Volume 60, Issue 7 nov. 26 - Dec. 9, 2018 Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Holidays are here Photo by Brynne Luter
Thousands of people attended the 34th annual “Silver Bells in the City” on Friday, Nov. 16 in downtown Lansing. The event featured the colorful Electric Light Parade followed by the much-anticipated tree lighting in front of the State Capitol. See more about the event on page 12.
Three honored during Veterans’ Memorial induction ceremony Page >>> 2
American Marketing Association hosts annual Etiquette Dinner at LCC Pages >>> 3
Cross country teams end strong season with trip to national tournament Page >>> 7
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2|News
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Three veterans join LCC’s ring of honor By Alejandro Gonzales Staff Writer In conjunction with Veterans Day (Nov. 11), three military veterans were honored during the Veterans Memorial Induction Ceremony at LCC on Nov. 9. Marine Corps Col. Jack R. Lousma (Vietnam era), Army Air Force 1st Lt. Wayne E. Lesher (World War II) and Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Joseph J. Filko (WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars) are the Michigan
Photo by Brynne Luter
LCC Director of Veteran and Military Affairs Andrew Cosgrove (left) presents a military award to Lt. Wayne T. Lesher.
veterans who were honored during the ceremony, held in the Health and Human Services Building. The hour-long event was attended by about 100 people, including two of the honorees. Lousma, a former NASA astronaut, was unable to attend the event. However, he had been honored during a special ceremony when he visited LCC this past September to share some of his space experiences. After the bagpipes were played by Bill Hamilton, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The induction ceremony was led by speaker Andrew Cosgrove, director of Veteran and Military Affairs at LCC. “Keep those who served, and are currently serving, in your hearts and remember that they sacrifice for us and do so proudly,” said Cosgrove, “and if asked to do so again, they probably would in a heartbeat.” Jerry Hollister, a former LCC Board Member, read the biographies of the veterans for the audience. A tribute video made by Rob Edwards and his team from LCC Media Services was also played. Lesher and Filko had their names inscribed on the memorial and were given awards from LCC. Lousma had his name added to the memorial in September. His grandson Ryan was in attendance and accepted an award on his behalf. “Remember what Veterans Day is about,” Cosgrove said. “I implore everyone to conduct some research in
Photo by Brynne Luter
Veteran Sgt. Joseph J. Filko (right) accepts a military award from LCC Director of Veteran and Military Affairs Andrew Cosgrove. regards to the wars our country has fought and, more importantly, the service members who fought them.” Lesher donated his service uniform to the memorial. It will be hung alongside another uniform, which was donated by Pete Stults, in 2017. Anyone who knows of a veteran deserving to be honored, is asked to contact Andrew Cosgrove at (517) 483-1653. Nominations will now be taken throughout the year.
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nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
AMA hosts ‘Etiquette Dinner’ IN BRIEF By Maddie Toles Sports Editor LCC’s chapter of the American Marketing Association held its 12th annual Business Etiquette Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 15. The event, held on the first floor of the Gannon Building, ran from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The event featured three speakers and a three course-meal, along with two hours of networking. The first speaker was Shelley Davis Boyd, a Corporate Marketing Strategist for the LAFCU credit union. She spoke on proper meal etiquette, including appropriate conversation for dinner and the correct way to hold utensils. “We do so much business over meals these days, and so it’s a really great way to make an impression,” Boyd said. Boyd said there are two important things she wishes students could take away from the dinner. “I hope that they took away that when we dine with other people the purpose of it is never about the food, it’s about the relationship,” Boyd said. “The second thing is that I hope they really found a level of comfort, so that when they are going to dine with other people, they’re not concerned about doing the right thing, or am I using the right fork.” The second speaker, Iovani Lopez, is a branch manager at Case Credit Union. Lo-
NEWS
Students show creativity at StarScapes All students are invited to participate in the upcoming StarScapes Innovation and Creativity Showcase. StarScapes gives students an opportunity to share creative and interesting projects with the LCC community. The fall StarScapes event takes place Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 3 and 4, in the Gannon Building on LCC’s main campus. For more information, or to register, visit https://internal.lcc.edu/campus/innovation/student/. Photo by Brynne Luter
AMA members (from left) Devon Hengesbach, Joe Strother, Kaleigh King and Tae Won Kimball enjoy their meal during the 12th annual Business Etiquette Dinner in the Michigan Room of the Gannon Building.
pez talked about the importance of perseverance and hard work not only in business, but in life altogether. The final speaker, Kylie Rogers-Strahan, is an account executive and digital marketing director at Blohm Creative Partners, a Lansing advertising agency. Her presentation featured tips and tricks to enhance social media profiles, specifically LinkedIn. LCC student Tenaya Henderson, a business administration major, said she believes
the etiquette dinner is a great opportunity. “I really like the idea of getting more experience in business and the networking.” Henderson said. Dental hygienist student Linda Yang had a similar conclusion. “The etiquette is a whole new thing for me. I grew up in this really Asian culture, so all I use is chopsticks,” Yang said with a laugh. “It’s a whole new experience for me.”
