Kane Finders
The Advocate
Mt. Hood Community College’s website continues to go through a redesign process –although it may not bring all the major changes needed.
According to the Megan Nugent, associate vice president of marketing and communications for MHCC, the website upgrade should
launch in the fall, but that launch window remains subject to change.
Many improvements will be made to the website, including a new, modern layout. They include accessibility features to help every user, including the option for multiple languages.
There will not be any major changes to my.mhcc.edu – the only changes would be moving content on my.mhcc.edu to the main MHCC website.
Currently work is being done to take content templates out of the design phase and make them ready to work on the new website.
What remains to be seen if there are any major changes to how business is done with the college through the internet. Since most of the interaction with college systems take place on my.mhcc.edu, including new student registration and new class enrollment, the main website now just serves as a landing spot to get information. While I do not believe these systems will shift to the main MHCC website, I believe they should, as that would provide easier access to these vital services.
Another important thing I believe officials should address, although it seems as though they aren’t, is the slow and outdated
The current version is kind of a mess. If you reload or use the back arrow of the page, the website forces you back to the home page. Another problem is the difficulty of finding what you need on the page. For example, it took me a long time to find where to register my Saints email for the first time. I consider my self more technically inclined, so I wonder what other people go through when navigating my.mhcc. edu.
Overall, while some aspects of the website aren’t being addressed, I am excited to see the new platform and hope it makes the complicated process of enrolling in, and attending, college simpler for all. I look forward to the release of the new version this fall.
The United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has released a 25-page advisory on the impact of social media on the mental health of children and adolescents. The document calls for increased awareness of how social media affects youth and creates recommendations for what can be done to protect their mental health.
The advisory issued on May 23 begins by acknowledging that social media can have both positive and negative effects on youth. Potential benefits of social media include its capability to “create a space for self-expression” and enable social connections. Some studies suggest that social media can support the mental health of minorities by allowing for “peer connection, identity development and management, and social support.” Research also indicates that social media can help youth by making mental health resources more accessible and encouraging people to seek men-
tal health care.
However, the negative effects of social media are also apparent.
Studies indicate that there is a strong correlation between time spent on social media and symptoms of depression and anxiety. One reports the advent of social media “may have contributed to more than 300,000 new cases of depression.”
Additionally, there are numerous concerns regarding the content children and adolescents may be exposed to. The advisory cites cases of childhood deaths related to exposure to self-harm-related content or “risk-taking challenges” on social media. According to The Verge, one TikTok challenge, the “blackout challenge,” allegedly killed at least seven children below the age of 15.
Excessive social media use has also been linked to problems with sleep, attention-keeping, and feelings of isolation in adolescents. This fact can be especially problematic because sleep is essential for healthy development. The advisory explains that there is a correlation be-
tween poor sleep for adolescents and “depressive symptoms … and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.”
What can be done? Vivek’s advisory provides several recommendations for how parents and caregivers can protect youths from harmful effects of social media.
First, adults are encouraged to create limits or expectations for when technology should be used. To mitigate potential sleep issues, parents and caregivers should consider limiting technology usage past “at least 1 hour before bedtime and through the night.” They should consider keeping in-person gatherings, such as meals or family gatherings, technology-free. Doing so would encourage children to interact with others rather than spend all their time staring at their phones.
Parents are also encouraged to talk with their children about the risks of social media and internet safety. Letting youngsters know the risks of social media, such as those mentioned here, can empower them to make healthy decisions regarding their technology
use.
Adults also should support their children through any cyberbullying or online harassment they may face. They should teach them to not share any personal information or images online and let them know about their reporting options against online harassment. The advisory highlights CyberTipline (found at missingkids.org) as a place to report any instances of the online exploitation of children.
Not all recommendations for parents and caregivers made by the advisory were discussed here. The complete Surgeon General’s advisory on social media and youth mental health can be found here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdf
Contact our advisor, Howard Buck, or email us directly: howard.buck@mhcc.edu
advocate@mhcc.edu
Please include:
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• What position(s) you’re interested in; and
• What kind of student employment you qualify for at MHCC.
