Volume 59, Issue 3 sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
LCC presents jailhouse drama
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Success is the topic for ‘One Book One LCC’ 2017-18 kickoff event Page >>> 2
Spartan Invite helps to push cross country squads to new heights Page >>> 7
Annual BluesFest event in Old Town energizes north side of Lansing Page >>> 10 Photo by Brianna Bernstein Actors Ben Guenther (left) and Michael Banghart pose as their inmate characters Bobby Reyburn and John Brennan during a Sept. 14 dress rehearsal for LCC’s “Coyote on a Fence” production. The play will be performed in the Black Box Theater Sept. 29 and 30. See story on page 9.
Check us out on
2|News
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
‘One Book One LCC’ starts talk on success By Sarah Barney A&E Editor Stacks of books, an array of snacks and poll questions about success greeted students at the “One Book One LCC” kickoff in the LCC library, Wednesday, Sept. 13. For about four hours, students, staff and faculty were able to pick up a free copy of the selected book: “Outliers: The Story of Success,” by Malcolm Gladwell. “Outliers” delves deep into the topic of success, and examines the conditions that surround those who become successful. In order to encourage students and staff to read the book, “One Book” promotes activities that engage readers. “One of our goals, and one of the things that I do, is talk to faculty about brainstorming ways they can bring the book into their classrooms,” said Susan Murphy, co-coordinator of “One Book” and faculty librarian. In addition to incorporation in the classrooms, “Eat and Engage” discussions are planned for October and November, with two taking place each month in the Gannon Building’s Centre for Engaged Inclusion. At these discussions, students, staff and community members can examine themes from the book. A limited number of free
Photo by Sarah Barney
Library employees discuss "Outliers" with student Samantha Krauss (right) after she picked up a copy.
copies will be made available. Other events that encourage interaction with the topics in the book include creativity workshops and time management workshops. This is the fourth year LCC has offered the “One Book” program. LCC freshman Tasha Mack said she has not participated in “One Book” before, but is excited to read the book. “I read the back of the book and it seems
very interesting,” Mack said. “It’s also a great opportunity to get the book for free.” In the opinion of Vincent Thurman, co-coordinator and director of the Centre for Engaged Inclusion, “One Book” creates a great opportunity for learning. “It’s a good way to engage students and staff across those lines that may exist,” Thurman said. “(It also brings) people into the same environment to learn together and collaborate and to gain insight on things they
Photo by Sarah Barney
LCC freshman Ying Wingprakon begins her reading of "Outliers" during the “One Book One LCC” kickoff on Sept. 13.
might not otherwise be exposed to.” For more info about “One Book One LCC” or the events planned, go to https:// www.lcc.edu/library/about/events/onebook/
Vet seminar showcases inclusion techniques By Aaron Wilton Editor in Chief Every college campus has some percentage of students that are, or were, active duty military members. LCC is no exception. A seminar for Vet Net Ally was held Sept. 15 in Dart Auditorium. Several staff and faculty members attended. The seminar ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dr. Marshall Thomas, director of Veterans Services at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), led the seminar. Thomas started the Vet Net Ally program at CSULB. He stressed the idea of inclusion and integration for veterans to help them make the transition. “One of the things that we can do, that can be problematic, is we can look at our veterans’ services and think, ‘That office is the sole place where everything that veterans need on our campus should (be),’” Thomas said. “I don’t subscribe to that view. I look at (veterans’ services) in our office as a hub; we work with all of the other offices on our campus to ensure that veterans are getting the care and services that they need.” Thomas listed some of the dos and don’ts,
and explained what people can expect from veteran students. “Never put a veteran on the spot about their experience,” he said. “Never ‘out’ a veteran. Veterans will complain about their non-veteran peers, especially if their class-
room conduct is unprofessional.” He reminded people it will not only be veterans that are sensitive to talking about war, there will be parents, siblings, children, wives and husbands of veterans in the classroom, and it can be a very sensitive topic for
Photo by Brianna Bernstein
From left, students Charles Desander, Adam Vipond and John Herrick conduct a panel discussion during the Vet Net Ally event on Friday, Sept. 15 in Dart Auditorium at Lansing Community College.
them as well. Another point Thomas made was that saying, “Thank you for your service” could mean different things to each veteran. “Not everyone had a great experience in the military,” he said. “And when you say (that phrase) they may hear something different. “They may hear ‘Thank you for blowing up that house that you didn’t know there were kids in.’ So, saying ‘thank you’ might be a problem.” Thomas said people can show their appreciation differently. “I am not telling you not to thank veterans,” he said. “What I’m asking you is, before you thank someone for their service … take a minute and think about what you mean by that. “In fact, take a minute and ask them how their service was, learn a little bit about them. And then say ‘You know, I really appreciate that you served,’ something like that. So, don’t thank out of habit, thank from the heart.” To learn more, visit the office of Military & Veteran Affairs in the Huron Building or visit online at https://www.lcc.edu/veteran/
3|News
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
College promotes deaf awareness By Haneen Hammad Staff Writer International Week of the Deaf was celebrated at LCC this fall through a series of events the week of Sept. 18 through 24. The celebration is part of a global movement to raise awareness about the life, culture, language and rights of deaf people. In accordance with this, LCC planned a week of daily activities with the theme, “Full inclusion through Sign Language.” Activities included six “Survival-Sign” workshops, as well as discussions and a panel that provided students a chance to ask questions. Michelle LaCrosse, LCC Sign Language interpreter, commented on the importance of Deaf Awareness Week. “(Deaf Awareness Week) has been celebrated annually since 1958, and this year we wanted to bring the celebration to LCC,” LaCrosse said. “As a college that embraces diversity, Deaf Awareness Week brings together the hearing and deaf communities. “It is our hope that we can create awareness of the abilities, culture, life and language of deaf individuals in order to promote communication and camaraderie among the students and our local community …
IN BRIEF NEWS
Student receives scholarship Jessica Walker, a student in LCC’s Lineworker program, recently received the first “Female Lineworker Scholarship.” The $2,500 scholarship was presented at the Great Lakes Center for Utility Training located on LCC’s West Campus. Walker will complete her training in the summer semester of 2018.
