The Puyallup Post | Volume 22 | Issue 8 | May 16, 2017

The Puyallup Post VOLUME 22 ISSUE 8 |MAY 16, 2017 | PUYALLUPPOST.COM

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF

PIERCE COLLEGE

PUYALLUP SINCE 1994

Walking on stolen lands

Pierce College Puyallup Office of Student Life organizes event to explore historical Native American sites and early European settlements in the region

Chase Charaba Editor-in-Chief

O

n the tilted wooden front porch of Factor’s House at Fort Nisqually, Pierce College Puyallup students sat on benches or sat criss-crossed on the floor as former professor Chuck Larsen explained the impact and history of the treaties that placed Native Americans in Washington into reservations. Smoke from the fort’s wood stoves drifted over the grassy fields surrounding the house and every now and then, a rooster called out with it’s song.

Fort Nisqually was the final stop on an all-day adventure from the Office of Student Life on May 13 that took students across Pierce County to see historical Native American sites and to learn the history of the region.

Diversity and Equity Coordinator Nhan Ta organized the event because he wanted students to know more about Native American culture.

“We live in Puyallup and Tacoma and I took Pacific Northwest history, (which is) when I first started to know about Native American cultures,” Ta said. “We should learn more instead of ignoring the cultures of the stolen lands.”

Ta said because of his background coming from Vietnam, he had a different perspective on Native Americans.

“I came from Vietnam, so in my country the media perceives Native Americans in a very bad way,” Ta said. “Before coming here, I thought Native Americans were bad people. I watched a TV show, and this TV show basically said that Native Americans do a lot of bad things to the white men, like the white men are the good people. But in reality, the white man forced them, the Native Americans, out of their lands and stole their lands and everything.”

Students met in the Connection Cafe of the College Center at 9:30 a.m. on May 13 to check-in and socialize with others before embarking on the event.

Event speakers Larsen and professor Marcia Halstead explained the purpose of the event and gave a brief overview of what to take notes on and where students would be heading.

By 10 a.m. everyone was loaded into either the green or red college van, driven by professor Rob Stevens and Student Engagement

Specialist Kelsie Nabass.

After the five minute drive to Sumner, the vans parked near the Old Cannery and students stood between the two vans looking over the Stuck River, which connects the White River to the Puyallup River in Sumner. Here Larsen spoke on the history of valley and some of the villages located there. He also explained two of the major geological events that impacted the region: the major eruption of Mount Rainier about 5,000 years ago that filled in the valley, and the changing course of the White River.

Larsen said a log jam in the 1870s in Auburn forced the White River to change course from emptying into the Green River to flow into the Stuck Creek and the Puyallup River. Larsen also discussed the history of the Stuck River’s name, which came from mispronunciation of a village located there named Staxabush. The village was abandoned in 1856 during the Puget Sound Indian War. “The white settlers had an absolutely atrociously difficult time with anything the Salish said,” Larsen said to the group. “If you’re not (using) an Indo-European language, you don’t use the same little collection of sounds and Salish has about seven or eight significant sounds that don’t exist in English.”

Larsen said that other Salish words in the area were changed by the settlers, such as Tacoma, Tukwila and Snohomish.

This difficulty with pronunciation and mistranslation stemmed from the settlers’ use of Chinook in speaking with the natives. Larsen said that Chinook was easily pronounceable by an English speaker, but since it was a third language and neither the settlers nor the Puget Sound area natives spoke it fluently, it was nowhere near the full language.

“Not only did the settlers avoid the problem of trying to wrap their head around Salish words, that also meant they ignored grammar,” Larsen said.

“They never really got to understand any of the structure of the language.”

Continued on page 12

Photos by Chase Charaba

The entrance to Fort Nisqually, one of the first European settlements in the area (top). A tower at Fort Nisqually (middle). Students sit on the front porch of Factor’s House at Fort Nisqually and listen to Chuck Larsen speak about the treaties Native Americans signed (left). Students gather along the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma (right).

Inside The Puyallup Post Staff

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Editor-in-Chief Chase Charaba

253-912-2399 ext: 8632 | ccharaba@pierce.ctc.edu

The Puyallup Post

Managing Editor Daniel Pollock

253-912-2399 ext: 8587| dpollock@pierce.ctc.edu

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Senior Reporter Suzanne Buchholz

253-912-2399 ext: 8722 | sbuchholz@pierce.ctc.edu

Reporter

Volume 22 Issue 8 May 16, 2017

10 Disabled list

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Rebecca Dickson

253-912-2399 ext: 8624 | rdickson@pierce.ctc.edu

disasters haunt Tacoma Rainiers

Reporter

Jared Leingang

Tacoma Rainiers thriving despite flurry of roster moves

253-912-2399 ext: 8601 | jleingang@pierce.ctc.edu

Reporter

Student connects with ancestry by making drums

Andrea Mendoza

253-912-2399 ext: 8651 | amendoza@pierce.ctc.edu

Reporter

Brenna Smark

253-912-2399 ext: | bsmark@pierce.ctc.edu

Reporter

Colton Swanson

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253-912-2399 ext: 8811 | cswanson@pierce.ctc.edu

Office Manager/Reporter James McCraw

253-840-8496 | jmccraw@pierce.ctc.edu

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Educated in a Native American private school, student Hope Schenck continues to connect to her ancestry through making Native American hand drums

15 Business Club invites

Graphics Manager Katie Foster

Costco Executive VP

253-840-8496 | kfoster@pierce.ctc.edu

Adviser

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Teresa Josten

253-912-2399 ext: 8509 | tjosten@pierce.ctc.edu

Commitment and dedication are keys of success from Jim Murphy, executive vice president of Costco’s International Division

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THE PUYALLUP POST

News GSA dance honors LGBTQ+ community GSA to host dance to give students a chance to be themselves and celebrate their community Suzanne Buchholz

T

Senior Reporter

Suzanne Buchholz

Suzanne Buchholz

GSA Vice President Morgan Pasquier (top) and member Katja Whelan (bottom) are helping to organize the upcoming dance.

he Gay Straight Alliance of Pierce College Puyallup will host a dance this spring, currently set for June 9.

GSA Club President Rhi Webber said the club’s trying to aim its focus directly on the LGBTQ+ community at Pierce. Club members hosted a similar event last year and enjoyed it, so they wanted to hold another one this year with the same purpose of having fun and supporting others.

“Mostly it’s to support the queer community and give us something fun to do and somewhat to give us a space to be ourselves,” Webber said.

GSA Vice President Morgan Pasquier said plans are well underway and many members are getting involved.

Pasquier helped with the paperwork necessary to host the dance and supported the planning in other ways.

“I also floated between our different committees and offered advice when needed, but I wanted to give the other club members a chance to have a real part of planning and leadership, so I tried not to get as involved as I might have otherwise,” Pasquier said.

The club is reserving three rooms for the event. The dance itself will be in the dining commons of the College Center, and the club is also planning on running a game room that will most likely be set up in the multipurpose room. Members also have a classroom selected that will be designated as a quiet room where students can go to relax, if necessary.

“People who get overwhelmed can go and play with Play-Doh or toys and stuff,” Webber said.

Student and GSA member Katja Whelan said the club members tried to divide the work evenly, so the responsibilities wouldn’t be forced onto their officers.

Whelan’s been working on the food and decorations committee.

“I think it’s a lot of fun, if a bit of extra stress,” Whelan said.

Whelan also said the decorations should be cool if everything goes according to the committee’s plan. The current plan is to create the illusion of a ceiling over the main dance area, with streamers and fairy lights hanging from the balcony to the windows. The windows will be decorated with tulle and more lights, and there are also plans to make an archway out of balloons. “(There will be) lots of streamers, lots of rainbows,” Whelan said. “The quiet room is going to be about the same but on a more chill level.”

Plans for food include pizza, salad and sodas, Whelan said.

Details such as music and prices have yet to be confirmed.

Webber said admission will be free for Pierce students and about $5 for non-students.

Webber encourages students to check out the dance to enjoy themselves and show support for the community.

“Basically, just tell your friends about it and come and have fun,” Webber said.

Pasquier said she hopes people enjoy the dance because she’s proud of the club and the work club members are doing to organize the event.

“I feel like having a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to be themselves without fear of judgment and ostracism is incredibly important, and I’m very proud to be able to be a part of that space at this school,” Pasquier said. “The GSA is very much my family, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done on the dance.”

Pierce College graduation is a month away Graduation for the 2016-2017 school year is June 16 at the Tacoma Dome

Brenna Smark

T

Reporter

he 2016-2017 school year is coming to an end and graduation is right around the corner. On Friday, June 16 Pierce College students will gather at the Tacoma Dome in their caps and gowns to walk across a stage.

The doors open at 1:30 p.m., as that is when the graduation line up will begin. The ceremony will start at 2:30 p.m.. It is highly suggested that graduates give themselves plenty of time to get there, as traffic is expected to be heavy on all routes to the Tacoma Dome due to the Festival of Sail taking place at the Foss Waterway on the same day.

Given this information, the college urges the graduates to plan accordingly to ensure they arrive on time. Parking costs $15 per car but there are no tickets required to attend graduation, so any amount of individuals or family members can come to support their graduating students.

While going to the ceremony isn’t required, it’s highly encouraged. Official diplomas will not be issued at the ceremony, but will instead be mailed directly to the graduate approximately 10-12 weeks after the quarter and after all the requirements have been verified.

As the school year comes closer to its end, faculty need to prepare for graduation before the big day arrives.

Graduation is a big event and takes a lot of planning to be successful and run smoothly. District Event Manager Rosie Garcia is in charge of all the preparations.

“We have a committee that gets together to discuss the logistics of graduation. The process is fairly similar every year,” Garcia said. “This typically involves making sure that the program has updated information, getting all the necessary materials printed, the bookstore orders all the caps and gowns and we put together information packets that students can pick up with their gown and people to

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present the flags along with the music that’s going to be played at graduation.”

In the meantime, graduates need to prepare for commencement.

Picking up a cap and gown is important for the graduates attending the ceremony. Caps and gowns will be ready for pick up at the bookstores on both the Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom campuses starting June 5. There are no fees to pay and the size of the gown is chosen at pick up, as there are no measurement requirements. Garcia said more than 1000 caps and gowns are picked up but only an average of 800 graduates actually attend the ceremony.

Students must have their application filled out and turned into the registration office. While this isn’t pertinent to the ceremony, it’s vital for the overall graduation as it ensures that students have completed all the credit requirements necessary for their degree and so the college can confirm that they are eligible to graduate.

Students with special needs and who will need special accommodations at graduation should contact Access and Disability Services Manager Susan McPhee ahead of time so appropriate accommodations can be made. American Sign Language interpreters are already scheduled to be at graduation and the Tacoma Dome has accessible parking throughout its’ lots.

Once at the Tacoma Dome, graduates with special needs should check in with the volunteer staff at the Access and Disability Services table. Staff will also be stationed and ready to help guests with special needs get seated and get them seated appropriately in the reserved sections for the interpreters.

Even if students don’t contact ADS before graduation, accommodations will still be made, as the college wants to make graduation as pleasant for the graduates as they can.

