Volume 60, Issue 6
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
Long Hair; Don’t Care
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Joe Biden speaks at LCC to promote Democratic candidates for election Page >>> 2
LCC associate dean holds events to show appreciation for students Page >>> 6
LCC theater alumnus Boris Nikolovski (right) transformed into the barely dressed, free-spirited hippy “Berger” in LCC’s production of “Hair.” The musical opened Nov. 2 and ran for an additional four performances. It featured a cast of 20 members, known as the tribe. The leading role was Nikolovski’s first in Dart Auditorium. Photo by Brynne Luter
Men’s basketball team bonds during road trip to Washington D.C. Pages >>> 7
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2|News
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Photos by Brynne Luter
Photos by Brynne Luter
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks in the Gannon Gym at LCC on Thursday, Nov. 1. Biden was present to promote many of the local Democratic candidates for the Nov. 6 election.
Elissa Slotkin hosted the political forum at LCC and also spoke to the crowd of nearly 2,000 people. Slotkin, who was running for the 8th Congressional District, was a winner in the Nov. 6 election.
Biden speaks at LCC; urges voting By Ashlee Buhler Editor in Chief Just days before the 2018 Midterm Election, a crowd of nearly 2,000 filled the Gannon Gymnasium at Lansing Community College for a “Get Out the Vote” rally. The event, held Thursday, Nov. 1, was designed to promote Congressional candidate Elissa Slotkin, as well as other top candidates in the Democratic Party. Former Vice President Joe Biden made an appearance, despite feeling a little under the weather. Biden informed the crowd he was battling laryngitis. Although he spoke with a hushed
tone, Biden’s message to get out and vote could be heard loud and clear. “The only thing strong enough to tear America apart is America itself, and we’ve seen it start,” Biden said. “We have to make it stop. That’s what Tuesday (Election Day) is all about. Get the hell up. Go out and vote. Take it back, now, now, now, now.” Biden had high praise for Slotkin, who has served three tours in Iraq, as well as gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer and incumbent U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who was up for re-election. Slotkin, Stabenow and Whitmer (all of whom were winners on Nov.
6) also spoke during the event. "All the pride marches, the women's marches, the health care rallies, the immigration protests; none of it matters if we don't turn it out on (election) Tuesday,” Whitmer said. Prior to the speeches, Slotkin spoke to The Lookout about the importance of voting from the younger generations. “As a national security person, the idea that young people could be turning away from the election process from the democratic system – I believe that’s a threat to our democracy,” Slotkin said. “I think it’s because people feels there’s a lack of integrity in Washington. The system
is broken and we desperately need to do something about that. “We need a different generation of leaders, who think differently and work harder and never forget that they are public servants … If you are concerned in any way about things like tuition or health care, you have to vote. Your voice is your vote.” LCC student Brogan Eisler, 19, attended the rally and said he planned to head to the polls on Nov. 6. “I loved (the rally),” he said. “I was going to vote for all of them anyways, so I thought it was a nice interaction. I could see them, they could talk to me, and kind of confirm why I was voting for them.”
Hidalgo, Wilbur winners in LCC trustees’ race
bent Hidalgo receiving By Ashlee Buhler 46,494 votes. This was ulEditor in Chief timately enough to edge The people have voted, out Shaquila Myers, who the polls are closed, and gained 46,181 votes. the results are in. Wilbur and Hidalgo are Pending the official cerexpected to begin their tification from the Ingham six-year term on the board County Board of Canvassat the start of the New ers, Lawrence Hidalgo Jr. Hidalgo Year. and Samantha Wilbur will Hidalgo has been on the secure the two available board since 2012 and currently serves seats on the LCC Board of Trustees. Wilbur, who is new to the board, as the vice chair. Hidalgo said he is came out significantly ahead in a committed to student success and looks forward to his next term as a three-person race with 57,722 votes. It was a closely contested race trustee. “If the results hold up I am humfor the second seat, with incum-
bled,” Hidalgo said. “I healthcare. want to continue moving After the election, Wilforward with the progress bur said she was amazed we’ve made on student with the record number success and keep that foof voters in Michigan. She cused; making sure that said she is proud to be one our students get a good of the female officials electquality education at a reaed alongside the state’s sonable rate.” first-ever lesbian attorney Wilbur Wilbur joins the board as general, Dana Nessel. a fresh new face who hopes to bring “I’m actually very flattered,” Wilsome big changes to the college. bur said. “It was nice to see so many Prior to the election, Wilbur shared people turn out and vote for me. I’m some of her ideas with The Lookout, excited to get to work and start imsuch as having a health care facility plementing some of the ideas that I on campus for students, staff and fac- have. I look forward to working with ulty to receive quality and affordable the board.”
3|News
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Scooters create new way to commute By Sarah Barney Associate Editor Convenient travel has once again been innovated with the addition of apps such as Bird and Lime. The apps offer scooter rides from motorized scooters, which are placed across cities. Customers download the app and then pay a fee to unlock the scooter. After it is unlocked, the rider can travel on it for 15 cents per minute. The Bird scooters can reach speeds of about 15 mph. Lime scooters can go about 20 mph. Vanessa Dion, a Lansing Community College freshman, likes the idea of the scooters. “It’s a good idea,” Dion said. “I don’t use them, but I think for people on campus or around downtown it’s a good way to get around. It’s cost efficient.” In October, The Lansing State Journal reported that the city of Lansing had signed a temporary licensing agreement with the company Lime to cap the number of scooters at 250 citywide. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor spoke about the scooters in October. “We are excited to have this new mobility technology as another form of transportation for our residents and visitors,” Schor said. “Safety of
Photos by Brynne Luter
At left, a user unlocks a Bird scooter using his phone app. At right, an LCC student start his journey down Shiawassee Street past a nest of Lime scooters.
riders and pedestrians is our top priority, so we ask that everyone riding scooters follows the rules that are currently in place.” Scooters are not allowed on sidewalks in downtown Lansing, including the LCC campus. LCC Police Director Bill French commented on how people should ride the vehicles.