Create emergency preparedness kit Photo by Haneen Hammad
Courtney Beeman (left) signs to Mary Danes (right) in the Centre for Engaged Inclusion.
Our events are creating excitement, not only at LCC, but also in the deaf community.” Events such as “Survival Signs” addressed common courtesy signs such as: My name is ..., please, thank you and the basic alphabet. The activity provided an explanation of why it is important to use Sign Language when communicating with the deaf. Laura Anderson, a deaf student who is part of the massage therapy program at LCC, commented on Deaf Awareness Week. “I think it’s really good to intro-
duce both other students and the community to knowing about the deaf, because some people have never met a deaf person and don’t know anything about it, so it’s really good to introduce that topic,” Anderson said. LCC offers two classes: Intro to the Deaf Community (Sign 160) and American Sign Language I (Sign 161). There is also a Sign Language Club on campus. For more information on classes and clubs, visit the Sign Language Interpreter Program's web page at https://www.lcc.edu/cma/sign_lang/
Registration station Worker Dorothy Engelman hands student Matthew Stephon the paperwork to begin his voter registration on Tuesday, Sept. 19. LCC partnered with Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope to promote registering to vote outside of the Gannon Building Sept. 18-20. Photo by Brianna Bernstein
I
d!
te Vo
Emergencies and disasters can strike at any time. Since September is National Preparedness Month, now is a great time to prepare an emergency preparedness kit to store in your car, if you haven’t done so already. Good items to include are a blanket, jumper cables, nonperishable snacks, a small first-aid kit and a cell phone charger.
LCC board meeting set for Oct. 16 The LCC Board of Trustees will hold a board meeting on Monday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room. The meeting is open to the public. A copy of the meeting materials can be obtained from the Board of Trustees office by calling (517) 483-5252 or emailing to duncanb@lcc.star.edu/
Visions unveiled for city hall Urban Systems has unveiled its longterm and short-term goals for the Lansing City Hall and downtown Lansing. Urban Systems is currently in a bidding process that will enable it to make immediate progress on what is known as the Capitol Vista site, located directly across from the State Capitol. The plan is to develop a 205-plus room Westin Hotel and branded facilities, including a restaurant, spa, fitness center and conference rooms. Urban System also plans to relocate to the former Lake Trust Credit Union headquarters at 501 S. Capitol Ave. in Lansing.
4|news
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Women’s program, TRiO host fall workshops Topics include budgeting, ending violent encounters and supporting students By Aaron Wilton Editor in Chief The Women’s Resource/Returning Adult Program and TRiO office are co-sponsoring four different, stand-alone workshops during the fall semester. TRiO is a group of programs within Student Support Services that specifically helps first-generation students with counseling, academic advising and financial planning. The first of these workshops was held Thursday, Sept. 21. It was titled “Budgeting 101.” The speaker was Olivia McCormick of CASE Credit Union. Lisa Haston, coordinator for the Women’s Resource/ Returning Adult Program, offered some information about the events. “The workshops are geared for students, staff and faculty,” Haston said. “It’s for everybody. They can benefit from the information and we will be providing refreshments at these (workshops).” The next event is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11 from noon to 1 p.m. in Gannon Building, room 2214. The focus will be Michigan Department of Health and
Human Services resources available to students, with presenter Dana Viges. The third workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. in GB 2214, will educate attendees on EVE
Possible is everything. Lawrence Technological University isn’t for just anyone. We want the future designers, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who will create the innovations of tomorrow. What do students think of LTU? Watch our video! ltu.edu/studentstories
5th
in nation for boosting graduates’ earning potential
11:1
student/faculty ratio
88%
students employed or registered for graduate school at commencement
admissions@ltu.edu
Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences | Engineering | Management
support services. EVE stands for End Violent Encounters. EVE, Inc. offers assistance and services to domestic abuse sufferers. Leah Davidson will present the topics for the EVE workshop. On Thursday, Nov. 16 from noon to 1 p.m., the fourth workshop will cover ways to cope with being a parent and a college student. That workshop will also be in GB 2214. Robin Rizzo is the scheduled presenter on the dual roles of parent and student. For more information on EVE, visit www.eveinc.org. If you have any questions about the events, the Women’s Resource office, or the Returning Adult Program contact Haston at (517) 483-1274.
5|features
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Fitness center use now free of charge By Ashlee Buhler Associate Editor The start of the fall semester marked a big change for the fitness center on LCC’s main and west campuses. In years past, students had to purchase a $60 membership to access the workout facilities on campus. However, with the start of the 2017 fall semester, students, employees and alumni can now use the fitness center and weight room free of charge. “We know that exercise helps students not only become more physically fit, but it helps them to become better learners,” said Nikki Gruesbeck, one of LCC’s fitness instructors. “That was part of the college’s motivation in opening this up to everyone.” The fitness center has a wide variety of equipment, including rowing machines, treadmills, ellipticals and weight machines. There is also a stretching area with stability balls and resistance tubing, and a small track that wraps around all the equipment. Having knowledgeable instructors
on duty at all times is a plus. “We feel that students have access to a free personal trainer by coming in here,” Gruesbeck said. “We always have an instructor on duty that is a certified health coach or personal trainer.” The fitness center also offers “total fitness classes,” in which students can earn credits and get more in-depth instruction in subjects like nutrition and weight management. This is another great opportunity for students to get assistance with achieving their personal health goals. Dawn Grubb, another fitness instructor at LCC, spoke about her duties. “Working with people that are excited about initiating healthy changes in their life is my favorite part,” Grubb said. Students, faculty and alumni from all fitness levels are welcome to use the fitness center. To gain access to the facility, a StarCard or photo ID is required. On LCC’s main campus, the fitness center is located on the second floor of
LCC STAR!
