The Montage keeps the ball rolling with:
Back to School Guide Archived photos & Photos by: Ashley Biundo
2021
The
MONTAGE
Ashley Biundo Jacob Politte Mary Wilson Barak Alder Andrew Crowdus Dakota Faye Geneva Lee Shannon Sanders
Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Online Editor Opinions Editor News Editor Emeritus
It's what you do before the season starts that makes a champion.
Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer
Welcome Letter 5 Getting your gear 6 Meramec’s “Top 6” Coaches 7 Map 8-9 Technology at STLCC 10
Faculty Advisor
The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
Table of Contents
PE classes that are happening in the fall 13 Spiking your way into online resources 14 Rest spots around Meramec 16-17 Festivals 18 Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessaritly 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. To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., call (314) 984-7955 or email ssanders147@stlcc.edu
And you're out of here Graduation Requirements Getting ready to switch teams Knock your interview out Up at Bat: Resume Colleges around Meramec
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Best in the field COVID, the world, and STLCC 28-29 Choir adjusts to COVID 30 More than Coaching 31 Once an Archer 32-33 Years of Accomplishments 34
It’s what you do before the season starts that makes a champion Half of winning the game is preparation. Being a successful individual in your studies requires the professor that you think you’ll learn the most a heavy amount of preparation. Whether it’s simply from, the most important decisions in regards to your getting the best supplies for your schooling or choosing college journey are arguably made at the beginning.
Archived photos
TRANSFER TO WEBSTER At Webster University, about 50% of our undergraduate students join our community through transfer and become a vital part of our campus. We understand the needs of transfer students and are here to support your success, in the classroom, online or in our hybrid option. Our transfer scholarships make earning a degree from a private university affordable and we also offer guaranteed admission for students with an associate degree from a community college. Choose from more than 100 academic programs, learn from our dedicated and experienced faculty, and discover all that is waiting for you at Webster University. Unlock your Gorlok and transfer today for Fall 2021! Text WEBSTER to 75644 to request more information WEBSTER.EDU/APPLY
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 5th consecutive year!
To all incoming players, Welcome to the STLCC- Meramec Training Facility. Here, you will undergo all of the training from all of the necessary classes and clubs to take you to new heights. This guide, compiled by the team at The Meramec Montage Student Newspaper, will assist you in this rigorous but rewarding journey. In Section 1, “It’s what you do before the season starts that makes a champion,” you will find information on the supplies that are needed to get the job done, including the bare physical essentials as well as the vital outlets of technology that are necessary to master. You’ll also find a map of the campus to help you navigate your journey, and a roster of stellar professors to help you make the best decision possible. In Section 2, “The harder you work, the harder it is to lose,” some of the courses to take and clubs to join are highlighted, as are some of the sights and locations in the surrounding Kirkwood area. In Section 3, “And you’re out of here!” we help prepare you for the end of your Meramec career. Hopefully, it’s been prolific and full of highlights. In this section, you’ll find information on which courses will transfer to other universities, which colleges are best to transfer to, and more information on how to best succeed on the other side of the field. Section 4, “Best in the Field” revisits some of the biggest news stories of the 2020-2021 school year, including how the college dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, an overview of the last year of STLCC sports and the retirement of a beloved coach. The Montage hopes this guide assists you greatly in your journey.
- Jacob Politte, Online Editor
Archived photos It’s what you do before the season starts that makes a champion
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GETTING YOUR GEAR Compiling the materials you’ll need to succeed JACOB POLITTE ONLINE EDITOR
I
n order to be a part of any successful team, you need to make sure you have the best quality of materials.
And here are a lot of materials that you’ll need to be ready for college life. In order to progress further along in your college career, you’ll need several vital tools to help you achieve your goals both in and out of the classroom. Some of them are more vital than others. Some of them aren’t requirements necessarily, but will help you greatly along your journey, and some are absolutely essential. Below you’ll find a checklist of those items, along with specific details about why you’ll need them and where you can find them. Pencils, pens, highlighters and paper: These items are an absolute given. Some professors will type out lecture notes for you to keep, but you might need the paper to take notes in case they don’t, or even just in case they elaborate on the topics that they discuss. It really just depends on your professor. You might also need a few highlighters to make sure the most important notes stick out on the paper, so that you remember them. All of these items are accessible, and you can find them at almost any department or book store. Binders: These will be one of the most helpful items in helping you to organize your classwork. It’s possible to fit all of your coursework in one binder (a zip-up, cloth binder is pretty durable) but if the class requires extensive amounts of note taking or classwork, you might want to have a binder for each course that you take. Bookstore employee
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Linda Forrest has worked at the Meramec Bookstore for almost three years, and throughout her time there, she says that generally has seen students purchase more than one binder for their courses. Like the handwriting tools listed above, you can find binders almost anywhere; many stores sell them. Textbooks: The truth of the matter is that the textbooks that your instructors assign for your classes may not be used all that much. The amount that they are used just depends on who your instructor is and how they conduct their class. Despite this, they are a requirement to have, and they can be expensive. Textbooks can be rented from the Meramec Bookstore, or they can be bought outright there as well. Beware though: not every textbook can be rented. Some, like many of the math and science textbooks, have to be purchased. Last year, Forrest said that many textbooks are becoming formatted in a loose-leaf style, making them impossible to rent. This is because in many cases, the book will come with an online access code. Prices for both purchase and rentals can vary; it really just depends on the textbook, and what condition it’s in. Failure to return the rented textbook will result in a $25 fee, in addition the difference between buying and renting the book. If you are looking to purchase textbooks at a cheaper rate, Amazon.com is also a great place to look; they may be used, but they are much more affordable. Laptop: This item isn’t necessarily a requirement to have, but it will help you immensely in your studies. Most importantly, it will save you from relying too heavily on a library computer, as those can seem like they are in limited supply on some days.
“It’s what you do before the season starts that makes a champion”
Flash Drive: This is an essential item to have; it helps you to keep your assignments in one place and allows you to work on those assignments in places that aren’t your personal computer. Making sure that the flash drive is properly organized too will help immensely. Flash drives can be purchased from many different places, but the Meramec Bookstore does sell Flash Drives that vary in size from 8GB to 32GB, with prices varying from $7.95 to $16.00 before tax. Depending on how much coursework you may have to do, you might want to explore getting a 64GB or even larger. Bookbag: Seriously, you’re gonna need something to carry all of this stuff in. Carrying around all of these items in your hands will just make you look dumb. Any sort of brand of book bag will do; the Jansport brand in particular isn’t a bad choice. Ultimately though, the brand isn’t important. It’s about what will make you feel most comfortable. Size is also a factor; you might have a lot of things to carry. Your high school bookbag probably won’t cut it. If you don’t find what you’re looking for at your local retail outlet of choice, Amazon has fantastic brands at an affordable price.
MERAMEC'S TOP 6 COACHES Looking for the best instructors? Look below. JACOB POLITTE ONLINE EDITOR
Joe Schneider, Science
Shannon Philpott Sanders, English and Mass Communications
“Professor Schneider is an amazing professor for PSI: 101. He explains all steps and gives us everything we need to know for tests and upcoming quizzes. Always works through the homework with us, so we know what will be coming up on the tests! I highly recommend Prof. Schneider!”
“I took this as an online class. She gives great feedback. You have to turn your work in on time, no exceptions. I wouldn’t say this is an “easy A,” but an A is definitely achievable. Make sure you get feedback from her on the essays before you turn them in.”