Foundation seeking student employee The LCC Foundation Office is looking for a second-level student employee with a focus in marketing and operations. The student will assist the Foundation Office with various projects and tasks such as creating a monthly newsletter. Any students who are interested should view the job details and apply at https://internal.lcc.edu/hr/job_openings.
Scholarship applications now being accepted By Ashlee Buhler Editor in Chief Accumulating thousands of dollars in student loan debt can be a daunting thought. That is why LCC and the LCC Foundation offer numerous scholarships for students. Students planning to attend LCC during the fall of 2019 and/or the spring of 2020 are encouraged to apply for scholarships now to help offset some of their educational costs. The application period began Nov. 19 and will close Jan. 21. Scott Skowronek, coordinator of scholarships at the LCC Foundation, said all students should apply for scholarships to minimize their student loan debt. “Everybody should try to get some of the money,” Skowronek said. “It’s no fun to be paying student loans off 15 years after you graduate from college … so go ahead and grab some scholarships. You don’t have to
pay those back.” Skowronek described some of the scholarship types offered. “We have over 200 scholarships available for students,” he said. “We have many available as Foundation Scholarships, which are funded by donors. Those are available across different programs at the college. There’s basically something for everyone in the donor-funded scholarships. “Then the college offers scholarships through its own funds for students who are in arts and sciences, health and human services, or technical careers. Those are some of our larger dollar scholarships, for more than $3,000 a year.” To be considered for a scholarship, students must: fill out a general application online; provide an unofficial copy of their transcript; and be prepared to answer questions about their career and educational goals, personal history and why they deserve to win a scholarship.
Students are also encouraged to have their FAFSA filled out, as it is a requirement for some of the scholarships. Steve Slocum, development coordinator at the LCC Foundation, explained what students can expect when they apply for a scholarship.
“It’s a uniform application process,” Slocum said. “When you go to lcc.edu/scholarships you’re going to see a list of different scholarships that we offer, but you don’t have to apply for each individual scholarship. It’s one application, and that will qualify you for all the scholarships that we have.” Students who receive a scholarship will be notified through their student email anytime from April to June of 2019. Before they accept the award, the student will be asked to write a thank you note for their donor. “Donors like to hear what the money means for you,” Slocum said. “They want to know how the money is going to help you succeed.” For more information or to apply for scholarships, visit www.lcc.edu/scholorships. For additional questions, contact the financial aid office at (517) 483-1200.
4|features
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
History club visits Grand Rapids museums By Islam Amir Staff Writer The LCC History Club organized a field trip to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum on Saturday Nov.19. Club President Lydia Warnke explained what she learned and enjoyed from the museums. “I was able to explore the life of Gerald R. Ford,” Warnke said. “I find it fascinating to see the all the documents, videos and artifacts that tells the story of Ford’s presidency in the mid-1970s. “From the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the coolest thing I found was the types of Santa. Apparently there is a Civil War Santa, Russian Saint Nikola, Nissen Santa and St. Nicholas.” Many students said the historical perspective provided through the museums was really a quality experience for them because it helped them understand why things happened rather than just reading a text book. Taylor Jett, a history major at LCC, said he joined the history club because history is something he really likes. He revealed what
Photo courtesy of Drew Marsh
Members of the LCC History Club gather outside the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.
he enjoyed most about the trip. “I joined the history club to do this kind of stuff,” Jett said. “I really enjoyed the trip and it was really exciting to see
the real historical documents, cabinet room and the presidential office.” Club Treasurer Meredith Meaton said she also enjoyed the trip.
