Volume 53, Issue 16 FEBRUARY 8, 2019 advocate-online.net
Volunteering offers selfgrowth PAGE 2
Valentine's Day facts PAGE 7
Get to know your Saints softball team PAGE 8
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Student inspires in leadership positions PAGE 4
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OPINION
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
VOLUNTEERING AS A WAY TO FIND YOUR INTERESTS
Chloe Collins the advocate
From the beginning of high school, students are encouraged to get involved. Our teachers encourage us to play sports, join the band, or choose a club. If you aren’t exactly interested in “school spirit,” though, you might be encouraged to volunteer within the community. Volunteerism looks really good on a college application.
So here you are, in college, and people are still recommending that you get involved by volunteering in your community. And by “people” I mean me, right now in this column. You’re overloaded with classes, your job, and still trying to find time to yourself. It can be hard to think past finals. However, there are benefits to finding a cause you can give a couple of hours to every week. Having an internship in your field during college is notoriously helpful for getting a job quickly after graduation. Similarly, volunteer hours can help establish your “reallife experience” repertoire. In addition to that experience, diving into community service in the early years of your college education can help you be sure you are in the right field. Volunteering for various different categories of organizations will help you learn more about yourself, and what you
like to do. If I have piqued your interest and you’re somewhat convinced, you might be wondering where to start. A good place to find volunteer opportunities is the public library. It is possible the library staff could use your help themselves, and if not, they are likely to have flyers for other opportunities. Another good place to locate openings for volunteers would be your city government’s website, or a quick internet search in general. An example of volunteer openings close to campus are organizations like the Sandy Community Action Center. The Action Center is a nonprofit thrift store, where all donations and purchases go toward funding a food pantry. In positions like this, you get to exercise customer service skills, organizational skills, and
gain human resource experience. All of these skills are noteworthy on an application, and will help you be more successful in your future career. If you like children, or think you would like to go into a field where you would be working closely with them, try tutoring. If you are looking for something in Gresham, Open East School often has openings for volunteers to tutor students in their AVID program. Another option close to Gresham is AntFarm in Sandy, where you can volunteer as a mentor, tutor, or hike leader, among other options. If you live closer to Portland, you could even volunteer to be a child’s “running buddy” with the Girls on the Run organization. Aside from smaller, more local volunteer opportunities, there is always the option to volunteer with bigger organizations. The American
Red Cross in Portland, for example is always looking for new volunteers to help with disaster preparedness. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is always accepting new adults to match with a young mentee. The Humane Society could be a good option if you like working with animals. There are many options when it comes to where you want to volunteer, and you might be surprised by how willing these groups will be to work with your schedule. Volunteering will look good on any résumé, but the personal benefit of offering your service to others will be the things you learn about yourself. Not to mention, the connections you make with others can lead to opportunities you may have never found on your own. If you get a chance to give some time back to an organization that means something to you, take it.
CLEAN OUT YOUR MIND THROUGH JOURNALING
Cassie Wilson the advocate
Being a community college student means you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. From classes to homework, and jobs to family responsibilities, it can be hard to
remember to take care of yourself, but it’s vital that you do. It’s a little too easy to become overwhelmed, overworked, and burnt out. The cloudy gloom and early sunsets of the Pacific Northwest winter don’t make things any easier, so checking in with yourself at the end of the day is important. I do this by journaling. I don’t remember how or why I started doing it, but as I wrap up my 16th college-ruled spiral notebook I realize it’s become a necessary part of my everyday life. We consume a lot of information every day and have a lot to keep track of as students. We’re constantly learning and planning, skimming social media and news
headlines to keep up with the world around us, and trying to find the answers to our next steps in life beyond Mt. Hood. I’ve found that writing can give me a lot more headspace. Every night, the last thing I do before I go to bed is turn to a new page in my journal, pick up a pen, and just write. Anything that comes to mind goes down on paper, free of conscious judgement or proper spelling and grammar. It’s not about how the thoughts come out, it’s about just getting them out. I usually start off by writing about my day. It’s the easiest way to ease into the process, but I mainly do this for my future self. I love the idea of being able to look back and see what my life was like at a
