The Advocate, Issue 2 - Sept. 25, 2015

the

September 25, 2015

advocate

Tiki Golf for the Win

Concussions can Cripple

Independent Student Voice of MHCC

PAGE 8

Volume 51 Issue 2

Proudly baring it all for change

PAGE 2

Veteran Enrollment Declines

PAGE 7

“Mass confusion, large crowds and crosswalks that lead to nowhere.”

MHCC Parking, page 2

2 PAGE

OPINION

advocate-online.net

MHCC parking do’s and don’ts Photo by Emily Wintringham

MHCC’s back parking lot: use it. Please.

The Advocate staff would like to think that one of our first and foremost concerns is to inform students of practices and day-to-day life on campus.

So, it’s with a heavy heart that we decided to address you about this issue – it’s everywhere now: Mass confusion, large crowds, and crosswalks that only lead straight into another curb.

We’re referring to the parking

2

lots, of course. Luckily, due to MHCC’s low student retention rates, most of the year, especially Winter Term and the end of each term, this isn’t so much of a problem.

Right now is certainly the hardest time to navigate through the parking lot. One of the most immediate solutions is to use the back parking lot (newsflash: we have a back parking lot, reached off Stark Street).

playing at noon to 1 in the diversity resource center. A guest speaker named, Ed. Kawasaki, survived the Hiroshima bombing and will speak on Wednesday at noon to 1. There is kimono exhibit is located in the Diversity Resource Center and will be on display until the end of Oct. Call to Teddy Bear Parade Walkers MHCC staff, students and support-

ers are invited to join the Teddy Bear Parade on Saturday at 10 a.m.

All participants will gather in the East Hill Church parking lot by 9:30 a.m. The parade will march through the Historic Downtown Gresham. MHCC is a proud sponsor of the parade. It is recommeded that those who are interested to wear a 50th anniversary or a MHCC logo t-shirt. If not, wear black and red.

Please give yourself time to park. It

the advocate Editor-in-Chief

Graphic Designers

Arts+Entertainment Editor

Social Media Coordinator

Adam Elwell Ivy Davis

News Editor

Sam Krause Assistant News Editor

ShaToyia Bentley Sports Editor

David Teas

middle of campus, directly off Kane – there are some pretty big signs telling you what to do, but we wouldn’t be writing this if we hadn’t seen people hesitating and gumming up traffic.

As anyone who has ever been in an organized mosh pit can tell you: If someone falls over, help them up. Since our parking lot seems to be slightly less organized, avoiding knocking someone over in the first

NEWS

PAGE

70th Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombing Anniversary MHCC will remember the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings by having two exhibits avaliable through Oct. 3. On Monday and Tuesday there will be a documentary on Hirohima

If you haven’t figured it out yet, 10 a.m. is far too late to be hunting for a parking spot up front – it’s a myth at that point, and you’re only going to congest the front parking a lot more.

Also, most of the time, it’s quicker to walk to the buildings in the middle of the campus from the back parking lot, compared to the back of the front parking lot. DON’T stop coming in from the stoplight in the

Ayla Buckner

Video Editors

Thomas Stewart Ben Baxter

Aurora Angeles Photo Editor

Nick Pelster Opinion Editor

Adam Elwell

Public Relations Manager

Emily Wintringham

Staff Writers

Nicole Kaadi Matana Mcintire Clay Vitale Konah Nimo Connie Kaczanowski Gloria Saepharn

place is probably a better course of action.

We know the 30-minute parking slots look tempting – we’ve all been there. “I’ll will only be gone 40 minutes tops, right?” Please, fight your instincts: 30 minutes means 30 minutes. Besides, go big or go home, right? The MHCC board members are almost never parked here, anyway.

advocate-online.net

is recommended to park at Gresham Towne Fair or Gresham High School. Let Pam Benjamin, Excutive Assistant to the President, know if you plan on attending by emailing her at Pam.Benjamin@mhcc.edu.

Adopt A Family The Something Wonderful MHCC Giving Project is looking for individuals that are willing to help another family. Something wonderful was established in 1994. This is an opportunity for the MHCC family, staff, students and community to give back to our community.

Advisers

Howard Buck Dan Ernst

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

MHCC would like to give back to at least 50-70 families each year by providing basic living supplies (food, clothing and household items) and holiday gifts (toys for children). MHCC is encouraging you to print an application mm.

