The
Volume 65.5
Erie Square Gazette A public forum by and for the students of St. Clair County Community College
That 70s’ affair
SC4 Red Carpet Affair raises $4,400 for preforming arts Gregory Garofalo Lifestyle Editor
arts here at SC4. Catered by countless local restaurants, served by far out On Saturday Nov. 1, students, hippies and given the groovy faculty and benefactors grooved talent of student band, “The Cool their way back to the time of lava Cat’s Revival,” attendants enjoyed lamps and disco as they attended themselves like it was December the 11th annual SC4 Red Carpet of ’63. Affair. “I think tonight’s fantastic,” said Last year the benefactors college president Kevin Pollock, met and surpassed their two “We have close to 200 people year goal of $1 million, raising here so it’s a great night.” a total of $2.2 million for both Tonya Snover, SC4 sophomore, scholarships and the recent Fine also shared part of the Arts Building renovations last psychedelic spotlight as the year. This year the benefactors winner of the Ellen Kene were celebrating raising a total scholarship. A proud moment for sum of $4,400 for the performing the young woman who expressed
her thanks that evening. “Education teaches us acceptance, passion and hard work,” elaborated Snover, “my two and half years here at SC4, I have grown more as a person than I believe I have in my entire life. This year I received the Ellen Kene scholarship. A scholarship is not just a way that helps me pay for college, it is a reminder of my dedication and hard work. A scholarship says: I believe in you. As my parents always told me while growing up, you can be whatever you want to be. That is exactly what college is doing for me. It is helping me become the
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Left | “The First Impression” plays cover songs of music from the 70’s before the nights events begin. Photo Credit: Emily Mainguy
Right | Attendees listen to Cliff Erickson. Photo Credit: Emily Mainguy.
person I always dreamed to be.” Snover’s acceptance speech was met with a deserved thunderous applause and the night went on with drinks, dancing, and a righteous vibe that filled the student center. “It’s a fantastic party,” said administrator and theater director Tom Kepart, “it’s fantastic to see the people of the community who support the foundation. You know tonight is about raising money, but it’s also about trying to get people here on campus. It’s a great group and everyone seems to be having a great time.”
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Volume 65.5
Editor-in-Chief Angie Stoecklin Production Editor/Designer Emily Mainguy Managing Editor Chico Hernandez Photo Editor Jenelle Kalaf Business Editor Paul Porter Lifestyle Editor Gregory Garofalo Adviser John Lusk
Calendar Campus
Nov. 6 - Allied Health Program Fair MTECH Room 150 - 3-6 p.m. Nov. 10 - Fitness Class: Body Strengthening - Drop-In, $5 AJT Room 91
Nov. 10 - Artist Brian Schorn Lecture Fine Arts Theatre - 6-7 p.m. AJT Room 91
Nov. 11 - Artist Brian Schorn Workshop Fine Arts Room 25 - 1:30-2:30 p.m. Nov. 13 - Noon & Night Concert Series: Anastasia Rizikov - Fine Arts Theatre Noon & 7 p.m.
Nov. 13 - SC4 Potters Market - 3-7 p.m. MTECH Building
ESG Contact Info: Email: eriesquaregazette@gmail.com Address: 323 Erie St Port Huron MI 48060 Editor’s Note: All views expressed in editorials and columns contained within the ESG are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ESG or any of its advertisers. We welcome feedback!
Find us at esgonline.org @esgonline
facebook.com/ESGonline First copy free; second copy $1
Nov. 13 - Board of Trustees Meeting Alumni Room College Center - 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14 - SC4 Potters Market - 12-4 p.m. MTECH Building
Nov. 15 - SC4 Potters Market - 12 - 4p.m. MTECH Building Nov. 16 - SC4 Potters Market - 12-4 p.m. MTECH Building
Nov. 17 - Blood Drive College Center Cafe - 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Nov. 17 - Fitness Class: Body Strengthening - Drop-In, $5 AJT Room 91 - 5-6 p.m.
