April 21 full issue

THE

M O N TA G E

Make

Wish

Graphic and Photo by Marissa Diercks

Teamwork makes the dream work: Students help a child’s wish on a star come true Jason Waters Production Manager

Student governance council (SGC) has partnered with student activities council (SAC) to make a wish come true for a 5-year-old girl, Mackenzie. For the sake of privacy, Make-A-Wish does not provide her full name.

Mackenzie was born

with Sickle Cell Anemia and has undergone a stem cell transplant. Mackenzie was then required to undergo numerous treatments after this transplant caused her to develop Graft-Versus Host Disease.

Mackenzie’s mother said she is now Sickle Cell free and has reduced her intake of medication.

Mackenzie’s one true wish is to go to Disney World and

meet the Disney Princesses.

Kathryn Turek, president of Student Governance Council, said they are blessed to be in collaboration with Student Activities Council to make this wish come true.

“We are very blessed that we were able to work very well with our student activities council. Our student activities council has done so much to collaborate with us this entire

semester on events that they want to host for us and then also in addition just give to the student body and allow them to have more of a community environment,” Turek said.

There is a committee of about 15 to 20 people on the side of SGC named The Dream Team, Turek said.

The Dream Team gets together individially and discusses ideas to make plans

VOLUME 51, ISSUE 13 | THURSDAY April 21, 2016 | www.meramecmontage.com

for campus activities, Turek said.

This would not have been possible without Phillip Campbell and Carolyn O’laughlin from campus life, Turek said.

“They have guided us a lot along the way. They are the glue to the entire project,”Turek said.

“Our goal is $5,000 by May 6. We are almost at $3,000.”

Continued on page 2

NEWS

2

The Montage receives awards at Missouri Media College Association Campus newspaper attends MCMA convention and walks away with achievements

The Montage was recently recognized with 25 awards at the Missouri College Media Association’s annual convention and awards ceremony, held April 9 at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Montage received 1st place for its Back to School Guide, 1st place win for its website, 3rd place in the Sweepstakes category, 3rd place for the Best Overall Newspaper in the 2-year college division and 22 additional staff and individual awards.

The Montage staff competed against several other two-year school newspapers from across the state.

Entries in the competition were judged for general excellence by members of the Missouri Press Association.

Eleven staff members of The Montage attended the annual MCMA Convention April 9 in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Story continued from page 1

The amount made at each event varies, Turek said.

“Each event ranges from $200 to $300. We’ve had some very small events but also some larger ones too,” Turek said.

SGC welcomed magician Peter Boie on April 1 and held an event to raise funds for Mackenzie.

“The magician was a very rare and big event that we hosted,” Turek said.

The council expected fundraising to pass the two to three hundred mark, Turek said, but they did not expect it to be close to a thousand - they were not expecting to make that much in one night.

SGC also hosted a dodgeball tournament on April 15.

“The wish wall downstairs surprises me every single time that we have an event. We sell the stars and I just put up more of the stars downstairs,” Turek said. “Seeing that expand and evolve is just basically how I feel but in a physical form. You get the ability to see all these people who have given towards it and it’s all on the wall.”

Stars can be purchased for $1, Turek said.

“When people buy it you just continually see it expanding. I’ve taken a picture

Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition M-T-W-R--10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Friday--10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday--11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Closed Sundays and holidays Through May 6 Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery HE 133 --------------disAbility Awareness Day Disability Rights in America: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, Where We’re Headed

Photo by Dalila Kahvedzic

Phillip Campbell, coordinator for student orientation and transition, helps to work toward the $5,000 goal in order to send Mackenzie to Disney World.

of it after every event. It makes me more excited to be doing something like this. It makes me very grateful and thankful for the incredible team that we have and how powerful it is with combined effort. Sometimes

EDITORS Dalila Kahvedzic Jason Waters Brittney Farrow Katie Leicht Christian Hargas Marissa Diercks Ashley Biundo Christaan Eayrs

Editor-In-Chief Production Manager Opinions Editor Art & Life Editor Sports Editor Graphics Editor Photo Editor Faculty Adviser

Proud member of April 21, 2016

Upcoming Events at Meramec ---------------

I get so overwhelmed with it and I just sit there and think, ‘I can’t believe we are doing something like this,’” Turek said. “Other times I just don’t know what to say. Everyone continuously surprises me

MONTAGE STAFF James Claiborne Lexie Keller Redwan Saeed Evan Carlen Andrew Ameer Sayeed Sharieff Ian Schrauth Jordan Morris

Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Photographer

www.meramecmontage.com

and it’s just a physical form of that on the wish-wall.”

If you would like to find out additional information or to make a donation, campus life is located in the student center, room 221.

10 a.m.

Friday, April 22 Meramec Theatre Free and open to the public.

-----------------Archer Aid – Wellness Day 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4

THE MONTAGE To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., 314-984-7955.

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.

314-984-7655.

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.

NEWS

3

Mental illness awareness leads to acceptance: A lifetime of experience Focus on Ability club guest speaker, Sharon Lyon, works to end stigma of mental illness

for people with mental illness.

Laws that would help improve Jason Water the lives of people with Production Manager mental illness,” Lyons said.

The Focus on Ability Lyons suffers from club provides a welcoming paranoid schizophrenia. and supportive community In her spare time, she likes for students with a mental to read, watch movies, take illness, physical disability, photos and collect antique or learning disability, vice purses, she said. But her president Kyle Kluzynski said. dark days were many during On Wednesday, the years of 1993 and 1994.

March 30, speakers from “I was working for the the National Alliance of federal government. I had Mental Illness (NAMI) a very successful job there were welcomed to Meramec. as a manager with a lot of “We want people to responsibilities. I felt good understand what it’s like to live about myself with a mental illness so they and what I can empathize with those who was doing. are undergoing it,” Kluzynski I started to said. “And for those who are have delusions undergoing mental illness about one themselves, this presentation of the men can provide a valuable outlet and that I work insight into the lives of others with. At the who have dealt with similar time I didn’t problems. So we hope that know they they can learn perhaps coping were delusions strategies and more importantly of course. that they are not alone.” That’s one The Focus on Ability of the symptoms of club is here to help students my illness,” Lyons said. feel welcome with whatever “I thought this man wanted disability they are struggling to marry me. I thought that with, Kluzynski said. people were talking in code,I had Sharon Lyons, Director to decode what they were of volunteering for saying and I took a word here NAMI, spoke at the event. and a word here and put it “NAMI focuses on together and came up with this education support and idea that this man was in love advocacy for people with with me and wanted to marry mental illness and their family me,” she said. “One day I made members. We do support an announcement to my group groups. For education we do that we were getting married a variety of different classes and I had to leave because and talks like we did today. married people couldn’t be on We do public policy advocacy, the same team. This was all advocating for better treatment news to him. He had no idea.”

To be able to finally accept her mental illness has been a long process, Lyons said.

“Sometimes I still doubt it actually. But I read a lot about my diagnoses and can see myself in some of the symptoms,” Lyons said.

