The Beacon Nov. 26, 2019

Vol. XVIII

Issue Date 11|26|19

Hip Hop Coast to Coast page 9 Faculty Spotlight page 3

oney, money, money. In college, no one seems to have enough of it.

Luckily, people find ways to get around that. We put our heads together and came up with ways anyone could get through life on a tight budget. From saving money on gas, budgeting, or reusing those everyday household items, we got you covered.

REUSE OLD STUFF

Sometimes there are things in your attic or basement that just collect dust. Go through some of that stuff and see if it can be reused in some way! There’s got to be at least one box of old clothes. See what’s worth upcycling with a little help from YouTube tutorials and an open-mind.

Another thing to not throw out: candles. Once they are burnt out, clean the leftover wax out with hot water and dish soap. Perfect for holding q-tips, cotton balls, pens/pencils, pretty much anything you can find that fits.

Keep a couple water bottles and use it

Use empty gum and mint containers to hold small items like bobby pins!

Basketball Squads Rule the Courts page 11

in 2020

money GOD M

Comics by Daniel Elliot, page 6/7

The Cruel Sister, part 3, page 9

Hack College and Become a

by The Beacon Staff

The Price of Warmth, part 2, page 8

No. 6

for holding bracelets or hair ties. You could even fill them with rocks or seashells for decorations, though you may be better off with glass bottles in that case. Hang on to tissue boxes as well. Those are great to store trash bags or plastic bags with quick access.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BUDGETING

The first and foremost thing you can do to make college affordable is to file your FAFSA. If you are a resident of the state of maine living near the federal poverty level, you will automatically qualify for a Maine State Grant. The maximum amount for this award is $1,500. Your expected family income must not exceed $5,800. To be considered for a Maine State Grant, you must file your FAFSA by May 1st, 2020.

For more information on this grant, see the FAME Maine website. You can also use the FAME maine scholarship search engine to look for more opportunities.

What if you don’t get any of that sweet grant or scholarship money? The next best thing that you can do is to take out your federal loan money. Try to take out your subsidized loan money first, but the unsubsidized loans you will qualify will have a fixed 4% interest rate.

Do not take out private loans, trust me, just don’t. Loans can be scary, but federal loans are not scary. You have to neglect to pay your federal loans for a whole year before you can default and negatively affect your credit, and you’re not going to get a better interest rate on a loan than 4%. Fear private loans, do not fear federal loans.

Another great resource is IGRAD. IGRAD is a financial literacy platform available to you for free as an SMCC student. They aim to empower students to succeed by helping them effectively manage their money, limit and repay their debts. They provide customized support for student’s unique financial situations.

Apply for SMCC foundation scholarships. With one application you will be considered for 75 different scholarships. The application due date for this year has passed. Applications for SMCC foundation scholarships are usually due around the first week of school. For more information, call 207-741-5559 or email foundation@smccME.edu.

But what if you need money right now? Are you having a financial emergency that might affect your ability to stay in school? SMCC has a President’s

emergency fund that you can apply to borrow from. To find more information about this, go to mysmcc my money.

The Maine Community Foundation is another great resource for local scholarships. One in particular that can be found on their website aims to support immigrants, refugees and asylum-seeking students through Portland Adult Education.

For more information about this scholarship, contact friendsofpae@gmail.com.

And lastly, Is your GPA 3.84 or above?

You should look into the Jack Cook-Kent undergraduate transfer Scholarship. It is a renewable scholarship that awards community college students with up to $40,000 to continue their education at a 4 year school.

You can pursue any field of study with this scholarship, and it is understandably competitive, but if you think you qualify you should apply. The deadline for this year has closed. Next fall 2021 applications will be due in November. For more information contact scholarships@jkcf.org.

For more tips on saving money in regards to transportation, check out a great article on page 2 called “Alternatives to Parking.” If you have your own hacks that keep more change in your pockets, let us know! Email how you save money to celinamsimmons@ smccme.edu.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAUREN RUBY

Alternatives to Parking

by Dan Elliott and Chris Hedgpeth

I

t is a natural, almost involuntary response to complain about the parking situation on campus. During peak hours, there are too many cars and not enough spaces. Many people drive to school alone, increasing the inefficiency of the system. Others have called for the construction of a new parking garage which, while seemingly remedying

Managing Editor Celina Simmons Art Director Morgan Dyer Copy Editor Chris Hedgpeth

the problem, would increase traffic congestion during its construction as well as well as the possibility of passing the expenditure back to you, the paying student.

Fear not, pragmatic students: there are alternatives available to you. Here are some things you can do to avoid spending ten minutes vulturing for a spot or getting a ticket for making your own parking space.

The simplest solution to fixing the crowded parking problem is reducing the number of cars in the lots. Consider talking to classmates about carpooling. Chances are, there is at least one other student in your class that lives near you. If face-to-face dialogue is not really your thing, SMCC’s mobile app has a ride sharing function built into its social feed, allowing students to coordinate in both providing rides as well as making requests to fellow students for one.

There are numerous Park and Ride locations around Portland and along 295 where you can park your car while you ride with someone else to SMCC. For those who are not familiar with the term, a Park

Webmaster Molly Pooler Production Manager Michelle Kapschull Graphic Designers Timothy Randall Madeline Rheaume Celina Simmons Illustrators Dan Elliott Arden Leigh Madeline Rheaume Contributing Writers Lauren Ruby Arden Goodwin Chris Hedgpeth Jessilyn Rich Dan Elliott Cedric McLeod Magella Cantara Hali Sarah Parsons Thomas Martin Gwenyth Thornton Ryan Noyes Krista Nadeau

and Ride is a designated parking lot where commuters are able to leave their vehicle and hop on a train, bus, or other public transit option. Park and Rides are also effective rally points for carpoolers as well, and many of the Metro BREEZ stops coincide with Park and Rides along 295.

The Maine Turnpike Authority has a service called GO MAINE (gomaine.org) that facilitates carpooling. A cool feature of GO MAINE is their Emergency Ride Home program. Up to eight times a year, if you carpool at least three days a week and you have to leave school early, they’ll send a taxi to bring you home at no cost.

The program even has a mobile app available which can allow you to better manage trip details and reward points tracking.

If you’ve got a little extra time to spare, consider taking the bus. The South Portland city bus and the Brunswick Explorer are both free to ride if you show your student ID with a current semester sticker. There’s also the Metro BREEZ that runs between Portland and Brunswick. It costs $3 to ride the full 27 miles, which is about how much it would cost to drive the same distance.

The BREEZ runs 14 round trips between Portland and Brunswick each weekday.

One of the authors of this article, Chris, who lives in Brunswick and commutes to South Portland to tutor twice a week, took the bus to work last Wednesday instead of driving. Some insights from his trip: Make sure you’re at the right bus stop.

CONTACT US mbeacon@smccme.edu @thebeacon.smcc @thesmccbeacon @smccbeacon www.thesmccbeacon.com

2 lighting our community | the smcc beacon

With the onset of winter upon us, it is not a bad idea to plan ahead and keep these commuting options in mind

It is getting dark SO EARLY these days!

It might be a good time to make your own sunshine... Help out a classmate, have lunch with a friend, and take some time for YOU. Maybe start with a quick break for a puzzle?

Photgraphers Lauren Ruby

Solutions to last issue’s logic puzzle

Shaden: February, Monday Ollie: December, Wednesday Than: June, Sunday Adiel: March, Friday Sierra: July, Saturday

If you want to take the BREEZ from Brunswick, Freeport, or Yarmouth, make sure you cross the street after being dropped off at the Congress St. and Forest Ave. stop.

