Advocate The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College
Free tuition for 2 years of college? by Katelyn Hilsenbeck
mended reimbursement for students only after they complete a first term or year of college. Also, four-year universities worry about the potential drain of their future freshman and sophomore students. The idea of free tuition might quickly gain traction, however. Shawn Flack, a Mt. Hood student, said, “I think it would boost people going to college and lower the drop
The Advocate How does free tuition for a year or two of community college sound? A legislative bill proposing a massive tuition break for Oregon high school graduates hit the Senate Education Committee floor, and won quick approval, on Wednesday. Senate Bill 1524 would have the state of Oregon pay two years of community college tuition for each of 32,000 newly minted Oregon high school grades each year. A 5-0 favorable committee vote this week, during a abbreviated session of the Legislature this month, may lead to serious consideration of the proposal in Salem when lawmakers meet full-time in 2015. MHCC President Debbie Derr said on Wednesday, “It makes a lot of sense. It would be wonderful because I think education is a right, not a privilege. “But is the state going to be able to fund it? That’s the question all the (community college) presidents are asking,” she said. Estimated cost to the state is put at $100 million to $200 million. Supporters say the price tag of the measure outweighs the devastating burden of mounting college debt placed on many students and the cost of an under-educated workforce in Oregon. Meantime, concerns have been raised about eligibility to receive the free tuition. Gov. John Kitzhaber recommended creating benchmarks, such as high grades before rewarding the tuition. A state senator recom-
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www.advocate-online.net February 7, 2014
Volume 49 Issue 16
Winter weather freezes campuses on Thursday
Graphic by Heather Golan - The Advocate
out rate of people dropping out before high school.” Michelle Gregory, MHCC community engagement director, said, “the college is still learning as much about this proposal as everyone else… it’s pretty fresh. And certainly intriguing!” She said that if the funding was generated through the state and given to students, there would be no financial detriment to Mt. Hood.
“If the funding were allocated to the community colleges for distribution to qualifying students, we would be facing some administrative costs to run a program,” she said. Still, “(if) the program… was popular enough we might see a rise in enrollment, which would be great news.” Gregory cautioned, however, that the details are what would make or break the college’s position on this bill.
Returning face on campus
Sigala returns to Mt. Hood after 4 years away by Katelyn Hilsenbeck The Advocate Al Sigala is back on campus, and he aims to make the college shine. Sigala returned to Mt. Hood on Jan. 2 as the executive director of the MHCC Foundation. He previously worked at Mt. Hood for 11 years as the director of media and public relations, until his position was eliminated in 2009. He then served as vice president of community relations at Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest. “It’s great to have that opportunity to come back here, because I believe in the mission,” Sigala said of his return to Mt. Hood, engineered by first-year President Debbie Derr, a former colleague of his at the Gresham campus. “I’m a product of the mission,
and I know the president really well and believe in her and her strategies,” Sigala said. He said his goal at MHCC is to improve involvement both internally, through staff and students, and externally, with community members, in the foundation. The foundation funds student scholarships and helps supply new classroom equipment. To do so, he is proposing events such as a bowling fundraiser where any individual could join a team and also try to raise $100 apiece with the help of software to reach out to friends. Sigala predicted the event will not only be a “great morale builder” but also a “great community party.” He said despite the need for new money, his job is more about bringing people together.
Photos by Greg Leonov - The Advocate
MHCC closed at noon Thursday due to inclement weather. Above: The MHCC pond was frozen over. Below: Snow covered the Main Mall and tabletops.
Volleyball coach will be missed by colleagues, players by Aaron Marshall The Advocate
Chelsie Speer, highly successful volleyball head coach at Mt. Hood, has taken the same position at Walla Walla Community College.
Al Sigala Sigala
Continued on page 6
Look for a profile on the new Humanities dean next week
The announcement last week was big news in the athletic community here as the Saints have shined brightly under her reign, often dominating their league competitors. In five years as head coach, Speer’s overall record at MHCC was 175-43, which included a 2011 NWAACC championship, five straight South region titles and four South region coachof-the-year awards. The Saints twice finished second in the NWAACC playoffs, and in fourth place once. Mt. Hood will conduct a national search to replace Speer. She assumes a full-time faculty position at Walla Walla, an opportunity too good to pass up despite mixed emotions about Speer departing.
Continued on page 8
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Opinion
Feb. 7, 2014
Editorial: Way to go, Vista! Have you been to Vista lately? The school cafeteria has really been improving over these last couple months, and we want to acknowledge that. (With a few criticisms, of course.) First, let’s talk about the most notable addition, which has been an entire new hot foods area, adorned with skillets. This section now offers customers a different special each day. Among them have been street tacos, Asian noodles, grilled vegetables, pasta and chicken teriyaki (especially delicious). The skillets and their constantly changing menus have really increased the amount of options at Vista. And these options are usually loaded with fresh vegetables, making for healthier alternatives to burgers, wraps and pizza. A slushy machine also has been added. It’s the last thing anyone would want in this freezing winter weather, but it may be more appreciated during spring term. An extra bonus to the new section, and its added variety, is that there are fewer customer lines that stretch beyond the point of infuriating. Now, there is a good chance that one of the three main sections (wraps, grill and skillet) won’t have a long line. Before, it may have taken 10 minutes to grab a wrap or burger during the lunch rush. While that still might occasionally happen, it’s less frequent. Now that the variety has improved,
Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
(Above) A Vista chef flips up some fresh stir fry at the new skillet station. lets talk about some of the quality. It’s not that anything is truly bad or gross, but some items are just somewhat bland. A few of the meat options for the wrap stations, such as the shredded chicken and ground beef, are fairly dry
and lack much flavor. While many of the skillet specials have been good (seriously, the teriyaki is great), whatever meat is used in them can be really dry. If there is a theme here, it’s to work on some of the dry meat.
