SMCC Beacon 09/29/2015

Southern Maine Community College Issue 1, #13, September 29 2014 By the Students, for the Students

www.facebook.com/thebeacon.smcc | www.thesmccbeacon.wordpress.com

Campus News Into the Light

Other World Addiction

Pages 2-3 &10

Pages 4-5

THE POWER Op & Ed OF Democracy IDEA AT SMCC Pages 6-7

Arts & Features It’s Chappelle

Sports Still a Seawolf

Pages 8-9

Pages 11-12

Racism in Our Society, in Schools Illaria Dana Education Major

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n Exceptional Lives, the text for the education class called Teaching Exceptional Learners, the third chapter is called, “Today’s Multicultural, Bilingual, and Diverse Schools.” The course is designed to prepare future teachers with skills to help and understand their students based on the assumption that all students are capable of learning, success, and are wonderful human beings. Professor Mary Jo O’Connor tells her students they must “find the wonderful in everyone.” And she’s right. This is exactly the job of future educators, and of people living in a world together. But how do we go about it?

This text includes chapters on the minds and lives of students with disabilities, insight into these disabilities, and ways for teachers to grow so that they can assist the growth of all students. It also includes chapters on gifted and talented students and the aforementioned students of color.

This is a wonderful start. Students are being met at their levels of learning, at who they are. This is the hope reflected in laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, which is controversial in its demands for testing. Exceptional Lives states that the treatment of students of color has been “problematic,” lists “theories about diversity,” and discusses “risk ratios” in a way that makes the reader concerned. How are standardized tests geared to specific populations and making it almost impossible for students of color to succeed? The United States is composed of

The Nursing Club is Alive and Well

By Cody Powers

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ecause the Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) Nursing program is academically challenging and mentally perplexing, it is important for students to have support systems and resources within reach. The SMCC Nursing Club fulfills both of these needs.

The club kicked off its semester with

institutions grounded in a history of racism that limit the accessibility and cause harm to students and people of color. And we, as a country, are unwilling to talk about it.

Socially competent white citizens are eager to say they are color blind. It is only through examining our own biases that we can become willing to change. The Beacon ran an article in its last issue called “The Perils of PC Culture” which discussed how language is becoming taboo “within the classroom and beyond.”

Terms were cited that are associated with this taboo, such as, “trigger warnings, microaggressions, hypersensitivity, and logophobia- the fear of words.” (For more information on these terms, see The Atlantic article cited called “The Coddling of the American Mind”.)

Garrick Hoffman says, “Students of the Millennial generation are crusading to sanitize language to protect those whom needn’t be protected.” His use of the words “crusade” and “sanitize” aptly reflect the

shift in universities across the country. They are accommodating students who do not want their professors to discuss topics in school that have to do with racism, sexism, ableism (found in people who have no physical or mental disabilities and systems that favor them), homophobia, and all other ideologies that dismiss people based on their humanity and personal histories with trauma. For example, some students do not want rape law to be taught in their law schools.

It is beyond the scope of this article to explain why students are reacting this way. Their reactions are personal, and no institution has the right to tell people their feelings are valid or invalid. It is time to address the failure of institutions to address this: racism still exists. How are we going to adopt new policies and attitudes to support its victims?

The problem with a sanitizing crusade against language is that it limits conversation. This is the most harmful path we can take. By forbidding free speech, we do not allow those who suffer to be

heard. We hide behind our competencies instead of creating avenues for people of color to speak for themselves. We lose the opportunity to listen quietly, to evaluate our actions, to be agents of change. What does this have to do with a textbook? The goal of Teaching Exceptional Learners does not cover the entire history of racism in schools. However, we are encouraged to use appropriate language for what occurs in schools. White, called European descent, is still the dominant race in our country.

All systems are modeled to support this race above all others. Students of color are considered exceptionalities in a system that has failed to meet their needs and recognize their potential.

An article in The New Yorker from 2014 called “Sixty Years Later, We Need a New Brown” asked readers to examine racism in schools. Author Lee C. Bollinger said, “While public primary and secondary schools are becoming resegregated, we have seen the rise of various methods within states, primarily ballot initiatives, to end affirmative action in higher education.”

Affirmative Action ensures that the populations in colleges and universities are not composed of all white students. Do we really think we have moved beyond racism as a society? If we cannot discuss racism in the classrooms and with our peers, where can we discuss it? If we cannot look inside ourselves, how can we know our faults?

How can we grow?

(If you want to continue this discussion, please join The Beacon and let your voice be heard.)

a breakfast on Friday, September 11th, at which 63 members attended. During the breakfast, new members were able to meet with their assigned “mentor” as part of the Mentor-Mentee program that the club offers. Incoming students in the nursing program are assigned an upperclassman who help guide the new students through the program, offering advice on study habits, time management, and stress breaks.

Apart from the Mentor-Mentee program, the club hosts Lunch and Learns twice a semester. This is an opportunity for practicing registered nurses to engage students in relative topics and enable students to hear first hand what it is like to be a nurse in any given specialty.

Other activities promoted by the club include community donations, (Continued on Page 3)

THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

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Out of Darkness and Into Light

By Illaria Dana

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n September 20th, Bath, Maine hosted an Out of Darkness walk to raise awareness about suicide and funding for suicide prevention.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) organizes walks like these in cities across the country.

Walks were held in Scarborough, Orono,

Waterboro and Fort Kent this year.

Students from the SMCC Midcoast Campus joined the other participants to help raise donations and to support AFSP’s mission. The students who are mostly Human Services majors walked two and a half hours helping to raise $7,145 of the $10,000 goal for donations in Bath. They proved their dedication to their future careers and community by walking in this

Pictured above are: Liz McWelly, Margie Hodgelon, Amanda Hart, Brittany Weathers, Taylor Hunter, Isabel Drehobl, and Linda Adams.

solemn event.

AFSP’s website states that, “Together we can change the conversation about mental health and put a stop to this tragic loss of life.” Participants in the walk in Bath paid to register and were encouraged to raise donations for awareness and resources to prevent suicide.

Nationwide the AFSP Out of Darkness walk has grown from 24 walks in 2004 to

350 in 2015, as the number of participants has also grown from 4,000 to 200,000 in the same time span.

These walks are important for people like the Midcoast students, who want to make a difference in their communities through their work, and for people who have lost their loved ones. It is through action that we heal and show others that they are not alone.

Southern Maine Community College Produced by the students, for the students

EXECUTIVE STAFF Garrick Hoffman Executive Editor Aiden Bothwell Art Director Samuel Carlson Social Media Manager Craig Stanley Illustration Editor

SECTION EDITORS

Megan Provost Campus News

Ashley Berry Op & Ed Dierdree Glassford Arts & Features

Illaria Dana Other World CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alexander Balzano Rileigh Forslund Paula Limba Hali Sarah Ian Ziller SPECIAL THANKS TO

Hannah Martin Illustrator Kenneth Reddinger Photographer

Jennifer Lague Media Consultant

Chuck Ott Editorial Advisor

Rachel Guthrie Publications Advisor

TO JOIN THE BEACON STAFF CONTACT CHUCK OTT AT cott@smccme.edu

Surviving Campus PART ONE: CLASSROOM ETHICS AND STUDY HABITS Megan Prevost Biotechnology Major

I don’t know about you, but moving on to campus terrified me and starting my classes terrified me even more. I didn’t even know what to do. Was leaving my door open a good way to make friends?

Do I take notes whenever the teacher says something, and do I really need to read the assigned chapter in the book? These are all questions that have plagued my mind over the few weeks that I’ve been here. And I’m sure (at least I really hope) that I’m not the only one struggling with these things.

