Issue 12 Volume 52

thecurrent the student newspaper of green river college

June.6.2018

www.thegrcurrent.com

issue12 volume52

NEW OCEAN CLEAN UP TECHNOLOGY pg. 10

Annamarie Graver | The Current

2 June 6, 2018

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Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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ASGRC Elects New Student Body President By: Alexander Gentry Staff Writer

Green River Community College’s student body has announced their new president.

May 23 saw an exciting announcement as The Associated Students of Green River College (ASGRC) announced their new president, Chen Zhao Wei. For those who do not know him personally, Wei is a 22-year-old international student who wishes to study air traffic control.

His origin is China, where he trained to be a pilot for three years before coming here for education.

He said his reason for studying here is because the education system in America is the most advanced in the world, and he wanted to work with our technology in his studies.

Wei is not coming in without leadership experience. While in high school, he was the vice president of their student body.

He was also working in the public relations aspect of the ASGRC. When asked why he wanted to go into a higher office position, he

of social media platforms like said that he wants to “just keep Facebook and Instagram. going” and never stop overcoming His reason for the social media challenges. He mentioned if an expansion is purely for the opportunity shows itself where international students, saying he can go higher, he would most while working in public relations, certainly take it. he noticed that Green River uses He has shown a liking to his Snapchat for promotions and position, as he said, “[I love] to announcing work with events. He students and said that while deal with “[I love] to work with Snapchat is student affairs.”

He also said students and deal with very popular among American that he wants student affairs,” students, to take any - Chen Zhao Wei, ASGRC international opportunity he president students can to interact “never touch with and Snapchat” and help students that platforms such as Facebook, whenever possible.

Instagram, and Twitter are much Wei also has plans for what he more popular among international will do during his presidency. His plan is to build an outdoor gym and students, meaning that they would hear more about events and field for the use of various outdoor promotions if Green River used sports such as baseball and track. those sites more frequently.

His second idea was to expand For changes in the budget, how Green River uses its social media, hoping to make it more he said he currently has little knowledge about where funding accessible for international goes specifically, but will look into students. He will do this by it after he is in office. expanding Green River’s usage

Green River College 12401 SE 320th St., Mailstop: SU Auburn, WA 98092-3699 NEWSROOM DIRECT LINE 253-288-3457

Chen Zhao Wei

Zhao Wei, the new ASGRC president

Emojie “Rosie” Son is the new collaborative vice president, who is 20 years old and majoring in international relations.

Her leadership style lies in making others feel valued and appreciated. Son initially wanted to become vice president because she is currently serving as a judicial board senator of The Associated Students of Green River College (ASGRC) and is Vice President of a peer volunteer organization.

These experiences have inspired her to dive deeper into community involvement and have provided her with the knowledge to competently run an organization.

Her first plan as vice president of ASGRC is to create an open system of communication in which all of her fellow students can participate in the administration process. She enjoys how the Green River campus is such a diverse place, and that students and faculty welcomes all with open arms.

When asked what she would do if she were able to make improvements to the school, she responded that she would create a nap place for students where they can sleep, because there are a multitude of cases of sleep deprivation when it comes to students.

Son also intends to include a collaboration room, where students may talk to each other if they need someone to talk to. A homework section in the collaboration room would also be beneficial for stu-

dents as well as a place to talk about students’ daily lives.

Son said she would like all activities on campus to be meaningful to both faculty and students, so she wants to take part in event planning.

As for exciting events coming up for Son, she will be serving as a peer volunteer for next-quarter orientation. Also, she will be meeting with new international students coming to the campus. “I really look forward to meeting them,” said Son. Son has had leadership positions before vice president. She has been a student ambassador, club president, vice president, and a peer mentor. She enjoys learning new languages in her free time, which helps her connect to different cultures. “Korean is my mother tongue and I am learning Japanese and Chinese,” said Son. According to Son, Green River was incredibly helpful in her transition into a new environment. Son would like to share the opportunity she received with other international students. Son enjoys mingling with people at Green River, which is a culturally diverse place. This aids in her pursual of comfortability of students.

When asked how she handles her school work, job, and volunteering, she said that “It’s all about time management and how you use your time. Your professional is as important as your social life. Making one of them more important than the other can only bring frustration. Work, study, but make sure you find some free time.”

MANAGING EDITOR Melanie Bell melrbell15@gmail.com 253-833-9111 ext. 2376 CAMPUS EDITOR Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker campus@thegrcurrent.com A&E EDITOR Taylor Yamamoto ae@thegrcurrent.com OPINION EDITOR Nik Harkins nik.harkins@gmail.com

Chen Zhao Wei

ASGRC Elections Conclude, Students Elect Vice President for 2018 By: Lucy Arcineiga Staff Writer

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mollie Clements editor@thegrcurrent.com 253-833-9111 ext. 2375

Green River College

SPORTS EDITOR Blake Latta sports@thegrcurrent.com LAYOUT EDITOR Dee Senaga COPY EDITOR Margo Mead GRAPHIC DESIGNER Annamarie Graver ADVERTISING MANAGER Mollie Clements ads@thegrcurrent.com WEB MASTER Alex Markovich webeditorcurrent@gmail.com

Celebratory picture of 2017’s ASGRC team who are getting ready to retire.

STAFF WRITERS: Austin Sprague, Margo Mead, Nathan Eskridge, Deven Lalgee, Maria Arcineiga, Adrienne Saenz, Lucy Arcineiga, Krishna Srini, Joseph Charrier, Janel Steele, Gabriel Steele, William Baliton, Jesus Scarpett, Bryan Bonilla, Esperanza Mendoza Villa, Taylor Robertson, Stella Hagen, Taylor Yamamoto, Kea Isoefo, Cameron McDowell, Hansen Slane, Mya Rivera, Ryan McConnell

Corrections

If you find a factual error or simply a name spelled Issue 11 incorrectly, Inplease the Faculty Contract contact us at: article, the United - editor@thegrcurrent.com Faculty President’s name - 253-288-3457 was- or spelled incorrectfind us OEB 17 ly. Her name is spelled Jaeney Hoene

Green River College

Members of ASGRC meeting with Senator Fain in the State Senate Chambers.

Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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Campus Crime Blotter Campus Safety responded to the following incidents from April 30 to May 29, among others. All information is from Campus Safety incident reports.

4/30 4 p.m.

Metro Bus Stop Vandalism

5/15 1:30 p.m.

Parking Lot P7 Medical Aid

5/18 11:20 p.m.

SW Parking Lot Theft (Misdemenor)

5/26 12 p.m.

Parking Lot 13 Auto Break In

5/28 5:45 p.m.

Foundation Trail Fire

5/29 5 p.m.

Student Union Complaint

5/29 8:50 a.m.

Parking Lot 13 Auto Accident

Campus Safety recieved an email about hate speech on the Metro bus stop on SE 320th Street.

A student talked to a bus driver who reported it when she returned to the Metro station. The shelter was covered in red ink with racist and derogatory remarks about another student.

Facilities cleaned up the vandalism in early May. The Auburn Fire Department recieved a report of a fire on campus. They rushed to the scene and found a student that had a seizure on the trail next to Parking Lot P7 and P8. The medical aid was non-criminal, as the seizure was randomly induced. She had fallen, scraping her knee, but no other damage was done. A Safety Officer escorted her to the Holman Libray where she was meeting a friend. The ambulance called was excused by the student and Safety Officers.

Two campus workers reported that they were working along the SW parking lot S, with the van parked in SW parking lot N. A landscaping truck was parked there was well. The man in the truck stated to one of the workers that their leaf blower and gas can had been stolen out of their van.

An officer called into Campus Safety stating that a vehicle theft may have taken place in Parking Lot 13. Two officers went to investigate and discovered that a student’s vehicle back passenger window was shattered. Only a bag of old shoes was taken from her car.

Two security officers patrolling near the boulders

by Abel Loop discovered a small fire inbetween the boulders. No one else was around the area.

An anonymous person reported three unknown people starting a fire in the trail. The Auburn Fire department was contacted and determined that the fire was adequately put out.

A faculty member reported damage to the trash compactor by the Student Union building. The damage consisted of exposed wires and hanging connecting hoses that control and power the Student Union Building. The trash compactor’s exposed wires was caused by a Republic Services driver that picked up the trash.

