SCENE THE
THE
Spring Issue 2
March 11, 2022
THESCENEFP.COM
www.thescenefp.com
Restaurant guide See pages 4-5
1971 grad’s journey See page 7
St. Louis Community College at Forest Park
Drive to help with feminine hygiene
By Nicole DeLapp The Scene staff Menstrual products such as tampons and sanitary pads are considered just as essential as toothbrushes for proper hygiene. However, those products can be expensive and difficult to come by for poor women. There’s even a term for it: Period poverty. This month, the Xi Epsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Forest Park organized a Period Product Drive to help female students in need obtain feminine-hygiene products. Members realize that the topic has historically been considered taboo and not discussed in public. President Zoraya Piedra hopes to change that. “I plan to get everyone educated,” she said. “To me, it’s nothing disgusting or unhealthy. It’s something natural, and there shouldn’t be a stigma around periods.” Phi Theta Kappa worked with Forest Park’s Student Nurses Association to place donation boxes in six locations around campus. People can drop off sanitary pads, tampons and panty liners through March 23. Organizers planned the drive in conjunction with Women’s History Month in March, but that won’t be the end of it. “We would like to see the drive run at other times, not just during Women’s History Month,” Piedra said. After the drive ends, organizers will distribute the feminine-hygiene products to offices around campus, where students in need can pick them up. They will also replenish supplies when needed. Phi Theta Kappa members meet every other Tuesday to discuss and work on Honors in Action projects. This semester’s project is the Period Product Drive. Piedra and four other officers did a lot of research and met with Forest
See Drive page 2
Photo by Nicole DeLapp
One of the Period Product Drive donation boxes is located in the Forest Park bookstore.
Campus community reacts to repeal of mask mandate By Theodore Geigle The Scene staff Forest Park students and employees have mixed feelings about last week’s decision by St. Louis Community College to stop requiring everyone to wear COVID-19 masks. Math tutor Connie McArthur is among those who welcome the change. “I think it’s great because students have the choice,” she said. “I will continue to wear (a mask) because I have a handicapped brother.” Medical experts have determined that people with underlying health conditions are more susceptible to serious illness if infected with the coronavirus. McArthur has been vaccinated against COVID-19. She believes anyone not vaccinated should continue to wear a mask. Sonograph technician student Krista Atwater, 20, is opposed to the college’s new policy. “I think it’s stupid,” she said. “They should have kept the mask mandate. If we take the mandate away, then we’re going to go back to the way it was in 2019, where everybody is getting sick and is being affected by it. I do not think it’s worth it.” STLCC began requiring all students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear masks indoors and outdoors in 2020, when campuses reopened after a months-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chancellor Jeff Pittman recently an-
Photo by Leilani England
Students in the Introduction to Networking class of William Hocker make their own decisions on whether to wear masks, now that St. Louis Community College no longer requires them. nounced that people would no longer have to wear masks at most STLCC locations, beginning March 2. “However, you are still advised to keep a social distance to the extent possible,” he wrote in an email. “For those who prefer to wear a mask, you are welcome to do so without judgment.” A mask mandate remains in effect at a
few STLCC locations, including the dental clinic in the Center for Nursing and Health Sciences on the Forest Park campus. STLCC encourages people not vaccinated against COVID-19 to continue to wear masks indoors, according to Pittman’s announcement.