Photo by Brianna Bernstein
William Davis performs lat-pulls on the machines of the newly proclaimed free Fitness Center Sept. 13.
the Gannon Building and is open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. For more information visit https:// www.lcc.edu/hhs/programs/fitness/student-membership.aspx/
LCC STAR!
Ewart credits music success to his time at LCC By Aaron Wilton Editor in Chief Dan Ewart, a baritone vocalist, got his humble beginnings at LCC, and credits the instructors with molding him into the person he is today. “I started taking classes in 2001, when I graduated from high school,” Ewart said. “I transferred the fall of ’05 to MSU. “You know, when I first started I actually didn’t want to go to college; it was never in the plan. I was going to do stone work; I was going to be a mason.” Ewart explained that his mother encouraged him to give college a shot. So he enrolled at LCC. “I don’t know if that was the spring of my first year there, or it might have been the spring of my second year, but I saw a poster on a (bulletin) board somewhere on campus,” Ewart said. “It said the school of music was going to do auditions there in the next couple of days.” He said he decided to audition because of the fun he had in high school choir, but it wasn’t something he was very good at.
EWART Ewart said he actually took high school choir because it was required to graduate. “And I got in,” he said. “I don’t know if they really would have turned anybody away, and I emphasize that because I re-
ally was not very good at all, which is one of the biggest reasons that I credit LCC for setting me up for what would be my future career.” Ewart said he was privileged to learn under two different world-class instructors while he was at LCC: Richard Fracker and Jerome Helton. After LCC, Ewart went on to get his Bachelor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance from MSU before continuing at DePaul University for his master’s. He returned to MSU to start his doctoral program. Ewart said he hopes to finish his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance this fall. Between finishing his master’s and starting his doctorate in 2013, he performed and worked a bit in the vocal realm. “I took two years to audition after my master’s,” Ewart said. “I was actually living in Cincinnati, doing a lot of private teaching, and had a very successful studio. I think I had about 26 students. “Two years later I got hired to go down
to Shreveport, La. and sing with Shreveport Opera. For the full year, I was their resident baritone. I did a lot of outreach programs: singing for kids in school systems. And then singing in … donor events, things like that.” Ewart said he also sang in several of the main-stage productions for the Shreveport Opera. More recently, he sang in a production of “Carmen” in the role of Danciaro. He offered a piece of wisdom to current students. “I was god-awful at singing when I got into choir in high school,” he said. “I was very much behind the eight ball, but I worked really, really hard and I had a lot of really great teachers and great instruction. “So, something that I never thought would ever be possible for me to do, I’ve ended up becoming very successful at. People think, going into a performing art, ‘you need to have a certain level of talent’ … and I don’t think that that’s very true at all.”
6|features
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
es!
nc Allia
Educ
ation
!
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
!
Games
Spor
ts!
Black Student Union builds camaraderie
By Ashlee Buhler Associate Editor In a time where social issues seem to have divided the nation, the Black Student Union at LCC serves a meaningful purpose on campus and throughout the community. While celebrating black history is an important focus of the club, members also work to build unity amongst students, promote academic excellence and help create a positive impact in the community. Myles Jones, a music major at LCC, said being a member of the Black Student Union provides him with an opportunity to celebrate his heritage and culture. “As a minority, I really love and value being able to talk to people who look like me and understand me culturally,” Jones said. “I love that the Black Student Union is an inclusive community where folks from all walks of life can come and, unabashedly, authentically and comprehensively, be themselves.” Each year, club members volunteer their time to give back to the community. “This year we will be raising funds for the victims of the recent hurricanes,” said Robin Moore, co-adviser of the Black Student Union. “We also participate in a book drive for the Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy, so we’ll be having a book drive this semester.” The Black Student Union currently meets on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 303 in the LCC Library in the TLC building. Throughout the semester, the club meets to discuss common social issues such as
Photo courtesy of Robin Moore
Myles Jones (left) and Dorothy Davenport work at a booth for the Black Student Union group during Welcome Week at LCC.
using the “N” word, gender equality and black lives matter vs. all lives matter. “We’re also looking to implement a study session so students can come together, study and learn about
each other,” Moore added. Students interested in joining can fill out an application at https://www.lcc.edu/studentlife/clubs_and_organizations/registered_organizations.aspx/
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Hoth juggles time between softball and studies By Shauna Stocken Freelance Reporter For many college students, life is made up of a few classes and time spent hanging out and relaxing. For LCC sophomore Hannah Hoth, however, daily life doesn’t allow for much down time. According to Hoth, she only has time for school and softball. When Hoth isn’t juggling a full course load of five classes, she spends her time as catcher, third baseman and shortstop for the LCC softball team. “I just naturally have a love for the game,” Hoth said. “My grandpa, Dick Hoth, played professionally and my whole family has played or still plays softball (or) baseball. It's just a really fun sport because you never know what's going to happen.” Hoth, who started playing T-ball at age
Courtesy photo
Hannah Hoth is a member of the LCC softball team.
4, will end her softball career this year with LCC. After an injury and dealing with bad knees, Hoth turned to other passions when
planning her future. Next fall, Hoth will continue her education through LCC with aspirations of joining the Dental Hygiene Program. “I wanted to be a nurse for the longest time and then I decided that I didn’t want to do that and now it’s dental hygiene … I heard the program was good here (at LCC) and so I said I’d go there,” Hoth said. According to Hoth, one person that helps motivate her is teammate and classmate, sophomore Allison Krupa. Krupa plays third base and second base for the LCC softball team and attends four classes with Hoth. “She (Hoth) is a really good teammate; she’s a really good leader and good player,” Krupa said. The two became friends last year
while on the softball team together. For them, the decision to attend LCC freshmen year was simple. “It’s close to (Michigan) State so you still get the big school experience and it’s a lot cheaper,” Hoth said. “The professors are awesome and it’s fun, I’ve made some friends.” To all incoming students this year, Hoth recommends anyone with a busy schedule to really manage time wisely. “Make a schedule and really stick to it to get your school work done, but also make sure you have some free time to have fun with your friends and make memories,” Hoth said. Hoth said her greatest memory at LCC so far was placing in the top seven at the women’s softball national last year.