“Scooter riders should ride them in the street and obey all traffic laws,” French said. “They are not allowed in the bicycle lane because they are motorized.” While the Michigan State University police department has impounded a number of Bird scooters, French stated that LCC has not had any similar problems.
“The scooters have not been a problem on campus,” French said. “Only a few have been left in an area that could cause a tripping hazard. We just move those few to the sidewalks surrounding campus.” With permits signed between Lansing and both Bird and Lime, the scooters are likely to stay around, at least for awhile.
Marketing club to hold etiquette dinner Nov. 15 By Sarah Barney Associate Editor For the 12th year, LCC’s American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter is hosting its annual Business Etiquette Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 15. Networking starts at 4:30 p.m. and the dinner begins at 6 p.m. The event will be held in the Gannon Commons and the Michigan Room of the Gannon Building. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Nov. 13 at the CASE Credit Union branch, located at the LCC Downtown Campus in the Gannon Building. “This dinner is beneficial for building skills for all students, no matter what their major is,” said Adrienne Jenkins, co-adviser for AMA. Hannah Jones-Reiser, a philosophy major at LCC, said she plans to attend the event. “I’ve always focused on networking and trying to build larger social circles so I can get into different cool opportunities that might not be readily
available,” Jones-Reiser said. “I used to work in the mayor’s office in Grand Rapids and I used to work in the House of Reps here,” Jones-Reiser said. “There were always formal events that I would go to for the people I was working for, and I didn’t really know how to conduct myself.” During the three-course dinner, there will be a total of three speakers. The first speaker is Shelly
Davis Boyd, president and chief image expert for Mieshel Image Consulting. She will present on business dining etiquette. The second speaker is Kylie Rogers-Strahan, the account executive and digital marketing director for Blohm Creating Partners. A past LCC marketing club president, she will talk about social media dos and don’ts for professionals and students. The third and final speaker was not decided on at time of press. “Everyone should know how to dine properly using a traditional table setting, as well as learning what conversation is appropriate while dining in a professional manner,” Jenkins said. “With the current popularity of social media, all students should also know what is proper to share and not share on their social networks.” For more information on the event, visit the Facebook page for LCC American Marketing Association.
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nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
STEMfest allows kids to create IN BRIEF By Alejandro Gonzales Staff Writer STEMfest was held in the Arts and Sciences Building at LCC the morning of Nov. 3 to offer kids an opportunity to learn about different job fields. The event allowed children and their parents to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing) related activities. There were over 30 interactive programs in classrooms and labs throughout all four floors of the building. “I think it’s super cool; lots of kids are able to learn about some things they wouldn’t be able to otherwise, and LCC is a great place to have STEMfest,” said Katie Ransom, a volunteer at the event. Ransom helped with the stroboscopic photography, bouncing strobe lights on an object as a photo is taken to make the object appear as if it is moving. Attendees were given the chance to have stroboscopic pictures taken of them as part the experience.
Photo by Alex Gonzales
STEMfest was held at LCC on Saturday, Nov. 3.
“There’s a lot of different events that can introduce and expose kids to a lot of different sciences, some of which they may never have thought about,” said Tristan Sprague-Williams, a faculty member from LCC’s math department. Another activity called tangrams and area exploration was offered to kids and their parents to solve puzzles with shapes. There were different levels of challenge and the option for participants to make their own creations. “Everybody knows about chemistry and math, but not everyone really knows about geology or computer science,” Sprague-Williams said. “They may be things people have heard of but aren’t sure what it is. For kids to come here and see what they are about can really inspire them.” The children were given bags to hold handouts and a map of event locations, along with a souvenir passport that could be stamped for each activity in which they participated.
Silver Bells watch party planned at LCC By Sejin Lee Freelance Writer The Silver Bells Parade is known as one of the most beloved events in Lansing. This year, attendees will be able to enjoy the parade in a warm, comfortable environment at the first annual Silver Bells Parade Watch Party at LCC. The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 16 in the Gannon Commons from 5 p.m. until the end of the parade. At this event, attendees will watch the Silver Bells Parade on two huge screens. LCC has hosted holiday parties in the past, but officials decided to include a live broadcast this year because they wanted to make a place for the community to gather. "People have flocked to the Lansing City Market for a community event during Silver Bells,” said LCC Conference Service Manager Kelly Hekler. “Once I learned of (the market’s) potential closing, I made plans to host an event." Watching the parade is the main event, but that is not all. Before the parade begins, two holiday movies, "Olaf’s Frozen Adventure"
NEWS
Last chance to enter fall photo contest Do you love taking pictures? You could win an Amazon Fire HD just for sharing one of your fall or Halloween themed pictures. The photo can be of you, your pet, your kids or an awesome fall scene. The deadline to upload a photo to the LCC Community Education fall photo contest webpage is Nov. 14. The photo with the most votes will win. For more information or to enter, visit https://basicfront.easypromosapp.com/p/931190.
Deadline nearing for fall graduation Students intending to graduate after the fall semester need to submit an application to the registrar’s office before Thursday, Nov. 15. The application form can be found at https://internal.lcc.edu/registrar/forms. Students are urged to meet with an adviser before filling out the application to make sure they fulfill all the requirements to graduate.
Creative writing contest underway If writing poetry, fiction stories or essays is your cup of tea, LCC has the perfect competition for you. Students can enter their work in the LAND competition for a chance to win cash prizes up to $150. Poems must be 50 lines or less and short fiction or essays must be less than 2,000 words. Participants must fill out and application and submit their entries to lcc-land@star.lcc. edu. The deadline to enter is Friday, Nov. 16 For more information, visit room 1106 in the A&S Building.
