Campus News
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Op & Ed
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Arts & Features
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CC Tuition Free
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Lost Legacy of MLK
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A Review Gone Wild
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THE BEACON SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | For the students, by the students
Welcome (Back), SMCC!
information that arms you for the world beyond the classroom. You’ll be making new friends that will no doubt stick around through your path of life. You’ll be networking and acquainting yourself with staff and faculty who can guide you and give you their counsel. You’ll be creating a portfolio, and maybe participating in campus clubs. You’ll probably be drinking a lot of coffee, too. The list, of course, goes on. Today community college is still stigmatized. Through the eyes of many, it’s viewed as an institute for the less intelligent, where the aloof trot towards and mediocre, underqualified teachers reside. But the stigma is hopefully losing its integrity. Some students on campus left their universities - some prestigious - to attend SMCC, going on to say that they wished they had enrolled here instead of their preceding college. Some graduated from a university and nonetheless decided to enroll in SMCC afterwards, concluding that it was the most affordable way to continue their education. Some professors on campus have a teaching record from distinguished universities, a noteworthy reputation in their field, and have considerable experience. Even Tom Hanks extols the benefits of community college. A graduate from Chabot College - a community college in Hayward, California - Hanks said at the
Affirmation for Students and Praise for Community College
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By Garrick Hoffman Liberal Arts Major
elcome! Bienvenidos! Bienvenue! Sorry, we’re only trilingual here at The Beacon. But regardless of your native tongue, we cordially welcome you (back)! If you’re a returning student, you probably feel as if you’re returning to your natural academic domain, prepared to garner more credits to your name and bathe again in the wondrous realm of education. If you’re a new student, you’re probably fresh out of high school, or you’ve been spending a number of years working and sought to engage in your maiden voyage of education, or maybe you already graduated elsewhere and wanted to continue your studies. But either way, you’re in the right place. SMCC boasts exceptionally affordable tuition, a knowledgeable and highly qualified faculty, dependable and trustworthy staff, and let’s not forget: a beach that belongs on the front of postcards. You’ll be swelling your brain with
January 20, 2015 Volume 12 Issue 8 mbeacon@smccme.edu
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end of his recent New York Times column that “That place made me what I am today.” Hanks wrote the column in a response to President Obama’s America’s College Promise plan, which we cover in another article in this issue. Hanks voiced his support for the plan by saying that he “hope[s] the idea sticks, because more veterans, from Iraq and Afghanistan this time, as well as another generation of mothers, single parents and workers who have been out of the job market, need lower obstacles between now and the next chapter of their lives. High school graduates without the finances for a higher education can postpone taking on big loans and maybe luck into the class that will redefine their life’s work. Many lives will be changed.” In an epoch in which universities come with a big price tag and scores of graduates walk away in a state of debt purgatory - the average debt looming towards $30,000 - it is of chief importance to consider college options. Of course, many high school graduates don’t consider community colleges when they graduate due to fear of social and familial judgement. But how many of those students who go to universities discover that they should have waited, should have considered community college, or even
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drop out after realizing the tremendous costs? Indeed, a father who was interviewed in an article in the Portland Press Herald remarked that “I don’t think kids realize how much you have to pay back.” According to the same article in the Portland Press Herald, in general, “starting off at a lower-cost school such as a community college has no negative impact on a student’s academic record and can reduce the cost significantly.” In fact, the article goes on to include a quote from Gary Canter, owner of College Placement Services, located in Portland:
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These Teams are for Real
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Jordan DeRosby fires off the game winning shot from behind the 3pt arch against conference rival CMCC. The Seawolves won 93-92 in Auburn to remain unbeaten in YSCC play. Currently the Seawolves sit atop the YSCC western division and will face CMCC, here in South Portland on February 7th.
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By The Beacon Staff
he winter season in Maine can be long and cruel, as it can be for any basketball team. However, here at SMCC the Ladies and Men’s Seawolves are in the midst of seasons that should leave the basketball fan wanting more. It is a shame that as the winter semester begins there are only 7 games remaining in their seasons and 4 that are at home. The Lady Seawolves stand at 8-3 in YSCC play, and 11-7 overall. In the YSCC standings they sit in third place following CMCC (7-0) and St. Joseph’s of Vermont (6-0). While the Lady’s have had a sporadic go of it, their longest winning streak to date has been 3 games, and they have put together impressive wins in their last two games before Sunday’s game against Community College of Rhode Island, which is a non-conference game. On the men’s side of the hardwood floor, the season has been ahead full throt-
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tle. After Saturday’s win against Eastern Maine Community College the men’s record stands at an impressive 15-1 overall and 11-0 in YSCC play. The highlight of the season so far came against Central Maine Community College in Auburn, when the men walked off the floor with a hard fought victory, 73-72. Player of the game honors had to go to Jordan DeRosby who sank a 3pt shot from the left hand corner of the court with 2 seconds remaining. In an ironic twist of the basketball gods favoring and shortly thereafter not favoring, the Seawolves found themselves on the short end of a hotly contested game when Central Penn walked off of the Hub court with a last second 93-92 overtime victory. What made the Central Penn game interesting is that Central Penn is in the same division of the USCAA as the Sea-
Kendra Kagiliery finds some breathing space has she drives to the hoop against Eastern Maine Community College. Kendra and the Lady Seawolves defeated EMCC in Saturday’s action and then faced CCRI on Sunday. Kendra finished the game with 12 points, 2 of which were 3 pointers.
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OnCampus
Page 2 • January 20, 2015
Tobacco Free 2015
volunteers (consisting of those who smoke and those who don’t) to create a Tobacco-Free Subcommittee. The Subcommittee will direct our transition as smoothly and proficiently as possible. They are currently working on three fronts: Drafting a policy, creating a communication plan, and providing cessation support for students, faculty and staff who choose to quit smoking.” President Cantor doesn’t want this to be a closed process; he openly invites all of SMCC’s community to be involved in this giant leap. He states: As we comply with the Trustees’ resolution each of us has many opportunities to review and comment on draft plans and documents, and participate in discussions at the College Planning and Safety Committee, the
A Real Look at SMCC’s Newest Policy
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By Erik Squire Education Major
hether you read about it or heard it from a friend, by now you’re probably aware of the campus-wide tobacco ban. The policy prohibiting the use of “any tobacco” is set to go into effect August 1, 2015. This isn’t just an SMCC thing; in fact, we’re a bit behind the curve when it comes to a tobacco-free campus. In 2013 the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees voted to phase out tobacco use in all seven of its colleges. So far, five of the community colleges and all seven of Maine’s public universities have transitioned to tobacco-free. If you are unclear what qualifies as unpermitted tobacco use, this is what the policy states: For purposes of this policy, "tobacco" is defined to include any cigarette, cigar or other smoking tobacco as well as smokeless tobacco, dip, chew or snuff in any form. This includes any electronic smoking device that produces vapor of any kind. The policy also plainly lays out where the use of tobacco is unacceptable, which is virtually everywhere: Pursuant to the tobacco-free policy, smoking, or any other use of tobacco products described above, is not permitted in or on any college facilities including buildings, parking lots and college grounds, or in any vehicles on property owned or leased by the college. Failure to comply with the policy could result in progressive discipline or referral for disciplinary action under the student code of conduct. President Cantor remarked, “Clearly there are a lot of logistics that go into implementing a policy of this nature. Because of this, the Planning and Safety Committee has pulled together a team of
SMCC has sought out feedback from students, staff, and faculty about our transition to tobacco-free. Here are some of the things they had to say about it: “I appreciate the fact that I will no longer have to go through ‘The Gauntlet’ of smokers standing less than 30 feet from buildings.” – Anonymous “I do not understand why ‘E-Cigs’ or ‘vaping’ would be included in the ban. Studies show that there is no harmful second hand effects from exhaled vape (water vapor), has as much nicotine as you would find in a tomato, and is proving to be an effective deterrent to actual cigarette smoke.” – Anonymous “I am an older student at SMCC and I can tell you from experience that most if not ALL of the students of 30 and older that smoke will not be happy with any smoking ban. I, myself, WILL continue to smoke OUTSIDE of any public building in spite of ANY ban. I am fairly sure that others over the age of 30 will do the same.” – Anonmous
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College Council, the College Forum, and other venues. Our governance system is open and transparent—I urge you to engage. Whether you’re for or against the tobacco ban, it’s important to realize that it will happen regardless. It would be most beneficial to seek help if you’re a smoker and want to quit and it’s also paramount to be there for your friends who want to break the habit. Let’s all work together to get through the transition of this policy.