Steve Collins, History
Chris Smejkal, Communications
“Pay attention, take notes, read the books. Professor Collins is an amazing professor, but his class will take real work. His lectures are very involved, and he tests over all of the material covered. I said it already, but I’ll say it again: read the books. I really enjoyed his class and would certainly take one of his classes again.”
“Chris is the absolute best professor I have ever had! I would recommend him to anyone, either seeking a degree or just taking classes for fun. The material he teaches is engaging and you will learn things that will stick with you. I took not just one, but three of his classes and I loved each one of them. Amazing lectures and cares about his students.”
Vicki Ritts, Psychology
Nancy Molik, Mathematics
“Dr. Ritts is so far my favorite professor I’ve ever had. I had her in a class before and decided to take her section of Human Growth. She always gives feedback on discussion boards, quizzes, and tests, and is not a hard grader! She’s so understanding of life outside of school and helps students actually learn the material and not just memorize it.”
“Professor Molik is by far the best math teacher I have ever had. She is so incredibly helpful. She has a way of explaining the curriculum in a way all her students can understand. She knows how to break it down for you step by step so that you can solve the problems. Do the work and she will help you! I will say she is quirky but fun.”
“It’s what you do before the season starts that makes a champion”
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TECHNOLOGY AT STLCC The “Big 3” technological resources that will help you at STLCC
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JACOB POLITTE ONLINE EDITOR
TLCC uses a variety of technology resources in order to make handling all college matters, from schoolwork to signing up for classes, as easy and seamless as possible. One faucet that STLCC uses is Blackboard. Blackboard is where the vast majority of your coursework in each class will be turned in, and if your class is held online like the majority of classes have been during the pandemic, all of your coursework will be exclusively done on Blackboard. Some teachers admittedly do not like to use the service, but as the past year or so has necessitated, the majority of STLCC professors and instructors now incorporate it into their course in some fashion; admittedly however, with the return to faceto-face courses they might elected to once again not use the service. Oftentimes, your professor will attach a copy of the course syllabus and the tentative schedule for the course on Blackboard. Your instructor will also most likely post discussion board topics that are mandatory to respond to; they are especially popular in online courses. While they’re often not worth that many points, they are important to do, as they may be the only interactions you’ll have with other students involved in the course. Often, they will have specific provisions attached, like a specific minimum word count, a certain number of students that you’ll have to reply to, and etc. Recently, STLCC announced the adoption of Microsoft Teams, effectively replacing Blackboard Collaborate starting with the Summer 2021 semester. Effective fall 2022, Blackboard itself will be phased out of usage in favor of a service called Canvas. In case you’re worried about it though… relax, as an STLCC student, you are entitled to free
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usage of all of these programs under your student account. Another Microsoft program already in use by STLCC is your student “Outlook” email account, which was created the moment you signed up to come here. It may be tempting to ignore it, but don’t… vital college information is sent through this particular channel. When it comes to handling other college business, Banner Self Service is a page that must be visited, but it can be a bit tricky to navigate if you’ve never used it before. “Banner” is where all of your STLCC information is stored for your convenience. On Banner, you can sign up for classes, check your grades and your transcripts, and either set up a payment plan to pay for your classes or just pay for them outright. Banner is used by both students and faculty college-wide. In particular, final grades for each semester are uploaded on Banner; you’ll have to access the site to see how you ultimately did. Banner also has an interactive class schedule that helps you search for the classes you’re looking for. You can use this interactive feature to search for the classes by professor, campus, time period, or the type of class (online, independent study, or in-person). If you’re looking to address how to pay for your classes, especially if your don’t benefit from FASFA aid, Banner is your ultimate destination. On Banner, you can either set up a payment plan that is the best fit for your financial situation, or you can pay for your classes outright. If you are a paid employee of the college, it’s also where you will go to submit your timesheets for approval, find important tax documents and more.
“It’s what you do before the season starts that makes a champion”
The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
Archived photos As you dive into your academic journey, know that it’s always best to be on the winning team. Find success on and off the court by utilizing the academic resources available at STLCC-Meramec. From the Writing Center and Library Services to Career and Employment departments and the Counseling Center, Meramec has the tools to help you improve your game.
Getting involved is the best way to succeed as a student here, which is why we encourage you to join teams, clubs and leadership councils to get the most points during your time at Meramec. Learn more about how to get involved and maximize your potential while also taking advantage of the attractions around campus with the tips in this section.
A T
M E R A M E C
The Music Program at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students. Classes are available for general education credit and the Associate in Arts degree with a concentration in Music to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music program. ** SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE **
COURSES
MUS 101,102,201,202 MUS 103 MUS 113 MUS 114 MUS 115,116 MUS 121,122,221,222 MUS 128 MUS 130 MUS 138,139,216 MUS 141,142,241,242 MUS 150 MUS 152 MUS 154 MUS 211,212
Music Theory I,II,III,IV Basic Music History of Jazz Music Appreciation Class Voice I,II Class Piano I,II,III,IV History of Rock Music Beginning Guitar Jazz Improvisation I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Fundamentals of Music Technology Audio Engineering Music Recording with ProTools I Music History I,II
Interested in performing in an ensemble? All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required! MUS131, 132 and 134 are CORE42 performance courses!
ENSEMBLES
Music 131 – Concert Choir Music 132 – Orchestra Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 138 – Jazz Improvisation All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal. Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Singers.
For more information, contact Music at Meramec Dr. Jerry Myers, Program Coordinator, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638
PE classes happening in the fall to strengthen skills ashley biundo editor-in-chief EMeritus
*Archery
Stress Management
CRN: 32537 Course: PE 104 601 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face A ctivity-Based Teacher: William Dale McDevitt Date: 08/23-10/17 Time: MWF 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 120 S
CRN: 30002
Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Lecture Teacher: Michelle Ethridge Date: 08/23-12/19 Time: MW 10:00 a.m.-11:35 a.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 201
* Students who enroll will need to sign a liability waiver before the first day of class.
*Deep Water Exercise
CRN: 32538 Course: PE 105 601 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Activity-Based Teacher: Karen Koshak Date: 08/23-12/19 Time: MW 11 a.m.- 11:50 a.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building POOL * Students who enroll will need to sign a liability waiver before the first day of class.
*Community Red Cross CPR
CRN: 31136 Course: PE 120 695 Meeting Type: Hybrid Teacher: Mark Applegate Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 201 Orientation: 10/18 2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Internet: 10/18 -12/19 Face-2-Face: 12/6 2:15 p.m.- 4:15 p.m. * Students are required to attend class on 12/6/2021. A $24 fee is required.. More information about being successful in hybrid classes can be found at https://stlcc.edu/ campus-life-community/our-locations/ online-education/online-success-beginner. aspx.
Course: PE 161 601
*First Aid
CRN: 32543 Course: PE 129 601 Meeting Type: Hybrid Teacher: Michelle Ethridge Date: 10/18-11/21 - Online 11/21- In class/ Online/Virtual Time: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 201 * Students are required to attend class on 11/21/2021. A fee of $32 will be added to the course fee. CPR certification is included. The certifying agency for this class is by American Red Cross.
*Fitness Center I
CRN: 32549 Course: PE 130 602 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Activity-Based Teacher: Anthony Dattoli Date: 08/23-12/19 Time: MWF 11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 106 *Students who enroll in this class will need to sign a liability waiver on or before the 1st day of class. Orientation is held in the first 4 classes. Students must attend orientation at their registered course time. Once orientation is complete, students may attend Fitness Center anytime during regular Fitness Center hours on M/W. Course requirements will be given at the first orientation.