Next trustees’ meeting set for Nov. 19
File photo by Larry Hook
Fans of the Silver Bells in the City event can avoid the crazy crowds by attending the watch party
and "Frozen Fever," will be shown. Also, attendees will be able to enjoy diverse holiday activities with their families: taking family photos, making holiday crafts, decorating sugar cookies, petting therapy dogs and feeding a real reindeer outside. Free food and beverages, including snacks and hot cocoa, will be provided, too. After the party, participants are
highly encouraged to go over to Dart Auditorium for LCC Radio’s annual Silver Bells radio play. This year’s production will be “The Imminent Return of Anti-Claus.” The event is open to all LCC students and employees, as well as the public. For more information, visit www.lcc.edu/silverbells and www.lccradio.org.
The next LCC Board of Trustees meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room. A copy of the meeting materials can be obtained from the Board of Trustees office at (517) 483-5252 or by emailing to duncanb@star.lcc.edu.
Students get break for Thanksgiving LCC students will have plenty of time for turkey eating and holiday shopping during the Thanksgiving Day break. LCC will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23 to commemorate the holday.
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nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
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CLUB SPOTLIGHT
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Black Student Union helps connections By Islam Amir Staff Writer The LCC Black Student Union (BSU) club took off strong this semester, with new student leaders. The officers are President Hannah Jones-Reiser, Vice President Tabia Monae, Secretary Keilani Bailey, Treasurer Myracle Hayes and Publicity Director Quan Jackson. “The Purpose of the Black Student Union is to build unity, celebrate black history and promote academic excellence,” Publicity Director Quan Jackson said. “BSU is devoted to enhancing professional development and leadership abilities through cultural and social outreach.” The Black Student Union meets every other Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Center for Engaged Inclusion. Everyone is welcome. Freshman Jamieyale Carliste said the BSU has given her a sense of belonging at LCC.
Photo by Islam Amir
Members of the Black Student Union discuss business during a recent meeting in the Gannon Building’s Centre For Engaged Inclusion. The group meets every other Friday at 2:30 p.m.
“The BSU club has taught me a lot about myself (and) culture,” Carliste said. “It is a place where I experience
talking about many branches of difficult topics and learn to be comfortable with those topics.”
Gary Cox, a psychology major, said: “I joined this club to understand the different perspective the younger generation have to say about different topics.” Officers of the BSU have their own dreams for the club. “It doesn’t matter what ethnicity you belong to, we welcome every ethnicity to learn and focus on promoting unity throughout learning African American culture and bring awareness of many serious topics,” President Jones-Reiser said. Added Vice President Monae: “We want to make black student and black culture a lot more visible on LCC’s campus. Often people think that American black folks don’t have their culture, but in reality we (are) very distinct culturally, politically and socially. “We would like to teach students of their past, diminish negative stereotypes and connect them with the community.”
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Former gymnast seeks new adventures in California By Ashlee Buhler Editor in Chief At one point in time, Amanda Arnold was considered one of the best gymnasts in the state. In 2012, she won the all-around title at the state championships. In 2014, she qualified to the most prestigious competition for her level — the Junior Olympic National Championships. Arnold’s talents would eventually land her a full-ride scholarship to compete for Eastern Michigan University (EMU). However, she decided to retire from the sport before the start of her freshman season, citing injuries and verbal abuse as her reasons for calling it quits. “I realized how unhappy I was and I had to do what would be best for me,” Arnold said. “I was actually super excited to go to EMU. It was what
I dreamed about all my life. It’s what I worked so hard for day in and day out. “So no, I did not really want to be done at that point in time. I didn’t really like the atmosphere of club gymnastics, so once I got to college I had just hoped it would be different. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as great as I had hoped, so about one and a half months after I started school there, I decided I wanted to be done.” Despite giving up her scholarship, Arnold decided to finish out her freshman year at EMU before transferring to Lansing Community College. Now a junior, she is taking her LCC classes online and is working toward a degree in digital marketing with a minor in business. Next semester, she said she hopes to transfer to Southern New Hampshire University.
AMANDA ARNOLD
In September, Arnold moved to Los Angeles on a temporary basis to network and look for opportunities. “I have always been more of a big city girl, so I did not plan on staying
in Michigan for my whole life,” she said. “I just wanted to know all my options.” Arnold also created a YouTube Channel in September. Her channel, which is nearing 100 subscribers, is an outlet for her to post fun videos, like her boyfriend doing her makeup or vlogs of her life in LA. “I was scared to start it for the longest time just because I thought people would make fun of me,” she said. “But once I started it I seemed to gain support from many people. “For now, it is just something that I am doing for fun. I hope that eventually I will get a little more of a following on there, but we’ll see where it takes me.” To support Arnold and her YouTube channel, visit www.youtube.com/channel/UCQrx-BTmpYQss-BGfCQXlgg.
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nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
EHS department celebrates students By Sarah Barney Associate Editor In an effort to show appreciation for students, the English, Humanities and Social Sciences (EHS) department hosted a Student Appreciation Week during the week of Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. Events included free food distributed in rooms 2203 and 1106 of the A&S Building, with free pizza on Tuesday, Oct 30 and free dessert on Wednesday, Oct. 31. A total of 600 slices of pizza were distributed on Tuesday. “I think it was nice that they were actually appreciating students, because it’s hard in college,” LCC freshman Michelle Gregory said. “I saw the free pizza, but I was late to class so I couldn’t stop.” On Tuesday and Wednesday, students could participate in a scavenger hunt and receive prizes such as Fabiano’s Candies, tickets for admission to LCC’s production of HAIR, $10 gift cards and movie posters. Altogether, 88 students
left the event with a prize. “(The scavenger hunt) was really different and cool; it’s nice to have something fun to do instead of just schoolwork,” Gregory said. “I feel like LCC does a lot for students.” Victoria Laza, who works as support staff for EHS, helped plan and organize the event. She was also in charge of the scavenger hunt. “(The associate dean of EHS) Terrence assigned a subcommittee of EHS support staff and two instructors to make the event happen, and we split the duties among us,” Laza explained. On Wednesday, there was also a free lecture from Education Lead Faculty Geoffrey Quick titled, “Education in Africa.” The event was in room 2316 of the A&S Building. “We wanted to include fun, educational content directly provided by instructors so that students felt appreciated by those who teach them,” Laza said. “We reached out to instructors and Geoff Quick volun-
Photo by Sarah Barney
Students line up for the free pizza party held in the Arts and Sciences building on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
teered to open up his classroom for the first hour of his class to give a free lecture on his experience in South Africa.” Gregory said she would like to see
more events like this in the future. “We definitely want to do it again, but whether it will be every semester or once a year has yet to be decided,” Laza said.
