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C l a c k a m a s C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e , O r e g o n C i t y, O R

We d n e s d a y, M a y 7 , 2 0 0 8

TOP: In a heated conversation, Jayc Izso and Mitch Knudsen discuss the appeals meeting Monday, May 5.

ASG candidate removed days before election

Senator’s removal from student government throws fairness of presidential election into doubt Armondo Borboa The Clackamas Print

The Clackamas Associated Student Government removed one of its own members from the ASG last week amid accusations of favoritism and impropriety by student leaders.

Because of his removal from government, Izso became ineligible to run for the position of president and has since been removed from the ballot.

“Kicking me out of government is just a way to shut me up and make sure (ASG President) Tim Lussier’s hand-picked choice gets in, because he (Michael Vu) doesn’t make waves,” said ousted senator and student presidential candidate Jayc Izso.

He later filed an appeal, and is currently circulating a petition to withhold elections until a second candidate can be offered to student voters.

In addition, campus club leaders are expressing their unhappiness after a request for an emergency meeting was rebuffed by ASG (see sidebar).

Although both sides are attempting to adhere to the rules outlined in the Associated Students of Clackamas Community College (ASCCC) Student Constitution, a lack of precedent in the document is causing the groups to each respond with increasing acrimony.

¢

Committee meeting as part of his assigned duties for ASG and was not able to help settle on a more convenient schedule.

Izso’s problems began last week when he The second day of the Meet and Greet did was unable to attend a scheduled “Meet and not turn out better for Iszo. Supporters for Vu Greet” with students Tuesday. This eventually in attendance outnumbered his own, many of cumulated in his ouster. them fellow members of ASG wearing Support The two-day event was created to introduce Michael Vu buttons or T-shirts. the candidates and allow The event, moderated by students to ask questions, Hendrickson, for the most express concerns and present part was orderly and civilized, “Kicking me any ideas they wished ASG with students submitting their to consider. questions and Hendrickson out of governAlthough the times were giving the two candidates ment is just a to be determined, all deadequal time. lines and event days were However, things spun out way of shutknown by both candidates, of control when students from ting me up ...” because they were printed on various campus clubs were the presidential applications insistent in pressing their parJayc Izso each received. ticular questions and seeking Ousted ASG Senator Citing financial oblianswers. gations, Izso could not be Openly displaying a present at the event but did Support Vu button in his send another student, Matt hands, Student Senator Adam Ostergren, in his stead to represent him.

Kidwell got into a shouting match with Iszo over However, Jessica Hendrickson, student his own questions not being addressed because vice president and member of the Elections of the focus on student questions being taken Committee, did not permit any non-candidates out of order. to answer questions, as the Meet and Greet was Kidwell rose up out of his seat, pointing an opportunity for only presidential candidates to an accusatory finger at Iszo, and demanded speak, not their managers or supporters. that someone moderate the meeting, although “If he had let me know ahead of time he Hendrickson had been doing so until that point. couldn’t make it, we could have made other arrangements that were fair to both candidates,” Please see ASG ELECTIONS, Page 3 Hendrickson said. “Allowing him (Izso) to bring up students wouldn’t have been fair to Michael (Vu).”

Izso countered by pointing out that when the Elections Committee met to decide times for the event, he was attending a Campus Development Initial confrontation

BELOW LEFT: Candidates Jayc Izso, Michael Vu and Latisha Burley listen to questions from the audience before the situation digressed.

BELOW RIGHT:After the meeting, students wait to talk to Jayc Izso regarding college issues.

Photos by Lisa Sellars Clackamas Print

Vo l u m e 4 1 , I s s u e 2 0

Clubs’ cry silenced in elections dispute Lydia E. Bashaw News Editor

One day after the Associated Student Government voted to remove member Jayc Izso, making him unqualified to run for ASG president, Democrat Club President Catherine Pike requested an emergency Interclub Council Meeting to address the election issue.

“I told him that it was a coronation, not an election,” Pike said. “I don’t agree with it. The clubs should have met to discuss what was happening.”

Initially, ASG Clubs Senator Javierh Montero said he would allow the meeting, but that he needed to confirm the proper procedure.

“I volunteered to call all the clubs myself,” Pike said, “but he said he would do it instead.”

Montero asked the clubs to wait temporarily, while he checked the student constitution. He then quoted Section 5, which states that in order for a person to run for ASG president, he or she must first serve at least two terms on Student Leadership.

Please see CLUBS, Page 3

2 News

The Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Clackamas Print

Green issues dug up in trash A major step on the path to sustainability began April 30 with a comprehensive audit of Clackamas’ trash

and staff were invited to come and witness the goings-on. Prizes were News Associate offered in a carnivallike fashion – a spin of a wheel, and whatever it The loudspeaker could be landed on was awarded heard reverberating through- to the participant. The out the Oregon City campus items were based entireWednesday, April 30: “Step up ly on sustainability, and spin the wheel; everyone’s from all-natural pencils and reusable grocery a winner.”

Such words are usually bags to small trees.

The garbage, which accompanied by giggling children, flashing games, prize was taken from three animals and maybe the occa- buildings – Roger Rook, sional pile of puke, but not McLoughlin and Randall hundreds of pounds of trash – was divided into four categories: trash, comscattered on the ground.

Sifting through these piles post, containers such as of trash, in front of Barlow coffee cups and recyHall, four Portland State clables.

Clackamas has a recyUniversity students, dressed in white Tyvek suits and look- cling program – nevering like they just walked out theless, the campus itself Lisa Sellars Clackamas Print of quarantine, separated the does not recycle everything it could, accord- Members of Portland State University’s Environmental Services Committee worked from 9 a.m. until trash from the not-so-trash.

The scene was all part of ing to Shanna Eller, a almost noon, sorting trash into four categories: waste, compost, recyclables and containers. the Waste Sort, one of the member of Community activities scheduled for the Environmental Services, Sustainability Project and the the organization in charge of showed up the most,” Eller for Clackamas County, it was the Waste Sort have attracta combination gift, initially ed attention, it is not the said. beginning of a detailed audit auditing the school’s trash.

But while Clackamas does from Metro to the county, and first of its kind to be held at Of the four categories that will help to measure the sorted through, the college have recycling receptacles, then from there to the school Clackamas. college’s recyclable waste.

The last sort, which took During the event, students only offers disposal for two they are often misused, and via a grant.

The gift may be only the place in 2001, was sponsored of them: trash many items that could be recyand recycling. cled are thrown out, such as first in a series of ways staff by ASG and had quite a difand faculty plan on using the ferent look to it, according This means that bottles because of their caps.

“Almost every one of the Waste Sort to slash costs and to Wilberg. Trash was strewn everything else across the lawn in front of is almost auto- bottles has the screw tops on create revenue.

College President Joann Barlow – which at the time matically depos- it,” said John Wilberg, the lead ited in the gar- custodian on campus. “The Truesdell believes that the was covered – instead of conresources saved from cutting fined in a small space. bage unless the recycler won’t take them.”

For the Sustainability waste-disposal funds will be The scene this year was student finds an alternative meth- Committee, the Waste Sort beneficial to learning on cam- much more contained in compus. parison, with the actual sorting od of discarding was a significant occasion.

“This is something we “I’d rather pay for another taking place in a much smaller his or her rubhave been looking forward to class, not another dumpster,” area, on tarps approximately bish.