The South Portland bus to SMCC picks up on the side opposite Forest Ave, in front of Springer’s.

On the way back, the BREEZ picks up on the same side of the street where the South Portland bus drops off.

The total cost of the trip (because Chris forgot his ID), was $9. With a student ID, the trip would have only cost $6. For a round trip from Brunswick to South Portland, you can’t beat that. According to the Greater Portland Metro’s website, the fare for the BREEZ will be increasing from $3 to $4 per one-way ride next February to coincide with their new automated fare program. Discounted fares are available, and the current price of a monthly pass is $90. That seems expensive, but it’s nothing compared to the cost of maintaining a car.

It takes about twice as long as it would to drive the same distance because of stops and schedule gaps, but that’s time you don’t have to spend driving. The BREEZ also has wifi, so you can use that extra time to catch up on homework or do some reading.

If vehophobia (literally the fear of driving) is something that doesn’t affect you, perhaps environmental conservation is something that piques more of your interest.

Consider this: public transit accounts for the reduction of daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 4,800 pounds per year. A single Metro bus can eliminate the need for up to 36 cars on the road, and in turn reduce our carbon footprint on the planet. A cleaner Earth is a greener Earth, after all.

There may be an unvocalized stigma attached to alternative commuting options among students. Deep within the inner core of our being, we yearn for an overall sense of independence, such as the independent feeling we receive from driving ourselves to our destinations. But doing so may not be the most efficient or cost-effective way to go.

There is an incredible array of support programs in place for the student commuter. Nearly all of the services mentioned in this article have mobile app support, allowing for better synchronicity with services and planning. SMCC’s mobile application has a large student user base active in ridesharing discussions. Programs like GO MAINE even reward those actively seeking commuting alternatives.

The Greater Portland Metro bus services afford students greater mobility options not only around town, but outside destinations as well, making frequent stops along 295.

The buses offer complementary services such as free WiFi and charging stations via usb ports---all free to SMCC students who present valid student identification.

However, if none of these options are of interest to you, and you are dead set on driving yourself to school, there is still one last thing you can do to help alleviate the stress of searching out a parking spot: arrive 30 to 45 minutes early, to allow yourself time to scour the Surfsite and Hildreth parking lots for those ever-elusive spots. With the onset of winter upon us, it is not a bad idea to plan ahead and keep these commuting options in mind, as we tread slush and snow towards the end of the semester.

Faculty Spotlight: Karen Gordon

by Jessilyn Rich

Name: Karen Gordon What is your position at the college?

Staff Tutor/Academic Support in the Learning Commons.

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

Working with students who do not want to learn the material because all they need is a D to pass the course.

What part of your job is your favorite?

Working with our students and watching them grow and succeed. There is nothing more satisfying than having a student tell you that working with them made all the difference in the world!

What is your best advice you have

for a student’s success in college?

Utilize all services/resources that are available to them and do not be afraid to ask for help.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Life is short, so do what makes your heart sing.

What are a couple things on your bucket list that you hope to do in the future?

Visit Scotland and all of the US National Parks that I have not been to yet and learn how to play the piano.

What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

Hanging out with my two grandsons.

Being involved in my church.

Exercising (walking) everyday.

What is something we would never guess about you?

That the number 13 is my favorite number and I was born on Friday the 13th.

A few just for fun questions: Top 3 favorite books of all time?

Ethan Frome, Heaven is Beautiful, The Wings of a Dove Top 3 favorite movies of all time?

Dead Poets Society, Rainman, The Color Purple If you could live in a book or a movie which one would you choose?

The Bible.

If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be?

I would love to meet Elton John.

More Organization Hacks!

Photo of Karen Gordon What is your favorite Ice cream flavor?

Chocolate Walnut Fudge Is there anything else you would like students to know about you?

I was a 2002 SMTC honors graduate in the Administrative Office Management program.

For more information about on-campus tutoring, visit: https://smccme.libguides.com/tutoring

E

xtra shoe laces or ribbons are great for keeping small items like barrettes, pins, or clips in one spot. You could even use them for earings, or tie them around a bundle of pens/pencils! Those pens could also be stored with old soup cans, but please wash it out first.

Plastic shoe boxes or cube shelfing can be super helpful for holding paper work or books. In the shelf, they are easily accessible. Using the shoe boxes, on the other hand, keep them out of sight.

THE VETERAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION

What To Know: School Breaks 2019/2020

by Lauren Ruby

A

n email was sent out to students who live in the Residence Halls a few weeks ago about the upcoming breaks. For those who haven’t seen this, here is what you need to know: For Thanksgiving Break, the residence halls will be closed on Wednesday, November 27th at Noon and will reopen Sunday, December 1st at 2 p.m.

Belongings may be left in the dorms, but anything important should be brought with students because there will be no access to the dorms during the break.

During Winter Break, residence halls will be closed Saturday, December 14th to Sunday, January 12th at noon.

Residents in Springpoint Hall must bring everything home with them due to maintenance being completed during the break.

Surfsite and Orion Residents may leave their things in their rooms if they intend to return the next semester. (Make sure to fill out the Intent To Return Form if you haven’t already). Once again, there will be no access to the rooms over break.

Spring Break takes place from Saturday, March 7th to Sunday, March 15th.

Students may leave stuff in their rooms but will not have access over break.

If you need a safe place to stay during any of the breaks for any reason, contact Jason Saucier, Director of Residence LIfe & Student Involvement (jsaucier@smccme.edu).

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAUREN RUBY

THE CAPTAINS CUPBOARD

VSO is open to any students who want to support veteran activities and events. You do not need to be a veteran to join. It is not a political organization. VSO is about bringing students together who want to support veterans on campus. If interested, please email: marcustaylor@smccme. edu

Campus food pantry Hours of operation:

M: 10-1 T: 10-1 W: Closed R: 10-1 F: 12-5

the smcc beacon | lighting our community 3

10 Ways To Cope With Stress

by Lauren Ruby

1Say “hello” to a stranger

This can help others to feel included, and lead to a friendlier, inclusive environment wherever you are. It can make yours or someone else’s day better having someone to talk to and it can boost your mood.

2Ask a friend for a hug

Hugs from people you trust can fight stress and depression. It can also boost your mental health, making you feel protected, remove fear and expand your confidence levels. Stress relieving hormones and dopamine, the 'happy hormone', are released when (consensually) longer hugs are given. There are many more benefits for giving and receiving hugs, so give them frequently.

3Look up at the stars

Gazing at the stars can leave you in a state of stillness, giving you a chance to en-

joy nature, the universe, and life. It can be a break from the business of everyday life.

4Practice breathing slowly

I know that deadlines and assignments can feel like they are crushing you and the stress of not getting everything done can leave you breathless. When this happens, remember to JUST BREATHE! Close your eyes and focus on slowly breathing to relax your body and unwind your mind.

Breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it for around 3-4 seconds, then release it gradually through your mouth. Once you are calm, you will be able to make a rational decision on your next steps.

5Learn to whistle a tune

Whistling can lift your mood and promotes healthy blood circulation and normal heart rates. It’s also okay if you can’t whistle, humming works too!

6Read a poem

Reading poems can improve memory and critical thinking, since a lot of poems have hidden meanings and force your brain to think about what the author wanted to say. It can also develop empathy and encourages engagement in other art forms.

7Listen to a symphony

Classical music can boost your brain activity for focusing on writing or other homework. It also has a calming effect that can relieve stress and help you focus.

