The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College
April 10, 2015
Volume 50, Issue 23
the
advocate THE AUTHENTIC JESUS PAGE 5
Spreading the peace PAGE 5
Haunted author talks writing PAGE 7
Saints keep the ball rolling PAGE 12
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OPINION
April 10, 2015
Editorial | Growing up too late will only hurt us in the long run Let’s say you’re an average 21-year-old. Hypothetically, you spend your weekdays doing online research, typing a half-assed paper on Kant, and rehearsing your main talking points for a speech. You spend your weekday evenings working at a grill downtown. On the weekends, you chill with your friends or by yourself with good ol’ Netflix. Despite a seemingly well-rounded life that you rigorously maintain - if you’re like many of us - you still live at home. You survive on Wheat Thins, string cheese and your mom’s homemade lasagna. You pay some rent - only some. If the grown-up brigade came to your house at midnight tonight and said, “You have to grow up now. It’s time to figure out your own taxes, how to make a deposit or down payment on an apartment or a car, pay your bills, save for retirement, and write a resumé – would you even survive? The fact is, many twenty-somethings still live in the comforts of their childhood home. A couple decades ago, 16-year-olds couldn’t wait to drive, but more and more young adults these days are failing to find anything attractive about getting stuck in traffic on I-84 on a Friday night. In that respect, should we be blamed? Should we be blamed for the fact that life is constantly an overwhelming race to succeed and triumph?
Emily Wintringham the advocate
We know that modern life is a game of telephone. You tell something to someone and the message gets distorted each time it is retold. We see discrepancies as a fallacy. We have decided as a culture that adaptations or varying accounts to stories mean the story in its entirety is obsolete. Yet, I strongly think the over-fixation to minute, straightforward details is the reason behind why we misinterpret. For example, the reason why I believe we misinterpret biblical stories is because we treat them like digital records, when in-fact they were at first, oral
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class to do something mysteriously sophisticated. The rest of us wondered: What is it like to be “Talented and Gifted?” So those in charge brutally invest in the best of us, and figure the rest are deadbeats. It’s no wonder so many young adults have lost hope. The thing about life, though, is we have to start somewhere. Nothing will happen if we never try – guaranteed. The future lies in our hands.
Anonymous Student, Philosophy
Sam Krause Omar Morante
Ad Manager David Ahlson
Copy Editor Hayden Hunter
Photo Editor Beka Haugen
Aurora Angeles
Nicky NicholsonKlingerman
News Editor Hayden Hunter
Video Editors Aurora Angeles Thomas Stewart
Advisers Howard Buck, Dan Ernst Bob Watkins
Lifestyle Editor Adam Elwell
Peter Woodford Student, General Studies
trivia. Come to think of it, it’s no wonder they call the popular app “Trivia crack” - those small, increment studs of information are like short bursts of pleasure, like spurts of endorphins. But are they fulfilling, or long-lasting? Absolutely not; most lose to their friends because they quickly forget who the coach of the Indianapolis Colts is, anyway. Facts don’t reach into the supernatural, the mysterious, and the deep fabrics of the human soul. The soul is infinite while mere observations are finite. I agree that relying entirely on our emotions and perceptions is dangerous,
Reporters
Graphic Designers Heather Golan Shawnie Fortune
“His authentic message is pretty simple. It’s love. If someone asks you for a cloak, you give them another.”
SUCCESS
Sports Editor Brandon Raleigh
David Ahlson Gustavo Bulderas Will Darkins Ivy Davis Isaiah Ishman
Steve Olson Alex Seymour Antonio Pineda
What do you think Jesus Christ’s authentic message was?
“The Golden Rule. Treat others how you want to be treated. Take out all the messages that prejudiced people say and you get love.”
The demise of “deep” tradition. It was okay back then to have a different language or account of the happenings, so long as one didn’t stray from the purpose or lesson of the story. The question asked during ancient times wasn’t so much Who, What, When, Where? Instead, it was mostly Why? In a conversation, have you ever gotten so lost into the details of someone’s story that you don’t remember why he or she told it, or what he or she wanted you to take from it? That’s a listening crime we commonly commit. It’s no wonder poetry is getting buried alive in the mounds of superficial facts and
Chat with Barney
Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
Editor-in-Chief Greg Leonov
Opinion Editor Emily Wintringham
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Is it really our fault that we are hesitant to enter into another matrix in which we’ve observed the pain, disappointment, and failure that our parents and grandparents had to face? During the recent recession, we saw fully competent adults with educated backgrounds be laid off and wind up on the littered streets - their matted hair blown by the same oxygen that the fortunate elite breathes. We believe “kids just want to be lazy” is too simplistic an answer, or rather, a misguided assumption. We are, indeed, afraid. Afraid that no matter what we put up front, we’re going to lose it all. Afraid that no matter to whom we put our trust, they will shatter it. Afraid that no matter how soon we start, we will never finish. We have lost trust in ourselves. The generation before us has lost confidence in us. In fact, so much that they teach us everything we need for a diploma because that’s how far they presume we’ll get. Rewind back to third grade, when people in the “TAG” program got to get out of regular
E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate
Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030
“For me, I don’t know enough about it to make assumptions.” Anonymous
chatwithbarney@gmail.com but relying solely on facts and logic is dangerous because logic is limited to our dimensions, our senses, and our universal laws. There are so many miraculous things to be sensed and revelations to discover that we aren’t aware of, because we only get skin- deep. It’s okay, you may think I’m fanatical. I give you permission.
The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC. Cover graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
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OPINION
April 10, 2015
Column | Glancing at Superman; a beacon of hope to all “You “Our don’t group have of to friends be are perfect, prettyas diverse.” long as you believe in a faith that you know in the end Garcia you’reAlex saved. Your soul will go to a better place.”
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“Superman is character who quite literally is all of the best of humanity without any of the vices.”
Aaron Grimes General Studies “The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Gordon Jermann Business Transfer student “Love one another. Always.” Angie Anderson Work-study for Diversity Resource Center
“I’m going to be spending the rest of my days trying to figure that one out.”
Web photo
Mary Burlingame Bookeeper of of Student Life
Hayden Hunter
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Correction: In last week’s issue of The Advocte, the fake horoscopes on page 4 weren’t clearly marked as such. They were in no way meant to be serious. The Advocate regrets any confusion. If any concerns arise, please contact the Advocate as soon as possible. We are located in room 1369 in the Integrated Media building.
