Issue 5 Volume 52

thecurrent the student newspaper of green river college

January, 23 2019

www.thegrcurrent.com

Men’s basketball team rebounds from past seasons - pages 11, 12

Green River Athletic Department

issue 5 volume 53

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January 23, 2019

Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor thecurrent.campus@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

Students Journey Across Winter Wonderland By: Jen Kistner Staff Writer

Jan. 7, 2019, the Green River International Student Ambassadors led a memorable snowshoeing trip to start off the winter quarter.

International Programs host many annual events that are divided up throughout the year.

Hiking Snoqualmie Falls, a ski trip to Crystal Mountain, and snowshoeing around Snoqualmie pass were just a few events that were planned for winter quarter.

This snowshoeing trip offered the experience to meet new people while getting the opportunity to see Washington state.

With a reasonable price, free transportation and in this case, equipment provided, made this event quite popular. This event had 25 spots available and because it was so highly desired, a few students were put on a waitlist.

Green River College has a connection with the Washington Trails Association (WTA) who gives the opportunity to use their lending library at zero cost. This keeps the price per student low when equipment is necessary.

Snowshoes—as well as poles and winter clothes—were provided for everyone who attended this trip.

The WTA generously supplies an array of items to make sure students are well taken care of.

Since this event was studentled, a proposal is required to plan and fund the trip. International Programs Activities Assistant John Spurgin works with a student leader to organize the trip with the quarterly budget. This leads to

negotiating the price per student and additional details. Once finalized, participants set a date and the event is promoted via media and around campus.

These types of trips are essential, especially to international students.

Spurgin mentions that many international students do not have transportation here, and without it, they cannot get out and explore Washington. These planned events allow them time away from class while making friends, as well as learning the culture and geography of Washington.

Green River events make it easy to get out of town and explore the Pacific Northwest. “I’ve had some students who come and go on every single trip, for a year,” Spurgin said.

With around 30 trips per year, it gives international students plenty of opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime.

The college experience is not simply going to class each day, it is about taking on new experiences and meeting new people in an affordable way.

International student Bhodan Zaniuk went on the snowshoeing trip and said, “the amazing landscape of Washington state has shown its beauty.”

At Gold Creek Trail, the sunshine paired with snowy trails creates a crisp aesthetic and scenic views.

The students were provided with snack bags, equipment, and a guided trip all for $10.

Spurgin explains that the kinds of experiences these students have are truly incredible. “One of the students who went on this [snowshoeing] trip was the first time she’d ever been in the snow.

thecurrent Green River College 12401 SE 320th St., Mailstop: SU Auburn, WA 98092-3699 NEWSROOM DIRECT LINE 253-288-3457 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Margo Mead thecurrenteditorandchief@ mail.greenriver.edu 253-833-9111 ext. 2375 MANAGING EDITOR CAMPUS EDITOR Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker thecurrent.campus@ mail.greenriver.edu

Naomi van Roon | Green River College

Blue skies and sunshine filtering through the tree line in Snoqualmie Pass.

She [had not] felt it, been in it, she had never thrown a snowball.

Those kinds of experiences are amazing,” Spurgin said.

These trips are meant to get the students to explore other parts of Washington and to show them a new type of adventure.

Not only was the snowshoeing trip great for keeping a balanced lifestyle through exercise, but it was quite the learning experience.

Spurgin mentions that trying to get 25 students to put snowshoes on for the first time was unforgettable.

“Green River trips are a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and simple enjoy free time,” said Zaniuk.

With numerous events happening throughout the year, there is a lot of variety. “Some people don’t like to hike, but some people like to shop,” Spurgin said.

In the past, they had a camping

trip, which sparked many new experiences. “A lot of the students have never cooked over an open fire before, never chopped wood, never slept in a tent or sleeping bag— it’s pretty memorable stuff.” said Spurgin. These kinds of trips can spur their sense of enthusiasm.

Diverse events such as the snowshoeing trip that are planned by the International Student Ambassadors create a deeper, more intriguing college experience.

Snowshoeing is just one example of the types of trips at Green River College that create an unforgettable experience for students seeking an adventurous experience.

With Green River students welcome to participate, it is an inexpensive way to get involved and meet new people. Skiing, snow tubing, ice hockey, and Snoqualmie Falls exploration are upcoming events all are invited to.

A&E EDITOR Danielle Kim thecurrent.ae@mail.greenriver.edu OPINION EDITOR William Baliton thecurrent.opinion@mail.greenriver. edu SPORTS EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHER Christina Praggastis thecurrent.sports@mail.greenriver. edu LAYOUT EDITOR Dee Senaga ksenaga@mail.greenriver.edu GRAPHIC DESIGNER Elsa Finkbeiner efinkbeiner@mail.greenriver.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER Taylor Robertson ads@thegrcurrent.com STAFF WRITERS: Christina Praggastis, Dakota Farnsworth, Connor O’Boyle, Humza Sindu, Satinder Rehal, Jen Kistner, Kellyn Costello, Angelina Cardin, Olivia Reed, Justice Cattage, Chi Cheng Pang, Lucas Bohannon, Abby Perkins, Alexis Mallory, Isaac Rubio, Alexia Howard-Mullins, Sydney Despain, Jennifer Pond, Simren Singh

Corrections

If you find a factual error or simply a name spelled If you find a factual error incorrectly, orplease simply contact a name us spelled at: incorrectly, - editor@thegrcurrent.com please contact us at: - 253-288-3457 - editor@thegrcurrent.com - or find us OEB 17 - 253-833-9111 ext. 2375 - or find us in SA218

Christina Praggastis | The Current

A picture of a snowy winter scene taken by a student snowmobiling.

Sidney Wilson | Green River College

A Green River student lying facedown in the Snoqualmie Pass snow.

Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor thecurrent.campus@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

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Automotive Program Gives Job Security By: Jennifer Pond Staff Writer

The Automotive Technology Program (ATP) at Green River has plenty of potential.

Students who are interested in ATP often wonder what the program entails.

At full capacity, the program handles 70 to 80 students at a time. Located in the Trades and Technologies A-room, the ATP has four teachers and teaches all eight areas of the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This includes Engine Repair (A1), Automatic Transmission (A2), Manual Transmission (A3), Steering & Suspension (A4), Brakes (A5), Electrical/Electronics (A6), Heating & A/C (A7), and Engine Performance (A8).

The program takes six quarters to complete. With open entry-exit and students graduating every quarter, this ensures that other students have an opportunity to join the program any quarter.

Students who graduate can expect to go on to get jobs such as entry-level automotive technicians, service advisers, parts person, management, or even service advisers. Average pay range begins $15- $18 an hour and works up to a well over six-figure income.

Individuals can become a master within two years. “If you have a lot of experience,” said Edwards. “It’s such that you must keep your skill set up or you’ll get left behind.”

Learning is everything. Dan Sorensen, who has been with the program for 23 years said, “Every year there’s new technology, it’s not the same old thing every day.”

So how does the program differ from others in the area? For one, Green River’s shop mimics an actual shop. “Everything is done in house; we’re in the business of fixing things that are broken,” Edwards said. “We have a faculty that is really dedicated.”

