The Advocate, Issue 29 - June 2nd, 2017 by The Advocate

the

advocate

Volume 51 Issue 29

June 2, 2017

Independent Student Voice of MHCC

Reporters talk free speech, violence PAGE 3

ASG election winners optimistic PAGE 6

Rose Festival 2017 PAGE 7

MAX assault hits home at Mt. Hood PAGE 4

Athlete persists through loss of coach

PAGE 8

2016 FIRST PLACE

General excellence Oregon Newspaper Publisher Association

OPINION

June, 2, 2017

Editorial

Notre Dame provides example for protesters

omp and circumstance – the song brings to mind gowns and mortarboards, joyful celebration, reverence and respect for accomplishment. College graduations are a time of personal reflection and esteem for your peers, as you come together as a group to reflect on your efforts and achievements. You sit there in your gown, staring at doctors, civic leaders, captains of industry, celebrities or politicians, there to speak to your graduating class and inspire you as you run headstrong into the real world. These guests come to the school with the intent to impart a bit of wisdom to the graduating class, and in return they get the chance to feel good about themselves for doing a good thing, and it looks good for the camera. Lately, though, there have been a lot of people who have used the graduation, and keynote speakers, as a stage for making a statement to the world. Just like every other facet of humanity, protesters have coopted this ceremony to show their support or disregard for one thing or another.

Let’s talk about two recent incidents, first at Notre Dame. One of America’s most well-known and well-respected colleges recently had its 2017 graduation ceremony. Originally, the school –known for asking U.S. presidents in their first year of office to give the keynote speech – had planned to ask President Donald Trump to attend. When this was first suggested, however, students, faculty and staff immediately began circulating a petition that gained thousands of signatures asking the school’s president, the Rev. John Jenkins, to forgo the usual request. Jenkins agreed to not have Trump give the commencement address, instead inviting Vice President, Mike Pence (most recently governor of Indiana, home of Notre Dame). Not all students were happy about this choice, either. They informed the school administration they intended to protest by walking out during the vice president’s speech. The plan was known by UND leaders and was approved, and as the event approached, protesters reminded everyone involved to stay calm and respectful during their protest.

As Pence spoke roughly 100 students stood up, turned around and walked out. There was no official reason given, but with a litany of rainbow flags and pins worn by protesters and hung up around campus, the likely reason for the protest was his anti-gay lawmaking history and policies pushed during his time as governor.

It’s disappointing to see some of the students of Bethune– Cookman University behave so poorly. This most recent example, on May 21, was the most civil of recent protests. Secondly, we have the commencement speech given to the 2017 graduating class of Florida’s Bethune-Cookman University by the U.S. secretary of education, Betsy DeVos. This May 10 protest was anything but civil. Students not only turned their back on DeVos, but booed her constantly and loudly, so much so

that the school president grabbed the microphone and said if they didn’t stop, the ceremony would be ended and they would receive their diplomas by mail. This still didn’t stop everyone. Here, then, we have two protests: Both of them received national media coverage, both got their message across. One was calm, respectful and orderly; one, however, was a major disappointment. It’s disappointing to see some of the students of BethuneCookman University behave so poorly. If you’re upset with someone, that’s fine, protest, send them mail, go to their workplace, grab signs, picket the school’s entrance, do pretty much whatever. What do you not do? You don’t ruin the graduation ceremony for the other people around you who have spent the last four or more years working toward a college degree, by acting like children screaming and booing during what is for some the best and most important day of their lives, so far. If the person performing your wedding wasn’t liked by everyone, how would you feel about some random person in the crowd booing

the priest or rabbi or justice of the peace, right while you were trying to get married? Well, college graduation for some people is just as important to them as marriage. And some ill-spirited, upset person with no self-restraint booing, screaming and ruining the ceremony without taking into account those around them is just not right. This plea doesn’t apply to only these fresh examples. There have been many protests at grad ceremonies that have been just plain awful. And there have been lots of protests in general, in our neck of the woods especially, where people with no direct involvement in the protest, even those being protested against, who are just living their lives, suddenly have their day wrecked because a protester wants to make an ass of himself or herself. If you’re going to protest something, regardless of what it is, go there with the same goals as Notre Dame students. Be respectful, be calm, don’t ruin the day of someone else that has nothing to do with your protest, simply because you’re acting like an overstimulated child.