specific point in time to see how I’ve grown and changed. I also typically end every journal entry listing off the artists I listened to that day, because music is a central part of my life and I’ve always associated certain albums with certain seasons or years, so in a way it’s like writing out my own soundtrack. Writing about my day usually turns into a stream of consciousness after not very long. I start to work through things on my mind and process my thoughts by writing them out and answering a lot of my own questions. It’s much easier to make decisions and identify and fix problems when you can see them written out in front of you. Some days there’s less to get out, and that’s okay. Other days you’ll
find yourself surprised when you write three pages. The best part is it will help you unwind before going to sleep. All those thoughts that bounce around in your head and stress you out when you should be sleeping will, for the most part, be cleared out. It’s a good way to transition from a chaotic day to a restful night. Really, this isn’t just about journaling: It’s about taking time each day to do something for you. Whether it be watching your favorite show, listening to your favorite podcast, hanging out with someone you love, or playing your favorite instrument, it’s important to give yourself that balance between work and relaxation. Advisers
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF MHCC Editor-in-Chief Megan Phelps Associate Editor/ Photo Editor Fletcher Wold Associate Editor/ News Editor Cassie Wilson Assistant News Editor Chloe Collins Sports Editor Jonathan Zacarias PA G E 2
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OPINION
FEBRUARY 8, 2019
BURGERS FOR THE WIN
Omar Saradi the advocate
If you’re the Clemson Tigers football team and you just won a national championship, you’re probably looking forward to being a part of one of the most prestigious celebrations a team can get: a visit to the White House. But in 2019 that means something different to every individual, let alone a college football team. If the Trump administration got turned down by Steph Curry and the rest of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, I would’ve expected something similar from the Tigers. Instead, considering what they actually got a couple weeks ago, they might as well have stayed home to celebrate. When I saw the picture of President Trump standing by a table full of fast food on a silver platter, I thought it was photoshopped and that this was some satirical headline from The Onion. In fact, I was disappointed that it wasn’t some spoof or a made-up internet meme. In the midst of a government shutdown, the Clemson Tigers were treated with Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, and fries as a reward
for their fight to win the national championship. But context is key: This all happened during the government shutdown. What would’ve happened if Trump had served them that fancy dinner they were expecting while federal workers were out of a job, or without pay? How much outrage would there be for that? It is a case of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” Still, this whole thing makes
NEWS BRIEFS
culture, served on a fancy, expensive silver platter, metaphorically reflects Donald Trump on a political level. A real estate mogul and business man from uptown New York, whose celebrity persona and wealth characterizes the American culture of excess, is in the sacred White House. Donald Trump and McDonald’s cheeseburgers are a product of the American experience, yet they’re both juxtaposed with the traditions
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Priority registration for Spring Term classes has begun for students with 60-75 MHCC credits. Registration for new and transfer students opens Thursday, Feb. 14. To find out more specifics about the dates for your particular registration based on credits, go to mhcc.edu/registrationcalendar/.
Did you get an email or text about this week’s snow closure or lockdown drill? If not, you may need to update your RAVE alert system information. Go to the quicklinks tab on the mymhcc portal to keep current with this mass notification system.
ASG ELECTION COMMITTEE Student Life is looking for students to help with upcoming student elections for student government at MHCC. Elections are April 16-17, and compensation is available. If interested, contact Doctor.abioayeliya@mhcc.edu 503-491-6023 by Friday, Feb. 15. Graphic by Eli Rankin / the Advocate
sense under the premise that the Trump administration is far from your usual political movement. Since the beginning, Donald Trump has changed what it means to be a president and a candidate, and this is one of many times he shows that. To me, nothing represents the Donald Trump presidency more than this dinner has – everything from the internet memes to the awkward pictures, and the presentation of it all, in general. The way I see it, a greasy McDonald’s hamburger, a cornerstone of American culinary
of political grandeur. Now, I don’t think this deserves a whole lot of outrage and press. After all, it is simply about a football team celebrating a national title. But in the larger scope of things, it comes off as allegorical to the state of politics, class, American culture, and everything in between. In some ways I’m glad this happened, not just for the memes, but because in the middle of government chaos there is finally something we don’t have to freak out over, and we can all eat our fries out of the bag in peace.
INTERVIEW TIPS AND TRICKS The Career Planning and Counseling Center will be reviewing tips for successful interviews. These workshops offer advice and aim to help students feel confident for upcoming interviews with new ways to prepare, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, and 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Town & Gown Room.
