M T H E M O N TA G E
Story on p. 3
Former student sentenced to 10 Ceramics exhibition creates Students find resources at Lady Archers mourn loss off and years after campus attack ‘Memories’ Passport to Success event on the court Page 2 Page 8 Page 9 Page 12 Volume 50 Issue 8
www.meramecmontage.com
Jan. 29, 2015
2 NEWS Jan. 29, 2015
STLCC to compensate Missouri A+ shortfall Board of Trustees agrees to pay for what the A+ Program cannot to help students afford school LIVIE HALL MANAGING EDITOR Missouri’s A+ Program took a hit in the fall of 2014 when the state announced the scholarship could no longer fully fund students’ tuition. According to the STLCC website, students who graduated from a participating A+ high school and met certain requirements receive the A+ scholarship. The scholarship promises to cover tuition and fees. STLCC Interim Chancellor Dennis Michaelis said with the influx of students being eligible to receive this financial aid, the state was unable to keep up financially. This meant students would get a portion of their classes paid for but the rest would have to be out-of-pocket. Michaelis spoke
with the Board of Trustees and STLCC decided they would cover what A+ would not. He said the college did not want students to have to come up with that money in the middle of the academic year, saying they “took that out of the equation from the beginning.” Right now, Michaelis said this financial coverage is on an “emergency basis.” The fiscal year starts over at the end of June and he said he believes the state will again be able to fully fund students once more. Michaelis said STLCC wants its students to be successful. “[STLCC] will make every attempt to help students make the cost of their schooling,” he said.
ILLUSTRATION BY: MARISSA DIERCKS
Former Meramec student sentenced to 10 years African-American History Month Judge finalizes sentencing for Jevon Mallory almost two years after attack on student Blythe Grupe
There will be a movie on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 196. A full-length movie will be shown, the selection is to be announced. “Understanding and Recognizing Mental Health Issues in African American Community” will be presented by Dr. Jameca Falconer and Dr. Traice Webb-Bradley on Feb. 12, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the Business Administration Building, Room 105. The discussion will include training for community members on how to recognize mental health issues and how to help
connect those in need to mental health resources. “Empowerment through Health and Fitness: Be Fit, Be You!” will be presented by Kahlia Brookins on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 196. The “UrbSlam Talk Back” will be hosted on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015 at noon in the Meramec Theatre. “UrbSLAM Talk Back” features the 2014 UrbSLAM team, ranked sixth in the nation. The poets will recite their works and ask audiences to reflect on the social commentary of the performed selections.
“The Foreigner,” by Larry Shue, will run from Feb. 11 through 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. The production is directed by Michelle Rebollo and designed by Richard Willmore.
org/promote for a variety of promotional items and resources including videos, fact sheets, guidebooks, posters and more.
Withdrawal Deadlines for spring semester
BOT Meeting rescheduled
The withdrawal deadline for a full-semester class for Spring 2015 is Friday, April 17, 2015.
January is Stalking Awareness Month
The Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting has been rescheduled for Jan. 29 at the Cosand Center. It will start at 7 p.m. and anyone is welcome to attend. The Cosand Center is located at 300 South Broadway, across from Busch Stadium.
Withdrawal deadlines for shorter duration classes are: Feb. 27 - 1st 8 week class deadline. April 17 - 12 week class deadline. May 1 - 2nd week class deadline.
SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF Seven weeks after pleading guilty to first-degree assault, former STLCC-Meramec student Jevon Mallory has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Mallory attacked Meramec JEVON MALLORY student Blythe Grupe in a women’s restroom at the Meramec campus on April 18, 2013. Mallory was charged with a Class D felony
and assault in the first degree on April 23, 2013. Mallory entered a blind plea on Oct. 24, 2014 and was facing a possible five to 15 years in jail. Mallory will get credit for his time served behind bars since the attack. Circuit Judge Robert Cohen made the sentencing final on Friday, Dec. 12. Following the attack, Mallory admitted attempting to “withdraw [Grupe] from life” and assaulted her in a “vent of rage.” Mallory has been receiving continuances since then because of his mental health
events at Meramec
status hearing. “It took a while to get that cleared,” Meramec Police Chief Anthony Russo said in November 2014. Russo joined the Meramec Police Department after the April 2013 attack. “He was being evaluated to see if he was fit for trial. That’s a pretty standard process — part of the [court] system,” Russo said. “If you do something wrong in society, before we punish you, we want to make sure that at least you’re culpable of knowing what you did.”
News Briefs Brown Bag Cafe accepting donations
Request from the Meramec Theatre
The Cafe is currently in need of canned fruit, beans, pasta and canned chicken. Personal care products are also needed. Boxes are located in the Access office in Clark Hall and outside the door of Service Learning, BA219J. Contact Debbie Corson with any questions at dcorson2@stlcc. edu or 341-984-7234.
The theatre is producing the play “The Foreigner” and needs any type of animal that has been to the taxidermist. They can use deer heads, antlers, birds or fish. They will be mounted on the wall and the set. If interested, email Mary Holtz at mholtz@stlcc.edu or call at 314-984-7564.
Spring Career Fair FREE Admission! Meet with area employers and learn about employment opportunities in your community.
Thursday, March 5, 2015 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Meramec Gymnasium 11333 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Please visit the Stalking Resource Center’s webpages at http://stalkingawarenessmonth. org/about and http:// stalkingawarenessmonth.