“No matter what the situation, we’re going to have staff

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that makes sure every student gets accommodated to their needs,” McPhee said. “If someone is on crutches, we have staff on hand ready to help them walk up the steps to the stage. We try to be ready for anything and everything.”

Director of Institutional Research Erik Gimness said seven years ago the three-year graduation rate was 18.7 percent. Every year after that the graduation rates have increased. Last year, the goal was a 31 percent graduation rate which the college exceeded with a rate of 31.4 percent.

This year’s goal is to have a rate of 35 percent and the goal will only continue to reach higher as the years go on.

Graduation Where: Tacoma Dome, Tacoma When: Doors open at 1:30 p.m. on June 16 Cost: $15 to park

MAY 16, 2017

News College hiring student ambassadors Suzanne Buchholz

P

Senior Reporter

aid positions are open for students who want to work as student ambassadors for the next academic year. Applications will be accepted until May 26.

Christine McMullin, director of advising and entry services, said the job application requires students to provide some information about themselves in regard to their student careers at Pierce. Questions ask applicants how they feel about attending Pierce, their best experiences at the college and why they wish to be a student ambassador.

“What we’re looking for in an ideal ambassador and through the application process is a student who’s interested in gaining some leadership and office skills, so really important things for the future, but also really interested in giving back to Pierce College,” McMullin said.

Student ambassadors fulfill myriad duties on campus.

The job involves making outreach phone calls, arranging appointments with advisers, giving campus tours and helping new students become acclimated to the college.

These tasks all serve to create an easier experience for new students and strengthen the Pierce community, McMullin said.

Originally, Pierce officials hired ambassadors for specific jobs to accomplish within the Office of Student Success. However, because many ambassadors were working with limited available hours and were under stress from having to handle certain specific tasks themselves, this practice was changed so that ambassadors now share all tasks.

“We have created more generalized positions for the ambassadors,” McMullin said. “But if a student a quarter or so into it really feels that they have a passion for working with a particular student population or would like to learn more about something, we can definitely talk about that and kind of customize it to the ambassador’s needs.”

For the upcoming school year, Pierce leaders plan to hire five student ambassadors. With this number, each ambassador would work about 10 hours per week.

Depending on applicants, scheduling conflicts and workstation availability, McMullin said they might hire for four positions instead, which would allow the ambassadors to work more hours each week.

Following the May 26 application deadline, interviews for potential new ambassadors will begin prior to finals week. Once selected, the new ambassadors will begin training in September, before fall quarter begins. In addition to this training, the ambassadors also will attend a retreat in late August with other student employees from the Office of Student Life and The Puyallup Post.

McMullin said a new director of advising was recently hired on the Fort Steilacoom campus and with

that comes a renewed focus on how ambassadors will be trained. She said most likely ambassadors will have more cross-training between the Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom campuses.

McMullin said her own experience as a student employee in college helped to change the way she saw herself and her outlook on career opportunities. She said students would benefit from working as an ambassador, and the experience would teach them more about themselves.

McMullin said she had initially gone to college as a pre-med student because she was good at biology in high school, but her time working in the admissions office helped her realize the opportunities in other fields.

“In my first class, I failed a test. It was my very first time I’d ever failed anything in my life,” McMullin said.

“And so I was in this total state of panic, like I’m not good enough to be here, I’m not smart enough. If I’m not going to be pre-med what am I going to be? And so really giving students tours and realizing that I had some gifts and talents in other areas, I think, is what kept me in school.”

McMullin said students on the other side make a valuable gain from student ambassadors as well, as it seems to comfort them, interacting and getting help from employees who were so recently in the same position as them and remember what it was like.

For example, when the student email accounts switched from Gmail to Microsoft Outlook last year, the student ambassadors as well as other student employees were able to provide assistance while staying on the students’ level.

Students said they thought student ambassadors are a helpful resource for the college to utilize.

“I think (having students help students) would benefit them,” student Daniel Bramhall said.

Current students said the outreach could help new students feel more comfortable at the school and feel less discouraged by college life.

“A lot of the time, students are struggling,” student Kallee DeBord said. “If someone reaches out to help them, it’s good for everyone.”

McMullin said being a student ambassador can round out a student’s experience at Pierce in addition to earning some extra money.

“Student ambassador is definitely one of those options for somebody who wants pretty much a schedule that’ll work around their classes, but a chance to really get to know how the college works, how people in an office work together,” McMullin said. “I think it’s just a great way and a great complement to most student’s experiences here.”

Students have until May 26 to turn in applications for the upcoming year. They can drop off applications in the Gaspard Administration Building.

Suzanne Buchholz

Suzanne Buchholz

Bailey Shippy is a current student ambassador for Pierce College Puyallup (top). Student ambassadors can be found in the Student Success center in the Gaspard Administration Building (bottom).

Hanford site tunnel collapse brings concern to state Rebecca Dickson

C Reporter

oncern over aging nuclear facilities has come to the forefront of many minds after a tunnel at the Hanford site, a former nuclear reactor in eastern Washington, collapsed and wasn’t found for as much as four days.

The once-active nuclear site, home to more than 100,000 tons of radioactive soil, was created in 1947 in order to increase the United States’ nuclear arsenal during the Cold War. While the nuclear arsenal stopped active operation in 1987, the reactor still is in the process of being cleaned up to prevent contamination of local towns.

This may have ended on May 9, had the Hanford Site not reacted as quickly as they did.

On May 9, a 20 foot section of the tunnel connecting two portions of the

MAY 16, 2017

plant collapsed within itself. According to a press release by the Hanford site, the tunnel stored radioactive materials. After the tunnel collapse was found Tuesday, the hole was filled with uncontaminated soil, in order to mitigate the risk of radiation contamination in local communities or airborne contamination of the state.

“No radiological contamination was detected as a result of the collapse or while the hole was being filled,” the Hanford Site published on their emergency information website. “However, until additional actions can be taken to ensure safety, access to portions of the Hanford Site’s 200 East Area will continue to be restricted.”

While the nuclear site has no radiological contamination according to the Hanford Site, non-essential employees are asked to avoid certain areas of the plant as of May 12. This is due to the possibility of exposure to radioactive material.

“The Hanford Site is on a Regular Work Schedule today, with the exception of those personnel whose work reporting location is within the “Controlled Access Area” around the PUREX facility in the 200 East Area,” the site website said Friday, May 12.

“Employees should expect traffic revisions around PUREX, including the closure of South Canton Avenue.”

In later reports, it was found that the tunnel collapsed as much as 4 days before it was discovered on Tuesday.

“We don’t know exactly when it occurred,” Mark Heeter, Energy Department Spokesman said in an interview with NBC News.

According to Reuters, the Energy Department had been notified that there was a possibility of a tunnel collapse in 2015.

“The Energy Department noted wooden beams in one tunnel had lost 40 percent of

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their strength and were being weakened by gamma radiation,” Reuters said.

Overall, this incident has drawn attention to the numerous nuclear and radioactive incidents which have happened over the years. While some are concerned about the maintenance of the plant, the Department of Energy said they want to focus on cleanup efforts at the Hanford site.

“After more than two decades of cleanup, considerable progress has been made at Hanford, reducing the risk the site poses to the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment,” the Office of Environmental Management said.

“For more than forty years, reactors located at Hanford produced plutonium for America’s defense program. (The) environmental cleanup project is the work that approximately 11,000 Hanford employees are involved with today.”

THE PUYALLUP POST

News Shout Outs

Interviews and Photos by Brenna Smark

Where are you transferring to after graduation?

Jacob Crause

Cameron Limes

“I am transferring to Eastern Washington University to get my Bachelor of Arts degree in film”

“I’m gonna be transferring to Washington State University because I like their communications program which is what I’m going to be majoring in.”

Matthew Grendell

Carissa Morrison

“I’m going to be transferring to Brigham Young University.”

“I’m transferring to University of Washington Tacoma.

I’m not sure what I’m going to major in yet, but I want to become a doctor.”

Tanner Snyder “I’m not transferring. I am getting out of the college atmosphere.”

Kirsten Davison “I’m not gonna be transferring. I’m gonna be getting married and working for Amazon. My major from Pierce is General Office Administration.”

Kathrin Guerrero

Alexandra Swanson

“I’m not transferring because I’m going to be going into the workforce.”

“I’m transferring to St. Martins after I graduate to get my bachelor’s in Political Science.”

Sandy Ramos

Tyson Letham

“I’m transferring to California State University and I’m going to be majoring in psychology.”

“I’m transferring to Western and I’m going to be majoring in cellular molecular biology.”

David Proby

Luke Strong

“I’m taking a year off before I move on to my bachelor’s degree.

When I do transfer I’m going to be majoring in veterinary medicine.”

“I’m transferring to Central Washington University and majoring in education.”

Amber Gooden

Jordan Bowers

“I’m transferring to Ithaca College in Upstate New York.

I’m majoring in economics.”

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Best Dressed Most Likely to Pass You Most Entertaining Never on Time Most Inspirational Most Likely to Give Too Much Homework Best Hair Best Lecturer

Turn completed surveys in to room CTR 218 (The Puyallup Post) by May 29, 2017.

“I’m going to be transferring to University of Washington Tacoma and I’m gonna be going into writing studies for creative writing.”

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MAY 16, 2017

Opinion Fightin’ Words

Should students take a gap year after graduation?

Yes

No

Jared Leingang

Suzanne Buchholz

W Reporter

W

Senior Reporter

ith graduation at Pierce College approaching, students are considering their options for the future.

Many are planning to continue their educations at other institutions, staying close to home or traveling further out of state. .....Other students might not be ready for this step. They may not be sure what they want to do with their future, what college might be the right choice for the them or even if they wish to continue with college.

In this respect, taking a year off after graduation, also known as a gap year, might be a beneficial option for some students.

In many cases, students go to college immediately after graduation because they feel pressured into it, either by family or friends who will be moving on to college themselves. They might feel they’ll disappoint someone if they don’t go to college right away or that they should, simply because it seems to be what everyone else is doing, regardless of what they personally desire. This isn’t a good enough reason for a student to rush into college without extensively considering their options first, as it could result in confusion or frustration as they struggle to decide what field to study when they might not have a clue.

Students who try to go to college right away might not even want to go to college at all, as they might not see it as aligning with their goals for the future, but might feel compelled to do it based on peer pressure. This can lead to few different problems, especially related to money. It could result in unnecessary financial strain, as many institutions are expensive unless one receives a scholarship. A student could be burdened with loans for several years after graduation, potentially with nothing to show for it if the degree they wound up getting didn’t get them into the line of work they wanted or even a decent-paying job to cover these loans.

A gap year for students uncertain of what they want to do in the future might be helpful by giving them time to thoroughly research their options. A year isn’t a huge amount of time, but it’s enough for a student to be able to decide more solidly what options might suit them best. It gives them time to reflect on possible career paths and what colleges might help them achieve these goals, or it could help them see if college isn’t the best option for them and spare them the anxiety of school work they might not need or the strain of financial woes that accompanies college.

The gap year itself could help alleviate financial stress for a student. During the year, a student might find a job and take the time to work. On one hand, this could help the student raise money to pay for college necessities. If not enough to pay off students loans, the money can go toward the cost of materials, food and so on.

On the other hand, the student might find a job they really like and that they could move up in with devotion, and might not consider college a necessity for this position.