SMCC Student Interviews Marcia Bradford
great stories. It was her grandmother that made her realize she wanted to do something that took great pride in helping people. She grew up in Portland, Maine. She was in the Air Force as a medic. She was there for six years. At the time she wanted to be a doctor. She noticed that in TV shows, the doctors are at the patients’ bedsides comforting them, but in reality it’s the nurses. When she did her internship at Maine Med., there were other interns that were from other colleges. She felt that SMCC really prepared her more than the others at other schools. She felt she was more aware of what needed to be done for the patient.
By Taylor Chretien SMCC Student
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arcia initially received her ADN from SMCC in 2001. After graduation she was accepted into Maine Medical Center’s New Grad Critical Care internship and worked as a bedside RN in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Since July, 2014, she has been the Nurse Manager for CICU and R9W at MMC. She is currently working on her BSN and has been taking as many classes at SMCC that she can. She originally got the idea of becoming a nurse from her grandmother, who was a practical nurse. She remembers listening to her tell such SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Photo By Erik Squire
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SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | For the students, by the students
Art Director Alex Brooks Graphic Designers Cody Cook Michelle Lessard-Terry Digital Media Editor Jennifer Lague Managing Editor Garrick Hoffman Photo Editor Jennifer Lague
SECTION EDITORS F.A. Coletti Arts & Features Garrick Hoffman Op & Ed Rebekah Marin The Other World Erik Squire Campus News The Beacon Staff Sports CONTRIBUTING C. Samuel Belton WRITERS Ashley Berry Taylor Chretien Patrick Doyle Dierdree Glassford Maisarah Miskoon Carlin Whitehouse Ian Ziller
ILLUSTRATOR Craig Stanley
PHOTOGRAPHER Nickolas Evan Acker ADVISERS Chuck Ott Rachel Guthrie
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January 20, 2015 • Page 3
Cutbacks, Strategies, and Community Service
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By Erik Squire Education Major
ello again my fine fellow SMCC goers! Now that you’re done with a month of watching Netflix, skiing, and building snow forts with your sibs (aww, you’re so nice), it’s time to strap yourself in for another go! As always, you can all look forward to some superlative news this semester, brought to you by us at The Beacon. With no further ado, the happenings of the campus, exposed to you. SMCC is throwing together an event for you community lovers and they’re putting the win in Winter Volunteer Fair. You can expect to find numerous clubs from SMCC and outside organizations representing themselves in one convenient place. It will be a great way to learn about and get connected with opportunities that are of interest to you. Whether it’s a club with activities that you can dig, or an organization offering an avenue for you to volunteer, it’s worth checking out. Here are a few names you may be familiar with: Winter Kids, Learning Works, Boys and Girls Club, and the Maine Conservation Corps; they’ll all be coming. Even The Beacon will be there and they have an exceptionally good looking guy manning the table, or so I’ve heard. It is a proven fact that getting involved at school can boost one’s completion rate. It makes sense; when we get involved we feel like a part of our school community and academia starts to take on more significance. Not to mention it’s a great way to meet people! Needless to say, everyone should check out the Second Annual SMCC Winter Volunteer Fair. It will be held on Jan 27th in the HUB Gym at the South Portland Campus, 11:00am 2:00pm. In other news: Given SMCC’s decrees in enrollment and due to lower retention rates, we are facing a smaller budget, and with that come cutbacks. As unfortunate as this may be, it is being handled with great attention and care. What’s more, everybody is being invited to participate in the decision making process. Nothing will be done “hush, hush” or behind closed curtains. Here are the words of SMCC’s president, Dr. Ron Cantor: Through the budget forums, the Leadership Council, the governance process, and new task forces constituted to identify savings in several of our high-cost programs, we will address our challenges openly and transparently. Data on enrollment, student success, revenues, expenses and staffing will be available to all. Given that we can no longer afford to do all that we are doing in the same ways we have done them, our situation will require Vice President Sortor and me to make some difficult decisions. Before we make these decisions we need your informed input and perspective. Let’s review the realities together. Continued success will require new approaches grounded in trust, courage and open communication. We will advocate for state support, pursue external funding and, most importantly, refocus to increase student success. Utilizing open communication and involving SMCC’s community isn’t the only strategy being employed. In circumstances like these, it becomes necessary to appoint task forces devoted solely to the labor of SMCC’s success. Two such committees SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
are the new Leadership Council and the Strategic Planning Committee. The Leadership Council is formed from the various leadership bodies governing SMCC. They will be meeting multiple times over this semester to collaborate and problem-solve about numerous issues including parking and the school’s budget. As President Cantor explains, the Strategic Planning Committee, co-chaired by Michelle Neujahr and Steve Willis, [is] ready to lead us through a series of participatory discussions that will craft SMCC’s threeyear strategic plan, complete with prior-
ities, goals and clear outcomes, to be owned by all of us with pride. If you’re concerned about the state of our affairs and would like to get involved in the progress of our community here at ––Southern Maine CC, please feel free to attend one or all of these open forums: South Portland Campus Friday, January 30th, 12:30 pm Health Science Center, room 217 Wednesday, February 4th, 5:00 pm. Health Science center, room 217
Phi Theta Kappa Fall Induction Over Thirty Students Inducted to Honors Society
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By Maisarah Miskoon Liberal Arts/English Major
he sun was setting in the horizon as students and their respective families and friends assembled at the Jewett Auditorium on the 23rd of November for the prestigious event. On that faithful Sunday evening, more than thirty new members of Phi Theta Kappa were recognized for their academic achievements and inducted into a growing group of motivated students in SMCC. Jason Glynn, the current President of Alpha Chi Nu, SMCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, started off the ceremony by introducing President Cantor, who gave a poignant speech about the significance of being prepared, beginning with a humorous anecdote involving his youngest daughter and her overzealous attitude about her expedition. His speech was not the only inspirational speech of the evening as two other highly esteemed individuals succeeded him. The first guest speaker was an SMCC alumnus and the former New England Region Northern Vice-President, Quang Nguyen, who expressed the lessons he had learned from life and the opportunities and scholarships he had seized as a Phi Theta Kappa member. The speaker who succeeded him was the current Northern Vice-President, Ali Sekou, who gave a loquacious speech that echoed his predecessor’s sentiments with his own experiences coming to America and finding success here. Ali incessantly urged every one of the inductees to stay motivated and make the most out of their time in college, getting connected and involved. The two honorary members, Madelyn Holm and Joleen Kitteridge, were inaugurated first before everyone else. These two individuals had contributed greatly to the Honor Society and
Welcome Back! (Continued from Page 1) “Any number of schools offer the types of education and experience a given student wants...which means college applicants should focus far more on choosing the most affordable school among their potential choices.” Canter also “disputes the commonly held belief that attending a prestige university such as Harvard or Yale opens doors to jobs and income levels that otherwise would not be attainable. At best, it might get you a job interview...but you still have to earn the actual job. It’s a 15-minute advantage.” Furthermore, Dr. Gail Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College, said in a video posted on the New York Times, “Community colleges could •
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were nominated by the current officer team. Ms. Holm, who is an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer working at the CeSIL (Center for Student Involvement and Leadership), has been relentless in her contribution and dedication to the Captain’s Cupboard, the on-campus food pantry in SMCC. She has poured her heart and soul into organizing and coordinating on-campus events such as the Spring Festival and Sexual Awareness Week; her nomination was inevitable. Ms. Kitteridge, a second year student majoring in Business, is a dedicated member of the Business Club and is responsible for most of the artwork on “Dirty Business” flyers. The ceremony then proceeded to the Induction. First, Inductees were asked to recite a pledge of allegiance to the society and uphold the values of Leadership, Scholarship, Fellowship, and Service. As the names of each Inductee were said out loud, they were presented with the ceremonial guest book to sign, sunset orange embroidered stoles were draped over their proud shoulders, torches were lit, and they received roses which symbolized beauty of intellectual friendships. Subsequently, each name was read and every torch lit, the new inductees were “charged” by Mr. David Stankiewicz, Co-Advisor of the honors society, and became official members of Phi Theta Kappa. Many, like Troy Greenip and Erik Squire, were excited to learn more about the organization after the ceremony. Garrick Hoffman, one of the new members of Phi Theta Kappa, said that he was honored to be a part of a highly-motivated group of students who “were prospering [and] held education[and themselves] to a high esteem” and “felt [that he] was in the right family.” President Cantor, handsomely clad in black robes and golden stole, posed for pictures with many of the new members. Everyone was in high spirits as the ceremony went by without a hitch and people went home clutching white roses in their hands.