7|sports
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Spartan Invite brings supreme opposition
Photo by Brianna Bernstein
Sophomore hitter Kaycee Richmond goes for a kill against Mott Community College on Thursday, Sept. 14.
Spikers show resilience against Kalamazoo CC By Brodee Gillam Sports Editor Being versatile on the volleyball court; it is a critical part of what LCC Head Coach Emily Quintero said she wanted out of her team this season. The Stars proved their versatility in the victory against Kalamazoo CC on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Even with starting middle hitter sophomore Kaycee Richmond injuring her ankle during the match, LCC still won 25-16, 25-22, 25-7. This win improved the Stars’ record to 7-5 overall and to 4-4 in the MCCAA West. Quintero said the resiliency her team showed after the injury says a lot about this squad. “We had Kaycee go down and hurt her ankle and, without any blink of an eye, we were able to transition someone in that doesn’t typically play that position,” Quintero said. “(After that) we flourished and we pulled out a victory in three.” The team has also shown a gritty, grind-it-out attitude, forcing long rallies
and 27-25 games. Freshman captain Silvia Strieff said that comes from her, and fellow captain sophomore McKenzie Kench, and their powerful voices on the court. “We’re really loud; (that attitude) does come from us,” Strieff said. “(Coach) put us as leaders … because we can connect with every single person. (We) can get a rise out of everybody.” As a team that is only 7-5, there are still things that the Stars need to improve on. Quintero said serving consistency is one of the crucial elements that needs tweaking. “We are a very strong serving team,” Quintero said. “That’s also part of our weakness because we push so hard to be a strong serving (team), we make errors. “So we have to work on eliminating our serving errors, but when we get them in, they’re tough serves to receive and that becomes our strength.” LCC is scheduled to play next on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Grand Rapids Community College at 6:30 p.m.
By Brodee Gillam Sports Editor The odds were already against the Stars cross country squads. It was the day of the women’s first, and only, 6K race and the men’s first 8K of the season. Mother Nature decided to make the race more difficult. Most runners seem to enjoy a low-70s to mid-60s temperature for running in the fall. But for the Spartan Invitational on Sept. 15, the temperature was around 80 degrees, adding even more fatigue to the races. Despite all of the adversity, LCC Head Coach Jim Robinson said both teams did exceptionally well at the meet. “Historically, because it’s early in the season and it has been hot over the past few years … we haven’t put up great times in past years,” Robinson said. “But we had several, what I would call, stellar times for this early in the season, given where we are in our training.” Freshman Alex McCormick was the first Star to finish for the men, placing 51st with a time of 26:38. LCC’s next harriers to finish were sophomore Blake Watson, sophomore Shawn Bell and freshman Jacob Ferguson, whose times were 26:43, 27:28 and 27:52, respectively.
Bell said with this being the first 8K of the season, it took a little more out of the freshmen, but they adjusted well and gained great experience. “(The race was) definitely a good learning curve,” Bell said. “Especially for the freshmen coming in, being their first 8K and regulating how fast to go out and not to burn (energy) because you still have four more miles.” Sophomore Kirsten McGahan placed first, and 58th overall, for LCC for the second straight race, finishing at 23:36. Fellow sophomore Ashley Lindeman followed as the second finisher for the Stars, 71st overall, at 24:05. Lindeman said the experience was great for all of the women, showing that even next to Division I athletes, they can still hold their own. “I thought it was really cool seeing myself and a lot of our girls next to Michigan State and Western girls,” Lindeman said. “That is just kind of uplifting to know that, even though we go to a community college and they’re looked at as a lower class, we’re still able to run with them.” The Stars next meet is scheduled to be on Saturday, Sept. 30. The Louisville Classic is set to be at Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky.
Photo by Brianna Bernstein
The LCC men’s harriers run in the heat at practice on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
8|sports
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout — OFF THE GLASS —
Fantasy football not only for diehard fans My first week of fantasy football was filled with unpredictability, disappointment and hope. With my two starting running backs combining for a measly 10 points, I thought there was no chance I would win week one. But my quarterback, Derek Carr, and my wide receivers pushed the “Detroit Snorlax’s” back up to get me the win. These conflicting emotions are why so many fans love the NFL, and fantasy football, and why it is still the most popular
sport in the United States. So many things can go wrong and right during the same game. In fantasy football, owners have players from multiple teams, meaning owners have to pay attention to everything. For all of those reasons I encourage anyone who loves football, or lives with someone who takes over the TV every Sunday, to draft a team before time runs out. The deadline for most leagues, like Yahoo and ESPN, is Sunday, Oct. 1. Having a fantasy team will help most
brodee gillam sports editor
gillamb@lcc.edu
roommates or significant others of those who watch from the pre-show at noon until the end interviews of Sunday Night Football. It provides more of a reason to
watch and learn what is going on during the games. This makes it more fun for the football junkie and the person learning. Playing in a week-to-week fantasy football league for money is a way to avoid having the same team all year, and maybe earn some cash. One of these sites is DraftKings, where drafters select a different set of players every week. So if you are looking for a way to spice up your football Sundays, forced or not, draft a team now and get in on the fantasy football action!
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Freshman Jazlynn Maxon fulfilling volleyball potential The Lookout Sports Editor Brodee Gillam recently spoke with LCC freshmen Jazlynn Maxon. The Mount Pleasant graduate had 210 digs in six conference matches through Sept. 13. What athlete inspires you the most? “My Aunt Jenny. She played college softball and she always works really hard. She’s really tough.” Why did you start playing volleyball?
