Issue 08, Volume 50

March.9.2016

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thecurrent the student newspaper of green river college

Spring to Action to Save Your Club page 10

Alina Moss | The Current

currentcampus

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currentsports

The Director of International Programs Steps Down

Meet the Ministry of Madness

Cheerleading’s Budget Cut to Zero

Ross Jennings is preparing to leave Green River but plans to stay on to consult

Members of the improv club talk about their experiences and why they joined

Cheerleading is being downgraded to a volunteer only recreational sport

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Director of ODEI Leaving GRC Underfunding of ODEI is the cause By: James Ristig Campus Editor

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Learn more and apply at alfiescholars.org

Michael Tuncap, the director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), said in the most recent budget meeting that he wants to leave Green River.

Tuncap was hired four years ago to rebuild the ODEI program at Green River, though now, with the threat of budget cuts, Tuncap said he is trying to prove to the college why his department should remain.

Tuncap said other schools look to Green River for how to diversify their campuses.

ODEI has been working to create a nationwide network of college’s dedicated to diversity on campus.

“I will be leaving the college,” Tuncap said.

According to the December issue of Time Magazine, Green River College has the most diverse student body in the country.

Tuncap said Green River also has the most diverse number of full time staff and faculty.

ODEI offers 14 different diversity clubs and organizations, and Tuncap said these clubs provides safe havens for different cultures and various ethnicities.

There are two processes Tuncap said will determine if he leaves the college. If ODEI is not given enough money from 522 and if the program is determined to be viable in the program prioritization process.

With an annual budget of $275,000 out of the total sum of $41,000,000, Tuncap said he needs more to make Green River’s diversity program the best in the country.

“We’re expected to make miracles with very little monetary support,” Tuncap said.

ODEI’s budgets, which is controlled by the 522 budget committee and student senate, Commencement Achievement Program’s (CAP) work grants budget was given an increase of $7,300 and CAP programming was given a $5,000 increase.

“CAP prepares students to navigate the college system and ensure the academic and social success of historically underserved and underrepresented students,” Tuncap said.

ODEI offers services for students in English, Chamoru, Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, Samoan, Dari, Somali, Urdu, Pashtol Punjabi, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Armharak, and Indonesian.

“I felt we were not being heard,” Tuncap said.

During the budget meeting, the members of the student senate Financial Committee spoke with organizations who wanted to learn about why their budgets were cut.

Tuncap said he felt the students had already made up their minds about how the funds should be spent.

When he was hired to Green River, Tuncap said he was warned that it would be a challenging job. Tuncap said during his four years

as the director of diversity, he has mended the relationship with the college and the Muckleshoot tribe whose representatives attended the ceremony for the new Mel Lindbloom Student Union. There is also a lounge in the student union called the Lushootseed lounge, named after the language used by the Muckleshoot and other Native American tribes.

“Innovation is not recognized,” Tuncap said.

For next years budget meeting, Tuncap said he is trying to suggest that all committee members must be rotated out every year. To create a more democratic process, Tuncap also said that people who receive or are paid out of the 522 budget should not be on the budget committee.

Susan Evans, the program coordinator for Student Life, said every year the committee is made up of people who know about or use the 522 budget to avoid confusion.

Every program and organization must submit a form before the 522 budget meetings are held, providing all information and how their budgets are spent. ODEI and CAP were one of the few organizations to fill out the form this year.

“This is poor fiscal stewardship,” Tuncap said.

Tuncap said he will not be leaving the college soon, but he said “This has been the greatest honor of my life and the diverse students have my world view.”

New Board Member Appointed Sharonne Navas, co-founder and executive director of the Equality in Education Coalition, has just been appointed to the Green River Board of Trustees.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee appoints all Board of Trustees members at Green River and other community colleges.

Jaeney Hoene, head of the united faculty coalition, said in a letter to the faculty that Navas has experience and understands the importance of organized labor.

“I beliefe she will be fair, balanced, and will prioritize the needs of our students when making decisions about the college,” Hoene said in the letter.

Navas has also fought for access to education for under represented communities, Hoene said in the letter.

International Student Passed Away Yang Chen, a 17-year-old internation student, passed away on Feb. 19.

According to the Seattle Times, Chen was found unresponsive by his roommates in their apartment on Lea Hill. Alcohol consumption was suspected to have been the cause of death, though there has been no official confirmation released at this time.

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James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

3 2015-2016

Multicultural Student Union Brings Forth Change MSC Passes New Bill to Fight Prejudice on Campus By: Tessa Stephens Staff Writer

by holding weekly discussions and diversity conferences in the Lindbloom Student Union. Some events include the First People’s The Multi-Cultural Student Conference in the fall, the African Congress (MSC) passed a house American Conference in the winter, bill that could potentially alter and the Diversity Equity Conferthe future of Green River Colence in the spring. lege.

Escalona, who authored the The bill was written to express house bill, said the purpose is to the concerns of all social tensions ensure a safer campus, resulting, on campus and strives to prevent ideally, in higher graduation rates prejudices of all forms, particularly for underrepresented students. racism, islamophobia, homopho“This bill is more focused on the bia, xenophobia, and transphobia. voice of the Green River student,” According to the house bill, “The Escalona said. main reason why diverse students In the December 2015 issue, attend Washington’s colleges is to attain a college degree that will pro- Time Magazine listed Green River as the number one college out of pel each of us to a brighter future.

2,000 with the most racial diverPublic education is a right of our sity growth from 1994-2014 in the American democracy.” nation. With over 134 languages The MSC is a group of student on campus, it’s no surprise Green leaders actively seeking solutions River was for issues and recognized concerns withby one of the in the student most popular body. The conmagazines in gress consists the nation. of leaders from However, various groups, Green River is such as the Af- Micael Tuncap, Director of the Ofalso notorious ghan Student fice of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the social Association, tensions here South Asian on campus, Student Union, according to Michael Tuncap, Somali Student Association, and Director of ODEI, and while some Mother Africa Club. students are naive to discriminaAs a branch of the Office of tion, others experience it every day.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion “We are here to be a voice for the (ODEI), MSC focuses primarily on underrepresented,” Tuncap said. social tensions throughout Green “It’s my job to achieve justice.”

River’s past, present, and future.

Acknowledged in the house bill Navidullah Hamidi and Kamilah is the death of Hamza Warsame.