HISTORIANS’ ROUNDTABLE The Social Science department is holding another roundtable discussion on Monday, Feb. 11, from noon to 1 p.m. It has been 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and much of what it represented. Join MHCC history instructors as they remember and discuss this world-changing event.
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Copy Editor Hannah Meisenhelder is enjoying her second year at MHCC and getting ready to transfer to Oregon State University in the fall to complete a bachelor’s degree in English. She has no idea what she wants to do with an English degree, as long as she doesn’t have to be a teacher. Being a literature and art nerd in general, she loves watching and overanalyzing movies (especially animated ones). She hopes to eventually publish fiction of her own some day, but don’t hold your breath. In the meantime, she enjoys playing piano for Mt. Hood’s Jazz Ensemble and slowly struggling to improve her drawing skills. PA G E 3
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OPINION EDITORIAL | NEWS
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Food options on campus Survey responses: “I think food should be available for longer throughout the day. It’d be nice for those taking night classes to be able to grab dinner before their class. Also, it’d be nice for there to be more variety on campus.” “Add more options. Get Vista Dining more popular. People would be more willing to buy campus food if it’s more affordable than what’s off campus.” “It would be perfect if there will be more vegan options available for salads, sandwiches, and snacks.”
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s college students, we understand being on campus all day is a hassle when it comes to food. Unless you are in a program or Student Life activity that offers an area to store your food, you’re usually left with what’s available on campus. If you have a car, you could go off campus to grab some grub, but oftentimes there’s a short window between classes, giving you a limited amount of time to eat before your next four-to-six-hour set of classes. Overall, we at the Advocate think there could be some improvements regarding food on campus. We think there are limited options as far as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free foods available. We think the quality of food could be improved, especially in the Riverview Café; its hours could be extended, as well. At the moment, there are a few different options where students and staff can get food on campus: the Riverview Barista in Building 17, BlackRock, the Bookstore, and the Vista Dining Hall, otherwise known as the Riverview Café.
Barney’s Pantry offers free food and hygienic supplies exclusively to current students. Each area has limited offerings depending on its hours and products available. The Riverview Café is the only place that offers a variety of hot food, and is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday–Friday. Riverview Catering also operates the Riverview Barista at the opposite end of campus, which offers prepackaged food from the Café and shelved items such as snack packs of chips. Outside of Riverview, there’s the BlackRock coffee bar and the MHCC Bookstore. BlackRock offers toasted bagels and pastries. The Bookstore offers a lot of packaged foods, from energy bars to frozen pizza pockets. This is the area where students can find a quick graband- go snack and beverage. Barney’s Pantry offers free food to current students, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays each term. The pantry now has two industrial fridges, which will be stocked with fresh produce and other perishable food items. The
‘MUSHRO IMPROV
Student Union also has a new process to track use of the pantry. Photos b y Fletcher Wo Students will now have their student ID swiped once for pantry access. Previously, students had to enter their ID number when entering and exiting the pantry. The old system had some flaws; some students would abuse the system by entering another student’s ID number, and if necessary, it would take a while to verify if the student was currently enrolled. If you are not a current student, staff in the Student Union will help you find resources you need.
EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY: Jennifer Salazar the advocate
Mt. Hood Community College gained a true inspiration in the spring of 2017. Shi Wen Wong grew up raised by her grandmother in Malaysia, and never thought she would be beginning an important part of her life here at Mt. Hood. Now, she enjoys helping other students find their own way. Shi Wen grew up without her parents. Her father passed away soon after she was born, and her mother moved to the United States to find financial stability when the PA G E 4
currency exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the Malaysian ringgit was high, as she explained in an essay for the Phi Theta Kappa student honor society. Only in December 2016 did Shi Wen immigrate to the U.S. to attend college after graduating high school in Malaysia. The first couple of months were tough, because her English wasn’t at its best. After taking the College Placement Test, she was placed into the Intensive English for College and Careers program. She soon realized the English she had learned in high school was very formal compared to how people
actually talk here. And this made her struggle with confidence and self-acceptance, she wrote. Then came an opportunity: When one of her instructors told her that there was an opening in the Associated Student Government (ASG) and that she should consider applying, she did. It helped her work on her English by putting her out of her comfort zone, resulting in more growth. She can now read, write, understand, and communicate in English with fluency. GETTING ACTIVE Shi Wen is working on an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree and will graduate from Mt.