Corrections and oversights On May 4, the Advocate posted online an editorial endorsing MHCC District board candidates. The article was mistakenly posted before it was finished and contained editorial notes never meant to be published. The Advocate regrets this error. The final print version that appeared in the May 5 issue did not contain the errors.

the advocate Editor-in-Chief Gloria Saepharn

Sports Editor Open Position

Associate Editor, Arts & Entertainment Editor Matana McIntire

Assistant Sports Editor Logan Hertner

Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor Megan Phelps News Editor Kyle Venooker Assistant News Editor Greg Leonov Opinion Editor Donovan Sargent PA G E 2

Graphic Design Team Prisma Flores Seneca Maxwell Photo Editor Open Position Assistant Photo Editor Davyn Owen Photo Team Alex Crull Fadi Shahin Jessica Mitchell

Porcha Hesselgesser Video Team Elizabeth Nguyen

Tyson Gaylor Sebastian Oaks

Ad Team Yen Le

Cover Photo By Donovan Sargent Cover Design By Megan Phelps

Advisers Howard Buck Dan Ernst

Staff Writers Jamie George Brody Mathews Maddy Sanstrum Glenn Dyer Dusty Sargent Ryan Moore Noah Guillen

Twitter: @MHCCAdvocate Facebook: facebook.com/TheAdvocateOnline Instagram: @MHCCAdvocate #MHCCAdvocate Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030 Room AC1369

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.

OPINION

advocate-online.net

Is the outpouring of Free speech can induce hate support temporary? Sebastian Oaks the advocate

“It’s a beautiful outpouring of support. But no one’s talking about the girls who were actually harassed.” Kyle Venooker the advocate

“It’s funny,” my friend said, smoking on the curb at the Hollywood Transit Center. “I take this bus twice a day, five days a week. Normally the only people here at this time of day are homeless, crazy, or wageslaves like me.” She gestured dismissively at the well-dressed, immaculate crowd gathered at the impromptu memorial for Rick Best, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and Micah Fletcher. “All this?” she said, snubbing out her cigarette, “It’s cute, it makes for a great photo op. These guys can show their support on Instagram, get some likes on Facebook, whatever. But are they gonna be here next week?” Another friend spoke up. “I’m hearing a lot of people talk about heroism. A lot of white people applauding these other white people, donating to their GoFundMe pages. That’s great. “It’s a beautiful outpouring of support. But no one’s talking about the girls who were actually harassed,” she continued. “No one’s talking about minorities, about Islamophobia.” In fact, Fletcher, the recent MHCC student, has tried to steer attention toward the harrassed teen passengers. (On Thursday, he met one of them, and her parents, in an emotional reunion, OregonLive.com reported.) He used a Facebook post to write, “Suffice it to say, that I think it’s immensely, immensely and morally wrong how much money we have gotten as opposed to the money, love, kindness that has been given to that little girl,” the Associated Press reported. At our Advocate editorial meeting this week, I racked my brain trying to figure out ways I could get ahold of this guy. Could I sneak into the hospital,

navigating a labyrinth of air ducts? Pretend to be a family member? Cut the power? Pull the fire alarm? How could I figure out a way to interrupt, bother and record a kid who just got stabbed in the neck? How could I capture the pain he was going through and use it to get some content for this week’s issue? What is our role in all of this? Raising awareness is a good thing, I think. At least, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. The stabbings that occurred on the MAX were horrific, they were troubling, they speak to a deep, deep divide in the American populace, a sickness, a canker, and we have a responsibility to shed light on this. We need to throw it into harsh relief, and ask ourselves how we got here, what forces are at work in fueling hatred, fear, and violence against those who are not like us. We need to ask ourselves what role we play in acknowledging the existence of these forces, what we are doing to stand up and actively fight those forces, and which of our actions (or lack of action) are allowing these forces to perpetuate. But for Christ’s sake, this is not about you. This is about two girls who were riding home. This is about a batshit, hate-fueled man who took his fear, his anger, his hatred and funneled at these girls. This is about people who did the right thing and stood up to this man, and paid a price they shouldn’t have fucking had to, to do it. What it’s not about is you making sure all your friends know your stance on this. It’s not about seizing this opportunity to advance your stance or agenda. It’s not about politics, or Ted Wheeler, or even our president. This is about recognizing that we are sick, that we are broken, and asking ourselves what we’re doing about that fact.