A security officer took a report regarding a vehicle accident in Parking Lot 13. The owner of the car noted a spot on the front passenger side fender near the bumper where the paint had been scratched off. She stated that the vehicle that was parked next to her vehicle in P13 was triple parked across parts of three parking spots at the time she parked her vehicle. She blames the suspected sports car for the damage. She declined the Auburn Police to take an accident report for the damage done and insisted to handle the situation privately.

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Students Combat Hate Speech on Campus By: William Baliton Staff Writer

Green River students and administration are collaborating to deal with Anthony Parish and speakers like him in the future.

In response to the free speech forum, students of Green River are coming up with new ways to combat speakers like Parish.

Several clubs have started working on solutions to combat hate speech speakers. The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and the Black Students’ Association (BSA) have started collaborating alongside Green River administration to try and solve the issues surrounding Parish. The two associations held a meeting two weeks ago to discuss ways of managing Parish.

Aisha Mohamed, president of the BSA and secretary of the MSA said, “We’re looking over Green River policy to see what we can do.” Mohamed also said the two associations are following up with Green River administration regularly to formulate solutions: “We were thinking that since [Parish is] part of a known hate group, we could ban him because of that or because he’s causing a disruption for students.”

Members of Queers and Allies have also started taking action to dissuade Anthony and speakers similar to him. They along with several other clubs have worked closely with the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to come up with solutions.

Joy Chang, a member of Queer

and Allies said, “We considered counter protesting Anthony, but it might be too dangerous...[Parish] causes a lot of emotional distress for members.”

Instead of holding counter protests, however, Queers and Allies are countering Parish’s negative messages with positive ones by handing out free fliers with positive messages to students. “It gives students like a daily dose of positivity to help them feel more comfortable on campus,” Chang said.

The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has also actively started coming up with solutions.

Shortly after the Free Speech Forum, members and administrators of the department sent messages to the administration to start taking action to solve the problems surrounding Parish.

Department member Saba Williams said, “Anthony is misrepresenting the communities of Green River…what he’s doing is intimidating students.” When asked what other problems Parish caused, Williams said that Parish was embarrassing Green River because on the most recent day Parish was preaching, the school hosted a signing event for new students to see the school.

“What are students going to think about Green River when they see [Parish] out there harassing students?” Williams said, “He’s making the college look bad.”

Many students were affected

by Parish’s activities on campus.

Williams continued: “A lot of our international and undocumented

students were afraid, so they just went home...That’s so sad that students don’t feel safe here, they come here to learn.”

Many students are asking why Parish was given a platform on campus. “The college is only doing damage control when it should be preventing people like him. I mean we’re paying to be here, why is our money going towards people like that?” Williams said.

Mohamed gave her thoughts when she said that to reduce the amount of disruptions Parish causes towards students, administrators should relocate him to areas of campus that do have as much foot traffic, such as the RLC. Still, there are issues surrounding whether these solutions operate within the realm of free speech.

As the freedom to express is still protected, and certain types of hate speech are protected under the first amendment. This poses a great challenge for club and department leaders to try and formulate solutions for the Parish problem.

“It’s hard to differentiate hate speech from free speech and it’s even harder to keep hate off campus,” Williams said, “But Anthony is putting the diversity of our students in a bad light and we need to do something about it.”

At this point, there are still no solid solutions for the problems Parish poses, but the administration and student organizations have started a dialogue on the broader issues that impact students and how to deal with these issues in the future.

Graduation Items Available in Paper Tree Bookstore By: Joseph Charrier Staff Writer

Graduation is nearly upon students of Green River, which means it is time to start ordering caps and gowns.

7 p.m. on June 15 at the Showare Center, students will have the chance to walk down the aisle and show everyone what their education has been building to. However, many of them want to look the part and may be wondering when and where they can get their hands on mandatory caps and gowns.

Thankfully, it is as easy as a quick trip to the book store. But before students can take action, they must have a special card that allows them to purchase certain items.

According to bookstore buyer Susan Fairley, “Students have to wait for enrollment services to email them a letter that explains the procedure that they have to go through, and once they get through that, they bring it to the store. They need the card otherwise they don’t get a gown at all.”

A common occurrence among

graduates is that they will either forget about purchasing a cap and gown or simply put it off until the last minute.

Thankfully, if students forget to purchase graduation items ahead of time, they will have a chance to buy them at the graduation ceremony.

However, Gary Jones, the manager of Paper Tree Bookstore, highly recommends students buy them as soon as possible. “It’s always advisable to get it as soon as you can,” Jones said. “You’ll have a better variety of sizes that are available.”

Fairley agrees with this sentiment.

She states, “If students don’t order early, they won’t get the proper height. Sooner is always better.

Plus, they come bagged, so you want to get them out and ironed.”

Another reason to get a cap and gown ahead of time is to decorate caps. Graduates commonly add decor or interesting designs to their caps to add their own style.

The full cap, tassel, and gown combination comes out to $25, while the cap and tassel on their own cost $4 and $7 respectively.

Single honor cords are $5.25, and

Melanie Bell | The Current

A student’s decorated graduation cap. the double honor cord and Military cord are $10.50 each. Stoles are $22.

The full graduation package, which includes 25 announcements, 25 seals, 25 thank you cards, and one diploma cover costs $67.

For more information on additional items and how much they cost individually, visit the Green River website.

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Wildlife Sightings on Campus: Rare By: Cameron McDowell Staff Writer

There is an abundance of different species of wildlife on Green River College’s campus.

On May 19, 2018, a three-year-old cougar attacked two bikers in the North Bend area.

The cougar ended up killing S.J Brooks, 32, and injured Isaac Sederbaum, 31. The victims were riding mountain bikes on trails when the cougar jumped out and attacked the both of them. It dragged Brooks into the woods while Sederbaum was riding away to get cell phone reception, which was two miles from their location.

The cougar that stalked the two mountain bikers was just the second fatal cougar attack in Washington in 100 years. The last time a cougar killed a person in the state was 1924, in the north-central part of the state. Fewer than 20 other cougar attacks have been recorded in the past 100 years, with none of the attacks being fatal.

Unfortunately, besides cougar attacks, wildlife accidents like these are a common occurrence in the state of Washington.

Green River is more rural than other parts of Auburn. The Green River campus contains plenty of trees, with large clusters of forest surrounding the area.

With that being said, there are animals that students and faculty should recognize while on campus.

Notably, there is wildlife movement around Green River that has been reported through sightings and captured on game cameras.

It is important to note that wild animals rarely want contact with humans, and when they do, there Annamarie Graver | The Current

are often extenuating circumstances that lead them to be desperate, which was the case with the mountain lion out of North Bend.

“The animals that have been spotted in the last 10 years are primarily deer, raccoons, bats, owls, woodpeckers, etcetera. Occasionally, there are elk that migrate up and down the Green River, but that has become increasingly rare,” said Monica Paulson Priebe at the Natural Resources Department.

Two summers ago, there was a black bear spotted that moved through the Green River campus.

Predators need large territories and do not have enough space in Auburn woods to take up residency, but rather will move from territory to territory along natural corridors such as rivers. So, they will move through the Auburn area, but most likely not stay around for long.

“People should not be afraid of these animals, but rather should know what to do when they confront them,” Priebe said.

Priebe stated that it is important to stand your ground and not run from a bear or mountain lion, but rather make lots of noise and make yourself look large by holding your arms up. Do not make eye contact, but do not turn and run.

That is the primary mistake that the mountain bikers made—they did not know what to do and kept moving, which triggered the predatory response in the mountain lion.

At Green River, students and faculty do not need to be worried about dangerous animals disturbing the college. It is, however, important that people know how to act in these certain situations, because it can be the difference between life or death.

Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Spring Interclub Council Meeting Success By: Hansen Slane Staff Writer

The Interclub Council (ICC) meeting was a recap of recent success and future improvements of the clubs and organizations of Green River.

The meeting itself consisted of presenter Melissa Archuleta, the program coordinator for Clubs and Organizations (C&O) and representatives from several clubs in the audience responding and giving feedback. Like all clubs and organizations at Green River, the ICC meeting was a group effort comprised of many student leaders.

The entire system of student-run clubs and organizations at Green River is a testament to the hard work of many students.