Superman is what all people and other heroes should aspire to be. In an earlier, misguided column, a fellow Advocate editor said that Superman is lacking “depth” or “integrity.” I find this laughable if you truly understand the Man of Steel’s full story. Coming from a dying world, far surpassing Earth in its evolutionary progression, Kal-El lost his entire race moments after his birth, and then was literally thrust into a completely different world. He had no identity, no name, no thing to call his own except for the fabric in his “lifeboat” and the undying love of longdead parents. He was then found and raised by a childless couple who loved him as their own in a small farming community. He grew up embracing All-American values that were propagandized during World War II and the 1950s. He quite literally was the definition of integrity at the time, and remains so now. A lot
of people say that he represents a walking advertisement. I would have to agree. I just wish more people could interpret the message accurately. He isn’t there to just keep our kids distracted, he is there to teach our children a better way of life. A way of life that we could only aspire to, that they can still actually achieve. It was also expressed in the previous column that fondness for an “illegal alien/felon” was concerning. While ignoring the facetious “felon” comment, I would explain that at the conception of the comic book genre, Superman was heavily influenced by the Jewish writers who were trying to find hope in an otherwise hopeless period of time. I would also point out that in contrast to the Caped Crusader, (nevermind the creepy religious undertones) Superman is guided not by the ideals of revenge, but rather true Justice. Universal justice, unprejudiced justice, the Justice that all things can embrace, a Justice that embraces those who are prevented or disallowed from embracing it. These people, at their most desperate hour of need, turned to their imagination to create a monument to truth, honesty, and bravery: Superman, their beacon of hope.
The one thing that I do agree with our Lifestyle Editor on is that we shouldn’t judge the DC Universe superheroes based solely upon their powers. We should be including their character and actions in our judgment. Let’s try that for a second, shall we? Superman is a character who quite literally is all of the best of humanity without any of the vices. He sees this negative in humankind, and instead of turning his back on it, he strives to help civilization stand alongside him. Another problem people have with Superman is that they feel that he isn’t relatable. In a book I recently read about Superman’s childhood called “It’s Superman,” Tom De Haven describes Kal-El’s early childhood growing up in Kansas. It is a riveting piece that shows the humanity of Superman through his early-teen life. He struggles alongside humanity, just like humanity through his formative years. He fights, he loves, he hopes, he even overcomes what pains him. What is more human than that? Should humanity be defined by what planet someone comes from, or the moral/immoral principles of their character?
Graphic by Shawnie Fortune - the advocate
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NEWS
April 10, 2015
Philosophy instructors discuss Jesus’ message
Greg Leonov the advocate
What is Jesus’ actual message, and his true intention? That’s the focus of MHCC philosophy instructors John Hasenjaeger and Chris Jackson, hosting a series titled “Authentic Jesus” that kicked off this week and is scheduled to continue each Monday at noon in Room 1609, through all of spring term. Hasenjaeger has been teaching at Mt. Hood for 17 years, and has been a minister at the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 27 years. He describes himself as a “non-evangelical Presbyterian,” or “liberal.” Being a minister, Hasenjaeger said Jesus is central to how he views the world. “It’s ... important to me to take a fresh look at that and figure out who this guy is,” he said during the series’ introductory session. He gave a broad definition of people who identify as Christians: “people who think they’re followers of
Jesus.” To be a Christian, it is important “to know who he (the historical figure of Jesus) was, what he was like.” He is in favor of using critical thinking and logic to understand Jesus’ message. When reading The Gospels (the first four books on the story of Jesus in The New Testament – the second part of Christian Bibles), it was clear to Hasenjaeger that John’s gospel “was of a different character from the first three” – the so-called ‘synoptic gospels.’ He said he believes that the primary data about Jesus’ message and mission are more accurately reported in the first three gospels. Synoptic means seeing or looking together. The first three gospels are similar, and tell the same stories, sometimes almost verbatim, said Hasenjaeger. Similarities between the three gospels and their differences from the gospel of John are known as “‘the synoptic problem,’ or ‘the synoptic puzzle’ which is, ‘Why is this?’ ” The most common answer is called “the four-source theory.” The gospel attributed to Mark “is almost entirely mirrored in Matthew and Luke,” which led to the theory that Mark was written much earlier than Matthew and Luke, which used material from Mark.
The authors of the Matthew and Luke gospels also used similar material that Mark doesn’t have, so scholars agree there must be another gospel in existence used source material. This gospel is dubbed “Q,” which is short for the German word Quelle, meaning “source.” According to Hasenjaeger, there is no evidence of a physical Q gospel, but information in Matthew and Luke that isn’t in Mark is very similar, and scholars agree that there must have been additional sources. Chris Jackson, full-time philosophy instructor and Social Sciences department chairman, shared his personal history. He dropped out of high school to “make it big” in a rock band, but got nervous when things were going well, he said, and decided to be a Christian after reading a book titled “The Late Great Planet Earth” that was recommended by a friend’s mother. “I was gonna witness. I was gonna go back to school and be a Christian apologist – someone who defends the faith,” Jackson said. “But then I decided finally that I wanted to look into this stuff on my own, (and) not just do the confirmation bias and read people who believe what I believe, but read their opponents as well. “It was a bad idea because in doing that, over about a year or so, I slowly kind of read myself out of being a Christian.” Jackson discuss the way people wrote before the enlightenment. “It was okay to write with a pseudonym. It was okay to make up stories where maybe it wasn’t exactly what was said, but ‘This is something that is sort of
in the tradition’ – you could imagine that Jesus said something like this. “The gospel of Mark is kind of mundane – Jesus fails. Sometimes he can’t heal people. Jesus curses a fig tree, and it takes a while for that tree to die. You get to the gospel of Matthew - you just touch Jesus’ garment and you can be saved; when he curses that fig tree, it’s out of there, at that moment.” Jackson noted that Mark’s account of the resurrection isn’t very dramatic. “They’re just told by somebody in white, not even mentioned specifically as being an angel.” During and immediately after the time of Jesus, culture lived primarily by oral tradition, not written. “These people were illiterate. These are people who are one bad day of fishing away from servitude,” said Jackson. It made sense that people remembered things that were short, possibly controversial, and easy to understand, he said. “If (Jesus) was here, if someone asked him what the kingdom of God was like, I can imagine him saying, ‘The kingdom of God is like cancer that takes root in one organ, and slowly works its way throughout the entire body.’ I can imagine that because that’s something that you would remember,” said Jackson. He will continue the series using a method called “the Jesus seminar” in which he will have a list of criteria by which he will assess the gospels. The sessions are open to anyone, and everyone may participate or give a presentation at some point if they wish.
