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A NATIONAL PACEMAKER AWARD NEWSPAPER
VOL. 31, No. 3 The student publication of Washtenaw Community College
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 www.washtenawvoice.com
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Afghan refugees arriving in Washtenaw County Resettlement agencies and legal services describe the challenges facing refugees. By Elinor Epperson Contributor
It has been months since the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan crowded headlines and social media posts, but for thousands of refugees, the story is just beginning. Former Afghan nationals are moving into new cities and neighborhoods across the United States with the help of the U.S. government and local nonprofits. “They’re going to need some extra support,” says Devon Meier, chief development director at Jewish Family Services. JFS is the only resettlement agency in Washtenaw County. The agency works with the Department of State to provide housing and financial support for newly arrived refugees until they can receive Social Security cards, find employment and apply for
permanent residence (also known as a green card). About 1,300 refugees are expected to come to Michigan--so far. Since Michigan was one of the top states for refugee resettlement in the past ten years, that number could go up. An estimated 120,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan in August, with more trickling through after the Taliban seized power. JFS learned of the need to resettle refugees in late August, not long before the last planes left Kabul. They have agreed to house 300 people, understanding that the number could increase, and this does not include 500 refugees from other countries that JFS had already planned to resettle this fiscal year, which started in October. Meier says JFS employees and volunteers have been working “diligently, around the clock” to prepare for the
influx of refugees en route. So far, 180 people have arrived in Washtenaw County in need of housing. Meier says that several refugees arrive with nothing more than “a grocery bag’s worth” of possessions. After leaving Afghanistan, evacuees stay on a U.S. military base while the U.S. government vets them. Refugees are tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19; they also receive any vaccines required to enter the U.S. Once they have completed the vetting process, they are assigned to a resettlement agency and leave for their new home. Meier describes a “gap” between when refugees arrive in the states and when they receive their Social Security numbers, which qualify them for a host of benefits. This “waiting game” presents another challenge for refugees and resettlement agencies: Newly
arrived individuals are in a “holding pattern” where they cannot apply for employment or benefits but are still responsible for living costs. Because of this, JFS is focused on two challenges: Safe, affordable housing and funding. JFS provides fully furnished residences, including pantries filled with culturally appropriate food. Meier says JFS is unique among resettlement agencies because it provides a variety of other services under their auxiliary programs, such as transportation, senior services, and counseling. These benefits are invaluable for Afghan refugees, as many will not qualify for the same benefits as other refugees because of their immigration status. While some refugees entering the U.S. from Afghanistan arrive with special immigrant visas, most will start resettlement as humanitarian parolees. continued on A6
Devon Meier (left) and Ruby Robinson, JFS employees who help Afghan refugees in Washtenaw COURTESY OF MEIER AND ROBINSON
How to help JFS is in need of : • furniture donations • grocery store gift cards • volunteers who can move furniture. If you want to help please call: 734-769-0209 or email info@jfsannarbor.org
WCC’s Chief of Public Safety Resigns Scott Hilden, leaves for a new job By R.J. Hunt Editor
WCC part-time faculty, the Honorable J. Cedric Simpson, sits in his chambers
COURTESY OF J. CEDRIC
Judge Simpson honors WCC A story of compassion, commitment, and community. by James
Cason
Deputy Editor
The DNA of WCC series welcomes The Honorable J. Cedric Simpson to the spotlight. Simpson, the first African American male to sit on a Washtenaw County bench, serves as a judge in the county’s 14A District Court and has been a part-time law professor at WCC for over 20 years. Simpson recently spoke with The Voice to talk about his connection and adoration for WCC’s institution and its people. Simpson’s earliest association with WCC is dated to the early ‘70s when he and his family moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor. His father, Willie J. Simpson, became a counselor at WCC. When Simpson occasionally went to work with his dad he remembers being fascinated by WCC’s one-building school. “It was one building,” said Simpson. “It was a little cafeteria, and all of the offices were in the building. Everybody was in that building. The classrooms were all in that building.”
Simpson’s father was always found walking the college’s hallways. Young Simpson asked his dad why he rarely went to his office. “My father said, ‘you can ask students to come meet you where you are, but you’re much more effective if you meet them where they are,’” said Simpson. Simpson’s mother, Dorothy Jean Simpson, taught a class at the college and was instrumental in forming the school’s former daycare center, where she also worked. Simpson’s parents advocated for young mothers who didn’t have an opportunity at education; the daycare was a way to break that barrier. Simpson remembers his mother’s joyful moment. “I can recall the pride in her face the day the center opened, and she was there,” said Simpson. “She would teach students who were part of the early education program because part of their curriculum was working in the daycare. So, in that way, she was also teaching them and contributing.” Simpson’s youngest sis-
ter, Delphia T. Simpson is continuing the family legacy. She is currently the chief public defender of Washtenaw County and has just partnered with WCC to provide an internship opportunity for WCC students in the Public Defender’s office. Simpson’s motivation to study law Simpson was determined to be a veterinarian. That changed at age 13 when he was shot in the eye with a pellet gun by young kids in his Ann Arbor neighborhood. Simpson later had surgery. “I watched him pump (the gun) 10 times. That thing was coming at me, and there was only about a neighborhood street width away from him,” said Simpson. Simpson’s parents only desired an apology from the two boys: the owner of the gun and the shooter. They got one. The young man’s family who owned the weapon apologized, while the shooter’s family said he was never at the scene. Simpson’s parents hired an attorney. His case later went to trial and was settled.
“As I’m proceeding through the court process, I just became absolutely fascinated with the law. It was that experience that I knew this is what I wanted to do,” said Simpson. From high school to the bench, to WCC Simpson lost his dad at age 16; his mom steered him and his three siblings through losing their father while also ensuring they went to college. After graduating high school, Simpson attended the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, a historically Black college. After that, he received a full-ride scholarship to The University of Maryland Law School and obtained a J.D. degree in 1986. Afterward, Simpson returned home. “If you want to talk full circle, I come back, and the firm that hired me was the firm of the attorney that represented me when I was shot in the eye,” said Simpson. Simpson practiced law for 13 years in Michigan and took the bench in 1999.
continued on A6
After five years as the chief of public safety for WCC, Scott Hilden is leaving the position for a new job opportunity. Prior to working at WCC, Scott Hilden had a 25year career in Canton Township. While in Canton, Hilden spent some time as a school resource officer. As he became eligible for retirement, the opportunity at WCC presented itself. Instead of retiring he decided to join WCC’s safety team back in November 2016. Hilden recalls when he first got to WCC; it was a security team without any police officers. Hilden was instrumental in initiating WCC’s own police department. After months of discussion, the trustees voted to approve of the new police department. In November 2017, the department became official, with Scott Hilden being the first sworn police officer. Today the department is home to seven full-time police officers and 20 additional public safety staff that help provide service. Scott remembers how there was a time people didn’t want police officers on campus because of the police misconduct issues that had taken place. “We worked really hard to try to build relationships and trust to engage the community as much as possible; wanted to look like partners
of the community instead of enforcement,” says Hilden. He feels that doing that and earning the trust of those in the community was a huge part of his success at WCC. The day-to-day life for Scott Hilden varied based on the reported events on campus that he and his team handled. Hilden’s proudest situation is an incident that happened shortly after the department first began. The incident dealt with a young female student who a male acquaintance was stalking. The male was following the young female around campus and he kept trying to talk to her. He had knives in his possession, so campus safety was called. They were able to talk him down and arrest him with no one getting hurt. “I was very proud to see how great our team worked right out of the gate,” said Hilden. Hilden had a message for the WCC community by saying, “In order for WCC to be the safest environment that it needs to be, the entire community needs to participate in that safety.” Scott Hilden said how he really is going to miss his time at WCC by saying, “I had a really, really good five years here. I really had no plans to leave here.” Hilden is leaving for a new position; he will be the new chief of police for Northville Township. “It’s an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” said Hilden.