Walking for Fitness
CRN: 32550 Course: PE 173 601 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Activity-Based Teacher: Karen Koshak Date: 08/23-12/19 Time: MW 10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 120 S
Weight Training
CRN: 32554 Course: PE 177 601 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Activity-Based Teacher: Michelle Ethridge Date: 08/23-12/19 Time: TR 11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 112
Yoga I (Beginning)
CRN: 32560 Course: PE 181 601 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Activity-Based Teacher: Bethany Bogosian Date: 08/23-10/17 Time: MWF 12:00 p.m.-12:50 p.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 201
Yoga II (All levels/ Intermediate)
CRN: 32561 Course: PE 182 601 Meeting Type: Face-2-Face Activity-Based Teacher: Bethany Bogosian Date: 08/23-10/17 Time: MWF 12:00 p.m.-12:50 p.m. Location: MC-Meramec - PE Building 201 Archived photos
The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
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Spiking your way into Online Resources at meramec Geneva lee Staff writer
N
ot all who wander are lost...but some are, in fact, lost. Navigating signing up for classes, trying to find degree requirements, finding what classes will transfer to other schools— it can all be overwhelming and confusing. Luckily, St. Louis Community College has many online resources available to students to help navigate academic red-tape.
General Questions, Crisis Assistance, & Governmental Finance Assistance
The Student Assistance Services page on STLCC’s website lists contact information for those who need help navigating crises in their personal lives that make it difficult to continue studying, feel overwhelmed by school and other responsibilities, and who are having trouble with navigating governmental assistance.
Student Assistance Services Contacts:
Florissant: Danielle Lusk: 314-513-4565 dlusk@stlcc.edu Forest Park: Tamala Turner: 314-644-9027 tcturner@stlcc.edu Meramec: Shannon Nicholson: 314-984-7168 snicholson29@stlcc.edu Wildwood: Sara Clark 636422-2011 sclark260@stlcc.edu
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Link: https://stlcc.edu/ student-support/personalsupport/student-assistanceprogram.aspx#contact
Finding Degree Requirements
By going to the “Explore Programs” feature on STLCC’s website, you can search a field of study. By clicking on the program that comes up, the website will show the degree requirements, as well as which campus offers the program. Link: https://stlcc.edu/ programs-academics/
Meal Assistance
For students who need them, STLCC offers free food, toiletries, hygiene products, and other items through Archer’s Market. For more information, students can contact Danielle Lusk, Tamala Turner, or Shannon Nicholson, whose contact information is found above. Link: https://stlcc.edu/ student-support/personalsupport/student-assistanceprogram.aspx#contact
Transfering Classes
There is information on STLCC’s website that details which classes are needed to transfer can be found under its General Education Requirements. Link: https://catalog.stlcc. edu/general-education/
Child Care
STLCC offers childcare services to students for $5/hr and offers weekly programs as well for children
The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
ages six weeks to six years. Contact information: mkrogmeier@stlcc. edu 314-539-5002 Link: https://stlcc.edu/ student-support/personalsupport/child-care.aspx
Mental Health Services
For students going through crises, dealing with mental health issues, or who just want to talk to someone, there are a variety of counseling services at STLCC. Contact Information: counseling@stlcc. edu 314-539-5151 Link: https://stlcc.edu/ student-support/counseling/
Career
Development
Career services can help students build a resume, search for jobs, and prepare for interviews. Students can set up appointments to talk to career specialists as well. Contact information: careerdevelopment@ stlcc.edu 314-539-5888 LInk: https://stlcc.edu/studentsupport/career-development/
Learning Remotely
For assistance in getting access to wifi or a laptop to work remotely, students can access the Learning Remotely section of STLCC’s website. Link: https://stlcc. edu/covid-19/learningremotely.aspx#connect
Accessibility and Disability Services
For
students
that
need
accommodations, adaptive technology, or need to report concerns or grievances, they can access the OfficeDisability Support Services. Contact information: Forest Park: fpaccess@stlcc.edu Florissant Valley: fvaccess@stlcc.edu Meramec: mcaccess@stlcc.edu W i l d w o o d : wwaccess@stlcc.edu Link:https://stlcc.edu/studentsupport/disability-services/
Academic Advising
Academic Advising is available to students who need help picking courses, majors, registering for classes, among other academic issues. Students can set up appointments online as well as access more information on STLCC’s website. Contact Information: advising@ stlcc.edu 314-539-5465 Link: https://stlcc.edu/ admissions/advising/
Request Transcripts
Students can request their transcripts from the Office of the Registrar’s webpage. Link: https://stlcc.edu/ office-of-the-registrar/
ADVERTISE IN THE MONTAGE Fall Publication Dates Sept. 2, 2021 Oct. 7, 2021 Nov. 11, 2021 Dec. 9, 2021
To get you where you need to go, PTK offers opportunities to help you develop and discover your personal, academic, and professional potential.
We Have an Honors Program at STLCC-Meramec! Honors offers qualified students a variety of opportunities in and outside the classroom, including honors classes, special projects, workshops, and mentoring. New students can qualify through high school GPA, ACT score, or Accuplacer. Returning students qualify through their college GPA. Once admitted, honors students are never obligated to pursue a minimum amount of honors work each term.
PHI THETA KAPPA - XI LAMBDA CHAPTER INTERNATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY FOR TWO-YEAR COLLEGES Phi Theta Kappa is an international honors society for two-year colleges. It’s mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students, as well as to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programs. To be eligible to join Phi Theta Kappa - Xi Lambda, Meramec’s local chapter, students must have a GPA of at least 3.5, have taken 12 or more credit hours, and must be enrolled in at least one course currently at Meramec.
IfIfIfyou are interested, contact Chapter Advisor JerryAdvisor Meyers atJerry you are interested, contact Chapter you are interested, contact Chapter Advisor Professor Rich gmyers34@stlcc.edu or 314-984-7638. Peraud 217 or go to PTK.org for information. MyersinatCNgmyers34@stlcc.edu ormore 314-984-7638
Curious about the Honors Program and what it might mean for you? Learn more about the Meramec Honors Program and apply online at http://www.stlcc.edu/mchonors mchonors@stlcc.edu 314-984-7147 Humanities East 101
rest areas around Meramec ashley biundo editor-in-chief EMeritus When it comes to sports, resting and taking breaks are very important. Here are some things to do around Meramec to take a break.