The spring ICC meeting was simple, short, and informative. The meeting was a final recap of the academic year for clubs, covering club progress and statistics for all student-run clubs and organizations, and was meant to inform those involved and give them a chance to discuss important matters. More than enough information was packed into the session to leave attendees with an understanding of the recent statistics of clubs.

This year, there were 43 recognized student run clubs and 14 recognized student-run organizations. While this is down from the respective 45 student run clubs and 15 student run organizations from

last year, Archuleta said, “I think there has been an increase in success,” as clubs and their members have become more proactive.

Club collaboration has improved and club events have become more successful, allowing more members to become involved. There were over 100 registered club and organization events, with the most recent reports showing over 400 student members across all clubs and organizations. Archuleta predicts that there are 550 student members across all clubs and organizations in the upcoming spring report.

Another key aspect of the ICC meeting was the positive changes that were made to the system in place at Green River for starting clubs. This upcoming fall will be the first quarter for new clubs where the improved system for starting a club is in place, where startup forms will be able to have a much quicker review process. Club 101 attendance, a mission statement, a minimum of 10 members,

and event training will still be necessary (with several opportunities to attend club 101 and event training per quarter), and more information is always available at the student life office.

Even with the number of clubs and organizations decreasing, their scope is increasing and the number of members across all clubs and organizations has continued to rise.

All of this stands to enforce the increase of productivity among clubs and organizations at Green River.

While the spring ICC itself was a required meeting according to the by-laws of Green River, it allowed for the transference of data such as attendance and club count, as well as an opportunity for many students involved to give their own feedback about the club startup and leadership system at Green River. While responses were confidential, there was a high rate of participation by the attendees in providing feedback to improve clubs at Green River.

Green River College

The triangle logo for Clubs and Organizations shown by the ICC meeting.

FISH Club Fundraises for Water Crisis in Africa By: Kennedy Crawford Staff Writer

Green River’s very own Focus, Inspiration, Share, and Hook (FISH) club partnered with World Vision and Krispy Kreme to start a fundraiser for communities around the world who are in need of clean water.

Specifically, children and individuals in Tanzania, Africa.

Every year, the FISH club donates money to an orphanage in Tanzania. This year, FISH sold Krispy Kreme Donuts for their annual fundraiser. Krispy Kreme has been an advocate for fundraisers and has raised money for important causes since 1995.

In 2017 alone, Krispy Kreme raised over 40 million dollars for educational, religious, and charitable organizations.

The FISH club is a religious club at Green River that focuses on spreading the word of God to other students and faculty. During the entire month of May, donuts were sold every Wednesday in the Salish Hall building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Members of the club volunteered every week for this cause. Donuts were being sold for $13 for a box

of 12 in order to raise money for the children in Africa. Not only did students love being able to buy donuts in the comfort of their school every week, but they also loved supporting an important cause. The FISH club sold over 40 boxes in just 20 minutes one day, and 50 boxes in just one hour.

World Vision is one of the largest providers of water in the entire

Annamarie Graver | The Current

world, reaching a new person with clean water every 30 seconds.

Anyone can donate money at any time on their website—worldvision. com—and help a person in need of clean water, sanitation, and to prevent disease or death. About 2.2 million people die every year due to diarrhoea, which is caused by unsafe water. 90 percent of people affected are children, which is more than both AIDS and malaria

combined. Everybody deserves clean water—clean water is not a privilege, but a basic necessity.

With Krispy Kreme, they give students the opportunity to start fundraisers. All students have to do is go to their website and find the fundraising tab. It will guide them through exactly what needs to be done in order to start their fundraiser. They will ask what the purpose of the fundraiser is, the organization name, and some other details before individuals can get started. After that, they submit the form for review and be contacted soon with an approval or denial.

Krispy Kreme offers ‘buy one get one free’ coupons, along with other deals, to help entice customers into purchasing or donating.

Not only does Krispy Kreme make it exceptionally simple to start a fundraiser, they even help with exactly what is needed to make fundraisers successful. They give individuals the right steps they need to take, businesses they should contact, special tips, and other information. Although the fundraiser was in May, anybody can still donate through World Vision, or start a fundraiser through Krispy Kreme at any time.

Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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5 June 6, 2018

Green River Hires Working Students to Pay For Rising Tuition By: Stella Hagen Staff Writer

With many colleges increasing their tuition prices, employed Green River College students are grateful to have a reliable source of income.

The cost of higher education has never been more expensive.

Adjusting for inflation, a 2017 study

by College Board found that tuition for public four-year institutions has increased by 213 percent over the last 30 years. For Green River students planning to transfer to a four-year college, the steep cost of living can be daunting. With employment, however, the threat of drowning in college debt can be somewhat neutralized.

Green River students work in an array of industries. Among the most common of these are food and sales. Steven Koestl, 19, has worked as a cashier at Fred Meyer since November 2017. On a typical work day, he is responsible for scanning items, completing transactions, and answering questions from customers.

“As anyone who works in retail can tell you, you have to be able to enjoy talking to people,” Koestl said. Personally, that’s my favorite part of the job, being able to connect with all kinds of people from different walks of life and building a sense of rapport over

something as simple as bread.

What more could you ask for?”

Ironically, the hardest part of his job is also the part he likes the most: talking to customers. For every few hundred customers, he said, there are several who are difficult to deal with.

“Who knows why that may be?”

Koestl said. Maybe they’re worried about a family member, maybe they’re on a copious amount of drugs, or maybe they’ve just had a rough day. It’s not my place to judge, but I’ll still do everything in my power to make sure they at least leave the store feeling better than when they came in.”

With his earnings, Koestl pays his way through college while saving what he can. “Being a cashier may not pay a six-figure salary, but I’m just happy I can enjoy what I do for a living,” he said.

Many Green River students find themselves working in the food industry. Megan Rohrbaugh, 22, has worked as a Starbucks barista in Issaquah since September 2017.

“It’s a small store, so I actually get along really well with my coworkers. We’re all friends, which is something I never would have thought could happen with coworkers,” she said. The added benefits of working for Starbucks include full benefits for part-time work, her own partners discount, and a free pound of coffee weekly.

While she doesn’t consider any aspect of her job to be particularly rough, there are some minor annoyances that are inevitable for a massive company such as Starbucks. “People can get very snappy about their coffee,” Rohrbaugh said.

As Starbucks has recently lifted a ban on loitering, Rorhbaugh, who typically spends her paycheck on groceries and college tuition, has witnessed some unusual behavior from customers. “There’s one guy in a blue jacket who only comes in to steal all the newspapers,” she said.

Another Green River student who works in the food industry is Alex Marx. She has worked at Panera Bread in Maple Valley for two years.

Like Rohrbaugh, her coworkers are her favorite part of her job.

“The staff is really great,” Marx said. “The friends you make are more stable that those you make at school. It can be really difficult to make friends at Green River.”

When it comes to her least favorite part of her job, Marx is very specific. “The worst thing is the wet produce. How often do you have to describe the worst part of job as ‘wet produce’? It’s terrible.”

Admittedly, Marx said she mainly spends her money on things she does not need.

For students still searching for jobs, Green River offers both on and off campus employment through

GatorJobs. Launched winter quarter, this online job database helps students get in contact with local businesses who are looking to hire college students.

Students seeking employment can apply to be instructor assistants, tutors, graders, office assistants, Student Life representatives, maintenance workers, or even paid interns for the natural resources program.

“We have roughly 500 students working on campus throughout the year,” said Student Employment Specialist Natalya Bronitskiy. Of these, around 200 students are involved in work study, allowing them to pay for their education while working part-time.

Work study guidelines dictate that employees must be registered students and work no more than 20 hours per week. This does not include breaks, where students are avaliable to work full-time.

Hiring for Green River is competitive, especially in the fall.

“We always have more students looking for work than are funds available,” Bronitskiy said.

Students who are not hired will go on a waitlist. Once a job becomes available, waitlisted students can apply for the open position. The process of getting a job can be painstaking, but as many Green River students would say, the benefits are well worth the effort.

Alex Marx | Instagram

Megan Rohrbaugh | Instagram

Steven Koestl | Instagram

Green River Dance Club Encourages New Members By: Adrienne Saenz Staff Writer Green River College dance clubs are enjoyed by students all year-round on campus.