Last Friday, May 26, Jeremy Joseph Christian is alleged to have killed two individuals, slashing their throats, while injuring a third, in an ugly attack in Portland. The two individuals who died were Taliesin Myrddin NamkaiMeche, 23, and Ricky John Best, 53. The third individual involved was Micah David-Cole Fletcher, a 21-year-old Madison High School graduate, former MHCC student and current Portland State student. Christian identifies himself as a “white nationalist.” I should clarify that nationalism by itself is not a dangerous ideology, nor should we start treating others who display nationalism for their country with automatic disrespect. Not all nationalists support white nationalism and as much as I find any form of racial or ethnic superiority in nationalism to be repulsive, it would be wrong to assume that all white nationalists are aggressive individuals with the intent of socalled “purifying” the United States by any means necessary. There are also many different forms of nationalism, like civic nationalism, white or black nationalism, and ethnic nationalism. Nationalism is nothing more than the belief and pride for a one’s national identity and history, as well as culture. It’s widely believed that civic nationalism along with the personal feeling of responsibility to help out one’s neighbor has been what’s the driving force behind so many Americans of diverse backgrounds joining the war effort after the Pearl Harbor attack. The May 26 incident began on an eastbound MAX train, as it approached the Hollywood transit station. From witness accounts, Christian seemed to pick up a rant he had directed on another MAX train, less than 24 hours before. A smartphone video taken May 25 by a passenger (later posted by the Willamette Week newspaper) shows him spewing hatred similar to that heard the next day. He is heard saying “…what I am saying, fuck all you Christians and Muslims and fucking Jews, fucking die. Burn you at the stake just like you did to all my pagan ancestors. Fuck you, die.” Christian then directed his verbal abuse towards MAX riders, screaming, “Fuck you; if you don’t like what I have to say to you, die,” the video shows. The passengers can

hear Christian getting more angry and irritated, threatening to take out his anger with a knife if the MAX does not move more quickly. It was more of the same the next day. By witness accounts, Christian began a new rant. After being told to quiet down, he then addressed a young Muslim individual with a hijab, sitting next to her friend. At this point, everything quickly escalated, badly. He focused all of his anger, vitriol, and irritation on these innocent bystanders who only wanted to ride MAX without hearing un-muted vocal profanity from a hateful individual.

increase of hate crimes in the U.S., and in many western democratic societies, many times in the defense of free speech – a freedom I strongly support until it infringes on another individual’s ability to be free and act on their own freedoms. I struggle to support freedom of speech when individuals promote and spew xenophobic and discriminatory rhetoric. Many people seem to be unaware of how the xenophobic and discriminatory rhetoric, coupled with an explicit desire to show superiority, as well as dominance, can lead to the subjugation of others, and a passive acceptance to that subjugation.

Abuse not unusual

In the case of Christian, I find his defense of freedom of speech, even if he did not slash the throats of the three innocent individuals, still a repulsive and most certainly punishable offense. It should be condemned by anyone who truly supports free speech. Free speech should promote a healthy and passionate discourse between citizens; it should not consist of intentionally using vulgar, hateful language with the purpose of threatening or intimidating. That kind of speech does not encourage discourse between opposing views; instead, it creates rifts and divides.