Scott Hilden, chief of public safety, is pictured with his mask on. WASHTENAW COMMUNITY COLLEGE
December 14 , 2021
WCC offers over 10 different college club sports! TO LEARN MORE: Drop by SC 116 or call 734.973.3720
A2 The Washtenaw Voice
A3
NEWS
December 14, 2021
The Washtenaw Voice
Where are they now?
Business Grad talks life after WCC By R.J. Hunt Editor
“Where Are They Now?” is a new segment that will be a part of The Voice for the time to come. The purpose of this segment is to find WCC alumni, learn where they are now, and how WCC helped them navigate their career paths. Matthew Mancour is a WCC alumnus who attended WCC from 2008-2010. Mancour graduated from WCC with an associate degree in business. He later transferred to Eastern Michigan University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2012. 2008 is a year remembered for being a low point in the U.S. economy. Mancour and his wife, Lily, left their home in Las Vegas to move to Michigan. Mancour’s wife was attending the University of Michigan, so he decided to go to school. He was looking for a school that could help him earn his business degree, but at a lower price than a university. That’s when he decided on attending WCC. Mancour described WCC as perfect because of the student activities he was involved in, including The Washtenaw Voice. Mancour worked for The Voice’s video production team
WCC alumnus, Matthew Mancour PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANCOUR
from 2009-2010. At The Voice, he was a part of many award-winning teams as he usually placed in the top three for multiple award categories. “The Voice was my home,” said Mancoor. “I was in that office all the time.” When asked what advice he would give to future Voice students, Mancour said, “Be creative and be open minded
to work with the team.” Mancour is so appreciative of his time at WCC because it prepared him for his future. “(WCC) was the best decision I ever made; it led to so many opportunities for me.” WCC equipped Mancour for his time at EMU as he went to get his bachelor’s. “WCC puts you to the test...when you take full advantage of your
environment, it helps you prepare.” After graduating from WCC, Mancour started working for iRule, a small tech company that turns IOS products and Android phones into a remote control of Internet of Things devices. Those who have used this service include NASA’s training rooms, Best Buy’s Magnolia rooms, and CNN’s War Room. Mancour went on to have four jobs at one point, trying to make ends meet. He then started his own company called “Founder and Collector.” People would need videos done for their YouTube channels or other similar projects, so they would call on Mancour to work on the videos for them. He divides the work into two brands, one for weddings and the other for add-on media. Add-on media lets you better your project through a creative palette that helps in video production, web and print design, and marketing. The clientele started to grow for Mancour as he began to take on more substantial roles. He has produced films for local schools like EMU, U of M, Greenhills High School, and Emerson High School. Now, he is currently working on a documentary for
The National Park Service. Even with all that going for him, Matthew continues to press forward to starting new businesses. He is currently in the process of starting a new company called “Run Mix Back, ” a nod to famous Hip Hop group Run-D.M.C. The company’s goal is to help people make videos and edit them at a low price. Mancour’s advice to future business students is to think outside the box first and stay fresh because businesses change every day. Second, find a mentor and see if there is anything you can do for them to get your foot in the
door. He continued to advise WCC students, saying WCC is a place to be comfortable. Students should be doing what they can to make themselves, their peers, and their school better. He said WCC is a community that works, as he went on to say, “I’m proud to be a part of WCC.” Editor’s note: The Voice found Mancour through a LinkedIn search for former WCC students. Members of the current news team didn’t have any knowledge of his time at the Voice until the interview.
Matthew and his wife, Lily, taking a selfie.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANCOUR
Smarter thinking yields financial freedom Ways for college students to save money and get ahead By James Cason
Transfer Scholarships
Educational Loans
Many institutions offer transfer scholarships for students hoping to transfer to a four-year university, which generally requires at least 30 transferrable credits and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. “Typically, the higher your GPA is, the more scholarship money that you will receive,” said Kelley Holcomb, WCC transfer coordinator. “So, even if you are thinking, ‘oh, a grade doesn’t transfer to my four-year university,’ it definitely helps to do as best as you can in your courses for scholarship eligibility.” A few mentioned scholarships included the Phi Theta Kappa organization and the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Five students from WCC have received the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, which is awarded to top community college students across the country with a 3.5 GPA or higher who have demonstrated financial need. “If you think you would be eligible to be considered for the scholarship, definitely reach out to our advisor Alexi McCracken for help with the application process. The deadline is Jan 10,” said Holcomb.
Kristen Hooper, a financial aid coordinator at WCC, presented information about student loans. She stressed several points about these types of loans: They must be repaid - no matter what There are annual and lifetime limits (for independent and dependent students) Crunch your numbers, know what you’re taking and the interest you’re accruing Reduce loan amounts by finding scholarships, workstudy programs, and institutional aid If you take a full-time award, try to be a full-time student Use the Federal Student Aid loan simulator to estimate monthly repayment plans “The more education you have, the more likely you are to be able to earn higher wages, live a comfortable life, and be able to repay those student loans you may have taken,” said Hooper.
Deputy Editor
The Office of Student Activities presented a financial freedom workshop held in the Great Lakes Regional Training Center at 11:30 a.m., Nov 17. Speakers from various college departments discussed student loans, transfer scholarships, stackable programs, and extreme couponing for the digital age. “We decided to do this event because we believe that financial literacy is a critical part to being an educated citizen,” said Devin Struer, WCC international student adviser. “Here at Washtenaw Community College, we feel that we have a lot of ways that we can assist you with mitigating your debt, but also maybe graduating with zero debt.” Stackable programs One way to reach financial freedom is stackable programs, which allow students to pursue college certificates and credentials to start working promptly. Then, as students take additional classes in their desired field, they have field-related jobs and continue pursuing higher education in the same industry. “It’s a great way to save money because you’re only taking a few classes that allow you to start working,” said Struer. “Once you start working, you can start saving more money to pay off the remainder of your classes, hopefully.” Struer offered an example of a stackable program in the health field: earning a twosemester certificate in sterile processing, which involves the cleaning of medical equipment, and gaining employment at an hourly rate of $18-20 dollars; this same individual could then continue a career path by entering the surgical technologist associate degree program, becoming one who prepares hospital operating rooms.
Extreme couponing for the digital age Another suggested way of becoming “financially fit” is to use money-saving apps. Those
Handcrafted piggy bank in the Great Lakes Regional Training Center, Nov. 17.
mentioned and recommended for downloading are: • Ibotta • Fetch Rewards • Achievement (exercisebased points) • Rakuten Rachel Barsch, WCC student activities supervisor, has been using the Ibotta app for
JAMES CASON | THE WASHTENAW VOICE
eight years. “I was a little leery at first about money-saving apps, but I’ve saved an average of $220.75 a year using this app,” said Barsch. Melinda Harrison, WCC math/science/engineering secretary, attended the event to share information with her sons about money management. She also recently adopted a younger daughter and
Event table with savings and financial literature.
wants to be proactive by helping her prepare for college expenses with the hope of scholarships. Learning about the loan and savings information was most helpful for Harrison. “When you write the numbers down, it looks totally different,” said Harrison. “You can say it, but when you start writing it down and plugging in those numbers – that’s when it clicks with me.”