Those hoping to help who haveany questions should contact Katrinia McNeal, the Administrative Assistant of the Business and Information Systems, by email Katrinia.

McNeal@mhcc.edu.

- ShaToyia Bentley

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.

NEWS

September 25, 2015

PAGE PAGE

3

Get to know the Director of Facilities Latest addition to facilities department excited about improving college appearance, sustainability

Gloria Saepharn the advocate

MHCC had not had a permanent director of facilities since last December. But that changed this summer, in an ever-so-slowly manner.

Charles George is the new Mt. Hood facilities director. He’s worked in solid roles at prosperous companies in the Portland area, helping to manage their facilities.

Since arriving in July of this year, he’s aimed to better the school’s campus, along with improving visitors’ first impressions – with some hurdles to clear.

“One of the biggest challenges we have is trying to figure out how to maintain the campus at the level we would like to as good stewards of the property, with limited budgets,” said George.

He also said he believes that custodians have a noticeable impact

on the student experience, the classrooms, and everything else that comes with the school. It seems to be a matter of every little detail counts, especially when it can result

“If you want to be successful, you find mentors at every place you go. Just [try] to find those folks that you can learn the most from…

I feel like no matter what position you’re in, you always have the opportunity to learn.” in a positive educational experience, he said.

George previously worked at the Westfield Vancouver (Wash.) shopping mall as the director of

facilities, has run a ServiceMaster franchise (provided assistance to schools), and also was employed at larger businesses, including Nike, Intel Corp. and Adidas.

An important lesson he learned during these stops, he said, is: “If you want to be successful, you find mentors at every place you go. Just [try]to find those folks that you can learn the most from… I feel like no matter what position you’re in, you always have the opportunity to learn.”

The biggest change he’s realized at MHCC is the tighter budgets.

“Not by anybody not doing their job, it’s just the environment we’re in and pursuing funding through the (proposed general obligation) bond to improve facilities,” he said.

“We’re going to have to be super creative on how we repair things or how we operate,” he said. He said feels strongly about improving the campus because the potential is there for it to grow in a positive way. “We’re really

working on making solid plans to improve the appearance of the college and also use sustainable methods to develop that.”

Asides from his professional side, George loves being outdoors on his free time, enjoying kayaking, skiing, and hiking. He also used to compete locally in country, western, and swing dancing contests for eight years.

George also does annual maintenance on behalf of the Children’s Cancer Association for its “Caring Cabin” on the Oregon Coast. “I love the people, I love the organization, and I got to be involved in the construction team to help build that house and install landscaping and make a nice resort away from home [for the children and their families],” he said.

He recognizes that he and Mt. Hood leaders also could use outside help to make the campus better.

“As a facilities team, we have

contributed photograph

Charles George

limited resources, so when students see that there are problems out there and they see things that could be better, we’d love to hear about it,” George said.

“The best thing to do is to call into the main facilities line here, which is 503-491-7131,” he said.

Event Calendar September 28 - October 2

Monday 9/28

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: VA Faculty Exhibit Located: Visual Arts Gallery 12:10 - 1 p.m.: Success with the TI-83 and 84 Calculators (For Math 60/65) Located: AC 3316

9/30 Wednesday

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: VA Faculty Exhibit Located: Visual Arts Gallery

10/2 Friday

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: VA Faculty Exhibit Located: Visual Arts Gallery 6 - 9 p.m.: *Linn Benton Community College Located: Albany, Oregon

2:10 - 3 p.m.: How to Succeed in a Science Class Located: AC 2326 6 - 9 p.m.: *Chemeketa Community College Located: Salem, Oregon 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: VA Faculty Exhibit Located: Visual Arts Gallery 12:10 - 1 p.m.: Take Control of Your Time Located: AC 2326

9/29 Tuesday

Note: AC 2326 is also known as the Bob Scott Rm. Since there is no definite ending time on sports, we generally set them to two hours after the starting time. * Indicates League Games

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: VA Faculty Exhibit Located: Visual Arts Gallery 2:10 - 3 p.m.: How to Save Money on Textbooks Located: AC 3316

Thursday 10/1

4 PAGE

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

advocate-online.net

Instructors show art of all mediums

Photos by Matana ?????

Nathan Orosco’s piece called ‘take it to the bridge.’ A series of surfaces including paper, cedar, birch, fabric, and more with ink on them

Nicole Kaadi the advocate

When we think artist, many things come to mind, but at Mt. Hood, teacher is quite common.

