Volleyball
loses home
game
Volume 53, Issue 3 www.lcc.edu/lookout
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Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
Saving lives
A total of 2,987 people in Michigan are waiting for organ transplants as of Aug. 1, 2011, according to giftoflifemichigan.org. Fortunately, LCC’s American Marketing Association (AMA) has recognized the need for organ donation and is promoting a national campaign called AMA Saves Lives from Oct. 1 until April 30, 2012. Tyrone Liggons, the vice president of AMA, explained, “Last year, Lansing Community College got involved heavily (in
festival
thelookout
Oct. 3 - 16
Nathan Wilson Associate Editor
revs up West Campus
German PAGE 7
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AMA recruits organ donors on campus
Car show
Old Town
AMA Saves Lives) and we were able to place very high in a lot of competitions that we had never done before. It was a great opportunity to spread awareness for organ donation for those who … aren’t aware of how to get involved.” According to Liggons, AMA’s goal for the campaign is to build off of the success of last year. During spring 2011, AMA created approximately 150 student videos as part of the campaign to encourage people to register as donors. Students can get involved by making videos, participating at AMA events and spreading awareness on campus. “Last year our highest goal was to get 150 See AMA, page 2
NBA star returns home
Photo by Michael Caterina
NBA Hall-of Fame basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson returned to his alma mater, Everett High School on Sept. 21 and spoke to students about the importance of education. Read the full story on page 4 and an opinion column from Everett alumnus Michael Caterina on Page 10.
Give LCC feedback; meet with President Knight SACP holds its first meeting of semester Dominick Mastrangelo Editor in Chief The first LCC Student Advisory Committee to the President (SACP) meeting of 2011-12 was held Sept.
21 in LCC’s Technology and Learning Center (TLC) Building. The purpose of the SACP is to provide students with an opportunity to interact and engage with LCC’s president, Dr. Brent Knight. Roughly 40 students gathered to be educated on what the function of the SACP is and to hear about upcoming events on LCC’s campus.
The meeting was led by LCC Director of Student Life Al Nowak. “The goal is to build a centralized campus community,” Nowak said. “We want to combine efforts and energy and make a greater impact so students can feel good about their experiences on campus.” See Advisory, page 2
Involved Get
Contact Student Life to volunteer
• Blood Drive: Monday, Oct 10 • SACP: Wednesday, Oct. 19 • Agency Expo: Volunteer opportunities • RSO Fair (TBA) • Homecoming: Nov. 14-19 • Day of Service: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 • Student Recognition Celebration: Friday, April 13, 2012
2 NEWS
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
AMA
Continued from page 1
Photo by Michael Caterina
LCC Director of Student Life Al Nowak speaks at an SACP meeting Sept. 21.
Advisory Continued from page 1
Nowak said the SACP provides students with an opportunity they might not be presented with otherwise. “The meetings are student driven … we want as many people as possible to know they have an opportunity to be in the loop at LCC,” Nowak said. Co-Chair Sean Shannon also had a positive attitude about the po-
tential of the SACP for the 2011 fall semester. “We’ve got some really great things planned for this semester,” Shannon said. “Everything from Homecoming to blood drives … it’s going to be really exciting.” “I really think these meetings can be helpful,” LCC student Dustin Raymond said. “It’s not every day you get to talk to the
president of the college.” The next SACP meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Oct. 19 at 2:05 p.m. in TLC 127. All students are welcome to attend. Check www.lcc.edu/ lookout for updates on all the SACP meetings as well as events planned by the Department of Student Life and the Student Leadership Academy.
uploaded videos,” Liggons said. “This year, we’ll try to increase that to 200 or more.” AMA President Jody DuBeau explained that social media is critical to AMA Saves Lives, including YouTube videos, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and emails. “I’m creating a (YouTube) channel just for us so we can share more information and you don’t have to sign in to view the videos,” DuBeau said. LCC-AMA will compete with other AMA chapters nationwide for the highest number of videos uploaded and video views. DuBeau said AMA’s goal this year is to gain more involvement from students, faculty and different programs on campus. “I would also like to see some famous names thrown into the mix,” DuBeau said. “One of the competitors last year got a well-known football player to make a video.