JAMES CASON | THE WASHTENAW VOICE
A4
OPINION
December 14, 2021
COLUMN
The Washtenaw Voice
P.E. class can earn you credits By R.J. Hunt Editor
How many of you were aware that WCC has its own fitness center? The answer to that is probably the majority of you already knew that. The real question is, how many of you knew that you could take a fitness class at the fitness center to earn credits? The answer to that question is probably the majority of you did not know that already. Yes, WCC offers a class where you can workout at The Health and Fitness Center and earn credits at the same
time. To receive credit for the course, you are required to: • Attend an orientation session • Complete an orientation quiz • Fill out a survey regarding your fitness goals for the semester • Record 15 workout sessions, • Fill out a survey at the end of the course regarding whether you met your fitness goals or not. Now, if you have read that and have already had a little panic, allow me to cool you back down. The orientation is straightforward. The staff tells you the do’s and don’ts of the fitness center and what you need to accomplish to pass the class. The orientation quiz has only a few questions. Seriously, it’s only about five questions, and the questions asked are about what you were told during orientation. The survey covers whatever you want
WCC’s fitness center workout equipment includes treadmills, bicycles, and weights | WASHTENAW VOICE
to accomplish. If your goal is to lose five pounds, write it down, and you’re done with the survey. The same thing goes for the end-of-course survey;you write how you feel about whether you met your goals or not. Most people have questions about how the 15 workout sessions are recorded. First, this does not mean recording with your phone because you cannot be on your
phone in the facility. However, you are supposed to record the data as far as when you completed each workout session. After each session, you go onto WCC’s Blackboard website, and you will mark that you did your 1st workout, 2nd workout, and so on. Remember, you only have to go 15 times throughout the course. Also, you can do your own workout. Trainers are available, but you don’t have
to use them if you don’t want to. During your 15 required fitness center visits, you can do something as simple as a 15-minute walk around the track, or you can spend two hours of advanced cardio work. It’s your choice, though the latter is not for me. The fitness center is also open seven days of the week and for most hours throughout the day. As you can see, the course makes things as convenient as possible. Of course, the Covid-19 Pandemic is not over, but the fitness center does an excellent job of keeping everyone safe. You must keep a mask on at all times, and you must wipe down all equipment before and after use. Also, the facility is never crowded, so you don’t have to worry about people’s lack of social distancing. When I first found out about the class, everything sounded too good to be true. Then after I attended orien-
tation, I knew there was no way that I would not take this class. Since I have started the course, I can honestly say I have enjoyed the fitness center a lot. If you’re like me, the winter months can make it challenging to stay motivated to work out because of the cold and ice, making something like running on the sidewalk a task. Therefore, you can use the alternative and use the fitness center. I’m shocked that more people are not taking the course. You get to earn college credits while staying healthy. What’s there not to like about that? When you have an inperson class, you can hit the gym before or after class since you’re already on campus. Once again, the course makes things extremely convenient. If you’re interested in joining the course or learning more about the P.E. class, contact Valerie Greaves at her email vgreaves@wccnet.edu.
Voice staff reflects on ’21, and looks ahead to ’22 Q: What is something you learned this year, and what are you looking fofward to in the upcoming year? 2021 has been a battle for some, refreshing for others, and some lie smack dab in the middle. We have witnessed a lot of things throughout this past year. We witnessed an insurrection, a new president being inaugurated, a covid vaccine became available as the world still fights off the virus. Not only were things happening all around us, but The Voice had some things of its own going on. We finally returned to print after a year hiatus. Although not fully in-person, the team was able to meet up a few times over the course of the semester. At this time, we would like to congratulate our Voice students who will be leaving us as they graduate from WCC. Those students include James Cason, Ethan Berman, and Lauren Brutger. Here the voice staff reflects on their 2021 expierence and goals for the upcoming year.
“Something I learned this year is that I am much stron ger than what I thought I was. I had a lot of trials and tribulations, but that didn’t stop me from achieving my goals. Everything just made me appreciate life more and if you love someone to make sure they know you love them. In 2022, I am looking forward to graduating WCC, cherishing my family and friends, amd staying safe. “
“Starting at the Voice this semester was eye-opening for me, jumping into photojournalism was a challenge and a great new experience. . Next semester, I’m looking forward to having more time for the Voice and meeting more people to capture their stories. I’m excited to graduate at the end of the winter semester. This upcoming semester will be great to work with everyone and continue growing as a photographer.“
Shelby Beaty
Photo editor
“Frankly, this year I’ve learned that I need to be better with time management. It seems so straightforward – and it is – but it requires self-discipline, which does not come easily to someone who has a penchant for taking hourlong naps. One of my main goals I’m looking forward to is to get better at managing my time getting a fresh start next semester. Also, something I want to achieve is potentially getting my driver’s license.”
Ruby Go
Staff writer
RJ Hunt
Editor
“This year has flown by quickly. As I reflect on all I have learned, I continue to appreciate my health, wellbeing, and the quality time I’ve been able to spend with my loved ones. As 2022 approaches, I look forward to beginning classes at EMU. However, I will sincerely miss WCC and the great people I’ve encountered. My experience and time here have proven what many have said - WCC is a family. “
James Cason Deputy editor
“One thing I learned this year is that Adobe Illustrator is exhaustingly hard to use. Something I’m looking forward to is taking Spanish in the coming year. Those I manage in the kitchen are all Latino, so I’d like to be able to communicate with them better. “
Emily Landau Digital editor
“This year made me appreciate being a minimalist. We need less than what we think. I am looking forward to spending more time with the people I love.”
“This year, I learned how to be mindful of myself. I learned self-love and about the process of healing from trauma. Next year, I want to explore education further and pursue more challenges that will improve myself and elicit critical thinking. “
Ethan Berman
Staff writer
“One thing I learned this year is that mental health matters. Mental health issues could affect you in ways that physical illness could not. I’m looking forward to being independent, being straightforward, being responsible, and most importantly being positive regardless of the circumstance.”
Janani Murugesan Graphic designer
“Prior to The Washtenaw Voice, I didn’t have publishing or newspaper experience, so it’s been great to learn from colleagues and push myself out of my comfort zone. Although my time at WCC has been wonderful, I’m excited to be completing my Graphic Design Certificate. Then, hopefully I land a full time position and move back home to Minnesota. “
Doina Plop
Lauren Brutger
Staff writer
OUR TEAM AND ITS ROLE The Washtenaw Voice is produced every other week by students of Washtenaw Community College. Editorial responsibility lies with the students. The views here are not endorsed or approved by the faculty, administration or Board of Trustees of WCC. YOUR VOICE The Voice welcomes letters from readers. Letters should be a maximum of 400 words and include the author’s name. A phone number and email address are required so letters can be verified before publication. The Voice welcomes news tips and story ideas. CORRECTIONS The Voice is committed to correcting any errors that appear in the newspaper or on its website. To report an error of fact, phone 734–677–5405 or email thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com. FIRST COPY’S FREE A copy of each edition of the Voice is free to everyone. Additional copies are available at The Voice newsroom, SC 109, for 25 cents each. 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Room SC 109 Ann Arbor, Mich. 48105
thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com 734–677–5125
Graphic designer
EDITOR........................... DEPUTY EDITOR............ DIGITAL EDITOR............ GRAPHIC DESIGNERS... PHOTO EDITOR............ WRITERS......................... CONTRIBUTORS............