As he became more aggressive and abusive towards the young women, Namkai-Meche, Best, and Fletcher intervened – sadly, unable to de-escalate the situation without getting hurt. When I first heard about the events, I was far from shocked until I heard that people ended up dying. Before I got my driver’s license, I was an avid MAX rider. Verbal abuse and the occasional hateful drunk conspiracy theorist was a usual encounter on the train. However, in recent months there has been an

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NEWS

June 2, 2017

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MAX Source: Witness accounts reported by OregonLive.com

MAX survivor’s character shined while at Mt. Hood Greg Leonov the advocate

The sole survivor of last week’s stabbing on the MAX in northeast Portland is a former Mt. Hood student who now attends Portland State University. Although news of the attack was a shock to all, MHCC instructors and some fellow students expressed no surprise when they discovered that Micah Fletcher, 21, stood up to the attacker to protect two teenage girls on a MAX train. “That’s pretty much all that guy talked about – social justice and fighting for peace and fighting for other people,” said MHCC student Isaiah Ishman, who is a friend of Fletcher’s. “He’s one of those people you can just get into a conversation with immediately and it would immediately get deep and political and he wants to know your views, and he wants to tell you what he thinks.” Ishman was familiar with Fletcher’s involvement in Portland’s slam poetry scene. He met Fletcher on a MAX train, and mentioned that he enjoyed his work. The two became friends when they attended Mt. Hood. Fletcher was a music major when he attended MHCC, and according to some instructors, he brought the noise. “He was just like a force to be reckoned with around here,” said Mt. Hood’s choir director, Kevin Lambert. “He was a huge component of our music department because he always found a way to be involved in a lot of different things.” PA G E 4

At Mt. Hood, Fletcher was a percussionist who would spend a lot of time playing the drums in the music department, including the MHCC Jazz Ensemble. “He was constantly in the band room practicing,” said Lambert. “He made so much noise around here, which in certain moments got to be funny and annoying in a funny way.” Regarding Fletcher’s personality when it comes to standing up for others, Lambert said that was to be expected.

“It’s one thing to say everyone should have rights and everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, and it’s a whole other thing to defend that physically.” - Emily Wintringham “I’m not surprised in the slightest. If he were to hear something in that public venue on a train, and he sensed that somebody else was in danger, or just being harassed – I absolutely remember his personality as being one to step up and say something and, in his case, act as well,” Lambert said. Jazz Band instructor Dan Davey described Fletcher as “a robust personality. He is incredibly respectful and polite and is just – I wasn’t surprised at all to find out that he had jumped in with that,” he

Photo provided by Micah Fletcher

Micah Fletcher was a percussionist in the MHCC music program and participated in slam poetry events on campus. The above photo is from the 2015 Venture Magazine story on slam poetry in which he was featured.

said. “I think that fits his character.” Davey said Fletcher was an inclusive student. “He made sure that people felt like they were part of the group, and that they felt welcome in the ensemble, and that ties directly to what happened to him. He’s an inclusive person, and he would

not stand for anybody speaking poorly of somebody else or putting anybody down or anything like that,” he said. In spring 2015, Advocate reporter Emily Wintringham wrote an article for Mt. Hood’s Venture Magazine about Portland’s slam poetry scene. She interviewed

Fletcher at the time. “Getting to know Micah was really empowering,” Wintringham said this week. “He talks all about – over and over again – what he values. How he talked poetry and mentoring individuals is so important. The work he was doing was phenomenal and I just was astounded. “To stand up when the cost is that great, it reaffirms that he doesn’t just say things, he’s very active in what he believes,” she continued. “It’s one thing to say everyone should have rights and everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, and it’s a whole other thing to defend that physically.” After the attack, Fletcher was hospitalized but has since been released. He has talked with various media outlets, and met with one of the teenagers he was standing up for. In respect for his privacy, the Advocate did not reach out to Fletcher for this story. Meantime, in a Facebook video Fletcher released on Wednesday, he criticized Portland for obsessing over “white savior figures” and reminded everyone that the teenagers threatened on the train need support and care. “The little girl who had the misfortune that day to experience what happened on that MAX, her life is never going to be the same,” he said. “We need to remember that this is about them; yes, two men died; yes, I was injured; yes, of course we need to support all three of us… But we need to remember, this is about those little girls.”

NEWS

advocate-online.net

Photos by Donovan Sargent

The violent incident at the Hollywood/42nd Avenue Transit Center that left two people dead and one injured affected the Portland community. The transit center has now become an impromptu memorial for residents to show support for victims of the stabbing, and the targeted teenagers on the MAX. Survivor Micah Fletcher attended MHCC through spring 2016.