See Mandate page 2
Free gloves help keep students warm
cold weather. To Hallemann’s surprise, more gloves showed up on the bulletin You could call it an “act of kindboard one day. They had been purness” or a “helping hand.” chased by radiology student Kyle Kim Hallemann, manager of Hahn, 21. Forest Park Academic Success and “I saw they had really nice Tutoring, started spring semester gloves on the board, and I thought by tacking pairs of gloves on a bulit was a good idea,” he said. “Then letin board and inviting students, I saw that they were all gone, and faculty and staff to take them for I thought, ‘Uh-oh, that’s not good,’ free. and I bought my own gloves and “I thought of it during winter put them up there. break,” said Hallemann, 53. “… I “People need gloves and it’s cold always try to think of ways to fulfill outside. I had the extra money and students’ needs.” not many expenses.” Hallemann’s creativity also Between 25 and 30 students, comes in handy when she’s profaculty and staff have taken gloves Photo by Leilani England moting the tutoring center and its from the bulletin board this semesfree services. She has used every- Academic Success and Tutoring uses a bulletin ter. thing from candy to Ramen noodles board to promote its programs and give away gloves. In a few cases, positive feedback to attract students’ attention. work, like to have fun. made its way back to Hallemann. “Need gloves?” read a sign that HalIn January, Hallemann bought several “I thought that it was great,” said Aaron lemann posted on the bulletin board this pairs of colorful, but inexpensive gloves Shelton, 55, a work-study employee in the semester. “Keep warm and get free tutor- for the bulletin board, which is outside the Access Office, who took a pair of lighting.” tutoring center in the Forest Park library weight gloves on a day when his own heavy Hallemann is a former middle-school building. gloves were too warm and bulky. teacher. She knows that young people, even The gloves quickly disappeared, helping “They all disappeared except for one. Evthose who are serious about their school- students, faculty and staff avoid frostbite in eryone is out there with warm hands.” By Leilani England The Scene staff
News Mandate
“The College strongly recommends a COVID-10 vaccine as an effective way to protect your health,” he wrote. Pittman didn’t give a reason for the change in policy. But in recent days, many governments, organizations and businesses across the country have repealed mask mandates in keeping with new Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, citing decreases in the number of COVID-19 cases. About half of students, faculty, staff and visitors were wearing masks on the Forest Park campus March 2, and that pattern seems to have remained steady. Forest Park chemistry major Terrel Johnson, 18, is glad to have the option of not wearing a mask. “You can wear one by choice, and it may make more people want to wear one because it’s their choice. The way viruses operate is that they will become less lethal and spread more.” Joseph Rodgers is largely ambivalent about the change in STLCC policy. The Forest Park librarian has a large collection of interesting masks, including those with Spider-Man and Harry Potter themes, so he doesn’t mind wearing them. “I always try to be respectful about it, and if people want me to wear one, I will,” he said. Reading tutor Martha Haley, 72, believes people should continue to wear masks on campus and in other public places, given that COVID-19 still exists and can make you sick. “I’m older, so I’m more susceptible to conditions,” she said. “I really think (the mandate) should continue, and I prefer those who are not vaccinated to wear them
from page 1
Photo by Markell Tompkins
Chancellor speaks out on Ukraine Many Americans have been horrified by the widespread death and destruction caused by Russia’s attack on the Eastern European country of Ukraine. That includes students, staff and faculty at St. Louis Community College, which has a significant number of international students and relationships with organizations abroad. Chancellor Jeff Pittman released the following statement on March 3:w “We have all been troubled by the disturbing images coming from Ukraine during the last week. The Russian government’s senseless invasion of an independent and democratic nation has left us all to consider the true meaning of freedom and democracy during these uncertain times.
Librarian Joseph Rodgers has a large collection of masks, including this one with a Harry Potter theme.
Drive
around me.” Child development student Tae Jackson, 18, believes that it’s OK to remove masks outside, but not inside. “If you in a restaurant or mall, it becomes a breeding ground for COVID,” she said. STLCC will continue to seek guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and local health departments and make adjustments to its policy if necessary, according to Pittman’s announcement. People can get more information on the college’s website, which includes general COVID-19 policies and a Safe Return Plan. “Please be patient as the College replaces signs on campus, updates the website and other informational materials with the changes regarding masks at STLCC,” Pittman wrote.