“I really enjoyed every single time I spent in the museums because I was able to see the World War II and the president’s early childhood documents,” Meaton said. “I got to sit on the president’s cabinet meeting room, which is the coolest thing.” LCC Early College student Darsalam Amir said: “I appreciate the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum because it feels like I am re-living the historical times of the only president from Michigan. “ Warnke said the LCC History Club welcomes everyone, regardless of major, to learn history and have fun. The club meets every other Friday at 11 a.m. Locations vary. “I am president of the History Club and am going into business myself, which means it doesn’t matter what you are pursuing,” Warnke said. “My personal for the club is making history enjoyable for everyone. “We will be also going to Mackinac Island in the spring of 2019, so come join us.” To be a member of the history club or for more information, email the advisers, Wade Merrill at merrilw1@lcc.edu, or Anne Heutsche at heutsa@lcc.edu.
Campus Commentary
The Lookout Photo Editor Brynne Luter recently asked LCC students:
"What are you looking forward to most about the holiday season and a break from school?"
Kaden Crowell, 18, Business
Dimitrius Harris, 18, Videography
Hannah Locke, 19, Sign Language
Delaney Springsdorf, 23, Sign Language
"Looking forward to making YouTube videos with my friends. We're going to have tons of Christmas pranks."
"My grandma's baked mac and cheese. She drives from Toledo, Ohio. She's the only one in the kitchen on Thanksgiving."
"I am going on a cruise down the Baja California Peninsula. For my grandma's inheritance money, she wanted us to go on a trip."
"I'm excited to go home and have everyone together. I like getting together and cooking with the fam."
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nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LANSING
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6|sports
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Men seeking better offensive chemistry By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The LCC men’s basketball team suffered a 91-68 loss to Parkland College on Saturday, Nov. 10 in the Gannon Gym. Sophomore JaMyrin Jackson scored 23 of the points for the Stars. Sophomore Donquall Jackson contributed 19 points for LCC. The men are coming off two weeks with no games, and LCC Head Coach Mike Ingram said he has been taking the time to focus on some key things in practice. “I’m trying to convince the guys that if they want to score a lot of points, they’re going to have to run some offense,” Ingram said. “In the two games we’ve lost, our execution was poor and I think it cost us.” Ingram said that offense should be a strong point for the men, but it has to come from running offense instead of just shooting.
“We need to pass the ball a little bit better to the open players; we tend to dribble a little too much,” Ingram said. “I don’t think our good shooters are getting open shots.” Ingram said he wants to reevaluate the rotation of team members on the bench, and that he will be looking to put more players on the court in the upcoming games. The players are in good physical health, and Ingram still has a positive outlook on the season. The next six games will be particularly tough for LCC, as they will face some of the highest-ranked teams on their season schedule. “We’re going to have to grow up really fast,” Ingram said. “I think we’ve got a chance. We could win them all, or we could lose them all if we don’t get it together. I’ll be trying to win them.” The Stars’ next home game will be against Delta College on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gannon Gym.
Photo by Brynne Luter
Men’s basketball freshman Skyler Wilson plays tight defense against a Stars teammate during a recent practice in the Gannon Gymnasium at LCC.
Women’s basketball team earns first victory By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The LCC women’s basketball team defeated the Calvin College JV team on Monday, Nov. 19 at Calvin College. The game ended with a score of 7462. It was LCC’s first win of the young season. The Stars’ overall record improved
to 1-3, and a busy schedule in December will give them a chance to improve that number. The Stars’ were also in action on Friday, Nov. 16 against Macomb Community College in the Gannon Gym. LCC lost that contest, 75-53. Sophomore Jacqulyn Kolnitys led the Stars by putting up a total of 21 points. Also contributing to the total
score, sophomore Jaylynn Williams scored 10 points for LCC. The total roster for LCC now includes a total of nine women. Coach Layne Ingram had a struggle to fill the bench a few weeks prior. Many of the players are returning sophomores who have so far led the team in scoring, including Williams and Kolnitys.
The LCC women are scheduled to play on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Mott Community College at 5:30 p.m. The next home game for the Stars is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 5 against Delta College in the Gannon Gym on LCC’s main campus. The action starts at 5:30 p.m, and spectators are welcome.