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NEWS

June 2, 2017

PonyBoy stays golden MHCC EVENTS

Peterman-Mcintosh do it for Johnny

June

MHCC Planetarium 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. MHCC Planetarium Director Pat Harahan will discuss the solar eclipse that will be visible throughout Oregon in August. “The show will delve into the various effects that can occur during the eclipse, and discuss what people can do to safely view the event.”

College Theatre 7:30 p.m.

Visual Arts Theatre 7:30 p.m. The Jazz Ensemble will host its last performance for the year.

MHCC Planetarium 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. MHCC’s last planetarium show until October It is the same show as the one mentioned above for June 6, for more information, visit mhcc.edu/ planetarium.

10 15 PA G E 6

The MHCC Symphonic Band and Orchestra will perform.

Earl Klapstein Stadium 2 p.m. MHCC will celebrate the life of track and field head coach Doug Bowman, who passed away on May 9, following a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

Student Union 11a.m. to 5 p.m. Integrated Media student portfolio show. Snacks and refreshments will be profided.

Photo by Greg Leonov

Kyle Venooker the advocate

PonyBoy Peterman and Carey McIntosh narrowly beat out opponents Wakely Wolf and Kannezcia Sanamane for the office of ASG president and vice president for the 2017-18 school year. Results of student voting were announced in the Main Mall on Tuesday. Peterman and McIntosh, who both served in Mt. Hood’s ASG (Associated Student Government) this year, won 115 votes to 90. McIntosh said the pair’s campaign was successful because “We left ourselves out of it, we left our personal interests out of it. We focused mainly on the needs of other people and not necessarily our own. We wanted to make sure that students knew that they were our No. 1 priority.” Peterman agreed. He said the two “prioritized the students…(we) took the time throughout the campaign to talk to them individually. I think that’s the most important thing,

one-on-one communication.” McIntosh said the pair’s first priority would be to help students graduate, “using all the resources we possibly can, using all the people we possibly can to let people know that they can be successful as possible here.”

“I’m nervous, I’m very excited. I know it’s going to be hard (getting everything done)... but I’m ambitious about it.

- PonyBoy Peterman

AGS President 2017 - 2018

Peterman say he would consider those who voted for his rival, moving forward. “I hope to figure out what I can do better to include them,” he said. “For some reason, they (didn’t) feel like my campaign (met) their needs, and I need to meet everyone’s needs, so that’s going to be another thing I’m keeping in mind.”

During the campaign, Wolf had stressed the need for input from different student voices, emphasizing that Peterman’s experience was limited to ASG. Whether or not Peterman and McIntosh will be able to represent the diverse student body of Mt. Hood remains to be seen, but the duo expressed optimism. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re totally accepting of this new challenge, and we look forward to a great school year,” McIntosh said. “We look forward to the new changes that are going to be coming.” Peterman agreed, noting the effort required ahead. “I’m nervous, I’m very excited. I know it’s going to be hard (getting everything done), (it’s) definitely hard to go around campus and really do what I’m saying, but I’m ambitious about it,” he said. “I think it’s possible.” Asked what MHCC students could do to help him achieve that vision, Peterman’s answer was emphatic: “Be involved!” he said.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