Something that has improved, in terms of quality, is the pizza. It’s still not great, but is definitely leagues above the levels of awful it was before. And, there are very few complaints to be made about the grill
menu items. The burgers and sandwiches are solid, with a good selection of fresh toppings, and the side items (onion rings, French fries, tots) have plenty of bite. Vista has also gotten some cosmetic upgrades. There now are digital monitors with menus mounted on the walls, as opposed to the old “analog” menus. The monitors give Vista a sleeker and more modern look. The space of the cafeteria has also been rearranged, to make it feel more spacious. The placement of items for the grill and wrap stations also look better, as they use to shift around a lot. And, since we’re talking about Vista, lets take a moment to shine a spotlight on some of the coolest employees at Mt. Hood. There have been a lot of new additions to the Vista staff this year, and just as before, these employees have all been great. The workers are nice, attentive, patient and, sometimes, talkative. Something special is added to your meal when it’s been served by someone with a smiling face who isn’t afraid to strike up a conversation. And, that goes for the Vista cashiers, as well. Vista has always been a good place for students to grab a quick bite, but these much-needed changes have taken our little cafeteria up a few notches. And, if some of the issues with the quality can be remedied, we would really have something awesome.
TriMet is no longer affordable transportation by Emily Wintringham
Many of us can’t rely on our piggy banks to gather enough dough in order to purchase a car – let alone gas. That’s what TriMet is for, right? Our Portland metro-area transit agency is supposedly a more economical alternative to the expense of making round trips with a personal vehicle. But the truth is, TriMet is ridiculously expensive. According to TriMet’s web site, the agency finalized a fare increase to $2.50 for a two-hour ticket, and $5 for an allday pass. Trimet says it typically raises fares a little each year to cope with inflation. But, in reality, due to increasing debt and a $12-$17 million budget gap, the agency was forced to jack up the prices and exterminate a fair number of services that were greatly appreciated by the riding public, in order to stay afloat this time. Now, I don’t consider having to leave home earlier, fighting Portland’s cruel weather and schlepping to the nearest bus stop any more affordable than driving anymore. According to fueleconomy.gov, a mid-sized car has an average fuel consumption of 23 mpg. If you pay roughly $3 per gallon for gas and each day you make a 46-
mile roundtrip, you’re going to spend around $6 each day. Is it really worth the trouble to commute by bus, rail and walking and waiting to save a measly dollar? Of course, it’s different if you’re traveling all the way from Gresham to Beaverton. The truth is, $5 each day adds up. Recently, I’ve taken to walking the extra 20-30 minutes instead of riding transportation to five stops to school. I’d much rather burn calories than the cash in my wallet. TriMet has been one of the best, award-winning public transit agencies in the world. I don’t want to discredit it. It has tried its hardest to make using its transit services more comfortable. It redesigned the interior and exterior of buses. It also developed modern hybrid buses to save on fuel costs. However, TriMet’s recent instability and tone-deaf proposals to help fix its financial crisis leaves many people, like myself, on the fence. I feel like TriMet has its priorities mixed up. It offers its employees extravagant benefits, such as pension, child/elder care, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, etc. I find that noble, except the agency also cut many valued services such as the free rail zone, and it has reduced MAX lightrail service (except on weekdays during rush-hour), placed several new boundaries on LIFT services for riders with disabilities and eliminated roundtrips using a single fare. TriMet is floundering. In order to successfully craft a solution to its debt
Graphic by Heather Golan - The Advocate
crisis, it has to choose what’s more important: unbeatable employee benefits, or more services for low-income residents who use TriMet. Trimet, as a public service agency, should choose the latter. Just like teachers, who sacrifice comfortable wages to boost and invest in the future of their students, they should focus on the peo-
ple they serve. This latest fare hike might be the breaking point. According to trimet.org, the agency has admitted that additional fare changes and even more service cuts lie ahead if it fails to win a pending labor contract arbitration and to succeed in making proper spending reforms. The situation has aroused new de-
bates and protests. It seems as though local riders have become apprehensive, regarding the future of TriMet. The agency can‘t afford to lose public appeal over a 40-cent fare increase. If TriMet loses too much business, I know many employees will be laid off, and the world-renowned transportation service could see its demise.
“Enjoyed this article and definitely side with the get married early crowd. Since marriage is the exclusive arena for moral sexuality and the springboard I wholeheartedly recommend pursuing marriage ‘early.’ ” Comment from J. Poland on Pro young marriage column
the Advocate Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Katelyn Katelyn Hilsenbeck Hilsenbeck
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News
Feb. 7, 2014
Summer job fair
Explore ‘Beatlemania’ with historians by Katelyn Hilsenbeck The Advocate
The 8th Annual Summer Jobs was held Tuesday in the Student Union and the Jazz Cafe.
Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
News Briefs PSU adviser available Wednesday Anthony Lewis, an academic adviser from Portland State University, will visit Mount Hood from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday to talk with students about transferring to PSU. Lewis will meet with students for a one-on-one appointment in conference room AC2256, in the Student Services department. To make an appointment, call 503-725-3822 or email antlewis@ pdx.edu.
- Rebecca Gaulke
Experience the ‘Magic of Love’ Experience the “Magic of Love” with magician James David from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Jazz Café. There will be Valentine’s goody bags for the first 100 attendees – one special gift bag has a hidden key inside that includes the ticket for a romantic Valentine’s date for dinner for two at the Ringside Restaurant. You can also decorate your own heart-shaped cookies! Join ASG in celebrating Valentine’s Day.