Escalona, co-chairs of the MSC, On December 5, 2015, the sixteenwork toward raising awareness

“We are here to be a voice for the underrepresented.”

Alina Moss | The Current

By: Riley Agnew & Wolf McDowel The Current Staff year-old Muslim student fell from a six-story apartment building in Capitol Hill. Tuncap said he felt it was necessary to acknowledge the realities of hate crimes and raise awareness in the community, rather than brushing it off.

The bill is framed and mounted on the walls of the ODEI office, but the goal is to get it into the hands of those with the power to make a difference.

“We’re really hoping this house bill reaches the higher positions at Green River,” Escalona said. “After all, they’re here to serve us.”

As co-chair of the MSC, Escalona recently ratified the Peace Club.

Their goal is primarily focused on bridging the gap between international students and local students.

This club acknowledges social tensions, raises awareness, and strives to bring change, similar to the goals of other diversity clubs developing

at Green River.

Escalona said she strives to encourage students to not be afraid of one another’s differences, but to embrace them. “Being diverse is something we only tolerate, not accept,” she said.

ODEI and MSC’s mission is to bring awareness to all students, faculty, and staff.

“I have one of the hardest jobs at Green River,” Tuncap said.

The final paragraph of the bill reads: “We have zero tolerance for anything but safe campuses for our students and colleagues. During these difficult times, when fear breeds hatred, and with hatred, many hate crimes and intolerance, we resolve to embrace humanity in all of its rich diversity. We are Gators.”

MSC meets every other Tuesday in the Mel Lindbloom Student Union at 2:00 p.m.

Welding Gets an Upgrade in Equiptment By: Josh Dragoo Staff Writer Across the street from Green River is the relatively new trades building, which is home to the new welding center. The new welding center brings subtle improvements and more space for students to work, as well as equipment specializing in four types of welding with an included plasma cutter station. The center also features an overhead door for large materials that also helps in making the new space feel open and easy to access from the front of the building.

The new welding center is 9,400 square feet and is a welcome addition to the campus. But, there are refinements coming soon that will make the place even better for students. Along with this, the center has 61 welding booths, which is an increase from the 42 the old welding center had. Scott Schreiber, a welding instructor on campus, has noted some issues regarding the design of the booths.

“The new booths are not really suited to welding and aren’t really a good design, and there’s some lighting issues,” Schreiber said. Despite these issues, Schreiber mentioned some changes in store for the booths. “It will take about a year till the changes are put in place,” he said. However, many of the booths do feature separate vents to help move smoke and possible fumes outside, keeping the air clear and safe for students.

Issues are not just limited to the booths. Schreiber has noted some issues regarding heat inside the building. “There’s some heating issues, which wasn’t too much of an issue in the winter, but going into the summer it will be an issue,” Schreiber said.

Though safety standards are still top priority in the new space, the welding center is making a push forward in technology with new, automated robotic welding stations and new equipment. “We are really moving toward more automation, especially with fabrication,” Schreiber said.

A Meeting with the Preacher

Alina Moss | The Current

This robot can be programed to run welding tasks. This will help the Green River welding program reach a range of education in the welding industries.

The many improvements to the center include a tool room that allows for better organization of the many tools available for students to access. In the future however, students will also be able to check out tools electronically using a new database that will soon be put in place.

Along with this, the new locker room is easier to access for students storing their stuff when they attend class. The locker room is next to the offices in the welding center. The new offices have windows to make

it easier for instructors to monitor what goes on in the welding center.

In addition, there is a separate room for art welding, which students can use to make sculptures.

Although many of the improvements may be a bit subtle, they will all make welding safer as well as easier to learn at Green River. The Welding center can be easily accessed in the Manufacturing building of the Trades Center, across the street from the Lindbloom Student Union. Eye protection is required to enter the building safely.

Anthony Parish, widely known around campus as “The Preacher Guy,” “The Radicalist,” and other names, is a Christian who speaks in the Kennelly Commons in an attempt to challenge the views of students.

Parish spends half his year working and studying carpentry and the other half studying different religions, most recently Islam, in order to better understand them and challenge others’ views. Parish tries his best to work for six months out of the year, and for the six months he goes around to different college campuses, preaching and conversing with the students.

Parish used to be in a heavy metal band called “Lord Slug,” living the “rock ‘n’ roll” lifestyle, until one day he heard a word from God. He sat down and drank some water from a coffee mug, and, when he looked down, he noticed a bible verse was written on the cup.

Parish said that this bible verse was the catalyst that changed his life. Parish took a look at the road he was going down and chose to move in a new direction.

“Whenever you look at old rock stars, they’re not in a good condition,” Parish said.

Parish dedicated his life to the service of God and began to study Christianity. Parish has taken many classes to further his knowledge about different religions and has studied Atheism and Agnosticism in depth.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6 Parish does what he does, standing in the commons, to raise awareness of what happens after death, and to challenge the faiths of both himself and of those with whom he converses. He also believes that there are not enough Christians preaching about the gospel and challenging pre-established beliefs.

Parish is friendly and cordial to people no matter what they believe and is open to talk with anyone, even if it is just about the weather and how the day is going.

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thecurrent

4 2015-2016

Campus Crime Blotter

Ross Jennings Steps Down Head of International Programs Leaves Position

Campus Safety responded to the following incidents from Feb. 21 to Feb. 25, among others. All information is from Campus Safety incident reports.

2/21 3 p.m.

Welcome Center Suspicious Person

While on patrol near the Welcome Center on a Sunday, a Safety officer noticed a man trying to open the locked doors. When asked what he was doing, the man said he was trying to report his stolen car. The safety officer told the man that campus was closed and he needed to come back on Monday to file the report. He began walking toward the Administration building, and the safety officer followed while telling the man that campus was closed. The man kept talking to himself as he walked. When the man tried to enter the Administration building, the safety officer stopped him to get his information. As the safety officer went inside the building to get a business card, the man walked off campus toward the bus stop.

2/23 11:42 a.m.

Lindbloom Student Union Student Conduct Violation

Campus Safety was called into the Student Union when two students were seen going into one stall in the gender neutral bathroom. A safety officer arrived and knocked on the stall door. The suspects did not respond until the officer knocked once again. One of the suspects responded and asked the safety officer to “hold on.” The two suspects emerged from the bathroom, a male and a female.

When asked why they were in the stall together, the male suspect said they were “swapping pants.”

2/24 7:53 p.m.