File photo by Michael Caterina
Tyrone Liggons speaks with a guest at an LCC health fair Feb. 9 about the AMA Saves Life Program.
They produced one video and had over 20,000plus hits.” Registration does not cost the donor anything and there is no age limit for donation. According to giftoflifemichigan.org, 786 do-
nors provided 289 organs to recipients waiting in Michigan last year. Each organ donor can save up to eight lives. For those interested in registering as an organ donor, visit amasaveslives. com or lccama.com.
3 NEWS
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
A&S to be renovated Shauna Stocken News Editor
LCC students and faculty members joined in the Arts and Science (A&S) lecture hall room 170 Sept. 15, to discuss A&S and Gannon Building renovations. A PowerPoint was presented to show possible renovation ideas and gain feedback on the changes LCC would like to see. Jennifer Durham and Patrick Calvin are architects for the SHW Group in Berkley who led the renovation discussion. The SHW Group is an architectural design and engineering firm that has an extensive background in creating effective, educational facilities. “We want to bring the building to life; I want someone in a few years to say we tried to kick students out but they wouldn’t leave. That would be a cool problem to have,” Calvin said. Granger Construction Company in Lansing is in charge of the construc-
tion for the renovation. According to Durham and Calvin, a budget of $10 million has been set for the project and is currently in the programmatic design phase. LCC has given students and facility the opportunity to give their opinions on the GB and A&S building renovations by conducting a survey July 5. The survey took minutes to complete and the information provided was given to building committee and design personal to use in the design process. “I would like to see one system for using the different projectors and computer,” said Roy Klavier Ph.D, LCC faculty in the Science Department for over 10 years. “The system we have now is different in every classroom; coming into a new classroom is like taking a quiz,” Klavier said. “If the renovation is standardized it will be an improvement.” Although the upcoming changes to the A&S
and Gannon Building might seem positive, to others the upcoming changes are not worth the high cost. “I don’t think we need a complete remodel but updates to something more modern,” said Josh Martelli, a returning LCC student. “It’s not productive to fix something and spend money if you are not going to keep things updated now and relevant for the future because of constantly changing technology,” Martelli added. Upcoming meetings will be held to discuss building plans and deadlines as the renovation progress moves forward. According to Calvin, the college’s construction blueprint is due to the state of Michigan by the middle of October. Dates and times of future meetings to discuss these renovations will be posted on LCC’s website. Also check www.lcc. edu/lookout for updates on this and many other developing stories.
IN BRIEF NEWS
LCC students can attend ‘Start Here - Get There Visit Days’ For any students considering transferring to a major university after attending LCC, join the LCC “Start Here - Get There Visit Days.” “Start Here - Get There Visit Days” are tour opportunities made possible through the Student Life Office, with scheduled visits planned through April. The next upcoming event is a university tour to Michigan State University, Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the tour students are given the opportunity to meet staff from different colleges and learn more about transfer processes and important deadlines. A $5 deposit (cash only) is required to hold one’s space for a tour. To pay the deposit fee or gain addi-
tional information on tour times and locations, call or visit the LCC Student Life Office in GB 230 (483-1285).
New StarCards available New StarCards and staff parking stickers are now available. Old parking stickers were only valid until Sept. 30 and can be renewed at Parking & ID Services in the Gannon Building on the second floor. In order to receive a new parking sticker verification, it must be made using one’s current Michigan Vehicle Registration card and StarCard. Also available for purchase are staff parking passes for part-time and full-time LCC employees. The Ramp Pass cost $300 and is valid from Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012 at Parking & ID Services.
4 NEWS
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Bringing the ‘Magic’ back to Lansing NBA star returns to alma mater to speak Dominick Mastrangelo Editor in Chief When students at Everett High School in Lansing filed into the school’s gymnasium for a pep rally Sept. 23, they knew it was going to be special. They did not, however, have any idea just how special it would be. Former Everett Viking, Michigan State Spartan and Los Angeles Laker basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson walked into the gym that morning. The entire student body promptly erupted. “I couldn’t believe it was really him!” Everett senior Kathy Lee exclaimed after the rally. “I knew he went to school here, but I never thought he would come back.” Magic was back in Lansing for an important reason. Magic Johnson Enterprises and Best Buy formed a strategic partnership in support of urban development and community enrichment. Best Buy Mobile President Shawn Score presented Everett High School Principal Howard Cousins with a check for $5,000. After the presentation, Magic spoke to the students about the importance of education. “You can do everything you want to do in your life if you get a quality education,” Magic said.