So I’ve come up with an idea: a survival guide, tips and tricks to help you (and me) survive your time here on campus. Not only survive, but leave feeling like you did as well as you could in your classes and that you didn’t waste your time. So I feel like there might be a few topics to this because there are a lot of things that I could write about that

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interest me, and maybe there are things you’d like to read about as well. But a few of the topics I hope to cover include eating healthy while living on campus, study habits, making friends, joining clubs and how to get along with your roommate.

This time we’re going to talk about classroom ethics. Now you don’t want to be afraid to go to class, you don’t want to be nervous to raise your hand or answer a question or contribute to the conversation.

The classroom is supposed to be a place of learning, where everyone is there to do the same thing, get out with a good grade, move on to a higher-level class and eventually graduate and get a job in said profession.

These rules aren’t just the standard ones your teacher had you read in middle school, though “no talking while the teacher is talking” still applies here. To create an ethical classroom, there are a few things you need to do. You need to be respectful of your classmates, listen to them while they’re speaking and they’ll do the same. Everyone is here to get an

education, why not make the best of it?

There are few golden rules that can be applied here (otherwise known as the five basic principles of ethics, created

by Dr. Bruce Weinstein). Do no harm, and don’t do anything that will cause another person harm or get someone else in trouble. For example, cheating off someone could get both you and another person into trouble that the school might not forgive. Make things better, contribute to class discussions and if someone needs help, give it to them. Respect others, a common rule for life in general. Don’t put people down or say anything that could be interpreted as hurtful, especially if they’re putting themselves out there and contributing to the conversation. Be fair and be loving. Being loving can mean a whole array of things. I’m not so sure if being loving can really be applied to classroom ethics, but being fair definitely can. Don’t talk all the time, and give others a chance to participate as well.

Make friends. Form study groups and help each other out.

After all, we’re all in this together.

Campus Exposed EPA PROVIDES SMCC $85,000 TOWARD OCEAN ACIDIFICATION STUDY Megan Prevost Biotechnology Major

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ecently some really exciting information has come to light on the SMCC campus: the EPA, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has provided us with $85,000 towards a high-grade ocean observing system. This program will be used to evaluate the threat of coastal acidification. Ocean acidification happens when there is too much carbon dioxide in the air that causes the shells of certain sea creatures with calcium

carbonate shells, like snails, to thin or dissolve. Ocean acidification is one of the many results of too much carbon dioxide.

With too much carbon dioxide in the air, it enters the ocean and bonds with the seawater. This creates carbonic acid and this increases the acidity of the water and can be threatening to many sea creatures, especially those that have shells.

To test the acidity of the water, the system (first used at the SMCC pier) uses sensors that tell us the levels of seawater acidity. It also tells us if there’s any dissolved carbon dioxide, the temperature and the levels of dissolved oxygen. This program is generally used to test the open ocean and this is the first time it’s been

used to take a closer look at water quality this close to the shore.

This program not only provides scientists with the information they need - letting them know how acidic the ocean around here is so they can do something about it, like finding ways to promote the conservation of carbon dioxide - but it also will be an amazing resource for students in the Marine Biology program here at SMCC.

“Our students are a part of cutting edge research here on an issue of vital importance,” said SMCC President Ronald Cantor. “This is experiential, hands-on learning at it’s best.” This project is a collaboration with SMCC, EPA, the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, the University of New Hampshire, Friends of Casco Bay and the Northeast Coastal Acidification

Network. This program will further research not only in Maine but all over the country, and maybe even provoke other colleges to start similar programs. This could also lead to an overall improvement of the acid levels in the oceans.

There are many ways to limit the amount of carbon dioxide every day; for example, taking your bike to places that are close by instead of your car greatly helps the environment. Taking shorter showers or turning the water off when you’re not using it can help tremendously as well. There are lots of small things that can be done to limit our usage, and with this new program on the SMCC campus, hopefully we can reduce our carbon levels and find out some really cool things about our ocean at the same time!

Students Interview AN INTRODUCTION

By Paula Limba

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invigorating good start to the academic 2015-2016 year. My name is Paula Limba.

I’m from the Democratic Republic of Congo and I’m a second year student here at SMCC. I’m an undergraduate student concentrating in Liberal Studies with

ello SMCC students! I hope you’re all doing well and that everybody has had a wonderfully

Alive and Well Continued from Page 1 fundraisers, and volunteer days at Partners for World Health. This year the club is anticipating donating to the Sanford Backpack Program, as well as a school in Haiti. The club will also offer a Flu Clinic – taking place September 29th – for the community of South Portland.

Please look for flyers posted around campus with details in the upcoming week.

Any nursing students looking to join the club should attend the next meeting on October 13, 12:15 – 1:00pm, in room G17 in the Health Science Center at SMCC. If you have any questions about the clubs activities and events, or

ideas for how the club can be of service to the community, please send an email to smccnursingclub1@gmail.com

For more information on the Backpack program, visit the link below

the ambitions to be a Registered Nurse.

I also have a dream of working with the international health organization, “Doctors Without Borders.” That’s everything about my future plans, but let’s get back to the main point.

This semester I was invited to join The Beacon, our school newspaper, as a contributing writer interviewing students from countries far and wide who have landed at SMCC. I find it amazing that when I walk into the Learning Commons there are students who are from countries on the other side of the horizon.

This column’s purpose is to share the stories of some of these students who have traveled great distances to start, or continue their education here at SMCC. Take a look around yourself and you’ll probably see students from Africa, Europe and Asia. Maybe you’re a bit shy to talk to them, which is kind of a shame, considering the wealth of knowledge you might find from them, including where they are from. Maybe they have opinions and insights into SMCC that you share, or haven’t even thought about. The wealth of personal stories is incredibly diverse and I look forward to sharing this with you.

If you know of anybody who has an interesting story to share send suggestions to paulalimba@smccme.edu

http://sanfordstrong.org/programs/ sanfordbackpackprogram/

Business Club The SMCC

ALL are welcome!

Meetings: Thursdays, 12:30pm to 1:15pm Place: 1st Floor Hague (Business Club Lounge)

Volunteers Needed!

If you are available on Monday-Thursday and would like to volunteer with us, please email us at captainscupboard@smccme.edu.

We need: • Front Desk Volunteers • Inventory Coordinator and Committee members • Fundraising Committee

f ptions o i r c s e d us For les, drop these ro an email! ou to help y rd s u p l e H Cupboa ! keep the open

THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

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Community Supports Recovery from Addiction Illaria Dana Education Major

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here are many theories about addiction. To people who suffer from addiction and their loved ones, it can often seem baffling. Despite their proximity, or because of it, addiction is hard to understand. It is hard to understand why one turns to the same substance over and over again despite the negative consequences which include loss of loved ones, alienation, stigmatism, disease, and death.

Popular opinion has considered addiction to be a moral issue and has labeled users as people who are actively seeking their own destruction. This, however, is untrue and unhelpful. If addiction is considered to be a lack of morality, then no one can help addicts who suffer. Ethos and religion cannot be forced upon a person, especially when this person is physically sick and emotionally isolated. New theories have arisen, such as the consideration of addiction as a disease, a disease of isolation.

There have been two events in two weeks in Portland to raise money and

support for addicts who still suffer and who are trying to recover. On September 11th, there was a benefit at Tandem Coffee Roasters, located at 742 Congress Street, for the Needle Exchange in Portland. The event was called The School O’Life and put on by Hear Tell: True Stories Told Live.