want to learn and who you can learn from. You’re connecting with your professors. You’re proving to yourself and others that you hold yourself to some esteem, and that you care about your future, your understanding of the world, your self. You’re spending your days in a sanctuary that facilities information to you, that stimulates your mind, that nourishes your intellect, that fosters education - a virtue for all societies in the world. You’re carving yourself a path toward “somewhere better,” whether that’s success, higher income, or augmented intellectual capacities. Oh, and you’re on the coast, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. We think you’re in a good spot. But forget not, fellow students: you need to sow in order to reap. Cheers to a new semester, gang!
alleviate so much of the disparity, the inequality, but we spend about a third less on those first two years...than we do on students who go to places like Brown or the University of Michigan.” She went on to say that “We don’t have a tradition of giving to colleges in our communities, even though these colleges are so hugely important to their local economies.” By attending Southern Maine Community College, it’s probable you are dodging the bullet of deplorable debt, or realized it was an overall more economic and beneficial option than your previous school. It’s also probable you’re a returning student armed with positive stories about their experience here thus far. But even beyond that, you’re doing more than just sparing yourself of debt. To reiterate, you’re receiving a quality education, surrounded by individuals who
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Maximizing Your Smartphone’s Battery Life By C. Samuel Belton
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f you are anything like me, you are at least mildly worried about having enough battery life on your phone to last the entire day, or at least until the next time you find time to charge it. Because all modern smartphones run on lithium-ion batteries, it doesn’t matter whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, this article will arm you with practices to defend against that pesky battery life meter. The first place to check on your phone is the running background apps. Most apps will not automatically close themselves when you go back to your home screen. This is because apps that your phone receives data from, such as Twitter, like to be able to notify you through your phone’s tone or vibration to indicate that something has happened within the app, such as you receiving a direct message. It is
still possible for apps to do this while closed through push notifications, but with the app actually running you will receive your direct message essentially instantly as long as you have service. While that is a great convenience for many people, the app sitting in the background patiently waiting for a message it can give you ends up eating up battery life that you might have otherwise been able to save, especially if it is running while you are not actively using it. Because of this, to help maximize your battery life, it is best to make sure to close out of all background apps that you don’t actually need to have open. In the same vein of background apps sitting open, waiting to receive something it can tell you about, there are services like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Location Services that consume battery when they are turned on. Wi-Fi, when enabled for example, will have your phone constantly scan for wireless networks to connect to. Now if you know that a background app sitting around waiting for something to happen drains battery life then you know the Wi-Fi service has to be also, and Bluetooth works exactly the same way except that it is looking for Bluetooth devices that it can pair to itself and not Wi-Fi network connections. Location Services is a little different, because it has your phone send along GPS information every so often to applications. So while it won’t inherently drain your battery by itself, any app that is using it will cause your battery life to drain more than if it was disabled. Some apps will not work without Location Services running, and that is because they were built entirely on the idea to know where you are. An example of this is Google Maps. How would the lady giving you driving directions know when to tell you “recalculating” if it didn’t know precisely where you are? Most apps do not need Location Services to serve their purpose, but they like to use it anyway. Facebook for example will let you update statuses and post messages that will show people what city or town you are in or were in at the time of the post. While non-GPS apps may only occasionally use Location Services to update where you are, it does use a bit of battery every time that it uses it. Because of this, in the name of lively batteries it is best to turn it off when you do not need it. Lastly, it is best to make sure you are keeping your phone OS (iOS or Android) updated. When there is an
OS update for your phone, your mobile carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) should send you a message letting you know. You are usually able to update your phone earlier than your carrier notifies you, but when they send you that message that means that they should be ready to give you support if you update and have problems. OS updates are one of the big defenses against people that may use vulnerabilities to get personal information about you, but they are also a chance for Apple and Google to optimize some of the processes running way in the background that you never see. In the process of software development the main objective is making sure the software functions exactly as it should, and all the optimization comes at the end and is an ongoing process. One day some developer at Apple might find out that she can change one little piece of code and it makes the OS use less battery power than it has to. If that is the case and it doesn’t break anything else then it is likely going to be in the next iOS update. I hope learning these practices helps you better get through the day with a little less worry about your battery life. Maybe one day worrying about it will be a thing of the past. C. Samuel Belton was a member of the Computer Technology Senior Seminar course in Fall Semester 14 and is planning on a career in Information Security. The online version of this article is located at http://samuelbelton. com/beacon
Library Research Workshops
Wed Mon Thu Tue Fri Wed Mon Thu Tue Wed
Save time! Save effort! Save your Sanity! Don’t waste time with sloppy research or second-rate sources! Stop by a Library Research workshop to see the resources and get the skills
All sessions are held in Tech 102 and last 1 hour
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Jan 28 Feb 2 Feb 5 Feb 10 Feb 13 Feb 18 Feb 23 Feb 26 Mar 3 Mar 4
1:00pm 12:30pm 11:00pm 2:00pm 12:00pm 1:30pm 11:00am 1:00pm 12:30pm 3:00pm
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OtherWorld
January 20, 2015 • Page 5
Obama Announces Free Community College Proposal By Garrick Hoffman Liberal Arts Major
to do is to see the first two years of community college free for everybody who’s willing to work for it.” Mr. Obama also stressed the importance of a free community college experience due to technical training and global competition, saying “it’s something that will train our workforce so we can compete with anybody in the world.” According to an article posted on Chronicle.com, in order to participate, “students would have to attend at least half time, maintain a 2.5 grade-point average while in college, and make steady progress toward completing their program. The money could only be used for academic programs that fully transfer to public fouryear colleges or to job-training programs that have high graduation rates and also lead to degrees and certificates in high-demand fields.”