With other schools, students

will work on brakes one semester, transmission the next, and engine repair another. In this course, students will get a taste of realworld jobs. Working on cars of enrolled Green River students, Green River’s staff offers quality learning environments.

However, the trade is not what it used to be. In the past, this was a physical job, but with the way cars are being made now, it has become much more sophisticated. There is a lot of reading and writing to be done; it is not just putting parts in a car and hoping it works.

“You don’t have to get dirty if you don’t want to,” said Edwards.

There is a multitude of tools for automotive students to use—such as multiple onboard computers— all interfaced together. Workers will need the ability to go in with a scope, diagnose problems, and work with computers.

But, with 80 to 90 percent customer work, things can get frustrating. There is a lot to be done, and customers will get frustrated if their cars are not ready on time. This can leave the aids scrambling to make sure that all the parts are ordered, and everything is running smoothly.

The one thing that can be improved upon is more aids for ATP. Edwards said, “More support staff is needed. One aid to four sections is not enough. Anything that is left hanging, I have to make sure it gets done. There are days that I don’t know how I do it.” With the students only being there for 16 hours a week, there are plenty of more things to get done.

“The industry is hurting badly for people who know what they’re doing,” Edwards said. “As technology increases people are less likely to go out and work on their own cars.”

Sorensen said ATP is “job security at its finest. Green River is just the school to give you the experience and tools you need to succeed in your future career.”

Alex Knight | WorldSkills UK

An automotive technology student working on an automobile in a shop.

3 January 23, 2019

100 Percent Pass Rate in Nursing Program By: Margo Mead Editor-in-Chief

Green River College offers two nursing programs, the Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) and the License Practical Nursing (PN) program, as well as a phlebotomy program, which started up last fall.

The NAC is a one-quarter program at Green River. Nursing assistants are the people who “help with what we call ‘activities of daily living’, it’s the things that you and I do by ourselves that these patients might need a little bit of help with,” said Kara LaValley, the director of A group of pre-nursing students and faculty surrounding a mannequin. nursing programs at Green River. at Green River alongside Green River for over four years, Students in the program train these nursing programs is the LaValley said that they are “preand prepare in Green River’s Phlebotomy program. accredited.” She also stated that the nursing lab, and during the last few “We just started that program in program was excited that they had weeks of the quarter, go through 48 fall, and it’s been doing really well. gotten approved for accreditation, hours of work in a nursing home to Both classes have been full,” said essentially right away. practice their knowledge.

LaValley. “We just graduated our “The next step is a big selfMany nursing assistants are first cohort in December and they study where the entire nursing pre-nursing, as the certification did really well. We’re excited for faculty has to take these different gives the ground foundation for them to go out and get jobs now.” components of the accreditation future nursing programs. These A phlebotomist deals with blood and write a big 200-page report,” programs prefer their students to and blood draws. Students in the said LaValley. “They then come out have worked in health care prior to class learn how to draw blood and and survey the site and interview the program, meaning most of the run labs, as well as what is and is the staff, students, and faculty.” nursing assistants are pre-nursing. not normal in a test in order to alert The nursing program has been The other nursing program offered others when necessary. approved by the state since it at Green River is the PN program, Phlebotomists used to be trained started, but now it is working to get referred to as the practical nursing in a hospital, clinic, or lab setting, that last national certification. program since “you don’t get the but most moved into the college The nursing program is also ‘L’ until you graduate and you get setting. Green working on a grant, “creating a your license,” said River College pathway for students who have LaValley. trains students their medical assistance license The practical “Our traditional program in the program to get their LPN,” said LaValley. nursing program in more than The program will be submitting is a one-year gives them exposure to just phlebotomy. that grant in the spring, hoping to program that goes everything that they would “We train fund a group of medical assistant from September need to be successful,” them on things students this fall. to August.

- Kara LaValley that can help Other options are available for The practical them get a job those who are in need of funding nursing program elsewhere,” said who are interested in the program, gives students LaValley. as most nursing students qualify a foundation Students in the phlebotomy for some sort of funding or for nursing that they may apply program are also trained in how to financial aid due to the nature of elsewhere after graduating. “LPMs check vital signs and on how to do their job as a public servant. Public work in hospitals, some work in an EKG. Students are trained on servant loan forgiveness is also an nursing homes, but our traditional how to do these in case they want option. Working in public services program gives them exposure to to work in an emergency room in means that “you can get your loans everything that they would need to the future and having this training forgiven after you’ve made so many be successful to go out and practice prior gives them a “leg up in the payments,” said LaValley. as a practical nurse,” said LaValley. competition,” said LaValley.

As for plans to create future Starting in the first quarter, Green River PN shows to be programs, LaValley states that they students experience different a strong program as the last “did have a proposal for a bachelor situations as they travel to clinical class that graduated from the in nursing science, and we’re going sites so they can apply what program had a 100 percent pass back to the table but we probably they learned in the classroom to rate on their National Council won’t even be looking at that until the actual patient population.

Licensure Examination (NCLEX2020 or 2022 at the earliest.”

These various exposures include PN), which is the state board test This is due to the steps that pediatrics, mother and baby, and for nursing which Green River is the program needs to go through medical-surgical. held accountable. LaValley said with the state board—needing For the first few quarters, a the program is proud of this, everyone’s buy-in—in the group of eight students works one as well as the programs recent community as well as all the other on one with a nursing instructor pre-accreditation, which is the nursing schools. to get a grasp on what they are programs national certification, Students who are interested in doing. Then, towards the end of which they received in October. any of the three programs can go to the program, they go through There is a now an initiative in Green River’s Career and Advising preceptorships, where it is just the Washington State that all nursing to talk to the health occupations student and the nurse. The student programs in the state need to be advisor as they have the best is figuring out what their role is as accredited 2020. Since the nursing knowledge on both the nursing and they take on more responsibility. program has been a part of the other health programs.

Another program offered

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Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor thecurrent.campus@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

Lea Hill YMCA Creating Affordable Childcare Pixabay

A photograph of a parent’s hands gently cupping the small feet of their child.

By: Alexia Howard-Mullins Staff Writer Green River is working on creating affordable childcare options so that getting a degree is more manageable for students who are also parents.

Many students with children have trouble finding affordable, reliable daycare, which can result in missing classes to care for their child. Green River is currently in discussions with the Lea Hill YMCA about using their childcare center, but no agreements have been made thus far.

Lea Hill YMCA takes children as young as six weeks to 12, but their Early Learning Center only accepts children ages six weeks to two. The center has opening and closing times that would work for daytime students, but night students would still have to find other options.

Although the center recently opened on Jan. 7, it is already full of new members who are paying $1,000 to $1,600 a month for their child to be in the program. This is slightly above the national monthly average daycare cost of $976 per month for center-based daycares and childcare options, however, it is below Washington state’s average monthly

cost for center-based daycares, which is set at $1,790 per month.

Lea Hill YMCA childcare center may be an option for Green River students with children, but the Early Childhood Education (ECE) department and Green River’s administration are negotiating the pricing to potentially receive special offers for Green River students.

What else can be done to help students with children? “Monthly check-ins with an instructor in the Early Childhood Education departments, perhaps leading to a discussion on topics related to areas of child development is a way to connect students with similar experiences to each other,” said Professor Natassah Williams, a faculty member of the ECE department.