Back in 1994, Lyons felt like everybody else.

“People just didn’t understand that me and this man just had to get together and talk about this - this was all just some big mistake.

I kept saying that over and over again so it took me a

finally did find somebody.

I felt very lucky that he did take me at the time - during my condition I didn’t know how I was going to pay him.

He was very empathetic.

He was very patient with me,” Lyons said.

“I had trouble trusting him. It was part of my illness also. I was paranoid. I was afraid to take the medicine but slowly I did start to take the medicine. It worked pretty quickly. My thoughts cleared up. I realized some of things that I had done, how wrong they were.

I also realized that there was hope to go forward, that I knew what was wrong with me.”

Growing up, Lyons always felt that she was a little long time to realize different than other people. that what I was saying “But I realized at this was all in my head,” Lyons point that I could go said. “Nobody else could see forward with this illness it. Nobody else could really and I didn’t have to look understand it. I feel lucky back. I didn’t have to wonder that I found a psychiatrist what was wrong with me that helped me a lot. I felt anymore. It had a name tremendous guilt and shame and it had a treatment. The about where it happened. He treatment did work for me, it helped me in getting over that.” worked really well,” Lyons said.

It was difficult for her to When Lyons started find treatment, Lyons said. to feel better, she went At the time, she had no job, attended a support ground for no money and no insurance. people with schizophrenia.

“I went through the “One of the things that phonebook and made phone helped me cope, besides the call after phone call and medication, was being able

“I think it’s important to talk to people who decisions affect.”

Schizophrenia Statistics

to sit down and talk to other people who had the same diagnoses that I had. Some of the people were taking the same medicines that I had, we talked about medications and side effects and how to cope with side effects. It gave me something to do – people to talk to and make friends with,” Lyons said.

“For me my work is my main success. I was able to start a new program at NAMI called Opening Doors to Spirituality which we do once a year to talk about how spirituality can help with mental illness recovery.

I’ve been able to make good friends at NAMI,” Lyons said.

Lyons still hopes to get married someday.

“I never did get married. I have a good relationship with my son although I don’t see him as much as I would like to.

He is doing well, doesn’t have any signs of mental illness.

I would like to work more on eliminating the stigma of mental illness and dream one day there is no more stigma that people with mental illness can be treated the same as people with any other type of disability,” Lyons said.

Lyons would tell individuals recently diagnosed with a disorder to reach out for help, she said.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t feel ashamed or guilty. That’s a big thing that I had to get over. It’s a big thing for a lot of people to get over, the shame and guilt of it,” Lyons said. “There is hope.”

http://healthresearchfunding.org/

The percentage of Americans who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia:

18 25

25 30

1.2%

About 1.5 million people around the world are diagnosed with schizophrenia every year.

Though Schizophrenia affects men and women equally, men are generally diagnosed with schizophrenia between the ages of 18-25. The age when women are typically diagnosed with this disease: 25-30.

Graphics by Marissa Diercks

April 21, 2016

4

OPINIONS

Unsurpassable mountains: knowing when to move on What to do when big dreams die Brittney Farrow Opinions Editor

One of the hardest things we can do in life is accept the fact that sometimes we do not get what we want.

This April would have marked the year I graduated college. If things had gone the way I had planned, I would have been buying my cap and gown and mailing my graduation announcements; I would have been sending out resumes and thinking about the next step of my career. Instead, I am in the same place I have been for some time now: making a road map of where I went wrong, and trying to figure out exactly how to get to where I want to be. It is hard not to feel discouraged when our lives follow a course so different from the one we envisioned, and yet we have to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we have made.

We are allowed to grieve for the years we lost to our specific, personal circumstances, but we cannot let them hold us back.

I realized halfway through my sophomore year of college that I was sick -- really sick. At the time, I lived in Arizona and my parents lived here in St. Louis.

Because I needed their help and support, I decided to move back in with them, and when I did I practically started over in school.

Then, sometime last semester, I realized I was extremely unhappy with the degree path I was taking; I just could not accomplish what I needed to in order to move forward.

Knowing that switching my major would push me back even further, I decided to do so anyway, hoping it would benefit me in the long-run.

So far, it has been a good decision for me, but it is still hard to think about how far behind I am, and how that might allow me to be perceived by other people. I have always cared too much about what other people think of me, and I have always allowed that to affect my perception of myself.

Still, I know I am not alone in dealing with personal obstacles.

It is something that happens to almost everyone — and frequently.

All my life, cooking has been my father’s passion, and he worked really hard throughout my childhood to advance in his career and achieve his own goals. Then, sometime two years ago, a review of his cooking was published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; zero out of five stars, the food critic said. This devastated him.

His career and his own selfesteem are still recovering from the blow. Where would he go from there? What would he do next?

Thirty years of stress and sacrifice sabotaged by a journalist with a with a mean

vocabulary and a keyboard.

It is a bitter pill to swallow when we realize that our dreams probably will not happen to us.

For some, that realization is a major heartbreak; however, it does not mean that we cannot make new dreams — that we cannot adapt and change and evolve into better and more successful people. The harder our obstacles, the more experienced we become — the more capable we are of handling what happens next.

Sometimes our achievements are not as satisfying as we had hoped, but that does not mean they are bad. It just means they are different than we would have envisioned.

Do not become discouraged by the challenges that present themselves in times of hardship.

Instead, take the lessons we are given from these experiences and know -- deep inside your bones -- that just because something did not happen the way you wanted it to does not mean that you have failed. Failure is not a delayed graduation; failure is not a bad review. Failure is what happens when we do not move forward, and instead let our burdens keep us from finding a new path.

I can say with complete honesty that no one I know who has attempted to better themselves has failed. Maybe they have not done what they initially set out to do; maybe they were set

Graphic by Brittney Farrow

back once, twice or dozens of times before they found a steady rhythm. Regardless of how long it took or how many times they had to fall before they found their footing, the people I know

who see a better opportunity and attempt to grasp it for themselves are the people who live the most successful lives. So fall; graduate late or never; get that bad review.

Whatever you do, just do not stop.

Finding the edge

Locating success before the big commencement speech Evan Carlen Staff Writer

Earn a university degree and get a job: this formula has worked with relative success for over fifty years. Increasingly, however, in many fields today the formula is no longer works.

This is because of the recent credential inflation — inflation due to the fact that so many more people today are enrolled in college than in the past.

In fact, the number of students enrolled in college has doubled since 1996.

Most people think the best way to combat this trend is by going to school longer than their counterparts. More school equals more opportunity, evidently. While this theory is not incorrect, it will land someone fresh into the workforce with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. More school does not need to be the answer.

Employers are looking for things other than a piece of paper when seeking the future employees of their business.

So instead of going back to school and going further into debt, do the things that will set you apart from someone who holds the same degree as you.

One way to do this is to get yourself involved. Universities create and provide a bounty April 21, 2016

of opportunities on campus to get involved in; particularly clubs, fraternities and other extracurricular programs. It is not enough to just be in these programs. If you want to seem like the well-rounded candidate to an employer, you need to take positions of influence to leave your imprint on your campus.