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you’re a future college student, or even currently a college student, you might end up pondering your path of education, so long as Obama’s recent proposal comes into fruition. Under what’s been dubbed the America’s College Promise plan, about nine million students could benefit from a tenure at community college tuition-free. The federal government would cover about three-quarters of the costs, with participating states funding the rest. It could annually save students an average of $3,800 in tuition - a figure which probably does not include interest rates that come with loans. “[Education] is the key to success,” the President said in a video posted on the White House Facebook page. “What I’d like
Of course with a proposal like this, there will be a degree of divisiveness. Overall the proposal has chiefly received praise. Many have lauded the elimination of the cost-barrier, saying it could encourage scores of potential students to enroll into college who otherwise wouldn’t have. Advocates say the plan could benefit students of any income, including low-income students. Furthermore, because of state disinvestment in higher education, the idea of federal funding in this department has earned much praise from supporters. However, education-advocacy group Ticas (or The Institute of College Access and Success) released a statement on their website, saying the plan is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” because “making tuition free for all students regardless of their income is a
missed opportunity to focus resources on the students who need aid the most. Consider California community colleges, with the lowest tuition in the nation and waivers for low-income students. The result? Federal student aid application rates, even among low-income students, have been notoriously low, and part-time enrollment rates sky-high.” Other critics, such as four-year college advocates, voiced their concerns about decreases in enrollments “that are already sagging due to the decreasing number of high-school-age students.” The proposal will still need approval from Congress, which is primarily dominated by Republicans, and the price that would come along with it is still unspecified. However, it has been noted that the proposal benefits from bipartisan appeal.
Welcome to the O.W.
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By Rebekah Marin Liberal Arts/English Major
ey Fellow Seawolves! I hope the New Year has found all of you happy, healthy, and mentally prepared to endure another vigorous semester! I’m taking this opportunity to introduce myself as the new section editor of “The Other World” section of The Beacon. My name is Rebekah, and I’m from southern New Hampshire, or as the natives call it “n’ampsha”. I came to SMCC in the fall of 2013 to pursue a degree in Marine Science, however I quickly realized it wasn't for me and changed my major to Liberal Studies with a concentration in English. When my time at SMCC comes to a close this May, I plan to transfer to a university in Massachusetts to study journalism. Until then you can find me buried in homework, behind the desk at my job, or feverishly tapping away on my laptop keys, hard at work to make The Beacon’s Other World section the best it can be. However, I can’t make this paper as interesting as it has been and will continue to be without input from other students! The Other World section is looking for students interested in writing about things outside of the realm of our cozy little campus. Have you gone a trip recently? Are there things happening on other campuses around the country that you think we should know about? Are you interested in writing your own weekly column? If you’re thinking about writing for the Beacon, or are interested in learning more about how you can become a part of our team, feel free to contact me at rebekahamarin@ smccme.edu
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OpEd
Page 6 • January 20, 2015
America Has Lost Touch With MLK’s Legacy
By Carlin Whitehouse Communications & New Media Major here was once a time in America when the rearing head of racism was unmistakably ugly. One could point a finger and say, “There. That is ignorance. That is hatred.” One could witness, right out in the wide, open light of day, the white majority enforcing its supremacy - on streets, at restaurants, in schools, courthouses and the chambers of Congress. The very same government that was founded by the virtues set forth in the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights was willfully denying equality to millions of her citizens. On January 19th, our nation observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Most Americans place his ideals back within that era of racial hostility. They view his legacy as a triumph over that monstrous time, and how his influence virtually destroyed the institution of racism. The truth is the United States has never really gotten all that close to fulfilling his vision of “ris[ing] up and liv[ing] out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.’” One need not go all the way to Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama to see that our valleys, mountains, rough and crooked places have certainly not been made exalted, low, plain and straight. The proof is right here in Maine – as well as Missouri, Ohio, California and New York. This nation has not achieved justice or equality. What Americans generally don’t spend much time contemplating is how that beautiful, vivid dream of racial harmony more closely resembles the one about which Langston Hughes’ wrote. Rather than coming true, the cruel reality is that Dr. King’s dream… has been deferred. In 2015, the face of racism has changed. The warts, boils and scars
ity that disconnects from history is infamously condemned to repeat prior mistakes. Sure, there is a national holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s great works – and there should be! It’s important to note that even that symbolic gesture was made with a shameful amount of controversy and resistance from a great many outspoken representatives “of the people” and state governments (including New Hampshire) as recently as 1999. Some southern states honor MLK by forcing the holiday to be officially shared with Robert E. Lee. On a related note, the Confederate “stars and bars” battle flag, which was widely used as a symbol of white supremacy throughout the last century, remains on the Mississippi flag, flies at the South Carolina state house, and is offered on license plates in no less than ten states. Were Martin Luther King, Jr. alive today, he’d be pleading with us to try harder. He would surely be present at the focal points of the Black Lives Matter movement. Not because of anti-police sentiment, or the desire to fan the flames of derision, but because his work was never done until the Black community was truly free at last. When Americans cast aspersions at the activists and their rallying cries of “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” or “I can’t breathe!” they place themselves on the same side of history as those who cheered the violence on the Pettus Bridge. If this nation’s citizens question the validity of people taking peacefully to the streets to petition their government for a redress of grievances, then they reject the Constitution. Furthermore, they should examine how they can honor Martin Luther King in ways that transcend the mere observance of a holiday. The very hardest part of staring down the ugly beast of racial bias and fear is that we see ourselves reflected in
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King at a Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.