In this case the student might have a good, steady job without having to spend the time and money getting a degree for a job that could be less fulfilling.

A gap year may also give a student the opportunity to explore different parts of themselves or engage in new activities that could change their lives for the better, which they might not be able to do if they’re distracted with college. Many students spend gap years traveling if they can afford it, and as a result might feel more independent and experienced, both of which are important qualities when taking on the challenge of college. Others might just want some time to devote to certain hobbies, which could help them relax and be more emotionally prepared for college.

Gap years might not be the best option for all students, especially those who’ve already established what they want to do. But for those who feel stressed and like they don’t have enough time to make such big decisions, or even know if this is the right choice for their future, it might help more than hurt to have some extra time.

hen the time comes for students to graduate high school, most are full of emotions and ready to finally be finished. Some are ready to move onto college, while others want to take time off and relax.

Students who plan to continue their education at a college shouldn’t take a year off but should go right into the next step of their education.

People want to take a year off away from tests and lectures to reenergize and work full-time jobs, which isn’t a bad plan on the surface. But then most people end up binge-watching the newest Netflix series all day or get stuck behind the fryer at the local McDonald’s.

It’s harsh, but it’s the truth. Young adults eager to get in the workforce get a job that they believe is best for them, when really they could get a better job with a degree from a college.

Sure, taking time off to travel and enjoy the world is beneficial, but then while doing all that people are sure to lose interest and never want to go back to school again.

People should continue their education when they know that motivation and drive is still present.

Some people may take a gap year to work or travel to save money but even the gap year could be as expensive as a year at college. Traveling costs a decent amount of money and some people start paying bills as well. When it all adds up it may equal the cost of tuition at a college.

Taking a gap year has many benefits if it is utilized correctly. The problem is, it almost never is. If, during the gap year, students volunteer overseas or even study abroad it can help build their resumes to get into a college.

Also when someone takes a year off of school and then come back they forget things they’ve already learned and are not as fast a learner. Students may not learn as fast as those who go to college directly from high school.

Taking a year off can also leave someone a year behind their peers. In order to finish college at the same time as their high school classmates they’d have to take a heavier workload and even take summer courses as well.

If someone really wants a break the time can be after college before they start working full-time. Once someone goes on a break the odds are they won’t ever want to go back, or the one-year break can turn into a two-year break and so on. The break may never end. If someone values education and plans to pursue a higher education, there is no need to wait when they can start as soon as they graduate high school.

Taking the break may cause someone to lose the drive they need to be successful in college so when or if they return, they could struggle in or even fail courses.

For the people who take the year off to accumulate money to pay for college, that’s a decent reason, but the same risks apply that they might get lazy and never want to return. There are also financial aid options as well to help students through college if they get accepted for it.

College isn’t for everyone so if someone wants to take the time off and re-examine their options then that’s fine, but if they are committed to going to college there is no need to wait.

The more someone puts a task off, the more likely they’ll never go back to that task. Also when taking a year off a student can lose access to important counselors and even some scholarships that are available for people fresh out of high school.

Overall, there can be positives to the gap year but if someone’s goal is to go to college they shouldn’t put it off, because odds are they’ll never go back.

Shout Outs

Is it good for students to take a year off after graduation?

Interviews and Photos by

Lacie Voellger “I don’t think it’s a good idea because you lose track of your goals and what you’re doing. It’s hard to get back into your routine of what you’re doing.”

Sara Basquez “I think so. It lets students take a year off between high school and college to figure themselves out.”

Rebecca Dickson

MAY 16, 2017

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Jordan Johnston “I just feel like you should get your education as soon as you can. The sooner you get out into the workforce, the better.”

Ella Norberg “I think it is because after 12 years, you get really exhausted. It’s just exhausting. I think a year should be taken to travel.”

THE PUYALLUP POST

Opinion Springtime could affect students Spring could have a potential impact on students’ motivation and mood for several reasons Suzanne Buchholz

A

Senior Reporter

fter a long winter that brought freezing temperatures and a snowfall heavy enough to close Pierce College Puyallup for almost a week, students might be more than ready to embrace a new season.

Spring officially started on Mar. 20, and with it should come increased temperatures and brighter days. But Washington doesn’t usually cooperate.

It’s been spring for two months, but the weather makes it feel as though it’s still winter. Although the snow has finally stopped in the region, the rain refuses to let up.

In only one day in March, SeaTac received almost four inches of rain, which is about as much as it typically gets for the entire month, according to The News Tribune.

Seattle broke the record for most wet days from October 2016 to March 2017, accumulating a whopping 43 inches of rain, according to KOMO News (the old record, from 1950-1951, was 41 inches). These reports don’t exactly give one hope for outdoor picnics or beach days anytime soon.

The weather, cold and gray as it is, could have an impact on students’ moods. Research has revealed connections between bad weather and depressed feelings.

The lack of light on rainy days messes with serotonin signals to the brain, which can cause one to feel sad and devoid of energy. The steady downpour of rain may also deter people from wanting to leave the house or prevent them from participating in certain outdoor activities, which could also contribute to these moods, according to an article on Healdove. These are all symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, essentially depression that only occurs or is worsened by certain times of year.

A lack of decent weather could drain students’ motivation to work, as they might feel hopeless, wondering whether the sun will ever come out. But daydreaming about nice, warm weather could have an opposite effect on students’ motivation as well.

Students could be distracted, thinking about upcoming vacation plans and the promise of the returning sun, losing focus on their studies as a result. On rare occasions where it does warm up before June, students might be more likely to spend their time outside than completing homework.

Reports on whether the weather really does impact students’ grades have been inconclusive, however, as the weather’s effect depends on the student.

What might help Regardless of this, students can take steps to keep themselves focused on their studies while enjoying the sunshine or coping when it’s not here.

Students who might be suffering from SAD could try light therapy. This form of therapy involves purchasing a bright light box, which is a portable device that emits enough light to mimic a clear day outdoors.

The amount of time necessary for each session depends

on the individual; a doctor can assess the needed dose, if required. Other options for treating SAD include using aromatherapy oils to stimulate certain parts of the brain that influence mood, getting regular exercise and writing in a journal to keep emotions and moods in check.

If a student doesn’t feel these methods are helping or if their condition might extend beyond SAD, they should consider seeing their doctor to determine what an effective treatment might be. If the condition is bad enough it could require antidepressants. Speaking to a counselor like those available on campus might help students as well.

Students feeling less focused on their work and more fixated on summer fun could try keeping themselves motivated by reminding themselves of their accomplishments and how close they are to finishing the quarter.

Keeping in mind all they’ve done so far and not wanting to sacrifice that so close to the end might encourage one to keep working instead of slacking. On those days when the sun does make an appearance, a student could try keeping themselves on track by planning something fun to do once their work is complete, or even enjoying the sun by studying outside.

Another option could be to participate in some of the events offered on campus, which allow a fun reprieve from studies and being involved in the school without being a major distraction. Events coming up range from trips off campus such as Wandering with Whales (a whale watching excursion) and Zips and Parsnips (where students can practice farming and try their hand at ziplining) to more local events such as discussions on topics affecting college students as well as the community.

Above all, students should try to make the most of their springtime, knowing that summer isn’t far off. They shouldn’t let this knowledge distract them from their studies but encourage them to keep it up and know they’ll soon have some freedom.

There’s always a bright side, even in spring showers.

Flowers blooming on campus.

Rebecca Dickson

The trees in front of the ADM Building are in full bloom.

Trinity Kovalick

Leena McKinney

Dianna Kotelevskiy

“I think it’s really important to take the time to gain experience, because we spend so much time studying and taking tests.”

“Sometimes it would be good to explore and find yourself, but if you take off a year, it would be hard to get back into the routine of things.”

“For me, I don’t think it’s a good idea. In my experience, my brother took a year off of school, and he didn’t want to go back to school as much as he used to.”

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Suzanne Buccholz

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Cason Friese

Atlas Gap

Garrett Bown

“I think yes. Depending on what they do with that time. Between high school and college, a job would be a good life experience.”

“Yes, because if you go into the real world (before college), they can learn what they(‘ll) want to do for college or their occupation.”

“For me personally, I wouldn’t because I have to be productive. If I’m to unproductive for too long, I get used to it and I’ll stay unproductive”.

MAY 16, 2017

Opinion

Photo courtesy of Pierce College Website

Photo courtesy of Pierce College Website

Photo courtesy of Pierce College Website

Official maps of Pierce College Puyallup that show the locations of official first aid kits on campus. There are other kits not listed (top). A first aid kit locker in the Campus Safety office (right).

First aid kits not featured on college map

Rebecca Dickson

Rebecca Dickson

However, post-secondary educational institutions aren’t required to have kits. Many Pierce students are under the student cuts their hand on a piece of glass while age of 18 and are still in high school. If the Health and performing a required lab experiment for their Safety Guide for K-12 schools should apply to all public chemistry class. The professor isn’t around, and school students within those grades, Pierce should follow they’re starting to drip blood on their chemistry equipment. those regulations as well, as Pierce caters toward Running According to campus maps, this student would need to run Start students. up two flights of stairs, across a courtyard, into another In addition, other colleges in the area seem to have building and to a locked closet in order to retrieve a simple more stringent policies supporting first aid. bandage.

According to Clover Park Technical College’s website, According to Pierce College maps, the Puyallup campus “All college departments shall have first aid kits in has more defibrillators on campus than designated first aid designated work areas and employees shall learn the kits. location(s) of the department’s first aid kit(s) and know Pierce College Puyallup has six defibrillators—one for who in the department has been trained in first aid.” each building, according to the Campus Safety website.

Pierce doesn’t have this policy. While the ADM, childcare However, only three buildings have first aid kits. These center and AAH have first aid kits, the College Center and buildings are the Gaspard Administration Building, the the Brouillet Library/Science Building—two of the mostGarnero Child Development Center and the Arts and frequently visited buildings—don’t have basic first aid Allied Health Building. kits accessible to While it’s nice that Pierce has a defibrillator Some some rooms and students. in every building, it would be even better if “While offices in these Pierce could allocate $100 in its yearly budget buildings have first aid kits, buildings may to buy basic, Red Cross-certified family first have first aid aid kits for the buildings that don’t have one. such as the library, not all are kits, but they While some rooms and buildings have first listed on Pierce’s website. In a aren’t easily aid kits, such as the library, not all are listed located in an on Pierce’s website. In a medical emergency, medical emergency, students emergency. students may not be aware of these options, may not be aware of these Without wasting precious time. first aid kits Basic family first aid kits from the Red options, wasting precious time.” i m m e d i a t e l y Cross only cost $30 each, and include roll available, bandages, slings, first aid tape and even a CPR mask; these students risk not having access to critical supplies. items can be critical in case of an emergency.

If a student in the science labs accidentally shoves a According to the Washington State Health and Safety glass thermometer through his or her hand during an Guide for K-12 Schools, schools must have first aid kits. experiment, the chemicals and glass potentially can cause

A Reporter

MAY 16, 2017

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extreme harm. By buying multiple first aid kits that can be stored in each building in central locations, responders can have the opportunity to aid those in need.