Campus Commentary
Sports Editor Maddie Toles spoke to LCC students during the Nov. 1 political rally in the Gannon Gym, featuring former Vice President Joe Biden as guest speaker. She asked them,
“What made you decide to come to the rally?”
Miranda Shaltry, 17, English
Victor Verhil, 18, Literature
Erin Enright, 20, Music
Magdalena Schenburn, 19, Graphic Design
“I just like getting different perspectives, so I figured it’s a good place to start.”
“I’m getting more interested in politics, so I thought I would start here.”
“I wanted to hear the different candidates speak and try and get an idea of who I want to vote for ... and I wanted to hear Joe Biden speak.”
(My friend) texted me last minute and she was like, ‘Do you want to go?’ She loves Joe Biden. I love Joe Biden. Voting is important.”
7|Sports
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Men’s hoop team bonds on trip to D.C. By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The LCC men’s basketball team secured a 119-59 win over the Bethel College JV team on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in the Gannon Gym. Sophomore JaMyrin Jackson led the Stars with 23 points. Freshman Tevin Taylor contributed 14 points. The team returned from a weekend trip to Washington D.C. the weekend of Nov. 2-4, where they not only went to play basketball, but also for team bonding. “I always try to do an enrichment trip every couple years, so we go to Washington monuments and let the guys see that,” LCC Head Coach Mike Ingram said. The trip is taken for a few reasons, including letting Ingram see how the men are able to handle themselves on the road. The Stars split two games on the trip. Ingram said they should have won both games, but feels confident they will improve. “Once we get to the point where we can execute at crunch time, we’ll
be pretty good,” Ingram said. “Of course, you always want to get better defensively.” Ingram said he is observing the team’s health, and is making changes to the lineup. “We might need to play a few more players than I’m playing to give guys rest, but also to utilize the things that the guys on the bench bring to the team,” he said. The team is currently working on different tactics in practice, and Ingram said he is focusing on halfcourt offense. Ingram also said it is early to tell, but he feels confident the team will perform well going into the rest of the season. It’s a priority that the men are also doing well in the classroom, so they can perform at their best during the games, he said. The Stars’ were scheduled to play at home on Saturday, Nov. 10 against Parkland College. The next home game will be Wednesday, Dec. 5 against Delta College in the Gannon Gym at 7:30 p.m.
Photo by Maddie Toles
LCC basketball freshman Tevin Ali Win puts in a layup against the Bethel College JV on Nov. 7
Women’s basketball squad has strong nucleus By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The women’s basketball team is beginning its season with a total roster of nine players. LCC second-year Head Coach Layne Ingram wants LCC students to know that if they missed tryouts, there’s still room on the team. Returning players include Jacqulyn Kolnitys, Jaylynn Williams and Jessica Taylor. Ingram also said that he is confident these women will be able
to lead the team as they come back for another season. “With our sophomores, they’re very good. They understand how we want to play,” Ingram said. “They’ve gotten more confident, and they’re very aggressive offensively.” Newcomers include freshmen Tana Wandabwa, Milecia Griffin, Celia Ridsdale, Tanaesha Daniels and Gracelyn Hull. Ingram said that Ridsdale is a great addition to the team and has brought
the fire that it needs. As for the rest of the freshmen, Ingram said they don’t know how good they can be yet. Coach Ingram said his newcomers are really great athletes, and he is excited to see how both the freshman and sophomores contribute to the team. While still early in the season, Ingram is hopeful the Stars will be the hardest competition for the rest of the teams in the conference. “Last year, we were within two or
three points off the top three teams in the league and leading in most of those games,” Ingram said. As for the season outlook, Ingram said he feels hopeful. “If people come and do their jobs and play their roles, then we will win more than lose,” Ingram said. “I’m hoping that each game we get better, we get tougher, we get stronger.” The Stars were scheduled to play Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. in the Gannon Gym.
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nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Photo by Kevin Fowler
The LCC women’s cross country team shows off its regional hardware on Friday, Oct. 27.
Photo by Kevin Fowler
The LCC men’s cross country team gathers with the regional championship trophy on Oct. 27.
Harriers win regionals; onto nationals By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The LCC men and women’s cross country teams both grabbed first place at the MCCAA Regional Championship on Saturday, Oct. 27. The men’s team scored 27 points, securing first place out of nine teams. Freshman Dillan Haviland had a winning time of 25:32, and freshman Brian Moore was second in 25:42. The women’s team ended with 33 points to lead the six-team field. Freshman Jiva-
na Esposito came in second with a time of 19:27. Freshman Claudia Baryo was third with a time of 19:35. Both teams were scheduled to compete again at the NJCAA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 10 in Garden City, Kansas. LCC Head Coach Jim Robinson said he was confident that both teams would place first at regionals. He added he felt assured the national race would be their best runs yet. “Our training is geared for us to run our best race at nationals … I’m pretty confident
in the group, I think they’ve prepared well,” Robinson said. Robinson added he feels both teams are mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of the race. “I think we’ve, over the course of the year, done the things we need to do to have them be both in a good frame of mind and physically ready,” he said. Despite the confidence in both teams, it can be hard to predict how the teams will perform with a new course and with the possibility of sickness and injury.
The top-performing runner from the men’s team fought through some sickness at regionals, and Robinson said those things can always creep up. However, he said he feels assured that if someone fell under the weather, someone else could step up. The national meet will feature the top competition, but Robinson said he likes to stress to his team that rankings don’t matter in a race. “Our goal is to do better than our rankings,” Robinson said.