Student Housing Auto Accident

While on patrol, a safety officer heard a loud crash and saw someone had run into the metal fence next to the Campus Corner Apartments (CCA). Safety officers were on the scene helping the suspect and gathering witnesses. The suspect got out of his vehicle and started walking away from his vehicle. When the suspect began running from the scene, safety officers pursued him on foot.

Safety officers caught up with the suspect, who had attempted to throw a bottle of vodka at the pursuing officers while running. When the suspect was detained and led back to the scene, he was coopperative but would not admit or deny that he had been drinking. The suspect was detained by Auburn Police and given a field sobriety test, and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and a Hit and Run. Prior to the incident, a witness said the suspect had been driving at high speed and had almost been struck by the witness’ car while arriving on campus.

2/25 9 p.m.

Off-campus Informational

While driving students to their home in the Safety Ride Van, a woman ran towards the van. She got into the van and said, “He is abusing me and hitting me.” The safety officer was startled and saw a man also running towards the van. When he reached the van he put his hand through the window in an attempt to stop her. The safety officer put the van in drive and floored it to escape. As the van began to move, the man let go almost immediately. The safety officer questioned the woman, who was worried that her children were still in her car and the man had the keys. As they arrived back on campus, the woman called Auburn Police who soon arrived on the scene.

James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

By: Marina Kokorovic Staff Writer The international student community at Green River will soon be impacted as Ross Jennings, the vice president of International Programs, steps down from his role to focus on his family.

Jennings has been a member of the Green River staff for almost 23 years, but he is making the switch from full-time to part-time to travel with his wife.

“We have a son and a daughterin-law in Phoenix. We got a little place down there to be snowbirds someday,” Jennings said.

His wife and him are planning on spending winters down there, but they will return to Washington during the summers.

Jennings said he is still able to recruit students for International Programs (I.P.), which is what his part-time role will consist of, just as easily from Arizona as he is from Washington.

He travels to other countries to recruit students, with Mongolia being his next destination.

Due to Jennings absence, Green River will hire a new vice president, to be determined sometime later this spring.

Jennings does not mind stepping down from his role as vice president because he will still be a part of I.P., which he said he prefers.

“You’re face-to-face, you get deeply involved with the kids—that’s really the best part of the job. Being more administrative, where I get to meet some students but not a lot of them, is a step down in terms of what’s really fun about this job,” Jennings said.

Tawnya McLavey, manager of I.P.’s Visitor’s Program, says she feels honored to work with Jennings every day.

“In the 25 years I have been at the college, Ross is one of few staff that go above and beyond for students.

From lending a few dollars for bus fare to providing a student food for lunch,” McLavey said. “He inspires them to do the best they can, coming in on his day off to attend a student-led event. He is always thinking of students first. He is truly a wonderful person.”

I.P. lives by the motto, “think

Pinned on the wall of his office student, then decide.” are dozens of hats with college loPrioritizing students’ wants gos sent to him from past students. and needs is crucial to ensuring These students all went through not only their success, but their the difficulties associated with happiness. This is something that culture shock, blossomed into Jennings makes sure to do every cultured individuals, and went on day. to pursue their academic goals.

When Jennings was younger, he Jennings has been there every step studied abroad and worked as a of the way, watching everything teacher in several different counthat happened, which has proven tries in the Middle East. His wife to be the most rewarding aspect of and him also served in the Peace his job.

Corps in Morocco. This not only Bryan is really happy that Jenhelped drive his passion behind his nings will still be involved with the career, but it gave him first-hand Green River community after he experience of what many internaleaves. Although her and others will tional students experience when be sad to see him go, Bryan said the they come to study at Green River: move will be good for Jennings and culture shock. his family.

It can be hard to avoid saying Even after students graduate, Jenthings like, “this place sucks, the nings makes sure to stay in contact language sucks, and people are with them. mean,” when moving to a new “When you see your kids blossom country. before your eyes, which is daily, “You leave your country, you nothing compares.” leave your language, you leave your Jennings has countless stories family. That’s a lot “It takes a while about stufor everybody dents who to adapt—you have blosdon’t do it somed before overnight.” his eyes in “When different you’re through ways. that, though, A student you say ‘that - Ross Jennings, vice president of of his from was hard, but International Programs Korea went now I get it,’” through a Jennings said. bad marriage The and made sure to keep in touch transition can be chaos for some with Jennings, who supporting her students, but him and his team during her divorce. When she met are passionate about helping them her current husband, she brought figure it out. him to Washington for Jennings Lansing Bryan, an information to meet. They are now happily technology specialist for I.P., married, with a baby, in Southern studied abroad in Europe when she California, where she counsels at a was younger and says she holds a community college. passion similar to Jennings’.

Like many other students, she “He really loves students, and still makes sure to stay in contact that’s why he’s here. He believes, as with Jennings and maintain a close I do, in the value of global educarelationship. tion,” Bryan said.

Jennings said, “nothing else Last month at a Community matters more than taking care of Colleges for International Development conference, Jennings received the kids.”

In his eyes, he is getting paid to the Dr. Werner O. Kubsch award. take care of his friends.

This prestigious award is given I.P. has grown drastically since it to an educator who manifests first started. outstanding achievement in the “When it first started, there were field of international education at a a couple hundred students, and community college. now it has really grown. We are This award is only one of many tenth in the number of internatestaments to the profound impact tional students (enrolled) in the he has had on the international country, ” Bryan said. student community.

“All these kids are blessings to me. ... The beating heart of this job.”

In a follow-up to an article published in the last issue, Lavina Tang was found to have given her state of the quarter address.

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thecurrent

James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

5 2014-2015

Black Lives Matter Group Rallies Through Campus By: Riley Agnew Assistant Campus Editor Green River held a Black Lives Matter demonstration in which around 50 students showed up, showing their support and holding signs saying, “As a ____, I support Black Lives Matter.”

The members of the rally would get people to come to their tent and show support in exchange for candy and cookies.

Keith Beasley, president of the Black Student Union and “Co-president” of Black Lives Matter said, “We are

trying to spread love, not hate. We are out here because we want to be heard.”

The crowd would chant things such as “Who’s lives matter? Black Lives Matter!” and “People United, cannot be defeated!”

The members of the rally marched through the Mel Lindbloom Student Union, the Holman Library, Salish Hall, Cedar Hall, and many other buildings while classes were in session.