Park President Julie Fickas before choosing to tackle the issue of period poverty. “She was like, yes, there are homeless students, and homelessness is linked to poverty, and poverty is linked to period poverty,” Piedra said. Costs generally range from $6 to $10 for boxes of 50 tampons and $4 to $9 for boxes of 36 sanitary pads. The Student Nurses Association reached out to Phi Theta Kappa faculty adviser Sandra Osburn and asked to help with the Period Product Drive. Organizers also are accepting monetary donation. They will use the cash to buy feminine-hygiene products and distribute them as part of “period kits” with health information and other resources. There’s also an incentive to increase participation in the drive. Donors who
“We may be troubled, but we are clear and strong in our support of Ukraine and the STLCC students, faculty, and staff who are directly affected by this terrible act. Please know that our hearts are with you. “We understand the horrible suffering we are witnessing can take a toll. The College has several resources for students, faculty and staff. I encourage you to seek support and know that all of us are here for you. “This invasion is a tragic yet timely reminder that a fragile thread weaves the ideas of peace and freedom. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and College leadership, St. Louis Community College stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
from page 1 provide names and STLCC email address will have a chance to win a raffle prize. Donation boxes are located in the cafeteria, library, art annex, D Tower room 220, G Tower room 329 and on the second floor of the Nursing and Health Sciences building. “We would like this to be long-lasting,” Piedra said “Future presidents, chapter officers and members will continue to work on it.” Other organizations in the city have initiated similar drives. The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank runs a program called the St. Louis Alliance for Period Supplies that tackles period poverty in the city. Visit events.stlcc.edu/whm for more information.
Scene THE
Editor: Theodore Geigle
Business manager: Nicole DeLapp Web manager: Victor Paletta Circulation: Zacchaeus Windham
s
Reporters/photographers: Markell Tompkins, Leilani England, Cristian Romero, Deborah Moss, Gracie Ebenhoh, Koko Alapbe Cartoonist: Zane Scott Faculty advisers: Teri Maddox, Fred Ortlip
Read us at home or on the run! Check out The Scene’s website at thescenefp.com Page 2
The Scene is a publication written and designed by students at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. The office is in F Tower, Room 408. The telephone number is (314) 644-9140. The e-mail address is the_scene_fp@yahoo.com. All text, photos, graphics and other content are property of The Scene and may not be used without permission. Views expressed are not necessarily those of St. Louis Community
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College, its Board of Trustees or administration. The Scene welcomes opinion pieces and letters to the editor. They should be signed and include the writer’s student or staff number. They can be mailed to the above addresses or delivered by hand. We reserve the right to edit for length and taste. The Scene will run classified ads for students free of charge. They should be submitted in the manner described above.
March 11, 2022
Campus chatter Neil Das, librarian “It’s intriguing. I don’t understand exactly how it works or how it initially came about. I guess it can be a good method of payment or a way to make money, but I haven’t really ventured into it myself. I’m still a little bit leery.”
Ben Walsh, 19, graphic communications “I haven’t really used crypto, so I don’t really have an opinion on it. I guess for those who do use it, I hope it’s useful for them and that they do well in it. But I personally don’t have a plan to use it.”
Chloe Kessler, 18, marketing major “I don’t think it should be a thing. I think NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are stupid, and they’re taking away from artists. Celebrities are getting thousands of dollars from fans, I guess, and it’s taking away from small artists who could do those things.”
Donivan Foster, Campus Life manager “I don’t really know anything about cryptocurrency. I’ve just heard people talk about it in the news, but I’m not really sure what it is or how someone might get involved in it. I would need an education on it.”
March 11, 2022
Charmion Gorden, 44, medical billing “I think it’s amazing. I recently read, I think on Facebook or something, how a 12-year-old girl made thousands of dollars drawing NFTs (non-fungible tokens). So, it’s the thing of the future now. You can easily make money selling and buying crypto and drawing NFTs.”