Nov. 18 - Blood Drive - 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. College Center Cafe
Sports
Men’s Basketball
Nov. 10 - Rochester College JV - 8 p.m. Nov. 11 - Fanshawe College - 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-15 - Vincennes Univ. Tourn. - TBA
Women’s Basketball
Nov. 8 - Grand Rapids CC - 3 p.m. Nov. 10 - Rochester College JV - 6 p.m. Nov. 11 - Fanshawe College - 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15-16 - Vincennes Univ. Tourn. - TBA Games in bold are home games in the SC4 Gym
Community
Nov. 7 - Art Hop Downtown Port Huron - 6-9 p.m. Nov. 8 - Holiday Craft Show Port Huron High School 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 - 3rd Annual Tast of Port Huron McMorran Place - 1-5 p.m.
Nov. 10 - Port Huron Town Hall Lecture Series - McMorran - 10:30 a.m. - Tickets: $40, Individual Balcony Seats - With guest speaker John Grogan, author of “Marley and Me”
November 6, 2014
Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief
Letter from the Editor The results are in...
We at the Erie Square Gazette conducted a poll over the last few weeks asking students what they would like to read about in the Erie Square Gazette. We received some great specific feedback which will be taken into account for future stories, but for the sake of reporting the results, I’ll stick to generalities. I also included my thoughts and examples for some of the topics on the following list for explanation. Out of the approximate 60 results gathered by participating students, here are the top ten topics mentioned that students would like to see more of. 1. Sports Because of a lack of a sports editor this semester, the ESG has not been able to report on SC4 sports, or any other sports events for that matter. The fact that the majority of students who participated in the poll mention the lack of a sports section shows that our need for a Sports Editor is far greater than I or the other members of the staff originally thought. Those student’s interested in taking on the position of Sports Editor should consider e-mailing the ESG at eriesquaregazette@gmail.com. As mentioned in a previous letter from the editor, there is a scholarship available for that position. 2. Current events Most of the students who mentioned current events mentioned the Isis situation. It’s great to see that students are concerned with what is happening in the world outside of campus. Since this is the runner up in the poll, students interested can expect to see a current events section in the ESG’s future. 3. Health tips A column focusing on health is not a bad idea at all. Specific suggestions for this included how to eat healthy on a college budget, and recent health studies to keep student’s updated on what is safe to eat and what is not.
4. Comics Any student interested in doing comics, even if it’s just for one issue should contact us. Believe me, we miss them too. 5. Movie reviews 6. Music Local music coverage has been a goal for this paper for a while now. I would very much like to see our music section succeed. Especially since the Port Huron area has so much to offer in the music realm. 7. Crime According to SC4 sophomore Alinah Purdy-Sechs, 20, the school does not report on attempted rapes on campus. If that is the case, I would very much like to change that. I will do my research, and hopefully we can start reporting on such things to keep students aware. 8. Recipe column 9. Fun stuff to do on campus 10. Politics In this issue is an article on the election, unfortunately, our paper goes to the printer only a few hours prior to when the election results are posted. I hope to keep our articles focused on politics more timely in the future. There is also a profile on Democratic Supreme Court justice candidate Richard Bernstein; I hope that those interested find it informing and worthwhile. On behalf of all the ESG staff, I would like to say thank you to all students who participated in the poll. If any readers are interested in getting involved in the paper to help us meet the poll’s criteria, feel free to contact us via eriesquaregazette@gmail.com. The ESG meets every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. in room 123 of the Main Building.