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nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Courtesy photo
The Lansing Community College men’s and women’s cross country teams gets ready to head out for the national meet in Garden City, Kansas, on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Cross country teams run in nationals By Maddie Toles Sports Editor The cross country national meet started off cold and windy in Garden City, Kansas on Saturday, Nov. 10. Out of 36 teams, the LCC men finished in 16th place. Freshman Brian Moore came in 53rd place with a time of 27:43. In 62nd place, freshman Dillan Haviland had a time of 27:59. The women’s team came in 17th place out of 36 teams. Freshman Claudia Baryo took 46th place with a time
of 20:52. In the 99th spot, freshman Anna Vanhill had a time of 21:50. While the end results were not as high as he hoped, LCC Head Coach Jim Robinson said he is satisfied with the way his runners performed this season. Robinson said the competition was tough at the national tournament. “I think everyone ran as hard as they could. Obviously, we hoped to have finished higher,” Robinson said. “The runners gave it their best efforts, so you
can’t ask for anything more than that.” Robinson admitted the weather conditions were difficult to withstand, and said the top runners from both the men and women’s team were battling sickness. However, Robinson added that the rest of the runners were able to step forward and score higher than they normally did. Many of the runners secured their season-best times and rose in the ranks within the rest of the LCC runners.
Robinson is hopeful about next season as well, and he anticipates many freshmen will return. Expected returnees from the men’s team are Cologio Alighire, Stefen Carlson, Christopher Davis, Jack Everts, Devin Gibbs, Dillan Haviland, Thomas Kessman, Jose Torres and Asher Van Dell. From the women’s team, returning runners include Claudia Baryo, Fatuma Jillo, Anne Lyon, Andreya McCarty, Kaitlyn Mooney and Anna Vanhill.
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Basketball is a family sport for Celia Ridsdale
Q& A
The Lookout Associate Editor Sarah Barney recently spoke with freshman Celia Ridsdale from the LCC women’s basketball team. Ridsdale graduated from Grand Ledge High School and currently plays for LCC as point guard. When and why did you start playing basketball? “I started playing basketball in third grade. My mom met my dad when I was about 4 and he came from a basketball family. Him and his dad, my grandpa, worked on my game until I was at the level where I should have been working with someone at the next level. The rest is history! Those two are two of my greatest heroes in life. Without them I wouldn’t love basketball like I do.” What do you like about playing basketball?
Photo by Sarah Barney
CELIA RIDSDALE
“I like to work hard. I think my favorite is the friendships you make. My closest friends are from playing basketball.” What’s your favorite memory from playing basketball? “(My) favorite moment is when my (Amateur Athletic Union) team won the state championship in sixth grade. My dad was the coach and I don’t think I have ever seen him happier. I’ll never forget that moment.” What’s your most embarrassing moment from playing basketball? “(My) most embarrassing moment was in eighth grade. My team won the (tip-off) and I got the ball and completely went to the wrong basket. I didn’t shoot it or anything, but it was so embarrassing being that old and not knowing what the heck I was doing.” What are your plans after LCC? Will you continue to play?
“I’m not 100 percent sure what I’m doing after LCC. I would probably play basketball until I’m 50 if I could! If I decide I don’t want to continue basketball, I’m going to go to Michigan State to continue school and then head to med school to finish my career and be a psychiatrist.” Do you have any basketball role models you look up to? Why? “When it comes to basketball, I have a ton of role models I look up to; (the) top two being my dad and grandpa. I also look up to my old basketball coach, Beth Perez. Amazing lady. When I become a basketball coach I hope to be as good as she is. “Lastly, I look up an old teammate of mine, Makenzie Todd. Although she’s a year younger than me, she’s an outstanding ball player. My senior year I was so determined to be as good as her. We became super close friends and she really helped me have a great senior season.”