Magic House: Opened as a children’s museum in 1979, The Magic House gives children hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem-solving skills. They are constantly hosting events for children and also events for adults that are posted at www.magichouse.org. Address: 516 S Kirkwood Rd, St.Louis, MO 63122 Hours: Mon-Sat 9a.m.-5p.m. Sun 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Laumeier Sculpture Park: A 105-acre outdoor museum and sculpture park located in Sunset Hills, Missouri. The park has over 60 outdoor sculptures and features a 1.4-mile walking trail, and educational programs. There is also an indoor gallery, an 1816 Tudor stone mansion that was owned by Henry and Matilda Laumeier. Address: 12580 Rott Rd, Sappington, MO 63127 Hours: Daily 8 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Park: Located in the middle of Kirkwood, Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is an educational nature park. It is nestled within 112 acres of oak hickory forest. The area has three trails which are paved, and one that offers interpretive signage and is disabled accessible. Powder Valley is open in all seasons and includes The nature center, gift shop, and educational exhibits, including an aquarium and bee hive. Address: 11715 Cragwold Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Hours: Tues-Sat 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sun-Mon CLOSED
Frank Lloyd Wright House: Also known as The Kraus House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The house was designed and constructed for Russell and Ruth Goetz Kraus in 1950. Construction continued until at least 1960 and was never completed. The house has parallelograms and the only right angles to be found in the house are located in the bathroom. Even the bed is a parallelogram and sheets must be custom made. The house itself sits on a parallelogram blueprint. The house features a carport, attached shed, and a workroom. Address: 120 N Ballas Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122
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The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
National Museum of Transportation: A 42-acre transportation museum. The museum was founded in 1944 and it restores, preserves, and displays a wide variety of vehicles up to 150 years of American history: cars, boats, aircraft, locomotives and railroad equipment from all around the country. The museum has a research library of transportation-related memorabilia and documents. Part of the museum includes the West Barretts Tunnel and it was built in 1853, and it is one of a pair of tunnels that were the first to operate west of the Mississippi River. Address: 2933 Barrett Station Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122 Hours: daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Grants Farm:
Built by Uylsses S. Grant, and currently owned by the Busch Family. Grants Farm is a 281-acre ancestral home and home of more than 900 animals. Currently have to make reservations to visit and they offer events constantly that can be found at www.grantsfarm.com. Address: 10501 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123 Hours: daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Kirkwood Park: The park includes, Kirkwood Aquatic Center, Community Center, Ice Rink, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and soccer fields. Address: 111 S Geyer Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Hours: Kirkwood Park: daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Kirkwood Aquatic Center: Mon-Fri 12 p.m.- 7:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Kirkwood Community Center: Sat-Sun CLOSED, Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Kirkwood Ice Rink: daily 12 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Kirkwood Tennis Courts: Sun-Fri 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
Emmenegger Nature Park: Has hiking trails and can view the map of the park at www.kirkwoodparksandrec.org. Also has BBQ pits to cook food and enjoy the scenery around the park. Address: 11991 Stoneywood Dr, St. Louis, MO 63122 Hours: daily 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
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Festivals You Don't Want to Miss Geneva lee Staff writer
W
ith vaccinations up and infections down, in-person events and festivals are coming back around, though there are plenty of remote options too! There are celebrations centered around everything from strawberries to the one-mile run. Below is a guide to some of the best of what St. Louis has to offer to those who are ready to finally get out of the house, virtually or physically, after more than a year of isolation:
Fair Saint Louis St. Louis’s Independence Day celebration includes a parade, plenty of food, shopping booths, and of course, fireworks, usually taking place on the Mississippi River’s banks under the Arch.
St. Charles Riverfest
July 2-4, 2021 Cost: Free Location: Frontier Park This three-day festival for Independence Day will include live music, a carnival, food and craft vendors, and fireworks.
Let them Eat Art July 9, 2021 Cost: Free Location: Downtown Maplewood This tribute to Bastille Day has live art demonstrations, kid’s activities, booths featuring local restaurants, and many special event-only promotions at stores downtown.
Open Highway Music Festival August 5-8, 2021 Cost: $41 for one day, $111 for a four-day pass Location: Chesterfield Amphitheater This music festival will be featuring headliners that include Whitney Morgan, Maggie Rose, and Flatland Cavalry.
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St. Louis Fringe Festival August 13-22, 2021 The Fringe Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year as a facilitator for bold, uncensored performance artists. There are half-a-dozen shows each night, and viewers can vote for their favorite performer.
Bommarito
500 Race
INDYCAR
August 21, 2021 Location: Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois Cost: Tickets begins at $34 This INDYCAR race will feature vehicles racing over 200 mph and will be the final oval track race on the 2021 INDYCAR schedule.
Festival of Nations August 28-29, 2021 Cost: Free Location: Tower Grove Park The Festival of Nations celebrates the international diversity of Saint Louis, replete with dozens of booths with different types of international cuisines, cultural performances, and pop-up shops.
Paint Saint Louis 2021 September 3-5, 2021 Cost: Free Location: The Graffiti Wall at 1000 S. Wharf St. - St. Louis, MO 63104 For those who love painting or watching others paint, this event allows the public to graffiti or paint the floodwalls in downtown Saint Louis.
Taste of St. Louis Cost: Free to enter; menu items $3-$8 The Taste of St. Louis brings together more than 30 different local restaurants to showcase St. Louis’s culinary prowess. Everything from BBQ to alcohol-infused ice cream is featured, and there is live music.
The harder you work, the harder it is to lose
St. Louis Art Fair September 10-12, 2021 Cost: Free Location: Downtown Clayton The St. Louis Art Fair is an annual event that hosts 150 artists from around the country and also features craft-making, art demonstrations, live music, and local food and drinks.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
September 17-18, 2021 Cost: Free Location: Forest Park This two-day event has taken place since 1973 and features both a balloon glow, in which hot air balloons are illuminated, and a hot air balloon race, both of which are open to spectators.
Pedal the Cause
September 25-26, 2021 Cost: Minimum $177.25 registration + donation Location: Chesterfield Amphitheater Pedal the Cause is a bike race with various distances that raises money for the Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Participants also have access to food vendors and featured events, in addition to the races.
Apple Butter Festival October 30-31, 2021 Cost: Free Location: Kimmswick, MO This is the largest Festival Kimmswick offers with over 500 food, drink, and craft vendors, along with many live entertainers and singers.
And you’re out of here! Your game may be coming to an end at Meramec, but this is the time to show your fans you’ve got what it takes to conquer another win beofre you leave campus for good. As you prepare to transfer to a 4-year university or college or enter the workforce, know that the skills you learned on the fieldhave prepared you for
success. Secure the win with the tips in this section that offer you strategies to gain the advantage over the opposing team. From ensuring your resume and cover letter resemble the champion you are to knocking that interview out of the park, utilize the resources available at STLCC-Meramec available to you.
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Graduation Requirements A list of criteria to meet to accept an Associate’s Degree
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Status as a degree-seeking student.
Satisfactory completion of one of the programs listed in this catalog.
Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours. Fifteen credit hours of transferable credit applicable to the declared associate degree intended for graduation must be completed at St. Louis Community College. A maximum of nine credit hours in special problems courses may apply as unspecified electives toward the associate degree. Special Problems courses may not be applied as electives defined by disciplines such as “science-mathematics elective” or “humanitiescommunications elective.”
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A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or higher. Credits from previously-attended colleges are not computed on the average.
Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Students who have completed dual credit courses must complete this examination. Students who participated in Early College or other dual enrollment programs, transfer students, and previously enrolled students are exempt from this requirement.
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College policy requires students who apply for a degree to participate in an appropriate outcomes assessment prior to degree being awarded.
Missouri Requirement: One of the following courses is required to meet the Missouri Civics requirement: United States History to 1865 United States History from 1865 to the Present African American History through Reconstruction African American History from Reconstruction to the Present Introduction to American Politics For more information, go to www.stlcc.edu
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And you’re out of here!
Getting Ready to PINCH HIT How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation Barak Alder news editor emeritus A letter of recommendation can make or break career plans, so it’s crucial to have a strong one.
Choose someone who has Ask someone who has seen recently interacted with you you work in a professional setting A professor who taught you three semesters ago likely has less to say than one with a more recent memory of your work.
Don’t request the letter last Ask someone who really minute knows you Letters written in vague terms, even by higher-ups like deans, may help you less than letters written by people with a better understanding of your personality.
Recommenders may be unable to prepare a strong letter under short notice, and, due to conflicting responsibilities, some occasionally limit the number of letters they will prepare at a given time. Recommendation requests at least four weeks prior to an application deadline should leave sufficient time to avoid these risks.