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Hood this spring. Her goal is to become a math professor. She’s loved math from a young age, and knows that her math skills and proficiency in four languages (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Malay) will give her the chance for global career opportunities. Her first year in ASG was focused on being the Community Affairs and Outreach Representative. She was also involved in Rho Theta, Mt. Hood’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, from November 2017 to September 2018. She then changed positions to being the Special Events Coordinator. This Winter Term she is now the
I KNOW IT’S HARD, BUT IF YOU ARE WILLING TO PUT THE TIME IN(TO) IT, YOU WILL ACHIEVE IT.”
-SHI WEN WONG STUDENT ACTIVITIES REPRESENTATIVE, ASG
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
OOM’ FOR VEMENT
Prices aren’t the best either, especially in the Bookstore. Snack cate old / the Advo foods, such as a 5-ounce bag of pistachios, cost $2.98 at Walmart but on campus, they’re $5.99. For a broader view, we wanted to figure out just how much staff and students utilize food options on campus, and when. To find out, we created an online survey on Feb. 1. By noon on Wednesday, we received 134 responses; 114 were from students, 20 were from MHCC staff and faculty. The survey indicated 16 percent of respondents never eat food available on
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could better serve students campus. Others indicated that they consumed food available a number of times each week: • Once per week, 29 percent • Twice per week, 31 percent • Three times per week, 17 percent • Four times per week, 5 percent • Five times or more per week, 2 percent Respondents also indicated when they usually need food on campus Monday through Saturday. The results include the following: • 7 a.m.–noon, 34 percent • Noon–2 p.m., 36 percent • 2–10 p.m., 30 percent Our results indicate an evenly divided need for food throughout the day, and evening. And with 16 percent of those not even utilizing food on campus, it makes us wonder why they decide not to eat what’s available. There could be a number of reasons, based on their own schedule, food
preferences, and other factors. We also asked participants if they identified with any food allergies, food preferences (such as vegetarian, vegan, or keto diets), or dietary restrictions. Roughly 61 percent of respondents did not list an allergy, food preference, or dietary restriction. • Food allergies, 12 percent • Gluten-free, 3 percent • Lactose intolerance, 16 percent • Vegetarian, 14 percent • Vegan, 5 percent • Keto, 5 percent • Paleo, 2 percent Finally, we offered those surveyed a question for open response, asking if they think the food on campus could be improved. We received 101 responses. In general, answers indicated room for improvement in regards to lack of healthy options, cost of food, concern over the limited time hot food is available, and lack of options for specific diets, such as vegetarian, vegan,
and gluten-free options. At a certain point, it is not sustainable for these businesses to be open during slow periods, which is likely why they’re not open later in the day. The one area that is open most of the time is where a large number of respondents choose to go: BlackRock. There is obviously a need for change. BlackRock and Riverview are relatively new at Mt. Hood, both starting on campus during Fall Term of 2017. As time goes on, we hope to see options on campus evolve to accommodate what students and staff need to succeed while on campus. Food helps fuel our bodies to do more, so, please – give us better options.
Our weekly editorial is designed to explore compelling issues that affect the community we serve. It has no attributed author because it represents the collective voice of the Advocate editorial board.
AN INSPIRATION FOR MHCC
Photo by Fletcher Wold / the Advocate
Student Activities Representative. She is also a part-time assessment clerk for the Adult Basic Skills department at MHCC. A major role for Shi Wen is to serve as a liaison between the ASG and Student Activities team to make sure that every member of these two organizations is on the same page. That includes planning for all events that Student Activities offers. One of Shi Wen’s favorite things to do is to plan events, so for her this became one of her favorite jobs in ASG, she says. One of her biggest goals is to get as many students involved in the activities hosted
throughout the year. “We prepare all of this for students so they should come and receive the things that are here for them,” she says. PLANNING IS KEY Shi Wen is taking 16 credits this term, but still manages to be a 4.0 GPA student while attending meetings and planning events for MHCC. She says that planning and time management is essential for her success in school, and that of other students. She recommends that students prioritize this because it is something that helps her in her everyday life, too. “If I can do it, other people can
do it,” she says. Currently Shi Wen and the Student Activities team are working on the Love Yourself event – a selfdefense workshop set for noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Valentine’s Day, in the Fireplace Lounge at the Student Union. While many people may use this day to celebrate with a partner, Shi says students should consider this a day to celebrate themselves: in other words, they must learn to love themselves before loving someone else. One way to do so is by learning how to defend themselves. During the event, Student Activities members will be
handing out roses and cards where students can write compliments and hand them out to other students. Everyone is invited including students, faculty, and staff, regardless of gender. Light refreshments will be provided. In whatever role Shi Wen takes on, she wants to know others can follow in her path, whether or not they are still learning English. “For those that are learning a new language, don’t give up,” she says. “I know it’s hard, but if you are willing to put the time in(to) it, you will achieve it.”