Tanya Carr, student activities assistant “I think it’s very interesting. I do have some stock in it, even though I feel that it’s very volatile and not really something that I count on for making money. It’s just something fun, I guess, that might be profitable and might not be profitable. I guess it’s still kind of confusing to me as well. I don’t know that much about it. I need to educate myself.”
What is your opinion oF cryptocurrency?
By Markell Tompkins
Amanda Gallogly, writing center supervisor “I think it sounds interesting, but I’m not ready to try it personally because I don’t have any money to lose. … I’ve seen how the crypto fluctuates a lot. You have very little control over that. You could make a lot of money if you get out soon, or you could buy it and lose all your money. I guess it would be a fun game if you had the money to lose.”
Dennis Conway, 62, auto technology “I don’t trust it. … Right now, they’re talking about how they’re doing other people, getting their money. It’s always a scam. It wouldn’t happen to me, but it can happen to me. … I ain’t buying no cryptocurrency.”
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Deja Gibbs, biology and math secretary “I know people sell stuff and trade, sometimes illegal items, using bitcoin. I also know they offer bitcoin on Cash App. I don’t actually know much about it.”
Juan Gonzalez, 19, general transfer “I don’t really have an opinion on cryptocurrency because I don’t really know how it works.”
Zack Schwadon, 19, general transfer “(It’s) a big part of my life right now. I’ve been learning to day trade it and set up strategies for the future. I think that eventually we will see it become currency for the whole world. I think with the proper technology and the proper usage, it has such a great future ahead of it. I wish more people would look into it and understand the technology and the development behind it.”
Aubrey Clayton, 30, general transfer “I don’t really know too much about it, but I feel like it’s definitely something to invest in. I feel like it’s definitely the way of the future. Everything’s going online, and banks are becoming a thing of the past. I need to learn more about it.”
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Adriana’s on the Hill
Address: 5101 Shaw Ave. Phone: 314-773-3833 Website: adrianasonthehill.com Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Food: Sandwiches, pasta, pizza, soups, salads Atmosphere: Small, family-owned lunch café with blue-checkered tablecloths
Comet Coffee
Address: 5708 Oakland Ave. Phone: 314-932-7770 Website: cometcoffeestl.com Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Food: Muffins, scones, brioche, quiche, breakfast sandwiches, coffees and teas Atmosphere: Laid-back coffee shop with wi-fi, indoor and outdoor seating
Courtesy Diner
Address: 1121 Hampton Ave. Phone: 314-644-2600 Website: courtesydiner.com Hours: 24 hours Food: American classics, burgers, steak sandwiches, malts and breakfast all day Atmosphere: 1950s-style diner with jukebox that plays classic rock (seven songs for $1) but no wi-fi; opened in 1935
Photo by Shauna Stagner
Forest Park closed its cafeteria last year either bringing their lunches to school or avoid corporate and fast-food restaurants places that are relatively affordab
Eovaldi’s Deli
Address: 2201 Edwards St. Phone: 314-771-5707 Website: delionthehill.com Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Food: Sandwiches, pizza, soups and salads Atmosphere: Deli that’s nearly 20 years old; once featured on Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise”
Gelato Di Riso
Address: 5204 Wilson Ave. Phone: 314-664-8488 Website: gelatodiriso.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Food: Gelato, scones, cannoli, cookies, coffee
Th guid ou nei
Atmosphere: Quaint coffee shop with ice cream counter and patio that overlooks a piazza with fountain and historic church
Gioia’s Deli
Address: 1934 Macklind Ave. Phone: 314-776-9410 Website: gioiasdeli.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday Food: Sandwiches, salads, frozen pizza, cookies Atmosphere: Italian deli that’s been open since 1918; online ordering available
Grace Meat + Three Address: 4270 Manchester Ave. Phone: 314-533-2700