“If you judge a book by it’s cover then you miss the content,” said Victoria Pacho, president of the queers and allies club on campus and organizer of the rally.

Photos taken at the BLM rally on Monday, Feburary 29 by Alina Moss

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thecurrent

2015-2016

ek e w s finadlition e

*

TOO LONG. DIDN’T READ.

By: Langston Thomas A&E Editor

The chicken came first, not the egg, because the protein which makes egg shells is only produced by female chickens.

A medium-sized cumulus cloud weighs about the same as 80 elephants.

A single bolt of lightning is five times hotter than the sun and contains enough energy to toast 100,000 pieces of bread.

Human saliva contains a painkiller-like chemical called opiorphin that is six times more powerful than morphine.

The world’s oldest known creature was a mollusk that lived to be 507 years old until it froze onboard a transport ship and died.

Langston Thomas | A&E Editor a&e@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Simple Machines "A simple machine is a non-powered mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. Simple machines are the elementary building blocks of which more complicated or compound machines are composed.

Originated by the Greek philosopher Archimedes around the 3rd century BC, simple machines demonstrate the principal of mechanical advantage. Mechanical advantage is a measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or a machine system. This concept represents the earliest known teaching of industrial technology."

When walking into the entry way of the new Trades building, you will be greeted by the Simple Machines.

The quote above is from the plaque in the entry way of the new building.

These displays were created by Bruce and Shannon Andersen from the Washington State Art Commission in partnership with Green River College.

The Simple Machines are six of the very first industrial technology tools originated by Archimedes, the Greek philosopher. The six tools

include the lever, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and axel, pulley, and screw. All of the sculptures are completed except for the Pulley, which is planned to be about six feet tall in the entry pathway of the Trades building.

This entry art is only the beginning of the many forms of art displayed in the Trades building as well as a symbol for the many forms of industrial technology that is practiced behind the Trades building walls.

1 - Wedge 2 - Wheel and Axel 3 - Lever 4 - Skrew 5 - Inclined Plane Alina Moss | The Current

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Photo From | noaa.gov

The strongest organism on earth are gonorrhea bacteria.

They can pull 100,000 times their own body weight.

Photo From | sciencenordic.com

Scientists have successfully charged a cell phone and grown teeth using urine.

A cockroach can live without its head for over a week due to their open circulatory system and ability to breathe through holes in each body segment.

The Milky Way is about 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (that’s one quintillion) kilometers across.

Potatoes contain two more chromosomes than humans.

4 3

5

Langston Thomas | A&E Editor a&e@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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thecurrent

2015-2016

The Ministry of Madness

Inside Green River College’s Improv Comedy Club By: Marina Kokorovic Staff Writer Amidst the countless stresses associated with being a college student, it is crucial to let go and be goofy every once in a while.

The improv club at Green River allows its members to do just that.

Led by students Phillip Nguyen and Spencer Peerson, the club is a welcoming environment that seeks to add a bit of laughter to its participants’ days.

No experience is needed, nor even permission, to join—all you have to do to be a part of this club is bring yourself and a sense of humor.

It’s a place where students “get to be goofy while learning the basics of theater etiquette,” said Peerson, who hopes to pursue a career in television and theater.

The idea of coming up with split-second comedy in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking experience to many.

“Sometimes you just freeze—that happens—but the more you do it, the better you get at it,” said Nguyen.

So what if you make a fool of yourself? As long as you’re having fun, that’s all that matters.

Skits like pretending to be newscasters with goofy quirks and participating in dating shows are just a few of the games that members participate in. The energy in the room during these games replaces the need for fancy props.

“When you’re up there, you can just make the world whatever you want it to be,” said Nguyen. “If you don’t want to have a leg, you don’t have to have a leg. If you say you’re in Paris, then we’re in Paris.”

Arm motions are enough to convey the effect that you are holding something, and funny voices can completely define your character.

Members don’t even need to act in skits to have fun either.

“If you have nothing to do between classes, you can just stay and enjoy a show and laugh,” said Nguyen.

Student Emily Lam doesn’t participate in games, she just watches.

“It’s very funny. I get joy from being here, and it’s an accepting community,” said Lam. She has attended several meetings this quarter and can see herself returning next quarter as well.

Peerson has been a member of the club for five years and a club leader for a year and a half. He didn’t enter the club thinking it would make such a big impact on his life.

“The club changed my degree when aviation wasn’t a viable option anymore,” said Peerson.

“It helped me get through nasty times and made it worthwhile to go to school.”

He found himself truly loving improv after he joined and has made a ton of friends through it.

Peerson’s journey at Green River

is slowly coming to an end, and although he will be sad to end his leadership role with the club, he knows that its members will keep the club alive and well.

Gavin Michaels, a Running Start student, randomly attended a meeting after seeing a poster for the club, and instantly knew he would be a returning member.

“People seemed chill, man,” said Michaels, “It’s a really cool, weird place where you don’t have to worry about being judged, and there is lots of inspiration to feed off of.”

Michaels has only been a member for a month, but he hopes to be involved for the next two years.

Once a year for the past two years, the club got together with Green River’s radio station, KGRG, to put on a fundraiser.

Hilarity for Charity, a 12-hour -long improv event on campus, seeks to raise as much money as possible for Alzheimers.

This year’s fundraiser should be nothing less than a success with such a strong number of club members participating.

Nguyen said that at the beginning of this quarter, members of the club would approach random students walking by the performing arts building in order to gain interest. Many students had no idea what improv even was prior to their arrival, but now they are returning members who are not only eager to show up to meetings, but are improving their acting skills one skit at a time.

Along with meeting every week to practice improv skills through different games, the club puts on shows anyone can attend.

Participating in a show requires an audition, but with some practice at the club’s meetings, it is not difficult to snag a role.

“Recently, we’ve been doing shows every single month,” said Nguyen. “This year we lost a lot of members though—everyone graduated or decided to focus on school.”

Next quarter, the club hopes to put on a show every other week.

“I’m so proud of this club; I worked so hard,” said Nguyen. “We had literally three people at our first meeting this quarter. Now there’s a consistent amount of kids, 20 and up, every day. It’s really cool to have that.”

As the number of members grows, so does the creativity and imagination within the club.

When there are more ideas to expand on, the comedic possibilities become endless.