Staff Writer
Description: Work with editorial team to identify stories and print content, and to produce content for the Advocate. Looking for sports writers with an interest in MHCC, local and national sports; news writers with an interest in reporting on MHCC and local news; arts and entertainment writers with an interest in movies, TV, theatre, music, fine art, and more; and opinion writers with an interest in columns, op-eds, and more.
Staff Designer/Artist
Description: Lay out digital and print pages and create illustrations, artwork, and graphics to accompany written content published in the Advocate. Must be available Thursdays to assist Design Editor during print and web production.
Staff Photographer and Videographer
Description: Photograph and/or capture video of Mt. Hood campus and off-campus events as assigned. Work with editorial team to identify subjects and produce/edit digital content for the Advocate. Familiarity with photo/video equipment and basic editing skills required.
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Contact
E-mail: advocate@mhcc.edu
Website: advocate-online.net
Mt. Hood Community College
Room 1369 26000 SE Stark Street
Gresham OR 97030
Hi! I am Ellen von Fortune, a staff writer and Arts & Entertainment editor. This is my third term at MHCC. I love writing anything, from a research paper to finding the deeper part of an interesting story. I am transferring to the University of Oregon in the fall to study journalism and hoping to minor in some
Ellen von Fortune Staff Writer
sort of criminology studies. I love running, hiking, and playing soccer when I get the chance to. I enjoy going to the beach and thrifting for new clothes. I love traveling – my dream destination is Italy, but I would go basically anywhere.
paid positions on campus
Results of the Mt. Hood student body vote for Associated Student Government president and vice president positions for 2023-24 were announced on May 30.
A week later, we were able to catch up with newly elected President Javier Estrada and Vice President Emily Phoun – asking about their plans, inspirations and hopes for MHCC.
One of their shared goals is starting up a broadcast/podcast called “The Barney Broadcast,” a shared project of The Advocate and the ASMHCC. This would include giving Mt. Hood students and the community information and spreading the word about things happening on campus.
The pair would like to continue, and build on, traditions such as the Trunk or Treat in the Fall Term, and the Something Wonderful program during the holiday season to help individuals and families in need, and the event hosted just last week – the Barney Bash student/community celebration.
A personal goal for Estrada is to collaborate with the Adult Basic Skills and the Transitions/Transiciones programs, and co-host seminars with them to help the community and new students with the intake process for ESL and GED classes.
“This is personal, because I am a member of the Latino community,” he said.
One of Phoun’s main personal goals is to collaborate with the different college departments, whether it be Athletics or Financial Aid, and partner to put on events for students, she said. These events would be focused on students to help them get to know what college is like and to share the different resources the college has to offer.
Phoun said she has wanted to run for student office since she was in high school, to be a leader for students and the community. Being a voice for students on the current ASMHCC team andseeing how much she has grown just gives her more motivation to be the person the student body needs to get things done, she said.
“Being a leader and giving a voice to other students is what I thrive on,” she said.
Estrada’s reason to run for president is to build student government from a pandemic-era slump.
“There is a need for leadership because in
Fall Term the group (ASMHCC) was really small and there was no president or vice president, so I stepped in as Community Affairs and Outreach Representative,” he said.
Later inducted as vice president for the current academic year, he thought it would be good to continue in leadership. He has been taking classes to help better his leadership skills and his understanding of the student body, he said.
Estrada and Phoun said a priority for improvement on campus is better and more accessible food choices and reducing food insecurities. They have been working to get a contracted vendor to provide better food options on campus and to provide more information on different food pantries available in the community for students, friends, or family.
The two also are working with Mt. Hood’s Multicultural Diversity and Resource Center to restore the dormant MHCC community garden into a place to grow good, organic produce available to students. In two hours of recent work, the garden (near Mt. Hood’s
Fisheries Department building) went from overgrown and full of weeds to a promising and more spacious area.