- Katelyn Hilsenbeck
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History buffs at Mt. Hood will commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ iconic first American television appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show, which aired in February 1964. As part of the MHCC history department’s roundtable series, instructors Elizabeth Milliken and Pat Casey will take a trip back to the event that set off “Beatlemania,” according to Milliken. All are invited to join the historians in humming their favorite Beatles tune from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, in Room AC1610. “Nobody in 1964 realized that the band would go on to being the highest-selling rock band in history, with sales at somewhere between 600 million and 1 billion units (encompassing vinyl singles and albums, CDs, and downloads) in history, according to their record company,” Milliken said. Both presenters watched the Feb. 9, 1964 show, although Milliken was not yet in grade school. There were two more appearances on the Sullivan show in the fol-
lowing weeks. There will be a clip of the watershed performances and some of the other Beatles’ musical hits from that era. Milliken said the 1964 arrival in the U.S. resonated for a couple of reasons. “For many young people at the time it seemed (to) help dispel the gloom remaining from the JFK assassination three months earlier,” she said. She also said the Beatles were one of the first groups to have each member emerge as an individual, and to write their own material. “They were a major force in 1960s counterculture, and their musical style quickly evolved from the infectious, upbeat romantic songs of their early era into elaborate, sophisticated songs that took pop music into completely new directions,” she said. Both Casey and Milliken consider themselves lifelong Beatles fans, and Casey has attended a Beatles Convention in Liverpool before.
Volunteer, prepare a mock funeral arrangement
Get pampered at the MHCC salon with beauty discounts Mt Hood Community College’s Cosmetology program is offering specials on some of their popular services this term. Through March 18, prices are $2 for a classic manicure, $5 for a classic pedicure and $10 for a facial. The discounts are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, but clients must make sure to schedule their appointments before 1 p.m. each day. Contact 503-491-7192 to make an appointment. The salon is in Room AC1127. The specials are intended to generate more visitors to give firstyear cosmetology students more hands-on experience.
“There are not quite enough clients,” said Judi Remsburg, MHCC cosmetology instructor. Contrary to some common worries, cosmetology students in program don’t take as much time to perform services as one might expect, Remsburg said. The appointments are “comparable” to those in professional salons, but also heavily depend on each student, she said. For example, a pedicure averages about an hour. The deals offer a great way for Mt. Hood students to take advantage of these services, and any other community members, too.
- Alexandra James
Carpool parking permits A limited number of 2014 Spring Term carpool permits for MHCC students and employees will be available starting Monday, March 3 on a first-come, firstserve basis. The carpool permit application needs to be completed and submitted by the eligible carpool members to the Public Safety office (AC2330). Applications will not be accepted by the Public Safety Office until 8 a.m. on March 3. The primary permit holder listed on the application must present an MHCC identification upon turning in the application. A carpool consists of two or more MHCC individuals with similar class or work schedules and who share a ride to and from campus at
least three days per week. The permits are free and must be displayed on the vehicle’s rearview mirror in order to park in designated carpool parking spaces, on carpooling days only. Employees and/or students must reapply for the permists each academic term. Vehicles will be issued citations for failure to display a valid carpool permit within these designated spaces, throughout the year. For more info, see: http:// www.mhcc.edu/StudentServices. aspx?id=2825#carpool. Annual employee carpool permits are no longer available.
- Contributed by Wayne Feagle
File photo
The mock funeral exercise takes place annually and features flowers, caskets and other funeral necessities. On Feb. 18, Funeral Service Education students at Mt. Hood will counsel “grieving” volunteers through a mock funeral planning process. The annual mock exercise runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Town and Gown Room. Anyone may volunteer to participate, as a grieving family member, by contacting Maximilian Bodzin, second-year FSE student, at mockarrangements@hotmail.com or at 503-
431-9613 (text and phone). Volunteers would craft a scenario and fake person (deceased) before attending the event, then work with a FSE student on making funeral arrangements for that individual. The drill features a room full of caskets and other funeral necessities.
- Katelyn Hilsenbeck
Mountain climber pays visit Mt. Hood Community College will host world-renowned mountain climber and author Fred Beckey, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Visual Arts Theater. It is asked, but not required, for the free event that guests bring a food or cash donation for Barney’s Pantry, the student-run food bank located in the Student Union. Prior to Beckey’s presentation, there will be time set apart for book signing in the Student Union. No copies will be for sale at the book signing, so a personal copy will be needed. Beckey, age 91, will give a presentation that includes photos and will discuss his climbing expeditions around the world, spanning 60 years of experience. His written volumes on virtually
every Cascades Mountain range from British Columbia to central Oregon are still used for route finding by climbers today. The Pacific Northwest native has scaled mountains, such as Mount Despair in Washington state, that others deemed impossible. Among his several books that display his deep passion is the work “Mountains of North America.” “Wildside,” the outdoor club at MHCC, is sponsoring the presentation. Members of Wildside engage in outdoor activities and learn about wilderness from their peers. Many members also are enrolled in the Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education (WLEE) program, taught by instructor Josh Stratman.