20 feet long on each side.

C l a c k a m a s for months,” said Elizabeth she said.

Sustainability Wilberg believes Clackamas Even though the event did does not current- H o w l e y, should follow in the footsteps not take up the whole Barlow ly have a pro- Committee organizer.

Howley sees the event as of Lane University, which he Hall yard, the sight of hundreds cess of disposing other types important because “if you’re says makes about $400,000 of pounds of rubbish is still not amazingly pleasing but to of waste aside ever going to change, you have per year from recycling.

“I’d love to see us do that,” Rochelle Feltz, a member of from putting it to assess where you’re at.”

Normally, an audit so Wilberg said. “I think we the Sustainability Committee. in the trash, but that is not the expansive would cost $700 could make this a money-mak- However, she feels that waste sorts and other means of susbiggest problem between the actual fee for the ing program for the school.”

Wilberg’s idea is not merely tainability are necessary in surrounding the team to make the visit and college’s recy- the expense of writing up the an idealistic fantasy – he says order for positive change to report. Fortunately for the col- that the college already saves occur. cling habits.

Lisa Sellars Clackamas Print about $68,000 a year simply “We really want this,” Feltz “Plastic bot- lege, though, it was free.

ABOVE: Portland State student Will Elder According to Susanne by hauling its own trash. said. “This is an ugly thing tles in the two Although the results of that needs to be done.” works through recyclables. buildings have Terry, a sustainability analyst

John Hurlburt

ABOVE: Large bags of trash collected from McLoughlin, Roger Rook and Randall halls were torn apart and sorted through.

Lisa Sellars Clackamas Print

The

Clackamas Print

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

News

3

ASG ELECTIONS: ASG decision under fire by ousted officer

Lisa Sellars Clackamas Print

ABOVE: A group of students and Dean of Student Services Bill Zuelke listen to comments made by the candidates last Wednesday during the “Meet and Greet.” The man second to the right is Adam Kidwell, who refused comment to The Print.

RIGHT: A shocked Jayc Izso sits beneath a tree on the phone after he learned about the appeals meeting to occur in 30 minutes.

Continued from ASG ELECTIONS, Page 1

When approached later by reporters to explain what questions he felt were not being addressed by the candidates, Kidwell said, “I do not endorse The Print” and put his hands in front of his face for the rest of the meeting, refusing to be photographed or to even clearly identify himself.

“It is just wrong for members of government to support Michael like that in public,” Iszo said. “It shows their clear bias for him and against me.”

Responding to Iszo’s charge of favoritism by ASG members, Hendrickson said in her capacity as the elections committee chair, “Student government members can represent who they want when they are not in their office hours.”

Removal from office At the next regular ASG meeting, Izso and Ostergren requested that Student Adviser Mindy Brown and Hendrickson both recuse themselves from the Elections Committee for what Izso felt was

their unethical treatment of him and his campaign.

As this request was made in the Public Comments portion of the agenda, Lussier declared that no discussions would occur, and ASG continued with the business of the day.

During the New Business portion of the meeting, Student Officer Mitch Knudsen brought up accusations against Izso, claiming repeated violation of the ASG behavior code of conduct and a failure to complete the duties of his assigned position.

Lussier called for an Executive Session to discuss the charges being brought forth. All members of the public were required to leave, and the discussion continued behind closed doors.

Although the media was not in the room while charges were debated, the final decision was 11 votes to 1 that Izso had in fact violated the ASG behavior code. He was summarily dismissed from his position, making him ineligible to continue his presidential candidacy.

Aftermath An appeals committee has already been formed to look into the issue of Izso’s dismissal, and attempted to meet this past

CLUBS: Student club leaders speak out against actions in officer removal Continued from CLUBS, Page 1

“I’m not going to waste my time calling for a meeting when you can’t do anything about it,” Montero said in regards to the call for an alternate candidate in place of Izso.

Pike said, “I felt the clubs should have a part in it; this was not an elections process.”

Representatives from the Democrat, Veterans, Spanish and Writers’ clubs expressed concern over what they viewed as taking away a choice from students.

Writers’ Club President Greg

Stein avidly backed Izso in the election and was shocked at the actions of ASG. “Well, it’s entirely ridiculous,” Stein said. “It’s almost a power trip to one degree. They are doing whatever they want to do and will find any reason to get what they want.”

In a phone interview, Pike said that there may still be a meeting of the clubs’ representatives this week to discuss the matter. However, with the current situation still in development, it is uncertain what effect the student body will have on the decision.

“I think that this shows there is a problem with our leadership program,” Stein said. “It

proves that they are not connected to the people, because they do everything internally.”

MONTERO

Attention students: ignore gunfire noise May 9, don’t plan to park in Barlow There’s a chance of hearing gunfire and seeing emergency personnel from 8 a.m. until noon this Friday, but students have nothing to fear. It’s only a drill.

The drill is a simulation of a school shooting, using actors as victims and blank ammunition. The sound of the shots and the sight of emergency vehicles, which may be seen or heard by students at Clackamas, are all part of the imitation attack.

Clackamas students also should not expect a parking spot by Barlow on May 9, as the college will be loaning the lot to the demonstration. The Oregon City Police Emergency Operations van will occupy the space, and a Life Flight is scheduled to land there.

In addition to local responders, Willamette Falls Hospital and American Medical Response ambulances will be involved .

Monday to determine the validity of the charges.

Members of the committee included both faculty members and students.

Claiming it was improper because it had not been previously announced, nor had he been notified of the review, Izso arrived at the meeting with a camera crew in tow, demanding that it be rescheduled to accommodate student availability and that it be open to the public.

The appeals committee has agreed to Izso’s demands and has set its next meeting for this Wednesday, with the time to be announced. It has not yet been determined if it will be open to the public.

Interested students should contact the ASG office at 503-6576958, ext. 2636.

4

The

Clackamas Print

Feature

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The show must go on the completed product.

But it is important to note that they aren’t part of the only class that is working on this latest production.

While the actors perfect their performance, Whitten and his Technical Theatre Study class toil over the set and props.

In a shop behind the stage, the students spend much of the term turning different pieces of Kyle Steele wood into the necessary set elements. Sitting on Feature Editor a wheeled shop stand are blueprints and a model of what the play will require.

“We’re supporting technically what’s hapOn May 22, the currents will rise in the Niemeyer Center for the theatre department’s pening emotionally on stage as they’re telling a story, and all of it without the audience even first showing of William Inge’s “Bus Stop.”

But before the actors take the stage for the realizing we’re trying to do that,” Whitten said. opening performance of any production, they “If they don’t notice that we’re here, then we engage in months of preparation. Every detail accomplished our task.”

Technical Theatre Study also searches for is explored, from obviously important matters, such as determining the cast list, to factors that the items that cannot simply be made out of most audience members take for granted, like wood, which, for “Bus Stop,” include a working refrigerator and solid woodlighting and sound. stove. The class will also have to The most basic step in this produce a working sink for the process is the choice regardproduction. ing the show itself. Theatre “We’re The final touches will be made Instructor and Director David supporting during tech week – the week leadSmith-English, and Instructor ing up to the first show – which technically Chris Whitten, select a different will start that Sunday, without the production each term. what’s actors, during a cue practice for This year has already seen happening the technicians involved in the diverse plays including the conshow. temporary “Reckless” and the emotionally Monday will see the cast in cosmusical “Quilters.” The last theon stage as tume for their first-time practice atrical production of the school on the full set. they’re telling year will be the American clasUp until Thursday, every memsic “Bus Stop,” written in 1955 a story ...” ber, including tech and actors, are

by Inge and made famous by required to stay at practice until the film of the same name starhaving successfully finished the ring Marilyn Monroe.