Teachers in the MHCC art department are local artists – some of them have had work sold or hung in galleries in Oregon and other states.

People such as Joe Davis, Nathan

Orosco, and Mary Girsch are just a few of the artists on staff who teach their craft.

Joe Davis teaches ceramic courses at Mt. Hood. Earlier in his life, he had no plan to become a teacher and didn’t even know he liked ceramics.

In a design class in college, a student would bring in a new mug or something they made every week or two.

Davis thought it was interesting and

Photo by Mythicia Wood

decided, “ ‘I’m going to take a ceramic class at some point’ and the first time I touched the clay, I knew it was going to be my life’s direction,” he said. When asked what attracted him to this medium, he said, “I was drawn to ceramics, in particular, pottery, because I was really drawn to the idea that it was an art form that you can touch, pick up, feel, and use. I really like the idea that what I

make can be held in people’s hands.”

Davis dabbled in selling his art, but was more interested in creating it.

“I’m a terrible businessman,” he said.

He tried to make a living off of art a time or two, but it didn’t really work out, because he got more involved in the creating of the art instead of selling it. After teaching friends and a non-credit class, he discovered he really enjoyed teaching.

Orosco has a degree in tech sculpture, drawing, and design. He also owns a BA studio and has a masters in fine art studio sculpture and drawing. He said, “I have always been interested in wanting to be an artist. My abilities are pretty plastic (flexible, or elastic) and my thoughts are pretty plastic, so it was the only field that allowed me to be that diverse in what my abilities are.”

After high school, Orosco took more art classes to keep making work, got into the academic and arts communities, and realized that there was a natural progression to gallery work or teaching. He ended up in teaching art, because he liked talking about it and showing people how to do it. “Teaching keeps me physically into the making [of art] and I constantly learn,” he said. It’s an

Takin’ dates and makin’ memories Nick Pelster the advocate

4.1/5 on the putt-putt scale

The Tiki Putt is one of Gresham’s scarce fun activities. As soon as you pull up in the parking lot, you notice a huge abandoned-looking building; this building is actually The Tiki Putt. The front doors and windows are covered with glowing puff paint and tasteful Hawaiian images. As soon as you walk in the door, there is a front desk where you can pay. Going between noon and 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays is going to be your best bet, because it will be less packed and costs $7, instead of the usual $10.

Putt-putt golf is a serious sport and you need to challenge your friends, because it makes it way better. The 18-hole course has everything from jumps and secret tunnels

to long, straight shots. The course has a lot of variety, but some holes take longer than others. This can start an annoying hold-up, where you are waiting for the group in front of you to finish at that hole before you can go on.

If you are feeling thirsty or hungry, there are assorted candy and drinks at the front for cheap.

The real highlight of attending The Tiki Putt is when the volcano goes off. The homemade volcano is at least 25 feet tall, spits smoke, and makes sounds that will blow your hearing aids out of your ears. If you close your eyes while the volcano goes off, you feel like you’re back on the Big Island, just waiting to run away from the lava. Oh, did I mention that there is a hole that makes you shoot into the volcano, and inside is a trippy, spinning walkway?

The 18th hole was the hardest -- you shoot your ball uphill into an hole that collects your ball, then you’re done. I swear, this hole will take you 5 minutes, so stay calm and try not to throw your club at your

artist’s job to express plasticity with thoughts, ideas, laws, everything.”

Girsch teaches art foundations and digital art courses and has been an instructor at MHCC for 15 years.

Before coming to MHCC, she taught art at two universities as a three-dimensional artist. She said, ”I was being hired to teach design courses and knowing how to use the computer was a required skill for applied arts.

Spending so much time on the computer while learning and teaching it, it was natural to push things around to see what the digital tools can do in a fine art, self-expressive way.

“Teaching itself is a creative process; it’s challenging and satisfying.

It’s turned out to be a good fit for me,” Girsch said.

These teachers, and many more, each have an exhibit displayed in MHCC’s Visual Art Gallery. The display includes Davis’s six wheelmade pieces, Orosco’s “Take it to the Bridge,” made of different ink-covered surfaces, and Girsch’s digital printed pieces “A quantum leap” and “Latin.”

The Visual Art Gallery is located in Building 19, in the art section of the campus.

The Advocate brings you weekly words.