Many have graduated all degree fields with 4.0 GPAs but very few have sent email after email to get the funding a club needed for that trip to the New York convention.

You are setting yourself apart from your classmates and showing determination instead of wasting a seat in a university class you could have taken online at home. Furthermore, keeping your grades up along with displaying involvement shows versatility and management skills: both skills that are imperative in the workplace.

Another way to set yourself apart is to delve into your area of work. Get yourself known among those in the field you are pursuing before you graduate.

If you want to be a doctor like myself, a good way to do this is to shadow any doctor that can stand you.

Start with your doctor and then ask him to refer you to another doctor.

Be thirsty for the knowledge these doctors have obtained over the years that could never be learned in the classroom.

Graphic by Brittney Farrow

It might also work to become an assistant for someone in your field. Becoming a nurse’s assistant may not be glamorous, but you will constantly be in the setting you are working towards – the one described in your textbooks. Take notes, listen, stay late, come early, never be afraid to ask what else you can do.

Even if 99 percent of what you do is ignored, you still have the one percent edge that sets you apart from everyone else.

You know what else you will have?

Peace of mind in knowing you have become confident in your field. This swagger will show in your interview and be the light to

the employer’s dark cloud of doubt.

While knowing your stuff is obviously crucial in any skilled profession, getting your foot in the door can be a lock difficult to pick. But if you do everything you can and take advantage of every opportunity that arises, you will find that many of the keys to that lock are not found in textbooks.

OPINIONS

5

Letter to the Editor Anti-vaccine editorial is a dangerous opinion I would like to reply to staff writer Evan Carlen’s editorial that vaccines are no longer necessary.

This article is not only foolish but very dangerous. Mr. Carlen should check his facts before he writes an article because when you are dealing with a scientific topic, facts, not opinions, matter.

First he mentions that many of these conditions that vaccines treat are “one in a million” diseases.

[Those illnesses] are rare now precisely because of the effectiveness of vaccines. Polio once ravaged the world, including the United States. In the ‘50s the fear of this disease, because it was so common, meant that children were told to stay home during the summer to prevent it from spreading to others. The disease has not been totally eradicated in the U.S. Also in many parts of the world many of these diseases are still common and immigrants can bring the diseases into the U.S. where it can rapidly spread in an unvaccinated community. Measles was virtually eradicated in this country and we are now seeing outbreaks in areas where parents refuse to immunize their children.

Many states offer a religious exemption to vaccination but because of that they are seeing outbreaks of diseases we thought were eradicated. Many states, such as California, are now making it illegal to use this

exemption. The notion that we do not see a disease in a local community does not mean there is no longer a risk of it returning.

The mistaken idea that mercury in vaccines has caused autism to increase has been tested scientifically many times and has been shown to be false. True all vaccines and medical treatment have some danger involved, but one must weigh the relative risk. If the risk of getting a bad result from a vaccine is one in 100,000 versus near certainty of contracting a disease when a vaccine is not administered than it is common to get the shot.

This was shown in Switzerland where they keep precise records of all their citizens and it has been positively proven that there is no connection.

Also, spreading out vaccines versus giving many at the same time had been shown to actually cause more problems than getting them in a single dose. The question of why they have to give multiple doses of a vaccine instead of one is in some cases to gradually build up the immune system to make it easier on the body.

Mr. Carlen lacks a basic understanding of immunology.

Herd immunity is a very valuable reason why we need to vaccinate every individual who can tolerate it for treatable diseases. In every community there are individuals – the very young, very old and

those with weakened immune systems such as cancer patients – who cannot tolerate a vaccine.

Those who cannot get vaccinated are largely protected by those who can since the disease is not going around. When many are not, these people are then more likely to get the disease and die. This is why everyone who can should get a vaccine.

The notion that drug companies are making big bucks off vaccines is patently false. They will make a lot more selling drugs to those who get sick than those who are prevented from getting a disease. This relates to his last point about why there is no vaccine for the common cold.

The reason for that is that the cold can rapidly mutate into many forms and so despite repeated attempts to make one they have all failed.

Does Mr. Carlen really think the drug companies would make more off a cold vaccine versus the literally thousands of cold remedies, decongestants and even tissues sold to treat colds?

This is not logical thinking.

This country is facing potential epidemics of preventable diseases because poorly-informed individuals such as Mr. Carlen, as well as celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy and others, advocate the scientifically false concept that vaccines are no longer needed.

These people lack a basic understanding of biology and

the science, not opinion, of immunology. If we were to stop vaccinating people many of these diseases that, according to Mr. Carlen no longer exist, would come roaring back and kill millions.

There is a truism that you are entitled to your opinions but you are not entitled to choose your facts. When it comes to something that can be proven scientifically we have to rely on what the data shows us and it clearly shows that vaccinations save lives and not getting them will kill millions.

If Mr. Carlen wants to write an opinion piece about what rock band is the best, fine – that is a matter of opinion. But when it comes to the need for vaccines he needs to check the scientifically-provable data and know that this is not a matter of opinion. Vaccines save lives and to imply that they do not is just not the case of bad scientific writing it is dangerous to the health of and can kill millions of people.

By the way, next year when I turn 60 I plan on getting the shingles vaccine to prevent this painful and often dangerous disease. I trust the science and I do not relay on uniformed nonscientists for medical advice.

Rick Menedez, Adjunct Professor Observational Astronomy and Physical Geography

Costs and other college conundrums

The sad truth about being an art student Jason Waters Production Manager

Getting everything together financially and making sure that I can attend the college that I would like is a stressful and often disappointing taste of the

tumults of adult life. According to collegeboard.org, the average tuition for a public out-of-state school in 2015 and 2016 was $23,893. This price jumps to $32,405 for private institutions.

As an art student looking at colleges specifically targeted towards computer animation and game design, my ideal schools each

Graphic by Marissa Diercks

have costs of over $50,000 per year.

Because of this I am attending community college; however, with financial aid never getting it quite right with my schedule and my never knowing what I should do to correct it, I really am not sure where I will be in six-months time.

Going to school and getting my life together should ideally be less taxing on me emotionally and there are things that can be done to fix this.

First of all, colleges are overpriced. Certain schools that are in high demand, such as the art schools I am interested in, have no incentive to lower their tuition costs. Students are clambering to grab a spot in their program and the school can charge whatever they please and make a killing.

Second, the advising system at Meramec has screwed me over.

There is poor communication between the different departments (Academic Advising, ACCESS,

and Financial Aid). So much so that I was incorrectly advised on what classes I should be taking and was dropped from financial aid.

Third, as a byproduct of being in the incorrect classes I am not where I should be academically. If I wanted to transfer anywhere it would be without my associates and I would possibly have to be in school for a longer period of time, defeating the purpose of going to Meramec.