These students enjoy gathering in a group to express their passion through movement. Students dance for several reasons, for example, physical fitness, emotional release, or pure instinct.

Students at Green River are naturally inclined to put their talents and hard work on display.

Different music styles can also integrate diverse cultures from various backgrounds through distinct sounds and rhythms.

The Dance Club incorporates all kinds of dancing styles, ranging from hip-hop to contemporary.

Hip-hop originated from AfricanAmerican and Latino people, who devised step-and-build breakdancing, as well as poplocking and whacking. These particular types of dance moves mix incredible beats and rap music with good flow.

As well as hip-hop, students like to incorporate classical styles, such as modern dance techniques or

ballet footwork. They also include culture dances, like luau.

When it comes to routines, it begins with students offering different ideas. Then, the moves are taught to the rest of the club step by step. The whole club can contribute to the routine, which makes the club collectively create a unique dance.

Students get inspired by each other, giving the dance a special meaning. If every student puts in the effort and shares the routine, it will always come out successful.

Their style tends to be dynamic and exciting, always pulling out new stops and unique tricks.

They have worked with various organizations to have different cultures integrated into their dances—they welcome new ideas and creativity from other students.

The Dance Club meets in the studio on the second floor of the Recreational Athletic Center in the Mel Lindbloom Student Union.

Luis Nunez Cervantes is one of the students in the dance club.

“There’re no try-outs to join the club, people usually see signs on campus and show up,” Cervantes said. “Always feel free to join; we

always have new members every club meeting.”

Green River Dance Club has several events, and the entire club tries to perform at every event that occurs. Green River has many different events throughout the year, which gives the Dance Club even more opportunities to participate in school-wide events.

For upcoming performances, the Dance Club will perform for the IESL End-of-Quarter party on June 13—their final dance this quarter.

When students from the Dance Club perform, there is a chance the students watching from the audience will be inspired to join the club. Throughout the time being in the dance club, students learn new skills.

The Dance Club encourages new students to join the club, as they always need new members, even as a large club. They pride themselves in being accepting and welcoming to new members.

The key to succeeding in Dance Club is to be dedicated, hardworking, cooperative, and respectful to other individuals in the club. The dance club is every Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Green River College

The Dance Club performing on the Student Union stage Spring Quarter.

Green River College

The Dance Club dancing with the International Program in unique costumes.

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Taylor Yamamoto | A&E Editor ae@thecurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

June’s Artist Spotlight: Dee Senaga Showcases Art By: Deven Lalgee Staff Writer

Mariya Mubeen | The Current

The featured artist, Dee Senaga.

Dee Senaga is our artist spotlight for this month’s issue of the Current.

Senaga, 18, specializes in traditional and digital works, primarily using pens for drawing and Paint Tool SAI for digital pieces, which are mostly inspired by living, fictional and prehistoric animals.

Senaga describes his art as a mix between a realistic and cartoony take on animals. His art contains a lot of character design, so he enjoys taking characteristics of the original animal to the extreme. The majority of his animals tend to be reptiles, dragons, and birds.

He starts by thinking out the design for the animal. Most of the groundwork is mental mapping, so not a lot is done on paper. Then he proceeds to sketch out poses.

The use of lines is an important

a grasp on how he can draw it in the process when creating pieces. In future. Other times he just has to a drawing, lines are integral for wait out his blocks. adding depth, emotion, and finer One of Senaga’s favorite artists is details to a piece. This is the part of Kiriska, a local artist who also uses making his art that Senaga enjoys, a lot of animals in her works. “I take although it may be boring to other a lot of inspiration from her works,” artists. He uses lines to bring his he said when pieces to life, asked about much like the artist. cartoons and A lot of the way their Senaga’s art styles utilize “Contrast is really cool to is their detail me, I like to mess around with work inspired by lines in a similar contrast a lot” the anthrofashion.

- Dee Senaga, student artist pomorphic Senaga uses art style. a brush pen Anthropowhen creating morphic art traditional art is a style in because it bends which human characteristics are at the tip allowing for a different given to nonhuman things. He is type of stroke. For digital art, he particularly interested in art done uses a similar tool. it’s a personally customized digital brush that mim- by an artist named Squeedge.

Senaga likes working with greens ics the effects of a brush pen. and browns, mint chocolate chip He uses Paint Tool SAI for his works because he prefers the layout being a favorite aesthetic of his. He really enjoys using diametrically compared to Photoshop, as it is opposing colors or directly opposmore “user-friendly.” He describes ing colors, such as warm versus SAI as a “more balanced, easier to customize layout,” while Photoshop cold colors. “Contrast is really cool to me, I like to mess around with is more for the “technical minded.” contrast a lot,” said Senaga.

Senaga is not impervious to Senaga has been officially drawcreative blocks. While factors such as school and limited free time may ing since 2010. ‘Officially’ meaning with the intent of getting better play a role, sometimes he just can’t and constantly evolving as an artist. think of things or doesn’t have the Though, art has been present in his energy for the character design. household from an early age as his To overcome these blocks, Senaga mother is a cake decorator. will sometimes begin studying the Not only is she a cake decoracharacteristics of an animal. tor, but is also trained in fabrics, While doing this, Senaga will study the facial proportions and get knowing a lot about outfit design.

Dee Sanaga

“Cipactli Earth” made by exploring the brushstroke style. Showing the earth as a creature holding the Sun.

Senaga takes full advantage of this resource, “I can often go to her for advice on color schemes, or how the best way to attach this to that, etc.” said Senaga.

Senaga also has a lot of artist friends so he’s filled his life with art. “[We] get together a lot and support each other and tell each other what we need to fix, what we’re doing great right now, and more,” he said.

Senaga credits Cindy Small’s Intermediate and Advanced drawing classes as the two classes that really helped him grow as an artist. “I learned a lot more about movement, setup, and how to use different mediums,” he said.

Senaga’s plan for the future is to go into storyboarding for cartoons.

He enjoys the idea of being a part of the setup of the scene and designing how it looks, but without the grind and tediousness of the animation process.

An ideal project he would want to work on innovative, ‘boundary-breaking’ cartoons, much like how current day cartoons are beginning to talk about social issues.

Some words Senaga has for aspiring artists would be, “don’t stop drawing because you think something is bad. Now that you’ve recognized [the flaw], you can take what you’ve learned, and you will improve. Stopping is foolish to do so,” Senaga said.

If you would like to check out Senaga work, please check his tumblr at Kairyu-arts.tumblr.com or his Esty at KairyuDee.

Facts by: www.natgeokids.com

By: Taylor Yamamoto A&E Editor • The largest ocean on Earth is the Pacific Ocean, covering around 30 percent of the Earth’s surface.

• The name “Pacific Ocean” comes from the Latin name Tepre Pacificum, “peaceful sea”.

• The longest mountain range in the world is found under water. Stretching over 56,000 km, the Mid-Oceanic Ridge is a mountain chain that runs along the center of the ocean basins.

• The sea is home to the world’s largest living structure – the Great Barrier Reef. Measuring around 2,600 km, it can even be seen from the Moon.

• We have only explored about 5 percent of the world’s oceans. There’s a lot more to be discovered.

• The sea can be described as the planet’s mega museum. There are more artefacts and remnants of history in the ocean than in all of the world’s museums combined.

Dee Sanaga

A picture from Sanaga showing an anthropomorphic Tiger smoking a cigarette.

Taylor Yamamoto | A&E Editor ae@thecurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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June 6 , 2018

Artist Talk: Former Student Victor Melendez Visits Campus By: Mya Rivera Staff Writer Victor Melendez at his artist talk on May 8, explained his journey with graphic design.

Before coming to the United States, Melendez lived in Mexico City where he learned most of his English through American TV shows. After relocating he had to work very hard and do several jobs to attend college. But, despite all that Melendez succeeded.

Melendez chose to attend Green River where he originally majored in Engineering. art teacher, Cindy Small encouraged him to pursue.

“I did encourage him to pursue the arts…” Small said. After delving more into the art field Melendez decided to pursue graphic design.

Small like Melendez focused on graphic design. “I started out as a graphic designer, then taught digital design as a part time instructor, to finally become a [full-time] art instructor in 2000, focusing on drawing.” Small said.

Small noticed Melendez’s skill stood out among the other art students at the school.