Strong letters of recommendation typically address an individual’s work ethic, ambition, and/or intellectual hunger; professional contacts―bosses, professors, or coworkers―tend to serve as the most credible sources of this information. However, if an application process specifically requests a personal recommendation in addition to an academic or professional one, it may be appropriate to enlist a close friend or relative for a recommendation as well.
Degrees and Certificates Offered The college offers five associate degrees, the certificate of proficiency and the certificate of specialization. Degrees can be completed in two years of full-time attendance. Certificates usually can be completed in one or two semesters. Here is a list of degrees that STLCC offers for students. The associate in arts degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college and work toward a bachelor’s degree.
And you’re out of here!
The associate of arts in teaching degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college and work toward a bachelor’s degree in teacher education. The associate in fine arts degree is offered jointly with the University of Missouri-St. Louis and is designed for students who plan to transfer to UM-St. Louis and earn a bachelor of fine arts degree. The associate in applied science degree helps students develop practical and theoretical skills that prepare them for entry-level jobs.
The associate in science degree is designed to transfer to a particular institution in a specialized area. The certificate of proficiency is for persons whose intended job does not require an associate degree. It also is for persons who wish to gain additional information/ skills in a particular subject area. The certificate of specialization is for persons who desire information/skills in a specific area, usually related to a current job.
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How to knock your interview out of the ballpark after graduation ashley biundo editor-in-chief emeritus As you prepare to leave Meramec and move into the adult world, getting a job may be difficult if you don’t have the connections. Being interviewed for a job can be nerve wracking, but here are the top six most common interview questions and how to answer them according to www.indeed.com. Disclaimer: when it comes to interviews the questions may vary depending on what company and what position you have applied for. www.indeed.com has more than 120 common interview questions. Pro tip: before interviewing, do research on the job, qualifications, company, and experience you are applying for and make note of any questions you want to ask at the end of the interview. That shows the employer that you are very interested in the job. It is okay if you don’t have any questions, the best thing to say is that you don’t have any questions at the moment. Always stay positive and smile, even if they cannot see you (phone interview), they can tell.
“Tell me about yourself”. According to indeed.com, “They are seeking to understand your qualifications, what led you to the job and generally why you think you’d be a good fit. The key here is making your answer concise and direct, including only professional information relevant to the job.” First: Express your background with your responsibilities Second: Summarize your experiences with your achievements Lastly: Describe how you found the job you are applying for and why it’s a good fit and also mention your goals within the job “Why do you want to work here?” “Interviewers
often ask this question to determine whether or not you took the time to research the company and think critically about whether you’re a good fit,” said indeed.com. “The best way to prepare for this question is to do your homework and learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of this workplace. In your answer, mention the aspects of the company that appeals to you and aligns with your values and career goals.”
“Why are you leaving your current job?” Www. indeed.com said, “There are many acceptable reasons for leaving a job. Prepare a thoughtful answer that will give your interviewer confidence that you’re being deliberate about this job change. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your current or previous role, focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position.” Talk about your skills and what you have learned from your past job Keep it positive and don’t talk bad about your past job.
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And you’re out of here!
“Can you tell me about a difficult work situation and how you overcame it?” According to Indeed.com,
“This question is often used to assess how well you perform under pressure as well as your problem-solving abilities. Keep in mind stories are more memorable than facts and figures, so strive to “show” instead of “tell.” This is also an excellent opportunity to show your human side and how when faced with adversity you are able to persevere.” Stick to the STAR Method, according to Indeed.com: Situation, Task, Action, Results. This also works if they ask about your accomplishments.
“What is your salary range?” “Interviewers ask this question to make sure your expectations are in line with the amount they’ve budgeted for the role. If you give a salary range exceedingly lower or higher than the market value of the position, it gives the impression that you don’t know your worth,” Indeed.com said. Provide a Range Negotiate Deflect the question: Still learning about the job? You can talk about it later in the interview
“Why should we hire you?” Indeed.com said, “While this question may seem like an intimidation tactic, interviewers generally ask to offer another opportunity to explain why you’re the best candidate. Your answer should address the skills and experience you offer, why you’re a good culture fit and what you believe you’d bring to the role.” Study the job posting. Research the company. Tie your background to the job posting. Quantify your accomplishments. Go above and beyond.
up at bat: Steps to writing a resume ashley biundo editor-in-chief emeritus When it comes to applying for jobs, the one thing you will need is a resume. According to www.indeed.com, “Constructing a compelling and visually appealing resume can be challenging, but a few strategies can help you use your resume as a showcase of what makes you the best candidate for a job. Learning what to include in a resume can help you build a compelling and visually appealing document that could impress hiring managers.” Make sure you use keywords, review samples of resumes and try to keep it at one page, and use a business format. Here are some tips to help you hit a homerun on your resume: Add your name and your contact information, like phone number and email address. You can also add a link to your professional network platform or online portfolio depending on your job according to Indeed.com
Add an objective. Employers only spend a short amount of time looking at your resume. “These statements should succinctly
illustrate the qualities that make you an attractive candidate while also describing the engaging, yet professional, personality that you can bring to the workplace. Try to focus on work experience that relates to the roles in which you are applying to stand out more to hiring managers,” according to indeed.com. “For a resume objective, you should provide a brief display of your skills and qualifications as they relate to the specific position to which you are applying. As with anything on your resume, though, these skills and qualities should be concrete and, where possible, quantifiable.”
List relevant skills achievements.
and Add work experience.
Usually at the end of the resume, add your skills that are relevant to the job and also what achievements you have accomplished. When it comes to skills add both soft and hard skills, “Soft skills may be abilities such as communication or leadership, while hard skills could be computer programs or technical knowledge you know in the industry,” according to Indeed.com. When it comes to achievements, “Employers may be more impressed if you can prove that your abilities have been tested and that you have found success despite challenges. You can emphasize your victories by including a brief section in your resume that outlines your relevant achievements and awards. These awards can set you apart from other candidates with similar experience,” Indeed. com said.
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You should add your work experience from most relevant to least relevant of the job you are applying for. “Some of the information you will provide in this section is self-explanatory, such as job title, company location and dates employed. Where you can distinguish yourself in this section is with the descriptions of your previous positions,” according to indeed .com. “In each position description, you should explain your previous responsibilities, noteworthy achievements and keywords that will make you appear right for the job.” If this is the first job you are applying for, you may not have any previous work, but you can include relevant internships or volunteer work.
Add education.
A lot of jobs require some education, even if it is a high school diploma or a college degree. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add your high school degree. “List your highest level of education completed first, then list subsequent degrees and diplomas. You may also choose to include any certifications you hold in this section. Also add the date you began pursuing it and leave the end date blank,” Indeed.com said. “In addition to listing degrees, include information about Dean’s lists, honors recognition or academic awards. If you tailored your coursework to a certain specialty, it may even be appropriate to include some of the coursework relevant to this prospective position.”
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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 • Academic difficulties • Adjusting to college • Accessing campus resources • Concerns about alcohol or drug use If you are not sure whether counseling can help, make an appointment for an initial consultation to talk about it. To make an appointment: email mccounsel@stlcc.edu. A counselor will respond to your email.
Renew. Reunite. Redefine. Reimagine.