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What we’re listening to... Artist: Rammstein Album: Sehnsucht
Genre: Industrial Metal
“I like how it’s german and that it makes me feel like I want to dance.” - Tyler Smith, 20 Artist: Caravan Palace
Album: Caravan Palace Genre: Electroswing
“It’s a sound that I’ve never heard before and I am lovin’ it.” - Emily Mainguy, 21 Artist: Aphex Twin Album: Druqs Genre: IDM
“It has complex rhythms and is a diverse album ” - James Hutchinson, 20 Artist: The Polish
Ambassador
Album: Pushing Through the Pavement
Genre: Electronic Trip-Hop
“This album’s diverse beats are conducive to meditating.” –Mike Lucas, 21
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Volume 65.5 | Campus
SC4 shows the future of purpose, Mr. Anderson
STEM Conference at SC4 shows the wonders of engineering and space Tyler Smith Staff Writer
Science. Amazing discoveries that help us understand life and its mysteries. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Conference were all the buzz on October 24 and 25. The conference this year took the theme of engineering with the show of robotics and rocket building. Young engineers showing their creations while explaining to the kids and adults the operations of the robot. The gaze of wonder instilled in the eyes of Matt Kalawoski, age 6, as he said “I like how they got the robot to throw the ball, but I want to design a robot that helps people.” With the future of the next rover being developed in a young mind, the conference also showed the beauties of space. Kids building engines for deep space rockets on iPads supplied by the college and studying maps of distance star and planets as if they were planning to go there by pressing the button to engage the hyper drive. Discussing more about the wonders of space, special guest Dr. Andrew Feustal, a NASA astronaut and Michigander talked to local elementary students, SC4 students, and Port Huron school faculty about
his work and training with NASA. Raised in Lake Orion, Feustel graduated from Oakland Community College. He has a bachelor’s degree in solid earth sciences and a master’s degree in geophysics, both from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in geological sciences from Queens University. Being a geophysicist, Feustel worked in Canadian mines by installing seismic systems for the use of keeping the workers safe and avoiding lawsuits. For three years Feustel lived in Canada until a friend called him one day saying that Exon mobile was looking for geophysicists and encouraged him on coming to Houston, Texas to apply for a job. “While in Houston, I realized I was 10 minutes away from the Johnson Space Center and I thought I might as well put an application there to,” said Feustel during his speech. Quickly he started to talk about his training for space flights and added a bounce to his step. “Training for theses missions is hard; you go to theses survival schools and try to survive with minimal resources, along with getting new objectives everyday just like in space,” Feustel said. “Those selected for the mission went to these schools and learned how to work as a team,” said Feustel as he transitioned
Dr. Andrew Fesutel talks to SC4 students about his time in space. Photo credit: Tyler Smith
though his slide show. “Being a team we all had to be good leaders but also good followers,” Feustel said as his battery to slide clicker died and made the statement, “Houston we have a problem.” Continuing on, Feustel told the audience of a time when he wasn’t a good follower and became unproductive for the team. On an exercise in Alaska, his team and he were sea kayaking to the next objective. Seeing that he didn’t like the pace of the group he went ahead. “I wanted to be a hotshot and show off not knowing that it would bite me in the end,” Feustel said smiling then grabbing his
left wrist. “I had a big wrist watch on and as I went ahead of the group my wrist started to swell and became inert,” Feustel said. At the end of his speech Feustel had shown a video of his mission to the International Space Station. Brandon Drinkert, SC4 student said “It is amazing how someone can come from a small city and did extraordinary things. Its motivation that I can do extraordinary things.” With the success of giving kids the exposure to the wonders of science and technology. They might be the ones that take us to new heights in the future.
November 6, 2014
A club for business majors Marketing and Management Club Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor
President of the Marketing and Management club Delani Thibodeau, 19, described the club as, “a club for business orientated and marketing majors that helps students learn marketing and management techniques. It opens the doors
for marketing and long term associates in the business field.” M&M has hosted one event so far in the semester. The club sold roses and chocolate for Sweetest Day in the Main Building. They also ran the registration table at the Making Strides against Cancer fundraiser walk on Oct. 11. M&M put forth volunteer work at Stress Breaker by
painting pumpkins and handing them out. The future holds more events for the members of M&M, as they are currently planning a “bowling event for the children of Port Huron at the Cypress Place,” said Thibodeau. In addition to the bowling event, the club will be volunteering at the 2014 Business Expo held at the Double
Tree hotel in Port Huron. M&M has Countdown to Career, a hit in the past years, being planned right now for some time in the spring. M&M meets every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Main Building, in room 112. New members are always welcome.