8Watch a ballet

A classic way to watch a story in a formal (or informal) setting with beautiful music and fluent movements.

Bonus: Being part of a dance class can have physical benefits. This can include: better posture; strength and endurance; flexibility; confidence

booster; coordination; having a sense of discipline and getting active.

9Read a story curled up in bed

Reading before bed is a great way to calm down and quiet your mind before you go to sleep. As a result, you will have a better night’s sleep. It can be done no matter what your relationship is with reading.

10Do a brand new thing

Do something out of your comfort zone to overcome any fear that is controlling you. Do something creative to stimulate the creative side of your brain.

Do things you wouldn’t even think of doing (as long as it is safe, and won’t cause harm to yourself or others) to broaden your horizons and get to know yourself better as a person. And don’t be discouraged if you try something and it doesn’t come out to your liking, not everything is meant for you, just try something else.

The Difference Between Antivirus and Antimalware

by Ryan Noyes

R

ecently my sister bought a brand new Macbook for around $1800 for college. I am not a Mac fan, but it is nice. About a week ago she comes to me asking why her laptop is “having a meltdown.” She says within seconds of starting it up, she gets popups, warnings, and emergency alerts telling to act quick or click here to resolve the problem. I knew right away that this is malware or adware. Within 20 minutes of helping her get rid of the malware, her computer was back to normal. This got me thinking - most people do not even know what malware or viruses are, let alone how to fix them. I am hoping this article will help with this problem.

First some background information.

What are viruses? What is malware? A virus is a harmful program that can copy itself to inflict damage to a computer.

Malware is a term for all the different types of harmful software. Some types are adware, keyloggers, ransomware, spyware, worms, and viruses. That's right, a virus is malware, and malware is sometimes a virus, but not always. Viruses are known as “legacy threats”, meaning that viruses don’t evolve or change at all.

So why have two different softwares if viruses are pretty much malware?

Well, in the 1990s viruses were a threat to computers, so software companies just called them antiviruses. A reason that you might not expect is name recognition. More people know about viruses rather than malware. Still, there is more to just name recognition that makes these two different. Antiviruses protect against threats that never evolve or change (trojans, viruses, and worms), and antimalware protects you against the newer threats or the ones to come

(adware, keyloggers, and spyware).

Which one should you choose? From my own experience, I would have one of each. For example: I have Norton Security and Malwarebytes. I recommend having one of each because each tool can’t protect you from everything out there. I use Norton (antivirus) for the older threats and Malwarebytes (antimalware) for the new threats. There are many different types of antivirus and antimalware out there, so there are plenty to choose from. Some recommendations for antivirus are Amiti, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Comodo, Forticlient, and Windows Defender Security Center (comes free with Windows). Some for antimalware are Bitdefender, Cybereason, Emsisoft, Spybot and Webroot.

There you have it. I hope that I have helped at least a little explaining the differences between antivirus and

antimalware. I have given examples of the different software so you can protect your computers, but there are many many more out there that you can find.

A lot of them are actually free, but if you want more tools or even 24/7 support, you will have to pay a monthly or yearly fee. Thank you for taking the time to read my article and I hope that it will help you learn more about the importance of your computer's security!

Ryan Noyes was a member of the Information Technology Senior Seminar course in the fall 2017 semester.

Ryan was working towards a career in Computer Engineer Analysis.

Link to online version of article: http://ryannoyes.us/beaconarticle/

Time Management And Your Brain

by Arden Leigh

A

ccording to neuroscientists, the conscious mind can only pay attention to four things at once. This is why making lists is an important step to not becoming overwhelmed with tasks.

Distracting your brain with a whole mess of things at once can neurally prevent you from getting anything done. Understanding and evaluating how your brain organizes information, and what makes you pay attention versus what doesn’t, can remodel the way you perform in school, work, or your personal life.

Neuroscientists claim that mecha4 lighting our community | the smcc beacon

nisms such as mind-clearing exercises can help you to lower stress and approach tasks in a more effective manner. These exercises may consist of traditional lists, or occupying your mind with something else as a distraction. It has also been proven that the brain does not multitask per se, but shifts rapidly from one thing to the next. This can cause you to not be able to put your full attention on any of the tasks, which makes the work done less efficient and mistake prone. Focus your full attention on one thing at a time to come out with your best work.

You can better understand your

own behavior with a modest knowledge of how your brain functions. The brain uses different neural systems to process rational reasoning and emotions; thusly, the more one of these systems is turned on, the more the other is turned off. Intense emotional responses causes you to become slow to resolve things and can diminish your rational thinking. This is why using organizational methods to get you back on track will overall improve your rationalizing and ability to work, versus being in a constant state of last minute panic and stress, which can work against you.

ILLUSTRATION BY ARDEN LEIGH

Maine Schools Respond to Anxiety Epidemic​

MDOE awarded $5.5 million grant to support mental health initiative in schools

by Krista Nadeau

A

nxiety is a major problem in the United States and the number of people suffering is growing. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) anxiety affects approximately 18 percent of people nationwide and impacts people both young and old.

Statistics indicate Maine has the highest rate of children diagnosed with anxiety in the country. Even though the numbers are going down, Maine is still above national averages. In response, Maine schools are taking action to support the mental wellbeing of children in the classroom.

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “1 in 4 Maine children has at least one mental health disorder.” Anxiety is one of those disorders. The US Census Bureau reports that “of the 18 million students enrolled in college, 3 out of 4 indicated that they have experienced overwhelming anxiety at some point.”

These health concerns know no boundaries and are impacting all demographics.

At the root, anxiety is often caused by long term chronic stress that manifests into overwhelming worry and fear.

Social emotional learning, or SEL, gives a person the tools to appropriately recognize emotions, strengths, limitations, actions and to understand how the response to these can affect those around them. According to the Committee for Children, “​research shows that early and continued SEL instruction can be highly beneficial for kids. Its long-lasting effects help lower rates of depression and anxiety​a​ nd decrease risky behavior such as drug use and drop-outs, and can

reduce violent behavior and criminality.”

When faced with stress and anxiety, people can cope in two different ways.

Maladaptive coping skills result in nega-

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “1 in 4 Maine children has at least one mental health disorder.” Anxiety is one of those disorders. tive mental and emotional wellbeing and include choosing drinking and/or drugs, compulsions or risk-taking, and escaping or withdrawing as a means of dealing with a problem. For many, useful, adaptive coping skills were never taught. These are not skills people are born with, they have to be learned. They include skills such as talking about things, relaxation techniques, identifying and addressing stress triggers, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Anxiety can be magnified during transitions in life; going from childhood to adulthood, juggling heavy workloads at school while working and participating in extracurricular activities, and even more life events as we age. Stress in our world can be constant. It’s never too early or too late to learn resiliency and adaptability, two skills needed in life. Learning social-emotional intelligence can enhance a person’s ability to succeed in school, careers, and in life.

Tyler Tracy is a health teacher at Po-

land Regional High School and says he sees students struggling with anxiety every day.

He says there are specific health standards in the curriculum that educate students on adaptive coping skills. He says those skills are more important now than ever.

“Health surveys at our school indicate that 30 percent of our students have felt helpless at least one time in the last two weeks, a statistic that saddens me,” Tracy said. He added, “Students feel alone, but they aren’t.”

In response to that, Tracy says a lot of time is spent around community building both peer to peer and peer to teacher.

Tracy encourages his students to check in with one another and ask each other how things are going in a non-judgmental way.