- Emily Wintringham
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Living Arts
Feb. 7, 2014
Lori Lorion’s “The Dream Awake” Visual Arts Gallery filled with colorful, abstract paintings through Feb. 27
by Greg Leonov The Advocate “It doesn’t come from the senses, it comes from the body — it doesn’t come from the brain,” said MHCC visual arts instructor Lori Lorion, about the inspiration behind her paintings. About 20 of Lorion’s paintings are currently on display inside Mt. Hood’s Visual Arts Gallery. The exhibit opened on Monday, and continues through Feb. 27. The work being displayed is a series titled “The Dream Awake,” and shows representations of different types of cycles that Lorion has observed. “I saw that they were related and seems that they’re about cycles, seasons, and dreams. The cycles of the day, and dream state, conscious state — they seem to be reflections of those sorts of things,” she said. The earliest works were begun in 2010 while Lorion was on sabbatical. “Some of them actually took me three years. There’s a real different element of rhythm in the paintings. Some are more gestural, and more expressionistic, and some, you could feel the sense of time in them,” she said. Lorion has painted for 25 years, and finds it to be her primary form of expression. “It’s my first language, the world I live in,” she said. “It’s all about being lost in this language, and this language is color. You’re speaking the language of color, and form. For a painter, those colors are your language
and it’s not about trying to translate it back into English, it is what it is: the language.” Deborah Sangolt, one of Lorion’s students, explained that painters live in a unique realm of existence. She compares painting to alchemy. “The alchemy consists of the elements of the soul. In each color, it represents a small aspect of that soul,” Sangolt said. Lorion elaborated: “While you’re painting, you’re not in that realm of thinking. You’re not putting a language together in that way — (where) words are strung together from left to right — you’re not there at all. “You’re in a world of this other realm where your body’s moving, and you’re feeling things, you’re moving the goo around, and then your brain comes in periodically to do its little chore, which is helpful, but it’s not the thing that’s in charge,” she said. Lorion encourages people to search for forms of artistic expression that don’t rely heavily on the reasoning of the brain. She believes art is something necessary for humans to function, she said. “It’s not a frill. It’s what the human being needs to be alive, and reflect on. Artists remind people of the miracle of life. “This is an opportunity to express other realities that are as much a reality as the world that we maneuver through,” she continued. “When you let go of having a painting having to mimic a threedimensional world, that’s when you
Visual arts instructor Lori Lorion’s paintings will be on display in the Visual Arts Gallery through Feb. 27. open up to this whole language, and color, and you don’t care what your subject matter is, you’re feeling the language of the paint speaking to you — that’s exciting.” Viewing a painting is an experience in itself, according to Lorion. “The same way that you would
get on a path in the backwoods of Oregon, and you respond to nature — a painting, when you stand in front of it, the experience of that painting feeds the human psyche in the same way. It should be an experience. That’s why it’s no good to look at it online, it’s no good to see it in a book.
Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
“You stand before it, and there is such quality and reality to it that communicates life essences for those who are open to see it,” she said. The Visual Arts Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Tuesday’s planetarium show delights audiences by Rebecca Gaulke The Advocate Tuesday night’s planetarium show at Mt. Hood, titled “Deep Sky Wonders,” took viewers on a journey to see all the night sky has to offer, including galaxies, planets and nebulas. The night began with a slide show of still images of galaxies projected onto the planetarium dome that would later be further examined with the facility’s new digital software system.
Pat Hanrahan, planetarium director, showed viewers galaxies millions of light years away from Earth, starting with the Southern Pinwheel. This galaxy has pretty spiral arms coming out and has new stars forming within it. Hanrahan went on to display the Lagoon Nebula, the Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Horse Head Nebula with infrared view. The Red Spider nebula is one of the hottest known stars in the sky, he explained. He showed the Hourglass Nebula,
TO BE DETERMINED
one of his favorites, that had some unusual collections of gas formed around it. A particularly beautiful image, the Globular cluster, was displayed with exquisite detail. These clusters are unable to form into planets because there is not enough rock and metal around them, Hanrahan said. He noted that big stars tend to get violent toward the end of their lives, such as the V838, which began shedding its outer layers in 2002. Eventu-
Looking for something to do? Check out our revamped weekly calendar for some
Lessons from Lincoln —
Is political bipartisanship possible?
Thursday, noon to 1:30 p.m. Student Union
This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about history, as well as how it connects with the present. Grab your lunch and listen to some unique perspectives.
fun ideas!
ent times after the sun has set, which gave the audience a better view of the stunning Orion and Andromeda galaxies. Per usual, the show concluded with the classic “Galaxy Song” and audience questions. Mt. Hood’s planetarium shows last for about 45 minutes and are held the first Tuesday of each month, at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. They cost $2 for the general public, and are free for students and faculty.
Viral Vid of the Week
3 “Thor 2”
Free Movie Night
2 1Lunch & Learn:
ally, the star will explode. When a single star explodes within a galaxy, it can give off as much light as the entire galaxy, he said. Hanrahan explained that Mars will reach opposition this year (will appear nearest to Earth and opposite the Sun, for best viewing quality) and showed Saturn with a close-up digital image, one that caught the rings “edge on” and made them nearly disappear. One of the evening’s highlights was the view of the night sky at differ-
Black Student Union presents Jeopardy! Day Monday, noon to 1:30 p.m. Student Union Get your buzzers ready for some classic fun with jeopardy. There’s nothing like some trivia to get your competitive spirit going. Stop by the student union for some fun, all are welcome.
Feb. 20, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. Feb. 21, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., & 3 p.m. Visual Arts Theatre Take advantage of some of the free perks of being a student at Mt. Hood! “Thor 2,” starring Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman, is free for students and is one you don’t want to miss. Fans of action, adventure and a little bit of hunky superheroes are sure to love this one.
10 Winter Sports Fails In the mood for a laugh? As part of our weekly feature, we will show you one awesome video and tell you why you should watch it. If you’re the type of person who finds amusement in watching others get hurt, this video is for you. In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, seeing people crash time and time again while going down icy hills, frozen railings and rocky terrain may be just what you need to get excited for continued Olympics watching. This video has generated almost a million views in just a few days, so search it on YouTube if you’re looking for an entertaining, yet cringe-worthy, laugh.
Living Arts
Feb. 7, 2014
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Graphics by Heather Golan - The Advocate
- Play coverage part 3 of 5 -
Check back next week for more cast profiles
‘Vi’ plays loving mother and wife by Rebecca Gaulke The Advocate Tootsie West is wise beyond her years in her portrayal of “Vi,” mother to the lead character “Ariel” (Sydney Hope) and wife to the “Reverend Shaw” (Alex Giorgi) in Mt. Hood’s winter musical production of “Footloose.” Although West doesn’t have children herself, she said she usually plays similar parts, and it’s not difficult for her to act like a mom because she considers herself a motherly figure. Like a typical mother, Vi “kinda just knows all. She knows everything,” West said. “She just has this way about her of just knowing how everyone’s feeling, and trying to be the person that avoids conflict but also tries to help as much as she can.”
