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Classes À la carte: Serving Up a Balanced Schedule
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REBECCA BIUNDO INDEPTH EDITOR It is a quiet day in Clark Hall. The semester is wrapping up and finals are on their way. Professors have been suggesting classes to take next year but students’ schedules are already filled with required classes, work and even club activities. This leaves little free time for students and even less time for sleep. It can be easy to get caught up in scheduling a lot of classes that are harder and more credits just to get them over with. This can lead to lower than desired grades and dropped classes. A balanced schedule can include a required class but mixing in fun electives can be a great way to alleviate stress from a busy workload. According to Lorri Milward, academic advisor, there are new interdisciplinary
Goodbye Teachers pg. 3
Volume 49 Issue 14
studies courses offered at STLCC-Meramec. “Urban Legends and American Society,” “Topics in Arab Culture” and “The Artist in Society,” are among classes that have been added to the curriculum. “There is general education checklist for students, we would recommend they’d take the foundation level classes,” Milward said. In addition to the interdisciplinary studies class, there is also a new literature class being offered. “Graphic Novels and Comics,” will focus on the study of comic books and the graphic novel genre. Students like to register for classes that have a particular interest in and may mix them into their busy schedules. Meramec student, Tim Hayden plans on taking communications classes.
“I’m taking radio production because I want to go into radio broadcast,” Hayden said. While there might seem to be a lot of time between now and the beginning of the fall semester, registration is currently underway and classes have begun to fill up. “Classes in English and Math tend to fill up the soonest because students need them to graduate,” Milward said. In addition, online physical education classes and classes that do not have more than one section may also be closed due to limited spots and increased interest, according to the interactive class schedule. So what is the key to getting in interesting classes? “Register early and pay on time,” Milward said.
Meramec celebrates Earth Day pg. 8
www.meramecmontage.com
Important Dates: Registation for the 2014 fall semester is currently open. July 18, 2014- Fall payment for registration due. Classes will drop if they go unpaid. August 18, 2014- First day of full-term fall classes
Baseball Overview pg. 11
May 1, 2014
2 NEWS May 1, 2014
Returning Hero Act Missouri’s tuition assistance option for veterans JASON JAMISON STAFF WRITER The Montgomery GI Bill is not the only tuition assistance for Missouri veterans. Michael B. Cundiff is the Admissions and Registration Manager at STLCCMeramec and informing veterans of what tuition assistance is available to them is part of what he does. Cundiff said there is something unique to the state of Missouri called the Returning Hero Act (RHA), though he acknowledges that some Missouri veterans may have never heard of, or know what the RHA is, as it is not a universal option for vets like the GI Bill. “I think that the reason some veterans may not know about it is because when they are going through their separation, and transitioning out of the service and into their civilian life and school, they may not hear about it because it is not part of the Montgomery GI Bill,” Cundiff said. Cundiff explained that
military exit training does not necessarily make veterans aware of the RHA because of its unique nature. “The RHA is unique to the state of Missouri in that the state, through legislation has said, ‘let’s have some sort of reward for people that were deployed or have certain types of medals that are now going to school,’” Cundiff said. “This information wouldn’t necessarily be part of any military exit strategy since the RHA is Missouri legislation. Other states may have something similar, but this one is for the state of Missouri.” The RHA is another tuition assistance option for veterans and Cundiff explained the structure of the RHA and what the benefit entails. “Returning Heroes is a state program where if vets meet certain criteria, they are able to get 50-dollar credit hours,” Cundiff said. Cundiff said that the RHA
applies to all Missouri postsecondary, public institutions. “The RHA includes all community colleges, the University of Missouri, the regional four-year schools, such as Truman, Missouri State and Central Missouri,” Cundiff said. Cundiff said that the criteria needed to be met in order to receive the RHA benefit is based off of the veteran’s state of record among other things. “Missouri needs to be your state of record when you enter in. You need to have been honorably discharged and you need to have any series of citations or medals,” Cundiff said. “The one we most frequently use is the Global War on Terror medal. Another criterion to be eligible for the RHA is that students keep a 2.5 or higher GPA.” Cundiff also acknowledged the amount of time a Missouri veteran has to use the RHA. “There is no time limit associated with the RHA as long as you meet the criteria,” Cundiff said. Cundiff said one way that veterans can stay informed on options specific to them is through something that Meramec does called “Veteran’s Day (VA) Days,” which are specifically designed to keep vets up to speed with what
sorts of benefits they qualify for. “We have VA Days every other day, if not every day and students will come in individually or in groups of three to four, up to six,” Cundiff said. “We go through the benefits that they are eligible for, such as the RHA. We have the time-slots set up during multiple times, and we go through the classification of veteran tuition benefits.”
Cundiff said that considering the unique set of circumstances for veterans, he wants to make sure that every vet can be informed of their options and who can help them with their questions. “We are here to help any way we can,” Cundiff said. “There is also a Veterans Club on campus and they can be very helpful with informing veterans of their options and sending them to us.”