“Probably just because my older sister did it, and my family has before, so we all just played.” What do you want to do after LCC? “After my two years here I want to go somewhere bigger to play volleyball.” What is your most memorable moment playing volleyball? “My high school team beating Midland Dow in one of our district (tournament) games. We always lose to Midland
Dow and they were our first game of the districts. We just played really hard and they were close games but we won.” What is your most embarrassing moment? “Probably when I go to hit an overpass and I just bomb it out of bounds because I’m short.” What do you want to take away from your time at LCC? “I want to take away working hard
and pushing through hard drills … like working hard and finishing everything.” What are your goals for this season? “I want to work really hard on serves and jump-setting. Obviously I want to make it far. I really want to make it to nationals but I think making it through districts (is a good goal).”
Photo by Brianna Bernstein
LCC’s Jazlynn Maxon practices jump setting.
9|Arts and entertainment
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Prime Music Festival has strong debut By Haneen Hammad Staff Writer For the very first time, the Prime Social Group and the MiEntertainment group, the same group that organized Common Ground, came together to present PRIME Music Festival. The festival was held at Adado Riverfront Park on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16. The lineup was unique in the way it featured different genres of music focusing on hip hop, rap and EDM. PRIME brought in some big stars including hip-hop artist Migos, rapper Machine Gun Kelly and techno artist Marshmello. Other performers included Blackbear, Playboi Carti, Waka Flocka Flame and JOYRIDE. On Friday, there was a hiccup in the schedule when PRIME employees notified the crowd that Playboi Carti was no longer going to perform on Friday night, because he missed his flight. Although he would perform the next day, some festival goers seemed a little disappointed. Nonetheless they quickly forgot about it when Prince Fox ran on stage. The festival was comprised of one main
Photo by Haneen Hammad
Festival-goers dance to Cheat Codes as the band performs on Sept. 15. Other performers included Waka Flocka Flame and Machine Gun Kelly.
stage and a silent “disco” that took place on festival grounds. A silent disco is a unique way of expe-
riencing live music. People wore wireless headphones; a silent atmosphere instantly transformed in to a high-energy musical
performance. Organizers are hoping to make the PRIME Music Festival an annual event.
LCC play ‘Coyote on a Fence’ questions morality By Sarah Barney A&E Editor Coming soon to the Black Box Theatre at LCC is “Coyote on a Fence,” the first production of the 2017-2018 theatre season. It will debut Friday, Sept. 27. The play was written by Bruce Graham and is directed by theatre veteran Paige Tufford. It centers around inmates on death row. “It reveals their characters to us in a way that we may not see – or have an opportunity to see – someone on death row,” Tufford said. “(We) really get to know them and who they are as individuals.” With a minimal cast of four actors, the play includes two inmates: John Brennan, played by Michael Banghart; and Bobby Reyburn, portrayed by Ben Guenther. “It’s a play about perspective,” Banghart said. “What I loved about it so much is the question it raises, (which) is, ‘Are we any better for killing these men than they are for committing these crimes?’”
Photo by Brianna Bernstein
During practice, actors Ben Guenther and Michael Banghart go back and forth as death row inmates Bobby Reyburn and John Brennan. Director Paige Tufford (center) reads along with her script.
Describing his character, Banghart explained: “He sees himself as an in-
nocent man. He’s been convicted by a trial and his peers, but in his own
eyes he’s innocent.” In contrast, Guenther’s character is a neo-Nazi, who proudly admits his crime. Though he almost didn’t take the role, Guenther said he is glad he accepted it. “(I enjoy the role) oddly enough,” Guenther said. “I’ve played different roles and this is definitely a role that I have to step out of my comfort zone to play.” The remaining characters are: New York Times reporter Sam Fried, depicted by Steve Lee; and prison guard Shawna Duchamps, played by rookie Cassidy Greene. The play will be performed in the Black Box Theatre inside the Gannon Building on Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. 6 and 7. Showtime is 8 p.m. each day. Following Saturday performances, post-show discussions will be held on the content of the play. Tickets at the door are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. For more information, call (517) 483-1488 or visit https://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/lcctix.aspx
10|A & E
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
IN BRIEF
Arts and Entertainment
‘Musique 21’ set at MSU Sept. 25 The Fairchild Theatre at Michigan State University Auditorium will host “Musique 21” on Monday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature conductor Kevin Noe and guest composer Christopher Cerrone in an evening of newperformance style music. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors. Students and those under 18 can enter free with valid IDs. Go to www.music.msu.edu/ event-listing/
Old Town to host Oktoberfest
Photo by Sarah Barney
Maggie McCabe performs blues music with her titular band, “The Maggie McCabe Band” during BluesFest in Old Town on Saturday, Sept. 16.
BluesFest energizes Old Town By Sarah Barney A&E Editor Music lovers converged on the closed portion of Turner Street in Lansing’s Old Town on Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16 for the annual Michigan BluesFest. While artists played on both a north and south stage, vendors sold food, art, accessories and clothes. Not all of the action was on the street. Inside the UrbanBeat Event Center workshops for slide guitar techniques, harmonicas for kids and blues progressions were offered. First held in 1994 under the name of OctoberFest, BluesFest featured crowds of around 2,000 to 3,000 people during its first few years. Recent estimated attendance has been as high as 7,000, according to the BlueFest official website. Some of the artists playing on Saturday evening included: Maggie McCabe Band, Twyla Birdsong, Groove Council, Chris Canas Band and Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials. Lansing resident Rebekah Gordon was only able to listen to two sets on Saturday, but said she was glad she stopped by. “I knew my parents were coming to visit for the weekend and I thought it’d be a great event to bring them to,” Gordon explained. “My dad likes blues music, and we like biking and we knew it was along the bike path, so we thought it’d be a nice way to spend the day.” This year the simultaneous performances at BluesFest and PRIME Music Festival in Lansing’s Adado Riverfront Park caused some to wonder if BluesFest would lose some of its crowd. After the event, long-time attendee Angelia Boughner felt the coinciding events caused lower attendance.