In cases of further regional emergencies, the college is a potential central hub to all of Puyallup’s South Hill neighborhood. While somewhat isolated, it’s likely that many communities would come to Pierce for aid. Pierce’s position as a central hub carries further responsibility-in an emergency, the college should aid others, not just students.

Without proper preparations, Pierce may quickly run out of first aid supplies. Having further distribution of supplies in multiple areas insures there will be adequate supplies in a regional emergency. While there are emergency medical services near Pierce that would be utilized in this case, the college could potentially be an additional location where these services may be accessed.

In a regional emergency, such as an earthquake, there’s a chance that the first aid closet in the ADM Building may be cut off from the rest of campus, leaving vital supplies inaccessible.

Pierce College faculty, students and staff members may be left without a choice but to scrounge for makeshift first aid supplies while emergency personnel triage to find who needs first aid supplies the most, leaving those with moderate to minor injuries without care.

Pierce College is becoming a statewide and even national example in raising graduation rates. Pierce should also be a leader in providing basic, critical first aid supplies in all buildings on campus, if not for students and faculty, than for the greater good of the community in case of an emergency.

THE PUYALLUP POST

Sports

Colton Swanson

Colton Swanson

The gem of the Emerald City: Safeco Field (left). The Seattle Mariners hope to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001 (right).

Seattle Mariners start first month of season 11-14

Jared Leingang Reporter

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new season for the Seattle Mariners means new faces, a clean slate and high expectations. Coming off a season where the Mariners playoff hopes went down to the last few games, the team looks to develop more talent and finally get that elusive playoff spot.

After rolling through spring training, the Mariners started the season with a few key injuries. Starting pitcher Drew Smyly is on the 60-day disabled list with an elbow injury and key reserve Shawn O’Malley is sidelined after having an appendectomy, along with a few other injuries to players such as pitcher Tony Zych.

The Mariners started the season on the road in Houston against the Astros. Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez had a rough start giving up three runs, while Houston’s pitcher blanked the M’s hitters, as they lost 3-0 in the opener. The Mariners would end up losing the first three games of the season before winning the final game of the series against Houston.

Next up was against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The change in scenery didn’t do the team any good as they got swept and lost all three games. During the final game, after holding a 9-3 lead heading into the final inning, Mariners pitchers gave up seven unanswered runs as the Angels walked off with a 10-9 victory.

Seattle slumped back to the Pacific Northwest with another series against the Astros. After winning the season opener 6-0, the Mariners continued to lose the next two games and the series against Houston. In the series starting shortstop Jean Segura, while diving back into first base, suffered a mild hamstring strain and was put on the disabled list.

The Mariners finally started stringing wins together when the Texas Rangers came to town highlighted by the pitching of The Big Maple, starting pitcher James Paxton, who pitched a gem against the Rangers on April 15, giving up zero runs and only two hits through eight innings in a 5-0 win. After bringing out the brooms and sweeping the Rangers the Miami Marlins were up next.

The series against Miami was particularly important because it marked the return of Mariner’s legend Ichiro Suzuki. Suzuki played for the Mariners from 2001-2012 and is the all-time hits leader for the franchise. He recently made history for achieving the accolade of 3,000 hits in his career. On April 19, the first 20,000 fans to arrive at Safeco Field received an Ichiro bobble head commemorating his achievement. The Mariners won two out of the three games against the Marlins and in the series finale, Ichiro led off the top of ninth and on the first pitch he launched a home-run into the stands, which brought the crowd to its feet to remember and acknowledge the Mariner’s legend.

Riding high after a homestand that saw the unveiling of another Mariner’s legend, Ken Griffey Jr’s, statue and with the team going 6-3 the Mariners ran into a roadblock against the Oakland Athletics. In the four game series the Mariners lost three in a row before salvaging the final game of the series with a dominant 11-1 victory.

Coming off of a good win, the team ventured into Detroit to face the Tigers. The first game of the series

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ended up being one of the worst losses of the season so far.

Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez lasted only two innings after suffering a tight right shoulder. The club also lost rookie outfielder Mitch Haniger to a strained oblique in the third inning. The Tigers scored nine runs in the fifth inning in rout to a 19-9 win for the Tigers. The positive from the game was that starting shortstop Jean Segura returned from being hurt and went three for six with one home run in his first game back.

The team bounced back from the tough loss and won the next two games against Detroit to take the series against the Tigers.

Up next on the road trip is a trip to Cleveland to face the Indians. In the first game of the series, starting pitcher Ariel Miranda pitched one of his best games of the season, striking out seven and only giving up two hits in five and a third innings. Rookie Ben Gamel was brought up from the Seattle Mariners Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers, to help replace the production of rookie Mitch Haniger.

Gamel and second baseman Robinson Cano both homered in the game to help Seattle win 3-1.

The second game of the series had pitcher Yovani Gallardo take the mound for Seattle. He gave up four runs in the first inning, and Seattle also scored three runs in the first inning as well. No other runs would be scored in the game as they ended up losing 4-3.

Due to Hernandez’s injury the Mariners had to trot out pitcher Chase De Jong in the final game of the series against the Mariners. De Jong only lasted 2.2 innings and gave up six runs as the Indians ran away with the game with a 12-4 victory The Mariners started off the month of May with a homestand. Up first was a rematch against the Angels.

Paxton pitched the first game of the series. The Big Maple pitched five innings giving up only one run. The Angels took the lead in the eighth inning giving them a 4-3 lead heading into the final inning. The M’s then rallied in the ninth to tie the game and force extra innings. In the top of the 11th the Angels scored two runs keyed by a double by Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols. The Mariners failed to put together another and lost 6-4.

Jean Segura led the M’s to a win in the second game of the series. Segura had four runs batted in the game. Seattle built a four run lead by the fifth inning but then the Angels rallied behind their all-star

outfielder Mike Trout who hit a two-run home-run in the sixth inning. The Mariners then came back in the eighth behind outfielder Jarrod Dyson’s two-run double and Segura’s two-run single to give the team the lead. Pitcher Edwin Diaz pitched the ninth and got the save as the Mariners won 8-7.

April was a rough first month for the Mariners. Plenty of injuries and losing streaks have put the Mariners in a hole to start the season. There are some positives. Rookie outfielder Mitch Haniger is in the running for rookie of the year by having a .342 batting average with four home runs and 16 runs batted in. Newcomer Jean Segura, after coming back from being injured, has a .317 batting average and designated hitter Nelson Cruz is heating up and has seven home runs with a .317 batting average. Utilityman Taylor Motter has become a new fan favorite for the ball club with his hustle, ability to play every position and his patented hair flip.

Catcher Mike Zunino still struggles to hit, but his defense behind the plate is one of the best in the league.

Leonys Martin, starting center fielder and fan-favorite, was designated for an assignment on April 23. Martin was struggling and had an average of .111 in 58 plate appearances. Other teams had the opportunity to pick up Martin, but no one did, so he was outrighted to the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers, where he looks to find his swing again.

If the team gets 100 percent healthy and the main contributors keep hitting, then hopefully the Mariners can start stringing together a few wins and make a run.

Mariners Team Leaders (As of 5/12)

Batting Average: SS Jean Segura (.369) Homeruns: 2B Robinson Cano/DH Nelson Cruz (9) Runs Batted In: DH Nelson Cruz (31) Stolen Bases: CF Jarrod Dyson (9) Wins: LHP James Paxton/LHP Ariel Miranda (3) Earned Run Average: LHP James Paxton (1.43) Saves: RHP Edwin DIaz (7) Strikeouts: LHP James Paxton (45)

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MAY 16, 2017

Sports

Disabled list disasters haunt Rainiers Tacoma Rainiers thriving despite flurry of roster moves Colton Swanson

B Reporter

efore the 2017 season, Jerry Dipoto did his due diligence in adding depth to the minor league clubs in case of injuries. Even Jerry couldn’t have predicted what was in store for the Mariners this year.

With MLB’s addition of the 10-day doubled list, more players than ever have found themselves on the shelf.

While players such as Troy Tulowitski seem to take a year trip to the disabled list, some players such as Adrian Gonzalez have found themselves there for the first time in their careers.

The Mariners have seen their fair share of injuries. Of the five projected starters before the season, only Yovani Gallardo still stands. Drew Smyly, James Paxton, Hisashi Iwakuma and Felix Hernandez are all currently injured along with some of the bullpen. Rookie Mitch Haniger is rehabbing and Jean Segura returned from the DL not too long ago. While this of course hurts the big league club, the minor league squads are feeling the adverse effects.

The Rainiers lost Ariel Miranda at the beginning of the season as he went to fill in at the big club. Players such as Ben Gamel, Dillion Overton, Mike Freeman, Dan Vogelbach and Chase De Jong have also been up with the Mariners this year, all of which seemed Chase Charaba that they would be major parts of a successful season in Tacoma.

With that being said, the Mariners 2017 motto “Whatever it takes” has rung true for their AAA ball club. As of May 8th, the Rainiers had been involved in 25 roster moves in just six days, yet they still find themselves nine games over .500 entering play on May 11th.

Due to pitching injuries and call ups, Mariners prospect Andrew Moore made his AAA debut for the Rainiers on the 9th. Moore is a pitcher out of Oregon State and one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. Some fans may say that Moore is being rushed and moved along too quickly and while that may be true, the amount of pitchers that the Rainiers have sacrificed to the big league warrants a shot for the young pitcher.

Other players such as Boog Powell, Tuffy Gosewich and Christian Bergman have also been involved in the flurry of roster moves. The influx of new faces and names can do a lot to a team’s confidence but the Rainiers just keep rolling.

Tacoma holds a one-game lead over the Reno Aces for first place in the Pacific Coast League. They began a four

MAY 16, 2017

game set with the Round Rock Express on the 11th. The team is just a few months removed from making it to the playoffs and it seems they will have to use every trick in the book to overcome the adversity that they have been presented with in 2017.

The M’s currently have ten players on the DL including 80 percent of the starting rotation. De Jong and Bergman will both make starts for Seattle in Toronto during their four game series against the Blue Jays, both of which have made starts for Tacoma this season.

Even if it’s not the disabled list, the Rainiers have been playing a game of roster roulette. A struggling Leonys Martin was designated for assignment last month and was then outrighted to Tacoma. He was joined by catcher Mike Zunino as he makes another trip to Tacoma after hitting below the Mendoza line in Seattle. PLayers such as Dan Altavilla and De Jong have made multiple trips up and down I-5 from Tacoma to Seattle as well as callups from AA Arkansas. A rehabbing Jean Segura made a few starts at shortstop as well as a few innings for both Steve Cishek and Tony Zych as they returned from injury.

It seems likley that Felix Hernandez and Mitch Haniger will have to spend some time in Tacoma on rehab assignments in Tacoma later this month as well. The plan is for both Martin and Zunino to correct the holes in their swings while in Tacoma and eventually make their way back to Seattle ready to make an impact.

Whether it just be the addition of the 10-day DL or just an anomaly occurring in Seattle or a combination of both, the fact remains that the Tacoma Rainiers along with the rest of the Seattle Mariners organization will have to overcome many different obstacles to salvage the rest of the season. Tacoma has shown no sign of slowing down.

Cheney Stadium will play host to the 2017 MiLB AAA All-Star Game and Homerun Derby. The 30th annual AllStar game will take place on Wed. July 12 in a revamped Triple-A stadium that has introduced a whole new viewing experience with the addition of the “R Yard” above the bullpen in left field. The party deck has also been revamped with an all new fire place located down the third baseline.