8|A & E
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Local distillery: Michigan made IN BRIEF By Shauna Stocken A&E Editor Over the last decade, the community has watched Lansing grow with new businesses, citywide renovations and painted art murals on otherwise abandoned buildings. Mike Bird of MichiGrain Distillery in Lansing prides himself on his passion for the city, his love for Michigan and on being a “maker.” Bird is the vice president and owner of MichiGrain, located at 523 E. Shiawassee St. in Lansing The business serves only beverages distilled in-house. “Making vodka is a government guideline,” Bird said. “But, we live in a river of gold. We live in a state with grain and agriculture that is better than everybody, so we start with our leg up.” Beverages include potato vodka, neutral spirit, grain vodka, whiskey and gin, all ranging in price from $5 to $10 per drink. “When you come into a bar you want to have a good time,” Bird said. “You want to have a nice drink, but yet it’s all about the experience, and I want to be a part of that experience.” That experience, Bird said, starts with only Michigan-sourced ingredients, such as corn from nearby Dansville and Mason. “Our potatoes come from Better Made (Snack Foods),” Bird said of the Detroit based company. “What they can’t put into the bag we put into bottles.” Local resident and tattoo artist Sawyer
Wolgast said he recently spent his 30th birthday party at MichiGrain. “I heard about MichiGrain from a friend,” Wolgast said. “I had never heard of it and decided to give it a try … All the liquor is made in-house, ingredients are all fresh, and every cocktail is original or given an original twist on a classic.” Wolgast explained that he became friends with the bartender and general manager, Courtney, who gave him a tour of the loft, which later housed his birthday celebration. “I didn’t realize they had an open venue upstairs,” Wolgast said. “It’s open, elegant and also very rustic at the same time. I knew the modern loft was where I could accommodate all my friends.” Although, the venue has been open since last January opening the loft to private parties is only one of the ways MichiGrain is accommodating guests 21 and older. “Every Wednesday we have student night,” Bird said. “If you come in it’s 10 percent off and if you come in between 7 and 9 p.m. during the happy hours you get 10 percent of the happiest hour.” According to Wolgast, MichiGrain is a Lansing bar that everyone should check out, adding that it will become many people’s top places to visit. “MichiGrain is different than most bars I visit because of its charm,” Wolgast said. “Not everyone wants to walk into a loud bar that’s packed full of people with a bartender too busy to get you a drink, let alone chat a
Arts and Entertainment
Shop downtown Lansing for local art The Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center invites guests old and young to ring in the holiday season with its holiday exhibition. The “Michigan Made: 2018 Holiday Exhibition” is a recurring event on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 8 p.m. Artwork ranging from fine art to small gifts will be available for purchase until Saturday, Dec. 22, which is the last day of operation. The Lansing Art Gallery is located at 119 N. Washington Square in downtown Lansing. Photo by Shauna Stocken
Mike Bird, owner of MichiGrain Distillery on East Shiawassee Street in Lansing, said his business can produce as much as 120 gallons of vodka in five days.
little. The staff here makes you feel at home or like a friend.” MichiGrain is open five days a week until midnight with holiday celebrations and a cocktail infusion class scheduled in December. For more information on the distillery and upcoming events, visit the bar on Facebook, Instagram or by visiting the website, http://michigrain.net.
LCC ‘Rock Band’ appears Dec. 4 Both LCC and non-LCC students interested in instrumental and vocal musical opportunities were asked to join Rock Band during fall semester Rock Band is a one semester long, non-credited course designed to teach students diverse musical styles and songs. The group’s upcoming ensemble will be held in LCC’s Dart Auditorium on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is directed by Chris Rollins and is free to attend.
Students show off choreography, dance skills By Sarah Barney Associate Editor A small audience gathered Sunday, Nov. 18 in room 3119 of the Gannon Building to watch dance students display their choreography and dance skills. The free event showcased 10 different dances that were choreographed and performed by LCC students who were in the honors option for dance classes. “Part of the honors option is to work on choreography,” Dance Lead Faculty Vickie Diebold explained. “They’re responsible for working on it outside of class and then putting it on and performing it in the showcase.” The students started working on the dances in September.
Photo by Sarah Barney
Dancers and choreographers Wolfgang Goluska and Samantha Tort perform to “Les Slyphedes Valse.”
“This was an amazing class; there was so much support for each other,” Diebold said. “It was amazing to see them work together as a group. … They all were there for each other and helping each other.” Seasoned dancer Megan Rabideau, a third-year student at LCC, performed a piece choreographed by Brielle Mangles, set to “Run Away Baby.” “I’ve very excited, I love to perform,” Rabideau said. “I’ve never performed at LCC before. I’m excited and nervous.” Freshman Jessica Cressman, another dancer in the piece by Mangles, also choreographed a piece for the showcase. For Cressman, it was her first time choreographing a piece. “(The dance) came from a dream,” Cressman said. “(Both of the danc-
ers) really helped me with the middle part. I had the beginning idea and the ending idea and we collaborated on the middle part.” Cressman also had music composed by her friend for the piece. “She did an amazing job,” Diebold said. “She was very nervous about dancing and about choreographing for the first time. Not only that, she went out and had original music written for her piece.” The next event for LCC’s dance department is a free Dance Open House Sunday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. In addition, there are a variety of dance classes available for the spring 2019 semester, including for ballet, modern and jazz. For more information on upcoming events, go to www.lcc.edu/showinfo.
9|A & E
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
reviews
‘Breaking Up’ addresses relationships By Islam Amir Staff Writer National magazine award-nominated journalist Kelli Marie Korducki wrote a break-up book titled, “Hard to Do: The Surprising, Feminist History of Breaking Up.” The story takes us through a lifeline for women navigating expectations, break-ups and relationships. It all starts with a breakup, which kicks off her own story. Korducki examines the rise of the love-marriage as a product of and rebellion against the economic reality of the rising middle class, alongside the persistent drudgery that often awaited a women with the structures of a marriage.