Both Phoun and Estrada have high hopes for energizing the ASMHCC next school year.
“I envision that Student Life is going to open up more and we are going to have lots of students on campus who are ready to participate in whatever events we host or co-host with other departments,” said Estrada.
Phoun is most excited to be in a new position and to share her ideas, but most importantly other people’s ideas, as well, she said.
With the strong support of MHCC administrator Rozina Lethe, the newly elected duo hope to attract more students who also wish to serve Mt. Hood students and the college community. Even those without any prior experience are encouraged to reach out – either directly to Estrada or Phoun, or at the Student Life office in the Student Union, or by visiting mhcc.edu/asg/.
1. Start up a broadcast to communicate information about events on campus
2. Collaborate with the Adult Basic Skills and Transitions/Transiciones programs
3. Improve on-campus and other food choices for students
4. Collaborate with diferent college departments to put on better events for students
“BEING A LEADER AND GIVING A VOICE TO OTHER STUDENTS IS WHAT I THRIVE ON.”Left to right: Javier Estrada, President; Emily Phoun, Vice President Photo by Lindsay Leeman
Erika Steele The Advocate
Did you know that East Portland has its very own birdwatching hotspot?
Powell Butte Nature Park, located just off Southeast Powell Boulevard and accessible by foot, car, or public transit, is one of East Portland and Gresham’s best birdwatching areas. Over 150 separate species have been observed there, with the extinct cinder cone volcano and its slopes offering many different kinds of nature, from forests to grasslands.
This biodiversity, spread out over about 600 acres, contributes greatly to the abundance of birds. On any given day, you might see a House Finch singing at the top of a tree, a Barn Swallow swooping over the visitor center, and a Red-tailed Hawk soaring high above it all.
One of the favored times to go is early mornings in late spring – that old adage about early birds and worms had a kernel of truth.
Traveling up from the parking lot on the Mountain View Trail and Summit Lane, you quickly achieve panoramic views of the surrounding areas and on clear days, shots of Mount St. Helens to the north. As this park is always a little busy, you might pass dog walkers and trail runners on your way up. When you reach the top, you’ll find the handy Mountain Finder, which serves as a guide to the snow-capped peaks visible from Powell Butte, including Mount Hood, St. Helens, and even Mount Jefferson.
On the way up there, you pass through brushland and meadow edges, with stands of trees casting occasional shade. When I recently went up there on a cloudy, cool morning, I easily counted several species of birds, such as Cedar Waxwings, Dark-eyed Juncos, Anna’s Hummingbirds, and Lazuli Buntings.
No matter what time of year you go,
though, there’ll always be something to catch your attention – a fluttering shadow in the brush or something calling as it flies overhead.
Birdwatching, while stereotypically regarded as a hobby reserved for the elderly, is a fascinating exercise in the extraordinarily ordinary. I know that when I confusion at the pros pect. They didn’t understand why a person would willingly sit down with a bird book and do nothing but stare at the small, winged animals that are so ubiquitous in the world.
But that notion – the notion of ubiquity –
is exactly why I love birdwatching so much. It’s easy to think of birds as one giant blob, an amorphous group of flying things that steal food and wake you up at 5 a.m. with their songs. And it’s true, birds are everywhere, and yet each one is distinct, each song slightly different than the last. This is to
cern a Brewer’s Blackbird from an
ing a door into a room you’ve never seen before – and suddenly there’s all these things that are all around you, beautiful in their ubiquity, and all you ever needed to do was raise your head and look.
With all this talk about birding, you might be wondering just how a person gets into birding, anyways. For that, there’s good news: It’s very easy. Birdwatching is the epitome of an approachable hobby, considering the main problem is having the birds hold still long enough to identify them. You don’t need any fancy equipment or expensive books to do it.
You can pick up a bird book from your local library, head to the nearest park, and start birding right away. It really is that simple.
It’s even better with friends, and many areas have birding groups that get together and go on group trips, which would be an excellent way to start building identification skills.