Volleyball team bows out in district tournament By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The LCC volleyball team ended its season with a final run at districts on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 1 and 2 in Port Huron. The team ended the year with a conference record of 12-4 and an overall mark of 26-10. LCC won the first district match against Glen Oaks Community College in three sets. The Stars lost the next match, against Grand Rapids, also in three sets. On Friday, the Stars’ fell to Kalamazoo Valley Community College 3-1 to end the season. “We finished a little sooner than we were hoping for,” LCC Head Coach Emily Quintero said about districts. “All in all, we played hard and gave it what we had.” Quintero stated throughout the season that the Stars’ struggled with serving and being able to mentally focus under the pressure.
Photos by Brynne Luter
The LCC volleyball team ended the season with a 26-10 record.
Despite this weakness, Quintero said she is very happy with how the season ended. “The girls worked hard. They really continued to
improve, they didn’t become stagnant. They kept their hunger alive,” Quintero said. “They knew post-season was really important, and they were going to do everything they could to make it great.” Quintero said several freshman are expected back next season, including Mackenzie Winger, Mollie Winger, Maya Ferland and Sophia Strieff. Quintero is already thinking about improving for next season. “Stressing the importance of working under pressure, how important those points in games are,” Quintero said about new tactics. The season featured many strong athletes, including Ferland, who had a team high of 318 kills. Right behind her, Mackenzie Winger ended with 262 kills. Sophomore Hannah Whiteman also contributed 507 digs to the team’s stats, and freshman setter Allison Couturier led with 1,219 assists.
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nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Everett grad Jackson loves basketball life Sports Editor Maddie Toles recently spoke with sophomore Ja’Myrin Jackson from the LCC men’s basketball team. Jackson graduated from Lansing Everett High School and plays guard for the Stars. How long have you been playing basketball? “I’ve been playing basketball since I was 2.” What do you love about basketball? “Everything. Well, I just don’t like running, that’s the main thing,” Jackson said with a laugh. “Everything else, I just really fell in love with it.” What have been some standout moments in your career so far? “In high school, I set the record for three-pointers in one game. I did like 12 straight … We still lost, though.” Do you have any embarrassing or
funny moments in your basketball career? “I was going for a layup and my shoe just tore open. It ripped my sock too, so I was just standing there barefoot.” What famous athlete inspires you the most? “LeBron. He’s dominant. Nobody can ever stop him.” What are you working on the most as a basketball player? “Defense. You can always improve your defense, no matter how good your offense is.” What are your future basketball and life plans? “I’m studying marine biology right now. I want to transfer to (Michigan) State. I kind of want to attend Michigan, too. I’m not sure yet.”
JA’MYRIN JACKSON
New professional soccer team to Ignite Lansing By Joe Strother Advertising Manager Some big news in the world of Lansing sports broke out of Cooley Law School Stadium Oct. 25. Lansing Lugnuts owner Tom Dickson, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Lugnuts President Nick Grueser made the announcement at a press conference that “Lansing Ignite,” an expansion pro soccer team, will be competing in the spring of 2019. “This is going to explode in Lansing,” Dickson said. “It’s the first professional soccer team in Michigan. Lansing, number one; nobody else got one.” Joining the front office for Lansing Ignite is General Manager Jeremy Sampson. He is also the CEO and president of Lansing United, an amateur soccer team formed in 2014. Sampson said his ultimate goal was to make Lansing United a professional team by 2020. However, with Dickson and Grueser looking to field an expansion soccer team of their own, a partnership with the Lansing United leader was born. “In exploring moving to a professional league it became apparent that Tom (Dickson) and Nick (Grueser) were exploring the same thing.” Sampson said. “Tom and I have had a rela-
Photo by Joe Strother
Lansing Mayor Andy Shore speaks during the ceremony at Cooley Law School Stadium.
tionship going back to the beginning of the Lugnuts and Nick and I have known each other for about 10 years. So I met with Nick and we decided that we could work together to bring professional soccer to Lansing.” Lansing Ignite will compete in the brand new U.S. expansion soccer league
Photo by Joe Strother
Lansing Ignite supporters set off a smoke bomb in honor of the new team being announced.
called “USL League 1.” The Lansing franchise will join several other expansion teams as founding members of the new league. Others include the Chattanooga Red Wolves, Orlando City B, and the Toronto FC II. There will be a total of 10 teams in the new league. “I am most excited about playing
a game at Cooley Law School Stadium and having Lansing be the only city in Michigan with professional soccer,” Sampson said. “It’s important for our city and our region as we continue to be a great city to work, live and play.” More information about Lansing Ignite can be found at www.lansingignite.com
10|Arts & Entertainment
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
IN BRIEF
Arts and Entertainment
‘Student Body auditions underway The main stage production of “Student Body” is written by Frank Winters and directed by Deb Keller. Auditions take place in LCC’s Black Box Theatre, room 1422 of the Gannon Building, Saturday, Nov. 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. Ten roles (seven female, three male) are open for the production, which will be staged Feb. 15-16 and 22-24, 2019. For more information on the audition process and “Student Body,” visit www. lcc.edu/showinfo.
‘Anti-Claus’ radio show is Nov. 16
Photo by Brynne Luter
Cast members from “Hair” perform a musical number during a presentation in the Dart Auditorium at Lansing Community College.