ADVISER.........................
R.J. Hunt James Cason Emily Landau Lauren Brutger Janani Murugesan Shelby Beaty Ruby Go Doina Plop Ethan Berman Elinor Epperson Willow Symonds Ian Loomis Robin Wyllie-Scholz Judy McGovern
rchunt@wccnet.edu jecason@wccnet.edu elandau@wccnet.edu lbrutger@wccnet.edu jmurugesan@wccnet.edu sabeaty@wccnet.edu rgo@wccnet.edu dplop@wccnet.edu eberman@wccnet.edu eepperson@wccnet.edu wsymonds@wccnet.edu iloomis@wccnet.edu mwylliescholz@wccnet.edu jumcgovern@wccnet.edu
A5
NEWS
December 14, 2021
The Washtenaw Voice
Dreams to study in the U.S. come true Two WCC international students share their personal experiences
“You learn so much, not only from the university but from people, from culture, from your experience, to live in another culture and to speak another language,” said Dytynenko. “It was my childhood dream to study abroad.”
By James Cason Deputy Editor
Nearly 40 international students with F-1 visas currently study at WCC, according to international adviser Devin Struer. These students are from multiple countries, including Colombia, China, Korea, India, Kenya, and Ukraine. A governmentissued F-1 visa allows these students to temporarily live in the U.S. while studying for a defined timeframe. “When it comes to F-1 visa students, we have a legal obligation to make sure we’re following SEVIS guidelines put forth by the government,” said Struer. “As an institution, if we’re going to accept students from overseas, we need to be doing our best to make sure the students are doing their best to follow what they have to follow.” F-1 students have a unique set of requirements to be eligible for U.S. college attendance: proof of sufficient financial funds to cover tuition and living expenses, English proficiency, ties to one’s home country that indicate an intent to return after completing one’s studies, extensive paperwork, and a U.S. Consulate interview for final approval. From Ukraine to the U.S. “The visa process is the
WCC students Alona Dytynenko (left) and Janani Murugesan.
most difficult part, and it’s a lot of work,” said Alona Dytynenko, 28, a WCC international student from Kyiv, Ukraine. “I was very nervous and anxious because, in Ukraine, it’s quite difficult to get an American visa. I had a 50/50 chance, and I’m very glad that I got it.” Dytynenko completed her visa process in nine months and received a threeyear student visa to begin her computer programming studies this fall at WCC. She holds two college degrees in Ukraine and has five years of
SHELBY BEATY | THE WASHTENAW VOICE COURTESY JANANI MURUGESAN
work experience. However, she didn’t see potential growth within her previous field. “I decided to switch my career to be a coder,” said Dytynenko. “Then, I started to think where I wanted to get this new profession.” Dytynenko’s boyfriend from Ukraine, an engineer residing in Ann Arbor, highly recommended WCC. He came to the U.S. before Dytynenko and attended a different college prior to starting his job. After Dytynenko’s initial research, she visited the WCC last year and decided it
was the best school for her future career plans. Being older, braver, and having money saved up from work, Dytynenko was ready to try something big and exciting. At WCC, Dytynenko enjoys the opportunity to improve her English fluency. Spoken English in the U.S. sounds different from what she learned in Ukrainian schools. It is often difficult for her to understand everything she is asked: “because of the strong accent.” Dytynenko thinks everyone should try studying abroad at least once .
Celebrating the Arts & Humanities By Willow Symonds Contributor
Washtenaw Community College celebrated the arts and humanities with a week of virtual events touching on careers, social justice, life skills and more. The recent Liberal Arts Week highlighted the career paths taken by those who studied social sciences, the fine arts, and the humanities. The week featured two to three Zoom sessions per day. Those with a career focus included a panel of professionals who discussed careers ranging from marketing to fundraising, psychiatry, legal and social work. The wide differences between the career
titles surprised some participants, but the presenters who hold them were all liberal arts majors. Each talked about how that shaped their backgrounds. Amanda Smith is associate director of development for cancer programs at Michigan Medicine. “As a fundraiser, we tell stories,” she said. “We tell stories to inspire people to donate, to care about the issue we’re raising money for.” Melissa Weber, is a paralegal for UAW (the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America) It’s extremely important to be open-minded in my field. [...] Being patient with yourself and your clients will
really make a difference in your law office or wherever you go.” Charmin Archer is an elementary school teacher who does a lot of community work, especially for kids and social activism. “Problem-solving is huge because problems are gonna happen,” she said. “My liberal arts degree helped transfer my learned skills to different fields.” Laura Hirschbein, a psychiatrist, agreed. People who majored in the Liberal Arts “have an approach to humanity that takes a while for other people to realize,” she said. Another career-oriented session featured panelists from marketing, media and theater arts.
In this session, radio hosts, artistic directors of plays and musicals, and counselors talked about what courses they thought were most helpful, how to get into their business, and what their favorite part of their job is. Nick Kessler, a radio host in Poughkeepsie, NY, graduated from WCC with a general communications degree. “Some very crucial courses [for careers in the liberal arts] are anything public speaking,” Kessler said. “Interpersonal communication is big too, because just being able to speak to people is important.” The radio station likes for us to blog, he said. “Creative writing courses helped me do that tremendously. You might
A U.S. citizen from India attends WCC. Janani Murugesan, 18, was born in the U.S. but raised in Chennai, India. After graduating high school, she decided to return to the U.S. to study graphic design at WCC. She began taking online courses at WCC in 2020 from India and arrived in the U.S. for in-person classes this fall. As a U.S. Passport holder, Murugesan can study at WCC without an F-1 student visa. “I chose Michigan because I was born here,” said Murugesan. “I chose WCC because of the financial situation. I get the same degree even if I go to EMU but for a lesser cost.” Murugesan plans to transfer into Eastern Michigan University’s Communication Technology program after graduating from WCC. She also opted to start at the community college for a gradual transition to the university after considering the shift from India’s completely different educational system. Murugesan was mentally prepared for her educational plan, but didn’t think about the everyday activities she think I just get on the show and start talking, but there is so much writing in my job. Improv classes are good because I do have to improvise on the show.” Other panelists included Nicole A. Brown, mayor pro-tem, City of Ypsilanti; Patty Griffin, director of conduct, conflict resolution and COVID Response at the University of Michigan; and David Wolber, producing artistic director of Ann Arbor’s Theatre NOVA.
Staff Writer
those who submitted a response was Dan Lor, who put his college education on hold to pay for his younger brother’s tuition. “I started at community college studying electronics but left a year later when my younger brother wanted to go to school,” Lor wrote in his response. Lor’s parents, Hmong refugees from Laos and Thailand, divorced when he was 16. As a result, Lor took on a fatherly role for his younger siblings. His younger brother graduated from college three years ago, and with the encouragement of his wife, Lor decided to finish what he started.
“The path may be a little different, but the destination is the same,” Lor wrote. Another student who responded was Terry Penird, who also came to campus to check out the event. Penird, 58, originally began studying at WCC in 1996 but had to drop out due to personal reasons. Her father did not get past the eighth grade. Instead, he spent the rest of his youth working with his family as a dairy farmer. Her mother graduated from high school and went straight into the workforce, but she soon became a housewife after marrying Penird’s father. “Sounds like the 1800s, but it wasn’t,” Penird said.