Website: stlgrace.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday Food: Chicken and fish; named best fried chicken in Missouri by Food Network Atmosphere: Casual and kid-friendly with outdoor seating and quick bites
The Gramophone
Address: 4243 Manchester Ave. Phone: 314-531-5700 Website: gramophonestl.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday Food: Sandwiches, cold beer Atmosphere: Outdoor, indoor and bar seating with live and DJ music, trivia night, TV sports, fast service, LGBTQ+ friendly; masks required
Kingside Diner
Address: 236 N Euclid Ave. Phone: 314-454-3957 Website: kingsidediner.com Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday Food: Traditional American plates Atmosphere: Cozy, casual, LGBTQ+ friendly restaurant with modern chess theme and rooftop patio
Lakeside Cafe at St. Louis Zoo
Photo by George Estes
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Address: 1 Government Dr. Phone: 314-781-0900 Website: stlzoo.org Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. fall and winter; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. spring Food: Nachos, cheeseburgers, chicken strips, jumbo pretzels, hot dogs and seasonal salad option
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Atmosphere: Casual dining with fast service and outdoor seating at the zoo
Mama Toscano’s Ravioli
Address: 2201 Macklind Ave. Phone: 314-776-2926 Website: mamatoscano.com Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Food: Housemade toasted ravioli, sandwiches Atmosphere: Small, family-owned restaurant with outdoor seating and carry-outs
Milo’s Bocce Garden Address: 5201 Wilson Ave.
March 11, 2022
he Scene’s de to eating ut in the ighborhood
r, so many students, faculty and staff are r going out to eat. For those who want to s, here’s a list of 20 independently owned ble and three miles away or less. noon Sunday Food: Cakes, cookies, pastries, bread Atmosphere: Bakery that opened in 1924; carry-out and cash only
Nick’s Irish Pub
Address: 6001 Manchester Ave. Phone: 314-781-7806 Website: nicksirishpub.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday and Sunday Food: Burgers, sandwiches and appetizers Atmosphere: Bar; online ordering available
O’Connell’s Pub
The Scene file photo
Phone: 314-776-0468 Website: milosboccegarden.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday Food: Meat and cheese plates, pasta, burgers, pizza sandwiches, wings Atmosphere: Italian bar with bocce-ball courts on the patio
Missouri Baking Co.
Address: 2027 Edwards St. Phone: 314-773-6566 Information: See Facebook Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 a.m. to
March 11, 2022
Address: 4652 Shaw Ave. Phone: 314-773-6600 Website: oconnells-pub.com Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday Food: Burgers, soups, sandwiches Atmosphere: Historic bar with antique store upstairs; COVID vaccination card required for dine-in
The Scene file photo
in 1999 in historic bank building; beans roasted in-house
Slim Chickens
Address: 1515 Hampton Ave. Phone: 314-932-7723 Website: slimchickens.com Hours: 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Sunday Food: Chicken, fries Atmosphere: Large, popular restaurant with indoor dining, drive-thru and curbside service
Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery & Bierhall Website: pokedokestl.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Food: Asian, Hawaiian fish, salad bar, vegetarian options Atmosphere: Fast service and college student friendly
Shaw’s Coffee
Address: 5147 Shaw Ave. Phone: 314-771-6920 Website: shawscoffee.com Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday Food: Coffee, croissants, cannoli, scones, pastries Atmosphere: Relaxing coffee shop that opened
Address: 4465 Manchester Ave. Phone: 314-222-0143 Website: urbanchestnut.com Hours: 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday Food: Sandwiches, burgers, snacks and many beers on tap Atmosphere: Giant German-style bierhall with farm tables This list was compiled by Zane Scott, Shauna Stagner and Sophia Garthe of The Scene staff. Photos of the restaurants, clockwise from top left, show Courtesy Diner, Comet Coffee, Pat Connolly Tavern, Missouri Baking Company and Slim Chickens.