Williams also believes that “ideally, there should be childcare on campus during hours the campus is open. The cost should be based on a sliding scale, and students studying Early Childhood Education could gain experience by working in the center.” Many students with children agree with Williams and believe that having a childcare center on campus could make a difference in their attendance and/or grades, as their child would be in a reliable environment with

certified caregivers and other students in pursuit of a degree in ECE. “I think that working in a daycare or childcare center could really help me get a better understanding of my Early Childhood Education classes. I could see with my own eyes, how the methods of teaching and caregiving I read about in the book for my class actually work, and have real-life experience in the ECE department,” said Kira Braun, a current ECE student pursuing a Direct Transfer Agreement at Green River and hopes to work with special needs children in the future.

As many students already know, Green River has a childcare center building, but it has not been in use for years. “For our existing center, we would like to establish a childcare program for night students and possibly for students who need just a few hours a day,” said Diana Holz, the ECE program coordinator.

Right now, students just use the childcare center as parking when they are running late.

One day, the building may have a purpose again for students parents who work during the day and need a childcare program that works with their class schedule.

Before the option of the Lea Hill YMCA, Green River did have childcare options on or near campus that were created especially for students. Previously, there was a Montessori Co-Op ran by ECE, but it is no longer in use.

Montessori Co-Op is a non-traditional way of schooling, based on the Montessori method.

This method of early childhood education is based on self-directed learning, handson activity, and collaborative projects. The children choose how or what they want to learn, and a trained teacher guides them in age-appropriate activities. Many preschools are now operating this way, and this method of learning has proven to be beneficial to growing young minds.

The administration board is currently developing a plan to incorporate childcare on Green River campus so students with children can have an affordable place to care for their child while in class.

Students Focus on Self-Improvement for the New Year By: Isaac Rubio Staff Writer New Year’s Resolutions are used for self-improvement, and there are many ways in which the students of Green River College want to improve themselves.

For some students, self-improvement for 2019 involves focusing on their own health and related habits. These habits normally span from consuming nutritious foods to increasing fitness activity.

Stephen Woods, a second-year student studying mathematics, states that his goal is to eat healthier, and to watch all the “ingredients that have been going into [his] body, because [he has] not been eating that healthy.” In addition, Woods mentioned that he wants to exercise more often.

Another student who has a health-related New Year’s Resolution is Cassie Kerschner, a Running Start student. She said that her resolution is to continue her list of goals from the prior year.

“I had goals previously that I wanted to continue for this year, including fitness,

getting in better shape, eating healthier, getting ready to go to college,” said Kerschner.

As indicated, she is in Running Start, a program that allows students to receive a college education while in high school. Part of Kerschner’s goal is getting ready to go to college, which falls into another category of resolutions: educational.

Many students on campus have educationrelated resolutions that they would like to accomplish this year.

Kobe Sua, a second-year student currently focusing on engineering, stated that his goal is to pass his classes with good grades.

Jairo Sanchez, who is focusing on getting his Associate in Fine Arts degree, wants to be “more on task” and punctual with his school work, and is also “trying to turn in work in time.” So far, Sanchez says that he has been on track with his goal.

Ivan Estrada, who is in his third year for electrical engineering, plans on graduating this year, applying for a university, and setting aside some time for a vacation with his girlfriend to Disneyland.

Some students have made their goals less

specific so that they are attainable.

Zane Nelson, who is taking classes in the educational field to eventually get a master’s degree, said he sets “non-specific goals so that they are easier to meet.”

“Maybe you say, ‘I’m gonna go out, I’m gonna go to the gym, and I’m gonna work out,’ and if that doesn’t work out, you’ll feel terrible about it,” said Nelson. “There are things I would like to do in the year.

That includes being a kinder person and volunteering more…There are a couple of places I would like to volunteer at and broaden my experience.”

Nelson also mentioned that focusing on improving without criticism is fulfilling. “I hope that everyone who has a New Year’s resolution succeeds one way or another and that they have a good 2019,” said Nelson.

Resolutions can be helpful when improving one’s new goals, and even old goals that may need to be revisited. However, much like Nelson said, one must be sure to take one step at a time; start with something familiar, and then build upon that goal. With mindful planning, most resolutions can be met.

Bytes Assists Academia By: Angelina Cardin Staff Writer A variety of resources are readily available for students at Green River to assist them with their academic needs, with the program Lunch Bytes as one of their various resources.

For students attending Green River, many concern themselves with only completing their coursework and moving on as quickly as possible. For a vast number of students, college is a stepping stone that will affect their path in life. It is a transitional stage between high school and the “real world”.

However, many students do not know about the programs already in place at Green River. Often, these programs guide them through new skills that are beneficial to them in the long run.

Often, students at Green River require assistance with certain aspects regarding their academic futures. Lunch Bytes are free workshops that take place at the college five times a quarter.

They are sponsored by the International Programs and the Extended Learning Department here at Green River. Lunch Bytes began with former advisor Mim Phillips.

She had the goal to foster connections between students and staff outside of office environments. This is what led to what Lunch Bytes has become today.

Lunch Bytes offers teachings that reach a wide range of topics, as well as free lunch.

These include learning how to manage stress, how to practice good study skills, how to write resumes, and how to write personal statements for transfer applications.

Lunch Bytes encourages students attending to learn important skills that are both interpersonal and academic in an environment that strives to be inclusive, informational, and fun.

During Lunch Bytes, there are college advisors and staff present to lead the lunch.

Participants include both international and domestic students; all are encouraged to come. Students will learn from workshops such as Lunch Bytes, no matter who they are or where they come from. Lunch Bytes offers students a leg-up in their futures and is a valuable resource that is available to all who wish to attend.

Students are invited to take the initiative and look into the Green River calendar to learn more about events on campus.

Pexels

A woman digging into a piece of pizza smiling.

Kaedyn Kashmir-Whitaker | Campus Editor thecurrent.campus@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

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5 January 23, 2019

Veteran Services Need Resources to Support Vet Education By: Kellyn Costello Staff Writer

A vital part of campus life, Veteran Services, needs more resources to expand what they can offer veterans.

In 2018, there were 536 veterans enrolled at Green River College. Each of them relied on Veteran Services to ensure they could access their GI benefits so they could continue their college education.

Senior Staff Assistant at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Jacob Nichols said, “In very general terms, the Post9/11 GI Bill is a benefit with respect to each student’s educational pursuit.”

Army Sgt. James K. McCann

A military cadet after receiving their diplomas.

Even after veterans qualify to receive their benefits, there is still a complicated process that follows. The State Accrediting Agency is responsible for approving the institution and degree program for the VA, and academic performance is important to qualifying for benefits as well. This is where Veteran Services comes in.

Three people are in charge of helping our veterans, and they all are personally invested in Veteran Services. Director of Student Support Services, Jamie Hatleberg, is the daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran.

A Program Manager and School Certifying Official, Jessie Kimes, was a military partner.

Manila Mercurio, who served in the U.S. Navy for five years, is the program specialist and school certifying official. The Veteran Services team is dedicated to students and would like to expand what the team can offer.

Veteran Services is responsible for maintaining communications between the VA and veteran students, but the team sees there is many more opportunities veterans could benefit from.