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NEWS 3
Jan. 29, 2015
From Blackboard to blackout Increased mobile usage crashes learning management system first week of classes SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF STLCC students and faculty were unable to log into the Blackboard learning management system on the first day of the spring semester, Tuesday, Jan. 20. Problems continued throughout the week and a letter explaining the Blackboard holdup was sent to faculty by week’s end. “Much of the increased activity was due to a 425 percent jump in the use of the mobile devices to access Blackboard,” Robin Grebing, director of Online Education at STLCC, said in the letter to faculty. “Last summer [2014], the college contracted with Blackboard to make the Blackboard mobile app available to students at no cost. While we expected significant increases in Blackboard activity, as more students engaged the system with their mobile devices, we did not predict the huge increases we experienced this week,” Grebing said. On average, Blackboard typically hosts 400 concurrent users on Blackboard, according to Grebing. This traffic increases to 600 concurrent users within the first couple days of a semester. STLCC’s Blackboard infrastructure is built to withstand 1,000 concurrent users. The first two days of this spring semester show that 1,600 concurrent users were on STLCC’s Blackboard system. “As the college adds
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more functionality such as Collaborate and Community, and as students depend more on their mobile devices to access Blackboard, it is apparent that the Blackboard infrastructure needs to be expanded to handle higher volume,” Grebing said. “Conversations about how to proceed with permanent solutions are already underway.” STLCC-Meramec Vice President of Academic Affairs Andrew Langrehr said that login problems should have dissolved by the second week of classes. “The problem should have subsided, by now,” Langrehr said “The equilibrium [has] shifted to some people are on, some people are not.” Prior to classes starting for the semester, Meramec English instructor Michael Burke had difficulty logging into the instructional link for his composition classes. He wanted to add a few last minute details. “Blackboard was hard to use Sunday night, before classes started — both Sunday night and Monday,” Burke said. “Tuesday, I couldn’t get into Blackboard. It would go in and out. It would be available for a few minutes. Then it would go away. It was really slow and you couldn’t get into it. And sometimes it would stop for no good reason.” Burke’s classes are faceto-face classes, but he said he uses Blackboard for additional
RES TAKE PICTU LAYOUT
Blackboard use rose to more than 1,600 concurrent users on Jan. 20, the first day of classes, according to statistics provided by the STLCC Online Education Department.
material in his classes. But, he said that his colleagues who teach online and hybrid classes had major issues. “The fact that the college encourages us to do online instruction and to create hybrid and online classes. But then the support network for that is not as robust as it could be,” Burke said. “When it craps out unexpectedly, like this, it really, really puts
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people behind — especially if you have just a concentrated narrow window, like in hybrid.” Debbie Werner, who has taught at Meramec since 2002, is teaching two hybrid classes this semester. “That’s frustrating. When you teach online, especially an eightweek class, students only have eight weeks. So, if you lose a week, it’s very hard,” Werner said. “You want students to be successful and it’s a very compressed class. It’s hard to get the work done anyway. It’s hard to get them started. And when they can’t get in the first week, it’s just crazy.” Werner had to extend deadlines in order to compensate losing the first week of class. “That’s how you deal with it. I extended the due dates because I knew that there were problems,” Werner said. “But it’s unacceptable. The bottom line is that it’s unacceptable. As an institution, we’re not doing our job, if the systems aren’t working.” Second year Meramec student, Zach Sansone, was enrolled in an online public speaking class. But with the deadlock in Blackboard usage, Sansone opted to
THE MONTAGE TUESDAYS @ 5:00 P.M. IN SC 220A FOR OUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING CONTACT SHANNON PHILPOTT AT SPHILPOTT@STLCC.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM
drop his public speaking class. “I was going to do my first assignment. Blackboard was acting up. I [thought], ‘Well, if this is the way that it’s going to be, there’s no way I’m going to do this now,’” Sansone said. “So I switched classes. I’m not public speaking at all, now. I’m taking computer software and hardware concepts, which I need for my major.” Sansone is majoring in computer science. He does need a public speaking class to graduate, but said he will take the necessary class at a later time. “I can take public speaking anywhere,” Sansone said. “I’ll probably end up taking it over the summer. I’ll figure it out.” Sansone’s friend, Brian Robinson also had issues logging into Blackboard. “Teachers couldn’t even get on. It through a wrench in their plans,” Robinson said. “It just kind of put a bad taste in all of the student’s mouths. It was a real sluggish, disappointing start. They obviously, weren’t expecting the workload that comes with the start of a new semester.” The Blackboard issues came as a surprise to administration, according to Langrehr. “No one was asleep at the switch. They did a lot of planning,” Langrehr said. “It’s almost like no good deed goes unpunished. You’ve planned. You’ve made sure that we have increased capacity. You’ve talked with Blackboard. You’ve looked at all of the past starts of the semester and you know there’s going to be an increase. Everybody says ‘thumbs up.’ And then this is way beyond what anybody [expected].”