Student finance council finally agrees on budget Emily Wintringham the advocate
Meeting for another 80 minutes, the cocurricular programs of the Student Finance Council reconvened on Wednesday and approved the student budget for the second, and final time. An accounting zero balance was finally achieved through collaborative measures. Fresh replacements were said to contribute to programs putting aside their differences and initiating “fair cuts.” There was more: Phil LePoivden replaced Chris Josi as representative for Forensics; Associated Student Government Vice President Cristian Urzua replaced ASG President Alma Pacheco for ASG Administration; and Itan Altamirano replaced Yen Ton for Rho Theta. Ashley Gass, ASG director of finance, said Altamirano credited the replacements and said that the “new people around the table helped
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with eliminating the hostility.” Gass started the meeting by addressing the behaviors that stagnated decisions of the previous meetings. “I will start off by emphasizing that we’re not targeting any specific person. We’re not targeting any specific program,” she said. She made clear that “A shared sacrifice is where each program comes together and makes a cut that will not potentially hurt their program from running efficiently and accurately. Some programs will be able to cut more than others.” Gass then posed a question to both Forensics and Perceptions (magazine). She wanted to know from Perceptions why they could not hold their award ceremony at a cheaper venue than at Edgefield McMenamin’s. She wanted to know why Forensics could not contribute more, considering they had a little over $1,200 in their budget left unspent at the end of the year and a larger amount in their incentive account that had also been untouched. The concept that has driven the decision
to re-think the budget was that of a “shared sacrifice” but it was expressed by David Sussman, MHCC manager for the Student Union and specialized student services, that everyone viewed that concept differently. “The goal is that we’re serving the greater good. And by that I mean that it is easy to get locked into a perspective that leans toward self-serving goals,” Sussman said. “However, that’s not what the student fee budget is about. It’s not about individual needs or individual programs. Rather, it’s about what’s in the best interest of all MHCC students.” The Council agreed to split the remaining $140 (deficit) between all programs, which was $14 among 10 programs. KMHD2 and Rho Theta had reached their limit and Forensics representative, LePoivden, offered to cut $38 for both groups. At the end, inspired by the spirit of cooperation, Sussman decided to pull $102 from an undesignated student fund, and exempt the other programs, while Forensics
made a $38 cut. “Once the spirit of collaboration entered into the proceedings, it felt natural to contribute to that collaboration,” Sussman said. Athletics took a lot less time for a decision, because that group was working with a small funding surplus instead of a small deficit. According to Sussman, Athletics had to reconvene for formality, not so much because it needed to. The reconvening was a result of co-curricular’s concerns during the open budget forums, he explained. “You can’t reject just half the budget,” he said. Sussman did expect that a motion would be raised, that would be like: “I motion for the same budget approved last term.” That didn’t happen. Instead, Kim Hyatt, MHCC athletics director, suggested a new idea: to fund an Athletics strength and conditioning coach, who would start July 1. The idea was well-received by the Athletics representatives and they adjusted their budget accordingly.
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NEWS
April 10, 2015
CAYA brings 22 foreign exchange students to MHCC Hayden Hunter the advocate
This spring, 22 foreign exchange students will come to Mt. Hood to expand their leadership skills in a special, ecology-based program. The Central American Youth Abroad (CAYA) program will bring students from five different countries – Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic – to the U.S. to study leadership and other ways they can help their home communities. According to Nikki Gillis, International Scholarship programs coordinator at Mt. Hood, the CAYA program is a special partnership between the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Youth Programs Division, Georgetown University’s Center for Intercultural Education and Development, and MHCC. A handful of other American colleges and universities also participate in CAYA, but this will be a new venture for Mt. Hood – which will soon see its SEED program, which has brought many Latin American students to Gresham, end with the loss of federal funding. These visitors will not be the first group of foreign students to come through Mt. Hood’s
campus this year. Back in January, Gillis hosted 25 students from five different countries for one week. Looking ahead, Gillis said, “It’s a really short program, but it is a pretty packed week, full of workshops and activities.” The CAYA workshops include varying subjects, but are centered around leadership and community engagement, Gillis said. “We do the whole rock climbing and team-building experiences, we’ll take them to see the Rose Garden (in Portland)... and a tour of the Columbia River Gorge, so they get to see the beautiful environment in which we live,” she said. Later, during July, three David Douglas High School students and a mentor will head south as part of a Youth Ambassadors Program linked to Mt. Hood’s CAYA connection. Gillis said the CAYA actitivies will be these foreign students’ first time in the United States. While here, they will have the chance to connect with nonprofit organizations such as Trash For Peace and Agua Pura para la Vida (“pure water is life”). Trash For Peace re-uses excess materials instead of throwing them in the garbage. Agua Pura para la Vida is an international organization that goes to rural communities throughout Central and South America and helps educate residents on water
The recycling bin that the previous group of CAYA students created in January.
safety and how to obtain clean water. She said this is particularly important to students. “They are awesome, and do tons of good things in the community” upon their return, she said of the visitors. Follow-up surveys show that “one of the highlights for many, many students was living with the (American) host family and seeing what getting to see what life was like living in another place,” said Gillis.
Photo by Beka Haugen, the advocate
Gillis is seeking host families in Gresham-Portland for the 22 students coming May 26 to June 1. Homes offered need to be safe, and place where students can be welcomed, she said. “Students don’t necessarily speak English, so Spanish-speaking homes are helpful.” For full host family requirements, and more information on the CAYA program, please email Gillis at Nikki.Gillis@MHCC.edu.
Oregon Peace Conference to be brought to MHCC Hayden Hunter the advocate
It’s been 40 years since the start of the tragic Killing Fields massacres in Cambodia, an anniversary Mt Hood will recognize by hosting the second annual Oregon Peace Conference on April 17. Roseann Kennett, adviser to MHCC’s TRIO program, is in charge of running the conference and exhibit this year. “It’s a pretty full packed day, it’s going to be really good,”
said Kennett. The conference is open all day, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The exhibit will be on display on both the 16th and 17th. The exhibit and conference are free for Mt. Hood students and staff, but conference officials are asking for a $5 donation from community members, considering this entire event has no budget support. Kennett predicts a visit will be worth everyone’s while, having arranged an impressive lineup of speakers.