“Kids are more accepting now than any other time,” he added. In addition to

“Health surveys at our school indicate that 30 percent of our students have felt helpless at least one time in the last two weeks, a statistic that saddens me,” teaching self-management skills, Tracy also teaches his students about valid and reliable health resources, how to anticipate and manage situations, and the impact of stressors on the body. While he teaches at the high school level he said teaching self-management skills in the younger years is critical.

“There needs to be a lot of focus on mental wellbeing,” he said.

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), aims to bring that kind of teaching to Maine schools. In 2018, the Maine Department of Education was awarded a five and a half million dollar grant to support a student health initiative to tackle the crisis.

Prior to the application, three school units, Calais School Department, RSU 40/Waldoboro, and RSU 10/Rumford were chosen as pilot locations based on their representation of challenges Maine’s schools face. Funding will go towards a program called Maine-AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education), which is a tiered program that builds students’ mental health and resiliency by giving all students access to school and community support and positive behavioral strategies. Team-based community and school support will be provided to those families identified as at risk. For youth and families experiencing serious or mental health disorders, targeted clinical interventions will be provided.

According to the department, the project will promote positive behavior and implement social-emotional learning in the classroom. The Maine-AWARE program ensures that all students have access to social-emotional strategies.

They believe that support, combined with universal behavioral health screenings can help schools and communities focus on the students that need the most help, keeping them from falling through the cracks.

Mental Illness in Celebrities

by Magella Cantara

I

t’s nothing new that celebrities are all the ones we look up to. We look to them with inspired eyes but, we never think who their idols are when they spend a majority of their time being exactly that? Though they are celebrities, they are human. They have their ups and downs, like anyone else.

We see more celebrities speaking out about their own struggles with mental health. Celebrities like Bella Thorne, Demi Lovato, J Balvin; I could go on with this list. Because when more celebs are speaking out on mental illness, others start feeling less alone.

Bella Thorne talks about depression in her new book she put out a few months ago called “The Life of a Wannabe Mogul: Mental Disarray”. She also states in an interview how real depression is.

J Balvin is a Colombian singer who’s done songs with Bad Bunny, and even Cardi B. At a concert J Balvin performed, he spoke to the crowd about how he’s had to take a break from music for a couple months after dealing with depression.

Mental illness carries a tremendous stigma around it. It’s automatically associated with violence or that there's something wrong with that individual. So not only is it appreciated that celebs are out here using their platform for something much more than

entertainment, but it’s necessary.

Mental illness isn’t often a hot topic of conversation, however, we are pushing for that statement to be an old way of thinking. We still have a long way to go until this is the case, unfortunately. With our celebrities voicing their experiences and struggles, fans have responded with nothing but positivity and continue to do so.

If you ever find yourself struggling with mental illness, I recommend listening

to celebrities interviews and speeches, maybe they can push you to seek help with your struggles and feel less alone. You aren’t - don’t forget that.

ILLUSTRATION BY MADELINE RHEAUME

THE BUSINESS CLUB meets every Thursday, 12:30 to 1:15 in the Business Club Lounge, 1st floor of Hauge.

the smcc beacon | lighting our community 5

Is the Art of Ballet Dying?

by Gwenyth Thornton

A

s the Nutcracker Ballet season is approaching, empty theater seats are raising the question, is the art of ballet dying? Pink satin pointe shoes, tutus, and the familiar Nutcracker tunes of every Christmas are what the average person thinks of at the mention of ballet. But some believe the lack of education about the art of ballet may be leading to its demise.

Ticket sales are a large part of what support ballet companies, thus strengthening the art. New York City Ballet has started closing tiers in the New York State Theater because there aren’t enough audience members to fill the seats.

The only ballet still filling seats in theaters worldwide is the Christmas classic “The Nutcracker”. But even that show is taking a hit. The Maine State Ballet is only performing two weekends of the classic Christmas ballet this year, as opposed to last year's three weekends of shows.

"If people are not buying tickets to ballets and supporting them, then the companies have less of an income for their productions and to pay their dancers,” said Jane Howard, a former dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet and Portland Ballet. “That results in ballet companies being smaller, and that makes the job opportunities more competitive.”

She says there is now a shift in the business. With less money coming in from shows, companies are now accepting more students to cover their costs.

“I think there is a lack of awareness of this happening when you're in a pre-professional training program,” Howard said. “I might be mistaken, but I think ballet schools affiliated with ballet companies use money revenue from students to support the company. I think that is also a reason why ballet schools will accept a lot of pre-professional students and mislead them to think they can get a job in their company when really, the chances are slim."

While things are changing at the professional level, the youth continue to be engaged with dance and ballet.

“I think that it is losing wind a little bit in the professional level,” said Elizabeth Drucker, a former New York City Ballet dancer and owner of Elizabeth Drucker’s Ballet School. “I think that its glory days have passed. Although, I do think that training in schools is still thriving.”

According to Drucker, ballet training is still booming, with young students all

over Maine eager to learn how to dance.

Drucker's school is bursting with young dancers daily practicing the art form in class. She says that education about the art of ballet is important - even if students don’t end up pursuing it professionally.

“For most kids, if you put them in a ballet class, they might be surprised by what it entails,” Drucker said. “I think that having exposure to a ballet class, even if it’s something that they’re doing in their classroom, will help them discover that ballet isn’t just tutus, and it can be more athletic and challenging or more artistic and creative.”

For the Maine State Ballet, there is a focus on filling seats and bringing attention to the art of ballet. Sixteen year old Sally Minton is a recently appointed apprentice with the ballet, and says getting young people engaged will be crucial for the future.

From the Desk of the Managing Editor

by Celina Simmons

W

hen trying to think of what to write about for this issue’s “From the Desk,” something dawned on me.

If the column is called From the Desk of the Managing Editor, why don’t I talk about what it’s actually like sitting at the desk of the managing editor?

This is my second year in this position and one of the biggest things that

has impacted my workflow is organization. I’ve never accredited myself as an organized person. In fact, I leaned more towards an “organized chaos.” When the workload poured in, the chaos had to go.

The managing editor is responsible for organizing the Content Meetings, communicating with writers and designers, gathering content for each issue, and many little things to remember in between. You have to keep in mind who is writing what, which articles need pictures, and which sections still need content before the final paper is laid out.

I’ll be the first to admit, it’s hard work. But the hard work pays off in so

Life Circles

by Hali Sarah Parsons

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ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL ELLIOTT

6 lighting our community | the smcc beacon

"Honestly, I don't think many teenagers, especially in this day and age and with this technology, are particularly interested in going to see a ballet,” said Minton. “I think we could involve more of them through spreading pictures or videos on social media platforms that teenagers use daily."

Fellow apprentice, Hannah Bergeron agrees.

"I think we could involve and reach out by talking about dance and what it really is, and trying to shut down rumors that go around of how dance isn't 'cool,' Bergeron said. “I think that if people knew what dance really involves, there would be more of an interest in it all around, and more people would be more supportive of it and become more involved."

The Christmas tradition of the Nutcracker continues at the Maine State Ballet this year for two weekends starting on November 29th.

Reserved seating starts at $20.

hat’s up y’all? I wanted to write this article for the Beacon to remind people to be who they are. Of course it is inevitable to be who you are because how could you really be something you are not? However, there is a part of who we are that is our essence— something that makes us unique.

Often times people forget that part of themselves because of their experiences.