With these words, you can impress your instructors, whoop ass at Scrabble, or simply wait for more new words next week.

Petrichor Noun; The pleasant smell of fresh rain after a long period of warm dry weather.

Phantasmagoric Noun; A sequence of real or imaginary images like a dream or fever Interior of Tiki Putt. You can see the black light paint on walls, courses, and the volcano.

friends.

In sum, this would be a good place to take your significant other on a date – for twenty bucks, you both can play, and get candy and a

Web Photo

drink. I give The Tiki Putt a 4.1 out of 5, because of the low-key, ghetto, homemade volcano, but also it’s a fun environment to play, putt and eat some candy at.

Pathogenic Adj; Capable of causing disease.

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

September 25, 2015

HORROR

PAGE

5

Naked people address rape culture

SCOPES

Aries - Bruh, your soupedout Honda Civic with VTEC is guaranteed to make people think you are a genuine, affable person. Add a “Chip city” bumper sticker for maximum effect.

Taurus - Don’t drink coffee? Put some hair on your chest and start now. Uranus is entering its third phase, meaning: It’s best to go for broke. I.e., espresso enemas.

Gemini - Depart from convention now. You need to feel, not think. Tape different colored pens to your fingers and attack the paper, instead of taking notes. You’re going to want to thank me after finals.

Cancer - Fred Meyers has tomatoes and avocados on sale. Take some control of those sales.

Leo - You’ve lost touch with humanity -- big time.

I’m not going to call it a crisis, but certain family members would. Snuggling with strangers on the bus would be your best course of action.

Virgo - Your eyebrow game needs work. Tape body hair to your forehead after bathing, but before bed, so your noggin can get on board with the program.

Libra - You need to emphasize duality this weekchannel your inner Steve Buscemi and meditate while looking at two opposing mirrors at once.

Scorpio - Got no cash?

Hungry? Top Ramen will show you love.

Sagittarius - Take control of your life and surroundings -- go shoot some deer and drink some beer.

Capricorn - Do I need to freaking spell this out for you? Eat corn in capri pants.

This is like, Astrology 101.

Get it together.

Aquarius - You need some excitement; be like Zaltaq and join a band!

Pisces - Show that you can be young and fun! Take a nap in a Hot Topic to show today’s youth you’re still a laid-back dude.

Photo by Matana McIntire

Matana McIntire the advocate

Breasts (and other choice body parts) were bared for a cause this year at Portland’s third annual SlutWalk, and bared rather proudly.

Camaraderie was established as people compared their signage, pausing by the Shemanski Fountain at Southwest Park Avenue and Salmon Street-- “end rape culture” and “no means no” being a couple favorites in the crowd.

Outfits ranged from jeans and a t-shirt to nothing at all, save for a pair of white platform heels. It was an unusual sight to see on a Sunday, but that didn’t deter the participants.

To them, any day of the week was a good day to fight for change.

It was a six-month process to get this two-hour event together for Sept. 20, according to Sterling Clark, the woman who originally brought the SlutWalk to Portland in 2011.

Clark organized the event with the help of sponsor Sex-Positive World, a nonprofit group that challenges the stigma of sex in our culture and educates on how consensual sex can be positive, healthy, and safe.

The slut walk is raising awareness of rape culture and victim blaming. The walk shows that just because someone dresses or acts “slutty” they should not be ashamed, or be blamed for their clothing choice if they are assaulted – a distinction backed up by research on rapes and assaults.

Five women spoke to the assembled group of about 300 persons. The speakers included Clark, event co-host Elle Stange, Gabriella

Cordova (founder of Sex-Positive World), Leila Hofstein and Portland-based model Nadia Lockheart.

Each speaker seemed to bring a different, yet equally important perspective to the mic.

Hofstein spoke fast, with connectivity similar to that of a slam poet as she read from her phone.

She in particular raised a valid point in her words: How does race fit into the SlutWalk? Obviously, it seems like a given: The experiences of people of color should be included in the discussion around SlutWalk. However, as Clark pointed out, “Slutwalks, in general, across the world, have been called out for not being an intersectional movement: for being a homogenized, white feminist movement.”

In her brief speech, Hofstein mentioned friends who chose not to be at the SlutWalk, most likely for the reason above. In her words, “They have their own reasons for not wanting to be here today and I want to talk about that.”