“Not that it wasn’t packed, but the PRIME Festival took away an age group that would have normally been there,” Boughner said. Even if some felt the crowd wasn’t as large, Boughner said she enjoyed the show. “Saturday’s lineup was awesome as always,” Boughner said. “My family loves music and it, being a free festival, gets all the family together to go.” For more photos from the event, go to https://www.facebook.com/ OldTownBLUES/
For the 12th year, Oktoberfest will be held in Old Town. The event, set for Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30, will feature authentic German food, live polka music and German-style beer. Tickets for general admission are $22 each day or $30 for both days. For tickets and more information, visit http://oldtownoktoberfest.com/
‘We Are All One Art Fair’ is Oct. 7 Culture and art will be on display at the We Are All One Art Fair at the Greater Lansing Islamic Center gym. The fair will include art from multicultural backgrounds and international food options from food trucks. It will be held Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (517) 332-3700 or go to http://www.lansing.org/event/we-are-all-one-artfair/15734/
Color Run to Tint the Town Sept. 30
Photo by Sarah Barney
Singer Twyla Birdsong prepares for her 6 p.m. set on Saturday, Sept. 16 during the BluesFest in Lansing’s Old Town district.
Coming to the Cooley Law School Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 30 is the 5K Color Run. Tickets are available online at $44.99 for a single runner or $39.99 for each runner in a group of four or more. For more information or tickets, go to http://thecolorrun.com/locations/lansing-mi/
11|a & E
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
reviews
‘It’ mixes horror, coming-of-age Sarah Barney A&E Editor One of the most anticipated horror movies of 2017 has finally hit theaters. “It,” directed by “Mama” director Andrés Muschietti, is a film adaption of the childhood chapters in Stephen King’s novel of the same name. Differing from the book, the film takes place during 1988. However, it still follows a group of seven misfit children: Bill Denbrough, Eddie Kaspbrak, Richie Tozier, Stan Uris, Ben Hanscom, Mike Hanlon and Beverly Marsh. The film begins with the iconic and horrific murder of Georgie, Bill’s younger brother, after he loses his pa-
per boat to a storm drain. This is the first time the audience glimpses It, or as the creature introduces itself, Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The ensuing movie sees the young group face psychopathic bullies, issues at home and of course, Pennywise. While “It” stays mostly in the horror genre, it has strong coming-of-age film qualities. Certain scenes throughout the movie are so filled with youthful bliss and awkwardness that viewers could almost forget there is an ancient creature on the prowl. The film does a good job of delivering information visually. It proves useful to stay attentive throughout
Courtesy photo
“It” is now showing at local theaters.
the film, as many little details appear in the background.
A more visible example is a suspicious librarian who walks away from Ben and then watches from a distance. For viewers who pay attention, it appears the librarian is staring and grinning in a menacing way while Ben researches horrific deaths in the town’s history. A common criticism for the movie is that it is not as scary as expected. One reason could be because, as some say, “What is shown is never as scary as what is not.” However, what the movie loses from having no unknown factor, it mostly makes up for with genuinely frightening shots and a general sense of uneasiness.
‘Destiny 2’ shows promise, feels solid Aaron Wilton Editor in Chief I know many fans of the Bungie game studio were disappointed and angry after Bungie released ‘Destiny’ in 2015. However, a lot of us ponied up for the sequel on Sept. 6. Bungie keeps us coming back because of its incredibly intimate understanding of the fundamentals for a first-person shooter (FPS). The developers and designers at Bungie have dominated the FPS genre for more
than 15 years. “Destiny 2” has the same mechanics and solid gameplay as its predecessor, but it has made some major improvements in story writing. Players can expect more cinematics and dialogue in this game. As I played through the first couple of story missions, it seemed a bit rushed. It was clear that the developers wanted to give the sense that the main character had to travel a long way, but they did it with extremely brief clips of
player-controlled walking with fadeouts in-between and “time cards.” Time cards in a game or a movie will be something like “3 Days after the Event” or “1 Year Later,” which are used to quickly provide time perspective. This just didn’t feel like the best way to tell that part of the story. During other missions, the focus is on standard gameplay with the usual weapons. I enjoy the gameplay of “Destiny 2” and the abilities that the different subclasses have all offer dif-
ferent play-styles. Anyone who enjoys an FPS will appreciate the mechanics of “Destiny 2,” but story writing is still the weak point. Overall, despite large improvements in the single-player campaign, as compared to “Destiny,” the writing does still lack the cogent feel that a typical story-based game has. The big question now: What will the first two expansions bring to the experience?
Sir Pizza a hot spot in Lansing’s Old Town By Lauren Manzini Staff Writer My first, and certainly not my last, visit to Sir Pizza in Old Town was nothing short of wonderful. Owned by Connie Torrez, the restaurant has been a fixture at 201 E. Grand River Ave. since 2000. I am pretty typical when it comes to pizza, and I usually just order pepperoni. So after the hundreds of restaurants that have served me pepperoni pizza in the past, one has to
be really good to make a lasting and memorable impact. The pizza I had at Sir Pizza did just that. Aside from the food being delicious, the main thing that Sir Pizza has going for it is the location. For someone who has lived within 20 minutes of Lansing my whole life, I have never really gone venturing deep into the heart of Old Town After my visit to Sir Pizza, I will definitely be finding every excuse I
can to explore more of the area, because Old Town is definitely the most artistic and interesting place this side of Grand Rapids. Sir Pizza itself is housed right along the Grand River, which makes for some beautiful views right from the restaurant. Other noteworthy features of Sir Pizza are the fully stocked bar and the frequent live entertainment. One would never expect a quaint little pizza restaurant to be a hot spot
of the Lansing bar scene, but from what I hear, it very much is so. I will definitely be returning to see for myself. Sir Pizza has five different franchise locations in the Lansing area, but take my advice and visit the one in Old Town for an atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else in Lansing. Stop in anytime from 11 a.m. to midnight throughout the week, and stay until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
12|distractions
SEPT. 25 - OCT. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Girls & Sports
By Justin Boros and Andrew Feinstein
This week’s King Crossword puzzle is sponsored by:
Home of the Olive Burger Since 1923
Sports Can Be Funny
118 Washington Sq. Downtown Lansing Phone: (517) 482-8049
By Harold Hubbard
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, closed
Hold your newspaper up to a mirror to get the answer to this week’s King Crossword puzzle:
Receive a 10-percent discount with your student ID
13|opinion
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout — if you wil —
Texting etiquette a hard concept to grasp Apparently, I am way behind the ball when it comes to “proper” texting lingo and behavior. It seems that, at The Lookout at least, everyone else knows how to message people without coming off as angry or upset. In the realm of instant messaging, people cannot use any body language or tone to indicate emotion. Therefore, people have resorted to altering syntax and spelling to demonstrate emotion while messaging. For anyone like me, here are a few easy steps to take to set a “happy tone”
aaron wilton Associate editor
wiltona@lcc.edu
when texting: Do not use “K” as a response, it comes off as annoyed. Do not use periods; they give a sense of finality that is interpreted as anger, annoyance or sass.