The improv club meets in the lobby of the performing arts building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1 p.m. But, don’t worry if you have a problem with being punctual because the environment is casual enough to walk in ten minutes late and still be welcomed by everyone. There is no sign up process involved. Joining is as easy as walking through the doors of the performing arts building and getting ready to have a fun time.

Concert Calendar Mar

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@ Q Nightclub (21+) Doors: 9 p.m. $11

San Holo

Johnny Monsoon, Keano, Monte Holden

@ Aston Manor (21+) Doors: 10 p.m. $20

TJR

Coltan Johnson, Native Future

@ Foundation Nightclub (21+) Doors: 10 p.m. $20 - 25

Disturbed Nonpoint

@ The Showbox Doors: 7:30 p.m. $45

Ghastly

Trevor Little, D-Rad

@ Foundation Nightclub (21+) Doors: 10 p.m. $15

Pomo

Pressha, Mikey Mars, Doozy, Pat Nasty

@ Q Nightclub (21+) Doors: 9 p.m. $11

Mar Nipsey Hussle

18

Mar

19

Mar

19

Alina Moss | The Current

Sam Gellaitry

MUMDANCE, Shtickykeys, Kozmo

@ The Showbox Doors: 8 p.m. $40 -45

Daughter Wilsen

@ The Showbox Doors: 8 p.m. $22 - 25

Martin Solveig Johnny Monsoon, Gravity Lift

@ Foundation Nightclub (21+) Doors: 10 p.m. $20 - 30

8 2015-2016

Games thecurrent

www.thegrcurrent.com

Crosswords Fill in the blanks with the correct word according to the clues given. Answers to the clues can be found in this issue of The Current. One letter per box to create the words across and down.

Across

4. Welding instructor.

6. This organization will be holding two meetings next week.

8. What Anthony Parish preaches in the commons.

11. Followed by marching.

12. “While I think it’s important to acknowledge ________, it’s also important to acknowledge the lack of equity in the larger society.’

14. The abbreviation of the demonstration that recently occurred.

17. Bees are the major ______ in the world.

18. What element does the sun find its source of energy?

19. Varsity sport that is no longer offered here at Green River.

20. Why haven’t we discovered any alien species yet?

Down

1. Don’t push these onto someone.

2. We only have three to four decades before they become smarter than us.

3. ‘...something we only tolerate, not accept.’

5. ‘If you say you’re in Paris, then we’re in Paris.’

7. That’s a knee slappah!

9. The new student building.

10. The Director of Athletics.

13. Intense dislike of or prejudice against transsexual or transgender people.

15. Intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries.

16. Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed.

Last issue’s answers 1D: Deficit 2D: Gundam 3D: Budget 4D: ACP LA 5D: Judicial 6D: Lavina A: Lucky 7A: Freud 8D: Committee A: Cymothoa 9D: Melisa 10A: Line item 11D: Baseball 12A: Sculptures 13D: Grammy 14A: Siberia 15D: Ridwan 16A: Cleo 17A: Tampon 18D: Odei

The answers to this issue’s puzzles are online at thegrcurrent.com

Sudoku

The classic Sudoku game involves a grid of 81 squares. The grid is divided into nine blocks, each containing nine squares. The rules of the game are simple: each of the nine blocks has to contain all the numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box

Kartik Sarda | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

opinion

thecurrent

9

2015-2016

Call to Action: Stand Up For All Clubs

Editorial

The 522 budget has gone to the finance committee after much deliberation. It is now up to the finance committee to decide whether to approve the budget they were given, or to make any changes they think are needed.

During the 522 budget meetings, the budget committee in charge of reallocating funds and balancing the 522 budget decided on multiple cuts to various programs, clubs, and organizations in order to balance out the 522 budget.

The budget for organizations and clubs suffered a $9,100 proposed cut.

Programs that are proposed to lose funds include Phi Theta Kappa, Skills USA, and Teachers of Tomorrow. While these organizations were cut, Student Leadership Summer Training, the program that trains CLEO leaders, got an increase of more than double of its funds from the previous year.

Student Leadership Summer Training had a budget of $15,000, and there was no increase requested, but as of now it has a recommended budget of $30,152.

“Most of the time we are just doing arts and crafts, it’s a waste of time.” said Lavina Tang ASGRC vice-president, in regards to CLEO.

Among the nine members of the budget committee, two of the members are paid directly out of the 522 budget.

Richard Maroon, the by-laws chair, brought up the rules for abstination before the salaries could be discussed. The two members abstained from voting, and the staff salaries were not approved by the budget committee to be in the 522 budget.

Too many programs at Green River are underfunded, and cutting the organizations that help students grow as community members, leaders, and human beings is a step in the wrong direction. It is apparent that when GRC removed “Community” from the college title, it was more than just a symbolic removal.

On Friday, March 11, the last budget meeting will be held, and the final budget will be up for approval. This will be the takes two weeks last chance at least. for anyone The process to acquire additional to make a funding gets even more convoluted.

Before hosting or going to an event, you case for their budget and to change the minds of the finance committee. must give a notice five weeks prior to The Current implores organizations receive appropriate funding, and clubs are not allowed to organize for the first that fall under the umbrella of the 522 three weeks of the quarter. This means budget to fight for their funding and clubs and organizations have a roaring bring their case before the finance comeight weeks of time before even getting mittee. March 11 will be the last chance to fight for your funding. approved for anything.

Sports, while getting a $500 cut to each line item and the proposed complete cuts of Fastpitch and Cheerleading, still holds nearly 20 percent of the funds in the 522 budget. However, many sports at Green River College don’t even have fields to practice on.

The college paid $15,411 for fields that the teams could practice on.

The organizations that benefit students and give opportunities to improve themselves are the ones being suggested to get cut because they had unused funds at the end of the previous year.

The proposed solution to organizations wanting more funds is to go through student government and request additional funds, the process for which

COM

MUN

ITY

thestaff

Alina Moss Editor-in-Chief Ads Manager 253-833-9111 x2376

James Ristig Managing Editor Campus Editor 253-833-9111 x2377 Langston Thomas A&E Editor

Kartik Sarda Opinion Editor

Ethan DuBoise Sports Editor

Logan Hoerth Copy Editor

Staff Writers: Valory Lovejoy, Joshua Dragoo, Alyssa Guyer, Avery Bain, Marina Kokorovic, Riley Agnew, Eternity West, Skip Lammon, Vanessa McMahan, Kurt Bruestle, Tessa Brooke.