Pat Connolly Tavern
Address: 6400 Oakland Ave. Phone: 314-647-7287 Website: patconnollytavern.com Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Food: Fish and chips, burgers, sandwiches, chicken strips, kids menu Atmosphere: Old-school Irish pub that opened in 1942; live music; St. Patrick’s Day hotspot Photo by Zane Scott
PokeDoke
Address: 8 S. Euclid Ave. Phone: 314-833-5900
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Page 5
Opinion Great Scott
By Zane Scott
Foreign players face media scorn The Take
By Koko Alapbe The Scene staff The National Basketball Association was formed in the late 1940s with players predominantly from the United States. The world has changed. The globalization of the NBA started in 1992, when the U.S. basketball team in the Summer Olympics was made up for the first time by professional players, highlighted by Americans Michael Jordan, Larry Byrd, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley. Young basketball players in Europe, South America, Africa, Canada, Japan and other countries took notice. This season, the league counted 109 international players on its rosters, representing 39 countries and 20 percent of all players. Several of those international players are considered among the best in the league, but not always getting the respect they deserve. One of the league’s dominating names is Giannis Antetokounmpo, a native of Greece whose parents are Nigerian immigrants.
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He’s a two-time league Most Valuable Player and power forward for the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith raised eyebrows in January when he questioned who was more valuable: Antetokounmpo or American Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. Smith said: “Giannis is Giannis, and I get that. He’s the reigning Finals MVP, reigning champion. He’s a former MVP, Defensive Player of the Year – the guy is phenomenal. I get all of that. Giannis is Giannis, but we don’t know what the hell Ja is going to be.” Smith added: “I can’t sit up there and definitively say I’d rather have Giannis come playoff time at this moment.” Last year, at halftime of a playoff game ESPN analyst Jay Williams criticized Antetokounmpo for a 10-second violation, a cheap shot. “It takes a shorter time for (world champion sprinter) Usain Bolt to run a 100-yard dash than it does Giannis to shoot a free throw,” Williams tweeted. Colin Cowherd, Nick Wright, Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe, all of Fox Sports, plus ESPN’s Brian Windhorst all have been critical of international players. In my view, Antetokounmpo never takes a night off. He always plays at his maximum. In 2017, in his fourth NBA season, he was inspired by NBA great Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Challenge” to several stars in the world of sports and entertainment to complete. Eventually, Antetokounmpo got his challenge from Bryant: to be the NBA’s MVP. That season, he managed to earn the league’s Most Improved Player award. And in 2019 and 2020, he achieved Bry-
ant’s challenge, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James, both Americans, as the only players in NBA history to win two MVPs before turning 26. In addition to being an MVP and NBA champion at the age of 27, Antetokounmpo has been a Defensive Player of the Year, sixtime All-Star and All-Star MVP. Bryant and others are responsible for taking this great game of basketball to new heights. Players like Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Joel Embiid (Cameroon) are among international players who have made a mark here. Doncic has been playing against professionals since the age of 15. For Real Madrid, he won the Euro league MVP. In last year’s playoffs, Doncic broke James’ record as youngest player ever to score 40-plus points in a Game 7. He ranks 10th in NBA history with 45 triple-doubles. Jokic is the league’s reigning MVP and still Antetokounmpo putting up impressive numbers on a Denver Nuggets team slowed by injuries. At this writing, Jokic is on the verge of passing NBA Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain for sixth on the career list of triple-doubles — double digits in points, rebounds and assists in a game. Some in the media have called Jokic the best passer in NBA history. Like Jokic, Embiid is one of the most elite big men in the league. This season he broke an unheard record in which he scored more points than minutes in a span of five games.
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Antetokounmpo, aka the “Greek Freak,” has done some astonishing things in his career. In last year’s NBA Finals, he tied Bob Petit’s record for the most points in a closeout Finals game. Antetokounmpo is the Bucks’ franchise leader in blocks, defensive rebounds and triple doubles. Smith, the ESPN analyst, continues to make questionable comments about foreign players, and players like Antetokounmpo and Doncic are making him look silly with their high-level play. Antetokounmpo isn’t on much of a friendly basis with other NBA stars and gets disrespected as a result. James Harden of the Philadephia 76ers has dismissed him as a player who just runs and dunks. The NBA is not the only sport where foreign athletes are untreated unfairly. The top soccer leagues in Europe have athletes who have been unfairly attacked. Mesut Ozil and teammate Ikay Gundogan, both Turkish Smith citizens playing for the German National team, have faced abuse by the German media. In last year’s European Championships, England manager Gareth Southgate chose three Black players to take kicks in a shootout to determine the game. When Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka all missed, a frenzy ensued in social media. At least they got support from their teammates and tried their best for their country.