4 OPINIONS Jan. 29, 2015
LYRICAL LAMENTS
AUSTIN SCHUMANN ONLINE EDITOR
Carry On My Wayward, Son “Free at last, free at last, Thank God almighty I’m free at last.” That is probably what you were thinking when winter break started. Now that school has begun back up, many of us are thinking much less pleasant thoughts. The important thing is to remember the immortal words of the band Kansas, keep calm and carry on…or was it “carry on my wayward son”? Either way the words ring
true. Looking back on holidays past wistfully like the girl you are too afraid to ask out does not do you any good. The important thing to remember is that very few people actually want to be at school. That is why even though we are not happy about it, we need to grin and bear it. I think it is a safe assumption that very few of us plan on staying forever, so it is good to remember that there will be peace when you are done. When all is said and done, you can look back at all the good memories you had here at Meramec and if you cannot think of anything then just be glad you are gone. Of course your college expierence is a lot easier if you do not think terrible thoughts about it all the time. They say time flies when you are having fun. Make some friends, if the time is taken most people have more in common with each other than they think. Meramec has plenty of clubs you can join as well- the fencing club, the Sky club and heck, even the
Montage is recruiting. Focus on enjoying yourself while you are here at Meramec, not only will it feel like you are gone sooner but you might actually have a little bit of fun along the wayGod forbid, I know. Do not think that this is some informational piece to tell you what to do. Instead, look at it as something to make you smile and laugh your butt off. But if you do, you should probably see a doctor, that could be serious. Either way we are all here at school
together, whether that is a blessing, curse, or just that Meramec is where we find ourselves. So keep these words true to your heart and
I like to think that you will make it through just fine. Carry on my wayward son, there will be peace when you are done.
ILLUSTRATION BY KATE LAM
FOR THE HEALTH OF IT
ALEX WHITE PHOTO EDITOR
Dress for Running Success
ILLUSTRATION BY JASON WATERS
EDITORS Spencer Gleason Livie Hall Dalila Kahvedzic Marissa Diercks Alex White Austin Schumann Bill Gezella Shannon Philpott
Months before 2015, people were trying to find out what their New Year’s resolution would be for the next 12 months. If becoming a runner is what was picked then this is a good place to start. Running is not an easy event to pick up because it takes a lot of patience and work. When the weather is not always good,
here are some tips to stay warm without wearing too many layers. The weather in St. Louis is hardly ever at the best running conditions, especially in the winter months when it can be hard to find the motivation to get out and go for a run. However, the run can still happen and the body can still be kept nice and warm if the proper clothing is worn. For feet, make sure a thick pair of socks are worn and they are good at wicking moister away from the feet. Legs need to be kept warm too because they are doing all the work. When muscles are cold, it is harder for them to carry on the run. When the temperature gets below 30 degrees, a base layer should be worn. Base layers help keep the body’s internal temperature up while also removing any moister. A good, thick pair of leggings will do the trick, with a pair of sweat pants over them.
The upper body also needs a base layer to keep warm. A long-sleeve shirt helps accomplish this. Although, never wear a shirt made of cotton while running in the cold. Cotton does not wick moister away, instead it soaks up liquid and keeps it where it is found. This will end up leaving the body cold and clammy. Next, depending on how you can handle the cold, another longsleeve or a short-sleeve shirt over the base layer. Once these layers are on, one should wear a hoodie or windbreaker. These final layers will help deflect any wind present, making it feel a little less cold. Always wear a stocking cap and gloves when running in the winter. Ears are the first to feel the effects of the cold, and running with cold hands is just as uncomfortable. With these tips, winter running will not feel as horrible and there will be no need to be bogged down with too many layers.
MONTAGE STAFF THE MONTAGE
Brittney Farrow Senior Staff Writer Editor in Chief/ Sports Editor Dominique Campbell Staff Writer Managing/News Editor Christian Hargas Staff Writer Art and Life Editor Jason Jamison Staff Writer Graphics/In-Depth Editor Alyssa McCutchan Staff Writer Photo Editor Ryan Obradovic Staff Writer Online Editor Sara Ponder Staff Writer Copy Editor Kayla Cacciatore Staff Writer/Photographer Faculty Adviser Nicole Dixon David Kloeckner Kate Lam Jason Waters Aaron Landgraf
Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer/Designer Staff Designer Staff Multimedia Specialist
To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., 314-984-7955. Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the board of trustees or the administration. The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122. 314-984-7655. One copy of The Montage is free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager. Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.
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OPINIONS 5
Jan. 29, 2015
ILLUSTRATION BY JASON WATERS
Cancer does not exist
Depression does exist
SARA PONDER STAFF WRITER
DOMINIQUE CAMPBELL STAFF WRITER
“There is no such thing as cancer. The doctors just made that up so they could steal your money.” “You cannot have cancer; there is nothing in your life that would have given it to you.” “I know it’s hard, but you just have to buck up and push through your cancer.” “Well, I had cancer. It was worse than yours and I just willed it away. If you just tell yourself that you are fine, you will be.” These are all things that people have told me, with one tweak. I do not have cancer. I have depression. The first comment is something that was only said to me on one occasion, but the implication that depression somehow is not real is common. The second and third remarks are the most frequent. The last statement is by far the most offensive. Mental illness is medical. Treatment means visiting a doctor, if not several. People could possibly be taking medication, and some might undergo out-patient treatment. A number of people go to the hospital. It definitely does exist and science has been definitive on that score. People have their own cup of water. The tipping point to develop a mental illness is when that cup runs over. Having more water already in their glass genetically predisposes them to having a mental illness. Some people have barely any water and others have a glass nearly overrunning. Experiences in life pour water into the glass beyond a person’s control. However, individuals can slowly remove water by taking care of themselves to prevent it from overflowing. For those who already have water
WARN
close to the brim, additional water might overflow their glass before they can remove it. If mental illness was the sort of thing that could simply be pushed through, it would not be an issue. I do appreciate these comments - at least acknowledge that having a mental illness is hard. Most people truly mean it as advice and I still do not have a response for them. It’s like saying, “I know both of your femurs are broken, but I really need you to go get some groceries for me.” Beyond “I cannot,” how do you respond? One person’s mental illness is not anymore legitimate than another’s. Just because someone else has two broken legs, it does not mean my one broken leg does not hurt. Someone can also be depressed without having clinical depression. Feeling depressed is a temporary, painful emotion, perhaps felt after the death of a loved one. Clinical depression is when those feelings persist to the point that a person no longer functions in daily life. These comments all come from my experience with depression, but I imagine most people with a mental illness have gotten some variant of them. Or worse yet, they have just been told they are crazy. I personally welcome questions about my depression. It’s to their credit when people without a mental illness are brave enough to ask questions and are even more thoughtful down the road to someone else with a mental illness. For people who are curious, ask “What does that mean on a daily basis, if that is not too personal?” Or “You do not have to tell me, but how do you treat depression?” And “How do you manage schoolwork?” All of these are appropriate questions. If you do not have any questions to ask simply say “Oh, that sucks,” and move on with the conversation.