have become nearly imperceptible to the naked eye - mostly because they have simply taken different forms. “Boy” and “nigger” have been replaced by “urban youth” and “thug.” Coded, subtler language is now the norm when referring to minorities. Segregation gave way to incarceration and gentrification. U.S. imprisonment rates of blacks and the gap of wealth exceed that of South Africa in the height of apartheid. Jim Crow has mellowed into a don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy of persistent stereotypes and fear. A federal commission found that in the last decade, sentences for black men are 20% longer than white men’s for similar crimes. Restricted access to the voting booth
now seems like a secondary issue next to the seismic shift of private money in political campaigns, and the profit-driven media that feeds the populace “infotainment” and hysterical halftruths. Many (and especially those who command great power and privilege) will insist that we have evolved beyond the need for protest, marches and grandiose speeches on the steps of our capital’s most sacred landmarks. Their voices implore Americans to abstain from emotion and to focus on the good that is being done today, rather than the injustice of yesterday. They will maintain, “Things are better than they’ve ever been!” and that “The past is the past.” Well, a collective mental-
Tyranny in the Blaine House
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Beacon Editorial Staff
eeling frustrated by John Fitszsimmons, the President of the Maine Community College System (MCCS), Governor Paul LePage demanded that the system’s trustees ensure Fitszsimmons’s resignation. If the trustees did not meet LePage’s order, LePage insisted that “they’re certainly going to feel the wrath.” Fitszsimmons, after 25 years as the MCCS president, announced his resignation on January 14. LePage has again made it clear how he wants to run the state as governor. Instead of cultivating a trustful relationship between his administration and the MCCS, he exhibits a quality of despotism and ruthlessness. Instead of displaying a willingness to collaborate and a sense of magnanimity, he unabashedly takes the iron fist approach in his governance. He has shown he is willing to hold systems hostage until his demands are met. Juxtaposed to LePage’s behaviors, and likely resisting the temptation to affect a vindictive tone, Fitzsimmons remarked on his resignation with, “I’m not sure I really understand his thinking on some of this, but that’s inconsequential. We have to move on. …I am simply not willing to put our colleges at risk.” As a result of LePage’s actions, The Beacon cannot afford a vote of confidence for the Maine governor in ensuring that he has the best intentions for the MCCS. His recent actions further demonstrate that his agenda takes precedence over what is good for the whole of society, and that he will abuse his power to levy retribution on whoever proves to be a hurdle in his path. We at The Beacon implore all concerned students and other individuals to review LePage’s education policies for a greater understanding. Illustration By Craig Stanley SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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OpEd
January 20, 2015 • Page 7
Charlie Hebdo and The Preservation of Free Speech
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By Garrick Hoffman Liberal Arts Major
Was this an act with religion at the heart of it? Is it entirely unrelated to religion? Arguments on this vary. If one were to ask Bill Maher, a liberal satirical comedian and talk show host, Islam would instantly be the scapegoat. If you ask Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a Muslim who earned himself plenty of renown as a former NBA
2010, the creators of Comedy Central satirical show South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, had death threats levied their way after an April 2010 episode depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Posts on the radical Islam website RevolutionMuslim.com issued both warnings and threats to the comedy duo, and the head honcho of the website, Jesse Morton - who once said in an interview with CNN that the 9/11 deaths were justified - was sentenced to 12 years in jail. He was also convicted for espousing violence toward a Seattle teacher who had facilitated “Everyone Draw Muhammad Day.” On November 2nd, 2004, Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh was murdered by a Dutch Muslim who had taken vehement offense to van Gogh’s film Submission, which condemned how women are treated under the banner of Islam. Now, just earlier this month, eight people who worked for satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo were murdered by Muslim brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi at the newspaper’s headquarters in Paris. There were four other victims in addition. Witness accounts indicate that the brothers were heard proclaiming “God is greatest!” and “We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad!” according to a BBC report. The newspaper is well-known for being left-winged and irreverent, often criticizing religion and politics with humor. In 2011, the company’s offices were firebombed and website hacked when the newspaper released an issue with the front page depicting Muhammad saying, “100 lashes if you don’t die of laughter!” and another that depicted Muhammad as a homosexual. More depictions have since been published, further fueling strong reproach from the Muslim world.
player, he’d say Islam is completely removed from the equation. Regardless of religion’s role in the Charlie Hebdo attack, or in any other terrorist attack or threat in the past committed by a self-proclaimed Muslim, the central theme at play is the suppression of rights - in these aforementioned cases, the right to free speech, a right we all view as universally paramount. This attack on rights isn’t something entirely isolated by a handful of individuals. According to survey findings on the website PewForum.org, in some
Examining Incarceration
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By Ashley Berry SMCC Student
the street, but now we’re stepping back, and I think it’s about time, to ask whether the dramatic increase in incarceration was warranted,” said Richard J. Durbin, a senator from Illinois. While of course there are people who deserve to be in prison, there are many people who would benefit from rehabilitative programs. Currently, the excessive level of incarceration costs taxpayers about seventy million dollars a year and continues a recidivism rate of 67%, creating a vicious cycle that is nearly impossible to overcome. The Journal of Children and Poverty states that 53% of prisoners made less than ten thousand dollars a year before their incarceration. A person living so far below the poverty line is more likely to commit a crime, as they have fewer ways of providing themselves with basic necessities in a legitimate manner. Poverty greatly limits the access to education and well-paying employment. A correctional system that rehabilitates and is not exclusively punitive for nonviolent offenders would be more effective. Teaching prisoners a trade that they could use to serve their community in
ur prison system is one of the largest in the world, incarcerating roughly 25% of the world's prisoners. This number is especially monstrous when one considers that the United States is only about 5% of the world's population. It is time to rethink our vast prison system. With statistics as shocking as this, it’s clear that our current system is not working. Twenty years ago, in effort to dissuade criminal offenders by creating lengthier sentences, Congress passed The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act which banned the manufacturing of assault weapons, increased states funding for the hire of police officers, built new prisons and expanded the scope of the death penalty. With crime rates down significantly from the act’s passing in 1994, and the increased overpopulation of prisons with nonviolent offenders, many are left wondering if this law was too excessive in its approach and if these policies are still appropriate and effective. “The judicial system has been a critical element in keeping violent criminals off SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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Muslim-dense countries, such as Pakistan or Egypt - where many or most Muslims believe sharia law should be the law of the land - women are almost entirely stripped of human rights. Furthermore, as far as extremism in these parts of the Muslim world goes, adultery is punishable by stoning; apostates who abandon Islam are sentenced to death; homosexuality is a sin and a crime, also punishable by death; and thefts and robberies warrant corporal punishment - that is, physical retributions for crimes, such as severing hands or whippings. This isn’t to say Islam is to be blamed. In fact, Many Muslims around the world denounce this type of extremist violence that occurs in the name of their religion, saying that radicals who perpetuate this behavior have a very twisted, distorted, and, of course, radical outlook on what Islam stands for. In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo murders, some Muslims on Twitter even said that “fanatical Muslims damage the image of Muhammad far more than the most vituperative cartoonist,” as noted by New York Times Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof. The PewForum.org also notes that “the world’s Muslim population is expected to increase by about 35% in the next 20 years, rising from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.2 billion by 2030.” Indeed, it is unfair to pigeonhole all 1.6 billion Muslims into the category that many Americans place them in - the one that claims that they’re all twisted, radical, and violent. Since 9/11, scores of nonviolent Muslims in America have surely been subjected to discrimination, harassment, and fear of being judged, wrongfully accused, or attacked unwarrantedly. Ultimately, when any group of people uses satire to attack an institution, whether it’s religion or government, they absolutely have the right to participate in such. No
one should have to live in fear of violent retaliation because they are broadcasting their opinions. Satire goes hand-in-hand with free speech, as it’s a tool to humorously criticize and shed light on an array of matters. Can you imagine our country without our own political cartoons, without The Daily Show, without Kurt Vonnegut or Mark Twain? Those who succumb to the very fear that terrorists attempt to instill are essentially letting the terrorists win. This is why the “Je Suis Charlie” movement is important: it’s a profound testament to the human resolve; it is a defense for free speech, a means in which to combat the suppression of both free speech and the right to blaspheme. Unfortunately, because the Charlie Hebdo editor Stéphane Charbonnier so fervently subscribed to the virtue of free speech - and who once said “I’d rather die standing than live on my knees” - he became a martyr when his life was taken. But, as the Je Suis Charlie stands for, no one should let that stop them from speaking, from criticizing, from voicing their opinions when issues need to be addressed.