“Many of the veterans wanting to start school are exploring and may not yet know if GRC will meet their needs. Since they are transitioning out of military service, it’s not simply a question of ‘Do they have the degree I want?’” said the Veterans Services team.

“Their questions are more research-based— for example, how many of my military/prior college credits transfer over?… It’s because of these reasons we feel our veterans would benefit from having services targeted to prospective students.”

Targeting prospective students is a great way to help veterans, and has a long term benefit. Program Manager for the Vet Corps and Veteran Conservation Corps, Jason Alves, explains that education benefits are among the most effective recruiting tools for the United States military.

What does pursuing an education mean after service? “There are several studies that show when a veteran completes a degree or certificate program, their lifetime earnings double, civic engagement increases, need for government-supported assistance decreases, and the terrible statistic of 22 suicides per day drastically decreases,” said Alves.

Yet Veteran Services does not have the means to look for any veterans who might be interested in Green River College.

The Veteran Services team said, “At this time, Veteran Affairs education benefit certifications make up a significant portion of our duties. Until that eases up, we continue to do our best to respond to inquiries from prospective students.”

Student Outreach is largely responsible for

Army Sgt. James K. McCann

A military student smiling attending graduation. finding prospective students and informing them of what Green River College has to offer, but their services are very generalized.

They look for a variety of students but said, “We’d love to have a specific staff member assigned to the many prospective student populations in and around the college, including a person or team that specialized in veteran outreach.”

Green River College has a growing number of veteran students, and with this comes Veteran Services’ desire to grow and extend the abilities of their program to meet the needs of our students.

Author’s Lectures Inspire Students to Reflect on Their Personal Narrative By: Satinder Rehal Staff Writer

Green River College held their One Book lectures and workshops in the Student Union lead by Dr. C. Nicole Mason on the topics of intersectional feminism and how it connects with sharing narratives.

Mason is the author of Born Bright: A Young Girl’s Journey from Nothing to Something in America, in the book she shares her narrative of being an African American woman who grew up in poverty and writes about what it is like to live a life like hers. She hopes to describe the lives of countless others who are not given a chance to share how it is like to grow up in poverty.

During the three day event, Mason started the first day with a lecture called My (Our) Reality v. A Changing World.

She leads a talk on intersectional feminism, the #MeToo movement, men’s behavior, and complicit women.

Later, she introduced a powerful discussion with the audience about solidarity and how to continue talking even when conversations get uncomfortable.

On the second day, Dr. C. Nicole Mason shares her own story and has a discussion on how people can create relationships from the power of sharing their stories, which helps to create a narrative and open discussion for understanding and change. After the discussion Dr. C Nicole Mason lead a Q&A followed by a meet and greet.

On the last day of the event, Dr. C. Nicole Mason discussed The Power of Your Story: Claiming Your Narrative and Finding Your Voice, on how individuals must claim their personal narratives and use them to develop a connection and help inspire others to do the same. During the two hour session, participants interacted to reflect on the idea of what makes them unique.

When talking to one of the audience members about what lead them to listen to

the lectures, Yara Bautista, who works with the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ODEI), took part in the educational series.

Bautista welcomed people on the second day of the event, and according to attendance, welcomed over 100 audience members to the lecture.

“The students have been giving amazing feedback thus far, so my hope is that more people continue to come to our ODEI diversity series events,” said Bautista. When asked about what she took away from the event, Bautista replied: “Never give up, and make your story be heard. Don’t be scared.”

Anmol Sekhon, an employee from ODEI, attended the event because of his interest in Mason’s book. “I took away the lessons of her resilience during her childhood and resolve to pursue a better life for herself, even if her mother didn’t support her. Despite the differences outside of the classroom, she accomplished the goals she set for herself within the classroom,” said Anmol.

He said he was inspired by Mason’s life, and from one person of color to another, he appreciates her confidence to occupy spaces as a person of color in higher education.

Throughout the workshops, Mason spoke to the staff and students about claiming their identity and encouraged sharing it with others to create an open conversation.

By developing a society in which diversity is not just what is seen but what can be understood, individuals may discover a world where they may be themselves.

Knock Music House

An interview with Mason on Born Bright.

a&e The New Lion King Film Welcomes the New Year 6

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Danielle Kim | A&E Editor thecurrent.ae@mail.greenriver.com www.thegrcurrent.com

January 23, 2019

By: Abby Perkins Staff Writer

The New Year means new movies and one of the most talked about movies coming out this year is the live-action version of “The Lion King” film.

The main difference between this version and the original animated Lion King movie is that the live action will be portrayed through photorealistic animation.

The animated classic, made in 1994, earned over $968 million in gross revenue on a $45 million budget. It is currently listed at 39 of the top 100 animated movies of all time, according to a top critics site, Rotten Tomatoes.

The new Lion King movie, according to the accidental reveal of Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige, has a whopping budget of $250 million. This has led people to believe the gross revenue for this 2019 film will likely be much higher than its original counterpart.

The cast of the new film is filled with famous celebrities, including Beyoncé, Glover, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, James Earl Jones, and many more.

While the original Lion King trailer received 244k views on YouTube, the upcoming live-action film received 58 million views.With these statistics, it is easy to assume that the world is excited about the release, but are Green River students equally as excited?

Sabian Tsang, a transfer student from Central Washington University and currently on his first year at Green River, had some interesting ideas surrounding the new film. He expressed that the new version will not be able to surpass the original ‘classic’ that came out before he was born.

He understands that it is likely going to earn more due to the high volume of well-known cast members. However, in terms of the plot, it will not be any better than the original movie. He explained that he is most excited that “the movie has chosen to include many actors and actresses of African American descent.”

On the other hand, a student who is currently on her second year here at Green River College, Megan Pilmoca, was overjoyed to talk about the Disney classic.

Pilmoca described herself as

“movie lover” and elaborated on her excitement towards the upcoming movie. She did not have a single bad thing to say about the upcoming release.

“There’s no way it could be bad,” Pilmoca said, considering the growing improvements of entertainment technology.

Pilmoca is a fan of the comedian and actor, Seth Rogen, and recounted that she was ecstatic when she found out he would be the voice of Pumbaa. She claimed that Timon and Pumbaa were her favorite characters out of all the animated films she watched throughout her childhood and that Disney chose great actors to fill those humorous roles.

Although it is a remake, it appears that Green River College students are excited about the upcoming “Lion King” and believe that it will be a great addition to the new releases scheduled for 2019.

The live action version of “The Lion King” is set to release in movie theaters, July 19. Make sure to grab a friend, family member, or even a classmate and go check out whether the new live-action film can stand up to the classic.

GDJ | Pixabay

Green River Students Reveal The Top Instagrammable Locations Around Campus James Banziger | Instagram

By: Chi Cheng Pang Staff Writer The Green River College campus brims with interesting, hidden opportunities for aesthetically pleasing Instagram feeds for students.

From the water fountain and wood bridge next to Cedar Hall to the tree-covered walkways behind the Physical Education (PE) building, Green River College is surrounded by the Pacific Northwest’s lush nature with approximately 200 acres of forest.