Once Melendez decided on graphic design as a career he transferred from Green River to Cornish College of the Arts. There he learned valuable information on

how to use graphic design.

Although, Cornish provided valuable information, the most useful experience was the one he received through his internship at Starbucks. His time at Starbucks changed how he approached graphic design. The job provided him with real projects that gave him with real world experience.

Something that many schools struggle to provide their students.

The Starbucks building Melendez worked at was the corporate office in downtown Seattle. Its infamous appearance of the Mermaids eyes and crown can be clearly seen on any side of the building.

During his time at Starbucks, Melendez created several designs for the company. His artwork is featured on Starbucks coffee bags.

His work can also be seen on other Starbucks products such as one of the Fall coffee cups.

Melendez incorporated color on one of his projects. Before, Starbucks’ Anniversary Blend was shades of brown and other dark colors. Melendez began with sketches he produced by hand.

“I like things that make you work with your hands.” he said on why he first manually sketches his designs rather than staring digitally. His designs could have been seen in every Starbucks store and on

Starbucks’s website.

Melendez spoke about his design on one of the fall coffee cups. “[It’s] really rewarding [to see] people connecting with my work” Melendez said. He also showed images of customers with his coffee cup and got their take on it. One interesting example he saw was his designs on a person’s fingernails. “[They] cut them up and put them on nails…” Melendez said.

Melendez is no longer working for Starbucks and has chosen to become a freelance artist. Melendez enjoys being a freelance artist because he is his own boss and likes working by myself.

Other projects Melendez does are posters, prints, and murals. “I love doing posters and prints” he said.

Although, currently Melendez has a fix for murals. One of his murals, with help from Urban Artworks, can be seen at a restaurant called Casco Antiguo in Seattle. His other murals can be seen in two Starbucks locations; White Center and Tec de Monterrrey campus Santa Fe in Mexico City.

Melendez is currently designing a mural for the campus. The mural will be located on the wall next to room 273 in Salish Hall. Out of all his work Small said, “I really liked seeing his mural work. Really beautiful. Dynamic. Love the

cultural influences.”

Melendez’s inspiration for his work comes from several different areas. Some of it is from his childhood, different cities, food, and public art. But, he gets most of his inspiration from local markets.

Small hopes students will learn from Melendez. “I hope that students got an understanding that you can make it work for yourself if you want it badly enough and are willing to work for it,” she said.

“Here he is now in his career, selfemployed with many wonderful connections in the art/design field, working on projects he enjoys.”

For students who may consider pursing a future in graphic design, “Be open to new experiences,” Melendez said. “I think graphic design is a great foundation [to have].” His work can be found on his website at victormelendez. com and on his Instagram at hellomelendez.

Mya Rivera | The Current

A picture of the artist Victor Melendez after his Artist Talk on campus.

Green River’s 2018 Espial Book Release Promotes Student Art By: Margo Mead Copy Editor Green River’s 2018 Espial edition will be releasing this Thursday June 7.

The Espial is Green River’s literary art journal where “student can express their art in a creative way.” said Annamarie Graver, award winning graphic art student. With a goal to spotlight and preserve a sense of place for the creative culture at Green River each year.

The book is created annually during spring quarter classes.

Everything in the Espial from cover to layout is a product of the Green River students and staff in classes ART150 and ENG239. The Espial instructors are Sarah Dillon Gilmartin from the art department and adjunct teacher Trysteen Tran from the English department.

The students begin with a blank slate and throughout the year collect art, and literature submissions from all student, staff, and alumni for selection. According to Green River’s Espial Literary Art Journal Facebook page, “This journal is not about professional art or poetry; it is about you: the weekend painter, the amateur photographer, the poet at heart.”

It is about highlighting our

creative GR community.” This gives all students an equal opportunity to have their art and literature published each year. The extended deadline for 2018 was March 22 before students began the final layout of the Espial.

Green River’s Espial journal is an award-winning journal receiving first place in 2016 in the American Scholastic Press Association magazine competition. Which commented, “Your magazine shows the superior efforts of talented and creative writers, artists, photographers layout/ graphics designers, staff members, contributors and advisor.”

The 2016 Espial also received best in category as well as best of division for the 2016 Print Rocks Awards hosted by the NW Visual Communications Industries Association also known as the PPI Association out of Portland, ORE. The 2016 Espial celebrated Green Rivers 50th anniversary, highlighting its growth and development over the years.

Those who join the Espial program learn skills in book editing, book design, book publication, and teamwork. Skills that were critical for the future career of Karl Smith, a Green River alumnus who was a part of the

Espial project in 2005. After Green River he acquired a job at a graphics company doing publications, then after that continued doing private commissions. In a student testimonials video from the Espial journals home page at http://espialjournal.wix.com/ greenriverespial.

Smith said that he now has his name in the credits of several books now doing their layout and formatting, “all due to the fact that I helped out with the layout of this book.” Alumni can submit entrees for submission, to preserve Green Rivers culture and history.

Another former Espial student Joe Caputo who is also featured in the video commented on the teamwork skills that are obtain through the Espial project stating that, “You’re forced to work together on deadlines and come together as a group to try and put the best piece of art together that you can.” Teamwork becomes an essential skill in the class as “the experience is very much team oriented,” Said Smith.

The Espial project reaches out to every corner of Green River for entrees. From the study abroad programs, to the creative writing club. Anything that shows Green River’s creative culture is excepted.

The project has been a part of the college since 1960. The first Espial edition known today was first published in 2002.

The 2018 Espial Book release party will be 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday June 7 in Salish Hall room 273. Treats will be provided and the event and will include

a poetry reading event and exhibition. Those who would like a copy may also purchase the 2018 Espial book for $10.

Those who would like to submit art in the next following year, can find a submission form on the Espial website at espialjournal.wix. com/greenriverespial.

espialjournal.wixsite.com

The cover photo on the Espial website, an example of the art they promote.

8 June 6, 2018

thecurrent

Melanie Bell | Managing Editor melrbell15@gmail.com www.thegrcurrent.com

submisson

Short Story Submission By: Sarah McPorter

Once there was a boy, lost and alone. He came from a broken home. Misfit, outcast, he was angry and arrogant. Adrift from place, he shielded his pain in wit and scorn.

Once there was a girl, sad and lonely.

She, too, came from a broken home, a place of yelling and hitting, of shame and fear. Shy and sweet, she withdrew into herself. She shielded herself in stories and dreams and hope.

One day, she heard of him, heard of this trickster with his cutting cleverness. She grew curious to meet him herself, to see with her own eyes. An amusing diversion, he allowed her near. He found a mystery, someone outside the pattern he had come to expect from people. She found a funny hurting boy who went unseen. She saw something good, and yearned to remain with him.

Stolen moments, late nights, happy days.

Dancing around each other, drawn together across thousands of miles and discord and struggle. And they met amidst summer roses and blue skies, love and passion exploding.

Clinging, souls meeting, joining.

But then he had to go, and left her with a promise. She waited, hoping through autumn, buoyed by love and letters. Winter brought tears, loneliness. Spring bloomed stagnant, his absence unexplained.

For he had fallen to temptation. Betraying her in a moment of weakness. Hurt, knowing the loss to come, he became angry.

Stuck with his mistake, trapped, he confessed and pushed her away. Grief consumed them both, anger took over him and sorrow her.

Then his mistake sent him to jail, lies wrought from bitterness. While he was away, she vanished. Taken in by false promises of what she’d lost, she gave herself to a monster.

When the boy returned, he could not find her. This caused him to fear, because it did not fit her. None knew where she’d gone, and he knew in his soul that she was in danger.

But though he searched, he also had to protect the girl child that resulted from his mistake. When she, too, was ripped from him, he fell in with discord and strife. Anger and bitterness consumed him. He traveled far and wide, descended into darkness. He

pxhere.com

were but illusion, a fairy tale that she didn’t belong in.

He at last found his first child, had what had been stolen from him. But his search had sent him far and wide, and he was on the edge of giving up. A dark night, and he found a fragment, a trace. Desperate, despairing, he reached for it. He called out, across space, across a decade of searching, to this last hope.

And she woke up and heard him. Startled, frightened, she listened. And when he had finished speaking, she smiled bittersweet and forgave him.

Tentative, they danced around each other, friendship the goal. Both in love and committed to others, both unsure after so much time apart.