Use extra Y’s on words like “hey,” “why,” etc. to come off as happy. The more Y’s, the happier it appears, I am told. Personally, I began texting when smartphones were brand new and there wasn’t this well-developed system of etiquette in texting yet. I also have a very flat tone when speaking over the phone. I’m not angry; I just express emotion a lot more in person. My flat tone carried over to texting without me realizing how other people felt about it. All of my friends know
me well enough to accurately interpret my texting tone, but anyone new to me would be lost and think that I am mad at them. A typical text conversation with me previously included correct punctuation and spelling with the very rare appearance of an emoji. Now I am trying to correct that by throwing punctuation out the window (an odd maneuver for a journalist) and including an emoji in at least half of my messages. Who knew texting would have such a learning curve?
— Through ashlee’s eyes —
Let me tell you about the perks of being a twin There comes a point when all twins learn to expect the same questions: “Can you read each other’s minds?” “Have you ever switched places?” “Is it cool being a twin?” My response to twin-related questions is usually pretty lame and vague. This is only because there is so much to say, and it would take me a day to give a good explanation. To answer the basics, I can start by telling you that no, we can’t read each other’s mind, and switching places was never really our thing. But being a twin is incredible and comes with a
lot of perks. As a kid I always called my twin sister, Brittany, my built-in best friend. It’s nice to have somebody who completely understands you and who will always have your back. We have our moments when we disagree and argue, but give us like 10 minutes and we’ll be fine. Another pro to being a twin is that we think a lot alike and have the same interests, so making plans is easy. We also take care of each other — we share clothes, loan each other money, give each other advice … the list can go on
ashlee Buhler Associate editor
buhlera@lcc.edu
and on. I couldn’t imagine my life without being a twin. We do almost everything together, we always have and probably always will. I consider myself lucky to have somebody that I’m that close to.
Through the years I’ve learned that I’m more comfortable and confident when she’s around — she truly brings out the best in me, which I’m thankful for. Sure, there are little things that come with being a twin that are annoying. These include being stared at every time we go out together, being compared to each other or constantly being talked to as if you are one person. But the pros of having a life-long best friend, by far, outweigh any cons. That is something I have never doubted.
— eyes wide open —
Dream deferred; setting sights on something new I always heard that if you knew what you wanted to do when you grew up, and had a clear plan of how to get there, you were one of the lucky ones. Fresh out of high school, I definitely considered myself one of those lucky few. I dreamed of moving away to a big city like New York City, and I was dead set on studying fashion merchandising. This would have been a perfect career to pursue in a metropolis such as NYC. So, I moved to Ohio after graduation to attend school at Kent State University. This was so I could be one step closer to working in the business aspect of the fashion industry. However, instead of learning busi-
Lauren manzini ad. manager/ staff writer
manzinil@lcc.edu
ness for fashion there, I was thrown into a pool of extremely talented designers and artists who were sketching and sewing in ways I could not even imagine. I still remember staying up all night in the library crying, struggling to perform even the most basic of design tasks; tasks my peers seemed to have
mastered long ago. After studying at Kent State for a year, and after many long nights of soul searching, I came to the unexpected and heartbreaking realization that fashion merchandising was not the path I was intended to pursue. I have been studying at Lansing Community College ever since, attempting to put a whole new plan for my life together. This is something I never thought I would have to do. I still struggle sometimes with the new picture of my future when I close my eyes, but it is becoming clearer every day. What helps this time around is understanding that it is OK to not have every single detail figured out.
Sometimes the unknown is an adventure in itself, perhaps an even bigger adventure than New York City. Now, as I turn 22, I have changed my intended major to journalism. Instead of setting my sights, with blinders, on a specific place I see myself living, I am focusing on a career that will fulfill me; one that will allow me to be happy waking up to go to every day. And whether that job is in New York, the West Coast, or somewhere in between, I know I am going to end up exactly where I am supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I look forward to the adventure that will bring me there.
14|opinion
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout — as seen by haneen —
Why DACA should not be rescinded By Haneen Hammad Staff Writer On Sept. 12, the Trump Administration announced that the program DACA will wind down. This came after Republican state officials threatened to challenge DACA in court unless the Trump Administration repealed the program. DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program established by the Obama Administration back in 2012. It allows minors who entered the country illegally to receive a renewable two years of deferred action from deportation, as well as a work permit to work legally. Since 2012, DACA has provided
haneen hammad staff writer
hammadh@lcc.edu
800,000 young immigrants with an education and a life in the United States. It is expected that DACA will be scrapped in six months, giving time for Congress to propose a possible replacement. President Donald Trump suggested in an earlier tweet that it would be up to
Congress to ultimately decide the fate of those now protected by the program. He tweeted, “Congress, get ready to do your job – DACA!” The President has expressed sympathy for the young people protected by the program, describing the decision as one of the most difficult he has had to grapple with as president. “We love the Dreamers. We love everybody. … We think the Dreamers are terrific,” Trump told reporters. Although Trump has commented on the difficulty of his decision, he feels he owes the Republican Party action on the rhetoric he proposed during his election campaign.