In Clark Hall, all the departments are separate. Because of this, it is difficult to coordinate myself between Advising, Financial Aid, and the ACCESS office. I often find myself having to deliver instructions from one department to the next.

This is especially frustrating because sometimes I do not even know why I need to ask what I need to ask and my questions are often met with confusion.

This is the result of poor communication between

departments and a disparagingly faulty setup. It would be easier if the departments were conjoined or have at least some kind of routine contact. I understand not being able to move the departments for financial reasons but if there was a worker in each department that specialized in the others it would ease communication.

There should be more regulations on the costs of college.

Because in-demand colleges can charge however much they want, it is exactly what they do.

I understand the business model but as a student I am not a huge fan.

The types of restrictions in place could be state level but more importantly they should take into account the demographic of students who apply, as well the expenses of the college itself.

It should be made affordable while still supporting and maintaining the school’s standards.

April 21, 2016

INDEPTH

6

How to handle misconduct on campus - report and resolve Dalila Kahvedzic | Editor-In-Chief

Sexual assault awareness is an important issue for the community, William Woodward said, STLCC’s Title IX Coordinator.

Woodward spoke at Meramec’s sexual assault harassment awareness forum held on Wednesday, April 6, on the Meramec campus.

This effort started last year, Woodward said.

“We wanted to make sure that we continue it because it is an important issue for us as a community,” Woodward said.

“We do these forums throughout the college as a part of sexual assault awareness month – as the Title IX coordinator, it is my responsibility to make sure that we as a college are responding appropriately to issues regarding sexual misconduct on campus.”

STLCC’s administration really wanted to highlight what resources are available to students and staff on campus.

Not only should these resources stay on the campus – but they should go home to friends and family as well, Woodward said.

“Neighbors or family members may also be impacted by these issues, so we know that it’s important to have information on community resources that those numbers can utilize as well and have available to them,” Woodward said. “And so that’s what I feel like is our responsibility as a community college.”

Chief of campus police, Anthony Russo, spoke at the forum as well.

“The family violence center – they’re our partners. You don’t realize what a great deal that

RIP

is for the St. Louis Community College. They really represent over 25 organizations that are all there for our support – for victim support, for community support,” Russo said.

The phenomena in domestic violence are the victims, Russo said.

“They [victims] tell someone to kind of burn it off their shoulder – they feel better and think, ‘ah, I’m not going to go report it’ and a lot of things would go unreported,” Russo said.

The campus police have a lot of authority to do certain things, Russo said, but when it comes to really giving support and helping people, sometimes the best thing to do is call a professional in.

“Your air conditioner is broken - you call an HVAC person in. Well these are our pros; they’re the ones that we call when we need support and it’s in addition to all the support we have on campus. They work in connection with our council, it’s just another resource for us to go to,” Russo said. “We prefer that you report it to the police but there’s a lot of times where people are just apprehensive to tell the police something."

Reporting any misconduct is important, Russo said.

“It’s like anything else – you have people walking up and down your street - it’s important to report it to the police so they can start seeing a pattern,” Russo said. “It’s the same thing on the campus with sexual violence, domestic violence – and that includes anything away from campus. Someone comes in and says they were in Arnold,

MO and their spouse slapped them and they have an obvious injury – or not – you have to report that.”

Sometimes the victim may be a little reluctant, but that is where the counselors come in big time and talk the individual down the right path to getting help, Russo said.

“If you would rather have this remain confidential, we encourage you to talk with one of our counseling staff members and through the counseling process - make some determination.”

If a victim chooses to remain anonymous, there are ways around that to still help the situation while keeping the victim anonymous, Russo said.

“We actually had a female come in and she said, ‘I want to report this but I want to remain anonymous,’ and we knew who she was, but you know what?

We guaranteed her anonymity.

Unless you tell someone else, we’re not telling anybody. We investigated it and fortunately, we got a positive outcome,” Russo said. “We got support for the student – that’s the positive outcome.”

To know what is going on around campus is what campus police is here for, Russo said.

“We want to know what’s going on on this campus, but we want to know who we need to keep our eyes on. We might not be able to arrest them or do whatever, but we can certainly do that police thing – I got my eyes on you – you know, and kind of get in their space a little bit,” Russo said. “It’s about the students getting the support that they need.”

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Police emergency phones (pictured right) are located around campus for assistance in emergency situations.

Call Box locations shown in red

April 21, 2016

al Harassment eness

INDEPTH

Page Design by Jason Waters Graphics by Marissa Diercks

Advocacy, Support services, Academic Accommodations Office of VP for Student Affairs: Ms. Kimberly Fitzgerald Location: Business Administration, BA 103 Contact # 314-984-7593 The VP for Student Affairs assists with the academic accommodations, referrals and disciplinary affairs. They have the authority, with campus police, to issue no-contact orders.

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Office of the Interim VP for Academic Affairs: Dr. Janet Walsh Location: Business Administration, BA 102 Contact #: 314-984-7664

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The year in a male's life when he is most likely to be the victim of sexual assault is age 4. A female's year of greatest risk is age 14.

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another American is sexually assaulted.

Steps toward safety James Claiborne | Staff Writer Mark Potratz, STLCC director of the department for public safety and emergency management, said that being very cautious is a must in regards to safety.

“For any type of event that involves sexual assault, sexual violence, dating violence and any of those types of things - some of the basic precautions that a person could do is number one, be very cautious in going into unknown areas or being alone with unknown people,” Potratz said.

Safety is a number, Potratz said.

It is always good to go to places with one or more friends or stay in a group.

It is also good to have others who are a resource to you know what your plans are for that evening.

Anytime an individual may have a gut feeling or instinct that they are not safe where they are or who they are with, they should trust that feeling, Potratz said.

“If you engage in some type of contact or behavior with an individual who is making remarks that make you feel like you are being sexual harassed or in some way being made uncomfortable, remove yourself from that setting,” Potratz said. “Get away from that person, go to a safe public location and join a group of friends where you are away from that individual. If it has occurred on the college campus, we want to know about it - we encourage reporting.”

Contact campus police to learn more.

April 21, 2016

ART & LIFE

8

“You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There’s still lots of good in the world.”

-S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders

Geology Club supplies global rocks and minerals to students for sale Sale hosted on campus for over six years helps members take club sponsored trips Katie Leicht Art & Life Editor

The Geology Club of Meramec held a rock, mineral and gem sale in the campus cafeteria on April 5 - 6.

The club sells the rocks once each semester, according to Ian Stoner, the president of the club.

The funds made from the sale go towards the club’s activities. Some of these activities include going to Chicago to see the Field Museum or taking trips to Tuscon, AZ. The club treks to Tuscon for a weekend to purchase the rocks and minerals in bulk to bring them back to campus to sell. The rock sale in Tuscon is the largest rock sale in the world and lasts for three weeks, Stoner said.

Geology Club sponsor Carl Cambell started the sale over six years ago, according to club member Bradley Hackworth.

The sale features rocks and minerals from all around the world that are also fairly resonable in price. The many types of rocks and minerals will be available once again in the Fall of next semester.