One of Green River’s most famous Instagram spots is at the Mel Lindbloom Student Union (SU) building. After its remodeling and opening in Feb. 2015, has become a popular location for Green River students to hang out in between or after their classes.

The natural lighting in SU is optimal for photos. Sitting on the high chair while sipping a cup of latte with an extra glimpse of sunlight is one way to create a wonderful Instagram picture.

Many students like to relax on the wood bench on the bridge leading up to Cedar Hall. With the sound of the river flowing under the bridge, this area is also one of the top locations on campus that will make a stunning Instagram post. With the woods and water

Photo of James Banziger posing between two trees with his phone in his hands. fountain, it manifests a nice natural scenery to include in pictures.

Yana Berezhna, a student at Green River college who enjoys attending the school along with those who make her happy, said that her favorite spot to take pictures was the wooden bridge.

More great areas around campus to take photos are the walkways behind the PE buildings.

Green River student James Banziger described the area as a unique location that doesn’t particularly appeal to people as a

place to take good photos.

However, he actually found that the walkways created “many styles, many angles from only one place without having to move or walk somewhere else.”

In addition, Banziger liked that the campus offered safe opportunities to take pictures with many trees without the fear of getting lost in the woods.

“I don’t have to worry about getting lost in there since I know most of the way. If there’s a problem, I can report to Campus

Diane Le | Instagram

Photo of Diane Le perched on the bench surrounded by various artistic works.

Safety which is very close and I can rely on,” Banziger said.

Other these forested gems, the Helen S. Smith gallery in Holman Library hosts art exhibitions with a diversity of artists and themes.

“The gallery is a cool place and many interesting pieces of art were worth seeing. Just so aesthetic,” said Diane Le, a student at Green River College during her interview.

The creative atmosphere of the Helen S. Smith gallery provides another great opportunity for an Instagram post surrounded by

various kinds of artistic works.

People can also support their favorite artists with a hashtag after getting proper permission from the artist themselves.

Equipped with a serene atmosphere and a comfortable position like sitting down, a person is more likely to look and feel natural in front of the camera lens.

Whether someone prefers forested aesthetic or a contemporary look, the campus offers many places for students to make their Instagram feed shine.

Danielle Kim | A&E Editor thecurrent.ae@mail.greenriver.com www.thegrcurrent.com

a&e

thecurrent

7 January 23, 2019

Anh “Alice” Quach Indulges in Graphic Design and Animation Anh “Alice” Quach | Artist

Photo of the featured artist, Anh “Alice” Quach.

By: Connor O’Boyle Staff Writer Anh “Alice” Quach is an artist from Vietnam studying abroad at Green River College to explore her strong passion for illustration and design.

“I love art, I love everything about it... but in my country… they don’t teach it,” said Quach, 21 year-old Vietnamese Green River student determined to pursue illustration and graphic design.

It is not often that people come across an artist who can drop everything and move thousands of miles away from their home country all in the name of their passion.

Quach’s passion let nothing stop her from putting her pencil to paper; her brush to the canvas; her imagination to the world that encompasses her surroundings.

But her love of art came with a price as her high school in Vietnam did not offer the art classes that could benefit her creative and

technical ability as an artist and student. Her plan was then to study abroad.

While her sister decided to study in France, Quach didn’t wish to follow in her footsteps.

She had already known quite a bit about America from her older cousin, who used to study psychology there. Quach was very close with her, as they were the only two in their entire family who took up art.

“We spent a lot of time together. We would draw together in her room. There would be a door and we’d just draw on it,” said Quach.

From this relationship, Quach not only shared her passion but heard vivid and fascinating descriptions of what it was like to live and study in the United States.

An agency in Vietnam told her to consider Green River College. Quach recollected when she saw the picture of the campus for the first time, something about the trees -- the secluded and ambient atmosphere--all made her feel welcome.

The next thing she knew, she found herself boarding a plane to Washington, located approximately 7,421 miles away from her home, friends and family.

Quach moved to Auburn, Washington from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2015, and has been studying at Green River College in order to complete her High School Diploma and Associate’s Degree ever since.

She has studied and practiced in a variety of visual arts, including, but not limited to: illustration, game design, animation, photography, and graphic design.

Her style can vary from the dainty aesthetics of Japanese manga to the cold, clear and beautiful atmosphere of outer space. She said that these things are an expression of her personality, which is characterized both as spontaneous and introspective.

After working in multiple different styles and subjects of her field, Quach said her ability as an artist and a student has significantly grown since her first quarter here.

Jessie Brugger, the art and animation teacher at Green River, described Quach’s growth as a student and artist.

“Alice put a lot of herself into her animations. The work she made was personal, and yet had a universal message,” Brugger said.

Anh “Alice” Quach | Artist

Album cover of “Cry for the Moon” by Anh “Alice” Quach, combining typography and photography.

“There are challenging times when animating a character or short story, but it never discouraged Alice.”

Brown’s Adventure, a short animation made

by Quach during her first animation class, tells the story based on a teddy bear that was given to her by a close friend.

The piece, as simple as it may seem, expresses the universal feeling of child-like innocence people have when they are young.

As a result of her hard work, she was able to accomplish an entire short film in a very short period of time.

While Quach did find a lot of improvement in her art while studying here, there was a time in which she hit a wall. Quach faced a

struggle that every artist faces in their career-she began comparing her art to someone else’s. “I looked up to someone in my class, their art was so cool,” Quach said. “I began to look down on myself.”

However, Quach was one of the few who was strong enough to overcome it. In her struggle, she realized that she still loved art and saw that she needed to improve.

“That’s what got me through… It’s never left me, it is my passion,” Quach said.

With that, Quach continues to draw, animate, and utilize her creativity to this day.

She wishes to transfer to The San Francisco Academy of Art University following the completion of her associate’s degree.

Anh “Alice” Quach | Artist

Anh “Alice” Quach | Artist

Brown’s Adventure, a short animation film showcasing one of Anh “Alice” Quach’s many artistic styles.

Anh “Alice” Quach’s first animated work, Dessert, reflecting cute stories of daily, relatable activities.

8

thecurrent

submisson

January 23, 2019

Danielle Kim | A&E Editor thecurrent.ae@mail.greenriver.com www.thegrcurrent.com

The Machine S#12: Their Mistake Elsa Finkbeiner | The Current

By: Christina Praggastis Staff Writer I don’t remember the important parts. I don’t remember what I looked like, the way I talked, how I dressed, what it felt like to be in someone’s arms. I don’t remember the feeling of wind in my hair, or rain on my skin, not even the radiating heat of a fire. I don’t remember any of it. They took that from me: my happiness, my sadness, my fear, and some of my most beloved memories while being human.

Instead, I remember my hatred towards them. I remember how it felt when they killed my family, when they broke my arm, when they stripped me of my humanity, and replaced it with gears and wires. Have you ever been taken

apart? Organ by organ, bone by bone, until you were just a brain and two eyeballs in a silver bowl. I should’ve been dead, during their process, but they kept me alive.

Don’t ask me how, I don’t remember. You’d think that would be a good thing right? But compared to what they did next, a vague memory, but still horrifically vivid, I wish that‘s all they did. I remember the sound of drills, of grinding, of hammering, of screaming. I remember that sound, the sound of pure agonized screaming.