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NEWS 3 Meramec Morsels Visiting artist to show glass techniques
Farewell to teachers
Five STLCC-Meramec teachers retire after spring semester SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Sculpture Club is sponsoring a visiting artist Wednesday May 7 and 8 at 10 a.m to 4 p.m. In HE 131. Visiting artist, Rich Brooks, will be demonstrating a slumped glass/glass fusing techniques for creating small sculptures, jewelry, etc. The event is open to students, faculty and staff.
Meramec to host Career Exploration Session STLCC-Meramec is hosting Career Exploration Sessions to help students identify interests, and passions to help students chose the best career. The session will take place in BA 105 on May 7 at 6-7:30 p.m. Those who register for the event will receive a link to a free interest inventory that will help identify primary interest areas and link them to jobs and industries where those interests apply. A career counselor will explain the results of your interest inventory at the event. For the complete schedule, more information or to register, go to www. stlcc.edu/visit, or call 314539-5002.
Students awarded for ‘outstanding preformance’ S T LC C - M e r a m e c ’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Department announced the 2014 recipients of the Departmental Student Awards: Brett Newcomer receives the Jim Wheeler Outstanding Psychology Student Award and Suzan Dague receives the Outstanding Social and Behavioral Sciences Student Award.
Commencement hosted May 18 STLCC will host a joint graduation ceremony for the four campuses. Commencement will take place Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event will be at Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University. No tickets are required, and there is no limits on the number of guests. Graduates and guests should be dropped off by 6:30 p.m. on South Compton Avenue and enter the arena through the northside doors; there will be ushers to direct graduates and guests to their respective places. Details on parking and other important dates for graduation are available at: http://stlcc. edu/ Student_Resources/ Graduation
May 1, 2014
George Karleskint
Barb Kurt Have you been teaching math for all 26 years that you’ve been at Meramec? Yes, I’ve only taught mathematics since I started as a part-timer in 1988. I did, however, spend some time serving in other positions such as the campus staff development coordinator, the administrative intern to the vice-chancellor of education and as our math lab supervisor. I’m assuming that you’ve taught different classes within the math department. What was your favorite class and why? Although in the past 21 years I’ve taught pre-algebra through survey of calculus, I don’t have a favorite class/course. Every semester it changes, due to the personalities in the class. I might like trigonometry best one semester, but prefer elementary algebra the next. It’s not the subject that makes it a favorite, but the students that make up the class. When you first joined Meramec family, did you ever envision being here for 26 years? Absolutely! I knew when I started that this was exactly what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be for the rest of my teaching career. I had previously taught at the University of Tennessee, St. Louis University, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and several other area community colleges. There is no campus like Meramec. I still feel honored that I was offered a position here. What’s your favorite part about teaching at a community college? I like getting to know my students, making a connection. They are not just numbers at Meramec. I usually know most of my students with a few weeks of the semester. This is not possible when your class sizes are too big (which is common at large universities.)
Lynn Bjorkgren
Lillian Seese
Have you been teaching education for all the years that you’ve been at Meramec? My years at STLCC have been split. I taught 21 years on the Florissant Valley campus and the other 19 at Meramec. I started at the child development center at Florissant Valley teaching kindergarten. I was also an adjunct professor at that time. When I came to Meramec I joined the behavioral science department and teach in the early care and education program.
Have you been teaching math for all 34 years that you’ve been at Meramec? I have taught mathematics every year, but at the same time I served 11 years as department chair, 6 months as acting division dean, 3 years as college-wide developmental education coordinator, and 3 years spearheading the col.020 Program (which evolved into smart start). The variety of experiences was wonderful, and prevented “teacher burn out” for me.
I’m assuming that you’ve taught different classes within the education department. What was your favorite class and why? I’ve taught nine different classes in the ECE program. My favorites are the ones that deal with planning curriculum for young children. My favorite has probably been math and science in early care and education. Many students come to the class with lots of math anxiety, thinking they will not be successful because of bad math experiences in their own education. I see lots of growth in attitudes about math and science in this class when students realize that math and science for young children is fun and that they can be successful which of course benefits the young children they teach.
I’m assuming that you’ve taught different classes within the math department. What was your favorite class and why? There is no way I could pick a favorite. Whether it is calculus and differential equations (with very mathematically mature students who have serious career goals), or pre-algebra (with students who are brand new to the college experience), I love explaining math and helping students identify and meet their goals.
What’s your favorite part about teaching at a community college? My favorite part of teaching at the community college has been working with children and families at Flo Valley and the adult students at Meramec. I feel like i have touched the lives of many, many children in the St. Louis area either directly because I was their kindergarten teacher or because a teacher they had in an early childhood program was a graduate of the ece program at Meramec. I have also enjoyed the professional development opportunities and the friendships I have made with other faculty and staff over the years.