SHELBY BEATY, THE WASHTENAW VOICE
Penird returned to WCC a few years ago and recently completed an entrepreneurship certificate. She is in the final stages of obtaining an associate’s degree in general studies. She plans to graduate in May 2022 and start her own business in plasma cutting alongside her husband, WCC advanced manufacturing instructor Tom Penird. “It’s been a long road, but it’s worth it. It’s a great accomplishment for me,” Penird said. What is a first-generation college student? If you’re unsure if you qualify as a first-gen student
Keynote speakers throughout the week included Christopher Shepherd, a former WCC student who is now a consultant for Boston Consulting Group, a global business strategy consulting firm; Yodit Mesfin-Johnson, president and CEO of Nonprofit Enterprise at Work; and Madison Rally, promotions director for Cumulus Media Ann Arbor and co-host of 102.9 W4 Country’s Breakfast with Bubba show.
COURTESY OF WCC.
By Ruby Go
First-gen students sign photo release forms for their photos to be put on display on the second floor of the Student Center.
Editor’s note: Murugesan is a graphic designer at the Voice. Typically, we would not feature a staff member in a story. However, the small pool of international students, limited amount of on-campus activity due to the pandemic, and Murugesan’s story, led us to make an exception here.
Liberal Arts Week banner that was used to promote the event.
WCC honors first-generational college students WCC took part in a nationwide celebration to honor the accomplishments of firstgeneration college students. First-Generation College Student Day was celebrated on Nov. 8 on the first floor of the Student Center. Hosted by the WCC Office of Diversity and Inclusion, this was the third time the college has celebrated the annual event, according to Christina Do, Student Equity and Inclusion Coordinator. “It’s great that we get to bring this event to campus,” Do said. Anyone (including staff and faculty) passing by that identified themselves as a firstgeneration college student was offered a free dark-green WCC T-shirt and a white button that read “FIRST to graduate.” Additionally, students had the opportunity to get their photos taken to be later displayed on the second floor of the Student Center. Those who identified as first-gen students were also able to share a few of their experiences in an online form sent out about a week before the event. Responses were compiled into a slideshow that played on a monitor, looped throughout the event. Among
would encounter after being “pampered through high school.” “After I came here, I had to do everything for myself,” said Murugesan. Having to go to college and come back and cook and clean, I never really thought of that. I don’t think I could have planned (for it). I could only experience it after coming here.” Murugesan’s parents are back in India, but are comforted by family friends in the U.S. who have helped her settle into a new college lifestyle thousands of miles away from home. She lives in an apartment near campus with a roommate and speaks with her parents in India every night. “When I get homesick, I think about how I got this opportunity and how lucky I am,” said Murugesan. “I’m doing what I love. If that doesn’t help, I just call my friends and my family, and we talk for like two hours. I don’t let them sleep.”
-- or if you’re just confused about the term in general -you’re not alone. The working definition of a first-generation college student is “an undergraduate whose parents do not have a bachelor’s or higher degree,” according to handouts from firstgen.naspa.org that were passed out at the event. Over half of first-gen students are also the first of their siblings to seek higher education. “It’s important to celebrate this event because it helps shed light on some specific issues that first-gen students face,” Do said. In their freshman year of college, first-gen students are more likely to use financial aid
services than continuing-generation students (students who have at least one parent with a bachelor’s degree or higher), according to information in the handouts. However, firstgen students are also less likely to use other student support services such as academic advising and career services. Do also pointed to another concern: compared to other students, first-gen students may not be as familiar with specific academic jargon, such as office hours. “There’s a TED Talk about it… an instructor was like ‘hey, my office hours are at these days and these times,’ but some students weren’t showing up,” Do said. It turned out that those students weren’t showing up because they thought that “office hours” were the instructor’s designated time to work alone in their office. Do cites this example to encourage first-gen students who are feeling confused to reach out to someone. “There’s so many great resources at WCC, but it can be hard to communicate them… if you need help but don’t know who to talk to, it’s OK,” Do said. “I would just say to talk to somebody, whether it’s an instructor, another student, or whoever. If you talk to somebody, they should be able to point you in the right direction.”
A6
The Washtenaw Voice
December 14, 2021
Voice hosts NBC Sports’ Tess Quinlan Afghan refugees
(Tess Quinlan, of NBC Sports, shares her broadcast media experience with WCC students) WASHTENAW COMMUNITY COLLEGE
By Willow Symonds Contributor
The Voice hosted a Zoom talk for NBC Sports manager of digital content, Tess Quinlan, on Friday, Nov. 19. Guests listened and asked Quinlan about networking, sports news, and interesting stories of her time in broadcast media. Quinlan was born and raised in New Jersey, and got into sports at a very young age. “I actually grew up with sports,” Quinlan said. “My dad works in college sports. He’s worked in athletics my whole life. [...] Kids who grow up with sport-oriented parents either grow up to be the exact same or the complete opposite - I’m definitely the former.” Quinlan attended Marquette University, where she was appointed student director of video resources. Her position included interviewing student athletes and coaches, recording voice-overs for feature stories and recaps, and writing feature stories for the college’s newspaper. However, she did have to work hard for innovation in
her college’s reporting style. “The idea that we should add videos to our (online) articles was a really tough sell, especially for our old-school writers,” Quinlan said. “The magazine didn’t want sports, the newspaper didn’t want videos, and video resources didn’t want news articles.”. In 2014, Quinlan received a degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication with a minor in Business Administration and Writing Intensive English. “I think the best writers are often the people who didn’t just study journalism,” she explained. “You got to study something else and understand how it fits into the world. Take an economics class, take a sociology class, take a physics class. I took a class about Exploring Race and Ethnicity, and it totally changed my view on race in America.” Quilan began working at USA Today as a college sports digital producer. She specialized in college football and basketball, writing breakingnews stories for the website and for printed papers. “Getting this job was both luck and timing, but also working hard and knowing what to do,” Quinlan said. Two years later, just before the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, Quinlan switched to a digital producing position at NBC Sports. She sent notifications to subscriber’s phones, talked to athletes, and wrote and published articles. Someone in a higher-up position at NBC came up with
the idea of creating a sports podcast, but needed help with producing, editing, and advertising. “[This person] asked if anyone there knew how to do all of this,” Quinlan said. “I raised my hand, and someone asked me, ‘How do you know how to do that?’ I told them, ‘I studied Broadcast Media.’ And that’s how I started working on a bunch of different podcasts.” Quinlan was promoted to senior editor in 2018, and then to digital content manager in 2019. Now, she works the editorial direction and manages twelve staffers to handle video production across multiple platforms. She also has a bigger role in podcast production, focusing on advertisement and strategy. “You don’t just need to cover the games themselves. Sports-adjacent stories are good, too,” Quinlan said. “I think the whole ‘stick to sports’ thing is dumb. We cover a lot of stories related to sports and athletes, but not just what people would expect to hear from a sports journalist.” When a Zoom guest asked if any particular stories she covered changed her outlook on journalism, Quinlan responded with a situation from 2011. “The University of Southern California has a prestigious football team, and Josh Shaw was a cornerback for the team. At one point he claimed he injured his ankles jumping off a balcony to save his nephew from drowning. It was such a heartfelt story. [...] But then I realized something was off, especially when he
hired a lawyer. A lot of people were saying the same thing: ‘Is it too good to be true?’ We sent our investigative reporter, who happened to be living in LA, to check out the credibility of his story,” she continued. “As it turns out, he was actually running from the police after a domestic disturbance, and the balcony he injured himself jumping off was his girlfriend’s.” This situation taught her to, “trust your intuition, listen to your gut feeling,” she said. “If your spidey senses are going off, then something is probably not right. You want to make sure your story is as accurate as possible and not just based on the first thing you hear.” Another thing that helps in any career field? Networking. “Networking can be intimidating for people, but it doesn’t have to be,” Quinlan said. “Building connections is important. [...] You have to keep it kind of natural. I’m a big fan of the, ‘Hey, I saw this and thought of you,’ which works well in professional settings.” Quinlan encouraged students interested in broadcast media to seek out what they would enjoy and do well in. “Find out what medium you are most comfortable with,” said Quinlan. “Are you a people person? Are you a writing person? Are you a film person? [...] Knowing yourself can help you decide what you’d be best at.”