Choose from 600+ Continuing Education classes and register starting August 9.
stlcc.edu/CE
Non-Discrimination: St. Louis Community College is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran, and shall take action necessary to ensure non-discrimination. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is also prohibited. For information or concerns related to discrimination or sexual harassment, contact Mary Zabriskie, Director, Student Conduct/Title IX Coordinator, at 314-539-5345. Accommodations: If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in any program or activity, please contact the Continuing Education Access Office at 314-984-7704 as soon as possible in advance of the program for consideration of your accommodations request. It is helpful to receive accommodations requests at least 10 days in advance of a program. For trips and tours, advance notice of up to one month is requested. With less advance notice, it may be difficult to meet needs of interested members. Learn more about STLCC disAbility Support Services at stlcc.edu/disability.
BE THE MVP AT Colleges IN missouri andrew Crowdus staff writer
University of Missouri
Founded in 1839 Average cost after aid- 18K 81% acceptance rate Mizzou was the first public university west of the Mississippi River. It is home to the world’s first journalism school. Rooted in the Civil War, their rivalry with Kansas is the oldest college rivalry west of the Mississippi.
Missouri State University
Founded in 1905 Average cost after aid- 17K 88% acceptance rate Missouri State University was founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School. During its early years, the institution’s primary purpose was preparing teachers for the public school systems in the southwest region of Missouri. The main campus was founded in Springfield, MO in 1905.
Southeast Missouri State University
Founded in 1873 Average cost after aid- 13K 86% acceptance rate The beautiful campus is an eclectic mix of old and new. Classic limestone buildings blend harmoniously with contemporary structures. Located in Cape Girardeau, the largest city between St. Louis and Memphis, Southeast is a great place to live and learn in a college-friendly community.
And you’re out of here!
Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818 Average cost after aid- 28K 58% acceptance rate Academically, ethics, spirituality and compassion take center stage, while outside the classroom, members of the SLU community provide more than 1.6 million service hours each year — just one reason why they are among the nation’s top colleges for making an impact.
University Missouri Saint Louis
Founded in 1963 Average cost after aid- 11K 73% acceptance rate With more than 16,000 students, the University of Missouri–St. Louis is eastern Missouri’s premier public research university. UMSL provides excellent learning experiences and leadership opportunities to a diverse student body whose influence on the region upon graduation is immense.
Lindenwood University
Founded in 1827 Average cost after aid- 18K 88% acceptance rate The historic campus is situated in the fast growing community of St. Charles, MO. Lindenwood is known nationally and internationally for innovation, entrepreneurship, and extraordinary dedication to students.
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No fees. No book costs. No surprises. That’s the truth. That’s Truition.®
Apply today for free at MyTruition.com Truition® prices are established exclusively for undergraduate and graduate students taking classes online or at one of our adult higher education venues across the nation. Other exclusive programs are in place for students taking classes during the day on campus in Columbia, Missouri.
Best in the field The past year has been a challenging season, but it’s time to celebrate the wins. At Meramec, students, staff and faculty found ways to bring creativity to their games in and out of the classroom, despite a global pandemic. Discover what you missed and what you can look back on as you head into another season of your academic life. Whether you are just beginning at STLCC or moving on, know that you made an impact on and off the field. Celebrate those goals and look forwrad to a moving season that now becomes the next chapter of your life. Archived photos Archived photos
COVID, THE WORLD AND STLCC A timeline of the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its effects on the world and STLCC. jacob politte online editor
2019: Dec. 31: The World Health Organization (WHO) is first informed of cases of pneumonia of an unknown cause in Wuhan City, China.
2020: Jan. 7: A novel coronavirus, “COVID-19” was identified as the cause of the pneumonia cases by Chinese authorities. Jan. 28,: Then President Trump is officially briefed on the COVID-19 virus, and is warned by officials that his response to the virus will be “the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency.” He chooses to downplay it in the coming months. Feb. 7: In an interview with Bob Woodward of the Washington Post for his book “RAGE” Trump reveals that he is fully aware of the severe consequences of the pandemic. “It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flu... this is deadly stuff.” In another interview with Woodward a month later, he admits to playing the virus down. “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down… because I don’t want to create a panic.” Mar. 9: An individual unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus is present on the Forest Park campus.
Mar. 25: The Meramec Montage suspends its print editions for the remainder of the semester. Mar. 30: All on-campus classes are canceled and moved online for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Classes that involved a lab or studio component that couldn’t be converted online are “paused.” Apr. 1: All STLCC outdoor athletic facilities were secured and made inaccessible “until further notice.” Apr. 6: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 10,000. Apr. 14: STLCC announces that all summer courses will be held online. Apr. 24: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 50,000. May 16: STLCC campuses are reopened to most janitorial staff. Many STLCC employees continue to work from home. May 28: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 100,000.
Mar. 12: STLCC Chancellor Jeff Pittman releases an email announcing that STLCC will continue on with on-campus classes, but admitting that the situation is an evolving one. Meanwhile, an individual unknowingly carrying COVID-19 is present on the Meramec campus.
May 29: The Trump Administration announces its intent to terminate the United States’ affiliation with the WHO. Jun. 1: Chancellor Pittman announces in a Press Release that due to an “impending budget shortfall” that will negatively affect colleges throughout Missouri, Senior Members of STLCC leadership (including Meramec President Feleccia Moore-Davis and himself) will each be taking one day of furlough a month through the end of the year starting the following month. He also announces the freezing of a high number of vacant positions, the suspension of the travel budget and reduction of professional development and operational costs.
Mar. 13: STLCC’s Spring Break is extended by one week. Meanwhile, an individual unknowingly carrying COVID-19 is present on the Florissant Valley campus.
Jun. 22: An college employee unknowingly carrying COVID-19 is present at various locations on the Forest Park campus. They tested positive four days afterward.
Mar. 18: STLCC’s Spring 2020 commencement is postponed until December. Non-essential employees are designated to work from home.
Jul. 28: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 150,000.
Mar. 11: WHO officially recognizes COVID-19 as a pandemic due to its alarming spread and severity worldwide. NBA shuts down operations, and the rest of the sports world begins to follow suit.
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Aug. 24: STLCC returns to limited on-campus classes that cannot be delivered online, such as select lab and studio courses, as well as choir classes. Students attending on-campus classes are instructed to use the Healthfully App to answer a health screening each time before their arrival on campus. Also, in compliance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, wearing masks on all campuses is required. All other courses continue to be delivered online. Sept. 3: The Meramec Montage resumes releasing its print edition, albeit on a monthly basis instead of bi-weekly. Sept. 19: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 200,000. Oct. 2: President Trump and his wife Melania announce that they tested positive for COVID-19. Oct. 3: President Trump is airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland, hospitalized due to COVID-19. Oct. 5: Trump leaves Walter Reed, returns to the White House.
2021: Jan. 3: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 350,000. Jan. 6: During the Electoral College vote to confirm Biden as the next President, an angry mob of Trump supporters storms the United States Capitol Building directly after a rally held by the outgoing President, vandalizing the building and breaking into the Senate and House Chambers in an attempt to stop the process and potentially kill elected officials. Trump is officially banned from most social media outlets as a result of the insurrection. Jan. 19, 2021: STLCC’s Spring 2021 semester begins; the first session of face-to-face and hybrid classes meets in person for the first class, then transitions back online until mid-February. Meanwhile, the reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 400,000. Jan. 20, 2021: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as the new President and Vice President. The same day, Biden retracts Trump’s intent to withdraw from the WHO.
Nov. 7: President Trump loses his bid for re-election to former Vice President Joe Biden. Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is widely believed to be a factor in his loss. He becomes only the third elected president since World War II to lose re-election, and the first since George H.W. Bush in 1992.
Feb. 16, 2021: STLCC students participating in face-to-face and hybrid courses are permitted to return to campus for classes.