Photographed above are rocks, minerals and gems from around the globe which were available for purchase at the rock sale. Some of these include Citrine, Calcite and Geodes. Featured top right is the mineral Celestite. This specific piece is from Madagascar.

Photos by Katie Leicht

Student Governance Council exhibits Magician Peter Boie for fundraiser Magic show held on campus to help support a local Make A Wish child Jason Waters Production Manager

Magician Peter Boie performed on campus on April 1 in the student center cafeteria. This show was to help benefit the Make A Wish program hosted by the student governance council. The show consisted of different illusions and tricks along with bringing audience members on stage. Boie, now a young adult, began learning magic at quite a young age.

“I was eleven years old and found a magic book at the library and I got hooked on it. Loved slight of hand and practicing it, working with my hands. Trying to be creative, so I just enjoyed the process. I had an obsession with magic as a kid as most kids do for a while and then I just started learning it and never stopped,” Boie said.

Boie had an unusual appreciation to the time and commitment it takes perfecting something difficult.

“Not many people would put in that much time and energy so April 21, 2016

I felt like if I committed I could be good at it if I really worked hard. It’s kind of this thing where not many people know the magic secret so you know something other people don’t,” Boie said.

Starting with library books and magic shops, Boie was also hanging out with other magicians, learning from them as well as giving his own pointers.

“We watch each other perform and try to give feedback and tips on how to improve. You learn the most by doing a trick for people,” Boie said. “We’ll share secrets. Some secrets we don’t share. It depends on how good of a friend you are. If you come up with something special and you don’t want it to get out yet you just kind of keep for yourself for a while.”

Kathryn Turek, Student Governance Council President was extremely pleased with how the event turned out.

“It literally took my breath away,” Turek said.

The event came together through the help of the student governance council and the student activities council, along with two

very important staff members, Phillip Campbell and Carolyn O’Laughlin. turek said the event would not have been possible without them. They have been a special force along the way, keeping everything together, Turek said.

“At the same time the students were given the initiative to advertise in whatever way we would like; making flyers and stuff like that,” Turek said.

This is not the first time Boie has done an event to help a greater cause.

“Every once in awhile I’ll do something that benefits charity or some other organization. I do a lot of college and university work. A college would bring me in to entertain their students and sometimes the students in a community. I work a lot of corporate events as well,” Boie said.

The whole event was hosted to help fund Student Governance Council’s project to grant a special child a wish.

“Mackenzie is our wish child that we have all semester. She is going to Disney World at the end of May. We are fundraising

Photo by Jordan Morris

Peter Boie on stage with an audience member performing a trick.

money to allow her to go to Disney World,” Turek said.

It is a blessing to work along side our student activities council, Turek said.

The student activities council has done so much to collaborate with SGC this semester in addition to giving back to the student body and allow them to have more of a local community, Turek said.

The Student Governance Council is more than hopeful to reach their goal for Mackenzie in May. As for Boie, he will continue to do shows and display what he loves.

“People don’t believe in magic,” Boie said. ”Its fine.

Magic isn’t real, but I’m going to try and make you believe for an hour during my show.”

ART & LIFE

9

A day with Dr. Day: a moment with the long time Meramec professor A look into a professor's journey which led to his teaching style

Meramec, it was a long journey in itself. He did teach some before he came to Meramec.

“This is my 20th year at Dr. Leroy Day, French and Meramec and I taught at a little spanish professor at STLCC- liberal arts college in upstate New Meramec, has taught foreign York for five years. After I got my language classes on campus for 20 PhD and while I was getting it, I years. Day can relate to most of taught one course of comparative the students attending Meramec literature and beginner because just like them,he was always French at Wash U,” Day said. bored whenever he was in school.

He began to teach at “I start from the assumption Washington University as a that most kids are bored in class graduate student, and then which is true. A lot of teachers came to meramec 20 years ago. seem to think that school is Typically in the U.S., if you just an amazing amount of teach a college course, then you fun - it’s not for most students. must get a PhD in the area that For most students, it seems you want to teach, Day said. dull and horrible,” Day said.

“I did not intend on being a Personally, Day was bored community college teacher and during school and did not ever want taught at a college for five years to be that type of professor, he said. before coming here,” Day said.

“So I guess one of my main He had an undergraduate aims is not to be boring,” Day said. degree in French and went to Day became a professor Washington University for because he could not think a PhD in a Comparative of anything else he would Literature field where he rather do career-wise, he said. studied French and German.

Day had grown a The best reasons for fascination with foreign teaching used to be the three languages when he was young. months that they normally got “Even when I was a little off in the summer, Day said. kid, I was kind of amazed that Day did not like the idea there were people that could talk of working in a corporation funny and other people could if he was not a teacher. understand them,” Day said.

“I never really wanted “To me, it’s like a secret code and to work with a corporation.

I never lost my amazement that Working in a corporation to people can speak foreign languages me 1is 2/29/2016 off-putting,” Day said.

2016_SAIC_TransferAd_3_75x8.pdf 11:50:58 AM and thought it was really cool.”

There is a lot of flexibility When Day began to teach at with the schedule, you have Lexie Keller Staff Writer

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to be in class when there is class and otherwise I like to read books and think about things, ” Day said.

Day also has interests b e s i d e s teaching which are playing the guitar and the mandolin, as well as building his own house.

“I built my own Photo by Dalila Kahvedzic house and I Dr. Day teaches a French 101 class in communications south room 209. was a general contractor college used to have called if students cannot step up for my house.

“Achieve the Dream” and play along, it is not Before I was here, I had a small where it was the teacher’s going to happen, Day said. woodworking business which responsibility to take care of "The French courses go along I no longer do but I have a the students learning, Day said. with those at public universities partner that still does it. I've But there was a problem in Missouri.

So we have been a late beginner guitar player with Achieve the Dream. to have standards and hand out for decades and the progress “The problem with that is grades.

So if a student took a has been agonizingly slow and the idea that the teacher was French class here, they can go I play it everyday. I also own supposed to take responsibility on to UMSL to take the next and play a mandolin,” Day said.

The autonomy is one thing for the students learning and I course and be viable,” Day said.

Day enjoys most about teaching. wasn’t real enthusiastic about that. “So I want students to succeed."

After over 20 years of “I do like the hours; We have some terrific teachers at Meramec but they can’t get teaching, this semester will there is a lot of work to do at everyone to pass because its be Dr. Day’s last as he will be home but it gets easier after not going to happen,” Day said. retiring from his the first few years,” Day said.

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April 21, 2016

ART & LIFE

10

Meramec Interior Design students take The Windy City A 3-day trip gives insight and knowledge to aspiring designers Dalila Kahvedzic Editor -In Chief

The city of Chicago is well known for being cold and windy. It is also a place where students from STLCCMeramec are able to gather inspiration for their future careers.

For the past three years, the interior design program at the Meramec campus has been taking students to Chicago for a 3-day trip which involved architectural boat tours, various museum visits and overall, an eye-opening experience – according to students.