Ruff! Therapy dogs are back at WCC Doina Plop Staff Writer
Therapaws of Michigan volunteers and their therapy dogs will be back at the Bailey Library on the 2nd Wednesday of each month starting in January 2022. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and suspended on-campus operations, the canine-assisted therapy non-profit organization wasn’t able to do any in-person therapy sessions since March 2020. During fall 2020, the Bailey Library and Therapaws of Michigan managed to schedule three virtual visits.
WCC has had a relationship with Therapaws for several years. According to Bethany Kennedy, director of access services, the regular visits to the Bailey Library started in 2017. Before the pandemic, Therapaws used to greet members of the WCC campus once a month. During their visits, they provided stress relief and companionship to WCC students, faculty, and staff. Certified therapy dogs are tested and trained to help provide stress relief, reduce anxiety, and promote social interaction. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all the Therapaws
of Michigan visits to the community in the Ann Arbor area. The volunteers weren’t able to provide pet therapy at hospitals, extended care facilities, colleges, or schools. As of October 2021, Therapaws of Michigan returned to visiting more locations -- including WCC -- but the organization is experiencing a shortage of volunteers. “Before the pandemic, we had around 140 teams. Now, we have around 85 (teams),” said Bobbi O’Hara, the president of Therapaws of Michigan. According to Jared Wadley, board member of Therapaws of Michigan, the organization averages between eight to ten visit requests per month. Both
Wadley and O’Hara hope to recruit more volunteers in the upcoming months as visit requests start increasing again. They encourage members of the community to volunteer and help people while spending time with their own dogs. If interested in volunteering, community members can check the detailed requirements here. Upcoming events at WCC: Therapaws will be at the Stress Less, Study Smarter event being held in SC 1st floor on Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Therapaws will be back in the Bailey Library on the 2nd Wednesday of each month starting in January 2022.
Judge J. Cedric Simpson continued from A1 “If you want to talk full circle, I come back, and the firm that hired me was the firm of the attorney that represented me when I was shot in the eye,” said Simpson. Simpson practiced law for 13 years in Michigan and took the bench in 1999. “I actually had more time (as a judge), oddly, than when I was a lawyer,” said Simpson. “So, I said, ‘I want to teach.’ I got in touch with the people that we knew at Washtenaw, and that’s how it all started for me – 22 years ago.” What’s best about teaching at WCC? Simpson raves about the diverse group of law students at WCC, who bring an exceptional experience to the classroom. He is honored to share his legal-professional knowledge with each of them. He has taught at law schools and EMU, but said, “Where I want to teach is Washtenaw. “It isn’t about the pay. It’s really about giving the students something that they
continued from A1
Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the Kabul airport in Aug 2021 WAKIL KOSHAR GETTY IMAGES
The Department of State grants “humanitarian parole” status to those who have started the asylum process but cannot finish it in their country of origin. Parolees usually have one year to apply for legal residency in the United States, but the U.S. government has extended the grace period for Afghan parolees to two years. “It’s not clear what happens” after those two years are up, says Ruby Robinson, a managing attorney for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Coalition. MIRC provides legal services and resources to immigrants in Michigan, including refugees. These legal services are already stretched thin across the country, Robinson says. The pandemic hasn’t helped; the Department of State and private agencies that assist immigrants are experiencing the same capacity issues as everyone else. There are fewer appointments available and fewer staff processing applications. “There is a lot of paperwork involved” in the “complicated, detailed process” of seeking legal residency in the United States, Robinson says. In a press release from October, MIRC pointed out that required paperwork for refugees includes dozens of pages of instructions. The process itself can be an obstacle for individuals who may already be battling language and cultural barriers. MIRC hopes Congress will pass an adjustment act for Afghan refugees, similar to the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966. This legislation allows and encouraging them to go ahead and do it.” Two of Simpson’s previous students, now attorneys, have appeared in front of him in his courtroom. He talks about having flashbacks while watching them, seeing them back in his criminal evidence and procedures class, stumbling over objections. “My eyes sort of well up I’m just proud of them,” said Simpson. “They come up and thank me, but I thank them for just living out their dream. That’s the thing that means the most to me.” The character and blessings of WCC “There’s something special that happens at Washtenaw that doesn’t happen at other community colleges,” said Simpson. “It’s the phi-
Cuban immigrants to apply for permanent residence after living in the U.S. for two years. Most of these immigrants came to the U.S. en masse after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, but the CAA still applies today. Afghan refugees cite a “constellation of reasons” for seeking asylum in the United States, says Robinson. Many are “directly or tangentially connected” to the U.S. or a U.S. ally, such as having worked for the U.S. government. They could have family members in the U.S, and they could be survivors of domestic violence who have no state protection in Afghanistan. Or they could be members of civil society who are outspoken against the Taliban and fear for their safety under the new regime. Meier says that while many of those who worked with the U.S. government could evacuate their entire families, some had to leave loved ones behind. Refugees range from single individuals to families of 10, and half of the incoming refugees are children. Resettlement agencies “stepped up in a heartbeat” to support this “vulnerable and resilient population,” says Robinson. JFS moved 10 families into apartments last week. The organization most needs furniture donations, grocery store gift cards, and volunteers to move furniture. Meier is hopeful. “Washtenaw County is a welcoming community,” she says. “We feel strongly that this is a place you can come and start anew.”
losophy of what we do with our students and how we treat those who are a part of that community. That is something that has not changed from those days in the ‘70s when I was walking around the hallways with my dad up to now.” Simpson recalls when his dad passed away. While en route from the church to the burial site, his father’s funeral procession drove onto WCC’s campus. The college had lowered the flag to half-staff. “That showed the character of that institution,” said Simpson. “They took under their wing and made part of their family, this guy from Greenville, Alabama, who grew up on a farm. It meant enough to them that they would do this in his honor. I will be forever grateful.”
Simpson’s family. Left to right: Dorothy Jean (mom), J. Cedric (the Honorable), Willie J. (dad), Delphia (sister), Gary (brother), Karen (sister)| courtesy of J. Cedric Simp A vintage photo of the Simpson family. Left to right: Dorothy Jean (mom), J. Cedric (the Honorable), Willie J. (dad), Delphia (sister), Gary (brother), Karen (sister) COURTESY OF J. CEDRIC SIMPSON
normally would not get a chance to experience,” said Simpson. While Simpson doesn’t view himself as anything special, his students do. They appreciate the opportunity to be taught by a judge.