For example, if you work a lot, you may forget to have fun and relax as an adult. For me, I faced serious trauma when the state placed my three children in a foster home after birth and framed me to be an unfit parent. From then on, I wanted to prove that I could have raised them by myself and try to become a professional, like the ones used in court to support their case.

I recently started working for a disabled lady in her home from a flyer that was posted on campus this semester.

After three weeks, she asked me why I was studying medical terminology because I told her my passion was music.

She told me, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone and that I should focus on what I really enjoy as a career which reminded me that the time is now.

Although I still make time for everything and claim to enjoy being so busy, she does not believe it. Continu-

many ways. When you’re a facilitator at a meeting, you need to be confident. A facilitator runs the meeting and assigns roles for people to take on after. This is something I continue to work on because you never want to be the bad guy and force someone to do what is supposed to be voluntary work. However, the show must go on and it can’t without content.

After the first few issues, you start to get the hang of it. I feel more confident than I did before, more organized, and above all, proud of how far we have come. The Beacon is a huge part of my life now and I will miss it as I move forward in my career after graduation. ing her pep-talk, she highlighted the fact that I could continue to try and learn everything, but times are changing.

As we know, once we get our degree, our fields will keep changing and we have to keep learning. It was something I didn’t want to hear because I knew it a long time ago. Right after high school, I went to college in Los Angeles and studied fashion, music and acting. Then love interfered and I tried to have a family.

Growing up, I self-taught myself through books and research on spirituality and psychology, which is why I made certain choices with my children that challenged social norms. Today I see alternative medicine becoming mainstream, and it breaks my heart that it wasn’t there to support me through my case from 2014-2016.

Because my children were (in a sense) being held collateral, my heart was on the line.

Everyone who was involved became their gate-keepers and I was out to prove myself to them (like women do with their boyfriends when their relationship becomes unhealthy). Since I began taking classes at SMCC in 2015, I have completed an associates in Political Science, Horticulture and after this semester, I will have one in Communications and New Media Studies.

Although the lady I work for does not know my full story, she told me to let it go. Truthfully, there is nothing I can do now to change what has happened. She’s right—I have to start fully living for myself again. I just need to be me, instead of trying to be everything.

T's Take; Star Wars Edition

by Thomas Martin

W

ith “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” coming up in a couple months, I’ve decided to go through my opinions on each entry of the Star Wars saga so far, in order of release (that business with “The Clone Wars”, “Rogue One”, and “Solo” doesn’t count).

“Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977), simply titled “Star Wars” at the time of release, kicked off the saga and helped pioneer popcorn cinema. It’s still a joy to watch, with its casts rollicking chemistry, its wondrous world building, and its swashbuckling set pieces. One of my favorite movies period.

“Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) is the most mature and least silly Star Wars movie, though

not the most endearing Star Wars movie.

Its famous climactic plot twist also set the rest of the saga on a path of contradicting and re-explaining itself. Still, it expands upon the world building in interesting ways.

“Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983) has too many plot detours, with stuff that really grates on me.

There could be a better ending to the trilogy, to the whole saga at that, but it does tie up the main conflict in a poignant way, with some thrilling set pieces to boot.

“Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999) is pretty wonky, but it brings me both ironic and genuine enjoyment, from its miscalculated comic relief and misdirected child acting to its rousing action scenes and impressive production design.

“Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002) is such a slog that I couldn’t finish it the last time I tried to watch it.

Low-Cost Game Review:

MINDUSTRY

by Chris Hedgpeth

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his is the first installment in a series of game reviews that will focus on inexpensive (less than $10) and relatively new (released in the past year) PC games.

I’m going to pick games that are cross-platform with respect to Windows, MacOS, and Linux. I’ll focus on casual single player games out of necessity because I don’t have a lot of free time, and I’m guessing you don’t either! In the spirit of not wasting money on games, let’s start with a free one!

Mindustry, from independent developer Anuke/Anuken, is an interesting hybrid of resource management and wave tower defense. You start by landing with a “core”, a square entity that stores your building resources, and the ability to create simple mining machines and conveyor belts. Resources are scattered throughout the map, which has one or more entry points where enemies spawn during each wave. The objective in early maps is to survive long enough to launch the core, and all the resources you’ve harvested, out of the hostile environment.

The upgrade system is clever. Between missions, the resources you collect from the launched cores accumulate and you can use them to purchase advanced tech. New maps are unlocked as you research more technology. As you progress through the game, the

maps become more difficult but more resource rich. There’s a rewarding back-andforth between farming and upgrading that keeps the game from becoming too tedious.

Your default player entity is a fast spaceship (a “mech”) that shoots lasers, but you can use player-built “pads” to transform into one of several other mechanical forms. Defensive towers require resources to operate. Some require you to feed chunks of metal to them via conveyor belts, while others require power or fluid input.

Enemies have decent AI. There’s no requirement that you leave an open path for them like in some tower defense games,

The CGI somehow looks more dated than that of its predecessor, and too much of the story revolves around a “romance” with stalkerish vibes and no chemistry.

“Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005) is the most nostalgic Star Wars movie for me, despite being the downright grimmest. Although it carries over notable flaws from its predecessors, from hokey characterizations to dated CGI, the story it’s trying to tell is poignant, even if the way it’s told doesn’t always do it justice. It has some of the coolest visuals out of any Star Wars movie, and it has my favorite musical score of the franchise.

“Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015) is trying so hard not to feel like a Prequel that it retreads the Originals to a degree of essentially resetting them. Yet, I can look past that and enjoy some of the most coherent balancing of drama, humor, and action in the franchise.

“Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (2017)

breaks from the traditional time gap between entries and picks up right where its predecessor left off, dealing with multiple plot lines, half of which are effective and the other half of which are a slog; even the stuff that works for me further undermines franchise continuity and takes unearned plot developments, though it’s rousing and moving stuff on its own terms.

Here’s to hoping “The Rise of Skywalker” can give a satisfying conclusion to this inconsistent but charming, cool, poignant, and thrilling saga that’s helped shape not only my imagination but also popcorn cinema itself. I’ll probably have to see it several times before I can fully form an opinion on it, too, as I’ve grown more fond of “The Force Awakens” and more conflicted on “The Last Jedi” since my first viewings of each. Skywalker will certainly decide my opinions on both in the long run.

a creative collective for writers meeting at 4pm and onward on Wednesdays in the Captains house. since they can destroy your structures. Certain enemies target specific parts of your infrastructure instead of blindly marching forward shooting everything they see. For example, Wraith Fighters will fly over your defenses to target your power generators.

The resource management aspect of Mindustry is similar to that of Factorio.

Lots of conveyor belts and sorting/routing mechanisms help keep things moving.

Resources never run out, so there are no unpleasant situations where you have to completely rebuild a coal processing system in the middle of an enemy attack. Auto-

mation becomes a big part of the game as you advance. Bots can be produced that repair, build, and attack automatically.

If you visit anuke.itch.io/mindustry, you can download the game for free for Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android.

If you want access to achievements and user-created content, Mindustry is also available on Steam for $6. I highly recommend this game to anyone who prefers to “turtle” in real time strategy games.

If you ever wondered what it’s like to manage a factory while being attacked by robots, Mindustry is the game for you.

ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL ELLIOTT

the smcc beacon | lighting our community 7

The Price of Warmth

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here was a sertvies of break-ins at my apartment in which several large wasps found their way in. I'd capture them, gently, and release them outside. Ezra's parents had a party to remember him and several wasps showed up there as well.

We avoided them, and they didn't harm anyone. We went home, and the next day, found another. They stopped soon after my girlfriend washed the clothing Ezra's mother gave us. I hadn't wanted her to wash them, as they still smelled of his place, but she did it anyways.