March 11, 2022
What a life ...
Features
And it all started at Forest Park in the early 1970s required physical education credit. “Well, I knew I wasn’t getting in that pool,” he said. “So I took judo classes because the thought of learning how to throw people seemed fun.” Judo instructor and coach Bill Laud also worked as a St. Louis police officer. “Sensei Laud” made a significant impact on Pointer because he helped him discover his passion for martial arts. After two years, Pointer was promoted to a brown belt. One significant event during Pointer’s time on campus was a civil rights protest held on the quad during the Vietnam War. “The students were trying to tear down the flag,” he said. “Campus police, and the president came out and stopped them.”
By Nicole DeLapp The Scene staff
Charles Pointer has led a particularly interesting life, and he attributes much of his success to St. Louis Community College. Pointer, 71, of St. Louis, was a Forest Park student who graduated in 1971. He went on to earn five more degrees and work as a teacher, journalist, counselor and author. “It was a whole different scene on this campus,” he said on a recent visit. Pointer enrolled in 1969 with what was then called the Junior College District of St. Louis. The Forest Park campus had opened two years earlier, so everything was new. The campus had elevators from the beginning, but most people used stairs, according to Pointer. “We had long green tables,” he said of the cafeteria. “But it mostly looks the same.” Pointer took many classes that are still offered today, including humanities, social sciences and math. He also studied figure drawing on the “I’ve had some Meramec campus. “I really enjoyed my En- hardship, but I glish professors,” he said. “I still remember the papers they didn’t let it stop had me write.”
Judo and choir
me from doing
While at Forest Park, Point- what I really er joined the judo team and choir. He had taken a judo wanted to do.” class because his two choices Charles Pointer were judo and swimming for a —
Teacher and author
After graduating from STLCC, Pointer earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, with a focus on social studies and English, and a master’s in counseling at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Pointer taught at several St. Louis high schools before returning to college, studying journalism at Washington University and landing an internship with KMOX radio and TV, now called KMOV. “They had me doing interviews,” Pointer said. “I would interview award winners, and we had a lot of fun over there.” Pointer later became a free-
lance writer and ing a kidney transcounselor with St. plant last year. Louis Job Corps, According to earned a criminal Pointer, his health justice degree at problems have led University of Mishim to file lawsuits souri and more reagainst a government cently spent seven agency and private years as a security company that deemed guard. him unable to work. Pointer self-pubHe represented himlished his first book, self, using his fifth “The Making of a degree, an associate’s Black Belt Karain paralegal studies te Champion,” in from STLCC. 2012. It was based “I’ve had some on his experiences hardship, but I didn’t with youths in a Job let it stop me from doCorps martial-arts ing what I really wantprogram. ed to do,” he said. “It’s all about Today, Pointer camaraderie and works part time for a encouraging each cleaning service. His other,” he said. main hobby is art. That was fol- Charles Pointer self-published his He has created an eslowed by two other autobiography in 2013. timated 200 paintings, books, “The Autosome focused on the civil rights movement. biography of Charles Henry Pointer: His Pointer also spends time promoting his Life His Legacy” in 2013 and “A Time to books. Remember” in 2016. A recent incident got him to thinking “A Time to Remember” is a novel with el- about their potential for impacting readers. ements of romance and suspense, set in the He was waiting for a medical appointment 1960s. Pointer exhibited it at the legendary at Barnes-Jewish Hospital when a woman Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. overheard a conversation about his writing
Transplant and lawsuits
Pointer is divorced with three children, son Charles Jr. and daughters Kalah and Benica. Pointer’s life hasn’t always been easy. He spent six years on dialysis before undergo-
and approached him. “She said, ‘I read (“The Making of a Black Belt Karate Champion”), and it inspired me to enroll at Forest Park community college,’” Pointer said. “I felt really good about that.”