advocate-online.net

Magikarp jumps into hands of fans Maddy Sanstrum the advocate

5 out of 5 stars

Photo by Megan Phelps

Starting off with a brilliant bang from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a Sogetsu Ikebana exhibition which features Japanese floral fine art that Even with political tensions combines the use roses and other raising in the Portland metro local plant materials, held at the area, the Rose Festival is going to Japanese Garden Cultural Crossing continue “business as usual” this Event Facility. The Starlight Parade will start year, organizers say. The theme on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The usual this year is “Brilliant.” As for me, route for the Starlight and I’ve never attended the Grand Floral parades Rose Festival, so last will be altered this Friday, May 26, was year, to open up my first time to take transit routes in the fireworks blocked in past at Tom McCall years. Make Waterfront sure to doublePark. check the routes I am extremely prior to attending. excited to attend You can find specifics the Starlight Parade Graphic by Prisma Flores for the Starlight Parade (Saturday, June 3) and at www.rosefestival.org/parades/ the Grand Floral Parade (June 10). and As for the dates and times of starlight-parade/event-info events going on, CityFair will for the Grand Floral Parade www. continue through June 11, and both rosefestival.org/parades/grandtoday (June 2) and on June 9, entry floral-parade/event-info. The Rose Festival queen this to CityFair is free from 11 a.m. to 3 year is Centennial High School’s p.m. You’re welcome for the tip! Fleet Week will also be in peak Grace Ramstad, an 18-year-old the weekend of June 9-10, when senior who “plans to pursue a ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast higher education in policy/business Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy and computer science with a goal will be along the waterfront seawall. of eventually working in the nonAnd the brilliant “all-floral float profit or public sector, focusing on creations” from the Grand Floral education and educational policy Parade will line Naito Parkway on making,” organizers say. To view her formal coronation, Saturday afternoon and Sunday for close-up viewing, following the big you must purchase INDOOR tickets for the 2017 Grand Floral Parade. event, organizers say. The RoZone will feature live The coronation takes place at 9:15 performances from various artists. a.m., inside the Veterans Memorial Seether will play tonight, and Coliseum, directly prior to the Sir Mix-A-Lot will perform on parade. I hope you look forward to the Saturday. For more information, visit www.rosefestival.org/music/ festivities if you plan to attend. If not, enjoy your last week of the term rozone-concert-series. On Saturday-Sunday (June 3-4) and good luck with your finals!

Megan Phelps the advocate

It may not be another Pokemon GO phenomenon this summer, but the new app “Magikarp Jump” created by the Pokémon Company is going to be a memorable one. In this game, you’re not gathering pokemon in order to defeat the regional champion. Instead, the objective is to raise the weakest pokemon in the game – Magikarp – to be the best and highest jumper. To do this, you not only train your Magikarp by doing various exercises such as tackling punching bags or bashing away tennis balls, but also train by eating berries and getting assistance from various pokemon that can be obtained in the game or be bought by trading diamonds. When your Magikarp is trained up adequately or to the max, you take on the eight leagues that you as a trainer must complete before becoming a Magikarp Master. Now, I know what you’re think-

ing: Only the first few are easy, until I have to sink in money to boost my Magikarp’s power. My answer for you is, both yes and no. Yes, you can buy diamonds to trade in for decorations, support pokemon to raise your Magikarp’s JP (jump power), along with assorted items and even coins – which are used to upgrade and purchase training equipment and berries – but entering the game, it does say that the game can be played and completed without any purchases. Coins can be earned by leveling up, random encounters after training, and also after defeating trainers in the league. You also earn diamonds by leveling up your trainer, completing certain spots in the league, filling out achievements, and even by random chance. Plus, there’s no need to worry over being stuck with the same Magikarp for the whole game. Either by retiring a Magikarp after a certain amount of training, maxing out its level (which varies depending on your trainer level), or by horrible circumstance, such as a bird pokemon snatching it away or an electric type doing it in (RIP Spot IV), not only will you be able to fish

out a new Magikarp, but also earn experience points towards you as a trainer. Another cool thing is that each Magikarp has an individual bonus that boosts a certain aspect of the game, be it JP earned from training, or berries, or even coins earned. The coolest thing about the game overall, however, isn’t just training and interacting with your Magikarp. In this game, excluding its normal and shiny form, this little guy has 17 new forms, ranging from calico to purple with diamonds. Not only does this add variety, it also adds incentive to try and literally catch them all! My future hope, as a longtime player of the games, is that the skins get transferred into the next generation or pokemon game and that the patterns transfer over to its evolved form – Gyarados. Along with the catchy music, design, and set up of the game as a whole, this new game definitely deserves a 5 out of 5 rating. It’s easy for the casual player who wants to save a little dough, and fantastic for the longtime pokemon fans, as well. For those itching to try it out, ‘Karpe diem,’ my friends. To the fullest, at that!