– Cassie Wilson contributed reporting for this story.
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NEWS | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
SAFETY STOP: THE BASICS Solamon Ibe the advocate
Welcome to the Safety Stop! The more we know about how safety works, the more we can do to feel confident in our own safety. It’s something most of us usually don’t pay attention to, because, thankfully, we have safety professionals to do the thinking and the work for us. Safety is a key aspect to all of our lives and shows up in most any other field of study or work. Most everyone has the desire to be safe on a basic level. Not many people ever want to get hurt; we do what we can to avoid injury. When it’s cold outside, we feel safe and warm in our homes or classrooms. When it’s dark out, having lights make us feel safer. No matter if we’re at home, work, or at school, we expect to be and feel safe in these spaces. However, few have a real understanding of all that exists in the world of safety or the work that goes into making sure our world is safe. Many here on campus are not aware that we have a program that has been preparing students for careers as safety professionals for 20 years.
MHCC’s Environmental Health and Safety program is well known by industry professionals regionally for its quality, and its graduates are in demand. Former MHCC students are represented in regulatory agencies like the state of Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in private construction companies, and many other places, including right here on campus. Speaking of MHCC, safety concerns exist right here on campus. Do any come to mind? There are many, and there is one department at the college that has responsibility for a lot of them: the Public Safety department! It may not be as obvious because many of us make the relation to security guards and leave it at that, but there is a lot more that falls under their purview. Along with the security guard function, you will see campus Public Safety officers providing crowd control at events as well as patrolling the campus on foot and in their marked vehicles. They also enforce traffic, parking and other campus rules. For those with late-afternoon or
evening classes and especially at this time of year, the parking lots can be dark and a little scary for some. Public Safety is available to provide a personal escort to vehicles, and even between buildings. If you have car trouble they can assist you with jumpstarts or help if you lock yourself out. They are also our campus first responders: Whether a fire alarm or a safety call, they are trained to handle it, from directing people to safe areas to providing first aid. With many safety concerns existing among us every day, it is nice to know that we can for the most part forget about it all and focus on our studies, due to the dedicated work of the Public Safety professionals on campus. All of their services they provide can be found on the Mt. Hood website, at: mhcc.edu/PublicSafety/Services/ Give it a look: You might be surprised by some of what they do. They work mostly behind the scenes and we only really see them when needed, but after becoming more aware of what they are up to, they may become more noticeable. If so, take the time to say hi, talk to them about what they do, and thank them if you ever get a chance!
A&E BRIEFS with Darcy E. Hitchcock
FILM FRIDAYS The Diversity Resource Center (DRC) will be playing movies from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays for the month of February. The films will center on commemorating African Americans and Black History month, honoring their individual struggles and triumphs.
KYMOTION WITH KYMON Mondays in February from 11a.m. to noon, the DRC will share backgrounds and discuss African-American and other students in our social and cultural worlds. All are welcome to discuss or listen to these free sessions, with new topics being introduced each time and led by Kymon Robbs of MHCC’s Student Outreach and Recruitment (SOAR) team.
“NEW JIM CROW” BOOK DISCUSSION Join in the discussion around “The New Jim Crow” book, based on the realities and imbalances among the African American community. There are a limited number of books available at the DRC, which will host discussions from 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, during the month of February.
BLACK STUDENT VOICE EVENT ASG will host a variety of black students who will share their experiences as the Black Student Voice. The event will take place in Student Union on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and refreshments will be provided.