Chris Whitten rehearsal. For some plays, this “We want to pick shows that Theatre Instructor means working till 10 p.m. in have a contrast so that you preparation for opening night. can give students and the audiAt the end of the eight-show ence a real variety of experirun, the actors will have put in ences within the theater itself,” anywhere from 80 to 100 hours of work.

Smith-English said.

During the casting procedure, Smith-English Musicals are even more time-consuming, at decides who would excel in what role and, an average of 130 hours, according to Smithmeanwhile, best complement the other actors. English.

One of the overlooked parts of a production, Casting for “Bus Stop” concluded before the end of winter term, allowing the actors to begin though, is the ushers, who have the opportunity memorizing their lines before the first rehearsal to watch the play for free.

“We’re always looking for ushers; give us a spring term.

“I don’t want to typecast people,” Smith- call,” Smith-English said.

Once the curtain falls for the last time June English said. ”I want to give them a new experience so that they will be playing a character 1, bringing the final night of “Bus Stop” to a close, the cast and crew will know that most different than what they have played before.”

Once spring term commences, the actors of the audience probably doesn’t realize the meet during class Mondays, Wednesdays and countless hours that were put into making the Fridays. In rehearsal, they develop their charac- performance run smoothly, and truthfully, that’s ters and establish what will eventually become just the way they want it.

Every term, a small army of students and instructors work on a main-stage play in the hopes that no one will notice their hard work

All photos by Kyle Steele Clackamas Print

TOP: Technical Theatre Study Instructor Chris Whitten bends a metal pipe that will be used to hang curtains.

MIDDLE: Student Noreen Brahim mixes in white paint to produce the desired set color that will be used during spring term’s production of “Bus Stop.”

BOTTOM: All set pieces start out in scale-model form, created by Instructor Chris Whitten. Student Ashley Larkin puts a finishing coat of paint on a set wall that will be hung in the coming days.

The

Clackamas Print

5

Feature

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Student crowned Miss Clackamas Jessica Burris has already won locally.

Now, she will compete for Miss Oregon in Seaside Megan Koler Editor in Chief

She’s beauty and she’s brains, and she’s style and she’s grace – she’s Miss Clackamas County!

The Miss Clackamas County pageant, a local branch of the national Miss America pageant, was won this year by Clackamas Community College’s very own graduate, Jessica Burris.

“It’s been an interesting adventure,” Burris said. “I wouldn’t have said I was a pageant person. I am kind of more antipageant.”

“I got into this because, when I was little, I was always watching Miss America with my mom and grandma,” she explained, “so it’s always been like a family tradition.”

The prospective business major, who plans to attend University of Oregon, began to consider pageant competition as a serious means to fund her studies.

“I actually just wanted to give it a shot,” she said. “I was like, ‘You know …

I’m young; I can do what I want. I’ll just give this a try’.”

Being 6-foot-2-inches didn’t hurt, either.

“Because I am so tall, I’ve always been kind of fascinated by modeling, but I never wanted to get into it as a career,” she said.

The stereotypes and atmosphere of the modeling world and pageant competition were a concern as Burris began to explore the Miss America organization.

“The first thing I did was get a hold of the local director here for Clackamas, and then I asked her a lot of questions,” she said. “I asked, ‘Is this a shallow pageant?

Is this like what I see on TV with Donald Trump and Miss USA?’” The Miss USA pageant is a beauty pageant owned by Donald Trump – who also owns the Miss Universe Pageant – that awards the winner with a modeling contract.

“There are more catty girls, I would

say, in that (pageant),” Burris said. “They apparently superficial don’t have a talent portion, and I don’t side.

“Of course, because believe they have as much stress on community service and more philanthropic we’re women, they’re things.” like, ‘OK, well, you look Burris maintains that although Miss gorgeous, so let’s have America seems like a beauty pageant, it is you in a swimsuit and more of a community service award. make you a sex sym“You have to do this big interview,” bol,’” she said. “That’s she said. “It’s 10 minutes long in front of how they’re marketa panel of six judges that are all business ing it, but they’re tryowners in the Clackamas area. They bom- ing to get away from bard you with questions about the politics that and more into ‘real and the people.’” election “Some of the girls right now, who win, they’re not “I wouldn’t as well as stick-thin,” she added. have said I your plat“But they reward you form.” on how fit you are, was a pageant Each like any sport.” person. I contestant They also reward is required women for their am kind of to have a involvement in a more project or wide array of activianti-pageant.” platform, ties, which the local usually a Clackamas director, Jessica Burris c h a r i t y, or coach, of the Miss Miss Clackamas to accomAmerica pageant, pany his Linda Brume, thinks or her is Burris’ best feature. campaign.

“All my girls are great, Burris’ platform is music education. but Jessy is just really well-rounded,” “They want to know what you do, and Brume said. “She is very smart and very what I do is teach children music lessons,” ambitious with her career and education she said. “Because I’m a teacher, I am goals, but she also has plenty of interests passionate about seeing my students suc- outside of school.” ceed in life, and created my platform on “She is what the Miss America system after-school music education so I could is all about,” Brume added. help inspire more kids in Clackamas Burris will compete for the Miss Oregon County to pursue music as a hobby or title June 23 through 28 at the Seaside career.”

Convention Center, in Seaside, Ore. “After my f r i e n d ’s d e a t h t h i s winter, playing on the bass Anyone interested in competand piano helped me sort out my own emotions as ing or sponsoring Burris can I dealt with my loss,” she added. “I know having mue-mail her at sical skills would have given him an outlet for his jessy.burris@yahoo.com or emotional frustrations, Brume at tapdancer60@yahoo. rather than turning to suicide.” com. For more information Burris believes that the overall message of the about the Miss Clackamas competition is community pageant, visit MySpace.com/ service and awareness.

However, it always has missclackamaspageant. and probably will have, in the foreseeable future, an

Megan Koler Clackamas Print

Contributed

TOP: Student Jessica Burris talks with others in Rook Hall.

ABOVE: Burris sits with her piano students.

Video games get the spotlight, proving they are more than just a game English class offers a different look at the video-game world Jess Sheppard The Clackamas Print

It’s easy to be skeptical about the idea of using games, especially video games, as a medium for studying literature, but English Instructor Trevor Dodge has found a seemingly effective way to do so in his class Games and Literature.

According to Dodge, the American culture is a society in which “we have ancient texts that are also in the same backpacks as Game Boys and PSPs and cell phones.”

“What this course tries to do is to is take some of those things out and actually ask big questions about it rather than go, ‘Oh, it’s fun,’” he explained.

One specific piece his students are required to read and analyze is “Inferno” by Dante Alighieri.

“It seems, on the first level, kind of weird to talk about Dante’s ‘Inferno,’ this grand poem in the

western canon of literature, and then have someone associate that to ‘Devil May Cry,’” he said. “That’s a discussion point that can only go so far as far as that particular game is concerned, but it does offer a larger cultural critique to study.”