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SPORTS

June 2, 2017

Coach's presence felt on personal record throw Jamie George the advocate

It’s been an emotional last couple of weeks for the Saints track and field team. On May 14, just a little over a week before the NWAC championship meet was to be run at Mt. Hood, head coach Doug Bowman passed away, at age 64, after a yearlong battle with cancer. One Saints athlete in particular took his death extremely hard: sophomore shot-putter and hammer-thrower Brian Salgado. In his two years at MHCC, he had built quite the relationship with Bowman. He described him as a very personable coach, recalling the times the team spent eating meals and hanging out. In this last year, the relationship was built even stronger as Coach Bowman worked alongside Salgado, building him up. Salgado loves the shot put, so he made it his goal to join the Portland State track and field team after he finished at Mt. Hood. Only one problem: his personal best shot put was 50 feet, three feet short of being scholarship-worthy. He made it his goal to reach 53 feet. He knew he couldn’t do it alone, so he reached out to Bowman and asked him to help him get there. Bowman spent countless hours working with Salgado and knew what he was doing wrong. “My biggest flaw was I would drop my (left) arm and basically just full-on basketball-shoot it with my right arm,” the sophomore said. “So, towards the end we worked with a broomstick to help keep both arms up. I kinda used (my left arm) as a catapult, because all season I never used it.” Salgado explained that this was just the kind of coach Bowman was. “He worked one-on-one with each individual on throws. And it was awesome getting those critiques from him, because it was very personal,” he said. Even so, Salgado still couldn’t seem to hit his target. In Coach Bowman’s final weeks, he still hadn’t reached the 53-foot mark. Salgado smiled as he described the time a few Saints went to see their leader in the hospital: “We came in to visit him and give him flowers, which he hates... and he said, ‘Why are you guys here? I’m fine.’ ” Heading into the NWAC championships on May 22-23, PA G E 8

"I could feel him around the shot area as we were all competing. So I gave a little prayer and asked Doug for help." – Brian Salgado

Photos provided by Jeff Hinds Photography

LEFT: Salgado hugging after exceeding his personal best record. RIGHT: Salgado preparing to throw during the shot put event at the NWAC championship meet.

Salgado had one sole focus – to reach 53 feet. Before the event, he talked openly about how the team was dealing with Bowman’s death. “All of the track team was hit hard. (But) we all know Doug will be watching over us while we compete,” Salgado said. Little did he know how true that statement would come to be. On Tuesday at the meet, the final day, Salgado knew this was his last chance to set his personal record. With a potential scholarship on the line he set up for his final throw, same as always, but something felt different. “It was the weirdest feeling because I could feel him around the shot area as we were all competing. So I gave a little prayer and asked Doug for help,” he said. Finally, it was time for him to perform one last time. He spun around and let the 16-pound shot. But as he spun he could feel Coach Bowman over him, almost helping him as he let the shot go. It flew through the air and as it landed he knew it was exactly what he needed. “As soon as I turned around to see where it went, I saw it and it just kept going and going. As soon as I saw it pass the 50 line I was

like, ‘Oh my God, because it was insane... “My second throw I threw 52.5 and I was right there. Two more throws went by and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to hit this.’ And the last throw was 53 exactly,” Salgado recounted. (To be precise, judges marked it at 53 feet and ¼ inch.) “And as soon as they said it, they said it in meters, and I knew it was 16.16 in meters (to hit 53 feet) and I just screamed.” Immediately, his emotions hit him all at once. “I just starting balling me eyes out. It was everything I gave for Doug, for the scholarship, Mt. Hood, and hoping to win the championship… And it was riding on that last throw.” In that one final shot put for the season, Salgado set his personal record, won the NWAC shot put title, and won himself a spot on the Portland State roster. “It was amazing. I wanted to win a championship since my senior year (at Gresham High School)... because my senior year I got second place in shot-put at state. “So, that feeling of winning for me was amazing… (and) I know he saw it.”

Celebrating Doug Bowman A celebration of life to honor former Mt. Hood track and field coach Doug Bowman will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at MHCC’s Earl L. Klapstein Stadium. The event is open to the public. Bowman’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the MHCC track and field team, in Doug’s name.

Saints baseball eliminated The Mt. Hood baseball team made it to the NWAC championship round of “elite eight” teams, but was eliminated after losing two games May 2526. Read about the Saints’ hard-fought contests on the Advocate's website.

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