But their feet remembered the dance.

Their bodies remembered the touch. Their minds remembered the game. Their hearts and souls remembered each others.

And oh, the awakening, of things long dormant. Oh, how well they saw each other truly, mirrored within each others eyes. Oh, their minds meeting, their hearts yearning, souls mating once again. Oh, the ache to be together once more.

Now found, caught by circumstances far from each other, what now? Where do their roads lead?

A silhouette of two people who have turned their backs on each other, suggesting unhappiness. searched for those he loved and lost himself grown into a man, no longer angry or arroin brief comforts. gant, but humbled by loss and experience.

And through this time, the girl suffered The girl, too, had grown into maturity, a in hell. The monster chained her in lies and woman. She found her voice, and knew how uncertainty, tainting her with self doubt to survive. She opened the box and pulled and dependency. Isolated from the world, her heart back out, though she left the memshe became numb. She locked her heart in ories of him within. Too jagged, too painful a box, along with the memory of the boy. to touch, she ignored the melody her heart She learned to hide herself from the monsang to itself of loss and love. ster in the darkness, shielding her light, She dreamed of things she’d once had, cutting it off. She learned to survive through dreamed of passion and romance and joy and pain, which she came to believe was all she warmth. She looked around, bittersweet at deserved in life. those that had what she desired. But she told And still he searched, though now he herself that these were not for her, that they fought to keep and protect his boy-child, born of lust, though now he had found a companion. The need to find her, know that she was safe and well, to apologize for his mistakes became an obsession. He wrote of her and called out to her, but met only terriStudents may submit short stories, graphics, photos, fying silence.

In time, she broke away and returned to drawings, poems, etc. the world. Hurt and scared, she slowly rebuilt Not guaranteed to herself, and ran from her personal demon. be published.

She collected again the broken pieces, taking into herself the lost parts. She found comMust be sent to the editor@thegrcurrent.com panions and became content and comfortWe encourage students to submit whatever they wish and able. She could breathe and heal and be. use this as a creative space.

He, too, had settled. Still he searched, and though he could not find her, he used her memory to become better. He remembered how she had been, and tried to embody her compassion. He let go the anger and chose to help others, to guide them. He had

studentsubmissions

Deadlines: Oct. 11, Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Nov. 29

to

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Nik Harkins| Opinion Editor nik.harkins@gmail.com www.thegrcurrent.com

9 June 6, 2018

Solutions To Opioid Crisis Unsatisfactory For Addicts

Editorial

America’s opioid crisis is getting worse, leaving the government and the public scrambling for a better understanding of drug addiction and better ways to treat it.

Now two years into his presidency, Donald Trump and his administration have yet to produce a concrete plan to address the opioid crisis in America. Despite this, he has recently claimed that opioid abuse is way down following the allotment of $6 billion by Congress to address the crisis. There is no current evidence to support his claim.

For opioid abuse victims and their families and communities, this lackadaisical approach to major campaign promise is insulting and unhelpful.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that over 115 people die of opioid overdose daily. In 2016, over 20,000 drug overdose fatalities were caused by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, a prescription painkiller.

Concern over the opioid crisis exists on virtually every political level from federal to local. Despite this, no clear strategy has emerged to tackle the issue. This is due primarily to a general dispute around the nature

of addiction and source of the opioids causing the crisis.

There is no single source for opioids and a major concern surrounding the current crisis is the availability of pharmaceutical opioids used pain management. Among the many pain medications available on the market, perhaps the most concerning is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid estimated to be 50 times more lethal than heroin.

However, this drug doesn’t just occur in pharmaceuticals. It is being found more and more in illicit opioids and pose a huge threat, as overdose is incredibly easy if users are unaware of its presence in their drugs. It is so lethal that law enforcement officials are taking drastic measures to reduce accidental exposure, as even an inhale of fentanyl can cause overdose.

There is a multidirectional divide around how to approach this issue. In Canada, there is a growing number of so-called safe injection sites for drug addicts, especially those addicted to opioids like fentanyl.

These sites serve a multitude of purposes, connecting addicts with fresh needles, clean product, safe injection sites and doses, and rehab resourc-

es. On top of this, they also serve to connect addicts to social resources like housing and welfare. The ultimate goal is to help people move past their addictions while simultaneously providing safer alternatives to those who do not or cannot stop using.

Many, however, see this as a way to only further encourage drug addiction.

For families of addicts, safe injection sites only encourage opioid abuse and do not necessarily prevent further unsafe use of bad drugs or dirty needles.

Even if the friends and family of addicts (whose lives are also torn apart by addiction) believe that addiction is a disease, safe injection sites are not a way to address that disease so much as fuel it. For them, curing an addiction is a personal choice; addicts have to want to be clean to be clean. With clean drugs and needles readily available on demand, the choice between addiction and sobriety becomes more difficult.

Alternatively, many believe in the power of prohibition and emphasize rehabilitation as the only solution for addicts. This presents its own problems, as the growing use of rehab centers has lead to an increase in centers that are essentially pricey rip-offs.

In an industry that is so far virtually unregulated, rehabilitation centers rarely include evidence-based treatments, setting patients up for failure. In addition, patients often foot the bill themselves, as insurance companies typically refuse to pay for rehab, despite the shifting understanding of addiction as a disease and not a choice.

Prohibition has been semi-successful around pharmaceuticals, with prescription fills of medical opioids falling 10 percent from 2017.

However, patients with chronic pain are being denied access to the very medications that allow them to make it through the day.

Heavy penalties for drug abuse certainly seem to be the policy of the Trump Administration, which has suggested that the death penalty might be a suitable punishment for drug dealers. This approach turns victims into villains, as many dealers are also users struggling to support their addictions.

Well-intentioned as these approaches may be, none fully address the concerns faced by addicts and their families and friends.

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

Racism And Racial Profiling On The Rise Since Start of Trump Presidency By: Maria Arcineiga Staff Writer

With racial discrimination at an all-time high, Green River College (GRC) students question whether or not they are safe from racism on campus.

In the current political climate, we have seen a rise in blatant racism towards people of color.

Racism is something that has existed for a while but the level it has reached in recenty is startling.

On a global perspective, we have seen it in Charlottesville with the Charlottesville riots, we have seen it in New York where a man berated employees and customers for speaking in Spanish and threatening to call Ice. We have seen it in a Philadelphia Starbucks where two black men were arrested for simply sitting and waiting for someone. We have seen it at Yale University when the police were called on a black student for falling asleep while doing homework.

These attacks are one by people with power as well, such as Roseanne Barr, Hulk Hogan, Mel

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Gibson, and Paula Deen. Authority figures like the President of the United States have racially attacked people of color, and yet for some reason, we have yet to do anything about it. We have also seen racism on the GRC main campus.

In a recent incident reported on by the Current in issue 11, volume 52, two protesters came on campus and began an anti-Muslim protest, with one of the protesters wearing an ICE uniform. This blatant attack on our Muslim, international, and immigrant students caused both fear and anger.

Why did our administration not do anything? For a school that claims to be for and accepting of diversity to allow this to happen on our campus where 32% of our schools demographic are students of color is appalling and concerning. If we are not safe from racism at school, where is safe?

I spoke with fellow Green River and Black Student Union (BSU) student members Abdi Ibrahim and Mohamed Abdullahi about the incident and the school’s response.

Ibrahim said, “We tried to get

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

the board involved and tell the school about the issue, we had a little forum and they just kind of deflected all of our questions.”

Ibrahim and Abdullahi have also been victims of racism. “We deal with day-to-day microaggressions from other white people and covert racism,” Ibrahim said.

“I have been called the n-word in the [GRC] parking lot,” Abdullahi said. He continued, saying, “people say we are a post-racial society and we’re going backwards, the time that we live in right now, the president that we have, police brutality and immigration... the way we’re moving is not forward.”

When it comes to racism and racial discrimination in our society today, we don’t realize how much people of color are still suffering.

We are all so afraid to talk about race and not to offend anyone that we don’t even want to bring it up.

If we do not speak up about racism in this country then we are letting it happen. We must address injustices, police brutality, stereotyping, environmental racism, microaggressions, and

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more. People of color deal with racism on a daily basis. How can change be expected if no one is willing to put in the effort?

If you stay silent, if you choose not to listen or take this seriously, then you are part of the problem.

