’re constantly working. And between this and my full time job and even my schoolwork, it always feels like I’m constantly doing something. But despite how hard it can be… there truly is no feeling quite like seeing the finished product every single month. Every issue of The Montage is a labor of love and I’m proud of my team and of every single issue that we’ve put out this year, especially because it’s such a small team compared to past years. I recently visited the newsroom of

Does it Get Better?

asked me for support, I don’t think I could look them in the eyes and tell them that it gets better. A staggering number of bills targeting queer and trans people have been introduced in state legislatures. NBC News reports that as of March 20th of this year, 238 bills have been introduced. In 2018, there were 41 anti-queer bills introduced. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed a bill into law that will prohibit any mention of sexual and gender identities in kindegarten rough through third grade. DeSantis is making a big deal out of nothing. Florida isn’t alone--it seems like other states are rushing to pass bills that target LGBTQ+ people, each one more outlandish than the rest. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, another Republican, ordered Child Protective Services (CPS) to investigate families who were helping their trans children live authentically. As someone with a family member who credits their

survival to being able to access gender affirming care as a teenager, I can’t imagine what families in Texas are going through. When your child’s life depends on gender affirming care, there isn’t time to stop and wait to see if it gets better. Move out of state. Risk getting investigated by CPS. Tell your child that they can’t be themselves. Sure, we have marriage equality. Yes, LGBTQ people can’t (theoretically) be fired just for their sexuality or gender identity. I came out as gay in 2016, the year I graduated high school. In 2021, I came out as nonbinary. When politicians talk about kids in early elementary grades not knowing anything about these things, I have to disagree. I was in 2nd grade when I explained to my classmates that yes I was a girl --”but not a girl, girl. Like a boy girl.” I was in 6th grade when I realized I was gay. Adults told me that I was too young to know, that it was just a phase, that I would grow out of it, that I would meet the right boy--for me, all false. If I didn’t

“The Scene at Forest Park” and they also have a small staff. They also have a great campus newspaper with a lot of variety, but it is also often not as large as they would like it to be, especially in recent years. I’m very proud to produce a consistent 8-page paper every single month, despite numerous challenges getting there sometimes. I’m grateful and happy and proud of having a staff that makes sure we get our paper to the printer ahead of schedule and makes sure that they put their best work into every story that they write. So I don’t know what the future holds, even for next year as some of my staff will be moving on. But come this fall, I will be here. And we will continue to provide our readers the best coverage of everything that we can.

have that lifeline of “it gets better,” that unshakable faith that things would one day improve, I don’t know that I would have made it out alive. I want to say something to queer and trans kids: I’m sorry. I’m sorry that we’re sliding backwards, that politicians who know nothing about you are crafting laws that will impact you everyday. Will it get better? I think so. Probably not yet. Maybe not for a while. But I am begging you---stay alive. You are loved. You are valued. You are enough just as you are. You are not wrong. You are fine. Just because the government might be attacking you doesn’t mean that no one is with you. More and more, there are affirming religious groups. Find safe spaces. Seek out adults who accept you for you---I promise you, we exist. And stay alive. It gets better. Right? Right.

8 SPORTS

May 5, 2022

Take Meramec Out to the Ballgame

Archer Baseball and Softball Teams Forge Ahead During Spring Semester BASEBALL SEASON STATS

SOFTBALL SEASON STATS

Infielder Tyler Prince prepares for a ground ball on April 23 when the Archers played a home game against St. Charles Community College.

PHOTOS BY DAKOTA PULCHER Archer Pitcher Christian Harvey pauses in between plays on April 23 against St. Charles Community College.

AT RIGHT: Archer Softball players gather before the April 28 game against St. Charles Community College. The team finished with a 6-0 win.

Out and About at Meramec

ABOVE: The week of April 26, many students stopped by a table on their way to class to find a table filled with jewelry in the Quad. These pieces of jewelry were hand-made with repurposed jewelry and other metals that were donated to the Monarch organization. While students browsed or shopped for mothers day gifts, they might not have known that the money from the jewelry was being donated to help those who have been victims of sex trafficking. PTK, the national honors program on campus, supports a local charity every semester. Member Genevieve Slavens says that her favorite part of being involved in PTK is getting opportunities like this. “I have always enjoyed service work and getting to create my own project is pretty great,” Slavens said. “I get to work with a lot of cool students we’re kind of like a little family, it makes you feel like you belong on campus.” AT RIGHT: Students participated in games to relieve stress during the last week of classes at the Campus Life Springfest on May 2.

PHOTOS BY ADDE TUDOR