It seemed as though SlutWalk Portland wanted to change that exclusive perception this year. The idea of the walk being a safe space for everyone who wanted to participate was something mentioned frequently. Clark stressed more than once how she wanted everyone to feel safe and included, despite her admission that Portland’s SlutWalk alone probably wouldn’t change the movement’s inherent whiteness.

As for all the self-proclaimed sluts who attended the walk, it seemed as though they were glad to be a part of it. Judy, age 36, said with a triumphant half-smirk that it was

Participants of SlutWalk raise awareness with posters and signs. Photo by Matana McIntire

“really important to stand up and be recognized.” She seemed engaged in the issue, expressing what she would like to see come out of Sunday’s SlutWalk: “I would like to see a greater understanding of consent culture, as well as more understanding around the word ‘slut.’ ” Hopefully, for Judy’s sake, Portland got the message. Directly after speeches came to a close, the crowd took to the streets. Chants such as, “Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no!” and “2-4-6-8! No more violence, no

more hate!” were screamed for the whole city to hear.

Cordova, founder of Sex-Positive Portland, said something interesting. “We know that the more sexually repressed a culture is, the greater the instances of sexual violence.”

That’s essentially what the SlutWalk is here for, to challenge and change the perspective on sex, and to do whatever we can to stop sexual violence. Whether or not you’ve been a victim of sexual assault, we’re all victims of rape culture.

6 PAGE

NEWS

advocate-online.net

Board of education contemplates sustainability

Photos provided by MHCC facilities department

Solar panels already in place on top of the ECC buildings on the west side of campus.

Sam Krause the advocate

The general obligation bond the MHCC board of education is considering is full of much-needed additions, improvements and replacements. Plus, there are two new buildings in the mix.

All of these will be defined in some way by sustainability efforts spearheaded by Rick Doughty, vice president of administrative services.

MHCC President Debbie Derr has referred to him in board meetings and press interviews alike as her “Sustainability Guru.”

Doughty isn’t alone, though.

Other people on campus with irons

in the fire are actively creating systems that conserve energy, and fomenting relationships with organization in the area that want to help the college on its path to greater sustainability.

James Bowness, lead operating engineer for facilities, looks for ways to make the Mt. Hood buildings and their heating and ventilation system, or HVAC, more efficient and effective.

“I am proud of the fact that I was able to get the programming to create a schedule for the boilers at the Aquatic Center,” Bowness said.

It’s really simple what he did.

Instead of running the boilers 24/7, why not give them a break when no

one is around? Now they shut off from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. each night.

That one simple action lowered the college’s monthly electric bill $493, for a savings of 19 percent.

At the Sept. 9 board of education meeting, board member Debbie Arnold posed a question about the inclusion of solar panels in the proposed GO bond. Newly elected member Kenny Polson also expressed a need to keep an eye on sustainability.

Lucky for Arnold, the college currently has solar panels installed atop its Early Childhood Center and Academic Center. If Doughty has his druthers, even more solar panels will have a place on campus.

“My history is either you put solar in the building or you make the building solar amenable. It depends on the budget that you have,” said Doughty. His “history” is working for the Oregon Primate Center where he helped guide the construction of energy efficient buildings at that research facility.

Through the addition of solar panels and replacement of old boilers, the college has saved over 12 million Kwh (kilowatt hours) and 1 million therms. That’s equal to one year of electricity and two years of natural gas since the upgrades were made six years ago.

All of this conservation isn’t just to save the college money, and

as much as it feels good, it’s not just about addressing the issue of global climate change. It’s also about providing the best opportunities to students, and something that can only be done with adequate funding.

MHCC has partnered with Energy Trust of Oregon on two projects to improve buildings on campus.

The first was in 2009-10 and the end result was a check from ETO for $800,000. According to Bowness, the total incentives surpassed $1 million.

The second project, which the college is currently undertaking, provides rebates for changes that aren’t typically part of an official rebate program.

MHCC veteran enrollment adversely affected ShaToyia Bentley the advocate

Where are the veterans?

The Veteran Services division at Mt. Hood took a brutal punch in enrollment during the ongoing enrollment crisis. Veteran enrollment was down 60 percent at the beginning of September, and officials are seeking help from the school’s marketing department.

Veteran Services is struggling to reach last year’s enrollment total, which was around 246 veterans. This September, the enrollment has barely reached 100 students.

Veteran Services Coordinator Joshua Ray has observed veterans coming to MHCC who didn’t know when school started, he said.