Photos by Michael Caterina
Everett High School seniors, left, stand up and applaud as Earvin "Magic" Johnson enters the gymnasium Sept. 23. Johnson, right, spoke to the students about the importance of education and their futures.
“You have to understand your purpose at Everett High School as well as your purpose in life.” After the pep rally, Magic spoke to members of the media about how special the homecoming was for him. “I’ve never been nervous to speak before, but I was nervous today,” he said. “I didn’t know whether to walk or what to do when I came in. It was just so fantastic.”
XC continues strong season Ben Doane Sports Writer The LCC cross country teams continued their season with strong performances in both the Spartan Invitational at Michigan State University and the Commodore Invitational at Loraine County (Ohio) Community College. Team results were not kept at the Spartan Invitational, held Sept. 16, but the men and women Stars still had strong individual efforts. The top finishers for the LCC men in the 8K race that featured over 200 runners were Austin Alcalar (56th), Ryan Konen (64th), Michael Lahner (123rd), Nick Moon (154th) and Tyler Graustein (155th). The top finishers for the Lady Stars in their 6K race were Ashley Hamilton (75th), Nikki May (140th), Jaclyn Magness (150th), Lexi Roe (157th) and Paige Terbush (174th). Coach Chuck Block said the competition was stiff for the Stars in this meet, so the places were not especially high. LCC ran against such as fouryear colleges as Michigan State, Central Michigan, Grand Valley State
and Eastern Michigan. “Ashley Hamilton ran the fastest time ever (22:51) for an LCC runner at this meet,” Block said. “Nikki May was our second runner and ran very good. “Our top two guys, Austin and Ryan, ran great. Two freshmen (Moon and Graustein) really had good races.” At the Commodore Invitational Sept. 23, the LCC men finished first with a score of 21 to second-place Macomb Community College’s 51. Konen (first), Alcalar (second), Logan Lindsay (fifth), Nick Brosky (sixth) and Michael Lahner (seventh) led the LCC men in their 8K race. The LCC women earned the runner-up position, losing to the ladies from Macomb Community College in the 5K race, 21-37. The Lady Stars’ top finishers included Hamilton (second), Brianna Wiles (sixth), Roe (seventh), Ashley Steers (10th) and Jaclyn Magness (12th). “This was the wettest course I have ever seen in my 11 years of coaching cross country,” Block said. “The times are very slow, which does not
mean anything since the course was so bad. “On the guy's side I was very pleased. Our top two guys, Austin and Ryan, were challenged by a runner from Hiram and Macomb community colleges early and pulled away and won by a large margin.” Block said the rest of the men’s team also made strong contributions. “Our second pack of guys was behind six runners and we yelled to them we want them to pass that pack by the end of the race,” he said. “They did. They ran very smart and tough.” Block said his women’s team performed fairly well despite the nasty conditions. “We had planned on working on getting out faster at the meet,” Block said. “With the course as bad as it was I instructed them to go out a little slow. “Ashley Hamilton ran very well, the other women picked it up and ran tough to salvage a strong second-place showing,” Block said. The Stars were scheduled to host the LCC Invitational Friday, Sept. 30 at Grand Woods Park in Lansing.
Since retiring from the NBA, Magic has made giving back to the community a daily practice. “It’s all about touching people in a positive way.” Magic said. “You also want people to feel you and touch you too.” Magic said he especially feels the need to reach out to young people. “The people in that gym this morning will be controlling America soon. They need to know someone cares about
them,” he said. Among the people in attendance were Magic’s mother Christine, father Earvin, sister Evelyn and countless friends. Magic led the 1977 Everett Vikings to a state championship in basketball, and then the 1979 Michigan State Spartans to a national championship. Magic is a fivetime national champion and 12-time AllStar in the NBA. He retired in 1991 and has since pursued a career in business.