Depression is defined as feeling down, sad, blue or down in the dumps for long periods of time. Most people experience those emotions but only for a short period of time. According to http:// DoSomething.org, 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide. It is also the most common mental illness that people suffer from. Some of the causes of depression include traumatic life events, social isolation and alcohol/drug abuse. Believe it or not, depression is a disease just like any other. There are symptoms that accompany the disease. Some of the symptoms of depression are low/irritable mood, low self-esteem, loss of pleasure in activities that you enjoy, trouble sleeping and feeling helpless or hopeless. As I sit at my computer, I am one of those 350 million people who have suffered and still suffer from depression. Depression often hits you when you least expect it. It can hit you like a ton of bricks. I’ve struggled with it for about 4½ years now. It was the summer of 2010. I had been dating this guy for a while and I had gotten pregnant. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the causes of depression is a traumatic life experience - long story short, my traumatic event that sparked my depression was when I miscarried my baby at 11 weeks, two weeks before the fall semester was going to start. I remember being told by my doctor to rest for a few weeks, which I didn’t. I rested long enough to get up and halfway drag my butt to class. Every day I would come back to my apartment and I’d just lie in bed. My phone would ring and it would be somebody calling to check on me and I simply wouldn’t answer. I had withdrawn from reality and from everyone.
I began to drink almost every weekend with my friends. I wouldn’t drink just a little, I would drink enough to pass out or just to get drunk to numb the pain away. I followed that cycle until right after I turned 25. As you realize you need help and your life is spiraling out of control you begin to seek help. After I turned 25, not being where I wanted to be made it worse. I talked to someone in the student health services and they guided me to a therapist that would be able to help me. I began seeing my therapist every week. A month into our sessions, she prescribed Zoloft. I began taking my anti-depressant medication in combination with my therapy sessions and I was able to dig out. Honestly, it took me until about the beginning of 2012 to begin to feel better and begin to work to get my happiness back. During the time I worked really hard on my depression I didn’t date anyone or have healthy social relationships. There is happiness and peace that can be found through getting help. It took me years to feel comfortable enough to share with people that even though I smile, I struggle with depression. I’m not always happy-go-lucky. There are people that struggle. A lot of times they suffer in silence in fear of judgment or a stigma being attached to them. It’s okay to say you’re not okay. It’s okay to say “Hey, I need help.” Since I came to that conclusion that I was so miserable with my life that I thought of harming myself, I knew some changes needed to be made. I am now able to handle and forge healthy social relationships. I haven’t had to take an antidepressant since the summer of 2012. If you’re struggling, take those steps to get in contact with someone. Don’t let the stigma of what people think depression is prevent you from getting the help you need. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You can and you will get through it.
NG: Signs of Clinical Depression
• Feeling depressed most of the day • Feeling irritable most of the day • Feeling of hopelessness • Social withdrawal • Impaired concentration • Sleeping more or less than usual
• • • • •
Increased or decreased appetite Significant weight gain or loss Diminished ability to think Indecisiveness Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable • Fatigue, low energy
• • • •
Missing class Low self-esteem Feeling guilty or worthless Moving or speaking more slowly than usual • More agitated than usual • Recurrent thoughts of death
Many of these symptoms can be caused by problems other than depression; regardless, help is available for students. For more information, contact the STLCC-Meramec Counseling office at 314-984-7575 Source: Carroll College Counseling Services
6 INDEPTH Jan. 29, 2015
Students: Get on the Scholarship Students who find themselves sinking in tuition debt have a variety of opportunities at STLCCMeramec to find funding to keep them afloat. The STLCC Foundation hosts scholarships for students in various majors, with financial need and for general transfer. Don’t miss the boat.
MARISSA DIERCKS IN-DEPTH EDITOR
For the
Horticulturists
Dascher Scholarships
Horticulture
Endowed
Gers Memorial Scholarship
Academic Achievement Scholarship A: $1000 award. Program Achievement Scholarship B: $500 award. $500
Kirkwood Garden Club Horticultural Scholarship
$1000
Maggie Jackson Scholarship Fund
Amount varies.
Horticulture
Richmond Heights Garden Club Anne Heiman Memorial Endowed Scholarship
For the
World Travelers
International Education Committee at Meramec Study Abroad Scholarship
Amount varies.