Graphics by Shawnie Fortune - the advocate
The event will start with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. The conference kicks off at 9 a.m., with an introduction and dedication ceremony by a panel of students from MHCC, Maitripa College, Portland Community College, and WSU-Vancouver; a Quaker peace program intern also will be there. After the dedication, two doctors will talk about nonviolent communication and its method, as pioneered by Marshall Rosenberg. An Interactive Theater will event will follow, hosted by Marcia McReynolds, an improv and playback actress. “She is going to teach the principles of nonviolence using theater. It’ll be fun,” Kennett said. The International Sufi school of Peace and Service is giving a couple of sessions. One is “Nonviolence is a Choice: the Initiatory Way to Peace,” and the other is an “Eco Peace Seminar” based on teaching people sustainable agriculture and how to sell their products. A Cambodian genocide survivor will give a personal dedication to the Killing Fields victims, and then hold his own session for guests who wish to hear his testimony. Rachel Hestmark, another speaker, was a
victim of human trafficking for most of her teen years but finally got out at the age of 19. According to Kennett, she will talk about her “experiences of healing and forgiveness, that got her where she is today.” There will be a group leading the universal dances of peace, which are multicultural dances from many different traditions, with live music. “You don’t need to know how to dance; they are really simple dances,” said Kennett. Mt. Hood’s own Heather White, library technical services coordinator, is going to do a session on mindfulness. The day will end with free food samples given out during the edible landscapes session. Many of the selected speakers were inspired by comments from the Arun Gandhi event held at MHCC on Jan. 22. Kennett said that after Gandhi presented the Mahatma’s message, “People kept asking, ‘How do we practice this in this crazy world of violence?’ This (the conference) is kind of giving people the tools to practice it in their lives. “With all the negative things going on in the world we need reminders of some of the good things,” she said.
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LIFESTYLE
April 10, 2015
Ninja Nation tour comes Weakly Horoscopes* to Portland, delivers Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)- Sing with me: And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man on the moon. When you comin’ home, Dad I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then . You know we’ll have a good time then. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20)- Tattoo a haiku on your forehead to achieve world peace. Any one will do. Aries (March 21 - April 19)- You are a beautiful spirit. You truly care about what is on the inside, and you discover the universe inside your companions’ eyes, just like Bob Saget. Taurus (April 20 - May 20)- Unleaded fuel paid off. You’ve now reached nirvana intended for cars hovering during transit. Gemini (May 21 - June 20)- One morning in the near future you will wake up to joy incarnate. Prepare for the ascension; the hour of Zaltaq is at hand! Cancer (June 21 - July 22)- You can’t make any wrong decisions, you are perfect. In fact, that’s how you got to where you are in life: making perfect decisions and always being a great person. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)- Mercury approaches its diurnal solstice, which makes jogging to a loop of babies’ giggling greatly beneficial to you. Sprinting would be extra credit. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)- Floating motionless in room-temperature water is the quickest way to reset your mind. That and auditing; check your Thetan level before it checks you. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)- The balance you seek was achieved long ago, blink twice after every sneeze to inprove coordination. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)- Repeat this mantra to yourself while meditating: “Here. Listen. Plywood.” Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)- Forget serendipity: You are a rainbow. Every time you open your mouth this week you will impart a profound knowledge on the key to happiness to whomever is in earshot. Now is the time to write a self-help book. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 )- It may seem improbable, but don’t let those naysayers affect you, shoot for the stars. Remember- ankle bracelets are quite stylish, just ask George Clooney. * Just for fun and not to be taken seriously, seriously.
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whereas Datsik is way more dubstep. I love it when a mixture of EDM artists tour together. The variation in the sound is very much appreciated. ETC!ETC! got the The Ninja Nation tour came to Portland recently, crowd hyped, excited, and beyond ready for Datsik. The curtain lifted and we all went apesh*t for Datsik. and delivered so much bass. On March 28, fellow Advocate writer Hayden Aside from the sick intro, confetti flying everywhere, Hunter and I made our way down to the Roseland and refreshing mist, I was immediately intrigued by the Theater to attend a Datsik show. We were far from vortex he was performing in. I had seen pictures of it prepared for the bass that was about to come our way, online, but seeing it on stage was mesmerizing. Datsik performed in the middle of but did we enjoy every minute of the “Vortex Lumen,” which the show and maybe go a little too is essentially an enormous hard? Yes! circular contraption that has After attending many shows Aside from the sick amazing graphics projected at the Roseland, I found this show intro, confetti flying on it throughout the show. somehow different. We arrived Whoever designed his early, which is new to me because everywhere, and motion graphics deserves an I never get to EDM (Electronic refreshing mist, I was A+, because they were sick! Dance Music) shows early. Since immediately intrigued Datsik has a very futuristic this was Hayden’s first EDM show, sound and the bass was we arrived promptly at 7 p.m. by the vortex he was bumpin’! One of the perks of arriving early performing in. Mid-show, I turned over was that we got a 21+ stamp to to look at Hayden. We smiled, go upstairs and back down as we pleased. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it made the gave each other two thumbs-up, and continued to rage. experience so much better. Usually there’s a super-long When it was finally time to leave, I felt so happy and line mid-show to go upstairs, and waiting in it is such a energized. The whole crowd had this lively vibe and everyone was coming together (literally). buzzkill. Music has always brought people together and you I have seen ETC!ETC! many times at EDM music festivals, so it was an awesome surprise when they can’t help but live in the moment and enjoy the show. started performing. How could I not notice they were Fair to say, we really enjoyed Datsik’s performance. opening for Datsik? Silly me! But it doesn’t matter It’s not just dubtep, pretty lights, and crowds of sweaty because I automatically recognized their electro house people: It’s everyone letting go and coming together to sound and started dancing immediately. ETC!ETC!’s enjoy an amazing visually, bass-heavy performance by one of the best. sound is nothing like Datsik. ETC!ETC! has more of a pop-electronic sound,
Aurora Angeles
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LIFESTYLE
April 10, 2015
Chasing Hope Dorothy Allison, national book award winner and lesbian/feminist poet visits Mt. Hood to read from an unpublished story.