Photographers: Alina Moss and Riley Agnew.

Editorials reflect the opinions of the entire editing staff of the Current.

Imposing And Advising Are Two Different Things

By: Alina Moss Editor-in-Chief @amossytime

I am disgusted by today's society. My name is Alina Moss, and I am a 20 year-old, female, second year student at Green River College, who is sick of the way people treat one another.

I would like to point out a topic that occurs daily yet tends to be overlooked, even though it has the simplest answer to many problems.

I think a lot of people already understand the importance of this subject, but the concept will remain lost in translation to many people.

Let’s get started.

It is plain and simple. People need to understand that there is a fine line between giving helpful

Editorial Policy

advice and forcing your opinions onto someone.

I take that back.

It’s not a fine line. In fact, it is quite bold. It's actually really hard to miss if you open your eyes to what is around you.

A few examples for those who don't understand the difference: 'Hey, I think you should try this.

It has worked for me and I think it might work for you too,' the helpful person said.

That, is an example of helpful advice.

This, is an example of pushing your opinion: 'You need to do this because it's the right thing to do, because I know better,' the pushy person said.

These form the bases of two very different ways to go about telling

The Current is a public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions without censorship or advanced approval. The opinions of the opinion stories are that of the writer and the writer alone. If you have an opposing viewpiont feel free to write The Current a Letter to the Editor at editor@thegrcurrent.com

someone your opinion.

One offers a sincere suggestion for the person to take into consideration when making their decision.

The other is an intense opinion that comes with a pressure to force the person to see things the same way.

I bet everyone has at least half a dozen examples from their daily lives that fit these scenarios.

For me, the most recent experience I have had with people crossing the line between advicing and forcing their opinion on me is the topic of my engagement. Many people, both close friends and distant acquaintances, have talked to be about getting married at a young age.

Some friends and strangers have given me good advice, both for and against the idea of getting married young, by offering a word or two

Theft Policy

on their experience. I take their opinions into consideration and take from them what I can apply to my life.

On the other hand, some people have clearly crossed the line by telling me that I am making a horrible decision because of their 'knowledge' and they continuously try to persuade me against the marriage as if my life would some how effect them. (Crossing the line can happen in agreement with the topic as well, it is just much less common.)

I think that there is one question that can be asked to take away all the grey area in this: "Does it effect you?"

If the answer is no, you should probably say your peace and move

If you find a factual error or simply a name spelled incorrectly, please contact us at: - editor@thegrcurrent.com - 253-288-3457 - or find us OEB 17

See > Advice pg 10

Each individual is permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Current. Newspaper theft is a crime.

Anyone who removes, discards or destroys more than one copy to prevent other individuals from reading that issue may be subject to civil, criminal and/or campus penalties.

Letters to the Editor

The Current encourages its readers to be involved and will accept letters of 400 words or less for publication. Anonymous letters are not accepted and the editors reserve the right to reject or edit letters for space, taste and legal concerns. All letters become property of The Current. Send letters to editor@ thegrcurrent.com.

10

2015-2016

opinion

thecurrent

Kartik Sarda | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Are We the Cause To an End Of Our Civilization?

Global Climate Change? Nuclear Bombs? Biological Warfare? Artificial Intelligence?

By: Kartik Sarda Opinion Editor @Krysis_Kartik I recently started watching British television series, Dr. Who. The first few episodes were enticing, but then it turned more towards illogical fantasy rather than science. Anyways, great show for entertainment.

One particular element of that show was displaying the various ways our planet could have died, although every episode had London and aliens in it. I couldn’t help but ponder upon the interesting theories that try to dictate possible ends for human existence on Earth, and felt the need to write about it.

We have been talking about global warming, huge meteor showers, super volcanos, and massive earthquakes. On the other side, many religious books like Bible and Quran predict the end of Earth in interesting ways. It is estimated that an asteroid will hit the Earth on March 16, 2880, destroying most of the life on the planet. A new talk in the town is about the active “super-volcanos”, especially the one in Yellowstone National Park. It is predicted that a super-volcano can spread in a radius of a 1,500 miles, covering the atmosphere with ash and dust, and cooling the Earth’s temperature by enormous amounts.

There are many more theories about massive natural disasters that can wipe out our entire civilization. However, only a few think of ‘humans and war’ rather than nature as the cause of our final destination. Do we really need to worry about nature’s wrath, or are we leading towards a doom ourselves?

Right now, while you are reading this article, hundreds of thousands of tons of resources are being used or extracted by humans every second. Most of these resources never reach the recycling chambers, and pollute the environment, killing billions of animals and thousands of humans every year. We are priding a technology that requires a planet one-and-a-half times the size of the Earth for continuation, and resources that will be able to feed no more than 2 billion people by the end of the century (www. treehugger.com). The oceans have plastic garbage floating on their

surface that form a carpet with an area of India, Europe and Mexico combined together. More than 35,000 pesticides (of which only 10 percent are tested) pollute our soil, and about 50-90 harmful chemicals from air, water and food flow in your bloodstream.

If all that is not enough, we are losing

hundreds of undiscovered species everyday due to deforestation, which by the way is at the rate of thousands of acres per day. Bees, a very important insect that helps in pollination, are dying due to radio waves released for satellite communication. Bees are the major pollinators in the world, and without them, many plant species will not be able to reproduce, and the crops will fail. Albert Einstein said that humans will wipe out in just four years after the disappearance of bees, and he was not joking.

It has been predicted that human civilization will be extinct in less than 100 years if we continue our actions against the environment.

One major possibility is global nuclear war, which will not only destroy lands, but will also cover the Earth’s atmosphere with dust for a long span of time, thus decreasing the temperature and depleting the crop production. People will die of war, starvation and cold, and whoever remains will face chronic diseases.

This would seem a bit exaggerated at first, but not if I tell you that there are more than 16,000 nuclear weapons in the world, with U.S. and Russia alone possessing

about 14,800 of those. We reached very close to a nuclear war during Cold War. Fortunately, it never happened, as only one nuclear war would be enough to cause catastrophic changes in the already degraded environment.

Another major human-induced crisis that has much higher chances of occurring than any other massive natural disaster is the biotechnical warfare.

A global pandemic has the potential of killing more people at a faster rate than any other form of warfare. Remember the plague that hit the planet so hard that it wiped out Europe’s one-third population?

Well, here we are talking about a threat hundred times larger.