From the time veterans return from serving, or decide to start school, there is no guarantee they will meet enrollment deadlines, he said. “Some of it has to do with whenever they leave the service or they get back to the [Gresham] area,” he said.

Ray’s department is available to assist all veterans, members of the armed forces reserves, National Guard, or active duty members who are seeking to get an education. It helps find benefits for veterans and their families as veterans pursue a career.

“Our goal here is to make sure that someone that really wants their education and (to) help them go about that,” said Ray. His response to a question for the large drop in veteran enroll-

ment came back to a lag in regis- rate for veterans as of August was trations. “It seems to be that there 4.2 percent, compared to last year’s are students signing up a little 4.6 percent. With the economy bit later and later; unfortunately, getting better, veterans are findwe are one of ing available the populations jobs, rather than ...The problem with (veterans) that choosing to go going to school is, tends to do that to college. term after term,” school is not the only “We talk he said. more about all problem.

The econthe other beneomy also may fits that are out contribute to the -Joshua Ray there, because decrease. the problem Veteran Services Coordinator with going to The overall unemployment school [is that] rate from Auschool is not the gust for Oregon is 5.1 percent. In only problem,” Ray said. “People August, unemployment dropped have lives, they have jobs, [and] to 5.5 percent from July’s 5.7 per- they have families. They have to cent, within Multnomah County. take care of multiple things.”

The veteran services staff has In Oregon, the unemployment

noted that the marketing strategies at MHCC are not as strong as in the past. They notice some efforts get trampled by an unexpected competitor, even.

“Our track record with marketing and things like that have not always been the greatest thing.

[There have] been times where you could go straight outside [to] the street and the bus stop, [and] you would see ads for PCC,” said Ray. On Nov. 5, MHCC will host its annual veteran career and benefits fair, meantime. The fair will host several companies that would like to hire veterans.

The Veterans Services office is located in Room AC 1152 at the main MHCC Gresham campus.

SPORTS

September 25, 2015

PAGE

7

Mt. Hood volleyball focuses on rebuilding Clay Vitale

the advocate Second-year Mt. Hood head volleyball coach Andrew Clifton was able to recruit his freshmen class this season and build the team as he saw fit after replacing former Saints coach Chelsie Speer, who left for Walla Walla Community College before last season.

Still early in the season, the Saints are 3-9, but according to Clifton, 39, his team is headed in the right direction after finishing last season with a dismal record of 3-7 in the South Region and 13-29 overall.

Clifton’s self-described “unique” style and hands-on approach has given the squad a clear vision of the

future and a means to put Mt. Hood back on the NWAC map.

Observations by Samantha Douglas, a 5-foot, 10-inch sophomore setter from Henderson, Nev., point towards a more unified, hardworking and dedicated group, due to coach Clifton’s philosophy.

According to Clifton, the team works together, trusts one another, and ultimately buys into his program.

Some growing pains should be expected, Clifton explained. As he put it, “I don’t hate losing; I just love winning.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” the head coach said.

“Chelsie (Speer) left such a large footprint at this program and I am

trying to create my own footprint.

It just takes time, especially since I am new here (from California) and don’t really know a lot of people. So I recruit a lot all over the place.”

Clifton wants his players to be willing to learn from their mistakes in order to achieve their short-term goal of improvement in the South Region.

The Saints are battle-tested early this year, fighting hard along the way with wins on Sept. 8 against Yakima Valley (25-13, 25-17, 25-18) and on Sept. 11 against Edmonds (25-17, 25-18, 25-14). But, top-ranked rival Blue Mountain has proven to be a stiff challenge, defeating Mt. Hood twice within a week on Sept. 11 and Sept. 14.

These trials have not only built character, but fueled a drive necessary for enduring the long season, Clifton said.

Douglas quickly named the primary difference between this group versus last year’s: “Respect.

That is the perfect way to describe what sets us apart from last season,” she said.

The effort these women have put into this team is pretty remarkable, considering they are in the midst of a tough beginning to the year.

After a rigorous recent practice, instead of packing up and heading home, many players stuck around and scrimmaged voluntarily in the Mt. Hood gymnasium.

This is a squad that’s hungry

enough to perform at peak levels, whether it is pushed to or not, said its coach.

With proper technique and dedication in place, Clifton has the Saints prepped for a solid season in the South Region, and if they play their cards right, they could be in the mix sooner than later with a playoff run.