Hear Tell is the work of Elise Pebble, and others. Pebble told Bangor Daily News that, “Storytelling is a democratic art; it is a renewable resource” and cites the radio program The Moth as being an inspiration. She told a story that Illustration by: Craig Stanley night about her internship for her degree in social work. Other storytellers included Lisa Bunker, who works for WMPG, Greater Portland’s Community

Radio station that empowers volunteers to be trained in radio and have their voices heard.

Young, artsy-looking people packed into the small café. People sat on the floor in the front, and in the back, there was standing room only. The audience was transformed by each storyteller’s honesty. There was laughter, and there was that quiet ambience that comes with sadness, with sadness one knows is true.

Pebble’s story made audience members reflect upon times when they knew something was wrong and could not find the understanding and support to help them.

This is true of the addict, where, despite feeling like she should be able to control

herself, this is not possible alone.

The benefit raised $1,400 for the Needle Exchange, as Tandem matched the drink sales and a donation bucket passed around. This is a huge amount, since the Needle Exchange cannot use local or state funds to purchase clean syringes. The School O’Life’s event page on Facebook broke down what this money means: “$5.00 = one clean safe injecting kit; $10.00 = 100 clean syringes and 100 vials of sterile water; $25.00 = HIV and Hepatitis C test; $150.00 = Enough syringes to supply the program for a week.”

The second event was the Maine Rally for Recovery on September 20th in Deering Oaks Park. There was live music, food trucks (with vouchers for free food being handed out), free reiki, henna, and face paint. People in recovery from addiction and their supporters enjoyed the sun and good company. If addiction is a disease of isolation, events like these strive to bring people together, to succeed individually and as a community, to reflect on what values are important, to show tolerance and love for those who need it.

Dr. Julie Mueller and Model UN MUELLER SEEKS TO BRING MODEL UN TO SMCC

By Ashley Berry Liberal Arts – Political Science

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had the chance to sit down with Dr. Mueller, a Political Science Professor here at SMCC. She teaches several courses including Intro to International Relations, American Government, Comparative Politics, as well as some other Political Science classes. During our sit down, we were able to discuss a variety of recent events including Trump, Bernie Sanders, Hillary’s email scandal, and Model United Nations.

Dr. Mueller previously taught at UNE and took a class to the National Model United Nations in New York City. National Model United Nations gives college students the opportunity to address global conflicts in a real world setting. During the conference, students will address issues on peacekeeping, economic and social development, human rights, the environment, and regional conflicts. There are Model United Nations conferences in New York City, Japan, Washington D.C., The Czech Republic, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia, with many smaller organizations worldwide.

We spent a large portion of our time talking about her experience there, which lead to some serious interest about getting together a group of students at SMCC who would be interested in creating a group on campus.

Within Model UN, student groups apply for a country and then are assigned to departments within that county, based on the number of members of their group.

Such departments include the Department of the General Assembly, Department of the Economic and Social Counsel, Department of Development,

Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, and the Department of Peace and Security. Each of these departments has several committees. For example, under the Department of the Economic and Social Counsel there is the Commission of the Status of Women.

Under the Department of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs falls the World Food Program.

The National Model United Nations has a mission statement that is available on their website. It quite perfectly sums up why being involved in Model United Nations is a fantastic experience that will enrich students’ lives and make them more aware of the many issues that are currently facing our world:

“We positively affect the lives of participants and prepare them to be better global citizens through quality educational experiences that emphasize collaboration and cooperative resolution of conflict. We envision a world comprised of civically engaged people who strive for peaceful, multilateral conflict resolution and equitable, sustainable human development.”

Creating a Model United Nations group on campus would give students a chance to participate in an incredibly enriching experience, and meet and network with students from all around the world. If anyone is interested in participating in a Model United Nations group, please send an email to ashleyaberry@smccme.edu.

A Brief Voice For Our Future

By Hali Sarah Horticulture

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n Saturday September 12, I attended the Greenfest at Monument Square in Portland.

(This was another “by chance” occurrence.)

I am affiliated with Hour Exchange Portland, which is a service for service systems where the person or company providing is not necessarily the party to “return the favor.” Hour Exchange Portland is like “passing it forward.” You could have talents or just be a regular person to participate. (Find out more at www.HourExchangePortland.org.) When HEP reached out for members to staff at Greenfest, I was available and chose a shift.

Arriving, I quickly recognized this fest had a lot of similar qualities in relation to the sustainability discussed at the Seaweed Festival. Encouraged to see so many organizations dedicated to our future and beginning to realize that oncedim-light is actually shining, I decided to vote for the first time in my life and registered with the help of Tom MacMillan who is running for Mayor of Portland.

(Find out more about his campaign at www.Tom4Portland.org.) In the past, I always thought that our voices as citizens wouldn’t matter since the government can just make new laws –or that maybe hidden forces were at play to shift things (such as money or brainwashing).

The past year I have been involved with the legal system and although amongst what is just according to most people’s judgments, all legal decisions resort to what is written in the law.

Proceeding, I still believe there is a lot of brainwashing done to us, including law officials. This “brainwashing” happens in such a manner that a person’s stance becomes part of who they are. Challenging our “factual” beliefs imposes on the only thing dependable in life –you.

With “corruption” aside, in the Supreme Court, the “law” boils down

to a vote. That’s where new laws can be written or current ones changed. In reserve of laws, “bills” can be passed and that is where our changes begin.

Natural Resources Council of Maine is working effectively regarding environmental protection. Currently,

By Heather Rowe Computer Science Major OUR HOMES ARE GETTING SMART! t was not all that long ago when the first “smart” phones came onto the market. Since then we have steadily seen our devices becoming smarter and smarter. We have smart TVs, smart watches, and now, smart homes!

How can your home become more intelligent? What does a smart home do? The term “smart home” or “home automation” refers to a collection of gadgets that can be installed easily in any home and can be accessed and controlled remotely. For example, you can turn your lights on and off from your phone when you are far away. All of them come with applications to control them from your smart phone, available in the most popular Operating Systems. The company Nest pioneered the concept of home automation and was quickly snapped up by Google in 2014 for $3.2 billion.

Nest products are in their 3rd generation. With Google’s talent for algorithms that learn, they created

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they have successfully defeated mining rules and conserved energy efficiency.

Additional achievements include lake protection, microbead banning and paint recycling. The council continues to work on protecting public forests from excess logging, protecting land for Maine’s their centerpiece product: The Smart Thermostat. Although competitors such as WEMO and Intelligent home also have thermostats, none of them boast the cost saving potential of this thermostat!

It actually detects your behavior patterns, when you will and will not be home, and automatically adjusts itself without the user’s effort.

Nest is also focused on security.

Security cameras that are equipped with night vision are available with the caveat that a $10 monthly minimum subscription fee is required to store ten days of footage for each camera. The “Nest Protect” is available for fire and CO2 detection and together with motion detectors it alerts your phone in case of disaster or invasion. Products from Nest start at $99 and go up to $249.

However, they do not currently offer the convenience you might expect from a service, such as Time Warner Cable has offered.

Time Warner Cable has launched its answer to Nest in the form of “Intelligent Home.” Intelligent Home offers everything Nest does. Like Nest, its focus is on security and energy savings. Both Nest and Intelligent Home boast a possible 20% deduction in home insurance premiums.