Meramec International Club’s Foreign Languages and Cultures Study Abroad Scholarship
Amount varies.
$500
For the
For the
Business Professional
Social Scientists
Up to four students per year will receive awards of at least $100 per student.
Dexter Dalton Scholarship E. Lynn and Connie Suydam Endowed Scholarship Lawrence K. Roos Scholarship for Public Service
Up to $500 Edwyn Scholarship Up to $1,500 per part-time student or $2,500 per full-time student. Scholarship is available for one student per campus.
Hoffstetter
Accounting
Maximum of $500. One award of at least $100 each academic year.
George Wang Recognition Fund The Jim and Susan McHugh Endowed Scholarship Fund for Business Students
Up to $500.
The UMB Endowed Scholarship Fund in Business Administration
Amount varies.
For the aspiring
Health Professional Allied Health Scholarship by Hands That Serve
Amount varies.
Charlotte Dauphin Stickley Allied Health Scholarship
One $500 award annually.
For the
Dee Shelton Loan Fund
Awardees will receive no more than $500.
John Lair Scholarship Fund
Two or three students each semester may each receive a $500 award.
St. Louis Community College Foundation Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Up to $500 per semester.
For the
Mathematicians
Frances Mangan Scholarship
Memorial
Math
Amount varies.
Music Majors
Ronald E. Stilwell Symphonic Band Endowment Scholarship Meramec Choir Scholarship Jack E. Wood Scholarship Fund
Memorial
Amount varies. $250-$500 per academic year.
Band
Amount varies.
James D. Knox Memorial Jazz Band Scholarship
Amount varies.
Charlie Menees Memorial Endowment Jazz Scholarship
Amount varies.
INDEPTH 7
Jan. 29, 2015
For the
General Transfer Student
American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) Scholarship Alexander Niven Memorial Scholarship Book Fund at St. Louis Community College Foundation Bowling for Scholars Book Fund Carroll Scholarship
J.
Donohue
Endowed
Up to 2 awards per campus, amount varies. $ 500 Up to $150 per student per semester
Annual Fund Scholarship at St. Louis Community College Foundation
Amount varies.
Emerson Scholarship
Amount varies.
Minority
Daniel C. Scholarship
Up to $500 per part-time student per semester
Dr. Gerald M. Sandweiss Scholarship Women’s
Alliance
$1000
Amount varies.
Glynn E. Clark Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount varies.
Maritz Inc. Scholarship
for
Tomorrow
$2,000 payable in two installments, and a customized Westward toolkit from the leading supplier of facilities maintenance products, Grainger.
Jay Warner Endowed Scholarship Fund for Theatre Arts
Up to $500.
Mary Lee Grone Scholarship for Career and Technical Education
Up to $1,000 per semester
National Association of Women in Construction Chapter #38
Amount varies.
Outstanding Student Award
One $250 award annually.
Amount varies.
Emerging Scholars Scholarship Award at Meramec
Hites Foundation Community College Transfer Scholarship
Engineering
Up to $500 Determined on a case-by-case basis not to exceed $200 (or the amount of money available)
Memorial
Up to $250 for maintenance fees, books, supplies and tuition.
Craig Jonsson Memorial Endowment Scholarship
Grainger Tools Scholarship Program
Sullivan
Up to $500 per semester/term
Up to $150 per student per semester
Commit to Complete (C4) Emergency Fund for students enrolled at STLCC
Eliot Chapel Scholarship Fund
Ann Divine Endowed Scholarship Fund At Meramec
$1000 per semester, up to a maximum of $4000 for four semesters Varies under $500
Marvell Carson and Evelyn Loy Memorial Scholarship
One $100 award annually
Meramec Student Government Association (SGA) Student-to-Student Book Scholarship
Amount varies.
Missouri Community College Association (Meramec Chapter) Book Scholarship Ruth Moellenhoff Scholarship The Gwendolyn Scholarship Fund
Behavioral
Science
The Ashok Agrawal Scholarship for FIRST Robotics Students
Up to $2,000 per year
The David and Rachel Eidelman Foundation Free Enterprise Scholarship Fund
wAmount varies.
The Endeavor Scholarship Innovation
Amount varies.
Amount varies.
The Jim Tuscher Endowed Scholarship Fund for Students with Disabilities
Amount varies.
Memorial Book
Amount varies.
The John C. Buschart Scholarship Fund
Amount varies.
W.
Amount varies. The Timothy Patrick Endowed Scholarship
Brennan
Amount varies.
Tina Stone-Feijo Memorial Scholarship
Amount varies.
Stephenson
Women’s Connection Network Zonta Club of St. Louis Endowed Technology Scholarship
The Gateway Scholarship Fund
Up to $600 per semester per campus. Number of awards varies. Up to $750
to
$500
Science Education/Career Chemistry Scholarship Fund
in
$500
Learn more at http://www.stlcc.edu/foundation/scholarships.html
8 ART & LIFE Jan. 29, 2015
Sculpting ‘Memories’ ALEX WHITE PHOTO EDITOR Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery recently hosted a high school exhibition. The opening reception was on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The exhibition was ceramicbased and showcased many different pieces from 12 different area high schools. There were 35 different art pieces at the event, ranging from large pieces to very small constructions. Professor James Ibur was the event curator and judge. After all sculptures were reviewed by Ibur he distributed awards. There were three honorable mentions, two second place winners and
Photos by: Alex White
one overall winner. The overall winner took home a $250 prize and the two second place winners both took a $125 prize. The art gallery is now open to the public Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The current gallery is showing ceramics until Feb. 13. The Meramec art gallery will host Boardwalk, a juried exhibition of interior design, from March 2 to 27, and later on a student juried exhibition from April 20 to 30.