Additionally, being near so many great hiking trails in and around Portland helps to make sure that you’re never far from a bird.
If you’d rather stay at home, even your own yard can be a haven for birds. Native species of plants and flowers in your garden mean that birds might be more likely to stop by and visit, allowing you to birdwatch from the comfort of your own living room.
ling? A Cassin’s Finch from a House Finch? An American Crow from a Common Raven?
So many people simply glaze over birds when they see them, their eyes passing right over a beautiful Spotted Towhee or a small Townsend’s Warbler. But birdwatching is like walking into a whole new world, or like open-
Even taking the time to notice what species of bird is hanging around in the parking lot of the grocery store is a form of birdwatching. Is it a Brewer’s Blackbird? A European Starling? A Steller’s Jay?
The most intense forms of birdwatching may seem intimidating, with all that serious equipment and long hikes and detailed notes – but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Anyone can do it with a library book and a little bit of patience. Before you know it, you’ll be impressing your friends by identifying Lazuli Buntings and Song Sparrows by ear alone.
Spanning an impressive 5,200 acres, Forest Park provides a sanctuary for native wildlife and plant species. With over 80 miles of trails to explore, hikers and cyclists can exercise while immersing themselves in the lush forest surroundings. For breathtaking views of the iconic St. Johns Bridge, hikers can embark on the Ridge Trail, a round trip of about 3.5 miles that involves an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet. Surprisingly,
the majority of trees in Forest Park are bigleaf maples and red alders, rather than the renowned Douglas rs. To fully appreciate these magni cent maples and alders, the Maple Trail Loop is highly recommended. is 2.6-mile loop winds through an inviting canyon adorned with towering maple trees, providing a cool, shady hike when the summer heat hits.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area in southwest Portland o ers a picturesque hiking experience in a suburban environment. e park o ers 14 miles of hiking trails, 3.5 miles of horse trails (also accessible to hikers), and a 3-mile paved bicycle trail. ese well-maintained paths are wide enough to accommodate weekend crowds. Visitors
are encouraged to bring their dogs and children along for family-friendly adventure. ere’s also a visitors center where the history of Tryon Creek is showcased, with restrooms and other amenities.
Powell Butte Park, surrounding a transformed cinder cone volcano and spanning 611 acres, o ers a diverse range of outdoor activities along its 10 miles of trails. Hikers, bikers, birdwatchers, and horse riders can all nd enjoyment in this nature park. Wildlife enthusiasts can keep an eye out for various animals such as rabbits, raccoons,
coyotes, and deer. e trailhead is nied by a featuring artistic displays. many trails Butte feature vertical grades, seeking a experience the Summit a pleasant suitable for biking.
and black-tailed park’s main is accompavisitors center, intriguing displays. While trails at Powell feature some steep grades, visitors more relaxed experience can opt for Summit Lane trail, and easy loop for hiking and
Nestled within the geologic Boring lava elds that dot the east side of Portland, Mount Tabor Park is a popular, sprawling, 197-acre city park. Designed by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Olmsted, it o ers a variety of routes for exploration. Visitors can appreciate the park’s numbered trees, historical timeline, and geological history, with informative brochures available at the
visitor center near the ancient volcanic caldera on the north side. e park boasts several hiking loops, including the Red, Green, and Blue trails. While the rst two are shorter and easier, the more challenging 3-mile Blue Trail involves climbing several ights of stairs but also rewards hikers with clear views of downtown Portland.
e McMenamins Edge eld property, right o Southwest Halsey Street in Troutdale, is again bringing a star-studded line up of artists to town. Acts such as e Avett Brothers, Portugal. e Man, and undercat will all perform at the Edge eld Concert stage. Tickets start at around $35 for some artists but range up to $100 for others. Scan the QR code to view all of the concerts there this summer.