With the homerun derby being held in Cheney, Rainiers outfielder and Mariners #2 prospect Tyler O’Neill seems to be a favorite to represent the home town team in the showcase although his sub-.200 batting average could earn him a demotion to AA-Arkansas.

An exciting year is underway in Tacoma. The Rainiers look to continue their success before hosting one of minor league baseballs biggest weeks.

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Chase Charaba

Armani Jackson

Chase Charaba

Colton Swanson

Cheney Stadium in Tacoma is the home of the Tacoma Rainiers triple-A baseball team (top full). Rhubarb is the mascot of the Rainiers (top).

THE PUYALLUP POST

Features

All photos courtesy of Hope Schenck

Four of the traditional Native American drums that Hope Schenck makes to connect with her Native American ancestry. Schenck gets the materials from Chehalis Drums and Hide and draws the designs on paper before transferring it to the drums (left). Schenck constructs a drum (top right). Schenck paints one of her drums, which she sells to her family members for $300. Schenck wants to one day sell them at a booth at powwow (bottom right).

Student connects with her ancestry by making drums

Educated in a Native American private school, student Hope Schenck continues to connect to her ancestry through making Native American hand drums Brenna Smark

Monday where students would gather in a circle in the gym. A group would perform Native American dances and ierce College Puyallup student Hope Schenck drumming in the middle of the circle has a unique passion that represents her ancestry.

“I hated it because it dragged on and it was something Schenck was born and raised in Washington and we had to do for like 20 minutes each week,” Schenck attended Maple Lawn Elementary School and Sumner said. “But I thought the scene was cool and it still exposed Middle School. Her high school, me to the culture.” however, was the Native American Her love for drum making developed at Chief Leschi. private school Chief Leschi, and this “It’s really hard to explain,” Schenck said. “When you say is where her story begins. you make drums people get really surprised and are like, While attending Chief Leschi for two ‘You made what? What do you mean you make drums?’” years, Schenck became involved in Schenck drums to represent her Native American culture. and fascinated with Native American “I get the hide from Chehalis Drums and Hide,” Schenck culture. said. “Then I put it in water and stretch it over the frame Schenck, who is one-eighth Native and then it has to dry.”

American, felt her ancestry was After the hide is dry and the drum is properly constructed, Hope Schenck something she really wanted to dive Schenck then paints on the designs. into. She didn’t have many opportunities to get involved in “The designs I put on my drums are designs that I got the culture when she was younger, and that’s what got her from photos,” Schenck said. “But I did it all freehand.” interested in Chief Leschi.

With one drum in particular Schenck drew straight “My mom was just never really in the culture when on the drum itself, which proved to be quite difficult and I was little,” Schenck said. “We would try to go to different from how she normally puts the designs on the powwows, but it’s just kind of drums. weird if you don’t know anyone “I usually draw it on there. But then I came across “We had a class specifically a piece of paper first,” Chief Leschi and I thought it designed for Native American Schenck said. “Then I’ll looked absolutely awesome.” typically use carbon paper Attending Chief Leschi and history and so that really got me to transfer it and then I taking classes there only fueled interested in the culture itself,” paint it.” her interest in the culture.

While drum making was “We had a class specifically Schenck said. “And really just something that Schenck designed for Native American being surrounded by the culture mainly did at school, it’s history, and so that really got me a passion that she’s now interested in the culture itself,” really helped get me into it.” carried into her life at home.

Schenck said. “And just being “It was something that I surrounded by the culture really helped get me into it.” felt I was pretty OK. at,” Schenck said. “My first one was For example, the school hosted the Circle every a really big one and my family thought it was pretty cool.

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Reporter

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I got better as I kept making them and I found out that you could make them at home and it just worked out.”

Schenck soon discovered that what started out being a hobby could actually turn into a profitable business.

“I’m selling mine to my family for like $300, but I know I can get like $500 for them,” Schenck said. “I haven’t sold to anyone outside of my family yet, but if I am able to have a booth at powwow, they will hopefully go fast.”

While Schenck enjoyed the exposure to the culture and the drum making at Chief Leschi, she considers it to be a mistake academically.

“The academics were really low at Chief Leschi,” Schenck said. “And that’s why I started going to Pierce to pursue my general associate degree, and I think it’s really cool I got that opportunity.”

Schenck plans to continue her education beyond Pierce, and even though she was accepted at Western Washington University, it’s still a decision she’s struggling with.

“I’m still not entirely sure if I want to pursue college at Western, or take the more artistic route with my drums and maybe a few other things,” Schenck said. “But if I can learn form line and start making my own designs for my drums that would be really cool.”

If she decides to further her college education, Schenck’s interested in computer programming but still undecided.

However. Schenck has also created a backup plan.

“A second option would be publishing and marketing, so the digital design and stuff, I really enjoy doing that.”

Schenck said. “I did some in high school and I just took a class at Fort Steilacoom for publishing and marketing.”

Above all, she plans to keeps her passion for the Native American culture alive through her drums.

MAY 16, 2017

Features Associates in motherhood

Adeline Lopez-Rocha juggles her time between being a mother and student Andrea Mendoza Reporter

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aking care of children, maintaining a marriage and working toward a degree can often be challenging, but mother Adeline Lopez-Rocha proves that all is possible when one wants to achieve one’s dreams.

“It’s not impossible to do all these things, but if you really want it and are able to make the sacrifice, you can do it,” Lopez-Rocha said.

Lopez-Rocha, a Mexican-American mother of two, is a student at Pierce College Puyallup. During the day, she’s a full-time mom, but in the afternoons and evenings she’s a part-time student. Having the full schedule of a student, mother and employee means that those in similar positions are forced to make these sacrifices.

Before getting pregnant, she took classes at Everest College to become a licensed practical nurse. She recalls her experience in college, being one similar to those of many other college students, but when she received the news she going to have a child, her life completely took a turn.

“I remember when I first got pregnant, I was scared,” Lopez-Rocha said. “I was young and I was in the middle of finishing up my certification up in Everest and I wanted to keep going to school.”

Being a mother and attending college hasn’t been the easiest task for Lopez-Rocha.

She wants to work as a registered nurse and is currently taking the prerequisite classes to apply for the nursing program. Her motivation for going to school is to give her family a better future.

“I want to be a nurse because it’s more secure than an LPN because nurses are needed everywhere,” Lopez-Rocha said. “It’s harder for me to find a job because I have to say I have a kid. I can’t just deny him, but unfortunately employers find that as a bad thing.”

Lopez moved to the United States at the age of 7 with her parents. Once here, she started school, learned how to speak English and helped her parents work.

“My life was pretty much like the one of any other immigrant,” Lopez-Rocha said. “Being an immigrant didn’t really stop me from having a nice childhood.

I lived my life like any other person. I’m here alive, kicking and studying.”

Lopez-Rocha is supporting her family as her husband Kevin is battling cancer.

“Kevin is a strong man,” Lopez-Rocha said. “I feel like I want to help him, but at the same time, I can’t be near him because he’s doing all his treatment and I’m pregnant. I know he wants to be near me and feel the baby. It’s so heartbreaking.”

The couple now has a 3-year-old boy and 3-weekold boy.

Pursuing a degree has its challenges, but being a mother and a wife, all while studying and finding a job, can seem impossible. But, Lopez-Rocha strongly encourages mothers to pursue their degrees.

“When you have all these things going on, yeah it’s easy to give up,” Lopez-Rocha said. “There is nothing more valuable than being a great role model to your child and that’s why I’m here. I want my child to know the importance of having an education.”

Walking on Stolen Lands, Continued from page 1

Chase Charaba

Chase Charaba

Event speaker Chuck Larsen points out that the Puyallup tribe was forced out of Tacoma and across to the tidal flats in the 1800s (top).

Larsen explains how the Stuck River in Sumner got its name from the old Puyallup village of Staxabush, which settlers mispronounced as Stuck (bottom).

MAY 16, 2017

After leaving Sumner, the group headed to downtown Tacoma and stopped along the Thea Foss Waterway.

Here the ancient village of S’Puyallupabsh was inhabited at the mouth of the Puyallup River before it’s course was changed and it was burned down by Tacoma residents during the riots of the Chinese expulsion in 1886.

Due to time constraints, the third stop on the trip at Fireman’s Park was skipped and the group headed to Old Town Tacoma near Ruston at Old Town Park and Chinese Reconciliation Park. Here the group had wraps, chips and cookies for lunch provided by Lancer while Larsen spoke about the arrival of the first peoples in the Puget Sound region at the end of the last ice age and fishing in Commencement Bay. The final stop on the trip was at Fort Nisqually in Point Defiance Park. The fort was originally located in DuPont and was built in the 1830s, but the surviving structures were moved to the present location in Tacoma in the 1930s when the rest of the fort was rebuilt.

The fort was operated by the Hudson’s Bay Company during the fur trade, but was closed in 1869, according to pamphlets from the fort.

Clubs Coordinator Khoa Nguyen went on the trip because he’s enrolled in a Pacific Northwest history class. He wanted to learn more about the native experience and to see what the fort really looked like.

“I wanted to see how the fort really looks like because we have a lot of forts like Fort Vancouver and Fort Astoria, but I’ve never seen a fort in my life,” Nguyen said. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s what this looks like.’”

Students toured the buildings, led by Larsen, who has volunteered at the fort for many years. The granary is one of the two structures from the original fort, built in 1850, and is one of the oldest surviving wood structures in Washington. The group also walked through Factor’s House, which was built in 1855 for Dr. Tolmie.

“My favorite part is going to Fort Nisqually because it’s so similar to my country,” Ta said. “How people live in the wood houses. It’s just so simple, the life. The slow-paced living and all the roosters, chickens and the herbs and separation between kitchens and everything.

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Photo courtesy of Adeline Lopez-Rocha

Pierce College Puyallup student Adeline LopezRocha holds her son. Lopez-Rocha balances the schedule of being a student and a mother while pursuing a career as a nurse.

That’s my favorite part.”

Ta said that it was different reading about the fort in his Pacific Northwest history textbook than actually being there and walking through the buildings.

“There’s nothing better than touching the real things and basically going around and listening to the professors,” Ta said. “(Larsen) is a descendant of the founders of Fort Nisqually and he has experience and knowledge with Native Americans.”

On the front porch of the Factor’s House, Larsen explained the treaties that placed Native Americans in the reservations, especially the Medicine Creek Treaty, and the Puget Sound Indian Wars.

Larsen said the translators assigned to the treaties

by Governor Douglas Stevens spoke Chinook, which wasn’t adequate at explaining the terms and conditions of the treaty. The negotiators and delegates from the tribes were also often not tribal leaders or siEm. Instead, they were natives that were deemed friendly towards the settlers.

Natives signed the treaties that were not fully explained (and some were forged) and the United States government placed natives on reservations in areas that Larsen explains weren’t desirable for settlers.

The group headed back to Pierce after leaving the fort. Although a student was temporarily left behind at the fort, the vans made their way back to the college at 4 p.m.

Ta said the event went well, especially for his first off-campus event.

“This is my first time doing an off-campus event, so it was pretty nerve wracking,” Ta said. “It went well.