It wasn’t my screaming. No, they had taken my vocal cords out by then. It was the screaming of the girl next to me, and the girl next to

her, and the girl next to her. They were all screaming for different things, different people. One girl was screaming for her brother, another for her parents. A different girl was screaming at them to stop, another was screaming because it hurt so bad. But one by one the screaming stopped because their humanity was stripped, and was replaced with a mechanically engineered part. Putting us together made them seem like little children putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

But these were no children, there was no laughter in their eyes, nor cheerfulness in their voice. These were monsters who were creating more monsters.

By the end of it all, a process that took years, we were no longer human. We didn’t have anything, inside or outside of us, that wasn’t made by them. They designed us perfectly, to fit their every expectation, to be the better people of the humans. But we weren’t people, we weren’t humans. We were robots, mechanically engineered to do something specific, something that humans weren’t meant to do.

These people, these monsters that made us this way, chose us when we were still children.

They picked us out of thousands of children, children who were volunteered by their families. But the families didn’t know what they were really signing us up for.

They thought they were ensuring that we had a better life, a better future, away from all the hate and ugliness of the world. A world without suffering. They thought we would be taught things, things that would change the way we saw, felt, touched, tasted, and thought.

What they didn’t know is that we were experimented on, that we were studied and poked and prodded, until there was nothing left. They didn’t like what they saw, so they decided to change it. They took us apart, only to put us back

studentsubmissions Students may submit short stories, graphics, photos, drawings, poems, etc.

Not guaranteed to be published.

Must be sent to the editor@thegrcurrent.com We encourage students to submit whatever they wish and to use this as a creative space.

Deadlines: Feb. 1, Feb. 21, and March 7

together again, but with wires instead of veins, and a battery instead of a heart.

When they took out my skull, they made every precaution to not leave any previous memories behind. They wiped my brain, and then replaced the DNA. I looked different, every aspect of the old me was changed and modified, so I wouldn’t remember. And they gave me new memories, lots of them. So many new things I knew, but I didn’t know they were new. I thought they were the old, and the present. I didn’t know I had a life before, before they took it away.

But I did know. I remembered one thing on one of my assignments. They usually wipe my brain, completely cleaning the slate so they had room to add different information, a different assignment. But after my last assignment, there was one thing that wasn’t there before. It wasn’t programmed into me, wasn’t the replacement to one of my original memories.

It was something that happened to me and they forgot to remove it. When my newly greased and rewired mind found it, hidden behind a new set of memories, a new assignment, my programming went haywire. I didn’t know what was happening, but I clutched onto the anomaly so tightly, and buried it so deep into the files of my artificial brain, that they would never find it.

It was mine.

When I was left alone, in the small bedroom they assigned me, I dared to pull out the memory.

They didn’t monitor me anymore, I’d been a good soldier for a long enough time without incident that they didn’t record and watch my every calculated move. Their mistake. I looked at the memory, and a foreign sensation flooded my silicone cells. I didn’t know what the sensation was until later, but I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forget anything again, never be plugged into a huge machine and wiped clean, never be greased or taken apart while still whirring in consciousness as they replaced a faulty part.

Because they made a mistake. I will spend the rest of my existence, however long that may be, making them regret everything they ever did to me. I will not rest until they’ve known my pain, my suffering, my every waking moment of being machine.

Are you familiar with the book written by Mary Shelley? Frankenstein? I only recently became acquainted with the story, last week according to my memory files. Who do you think is the monster? Dr. Frankenstein? Or the thing that he made? I am still struggling with the concept of opinions, but, in my opinion, Dr. Frankenstein was the monster of the story.

My name is S#12, this is my story.

Elsa Finkbeiner | The Current

William Baliton | Opinion Editor TheCurrent.Opinion@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

opinion

thecurrent

9 January 23, 2019

The Icarus Account Introduces a Unique Indie-Folk Blend

upbeat and vice-versa. Another thing I found amazing about them, By: Alexis Mallory is that they were exceptionally good Staff Writer at interacting with and involving the audience. Mid-concert, they The Icarus Account, a modern would pause and ask questions and acoustic indie-pop band with just talk to the audience. At first folk undertones, performed live glance, this seemed bizarre, but it for the students at Green River was something that I had never reCollege on January 7 in the ally witnessed before, and it further Lindbloom Student Union. added to the intimate and close The band is comprised of twin setting they strived for. brothers Ty and Trey Turner, who If you listen to the lyrics that grew up in Florida. Prior to their accompany such song like “Favorite performance, I had never heard of Girl” “So in Love” and “Mayday” them. Walking into there is much more the SU, the soft yet to them than the “...it was something full tone of Ty Turncalming, positive er’s voice paired that I had never really and melodious with Trey Turner’s songs they pose as. witnessed before.” harmonizing counEach song writ-Alexis Mallory terpart occupied the ten by The Icarus air. After listening to Account tells a one song, I was hooked. Their voicdifferent story, whether about a es were so passionate, and their new relationship forming like in sound was so clear. One could “Cherry Street” or a relationship particularly take notice of the start just ending like in “Chicago”. The of their intimate set. stories these songs tell, remind us Unlike many other bands I have of the power that music has, and it seen in concert before, “The Icarus reveals the amount of talent within Account” was not there for the these two brothers. Along with attention or publicity, but simply their own original music, they also to bring a smile to each face in the performed cover songs. In singing audience. The way they carried “My Girl” by the Temptations, they themselves made it clear they were not only sped up the tempo, but happy and loved what they were they added their own flare and doing. The lyricism of their songs stylistically changed the song. This was quite beautiful. They could called for a unique version of a take a sad song and make it sound classic, but it was interesting and

Alexis Mallory | Green River

The Icarus Account members, Ty and Trey Turner performing in the Lindbloom Student Union Building on Jan. 7. showcased their talents, vocally School senior and Running Start as “hunky-dory” and “unique.” He and instrumentally. Their setlist student, touched on “their positive spoke highly of their versatility and was well balanced including some vibe and the sounds of their voices.” intricate style and noted how each catchy love songs, more matured She explained how their voices were of their songs was phenomenally and sophisticated sounding songs, strong and recognizable and when written. Both students, gave good and a couple of well-known covers. accompanied by softer acoustic feedback and thoroughly enjoyed Their wide range of styles show that music, formed a unique contrast the band’s performance. they can gain different perspectives and an interesting sound. FarmIf I were asked to sum up this on different stories of loss, love, er added that “in general, when band in one sentence, I would say happiness and everything between. listening to Indie bands, one would that “The Icarus Account” is a harThe audience was sparse at times, notice the similarities among style, mony-centric band whose acoustic but there was a constant flow of sound, and tone; but The Icarus Ac- sound and versatility sets them students coming in and out of the count seems to differ from much of apart from most indie bands. For SU. During the concert, I talked the Indie I have heard.” Dylin Wen, those of you that listen to bands with a few people to see how those a Kentridge High School student like “The Lumineers” or “A Rocket at Green River viewed their music. and a friend of Julia to the Moon”, “The Icarus Account” Julia Farmer, a Kentridge High Farmer described their sound is the band for you.

Is Multitasking Beneficial for Green River Students or Just Another Distraction?

William Baliton | Green River

Student attempting to multitask.