Dodge chose “The Inferno” specifically because it is, among other reasons, an easier piece to break down into sections than some of the similar works used, such as John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”

“I chose ‘The Inferno’ because, well, one, it’s really sexy,” he said.

“It’s so visual, too. It’s really incredible what Dante is able to do with language.”

Another, more contemporary, writer being observed in the course is H.P. Lovecraft.

“A lot of the way people are discovering his work is through gaming,” Dodge said. “That’s how I discovered it when I was in college.

I’d never read a lick of Lovecraft, and there were some friends of mine who were in the dorm (and) were playing this game, and exposure to him, for me, came through gaming.”

Dodge plans to hold a tabletop session from the “Call of Cthulu” series later in the course.

But what do H. P. Lovecraft, Dante Alleghiri and the video game “Devil May Cry” have in common?

They are all, essentially, epic poems, Dodge said.

During the course of a single Tuesday, Dodge spoke heavily on the similarities between modern games and the traditional epic poem of ancient Greece.

“That’s how it gets its literary traction,” he said. “The fact that I can teach it in my department, it’s gonna have to have those things to it.”

With that thought in mind, how can games – particularly RPGs – not be compared to such classics as Homer’s “The Odyssey”?

The class not only draws on the epic poem in its original form, but also examines its evolution from an oral tradition to its re-imaging as a novel and, finally, as a game in today’s world.

Of course, a certain level of challenge is involved in managing a classroom full of gaming enthusiasts.

“I thought we’d be able to play more games in class,” admitted student Jamie Kemp, “but otherwise, the class is really interesting.”

Dodge is well aware of the fact that, of the individuals enrolled in the course, “almost everyone … has a favorite video game.”

“You can hear it in the discussion,” he said. “Part of the trick of teaching the class is trying to steer the conversation off of the rails of video-gaming, because it’s such an immediate and powerful medium.”

Games and Literature is only offered spring term, but as of last spring, it is now a permanent class.

“As long as I’m here, and as long as it meets enrollJohn Shufelt Clackamas Print ment, I plan to teach it every spring,” Games and Literature Instructor Trevor Dodge teaches a class through Dodge said. video games and classics such as “The Odyssey” and Dante’s “The Inferno.”

6

The

Clackamas Print

Opinion

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

EDITORIAL The proper role of student government The better the checks and balances are in a system of government, the better chance it has to improve and avoid corruption.

There are no checks and balances in the Clackamas Associated Student Government, and no importance is set on fairness.

As a result, Clackamas’ASG is a poor example of what a student government can be.

It’s not even a government. It’s a club.

The only difference ASG has from any other club pertains to the magnitude of its budget.

It would be interesting to see how much good the Global Activism Club could do with control over a budget in the hundreds of thousands.

ASG could be a great resource for students.

Instead, it has become a bimonthly burger stand – a burger stand paid for with student fees.

To the knowledge of most students, this is the only thing ASG does.

It is important to acknowledge that ASG has raised funds for many charities over the years.

The Clackamas Print has seen first-hand the good student government has done for students.

It’s important for a student government to improve its community, but it should not abandon the community.

ASG could earn back a great deal of goodwill by increasing grants and loans to students who can barely afford the $5-per-credit-hour increase it chose to support last term.

It would also benefit the student body if ASG made its services a little better known.

Perhaps energy could be spent on letting students know that ASG can offer them a wide array of emergency loans.

This neglect of student interest is a direct result of the manner in which student government operates.

It ignores questions and critiques, and systematically expels any persons who suggest new ideas or ask hard questions – tactics reminiscent of some of the worst and most crooked governments the world has ever known.

How can a government ensure stability and fairness when the president of ASG handpicks all officers and senators except for the vice president?

What if the president of the United States was able to handpick the members of Congress?

If the president wasn’t a completely upstanding individual, he or she could get away with anything, as the people selected to supervise would not object.

In order to run for ASG president, a person must be a member of student government. In order to be a member of ASG, he or she must be selected by ASG. The college no longer offers leadership classes for students to take that would qualify them to run for president without first being selected.

That is not democracy. That is a joke.

Most student governments within United States colleges and universities have a much larger number of elected offices than simply the president and vice president.

It’s not entirely surprising that those student governments tend to provide more substantial services for their student body.

Those who advise officers and senators at Clackamas should be more concerned about the kind of future politicians and government officials they are grooming.

Clackamas is a microcosm of the country. It may just be a student government in teeny tiny Oregon City, but one of these days, these people will take office in the real world, carrying all of their bad habits and selfish, self-perpetuating tactics with them.

For now, ASG has lost sight of its real purpose: to serve students.

Instead, it seems it is only interested in serving burgers.

The

Clackamas Print

The Clackamas Print 19600 S. Molalla Ave. Oregon City, OR 97045 503-657-6958, ext. 2309

Armondo Borboa and Kayla Berge Clackamas Print

Youth apathy and the vote John Hurlburt The Clackamas Print In junior high school, I was a fanatic about politics. Politics became what I read, what I obsessed over and what I wrote songs about in my first “band.”

At one point, a group of friends and I started a protest against the war in Iraq, which at the time was just beginning.

In the protest we all wore armbands that had “impeach W” printed on them.

Five years later, it seems a lot has changed, and I am finding it really hard to get motivated about politics.

Hard to care The problem’s not merely mine, though; all over the nation, college students are finding it difficult to care about politics.

Youth apathy is a fact made brilliantly clear when you look at the percentage of young people who choose to vote.

According to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, in the 2004 presidential election, the percentage of registered voters under the age of 25 who cast their vote was 54.4, whereas the percentage of voters age 25 and older was 74.

Why aren’t youth motivated anymore?

In the ’60s and ’70s, students were among Dear Editor: I want to start with a thankyou for recognizing Kate Gray for making the decision to ride her bike, but most importantly, her leadership on helping all of us by reducing her carbon footprint.

I think this is such a big problem, and most of us are not even aware of it.

The more we talk about this, the more we educate and, in turn, can make a big difference.

Going green, carbon foot prints and global warming are a few topics I’m passionate about and have been studying in depth.

I’m proud to be a student at a college that is trying to make a difference in such big issues.

When people like Kate start doing things like riding her

Editor in Chief: Megan Koler Copy Editor: Colleen Watkins News Editor: Lydia E. Bashaw A&C Editor: Emily Walters Sports Editor: Andrea Simpson Feature Editor: Kyle Steele Photo Editor: Kayla Berge Opinion Editor: Armondo Borboa Photo Associate : John Shufelt News Associate: John Hurlburt

the most boisterous groups.

Now, we have relegated ourselves into a dingy corner of a whorehouse, where our voice doesn’t matter because we’re too silent to be heard.

I can’t speak for the millions of voters out there, but many individuals my age are discouraged or apathetic toward the political process.

What I have noticed is a feeling of hopelessness.

Some don’t feel like their vote makes a difference, and for a lot of reasons this is understandable.

Our country doesn’t vote democratically.

Instead, we have a system in which citizens vote for a representative and the representative votes for the president.

Originally, the electoral colleges were instituted to give every state a fair say, but the system has become dated.

As opposed to promising a fair political process, the colleges ensure that Americans don’t technically vote for the president – the representative who the people elect votes for the president.

What is the point?