In the play, Vi is desperately trying to be the string that holds her family
Tootsie West
together. After losing the couple’s son in a car accident, her husband shuts her out and avoids talking about how he’s really feeling. “There’s so (many) arguments that need to happen in the household but he doesn’t want to have them. And I want to talk to him about (it) because it’s the only way that it gets solved.” West said Vi is more understanding of her onstage daughter’s seemingly rebellious romance because of her character’s own past. “I (Vi) had a guy just like that, and he was just as bad or whatever and I feel like it’s a right of passage to be with a guy like that,” she explained. “I kind of just let her (Ariel) figure out her own ways and let her do what she wants to do.” West’s character sings a song called “Can You Find It In Your Heart.”
‘Rusty’ a loyal friend THEATER
musical, and said she likes how “it’s Rusty’s attraction for Willard is a Production A Winter Musical Theatre a different take” and that “there’s complicated one, illustrated by a solo The Advocate no real villain in the show – just the number sung by Hatton, “Let’s Hear parents who are misunderstanding it for the Boy.” Mt. Hood freshman McKenzie the children or the children misun“It is basically describing all the Hatton enjoys her synergistic reladerstanding the parents, and how, things that are wrong about him, and tionship with her fellow actors on at the beginning they’re so differthat these are the reasons I shouldn’t and off the set of “Footloose.” ent from each other, and then during like him, but I still do,” said Hatton. “I like the parts of being with the middle, they butt heads so much, She said the character of Rusty is all the girls. We all have really good and then through the end they ficomparable to that of “Belle” from chemistry, and so we’re always nally level out and understand each “Beauty and the Beast.” cracking up, and making fun of each other.” “She looks into people, and sees other, and it’s just so much fun,” SHOW TIMES A cosmetology major, Hatton how they are inside,” said Hatton. said Hatton, who plays the part of enjoys participating in theater and “I kinda connect with that, because “Rusty,” who is lead character Ardeveloping friendships with other I feel like I try and see inside the iel’s best friend in the musical proactors. “Theater people in general person, and see how they really are duction. are fun friends. They don’t have a inside, and not just how they appear Hatton describes Rusty’s friendlot of boundaries because they have to be.” ship with Ariel as a typical “BFF.” to cross a lot of boundaries when Hatton didn’t specifically try out “She’s a good influence, as in, ¬I they’re in theater, and so they’re just for the part, but said that “Rusty was think she’s more innocent than Ariel kind of more fun,” she said. the part that I could see myself playin a way, but she’s also kind of that The theater experience is an acing.” ‘BFF’ who will make those fun com-TICKETS tivity that has an unexplainable pull Besides “Footloose,” Hatton has ments and stuff,” she said. on Hatton. appeared in numerous productions, Rusty also has a crush on a char“It just… is kind of hard to exincluding “Beauty and the Beast,” acter named Willard. “Having Ren plain how you get addicted to it, but “Aladdin,” “Cinderella,” “Anne of (the lead male character, a newcomer once you’re in it, and you had a good Green Gables” and “Willy Wonka” at in town) come has finally opened her experience in it, you just love it and other institutions, she said. and Willard up to actually being in a keep coming back,” she said. Hatton enjoys the “Footloose” relationship,” said Hatton.
by Greg Leonov
February 21st, 22nd, 28th & March 1st
7:30 p.m.
February 23rd and March 2nd
2:00 p.m.
Advance: $10 Students $12 Adults Door: $12 Students $15 Adults
“It’s awesome, I love it. It’s really touching,” she said. “It’s really kind of a lot pressure to be able to portray it correctly because it’s really deep. It’s a really good song.” West said she feels that Vi is a very strong character she can relate to. “She just really is powerful… she doesn’t have to say anything, you can just tell that she is there. I feel like I connect with her because I feel like we are the same person... like I’m her younger self,” West said. West said she draws inspiration for the emotions behind her character’s relationship from seeing her own parents go through a divorce. “I kinda take from that… I think how I would feel in that situation, cause I’m very outspoken,” something her character struggles with as well, she noted.
West said that Mace Archer, MHCC’s director of “Footloose,” told the actors to do something unique with their characters. “He told us all individually, even if we aren’t a big character in the show, that we should all have a secret,” she said. “Each one of our characters should have secrets that they just don’t tell anybody, because humans have secrets.” The secrets won’t necessarily come out during the play, but they help to build the characters for the actors and make them more realistic, she said. The students’ performance is now just a couple weeks away, but West says she feels “like we are way more prepared than I’ve ever been for a show before.” “Footloose” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21.
TH EATRE
A Winter Musical Theatre Production
SHOWTIMES February 21st, 22nd, 28th & March 1st
7:30 p.m.
February 23rd and March 2nd
2:00 p.m.
TICKETS
Buy advance tickets online at mhcc.edu/theatre
Advance: $10 Students, $12 Adults Door: $12 Students, $15 Adults
6
News
Feb. 7, 2014
Classified employees get contract agreement Mt. Hood’s classified employee association and the MHCC administration have apparently struck a deal on a new labor contract, ending months of frustration. The workers’ union confirmed that a breakthrough came during talks held last week. Cathy Nichols, classified association president, said, “I feel good about the agreement. Did we get everything? No, but if we did, that wouldn’t be bargaining.” Negotiations for a new contract have dragged on for over a year, dating back to January 2013. Details of the proposed contract will not be available until af-
ter the union members are briefed. The bargaining team will set a day for members to begin voting on the contract, after which the MHCC District board may vote to ratify the deal. Nichols said she is “excited, relieved and happy,” and that her bargaining team “went into every session with the hopes of coming to an agreement.” No further details or administration response to the deal were available at The Advocate’s deadline this week.