Photo from thestar.com
She also explains societal pressures and boundaries that are placed on females to look a specific way. She believes almost every woman likely wants to change something about her appearance. I think that is due to the expectations the media has created, which must stop. There needs to be a culture shift to accept our bodies and love them in all of their forms. Korducki unpacks society’s conventional views on marriage and monogamy, which often plague millennial women, despite their freedom to seek what they want in a relationship. She pointed out the pressure society places upon women, such as they must be great mothers, excellent
workers and sexy as well, because there is also the expectation of unrealistic beauty ideals. Korducki also provides validation to women who feel guilty when rejecting traditional ideas of what it means to be a “good” partner, while also reaffirming the importance of friends when breaking up with societal pressures. At the same time, a yearning continues to grow as generation after generation of women crept toward economic, sexual and personal freedom. It’s a testament to Korducki’s prose that the unspooling of this history feels at once hefty, with research yet electric and alive.
Twenty One Pilots album a great ear showering By Sejin Lee Freelance Writer In October, the band Twenty One Pilots released its fifth studio album, “Trench.” The duo – comprised of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun – is famous for its unique style, also known as “schizoid pop,” which combines different genres: alternative rock, hip-hop, pop rock, electronic, reggae and so on. “Trench” contains the band’s authentic schizoid pop style, too. Once again, Twenty One Pilots successfully mixes different genres in a pleasing way.
I was interested to listen to how the band mixes certain genres differently from song to song. For example, “Jumpsuit,” which has a bold and rocking melody, is closer to the alternative rock genre. “Neon Gravestones” and “Nico and the Nines,” on the other hand, lean toward hip-hop with intense rap. Also, “Pet Cheetah” and “My Blood” are balanced between rap and singing. “The Hype” is an interesting song with a ukulele’s cute sound coming out in the middle of a pop-rock melody. However, the most impressive track on this album is “Neon Gravestones.”
Photo from collegiatetimes.com
The sad, almost grieving melody caught my ears. The melody gets along well with the fierce voice of Tyler Joseph, whose rap reminds me of Eminem. The lyrics give the listeners new perspectives of controversial issues, too. In the song, “Neon Gravestones,” the song questions the media’s glorification of suicide: “Neon Gravestones try to call for my bones, we give them the highest of praise, and hang their banner from a ceiling,” Twenty One Pilots’ new album, “Trench,” would be a good choice if you want to listen to a new sound and also find lyrics with a deeper meaning.
‘The Hate U Give’ movie tackles current issues By Danielle Hook Freelance Writer “The Hate U Give” moves from book to big screen amazingly well while still showing the effects of racism on a young black girl. The movie is based on the book of the same title by Angie Thomas. “The Hate U Give” book is being promoted by LCC this year with the “One Book One LCC” program. The book can be borrowed from the LCC Library in the TLC building.
Starr Carter, played by Amandla Stenberg, is a black high school student living in a neighborhood ruled by drugs and crime. She goes to school in a primarily white private school. This leads Starr to have two different worlds that collide after tragedy. Starr’s childhood friend Khalil, played by Algee Smith, ends up being shot by police after a routine pullover, despite being unarmed. After Khalil is shot, Starr is forced to find her voice to give him justice as the
Black Lives Matter movement tries to support her. Starr’s father, played by Russell Hornsby, teaches his kids to be proud of their heritage and to stand their ground as life gets hard for them. Regina Hall, who plays Starr’s mother, is more concerned with her daughter’s safety. The casting of this movie could not be more perfect. Every actor fades perfectly into their role, providing a more intense experience for viewers. The movie speaks to a very tense
America. Starr and her family deal with contemporary issues that have plagued African American families for years as they balance their history with their safety. Surprisingly the movie doesn’t have to leave out a lot to fit into the limited two hours. Because much of the book is inside Starr’s head, the movie feels fast paced and stays interesting. “The Hate U Give” is a heart wrenching reflection of American racial tensions in 2018.