By: Olivia Reed Staff Writer Multitasking, while appearing to be an opportunity for students to complete their tasks efficiently and effectively, possesses several problems from encompassing the loss of focus to the incompletion of tasks.

While multitasking may seem to seem like a quicker option, it slows you down. Ben Reedy, a freshman at Green River thinks in a very similar way. He conveys the idea that “multitasking will either make you do exceptional on one assignment and unsatisfactory on another, or mediocre in both”.

Reedy stands by the idea that multitasking takes your focus away from the individual tasks you are

energy to achieve their goals. doing and creates uneven amounts There are many downsides and of effort going into your work. This complications associated with causes only partial attention going multitasking. According to a 2001 into each task which can cause a study from the Journal of Experilack of overall proficiency or attenmental Psychology, multitasking tion to going into smaller details. for all types of tasks, makes people While he mentioned listening lose time when they have to move to music while working can help back and forth from one undersome people, music, and tasks like taking to another, and that it took checking emails while writing an significantly longer essay will most likely to switch between jeopardize the quality Partaking in several more complex and of the assignment. activites at once can rigorous tasks.

Reedy said that music In another study is distracting and also create stress and conducted in 2005 most of the time he anxiety. called No Task Left must turn off his -Leonna Koch Behind? Examinmusic to really focus. ing the Nature of Reedy emphasizes Fragmented Work found that over that “Doing multiple things at once a span of three days, individuals limits your ability to do your best were interrupted frequently when work.“ School work is important, they attempted to multitask and and students should really center changed tasks every 11 minutes. their attention on one assignment Some people believe that not at a time ensuring the greatest only is multitasking distracting outcome possible. and stressful, but virtually impos“Partaking in several activities sible. Dr. Hallowell, an American at once can also create stress and psychiatrist who specializes in ADD anxiety,” said Leonna Koch, a and ADHD on multitasking, “You Running Start student in her first cannot divide your attention like year at Green River. She argues that that, it’s a big illusion. You can’t multitasking is immensely inefshift back and forth.” fective and taxing. Koch feels this Adding to that, studies show that can generate unnecessary strain when there are multiple stimulants, on students, making simple tasks neurons in your brain you only more difficult than they should be, react to one or two things at a time. and makes students apply a lot of

This proves that multitasking physically cannot be done and predominantly presenting the idea that doing various jobs or duties at once is less efficient.

If you want to be exceptional at your schoolwork and even other daily functions, avert your attention to one job at a time and concentrate on getting one thing done at a time instead of trying to carry out a handful of errands at once. You will be surprised by the difference in what you can accomplish and how relieving and fulfilling it is to fulfill your goals one step at a time.

Pixabay

Pixabay

Photo by pxhere

10

opinion Fact Checking and its Importance in the Media thecurrent

January 23, 2019

Editorial

Pixabay

Today, factual evidence present in media portrayals of politics, world events, and every story in between holds a higher level of importance than ever before.

In a time where facts are often debated as being true and social media enables individuals to report on unfolding events through their own lenses, the necessity for a media outlet that provides clear reporting on what is occurring is paramount.

What, then, would differentiate this specific media outlet from the others? The answer is really quite simple: the use of clear and concise facts.

The need for factual reporting is important because it allows the

reader to discern what is objectively true and what the result of a subjective lens. It allows for readers to receive the truth of a controversy or an event in a clear manner. According to the Einstein College of Medicine, “…‘facts’ are necessary… Not only must there be a clear ability to distinguish purported ‘facts’ from fiction, including an ability to distinguish truths of logic from facts derived empirically.”

This importance on evidentiary proof is stressed through several facets of society as it allows for a fuller understanding being shared with the public.

But what if those facts break down and the truth behind them is absent?

Examples of these consequences can be found, firstly, in the world of politics.

On Dec. 19 2018, President Donald Trump released a tweet that said “Mexico is paying (indirectly) for the Wall through the new USMCA [United States Mexico Canada Agreement]”.

Trump’s Twitter post claimed that the financial responsibility of the Wall bordering the United States and Mexico is in the hands of Mexico through the U.S Mexico Canada Agreement in place of the North American Free Trade

William Baliton | Opinion Editor TheCurrent.Opinion@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

Agreement. The National Public Radio confirmed that this was false. At this time, the USMCA still had to be ratified by the involved legislatures, including Canada, Mexico, and the US Congress.

Fortunately, immediate backlash occurred as the post grew attention and discredited Trump’s post with facts and technicalities that made it false. Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto responded that the Mexican government would never pay for “The Wall”. This matter along with many of Trump’s policies on immigration increased tension between countries.

Trump later denied he said that Mexico would directly pay for the border wall after months of criticism.

The problem with improper fact-checking is both an individual and collective problem. This post triggered an international frenzy, resulting in unreliable news sources using the opportunity to play on individual biases and further spread misinformation in spite of other credible articles explaining the issues in Trump’s claim.

In an event like this, perspectives based on dramatized information become established and those establishments

may amplify the divide within the public. While traditional journalism aims to limit the damage that can be caused by alternative information, verifying facts not only prevents ideological conflicts from occurring but also boosts credibility. However in the same way that fact-checking improves credibility, failing to do so will inevitably damage it.

The best way to counter the emergence of false facts in the media is to impose rigorous fact checking.

This ensures the information being presented is as close to the truth of what is being reported as possible.

One way fact checking can be executed effectively is by submitting the information to the individual or group of individuals from where the information originated from. Another method would be to conduct background research of a specific topic to guarantee accuracy in the information being presented.

Fact checking in modern media keeps information clear and allows for honest reporting. It is essential in that it gives the audience a clear picture of events and opinions.

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

Study Break Facts from: http://salve.libguides.com/c. php?g=590921&p=4098864

1. Seek Truth and Report It: Ethical journalism must be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information for the public.

2. Be Accountable and Transparent: Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

3. Minimize Harm: Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

4. Act Independently: The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

sports

thecurrent

Christina Praggastis | Sports Editor TheCurrent.sports@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

Photo Credit: greenriver.edu

11 January 23, 2019

Green River College: History of Men’s Basketball Players By: Humza Sindhu Staff Writer

Green River College Men’s Baskteball Team 2018-2019

The Newfound Success of Men’s Basketball By: Lucas Bohannon Staff Writer

From six total wins in the 2017-2018 season to 12 wins and counting in the 2018-2019 season, the Green River men’s basketball team is on a path to success.

This year’s Green River Gators team has 12 wins and six losses. This is already a significant increase from last year’s season, and the team shows no signs of slowing down.

This year the men’s team is stacked with veteran returners as well as some new recruits who are thirsty for competition.

Led by head coach Godfrey Drake, this year’s team is on an entirely different level.

Drake has high expectations for his team and all of his players understand what it means to have a “championship mindset.” This group of athletes are all connected and on the same page both on and off the court.

Drake has created a leadership program so that players like sophomore forward, Alex Sommerfield and guard, Benson Gillies can strive to succeed in skill development.

“I’m extremely proud of Benson Gillies for the way that he took on his leadership role and he has been the guy that makes sure that we live our agreed upon team expectations daily,” said Drake.

This high level of consistency in the expectations for the team has created a bond between players and coaches. In the 2018-2019 season the men’s basketball team has already doubled their wins from last year.