- Katelyn Hilsenbeck
Sigala
Continued from page 1
Making MHCC an activity center Derr announced the creation of Sigala’s position in an all-staff email sent Dec. 20, saying, “The Board, the Foundation Board and I see tremendous opportunity for the Foundation to take a much more active role in resource development. “By necessity, this goes beyond fundraising for student scholarships, and toward fundraising for infrastructure investments that also support student success. The college has many needs in the areas of facilities, technology and special projects. “Unfortunately, we can no longer rely solely on state aid and tuition for funding,” Derr wrote. Sigala said a close partnership with the college is one of his priorities: “It’s not only holding more events, it’s working better with the college... knowing what the college needs.” “We’re here for the students. Let’s celebrate that,” he said. “Let’s all join in on the effort to not only make college affordable through scholarships,
but (also) to work toward bettering our classrooms.” Sigala said he wants to make MHCC the center of events for east Multnomah County, such as concerts and the like. He said he is contemplating moving the Foundation’s annual auction, dinner and dance event back to MHCC. In recent years it has been hosted at the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach, where it will be held on April 26 this year. To Sigala, the mission of MHCC community college is personal: Without community colleges, he would not have been able to attend a university, he said. “The community college system is what gave me a possibility to go to college.” Sigala said bringing the college and local community together would help inspire the area to once again call MHCC the “Jewel of East County” – one that he hopes to see shine for a while. “I’d love to retire here. To me, this is a dream job,” he said. “I’m doing what I really enjoy doing.”
Forensics team ‘likes to win’ by Greg Leonov The Advocate “We like to win; that’s one thing we like to do,” said student Jennifer Sewell about Mt. Hood’s forensics team, which placed first at the recent Lower Columbia College sweepstakes. The travelling team is heading to San Diego to participate in a tournament at Point Loma Nazarene University’s annual Sunset Cliffs Classic Invitational forensics tournament, which runs Saturday and Sunday. Mt. Hood’s forensics team spends the entire academic year participating in various events, debating and using other forms of public speaking, said Liz Kinnaman, assistant coach and argumentation instructor. “We debate, and then (there are) individual events. Individual events can be anywhere from informative speaking, to excerpts from a prose, a book or
poetry, or dramatic interpretations,” Sewell said. The forensics team usually does International Public Debate Association (IPDA) events. IPDA events focus “on globally well-rounded topics,” said Kinnaman. When participating in IPDA events, debaters are expected to “not intervene from a U.S. perspective at all, that’s kind of frowned upon,” she said. “You’re supposed to be a more global debater.” Countless hours of research are required for preparation for debates. The team travels with large tubs filled with information from major newspapers. “There’s a lot of it (competition) that’s research-based, and there’s a lot of it that’s just logic-based,” said Kinnaman. The team looks forward to about nine more tournaments this academic year, and also will run a few of those events on campus, as a fundraiser for the team. “We’re a big hub for high school debate tournaments, so they
always like to have their tournaments here because it’s accessible to the students,” Kinnaman said. Hosting events is also a way for Mt. Hood to attract students to attend the college. Although the forensics team has been highly successful for years, students still have to learn to deal with the common stress of stage fright. “In an environment where everybody is nervous, and you know it, it is easier to outperform your own expectations because other people expect so much more of you,” said Kinnaman. Sewell said that speech and debate has really built her skills, in general. “Speech has really helped me develop into an actual person who could actually talk to people,” she said. Kinnaman underscores the point that individuals should make themselves heard. “Regardless of whether they know that they’re being empowered right now, they are,” she said.
Understanding human trafficking by Greg Leonov The Advocate Mt. Hood will host a special forum in the Town and Gown Room on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. to highlight the grim reality of human trafficking. Multnomah Co. Sheriff’s Dep. Keith Bickford, head of Multnomah County’s human trafficking task force, is the featured speaker. He will discuss trafficking that is happening “not only abroad, but specifically here in Portland, Ore., as well,” said Jonathan Albi, ASG director of public safety at MHCC. “It is a huge, huge concern,” Albi said. Bickford will cover “the whole gamut of human trafficking. Obviously, sex trafficking is a huge one, I think that accounts for the majority of human trafficking, but there are other elements to it as well.”
Albi said many don’t understand how serious the subject is. “I think a lot of people kind of have a contrived, made-up image or concept in their head of what human trafficking is,” he said. Many get their ideas and information about human trafficking from movies such as “Taken,” he said. “We don’t really have a good grasp on just how real it is.” A report issued by the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UNGIFT) said “an estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labour (including sexual exploitation) at any given time as a result of trafficking.” Most of these victims are between the ages of 18 and 24, and about 1.2 million of all individuals being trafficked are children, the report states. “This hits close,” said Albi.
For example, within the past two weeks, 45 persons were taken into custody for trafficking and 16 young adults were “rescued in a two-week crackdown on prostitution in the New York-New Jersey area leading up to last Sunday’s Super Bowl,” according to an article published by the Reuters news agency. Elsewhere, Texas judge Gregg Abbot called the Super Bowl (previously hosted in Dallas and Houston) the “single largest human trafficking incident in the United States.” Albi said that Wednesday’s forum, which includes a Q-and-A session, will “be a great opportunity for not only MHCC students, but faculty, staff, and just the community around us to sit down, and hear what this man (Bickford) has to say. “He’s an authority on human trafficking, and let’s all get informed and find out what we can do.”
Board gets vocal performance by Danny Perez-Crouse The Advocate The latest Mt. Hood District board meeting on Wednesday consisted more of visitor presentations than board discussion. The meeting got off to an energetic start with the cast of Mt. Hood’s upcoming musical production, “Footloose,” performing a few songs that were met with a round of applause. Various presentations on Mt. Hood’s accreditation process, the Multnomah Education Service District and MHCC’s Cranberry Short Courses followed. Paul Wild and Gale Blessing gave the report on Cranberry Short Courses, formally recognized by Mt. Hood President Debbie Derr, who praised all contributors. Next, board members chose to vote for candidate Francisco Acosta Jr. in a deadlocked election for an open slot on the Oregon School Boards Association legislative policy committee. The board briefly discussed the possibility of Mt. Hood pursuing a capital bond measure, but agreed to elaborate during its scheduled retreat session on Feb. 17.