10|opinion
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Worrying about future work generation Sometimes I worry about the future generation of workers in the United States. This isn’t a good feeling to have when I’m sitting in my classes, surrounded by future doctors, case workers, lawyers … the list goes on and on. I’m not sure what the deal is. Maybe it’s just sheer laziness or a lack of passion for their chosen career path, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly concerned. I see students who sit in class and play games on their laptops. I hear of
students frequently skipping class to sleep in, or hang out with their friends. I watch students procrastinate on projects, ignore deadlines and not take any of their assignments seriously. Trust me, I totally get it. College is a lot of work and can be stressful sometimes. But this is practice for the real world. How you manage yourself throughout college and the amount of effort you put in now says a lot about your work ethic. If you can’t be bothered to show up to class for half the semester, why should
Ashlee buhler editor in chief
buhlera@lcc.edu
your future employer expect you to show up for your shifts? If you can’t turn in your assignments, why should your future employer believe that you
will get your work done on time? If students don’t take college seriously – when they’re supposed to be learning and preparing for their future – then at what point do we expect them to get serious? I know there are plenty of students who have a great work ethic and will do amazing in their field someday. But the lax attitude that I witness from a lot of other students on a weekly basis really makes me question what our future generation of workers will look like.
What does legalizing marijuana mean to us? In the Nov. 6 election, voters hit the polls and voted “Yes” on Proposal One. Michigan thus voted to legalize marijuana, making our state the first in the Midwest to fully legalize cannabis. With recreational use comes great responsibility, questions about the taxation of marijuana, and what this freedom means for users. Government officials are continually itching for money, which now includes the revenue that the marijuana industry will generate: an imposed 10-percent state tax, in addition to the 6-percent general sales tax. For many of the 56 percent of voters who passed the proposal, promises on community and state renovations were a contributing factor. However, Michiganders were told
Shauna Stocken A & E Editor
stockens@lcc.edu
that a rise in taxes on gasoline meant better roads. But as many residents agree, that has yet to be consistently seen throughout the state. I am hopeful yet skeptical how marijuana revenue will impact our economy, with promises of improved roads and modifications to our school districts. The legalization will also impact how police test and prosecute those considered under the influence of a controlled
substance while driving. Police will now be able to test drivers using a device called The Alere DDS2 on the spot to check for multiple drugs, including marijuana. The device does not test for the individual’s level of impairment. This means that users who consider themselves sober, or haven’t ingested or smoked that day, now risk criminal actions such as jail time or being issued a DUI. Other notable aspects of the new law proclaim that anyone 21 and older can now possess, use and buy marijuana for recreational use. Individuals may also grow up to 12 plants in one’s home, for personal use only. Don’t leave yourself dazed and con-
fused on the details. More information on Michigan’s marijuana laws can be reviewed at www.michigan.gov.
Don’t get stranded during winter snowstorms Nothing makes a morning more miserable than slogging out to the car to brush off snow and ice. While hopefully no one ends up in a ditch, or stranded on the side of the road, I thought I would go over some quick ideas to stay prepared and avoid being more miserable this winter. First off, it is a good idea to keep your tires at a good pressure. According to Goodyear, for every 10 degrees of temperature drop, tires will drop one to two pounds of pressure. A tire-pressure gauge can be used to measure tire pressure. After that, com-
pare the reading to the recommended tire pressure and adjust it using an air dispenser. Personally, I go to my nearest Belle Tire and use the free air dispensers they have. There are a lot of things that are handy to keep in your car. I always keep some kitty litter in case I slide off the road and need to have some traction to get back on. More obviously, it’s good to keep a reliable ice scraper and snow brush. I also keep a spare coat, gloves and a blanket.
sarah barney associate editor
barneys2@lcc.edu
Another very important thing to have in your car is jumper cables. Cold weather can affect your battery. Take it from me, mine died last winter. Some more things to have on hand in-
clude sunglasses (for the reflection from the snow), a flashlight, emergency flares (if you can get them) and a first-aid kit. Something that people might not think about: it is important to keep your gas tank from sitting on empty, or close to it, in the winter. I’ve heard recommendations to keep it anywhere from at least half tank to a quarter tank full. One final thing: please take the time to wipe off the car thoroughly before driving to prevent it from blowing off and into others’ view. I hope everyone is able to stay safe and warm this winter.
11|opinion
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout — staff editorial —
Thousand Oaks tragedies are a reminder The gunman was later identified as a military veteran; proving that these acts can be committed by the people you least expect. Just a few days later, residents of Thousand Oaks were forced to evacuate due to the raging wildfires spreading through California. With the fires still blazing,
more than 30 people have already died, and thousands of homes have been destroyed. In the wake of these recent tragedies, and with the Thanksgiving holiday at the forefront for many, the staff at The Lookout would like to remind people to be thankful for what they have.