I refused to wear his clothing for a couple weeks. The other day, I caved. I'd drank and choked on some apple cider. I'd had a hard time drinking things since he passed; the lump stuck in my throat had made it hard for other things to enter in.

I sputtered on the cider and felt myself accidentally inhale it. The next day, I felt ill.

I woke up that morning, notably sluggish, and jumped in the car to drive to Boston, a good couple hours away. I'd promised to pick up my mother-in-law from the airport a week ago from this day, and I was obligated now. On the way down, I took a detour to Salem. It rained, and I gripped the steering wheel as I drove. An 18-wheeler's rear tires blew in front of me and the car was pelted in rubber bits. I slammed on the gas pedal and sped by the wavering truck, going well above the posted limit. I

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felt the fever in my feet, it tore through me as I approached Boston. When I stepped out of the car to greet my mother-in-law, she stepped back before the traditional hug. I was steaming. She bade me to sit in the back while her ex-military boyfriend drove us up. I felt whirl-winded. We made it up in half the time it took me to drive down. They dropped me off at my place, her boyfriend had slammed on the brakes just before my street. The stop sign had jumped out at him just as I went to drink some iced tea and I got covered. The short walk up the stairs felt like climbing a mountain.

I arrived at my door and headed directly to the bedroom. The wet shirt was peeled off and I threw on a dry t-shirt.

Part 5

I

cott@smccme.edu 8 lighting our community | the smcc beacon

by me. We were a new type of warrior.

There was more to our lives than just the physical fighting we'd learned and practiced as kids. We had fought off kids who thought we didn't belong in their neighborhood, we fought off kids who hated us for being different, we fought for our very lives. Even so, I couldn't fight this lump.

I got to the meeting and sat through it, the lump growing as if to form a cough that would never be born. Everything was cold to the touch now, I had one class after this and then I could go home. Home was a driving thought, for sure. The shower was at home. I could be warm there, if the water heater decided to work. If not, there were blankets to heap onto the bed and crawl under.

These feelings would be temporary, I reminded myself. They say he passed in his sleep. He was young, my age, just a twenty-something. We were supposed to die violent deaths this young, or have illnesses that we got set free from. I needed to process the feelings, the lump that threatened to swallow me up. I knew he wasn't coming back. I wasn't going to find out what his next costume was going to be, I wasn't even sure if I'd dress up this Halloween.

What I did feel now with a deathly sort of assurance was that we weren't supposed to pass like ships in the night.

I stepped outside into the freezing cold, bones creaking as the fever seemed to melt away my flesh. The only thing still on my body for sure was his sweater.

Secret Keeper of The Sea

by Jessilyn Rich

We meet in the art studio, Thursdays 12:15 PM- 1:00 PM. Want more info?

Email Chuck at

After dinner and some video games, I went to crawl into bed. It felt cold, even with my girlfriend snoring up a storm next to me.

It might have been the fever, but I crawled out of bed, sleepless. In the bathroom, I downed a good dose of medicine. On my way back in the dark, I grabbed a hoodie out of the closet and put it on. I crawled back in bed and was out like a light.

When I woke up, I had a small rash on my back. The zipper was metal, and my skin reacted negatively to it. I hadn't slept long, but felt better rested. Normally, I slept in just my boxers. My teenage cat pounced on me to ensure I'd feed him. I got up and the hoodie accompanied me to school, even though my outfit had changed.

A couple girls said it looked good on me.

And now, heading to a meeting, I wore it with all the other clothes that seemed too big for my body. Dad clothes I called them, as I still was feverish and felt the need to let my skin breathe. I was the only kid in my family to head to college right out of high school, so I still had that pressure to perform.

No sick days for just an infection. My older sister had earned a degree after she was inspired

spent the next week hiding within the attic of the house. As rain pounded the village, even the world seemed to be grieving. I closed the shutters and curtains from prying eyes. I turned out the lights, and lurked in the shadows. I ignored doors being knocked on and let telephones ring themselves quiet. I just sat in my chair, beside the window of my sitting room, thumbing through an old photo album, waiting for the next horn to sound. I slept by day, and waited by night. The only thing worse than waiting for something you want to happen, is waiting for something you don’t. Haunting memories splashed against my insides as the minutes ticked by; it was only a matter of time.

I continued to isolate myself from gossiping lips, and curious stares, until the cupboards were so bare that even the mice were beginning to complain.

I yanked money from the coffee can on the counter, stuffed it in my pocket and slipped shoes on my feet. The fog of the morning still hugged the village tight, as I stepped onto the porch. The ships that remained in the harbor at this time of morning were nothing more than ghostly silhouettes. Darkness still loomed long after the sun should have risen, and the air was so damp and cold it chilled the lungs with every breath. The wind beat against everything within its reach and mud caked my shoes, as I walked through the yard and down the street. I pulled the hood of my jacket tight around my head, trying to shield myself from the blistering sting

of the wind. Off in the distance a horn slipped through the fog and I froze like a startled cat, until I realized it was nothing more than a warning of a ships location to those around it.

The walk into the village felt longer than usual - or maybe my legs just felt heavier. This time of day had become my bedtime, and my body ached for sleep but my insides ached even more with hunger. The streets were empty except for a few hurried shoppers, slipping from shop to shop, heads down against the wind. On days like this no one lingered outside for long. I tried to enter the market as the wind attempted to play tug of war with the door.

It closed with a bang behind me. Talking and laughter fell silent, as curious eyes caught sight of me. I grabbed a basket and hurried after the things I needed, trying to ignore eyes that burned into my back as I slipped down an aisle and out of sight.

Once loud and talkative voices became whispers sliding down the rafters of the shop. I carefully selected empty aisles, grabbing items without stopping,

ILLUSTRATION BY: MORGAN DYER

by Cedric McLeod

ILLUSTRATION BY: MORGAN DYER

Part 2

avoiding gossiping conversation and inquisitive stares of those I was forced to pass. I knew I had become a topic of conversation, very rarely does simply a person's presence silence a room so harshly if they hadn't been recently talked about. I avoided eye contact as I placed my items on the counter, and waited for the total. I knew it was rude, but I couldn’t stand the weight of idle conversation or nosy questions. Thankfully the clerk took the hint, and spoke no more than necessary to complete the transaction.

People meandered near by looking at items they didn’t need, as curiosity overtook any sense of manners they might have possessed. I grabbed my bags and hurried out the door, almost grateful for the bitter bite of the wind. Most people didn’t know the whole story, they didn’t know the truth of what happened; instead their curiosity was fueled by stories of long ago or whispered speculation. They whispered of the secrets thats hung behind the curtains of the window on the third floor, of the old house next to the docks in the harbor.

They whispered of the candle that had burned in the window every night for years, before disappearing into the grave with the window’s previous occupant. They whispered of the silence that fell over the house all those years ago, and the strange girl who had taken the place of the candle, the very night it had been burned out. They whispered of the unmarked graves on top of the hill overlooking the lighthouse, that no one seems to know anything about.

They whisper about the many secrets that lurk in the cracks and crevices of the shore.

If only they realized what it all meant, and knew that it was happening again.

Hip Hop, Coast 2 Coast

What’s New For Hip Hop?

by Parris Cayer-Leary

Apollo Brown | Sincerely, Detroit

V

eteran producer Apollo Brown dropped an album in the past week which features new and veteran artists alike all of which, call Detroit home.