CELEBRATE SELF-LOVE On Thursday, Feb. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Student Union, ASG is encouraging and helping students to show some self-love: With a free self-defense class being offered, as well as free roses and Valentine’s cards given on a limited basis, you can “be your own hero.”
KEVIN HART DIGS DEEP IN COMEDY-DRAMA Kurt Larson the advocate
3 out of 5 stars
Kevin Hart’s latest film has hit theaters and there’s not one “short” joke to be had this time around. “The Upside,” directed by Neil Burger, is actually a comedy-drama. Adapted from a French film of the same premise, “The Intouchables,” and based on the real life story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, a French businessman who became a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident, and his PA G E 6
caregiver, Abdel Sellou, The Upside is an Americanized telling of the original 2012 film. Hart stars as Dell, a former thief on parole, and Bryan Cranston as Philip, a wealthy quadriplegic in search of a new caregiver. The two meet during a job interview where Dell presents himself as the worst candidate for the job, but is chosen anyway by Philip. The two begin their unlikely friendship as they learn to adapt to each other and come out of their shells, while we learn more about Philip’s past and his current state of depression. While Hart has built his career
on comedy, this time there’s a little more gravitas to the story, which is refreshing to see out of a Kevin Hart movie. But don’t worry: If you’re a diehard for Hart’s comedy you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s still plenty of it throughout, although the quality of the actual humor is up for debate. Most of the drama during the course of this film is strictly portrayed by Cranston, as one might guess. As usual, his performance is pretty great and his relationship with Hart is actually pretty enjoyable to watch play out onscreen.
Hart’s dramatic performance in this film still leaves something to be desired, though, as his character is just a copy paste of your average lowlife, deadbeat dad who can’t hold a job. He will play serious, but the material he’s given here just doesn’t provide enough depth for him to really test his dramatic chops. The film as a whole functions quite well, though, aside from a few lame jokes here and there, a number of dead-end plot points, and a couple confusing scenes. There are actually a fair amount of chuckle-worthy jokes scattered throughout, and Cranston is a joy
to watch, playing surprisingly well with Hart’s character in the film. When all is said and done however, this movie is nothing special. It’s worth going to see if you’ve already seen everything else, but this is really more of a “wait till it comes to Netflix” or “rent it on Amazon” sort of film. It’s perfectly passable and you’ll get a laugh out of it, but don’t expect to remember it as anything more than that. This does make the future of Kevin Hart’s filmography more exciting, though, and it’ll be interesting to see where his next project will take him.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | NEWS
FEBRUARY 8, 2019
FIVE V-DAY FACTS THAT NO ONE ASKED FOR Mariah Getch
most notably, a contraceptive. The shape’s association with sex eventually turned into one of love. The other suggestion is actually anatomical in nature. Some have thought the shape to be a representation of breasts, buttocks, sexual organs, or an inaccurate depiction of a real heart.
the advocate
Why February 14th? Feb. 14 is the feast of St. Valentine, a Catholic saint who was executed by Roman Emperor Claudius II on that date sometime during the third century A.D. Multiple legends surround the reason for his death. The most popular one says he was a priest who married young couples after Claudius outlawed marriage for young men (apparently they were better soldiers when they weren’t romantically attached).
Roses are red... Back in the Victorian era, people expressed their emotions through floriography, or the language of flowers. Giving a certain kind of flower conveyed a specific message, and red roses meant romance. Today, they carry that same symbol of romance – and they’re really cheap.
Why do we call each other “Valentines”?
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If we were anatomically correct when we drew hearts, the result would be a complex clump of valves and muscles. While the shape we’re more familiar with is a
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What’s up with the heart shape?
lot easier to draw, no one really knows the origin of the heart shape. One possibility is that it resembles the nowextinct plant silphium. Once found in the African city-state, Cyrene, the plant was used as food coloring, a cough syrup, and
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There’s a good reason we call our sweethearts the name of a beheaded priest. Legend has it that when St. Valentine was in prison, he prayed with the daughter of one of his judges and cured her blindness. Before his execution, he wrote her a letter, signing it “From your Valentine.” Whether or not this was a romantic gesture is up for debate. Nevertheless, the signature caught on and is still used to show affection.