Haunted House’s spookiness a tad too late for most Stress Breaker 2014
Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor
A haunted house can be very fun during Halloween, but what about after Halloween? “I enjoyed myself, even if it was cheesy,” said Janet Tinnunt, 26, a sophomore from Marysville. Stress Breaker this year featured face painting by NerdCore, pumpkin painting by Marketing and Management, and mask making by WSGR, alongside the haunted house hosted by Student Government. Gay Straight Alliance provided the “organs” for people to touch while they were inside the haunted house. “It definitely could have been better, but the effort was definitely there,” said Jack White,
20, a sophomore from Fort Gratiot. This year’s Stress Breaker showed a sharp decline in student participation. A mere 52 people signed the waivers and entered the haunted house during the three hours it was set up in the cafeteria. Hailey Baker, 19, freshman of Marysville, said “It’s not Halloween. Why do we have a haunted house?” Bret Johnson, 30, Junior of Port Huron, said “The haunted house is cool, but now it’s out of season and people get embarrassed by going to it. They aren’t ‘cool’ enough to be seen standing out from the crowd. And the advertising wasn’t very good either; I didn’t know it was going on until I walked into the
cafeteria.” Brian Heidt, Treasurer of Student Government felt good about this year’s Stress Breaker; “Based on past Stress Breakers, I think we did good. Prior to Halloween would have been better, but that’s the date we had.”
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William Warner informs a curious group of students about the haunted house. Photo Credit: Nick “Chico” Hernandez.
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Volume 65.5 | CAMPUS
Gayme Night
Nostalgic games provided by GSA and Nerdcore
Melanie Buskirk Staff Writer Gamers clustered around the big screens in the cafeteria this past Wednesday, Oct. 29 during Gayme Night – an event sponsored by the Gay Straight Alliance and Nerdcore. The event was held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the cafeteria with a $1 entrance fee. Members from both the GSA and Nerdcore brought in consoles such as the Nintendo Gamecube and the
PS2, as well as board games like Apples to Apples. Pizza and soda were provided for attendees by the GSA. When asked about her favorite part of the event, sophomore Melissa Whitesell, 18, said, “My favorite part is being able to hang out, relax, and eat pizza with my friends.” Sophomore Joe Green, 20, said he enjoyed the nostalgia of being able to play the old games from his childhood with his friends.
SC4 students play Super Smash Bros during Gayme Night. Photo Credit Nick “Chico” Hernandez
The students in attendance are looking forward to the event next year. According to Green and another student, Eric Briggs, 19, the only thing that would make Gayme Night better would be more televisions for volunteers to connect their consoles to. “I’m happy with how many people showed up. Everybody seemed to have fun, and everybody liked the pizza,” said Vice President of the GSA Celina Shaver. When asked about next year’s Gayme Night, both Vice
President Shaver and the President of Nerdcore Jon Harper responded with excitement. Both look forward to a higher turn out next year, with this year’s attendance being approximately 60 students, as well as possibly partnering with other clubs. President Harper would like to thank the students and the GSA for contributing and participating in this year’s Gayme Night. Shaver said, “Keep your eyes out for the next Gayme Night!”
COMMUNITY | November 6, 2014
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Cajun Gator? Forgettaboutit!
Goodfella’s Grill now open in downtown Port Huron
Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor If a mobster were to ever sit down and dine in Port Huron, Goodfella’s would be the first place you’d see him. When the Cajun Gator closed its doors, Goodfella’s owner Pete Norager, who also owns the Angry Bull in Kimball Township, saw this as an opportunity to bring Goodfella’s to Port Huron. “The deal came across the table and it was a perfect fit,” Norager said. The inside of the restaurant
harkens back to the gangster days with a brick wall dividing the dining floor and soft lighting. Hung upon the walls are signed movie posters from Goodfella’s, Scarface, The Godfather, and many others. All of the posters are from Norager’s private collection. “Gangsters are kind of a hobby of mine,” he said. Norager described the menu as having “something for everyone.” The menu ranges from soups and salads, chicken and burgers, to stuffed peppers, fish, ribs, and steaks. Goodfella’s also has a full bar for the person that enjoys a drink.
St. Clair Community College Collage students will be able to receive a free non-alcoholic beverage when they present their Skippers One card at Goodfella’s. A Grand Opening is scheduled for the middle of Nov. once the staff is fully trained, and the proper rhythm is set. Goodfella’s hours are 11 a.m. to Midnight on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. Norager said he wants to “create a nightlife in Port Huron.” Most restaurants offer a discount when someone has a birthday, but
Photo Credit: Nick “Chico” Hernandez
Goodfella’s has taken the idea and put a unique twist on it. When patrons come in on their birthday, the discount is their age; 25 years old is 25% off, and 100 years old is 100% off. Goodfella’s also offers party accommodations as well. “The key to success is getting people to come in all the time, not once in a blue moon,” said Norager, “from the feedback we’ve gotten, I think it’s going to be a success.”