Drake says the the difference in this year’s team is very simple. “The difference with the team this year is that we have full buy in from every member in the program.”

Drake says that they have returning players that can use their experience from last season

and apply it to this season.

“The coaches and the players believe in each other 100 percent, that makes all the difference in the world,” said Drake.

The team fully believes in themselves as well as their coaches; this difference is what will forever change the basketball team.

Drake had a lot to say about specific players that are having major impacts on this season.

“Getting Kevin Baker and Mitch Wetmore as transfers were huge for this program.”

He says that Kevin is “arguably” the best player in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), while Mitch plays at a “speed that most people can’t and that allows us to play with an incredible tempo,” said Drake.

Sommerfield was voted onto the second team all-Western NWAC Division team after an “outstanding” freshman season, and Bo Moawad is additionally playing well in his sophmore year of college.

“The additions of Chayse Mims, Derek Cox, and Avery Carlsen have paid dividends,” said Drake. “Cam Cawley (Bigshot Cambron) has stepped up in key moments and even made a game winner gainst Skagit Valley” Drake said that each and every player is essential to the success of this team and he has no plans for slowing down.

Drake said that he loves to challenge himself, and because of that he models his coaching style after a very well-known coach by the name of Tom Izzo because “he loved the blue collar players that were overlooked and he turns them to incredible players.”

With this mindset, Drake has created a championship caliber team that is ready to face any adversity. The team has agreed that in order to be great, there has to be consistency and competition.

Drake stated that “You have to consistently

Center:Kevin Baker Photo Credit: grcfacebook.com

be great every day and the only way that can happen is through high levels of competition in practice. We also agreed upon some team goals for this season and we spent a lot of time creating a list of all the little things that it will take to accomplish each goal. This team has a tremendous growth mindset and I believe that we will accomplish those goals if we focus on getting better every day.”

The 2019 “Swampboys” are on a mission and there is no stopping that. Drake stated that, “The journey for this season is definitely not over so Green River Community come out and support this wonderful group of Swamp Boys. They represent everything that this college stands for.”

The Green River College basketball team is coming out on top of all its competitors this season.

Godfrey Drake has coached at Green River since 2017 and previously coached at Kent Lake High School for four seasons. Since Drake’s arrival at Green River, he has made an impact on the scoring for the team. “The team succeeded in this season by winning eight games in a row and has recently knocked off two ranked opponents in their last two games,” said Drake.

These statistics are a welcome sight compared to the previous years, and the players are putting even more of an effort to win.

Kevin Baker and Alex Sommerfield are valuable players in this season basketball team. Sommerfield was voted the Northwest Athletic Conference player of the week recently. Baker came out strong with a whopping 43 points and 14 rebounds in the last game played against Tacoma.

Having these two players on the team is really promising for future games. The Green River Gator’s basketball team is currently 3-0 in the division and really showing ts full potential with all their successes.

Looking back at the history of the team, the Gators have had victorious moments like these in the early 2000s. The most valuable player during the early 2000s was Tre Simmons who had led his team to finish off second place in the NWAC. “Tre Simmons is known as the greatest Gator ever,” said Godfrey. After Tre left Green River, he started playing for UW and had amazing success after his university.

The basketball team at Green River College has been through trials and tribulations for the past few years. “Green River Basketball history is filled with inconsistency, but all that is changing now,” said Drake.

With Baker and Sommerfield leading the team strong, the Gators are back in action for the 2019 season and are ready to take home first place at the competition.

Head Coach: Godfrey Drake Photo Credit: greenriver.edu

12

sports

thecurrent

January 23, 2019

Christina Praggastis | Sports Editor TheCurrent.sports@mail.greenriver.edu www.thegrcurrent.com

Kevin Baker: Second Year Green River Student and Athlete By: Dakota Farnsworth Staff Writer Kevin Baker is completing his second year of college while also playing for the men’s basketball team.

“I’ve been doing basketball as long as I can remember,” said Baker. “It looked fun and I was always really tall. My dad introduced me to the sport and I always wanted to play it, so it kind of just happened.”

Baker played for Kentlake as well as smaller teams outside of the district that were all made up of the same group of people.

“I’ve been playing with them almost my whole life. They’re like [my] brothers,” said Baker. Working with the same group of people can provide a sense of comfort and trust when you are playing together, and it can help the team perform better knowing that they can count on each other.

Playing with a different group of people means that you must build the bond to help each other perform well during games.

Green River’s basketball coach makes sure that the team has the bond that a basketball team should have. “We get along well,” said Baker. “It makes it easier to play knowing that they have your back...you can trust them.”

Players in a sport need support from several sources, they can get it from teammates, friends and coaches, but the most important source of support usually comes from a player’s parents. Baker’s parents are very supportive of him with basketball. “They’ve always been supportive and try to come to every game,” said Baker.

Even though Baker is completing his second year at Green River College, this is his first year playing with the team. He did not play last year but he still participated and practiced with the team. Baked stated that, “[The players] have matured a lot from the first time they were together.”

This season started in November and the team has played 16 games so far. The team has won 10 and lost six and are currently on a seven-game winning streak. The team has already won more games than last season. “I think there’s not a team we can’t beat,” said Baker. The team has 13 more regular games as well as four potential play-off games.

Baker considers his best game to be the Dec. 8 one in Salt Lake City. They were playing against Salt Lake Community College, which is one of the best teams in the nation; Baker had scored 35 points and 17 rebounds.

“There was a lot of Division 1 talent on that team,” said Baker. “It boosted my confidence playing against such good players.” Division 1 is the highest level of talent in athletics according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NWAC).

Baker’s proudest moment was on Jan. 19 when his team beat Lower Colombia Community College. It was Green River’s first time beating that team in seven years.

He stated that, “It was good to prove that we were not like past teams...we are creating a winning culture.”

On the schedule for the men’s basketball games they list the top performers of each match; Baker is a top performer for 13 of the previous games this season. Some of Baker’s teammates consider him to be an All-star of the team. “It feels good knowing people appreciate my ability,” said Baker.

However, he isn’t the kind of person who takes this appreciation to his head. He likes to get everyone involved so they have a

chance to shine as well. “I don’t want to be selfish...there are lots of players that could be considered all-stars,” said Baker.

Baker has improved his strategy of game play to overcome any challenges and seize victory for the team. “Kevin has improved his aggressiveness as the season went on,” said head coach Godfrey Drake. “He has an amazing way of figuring out how to become dominant in every game no matter what the other team tries to do to him.”

While Baker plays basketball at Green River, he is also a student. Baker is working on his general AA and will graduate this June before transferring to a four-year university, but not sure which one yet. No matter which university he decides, he plans to play basketball for them.

He has gotten offers from schools like West Oregon University and California State University East Bay. “I want to be out of state, probably somewhere sunny like California or Florida,” said Baker. Baker also has backup plans to become a physical therapist just in case basketball does not work out as a career for him.

Baker is a talented and driven athlete who’s future looks exciting and promising.

Photo Credit: Kevin Baker

Photo Credit: Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker takes a jump shot to score another point for the “Swampboys.”

Kevin Baker wears a smile on his face as he jumps in to score for his team.