TOP RIGHT: Titled The Incident by Aidan Welby from Chaminade College Preparatory school. Welby used a combination of stoneware and decal for his piece. MIDDLE RIGHT: Untitled by Audrey Shewmaker from Parkway North High School. Shewmaker used Clay, acrylic, moss and plastic ivy for her piece. Shewmaker also was the receiver of one of the second place prizes. MIDDLE LEFT: Masquerade by Dylan Haley from Parkway Central High School. Haley used only clay in his piece and also took first place in the exhibition.
ART & LIFE 9
Jan. 29, 2015
Cashing in, cashing out Students spend time and money DALILA KAHVEDZIC ART & LIFE EDITOR Since the holidays are a major time to spend money, Meramec students take a look back and reflect on how they spent their time and money. They cashed out on gifts and cashed in on time.
Jaimie Goun
Caleb Champ
Caleb Champ
“I’m from Bloomington Illinois and don’t get to see my family much, so I spent time with them.” Indoor lemon lime cocktail tree.
Worked - Employed at Toys “R” Us.
Daniel Clark
Prisma colored markers.
How much did you spend Black Friday? Worked - Employed at Fortel’s PIzza Den.
“Walmart ran out of TV’s so I spent $30-$40 on clothes.” Craftsman toolset.
Glow in the dark jigsaw puzzles. Jamal Whitehead
Andrew Cheli
What was your best gift? Jasmine Krueger
Juliet Prudent
“I didn’t spend a thing.”
“I just did cyber Monday.”
Polk audio speakers.
Clothes.
“I spent $400 on a 52 inch TV for a gift.” Tim Burton book.
“I don’t like Black Friday, I think it’s sad that stores open up so early on Thanksgiving and keep you from families.” Room re-design.
10 ART & LIFE Jan. 29, 2015
Winter Car Care
From resolutions to results What was your New Year’s resolution? ALYSSA MCCUTCHAN STAFF WRITER
DALILA KAHVEDZIC ART & LIFE EDITOR Winter weather calls for higher precautions in car care and driving. Follow these few steps to a safer winter driving experience.
The year 2015 is in full swing. With each new year comes new opportunities as well as new challenges. New Year’s resolutions express the desire to make this year even better than the last. Yet it may come as no surprise that many of these ambitious goals do not always become a reality. Even when they do become a reality, these goals may not last as long as intended. Some Meramec students and a faculty member were willing to share their New Year’s resolutions with us. Despite the failing track record of many, there is still hope. There is but one factor that guarantees success for this year’s resolutions; that factor is the goal setters themselves. This is the year to have the rubber meet the road and accomplish what used to be just hopeful ambitions and make them success stories. Bring it on 2015.
Matt Sunket: “Mine is to be more active and get in shape.”
Professor Christiaan Eayrs: “My resolution is to lose weight every year, but I don’t ever change anything.”
Kim Albrecht: “Mine is to study more and not to procrastinate this semester.”
Nikola Best : “Mine is to make it past the first round of auditions for ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ in Memphis, TN. Auditioning has been a life long dream.”
If you can’t see through your windshield clearly, it’s probably time to get a wiper change. Make sure to have washer solvent in the resevoir as well.
Dim headlights may be a sign of a bad battery so get that checked, but make sure to activate and check all lights and signals to make sure they work as well.
Shelby Presson: “Manage my shcedule better with work and school.”
Always be checking levels for enough radiator coolant and oil (as well as brake, transmission, power steering fluids, etc.)
Check tire wear. There should be distinct track marks and tires shouldn’t be too worn, or you might just skid off the road. Nobody wants that. Don’t do that.
PHOTOS BY AUSTIN SCHUMANN
Passport to Student Success Always make sure to have your trunk full with necessities such as oil, coolant, jumper cables, equipment for changing tires, and etc. Even extra bulbs can come in handy. Definitely have an ice scraper (duh), a shovel for big snowfall, and make sure your spare tire is actually inflated. Probably a good idea. Always drive slower and anticipate danger in bad weather conditions.
Students had the opportunity to browse college resources Monday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 27 in the cafeteria. Passport to Success is an event hosted for students to promote awareness of college departments and organizations, such as the Meramec Academic Center, Writing Center, Math Tutoring Center, Counseling Services and the Access Office. Above, Renee Dingman and Jane Tucker with the Access Office speak with student Sabrina Tobias about college services available to students. At right, student Kelly Ngongo speaks with representatives from Meramec’s Career and Employment Services’ Office.