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Volume 65.5 | COMMUNITY
Downtown Delights
Five local restaurants your taste buds should explore
Opinion by: Lily Petit Staff Writer Like many SC4 students, I grew up in the Port Huron area and have watched the downtown area spark itself into a fine area for food. However, many students are not from around good ole’ PoHo and may not know where to go for a bite or a caffeine pick me up between classes. While there are other restaurants and cafes downtown that are notable, here are my five favorites and why.
smile to boot. My favorites: The Huron Ave and honey soy milk.
Located at: 231 Huron Ave 2. The Raven Café
The longest standing restaurant I will mention in this list. As my brother Anthony Petit, 19, once put it, “the Raven is the master of atmosphere.” Book lined shelves and cozy couches allow a perfect space for studying and a snack. Live music is performed Thurs. through Sat. night starting at 7:30p.m., while classic films are shown Wednesdays at 7:30p.m. Recently under new management, Sadaat Hossain added an extra kick 1. Kate’s Downtown of spice and a few new items to the Kate is not just part of the revamped menu. name, she is the epicenter of the My favorites: Spinach artichoke dip welcoming feeling you receive when and mint tea. you walk in the door. Owner Kate Located at: 932 Military St Voss opened her doors within the past few years and has found much 3. Chef Shell’s success in the area. Without a main street entrance, The exposed brick, fresh flowers Shell’s is truly a hidden pleasure. on every table, and monthly Chef Shell’s is a catering company changing cycle of art displayed from run by a husband and wife team, local artists, provides the backdrop Mark and Michelle Wrubel. The for the locally provided produce and restaurant opened in 2013. organic food; sandwiches, soups, They manufacture their crowd and salads. Kate’s got it all with a pleasing “Roadkill Roy’s BBQ Sauce”
and were voted Best in the Blue for their donuts. Chef Shell’s is visible from half of the buildings on campus when standing outside, if you know where to look for the donut in the rough that is. My favorite: Apple Fritter
Located at: 324 Superior Mall 4. Fuel Woodfire Gril Continuing the barbeque trend, Fuel Woodfire Grill offers excellent barbeque and beer for a relaxed evening and a full stomach. If you’re looking for a hearty, meaty meal look no further than Fuel. Ribs and cornbread to die for. It’s as simple as that. My favorite: Bacon wrapped shrimp Located at: 213 Huron Ave 5. Freighters Replacing the old Thomas Edison Inn is the Freighters restaurant, attached to the Double Tree Hotel. If your night class stretches past dinner, and if by the end of class your stomach is talking as much as your professor lectured, why not invite some classmates out
Photo credit: Shelby Castillo
to Freighters with you for half off appetizers? Half off appetizers start at 9 p.m. on Weekdays and 10 p.m. on Weekends. Be sure to get a seat near the window to see the Blue Water Bridge lit up at night. After gazing out the window while enjoying the locally sourced menu, you may even be tempted out onto the boardwalk for an after appetizer stroll. Who knows, maybe that’s just what you need to clear your mind of the stress of school. My favorite: Fried pickles
Located at: 800 Harker St Sometimes all I need is a change of scenery, a quick snack, and some friendly service to change my outlook on the stack of homework I’ve acquired during the week. These five restaurants have kept me sane as I creep closer to graduation. Maybe I just romanticize food, but if anyone’s interested in joining me for infatuating food, I’ll give you five guesses where you’ll find me.
November 6, 2014
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Errogenous, Electric, and Erotic A phantasmagoria of fish nets
Opinion by: Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor
even as the audience continued yelling. Not only did the cast entertain, but Energetic, electric, and erogenous. once again, a crowd of fantastically The Rocky Horror Show takes over dressed in Halloween costumes, the McMorran Place again, with character costumes and a little fishnets and corsets. lingerie flooded the auditorium The midnight performance became enthusiastically. blown away by the cast and crew for a night to remember with new cast This is the fourth year I’ve members held their own on stage experienced Rocky Horror and I am putting on such a fun show.