‘Hair’ sheds sunshine on ‘60s By Shauna Stocken A&E Editor Wearing flared jeans and a fringe vest; LCC Director John Lennox opened the production, “Hair” in Dart Auditorium, Nov. 2-3 and 9-11. The ‘60s-themed, free-loving hippy cast and war-fueled musical ran for approximately two and a half hours and encompassed about 50 songs. “I indeed did think it was a challenge,” said Cole Seigo, tribe member and first-semester student at LCC, about the number
of songs in the musical. “A lot of the songs have a lot of harmonies … and for everybody to have a part in there, it’s a little difficult, especially in the early stages of rehearsal.” According to fellow tribe member Sheila, played by freshmen LCC student Keeley Robinson, the amount of music in the production allowed everyone on stage the opportunity to shine. “It's really great to have that encompassing feeling in a production,” Robinson said. “I just realized lately, ‘Like wow,
Photo by Brynne Luter
Brendon Todd belts out a tune in his role as “Hud” during the musical “Hair” in Dart Auditorium.
everybody sings so much, and I can’t believe we’ve all memorized these songs,’ it turned out great.” Throughout ‘Hair’ the tribe and audience members follow the psychedelic trip of one character, Claude, who fights for the right to be free, and is ultimately deported into the Vietnam War. “It’s really important especially because of the message,” said Ny’Kieria Blocker, who played tribe member Ronny. “Peace and love; it’s really important right now. We're starting to lose sight of it and go back to old ways … I hope the production will help people (the audiences) open their eyes.” During the musical, the tribe members danced their way through the audience; handing out flowers and including guests on the journey. “It’s always nice to have interactions with the cast,” said Norman Scheel, a guest of the production with his mother and friends. Scheel said he is a fan of musicals and ‘Hair’ in general, hence his hippy style of attire for the event. “You can see that the people are really into their roles and they’re really digging it,” Scheel said. “It’s very, very good. I just love it.” ‘Hair’ is the first production in Dart Auditorium this school year. The next will be LCC’s Jazz Band, Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. for guests of all ages at no cost.
Among Lansing’s musical events this month is LCC’s radio play, “The Imminent Rise of Anti-Claus.” LCC’s radio station, WLNZ 89.7 will host the live radio play on Friday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. Guests are welcome to join LCC students and community members for the free production in Dart Auditorium. Dart Auditorium is located on LCC’s main campus at 500 N. Capitol Ave. in Lansing.
‘Shop 4 Schools’ in Old Town Partake in the fourth annual school fundraising event, “Shop 4 Schools” in support of 17 local institutes. The one-day event takes place Saturday, Nov. 17, with times varying at each participating business. Locally purchasing holiday presents in Lansing’s Old Town gives customers the option of donating 17 percent of each sale to a chosen school. Help event coordinators reach their goal of $4,000 while shopping at Absolute Gallery, October Moon and Preuss Pets, to name a few. For more information, call (517) 7211868 or visit http://iloveoldtown.org.
Volunteer during Thanksgiving Many Lansing organizations such as Cristo Rey Community Center and rescue missions are in need of volunteers throughout the holiday season. Volunteers are needed to help provide food, with donations and food preparations for those in need. For more information on how you can help visit, https://www.cristoreycommunity.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
11|A & E
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Jeff Olds: Lansing’s only full-time magician By Shauna Stocken A&E Editor After earning his Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University in 1993, Flint native Jeff Olds decided to return to his first love: magic. According to Olds, since the age of 13, he has been perfecting his craft and building a name for himself as Lansing’s only full-time magician. “When I was about 7 years old … my parents hired a magician for my younger sister’s birthday party,” Olds said. “It was the most amazing thing that I have ever seen. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,’ and I’ve been doing magic ever since.” In November, Olds is scheduled to appear at an elementary school in Okemos in addition to his weekly planned gigs. “I frequent the Lansing restaurant Fazoli’s every Tuesday, as well as The Waterfront Bar & Grill on Thursdays, both from 6 to 8 p.m.,” Olds said. Denise Warner and her daughter enjoyed a drink at The Waterfront Bar & Grill, located at the Lansing City Market, Nov. 1 while Olds performed his way around the bar. “I think he’s good at what he does,” War-
Photo by Shauna Stocken
Magician Jeff Olds wows patrons at the Waterfront Bar & Grill in Lansing with a floating card illusion.
ner said. “I honestly believe people go to places where there are activities to do instead of just seating and drinking.” While Olds has taken his act to bigger cities
such as Detroit and Las Vegas, he explained he enjoys being a “big fish in a small sea.” “Because I’m in a small city like Lansing … I have to be good at everything,” Olds
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said. “I’m good at close-up magic; that’s what I’m doing from table to table. That’s card tricks and coin tricks, one on one, or (with) a small group of people,” Former LCC student Danny Gustafson visited The Waterfront Bar with his friend, Mark Tazo of Lansing, after work on Nov. 1. “It’s my ‘Cheers,’” Gustafson said of the location. “I come here all the time. It’s my bar where everyone knows my name.” Gustafson said he remembers first hearing about “Jeff the Magician” when he was in elementary school. “I never saw him before, but I knew Jeff the Magician was in the area, so it’s kind of cool he’s here now,” Gustafson said. Olds said he is confident he can bring magic to any party, from children’s birthdays to corporate events for adults. “I think that what magic does is that it really brings out the child in the adult,” Olds said. “When they see someone that is doing magic it lets them think, ‘It’s never too late and anything is possible.’ It brings back that wonder from being a kid.” Guests of all ages can enjoy Olds at his scheduled weekly appearances, by booking a private event at www.LansingMagician.com or calling him directly at (517) 339-4-JEF.
12|A & E
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
reviews
Keeping ‘Busy’ with my internet pal By Shauna Stocken A&E Editor I became “fast friends” with Busy Phillips through an online relationship on Instagram last September. I read an article by Marisa Meltzer of the “New Yorker” about Phillips and her Internet breakout and I wanted to tune in to her journey. I am now one of 1.3 million followers of the actress, mother, talk show host, comedian and recent author of “This Will Only Hurt a Little.” Phillips is known for her roles in television shows: “Freaks and Greeks,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Cougar Town” and one of my favorite movies, “White Chicks.” I watch Phillips’ video clips daily as she is hanging out with her two daugh-
ters, exercising, going to work, attending concerts with friends and drinking margaritas.