The event was full in four days and the wait list was full.”

Ta said that next time, he’d make the event longer so that students could learn more.

“Maybe I’m going to do an overnight trip or something so that we have more time instead of rushing or cutting stories short,” Ta said. “I asked speakers to cut stories, so that’s why we had to cut locations.”

Despite cutting some of the stories to stay on schedule, most of the attendees thought the trip was worth it.

“I don’t know if people had fun or not, but I had fun,” Ta said.

THE PUYALLUP POST

Features The trees of the Pierce Puyallup campus Jared Leingang

Genesee Martin Contributing Writer

T

o a majority of people on the Pierce College Puyallup campus, the trees mostly go unnoticed, but they give it character many are unwilling to part with. The biggest threat to the campus’ trees is the regularly heard complaint from quite a few people on campus: the lack of available parking.

The likelihood that any new parking would come by eliminating trees on campus is something that many students and staff spoke of with reluctance. Puyallup campus President Marty Cavalluzzi said the college would never consider doing something that drastic and is already looking into ways of adding more parking space.

“I think they are spectacular. As you can see, they’re gorgeous,” Cavalluzzi said. “They make for such a pretty campus.”

Dozens of varieties of trees fill the campus with trails winding between faculty buildings and creating secluded areas for privacy and studying, while the changing seasons turn the campus into a masterpiece of color. Students can be seen daily snapping pictures with their cellphones while walking through the campus.

Visitors to the campus who enter on College Way are treated to the sight of trees growing in ways that challenge the imagination, including a small tree growing atop a stump with roots reaching the soil over its surface.

Cavalluzzi said that in the Northwest when trees died, they became nursery logs where other plants grow.

“What’s fascinating about it is that the stump and look at the rock that’s inside of that,” Cavalluzzi said, pointing a stone being held inside the hollowed stump. “The stump is obviously decaying, but this tree keeps getting strong, reinforcing itself and you can also see the woodpecker holes. The trees up here in the Northwest are amazing.”

“We have a dendrologist come out every year and inspect the trees and tell us which ones have to come down, which ones need to be trimmed or anything,” Cavalluzzi said.

Displaying a unique knowledge of the campus,

Cavalluzzi illustrated how trees in Northwest add their own look including a tree which appears to have been broken when young but managed to grow several upshoots from its trunk.

Student Tina Silverman loves the trees on campus and had never really given thought to where more parking would come from, by removing trees.

“The campus, the trees, they just relax me, all my stress kind of lifts. So, no, I wouldn’t go for that,” she said.

Cavalluzzi explained that an open lot between parking areas A and B adjacent to the Garnero Child Development Center is under consideration to be converted into additional parking. The question would be how many spaces could be created compared with the cost and amount of work needed. Estimates are that the space would add 40 to 65 parking spaces.

“Because parking is such a premium here, people park all the way down toward Bradley Lake sides and we need to increase parking,” Cavalluzzi said.

A couple of different ideas are being considered, including approaching the Lowe’s center about using the north section of its parking lot running a shuttle bus to the campus. It’s one of two parking areas that Cavalluzzi will be asking about in the coming weeks, he said.

Another idea is building a parking garage, but the cost was prohibitive, Cavalluzzi said, as the price was between $8,000 and $10,000 per slot. In response to comments that the college enrolled more students then it could accommodate, he said that Pierce College Puyallup was an open enrollment college and could not turn away anyone who wanted to attend classes.

However, it becomes necessary to remove certain, including an area near the Arts and Allied Health Building, where 24 maples had to be removed during the summer because they were dying. Cavalluzzi said that due to the construction of the latest building, the AAH building, the drainage pattern had been changed. When a storm caused

several big branches to come off onto the walkway, it became a potential hazard, he said.

He said there was already a plan in place to replace the trees, noting that according to a city planning policy, any tree slated for removal must be replaced. However, not every dead tree is automatically removed because they are habitats for many living things, from insects to mammals and birds.

One person who would know is Keyth Mallam who works on site as a member of the facilities department.

“We have around 24 different landscape trees on the college campus and they all have different care and attention, much of it dependent on the season. Add to this damage, natural and human, and it would be a full time job on its own,” Mallam said.

But Mallam isn’t complaining and said that caring for the trees is something he would anytime, reporting, “If it means some extra work and have the trees then I will have the extra work any day. I feel very lucky because I get to come here every day and get paid for it.”

As far as care goes, Cavalluzzi said the campus is 123 acres and requires three full-time maintenance people working to care for the campus. He said that most of the area is wooded and goes all the way to Bradley Lake.

The AAH building was the most recent project with the college planning the construction of another science, technology and math building in the near future. Cavalluzzi said the funding for it had not been approved this year but would in the next. The project, because it involves a new building, requires additional parking to be installed.

The last thing that Cavalluzzi shared was the fate of the trees which were removed to make room for the AAH building. He said that the wood of those trees had been sent to a special service to be treated and were then used in AAH building, adding character and a rustic feel to the arts facility. The ceiling and walls display the now polished wood in what Cavalluzzi agreed was a wonderful re-purposing that left nothing wasted.

Jared Leingang

Jared Leingang

Jared Leingang

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MAY 16, 2017

Campus Life Small town short film

Pierce College Puyallup’s Drama Club is creating a short film, based on childhood media. While the filming started the week of April 15th, the movie is planned to be shown in the beginning of school

Rebecca Dickson Reporter

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he Drama Club at Pierce College is starting a new project—one that involves many people, flashbacks to 2000s TV shows and storyboarding.

The club is creating a short film featuring students at Pierce.

“We’re trying to make a student short film about Pierce College,” Amber Gooden, Drama Club president, said. “It’s not like an information video, it’s like a bit of satire and comedy.”

The short film will follow three Pierce students through their busy schedules.

Filming began the week of April 15th, taking place on the Puyallup campus, and will continue through May until the film is edited.

While the film is focused on these three students, Gooden said it will be based on campus culture while reflecting back to favorite TV shows and movies.

“I just want it based on Pierce College culture, like with a twist of Ned’s Declassified (School Survival Guide) and Mean Girls,” Gooden said.

Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide was a popular TV show shown in the 2000s

by Nickelodeon. This TV show features three students, Ned, Mose and Cookie, who attempted to create a school survival guide that gives tips targeted towards

middle school students. Tips ranged from how to complete group projects on time to how to interact with a crush at a school dance.

Mean Girls is a movie from 2004 which features a girl named Cady Heron who moved to a high school from an unnamed location within Africa. Heron ends up in a clique named the “Plastics” and attempts to navigate a complex high school experience after being home schooled for 12 years.

So far, the film is in its beginning stages.

The film has been storyboarded, a process where a director or writer will create visual shots of what they want the film to look like. So far, the storyboard has 54 frames.

The introduction to the film alone is nine frames.

“We didn’t create a script because that’s very time-consuming. What we did do is a storyboard,” Gooden said. “I just want(ed) something easy to execute so we (have the ability) to spend more time filming around campus.”

So far, students have been interested in the film. Gooden said Drama Club members have asked different clubs to participate, and they’ve had interest in being a part of the film.

“I asked the GSA and the Business Club if they wanted to cameo in the film,” Gooden said. “(I’ll) probably ask some other clubs too, to see if they are interested.”

Gooden said these clubs would most likely participate in a montage of some sort.

One issue Drama Club members are facing in filming this is meshing participants’ schedules.

“We’re all busy students, but I’m trying to get all the members and students together and make a short film,” Gooden said. “And I’m just like, not worried, but now I have to have people make their introductions (for the beginning of the film).”

In addition, the Drama Club will be looking for people around the areas they are filming in to be extras in the film.

While these people won’t have speaking parts, they will be present in the final copy of the short film.

“I’m probably going to look for extras, like people who are walking by or in the classroom scenes,” Gooden said.

The short film could be presented in the multipurpose room in the College Center at the beginning of June. While the event is still being planned in conjunction with the Office of Student Life, Gooden seems confident that their request will be filled.

Regardless, the Drama Club members are excited to finish the film.

“It’s about memories and our experiences at Pierce,” Gooden said.

Blood Lions shows the truth behind canned hunting Jared Leingang

F

Reporter

rom South Africa to Pierce College, the problems of canned hunting of lions was shown in the campus screening of the documentary Blood Lions.

The event on April 27 was hosted by student Roma Tabachnyy and other students with the help of professor Katrina Winzeler.

Tabachnyy, who worked at an animal reserve in Oregon for eight years, said his passion is to spread awareness on animal rights.

The documentary is the first look at canned hunting in South Africa. A canned hunt is a hunt where the animal is kept in a confined area, such as a fenced-in area, increasing the likelihood the hunter obtains a kill.

MAY 16, 2017

Tabachnyy was inspired to take action while talking to Winzeler in one of her philosophy classes. He had a question about animal ethics and wanted to find out if he could play his part to fix the problem, and eventually the screening of a documentary was introduced.

Blood Lions documents how that type of hunting is rapidly increasing in South Africa and many reservations exist with the sole purpose for canned hunting.

“When it comes to people paying thousands of dollars just to go half way across the globe to shoot an animal just for the sake of it,” Tabachnyy said. “There is no logical reason for it. Why do it?”

Tabachnyy said people don’t care about the animal when they go on these hunts.

They kill an animal that was raised to be slaughtered for fun and to take a nice social

media profile picture.

The Blood Lions documentary was chosen to be shown on campus because it’s one of the few with close footage of the canned hunting services and one of the few documentaries available on the topic.

The event was organized by himself and Winzeler.

“Everything that was done was paid out of either my or Katrina’s pockets,” Tabachnyy said. “I got the movie, I got the license, but because I’m not a part of a club and none of the clubs were interested, I was not able to get any other funds to promote the event.”

Winzeler led a discussion after the screening.

“You might think this is just something that happens in South Africa,” Winzeler said, “(but) close to home in the United

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States, there are places that have canned hunts. These issues permeate everywhere.”

The hunting industry in South Africa is driven by the interest of people in the United States and the exotic meat industry in the U.S., so these issues aren’t just in South Africa, Winzeler said.

At the end of the event, the audience members was asked if they’d be interested in starting an animal activists club at Pierce and many raised their hands.

“For me I’ve been around these animals, I’ve watched the hunts,” Tabachnyy said.

“For me I know by facial expressions, body language and even the sounds they make, you know what’s going through their minds. It’s fear, and for what?”

THE PUYALLUP POST

Campus Life

Students eat tacos before the Business Club event that brought Jim Murphy to Pierce (left). Business Club President Aladia Gan poses with Costco Executive Vice president Jim Murphy at Pierce (left).

Business Club invites Costco Executive VP to Pierce Commitment and dedication are keys of success from Jim Murphy, executive vice president of Costco’s International Division James McCraw

P

Office Manager/Reporter

ierce College Business Club continued their tradition of bringing distinguished guest speakers to the college with Jim Murphy, a Tacoma native, and Pierce College distinguished Alumni Award winner.

Murphy is a Costco executive, who has over 40 years of retail experience. He talked to students and community members about the importance of dependability and hard work.

Aladia Gan, Business Club president, said, “by bringing in successful community members to talk about their experiences, we open the door for students to make connections and see real life examples at work.”