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
David Ahlson the advocate
S
he came to the podium slowly. She looked tired, an aging woman who carried far too heavy a burden for far too long, with a slight limp acquired after a life hard-lived and a recent illness that almost robbed her of life. Then she opened her mouth. The sweet drawl of the Southern, honey-coated language that in her own words, “can take the shine off your teeth,” poured forth into the room. If the 150-plus people in the audience on Wednesday doubted that great things come in small packages, Dorothy Allison gladly jacked their worldview. The very human figure of the
great writer is amplified in her gritty, downin-the-dirt style. She pulls no punches, and makes very clear that she has been the punching bag more than her fair share of times. The critically acclaimed author of “Bastard out of Carolina,” Allison read from an as-yet unpublished story in which she, in her own authentic Southern style, again emphasizes to us that humanity is the one thing which can bring all people together, regardless of socio-economic class, creed, sexuality, or any other kind of diversity. “I am a story. I am an animal. Story is everything!” she said, urging the audience members not to underestimate their own stories. For the myriad of what Allison endearingly calls “baby writers,” the words of advice she
gives are simple and salty. “Politicians and ‘They’ hate those of us on the margins. They are scared of us...but you know what? They aren’t scared enough,” she told the crowd. “Your job is to make them more scared. Your job is to scare them bad enough to remember that they cannot divide us into the Useful and the Disposable. NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!” When an audience member asked what her greatest inspiration was, Allison replied, “I taught baby writers to chase fear... I told them to go where the fear is, because that is where you grow. I am afraid that I might have f*cked them up. I once thought that fear was where you go to write. It was my greatest inspiration. I learned that hope is greater. Hope will take
you places that fear cannot ever go.” When interviewed after the reading, Allison said that one of our culture’s greatest needs is for burgeoning writers to tackle the difficult stories. “We need writers to tell the stories that nobody else will. Only by challenging ourselves to tell those stories will we ever be able to advance past the challenges that spawned them,” she said. Ultimately, the experience was one of the most evocative that Mt. Hood has provided in the Mouths of Others Speaker series, staged in the Visual Arts Theatre. Jimmy Santiago Baca, a former convict and award-winning poet, along with Deborah Jiang-Stein, author of “Prison Baby: a Memoir,” are next scheduled to appear together as the series continues on May 8.
‘Othello’ comes to MHCC theater this spring Ivy Davis
the advocate A cast and crew of over 20 students are working to bring Shakespeare’s “Othello” to life on May 21, the opening night for Mt. Hood’s spring term theater production. Mace Archer, MHCC theatre’s artistic director, described “Othello” as “one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.” The production follows the character Othello, a “(colored) general who ascends to a position of power in a white culture.” Though the story has themes of racism and love, it’s mainly about jealousy and power. The main character of the production is not actually Othello, despite its title.
Iago is Othello’s third-in-command who is looked over for a promotion. Jealous anger sparks Iago into action as “he sets out to destroy Othello,” Archer said, explaining the play’s wreckage in the end. “The fun of the play is Iago,” said Archer. Everyone loves Iago because “he is conniving, deceitful, lying – he uses everybody.” MHCC’s rendition of “Othello” will include masks. “Early on in the production we decided that we’re not only going to produce “Othello,” but we (also) wanted our students to experience using masks in a play,” Archer said From time to time in the play, Iago will set up something and turn to the audience, Archer said. When actors remove their masks, they’re sharing their character’s true
thoughts. Not only do the actors get experience with masks, the audience gets to always be in on the secrets. Student actors had to submit to a threepart process of casting their face in order to produce the mask seen in the play. Ian Booth will wear a mask with an enlarged brow to show a strong and fierce warrior, being Othello, Archer noted. “Iago, even though he’s an awful evil person, will look very happy because he’s a liar,” he said. It’s not only actors spending significant time on the play, however. A group of set designers, costume designers, sound designers and light designers are all working on the production. The play “really only has one adult,” professional designer Megan Wilkerson, said Archer. She
is responsible for the stage set design everyone will see at the play. A mix of cement walls and chain fences will show the audience that MHCC’s rendition of “Othello” is not set in the 1600s. The play will be in the Studio Theater rather than the large College Theater. “So, we’ve got this giant-scale play with all of these big themes and it’s in this little intimate theater, Archer said, excitedly. The front row audience will be roughly 5 feet from the action. MHCC offers many theatrical fields of study. There are classes and workshops for performing and technical design. Archer always welcomes students wanting to help with productions. Of course, all are welcome to come see “Othello.”
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the advocate
LIFESTYLE
April 10, 2015
DBZ saga takes curious turn
TO 5 SONGS
Each week the advocate supplies you with our top five songs for your playlist. Since Rand Paul announced his canidacy this week, here are five songs that make you want to yell ‘Murica!’ out of your truck window.
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FREE BIRD | LYNYRD SKYNYRD
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BORN IN THE USA | BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
3 Web Photo
Adam Elwell the advocate
Yes, I’m about to rant about Dragon Ball Z. If that doesn’t float your boat, find another story, but for those of you who grew up with theses characters, the newest movies should be of at least mild interest to you. If not, it’s always fun to look at weird words – which there will be a lot of. The latest feature film to be released in theaters, “Battle of the Gods,” is an interesting departure and homage to previous sagas within DBZ, and directly affects the series’ next installment, “Resurrection of (Frieza),” for which promos were just leaked. I remember commenting to a friend before the release of BOG that I didn’t have to see it to know what would happen, since the series has been so formulaic. The movie would open with a shot of life on Earth and all our favorite characters and their currently hunky-dory lives, maybe then introduce a new minor character, then cut to the new bad guy. They meet
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Goku, Goku loses the first half of the battle, and right when you think he’s going to lose, he finds some new way to hulk out and saves the day, while still never maliciously eliminating the antagonist. Or so I thought. During BOG (SPOILER ALERT) Goku lost. No ifs, ands, or buts. The antagonist does concede though, that Goku and company are just too cool/nice to destroy, and continues on their merry way. I’ll admit that, even if this ending isn’t immediately desirable for one film, it does benefit the series as a whole, because now the audience can have a slightly more legitimate fear that Goku might lose, which would keep audiences marginally closer to the edge of their seats. Which brings us up to speed on “Resurrection,” in which Frieza returns. I know, it took me a minute, too. Try to curb your excitement to a mild frenzy, however, since I still have more to say. The latest promos, published on the twentieth issue cover of Japanese magazine “Shonen
Jump,” feature Goku and Frieza duking it out in their newest “forms.” For those of you not familiar with the series, I know, I sound like I’m paraphrasing the ramblings of a homeless person right now; just Google “Super Saiyan” if you need to know. Disclaimer aside, you’re not going to want to miss this one. Goku achieves “Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan,” as it’s being referred to in the canon, which is as freaking sweet as it is redundant. After having checked off natural shades of human hair to connote Goku’s elevated superhero status, the producers decided to go with blue this time. Goku’s hair is a pale metallic blue- almost white. Not sure how I feel about that. Oh yeah, and Frieza’s alive, apparently, which shouldn’t be entirely surprising since he did have a brief cameo during the showdown with Majin Buu where he spectated from some version of Hell. And in case you didn’t have eyes, he’s gold. Which clearly means he has more power, in the same way flame decals make pickup trucks faster.