This is all seemingly ordinary, but she has created a vibe in which I want to saturate myself. So when she told fans she was writing a book, released Oct. 16, I was quick to preorder it on Amazon.com. “This Will Only Hurt a Little,” is raw and unapologetic, speaking her truth in all 310 pages. I took about a week to read the novel. Phillips explains in her book that she has a love for acting and entertaining; working her entire career toward being noticed. Her book launch following the premiere of her late-night television show, “Busy Tonight,” is proof that the best role she has ever performed is merely being herself.
Her inspiration on my life goes more in-depth than copying the need to wear gold hoop earrings as she does. Phillips speaks volumes in her book, making me laugh and cry (twice) as I read through her story of growing up in the business industry to her current status. I felt like I was in a time machine as I listened to her talk about her young adult life in a manner that my lifelong friend Sara and I have lived in many ways. If you’ve never watched Phillips on television, the big screen or followed her on social media, the time is now. Get Busy with Phillips, read her book and get genuinely inspired by this unique individual as she inspires generations of women.
Altu’s in East Lansing offers a taste of Ethiopia By Islam Amir Staff Writer I have had people ask me, “What’s your favorite food when you eat out?” I could not tell them because I knew their follow-up question would be, “What is that; is that like an African thing?” It is difficult for me to answer that question, because I have not liked eating in restaurants ever since I came to the United States. However, last week my friend and I walked into Altu Ethiopian Cuisine in East Lansing. We were pleasantly surprised to find the food reasonably priced, spicy, tasty and very authentic. Altu is named after the owner. Altu Tadesse is an immigrant; an industrious business women exemplifying the American
dream. Altu’s restaurant made me feel like I was home in Africa. The restaurant is enriched with African flavor and culture. One thing that stood out to me is the ambience of multicolored, woven wicker baskets, which
were used to serve food. The restaurant had decorations that make the visitor feel like they are in Africa, with a taste of western appeal. I chose this restaurant because Ethiopia recently appointed its first female president. I wanted to celebrate that greatness in familiar surroundings that reminded me of home. The restaurant has a good selection of food choices, both for the meat lover and the vegetarian. From the vegetarian side of the menu, we ordered the vegetarian feast. This included spicy Pinto beans, mild lima beans and mild garlic lentils. From the meat side of the menu we selected spicy beef stew and beef mixed vegetables.
The meal came with side salad, cabbage and injara, a sponge-like traditional flat bread used to scoop up stew rather than using a fork or a spoon. The food was served on a traditional platter form used in most east African counties. The meal was quite reasonable in price; a bargain for an entire family-style meal. Our cost came in at $18 per person. For those who are curious about the African food experience and culture, Altu’s Ethiopian Cuisine is the perfect place to get a taste of African culture. The restaurant is located at 1312 Michigan Ave. in East Lansing. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Animated film ‘Smallfoot’ has stars but lacks luster By Danielle Hook Freelance Reporter The newest animated film, “Smallfoot,” from the Warner Brothers Studio is more than a little disappointing. In the star-packed movie the voice actors do their best to make up for an uninspired story. Migo, voiced by Channing Tatum, is a yeti who lives at the top of the mountain and questions everything when he sees a human for the first time.
The storyline holds the themes hostage and beats the viewer over the head with them. The movie stresses just how much humans cannot exist over and over again. The story drags on as the group of overdone, yet underdeveloped characters, search for proof of a human, which they call a “smallfoot.” The story picks up only to be dropped again after the climax of the movie. It is a slow drop from there that will have you
checking your watch in the movie theater. “Smallfoot” shows that having a bunch of celebrities does not necessarily make a good movie. Tatum is odd in the role of Migo. Side character Meechee, played by Zendaya, is the stereotypical girl character, complete with forced romance despite a lack of chemistry. Even the soundtrack falls flat. The best song was a cover of David Bowie’s “Pres-
sure.” James Cordon, who plays Percy, an animal enthusiast with a big ego, does not do this iconic song justice with its reworked lyrics. Although the height of the story deals with some interesting topics, such as fear of the unknown leading to violence, the movie resolves these issues almost too quickly and simply to be a worthwhile plot point. Overall the movie is disappointing and rather slow for its audience.
13|distractions
NOV. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
This week’s Sudoku puzzle is sponsored by:
Hold your newspaper up to a mirror to get the answer to this week’s Sudoku puzzle:
14|opinion
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout — through ashlee’s eyes —
Gymnasts accomplish outstanding feats A lot of people only tune into a gymnastics competition once every four years, during the Olympic Games. However, I think there are so many reasons why people should pay attention to this amazing sport year-round. The 2018 World Championships in Doha, Qatar (held Oct. 25 to Nov. 5) showcased a lot of great gymnastics, some compelling storylines and a few badass women. Simone Biles, the five-time Olympic gold medalist from Rio, was the headliner for the event. Just a few hours before the competition was set to be-
Ashlee buhler editor in chief
buhlera@lcc.edu
gin, Biles was in the emergency room until 1 a.m., doubled over in pain from kidney stones. That, however, did not stop her from getting a vault named after her in the code of points (aka the gymnastics rule
book) and bringing home blank medals. From 2013 to 2018, Biles has gathered quite the collection of World Championships medals, with a total of 14 gold, three silver and three bronze. At the age of 43, Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan is continuing to rewrite gymnastics history. It blows my mind to think she has been competing at the elite level longer than I have been alive. Chusovitina competed at her first World Championships in 1991. She has since competed in a record-breaking 11 World Championships and
seven Olympic Games. In Doha, she proved that age is merely a number by qualifying to the vault finals and keeping pace with the sport’s youngest stars. Lastly, there is a very small list of women who have gone on to compete after giving birth. Aliya Mustafina of Russia can now say she is one of those people. The two-time Olympic gold medalist on uneven bars led the Russian team to a silver medal in Doha just 16 months after giving birth to a baby girl. If these stories don’t impress you, I don’t know what will.