Tonight, the Saints host Southwestern Oregon (11-8) in their first conference match of the season, slated for 6 p.m.

Mt. Hood plays again at home on Saturday, against Umpqua (5-13).

That match is set for 1 p.m.

With you from your first day of class, to your first futon, to your first house.

At U.S. Bank, we offer Student Banking that can grow with you. Our Student Checking account has no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance,1 free access to more than 5,000 U.S. Bank ATMs, and convenient Online and Mobile Banking.2 And when your needs change, you’ll have the resources of U.S. Bank ready to help. Start the journey with us today.

MJCC Gresham Campus Office inside the Bookstore 503.666.2232 branch

usbank.com/student

800.771.BANK (2265)

1. All regular account-opening procedures apply. $25 minimum deposit to open an account. Fees for nonroutine transactions may apply. 2. The U.S. Bank Mobile App is free to download. Your mobile carrier may charge access fees depending upon your individual plan.

Web access is needed to use the Mobile app. Check with your carrier for specific fees and charges. Some mobile features may require additional online setup. Any fees for optional transactions will be identified during registration for these services and during their use.

For a comprehensive list of account pricing, terms and policies, see the Consumer Pricing Information brochure and the Your Deposit Account Agreement. Deposit Products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. 150469 (8/15)

8 PAGE

SPORTS

The injury that you can’t see David Teas

the advocate

What are you willing to sacrifice in order to achieve your dream? What if that sacrifice meant giving up on getting to spend time with people you love, or maybe are not even around yet? When you’re a teenager or in your early 20s, most of us think we’re invincible. Young men aren’t thinking about families, or grandchildren, at this age – they’re thinking about friends, dating, video games, parties, and stuff like that.

But if you’re a young man playing football, your brain is in serious danger – no kidding.

According to the Sports Concussion Institute’s research you are 1-to-2 times more likely to get another concussion after you suffer your first one. The news only gets scarier after you’ve had two concussions: A person is 2-to-4 times more likely to have another. After the third? A person is 3-to-9 times more likely to sustain a concussion.

These are absolutely frightening statistics, or are they? It sure seems like a lot of young men playing the game and their parents don’t seem too worried about concussions.

What is a concussion, you ask? The definition by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is “a bump, blow, or jolt to the head... (or) a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth-literally causing the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull.”

Now, do these words have your attention?

I am a gigantic football fan, and I have been my whole life. I have played quite a bit of football, and I have sustained a few concussions. I have also had a few concussions just horsing around. I have lost consciousness from a few of them. I couldn’t imagine having them on-and-off for a decade, or two, while playing regularly.

Jim McMahon is a retired quarterback who played in the NFL. He used to play for the Chicago Bears, and I hated him with a passion! (I’m a diehard Minnesota Viking fan.) I was a young kid, and I loved watching him “get his bell rung.”

Fast-forward 25 years, and McMahon now gets lost when he leaves his home. Imagine how scary that must be, when you can’t find where you live.

He has early onset dementia, and depression. He has had spinal fluid removed from his brain, and this treatment has helped him a little bit. He is 56 years old, and he should have another 25 years of life to enjoy.

Simply put, he will not remember who he is by then.

Worse yet, McMahon is far from alone. In 2014 autopsies conducted on 79 former NFL players showed that 76 had brain disease. Yes, you read that right.

We are only born with one brain, and one life. If I told you that you could be a famous, rich football player, knowing what we know now, would you chase that dream?

Sadly, there is no other way to play the nation’s most popular sport. The NFL generated 7.24 BILLION dollars in 2014. Money talks, so billionaires are making enormous money at the cost of these men’s health.

The fans’ love for the game isn’t dwindling, it’s growing, meantime. But it’s hard for me to see my beloved sport the same way. These players are human beings, with families. I know why they are risking so much, but it doesn’t work out for them all.

advocate-online.net

Your friendly neighborhood conference Clay Vitale

the advocate As we embark on a new year of higher education and the wonderful chaos that ensues, I’d like to share with you all a breakdown of your MHCC Saints sports programs and the conference to which they belong.

Oh, who are the Saints? Well, you are, my fellow Mount Hood students.

Like many of you, this is my first year at the school; unlike some of you, I’m also new to the Portland area and Oregon in general. Before making the move up here, I had little knowledge of the NWAC and its members (including MHCC), with so much attention that’s paid to Division I football, basketball, and baseball, like programs at Oregon

and Oregon State.