Waterfront Walk: Take a relaxing stroll along the Portland waterfront. Usually, I start at the Tilikum Crossing (bridge) and cross over to the west side of the Willamette River and head north. en I pick one of the other bridges to return over to the east side of the river and make my way south, to where I began. ere is so much to do on the waterfront in Portland: OMSI, shopping, bikes, and more. ere are multiple connections to public transit along this
walk, so you can easily get home a erwards. Blues Festival: rough the holiday weekend, July 1-4, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Blues Festival will be in full swing. Headlining the event this year is Buddy Guy, e Mavericks, JJ Grey & Mofro, Cory Wong, the Los Lonely Boys, and Shemekia Copeland with Ruthie Foster. ese are only the headliners; so many more artists perform at the festival. Tickets start at $50 for one day and $140 for a four-day pass.
No car, no worries! Shuttle service from Columbia Area Transit’s Columbia River Gorge line runs from the Gateway Transit Center in Portland, through Troutdale, and into the Gorge with stops at Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, Hood River, Mosier, and e Dalles. You can purchase the Gorge Pass, which is good for the whole calendar year, for transit around the Gorge. is provides transit services on the CAT, Mt. Adams Transportation Service, Skamania County Transit, and e Link –
meaning you can access all the big attractions in the Gorge, on both the Oregon and Washington sides. Learn more about the Gorge Pass by scanning the QR code:
Washington Park: is huge park holds the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial, the International Rose Test Garden, and more. It is easily accessible by MAX. You could easily spend a day here. You might start at the zoo, taking a look at the polar bears and penguins. en you could take a stop at the World Forestry Center and learn about harvesting wood, the future of our forests, and more. Take a hike, stopping by the various memorials within the park. Finally, you could stop and admire the many roses at the Rose Test Garden. If you can’t walk a great distance, don’t worry – a free shuttle provides a link between the many attractions within Washington Park.
4T Trail: Experience Portland through trail, tram, trolley, and train on this hike through Portland. You can start the 4T Trail anywhere. You can begin your hike at OHSU, making your way up through the forest on foot to the Washington Park MAX station. en get o the train at the Galleria & Southwest 10th Avenue stop and transfer onto the TriMet streetcar. en get o at the OHSU Center for Health & Healing (South waterfront) and transfer onto the hillside tram, admiring the view of Portland during the ride to right back where you started, at OHSU.
The Advocate
Gresham’s Original Farmers Market is happening every Saturday this summer, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Center for the Arts Plaza.
Portland’s Pride Parade will not happen until after pride month, and takes place on July 16 this year. The Pride Waterfront Festival is set downtown for July 15-16. So, grab your rainbow flags and head to the waterfront where you know you will feel accepted just the way you are.
Portland’s Saturday Market is open each Saturday starting at 10 a.m. and runs to 5 p.m. This iconic market features vendors that display and sell all sorts of art forms. The Market continues through December, but it’s my advice to go when it’s still warm if you want to enjoy being outside and take your time looking at all the art.
If you are looking to cool off this summer in some water, there are multiple places to jump right in.
The Sandy River has multiple swim lo-
cations, including Oxbow Park, Lewis and Clark State Park, Glenn Otto Community Park, and Dodge Park. The Sandy can have a strong current depending on where you are so, know your limits and keep a close eye on your friends.
The Willamette River may be a bit dirty, but there are multiple docks on the east side throughout Portland where you can jump off to cool off. As someone who has done it, I would recommend a thorough shower soon after a swim.
Looking for a swim pool to go to? Well, as an MHCC student or staff member, you can use the Mt. Hood (Aquatics Center) pool –with either 25-meter or 50-meter lanes available – for free! Others will have to pay a small fee but are still welcome to make a splash in the pool right here on the Gresham campus.
McMenamins Edgefield, located not even 3 miles from the Gresham campus, offers great food, beautiful scenery, and a golf course to putt around on. They also offer unique hotel rooms if you are looking for a little getaway with friends, family or a significant other, which also can include a spa treatment if you
want. Outdoor concerts are scheduled all summer, so check out the Edgefield website to see who is playing.