Apollo Brown has recently been making albums with particular underground artists like Locksmith, Planet Asia, and Joell Ortiz (who I’ll talk about later in this article).

The album is a beautiful love letter to his, and the artists featured on it, home city.

Domani | Time Will Tell

Domani Harris, the son of hip hop great T.I., came out with an album that is an introspective look at growing up in the shadow of a famous parent, and a look at how the world treats you when this is the situation.

The first track on “Time Will Tell” is called “A Poem I Wrote” (which is just that) and sets the tone of this masterpiece.

It has received incredible praise from some of the biggest rappers in the game.

Both Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole called the album a classic, and coming from them, that is a serious accomplishment.

Domani even mentions J. Cole on his album as he talks about Cole passing on adding him to the roster of artists on his Dreamville label. I look forward to hearing more from this very eloquent artist.

Mos Def) on an excellent track entitled “Education”, and receiving help from Anderson. With Paak, Killer Mike, and Pusha T on other tracks, Gibbs and Madlib definitely dropped another classic.

Gibbs began teasing this album shortly after the release of “Shadow of a Doubt”, which was Gibbs’ solo project he released in 2015. He had a pretty turbulent couple of years since then, after being accused of sexual assault in Austria. He was acquitted of these charges in 2015 and released an EP after that allowed him to vent about his experience being wrongfully accused.

The wait was finally over this past summer when he and producer Madlib

Continiued on page 10

P oetic

Fake

License

by Celina Simmons Freddie Gibbs | Bandana Freddie Gibbs and Madlib released the sequel to their 2014 album “Piñata” which was the album that got me into Gibbs in the first place.

Enlisting help from rap legends Black Thought and Yasin Bey (formerly

finally were able to release this immaculate follow-up. It received high marks from music critics and fans alike.

The best word for my generation.

Raised only to hide Behind coats of makeup, Behind that perfect picture post, Behind your so-called “American Dream.”

Scared.

Scared of what others may say.

Scared of what you may say.

Scared of those disapproving eyes That trace your every movement And translate them in the worst ways.

Scared of the truth.

Taking all of our cold and hurt beauty We carry like boulders on our backs Until we can get home And shove it all in the back of the drawer.

Hide it under anything and everything, As if we were ashamed.

Ashamed of our rawness, our grittiness, Our beauty.

Who knew wings could pass as stones in the pockets of a man Who only wanted to swim home.

Glued to a phone or Glued to false approval?

Having been told our whole lives We are nothing.

But we are a beautiful something And we are scared.

So until you show us what these wings are for we will continue To drown our nights with fake.

For my Sunflower of a Friend

by Magella Cantara

You greet everyone With yellow petals Look closely some

Are burning at The edges From lighter Fluid & players who Use gasoline instead Of water you continue painting being busy building To hide a dark Place that makes Up your middle Space It doesn’t define you You refuse to let it depression clouds You like a bee Feeding for pollen Except every Feeling is polluted Your lungs Look like helium Letting gasps of Cold go Trying to like it like You liked those boys My sunflower Friend You don’t Deserve to think suicide None of us do So when you aren’t watered Collect each life source Inside soil Rich with rain Rebuild your soul bend your leaves a little Keep going, keep growing Reach Take one step Up Take two Off Take three Breathe I promise you got you And the sun will Heal your wounds some days more than others But that isn’t to say You won’t not be okay.

I love you my sunflower friend.

I miss you.

We got this.

the smcc beacon | lighting our community 9

"Hip Hop, Coast to Coast" Continiued from page 9

Joel Ortiz | Monday

I look forward to hearing more from one of my favorite active rappers.

Earthgang | Mirrorland

2000’s. Ortiz and K.R.I.T.’s song “Learn You” serves as an apology to their children whose childhoods they feel they missed while on the road promoting their music.

Ortiz has made another great album which is no surprise but he continues to fly under the radar despite his close ties to rap moguls Eminem and Dr. Dre. I look forward to hearing more from him soon, and hopefully another album with Apollo Brown.

“Off Da Zoinkys” which is a beautiful song about addiction that, unlike most songs about the same subjects, is an absolute banger.

Dreamville | Revenge of the Dreamers 3

Chris Rivers | G.I.T.U.

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E

arthgang is a duo made up of rappers Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot and are signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville label.

“Mirrorland” is their first full length LP since 2015 after making an album with Spillage Village, a musical collective that they are part of that is also a part of Dreamville, as well as a couple of EP’s and a collaboration called “Revenge of the Dreamers 3” which featured all artists signed to the Dreamville label.

“Mirrorland” acts as a love letter to their home city of Atlanta. Tracks like “LaLa Challenge”, “Top Down”, “Proud Of U” which features Young Thug, and “Tequila” which features T-Pain, all have enduring qualities that should keep this album in heavy rotation for hip hop heads for years to come.

hirty-nine year old Brooklyn native Joel Ortiz was a member of the longtime group Slaughterhouse, which included members like Royce Da 5’9” and (later in their existence when they moved to Shady Records) Eminem. His intricate rhyme schemes and boom bap sound are reminiscent of underground hip hop from the late nineties and early aughts. Though Slaughterhouse no longer releases music together, Ortiz continues to make excellent music.

The album only has two featured artists on it which is rare in modern hip hop.

When so few features are on an album, it speaks to the caliber of the artist involved.

Blakk Soul is a rising soul singer songwriter and is featured on the track “Momma,” which offers a similar sentiment to 2Pac’s classic “Dear Momma”. The featured artist is Big K.R.I.T. who is a Mississippi native.

K.R.I.T. has slowly gained recognition in the rap game over the past 5 years or so for his Dirty South sound that is not as popular as it was in the early to mid

T

O

ne of the most fascinating rappers in the game currently is another child of a rap legend. However, his story is in stark contrast to Domani Harris’ because his father, Big Pun, died in 2000 when Chris was 6. Chris was the youngest of Big Pun’s children and grew up in poverty in the Bronx after his mother, Pun’s wife, was left with nothing after his death due to record contracts that were made up of almost exclusively advances and little for the long term.

This album is on par with Chris Rivers’ previous works. His flow is very similar to his father’s which was full of intricate rhyme schemes and alternating rhymes between bars. This skill set is one of my favorite to hear in rap and is very rare as it is extremely difficult and a true sign of greatness.

“G.I.T.U.”, which stands for Greatest In The Universe, is Rivers’ 7th studio album and he shows no sign of slowing down.

In my opinion, he is another artist who deserves far more recognition than he gets.

J.I.D. | Dicaprio 2

he last recent album I am going to talk about is one which includes two of the artists that I’ve already talked about in this article. This album is a compilation of songs featuring different artists that are on the Dreamville record label, which is run by J. Cole.

The fascinating thing about this J.I.D. Dreamville “Revenge of the Dreamers” album is that it was recorded in just a week. J. Cole rented a warehouse outfitted with many recording studios and lounges for writing and socializing. They invited numerous producers to come and work alongside the artists to make beats they wanted to be a part of. I’m not aware of any other hip hop album made this way, and I think it should become a more common occurrence seeing as it worked so well.

The most notable members of Dreamville Throwbacks inally, I want to talk about the amount of influential music that is turning 25 years old this year. Without a doubt, hip hop wouldn’t be anywhere close to what it is today without these groundbreaking albums that were released in the golden age of hip hop. If you’ve never heard any of these albums, you’re missing out. Without further ado, let’s take it back to 1994;

F

Notorious B.I.G. | Ready To Die Warren G | Regulate.G Funk Era Outkast | Southern

T

hough this album has been out since November of 2018, I wanted to bring it to the attention of anyone unaware of the absolute mastery that is on display on his sophomore LP. J.I.D. is another artist affiliated with Dreamville and is a member of Spillage Village with Earthgang and is regularly featured on Earthgang tracks.