Murphy talked about his humble beginnings working as a cart pusher and customer clerk at a grocery store while going through school. He worked his way up the corporate ladder for 15 years, until 1983, when his old friend, who would become the president of Costco, asked Murphy to join the growing business. In 1983, the company opened their first store, which happened to be located in Seattle.

Costco would go on to open 729 warehouses worldwide, with 509 locations in the U.S. alone.

Costco currently has 3,800 items in their inventory.

As part of their merchandise strategy, Murphy said,

the company constantly keeps the number around that level year-round, switching out seasonal items to keep the products relevant. This strategy keeps the members prepared, and always with a knowledge of what they can expect from the warehouse.

Taking care of employees and customers is something that has kept Costco going throughout the years. Forbes magazine recently named Costco as the best large employer in the nation, and the employee turnover rate for employees who have worked for the company over a year is at a low 6 percent.

One of Costco’s biggest draws is the food court and the $1.50 hot dogs. Murphy told the audience about Gene and his hot dog stand in Portland. In the late 80s, when Murphy was one of the managers at the Portland location, Gene’s hot dog cart outside the location was making serious money. Murphy brought up the idea of a food court inside the store to administrators and today, Costco built a $35 million plant to distribute hot dogs directly to the warehouses.

“Most successful business people, that I have talked to, have a ‘success toolbox’ or ‘words of wisdom’ that they are happy to share with college students,” Gan said. “They are also happy to help students reach their next steps, whatever they may be. It is their way of giving back.”

The Puyallup Post Pierce College Puyallup’s student newspaper is accepting applications for the 2017-18 school year.

Murphy, echoing Gan’s idea, told the audience that in order to be successful, they need to honor commitments.

Costco has spent years building long-term relationships with suppliers. When a company respects their suppliers, they get to pass on the profits to employees and shareholders. On a personal level, Murphy believes a combination of mantras. He believes that if you want good things in life, you have to work for them. Give everything your all. He also believes that hard work, dedication, and attitude will get you far.

The Business Club’s next event, which is being held on June 2, is a tour of a local cafe, the Dolce Si Bakery and cafe on Point Ruston near the Tacoma Waterfront.

That experience will include a tour of the bakery, as well as a talk with the owner, and a sampling of the bakery’s cuisine. Gan said that students will tour the facility with the business owner and will learn about how the business was started and what it takes to run it on a day to day basis. Gan is looking forward to the trip, saying that “We will then eat their yummy food, savory and bakery items!

We will also be exposed to a bit of culture as the owner’s wife is from Sicily and all of their food items are authentic Sicilian recipes.”

Paid Positions Include: Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Online/Social Media Manager Reporters Graphic Designer Photographer Advertising Manager

Applications are due May 31.

Information and applications are available in the student newspaper office (C-218) or Student Programs office (C-210).

For more information, call Teresa Josten at (253) 840-8496 or email at tjosten@pierce.ctc.edu.

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MAY 16, 2017

Campus Life

Suzanne Buchholz

Suzanne Buchholz

Suzanne Buchholz

Suzanne Buchholz

PuliCon 2017 was held on May 6 at the Puyallup Public Library, featuring comics, local artist booths and discussions with authors.

PuliCon 2017 celebrates Free Comic Book Day Suzanne Buchholz

S

Senior Reporter

ince 2002, the first Saturday in May has been marked

by Free Comic Book Day, an event promoted

by North American comic industries to increase business at independent comic book stores and distribute new comics to all readers. This year, Free Comic Book Day occurred on May 6 and was honored at various comic book stores throughout Washington, such as Comics Dungeon, Golden Age Collectibles and Everett Comics.

For Puyallup residents, they needed to look no further than the Puyallup Public Library to get their free comics fix. Ever since its inception, the library has been involved in Free Comic Book Day, but it’s only been since 2014 that the library has put its own unique twist on the event.

In addition to free comics, the library hosts a mini comic convention called PuliCon (short for Puyallup Library Convention), which just held its fourth annual convention.

PuliCon began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 5 p.m. May 6. As soon as the library doors opened, attendees were allowed

to line up to receive free comics at the door, limiting it to three comics per person. Some comics available this year included popular titles such as Wonder Woman, Doctor Who, Rick and Morty, Attack on Titan and more, as well as comics put out by certain publishing companies that offered previews for upcoming titles.

In addition to the comics, PuliCon offered activities similar to those seen at bigger local conventions such as Emerald City Comic Con and Sakura-Con. One such feature was Artist Alley, in which local artists set up tables to sell homemade items commemorating favorite shows, movies and so on such as posters and pins. Other tables offered original books, plushes and other original items.

PuliCon also hosted panels on different topics for attendees to check out. Panels this year included one on making kanzashi (Japanese flower ornaments made of folded fabric), a discussion on what it’s like to be a scientist led

by Dr. Barber DeGraaff of Western Washington University and discussion on Mahou Shoujo (anime focusing on magical girls such as Sailor Moon).

Other activities included costume photography provided

by Charlotte Lewis Photography, a Pokemon Go scavenger hunt, Lego displays and a crafts section.

One highlight event of this year’s PuliCon was a discussion with local author Marissa Meyer, who wrote the Lunar Chronicles series. The discussion focused on the process she takes in writing, specifically on her latest book Wires and Nerve, a graphic novel that’s a spin-off of the Lunar Chronicles. After the discussion Meyer held a Q&A session to answer fans’ questions and autographed books. Attendees could either bring books to be signed or purchase them at the event.

Next year’s Free Comic Book Day will be on May 5 as its the second Saturday. PuliCon plans for 2018 have yet to be announced but are typically posted about a month before the event. Updates for PuliCon as well as information on other events at the library can be found on the Puyallup Public Library’s website.

“Pierce should reconsider this rule all together because I know a lot of students do feel more comfortable having pepper spray with them,” Meier said. “The chance of it being used on accident, or unjustly is quite low.”

As someone who has to use public transportation to get everywhere, Pasquier said even a small can of pepper spray can make a huge difference.

“I’ve never used it, but I have come close to using it,” Pasquier said. “For self defense purposes, it’s not lethal.

It’s gonna sting and hurt like hell but you’re going to be okay, you’re going to survive and you’re going to live through it.”

With so many accounts of harassment and assault that come out daily, the ability to protect one’s self can be an integral part of everyday life. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, “One in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college.”

Whether it’s on a bus, at a store or at school, the possibility is there. For a place such as a college, where the amount of people coming in and out each day is well over 1,000, a feeling of safety is something that can be achieved if the students were allowed to do so.

The Campus Safety office is one way to help protect students but officers can’t be everywhere at once.

“They can’t follow me onto the bus,” Pasquier said.

Pasquier says that pepper sprays serves as more than just a form of self defense but also a kind of piece of mind.

“Having that option is very important to be able to get to and from school safely and I think I should be able to feel safe going to school.” she said.

Pasquier went on to say how she had once been approached on the bus and was afraid to use public

transportation after that.

Pasquier said the only reason she began taking the bus again is because she kept her pepper spray in her pocket, saying that if she hadn’t had it with her, she may still not be willing to take the bus.

“I feel like I have the right to defend myself,” Pasquier said. “And I feel like I shouldn’t have that right adjusted or have it be more difficult for me on campus. Not being able to carry something like that with me to stay safe is a little bit alarming.”

Pasquier notes that she does carry pepper spray outside of school whenever she has to take public transportation.

“Honestly, I had no idea you were not allowed to bring pepper spray to school,” Meier said. “I feel, personally, that if I got caught in a dangerous situation, I couldn’t physically defend myself.”

The possibility to need self-defense and even the use of something such as pepper spray can present itself anywhere. It’s nearly impossible to know when something like that could come in handy and that includes at school.

Although Pierce is not a four-year university with dorms where people live year round, it’s still possible to imagine an attack on a student as they were walking to their cars or to and from class. Something as simple as a small can of pepper spray could help turn an assault into a successful act of self defense.

According to a spokesperson at the meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on Jan. 11, a new student code of conduct is in the works. They didn’t specifically outline what will be changed, however trustees will be looking over sexual assault charges as well as the language around Title IX.

Save our spray: Questions arise when it comes to safety Colton Swanson

S

Reporter

ome students may not feel safe on a college campus after seeing reports of an assault on the Puyallup campus. Therefore, the carrying of a personal item that can be used in an act of self-defense could act as, at the very least, a peace of mind. While knives, guns and tasers are options, pepper spray remains an easily concealed, legal alternative.

Currently, Pierce College doesn’t allow students to carry such an item with them on campus.

According to the student code of conduct section WAC 132K-126-190 rules and regulations, “Possession or use (to include exhibiting, displaying or drawing any weapon) of firearms, explosives, other weapons or dangerous chemicals or any other device or substance which can be used to inflict bodily harm on college premises or at college-sponsored or supervised activities, except for authorized college purposes or for law enforcement officers.”

According to this policy, pepper spray is prohibited because it could be seen as a substance that could be used to inflict bodily harm on college premises.

The idea of pepper spray being a banned substance leaves many students, like Morgan Pasquier, uneasy.

“I can understand banning firearms and explosives, that’s important to not have on campus with recent events and everything,” Pasquier said. “I feel like pepper spray should be an exception to this rule because so many women do carry it who may not feel safe coming to and from school.”

Student Madison Meier shares similar concerns.

MAY 16, 2017

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THE PUYALLUP POST

Reviews The Fate of the Furious predictable James McCraw

T

Office Manager/Reporter

he Fate of the Furious is the perfect popcorn movie.

A summer blockbuster, released in the spring so as not to contend with the numerous superhero movies coming out in the upcoming months, is the perfect action packed film, with a diverse cast and bombastic special effects. However, that’s pretty much all the film is good for.

If a film goer hasn’t seen any of the previous seven Fast and Furious movies, this one is most certainly not the one to start with. However, based on the worldwide gross over opening weekend, it’s plain to see that worldwide audiences have been rushing to see the adventures of Vin Diesel and the rest of the crew for years. In fact, it has been 16 years since the original film in the franchise was released. After the untimely death of franchise star Paul Walker in 2013, many fans were skeptical how the franchise would wrap up the storyline with his character in Fast 7, released in 2015.

With a classy farewell to Walker’s character in Fast 7, the doors were left open for Vin Diesel’s character, Dominic Toretto, to finally get his starring role in the franchise.

However, the movie seemed to be more of a starring role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson instead.

The plot is not very complex. Diesel is in Cuba on his honeymoon with Michelle Rodriguez’s character, Letty, his long-time girlfriend from the previous films. He is approached by Charlize Theron, who plays a mysterious hacker named Cypher. That’s it. That’s what her character is called for the whole movie. Theron has some information that is detrimental to Diesel, and he has no choice to betray his family and work for Theron. The rest of the film is a typical cat and mouse game between the two factions, leading to a pretty outrageous final act in Russia, involving a nuclear submarine, and a simultaneous airplane fight scene.