Rome and the US
How Money Affects Politics
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oday we are facing a problem with money in politics, but what are the dangers really? If we look back 2,000 years to the end of the Roman Republic what we see is a lot of corruption. During this time, with wealth and power only in the hands of a few, this led to powerful populist figures who emerged to take power. There was Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius, and Augustus Caesar, each of whom held power and gained power through popularity, and in particular Julius Caesar, who was able to gain power by promising to reform the Roman government and remove corruption. The others were also able to gain power by being connected to Caesar. At this time, people seemed to have lost faith in the democratic process. During the late Roman Republic there was corruption, and one problem that was different is that the Roman Republic did not a have a secret ballot. This led to politicians trying to buy votes and they also gave people gifts to win popularity and support from the people; this, in turn, led to unfit rulers holding power rather than those who were fit. The high levels of corruption and the government only serving the interests of a few powerful people led to people losing faith in the democratic process and becoming willing to turn to anyone that would help them, rather than continue to rely on a republic that so far had not helped them out and had been very corrupt. So we can learn from the ancient Romans about the dangers of having money hold such strong influence in politics as this can lead to the fall of democracy.
some way as a part of their sentence would have a long-term positive response on the community. Those addicted to illegally obtained narcotic, are one type of criminal that are hurt by our systems harsh penalties. For example in Maine, if someone gets caught with any type of opiate (heroin or oxycodone), or methamphetamine they face up to a five-year jail sentence and up to a $5,000 fine. Incarcerating an addict, without providing a support system continues to set them up for failure. It would be better to fine the offender and sentence them to inpatient rehabilitation treatment for their addiction. Given the right tools to battle their addictions could ensure that those convicted do not end up being repeat offenders. Of course, there will always be people who commit crimes regardless of the opportunities presented to them, as some addicts just will not overcome their addictions. This will never be something we can change completely. But, by changing the policies regarding incarceration and giving certain criminal offenders alternative sentences, it would be a start in the right direction.
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By Ian Ziller Political Science Major
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Arts&Features P-Town Bound:The Kings of the
Page 8 • January 20, 2015
Busk
By F. A. Coletti
seeing him play with passion it is evident that his musical talent has significantly increased as did his audiences. There is a new band called The Jungle Boys who occasionally play in the streets of the Old Port. They play an assembly of folk style guitar with contemporary hip-hop rhythms. Listening to their group is intriguing based on the alternative, innovative style and signature time changes. Alongside the group of buskers they sell their newly recorded CD’s to bring attention to their musical developments. It is a good marketing tactic because it shows their involvement with the city of Portland and their appreciation for the public. After they count their dollars you can see them take down a pint on wharf street; music for the people by the people at its finest.
Communications and New Media Major
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o to all the skeptics, Poetic License has not died nor will it ever! This is my last semester at SMCC, hence my last contributions to The Beacon will be conducted during this time ... although I have a feeling that this column will continue on with or without me (I imagined Bono singing that part, ugh) which leaves a sense of accomplishment I guess. I hope everyone had a nice Winter Break. Mine was okay. Winter is kind of cruddy so it's nice to be back. These poems are not in tune to anything I've just said.
Disorder I’m either firing from the hip at the world with a machine gun or I can’t get out of bed. Which is it today?
It's Good to be Back The first glimpse I had of the campus was in the parking lot. There was a car that was parked in the driving lanes. I took a picture of it. Considered parking next to them and starting a renegade parking movement, but I didn't have the guts.
Mathematics (Haiku) I hope I pass Math
he term ‘busker’ refers to a person or group who performs on the street. By walking downtown, especially on a day like the First Friday Art-walk, you can witness multiple performers gathering to voice their musical abilities. Portland has a high appreciation for busking because of the value in which the city places freedom of artistic expression. These extremely talented musicians gather in the form of guitarists, rappers, freestylers, and singer to bring the public pleasure to their routine lifestyle. Walking down Free Street you can occasionally witness a man playing his saxophone to the beats of his portable jazz radio. His harmonies bring light to a darker, dimly lit street corner; passersby often stop and sit on the bench for a few moments to hear the soothing beats. After months of
Forgotten Alley
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he distinct contrast between the two sections of buildings gives the appearance of a window leading to a more intricate cityscape. The composition heavily relies on vertical and horizontal lines, but the one diagonal line from the top right corner to the central light area provides a smooth transition from the sections. Light is a heavy motif in this photograph and becomes the main focus because all of the intricacy occurs in the light area. This does not mean that the dark foreground does not have interest, instead it provides a simpler solution to the question of light; in this scenario elimination is an elegant describer.
Photo by F.A. Coletti
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Arts&Features
Dining With Dierdree The Great Lost Bear
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Dierdree Glassford Culinary Arts Major
ver the break we all had plenty of time to think over what our New Year’s resolutions were going to be. Some of us will take the vow to read more and watch TV less, some of us will promise that we will see more family and friends, and some of us have vowed to eat less and exercise more. We all make these decisions, each year, and hold ourselves to them. This year, my resolution is simple. Be positive, breathe, and eat whatever the heck I want! I started off this year with a bang. When my family from Canada came down for the holidays, my sister told me to find a good place in Portland to eat. As that is one of my favorite things to do, I already had a list of places that I wanted to visit, that I had heard had amazing grub! The first place that came to mind though was The Great Lost Bear, located at 540 Forest Avenue, with its enormous menu that accommodates all, a fantastic staff, and plenty of entertainment to go around. With a table of nine, there is bound to be differences in meal preferences. However, with the variety of options that The Great Lost Bear provides, there is no way that you will have trouble finding something to suit your fancy. For an appetizer we decided to buy the fried veggies for the table; they come with a dipping sauce and they are a nice, crunchy, delicious way to
start off a meal. Then it came down to choosing a meal! SO many options, how could we pick? We decided to get a couple of items to share, starting with the Super Chicken Nachos, hot, loaded, and perfectly cooked, they were mouthwatering. We also got an order of the Mac & Cheese, baked to perfection, and absolutely deliciously creamy and gluttonous. My sister, who wanted some lighter fare, went with a Thai Chicken roll, which she let me take a nibble out of. It was refreshing, yet filling, but also really healthy as well. Of course there were fries on the table, and everyone dug into those, and by the time desert hit the table I couldn’t breathe from all the different meals I tried. The Great Lost Bear has been around since it was first started in 1979, and in the restaurant business to still be around today, that shows that they certainly know what they are doing. Throughout the entire night the service was fantastic, personable, and comfortable. If you are looking for a great place to spend some time with some family, or to bring your best bud on their 21st, or to just simply enjoy a one on one date with your significant other, this is the place to go. ‘Til our next bite, Dining Dierdree
DRIVE
January 20, 2015 • Page 9
Marin at the Movies
in theaters. The movie tells the story of Strayed’s challenging life before her trek through flashbacks while she’s adapting to her new life as a hiker. We learn about Strayed’s mother's death, her battles with commitment, and her downward spiral using drugs to cope. Strayed’s voice and personality come through the screen impeccably, causing viewers to really experience the trail as if they were right beside her, staring at the rattlesnake by her feet, feeling the bitter cold of the snowy mountains, and taking the first righteous and rewarding sip of Snapple lemonade at one of her detours along the way. Strayed has a charming and somewhat dark, twisted sense of humor that makes it easier to choke out a chuckle between the tears that are prone to fall while watching this flick. She takes a little wisdom from everyone she meets along the way, and eventually learns that it’s okay to acknowledge her mistakes and move past them. Reese Witherspoon played an unforgettable role as Cheryl Strayed and made this movie almost as awesome as the book. There was stunning imagery of the trail, and props used in the movie that actually belonged to Strayed on the trail. It may have taken her 1,100 miles in grueling conditions to find herself again, but it’s a memoir worth the watch and the read, especially for others out there like myself who live for adventure, thrill, and ultimately, personal growth.