“You can’t stop talking race and racism because it is so relevant to what is happening to in our lives today,” Abdullahi said.

“Be vocal, and if you’re not a vocal person, be confident with yourself and most importantly, be unapologetic.”

- Abdi Ibrahim, GRC student

Being a person of color myself, I can tell you first hand that not a day goes by without someone telling me to “go back home” or calling me alien.

I want to be able to go to school and walk this campus without feeling a sense of fear, a fear that because of the color of my skin I am profiled, stereotyped,

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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

and attacked. I want my fellow classmates to feel safe no matter their ethnicity or where they come from. We have to talk to one another and make ourselves aware of racial injustices.

Racism comes in many forms, including microaggressions. These are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to people based solely upon their minority status. Be aware and speak out.

Don’t be afraid to seek help.

Ibrahim’s advice? “Be vocal, and if you’re not a vocal person, be confident with yourself and most importantly, be unapologetic.”

Abdullahi agreed, adding, “don’t just let it go and move on, get to the bottom of the situation and get it resolved, do what you can to get that person in trouble.”

Both agreed the best thing anyone could do was to have an ongoing discussion about racism even if it is uncomfortable because it’s more dangerous to ignore it.

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.

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10 June 6, 2018

Nik Harkins | Opinion Editor nik.harkins@gmail.com www.thegrcurrent.com

New Ocean Waste Removal Technology Makes Bold Promises By: Taylor Yamamoto Staff Writer Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat has developed technology designed to clean up plastic from the ocean.

Improperly disposed of plastic will often end up in the world’s oceans. The dumping of plastic has formed accumulation zones of waste products, the largest being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). It is located between California and Hawaii and covers an estimated area of 1.6 million kilometers, according to The Ocean Cleanup Project (OCP), Slat’s organization. To put that in perspective, that is twice the size of Texas.

Plastics enter the ocean in many ways.

Whether that be through littering, dumping, or plastic blowing away from landfills, the waste ends up in rivers that flow into the ocean. Much of this waste are pieces of plastic smaller than five millimeters. It is estimated that humans produce 1.15 to 2.14 million tonnes (metric tons) of plastic waste each year that ends up in our river systems, according to the OCP’s website.

From that point, the waste enters a complex system of ocean currents called an ocean gyre. An ocean gyre is an amalgamation of many oceanic currents that range from large to small and circulate throughout the world’s oceans. When plastic waste enters the river system, more than half will be less dense than water and will subsequently flow on the

surface and be carried out to sea. Once out at sea, the plastic enters these gyres and travels great distances before being cast out of the current system, where the waste then forms patches like the GPGP. These garbage accumulation zones also have a significant impact on the environment. There is currently upwards of 269,000 tons of waste in the world’s oceans as of 2014, according to a Public Library of Science One (PLOS One) publication. That plastic can do serious harm to the local fauna. Bigger pieces will trap and suffocate them, but the larger issue is when these plastics start to degrade from exposure, breaking up into tiny pieces.

Fish and other small marine life will eat these tiny pieces but are unable to digest the plastic nor remove it from their system. Instead, the plastic takes up space in the stomach, preventing the digestion of other food and leading to starvation. As larger animals eat smaller ones, this issue only compounds going up the food chain.

While plastic may not be the only problem ailing the oceans, it’s still a major issue.

“Plastics, by themselves, aren’t necessarily a huge problem but added on top of all these other problems they can make a significant difference in the state of the ocean ecology so if we could solve that one it would help,” said Katy Shaw, the Oceanology professor at GRC. So, what do we do? How do we clean it up?

Well, Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat has developed a system to do just that. The system

question the

answer

The Ocean Cleanup Project

The OCP has been testing several prototypes of their technology, two of which can be seen above. is essentially a long one- to two-kilometer U-shaped tube with an impermeable screen attached. The screen extends 600 feet below the water’s surface, where it is attached to a semi-bouyant anchor.

The screen and the tube work in tandem to scoop up and concentrate the plastic. The anchor acts as a way to control the speed of the technology so the proper cleanup is achieved.

The anchor is also equipped with ballasts, so the depth can be adjusted to match the various conditions the system may encounter.

The entire system is also environmentally friendly. The tube is made out of polyethylene, which is a durable recyclable material.

The screen is impermeable, which is helpful because unlike most nets, fish cannot get caught in it and will be able to use currents to swim around the screen.

The project aims to do decades of work in just a few years. Their short-term goal is to have 50 percent of the GPGP cleaned up within five years. They would like to have all patches cleaned up by 2050. The work will be far from over though, even if they achieve total clean up within 10 years. There are currently five large patches that exist in the world, but cleaning up the largest of the bunch is certainly not a bad place to start.

That is a big ‘if’ though, as estimates for conventional cleanup methods have been predicted to take decades. That is understandable due to the sheer size of the patch.

Three times the size of France is not a small area, which makes this quite the daunting task. “I’d have to see their math,” Shaw said.

“I am a little bit doubtful that it could be

done that quickly.” We’ll have to wait and see if collection is as fast as anticipated.

After the plastic is collected, the masterminds behind the project have come up with a great solution to make sure that it does not end up right back where they found it.

Not only that but they intend to turn it into profit to fund the project. All waste collected from the technology will be gathered by a few support vessels. After collection, the waste will be brought back to land for processing and recycling. They intend to use the recycled plastic in high-quality products that will be sold to fund the project.

The technology is currently undergoing its test run. A small 120-meter portion of the system has been launched 50 nautical miles off the coast of San Francisco. This test is extremely important as it will give the developers a real-life example of how the technology will behave in the water. The small section that is being tested will be tugged by a boat on an elaborate course to ensure as realistic a test as possible. After the test, the section will be added to the larger 600-meter system and the project will officially begin.

This technology, while innovative, is merely a stop-gap for a larger issue. This is not a single country issue as many nations all over the world have contributed to the patches. If people truly want to see a change in this issue, they need to realize that they only way to correct the pollution problem is to recycle properly. That is the only way to keep the environment clean. Until then, the environment will have to rely on technology and creative people to help it.

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

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425.352.5000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Ocean currents, or gyres, carry plastic waste and deposits it into large patches of trash seen above.

sports Green River Wins Gold at NWAC Track and Field Event Blake Latta | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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June 6, 2018

By: Ryan McConnell Staff Writer

The Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Track and Field Championship Meet between top colleges in Washington and Oregon took place May 21 and 22 at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore. Overall, eight athletes represented the Green River Track and Field team at the championship meet.

Those athletes were, Michaela Evelyn-Wahl, who took sixth in the women’s 400-meter dash and

seventh in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. Frances Nguyen took eighth in the women’s 400-meter dash. Alicia Medley took fourth in the women’s discus throw and eleventh in the women’s shot put.

Freshman Matthew Neoporchuk placed eleventh in the men’s 800-meter run and eighth in the Men’s 3000-meter steeplechase.

Noah Baldwin placed eighth in the men’s 5000-meter run and 14th in the men’s 10,000-meter run. David Derkach placed sixth in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles and Nikole Schroeder

who placed fourth in both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. Overall, the Gators ended up placing seventh in female events with 35 points and last in male events with just nine points.

Despite the sub-par showing at the NWAC championship meet, the Gators did have an extremely bright point of the meet. Taylor Sterling, the 20-year-old sophomore high jumper from Thomas Jefferson High School, defended her title as NWAC high jump Champion with a remarkable jump of 1.69 meters that barely topped Lane Commu-

David Derkach | Track and Field Participant

Taylor Sterling recieving her gold medal for her 1.69 meter high jump at the NWAC championship

nity College’s Toni Hall’s jump of 1.69 meters. Going into the meet, Sterling admitted that she felt the pressure as the defending high jump champion. “I was definitely nervous because I was defending my title from last year,” Sterling said. “But I just focused on trying to jump as high as I could and believe in my ability,” she said.

Although she was certainly nervous, she credits her strong will and determined mindset for allowing her to clear her jump on the third and final attempt. Since she joined the Green River Track and Field Team, Sterling has noticed that her physical and mental capacities for the sport have increased greatly.

“Physically I learned a lot about improving my technique in the high jump,” Sterling said. “Mentally, I matured by gaining much more confidence in myself and developed more belief and trust in my abilities as a track athlete.” From repeatedly practicing her technique to enhancing her mindset, Sterling is thankful for all the improvements that have helped her become a twotime defending champion.