ESG staff pose for a photo after the 6th annual Rocky Horror Live showing at McMorran. (Left to right) Jenelle Kalaf, Gregory Garofalo, Nick “Chico” Hernandez, Paul Jacques, Emily Mainguy, Angie Stoecklin. (front) Paul Porter. Photo Credit: David P. Kalaf
Opinion by: Nick Hernandez Managing Editor
Gazette crewmen reminded me that Rocky Horror wasn’t made for the faint of heart. Long legs, fish nets, and lingerie The first thing they did before the show started was call all the playfully scampered about the inside of McMorran as I walked in to “virgins” up to the stage. I was find my seat. Dressed head to toe in nervous at first, thinking I would be one of maybe a dozen on stage. hippie garb made me stick out like a sore thumb, but as a Rocky Horror Surprise came to me when almost the whole stage was filled with “virgin,” I didn’t really know how I “virgins.” That made me feel better was supposed to look. about this being my first show. Everything seemed pretty offI learned how to yell “slut” and the-wall, but my fellow Erie Square
“asshole” at Brad and Janet. I tossed insults at the actors, and told the narrator to shut his hole. When “Time Warp” started playing, I grew nervous at the thought of getting up and dancing at a show I knew nothing about. Then I remembered that everyone is in stockings and has makeup on, so I pulled my knees in tight, and became insane off the pelvic thrust. Once you stop caring that anyone is watching, it makes the show that
much more enjoyable. And while I didn’t understand the entire story due to hecklers, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Rocky Horror is an over-the-top play that works with the dirty mind of every adult, and gives you plenty of chances to have fun no matter what your preference is. I paid $20 for a seat, and I would have no problem buying up the $30 front row seats in the future.
Opinion by: Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief
that’s the point of Rocky, but in comparison to the other year I attended, it seemed like the audience was a bit too comfortable with yelling things. Every second of the show. I will say that it seemed like the actors were more focused on not breaking character than they were on their singing. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the singing was awful, I just felt that there
should have been a bit more time spent on the musical numbers and their perfection. It is a musical after all. Overall, this year’s Rocky Horror show was well acted, fully embraced by the audience both with outfits and participation, and full of laughter, curse words, and corsets. Just how Rocky should be.
the play and I also knew that they had extensive theatre backgrounds. Because I did not know what the The famous audience participation actors’ talent looked like this year, wonder of a profanity-encouraging I was a little skeptical at first about show returned to McMorran for the spending $20 on a ticket with my sixth year in a row. And I must say it standards set so high. But I must say was an absolute joy. that I was not disappointed. I attended the first Rocky Horror The actor’s held their own, even Live show at McMorran in 2009. At when the audience got exceptionthe time I knew almost everyone in ally loud and extra vocal. Yes I know,
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Volume 65.5 | Community
A greater step to a bigger mission
Richard Bernstien runs for Justice in the Supreme Court
Angie Stoecklin Editor-in-Chief When first meeting someone, how do we judge them? Usually for most people, it’s a visual judgment, whether negative or positive. Richard Bernstein, Democratic candidate for
Michigan’s Supreme Court Justice, never had that option. Born with Congenital Cataracts and Retinitis Pigmentosa, Bernstein faces life looking through a different perspective. “When a blind person goes through life, not knowing what the sky or the ocean looks like,
Richard Bernstein talks with fellow candidates about the upcoming election. Photo credit: Nancy Licata
we learn to live in a different kind of world,” Bernstein said. The different kind of world Bernstein speaks of, as he puts it, is purely spiritual. Being blind, Bernstein says he appreciates things in a spiritual framework. “I appreciate the world in a context limited to darkness, so
I see everything in a spiritual essence.” He doesn’t see his blindness as a disability though, being unable to see, he is unable to use vision as a basis for judgment. According to him, the visual component is what causes the greatest degree of prejudice.