SPORTS 11 Jan. 29, 2015
For the love of the game
SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Missing Community Fan Base It is a sad — but true — fact. Local high school basketball games draw a bigger crowd than our home STLCC Archer basketball games. Junior college may be a step up in the echelon of players. But when it comes to fan base, high school has STLCC beat. While covering a recent high school basketball game, there were a number of players’ friends and family; high school faculty, staff and administration that attended the game. There was so much crowd noise, that you could barely hear the referee’s whistle or shoe squeaks on the gym floor. The concession line was constant motion; the pep band was jamming. The crowd was electric. On the flip-side, while covering a STLCC home game in December, the shoe squeaks echoed throughout the STLCCForest Park gymnasium and the referee’s whistle reverberated throughout its walls. There were no concessions. There was no pep band. More fans drove the 40 minute drive from Hillsboro, Mo. to cheer their Jefferson College Vikings, than those from STLCC. The product on the court has not faltered. The Lady Archers have made it to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament three of the last four seasons. This year, they are in the midst of a 17-4 season. The men’s team won eighth place in the country last year, in the same tournament. Two players from last season’s roster now play in NCAA Division I programs. Although this year’s record (9-10) is sub .500, their high flying aerobics and slam dunks are enough to make anyone hoop and holler. Everybody has lives outside of STLCC. I understand that. But choose one home game. Bring family and friends — make an outing out of it. The entertainment is worth the price of admission, considering admission is free. Hopefully the one game turns into two. From there, together we can ask for a pep band and concessions. A pep band would liven up the energy. But administration has been slow moving on the latter. The last time I checked, STLCC was a “community” college. How about we build a “community” fan base.
A step behind: PE late-start classes In order to graduate, students need two PE credits. Here are some available last minute choices to beat the clock. Class: Dance Aerobics Darcie Evon Star MWF: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Exercise to music. Involves full muscle activity combined with vigorous cardiovascular activity.
Class: Fencing IV William Dale McDevitt TR: 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Techniques, target area, rules and strategy of epee fencing will be introduced. Additional hours required. Prerequisite: PE:126.
Class: Fencing III William Dale McDevitt TR: 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Students develop fundamental offensive and defensive techniques for sabre fencing. Rules, terminology and etiquette are addressed. The rules and basic strategy of bouting are introduced.
Class: Fitness Center I Darren Bruce Jones MWF: 9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. Proper technique and routines are presented for the development of strength, flexibility and endurance. Individualized programs are developed and personal progress is charted by student and monitored by instructor. The program is designed to produce maximal gains in all areas of fitness with a minimal time commitment.
UPCOMING MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
UPCOMING WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Saturday, Jan. 31 vs Wentworth Military Academy *HOME, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31 vs Wentworth Military Academy *HOME, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 4 vs Missouri State UniversityWest Plains *HOME, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 4 vs State Fair Community College *HOME, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 vs North Central Missouri College *HOME, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 vs Three Rivers Community College *HOME, 7:30 p.m. *Home games played at STLCC-Forest Park
Saturday, Feb. 7 vs North Central Missouri College *HOME, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 vs Three Rivers Community College *HOME, 5:30 p.m. *Home games played at STLCC-Forest Park
Got a story? Pitch it to us.
meramecmontage@gmail.com
Class: Lifeguard Training Karen D. Koshak F: 4 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. This course provides students with the opportunity to complete American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to keep the patrons of aquatic facilities safe in and around the water. First Aid/CPR is included. Additional hours required. Class: Tennis I Brian Matthew Kirk TR: 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Introduction to basic strokes: forehand, backhand, serve, volley, lob; position play, strategy, singles and doubles matches, history, rules and intraclass competition included.
Class: Walking for Fitness Brian J. Carroll TR: 5:30 p.m. – 7:05 p.m. Emphasis on techniques of walking, cardiovascular fitness, weight control, safety and equipment. Class: Water Aerobics Staff MWF: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Water Aerobics fitness, a program of water exercise designed to develop cardiovascular fitness. A variety of water exercises for all ages and swimming levels. Non-swimmers can participate
BASKETBALL SCORES Saturday, Jan. 10 MEN’S BASKETBALL State Fair C.C.- 61 STLCC- 106 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Cottey College- 56 STLCC- 84 Monday, Jan. 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL Lincoln Land C.C.- 70 STLCC- 57 Tuesday, Jan. 13 MEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 50 Three Rivers C.C.- 79 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 76 Three Rivers C.C.- 61 Thursday, Jan. 15 MEN’S BASKETBALL Lincoln College- 69 STLCC- 70
Saturday, Jan. 17 MEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 76 MCC-Penn Valley- 91 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 87 MCC-Penn Valley- 63 Wednesday, Jan. 21 MEN’S BASKETBALL Washington University JV- 78 STLCC- 79 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 61 Mineral Area College- 65 Saturday, Jan. 24 MEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 89 North Central Missouri College- 93 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STLCC- 70 North Central Missouri College- 78
12 SPORTS
Jan. 29, 2015
Two losses: one game Lady Archers mourn loss on the court and in their hearts SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF The drive home was quiet. The last member of the women’s basketball team hopped in the STLCC school van and shut the door. Assistant Coach Janey Milligan started the engine and drove the van out of the St. George Church gravel parking lot. Thirteen girls in the van and barely a word was spoken the entire 50 minute ride home. The Lady Archers had just suffered a loss. Not a loss on the court. But one in their heart. Judy Ethridge — mother of Head Coach Shelly Ethridge — had died of lung cancer. She was 67. Instead of Ethridge offering basketball lessons to her players, the team was offering hugs to their coach. “A lot of the girls haven’t really dealt with something like that,” Milligan said. “The thing that really got the girls was seeing [their] coach like that. You never want to see someone you love in pain and you can’t do anything about it. I think that’s what really [got them].”
together during their shoot around, prior to their hour-long drive to Mineral Area, and shared with them the news. “I just tried to explain the kind of person she was. I think this team kind of got gipped a little bit, as far as getting to know her,” Milligan said. “It didn’t matter if she didn’t know them personally. The fact that they played for her daughter, she loved them and they were family.” Some of the sophomores had known Judy Ethridge from last season. She would often be in the stands watching her daughter coach and cheer on the extension of her family. The freshmen — although in their first year of the program — shared in their sentiment. “They were sad, obviously. I think, mostly sad for Coach [Ethridge] — sad for her and what she’s had to go through the past few months,” Milligan said. “At the same time, I told them that we had a game and that we had to get out there and handle our business.”