Looking for some hiking to do on a day that is not overwhelmingly hot? Here are some of my favorites:
Powell Butte – located on the map – has a great view of the mountains.
Forest Park – located on the map.
Multnomah Falls – located on the map, in on the Columbia River Gorge – the visitors center has a restaurant if you are feeling hungry once you come back down from the top of the falls, as well as a gift shop to grab a reminder of your trip.
Wahclella Falls – also located in the Columbia River Gorge – is a great hike! You get to see a wonderful waterfall and maybe dip your feet in it. Just remember, it’s about a mile back to your car.
Mt. Tabor Park in Southeast Portland offers many mini trails but has a great view of the city, as well as places to set up a picnic.
There are many more opportunities around, so do not be shy – look one up near you!
Most everyone knows about Mt. Hood’s end-of-the-year awards for deserving instructors and other staff members, but not all deserving educators get chosen.
So, I want to give a shout-out to Sarah Aimone, who helped me through my first term in college in the winter. This educator was amazing in guiding me through all the questions I had and comforting me while I was going through things that were rough during that time.
I know Sarah has helped so many other students besides me. She cares for the wellbeing of everyone and literally helps with anything, whether it is something personal you need to talk about or something related to school.
Sarah is a beautiful human being inside and out, and is one educator that I will remember forever. She helped me answer questions that I didn’t even know I had, and the fact she was so willing to help with so many things is remarkable. She made my transition into college so much easier and a lot better than I thought it would be, and I know that many other people feel the same way as me.
If you see this, Ms. Aimone, just know that people notice your kindness and no matter how small the act, it is never wasted. I hope you know that you are appreciated. Any at MHCC may contact her at sarah.aimone@mhcc.edu or visit the AVID/ Learning Success Center computer lab in Room AC1451 and seek assistance from any helpers in the lab.
Full-time faculty:
Susan Hall, Adult Basic Skills instructor – ESL/IECC
Josh Stratman, Health & Physical Education instructor
Jeff Sperley, Cybersecurity and Networking instructor
Part-Time faculty:
Denise Tischler, Human Development instructor
Marianne Martini, Speech instructor
Jessica Wallenfels, Theatre instructor
Outstanding Support Staff
Calvin Walker, Academic Adviser
Stephanie Haas, Student Resource Specialist
Mika Culy, Testing Services Coordinator
Not a lot of people realize the amount of anxiety that comes with everyday life. You have this need to stay alive and get things done, and if a single thing gets in the way of that, the anxiety comes.ww
Your paycheck was a little lighter than you’d thought it’d be? Anxiety. The milk you were supposed to use for the next week goes bad? Anxiety. Your car has some mystery problem going on? Anxiety. Your finals are due in a week, and you’ve only started one of them, and aren’t anywhere near being done? Anxiety, anxiety, anxiety.
Anxiety is all around us, and when your responsibilities include keeping yourself alive, paying rent, and utilities and bills, all while trying to figure out how to do your homework, anxiety can sometimes get pretty intense.
May was Mental Health Awareness month, and I’m here to tell you, that you are not alone in your struggles with anxiety. I’ve struggled with chronic anxiety since I was 13 and it’s been a wild ride since. Some days are perfectly fine, some days I can’t think of anything without panicking. Anxiety is unavoidable for me, and for many other people.
The Advocate
Q: Can you share with us some of your values? What do you believe is important for MHCC?
A: My personal values are fairness, justice, adaptability, and the reduction of human suffering. As a board member, I will work to ensure that students are given what they need to succeed in meeting their personal goals. I believe community colleges need to be places where humans of any age can pursue education and have their needs met.
Q: Cn you tell us what a board member does?
A: The job includes adopting policies and budget, overseeing programs and services that the school offers, and evaluating the job of the administration, all with the purpose of meeting the needs of MHCC students and the community at large. We do not oversee day-to-day activities, but focus on the larger mission and vision of MHCC.
Q: What motivated you to become an MHCC board member?