Not only does it mean the popular vote isn’t meaningful, but the representative elected to vote for the nation’s leader can change his or her vote and earn the title of “faithless elector.”

The mudslinging campaigns that we endure every four years spread so much disinformation that it becomes difficult to decode the candidates’ true character.

This has resulted in the general public getting stuck watching two actors in a Wild West showdown in which whoever has the best

bike 12 miles from Sellwood, it inspires me to start making changes in my attitude and lifestyle.

Thank you for the inspiration, and I hope to see more articles like this.

– Jackie Wheeler Dear Editor: The fact that Hillary Clinton is one of “the agents of change” for our country is, in my opinion, very foolish.

This reminds me of old-English monarchs with the office remaining in the family over the years – similar to Bush senior and Bush junior.

The policies that Bill Clinton represented for his wife were things such as the problems in the economy, healthcare and trade.

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campaign and the most money wins.

When voter turnout for young people was high in the ’60s and ’70s, there was a reason to cast ballots, and it was called the draft.

The issues today have very little to do with young voters.

Rather, politicians pay attention to the problems that affect most of the individuals who make the effort to fill out a ballot. One example of this is prescription drug costs and their link to the elderly vote.

The result of the current reciprocating system is that Americans are now stuck in a paradox.

Young voters aren’t voting because they have no passion for what candidates are promising.

At the same time, topics that would engage the youth vote are being ignored because candidates do not want to waste their time and money on a demographic that isn’t crucial in their campaign.

Lying liars It’s true that candidates often misrepresent themselves. It’s also true that our votes won’t necessarily be a factor in the big picture.

Regardless, I believe we need to vote.

We need to exercise that right; it’s the only way important issues will be seen by those with the power to change them.

When I cast a ballot, I am saying, “I have a voice, and it needs to be heard.”

In all honesty, I am going to vote for a third party in the upcoming election, a move I have been told is a throw-away vote.

To me, that’s not what it is. A vote should show what you stand for, not for what you’re willing to settle with.

He said that “she has the best ideas, the best record of achievement and the greatest likelihood for turning this economy around.”

Hillary Clinton’s foreign policies seem to reflect other not-so-pleasant outcomes.

Her statement recently on “obliterating” Iran would basically continue the Bush administration’s policies: keeping the economy crippled, healthcare impossible to uphold and trade an absolute mess.

Our nation is already drowning in war debt, and “obliterating a nation will jack the debts up to an unbelievable level.

Due to these circumstances, I believe that the Clintons are not in the business of change, but of simply keeping the presidency in the family.

– Rachel Schreindl

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Dear Editor: I am writing a response to the majority of what was written in today’s (Wednesday, April 30) paper.

Plain and simple, I found it boring and uninformative.

The only article I thought was worth reading was the one covering the topic of transgender individuals.

While the sports highlights pertaining to CCC were nice, the rest just seemed like filler.

I believe that you could do much better with more interesting topics like why Diesel is so expensive yet the easiest to manufacture.

This is partly due to the USA’s high reliance of big-rig trucks for food transport and events in foreign countries.

– Brian Parsons

G����: The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner.

The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the student body, college administration, its faculty or The Print. E-mail comments to chiefed@clackamas. edu.

Opinion

Wednesday, May 7, 2007

The

Clackamas Print 7

Letters to the Editor

Students respond to ASG action, transgender issue, underage smoking Dear Editor: ASG is proving once again to be a biased organization.

Without concern for the student body, they have made a rash decision – not that that is the first time I have seen something like this from them.

The Associated Student Government is exactly what it says: associated with the student body, but concerned seemingly more with their own desires, so much so that they would pull up weak charges against Jayc Izso, who wants to be ASG president and has a desire to connect with the students here.

Rather than just saying he is here for them, Izso has made a connection with students, and that seems to make him a target for false accusations. I believe this to be highly uncalled for, and it just proves that the leadership here needs some serious work.

Sincerely, Greg Stein, Writers’ Club President Phi Theta Kappa Vice President of Scholarship

Dear Editor: I just read “Advocate opens doors for transgender youth,” and I have a few opinions.

For one, I believe the article was onesided. For it to be truly objective, the article should have presented views from opposing sides or transgender beliefs.

Being a Christian, I believe that people are created purposefully and gender is not a choice.

Presenting the article from one view is irresponsible and not fair to people who believe they are transgender.

Don’t take this wrong.

I agree that everybody, from all walks of life, including transgender youth, should be helped through their situation, but TransActive is not the only source they have.

Thank you for bringing attention to an important subject, but also consider being less subjective next time.

– Gideon Hawkins

Dear Editor: I think that transgender is sad and wrong.

I wish that parents would become more involved in their children’s lives so that they could help them before it’s too late.

I know that my parents have always had a big influence on my life, and it has kept me from getting into trouble.

I always felt that I could talk to my parents about anything. I would ask the “hard questions,” and I wouldn’t feel belittled. My cousin, however, was raised with a working dad and mom. She never talked to them, and they never talked to her. She has been in jail and has had her license taken away for drunk driving. I know that she would be different had she been close to her parents.

Parents need to make a stand for their kids. I know that it may be awkward at times and you would like to leave it to someone else, but it’s your job. Think of your children before yourself and you will be amazed at the outcome.

– Hannah Hunt

This letter is in response to the Helen Conley article entitled, “Advocate opens doors for transgender youth.”

I was surprised and delighted to read an article that deals with a subject often overlooked in the smaller-town news publications, and was very pleased with the objectivity and encouraging ending tone present in it.

Having known quite a few transgender individuals in my lifetime, it’s wonderful to see an advocacy group get some press. There is a transgender woman who helps out in my church, and I’ve heard her tell of dating men who, when they have found out her original gender, have shunned and even beaten her.

I’m delighted to see that there are others around fighting for the rights of women and men in the alternative lifestyle. Kudos to you.

– Sam Tongue Dear Editor, I just finished reading your column called “Underage smokers light up despite laws.” I very much agree with the statement that we have to take the step to help students before the age of 15 to 17.

I think that before we can help the young children, there has to be a change in home environment. Most children learn from example, and if Mom and Dad are smokers, then it makes it much harder to help the students. I think that it confuses students and kids to get one message from the school – say, not to smoke – but to go home and it is an OK thing.

Thank you for bringing attention to this issue.

– Hannah Schreindl

Letter by Jayc Izso At 4:50 p.m., the Associated Student Government called for my immediate removal and, thus, cancellation of my candidacy for president of our student body here on campus.

This action was made immediately after I requested the adviser/ dictator of the “student” government, as well as the vice president, to step down from their positions on the elections committee due to unethical procedure. Both my representative and I were lied to – about the very student constitution that is supposedly being upheld – as well as prevented from campaigning due to the fact that I, like the rest of the students, have to work to survive.

This leaves one presidential candidate for students to vote for, one who admittedly is “under the wing” of Tim Lussier – you may remember him as the die-hard Republican who broke the law by lying about his identity in order to sneak into a Democratic convention.

I know what this says to me; it says that ASG has now become a puppet for the administration of this college and, more importantly, a corrupt institution that no longer serves the students, but the college’s pocket books. This is a sad day, as we’re watching democracy be destroyed on even the smallest of levels. You are now forced to vote for Michael Vu. Is that not a dictatorship? If anything, I can admittedly state that this course of action has strengthened my resolve and, if anything, brought me closer to the very students I have promised to represent. Perhaps it’s time to create a Representative Student Government, one that represents the students, not one that is simply “associated” with them.