GAME DAY Two days prior, the Lady Archers had a 5 p.m. away game scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21 against their conference rival Mineral Area College. Mineral Area had beaten STLCC earlier in the season on the Lady Archers home court. This game was supposed to be payback. But the day was going to stand for something more. Milligan’s phone rang that morning. It was Assistant Coach Melanie Marcy. Ethridge’s mom’s two-and-a-half year battle with cancer was over. She was no longer suffering. Thoughts of cancelling the game were subsided with thoughts of what Judy Ethridge would have wanted. “They knew that that’s not what her mom would‘ve wanted,” Milligan said. “Her mom wouldn’t have wanted us to not play.” In the same conversation, Marcy asked Milligan to be head coach for a day — something the second year assistant had not yet done. “It was a crazy rollercoaster of emotion,” Milligan said. “But when [the] time came, I just [snapped] it into basketball mode. It’s just what I had to do.” With the decision to play the game being made, the news of Judy Ethridge had not reached beyond Marcy, Milligan and the Lady Archer captains, Tiara Bradley and Deborah Holcomb. The team did not know. That responsibility fell on Milligan. Milligan brought the team
GAME TIME Milligan wanted to make her counterparts proud. The team wanted to avenge their loss from earlier in the season. Together — the Lady Archers wanted the game for Ethridge. “They were excited for the game,” Milligan said. “They wanted it for Coach [Ethridge]. It added to the motivation for the game.” The motivation seemed to work early on. The momentum was theirs. “We came out firing,” Milligan said. “We had everything going our way. We were getting stops on defense. Shots were falling for us. We were playing really well.” Halftime came. Milligan coached the Lady Archers to a five point lead, 30-25, after the first 20 minutes. “The girls stepped up a lot. The team captains [Holcomb and Bradley] helped me the whole time,” Milligan said. “They were right there. They were a little more vocal than they usually are. Everyone knew the importance of the game. And everyone knew that they had to step up.” Milligan grabbed the first half stats from the media table — something Marcy would do. She spoke to her team at halftime — Ethridge’s job. She prepped them for the second half. “It was a weird balance,”
SUBMITTED PHOTO The 2014-15 Lady Archers Basketball team pose with Judy Ethridge, mother of coach Shelly Ethridge, at the beginning of the season. Ethridge was a regular attendee at home games prior to her death Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Milligan said. “I’ve learned so much and I try to take some from both [Ethridge and Marcy] and incorporate my own style. I don’t even know what my own coaching style is, yet.” The Lady Archers picked up where they left off in the first
ILLUSTRATION BY DALILA KAHVEDZIC
half — defensive stops and falling shots. It remained that way until the final 1:40 of the game. Then the game began to slip away. Fouls were called. Mineral Area was given free shots. And they escaped with a 65-61 win. With thoughts of Ethridge, the Lady Archers had just suffered their second loss, that day. “The fact that they had just worked their tail off for [a little over] 38 minutes and they got out worked for 1:40 [upset them],” Milligan said. “We wanted to win it for Coach [Ethridge] and we didn’t get it done.”
For Milligan, who played for Ethridge and Marcy from 20092011, the player mentality in her was not a “should have” or “could have done more” mentality. She wanted to leave every game with everything out on the floor. On Jan. 21, the Lady Archers took that page from their head coach for-a-day. The team piled into the school van afterward and began their drive home from Park Hills, Mo. They turned up the music and joked with each other. “The ride home was actually fun, which is what we needed,” Milligan said. “It was really good. I wouldn’t want them to beat themselves up about it.” Just 36 hours later, their ride home would be more somber. AN ARCHER MATRIARCH The doctors gave Judy Ethridge until Christmas. Christmas came and went. And she was able to spend the holiday with family. The doctors gave her two more weeks, following Christmas. Two more weeks came and went. Judy Ethridge was still with family. Family came in town to visit and help care for her. Still, Judy Ethridge would play host and make sure those in her home were taken care of. “She was a fighter. That’s
just who she was,” Milligan said. “[She] was amazing. And that word doesn’t even describe her. I wish I could’ve known her better. But at the same time, I’m very lucky that I knew her a little bit better than some of my former teammates.” Judy Ethridge would make Milligan and her teammates cupcakes, the two seasons she played for Ethridge. “She made the best cupcakes I have ever had in my life,” Milligan said. The stands would always have seats taken by Judy Ethridge and her late-husband, Mike. Mike Ethridge died of cancer in December 2011. Judy Ethridge continued to attend and cheer her daughter’s teams. They were, after all, part of the family. “Coach [Ethridge] is one of my biggest role models — someone I look up to and strive to be like,” Milligan said. “And she is like that because of her mom. Her mom was just an incredible lady. If she were here, she would probably be upset that I’m saying all of these things. She’d say, ‘Move on.’” And so the Lady Archers will do just that. “Basketball is our escape,” Milligan said. “While we’re going through this horrible, horrible time, we have this escape in the game of basketball. And it’s a beautiful thing to have. We’re so lucky to have it.”