When you first joined Meramec family, did you ever envision being here for 34 years? Yes – I have always wanted to be in the classroom, and found that at community colleges the focus on teaching and learning (rather than research and publishing) is very energizing. Before teaching here I was a junior high school math teacher in Idalou, Texas for 3 years. I really admire people who enjoy working with people in that age group! What is the best compliment that you received from a student? One said that she was nervous on her first day at Meramec, but in my 8 a.m. algebra class I inspired her by letting her know anything was possible – a philosophy she still believes in today. Another young man wrote from UMR to thank me for teaching him how to be a good student. If you have a teacher who has made a difference in your life, please drop them a note to let them know. It is very reaffirming to those of us who teach.
Have you been teaching biology for all of the years that you’ve been at Meramec? I’m actually completing my 31st year full time and I started teaching part-time in 1976 and yes i have taught biology courses for the entire time. I’m assuming that you’ve taught different classes within the biology department. What was your favorite class and why? Actually 2, principles of biology and marine biology. What is the best compliment that you received from a student? Actually several students have credited me with inspiring them to pursue their dreams and academic goals and giving them the tools to succeed. I find this the greatest compliment. Are you looking forward to this school year coming to an end or this bittersweet for you? How so? This is a very busy time and I am looking forward to the end. It is bittersweet in that I will be leaving many good friends.
Toni Garrett Have you been teaching math for all 25 years that you’ve been at Meramec? I have taught math for all of the 25 years that I have been at Meramec. I’m assuming that you’ve taught different classes within the math department. What was your favorite class and why? I love to teach intermediate algebra What’s your favorite part about teaching at a community college? Having classes small enough that I can get to know my students.
4 OPINIONS May 1, 2014
CHALLENGING CONVENTION
BILLY GARDNER STAFF WRITER
Sterling Incident, Silver Lining The Los Angeles Clippers Owner has been in the news for his alleged racist remarks. Audio exists where he says to his mistress about former NBA player, Magic Johnson, “…admire him, bring him here, [have sex with] him.. You can do anything. But don’t put him on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games. OK?” The now infamous comments sparked outrage across the league. The news came out Tuesday afternoon that Sterling would be suspended indefinitely from the NBA.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
DALILA KAHVEDZIC STAFF WRITER
Less is More Imagine driving a Cadillac escalade daily and having more money than is imaginable in a bank account. Would true happiness really exist, or would money sooner, rather than later, consume lives and turn society into a happy but ungrateful people? That is what is apparently happening with countless people in today’s society, and they seem to be the most unappreciative
This story raises questions about our own bias. Do you look down on people because they are white, black, asian, latin? Does somebody’s sexuality, gender, religion, or culture cause you to think a certain way about them? Does the way someone dresses or the way they look cause you to have preconceived notions about who they are as a person? Be Honest. Discrimination is real and the best way to combat it is to address the issue head on. Many of us who discriminate do so unknowingly. While amongst students, one could be heard questioning “Forest Park Students go to Washington University?” as if to say it is a sub-par institution. In other cases, people will act in a politically correct manner when surrounded by those who are different than them, but around others they will make racist or bigoted jokes and remarks quite openly. Have you done this? Although we would like to believe otherwise, prejudice and alive and it is very real. Some people are effected more heavily by these biases. But, it is important to be open and honest with each other and with ourselves so that we can work in unison to alleviate this issue from society. There may always be bigots and ignorance in our world, but hopefully we can continue to weed these negative thoughts and ideas of all. No doubt, if the lottery is won and mega millions are received, many would spoil themselves and friends/family with everything conceivable and possible, but does that, in anyway, help? A year or a few down the road, feelings of attachment and strange addictions can be developed toward being wealthy, and becoming one of those rich snobby people that some may easily recognize will become more common. Working a customer service job in Kirkwood (which already being a richer neighborhood) it is as if the richest appear the unhappiest. If a BMW or a Cadillac is driven but a person who is so unhappy with life is in it, maybe it is time to turn over a new leaf. Invest some time and money into family and friends and people that bring out the happiness in life, rather than working long hours to buy another $60,000 car that really is not needed, or to pay a mansion off (with way too much space than a family needs anyway). Invest more time into people, rather than material things. It makes life worthwhile to be happier with less, rather than unhappy with more. Be happy with nothing, and you will be happy with everything.