TWC will install everything and there is no equipment to buy. However, it is a little ambiguous about how much it ultimately costs to subscribe to their services. They start at $39.99 a month and that includes some very basic stuff:

future and expanding the solar energy policy. (More info at www.nrcm.org.) Find something that makes you passionate about our future and get involved. We all make a difference just being us, but coming together provides the foundation to enhances our impact! fire alarm, door sensors and a motion detector. To find out how much it will cost to install more you have to call them and run scenarios. The startup cost for this service will be negligible, but over the long run it could get very expensive, especially if you have a large home system.

Both Intelligent Home and Nest can make your home more secure and give people a level of control over their homes while they are away that is unparalleled in history. However, it took WEMO, created by Belkin, to make it fun! The biggest difference between WEMO and the other two is they focused on creating a variety of smart controllable gadgets. With a WEMO system you are not limited to lights and thermostats. They have coffee makers, room heaters, crock pots and even a smart ice cube tray! If you are skilled with electronics and not afraid to do a little of your own wiring, WEMO even offers a “WEMO-maker.” This is a gadget that can be added to almost anything with a DC switch to turn it into a WEMO operated device. WEMO’s “Insteon Homekit” is a good starter option and includes a HUB (which is required for the WEMO system to work) and two light dimmers at $99. Their products range from $49 to $149.

Since the inception of these systems new companies and products are being added to the market all the time. It marks a growing trend in control and automation for the everyday person.

Three Plants To Liven Up Your Dorm HARD TO KILL, AND EASY TO KEEP. GET SOME NEW FRIENDS TO GROW WITH. Tegan Bradley Liberal Studies

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veryone has a side of them that pretends to know what to do when it comes to interior decorating. But beside what bed spread, pillows and desk accessories we choose, everything else is just an eclectic assembly of things we like, hoping they go together. Well one thing that looks good in all styles and room types are house plants. So, which one is good for you? Let’s take a look.

First up is epipremnum aureum, better known as golden pothos. They are the most popular house plant due to the smooth green leaves that grow off long, draping vines. It has a dreamy and romantic feel.

And of course, they are super easy to grow and keep. They can grow happily in a pot with dirt and should be watered at least once a month. But if you are worried about under-watering the pothos, they can also

live contently in a vase or jar of just water.

Since we’re all poor college students it’s probably going to be a jar. The pothos don’t like too much light so keep them inside, away from a window and they’ll be no problem.

Next we have the sansevieria trifasciata, or as people besides botanists call it, the snake plant. They have long green leaves with yellow edges that stand straight up from the root, giving it a bush like appearance. They don’t like a lot of water, attention, or sunlight. So pretty much, imagine you have a vampiric Oscar the Grouch as your plant. They still need water and sunlight, but if you forget to water them for a month or two the snake plant won’t notice. However, like all plants, if they start to turn brown it’s a good sign to water it.

Finally we have crassula ovata, the jade plant. Another popular house plant, the jade is native to the South African desert. Despite this, they can survive indoors during the colder Maine winters.

They would prefer direct sunlight, but

will be fine in indirect sunlight, and the less water they get the better. They do need water very infrequently; if its leaves start to shrivel or fall off it probably needs water. Water it . . . then leave it alone! The jade does have a tendency to fall over; this doesn’t mean it’s dying. At a certain point they just become too heavy to stand up. So they fall over. They will be fine.

All three of these plants are similar in the way they should be cared for: water infrequently, with partial to direct sunlight.

If you’re worried they will grow too big, don’t. As long as you don’t repot them they won’t get any bigger. All of these plants and many more just like them can be found at Lowes and Broadway Gardens.

THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

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Your Child’s Abominable Diet is Child Victimization

By Garrick Hoffman

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here is something painfully alarming about being in a convenient store (or supermarket, or restaurant) and seeing what the parent is allowing – or even encouraging – their child to eat: Slim Jims. Doritos. Little Debbies. Oreos. Ice cream. Handfuls of candy. Liters upon liters of Pepsi. Burgers with double the patties and double the bacon and double the cheddar. Energy drinks (some give you wings!). And let’s not forget: Happy Meals.

But will all those meals really be “happy” anymore once you’ve learned your kid has early onset hypertension or type II diabetes, both of which are lifethreatening conditions?

One might also feel alarmed in reading the title alone of an article recently published by NPR: “About A Third Of U.S. Kids And Teens Ate Fast Food Today”, which cites recent studies by the CDC to illustrate this point. This means one in three adolescents aged 2-19 ate fast-food not only today, but as the article explains, that they do every day.

And perhaps it’s no wonder, since they are incessantly bombarded with fast-food advertisement, with many advertisements geared specifically towards children. But despite the influence of marketing, there is still an accountability and responsibility that parents bear.

Although the term “child victimization” is typically associated with verbal, physical, or emotional abuse, it can also come in a more subtle, yet equally insidious form: malnutrition. Malnutrition is defined as “lack of proper nutrition; inadequate or unbalanced nutrition.”

This could stem from a variety of things: insufficient nutrient/calorie intake, excessive eating, a lack or absence of healthy and nutritional foods in a child’s diet (fruits and vegetables, for example), or from a diet composed of poor food options with minimal or no nutritional value (i.e. most processed foods or sugar foods).

Many parents will believe that so long as their child is eating, this is surely better than their child not eating enough. And this mentality is haunting.

There are a couple reasons why it’s haunting: the parent appears entirely apathetic to a huge element of their child’s well-being, feeding them foods without examining their effects; and because poor nutritional choices can and does lead to health conditions that can permanently affect the life of that child. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) reports that, “High blood pressure in childhood commonly leads to hypertension in adulthood, and adult hypertension is the leading cause of premature death around the world. Children with hypertension may have evidence of target organ damage.”

Furthermore, primary hypertension, which is strongly correlated to a child being obese or overweight, and is also much more likely to strike children than adults, is commonly associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to AAFP.

It is a parent’s responsibility for ensuring their child not only has a healthy diet, but is trained to embrace it as well.

When a child is trained at a young age to

avoid harmful foods that are destructive on human health, and concurrently embrace food they understand is good for them, they are much more likely to correctly travel on a path of healthy eating for life.

If one is fortunate, their child will break out of abject food habits to embrace better ones and – most importantly, if one is very fortunate – their child will not develop early onset hypertension, heart disease,

type II diabetes, and will not become obese, which alone can cause a myriad of health conflicts.

The list, eerily enough, does not end there.

With Two Initiatives to Choose From, Mainers Have a Big Decision to Make

By Ashley Berry Liberal Arts – Political Science

his coming year Maine voters will have the option of legalizing marijuana.

There are two initiatives that have been filed by two groups, The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol and Legalize Maine. Although both groups submitted initiatives that would legalize the great herb recreationally, they both have different methods of regulating the drug. However, there are a few proposals the initiatives have in common.

The first is that often, what is of most concern to people is that no one over 21 will be able to purchase, consume, or possess marijuana. Both initiatives also allow adults to grow marijuana at home if they’re feeling the green thumb vibe. Most importantly, neither initiative, if passed, would change laws regarding driving while impaired. An important factor for anyone who currently has a medical marijuana prescription is that neither initiative will change any existing medical marijuana laws. So no worries for anyone who tokes up for medicinal purposes.

The differences between the entities come into play in ways like regulatory agencies, home cultivation limits, personal possession, and statewide retail limits.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has a personal possession limit of one ounce while Legalize Maine puts the amount at two and a half ounces, which anyone who enjoys the ganja will tell you is a perfectly reasonable amount. Legalize Maine has significantly more reasonable amounts regarding home cultivation.

The limits are six flowering plants, 12 non-flowering plants, and unlimited seedlings. They would also allow an unlimited amount of retail stores.