Life is like a box of chocolates Heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are basically a V-Day staple. If your boo didn’t get you one, is he really your boyfriend? This tradition started in the 19th century by Richard Cadbury - a scion of a british chocolate manufacturing family. Cadbury was quick to sell chocolates as part of the beloved holiday when the company established a new technique to create more varieties of the sweet.
FISHERIES STILL SWIMMING ALONG Megan Phelps the advocate
As you may recall, we reported on the MHCC Fisheries Technology department receiving fish eggs from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) during Fall Term. This is a regular occurrence for the campus department. The Advocate has been following the progress of these fish. By Nov. 7, the rainbow trout were .3 grams in weight, being fed every 30 minutes by Mt. Hood students in the program. Over the winter break, students tended to the fish, now weighing in at just about 5 grams and almost 3 inches long, a 470 percent increase in weight from just two months ago. This month, the fish are about 12 grams each, and almost 4 inches long. They are now in green circular tanks. “The water in the hatchery can be slightly heated so the fish (a cold-blooded animal) continue to grow at a good rate even if it is cold outside,” said Marla Chaney, Fisheries Technology instructor. Although we are having bad weather (the campus being closed on Tuesday), the fish still need to be tended to. At the moment the fish can miss a
day or so off from feeding, and luckily a part-time instructor lives close by to help feed if needed. The students are in three groups making management decisions to ensure they reach their legal size. Once these fish are 8 inches long, they will be ready to move into the Mt. Hood Pond, on the southwest side of campus. The fish currently being tended to on campus will likely be moved to the pond in late May. Undersized fish will be placed in the Kiwanis Pond and Camp Angelos Pond, both run elsewhere by nonprofit organizations. In conjunction with tending to the fish, Fisheries students also survey local environments for the fish. Students in instructor Todd Hanna’s Fisheries Techniques class surveyed sections of Beaver Creek last term. Sections of the creek are drawn by ODFW and all survey data collected go to ODFW for scientific research. The state ODFW usually has events in conjunction with fish being released into the pond. At the moment there are no details available for future events in May. For more information on the program: mhcc. edu/FisheriesProgramDetails/
Graphic by Sheila Embers
A graphic illustration of the life cycle of rainbow trout, a species of salmon.
PA G E 7
SPORTS
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
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SAINTS SOFTBALL
WITH JONATHAN ZACARIAS AND JULIA EMPLEO What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend? Going to the beach!
What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend? Going home to The Dalles.
What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Shower!
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Interior designer!
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Having a successful job and being able to pay my parents back for everything they’ve done so far. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Get paid to be a traveler.
MCKENZIE PIERCE
Pitcher - Sophomore Sam Barlow High School Gresham, Oregon 5’9”
If your friends can describe you in one word, what would it be? Blonde! What makes a good life? Family. What’s one thing that not a lot of people know about you? That I have a 28-pound cat... Who invented the light bulb? Paul Revere?
What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend? Going home! I drive back to Albany almost every weekend. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? A teacher.
KENNEDY JANTZI
Infielder - Sophomore West Albany High School Albany, Oregon 5’6” PA G E 8
Who inspires you to be better? My sister and my dad. What is something you can never seem to finish? A TV series! As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of? Failure. What’s one thing that not a lot of people know about you? I own over 200 pairs of shoes. What’s the second planet away from the Sun? Mars. Who invented the light bulb? James... something? Formula for the Pythagorean Theorem? Y = mx + b ?
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? A daycare worker. If your friends can describe you in one word, what would it be? Spontaneous!
What makes a good life? The people you surround yourself with.
Who inspires you to be better? My mom.
As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of? Losing good friends.
As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of? “Im fearless.”
If your friends can describe you in one word, what would it be? Funny!
What’s one thing that not a lot of people know about you? I grew up in a town that didn’t have a single stoplight.
What’s the capital of the United States? Washington, D.C.
Outfielder - Freshman The Dalles High School The Dalles, Oregon 5’8”
What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend? Spending time with my dog Milo!
Who inspires you to be better? My dad. And Coach B!
What’s the second planet away from the sun? Earth.
KATHRYN BRADFORD
Who invented the light bulb? Thomas Edison?
REBEKAH ROE
Infielder - Sophomore Pilot Rock High School Pilot Rock, Oregon 5’7” Photos by Fletcher Wold / the Advocate