A major issue with the recent direction of the franchise is that the movies are no longer about scantily clad women and auto racing. Granted, those are two things that movies should not be based on, but that overarching premise has become less and less noticeable in the films. In fact, this movie has only one actual auto race, and that is within the first 15 minutes, when Diesel is in Cuba. The second act has a car themed battle in New York, and the third act is cars and tanks and submarines in Russia. It sounds outrageous, but it actually makes for good film making, albeit, mostly CGI. Another issue with the film is that the star power often times seems to outshine the franchise stars. Academy Award winning actress Theron is a significantly better actor than Diesel, however, at times, she underplays her role, sometimes seeming as if the director didn’t want the viewer to believe she is a better actor than her co-stars. Then there is the issue with Johnson. He steals his scenes, and it seemed at times that I was watching a film about his character, and not a film about the rest of the family. His screen presence is almost too much for the ensemble cast, and it seemed at times as if he was auditioning for a solo film with his character.

The movie is a run-of-the-mill action film. The big plot twist was one that was unexpected, however. The three acts are separated by witty banter, and it seemed as if the characters had to spell out the plot, as if the audience isn’t smart enough to get it. The new characters are useful and make sense for the structure of the film, and cameos by unexpected old friends put a smile (or frown) on the faces of the viewer. The ending is predictable, and, overall, knowing that this isn’t the last time we will see these characters, leads us not to care about the fate of this motley gang of anti-heroes, but, in fact, to what outrageous plot the ninth installment will bring us in 2019.

Spring Word Search

I give this:

The Beat - May 17 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience Moore Theater, Seattle - May 25-28 Sasquatch! Festival Gorge Amphitheater, Quincy - May 17 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Tacoma Dome, Tacoma - May 30 Rodriguez Moore Theater, Seattle - May 30 Bush Showbox SoDo, Seattle - June 3 John Legend Chateau Ste Michelle, Woodinville - June 7 New Kids on the Block with Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men KeyArena, Seattle

Rose Rain May

Thunderstorm Lightning Finals

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Graduation Spring Flowers

Rainbows Joyful Floral

Sun Equinox Daffodil

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- June 9 Def Leppard with Poison and Tesla White River Amphitheatre, Auburn Blossom

MAY 16, 2017

Reviews 13 Reasons Why glamorizes suicide Brenna Smark

T

Reporter

he Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why, produced by singer Selena Gomez, is based on the book published in 2007 by Jay Asher, but the series fails to address its goal of solutions for suicide prevention.

The series is about a teenage girl named Hannah Baker (played by Katherine Langford) who kills herself and records 13 tapes telling her story and explaining why she took her life. Each tape targets a specific person and Baker explains what that person did to influence her decision to end her life.

With the help of Tony Padilla (played by Christian Navarro) Baker plans for the tapes to land in the hands of the person on the first tape, Justin Foley (played by Brandon Flynn). Baker has trusted Tony to make sure the tapes are given to the person on the tape and to make sure that each person listens to all 13 tapes.

The story starts out with the individual on tape 11, Clay Jensen (played by Dylan Minnette). The tapes end up in a package on his front porch and the show follows Jensen through his journey as he listens to the tapes and begins to find out what went on between Baker and some of his fellow classmates.

The show was intended to show what someone says and does can affect someone else, and that words and actions do hurt and can cause permanent damage to someone’s mental health and overall view of life. This show, however, did it all wrong and ended up crashing in a huge ball of flames.

The tapes were a great idea as a substitute for a suicide note, as it’s a better way to accurately put forth why someone decided to take his or her life, but this show completely butchers that concept.

Baker’s tapes didn’t serve the purpose of giving her friends and family closure and explaining why she killed herself. Instead they served the purpose of targeting specific individuals and blaming them for her death and

trying to ruin their lives in the process.

Each person on those tapes already knows what they did to Baker and are suffering the consequences, and the content of the tapes were just overkill of that concept.

The show made it seem like she ended her life for the sole purpose of getting revenge on the people who hurt her, not to mention she gave no explanation or closure to her parents.

While the tapes are going around and putting young teenagers under Baker’s ridicule, her parents are left behind still hurting and wondering why their little girl saw suicide as the only way out.

Suicide is a serious issue that needs to be faced, and this show tries to target that but ends up glamorizing it.

Feeling suicidal is something many people suffer from and this show gives them no reasonable solution for the problem. This show basically tells its audience that the only way to escape their problems and end their pain is to take their life, and actually showing the suicide in the show was especially crossing the line and overstepping their boundaries.

Baker goes through some painful events that many teenagers in high school experience. Instead of taking the opportunity to explore some ways to get help for suicide, such as talking to a counselor, seeking help from parents, suicide prevention hotlines, etc., the show only leads the audience down a dead end road where suicide is seemingly the only solution to their problems.

Overall, this show tried to bite off more than it could chew. This show would’ve been better fit 10 years ago when the book was published and suicide was still an issue that people refused to talk about and bring awareness to. Today, however, suicide is a prominent issue and 13 Reasons Why gave a poor solution to an easily manipulated and young audience.

I give this:

Toasted grasshoppers; a swing and miss at Safeco Field Jared Leingang Reporter

W

ith a new season for the Seattle Mariners comes high expectations, new faces and toasted grasshoppers. It goes right along with the team’s “whatever it takes” philosophy. The grasshoppers can be purchased at Safeco Field’s Edgar’s Cantina.

The popular Seattle-based restaurant Poquitos recently took over the menu at Edgar’s Cantina and decided to introduce their popular dish in the ballpark.

According to an article on pctonline.com, during the first three games this season (April 10-12), Mariners Spokesperson Rebecca Hale said the Mariners sold 901 orders.

That’s more than Poquitos sold in an entire year at the restaurant, and it was the entire supply they had at Safeco Field those days.

The crunchy critters are available for $4 per 4-ounce container. They’ve become so popular that the team will limit sales to 312 orders per game in accordance to Mariners legend Edgar Martinez’s batting average, which is .312.

Eager buyers can have a dipping sauce to go with the snack as well. The real name for the interesting delicacy are chapulines, a Mexican dish. They’re dusted with Chile-lime salt seasoning and are crispier than most chips. They’re eaten as a snack in Mexico or as an ingredient or side dish for a meal. Although the grasshoppers are popular and a lot of people have hopped aboard the hype train, the treat isn’t the most delicious snack at the ballpark.

If one’s taste buds aren’t fans of spicy foods stay far away from the fried insects.

Even dipped in ranch, the spice can be unforgiving, and drinking water to quench the heat won’t help. In the cup some grasshoppers may be crispy or soft and mushy. The crispier ones taste better than the softer ones.

Compared to other prices at the ballpark the grasshoppers are quite the bargain. Even bottled water runs about $3, so it’s about the cheapest thing one can purchase at the ballpark. Most of the food can run a high a price and total more than $15 for chicken strips and fries with a drink. The only pro of the insects are the price. They’re one of the best deals at the ballpark. The grasshopper’s run out fairly quick so attendees should get them as soon as possible.

While the jumpy insects are not the best delicacy available for fans, the garlic fries still top that list. If a fan is in need of a quick and cheap snack then the grasshoppers aren’t a bad option. It all depends on one’s personal opinion, but they aren’t a grandslam like some say, nor are they a fly ball to center field. They’re a hard hit single that has the potential for extra bases.

I give this: MAY 16, 2017

Jared Leingang

Jared Leingang

Consumers will need a soda refill to wash down this unusual delicacy at Safeco Field.

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Rebecca Dickson

Rebecca Dickson

Rebecca Dickson

Students particpate in Escape the Room, an event sponsored by the Office of Student Life on May 12. Students had 30 minutes to work together to solve puzzles in the dark and find clues to escape. The purpose of the event was to have fun while promoting teamwork.

Rebecca Dickson

Improving teamwork by escaping Zeus Office of Student Life brings Campus Escapes to Pierce to facilitate teamwork Rebecca Dickson

T

Reporter

he darkness of the pitch black room fills the Multipurpose Room of the College Center Building.

The group goes completely silent, other than a few excited whispers. Suddenly, a woman’s voice rings out across the rooms.

“Gather here, mortals,” the hooded figure says.

The group slowly attempts to walk towards her. A thump is heard. Someone ran into an empty table.

The group walks over to the voice, attempting to see.

The room is completely dark, with the windows blacked out by curtains. The group is warned they have about 30 minutes before Zeus returns and the group is destined to be turned into animals.

“And not those cute, fluffy animals, either,” the hooded figure says.

This is the scene which took place on May 12 from 10-1 p.m. Organized by the Office of Student Life, an escape room was planned by the Interactive Media and Gaming Coordinator.

The event was originally planned for winter quarter, but due to inclimate weather, the event was canceled.

“Some difficulties rescheduling were, just the disappointment,” Madrid said. “You put so much time and effort into something and the just- the weather- something you can’t control comes in and messes up all your plans and your schedule up. But other than that, we fixed the whole thing, like we got it working. I brought it back!”

After the snowpocalypse, Madrid worked to make sure that the event would continue. According to Madrid, she

MAY 16, 2017

had several students who were excited to participate in winter quarter, but were disappointed to hear that the event was canceled. Because of this, Madrid worked hard to make sure that the event would continue in Spring Quarter.

Campus Escapes was the company Madrid brought to campus. Currently, Campus Escapes has two different escape rooms: The Philosopher and The Mystery on Mount Olympus. Madrid chose the second one for Pierce to play.

“The Greek room just kinda caught my attention, because I personally like Greek mythology and stuff like that,” Madrid said. “So , I was like that seems kind of interesting. I wonder how that would pan out?”

Madrid spent a large part of her time planning the advertising for the event. By putting up fliers and handing out handbills, creating sandwich boards advertising the event and spreading the news of the event, Madrid estimates that 40-50 people attended.

Huy Nguyen, a student who attended the event, says he heard about it through this method.

“I (saw) the poster,” Nguyen said. “I just expect it to be fun, even if we screw up or something.”

The escape room was stationed in the Multipurpose room on campus. In the back of the multipurpose room sat several puzzle challenges, including using UV lights to find hidden codes, lock boxes full of clues for other puzzles, a moth which, when lit up revealed a secret number, a hidden book with an iPod which had a game that, once solved, would roll a ball down a chamber to find a key.

Even the light sources were part of the game.

In order to find any of the objects in the room to start,

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team members had to work together to find flashlights of different strengths. These flashlights could be found in many locations, including in dishes, under puzzles and more.

According to Madrid, a main reason that she wanted to bring the escape room was to promote teamwork. Madrid said she has learned teamwork while working in the Office of Student Life. People who participated in the game also thought the game helped with promoting teamwork.

David Duc Hoang Lai was one of these students.

“I just think this is fun, and I want to challenge myself a bit,” Lai said. “(It requires) a lot of teamwork (in order to solve the puzzles”)”.

Regardless of whether the group won or lost the game, they still were able to hold up signs for a group photo. The signs had sayings such as “We Won!” or “We lost, and it’s all my fault”.

Student Advocacy Senator Nadine Napashqwa said the OSL liked providing events like these. “(Events like these), especially one that is more expensive, that’s what the Office of Student Life is all about- providing access to students (to things they otherwise might not be able to participate in),” Napashqwa said.

Ultimately, Madrid thought the event was a success.

“We just really love it when people come to our events,” Madrid says. “And hopefully next year’s team, people will still be coming to our events. (We don’t put these on) just because it’s our job, (and) we have to, we put them on because we want to and we want to provide students a way to just get out of the whole ‘school, school, school’ (mindset, and to create) a place (for students) to have fun.”

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