A: I’m passionate about having community hubs that provide spaces for our East County community to pursue educational
opportunities. I hold the belief that our higher education programs, like MHCC, are steppingstones for many people to advance their careers and also a piece of how we address the worker shortage that many industries are faced with, post-pandemic. As someone who attended my local community college in my late teens for several quarters, I was able to expand my own mind through tai chi and yoga and meet new people in my community. It helped me to evaluate my readiness for a four-year program.
Q: What are some of the current problems you see here at MHCC?
A: It was clear based on recent surveying that food and housing insecurity were very real issues for about 40% of students who currently attend MHCC. Also, when I attended the student town-hall meeting last month, I heard students expressing their need for more healthy and local food opportunities. I also heard some students say they desired more diverse cultural programming and language opportunities.
Q: How do you plan to fix some of these problems?
A: My intent is to continue to listen to the students, staff, and community as we evaluate and monitor existing policies and then to determine any current equity gaps.
Q: Do you have any other goals for MHCC?
A: I want to see a vibrant and diverse community that utilizes the campus – bringing back Saturday markets, student fairs, music festivals, and deeply engaged with community partners and area non-profits.
Q: Tell MHCC why they should trust you as their board member. What value, insight, or skills do you bring to the board?
A: I have academically studied science and mental health in my career journey. I’ve also studied equity informed mediation and restorative justice in my personal time. I am committed to making decisions based on what I perceive to be best for the future of our Earth and what’s best for the student’s mental health and financial stability.
Q: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share? Perhaps a message for the MHCC community?
A: I’m really looking forward to joining with you (students) over the next four years and am committed to making myself available. Please reach out anytime and be vocal with the board! Come to our meetings and engage with us. The Board is here to serve your best interest.
You may not realize it, but the chances are, you could be looking at someone who is struggling. Roughly 30% of Americans struggle with anxiety. That means that for every ten people you see, three of them could be struggling with anxiety. It’s one of the most common mental health issues today.
The good news is that there are always resources to help you. As a Mt. Hood student, you have access to the brilliant minds on campus that have been put here to help you. In addition to academic counselors on campus, students have access to free mental health counseling.
There’s also an anxiety support group here on campus that you can participate in, if need be. Led by Rachel Falk, a career and planning counselor at MHCC, the group focuses on learning healthy ways to reduce your anxiety. It also serves as a way to show that you truly aren’t alone. It’s okay to struggle. And it’s more than okay to get help.
Finally, if you know someone who isn’t a student and is struggling, the Oregon Health Authority website has impressive resources for low-income-based mental health counseling. No one ever must go on this journey alone. If you or a loved one struggles with anxiety or any other mental health issue, scan the barcode to find a counselor or therapist today.
Link to find a mental health provider: https:// www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/amh/pages/get-help. aspx.
Growing up seeing and knowing the Disney princess movies makes watching the live-action versions that have come out periodically over the past several years very exciting: It’s like a part of my childhood has been growing up, along with me.
Some 34 years after the original “The
be white, so when the new cast was announced and we learned that Halle Bailey (a Black actress) was chosen, there was a bit of backlash. Some people were upset that Ariel didn’t look like she did in the animated film, while others were glad to see the change. Personally, I didn’t think twice about it. I mean, Ariel is a mermaid, and the story from the original film stayed the same.
Watching this new movie made my inner child come to life! I saw what my younger self saw in the animated version. Seeing real people along with the CGl of almost everything else in the film made it real, when clearly most of it wasn’t. The writers and producers added new scenes, but also filled in gaps that made this version flow a lot better.
ers a raw, emotional performance, and really gives weight to the character that other might think of as “just another Disney prince.”
Some of you may know her as Sookie on “Gilmore Girls” or as a comic on “Saturday Night Live,” but in this movie, Melissa McCarthy plays the iconic villain, Ursula. She also gives a stunning performance, adding some comedy to the modern rendition of the villain.
Little Mermaid” movie first came out, the Disney studios have made a live-action film, which premiered on May 26.