EDITORS Spencer Gleason Cory Montero Cassie Kibens Jake Hunn David Kloeckener Rebecca Biundo Justin Villmer Shannon Philpott
Editor in Chief Managing Editor Production Manager Graphics Editor Photo/Asst. Sports Editor In-Depth Editor Sr. Copy Editor Faculty Adviser
KEEPIN’ IT REAL
JAKE HUNN GRAPHICS EDITOR
Turn and Face The Strange If this ever-changing world in which we’re living makes you give in and cry, you are not alone. As college students, we are exposed to changes everyday that don’t always seem to be congruent with the lives that we want to live. Whether such changes are positive or negative, they are universally inevitable. Fortunately, there are ways to use change to develop and grow. One must find their comfort zone and avoid it at all costs. Comfort is the antagonist in the tale of one’s development. In order to develop, one must try new approaches to whatever the problem may be. In most cases lives are not at stake, so why not try something a little different? As a rule of thumb, if something makes someone uncomfortable, chances are that they are on the right track. The most experienced
people in any line of work know not only the right way to solve a problem, but also all the wrong ways. Discomfort is a necessary part of growth and without it one remains in complacency for the duration of their comfort. Turn and face the strange. Never pass up an opportunity because it “doesn’t seem like something you would normally do.” One cannot develop a craft by practicing the same things every day; there is always something to be learned. As John Mayer put it, “I’ve tried every approach to living and I’ve tried, tried it all. I haven’t tried everything, but I’ve tried every approach. Sometimes you have to try everything to get the approach the same.” By trying everything, even if it deviates from what one considers “their thing” one can find a new approach to whatever their thing may be. As the infamous cliché goes, all is well that ends well. If it takes 100 tries to get something right, one also learns 99 ways to get it wrong. “It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions.” Ira Glass put it best in his famous quote often referred to as “The Gap.” Each and every person striving for development experiences a gap between the quality of their work and the work they would like to be producing. The only way to fill such a gap is to show up everyday and finish as much work as possible. It is easy to avoid work out of fear that it may not measure up to personal standards. However, it is important to overcome that mentality because by creating as much work as possible one is bound to stumble across something that satisfies one’s own ambitions.
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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
May 1, 2014
The inevitable art of growing up Life after Meramec hits hard REBECCA BIUNDO IN DEPTH EDITOR Growing up: just the thoughts of moving away, landing a real job and even growing old are terrifying. It is overwhelming to think about what the future will be like when situations are different from right now. Yet, growing up is inevitable and the process of it all is just as fascinating. Take a child for example. He will line up against a wall and his parents will mark his height every month with a Sharpie. Not long after, the parents will ask how he got so big and where had the time gone. Growing college students are not that different. Yeah sure, humans stop physically growing around 18, but maturity can take a lot longer, mentally or emotionally. Millennials tend to get stuck in a phenomenon known as the “Peter Pan Syndrome.” Dan Kiley, psychologist and author of “The Peter Pan Syndrome: Men Who Have Never Grown Up,” young adults can have a hard time accepting maturity and over time responsibility. Eventually, young adults begin
to take on responsibilities and move on with their lives. Whether it is a “grown-up” job or a diploma, 20-somethings are forced to face adult realities beyond college. Not everyone gets sucked into the Peter Pan Syndrome but while being a college student, it is hard not too. Netflix, pizza binges and naps may take precedent over work now, but ultimately bills and families will take priorities. There is a lot waiting outside Meramec: 4-year schools, great jobs, different cities and different experiences. There is no denying that the future and having a desirable job is exciting and new. But with newness, comes the fear of the unknown. Not knowing what is going to happen in a new situation is crazy scary. Many students have become accustomed to Meramec’s campus, policies, professors and just about every aspect of the school. The thought of learning the ins and outs of a whole new school (or place) is overwhelming. Will the adjustment be
easy? Will the people be nice? Will it be easy to get a job? These are just a few questions students ask themselves when graduating or transferring. But moving on and growing up is just something everyone pushes through and does. And while there is a lot that is unknown about the future, no one will know if they do not try to find out. Transitions suck. Goodbyes suck. There is no need to sugarcoat it. The undeniable fear of change sets in. The thought of meeting a whole new group of people, whether it is at school or in the workplace is scary. But it is all a part of growing up. Growing up is handling change in different way one would when they were young. While friends may come and go and situations may change, there are experiences from Meramec that can be taken with students into the next chapter of their lives. Growing up should be inspiring not intimidating; it is rest of our lives. It’s been real, Meramec. ILLUSTRATION BY: CORY MONTERO
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6 INDEPTH May 1, 2014
Class: Humor in American Literature ENG 207 CRN: 32488 MW 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. This class takes an in-depth look at humor and comedy in both early and modern literature including stories by Mark Twain and even modern comedy movies.
Class: Printmaking I ART 115 CRN 33165 MW 10:00 a.m.-12:50 p.m. In this introductory art course of printmaking, students will learn many different methods of printmaking including monotypes, linoleum wood and inks.
Class: Karate I PE 139 CRN: 30018 MW 11:00 - 11:50 p.m. This PE credit introduces the sport of Karate, demonstrating blocking, punching, kicking and other techniques. Learn timing and focus in this course.