Students love working on electric, hybrid vehicles By Cristian Romero The Scene staff If electric cars and hybrids are the future, then Forest Park automotive technology students need to know how to work on them. At least that’s the theory behind St. Louis Community College’s recent decision to turn two 2012 Ford Fusion hybrids into practice vehicles after they were “decommissioned” by campus police. “They’re being used for educational purposes, for students to work on and learn as they go here in the automotive department,” said Joe Jackson, automotive technology program coordinator and associate profes-
sor. Students seem to understand that it’s key for them to develop skills related to the new technology. “Working on electric and hybrids consists of a lot of electrical wiring and mechanical wiring,” said student Nick Castrino, 24. “But I’m excited to work on them because it’s a pretty common issue, considering where the industry is heading.” “I enjoy where the automotive program is heading with us, getting the opportunity to get to work on hybrids and electric vehicles on and off,” added student Michael Calberg, 20. The main difference between traditional
Photo by Christian Romero
The automotive technology department has inherited two hybrid vehicles, including this 2012 Ford Fusion that formerly was used by campus police.
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and hybrid vehicles is that the former have gasoline-powered engines, and the latter have electric motors powered by battery packs, as well as gasoline-powered engines. Tesla equipped its electric vehicles with touchscreen interfaces, but early hybrids didn’t have these systems. “People always assume it’s harder to work on hybrids or electric vehicles, but it’s just more components to work inside the vehicle,” Jackson said. The automotive technology department has 25 students, including 15 day and 10 night students, in their first year of the twoyear program; and 13 day students in their second year. The department repairs about five vehicles a week or 20 vehicles a month while school is in session. It only accepts jobs from STLCC faculty and staff, charging for parts but not labor. Occasionally, customers bring in electric or hybrid vehicles. That gets students excited because it’s something different, according to Jackson. “They aren’t worked on as often as they should be, because the market for hybrids and electric vehicles isn’t in high demand currently,” he said. “But it’s still great to showcase them so we can prepare our students with the proper knowledge and skills so they can succeed later in their careers.” A new Ford Fusion would have cost $20,705 to $29,175 in 2012. It came with
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Photo by Christian Romero
Students Harley Obermiller, left, and Benjamin Geigle inspect the instrument panel on the dashboard of a hybrid vehicle in the Forest Park garage. a 2.5 liter, four-cylinder, 191 horsepower, 6,000 RPM engine and electric motor. It could get 99 to 110 miles per gallon. The two Ford Fusions adopted by the automotive technology department were formerly used by police on the Meramec campus of STLCC. “The reason behind decommissioning the vehicles was to make way for brand new and improved patrol vehicles,” said Forest Park officer Charles Kirstead.
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Photo by Markell Tompkins
Physical therapy major Bailey Rothe, 19, tunes up his guitar on the second floor of E tower.
Photo by Deborah Moss
From left, business major Monty Smith, child development major Tae Jackson and chemistry major Terrel Johnson watch YouTube videos on a laptop in the Highlander Lounge.
A Day in the Life of forest Park Photo by Gracie Ebenhoh
Math professors Brian Carter and Judy Clark hold a meeting outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
Photo by Deborah Moss
Mary Dee Schmidt paints a Bosnian scene in an Advanced Painting class that she’s auditing. Photo by Markell Tompkins
Drawing 1 students sketch in the hallway on the fourth floor of F Tower as part of an assignment from faculty member Jacob Jones.
Layout by Nicole DeLapp
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March 11, 2022