J.I.D. has a speedy flow and high pitched voice which he puts on very slow burning beats, offering a great contrast that makes the listener want to listen to his music over and over to hear new lines you might have missed the first couple times you hear it.

10 lighting our community | the smcc beacon

playalisticadillacmuzik Method Man | Tical The Beastie Boys | Ill Communication Nas | Illmatic Scarface | The Diary

Continued from back page possible.

With 11seconds remaining the Knights pulled within two-points (82-80) hoping to upset the SeaWolves on their home court.

This would not be the case, as Amanda Brett would hit three of five free throws to seal the win for the Seawolves.

Head Coach Katie Stannard shared her thoughts regarding the game stating, "A hard fought game by both sides, we did well to run methodical offensive sets to combat their athleticism on the defensive end. We were a bit careless with the basketball today evident in our turnover count but capitalized on shooting opportunities. Augusta on the road will be another true test."

As noted above, The Lady Wolves would outlast the Lady Moose.

The men SeaWolves would work their way back from the early 11point deficit and eventually knot the score at 32 apiece.

Sophomore guard, Ian Regan would tie the game with a three-point shot with 3:53 left in the first half.

Regan would start the comeback with a two-point jumper followed by a layup.

Cameron Cousins and Pedro Fonseca would add a free throw and three-point bucket to trim the 11point lead to three.

Vermont Tech’s Xavier Hicks and Jeremiah Shaw would connect on consecutive three-point shots padding the Knights lead to nine. Again, it would be Fonseca who jumped started the Wolves comeback with a three-pointer trimming the Knight’s lead to six (26-20).

The teams would trade baskets over the span of the next two-minutes at which point Clay Hardy hit a three-point shot to cut the Knight’s lead to three at the 5:28 mark (30-27). SeaWolf first-year center, Cameron Cousins would cut the threepoint lead to one with layup.

The Knights would pad the lead out to three again setting up Regan’s momentum shifting three-pointer.

The Wolves would outscore the Knight’s in the final minutes of the half nine to four behind the play of Anthony Labor (2pts), Ian Regan (3pts) and Clay Hardy (6pts) to go into halftime sporting a seven-point lead (43-36).

The SeaWolves would maintain the lead for the remaining 20-minutes behind the play of their guards. Clay Hardy would start the half by connecting for the first four SeaWolf points. Hardy would end the half with 11-points.

Fellow first-year guard Fonesca contributed eight-points draining back to back threes with less than five-minutes of play remaining which kept the SeaWolves lead at ten.

After. 40-minuytes of play the Wolves utilized points-off-of-turnovers (19pts) and 24-points from the reserve players.

Hardy led all scorers with 24 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and picking the Knight’s pocket twice. Fonseca would add 17 points and Regan tallied 12 points on 5-8 shooting.

Head Coach Matt Richards commented, "This was a nice result to get in front of our home crowd—proving to our guys that we can play with any team on our floor. We used fresh bodies to run an offense designed to cause fatigue for the opposition on the defensive end and did well to make stops down the stretch to keep a distance that proved insurmountable by Vermont Tech."

From left to right: Aija Andrews and Anthony Labor in action against Vermont Tech. Andrews would finish the game with 11pts and 5 rebounds as labor would finish with 6pts and 9 rebounds. The two are making their presence felt around the basket.

the smcc beacon | lighting our community 11

Basketball Squads Rule the Courts

Teams compile 17-1 overall record, sit atop the YSCC By the Beacon Sports Staff

H

ello basketball fans, or how about: hello SMCC SeaWolf basketball fans.

The 2019-20 season has gotten off to a great start for the SeaWolves squads and from what this sports reporter has seen on the courts, there’s plenty of reasons to believe that this season could be one that will not disappoint.

Since the last Beacon, both teams have won all of four of their games. Last Thursday, Unity College took to the Hutchinson gymnasium court with the women open the evening play with a loop-sided 77-21 win. The men finished the evening’s play with a 106-46 win over the visiting Rams.

Two days prior the Wolves traveled to Augusta to take on the University of Maine-Augusta Moose. The women would post a 14point win (69-55), as the men finished their nights work with an 18point win (75-57).

The four-game stint started back on the 13th when the teams travel to Portsmouth, New Hampshire to battle it out against Great Bay Community College. The Lady Wolves would walk off the court posting their highest point total to date 103, while holding the GBCC Herons to just 13points. The men’s game proved to be a bit more competitive as the Herons would only fall to the SeaWolves by 10 (66-56).

All of this brings us to, “The Game of the Last 2 Weeks,” the Vermont Technical College Knights versus

your Seawolves.

Both games proved to be highly competitive as the Lady Knights would give the Lady SeaWolves all they had and then some. On the men’s side of the court, Vermont Tech started out the contest by building an 11point lead (20-9) in the opening minutes.

What is obvious about both squads is that the teams play with a level of energy that is up tempo while maintaining a sense of purpose: accessing offensive possibilities and sustaining a definitive defensive presence. What makes all of this sweeter to watch is that both teams are young.

Grace Fontaine, Ajia Andrews and Tara Flanders, all first-year starters, lead the way in the opening quarter of the Vermont Tech game as they scored 17 of the SeaWolves 18points. Flanders and Andrews would hit for six-points apiece as Fontaine would hit for three.

The Wolves would hold a four-point lead after ten-minutes of play (18-14). Vermont Tech would outscore the Wolves in the second 27-25 cutting the SeaWolf lead to two-points after 20minutes of play.

Flanders and senior Amanda Brett would provide the majority of the offensive as they would drain the basket for four and 12points respectively. Reserve players Elise Hebert and Ainsley Bryant would come off of the bench and add three and six-points helping the SeaWolves offensive cause.

The teams would battle it out in the third quarter scoring 17 apiece as neither team could put any distance between them and their opponent. Again, it was Brett

From top left to bottom right: SeaWolves' Elise Herbert, Tara Flanders and Amanda Brett in action against Vermont Tech. Herbert contributed 7pts and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Flanders ended the contest with 17pts and 6 rebounds. Senior Amanda Brett would end the day with 34pts and 13 rebounds. Zachary dives to the basket against Vermont Tech, as DeSean Cromwell fights for a rebound and Anthony labor and Tyler Mickle pound it out under the boards against Vermont Tech.

(8pts) and Andrews and Flanders (3pts each) who lead the SeaWolves offensively.

The final quarter of play would prove to be decisive for the Wolves. Vermont Tech would open the final quarter of play tying the score at 58. Grace Fontaine would nail a three-pointer giving the Wolves a short lived three-point lead to which the Knights would respond seconds later cutting the lead to one-point (61-60).

Over the next five-minutes the Wolves would build a 10point lead on the scoring of Brett (6pts) and Fontaine’s three-pointer.

Vermont Tech’s Kimah Stribling would hit a three-pointer cutting the Wolves lead to seven, after which the Wolves would build their largest lead of the game (11pts, 74-63) with 3:29 left to play.

It would only take the Knights 25 seconds to cut the Wolves lead to five with 3:04 remaining.

The last three-minutes of the game saw the Knights cut away at the SeaWolves lead over and over again, pushing the ball up court and looking to score as quickly as (Continued on page 12)