WE’RE AN AMERICAN BAND | GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
RAGGED OLD FLAG | JOHNNY CASH
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AMERICAN PIE | DON MCLEAN
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the advocate
NEWS
April 10, 2015
MHCC GSA’s mission is to combat homophobia Greg Leonov the advocate
Mt. Hood Community College’s GayStraight Alliance (GSA) works to make all students feel accepted and welcomed regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The organization’s job is to fight homophobia, and to ensure that LGBTQAI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning, asexual/ally, intersex, and individuals who identify their sexuality or gender in other ways) students have the same opportunities as everyone else, according to Emma Jacobson, president of the Mt. Hood GSA. “In our constitution it says to combat homophobia and represent equality in the school,” said Jacobson. “We’re just trying to represent sexual minorities and the other gender minorities and we try to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities as everyone else to be happy and successful.” GSA has evolved through the year to become more of a support group for LGBTQAI+ individuals. Last fall, the group spent most of
its time planning for events, but as their planning skills improved, members turned their focus to help those that needed support. “We’re not so new anymore,” said Jacobson about progress the group has made refocusing its priorities. “We check in with people, make sure they’re okay, make sure they don’t need anything.” If an individual needs support or resources, GSA works to provide whatever is possible to make sure individuals succeed in their academic environment, she said. On May 14, GSA will put on a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “We’re using it as our main promotion for the universal bathrooms which are up in the 3000 level” of the Academic Center, said Jacobson. “Nobody knows where they are and where to find them, and I just think it’s a very important thing to tell people that they’re there for transgender people who want to go and not have to worry about which bathroom is which.” The bathrooms are located above the MHCC Library, and GSA found that it took about four minutes to reach a gender-neutral
bathroom. “...Which is not a long time, but if you’re rushing in between classes, and you don’t know where it is... it’s hard to find,” said Jacobson. Currently, GSA is working with the Associated Student Government (ASG) to get add a few gender-neutral bathrooms in more areas on campus. On May 16, members from GSA will head to Linn-Benton Community College in Albany for the OSERA (Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance) symposium to listen to talks about LGBTQAI+ rights, participate in workshops, and to network. After an organizational struggle and slow start this academic year, the Mt. Hood group has improved its communication and structure. “It’s a really good community to be in – everyone is really accepting of everything,” said Jacobson. “You can come and talk about anything.” GSA meetings are held 1 to 2 p.m. on Mondays in the ASG Council chambers, and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Diversity Resource Center.
Photo by Neka Haugen - the advocate
Emma Jacobson hanging the GSA’s flag in the ASG Council chambers.
Max Dashu recognizes powerful, historical women Emily Wintringham
the advocate
Max Dashu, the founder of Suppressed Histories Archives, paid a visit to MHCC on March 20. Students and faculty alike crowded the Student Union to hear about historical women in power, from around the globe. The AAUW (American Association of University Women) chapter and Mt. Hood’s humanities department sponsored the event. After Angie Andersen, AAUW chapter president and student worker for the Diversity Resource Center, and Lindsay Patino welcomed the audience, Dashu jumped into her presentation. Slide after slide she presented covered various women leaders, liberators, shamans, and icons. Many slides revealed statues and monuments that prove the historical recognition of powerful women, in several civilizations. Dashu broke down the two different sects of society: patriarchs and matriarchs. Patriarchal societies are vastly maledominated. Males rule, and the lineage and inheritance are in their honor. In matriarchal societies, however – which are more prevalent than westerners realize – women are the leaders and the most important sex of ancient civilizations. Even some patriarchal societies recognized women as key, vital figures that hold the community together. Many of the slides showed female breasts, which in ancient times were a sign of power and fertility, whereas
now most people view them sexually. Dashu stressed on women being influential in trade, in religious rituals, and even in battle, such as the Greek Amazons. In ancient societies, women were the founders of nations and kingdoms. In the presentation, she said, “Another really dramatic example of female founders comes from the Sahara; the Tuareg or the Amulet people talk about Tin Hinan and she is the founder of their nation who journeyed from Morroco all the way to central Sahara and there is a tomb of hers that dates to about the fourth century which has been excavated. The French actually confiscated all of the stuff
but she was still revered through all those centuries since and remembered oral tradition as a female founder. “Orature is an important concept ... instead of literature, you’ve got oral tradition,” Dashu continued. “There’s sort of a colonial disrespect for oral tradition of the Moari in the Pacific and all these nations but they have histories that have been authenticated. Just as the biblical oral histories were later written down, (oral traditions) contain pieces of information that have been authenticated by archeology.” The Suppressed Histories Archives illuminate these oral traditions, legends, and archeology that haven’t been regularly taught.
Photo by Emily Wintringham - the advocate
As Dashu explained early on, when we think of kings, religious leaders, soldiers, or any great historical icon, we picture men. These discoveries challenge the western idea that women have always been subservient to men. Andy Gurevich, Mt. Hood humanities instructor, and Melinda Bullin, director of the DRC, played a crucial part in bringing Dashu to campus. “Basically, I started following her on Facebook,” said Gurevich. “We kinda developed a rapport over the last couple years. I met with Melinda and started talking about what we could do. He noted that the teamwork with the DRC could help bring other stimulating campus visitors. “I really think the collaborations between different departments are a sign of health for the college because it adds to the effectiveness to the events,” he said. Gurevich credited Dashu as being an amazing activist. “I call her the Howard Zinn of feminism. I think she was for feminist issues as Zinn was for class and race issues.” Bullen also celebrated the event. “When we learned about Max Dashu and her expertise with histories that have been lost or hidden by dominant groups (who are the writers of history!), we jumped at the chance for her to present on women who have led, conquered and changed the world,” said Bullin. “It was also a great program to celebrate Women’s History Month.”
Lindsay Patino and Max Dashu standing by one of her posters in the Student Union.