When Disney first announced who was going to play the star role of Ariel, there was some controversy. In the animated film, Ariel’s race appears to
When the theater filled with the familiar sounds of “The Little Mermaid” movie, it brought everything together. Bailey’s singing voice is absolutely stunning, mirroring the iconic sounds of Ariel. The studio added an inner monologue song when she loses her voice, which lets the character share thoughts other than through her facial expressions.
Also new is a song that Prince Eric sings soon after Ariel rescues him from the shipwreck. Jonah Hauer-King deliv-
One of my favorite songs from the movie is “Kiss The Girl,” which is performed here by Flounder, played by Jacob Tremblay, Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), and Scuttle (Awkwafina). They add so much comedy to the iconic song that will have you laughing at the emotional boat scene that features Prince Eric and Ariel.
Overall, this movie will bring out your own inner child, as well as make you laugh, and if you are fan of the original like me you will find yourself lip-syncing the words to the iconic songs.
In October 2021 the National Hockey Leagues’s 32nd franchise took the ice for its inaugural season. Year One was mostly a bust for the expansion Seattle Kraken, who finished 27-49-6, third-worst in the league. Not so in Seattle’s second year in the NHL: On April 6, a day “Krakheads” (their fans) will never forget, not only did the Kraken beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on home ice, they also clinched their very first spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
They would start in a very tough place as their inaugural playoff series was against the defending champion Colorado Avalanche. This first-round a series took a full seven games but the Kraken prevailed to get a second-round date with the Dallas Stars, who had just beaten the Minnesota Wild in six games in their first-round matchup.
Another fast-paces series also went seven games and Seattle fought till the very end, when they came up a goal shy and the Stars
advanced with a 2-1 win in Game 7 for the right to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals.
On the Eastern Conference side of the bracket, the Florida Panthers offered another Cinderella story. They barely squeaked into the playoffs, and their first-round match would be with the President’s Trophy winning Boston Bruins, fresh off a record-setting 65-win regular season.
The Bruins went up 3-1 in that series before Florida fought back and forced a Game 7, and with just one minute to go in regulation scored the tying goal to force overtime, where center Carter Verhaeghe ended the series with the winner and bounced the best team in the NHL to the golf course, as it were.
Florida then breezed its way through the next couple of rounds, beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games and sweeping the Carolina Hurricane. The Panthers are playing in the Stanley Cup Final against the Golden Knights (down 2 games to none at Advocate press time on June 8). Either team will capture its first-ever Cup – the first finals
matchup since 2018 (Washington vs. Vegas) where a new name goes on the famed trophy.
Another Seattle hockey team many might not know of also went to a cup final this month. The Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (home of the Portland Winterhawks) made it to the 2023 Memorial Cup, where the best major junior teams across three different leagues face off.
Seattle breezed through the WHL playoffs, sweeping both the Kelowna Rockets and Prince George Cougars to advance to the West final against the Kamloops Blazers, who they beat in six games. In the WHL final, the Thunderbirds took care of the Winnipeg Ice in five games to, coincidentally, take a trip right back to Kamloops, B.C. where the Memorial Cup tournament was being hosted (the host team the automatic fourth entrant).
Out of those four teams – the Quebec Remparts, Peterborough Petes, the Thunderbirds and the host Blazers – Quebec and Seattle dominated in the preliminary round and
placed as the top two seeds. Peterborough and Kamloops were forced to play in a tiebreaker game that the Petes won in overtime, moving on to face Seattle in a semi-final. The ’Birds once again were able to get past Peterbourgh and earn a rematch with Quebec.
Unfortunately, Quebec was the only team Seattle couldn’t beat in the round-robin – and they couldn’t beat them in the final, losing 5-0. Still, it’s one of the best seasons they’ve ever had in franchise history, and they were the first WHL team to make the Memorial Cup final since the Portland Winterhawks in 2013 (who lost to Halifax).
“BAILEY’S SINGING VOICE IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING”