STLCC student Jessica Mendenhall said the trip made her even more excited about the interior design profession.

“Interacting with people who do this for a living and kind of also just seeing the scope of what you can do in design has been a really neat experience,” Mendenhall said. “I think this is the kind of thing that year after year I can see myself coming to do to just keep that excitement up – it just kind of reminds you why you’re in the field.”

Mendenhall has learned plenty being enrolled in this program, she said.

“Thinking about what I learned since last summer has been pretty incredible,” Mendenhall said. “Starting from knowing essentially nothing, other than liking design, and now knowing how to put together drawings, space planning and finishing off an entire home - it’s pretty incredible.”

STLCC – Meramec interior design professor and organizer of the trip, Virginia Heisler, has been with the campus for six years.

With an undergraduate from the University of Missouri – Columbia in housing and interior design, and

a master’s of science from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in environmental studies, she said the trip has a lot to offer students.

Heisler has worked for about 10 different firms, residential and commercial, and has owned her own business before she decided she would go back to college to teach, she said.

“I liked it [college] a lot, I always wanted to come back to a college –even when I was in school. I loved the college atmosphere,” Heisler said.

Heisler spent some time teaching at Maryville before applying for a fulltime position at Meramec.

“I was adjunct at Maryville and many of my students were from Meramec,” Heisler said.

“I was very impressed with the quality of the students and found out that there was a full-time opening and thought I’d give it a shot, I ended up getting the job and 6 years later I’m still here.”

The trip went into action three years ago, when students overheard how fun it was, Heisler said.

“I think everybody enjoyed it, and the people that didn’t go said ‘well I’m going next year’ so that’s how that started,” Heisler said.

The greatest benefit students can get from going on this trip is seeing more than just what’s in the classroom, she said.

“Exposure to what design actually is, what’s out there,”Heisler said. “I just think it’s invaluable to get out and see,” Heisler said.

Mendenhall agreed and said she would advise other students to go on the trip.

“Definitely go, I think it’s well worth it,” Mendenhall said.

“You get to see some of the behind the scenes stuff – I would not have known where to go or what to do if I was here by myself.”

Being taken around the city has really been phenomenal, she said.

“Now I feel like I’d be more comfortable coming and doing this stuff again,” Mendenhall said.

Besides the trip, the interior design program at Meramec can offer much more – including that which a four-year university does, Heisler said. Based off of experience, if students want to go on to achieve a four-year degree, Meramec has a strong variety of classes that will transfer to Maryville University and the University of Missouri – both CIDA (council for interior design accreditation) accredited schools.

“We have a really strong transfer with the two CIDA accredited schools. That’s the top accreditation for your interior design schools, so if they’re accepting our credits and our program, then it’s definitely good quality or they wouldn’t do it,” Heisler said.

Other than newly enrolled students wanting to achieve a fouryear degree, the school receives a lot of returning students who already have degrees with this program and are very successful, Heisler said.

“If you transfer to Maryville you save around $40,000 by doing two years here and two years there,” Heisler said. “You would save substantially with Mizzou too - you’re not paying the housing and your degree is still going to say University of Missouri or Maryville U n i v e r s i t y. ” Students

Students from Interior Design I and II observe architectural details with professor Virginia Heisler in Chicago’s downtown area.

April 21, 2016

Photos by Dalila Kahvedzic

Millenium Park, Chicago, IL.

enrolled in the program should look into internships, Heisler said.

“Doing internships – I think that’s a really good way to test out what you want to do,” Heisler said. “It’s a big city but it’s a small design community. It’s a really nice way to work at different places to see what kind of culture they have and how you feel there.”

Interior design has given Heisler a lot of opportunities that she would have never otherwise had, she said.

“I’ve been fortunate where I didn’t have a job where I just sat behind a desk - I love the fact that I do something different every day and even when I was in practice full time you do something different everyday – it’s never the same,” Heisler said. “And that’s why I try to emphasize that with every job, I do some type of research – you don’t just start – you need to understand what you’re dealing with and it’s more than color. We are not just pillow pickers and color choosers.”

Student Spotlight:

Austin Bennett & Aaron Conner

You can catch students Austin Bennett and Aaron Conner juggling together in the quad when the weather permits. The two friends met in high school and have been juggling on and off since.

Aaron Conner picked it up after a game of baseball, he said.

“One day I was playing baseball for high school and I came home and I had three baseballs in my hand. I started trying to juggle and I saw my buddy across the street who juggles so I went outside and he just showed me the ropes,” Conner said.

Student Austin Bennett started in high school, took a few years off and recently picked it back up.

“With this kind of activity, it’s all about flow – getting your mind focused on one thing and have a rhythm going,” Bennett said. “It’s just really relaxing and it puts your mind in a relaxed state.”

Conner agreed.

“With music too you just kind of get lost.”

Photo by Dalila Kahvedzic

SPORTS Christian’s Corner Christian Hargas Sports Editor

Region XVI Tournament

11

Lady Archers 2015-16 softball season review, thus far

Softball team sets sights on strong regular season finish, Region XVI Tournament Christian Hargas Sports Editor

The STLCC Lady Archers began the 2015-16 softball regular season by losing three of their first four games, including a double-header loss on the road against Kaskaskia College.

Following a 1-3 start to the campaign, the Lady Archers won seven of eight games during the 2015-16 Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic hosted in Myrtle Beach, SC. They scored 53 total runs [6.6 per game] and had 87 total hits averaging a .689 batting average during the eight games in South Carolina.

Returning from the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, the Lady Archers lose two straight games to conference opponent East Central College on Monday, Mar. 21, including a 25-5 loss in game two of the double-header.

They would finish the month of March with a seven game losing streak, losing nine of their last 10 games overall. During 1-9 stretch, the Lady Archers averaged 1.7 runs per game [39 total runs scored] and had 33 total defensive errors.

With a record of 9-13 through March, the Lady Archers won 14 of their last 20 games played during the month of April, including a six game home winning streak to start the month.

On Friday, Apr. 8, and Saturday, Apr. 9, STLCC defeated Cottey College four consecutive times, outscoring them 7012 during that span [STLCC scored 44 of the 70 total runs in the second double-header].

Since then, the Lady Archers are 2-2 following a double-header sweep of East Central College

the road, and 7-1 on neutral fields.

Offensively, the Lady Archers are batting .330 as a team with 24 collective home runs [fourth in the conference] and 301 total runs scored through 42 games.

They have a .400 onbase percentage and a .464 slugging percentage collectively.

Individually, sophomore

leads the team with 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 runs batted in on the season.

Pitching, the Lady Archers amassed a 4.55 earned run average as a team [conference average is 5.60]. The pitching staff has recorded one shutout this season and has allowed a .346 opponent batting average against them.

Sophomore pitcher Tiffany Link led the team with 12 wins and 18 complete games on the season. Link pitched 130.0 total innings, had a 3.76 ERA, and led with 84 strikeouts.