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the advocate
NEWS
April 10, 2015
Nutshell News Board talks A groovy night for the Auction tuition Increase Omar Morante the advocate
Adam Elwell the advocate
“Choices and Sustainability” was the theme to the April MHCC District board meeting, held on Wednesday, according to Mt. Hood President Debbie Derr. Choices, as in choices provided for students, and further options concerning the budget and sustainability, as in keeping the school open. In her address to the board, Derr said, “I think this is a particularly important budget (for the 2015-16 academic year), as we head into our 50 years of operation, and one that reflects a commitment to making the right choices for the future of the college. “It is my goal to continue to move the college as rapidly as possible away from being reactionary in its decision making towards a position of being strategic, forward thinking, and committed to the success of our students, faculty, staff, and larger community in every choice we make,” she said. After observing a moment of silence to honor recently deceased former MHCC board member Roger McDowell, the board got down to brass tacks. Most concerns about the budget addressed by the board are banking on a predicted 6.5% drop in MHCC enrollment for next year. Predictions are typically based on unemployment rates in East Multnomah County, as well as enrollment trends. People are less likely to opt for higher education if they’re employed already. Even though enrollment declined further than predictions for winter and spring term this year, Derr announced proudly that there would be no employee layoffs this year – as opposed to a year ago. Student tuition rates are likely to increase, however. If the MHCC board made budget reductions under consideration right now, students could see a tuition increase of 3.8 percent per credit hour for 2015-16. Board member Jim Zordich offered a possible option that would include a failsafe – essentially writing two budget plans: one if the Oregon Legislature doesn’t boost the amount of state funding for community colleges, which would likely include the tuition increase, and another, less-frugal version of the budget if state funding is boosted.
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The Mt. Hood Community College Foundation’s annual auction will take place on Saturday, April 25, at the Red Lion Hotel on the River (Jantzen Beach). The fundraiser has happened every year since 1969 and expectations are high. This year, the goal is to raise over $200,000 at the event. MHCC has reached a record $100,000 in sponsorships this year alone, and that could grow to $300,000 if the auction goal is achieved – not counting the other Mt. Hood fundraisers. The Foundation distributes $300,000 in student aid annually. The main purpose of the auction is to raise funds from MHCC’s alumni to provide scholarships for local high school seniors who are planning to attend Mt. Hood. This year’s main event is an auction and dinner with the theme, “The Disco Ball.”
Around Graphic by Shawnie Fortune - the advocate 400 sponsors are expected to attend the event, including Mt. Hood staff, instructors, administrators, and members of the community who own small businesses. Around 100 items up for auction have been donated from various sponsors. They range from backpacks, wines, and barrels of beer, to international trips, cruises, and condo reservations. All who attend will have the chance to
dance and dress up in the 1970s’ groovy fashion. Gresham’s fire chief, Greg Matthews, will be the DJ at the ball. In order to attend the auction, reservations are needed. Tickets are $100 per person and $200 per couple, and include dinner. To donate to MHCC or more information, email give@mhcc.edu or visit mhcc.edu/foundation. Meantime, high school seniors thinking they could not obtain a scholarship, competing with hundreds of MHCC students, are strongly encouraged to apply. “Apply. Don’t think that someone else is going to get it; we want more applicants,” said Judi Charman, development officer for the MHCC Foundation. All MHCC students or potential students are eligible for scholarships offered, including those who do not qualify for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Bond efforts making steady progress Hayden Hunter the advocate
Progress for Mt. Hood’s proposed General Obligation bond (GO bond), targeted for the May 2016 election, is continuing at a steady pace. As reported by The Advocate on Feb. 27, an outside (non-MHCC) bond committee has been formed, with co-chairmen Doug Walker and Fred Sanchez. Mt. Hood also has developed its own internal committee, consisting of administrators and faculty members which,
ASG Presidential debates MHCC’s ASG (associated student government) elections committee will be holding vice presidential debates in the main mall at noon on April 27 and presidential debates on April 28 at noon, also in the main mall. Candidates will present their platforms, and will answer questions from audience. Popcorn and snacks will be available, and will be in the Student Union if the weather gets unfriendly. -Greg Leonov
according to President Debbie Derr, will only be “exploratory and Informational, because we (the college) can not campaign” directly to support the bond. The committee is in the interview process, looking for a bond consultant to “help with crafting our messaging, and looking at how we can do a great job of getting out into our communities and telling our story,” said Derr. A survey done by the internal committee looked at the surrounding (Gresham-Portland) community and, according to Derr, found there is “general support” for projects the college is looking at with the proposed bond
support, “which really focuses on workforce development, jobs, modernizing the campus, (and) expanding the Maywood campus. “We will go back out for a second survey, and if our community is supporting us, then we will take that information and present it to the (MHCC) Board, and they will have to make a decision to move forward or not,” said Derr. The panel has interviewed two companies and is set to interview one more. “We will look at the information and cost they provide to us and make a decision from there,” said Derr.
BARNEY WANTS YOU TO VOTE!
Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
the advocate
SPORTS
April 10, 2015
Saints perform well at 30th JD Shotwell Invitational Alex Seymour the advocate
The Saints track and field team had a strong showing last weekend in Tacoma, Wash., competing in the 30th Shotwell Invitational held at Puget Sound University. Emily Trosino started off the meet with a new Saints 3000-meter steeplechase record. She placed sixth overall with a time of 12:05.52. Haley McDonald also ran the steeple, finishing eighth with a 12:29.84. Margaret Paul had another strong 100 and 200 meter sprint double, taking third in the 100 in 12.57, and fifth in the 200, in 26.12. Shanice Lakes ran the 400 meter race, taking second in 58.35. She also took first in the triple jump, jumping 36 feet 4 inches on her first attempt. Georgia Glovatsky ran the 5000 meters, taking second with a time of 18:08.34. Courtney Andre participated in three events, running the 110- and 400-meter hurdles, and doing the long jump. She ran a personal best in the 110s, taking first in 14.82 seconds; ran the 400 hurdles in 1:06.57 for second; and earned fourth place in the long jump, at 16 feet 7¼ inches. Rachel Woodcock threw the javelin 119 feet 7 inches on her first attempt, placing eighth. On the men’s side, the highlight was a 1-2 finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Freshman Joshua Turner took first in 15.34, and Devon Larson earned second in 15.78. Turner later ran the 400 hurdles in 58.47 for sixth
photo by Doug Bowman
Saints sophomore Courtney Andre hurdles in the 30th JD Shotwell Invitational. She won with a new personal best of 14.82 in the 110-meter hurdles.
place. Dennis Carline ran the 100 meter dash in 11.25, finishing in eighth, and took ninth in the long jump with a jump of 20 feet 8½ inches. Brandon Raleigh ran the 1500 meters, placing third in 4:05.1. Tyler Jackson took 10th in the shot put, throwing 43 feet, 4½ inches, and also grabbed third place in the
discus. Turner gave credit to his technique and consistent effort for the Saints’ solid showing. “I maintained technical competence throughout the whole race, and just tried to represent my team out there,” Turner said. “We had some really good team camarade-
rie out there. We came out there and competed, we represented Mt. Hood really well. With more time put into our practices, we are going to go places. The work will show.” Next, the Saints head to Southwestern Oregon Community College on Saturday for the Prefontaine Memorial Invitational. Events are set to start at 11:00 a.m.