“What he brings to the classroom is phenomenal. He is a gift to our students,” said WCC professor Ruth Walsh. Simpson values talking to his students about their dreams, aspirations, and goals. He pushes them to do
things they may not see as attainable. “If I count it right, I think I have five students who are now lawyers,” said Simpson. “Each one of them, I can say I had hours of conversation about how they could do it
ILLUSTRATION BY IAN D. LOOMIS
December 14, 2021
What is your information technology IQ? A glimpse at basic professional technologies by
ETHAN BERMAN
Staff Writer
What is IT IQ? Students are on phones and laptops all the time, but many say they’re not tech-savvy. So, what does it mean to be tech literate? David Rodgers, a computer science teacher at WCC, wanted to elaborate on what it means to understand technology (have a high IT IQ). Rodgers explained that being tech-literate is having a basic understanding of the tools you use to accomplish your daily tasks. “A non-tech literate person spends a lot of time either frustrated or unaware that there are simple solutions to their needs,” he said. Students must know the required basic programs to succeed in school: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. In addition, students are highly encouraged to reach out for help whenever they have technology issues—one of many uses of the internet. The internet is the largest resource for students to utilize. With billions of web pages available to students at the press of a button, Rodgers recommends students to seek help through a quick Google (or Bing, if you’re into that sort of thing) search. “Ask somebody for help or websearch when something seems frustrating to you,” he said. With most classes still being online, students spend many hours per week on their personal computers. So, it’s essential to understand technology, especially when someone is new to the technological world. “When you obtain a new device or application, spend time learning its ins and outs. You do not have to become an expert but don’t be in the dark about the features that can help you. Tech is designed to
Illustration by Lauren Brutger
WCC students, Osama Shahab Ahmed and Tasmiea Chowdhury, using their laptops to do their homework.
save time and make you more productive,” said Rodgers. “If you have a gripe, know that thousands of people have that same issue and, often, have figured out the solution.” Regardless of whether students attend in person, there is innate importance to knowing the particulars of technology. One of the essential topics for beginners is security, according to Rodgers. If PC users have ever had a parent or grandparent fall victim to an online ad-placement scam, then they already know this. Rodgers encourages students to learn how to frustrate people who misuse their information. “After that, it is up to the user how far they go in learning a particular technology or application.” He explained that most folks use Word processors and
spreadsheets on an elementary level and that taking a few minutes to learn valuable tricks may save students time and make them more productive.
• Communication Tools (i.e., Zoom, Slack) • Accounting Software (i.e., QuickBooks, Xero) • Social Media (i.e., Twitter, Instagram) • Data Visualization
What’s my IT IQ? IT IQ is not measurable; however, grasping the fundamentals can help establish a baseline. The editorial team at Indeed.com, an online catalog of jobs and careers, made a list of computer skills that will aid students in their career endeavors. • Operating Systems (i.e., macOS, Windows) • Office Suites (i.e., Microsoft Word, Outlook) • Presentation Software (i.e., Microsoft PowerPoint, Mac Keynote) • Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Spreadsheets)
Nik Hunt, the user services manager at the WCC helpdesk, says that technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, understand, and assess technology. “Technological literacy is related to digital literacy in that when an individual is proficient in using computers and other digital devices to access the Internet,” Hunt said. “it gives them the ability to use the Internet to discover, review, evaluate, create, and use information via various digital platforms.” The following is Hunt’s list of need-to-knows about basic
technology: • Regularly updating antivirus software can help improve security. • Set your operating system to install updates automatically. • Know how to keep applications (Adobe Acrobat, Google Chrome, etc.) up to date with security patches. • The internet can be unsafe at times. It’s important to understand what phishing emails are in addition to many other risks. • How to search the web • How to use email • How to cut, copy, paste, and print. • And today, how to Zoom! When buying a PC, Hunt suggests students look for specific specs, including a quad-
SHELBY BEATY | WASHTENAW VOICE
core processor, a minimum of 8GB of RAM (preferably 16GB), and an SSD (Solid State Drive) with 256GB or more storage space. Javen O’Connor, a computer science student at WCC, uses technology every day of his life, so he finds it essential to stay up to date with the latest technological trends. He considers himself a technologically literate person because he uses technology every day of his life. “It’s also what I am going to school for,” O’Connor said. Students proficient in basic technical skills are on track to becoming professionals. However, these skills are only a starting point— it’s up to individuals to figure out the knowledge they need to succeed later in life in their career fields.
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December 14, 2021
FEATURES
The Washtenaw Voice
Diversify Your Bookshelf: December Picks by
Robin Wyllie-Scholz
Contributor
Welcome to Diversify Your Bookshelf, a monthly feature to introduce you to great books written by diverse authors.
IMAGE BY PUBLISHER, PARK ROW BOOKS.
IMAGE BY PUBLISHER, FIRST SECOND.
IMAGE BY PUBLISHER, PENGUIN YOUNG READERS GROUP.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
After finally completing her Ph.D. in astronomy, Grace Porter goes on a trip to Vegas and does something extremely unlike her-- she marries a stranger. Overwhelmed by her post-graduate life, Grace decides to spend a summer with her new wife in New York. While learning about her mystery spouse, Grace must also face truths about herself that she’d ignored.
There’s nothing I love more than a good graphic novel, and there’s no graphic novel I love more than On a Sunbeam. It follows Mia, a new crew member on a spaceship that revitalizes old structures across the galaxy. Mia is on a mission to find her girlfriend, who disappeared from their boarding school. A heartwarming adventure with gorgeous art, On a Sunbeam, is worth every page.
Set in 1950s San Francisco, Last Night at the Telegraph Club follows Chinese-American high schooler Lily on her journey to find belonging. She discovers the Telegraph Club, a lesbian bar, and her world explodes. Caught between her family and her new identity, Lily must decide how she fits in a world that doesn’t seem made for her.
PLAY
December 14, 2021
The Washtenaw Voice
Solutions to puzzles on washtenawvoice.com
B3
ACROSS 1 Fruity drink suffix 4 Hwy. with tolls 8 Starring roles 13 One in a pod 14 Hip bones 15 Traditional Easter wear 16 Series-ending letters 17 Tray with egg rolls, fried wontons, etc. 19 Butler at Tara 21 Bygone Ford 22 “... thus wide I’ll __ my arms”: “Hamlet” 23 Amorous looks 26 Bygone blade
27 Slight bit, as of color 28 Cloak-and-dagger org. 29 Tour of duty 30 Big first for a baby 31 “__ we having fun yet?” 32 Concert pianos 33 Yoga-inspired athletic brand 36 Order to relax 39 Two-outs-in-a-single-AB stats 40 Mil. awards 44 Ending with wind or air meaning “transmitted by” 45 Early Beatle Sutcliffe
DOWN 46 Camera setting 47 “Phooey!” 48 Yogi’s cartoon buddy 50 NBA tiebreakers 51 Muppet chimp __ Minella 52 To this point 53 Colorful Hawaiian garment 57 “__ Abner” 59 Gofer’s job 60 Drooling comics canine 61 Having four sharps 62 They’re not options 63 Like retailers during holiday season 64 Self-esteem
1 Tarzan raiser 2 Home of Lions and Tigers, but not Bears 3 Every last person 4 Move sneakily 5 Verb meaning “demote” coined in 2006 6 Nap, to a Brit 7 Water in la mer 8 Truckful 9 Rhinitis-treating MD 10 Former justice Scalia 11 Diving board site 12 City map lines 15 Initial diner orders?
18 Response to a judge 20 Parmigiana choice 23 Classic sports cars 24 Beige hue 25 Not argue with 26 Waits for further instructions 29 “No seats” sign 31 Pint at a bar 32 Baseball VIPs 34 “__ as directed” 35 File format for digital books 36 Stomach 37 Long wait, to some
38 Solver’s smudge 41 Metal marble 42 Just enough snow to cover the ground 43 Easter time: Abbr. 45 Auction cry 46 “Gorillas in the Mist” author Dian 48 Data transfer unit 49 Desert refuge 51 Catches some rays 54 “Spy vs. Spy” magazine 55 Filmmaker Reiner 56 UCLA URL ending 58 Sign before Virgo
WCC students and employees can place classified ads in The Washtenaw Voice for free.