Nov. 16: Several STLCC on-campus classes return to an online format until the end of the fall semester, following an increase in COVID-19 cases around the region.
May 14, 2021: The CDC announces that fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks, but STLCC continues to require mask usage at all campuses.
Nov. 18: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 250,000.
June 15, 2021: STLCC announces that fully-vaccinated students, staff and faculty are no longer required to wear masks on all campuses.
Feb. 22, 2021: The reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 500,000.
Dec. 11: An effective COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioTech is announced and authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dec. 14: The first Pfizer vaccines are distributed in the United States. The amount of shots, however, is limited. Meanwhile, the reported COVID-19 death toll in the United States passes 300,000.
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STLCC Meramec Choir Adjusts to COVID in Unexpected Ways Barak Alder news editor emeritus COVID-19 has changed college life, especially for students who continue attending in-person classes. Students of the STLCC Meramec concert choir, who previously had their class unrestricted by CDC guidelines, began facing unfamiliar public safety precautions, such as mandates that they wear masks at all times while oncampus, mandates that they sing no less than 10 feet apart, and mandates that they practice for no more than 30 minutes at a time. These safety precautions posed technical challenges for the singers as well, said Dr. Gerald C. Myers, the Director of Choral Activities at STLCC Meramec. “It was challenging, especially the choir rehearsals early in the semester,” he said, adding “I’d say [for] the first few weeks, everyone was a little frustrated.” For one, masks challenged singers’ diction, since it muffled their voices. However, to help remedy this issue, STLCC
eventually purchased what are called singers’ masks, which according to Myers, “fit around the face and down the chin more than a typical mask” and “protrude away from the lips.” Social distancing also prevented timid singers from building up their confidence as easily, said Myers. “Young singers are typically timid anyway. But when normally in a rehearsal I would discover a new singer timid, I would put strong singers around that person…and that would encourage that more timid singer to sing out....But I can’t do that when I have to keep singers 10 feet apart,” he said. The time restraint, limiting rehearsals to 30 minutes at a time, also prevented the group from learning as many pieces as they normally would, he said. “We just had to accept in the beginning that we’re not going to learn 12 pieces for a concert, when we’re only rehearsing a half hour at a time, two days a week,” said Myers. Yet, students have generally handled these changes well, he said. “Students have been very resilient,” and “they really adjusted
well and overcame the challenges.” Myers, in fact, suggested that these mandates, like mask requirements, have somewhat helped his singers develop their technique. “I have taught for many, many years... having singers imagine if they had something covering their mouth, and so instead of thinking about singing out through the mouth, you would imagine singing over this, into what we call the singers mask, the eyes and the nasal cavity...where you resonate sound. So I told the choir...let’s take advantage of this mask. Now, I want you to imagine singing over it...and I did find that they developed that resonance quicker this semester than ever before,” he said. In spite of the positives, the experience has still been far from ideal, said Myers. “In conversations with other directors, I haven’t yet found anyone who has really adjusted or wanted to adjust to this. It’s just doing our best with this for as long as we have to.”
STLCC approved for Bachelor's Degree CBHE approves the college to offer bachelor’s degrees in respiratory therapy jacob politte online editor On Mar. 3, STLCC was given approval by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) to offer bachelor’s degrees in respiratory therapy beginning in the fall 2022 semester. The approval makes STLCC the first community college in the state of Missouri to offer a bachelor degree in any subject. Currently, the college does offer an associates degree for respiratory therapy.
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In a press release sent out by the college earlier this month, it is stressed by Chancellor Jeff Pittman that “This is the first step in a multi-tiered process that includes approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and the Higher Learning Commission.” According to STLCC’s news website, the college’s respiratory therapy programs must now seek approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The bachelor’s programs will be offered at the Center for Nursing and Health Sciences at STLCC-Forest Park or the STLCC-Florissant Valley campus. The demand for respiratory therapists is expected to grow by nearly 28% by the year 2026, according to studies done by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Ozarks Technical Community College, an institution based out of Springfield, MO, was also approved to offer the bachelor’s degree.
More than coaching Coach Ricardo Garza discusses his long history with coaching soccer andrew Crowdus staff writer
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efore Coach Ricardo Garza’s illustrious and successful coaching career, he was a player. He played soccer in high school at Bishop DuBourg High School. He wanted to go pro, but some of the staff of the St. Louis Steamers got him in contact with Pat McBride and his staff at St. Louis Community College- Forest Park. “I played three years of college and then went on to coaching after that. I planned on playing pro, and coach on the side but God had other plans for me,” Garza said. He began coaching during his college playing years when he coached club soccer. “I started coaching club soccer and Missouri ODP during my college playing career. One of my former college coaches reached out to me and asked if I’d like to help him start a college soccer program with him,” Garza said. He continued, “My first year coaching college we went to the National Tournament the same year I blew my knee ending my option to continue pursuing a dream to play
pro. Focusing on only coaching my college players rather than developing myself helped us win the National Championship the following season and the void of never playing soccer again was erased with the feeling of developing our young players. I was very committed and disciplined in the pursuit of playing professionally which 100% shifted to making our players better individually,” he said. In 2005, Garza helped start Jefferson College’s soccer program. “It didn’t exist before then,” Garza said. “I coached for 3 ½ years as an assistant, and then took over as head coach and stayed eight more years. Twelve years of experience, a National Championship, multiple National Championship appearances. We also won many local regional tournaments, and regions. We dominated the conference for a long time.” Garza’s program was well known across the entire country. “My staff and I created a reputation across the country that we can bring a player in who just needed an opportunity and a diverse culture to accept him and help bring them to the next level,” he said. “We became a program hundreds of four-year colleges and Universities recruited from and sent players to develop.” Coaching is a rewarding job, he said, but it extends further than the success on the soccer field. “As we were having success pretty early in my career, I had a lot of opportunities to move on across the country to coach. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, because the kids we would bring in were typical kids that needed to have a little extra structure in their life. Our soccer team was very diverse with kids from almost all walks of life. When they became friends, we sort of had a family environment around these guys that grew them from boys to men very quickly. That’s
honestly why I stayed. We had already won, we were one of the winningest programs, so I obviously didn’t stay for the soccer. It was a system and a relationship we were building, and the families that we connected with over the years,” Garza said. Before coming to STLCC, Garza took a break in 2016. “I did take a few years off after 2016 to launch our professional development men’s team who plays semi-pro in the National Premier Soccer League and the Minor League Soccer Championships. Helping college players continuing their dream to play after college with my family-run nonprofit men’s team is filling a void in the soccer community in St. Louis. Coaching at the semi-pro level the last few years has definitely improved my level of coaching and I feel more seasoned and ready to relaunch the STLCC program [that] Pete Sorber built years ago. Being able to follow his lead and continue his legacy here is a personal dream of mine and I am very happy to be here at STLCC,” Garza said. COVID-19 presented challenges for colleges, pro sports, and college sports alike. The St. Louis Community College soccer team had struggles of their own when it comes to the virus. “Obviously our season got bumped from the fall to the spring, so there were no games this fall,” Garza said. “Some guys had to be quarantined for a while, and our whole team was as well at one point. So that right there is two weeks. I was exposed so I had to be quarantined as well, so I missed four weeks due to COVID-19 just by myself. I never got to finish the fall season coaching the guys and I wont see them until February. So it’s going to be interesting. It’s good that the NJCAA didn’t count the spring season for eligibility.”
photo by: Ashley biundo
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Once an Archer, always an Archer Look back on sports this past semester
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ashley biundo editor-in-chief emeritus
L
ooking back at the past year for sports at STLCC, there have been some good times and one hardship. COVID-19 has affected so much the past year including sports. Soccer and volleyball had to move their fall season to the spring. Basketball had to cut their season down from the normal start date being in October to January. Despite the difficult time, the Archers gave their hearts out to every game they played.