November 6, 2014
“That’s the beauty of being blind, you tend to know people for who they are and what they are, on a more spiritual level,” Bernstein said. While Bernstein doesn’t see his blindness as a fallback in his life, he acknowledges that he had to face many challenges that most people do not. One of the biggest challenges he faced was law school. Law school students are expected to sit through hours of lectures, and take home 15-page fact patterns (facts of a situation, and/or summary of events). Student’s with the gift of sight would simply read through them and take notes. Since Bernstein did not have that option, he went about retaining such information in a different way. “I would internalize everything my professors said. I would have the fact pattern read to me ten or 15 times until I had that memorized and internalized completely,” Bernstein explained. His method, while effective, took him four times longer than it would for someone else to study the same fact pattern. Although law school was an “immense struggle” as he put it, Bernstein said that his faith in God gave him the strength to get through it. “I prayed every day to God. I promised him that if he gave me the opportunity to get through
school that I would dedicate my life to representing people with special needs who otherwise didn’t have access to the judicial system,” Bernstein said. Since his start as an attorney, Bernstein set up his family law firm’s public service division, representing people who don’t have access to legal representation. “I do it all for free, and I do it completely pro bono. I dedicated myself to making sure that people with special needs as well as our nation’s veterans have access to things that allow them to have a better life.” By “access to a better life” Bernstein gives examples such as public transportation, aviation, and education. At the University of Michigan for example, he wanted people with disabilities to have access to the stadium. As a result, building codes were redefined not just at U of M, but on a national basis according to Bernstein. In a case against US Aviation, Bernstein and his colleagues were able to provide access for people with disabilities a greater access to airports and airplanes. These strides in representing people with disabilities are only a small fraction of what Bernstein has done for the disabled. Bernstein believes that there is a greater purpose, and a greater
mission in life in terms of why we are on this earth, and what we’re supposed to do with it. “If you live your life with a greater sense of purpose and mission and you believe that you are part of something bigger than yourself, it allows for a fuller and greater life to exist,” Bernstein said. When Bernstein is not fighting for the rights of the disabled, he is competing in marathons, 18 to be exact, as well as an Iron Man competition. He believes that athletics gives people strength and allows people the chance to overcome and face the difficulties of life. Currently, Bernstein is running for Michigan’s Supreme Court Justice. If he obtains the position, Bernstein says he will still be able to do work for foundations, organizations, and nongovernmental organizations. “As Justice I can still do the kind of work that I want to do to make a difference for people and have a positive effect on people.” While he won’t be an attorney for people, he will still be helping those in need, just from a different perspective. “I want to use the resources I was blessed with in order to enhance and make life better for other people.” Bernstein has a lot to say about his purpose in life, and through his blindness, has lived his entire
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life through a perspective that most people don’t understand. He encourages people to enjoy their lives while they can, and to live it with the greatest degree of perspective. Bernstein says, “You don’t realize what can happen each and every day. You don’t realize what can happen to you or the things that can occur, so live life to the fullest. Things can change in a matter of an instant, and they can change dramatically.” The results of the Election will be posted after this issue of the ESG goes to print. So at this point it is unknown whether Bernstein will achieve his goal of becoming Justice. But if he does not, Bernstein says that he will not give up on helping those in need.
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Volume 65.5 | CAmpus
Galloping Shakespeare
Stratford Theatre Festival Workshop Melanie Buskirk Staff Writer
annunciation of iambic pentameter, the pattern that most Shakespearian plays are spoken in. On Oct. 27, the auditorium in Activities included a technique the Fine Arts building filled with called “galloping,” in which students laughter and jumbled stanzas as the literally galloped across the stage Stratford Theatre Festival Workshop while reading a section of A was conducted. Edward Daranyi, a Midsummer Night’s Dream, which Stratford Theatre Festival director helped students read their passage and residential teacher’s aide, to the beat of iambic pentameter. visited SC4 to direct a workshop for The other fun, if not amusing games aspiring actors and actresses. involved throwing tennis balls, The workshop consisted of chasing your partner across the several activities centered around stage, and balancing on fitness balls reciting lines from Shakespeare’s while practicing phrases from the A Midsummer Night’s Dream, play. focusing primarily on memorization Despite the low turnout of only techniques and the proper seven students, Daranyi says that
the workshop will return next year with hopes for a larger group. “As a director, I’d rather take strong and wrong than beige,” says Daranyi, as encouragement to students who have dreams of being on stage. Be sure to keep an eye out next year for the next workshop.
SC4 students Haunani Johnson, 19, and Paul Porter, 23 participate in Stratford Theatre Festival. Photo credit: Melanie Buskirk