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has a limit of 6 plants total. That’s an extremely small amount and wouldn’t allow for very successful personal cultivation.

The regulatory agencies are drastically different between the two initiatives: Legalize Maine naming the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; the other initiative naming the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations. Regulate Marijuana Like

T

6 THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

Alcohol has a cap on retail stores: they would allow 70 retail stores until 2019, 95 stores until 2020, 120 stores until 2021, and local control after 2020.

Legalize Maine is a smaller, grassroots campaign. The President of the Board of Directors is Paul McCarrier, a born-andraised Maine resident. He spent three years at the University of Southern Maine and then left to start an internship in the medical marijuana industry. From 2011-2014, McCarrier was

Illustration by: Craig Stanley

a legislative liaison for Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine. In 2014, he left that group to start Legalize Maine.

David Boyer is the campaign manager for The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. There is significantly less information available about him or their team on the group’s website. Looking at the breakdown between the two groups it becomes obvious that the aforementioned group would work in favor of “big money.”

One of the differences between the two campaigns is how much money is required to start up in the business. For example, Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has an application fee of $3,000 Legalize Maine’s application fee is substantially less at $250, a much more reasonable amount.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would then have initial fees that vary depending on what sector of the business a person was looking to get involved in. For example, if someone was looking to open a retail store they would have to come up with $12,000 on top of the $3,000 application fee. This wouldn’t include the costs associated with finding a storefront, hiring employees or any other of the costs that are involved in opening a business. The retail store would then have to pay ⅓ of the initial costs on an annual basis. Legalize Maine’s fees would be $2,500 for a retail store that they would pay on an annual basis as well. The fees associated with opening a business are much more reasonable with Legalize Maine’s campaign. It would be significantly more feasible for the average person to start a business under their initiative. Isn’t this America, where everyone deserves the chance to get ahead and “make it” regardless of where they came from?

Looking at the statistics, The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol would legalize marijuana and give the profits to big business. Legalize Maine would legalize marijuana and create an industry that residents of Maine could feasibly be involved in. This would keep the profits here in Maine, as well as create profitable livelihoods for many small farmers.

Tribal Government: Democracy vs. Monarchy

By Ian Ziller

I

t is assumed that most tribal governments were democratic in structure. Throughout the history of humankind there have been lots of societies that were tribal, so when we think of the forms of governments the question is, Were they more democratic or authoritarian monarchies?

The answer is that it has varied. For example, the Native American tribes had a sort of blend of both democracy and

monarchy. In their government structure they had no elections, but on the other hand they did have a sense of popular consent in which the people agreed and accepted to be ruled by a person, and he could be removed by someone if the people wanted him gone. Also, they had a sense of monarchy in the fact that they had most of their rules come from the same family, and there was one man who was in charge of the tribe. So that is how Native American tribes were both monarchy and democracy.

Should Planned Parenthood Be Defunded?

By Garrick Hoffman Liberal Arts

O

ne of the most prominent topics being shared in the discourse is whether to defund Planned Parenthood, an organization designed to treat women for vital health needs, including cancer screening and STI/STD tests, and for abortion services. Now, in the wake of what’s ostensibly a scandal, the House of Representatives has agreed 241187 to freeze federal funding for PP for the next year, which will allow Congress more time to investigate the matter. The Senate recently rejected the bill to defund PP.

Those who crusade to defund Planned Parenthood are exasperated by what’s evidently a deceitful video in which a representative from PP expresses interest in selling fetal tissue. (This has been vehemently disputed by supporters of PP who claim the video is a highly-edited, misleading falsity designed as propaganda from PP opponents. The PP representative was charging money for handling and processing costs, not the fetal tissue itself.)

The same PP opponents are also no doubt offended by their abortion services, which, according to an article by NPR, account for 3% of their total services, though this number has been disputed.

(Abby Johnson, who was a Planned Parenthood employee for eight years and clinic director for eight, wrote in a piece for The Hill, “Planned Parenthood’s claim that abortions make up just 3 percent of its services is also a gimmick. That number is actually closer to 12 percent, but strategically skewed by unbundling family planning services so that each patient shows anywhere from five to 20 ‘visits’ per appointment [i.e., 12 packs of birth control equals 12 visits] and doing the opposite with abortion visits, bundling them together so that each appointment equals one visit.

The resulting difference between family planning and abortion ‘visits’ is striking.”

Johnson later remarked in her article that Planned Parenthood “claims to help reduce the number of abortions. Not only is this not what Planned Parenthood actually accomplishes, but its goal couldn’t be more opposite. As a Planned Parenthood clinic manager, I was directed to double the number of abortions our clinic performed in order to drive up revenue.”)

The question that remains is whether defunding the entire organization is warranted. If this organization, which receives the majority of their funding from the federal government (over $500 million, none of which goes to abortion services except under extreme Medicaid cases), is a vital social resource for low-income women and provides important health-related services for them, then can we justify terminating what would effectively be the entirety of Planned Parenthood?

There are enough variables at play to be in a tug-of-war of decision-making regarding the defunding. From a supportive stance for PP, we can consider that the overwhelming majority of PP services are for STI/STD testing and contraceptives provisions (42% and 34%, respectively), and “As of 2012, 79 percent of people receiving services from Planned Parenthood lived at 150 percent of the federal poverty level or lower (that comes out to around $18,500 for a single adult)” according to a citation in the same NPR article.

We can also consider that although abortion itself at its core may be morally abhorrent or at least questionable, it should probably still remain a legal option for women in extreme cases, rather than as a convenient method of birth control.

Consider, for example, that one crusader in Portland who championed for the end of abortions, by her confession, had four abortions before she became a pro-life advocate; or that conversely, although maybe statistically unlikely, any woman could be the subject of rape in which her rapist has a serious disease that would carry

on to the child. Should the woman then be obligated to have the child? If abortion was illegal, would women seek questionable practices in the black market? Considering these cases, should criminalization of abortion be absolute?

Finally, the lack of federal funding for PP might actually backfire by costing taxpayers: states could choose to continue funding (especially in blue states) at will, which could hurt residents in those states.

Further, more births for low-income women almost invariably means more funding from the government to support those children.

Of course, abortion as a means to spare taxpayer money is a moral fallacy.

From an oppositional stance, we can consider the fact that taxpayer money is forwarded to an organization considered nefarious - an institution that while also aiding life is also producing death (327,653 abortions and 1,880 adoption referrals in 2013, according to the Planned Parenthood 2013-2014 Annual Report); they have

reportedly skewed their numbers to appear less abortion-oriented to continue operating; there are other avenues women can take to receive the same services, such as hospitals and federally-funded community health centers; and abortion in itself is considered morally abhorrent.

Ultimately, if Planned Parenthood is truly vital for women’s health and chiefly provides imperative services for them, its opponents should perhaps instead elect to find an end to its abortion practices but continue to maintain it to provide the other services for the sake of public health. However, if Planned Parenthood is operating in a morally deprave fashion and provides misleading data to deceive the public, and is in its essence a “death factory” chiefly designed for abortions, maybe it is then time to defund it, paving the way for community health centers to become the primary source for women’s healthcare and allowing federal funds to be re-allocated where necessary.

Beacon Bone

by Craig

Gritty McDuff’s portland’s original brew pub

Stanley

FresH ales pub Fare liVe MusiC 396 fore street in the olD port 207-772-brew #showusyourgrittys

www.grittys.com

THE THE POWER OF IDEA CLUB NEEDS YOU!!