5 SPORTS
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Spikers drop home match to Kellogg CC Dominick Mastrangelo Editor in Chief The LCC women’s volleyball team lost in four sets (25-14, 25-17, 13-25, 25-22) Sept. 29 vs. Kellogg Community College at LCC. The Stars fell behind early and struggled in almost all aspects of the match. “You can’t let games like this get you down,” LCC Coach Stephen May said. “We’ve had some tough losses this season … this is just another game.” The Stars had only 12 blocks as a team through the first two sets, with their longest scoring streak reaching only five. “We gave up a bunch of silly kills,” LCC Sophomore Allie Cusack said as she described LCC struggles in the first two sets. “Personally I know I could have had a better night.” Cusack had four kills in the entire match; she averages roughly six or seven a game. The most promising of the sets for the Stars was the fourth. After lead-
Photos by Michael Caterina
Freshman outside hitter Allison Bradshaw, left, goes for a kill during LCC’s 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-18) victory over Lake Michigan College Sept. 22. Freshman defensive specialist Kate Witaszck, right, digs a ball during the third set of the same match.
ing 7-0 to start, the Stars quickly found themselves in the hole again trailing 13-8 halfway through what was eventually their final set. “Tonight it felt like even
when we were up, we were down,” LCC freshman Allie Hortsman said. When LCC tied Kellogg at 22 in the fourth, it appeared the Stars still had a pulse. But two missed
blocks and a serving error later, the Stars were finished. “You have to look forward,” May said. “I’ve seen these girls bounce back before. They can do
it again.” The Stars were scheduled to play in a tournament in Grand Rapids Oct. 1 and 2 before heading to Jackson Oct. 4 and Muskegon Oct. 8.
The Stars’ next home game is set for Oct. 11 vs. Ancilla College. Check www.lcc.edu/lookout for updates on these and many other games throughout the fall semester.
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Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
7
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
— The Kollected Klutz —
Show love for Old Town A few weekends ago, I attended the Bluesfest in Old Town. It was a great place to listen to live blues music and a great place to go with friends or even a date. The only problem for me was that most of the attendees (at least from what I saw) were – let’s just say – not the youngest crowd. Still, Old Town has a lot to offer, even for the young. Many of the bands were local, so attending events like these not only supports the bands, but the community as well. In between sets I had a chance to browse some of the Old Town shops. I have a liking for antiques and anything handmade, so I was in heaven — almost. Old Town has so many quaint shops like Polka Dots Bead-a-full Boutique, which has tons of cute things. Plus customers have a chance to make their own jewelry. Just a few doors down is Lamb’s Gate Antiques with loads of items that will make any antique lover feel
like a kid in a candy shop. These are just a few of the great shops Old Town has to offer. For a listing of all the businesses and events happening in Old Town, visit http://iloveoldtown.org/. Come out and show some love for Old Town.
Have some fun, German-style
Kaitlin Lutz A&E Editor
Old Town will transform into a two-day celebration, German-style, Friday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, Oct. 8. Old Town’s sixth annual event, Oktoberfest, which is Michigan’s only Germanstyle event, will have authentic polka music, food, imported beer and live entertainment. The festivities will take place on the corner of Turner Street and Grand River Avenue in north Lansing. Entertainment will include musical groups like Linda Lee & Wild Bill, as well as Hy-Notes. Both will
Courtesy photo
perform on Friday night. On Saturday, The Happy Wonderers and The Polish Muslims will perform. Louise Gradwohl, festival director for Old Town Oktoberfest, described the Polish Muslims as “a blend of Polish music and rock and ‘60s throwback.” There will also be Polish dancers who will be doing
authentic Polish dancing, Gradwohl said. “Part of that includes a lesson,” Gradwohl said. “So festival attendees will be able to learn a little bit of Polish-style dancing and try some partner dancing as well.” Tickets are $13 if purchased before Oct. 6 at 10 p.m., and $17 at the door.