—
What is your favorite thanksgiving food? ashlee buhler
editor in Chief
buhlera@lcc.edu
“Redskin potatoes”
sarah barney shauna stocken
Associate editor
barneys2@lcc.edu
A&e editor
stockens@lcc.edu
“My mom’s “Macaroni and mashed potatoes” cheese”
Maddie Toles
sports editor
tolesm1@lcc.edu
“Sweet potatoes”
Brynne Luter
photo editor
luterb@lcc.edu
“Turkey”
the lookout staff —
Joe Strother
islam amir
ad manager
staff writer
“Pecan pie”
“Avocado salad”
strothej@lcc.edu
Alex Gonzales
nicole cade
staff writer
lead paginator
“Mashed potatoes”
caden@lcc.edu
hookl@lcc.edu
“Mashed potatoes”
“Turkey”
gonzaa41@lcc.edu
amiri@lcc.edu
is
b e l ce
g n i rat
A Look at Yesteryear Following are verbatim excerpts from The Lookout, highlighting news and information from the 1973-74 school year. The Lookout is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year: Oct. 10, 1973: This year Mrs. Sandra Byrne will be starting her second year at Lansing Community College as girls’ basketball coach. But, this year, like last year, she is faced with the same problem: lack of participation. While the team is yet to meet there is general apprehension over the size of the turnout. … There were rumors last year that girls basketball would apply for varsity status but instead they held off in hopes for application next year. This year the girls will have to settle for club status and will have to use the boys’ intramural shirts. Nov. 21, 1973: Access to Saginaw Ave. from Washington Ave. was closed November 7th as the first step in the building of additional Lansing Community College facilities. Douglas D. McKinstry, director of the Physical Plant, said that eventually Washington Ave. will be closed from Shiawassee St. to Saginaw Ave. This area will be made into a college campus and will contain two new buildings. One
This may sound like a cliché concept, but sometimes we truly don’t understand and appreciate what we have until it is gone. Take a moment to look around you and be thankful for what you have – the people and the things. You just never know if or when you might lose it all.
will be a Vocational Technical building. McKinstry said that this will be a three-level structure with facilities for a large number of programs, including auto body and service, appliance repair, radio and television, and electronics. … The second building will be a Physical Education structure, which McKinstry said will adjoin the other new building. McKinstry said that the Physical Education building will be four stories high and include a gymnasium, swimming pool, handball courts, and other activity rooms and classrooms. Jan. 30, 1974: A conflict over having just one radio station at Lansing Community College has produced a new station that caters to an entirely different crowd than did its predecessor, WLCC. Called CWCBN (Campus Broadcasting Network) the station focuses on country-western and instrumental music, unlike WLCC, which mainly featured rock. Feb. 13, 1974: X-rated films and the Students for a Democratic Society were refused support by the Lansing Community College Student Government Wednesday, Feb. 20. Sophomore Jeff Anderson of the SG Film Selection Committee submitted a request for about $300 for a series of films, includ-
larry hook
adviser
60
years
It has been a devastating month for the residents of Thousand Oaks, Calif. On Nov. 7, the city became the target of the country’s latest mass shooting. While enjoying their evening at the Borderline Bar and Grill, 12 innocent people were shot and killed.
ing “Deep Throat,” which Student Government promptly refused. April 10, 1974: Police and university authorities across the country have reacted in a highly negative manner to streakers. Although streakers interviewed at most schools expressed a desire to let off steam or have fun in an absurd fashion as the reason for the streaks, most police have taken a hardline approach by arresting and handcuffing all the streakers and bystanders they were able to catch.
12|last look
nov. 26 - dec. 9, 2018 www.lcc.edu/lookout
’ s l l e B r e v l ‘Si ansing L p u s t ligh
Photos by Brynne Luter
The 34th annual “Silver Bells in the City” was held Friday, Nov. 16 in downtown Lansing. The Electric Light Parade featured dozens of floats, including the Petoskey Steel Drum Band (top right), the LCC Fire Academy (bottom left) and the grand finale with Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard. After the parade, attendees gathered in front of the Capitol for the annual tree lighting (pictured on front page).
LCC Radio WLNZ 89.7 hosted the radio play, “Anti-Claus,” live in LCC’s Dart Auditorium as part of “Silver Bells in the City” on Nov. 16. The show was written and directed by WLNZ General Manager Daedalian Lowry, and narrated by Jack Robbins and Fiona Colson. LCC student Emilio Pido (left) plays Flynn in the production alongside Angela Dill (right) who was Anti-Claus.