ON
Class: Oceangraphy GEO 113 CRN: 30355 MWF 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. This non-labratory science credit focuses on the different aspects of oceans like waves and marine life.
We’re dishing up different an
Class: Acting 1 THT 108 CRN: 30155 TR 11:00 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. In this beginning humanities class students will learn how the principles of acting such as movement and speaking fit together on stage.
Class: Computer Art Studio ART 131 CRN: 30355 MWF 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. This art class gives a introductory look at graphic software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. There is an extra $30 charge for printing projects.
INDEPTH 7
May 1, 2014
Class: History of Rock Music MUS 128 CRN: 30512 TR 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. This music elective reviews the music, artists, composers and other people associated with Rock and Roll and its impact on modern culture.
Class: Graphic Novels and Comics MWF 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. This new English literature class will study the graphic novel and how its context represents its own genre from different perspectives.
Class:Class: Bowling I Adolescent PE 116 CRN: 30003 Psychology MW 8:30 9:50CRN:30946 a.m. PSY-214 Held off campus at a nearby alley, this class introduces bowling, approach delivery and scoring of the sport.
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Class: Creative Writing ENG 110 CRN: 30998 MW 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. This hands-on writing intensive course is designed to let students learn how to write poetry, fiction and even dramatic play scripts.
nd unique classes* for a well-balanced schedule. REBECCA BIUNDO INDEPTH EDITOR
Class: Life and Death During the Nazi Era HUM 115 CRN:31527 This humanities elective studies Lupta perit, simin nam nes rem qui the history Nazi Germany nihitae nonseofdignatem. Nequisit la and how life was during erum lit atur? Quias eumthe etur aut time. Documentaries are used es apediatur? Ebit, consequi omnis throughtout the course. dit hilibusdae nienihi litatiberia non
Class: Gender Communication COM 120 CRN: 30355 TR 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. This communications class looks at understanding and the improvment of how men and women communicate with each other.
*Classes open as of April 29.
8 ART&LIFE
May 1, 2014
Taking up the quad to spread the word Earth Day hosted at Meramec Wednesday April, 23 CASSIE KIBENS PRODUCTION MANAGER Over ten booths took over the quad outside the STLCCMeramec student center on Wednesday, April 23 for the Earth day celebration. The event was hosted by service learning and the environmental design and stainability committee. “It’s something that’s near and dear to me,” Jessie Bacon, media associate, said. “And since the committee exists on campus I decided to take part in it. Debbie [Corson, service learning] has been great organizing it so it’s just been kind of a natural fit for the committee to team up with her to do this.” Amanda Orwig, nursing student, volunteered at a booth for the biology club during the Earth Day event. Orwig spent a day cleaning up the creek behind the South County Education Center on April 10. It was Orwig’s first time volunteering, and was a requirement, but Orwig plans to volunteer again because she said it felt good to volunteer. “I’m an outside person, so
just being outside and cleaning up I really enjoy that,” Orwig said. “To know that I made a difference what little bit I did do, that was my main thing. To be a part of something.” While Earth Day was the day before, Bacon thought it would be more beneficial to have the event on a Wednesday because there would be more students on campus to participate. The students who attended the event and visited at least five booths received a free lunch. “The idea is they might find interest in something they didn’t really know about before,” Bacon said. The Campus Garden Initiative club was also at the event. The club received club status on Tuesday March, 4 at the Student Governance Council meeting. Lillian Pride, president of Campus Garden Initiative, took over the reigns of the project from former Meramec student Deborah Caby, who submitted the idea for the Campus Garden Initiative and
PHOTO BY: CASSIE KIBENS Sammie Piper (left) and Sammi Constantin (right), Meramec students, look at a booth during the Earth Day celebration hosted Wednesday, April 23.
Brown Bag Cafe as part of her honors class assignment. “The campus garden initiative is a club we started in order to give students on campus who have food insecurity a way of addressing their own need,” Pride said. The Campus Garden Initiative Club hopes to submit the plan by the end of the semester or before the end, according to Pride. She also hopes to grow vegetables like carrots, lettuce, onions and kale. “We want to work through the summer to develop our leaders so that it can really be launched during the fall semester of 2014,” Pride said.
Pride is working with the director of the garden at Florissant Valley, Mark Manteuffel to find sources for the items needed to run the garden. Pride envisions another goal for the future. “One of the things I would actually love to see happen, and he’s trying to do at Flo Valley and also at the other campuses is to actually start an agriculture program at St. Louis Community College,” Pride said. “That’s kind of where this is all headed. That’s how I see it.”
“
Its something that’s near and dear to me. And since the committee exists on campus I decided to take part in it. Debbie [Corson] has been great organizing it so it’s just been kind of a natural fit for the committee to team up with her to do this.”
-Jessie Bacon
A green growing business STLCC-Meramec’s horticulture club and classes sell the plants, herbs and flowers they have been working on since January to the staff, faculty, students and community. The sale has been going on for over 20 years and hosted the event April 24-25.