Senior prices are $13 anytime. According to Gradwohl, tickets can be purchased online or at the OTCA office on Turner Street. Coming to events like this helps support Old Town in many ways. “The money generated helps the Old Town Commercial Association, which is nonprofit,” Gradwohl said. “So you’re revitalizing Old Town, but you’re (also) revitalizing a piece of Lansing and making Lansing something unique.” For more information, call the OTCA office at (517) 4854283 or visit http://www.oldtownoktoberfest.com/.
8 A&E
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011
IN BRIEF
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Arts & Entertainment
Listen to jam sessions in Old Town at Pickin’ in the Park Every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to dusk, Old Town hosts Pickin’ in the Park in Burchard Park. Pickin’ in the Park is a jam session for artists, musicians and Lansing-area residents of all ages. During the colder months, Pickin’ in the Park moves inside to Grand Café/Sir Pizza on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Turner Street on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m.
Sign language students to entertain at LCC Oct. 8 LCC’s Sign Language Program is putting on their annual Star Search, Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Dart Auditorium. Students will perform musical numbers that incorporate dancing and acting. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. For more information, email Lindsey Williams at lccstarsearch@ gmail.com. To read more and to see the full story about this event, visit our website at www.lcc.edu/lookout.
LCC Faculty will get jazzy LCC Faculty Jazz Quartet will host a concert and CD release party Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. The event will be held at MICA Gallery at 1210 Turner St. in Lansing’s Old Town. It will feature Jon Gewirtz, Dennis Therrian, Ed Fedewa and Mike Daniel. Admission is free.
Shop and volunteer at LCC’s ‘Shop Like a Star’ event The second annual “Shop Like a Star ” event will be Saturday, Oct. 8 at Eastwood Towne Center from 10 a.m.- to 4 p.m. Shoppers will be able to use coupons at over 15 stores after they RSVP at http://lcc.edu/foundation/alumni/etc/. The LCC Alumni Association is also looking for volunteers for this event. Volunteers will help check in attendees from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and/ or 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers will receive a free gift bag and coffee. Anyone who would like to volunteer should contact Andrew Lathrop at (517) 483-1988.
Hocus - Focus
‘Verses’ stands on its own Kaitlin Lutz A&E Editor Switchfoot never ceases to amaze me. It seems that every new album the band releases is better than the last. The band definitely did not disappoint in its highly-anticipated album “Vice Verses,” which was released Sept. 27. I have been a diehard fan of Switchfoot for years, and can remember memorizing pretty much all of the band’s albums. I knew them cover to cover. Saying this would give me full right to criticize them, but the truth is I cannot find anything about Switchfoot’s new album, “Vice Verses,” I don’t like. The group members stayed true to who they are, but at the same time brought a new refreshing sound from beginning to end. “It’s funny because for
Photo courtesy of www.blogspot.com
us, we’re usually holding back,” lead singer Jon Foreman said via an email to The Lookout. “On this record we let a little bit more out.” One of my personal favorites on the album is the single “Restless,” which was released before the actual album came out. It has the authentic Switchfoot sound with great lyrics to back up the untainted and unique voice of Foreman. “We grew up listening to soul music and Motown,” said Chad Butler, the drummer for Switchfoot. “We took that influence and made sure a song like
Dart hosts dark drama Lee Rumler Staff Writer
This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:
‘Restless’ had an emotional element to it.” Diehard fans of any band usually become discontent when their favorite band releases a new album that doesn’t have exactly the same sound as its other albums, but Switchfoot does this and makes it sound great. My fear with a band doing this is that it would fade into the background, so I am glad the group brought some new stuff to the table. The members still have the same deep lyrics and awesome guitar riffs, but they have managed to come out with some solid music that doesn’t seem like the same old, same old. I am glad to say that Switchfoot released yet another album that would make any fan, new or old, proud. I cannot help but nod my head and drum my fingers to the beats of their fantastic new album..