POWER OF E IDEA AT SMCC ver had a big idea that you wanted the world to know about? Now’s your chance to make things happen at SMCC. Join us to help plan and produce the first ever TEDxSMCCMaine. TED is an annual event that brings together the world’s leading thinkers and doers (www.ted.com).

TEDx is an independently organized event that creates a TED-like experience for the local community.

TEDxSMCCMaine will bring together students, alum, faculty, community members, and national figures to share ideas that matter to you! Local and self-organized are hallmarks

of TEDx so we need your help! For more information, go to our Facebook page: The Power of Idea At SMCC.

Next meeting: Tuesday, 9/29, 12-1pm in the CSEC Group Room.

Contact Katharine Lualdi FMI, klualdi@ smccme.edu

THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

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Get Ready to be Scorched A REVIEW By Alexander Balzano

T

he follow up to last year’s Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials is an explosive, suspenseful race right up to the end. I found myself completely engaged in this exciting new young adult, dystopian sci-fi thriller. Containing similarities to other popular series in the same genre such as the Hunger Games and Divergent series but with fresh twists, in ways this felt like a Hunger Games for guys. The first film had echoes to Lord of the Flies while The Scorch Trials feels like a combination of classic dystopian works like 1984 while also feeling like a postapocalyptic western like Mad-Max. This film also held serious themes of potential catastrophes and how the people in our world may react with the unexpected. This also deals with the limits and ethics of modern-day science and had me asking: do the ends really justify the means?

WARNING: spoilers do await if you haven’t seen the first movie in this series or haven’t read the book and intend to do so.

You’ve been warned.

After Thomas and his friends are rescued from the maze, they are brought to a remote base located in a vast desert, called “The Scorch.” Initially seeming benevolent, the group that rescued the kids are not who they claim to be. In the events that follow, Thomas and his friends make an escape into the desert where harsh elements, creatures known as “Cranks” and various roving groups await our characters, all the while being pursued by the well-meaning, yet malignant group known as WCKD, who believes that the kids are the key to curing the virus known as “The Flare.”

Multiple elements in the film really stood out including the acting, music and the setting. Leading the cast is Dylan O’Brien in the role of Thomas. I was particularly excited to see O’Brien in his first leading role since I am familiar with him as a regular on MTV’s Teen Wolf, one of my favorite shows. Going from a mostly comic-relief character in Teen Wolf to a serious, tactful leader-type character shows his range of acting. O’Brien is supported

by Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster,

Workshops In Studying Here

Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito and Rosa Salazar who all provide a good variety of character types and provide wonderful chemistry with each other. Aidan Gillen and Patricia Clarkson respectively play it well as the film’s antagonists and characters who believe completely that their horrible actions are justified by their intentions for the world.

The setting of the film was impressive and helped to add to an already suspenseful plot, moving from the lush, forested environment of the maze, to the harsh desert and mountain environment of ruined cities. The art direction of this film was well done in that the set scenery, down to the smallest prop, gives the film that extra bit of vibrance and character that it needs.

You feel yourself with the characters as they traverse through the interiors of fallen skyscrapers, tunnels and underground bases.

The music was one of the biggest things to stand out for me. Composer John Paesano, who also produced the music for the Maze Runner, gives an exciting, pulsepounding, colorful score that helps you to feel the suspense in every scene of the film.

Dave Chappelle Provokes Laughter, Examination in Portland

By Garrick Hoffman Liberal Arts Major

WISH are walk-in workshops on college study and success

skills. These are free to all SMCC Students. Come to a variety of workshops and receive help with: • TIME MANAGEMENT • PROCRASTINATION • EFFECTIVE READING • NOTE TAKING • TEST TAKING • STUDY SKILLS

All workshops are held in the Library’s study area (formerly The Writing Center located in the CAMPUS CENTER in the South Portland SMCC Campus LEARNING COMMONS 2nd Floor HOURS:

12:30-1:00

TIME MANAGEMENT PROCRASTINATION

Sep 29-Oct 1

EFFECTIVE READING NOTE TAKING

Oct 6 - 8

TEST TAKING STUDY SKILLS

Oct 13 - 15

For more information: MY SMCC<My Maine Guide<My Learning<Tutoring Can’t make it to an in-person workshop?

WISH video tutorials are on BLACKBOARD in “WISH-My Study Skills Class”

8 THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

Music is a big part of the film and can help make it memorable; in this case Paesano’s work does the film justice.

Of the only critiques I could give this film is the under-performance of Kaya Scodelario’s character Teresa, the leading female. Her character rarely speaks and doesn’t give much input to the group or contribute to the plot much until an unexpected moment at the end that almost makes up for this. What does in fact make up for her character is Brenda, played by Rosa Salazar, who portrays a great female role in her own right. She is a leading force in ensuring the group’s safety, and she makes her own decisions and holds her own during the multiple fight scenes. The main villain, Ava, also plays a strong role as a person completely confident in their decisions in life while still emitting a sort of nurturing presence.

All in all I feel that the Scorch Trials is a very enjoyable film, one of the hottest new young-adult blockbusters, and completely worth your viewing at the movies this weekend.

T

he Merrill Auditorium was packed with people on the night of Tuesday, September 22. The only sound was the white-noise hum of the crowd.

Everyone was awaiting the living (and still quite young) comedic legend to arrive on stage.

When he did, the audience found that there was no shortage of laughs.

The illustrious Dave Chappelle has delighted in tremendous success throughout his career. He began in acting (a cameo in Dr. Dolittle and a starring role in Half Baked).

Later he went on to spawn Chappelle’s Show, a sketch comedy masterpiece of television that takes on race, pop culture and social absurdities, among other things. His first season – which was also the last – became the best-selling DVD for television

in history. His second season, which was arguably (not statistically) the most popular, was the last.

Chappelle broached a myriad of topics, from his comeback to stand up touring, to his role in the transgender movement, to who he sympathizes for. (“I feel bad for fat black dudes. You know what’s the number one threat to fat black dudes? Salt. Just regular table salt.”)

With the comedian at the vanguard of the night, the hour of Chappelle comedy felt shortlived. But he was on top of his game for someone who in the last number of years has experienced harsh criticism on his tours and had a shaky return after his sudden disappearance from the world of entertainment. He was clever, blunt (despite his pot adoration, there’s no pun intended there), and as what many popular comedians are: irreverent, making unabashed remarks that surely would offend the average leftist.

And, as expected, he was hilarious.

Words from the Photographer: Rileigh Forslund Hospitality Major

This picture was taken in Naples, Maine. It was taken one of the first times I had ever been to this spot and the first time I had been there at sundown (my favorite time of the day). Getting to spend time outside, even if it’s 10 minutes a day, means the world to me. I feel

THE

that some don’t see the beauty in taking time to be in nature in today’s world because we have grown so accustomed to having media, sound, and technology in our realities 24/7. It can be hard for us to put down our phones, close the laptop, and leave the AC to go outside where it’s quiet and slow, alone with our thoughts and ourselves.

ON THE

Awesome

By Christopher Wilkes Communications and New Media Major TAKE A BREAK FROM STUDYING AND GO HAVE SOME FUN! CHECK OUT THESE LISTINGS OF UPCOMING PORTLAND GIGS. Wednesday, September 30th at Empire | Joshua Hughes w/ Special Guests Alban Mitima & Connor Watson |9pm | $7 Thursday, October 1st at Portland House of Music | Shameek The God and Trails **Double CD Release** | 8pm | Cost: N/A

people wanted!