Maria Mitchell (left), horticultural student, talks about the plants for sale to Jacklyn Kuehner (middle), Meramec student, Lucas Casperson (right), Meramec student.
PHOTOS BY: CASSIE KIBENS Robin Hebert, student in the horticultural program at STLCC-Meramec tends to some plants during the plant sale Wednesday, April 23.
ART&LIFE 9 May 1, 2014
Using music to overcome and move on Giuseppe Abbate writes songs in order to reveal what he can not say out loud
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CASSIE KIBENS PRODUCTION MANAGER He played in front of his largest crowd ever that day. He was nervous, and said he was just hoping he could play a note, but kept on going. He wrote this song about the past five years of his struggle with depression. Communications South, room 206 clapped as Giuseppe Abbate strummed the last chord to the 15 students in attendance. Abbate, STLCC-Meramec student, has struggled with depression since the eighth grade. Abbate stands around 5 feet 6 inches, has brown shaggy hair and a slim frame. “At first my family found out I was cutting my sophomore year. It was at dinner and they weren’t really … they were angry actually,” Abbate said as he changed up his wording. “I just remember them yelling at me, because they didn’t understand, this is something new that came to their eyes. When I was in late sophomore year I told them I needed to go to the hospital because I slit my wrists too deep, that’s when they started to come to senses that this is just bigger than having a couple scratches on the arm and you can just throw it underneath the rug,” Abbate rolled up his Starbucks receipt for his caramel macchiato and adjusted himself in his chair.
When I was in late sophomore year I told them I needed to go to the hospital because I slit my wrists too deep, that’s when they started to come to senses that this is just bigger than having a couple scratches on the arm and you can just throw it underneath the rug,”
-Giuseppe Abbate “This was a life or death situation,” Abbate said. “At first they were completely oblivious of what was going on, but once shit hit the fan, you could say, that’s when they started to come to senses that this is bigger.” Depression in teens is not uncommon, but can lead to damaging effects for the teen’s life, according to HelpGuide.
PHOTOS BY: CASSIE KIBENS Giuseppe Abbate, Meramec student, uses music to help cope with what has happened in his life. He recently played for his largest audience, a classroom of about 15 students.
org, a non-profit organization. The website defines depression as: “Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.” Abbate uses his music to help him cope with what has been going on in his life and what he wants to do in the future. “When I made that song that I played in class it was expressing myself and how I felt for the past five years and how I couldn’t exactly say the things I wanted to say because I didn’t know how it would turn out,” Abbate said as he shoved the receipt into his now-empty coffee. “So I basically, I expressed my feelings all in music and laid it out for my family and let them listen and it really kind of opened their eyes.” Abbate’s performance in the communications classroom that Wednesday morning was the perfect example of Deborah Conover’s favorite part about being a teacher, according to Conover, instructor of communications at STLCCMeramec. “The fact that he took a huge risk in our class and got up in front of a bunch of people he doesn’t know and played that song. Which was really a good song. Probably something I would be interested in downloading, I’m glad he did a really good job,” Conover said as she sat in the very same classroom the performance in her class took place in. “It was just really inspiring and it made my day. I Facebooked about it later and how that was one of the times I love being an instructor because to have somebody trusts a class that much and open up in that way and share such a special part of themselves with people it’s just really inspiring and moving. It just helps you see the world in a
different way.” Abbate loves his family, he loves his 4-year-old yellow lab named Koby and he loves striving for his goals. He wants to get more into the music business one day, but for now is focusing on education at Meramec. “Music has a big part in my life,” Abbate said. “I remember listening to my first CD and I think it really changed my perspective on what I was doing and what I wanted to do, and I was like seven when I heard my first song, It made a huge impact on my life. It made me realize what I should do and really strive for, because in my life I’ve never really had stuff handed to me. In my family we work hard for what we want and I was always taught that you just gotta work hard for what you need.” Abbate was born in St. Louis and hopped around school districts before settling in with Afton on the third grade. He has a brother, 24, and a sister, 21. His sister “has a disability, but she’s still the smartest person I know,”
Facts about
Giuseppe
Abbate said. Although according to Abbate he was kicked out of school at a young age for not getting along with other people, there were still some good memories from back in the day, or senior year at least. “My senior year we have the awards assembly and I knew I wasn’t gonna to get any awards, but I got an award and my friend Kurt’s calling me like ‘hey dude where you at?’ I’m like ‘I’m sleepin.’ [Kurt:] ‘Well you just won an award, you gotta get your ass down here,’” Abbate said while laughing, and pausing for a second to regain enough control to continue. “So I drive to school. I didn’t even brush my teeth or take a shower, I just walk down the aisle and sit up on the stage and everybody’s just laughin.’ That was just probably my best memory of Afton [high school] ever. It was something else. They gave me basically the comeback award. I had a tough time in high school and they gave me that award because I accomplished a lot.”