Some contemporary theater is just a bit too creepy for me. Actually, let me rephrase that: As a normal human being, most contemporary theater is just a bit too stark and unrealistically depressing for me to enjoy. This was definitely the case with LCC’s recent production of The Gingerbread House, directed by Chad Badgero and presented on Sept. 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1. Before I go into details, let me clarify that the play was excellently performed. LCC’s Performing Arts Department never ceases to amaze me with its seemingly endless stock of incredibly gifted actors. Particularly, Edward O’Ryan’s portrayal of Marco, a two-faced child-trafficker who remorselessly ruins the life of two parents, stunned me. Every line breathed a realistic life into the
Photo by Kevin Fowler
The drama of The Gingerbread House unfolded at Dart Auditorium, Sept. 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1.
action, despite the relatively stagnant scenery. Marianne Chan and Jacqui Marpa’s performances also astonished me, the two played such difficult roles with such skill. However, beyond the caliber of the actors, my impression of the play was rather poor. The plot centered around Brian and Stacey, a couple who recently decided to sell their children on the Black Market – a sound decision, in my opinion – and how their lives
began to fall apart after making such an auspicious call. Stacey, never knowing exactly where her children went, repeatedly imagines their horrific, sexually explicit fate (which the audience is tastefully treated to), and breaks down by the end of the show. The play repeatedly brings up questions of the importance of happiness, what it means to be happy and how certain human beings can live their life entirely in
delusion to escape the realities of its true horrors. Now, I think I can understand the play’s morbid undertones, and personally, I think these are incredibly important questions to ask; however, the method of presentation was ... unnecessarily disturbing, to say the least. And trust me, I know disturbing: I’ve been to 4chan. On top of that, the characters didn’t seem to mesh with the plot. No sociopaths would concern themselves with the fate of their children after they sold them as sex slaves, and no one but a sociopath would sell their children as sex slaves – especially for a measly 20 grand. Despite my distaste, the play was still excellently performed and produced. The acting and directing was spectacular, and all in all, I’d say it was worth watching. Not something I’d take the kids to, though.
9 Features
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Courtesy photos
Last year’s Paralegal Association members gather for photo (left). The association participates in various events around the Lansing area such as Race for the Cure (right).
LCC paralegal students get inspired Association brings justice to campus Amber Glomb Staff Writer
J
ustice has once again reached the doors of LCC’s campus. Meeting every Monday from 4:20 to 5:20 p.m. in Gannon Building 187, the Paralegal Association opens
its doors to students who wish to inspire, promote and support fellow paralegal students. The association began in the fall of 2010 with only five members. “Armed with nothing more than a copy of the constitution, five dedicated members, under the advisement of Professor Bennett Shulman, got together to begin fleshing out the vision and direction of LCC’s Paralegal
Association,” said Ta- tasks. mara Mercer, the presStudents who attend ident of the Paralegal these meetings are not Associarequired tion. to join “By the the club. end of However, the school according year, the to Mercer, Paralegal interested A s s o c i a - Photo courtesy of corbisimages.com s t u d e n t s tion had can estabgrown to include 30 lish a membership by atmembers.” tending three meetings Paralegal students and volunteering in one are aspiring attorneys’ of its many opportuniassistants who train to ties. perform certain legal Students are given the
chance to volunteer in a number of the association’s committees. These include the speaking, social, fundraising and community service committees. Aside from the volunteer options, paralegal student members are given the chance to learn and become involved in many different ways with the association. According to Mercer, these opportunities include professional de-
velopment, networking, community service, career awareness, fundraising and establishing peer-to-peer connections with other members of the paralegal program. “Moving forward, the association continues to strive to provide quality programs and speakers for our members, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals to inspire one another,” Mercer said.
10 OPINION
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Fully Flippin’ It —
Magic’s motivational homecoming When our staff at The Lookout got the press release stating that Earvin “Magic” Johnson would be returning to his alma mater, Everett High School in Lansing, we all got excited. We were going to cover an event featuring one of the biggest basketball stars of the past century in our paper. Whoa! As graduate of Everett, I was even more excited. I finally got to see the man for whome our gym was named. I remember walking the halls by the gym and seeing the tro-
phy case dedicated to Magic’s career and what he has accomplished. It never really seemed real that someone so successful could come from the same high school I was attending.