I will be available for questions from any and all students from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday, in the Community Center for two weeks after the publication of this paper.

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

Transgender advocate Jenn Burleton performs with her band, Uncommon Women, at the Take Back the Night event last month.

Dear Editor: Underage smoking is a huge problem everywhere. Lots of people start smoking for different reasons.

In my opinion, “being stressed out” isn’t a valid reason to start smoking and possibly put your life in danger.

Just because someone got a bad grade on a paper doesn’t mean they should start smoking.

Smoking doesn’t only harm the smoker, but also the nonsmokers who happen to be standing around the smoker.

Every day I see young smokers smoking outside of the buildings.

There is always at least one person standing five feet from the door smoking.

I thought there was an “at least 25 feet from the doorway” smoking rule.

In my opinion, the campus security guards should be enforcing the 25feet rule, as well as the underage smoker rule.

I think that any underage smoker should pay a fine, whether it be their first time being caught or any other time after that.

No one can really stop someone else from smoking, but they can make more rules to make it harder for smokers to smoke, underage or not.

In conclusion, this article was a good article, and I am looking forward to reading more about the underage smoking problem.

– Sidra Popma

Anyone is welcome to respond to any and all content published in The Clackamas Print.

Send letters by e-mail to chiefed@clackamas.edu or deliver them to Roger Rook Hall, room 135.

I am responding to “Underage smokers light up despite laws.” I agree with most of it, but not all of it.

I agree with how it’s estimated that 90 percent of smokers started before the age of 21. I started at the age of 14, and most people I know started young. Most of them are under 21.

I don’t know if I disagree, but I don’t believe that Lisa Nielson has never had a non-student start smoking in her class. When I was in school, usually all the new kids started smoking at my school because everyone else was doing it.

I believe that people should be educated, not punished. It only makes people angry, and they rebel against it. For me, I hate being told what to do, so I will do the exact opposite. But if somebody truly cares and wants to help, I will listen.

– Shannon Shay Dear Editor: I am responding to the “underage smokers law” column.

Smoking I cigarettes in today’s society is considered a social norm. Virtually every workplace will give at least one smoke break. Most children will recognize Camel Joe before our president.

These kids aren’t dumb; we tell them, “smoking is bad,” yet as a nation we all light up.

I believe if parents do not want underage kids to smoke, they need to set an example! You know the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do”?

Well, it only works for so long.

– Alexis Dalling

NOTE: Letters may have been edited for clarity and space.

8 Arts&Culture

The Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Clackamas Print

‘Iron Man’ sets high standard for movies Kyle Steele The Clackamas Print

Courtesy of Marvel Entertainment

Blockbuster season has finally arrived.

Marking its advent is the Marvel superhero movie “Iron Man.” Directed by Jon Favreau, and starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard, it is the type of film that one might expect to bring in the summer movie time that is traditionally filled with explosions and other random acts of violence.

However, “Iron Man” is not merely another mindless summer movie.

Based on the comic characters created by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, and artists Jack Kirby and Don Heck, the film follows billionaire weapons manufacture Tony Stark (Downey) just as he is starting the worst day of his life – as a bomb built by his company detonates, leaving him with shrapnel in his heart and imprisoned by a terrorist. Only through the intervention of another captured scientist does he survive.

Following his escape with an early incarnation of his famous suit, Stark is a man with a change of heart, literally and figuratively.

Even though this is a big-budget film, Favreau does his best to present dialog that is witty and meaningful while action unfolds on-screen.

Assisting him is an impressive cast led by Downey, who flawlessly plays

Stark as an eccentric genius whose world has turned upside down.

Paltrow is also perfectly cast in her role as Stark’s assistant, Pepper Potts, and is convincing as a character who has a long-standing history with her crazy boss.

Howard as fan-favorite character James Rhodes, along with Jeff Bridges as the villain Obadiah Stane, round out a stellar group that one might imagine seeing on an awardwinning drama rather than a summer blockbuster.

The film uses its actors to the fullest, making the movie, while fantastic, feel very believable as well.

Some of the scenes are entirely CGI, but do not seem out of place like those in some bad superhero films of the past.

This is definitely a movie that both the standard film-watcher and the rabid comic fan can appreciate – the rabid comic fan being the one who can easily be identified as the individual who won’t leave the theater until the very end of the credits.

“Iron Man” is a great foundation to the start of a new Marvel film franchise. It’s also nice to see a crew take the source material seriously, but still have fun with a universe and set of characters that have 40-plus years of history behind them.

The biggest problem is that now viewers will have to wait until 2010 to watch the next installment.

Intriguing plot twists cunningly mixed with violence and fantasy backdrop make for interesting read Jess Sheppard The Clackamas Print

Will is an orphan – all he knows about his heritage is that he is at least part human and part elf. Overall, he is unremarkable, except that he might be the heir of His Absent Majesty, the King of Babel.

“The Dragons of Babel,” Michael Swanwick’s newest book, chronicles the travels and transformation of Will le Fey from an awkward outcast to the finest trickster the city of Babel has ever seen.

Will’s troubles begin when a war dragon from Babel crashes in his village. Although his wings are destroyed, his iron hide is ruined and his missiles are spent, the dragon is still cunning and deadly enough to set himself up as dictator, with young Will as his acting lieutenant.

The setup may seem romantic, like the novel is an elaborate fairytale, but it is no gentle children’s story.

In the first 50 pages alone, six children die in an explosion, the village collaborates in two first-degree murders and the dragon advises Will, in detail, as to how to sexually violate a woman.

Obviously, “The Dragons of Babel” should not be read by the faint of heart and would receive an R rating in an instant.

What makes it so gripping, however, is not the vulgarity.

Rather, it is the combination

of modern crudity against a backdrop that could only be seen in high fantasy.

A great example of this idea is the resurrection of Will’s best friend, Puck, after the explosion. The healingwomen of the village perform a three-week-long restoration process using herbs, chants and five cubic centimeters of detroamphetamine.

Afterward, Puck and Will have a short argument that ends in Puck giving Will the finger and leaving.

Throughout the entire book, Swanwick challenges the fantasy stereotype with these sudden quips.

At first, it’s hard to imagine characters in an epic fantasy throwing 21st-century profanity at each other. Only slightly more difficult to grasp is the character Alcyone.

Unquestionably, Alcyone has the most dramatic entrance of all. The high-elven woman first appears to Will riding her hippogriff. Upon seeing him admire her beauty, she smugly flashes her breasts at him and promptly flies away.

Thus, she becomes Will’s true love.

In addition to Will and Alcyone, two other characters make up the cast of the story.

There is Esme, an eternal child who Will meets on the road shortly after he is cast out of his home. Esme knows a thousand things, but she is forever locked in existence as a young child, fearless of everything and able to sur-

vive on the luck and innocence of adolescence.

Finally, there is Nat. Will encounters him briefly in Camp Oberon, a refugee haven for victims of the war between the empires of Babel and Avalon, but it isn’t until they are deported to the capitol that Nat takes Will under his wing and teaches him the ways of a con man.

It is Nat who helps Will weasel his way into the nobility and politics of Babel.