First CD listened to: Three Days Grace
Biggest audience: Has been to Italy: 15 students in 3 Times Intro to Mass Comm class When did he visit? Career goal: To play in front of 100,000 people
-When baby -Age 7 -Freshman year
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SPORTS11 May 1, 2014
PHOTOS BY: DAVID KLOECKENER Above: Freshman pitcher Burke Echelmeier (16) pitchs after coming into the second game of the double header against Three Rivers Community College on April 24. The Archers outscored the Three Rivers Raiders by 10 runs on the day, winning t he first game 7-5 and the second game 12-4. Left: Freshman outfielder Thomas Estopare makes contact with the ball against Three Rivers. The Archers play their home games at Heine Meine Baseball Field and have a 27-17 record.
Archers baseball sits 10 games above .500 RYAN OBRADOVIC STAFF WRITER
Record 27-17 Daniel Castillo #23 Freshman Catcher
Batting Average .412 Brandon Gutzler #25 Freshman Outfielder
RBIs 41
Jacob Koelling #28 Freshman Pitcher
1.69 ERA 3-1 Record
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“Our lineup is very balanced with a good core group of players with us in the middle of the lineup that are freshman. So next year we’re going to have a leg up on our opponents. We’ll certainly hit the ground running.”
-Scott Goodrich
The freshman heavy Archers started their baseball season off strong winning nine out of the first 10 games, despite having the majority of practices indoors because of weather. Replacing former Archers coach, Tony Dattoli, first year head coach, Scott Goodrich, has led his team to a .614 winning percentage with a record of 2717 as of late. Although this is the first year as head coach for Scott Goodrich, this is not his first experience with coaching, or with the Meramec Archer’s program. “I’ve been an assistant coach for the first 11 years that I was here, so I’m very familiar with the program, the players, and I recruit the majority of the players, so I think that’s what led to a seamless transition,” Goodrich said. Although the Archers only have nine sophomores on their roster, they have a lot of team chemistry, freshman outfielder, Tommy Estopare said. “Our team really seems to work well together and act as a family, making those tough wins
that much better,” Estopare said. Freshman infielder, Jacob Walters, leads the team in homeruns with eight. Walters also leads the team in runs scored with 37 followed closely by sophomore Colin Zurweller who has 36. Freshman, Brandon Gutzler, leading the team in RBIs with 41. The Archers face a competitive schedule, however, Goodrich is pleased with the way his players have played up to this point. “We have a level of resiliency that’s very strong. It’s up to the guys to find it within themselves to compete for the whole game, every game,” Goodrich said. The Archers also have a great pitching staff, Goodrich said, with the average team ERA at 5.57 with 301 strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher, Austin Simokaitis, leads the team in strikeouts with 43 in his 51.2 innings pitched, followed by sophomore pitcher, Matthew Hassenbeck, with 42 strikeouts in his 52.1 innings pitched. The STLCC pitching staff has starters who can play midweek games and guys in the bullpen
who come in and have a lot of success, Goodrich said. The Archers also have four sophomore regional starting pitchers who are going to be hard to replace for next year, Goodrich said. As with every team, there is always room for improvement for the upcoming year. Because of inclement weather conditions, the Archers got limited practice time on the field before the season began. “The entire fall we’re going to work with the guys to implement on things that we are a bit lacking,” Goodrich said. Although Goodrich said that there are many areas of improvement for the young Archers, there are also upsides to having a young team. “Our lineup is very balanced with a good core group of players with us in the middle of the lineup that are freshman. So next year we’re going to have a leg up on our opponents,” Goodrich said. “We’ll certainly hit the ground running.”