Sports
Feb. 7, 2014
Saints come close, but lose
7
Column:
Sochi Olympics are here by Edgar Valencia The Advocate
(Above) Freshman Hannah Wahlers dribbles against Chemeketa on Wednesday. (Below) Freshman Alana Wilson pulls up for a jump shot.
Photos by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
by Aaron Marshall The Advocate The Saints’ women’s basketball team came close to their first conference win Wednesday against Chemeketa but lost, 54-51, in Gresham. Sophomore Whitney Warren had a team- high 15 points, nine of those from three-point shots. Freshman players Marley Yates and Taylor Scott each added 8 points. Chemeketa was led by freshman Irma Savoy, who finished with 24 points and 19 rebounds.
The Saints led 2625, but the Storm fought back to claim the tough win. At halftime the Saints led 26-25, but the Storm fought back to claim the tough win. Mt. Hood was able to keep control of the ball better in this one, limiting turnovers to only 13, compared to 23 by Chemeketa. The close loss followed another last Saturday, a narrow 64-60 defeat on the road at Southwestern Oregon. Warren led the Saints with 22 points, while Scott and Yates contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively. Mt. Hood led 28-23 at the half, before the Lakers surged to outscore the Saints 41-32 in the second half. Lakers freshman Aminata Cole finished with a game-high 24 points and 12 boards. Weather permitting, the Saints (219 overall, 0-10 in conference play) will travel to Eugene on Saturday to face Lane Community College (19-5, 6-2).
Mt. Hood hosts swimming event Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
by Brandon Raleigh The Advocate Mt. Hood Community College will once again host the OSAA High School State Swimming Championships, later this month. The competition will be staged Feb. 21-22 under the dome in Mt. Hood’s 50-meter pool. This is the 28th time Mt. Hood has hosted the high school event. The facilty is no stranger to elite swimmers: It even has been used by noted Olympians Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte for training.
The 2014 Winter Olympics officially kicked off Thursday, a two-week spectacle sure to be remembered for the debut of 12 new competitive events. Sochi, Russia, the host city, has been preparing for seven years. Organizers have built 11 new venues and spent $51 billion overall on what will go down as the most expensive games ever held, beating the 2012 Beijing Summer Games (estimated at $46.5 billion). Four years ago, in the Vancouver Winter Games, U.S. athletes took home a Winter Games-record 37 medals. A big part of that success was a gold medal for downhill skier Lindsey Vonn and speed-skater Apolo Ohno, who won three medals, which has left him most decorated U.S. Winter Olympics athlete ever. With Ohno officially retired and Vonn sidelined with a knee injury, someone else will have to step up for Team USA to find that level of success in Sochi. Three members, in particular, have a strong chance to make history and are athletes to watch closely in these Games. There isn’t a more recognizable athlete coming into this competition than Shaun White, a global figure not only for his snowboarding brilliance but also for his skateboarding talent. While will take part in the half pipe, an event in which he took gold in Vancouver in 2010 and in Turin, Italy, in 2006. He is a clear favorite to repeat once more. In the men’s speed skating department, Shani Davis is also looking for his third straight gold. All eyes will be on the favorite to win in the 1000-meter race. He has another chance in the 1500-meter race, in which he earned silver in the last two Olympics. At age 31, Davis supplies leadership and if he can help his teammates with some fast times, the USA’s speed skating unit could prove to be a big surprise in these Olympics. In the women’s slalom skiing event, 18-year-old phenom Mikaela Shiffrin is poised to do big things. In the last year, she has won six World Cup slalom races and is the reigning world champion. She became the youngest ever American to win a national title after being crowned the U.S. slalom champion at age 16. Many believe Shiffrin is a solid contender to win the Games’ slalom event and with Vonn knocked out of the Olympics by injury, she might just assume the mantle as the new queen of U.S. alpine racing. This trio could surely be the face of the USA team during the Winter Games and are who American fans might most anticipate seeing. For the next two weeks, we all will be witnesses to history bound to be made in Sochi.
Preliminary rounds begin the morning of Feb. 21. The Class 5A preliminaries start the day (9 to 11:15 a.m.), followed by the 6A prelims (1:45 to 4 p.m.). The 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A prelims follow, running 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Finals begin Saturday morning at 8:15 when 5A athletes compete for state titles. Next come the 6A finals, running 1 to 5 p.m., followed by the 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A finals, from 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. Admission for the meet is $8 for adults, $5 dollars for students. All parking on campus is free.
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Sports
Feb. 7, 2014
Speer
Continued from page 1
‘Second family,’ lifetime connections
“I have learned the value of creating a ‘second family’ while being here at Mt. Hood. This is the hardest part about leaving,” said Speer. She also served as assistant softball coach at MHCC the past three years, including a thirdstraight NWAACC championship in 2011. “The other programs and coaches have become my second family. This environment has been created in my own personal program as well,” she said. Speer has a deep connection to MHCC, attending school and playing volleyball and softball back in the early 2000s. “I have so much pride in Mt. Hood. I have loved this place since the day I came on my recruiting visit in June of 2001,” she said. “I will miss all of the relationships that I have built with employees and faculty members who once taught me and now who mentor me in my professional career.” Kim Hyatt, Mt. Hood athletic director, said Speer will be missed after “continuing the great legacy of volleyball at MHCC” and putting a positive stamp on the entire athletic program.