Ultimately, the pair organize a plan to dupe the city into making Will the new king so that they can rob the palace.

But something is a little too perfect about Nat’s scheme, circumstances and tidbits of fact. It makes both Will and the reader wonder, “Is it really just a trick?”

From the time Will is forced out of his village, to his gritty adventures in the slums of Babel, to his moment of truth before the Obsidian Throne, “The Dragons of Babel” remains pleasantly shocking, imaginative and addicting.

The

Clackamas Print

9 & Gardening poet shares literary works Arts Culture

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Upcoming Sustainability Events The Sustainability Project at Clackamas Community College draws attention to the challenges facing the planet through lecture, film and Earth-friendly events.

All events are free and open to the public. They will take place in the college’s McLoughlin Auditorium, unless otherwise noted in the schedule that follows.

• Tomorrow: Speaker: Dr. Mark Hixon, professor, department of zoology, Oregon State University. “Ocean Warming: Threats to the Pacific Northwest.” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 14: Speaker: Dr. Kirsten Sheeran, economics professor, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, on effects of planetary warming on the economy. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• Thursday, May 15: Speaker: Val McQuaid, CCC librarian emeritus. “Germany’s World Leadership in Green Technology.” Noon to 1 p.m.

• Thursday, May 15: Speaker: Dr. Ceiridwen Terrill, writer, naturalist, professor at Concordia University in Portland, author of “Unnatural Landscapes: Tracking Invasive Species.” 3 to 4 p.m., Roger Rook 220.

For more information, contact Jim Grabill at jimg@clackamas.edu.

Events OPEN: The Alexander Gallery’s new exhibit by Los Angelesbased artist Max Lesser, which features a series of new paintings, opened May 2. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is called “Between here and there is better than neither here nor there,” and will be open until June 13.

TODAY: The foreign language department and the college’s language clubs host the annual International Day Celebration in which students, staff and community members participate.

Performances will take place in the Community Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include music, dancing and plays. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the foreign language department at ext. 2381 or ext. 2813.

May 15 to May 30: The Student Art Exhibition for 2008 will be shown in the Pauling Gallery. Faculty will select the work for the show, and several awards and scholarships will be handed out after being judged by an off-campus curator. Student artwork is now being accepted in the Art Center Lobby until Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Art must have been completed in conjuction with an art department class within the last year.

Emily Walters Clackamas Print

Charles Goodrich gestures flamboyantly with his arms as he reads a selection from his poetry and prose works.

Emily Walters Arts & Culture Editor

Lit only by rare bright sunbeams flowing through the windows in the high ceiling, room 220 inside Roger Rook Hall comfortably seated 18 audience members in swirling purple armchairs Thursday, May 1. Attendees came to listen to a self-described “lifetime gardener.”

From 11 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m., creative writer Charles Goodrich shared pieces from his written works, all inspired by his avid pursuit of gardening.

Goodrich is currently a leader of the Spring Creek Project at Oregon State University, which he said seeks to “bring together creative writers and scientists” to explore nature.

Over his many years of working as a gardener – or simply doing it as a stress-relieving pastime that also happened to provide him with fresh produce – he has found that his very perception of life has been altered.

“You begin to see the world through that lens,” he said. “I would get materials for my writing.”

Goodrich started off by reading from a short selection of poems that he titled “Dispatches from the Garden.”

Animatedly waving his arms, he first perused “Black Tomato,” which described his relief at the frost killing off his dwindling garden and sparing him from eating vegetables that had ceased to taste fresh. He followed it with “The Boss,” a piece of a similar subject.

“Erosion” was inspired by a realization Goodrich experienced

while in his garden one day: a correlation between his plants and his brother’s then-recent surgery.

Perhaps the most interesting poem was the last one he read, in which he relayed how he took to the garden after hearing about the planes hitting the Twin Towers on September 11. He channeled his anguish into destroying weeds and overgrown plants.

Goodrich then took a 20-minute hiatus from his personal work so that two students from Clackamas could present a few of their own poems concerning nature.

Nate Courtney went first, reading three pieces.

The subject matter was the “spirituality of nature,” and the poetry seemed to be a little too far removed from sustainability of the planet, focusing more on animal rights than “green” matters.

Rose Lefebvre stepped up to the podium next, with five poems for her sampling of work. The subjects ranged from the ocean to dancing in the rain with her son.

Goodrich finally retook his place to commence the readings with a bit of prose written about his community’s land-use battle with developers who wanted to expand a fiberglass factory down the street on which he lived.

Some of his published works may be found in the books “Insects of South Corvallis,” “The Practice of Home” and his most recent, “In the Blast Zone,” a collaboration with a few other members of the Spring Creek Project that is set to launch at Powell’s, in Portland, on May 18.

Additional information regarding the Spring Creek Project may be found at http://springcreek.oregonstate.edu.

10 Sports

The Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Clackamas Print

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

ABOVE: Team captain Bryan Roby slides into third base as his opponent reaches for the ball to tag him out.

BELOW: Jason Anderson, 20, reaches for a fly ball near second base. The Cougars won the doubleheader 3-2 and 1-0.

Cougars rise to top of the league

The Cougars prove themselves to be a formidable opponent as they knock Mt. Hood Community College into third place in the division and take their place as the current first-place holder eight games – or four doubleheaders – to go until the NWAACCs. Editor in Chief “It feels really good (to be first),” said Baseball Coach Robin Robinson. “We had Clackamas baseball is now first in the a great weekend.”

Team captain Bryan Roby is anxious league, bumping top-ranked to get to the championships Mt. Hood down to third. after almost making it to the Cougar baseball won its playoffs last year. doubleheader against Mt. “We have a “We have a good shot to Hood Community College good shot go this year,” Roby said. last Saturday 3-2 and 1Roby credits the team’s 0. The team tied its douto go (to the recent success with a strong bleheaders with Lane championsophomore presence.

Community College and “It’s good to be a leader ships) this Chemeketa Community out there and guide some of College. year ...” the younger guys,” he said.

Clackamas’ Northwest Baseball’s next game is at Athletic Association of home this coming Saturday Community Colleges Bryan Roby against Linn-Benton (NWAACC) standing is Team Captain Community College at 1 now 16-6, which puts the p.m.

Cougars in first place with

Megan Koler

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

LEFT: Assistant Coach Jim Hoppel speaks to the players during the game.

RIGHT: Clackamas’ head baseball coach, Robin Robinson, left, and a representative from Lane Community College consult with two umpires during the game May 4. The teams played a doubleheader, and Clackamas lost the first game and won the second, giving the Cougars a league score of 16-6.

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

Contributed by Steve Wright

The

Clackamas Print

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Baseball star turns down major leagues

Sports

11

Jess Sheppard

said. “We see each other every day. We’re like a family.”

McBride’s biological family is of great importance to him as well. His father and older sister are both involved in sports; his father played the infield position during his own college For Cougar centerfielder Todd McBride, baseball is every- years, while his sister plays softball for the team at Mt. Hood thing.

Community College. She holds the same position as her McBride was drafted straight out of high school by the brother.

Kansas City Royals in 2006.

“My family has always played,” he said, “and I’ve played However, he chose not to sign with the since tee ball.”

Royals despite his and his family’s excitement Among McBride’s personal goals is to about the offer. Instead, he accepted a scholarhit a 400 batting average and to see his team ship from Clackamas to play baseball while he make it to the playoffs.