Sophomore pitcher Kayla McMahon was second on the team with five complete games, and tied for second with eight wins on the season. McMahon’s 3.23 ERA over 56.1 innings pitched led the staff.

The Lady Archers have eight games remaining in the regular season, four at home and four on the road.

They finish the home portion of their schedule on Wednesday, Apr. 20, against Lewis and Clark Community College before playing the last four games on the road.

The Lady Archers close their road schedule against Missouri Baptist UniversityJV on Saturday, Apr. 23, and Lewis and Clark Community College on Wednesday, Apr. 27.

The 2015-16 softball Region XVI Tournament begins on Friday, Apr. 29.

The Region XVI Tournament for softball is rapidly coming Lady Archers remaining 2015-16 around the corner, April 29-30 to regular season games be exact.The STLCC Lady Archers are looking to finish the 201516 regular season on a high note Saturday, Apr. 23 in order to enter the tournament 12-2 p.m. with positive momentum. @Missouri Baptist University JV Can the Lady Archers win the Region XVI Tournament?

There are different reasons to believe why they can and why Wednesday, Apr. 27 they cannot, but I believe that 2-4 p.m. they have the talent to get it done. @Lewis and Clark Community College There is certainly plenty of tough competition to close out the regular season, and the Lady Archers cannot take any of Friday-Saturday, Apr. 29-30 them for granted [they do not].

TBA This is the most important 2015-16 Region XVI Tournament @ Union, MO period of the season and they have been playing better than they did at the beginning. They need to keep this momentum moving forward before losing two games to infielder Kelsey Brodbeck leads if they want to have a chance.

Lindenwood University-Belleville. the team with 76 total hits, 44 Offensively, the bats get hot Overall, the Lady Archers’ stolen bases [Lady Archers have 68 and cold throughout the entirety record stands at 23-19 on the stolen bases as a team], and batting of a regular season. There are season [.548 winning percentage]. with a .510 average at the plate. days when players can hit just They are 6-8 against conference Sophomore outfielder/ about everything and there are opponents, 8-8 at home, 8-10 on first baseman Abbey Holtkamp days when players cannot hit the ball, even if it is placed on a tee.

That is just how momentum, offensively, goes; it can be fickle.

Abbey Holtkamp and Kelsey Brodbeck have been staples in the lineup this year, and will be leaned on to continue producing.

I expect the bats to show up.

From a pitching standpoint, the Lady Archers appear to be in good shape as well in my opinion. Tiffany Link has been very consistent this season.

Link has been impressive on the mound, and others have We are your eyes.

We are your investigators. followed nicely in her footsteps.

These ladies definitely have the stuff to shred any opposing lineup and I expect that to be on display as well.

The only thing that could potentially impede with the We are your eyes.

We are your investigators.

Lady Archers’ chances is actually a big one; team defense. They had games where the defense played nicely, but there were other games where errors were committed all over the field.

One of the major factors of We are your voice.

We are The Montage. high stake moments is the ability to keep situations under control.

Defensive mistakes can quickly change the tide of a game and add unnecessary anxiety for the players.

To win those big games, the defense must be there to hold things We are your voice.

We are The Montage. down [along with the pitching].

Overall, I really like the ★2015: JIMMYJOHNS.COM TheLady Montage is currently Archers’ chances taking in theapplications for editor positions for the 2015-2016 academic year through April 17th, The Montage is currently taking applications for editor positions for the 2015-2016 academic year through April 17th, 2015: Region XVI Tournament this • Editor in Chief Editor • Sports Editor • Copy Editor • Editor in Chief Editor • Opinions • Sports Editor • Copy Editor season.

They have the poise, the • Opinions • Managing Editor • In-Depth Editor • Graphics Editor • Online Editor • News Editor • Art & Life Editor • Photo Editor • Multimedia Editor attitude, the talent and mindset to • Managing Editor • In-Depth Editor • Graphics Editor • Online Editor APPLY TODAY in SC-220A or Contact Shannon Philpott (sphilpott@stlcc.edu) for more information makeEditor it as far as they want to go. • Art & Life Editor • News • Photo Editor • Multimedia Editor The level of confidence seems to be slowly rising with APPLY TODAY in SC-220A or Contact Shannon Philpott (sphilpott@stlcc.edu) for more information this team, and things look like they are starting to fall into place.

JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Montage is a student-run, written and produced campus newspaper that strives to bring the community comprehensive coverage of the news and events affecting the St. Louis Community College©2016 at Meramec campus.

The Montage

We are your eyes.

We are your investigators.

LOVE AT FIRST BITE!

We are your voice.

We are The Montage.

The Montage is a student-run, written and produced campus newspaper that strives to bring the community comprehensive coverage of the news and events affecting the St. Louis Community College at Meramec campus.

The Montage has been recognized nationally and state-wide with numerous awards throughout the years for excellence in overall newspaper production.

Most recently, the 2008-2009 staff was awarded a National Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press. The Pacemaker is the highest collegiate honor awarded to student media organizations.

Join the team.

The Montage staff structure models that of professional newspapers across the world. The role of a student journalist, one that Montage staffers take seriously, is to produce accurate and balanced reporting while serving as the campus watchdog. Although the news surrounding the campus community may not always shed a favorable light on the college’s image, it is the right and obligation of student journalists to report the truth.

For more information visit: www.meramecmontage.com

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Join the team.

The Montage is a student-run, written and produced campus newspaper that strives to bring the community comprehensive coverage of the news and events affecting the St. Louis Community College at Meramec campus. The Montage staff structure models that of professional newspapers across the world. The role of a student journalist, one that Montage staffers take seriously, is to produce accurate and balanced reporting while serving as the campus watchdog.

Although the news surrounding the campus community may not always shed a favorable light on the college’s image, it is the right and obligation of student journalists to report the truth.

For more information visit: www.meramecmontage.com

https://twitter.com/themontage @TheMontage

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SERIOUS DELIVERY! ★

TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM

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staff structure models that of professional newspapers across the world. The role of a student journalist, one that Montage staffers take seriously, is to produce accurate and balanced reporting while serving as the campus watchdog.

Although the news surrounding the campus community may not always shed a favorable light on the college’s image, it is the right and obligation of student journalists to report the truth.

For more information visit: www.meramecmontage.com

TM

April 21, 2016

SPORTS

12

2015-16 STLCC Archer Madness: Dodge Fathers win dodgeball championship

Meramec campus hosts dodgeball tournament to raise money for ‘Make a Wish’ foundation Christian Hargas Sports Editor

No blood, no tears, but plenty of sweat and enjoyment.

Music was blasting; people were laughing. This was the setting of the 2015-16 STLCC Archer Madness Dodgeball Tournament in the Meramec Physical Education building on Friday, Apr. 15. 10 teams entered the tournament, one came out victorious; the Dodge Fathers. Led by team captain Erik Muschinske, the Dodge Fathers were stoked about the win, Muschinske said.

“I had to get out towards the end, but I put my trust in my teammates and they got it done,” Muschinske said. “I was scared for a second, like ‘oh my gosh’, then they got it and we were going crazy.”