Go “Wild”
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By Rebekah Marin Liberal Arts English Major
eing a college student means dedicating myself to my education. I have time for studying, eating, working, and the occasional social outing, but I’ve found that I enjoy to spend much of my time living vicariously through individuals who get to explore new places, and meet all kinds of intriguing individuals. Around this time last year I came across a Buzzfeed list called, “16 Books To Read Before They Hit Theaters This Year.” I was particularly eager to read Wild, a book written by Cheryl Strayed that tells the courageous and heartfelt story of Strayed setting off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on her own at the age of 26. One afternoon while browsing my favorite bookstore in the Old Port, I found “Wild” perched on a self in the Used Books section and purchased it for a stellar price of $8.00. Needless to say I was thrilled about this find and cracked the book open as soon as I hopped on the bus back to campus. By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. By the last chapter, I could hardly wait to see the movie. When I finished the book the trailer for the movie wasn’t out yet, so I had time to dream up what it would be like to see it played out on the big screen. The trailer was finally released during the summer, and then I had nothing to do but re-watch it a few dozen times between then and December 5th, when it would be released
This time of year the sun is directly in the line of vision when SMCC drivers are leaving campus at the same time elementary students begin their walk home. There are no flashing lights or crossing guards at the corner of Bway and Spring street. Near death experiences every day between the kids who aren't stopping and the drivers driving recklessly. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
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Sports
This Day In Sports History
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By The Beacon Staff
Fast-forward 75 years later and in 1967, Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record by making all 15 of his field goal attempts. He bettered the mark a month and four days later, making all 18 attempts. Not to be outshined, in 1995 Karl Malone, aka “the Mailman,” broke onto the 20,000 career point plateau. He also was the game high scorer, draining 28 against a Lebron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers (Lebron was only 11 at the time). Five years later Karl logs his 43,000 minutes played in a game against the Vancouver Grizzlies, now known as the Memphis Grizzlies. Karl became the 8th player to hit this elite plateau. Back to Houston ending UCLA’s winning streak. All-American Elvin Hayes led the Houston Cougars in what was tagged (months before game time), the “Game Of The Century.” The game was played in the Astrodome and was the first regular season basketball game to be televised nationally. It’s probably safe to say that this game opened the financial floodgates and marketing magic for Division 1 basketball and the NCAA’s post-season tournament, March Madness. On the court, the talent that was found there was state of the art for the day: Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to
anuary 20th has proven to be an action-packed day in sports history and should be appreciated for that, regardless if you are a casual sports fan or hardcore sports trivia buff. Let’s start with sports that are in season: basketball. In 1968, UCLA’s 47game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Houston Cougars. First off, that game would never have happened if it wasn’t for the Canadian physical education professor and instructor Dr. James Naismith, who invented the game in December of 1891 while teaching at the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (YMCA). The school is now known as Springfield College, and is located - interestingly enough - in the same town that the Basketball Hall of Fame is located in: Springfield, Massachusetts. A little more than a year later on January 20, 1892, the first official basketball game took place. There were two nine-man teams. A soccer ball was used and peach baskets were nailed 10 feet above the floor on the balcony. The game ended at 1–0; the winning shot was made from 25 feet (7.6 m), on a court just half the size of a present-day court.
6 from the line. Regardless of the behind-the-scenes intrigue, the story behind the story, UCLA would face Houston in the semi-final game of the 1968 NCAA championship, walking away with a 101- 69. UCLA would win the title against the University of North Carolina 78-55, as Houston would lose to Ohio State in the consolation game. From the dark side on this date in other sports: Roger Clemens was arrested for assaulting a police officer in a nightclub in 1991, where else but in Houston. In 1974 Essex Community College defeated - or rather, utterly dismantled - Englewood Cliffs 210-67; President Jimmy Carter announced the American boycott of the Olympics in Moscow in 1980; and in 1984 Johnny Weissmuller, a US swimmer, died at the age of 79. Mr. Weissmuller won 5 gold medals in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. In football - well, if you are a New York Giants fan then you might remember: Lawrence Tyne’s game-winning field goal against the Packers in 2008, or Matt Barr’s game-winning field goal in 1991 with no time left on the clock against the San Francisco 49ers, who were the defending Super Bowl champions.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Google him and you’ll find a treasure chest of lifetime achievements that will boggle the mind); Elvin Hayes, who was the number one draft choice of the San Diego Rockets; and Don Chaney, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 12th pick in the first round. Chaney is the only Celtic to have played with both Bill Russell and Larry Bird. The “Player of the Game” award had to go to Elvin Hayes, as he scored the winning points on two free throws after being fouled by UCLA reserve Jim Nielsen. Standing a towering 6’9”, but not as towering as Lew Alcindor who stood at 7’2”, Elvin managed to block 3 of Lew Alcindor’s shots while posting a modest 10pts and grabbing 5 rebounds. In a losing cause Lew Alcindor drained 19pts, sharing game high scorer with teammates Lucius Allen and Mike Lynn. Some suggest that because of a scratched cornea he suffered in a game previous to the Houston game, one that caused him to sit two games prior to the Houston game, Lew Alcindor was not as effective as he could have been. That argument might be a bit thin considering that he also grabbed 18 rebounds and shot 5 for
Augusta 95-68 and Eastern Maine Com Maria Veino’s layup off of a Kendra munity College 92-71. Kagiliery pass provided a spark the Sea The men hold a 15-1 overall record wolves needed as the Ladies found their ofand remain undefeated in YSCC play at fensive grove draining 33 points to EMCC’s 11-0. 5 and walking into the locker room at half One the women’s side of the court, the with a 40-12 lead. Lady Seawolves have gone 3-4 since the The Lady Seawolves continued their last publication of the Beacon. While they offensive onslaught outscored the Eagles have impressive wins 54-32. Alicia Hoyt against University of was perfect in the Maine, Augusta (86second half as she 58), which avenged shot 3-3 from the a loss in Augusta field and 4-4 from earlier in the season, the free throw line, and against Eastern scoring 10 of her Maine Community game high 19 points. College (94-44). The Hoyt also snared 11 Ladies have also rebounds, and swatdrooped a few heart ted away 5 shots. breakers: a 66-62 Jordan Turner also loss to CMCC, and a had a positive pres1pt loss to Braircliff ence on the court (83-84), as well as has she posted 11 losing to St. Joseph’s points, snagged 8 of Vermont (71-58), rebounds, assisted and Community 6 times and picked College of Rhode EMCC’s pocket 5 Island 61-53. The times. Other players Ladies also have sewho turned in solid cured a forfeit victoperformances were: ry over CCRI when Abigail Nielsen who they visited Rhode came within 2 reJack Tolan and Josh Tuplin secure a Island on December bounds form posting position under the net waiting for a 17th. At the time of a double-double, and rebound that wasn’t to be. Jack Tolan press, there is no exfound the bottom finished with 10 points and 2 rebounds planation available for while Josh Tuplin contributed 2 points, of the net 12 times, how this happening. as Kendra Kagiliery 3 rebounds and dished out 5 assists. In Saturday afterfollowed suit chipping noon's game against EMCC, the Lady Seain12 points on 50% shooting from the field. wolves outrebounded the Golden Eagles, The Seawolves take to the floor again 71-47, forcing the Eagles into 29 turnovers this Wednesday when they tip off against as SMCC more than doubled Eastern’s Unity College, then return to the Hutchinscore and walked off the court with 94-44 son Gym 10 days later when Dean College victory when the final horn sounded. comes to town, New Hampshire Technical In the opening minutes of the game, Institute visits on February 5th, and their both teams struggled to gain momentum home stand ends when conference rival and establish a fluid offensive approach CMCC comes to South Portland on as SMCC held a ipt lead after 6minutes of February 11th. play (8-7). Abigail Nielsen started the Lady Wolf ’s off strong with back to back layups.