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS Looking for help? As a service to our students, you may place “help wanted” ads in The Washtenaw Voice for free.
THE DEADLINE in 5 p.m. the Tuesday before publication.
Oak Trail Schools is seeking Montessori Classroom Assistants.
UTEC is hiring for multiple roles - Drive/Set-Up Technician.
provide staff and resident training and assistance where required and supports the day-to-day operations with our outside IT Vendor. The Coordinator will address technology issues by troubleshooting and resolving hardware, software and network issues in coordination with the IT support company. The Technology Support Coordinator will create, maintain, document and implement standards for hardware, software and operating systems. Most importantly, this position supports a positive aging experience for our residents by being approachable, friendly and creating learning opportunities.
STANKOPOLIS By Ian Loomis
Center for Career Success SC 112 734-677-5155 careers@wccnet.edu These are among recent employment ad posted with WCC Center for Career Success. Students may contact the Center for Career Success to find out how to apply for the openings. To view more information, visit Career Connect at wccnet.edu/careerconnect
Marketing Department Business Administrator with Eden Foods.
Eden Foods - Clinton, Mich. (Lenawee Co.) seeking experienced marketing professionals for business administrator of its Marketing Department. Position is company HQ based. Excellent work, food, and teammates. Flexibility in role development based upon inherent skill.
Oxford Recovery Center is seeking a Physical Therapist.
Lead their brand new, Autism Center to success! The ideal candidate will have experience working with children with Autism, as well as adults with neurological challenges, for our multifaceted outpatient therapy center in Brighton, MI.
Oxford Recovery Center is seeking a Behavior Technician.
Provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to clients with Autism, supervised by a BCBA and will aid in implementing treatment and programs by the BCBA.
Supply Chain Cycle Counter with the University of Michigan.
Help cycle count inventory; entering counts into the system; unpacking boxes; putting away inventory and other related duties as assigned.
Entry Level Motorcycle Tech - Metric Motorcycles. Owen’s Bootleg Cycle Inc in Flint. Candidates will complete Oil changes, Mount & balance tires, Cleaning & synchroniza-
tion of carburetors. Email Bob Owens - bootleg2@comcast. net, stop in to the shop or call to apply.
Direct Care Team Members - Resile Neuro.
Play an important role in the rehabilitation process by assisting clients with personal care and activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, dressing, care of skin, teeth, hair, ears, nails, eating, toileting/elimination, and promoting self-care activities. Work is generally within the residential home or apartment setting although various other work sites may be assigned. Travel off Resilire Neuro grounds may be required for communitybased activities.
Full-time & Part-time Behavior Technicians.
For its growing ABA program, aimed at assisting with the social, behavioral, and academic needs of autistic children.
Radiology Technologist with McLaren Flint.
Responsible for taking radiologic films of various parts of body to assist in detection of foreign bodies and diagnosis of diseases and injuries.
Assisting in a pre-primary Montessori classroom. Morning only and full day positions available. Previous work with children is preferred, and/or working on a degree in childcare/education.
Accounting Assistant (Part-Time) & Seasonal Tax Preparer- Express Employment Professionals of Ann Arbor.
You’ll be responsible for entering and pulling invoices along with data entry and other administrative tasks $16/hour, two days a week.
Part-Time Job Coach/ Mentor.
Assist individuals in the Livingston County, MI area to learn jobs in food, janitorial, and customer services.
Home Healthcare Coordinator.
Manage program operations, oversee staff, coordinate activities and appointments, document the services, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Great opportunity for a dynamic person looking to align with a growing technology firm here in Washtenaw County. You will provide transport and set-up of our hardware products throughout Southeastern Michigan.
Accounts Receivable.
Verifying / Depositing ACH’s, Verifying, entering, and depositing checks (UTEC & JADDA), Process credit cards as received in email and recurring authorization forms, Scan in receipt and email paid invoice/ receipt to customers.
Warehouse Clerk.
Shipping and/or receiving inventory, maintaining proper safety and product quality standards, proper inventory control processes, and is willing to perform all job duties as required to best serve the company and our customers.
Technology Support Coordinator.
Silver Maples of Chelsea is seeking a Full Time Technology Support Coordinator to
SEND ADS to wcc.voice. advertising@gmail.com
Multiple Registered Nurses - VA Hospital Ann Arbor.
For ICU, PCU, Inpatient Telemetry, Community Living Center, Inpatient Med/Surg, and inpatient Mental Health.
LPN - Ambulatory Care Nurses.
in Michigan & Ohio for Mental Health, PACT, Sub-specialty, Float, and Sub-specialty Team Float. See job descriptions for specific locations and details.
B4
December 14, 2021
NEWS
The Washtenaw Voice
Compiled by: Diona Plop | Staff Writer
AT WCC
Intramural Rocket League
Join the WCC Esports Intramural Rocket League games from the comfort of your living room. Contact Matt Lucas, manager of WCC sports. Email: mflucas@wccnet.edu Online
Dec. 8, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WCC Women’s Basketball Tryouts
WCC Club Women’s Basketball is a competitive women’s sport that provides students the opportunity to continue playing basketball at a college level. All interested students who meet the WCC Sports eligibility requirements are allowed to tryout and will be considered for the team. WCC Fitness Center
Jan. 10, 12, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
WCC Men’s Basketball Tryouts
WCC Club Men’s Basketball is a competitive men’s sport that provides students the opportunity to continue playing basketball at a college level. All interested students who meet the WCC Sports eligibility requirements are allowed to tryout and will be considered for the team.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Holiday Artist Market
Come enjoy the second annual Holiday Artist Market in Gutman Gallery. You will find artist-made works from 60+ artists, free gift wrapping on Fridays, artist trunk shows, private shopping parties, virtual gift-making workshops, and more. 118 N 4th Ave, Ann Arbor
Through Dec 23, Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Enjoy this holiday classic free screening at the Michigan Theater.
The Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Dec. 26, at 1:30 p.m.
Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge
Check out the 18 local small businesses at the Downtown Detroit Markets in Cadillac Square. And enjoy family-friendly entertainment and tasty treats at the nearby open-air Cadillac Lodge. Cadillac Square, 662 Woodward Ave, Detroit
Dec. 19, at 1:30 p.m.
From Nov. 11 until Jan 01 Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Festivus Run
Join the run and then enjoy the post-run Festivus snacks and beverages and get a picture with the AARC Festivus pole. AARC Downtown Ann Arbor, 209 S Ashley St., Ann Arbor
Dec. 21, from 6 p.m.
Almost Solstice Night Handke
Celebrate one of the shortest days of the year by walking through a paved path lit with luminaries and lanterns. Then enjoy the campfire, s’mores and hot cocoa. Independence Lake County Park
Friday, Dec. 17, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Jan. 11, 13, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
WCC player goes up for a lay-up whille being defended.
Enjoy this holiday classic free screening at the Michigan Theater.
The Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor
WCC Fitness Center
PHOTO: WASHTENAW COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Frozen
The Michigan Theater offers free holiday screenings including “It’s a Wonderful Life.” PHOTO: RKO RADIO PICTURES
Independence Lake County Park in Webster Township PHOTO: WASHTENAW COUNTY PARKS