Sponsored by Campus Life, this event was student led and initiated, Campus Life Manager Carolyn O’Laughlin said.

“They [campus life] told us what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it, and we helped facilitate that,” O’Laughlin said. “The Student Activities Council and Student Governance Council came up with the dodgeball idea. So, the folks who made all the arrangements were in these organizations.”

Meramec student and head chair of the Archer Madness Dodgeball Committee Camille Hernandez said they wanted an enjoyable, but more competitive, event for April.

“We were planning a fun event for April,” Hernandez said.

“Something where the students can interact with each other. We had a dodgeball tournament in my high school, and I kind of knew how it worked. I wrote up a proposal for the basics of a dodgeball tournament; people

seemed to like and agree with it. We ended up going through with it.”

Another team entered in the tournament was called “The Write Stuff ”. They were composed by a couple of student workers and Cindy Clausen from the academic center, Jeannine Vesser, writing tutor, said.

“Our student worker, Nicole, thought it was a good idea for the writing center to form a team,” Vesser said “We sent out an email to the library and the academic center. We had fun, but we should have practiced. We should have had more people on our team.”

Meramec Human Services and Addiction Studies student Mallory Mason said participating in the event was very stressful, but fun.

“Dogeball was my team name,” Mason said. “My anxiety was bad.

Being the last one on the court was very high; my blood was pumping.

I was like ‘oh gosh,’ but I was ready.”

Sitting at the top of the bleachers, Forensic Psychology student Rose Glisson said the event was pretty exciting with a lot of laughs at friends getting hit. “[I was rooting] for my friend’s team,” Glisson said. “I think they were called ‘the Cream Team,’ but they already lost.”

The music for the event was provided by TKO D.J Marlon Cross. The energy in the room was great, Cross said.

Photo by Christian Hargas

The Dodge Fathers won the 2015-16 STLCC Archer Madness Tournament on Friday, Apr. 15, after defeating team “No Glove, No Love” in the championship finals.

but rather high energy, upbeat music such as techno or hip-hop.

“Everybody is attentive, participating and rooting for people,” Cross said. “I play more of a freestyle [music], so I really kind of judge what I play based on the room and the crowd.”

“Everybody is attentive, participating and rooting for people.”

There was not a certain playlist of songs for an event like this,

The event,

outcome of O’Laughlin

the said.

“I think that traditional wisdom says that Friday afternoon events at STLCC, and nobody will come, nobody will be here,” O’Laughlin said. “But look at this, we got more than 100 people.

We had 100 shirts and now they are all gone; people are engaged.”

The most difficult part of the event was getting teams to sign up as complete teams, Hernandez said.

“We need six to eight players for each team,” Hernandez said.

“Sometimes, people do not have enough people for those teams and sometimes people are not available during the time.”

It [event] was a step-bystep process, always having something that is concrete first and simple first, before adding your colorful balloons and confetti, Hernandez said.

“This is our first time doing this and there are a lot of problems we are working through,” Hernandez said. “But we are definitely learning from this event. Always have a concrete, very simple, noncolorful idea to start with and tell your whole team about it and how you exactly want it to play out.”

In terms of hosting another dodgeball event, it always depends on what the students are doing, O’Laughlin said.

“Look at the interest,” O’Laughlin said. “There are first year students here [who are] interested, feeling good about this. Students who are jazzed and excited about things going very well could end up being here another year. The students guide us as to what activities are going on and we help them get there.”

Archers 2015-16 baseball season review, thus far

Baseball team prepares to continue fast finish to regular season following 3-5 start Christian Hargas Sports Editor

The STLCC Archers baseball team began the 2015-16 regular season with a road trip to Mississippi and Louisiana. Playing in Biloxi to Baton Rouge, the Archers started the new campaign losing five of its first eight games to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Baton Rouge Community College, Georgia Highlands College,Volunteer State Community College, and Bossier Parish Community College.

Following the 3-5 start to the season, the Archers returned to Missouri and won eight of their next 10 games, including an eight game winning streak with seven of those eight consecutive wins at home. During the 8-2 run, the Archers scored 78 total runs [7.8 runs per game], including a game on Wednesday, Mar. 9 against Ridgewater College where April 21, 2016

they scored 22 of those 78 runs.

The Archers would lose four of their next five games following the 8-2 stretch and averaged 4.2 runs per game while allowing an average of 6.6 runs during that five game span. A home game against Jefferson College, originally scheduled for Friday, Mar. 18, was suspended due to inclement weather and resumed on Tuesday, Apr. 12, at Meramec. The Archers lost the game 14-12 in nine innings.

With a 12-11 record through March 22, the Archers won 15 of their next 19 games to improve their record to 12 games over .500. During the 15-4 span, the team had one five game and one six game winning streak.

The Archers completed two consecutive double-header sweeps against North Central Missouri College on March 9-10 [outscoring North Central Missouri College 37-5 during the four games]. They are currently on a three game winning streak

following their latest loss to Three Rivers Community College on Thursday, Apr. 14, 9-8.

The Archers’ regular season record stands at 27-15 with 12 games remaining on the schedule.

They are 8-4 against conference opponents, 11-11 on the road, 2-0 on neutral fields and 14-4 at home. Offensively, they have collectively scored 315 runs and amassed a .296 batting average with 35 total home runs as a team.

Through 42 games, they have a .403 on base percentage and a .451 slugging percentage collectively.

Sophmore outfielder Cory Canterbury leads the team with 56 hits, individually, leading with two triples and nine stolen bases on the season. Centerbury’s 42 runs batted in ranks second on the team behind freshman infielder/outfielder Kyle Stevens [leading with 47]. Stevens, also leading in doubles with 15, and sophomore catcher/infielder David Prost lead the Archers with

nine home runs on the season.

The Archers’ pitching staff has amassed a collective earned run average of 4.60 [conference average is 5.09]. They have recorded three total shutouts this season and allowed a .263 opponent batting average [conference average is .266].

Pitchers Joseph Lodes, Seth Mesey, Joey Reeves, Ben Stephens and Jordan Yakel all lead the staff with four wins. Freshman pitcher Stephens is undefeated on the season and leads the team with a 1.56 ERA and two saves through 34.2 innings pitched.

Sophomore pitchers Yakel and

Mesey lead with 48.0 innings pitched, individually, this season.

With 12 games remaining, currently 12 games over .500, the Archers face Lewis and Clark Community College at Meramec on Thursday, Apr. 21. Following that, they travel on the road for four consecutive games against Crowder College on April 23-24.

The Archers split four games against Mineral Area College with two at home and two on the road on Thursday, Apr. 28, and Saturday, Apr. 30. They close the 2015-16 season on the road against Southwestern Illinois College on Tuesday, May 3.

STLCC Archers’ Home Remaining Schedule April 2016 Lewis and Clark Community College - 4/21 [1-3pm] Mineral Area College - 4/28 [1-3:30pm]