— sarah’s stance —
Unexpected car expenses taking toll on budget My first big purchase in life was a used 2012 Chrysler 200 LX during my senior year in high school. I was really excited to finally have something of my own. I dubbed her “Lola,” after the song by The Kinks. In the almost year and half since I bought the car, I haven’t had too many major expenses. Recently, however, the fees have really adding up. In August, the brake pads wore down to the point where it started ruining the rotors before I was finally able to get it fixed. It was about $375 to replace all the brake pads and rotors on all four tires, plus services,
sales tax and the fee for using a card. I figured my car should be all set for a while. Then, on Oct. 10, I came out of my dentist appointment to a flat tire, caused by a nail I must have ran over on my way there. After my boyfriend’s stepdad, who was nearby, arrived and helped me put on the spare, we went to the nearest tire shop to see about getting it fixed or replaced. The tire shop guy inspected it, along with the rest of my tires, and pointed out that they were all far too low on the thread and should be replaced. I figured with the amount of driving I
sarah barney associate editor
barneys2@lcc.edu
do, and with winter coming up, it was the best thing to do. That ended up costing $518. Ouch. With new brake pads, rotors and tires, I figured at least that portion of my car should be set for a while. I was wrong. On Monday, Oct. 28, I realized my tire
was going flat just a bit after I left LCC’s campus. I pulled into a gas station parking lot and, after the spare was put on, drove to a tire shop. Turns out, it had been damaged from being driven on while it had low air pressure. I had to replace a brand new tire at a cost of $123. I don’t know if there is someone dumping nails along my route or what else could be causing it, but if I get another flat tire I am going to be livid. Hopefully this will be the last random repair fee for a while. I love having my car, but paying for the repairs makes it bittersweet.
— think about it —
Halloween is over, but masks are still being worn There are many days where I struggle to be the person I want to be. In person and on social media, it has become one of my greatest challenges. People will usually form their opinions of you based on your first encounter with them. On campus most of the time I probably seem like a timid, scared deer who got lost from the safety of his forest. My anxiety flares up when I’m around a large group of people. The same comparison can be made about my online persona. On my Instagram account, a website designed to
Alex gonzales staff writer
gonzaa41@lcc.edu
share photos with friends, I have no pictures. I own a Facebook account with no posts. Sharing is out of my comfort zone, which is already admittedly small.
A lot of times I let my silence speak for me. Being quiet can make it seem like I’m not interested in a conversation going on, but I believe it is how my doubt manifests itself. It takes almost all the willpower I have to get up every day and continue the work I am doing. Much too often I compare my achievements to those of others, and fear that I lack things. I think that in society in general, the expectation is to only show positive emotions. The idea has spread to social media, where individuals can portray
themselves in any way that they choose. Truth these days has very little value among strangers. Everyone wants to be someone else. It can seem like it is Halloween every day. Speaking from experience, pretending to be a person you are not only causes more damage to yourself and people around you. Though it is extremely hard to face the things that we fear, it is also very important. I will continue to hope and work toward a future where I am content with myself.
15|opinion
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout — staff editorial —
Synagogue shooting deeply saddening Another act of hate was committed Saturday, Oct. 27 in Pittsburgh. Worshippers gathered at the Tree of Life synagogue for a service that started at 9:45 a.m. A shooter entered the building, yelling anti-semitic remarks, and made an attack that lasted about 20 minutes and took 11 lives. Two worshipers and four officers were also injured.
Many had gathered there for a naming ceremony, a celebration which marks the start of a baby's journey in the Jewish faith. The eldest of the 11 victims, Rose Mallinger, 97, was incorrectly reported to have been a holocaust victim. Although Mallinger was alive during the events of WWII, she was not in Europe during them.
However, according to Forward, Judah Samet, an 80-year-old who nearly avoided the shooting by being late to the service, was a holocaust survivor. Samet turned 8 while at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. After Samet pulled into a handicapped parking spot on the day of the shooting, someone knocked on his window and alerted him that the shooting
who is the most famous person you’ve met? ashlee buhler
editor in Chief
buhlera@lcc.edu
“Simone Biles (gymnast)”
sarah barney shauna stocken
Associate editor
barneys2@lcc.edu
A&e editor
stockens@lcc.edu
“Michael Rooker “Tommy Chong” (actor)” (actor)
Maddie Toles
sports editor
tolesm1@lcc.edu
“Nicole Cade” (page designer)
Brynne Luter
photo editor
luterb@lcc.edu
“Echosmith (band)”
—
the lookout staff —
Joe Strother
islam amir
ad manager
staff writer
“Tom Izzo” (MSU coach)
“Roman Reigns (wrestler)”
strothej@lcc.edu
was taking place. After Samet realized what was happening, he said “My God; my story doesn’t end.” The staff of The Lookout is deeply saddened by the act of hate that was committed. It is extremely disappointing that these horrible acts are still committed in 2018 and, furthermore, that those filled with hate are able to get weapons to commit such acts.
amiri@lcc.edu
Alex Gonzales
nicole cade
staff writer
lead paginator
“Virg Bernero” (former mayor)
“Maddie Toles” (sports editor)
gonzaa41@lcc.edu
caden@lcc.edu
larry hook
adviser
hookl@lcc.edu
“Michael Jordan” (basketballer)
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16|LAST LOOK
nov. 12 - 25, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Photo students take
‘Shot in the Dark’
“Shot In The Dark” is an annual LCC event in which Photography Department Director Ike Lea and the other program professors lead LCC photography and DMAC (digital media, audio and cinema) students in light painting. The photo is taken over a few minutes with a long exposure as the students use camera flashes and speed lights to light up the scene. This year's event was set at the Meridian Historical Village on Oct. 25.
Photo by the LCC Photo Department
At left, LCC Photography Director Ike Lea views the first of many shots from “Shot in the Dark.” Below, second year photography students Patrick Rivet and Sanjiv Dagli light the evening with flashes.
Photo by Brynne Luter
Photo by Brynne Luter