“I want to works on his Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer “I hope to keep getting better,” he said.

Degree.

But his ultimate aim is to have a repeat pursue play“I want to pursue playing professionally. If of a certain event he experienced in high ing profesnot, I have my business degree to fall back on,” school. he said, “or maybe even physical therapy.”

“I want to get drafted after this year,” he sionally. If McBride plays the outfield position on the said. “If not, I’ll go back to school.” not, I have team, which he greatly enjoys.

As far as colleges go, McBride wants to my business He and Head Coach Robin Robinson share a transfer to a four-year university. One posmutual enthusiasm for the current team. sibility is Western Oregon University. degree to fall “It’s great that they believe in themselves,” “I’m talking to Western, but if any other back on.”

Robinson said. “They have respect for the game schools want me, I’ll go,” he said. of baseball.”

Because baseball is such a demanding The players are also good friends off the field. sport, he and his fellow team members have Todd McBride McBride is roommates with Jeff Bjorklund, one very little time for personal activities, even Outfielder of Clackamas’ four starting pitchers. in the off-season.

“There’s good team chemistry,” McBride “We can only have class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday because of the game The Clackamas Print

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

ABOVE: Outfielder Todd McBride slides into third base. McBride turned down the offer to play for the Kansas City Royals and instead chose to pursue a college career for the time being.

schedule,” he said. “It’s very time-consuming.”

But when he does have a spare moment, McBride enjoys a variety of activities, including hunting, hiking and working out.

“I like to go fishing, hang out with friends, play video games,” McBride said. “I used to have baseball cards, but I left them at my parents’ house.”

The coming of winter and fall hardly spells the end of the season for McBride and the rest of the team. Winter finds them in the weight room, while fall is spent playing friendly practice games.

“Spring is when it counts,” McBride said. “We prep for spring.”

Officially, summer is the off-season, which he spends in the summer league.

“Baseball and school are pretty much my life,” he said.

The recent weather has wreaked havoc with the team’s schedule. The Cougars were rained out of their last game against Chemeketa, and many of their practices have been forced indoors.

“You don’t get the same kind of practice,” McBride said.

Weather hasn’t dampened McBride’s drive to play, though.

“He’s making marvelous progress,” Robinson said. “He’s playing well enough that he’ll get offers.”

Track gears for championships Cougar softball defeats topby winding down at Pacific meet ranked Mt. Hood CC Saints Andrea Simpson Sports Editor

This past weekend at the Pacific Twilight Meet at Pacific University, in Forest Grove, Clackamas pared down the number of athletes competing in preparation for the upcoming Southern Region Championships.

Head Coach Keoni McHone says that the team is currently in a “peaking phase.”

“We did not compete in too many events because of the resting phase, but we fared pretty well,” McHone said.

Even with the team not competing at full steam, it didn’t seem to stop athletes like Morgan Cribbs from going all out. Cribbs had been out with a strained quadriceps, but ran a record time at Pacific.

Cribbs had a lifetime PR of 25.41 seconds in

the 200-meter dash, a time just .27 seconds from the school record. Stefani Dittmar and Rachel Hemphill placed fifth and sixth in the event, respectively.

Aimee Shafer set her own lifetime PR in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.28 seconds.

In the men’s division, Joe Gobel made a modest showing in the men’s 400-meter dash, placing ninth in the event. And the 4x100 relay team topped the competition, taking first with a time of 43.63 seconds. The team consisted of Logan Fjelstad, Mat Tweedy, Stan Wester and Gobel.

Fjelstad also set his lifetime PR in the 100meter dash. His time of 11.31 seconds placed him sixth in the competition.

The team is in preparations for the Southern Region Championships, to take place this Saturday at Southwestern Oregon University.

After the championships, the team moves on to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Championships.

Lydia E. Bashaw The Clackamas Print

In need of a few wins, the sixthranked Cougars came together to defeat the top-ranked Mt. Hood Saints.

At the May 2 game, sophomore pitcher Renee Santos threw a 15 strikeout game with a two-hit shutout. This was her 13th victory of the season.

Susan Winningham hit a home run in the fourth inning, with Taya Clark on base, that scored the two runs of victory.

The game broke the Saint’s 22-game winning streak.

In game two, Emily Kenagy had a four-hit, four-strikeout shutout of the Saints. Scoring in the second, third and

LEFT: Kai Ojala flies over the high jump in last weeks’ meet at the Saints and Cavaliers Invitational.

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

Kayla Berge Clackamas Print

fifth innings led the Cougars to win the game 3-0.

The double win moved the team into third place, behind Lower Columbia and Mt. Hood, who still holds first place.

In the May 3 games against Chemeketa, outstanding pitching by both teams caused a stalemate until the sixth inning. Santos kept the Storm from scoring in the seventh, and the offense created a run when Kristel Baeckel scored off of Danyel Craycraft’s runs batted in (RBI). The team won the game 1-0.

Game two was a battle of the bats; 22 hits and 11 runs were generated in the game. Chemeketa showed up in the first inning, but the Cougars came back in the second.

Clackamas tied 4-4 after the fifth and remained scoreless until the top of the ninth, when the Storm came back with a run in the lead. However, the Cougars showed back up in the ninth when Winningham drove in Tara DeVeny on an RBI and Clark singled to score Winningham. The Cougars won 6-5.

Santos pitched a three-hit, 15 strikeout in the first game to tie the school record of 39 wins set by Holly Marlow in 2005. The second game was another win for Santos, beating the school record.

The Cougars who beat firmly hold onto their third-place position in the Southern Region with four games ahead.

LEFT: Brianne Rowley watches the ball as it flies from her bat.

Sports Scores Attention students: ignore gunfire noise May 9, don’t plan to park in Barlow

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Games This week Baseball

May 10 vs. Linn-Benton CC (Home) at 1p.m.

May 15 vs. SW Oregon CC (Coos Bay) at 1p.m.

Softball

May 9 vs. Lower Columbia College (Home) at 3pm May 10 vs. Clark College (Vancouver, Wash.) at noon

Track & Field

May 10 Southern Region Championships (SW Oregon CC)

There’s a chance of hearing gunfire and seeing emergency personnel from 8 a.m. until noon this Friday, but students have nothing to fear. It’s only a drill.

The drill is a simulation of a school shooting, using actors as victims and blank ammunition. The sound of the shots and sight of emergency vehicles, which may be seen or heard by students of Clackamas, are all part of the imitation attack.

Clackamas students also should not expect a parking spot by Barlow on May 9, as the college will be loaning the lot to the demonstration. The Oregon City Police Emergency Operations van will occupy the space, and a Life Flight is scheduled to land thereg.

In addition to local responders, Willamette Falls Hospital and American Medical Response ambulances will be involved as well.

Students are advised to remain calm and bear with the inconvenience.

Softball

April 29, 2008 – Clackamas 6, Lower Columbia College 3 Lower Columbia College 5, Clackamas 2

Baseball

May 2, 2008 – Chemeketa CC 5, Clackamas 3 Clackamas 2, Chemeketa CC 1 May 3, 2008 – Clackamas 3, Mt. Hood 2 Clackamas 1, Mt. Hood 1 May 4, 2008 – Lane CC 4, Clackamas 3 Clackamas 3, Lane CC 2