So, why not get invested locally? The student athletes here have a lot of pride in their craft and are committed to their programs. As for these programs, Fall Term features cross country, volleyball, and both men’s and women’s basketball – the latter running through Winter Term. Come springtime, Mt. Hood’s defending regional cham-

pionship teams, softball and baseball, will take the field – along with men’s and women’s track-and-field.

The Northwest Athletic Conference, which encompasses Oregon and Washington two-year schools, is divided into the north,

south, east, and west regions (there are even Idaho and British Columbia teams involved). Your Saints reside in the Southern region, with the likes of Southwestern Oregon (in Coos Bay) and arch-rival Clackamas and Chemeketa as regular opponents.

The number of schools participating in the conference depends on the sport. On average, there are roughly seven teams per region, and of course, there’s the opportunity to play outside of the division, too.

Wherever your interests lay, remember that this stage is a springboard to the next level of competition for many of the MHCC athletes, with hopes of continuing at four-year schools.

MLB postseason in preview: Part I Clay Vitale

the advocate October is the only month which features baseball, football, hockey, and basketball at a professional level.

While the NFL, NHL and NBA are only getting started, the MLB season culminates with the World Series playoffs.

With that in mind, here’s brief look at the MLB year in review, beginning with the junior circuit – the American League – by division.

The Houston Astros have been a pleasant surprise around the baseball community, fielding a team of young talent that’s not really expected to contend for another couple of years.

They sit two games behind first place and their interstate rival, the Rangers, who have continued to defy odds, as well, due to former Milwaukee Brewer teammates Prince Fielder and Yovani Gallardo. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (still with the most absurd title in the sport) are hanging around, but have largely underachieved, while Oakland and Seattle were never really in the race to begin with.

Kansas City leads the way in the AL Central and has avoided a “sophomore slump” by putting together its first back-to-back playoff berths in decades. The Minnesota Twins have come out of nowhere to be in the thick of the Wild Card race, while the pre-season Central favorite, the Detroit Tigers, have self-destructed – currently toiling in last place, with

speculation over whether manager Brad Ausmus will return in 2016.

As for the East, it’s been a twohorse race between the New York Yankees and suddenly powerhouse Toronto Blue Jays. The Bronx Bombers were supposed to be too old to compete and nearing a roster rebuild by season’s end, yet their veterans have kept up with a more youthful league and are likely to claim a playoff spot. Toronto should stave off a New York surge and win the division, simply due to its impressive offense and newly acquired coveted lefty ace, David Price.

Moving on to the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled away in the West behind Cy Young Award-caliber performances from Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, while San Francisco continued its new tradition of disappearing in odd-numbered years (the Giants won it all in ’10, ’12, ’14; missed playoffs in ’11, ’13 and now ’15). The Arizona Diamondbacks put up a brief fight, but ultimately joined the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies as bottom feeders.

The NL Central features the top three teams in the game, as far as season record is concerned, in St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Chicago, respectively.

The Cardinals have shocked critics by overcoming devastating injuries to ace pitcher Adam Wainwright and batting lineup mainstays Matt Holliday and Matt Adams, while their rotation stepped up in a big way to not

just salvage a lost season, but to propel them to a probable 100 wins and a division crown. The Pirates lead the NL Wild Card race for the second straight year, with an upstart Cubs team right on their trail, just 2 games back while holding down the second WC spot, as of Wednesday. The Cincinnati Reds and the Brewers are in major rebuilding mode.

In the NL East, the New York Mets went out and traded for slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to bolster their offense and the move has reaped rewards as they are 6.5 games ahead of Washington, through play on Wednesday. If the Nationals cannot pull off a miracle, they will miss the playoffs completely – spelling doom for Matt Williams, last year’s manager of the year. Many pundits had the Nats winning the World Series this year; to say they’ve been a disappointment would be an understatement.

The Atlanta Braves were not expected to challenge the division. The circus in Miami has proven that the Marlins’ owner, Jeffrey Loria, just relishes attention.

The MLB season will draw to a close on Oct. 4, with the AL and NL Wild Card games Oct. 6 and 7, respectively. Predictions covering the initial playoff picture, with respect to who’s in and how, and the Wild Card games, will be published in Part 2, due in next week’s issue.