12 SPORTS May 1, 2014
An inside look at STLCC Archer athletics Athletics Directors and coaching — being their own boss SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF When STLCC consolidated athletics to district-wide teams in July 2011, they went move from three full-time athletic directors between STLCCMeramec, STLCC-Forest Park and STLCC-Florissant Valley, to two part-time athletic directors. Since then, Johnna Kinney and Sharon Marquardt have been CoAthletic Directors. Although athletic budgets and each team’s location at which sister campus were decided by an “upper administration council,” according to Marquardt — Kinney, current Meramec President Pam McIntyre, other members of the STLCC administration and Marquardt figured out how things would be ran. “[The council] gave us the ground work — where the teams were going to be and what the budgets were. Then [we] sat down and, for a good six months or better, worked out how everything was going to operate — who was going to oversee what,” Marquardt said. “At that time, I wasn’t coaching. I was just the athletic director, so me overseeing things that I had more experience in was kind of how that was developed and [Kinney] was the same thing.” While Kinney oversees baseball, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball, Marquardt is in charge of men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer and softball. Since the consolidation, Kinney has also been the head coach of the women’s volleyball, a role that she filled when the now defunct STLCC-Florissant Valley Fury played volleyball, as well. This past season was Marquardt’s first year coaching softball for the STLCC Archers. When an athletic director also coaches a team, the
checks and balances skew the administrative structure. “It’s difficult in terms of having somebody who is the manager and the coach,” McIntyre said. “I evaluate Johnna and Sharon as athletic directors. Sharon being evaluated as a softball coach will start this year. Johnna and I have met to talk.” As coaches, both Kinney and Marquardt report directly to McIntyre for their end of the season evaluations. Following Kinney’s 2013 season, the volleyball team was 0-30. Marquardt finished her first season as the STLCC Archers head coach for softball at 17-24-1. According to Kinney, when approving their sport’s expenses, their cohort does that for them. “If I order anything, that all goes to Sharon. I don’t approve any of that on myself,” Kinney said. “Then at year’s end, I report directly to [McIntyre]. I have to go report to her, like the coaches do to [Marquardt] and me. In other words, we’ve taken [Marquardt] out of it, just because we’re co-workers. I report directly to [McIntyre] for volleyball, as far as the end of the season review and all of that.” McIntyre said that she relies on Marquardt and Kinney’s word to be in the know of athletics. Along with attending games and taking care of any incidents, McIntyre expects Marquardt and Kinney to know if the athletes playing meet the grade point average expectations, in order to play. “I depend upon them to be in touch with the coaches [and] to understand how coaches are recruiting people. That’s part of what they are supposed to be doing,” McIntyre said. “I’m not in the nuts and bolts of what’s going on.”
Survey Results Thirty one STLCC-Archer Athletes were surveyed.
Do you know who Johnna Kinney and Sharon Marquardt are?
YES
NO
Do you know who Pam McIntyre is?
YES
NO
If a head coach has a 0-30 record for the season do you feel they should be rehired?
YES
NO
Would you be open to helping the STLCC Archers fundraiser or run concessions to help make money for all STCC Archer teams?
YES
NO
IDK
Fundraising and concessions are not allowed for STLCC athletics Although seven sports represent the STLCC Archers, a home basketball game for the Lady Archers is the only time fans are able to buy a hot dog or a soda. The money made from those concessions is donated to the Ethridge Foundation for Cancer Awareness, headed by Lady Archers’ Head Coach Shelly Ethridge, whose father died in December 2011 from cancer. Outside of the foundation however, STLCC athletics is not allowed to fundraise, according to STLCC CoAthletic Director Sharon Marquardt. “We, as an athletic department, do not do concessions because we are not allowed to fundraise. We don’t have a place to take any revenue of any type,” Marquardt said on March 6. “When the transition came down, it was a decision that was made by upper administration at the time. I don’t know the exact reason why we can’t fundraise. I don’t know the answer to that.” According to STLCCMeramec President and Director of District-Wide Athletics Pam McIntyre, there are two reasons that inhibit athletics from fundraising. “There are two part-time athletic directors who have seven teams that they are managing and staying on top of. They do not have time to oversee fundraising activities,” McIntyre said. “Two, there was a back log of money from the different campuses that carried over into a pool of money that, for a while at least, they didn’t need to be thinking about fundraising to cover the cost of what they were doing. Therefore, they could concentrate on making the transition from campusbased teams to district-wide teams and all of those things that were involved in making the transition. At some point in the future, would fundraising be a necessity? Maybe. But it isn’t right now.” On April 10, Marquardt said that the idea of STLCC
athletics fundraising had been brought up with McIntyre every year since the transition. However, administration, she said, believes that because they are part-time employees, they do not want to put any more hours into the program. “I understand the parttime side of it. We do have a lot of jobs to juggle without adding fundraising on top of it,” Marquardt said. “I think if we were ever allowed to do fundraising, it would have to be a district athletic-wide support. Every coach would have to help.” Marquardt said that the only way fundraising would succeed for the Archers, is if there was one general pot of money that was separated equally amongst the seven teams. “If you’re a coach that is always running the concession stand and your players are always running it, are you going to want to share it with [other] teams that are never coming to do any work? You have to look at it from the coach’s standpoint. If I’m doing the work for it, I want the money from it,” Marquardt said. “If it was a concession stand-like thing, it would have to be ‘Baseball would have this week. Volleyball would have another week.’ You’d have to divide it up where everybody’s sharing the workload equally.” Aside from the coaches working the concessions, the athletes would also play a role in working their fair share. In a recent survey done with 31 STLCC athletes from different teams—a quarter of the Archers athletic family—24 athletes said that they would help the STLCC Archers fundraise or run concessions to help make money for all STLCC athletic teams. Six said, “No” and one said, “I don’t know.” “I do think it would benefit our program,” Marquardt said. “The majority of athletic programs everywhere are doing some type of athletic fundraising.”
PHOTOS BY: DAVID KLOECKENER