Build marketable and desirable skills in

Friday, October 2nd at One Longfellow Square | Dupont Brothers w/ Dwight & Nicole | 8pm | $10 Saturday, October 3rd at Port City Music Hall | Maine Youth Rock Orchestra w/ The Shook Twins & Tall Heights | 8:30pm | $13 advance, $18 day of show

leadership, communication, collaboration, experience, and awesomeness!

By Hali Sarah Parsons Horticulture Major “CIRCLES OF HOPE” His cry is the music His love is the gifts His health is the toxicity Only expression can lift My Sadness is tears My love is caressing My health is in My truth of expression No hidden desires No mask for protection Vulnerability is strength Strength leads the direction

With past fears in mind Built up in collection The only way to divine Needs honesty in reflection Here I am Plain as Day Keep looking for false gestures Be blinded astray I know the reality The one amiss The fooling done Has won dismiss

Both The Student Senate and SMCC’s Honor Society are looking for team members that are looking to do great things and really go places.

Alpha Chi Nu, SMCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (the one that brought you the Captain’s Cupboard), is looking for a fresh dynamic officer team for the fall semester. That means: This could be your opportunity to do BIG things! Please come to our current officer meetings to get acquainted with the team and what we do.

Meetings are every Thursday between 12:15 and 1:15 @ The Captains House.

Please contact us by e-mail for more info: mphithetakappa@smccme.edu

The Student Senate is looking to fill more seats on the Senate floor. This is your opportunity to step up and offer thorough representation for the student body here at SMCC. We can make powerful changes and positively impact the welfare of the campus and its students (academically and otherwise). Be that person… find the leader in you.

Senate Meetings are Wednesdays from 4:30-6PM in Jewett Hall Auditorium.

There are approximately 20 Student Body Representative seats available to represent our population of 5,000 students, and only two of those seats are filled.

Please contact The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership for more information regarding the Student Senate: cesil@smccme.edu

THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

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On September 16, 2015 there was a Multicultural and International Student Reception in the Ortiz Atrium in the Campus Center on the South Portland Campus. After giving a brief college history, President Ronald Cantor articulated, “We have a diverse student body and it’s growing more diverse all the time.” He encouraged students to smile, make connections and get to know each other, adding, “not just this afternoon!”

Mentally Unprepared Megan Prevost Biotechnology Major

G

oing away to college is a big change, one of the first changes that most teenagers go through before adulthood, especially if you’re living on campus or far away from home.

Everything is so different. You can’t drive

The SMCC Science Department Seminar Series presents:

A full life-cycle approach to understanding the effects of agricultural management on migratory songbirds.

With Noah Perlut

from the Dept. of Biology at UNE Thursday October 1st 5:30 PM Jewett Auditorium, Jewett Hall SMCC, South Portland

Future seminars include: José Antonio Fernández Robledo of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Thursday, Oct 29th Larissa Williams of Bates College on, “The role of proteins in responding to environmental stress in fish.” Monday, November 16th

home every weekend and you have to rely on yourself and your own motivation to get things done. It isn’t an easy task and most of the time it can be very overwhelming at the beginning. These new changes put a stress on students that can sometimes be too hard to handle. This can lead to problems with mental health and even illnesses that go untreated. Having a mental illness in a stressful situation can usually be brushed aside: “I’ll stop feeling so anxious once I turn in this paper,” “I’m not depressed, I’m just worried about my grades.”

It may seem shocking but one in four college students have a diagnosable illness.

That’s too many. Here at SMCC we have approximately 7,000 students. According to this statistic, 1,750 students here have a diagnosable mental illness. And forty percent of those people don’t seek help. They don’t think too much of it because college is known for how stressful it is because it’s so different from high school. It’s just expected that they be stressed or depressed on anxious about what’s going on. But there’s a line. There’s a line between just feeling worried and upset that you’re not going to do well and being so stressed out it’s causing you depression and anxiety. College is a new chapter in your life; it should be fun. Maybe a little overwhelming, but not to this point.

Eighty percent of college students are overwhelmed by

10 THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

their responsibilities, and being this overwhelmed, or taking on too much can be a bridge to mental health problems.

Students often don’t know their limit.

They think that taking sixteen to eighteen credits, balancing a thirty-hour a-week job and keeping up their social status is going to be something that’s doable. And here’s the truth: it’s not. It’s hard to balance everything, and this is what’s causing students to have these mental health disorders.

Anxiety is said to be the biggest health concern among college students. The times cited a recent study that found more than 100,000 students seeking help at campus clinics because of their anxiety problems.

And these are just the students that seek out help; many don’t. Dan Jones, a counselor at Appalachian State University said, “A primary symptom is worrying, and they don’t have the ability to soothe themselves.” The percentage of students seeking mental health help has risen from 17% to 24% just since 2010.

Other mental health issues common in college students include depression, social isolation, mood instability, attention difficulties and financial problems.

This is clearly a growing problem that doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop anytime soon.

College causes a stress in the lives of students that sometimes seems like it can’t be managed. Many college campuses have programs or places to go when these problems arise. Some even have classes that are supposed to help students out their first year to keep this stress from occurring. It’s all about taking care of yourself and that’s something most students forget to do.

Illustration by: Hailey Martin

Daniel French in action against NHTI in the YSCC 2013 championship

Beyond SMCC and Still a Seawolve

By The Beacon Sports Staff

T

his summer saw SMCC alumnus Daniel French, who pitched on the 2011-2013 Seawolves baseball teams, throw professionally for Newburgh Newts who play in the newly formed North Country Baseball Independent League.

Daniel’s pitching stats for the Newt’s read as: 25.3 innings pitched, facing 127 batters, allowing 17 runs that earned him a 0.67 run average, allowed 14 earned runs which left him with a 4.97 earned run Continued from Page 12 Saint Joseph’s in Vermont (1-2 and 2-12), and split their home season opener to the University of New Hampshire club team (4-5 and 11-1).

On the softball diamond it was the Lady Seawolves winning an incredible come-from-behind showing in game one, followed by a lopsided win in game two over the Lady Mustangs of CMCC that gave them their first 2 wins of the season.

The Lady Wolves found themselves trailing 2-6 when the top of the 7th inning started. Shallon Nadeau earned first base with a walk and then advanced to second base with a hit by Samantha Rioux.

Abigail Nielsen and Micheala Willworth followed with base hits, scoring Nadeau and cutting the CMCC lead to 3.

With the bases loaded and one out, Jennifer Genthner knotted the score at 6 with a bases-clearing double. Next Erica Brochu singled, but the Lady Mustangs tagged Genthner out at third for the second

average over 9 innings, struck out 8, gave up 27 hits, walked 17, hit 5 batters, gave up 1 long ball while stranding 32 base runners.

When asked to describe the level of play Daniel faced this past summer he said, “It is a total different atmosphere, it’s not just a bunch of guys who have come out of college. There are a lot of guys who were previously affiliated with MLB teams. Pitchers pitch at a higher level and consistency; they hit their marks more often. You learn alot when you are in this type of atmosphere.”

The Newburgh Newts won the inaugural season of the North County Professional Baseball League this September when they swept the Watertown Bucks in the best out of 3.

Daniel left SMCC with a 15-9 record, walking away with a 3.42 ERA after pitching 159 innings. Daniel is currently SMCC Seawolves pitching coach who has seen the upside of a championship season as he pitched in the YSCC championship game against New Hampshire Technical Institute in 2013. After the SMCC bats gave Daniel a 4 run lead in the bottom

of the 1st, Daniel cruised to a complete game allowing 3 hits and fanning 4. Daniel earned Most Valuable Player for the tournament.