Most “dreamers” came to America before the age of 5 and are going to be sent back to a country they have never been to. Rescinding DACA means young immigrants will lose every opportunity that has been given to them in the United States. I hope our President is aware of the reality of his decisions, instead of just focusing on showing people he is a man of his word. DACA should not be rescinded, regardless of promises Trump made to his party. DACA needs to continue so young people and families can stop living in fear, and can continue to thrive in the country they call home.
Classified Advertising HOME HEALTH CARE AIDE WANTED Nurse aide or student to assist paraplegic senior with range of motion, bowel program and housekeeping. One to two hours per day; days and hours flexible. Pay rate negotiable. Contact (517) 333-4353 or tonyw50@icloud.com.
1982 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS Complete set of 792 cards, all in mint condition. Cal Ripken rookie card and many Hall-of-Famers including Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, Carl Yastrzemski and Rickey Henderson. $100. Call (517) 525-0706 daytime.
PLACE YOUR AD HERE Advertising in The Lookout’s classified section is inexpensive and effective. Cost is just $8.50 for 20 words or less. Additional words are 50 cents. Call (517) 483-1295 or email to hookl@lcc.edu to place a classified advertisement.
COOL NASCAR MEMORABILIA Two brand new Dale Earnhardt Jr. hats, $7 each. Ten commemorative miniature race cars from the Michigan International Speedways from 2005 to 2009, all brand new and in box, $5 each. Buy both hats and all the cars for $45! Call (517) 483-1291.
Calling all writers! The Lookout staff encourages Letters to the Editor. Letters must be 200 words or less and include the name of the author. Please include either a phone number or an e-mail address so we can verify information. The Lookout reserves the rightto edit letters for length, content and grammar.
15| opinion
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout — STAFF editorial —
LCC sports teams need more fan support The LCC Stars have been hauling in accolades in multiple sports over the last year, but the student section is a little lacking during competition. The Lookout staff encourages students to show up and show out for all of our sports teams. Did you know that students can get in free to any LCC sporting event?
Last fall, the women’s cross-country team won its second consecutive national championship. Men’s cross-country finished eighth in the nationals. The Stars’ baseball team went to the NJCAA Division II World Series this past spring, taking third in the nation. The softball team went to the NJCAA
Division II World Series, finishing seventh in the nation. In other words, LCC has some outstanding athletics. Some our staff members have attended recent volleyball matches and seen a trend: the number of students/fans is minimal. With a bit of support, the volleyball
what do you like best about autumn? Aaron wilton
ashlee buhler
editor in chief
Associate editor buhlera@lcc.edu
gillamb@lcc.edu
manzinil@lcc.edu
“The colors and the weather”
“Going to the cider mill”
“Sweatshirt and campfire weather”
“The smell of leaves”
wiltona@lcc.edu
brodee gillam
sports editor
—
the lookout staff —
Lauren Manzini Brianna bernstein haneen hammad
Ad. Manager
Photo Editor
bersteb@lcc.edu
“Halloween fun”
staff writer
hammadh@lcc.edu
“I love everything about it!”
Join CASE Credit Union today!
team will feel more at home during its home games. It will also cause opponents to be out-of-sync. The Lookout staff understands what the power of good encouragement does for a team. So show some school spirit. Come out to a game and engage in the full experience of LCC.
sarah barney
nicole cade
A&E editor
lead paginator
“Anything horror”
“Halloween and scary movies”
barneys2@lcc.edu
caden@lcc.edu
larry hook
adviser
hookl@lcc.edu
“Baseball playoffs and football”
CASE Credit Union is proud to serve the Lansing Community College students, faculty and staff. Conveniently located inside the Gannon Building on LCC Main Campus CASE Credit Union offers convenient access to financial products and services including: •
Numerous ATMs on campus
•
Mobile Banking
•
Student VISA card
•
Various checking and savings accounts
•
...and a whole lot more!
LCC Branch Gannon Building Room 222.04
Our service. Your success. casecu.org
Federally Insured by NCUA
517.393.7710
Equal Opportunity Lender
16|LAST LOOK
sept. 25 - oct. 8, 2017 www.lcc.edu/lookout
If a student’s weld can beat an instructor, it is put up on display as an example for other students.
LCC lab tech Aaron Kavanagh does a stick weld.
Out with the old, in with the new
Photostory by Associate Editor Ashlee Buhler Members of LCC’s welding staff did a rivet demonstration Sept. 18 at LCC’s west campus. The demonstration was a display of the “old technology” welders used many years ago to build structures such as the Mackinac Bridge. “Riveting is not done anymore — it’s an old technology,” said Vern Messler, a welding instructor at LCC for over 30 years. “The only reason I still do it is because I’m training people to do preservation and rehabilitation of existing structures.” What used to be achieved by old school methods is now accomplished through newly developed technology. A lot of that new technology is featured in the welding lab on LCC’s west campus, which was expanded about eight months ago to accommo-
date the growing program. Stocked with high-tech equipment such as six full-function robots for students to program and maintain, the lab serves as a great environment for students to prepare for their welding careers. For students just starting out, the lab has virtual welding machines that allow students to safely practice their welding skills. These machines can score each weld to inform students of how they did and show any defects. “The virtual welding device will simulate what you see and hear when you’re actually welding,” said Roger Morrison, a welding instructor at LCC. “What’s nice about it is that nobody has to get dirty or get burned … other students can watch on the screen and see what’s going on.”
Aaron Kavanagh, lab tech at LCC, uses a weld robot.