Synthetic biology in wrong hands not only increases the threat to the life of humans, but also life in general. In near future, if proper care is not taken, then the biggest weapon that the terrorists will possess will comprise of biological hazards like disease-causing contagious viruses or bacteria. These small beings actually have much more killing strength than any missile ever invented.

A possible human induced threat is caused due to the exponential growth of technology every day.

With this rate, it is very likely that computers will become more intelligent than humans themselves.

Scientists are working on virtual awareness that can be implanted in the robots, but they still are not sure what kind of behavior would the machines develop once they can make their own decisions. The Earth has a history of the strongest species taking over the weaker ones, so it should not be a surprise that once we create robots more intelligent than us, they will have a chance of taking over the human civilization.

However, the most bone-chilling prediction about Artificial Intelligence is that with the current growth rate in technology, we only have about three to four decades left before super-intelligent machines become more intelligent than us. One might think of this as a very exaggerated scenario, but major scientists like Stephen Hawking have warned the globe about this very possible threat.

There are infinite number of stars in the Universe. All these stars form solar systems just like ours, and chances are that out of these zillions of planets, there are planets that resemble Earth. It is almost definite that life exists on planets far away from Earth, and there are civilizations that might even be more advanced than humans on Earth. One might pose the question that if there are billions of planets like Earth, why haven’t we received any data about alien life yet?

One theory tries to show the trend that the more advanced a civilization gets, the nearer it gets to its doom. This is part of what is called the Fermi Paradox, which tries to answer the question that why haven’t we discovered any alien species yet. Nothing comes without a price, and this is true for technology as well. As we advance and take leaps in technology, we are also taking many steps back in preserving the resources. We talk about conserving the environment, but the techniques and machines that we use for that are just another

source of resource depletion.

The point I am trying to make here is that many scientists believe that the more advanced a civilization gets, the more the chances of its destruction become. Imagine the world 100 years ago, when nuclear bombs, Artificial Intelligence, etcetera were out of option.

At that time, the only man-made danger that infected the Earth was pollution. A rewind of 500 years would cancel even that, thus posing only massive natural calamities that could have harmed our planet, but they never really occurred.

The problems and grim statistics that I presented might look very pessimistic, but there are always solutions to problems. A very simple task that cannot be pressed more is your involvement in the movement of saving the planet.

This means that each and every individual has to feel responsible towards environment preservation, and practice small steps like not creating litter everywhere, using less plastic, recycling and reusing stuff, and most important of all, preserving our resources.

For preventing technological takeovers from humans by robots, we need to secure our systems such that a self-aware machine (though not yet achieved) is incapable of self-existence. As far as biological warfare goes, we can only hope that no human will be cruel enough to plant this threat on our fairly new and modern civilization. We are born to advance and develop, and if everything goes well, then the Earth will not die until the sun starts losing its source of energy – Hydrogen – and engulfs our small planet into its wrath. However, it is still more than a billion years for that to happen.

So relax for now, but beware… the end is near if we don’t act soon.

Advice < from pg 9

a kick in the butt (information to make an informed decision for myself) does not mean that I can not make the decision on my own.

This can apply to any situation, big or small. With state and country wide issues, religion controversies, or daily problems with your roommate people need to realize that if the decision does not effect them, it is not up to them to decide anyone else's fate.

The bottom line is, if someone wants your advice or you just feel the need to share your words of wisdom, make sure that you stop at giving the advice and leave the decision making up to the person who will be living with the results.

on to allow the person to make their decision on their own.

If the answer is yes, by all means, stand up and share your opinion.

When the topic being discussed effects you, then you should have a say towards the outcome.

Please do not think I am saying that advice should only be a few soft words. There may be times when someone needs more persuading than the simple few words.

I know that I am stubborn and usually need a good kick in the butt to understand what is best for me.

This is where many people will blur the line. Just because I need

sports

thecurrent

Ethan DuBoise | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

11 2015-2016

Cheerleading Cut from Sport to Organization Event Calendar By: Vanessa McMahon Staff Writer

The Green River College cheerleading team has seen its last days, as the new budget plan has proposed to cut cheerleading from the college’s athletics budget.

After six seasons, cheerleading as a varsity sport will no longer be offered at Green River College as a sport but as a volunteer club status. Because GRC was approximately $200,000 over budget, significant cuts had to be made, particularly from student activities.

The decision to cut the GRC cheerleading program was proposed by the Campus Advisory team. The main factor that contributed to the decision was the issue of affording a coaching staff, after new regulations were established that require the coaches to be paid benefits.

Human Resources has determined that coaches with extended seasons such as basketball and cheer now fall under the category of “seasonal employees,” meaning that they are now eligible for benefits, according to Susan Evans of Student Programs.

The benefits alone would be costly for the college, amounting to an additional $7,200 in benefits on top of coaches’ salary, and the

costs to run the program. According to Bob Kickner, director of athletics and Recreation, it did not make sense financially to keep the program when the cost of the benefits would exceed the amount of the coach’s salary.

“The current financial investment for cheer was $3,000, and with $7,200 in benefits…it just didn’t make sense.”

Although cheerleading will no longer be available as a college varsity sport, there are plans under way to house cheerleading under the new recreational sports program, which was newly created in the last budget. The recreational cheer team will not have a paid coach, and instead will be student driven.

The new program will serve as an alternative for cheer team members that wish to continue cheering, and an opportunity for any students that have an interest in cheer and would like to try it out.

Recreational sports will be less competitive, but are aimed to be a fun way to still participate in a sport without a huge time commitment, or try out something new.

“It’s an option for students who are still interested in playing and competing, but maybe don’t have the time or the ability to commit to a varsity team,” Kickner said.

There will be limited funding available for the recreational sports teams, so students that choose to participate in cheer will be responsible for funding their own uniforms.

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discover

Attend A trAnsfer InformAtIon sessIon! To register visit: www.uwb.edu/admissions/transfer

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Any fundraising for the recreational cheer team will be up to the participants to organize. For practicing, the new cheer program will most likely use The Loft, which is located on the upper floor of the RAC. Because of minimal funding, one of the biggest differences of the new cheer program will be decreased travel opportunities to cheer at the basketball team’s away games like they previously were able to. According to Kickner, the cheer team will now primarily be cheering at home basketball games, with the possibility of cheering at other games if they are playing at local colleges, such as Highline College.