Daniel follows 2007 graduate Anthony D’Alfonso as the second SMCC alumnus to play professional. Anthony played for seven years in the Frontier League, which is an independent North American League and in Mexico.

Thanks to the SMCC Athletics Department, the Newburgh Newts and the North Country Professional Baseball League for their statistical archives.

out of the inning. Erica Brochu stole second during the next series of pitches.

Again SMCC was able to load the bases with a base hit and walk, which set the stage for Quinn Racine who delivered a base hit single, scoring Brochu and securing a 5-run come-from-behind rally win.

The second game of the double header saw SMCC jump out to a 4-run lead in the bottom of the first inning and watch CMCC score five times over the next 3 innings to take a short-lived 1 run lead as SMCC came to bat in the bottom off the fourth inning. Erica Brochu again was incremental in kick starting the SMCC offense when she drove in two runners with a double putting the Seawolves back on top in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Lady Wolves would score twice more, grabbing an 8-5 lead going into the fifth inning.

After a scoreless sixth inning the Mustangs tied the game once more at eight apiece when they plated 3 runners. Again the lead was short lived as the Lady Seawolves scored 9 times, ending the day with an offensive outburst that was stunningly beautiful and overwhelming.

Prior to the CMCC game the Lady Seawolves struggled offensively, allowing 28 runs in three defeats to the College of Saint Joseph’s twice and the University of New Hampshire club team once. The second game

against UNH saw SMCC score 4 times but allowed UNH to plate 14 runners.

In the world of golf, Greyson Waterman and Ville Wuorenjuuri, who comes to SMCC from Helsinki, Finland, continue to keep the Seawolves golf team competitive. On the 26th the Seawolves traveled to Vassalboro to compete at the USCAA Qualifier held at Natanis Golf Course.

Greyson Waterman finished atop the leader board,

shooting an impressive 76 and holding off UMA’s Lee MacDowell who is ranked 7th in the nation. Ville Wuorenjuuri finished the day with a 93, which placed him in the top ten, as the next Seawolve was Brian Gallagher who shot a 96.

The Seawolve golfers will return to the links on October 3rd when they host Great Bay Community College and University of

REFUND SALE! At SMCC Bookstore During October 2nd-9th Come check out our new colors and styles! up to 20% off clothing and gift items.

Micheala Willwerth tries to run down a soft pop up which remained just out of reach.

THE SMCC BEACON | September 29th | 2015

11

Seawolves In Action on All Fields Beacon Sports Staff

W

ith the fall sports season well underway, all of the Seawolves teams have taken to their respective fields, compiling a 14-11-2 overall record. The Women’s Soccer team has posted the best win/lost record to date, grabbing five wins while losing once. The Men’s Soccer squad posts the second best record at 4-3-1, followed by the Seawolves baseball team at 3-3-1, and softball team at 2-4.

On the women’s pitch, the Lady Seawolves dished out a bit of retribution on the 26th as they defeated Unity College 2-1 in overtime. The Lady Rams have eliminated the Seawolves from post-season play the last 2 years.

Zyrah Giustra, USCAA and YSCC Player of the Week for the week of September 21st, put the Lady Wolves on the board first towards the end of the first half. The goal was the result of Marina West winning the ball in the SMCC’s backfield, passing off to Tori Cormier who found Zyrah across the field, enabling her to find the back of the net.

Unity leveled the score at one apiece before 60 seconds had elapsed from the clock. For the remainder of the second half both teams threw offensive gambits at their opponent as neither team could place the ball pass the goalkeeper. SMCC fired off 19 shots, forcing Ashia Pryor, the Unity goalkeeper, to make 15 saves, forcing overtime.

Kym Hendrix would find the back of

the net in overtime after a pass from Tori Cormier freed her to make a run at goal.

After a scrum in front of the net, Kym broke free and tapped in the game winner.

Kym was also named as USCAA Player of the Week for September 16th as she scored the winning and only goal against New Hampshire Technical Institute. To date, Kym has 4 goals, 2 assists, 16 shots on goal and a .174 shooting percentage.

The victory over Unity, which secured an overall record of 5-1 (2-1 in YSCC play) has paid off for the squad as they are currently ranked fifth in the season’s first USCAA coaches poll.

The previous two games saw the Lady Wolves dismantle both Dean College and Central Maine Community College 8-0 and 7-1 respectively. The Lady Wolves have flustered the netting 28 times this year and will host Bunker Hill Community College on Wednesday, September 30th before traveling to University of MaineMachias (27 team goals to date) on Saturday, October 3rd.

While the Lady Wolves have built an impressive winning record, the Men Wolves have struggled for the first half of the season, needing 8 games to break the .500% barrier. The Men Wolves have gone 2-1 after their September 13th winning over University of Maine-Machias (20), and 3-0 victories over Central Maine Community College and Unity College, while dropping a lopsided 0-9 loose to Dean College.

In Saturday’s action against Unity, Gradi Lapika, who comes to SMCC from the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

started the scoring at the 6:56 mark when he rippled the netting. Sean Jackson added to Unity’s woes as he padded SMCC’s lead, sending the Seawolves into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Ten minutes into second half play, Seawolve Harrison Charwat embellished SMCC’s lead when he placed a chip shot over Unity’s goalkeeper. The victory was secured by the acrobatic play of SMCC’s goalkeeper Drew Martin, who made five impressive saves in the final 35 minutes when he denied access to the scoreboard for Unity on 3 breakaway shots and two power diving saves.

Drew Martin was also named National and Conference Player of the Week for September 16th; his efforts in goal proved worthy of this honor. Drew earned his first collegiate shutout against UMaineMachias and has posted two more since blanking CMCC and Unity College. Drew is currently sporting 1.25 goals against average through the eight games played.

While the play on the pitch has proved a positive for the Seawolves squads, the diamonds have been a bit rougher on the baseball and softball teams. To date the squads have compiled a 5-7-1 record with both teams starting winning streaks at Central Maine Community College’s expense.

In Wednesday’s games, the Wolves baseball team dominated the Mustangs, winning 20-1 in the double-header opener.

The Seawolves homered six times, as Kyle Reichert went fence twice and Caleb

Abigail Nielsen beats out the throw to land safely at first base in action against UNH on the 20th. UNH beat SMCC 3-0 in the first game of their double header on Sept. 20th.

Kyle Reichert smacks a 2-run homer in the first game of a double header against UNH. The Seawolves would fall in the opening game 5-4.

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Cosmo Romano prepares to avoid a tag by the UNH catcher. Cosmo was ruled safe as his run helped SMCC get back into the game against UNH.

Burpee, Cam Brochu and Celab Chambers out- distanced the fence once each.

Ben Johnson took to the mound opening up the game by fanning the first five batters, which set the tone for the fielders who helped him allow one run to cross the plate through seven innings.

In the second game Kyle Reichert started where he left off by adding one more homerun in the first inning, bringing his season total to 5. Kyle’s big hit was followed by a second big homerun by Shawn Murphy.

The game remained tied at 2 through seven innings. SMCC took the lead in the top of the 7th inning when Cam Brochu plated the go ahead run with a double.

Amos Herrin, SMCC’s starting pitcher in the second game, showed off some of his skills by pitching a complete game and shutting down the Mustangs in the bottom of the 7th, striking out 2 out of the 3 batters he faced and securing a 3-2 victory.

The victories against CMCC helped to alleviate some of the early season frustrations after the Men Wolves started the season off slow, going 1-3-1. SMCC tied Bridgton Academy 5-5 in the season opener, dropped two at the College of Continued on Page 11