Hoops Highlights (Continued from Page 12) 30 seconds of the game saw SMCC garb the lead on a Jordan DeRosby layup, followed by Central Penn taking the lead back on 2 free throws by Dominique Twiggs putting the Knights up 91-90. Antencio Martin answered under the basket putting SMCC back in the lead with 4.8 seconds remaining and as time ran out, it was Central Penn’s Dominique Twiggs who had the final say as his layout secured a 92-91 victory for Central Penn. In the following games the men Seawolves would defeat: Northern Essex Community College 78-68, St. Joseph’s of Vermont 102-82, University of Maine
These Teams... (Continued from Page 1) wolves and if all goes accordingly, these two teams could face each other in the USCAA Nationals. At the time of this publication the men Seawolves are highly ranked in the top 20 of the USCAA power rankings with CMCC, University of Maine Presque Isle, College of St. Joseph’s and University of Maine Machias also representing the YSCC. The Lady Seawolves also find themselves in the rankings following CMCC, College of St. Joesph’s of Vermont, and University of Maine Augusta while remaining ahead of New Hampshire Technical Institute. With 7 games remaining for both teams, four of which are at home, this years basketball teams have placed themselves in a position to go deep into the YSCC post-season tournament. The Beacon wishes both squads the best of luck for the remaining games of the season, and would like to encourage basketball fans across all SMCC campuses to come
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How It Feels To Lose (Continued from Page 12) No phones could be seen as they often can be by players hoping to record the eruption once the whole team was in the locker room. This time as I entered the locker room it was silent. Heads, following their eyes, were down. Every player, from starters to man number sixteen felt the same way, defeated. For great players like those here at SMCC, the empty feeling after a lose lasts for all of ten minutes before the void is filled with one of the strongest emotions a player can have, determination. Determination shows up when you come to the realization that you’re not satisfied with the position that you’re in. And we’re never satisfied. Good players try not to end up in the same negative situation while great players decide that they are never going back to the low place they were after the loss. SMCC is a team full of great players and great coaches. We made a decision that we were going to do everything in our power to make sure that we never walked into that locker room silent again. Because we know that standing back up feels so much better than falling down. A great man once said suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character. How does it feel to lose? It sucks, but Seawolves have too much character to pack it up when times are tough. Most teams are motivated by winning, but I wouldn’t say we’re motivated at all. We aren’t “Most teams” we’re DETERMINED.
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THE BEACON
Sports
Page 12 • January 20, 2015 Hoops Highlights starting the Mustangs off on the right foot with a layup pulling CMCC to within four points. The Seawolves' responded with three consecutive 3pters by Jordan DeRosby, Grayson Waterman, and Kevin Fabian that padded the SMCC lead to 12 points. What followed next could have put a lesser team away as the Mustangs went on a 15-4 run, which chopped the SMCC lead to 1pt. Again, SMCC responded building an 8pt lead only to see CMCC cut the SMCC’s lead to 59-58, with 7:49 to play. Over the next 6 minutes both teams traded baskets as neither team could gain any breathing space. With 1 minute remaining the Mustangs grabbed a 70-68 lead and then magic happened. First, Atencio Martin grabbed an offensive rebound and scored tying the game at 70. CMCC’s Carrington Miller drained a jumper to give
And The Beat Goes On By The Beacon Staff Tyheem Simon drives against EMCC in Saturday’s action at the Hutchison Gym. Tyheem finished the game with 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
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ince the last publication of the Beacon, Seawolves basketball teams have posted an 8-5 record. With more than two-thirds of the season played the teams are winding down the regular season and gearing up for the YSCC post-season playoffs with the hopes of winning in New Hampshire and a trip to the USCAA Nationals. At the top of the highlight list has to be the CMCC men’s game played in Auburn on December 11th. The pace in the first half was quick and frantic as both teams pushed each other trying to build a lead. CMCC grabbed a quick 4 point lead to which SMCC responded to taking a small lead which CMCC responded to eventually retaking the lead. After 10 minutes of play the score was knotted at 17. CMCC grabbed the next 4 points. Both teams jockeyed for the lead over the next few minutes with neither team able to pull ahead, and with a little less than 7minutes left the teams found themselves knotted at 25. In the next few minutes SMCC built an 11pt lead which Tyheem Simon started with a jump shot, sparking the Seawolves to an and a 36-25 lead. CMCC's Preston Isner responded by sinking a pair of free throws and draining 4 more points before the half-time horn sounded cutting the lead from 11 to 6. The start of the second half saw Isner
How It Feels To Lose
game escaping with a 93-92 victory. At tipoff SMCC was ranked first in the USCAA coaches poll and Central Penn ranked 3rd. After 10 minutes of play Central Penn held a 2pt lead 18-16 as neither team could gain early game momentum and garb a significant lead. After Shaki Stanten made a free throw to pad Central’s lead to 3, SMCC responded by scoring the next 8 points before Central Penn got back on the board. After trading baskets SMCC was able to build a 14pt lead with 5minutes remaining in the first half. Again the team traded baskets and as the half wound down Central Penn was able to cut SMCC’s lead to 8. The second half saw the Seawolves holding the lead until the 1:28 mark seconds when Knights' point guard Andre Batte converted two consecutive layups to put Central Penn on top 80-77. Three days after Jordan DeRosby’s 3 pointer secured the win for SMCC, Kevin Fabian’s paly in the last minute gave SMCC a chance to walk away with another hard fought victory. With 41seconds left Kevin Fabian made a layup that pulled the Seawolve to with one. Central Penn's Devon Dorsey responded with a layup of his own to put the lead back to three and then it was Fabian from beyond the arch that sent the game into overtime with the score tied at 82. The Seawolves jumped out to a 88-82 lead only to see the Knight’s pull themselves back in the game by grabbing 3 offensive rebounds which resulted in 7 points and a 89-88 lead for Central Penn. The last
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By Atencio Martin SNMC Major
here is no better feeling in the world than that of which you get when you watch the game clock count down from 3 to 2 to 1. You can hear the roar of the crowd, the loud rattled sound of the buzzer and your heart telling you that you have nothing left to give. This feeling is unlike any other, especially when it is complimented by a score in your favor. Winning is exciting. Winning is glorious. Winning is the closest thing a basketball player has to magic. But the only event stronger than a win is a loss. And losing always means more than winning. “There’s no other feeling like it. You
(Continued on Page 11) Alicia Hoyt looks to the basket while battling it out under the boards against EMCC Saturday afternoon. Alicia was the game high scorer with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 blocked shoots. the Mustangs a 2pt edge with 19 seconds left. After a timeout, the Seawolves executed a last second play that appeared to be executed flawlessly. Jordan DeRosby came off a baseline screen by Carlos Gonzalez receiving a pass in the corner from Kevin Fabian and launched a shot for the win that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. (See photo on front page). The Mustangs got off a last second shoot that went wide right and the Seawolves walked off of the CMCC court with a well deserved win. Three days later, the Seawolves saw their basketball fortunes swing the other way when Central Penn visited South Portland and survived a hard fought overtime
feel so low. And it’s the same whether you lost by 1 or 20. But it’s what you do after the loss that matters.” - Josh Gormley (Sophomore). Josh is correct in that it hurts regardless of the score. You feel nothing when you lose, and that is why the pain is so enormous. In this particular game when the ball went through the net I couldn’t believe it. Those four seconds felt like a minute. I thought for a moment that my eyes had deceived me. We had come too far, fought too hard to lose by one point. When I walked into the locker room there were no cheers like usual.
Alexander Hartford drives to the basketball in Saturday’s action against EMCC. Alexander scored 12 points while grabbing 7 rebounds.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
Woman’s Basketball Jan 21 - Unity College at Southern Maine CC - 6pm Jan 21 - Dean College at Southern Maine CC 1pm
Men’s Basketball Jan 21 - Unity College at Southern Maine
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