Saints split doubleheader with Lower Columbia CC
Brandon Raleigh the advocate
On Wednesday, Mt. Hood traveled north to Lower Columbia Community College, in Longview, Wash., for a doubleheader against the Red Devils. The Saints were able to split the doubleheader, lifting their record in the past week to 2-4 during a challenging stretch of NWAC South Region division games. The first game in Longview was close for the first four innings, as the Saints possessed a 5-4 lead. In the final three innings, the Saints were able to score five more runs and hold the Red Devils to win the game, 10-4. Freshman third baseman Rachel Rutledge sparked the Saints on the offensive end, contributing four hits and three RBIs in five at- bats. Freshman pitcher Kelly Scott picked up her sixth win of the season, holding the Red Devils to seven hits and four runs in seven innings. She struck out a total of four batters. Mt. Hood head coach Meadow McWhorter was pleased overall with her
team performance in Game 1 of the doubleheader: “We executed really well at the plate. We were aggressive and had excellent defense.” Game 2 proved to be a tight, exciting battle. The Saints jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but a late rally by Lower Columbia that included two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning tied the game 3-3, and forced extra innings. Mt. Hood was unable to muster any runs in the eighth or ninth innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Lower Columbia’s Nicole Bolasky hit a single to get the Red Devils a base runner. She then stole second, and following a Saints error, stole third base. With Bolasky on third, the Saints decided to intentionally walk Lower Columbia’s next two batters, two of the Red Devils’ top hitters. With the bases loaded, and the Saints hoping for a force-out situation at home plate, they got just that. Mt. Hood sophomore Chelsea Spanier, the Saints’ shortstop, threw home to catcher Mercedes Green completing the force out.
With the bases still loaded and two outs, Lower Columbia’s Maggie Harshaw stepped to the plate facing Saints pitcher Kendal Cox. The first pitch: A swinging strike. The second pitch: A swinging strike. The Saints just needed one more strike to get out of the inning. Harshaw fouled Cox’s next two pitches, but was able to make clean contact with the fifth pitch, drilling the ball over Saints outfielder SheaLee Lindsey to score the winning run, as Lower Columbia won, 4-3. Sophomore outfielder Kasidee Lemberger led the Saints on the offensive end in the close loss, finishing with three hits and an RBI in five at-bats. McWhorter discussed the loss. “We came out on fire. We had seven hits in the first three innings and then our bats went silent and we only had two hits, (from) there on out. We left runners in scoring position and we didn’t take advantage of errors that they made. We got a little complacent at the plate. “I give it to Lower Columbia,” she said. “They were really working hard for Game 2, they had good energy and fought hard, it
was a good game.” Scott also talked about the split. “We learned a lot from (these) games. We are always working to improve on hitting and pitchers are working to give 100 percent every pitch.” The Saints hope to get back to their consistent winning ways. Last Saturday, the Saints dropped both games in a doubleheader against Southwestern Oregon CC, in Coos Bay. Both games were decided by just one run, a 1-0 loss followed by a 6-5 loss. The road trip came after Mt. Hood split a doubleheader on April 2 at home, against arch-rival Clackamas Community College. The Cougars took the first game, 5-3, while the Saints bounced back for a 9-3 win in the second contest. Currently, Mt. Hood is fourth in the South Region, with a 2-4 record. Up next, the (14-6 overall) Saints host the Clark College Penguins (10-12 overall, 1-5 in South play) on Saturday at Saints Field. The doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. Chemeketa then comes to Gresham to play two games on Tuesday.
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the advocate
SPORTS
April 10, 2015
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
Saints stay perfect in league play, win ninth in a row Steve Olson the advocate
The Saints’ quest for another NWAC baseball title has started out rather well as they swept South Region opponent Clark College in four games played on April 4 and on Monday. In the first game in Vancouver, Wash., Clark jumped out to a early lead in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs. The Saints were scoreless for the first six innings, but finally answered in the top of the seventh, to cut the lead to one run. In the top of the eighth, the Mt. Hood batters came alive, scoring three runs to take the lead at 4-2. Isaac Benard’s home run added two to the three-inning run. The top of the ninth saw another three-inning run, extending the lead to 7-2, continuing the Saints’ offensive surge in league play. The Penguins had a chance to answer back in the bottom of the ninth, but would only score one run, as the game ended with a 7-3 Saints win. Mt. Hood finished with eight hits and seven runs, led by Isaac Benard with 3 RBIs. Benard now has four home runs on the season. Pitcher Seth Rayburn took the win for the Saints, improving to 2-1 on the season. In Game 2, the Saints would shut out the Penguins in seven innings, 6-0. Mt. Hood’s
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Nathan Hunter pitched all seven innings, allowing only four hits. The Mt. Hood batters again had no trouble driving in runs, finishing with eight hits. The series moved back home to Gresham on Monday, and Mt. Hood again shut out the Penguins. Joe Balfour pitched a complete 5-0 game for the Saints in the opener, allowing
only three hits while recording seven strikeouts. He improved to 4-1 on the season, with a 1.50 earned run average. Mt. Hood batters stayed hot, finishing with 10 hits. The Saints closed out the series with a fourth straight win. At first it looked like easy sailing, as they went on a four-run tear in the bottom of the first, courtesy of a Tommy Lane
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
(Top) Saints Joe Balfour pitches on Monday in doubleheader sweep over Clark College. (Above) Saints catcher Louis Wolf sprints to first base against Clark.
home run that also scored Kody Matthews and Louis Wolf. Lane now has seven home runs on the season, to go with 24 RBIs, both tops for the Saints. The Penguins answered back in the top of the second with four runs of their own. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the fourth, when Mt. Hood would go on a fiverun surge, putting the game away with a 9-4 lead. Clark could manage only two more runs, and the Saints swept another league series with the 9-6 final. The Saints are now 8-0 in league play and are atop the South Region, along with Linn-Benton Community College, also undefeated in league play at 4-0. (On Tuesday, the Saints played a non-conference game, beating the Concordia University junior varsity team, 9-0, at Concordia. The two sides are scheduled to play again in Gresham at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.) Mt. Hood is 16-7 overall, and has won nine games straight. The way their offense has played and the way their pitchers have pitched, the Saints look to be the early South favorites. Today at home, Mt. Hood opens up a twogame series with division rival Chemeketa. Game time for the opener is 3 p.m. The two teams then play a single game on Saturday, at 2 p.m.