“As a basketball coach, of course I’d still love to have the cheerleaders there,” said Kickner, who also was responsible for starting the cheer program six years ago.

By cutting cheerleading as a varsity sport, GRC is saving an estimated $3,000, plus the coach salary and the $7,200 they would be spending in benefits. However, there is still some debate on how this money will be distributed, whether it be to diversity programs, student life, employment, or recreational sports/activities. Kickner expects that the money from eliminating sports programs will ultimately be used towards the recreational sports program fund.

“Dollar for dollar, losing cheer did help fund recreational sports,” Kickner said.

Chelsea Obrien, CLEO student and GRC cross country athlete, joined GRC cheer in December 2015. Obrien said that although it was a difficult season for the team, she had a great experience, and would consider participating in the new cheer program as a recreational sport next year.

The current coach of the GRC cheer squad, Eileen Uson, is understanding of the circumstances, and still would like to help out with the new cheer program despite the lack of funding for a paid coaching position.

Uson has been involved with cheerleading for many years, and is not yet ready to give up her passion for cheer and coaching.

As far as other budget cuts to the athletics department, cheerleading isn’t the only one to go. As of now, the funding for the women’s softball team will also be cut. Even with recent open tryouts and recruitment efforts, the 2016 softball season was canceled after not having enough players to constitute a team. Because of the poor turn out this year and other underlying issues, the decision was made to cut the funding for women’s softball altogether.

“As the athletic director, I’m not a big fan of losing sports teams, but we did it for the right reasons,” said Kickner.

Although the Campus Advisory has come up with these new plans to balance the budget, things are not officially set in stone yet, as they still need to be presented to the Finance Committee of the Student Government. If approved, it will then be handed off to the Student Senate for further discussion.

“There are still some kinks and tweaks to work out… it was a really hard process,” said Kickner of the new budget.

The Finance Committee will be holding two meetings next week on Monday, March 7, as well as Friday, March 11, to further discuss if more alterations to the proposed budget plan are necessary.

Men’s Baseball

Mar

GRC vs. Walla Walla

12

@ Walla Walla 11 a.m.

Men’s Baseball

Mar

13

@ Pasco 11 a.m.

Men’ Baseball

Mar

19

Mar

20

GRC vs. Big Bend

@ Moses Lake 1 p.m.

Men’s Baseball GRC vs. Big Bend

@ Moses Lake 11 a.m.

Men’s Baseball

Mar

25

Mar

26

Apr

GRC vs. Columbia Basin

GRC vs. Yakima

@ Yakima 3 p.m.

Men’s Baseball GRC vs. Yakima

@ Yakima 11 a.m.

Men’s Baseball

2

GRC vs. Centralia

@ RAC - Lacey 1 p.m.

RAC Hours Monday - Thursday 12 p.m.-9 p.m.

Friday 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday CLOSED Sunday 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

12 2015-2016

sports

thecurrent

Ethan DuBoise | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Take Me Out to the Ball Game, If the Gators Don’t Win It’s a Shame!

Gators Lose First Game of the Preseason By: Alyssa Guyer Staff Writer

The first games of the preseason ended as losses to the Gators.

The first game was against Edmund’s Community College with the score of 1-7. The second was against Southwest Oregon Community College with a score of 8-19.

And with the most recent game again against Edmund’s Community College ended at a score of 1-8.

The second base and shortstop, Adam Scalisi, discussed how the pre-season start up went.

“We lost both games but proved to ourselves that we can be very dangerous by the way we played,” Scalisi said.

He expressed that the team suffered some minor mistakes but overall he viewed the weekend as a success.

When asked about what mistakes happened, the pitchers struggled to find a strike zone or hit the location the coach called for them. He said that this is a reoccurring problem every season but it is good that it

happened in the first games so that they could correct it in the future ,Scalisi said.

GRC Athletics Director Bob Kickner said “they had a lot of arms to choose from.” Implying that the team is confident in the pitchers who are already talented. “[The pitchers] can be their strongest weapon when it counts,” Scalisi said.

He accepts that wins and losses are going to happen but this is just preseason so it will allow them all to train harder to win more in the oncoming season. When asked about his personal goals for the season Scalisi said that he’s pretty prone to injury and hopes to stay intact this season so he can really compete.

GRC baseball team, has decided they won’t have captains because everybody is expected to lead.

Zack Riviere, outfielder and catcher of the Green River baseball team, added that even though the Gators have lost all of their games so far, many of the team mates had good swings while batting.

The team played pretty well even though the score might show otherwise ,Riviere said.

A lot of people will look at the

numbers and think “Here we go again, another bad year” but he begs to differ and thinks that the team shows a lot of promise in future games.

Agreeing with Scalisi, Riviere feels that the pitching staff struggled this weekend but they have amazing talent.

He said they are a really talented group, but just inexperienced as a whole at this time. “[Riviere has]Absolute faith that they will get the job done.” These preseason games should give them the experience to discover how to properly use their talents.

In a previous interview with Kickner, he said the pitching staff was relatively new so it is a given that they will struggle to get the hang of the new team right away. With a little time and practice the pitchers should be more comfortable.

“The offense will undoubtedly be able to deal with the best pitchers that they will be up against [this coming season]” Riviere said.

He believes that they have “a lot of really talented ballplayers” compared to the past two seasons that he was a part of this team.

“Our team will be ready by conference play and we will compete

out hearts out,” Riviere said “I’m confident in our ability to make it far this May.” With coach Brian Embery a man with over 30 years of baseball experience and is a returning coach of five years for Green River Baseball.

The team has an experienced guide to victory.

Last year, Embery led the team to the playoffs. The team is very confident that they will make it even further this season.

“I just want to do whatever I can to help the team as a whole” Embery said “My goal is the same as everyone else’s. To win. We want to win it all this year and we’ll fight for

the honor of being NWAC champs”.

“I am absolutely confident that this is a championship team. Baseball is a marathon not a sprint,” Scalisi said.

The team is striving to push through the losses and learn from them until they get the win they deserve. They have the rest of March to make mistakes and work out the issues that they run into.

Once the season begins on April 2, the team should be more comfortable with their abilities and with each other as a team.

The GRC baseball team time to improve from the preseason games so far.

Andrew Snook (top) prepares to pitch for the Gators. Green River (bottom)playing agianst Edmonds Community College, the Tritons, on their home field in Edmonds Washington. Photos curtesy of Adam Scalisi