Walking into the gym on Sept. 21 felt like I was strolling into one of the many pep rallies I went too in my time at Everett. There were chants from classes, freshman getting booed, the band playing and the homecoming court being announced. Magic’s visit was a surprise for the students. So when the pep rally seemed to be coming to an end, Magic walked out and the students went crazy. Magic came out and talked about how important education is and how
it will make your future. I could not agree more. If I did not have the focus I did in high school, I would not be where I am today or have the future I know I will have. “It doesn’t matter where you come from,” Magic said. “You have to understand your purpose at Everett High School as well as your purpose in life.” Coming from such a big school with big class sizes and sometimes a lack of resources can be disheartening when trying to do the best you can. Hearing someone who
has made it big in life say those things gives students the confidence to do the same. Johnson welcomed students to the gym floor to give him hugs and do a cheer with the football team. You could tell he was at home, especially when he told the media “I’ve never been nervous to speak before, but I was nervous today.” Magic was accompanied by Best Buy Mobile, one of his partner companies, who presented a check for $5,000 to the school.
Seeing another person’s success is extremely inspiring. I know that being in my old high school gym and hearing Magic speak motivated me to want to do better and give back. I hope that through working hard I will someday be able to give back to the high school community that I was brought up in and help make at the very least one kid’s educational experience even slightly better. Magic, thanks for coming home and showing your old high school some love!
— ‘I am invincible!’ —
Video games vs. the First Amendment As we celebrate Constitution Day this month, I received a notice about an LCC debate regarding video game violence and free speech. There was no way
around it. I wanted to be there. One of my favorite pastimes is dominating my virtual and non-virtual enemies. A central theme dur-
ing the debate was the Supreme Court striking down California’s ban on the sale of violent video games to minors. I ardently believe that video games fall under
the protection of the First Amendment, as do novels, newspapers and other content-based mediums. If we start censoring video games, when do you draw the line? Are we going to censor every show on TV and expand this censorship to anything mildly sexual? During the debate, there were demonstrations of videos games, including reenacting the JFK assassination and slaughtering Republican politicians and Fox News contributors. (Some of the audience laughed with … delight? How truly heart-warming.) Maybe there should be a line at a certain point. It disturbs even me that you can play games where you can perpetrate the massacres of Virginia Tech and Columbine. I’ve played mature vid-
eo games long before I was 18, the magical age where I am suddenly deemed a person by the government. This “harmful matter” didn’t ruin my childhood. I think it brought me closer to my friends in the collaborative act of fighting off virtual waves of aliens— and ultimately turning on each other when we grew bored. However, I scoff at the idea suggested by MSU Professor Kevin Saunders that mature games can damage my brain or
implant violence in me. If playing violent video games was a predictor of aggressive behavior, I should be in a maximum security prison about now. I think this causal effect only applies to a few select, deeply disturbed individuals who lack judgment and would ultimately kill people anyway. When ACLU attorney Dan Korobkin asked if the government should have the power to decide what video games we can and cannot play, a chill went up my spine. The government can’t even regulate the debt, Wall Street or the economy. I believe we should let people make their own decisions about what books to read, shows to watch and video games to play. That being said, I look forward to playing Hitman: Absolution.
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11 Opinion
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Letter to the Editor
Gay rights advocated at LCC
I am writing in response to the homophobia and heterosexism you find on campus or, in that matter, any campus. How many times does it take to get someone involved when a Gay Straight Alliance flyer has been written on inappropriately by a small number of students? According to an outside source, Campus Pride Index, the college itself received 2 out of 5 on welcoming campuses for LGBT students. Our college says it’s committed to diversity and it has a duty to uphold those values of education. I heard horror stories of religious people wanting to come to Gay Straight Alliance Safe Space to damn us. I encountered a few times where professors will side step a conversation about LGBT issues even though it’s written in the textbook. There are even some who would falsify and say hideous things just to make it tough on equality. Freedom of speech is one thing and hate speech is another. For LGBT History Month (October) and National Coming Out Day, would you think yourself as a human being with feelings? What if someone you love caused the whole world to loathe you? What if by saying you are gay you cause someone to burst into a tantrum? Thank you for your time, Frank Vaca General Associates Major