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Women’s Basketball:
Women’s basketball started their season off late, in late January and ended their season at the end of March with a record of 6-9. The one thing STLCC women’s basketball always had is their perseverance. Head coach Jacob Yorg said, “The biggest thing is just persevering and it’s hard. Last year we had low numbers and this year again with everything going on. It’s just understanding that everybody had a very important role and if you don’t do yours it’s going to hinder your team and that’s something we’ve developed this entire year and gotten better and better. That is just persevering through every single one the injuries, everything one of the struggles and constantly finding a way to get better as a team.”
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Men’s Basketball: Like women’s basketball, the STLCC men’s basketball started off late due to COVID-19. Ending their season with a record of 11-13. Assistant coach, Evan Pedersen said, “Trying to keep the players focused on what was important and to get them engaged with everything they need to do in spite of,” he said. “They may show up someday and not have class or they may show up someday, and somebody’s not here or so it’s just the uncertainty of things.” COVID-19 didn’t stop the men’s basketball team from playing and working on teamwork. “Our strengths were teamwork and our camaraderie. We had a great group of guys, and they all played hard together,” Pedersen said. “They have been through adversity, but we really sacrifice for each other. We just really had a lot of confidence in what we were doing and knocked down shots.”
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Volleyball: STLCC volleyball team had to move their season from the normal fall schedule to a condensed schedule in the spring semester. They ended their season with a record of 4-1. Head Coach Geoff Davis said that as long as
they were on the court and playing, they were happy. “As long as I’m on the court, as long as the girls are moving, and as long as we’re learning stuff, it really doesn’t matter to me when we’re doing it,” he said. “I just want them to be able to compete and I want them to be able to have strong competition where they can develop and grow their skills.”
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Baseball: STLCC baseball team didn’t have a lot of
changes this season with COVID-19 besides only had to take a certain number of players to the away games. They ended their season with a record of 20-28. Head coach, Scott Goodrich said, “We had a really good veteran group, a lot of older players, and we have a lot of strengths,” he said. “We had a pretty good pitching staff, and we played really good defense, and I think it was essential to have a really nice offense. Our offense did have some struggles, it was lacking. But then once it started clicking, we had a good opportunity to really play with anybody on any given day.”
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Softball: Like baseball, STLCC softball team did not
have to make many changes to their season this year. They had a successful season and ended it with a record of 2619 winning the Region 16 Championship and moved on to districts in Alabama. Assistant coach Ken Williams said that the beginning of the season STLCC softball was nationally ranked. “We went up against a lot of tough teams this year,” he said. “We were nationally ranked at the beginning of the season.” And once these other schools see it, then you have a target on your back. So they’re wanting to beat you because that way they move up in the rankings.” Williams hopes that the softball players gain knowledge of the game from this past season. “Just the knowledge of the game and that they’ve learned something through all the practices and they’ve gotten better and a
lot of them are going on to four years ago so they’ll be able to achieve up there,” he said.
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Women’s Soccer: COVID-19 affected the STLCC
women’s soccer season by moving it to the spring season and having them play less games but more frequently and also had to recruit a few girls from the basketball team. They had a winning season of a record of 11-2-1, winning Region XVI championship. They lost in districts but were selected as the at-large selection in the D2 championship in Evans, GA. Head coach Jason Howard said that women’s soccer had room to improve throughout the season. “There was always stuff that we can work on,” he said. “We were playing pretty well and staying positive with everything. With the girls that we had, we were healthy and they kept getting along with each other and played hard.” Howard said that the girl fought for each other and played hard and said that they were a really fun group to coach.
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Men’s Soccer: Like the women’s team, the STLCC
men’s soccer season was moved to spring and played less games but more frequently. They ended their season as runner-ups in the Region XVI championship and a record of 7-6-2. This was Ricardo Garza’s first season as head coach of the program. He said that he is hopeful for the fall season since most of his players are freshmen. “The majority of these guys are all freshmen, and they already have a season under their belt, without it costing them means I get to have them for three years, that’s not supposed to happen,” he said. So I think these guys will come back in the fall, have a season under but it’s good to start over again, as a freshman.” All sports plan on returning to their normal schedule in the 2021-2022 season.
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6 photos by: Ashley biundo
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Years of accomplishments After 28 years of coaching, Ken Williams retires ashley biundo editor-in-chief emeritus Back in 1993, Ken Williams began his career as a coach for the STLCC-Forest Park softball team, when sports were separated at each campus. He went on to coach for 28 years and retiring after the 2021 softball season at STLCC. Head coach Kristi Swiderski said, “ Ken has been a staple of STLCC for a very long time.” Williams said that he has a lot of memories from coaching alongside Billy Gifford. “One good memory I have is with Billy Gifford. He was with me at Forest Park and he died a couple years ago. But we always had good times,” he said. Another favorite memory would be when the Forest Park softball team went to nationals in 2003. Williams said that he has history coaching assistant athletic director Sharon Marquardt’s family. Her sister pitched for Williams in 2003, helping them head to nationals and the last time they went to nationals Marquardt’s daughter led the team there according to Williams. “Sharon has been a big part of the program for years” he said. “I think she started in 2004. She started working with me as an assistant and then stayed with me until we went to districts in 2011-2012.” Marquarqt said that she’s known Williams since she was 14 years old. “Ken has always treated the players as if they
were family. He took care of them on and off the field,” she said. “He just loves the game of softball no matter what. He will be greatly missed.” Marquardt also said that Williams brought her to STLCC- Forest Park back in 2004 as assistant coach to softball. Williams plans on visiting Florida for a month with his wife and dog after he retires. “I’m 73 years old. I plan on going to Florida for a month in November, me, my wife and dog. We’re going to go down there and spend a month there,” he said. “I had a place down there for five years. And then I sold it. So we’re basically going back to where we stayed for five years. And just bum around about it to do little yard work.” Williams will be still involved with the softball program, although not for coaching. “I’m still going to come to some of the games. If it’s a home game, I will probably come up and watch them and be supportive” he said. “And if it’s an away game and it’s
close, I’ll probably go too. I’m still going to stay involved but not coaching.” Although his favorite memory is going to nationals back in 2003, it is also his biggest accomplishment. “My biggest accomplishment is going to nationals in 2003 and I think Forest Park, we won regionals probably 5 or 6 times while I was there. So that was a good accomplishment,” he said. Williams hoped that the team could win at regionals this year and would like to go to nationals in his last year as assistant coach. “We have regionals coming up on May 7 and 8, I believe. And hopefully we can win that. And then we go there if we win and we go to districts and if we win then we go to nationals,” he said. “So I would like to go to Nationals my last year, but who knows it just you have to be lucky. You got to be lucky on that weekend. It’s not all about what you did during the year, but you get a hot pitcher on a weekend and it only takes one pitcher and you can ruin the whole thing. So hopefully we can do that.” Williams said that he enjoyed this year and he will miss his players.”it’s just been a good year. I really enjoyed it. I’m just getting older. My physical abilities, not what it used to be,”he said. “So that’s, that’s another reason I’m retiring. I’m just getting too old. I can’t do what I used to do. I think that’s the biggest reason.”
Photos by: Ashley biundo
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