Meadow McWhorter, Mt. Hood softball head coach who first coached Speer in softball in 2002-2003, said she knew her player was destined to coach. “I’ve known Chelsie for 12 years. She displayed great qualities and was a student of the game. She led by example,” said McWhorter. “She genuinely cares about her student athletes. I’m going to miss my best friend. We’re always on the same page and even finish each other’s sentences. I can always go to her for support, advice, and motivation,” McWhorter said. Speer also said that she would miss her close friend and former coach. Mt. Hood volleyball players had nothing but positive things to say about playing under her, and the impact she had on them. “The only reason I transferred to Mt. Hood was to play under Chelsie,” said sophomore Shawna Smith, who played her freshman year at Eastern Oregon University. “The legacy she created as well as her passion for the game, compassion for her players, and the excellence she demanded on and off the court was truly admirable. “Mt. Hood is losing a phenomenal person
and coach, but she will carry her competiveness and love to Walla Walla,” Smith said. Sophomores Lihau Perreira and Carrie Haguewood said it was a great decision coming to MHCC to play for Speer. “Coming to Mt. Hood was the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Perreira said. “She (Chelsie) changed my life for the better and not only taught me how to be a better volleyball player but also to be a better person.” Said Haguewood: “Chelsie taught me so much not only as a coach, but as a friend, too. I’m sad to see her leave but I know that she will continue to impact other player’s lives the same way she did mine.” Speer graduated from Pendleton High School in 2001. With Walla Walla being relatively close, her move amounts to a homecoming, she said. “My family still lives there and they are extremely excited about us, especially now that we have Aiden, our 1-year old son,” said Speer. “Since I had my first child, I have thought quite a bit about wanting him to grow up in a small town. I am excited to be close to my family
and our cabin in the Blue Mountains.” She will inherit a contending team in Walla Walla. This last season, the Warriors finished third in the Eastern region with a record of 26-15 overall, 10-4 in conference play. The team had eight freshmen last season, meaning a wealth of experience on hand for 2014. “I am excited about what my new team could accomplish this upcoming fall. I am always excited about that,” said Speer. “I love coaching and I love the challenge of reaching any athlete and helping them become the best that they are capable of becoming. Plus, I am confident in my ability because I work hard at what I do,” she said. Speer said she will always have love for Mt. Hood and the people here. “I will miss my team dearly. The returning girls here mean the world to me. My players are like my own children. I care so much about them beyond the court and game of volleyball,” she said. “I have developed relationships with all of them, sophomores and freshmen, that I hope will last a lifetime. This next season will be hard because of that.”
I’m going to miss my best friend. Meadow McWhorter Softball head coach
Speer’s team celebrates at one of its games this season. She said she will miss her girls dearly.
Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
Saints continue hot streak with OT win by Aaron Marshall The Advocate Any time the Mt. Hood Saints play the Chemeketa Storm, you know it’s going to be an intriguing game. Wednesday night was no different, in a wild overtime contest between the two South region NWAACC contenders, played on the Saint’s home court. In the end, it was Mt. Hood that would win the nail-biter of a game, 105102. The second half was close practically the whole time, after Mt. Hood grabbed a 51-45 halftime lead. The Storm came back, outscoring the Saints force OT at 92 all. The Saints were able to push past the Storm in the extra session, posting 13 points to Chemekata’s 10. “Our guys played hard and did not quit. We played through the ups and downs,” said Geoff Gibor, MHCC head coach. Saints sophomore big man Mac Johnson was nearly unstoppable in the paint as he scored 30 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Johnson outworked the Storm interior defense, grabbing six offensive rebounds. “We would definitely be different without Mac,” Gibor said, while a bit reluctant to single out his valuable post player. “The reality with our team is that we play together and that is how we win games. We had 34 assists on 41 baskets last night. That is an unselfish team playing,” he said.
Sophomore Blake Updike fights for possession with a Chemeketa player. Sophomore guards Landon Rushton and Blake Updike also had double-digit points, both shooting 3-for-6 from beyond the three-point arc. Rushton finished with 17 points, and Updike had 14. Sophomore Brock Otis came up big with 11 points and seven assists, and forced a critical Chemeketa turnover in overtime to help seal the game. Sophomore forward Denzel Green contributed 12 points and six rebounds,
shooting 6-for-9 from the field. Chemeketa’s top scorers were freshmen Bryce White and Jordan Ewell who both scored 27 points. Ewell also had 11 boards. “They both (White and Ewell) played well and are really good players. We could see them at the (NWAACC) tourney if we both make it,” said Gibor. Wednesday’s victory was the Saints’ third in a row, and second straight over
Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
their top South region rivals. Last Saturday, the team went on the road and picked up a big win at Southwestern Oregon, outpacing the Lakers, 88-84, in Coos Bay. That avenged a tough 81-80 loss on Mt. Hood’s court back on Jan. 4. “We sped things up more. I gave them (his players) more freedom and we were able to create more shots,” Gibor said of the road win. “We had a lot
of players step up (due to) foul trouble early on.” Johnson finished with a team-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Saints had four more sophomores in double-digit scoring, with Thomas Simien (17), Green (14), Updike (13), and Rushton (10). Mt. Hood finished the game shooting 43 percent from the field, and held SWOCC to just 30 percent. Otis, who has played in 18 of the team’s 19 first games, missed this matchup with the flu. The Saints are now at (17-6, 6-3) and will face Lane Community College (12-11, 5-4) at 4 p.m. Saturday (weather permitting). Mt. Hood won the first matchup in Gresham, 76-63, on Jan. 11. Gibor said Mt. Hood needs better defense and rebounding to win. “It comes down to focus and discipline. It is a road game and they are all tough,” he said. The contest is crucial: As of Thursday, five teams were deadlocked in first place in the South region. Mt. Hood, Clackamas, Southwestern Oregon, Chemeketa, and Portland all have a conference record of 6-3. “You just have to bring your ‘A’ game every night,” said Gibor. To date, the Saints have split their season series with Chemeketa and SWOCC. They still play PCC and Clackamas once more. Mt. Hood beat PCC in Portland on Jan. 15, 71-63. The two teams will play again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Gresham. On Feb. 19, Mt. Hood will travel to Clackamas, hoping to get revenge for a 81-71 loss to the Cougars on Jan. 22.