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Policies: all letters should be 200 words or less and signed with a name, address (email or otherwise) and phone number. The Lookout reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, length and clarity. Mail: 1000 – The Lookout Lansing Community College P.O. box 40010 Lansing, MI 489401-7210 Email: mastrand@mail.lcc.edu: Fax: (517) 483-1290 The Lookout is the independent, biweekly student newspaper of Lansing Community College. All opinion/editorial articles are the sole opinion of the writer and may not reflect the views of the staff, students, faculty and college as a whole. Opinion/editorial articles may or may not be located exclusively on editorial pages and may appear on news, sports and arts & entertainment pages. - The Lookout Staff
the lookout Dominick Mastrangelo
Nathan Wilson
Kaitlin Lutz
Editor in Chief mastrand@mail.lcc.edu
Associate Editor wilso162@mail.lcc.edu
A&E Editor lutzk3@mail.lcc.edu
Shauna Stocken
Michael Caterina
News Editor stockens@mail.lcc.edu
Photo Editor cater2@mail.lcc.edu
Advertising Manager lehtonk@mail.lcc.edu
Amber Glomb
Ben Doane
Larry Hook
Staff Writer glomba@mail.lcc.edu
Sports Writer doaneb@mail.lcc.edu
Adviser hookl@lcc.edu
Kelly Lehtonen
— In Our Own Words —
Oliver Towers saga unfolds An issue coming under the scrutiny of the media is the Oliver Towers property, which Davenport University and Lansing Community College are vying for. We feel like there are two sides to the story. Based on what we’ve read in the City Pulse and the Lansing State Journal, we don’t think LCC actively pursued the property until after the negotiations were made for Davenport to have it. We think LCC could convert that property into another parking lot to benefit students. That property could also be used for faculty and courses displaced from the A & S Building soon to undergo renovations. What will happen to the operations there without a new expansion? While we ultimately believe LCC could have benefitted from acquiring Oliver Towers, it is disappointing that it was
not more actively pursued until the negotiations were wrapped up. However, the city of Lansing should have gone through the request for procedures and let LCC have a chance to offer a cash bid. Sidestepping the process seems shady and irresponsible. We have to rely on our city to do the procedures they’re required to follow. LCC leases parking spaces on the corner of Shiawassee and Capitol, which is included in the Oliver Towers property. Are we going to lose those spaces now? How are we going to compensate for that? Should the Lansing City Council have helped LCC? Should it continue to help LCC to look for property in the future? We hope to answer these questions in the following issues of The Lookout. If anyone can provide us with additional sources about this evolving issue, we welcome any help.
12 LAST LOOK
Oct. 3 - 16, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Photos by Michael Caterina
West Campus car show speeds to success
Cars make their way around the autocross track at the fifth annual LCC Car Show Sept. 24. The track was new to this year’s show. Check out more photos at flickr.com/lcc_lookout.
Shauna Stocken News Editor
Sept. 24 marked the fifth annual Car Show at LCC’s West Campus, sponsored by the LCC Automotive and Collision Repair Programs. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. participants raced vehicles in autocross and showed motorcycles, as well as vintage and specialty vehicles. Autocross is a solo race against the clock added to this year’s event. “I came out because I am an autocrosser and I heard this event was attached to a show,” said Jason Mead, who was in attendant with his children and wife Carla. “It’s a great event and I plan on coming back.”
Registration to participate in the event was $10 per vehicle and admission was free. All of the money raised from the event benefited automotive student scholarships. Check Accordout more ing to Marvin photos at Argersinger, flickr.com/ program coorlcc_lookout dinator at West Campus, this year’s show included roughly 100 to 125 participants. For many participants, this was their first time being involved. “I came out to watch a friend that is racing, “said Henry Mashue, an attendant. “It was the first time he ever raced so I came down to see what this was
all about.” Awards for the event were given to multiple car, truck and motorcycle classes. Returning participant Cisco Garza brought back his 1996 Chevy S-10 for this year’s show. Last year, Garza won in the special interest vehicle low rider division and in the specialty truck division for a mini-truck. “This is what I like to do; it’s a hobby,” Garza said. All years, makes, models and types of cars, light trucks and motorcycles were welcome to the event and encouraged to join next year’s car show. “Our family wished we would have come out last year,” Carla Mead said. “The auto show makes the event really family friendly.”
Manny Tembaras, left, compares notes with 1978 Corvette owner John and Penny Daniels at LCC’s fifth annual Car Show Sept. 24.