Currently, Sterling is undecided as to whether or not she is going to continue her career in track and field because of the rigorous activity that her body is put through every year, but ever since she started competing she has never doubted her love for the sport.

Although the meet did not go totally as planned for the Gators, a good, young core of freshmen athletes suggest brighter times moving forward to next season. Two of their

young stand-out athletes include Nikole Schroeder, the 18-year-old freshmen from Enumclaw High School who was one spot away from achieving podium in both her solo events, and David Derkach, the 20-year-old freshmen from Decatur Highschool, who only placed sixth in both of his events, but both of his times were personal records.

When asked about what went wrong that prevented her from achieving the bronze, Schroeder did what any great athlete would do, took the blame upon herself and learned from it. “[Losing] was a matter of mentally downgrading myself,” Schroeder said.

“I feel that I could have taken first place if I was mentally in the game on race day.” Coming up short this year has motivated her to come back better than ever next year and hopefully win some of her events.

Similar to Schroeder, Derkach also took the blame upon himself.

“I’ve trained hard enough prior the championship meet and I just held myself back from what I could have accomplished,” Derkach said.

“Although, I am happy with the times I ran which were my personal bests.” Both athletes hope to comeback better than ever next season, with their sights set on the top spot for their events.

Overall, the women from Spokane Community College in Spokane, dominated the women’s events with an staggering 235.5 points, while Lane Community College in Eugene took home the win for the Male events, barely edging out Spokane 185-177.

The Warriors and The Cavaliers Meet For The Fourth Straight Time Fall Sports a late game blunder, in which JR essentially from the ground up. The Things didn’t go as planned for the By: Andrew Wagner 2018-2019 Cavaliers and did a complete oversmith wasn’t aware of the score of Warriors have four all-stars on the Guest Writer

team, and have been able to cruise The Cleveland Cavaliers and through the year, even with Steph Golden State Warriors are set Curry having an injury that kept to face off in the fourth installhim out of the game for around a ment of the National Basketmonth, and the team was still able ball Association (NBA) finals to maintain the second seed in the with the two teams taking very high powered western conference. different paths to get there. The The Cavaliers have been in conWarriors have trol the east since won two out of the LeBron’s return in last three finals 2014, but started with the Cavaliers off the year withpulling off the first out the second best ever three to one scorer on the team, comeback in finals Kyrie Irving. Irving history due to huge requested a trade performances by back in July last LeBron James and year, not wanting Kyrie Irving. to be held back The Warriors and being stuck have built there James’ shadow. dynasty off draft He was traded picks and lured for Isaiah ThomKevin Durant over as, Jae Crowder, in free agency as Anna Graver | The Current and the Brooklyn where the CavaNets first round liers drafted Irving and got James pick. They also received Derrick to come home and lured all-star Rose and Dwyane Wade from free Forward Kevin Love and have built agency making an all-star squad.

haul getting rid of everyone they acquired for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. They earned the fourth seed in the eastern conference, where they struggled to reach an NBA Finals spot.

The Warriors only bump in their quest to four straight finals against the Cavaliers was the Houston Rockets, but due to Chris Paul’s hamstring injury, the Warriors were finally able to prevail in seven games and met the Cavaliers for the fourth straight year.

James is having his greatest statistical year in his 15th season, and this playoff run can be argued that he has been single handedly carrying his team to the position they are in now, as opposed to the Warriors they have four scorers scoring over 15 points per game.

Game one was interesting and intense from start to finish with James putting up a historic statline of 51 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Most would think that would put this low caliber Cavaliers team over the hump, but due to

the game, got the offensive rebound with around 4.1 seconds under the basket, and ran to half court not realizing it was tied. The game went into overtime in one of the most bizarre plays ever.

The Warriors played just as well as the Cavaliers, but the star power proved to be too much for the Cavaliers in overtime, outscoring them 17-seven and taking a one to zero series lead. This was the game the Cavaliers needed to prove they could hang with the clear cut favorite for this years finals.

Game two had a totally different outcome. The Warriors got an early lead and never looked back. The Cavaliers kept it close for most of the game, but couldn’t match the Warriors pace with the game ending with the score of 122-103.

It’s safe to say the Warriors are onto their third ring in the last four years, but you can never count James and the Cavaliers out of any series. No matter who ends up winning, hopefully this finals will be one to remember.

By: Kea Lsoefo Staff Writer

Fall quarter sports are starting up after summer quarter. The men’s sports will be basketball, golf, and cross country. Women’s sports will consist of basketball, golf, cross country, and soccer. The basketball team had their highest scoring win at 98 points to 92 points against Wenatchee Valley at Port Angeles.

Last year, the Golf team was placed at 4th for the NWAC Preview on Oct. 22 to Oct. 23. Cross Country’s team runner, Matthew Nechiporuk, ran the 8k at 18 minutes and 14 seconds, making it the fastest time of the season.

Shannon Percell, the director of athletics and recreation, said in an interview “I wasn’t here last season but I know our coaches are excited about how we will do this season. we didn’t do as well as we wanted to last year...” Percell expects Green River to be more competitive in the upcoming season. All the fall sports start practice on Aug. 1.

sports

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Blake Latta | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Freshman Tamarek Wrinkle Selected for June Athlete Spotlight By: Janel Steele Staff Writer Eighteen-year-old freshman baseball player, Tamarek Wrinkle, has big goals that keep him completely motivated to give his utter best performance both on and off the field.

Wrinkle says that focus is extremely important to him and is something he practices everyday. Training took some time for Wrinkle, but he found significant success when he joined the Green River baseball team. Wrinkle has always known how to push himself to achieve his goals, of which he has many.

“I just want to be the best player and human being that I can be,” Wrinkle said.

“When I’m playing and in school.”

The drive to make a positive impact on the team and in his own life comes from motivation through struggle, and people who he looks up to. “I consider everything I do to have some sort of connection. I want to be proud of all my accomplishments,” he said.

Jackie Robinson, an important figure in the world of sports, and Wrinkle finds that Robinson is his all time favorite athlete. Wrinkle believes that Robinson had to fight for what he believed in and needed to aim high, as professional athletes aren’t just entertaining to watch, but also have the power to inspire others with their actions, skills and overall performances. “What really motivates me to do well in life in general, is when I know that I’m representing a lot of people,” Wrinkle said. “But most of all, knowing that I’m representing myself as well.”

He says his biggest inspiration is his mother. “Even though she is a single parent of two children, she has done absolutely everything she can for us and only continues to do so.”

Working, going to school, and playing baseball can be quite strenuous on anyone, but Wrinkle says that he finds more than

enough support through his family. The family values that Wrinkle has is one of the main things that pushes him to do well in whatever he becomes involved in.

Part of Wrinkle’s set of goals with his time on Green River’s baseball team is to learn to be a better overall player and stay strong until the end. “One major goal is to strengthen my knowledge on the game,” Wrinkle said, understanding that everything in life is a learning process, and it will take him time to perform the best that he knows he can.

Winning against Pierce College this spring season seemed to be the initiative that led to the team’s four-game winning streak at the end of the season, according to Wrinkle and the other players. “It has been a pretty good season for our team.” Wrinkle says he is proud of their success and very much looks forward to next season.

With only a 16-man roster, a positive player like Wrinkle is just what the team needed to continue to play well. Wrinkle plans on practicing in his spare time but says that he thinks it’s still important to find the time to study. “Luckily, I think I have just enough leisure time for my studies,” Wrinkle said.

With hobbies like playing basketball and working out, joining the baseball team at Green River was a great opportunity. Wrinkle also enjoys taking classes, as he finds them to be a great motivator.

Wrinkle’s plans after college include furthering his education at a four-year university and if possible, get a scholarship to continue playing baseball. Sports have always been a field of interest for Wrinkle and in a world where he might change his mind, he would then plan on attending Eastern Washington University and majoring in Kinesiology.

Regardless of what Wrinkle does or where he goes in the future, his positive attitude and enthusiasm shows that he will go far and proves he is a true all-star athlete.

Green River College

Wrinkle preparing to field a grounder in pre-game warm-ups

Green River College

Wrinkle gets into ready position to field a practice grounder before a game