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VOLUME 52, ISSUE 2 | THURSDAY SEPT. 15, 2016 | www.meramecmontage.com

Art & Life:

In-Depth:

The Great Circle

Club sports on the rise

The behavioral health agency works together with the Meramec Interior Design Coordinator Erin LeClerc to redesign The Great Circle cottage.

Erin LeClerc: “Service Learning is a big part of what we do here at the college, and it is really just a great learning environment for students to do that.”

Full story on page 9

IN SPOTLIGHT: Ultimate Frisbee and Inline Hockey

News:

Students granted more time for payment

Drop date for unpaid classes moved from July to August in hopes that it will help students be less frightened of the enrollment process, said Kim Fitzgerald.

Full story on page 3

Full story on pages 6 & 7

Sports:

Opinions:

Meramec takes to the field

Katie Hayes Americans deserve candidates who answer the tough questions Appearing on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon does not cover the loss of press on candidates’ flights.

Page 12

Page 5

2

Sept. 15, 2016

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3 | News

4 15, 2016 Sept.

Free Thinkers Club’s posters torn down Club founded on open discussion receives backlash for poster text

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Sam Roy Asst. News Editor

Posters designed and placed around campus by the Free Thinkers Club have been torn down repeatedly.

According to the club’s former president Kyle Luzynski, half to three quarters of the club’s posters were removed almost immediately after they were posted.

“I believe that if a student is caught tearing down an approved poster there should be some repercussion,” Current Free Thinkers Club President Evan Shatton said.

Shatton said the purpose of the club is to discuss religion in general and not just for people who are agnostic or atheist.

“The purpose of the club is you

can go there and talk about things you normally can’t,” Shatton said.

The Free Thinkers club is for students with nontraditional religious beliefs as well as students from diverse religious backgrounds to discuss their views.

“We have a right to express ourselves and advertise our existence,” Luzynkski said. “[It] makes me feel as if there is a significant opposition to my lifestyle...when I believe it should be a non issue,” Luzynkski said.

Luzynski said many members have been subject to discrimination because of their unconventional religious beliefs and religious posters are rarely removed.

“If our club should not be allowed a voice then others shouldn’t either,” Shatton said.

Photo by: Ian Schrauth Free Thinkers Club poster on the community poster board in the Student Center.

Students granted more time for payment Dropped for nonpayment date postponed by one month this year

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Photo by: Sam Roy Incoming students search class schedules, enroll in courses and finalize financial aid at New Student Orientation on August 29.

EDITORS Katie Hayes Marie Schwartz Sam Roy Andrew Ameer Caroline Frank Ashley Biundo Missy Arneson Jordan Morris Ian Schrauth Shannon Philpott

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Asst. News Editor Opinions Editor Art & Life Editor Photo & Sports Editor Copy Editor Graphics Editor Online Editor Faculty Adviser

STAFF Cornelious Jones Dalila Kahvedzic Lexie Keller James Claiborne Erik Muschinske Amanda Harris Paige Pancoast Scott Roy

Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Designer

www.meramecmontage.com

Sam Roy Asst. News Editor

The STLCC Enrollment Office used a new system for the Fall 2016 semester.

“The last couple years, the problems are decline in diplomas and decline in college-ready graduates and increase in competition,” Dean of Student Development and Enrollment Management Kim Fitzgerald said.

The old enrollment system allowed students to enroll as early as April, then dropped those students if they had not paid for their classes by mid July.

The drop for the new system was officially moved to August 16th. The new system allows the students a larger window to arrange financial aid, setup a payment plan or pay for their classes.

“The problem is, students express a wanting to be here and having the enrollment process scare them away makes them feel as if it weren’t meant to be,” Fitzgerald said.

In addition, Meramec implemented a call center to contact students for financial aid and to finalize payment plans.

THE MONTAGE 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.

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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.

5 | Opinions

4 15, 2016 Sept.

Transparency with the press Americans deserve candidates who answer tough questions

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Katie Hayes Editor-In-Chief

Both candidates this election cycle — Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump — have been less than transparent with the press.

Trump proposed loosening libel laws to make it easier to sue journalists who print negative articles. He revoked press credentials for almost a dozen media outlets, including the Washington Post and Politico.

Clinton kept emails on a private server which took work-related emails off public record and limited government officials’ ability to fulfill public information requests. This information is necessary for beat reporters — reporters assigned to cover specific topics —

and for watchdog journalists who hold public officials accountable for their actions through public record research.

Until Monday, Sept. 5 both candidates flew on a separate plane than reporters, breaking a more than fifty-year-old tradition that journalists fly on the same plane as the candidates.

Clinton pledged to bring the press on board after Labor Day, which she did. Forty-two seats are now available to reporters — nearly 17 months since her campaign began.

Meanwhile, Trump spoke to press on his plane Monday as well. It was described as a “rare move” and “unprecedented access” on MSNBC’s website. While both statements are true in the context of Trump’s willingness to speak with the press, this is not a praiseworthy action for an American presidential candidate.

It is unprecedented that candidates were unwilling, until two months before the election, to allow press on their plane.

Criticism is the core of democracy and for criticism to be sound, accurate and specific, journalists need transparent candidates. An

unwillingness for transparency with beat reporters — those who are well-versed in candidates’ policy and have the background to ask difficult and specific questions — implies questionable practice.

While comedians such as Jimmy Fallon are undoubtedly entertaining, they are not who we want to interview the next chief of state.

Talk show appearances make candidates seem relatable and transparent, but are truly nothing more than a marketing tactic to divert attention to clickbait topics.

When a candidate allows press to fly with them, it symbolizes a candidate’s accessibility.

Americans deserve more from both nominees.

Graphic by: Jordan Morris

‘Bookshots’ target new readers A new option for those who don’t want to read long novels

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Ian Schrauth Online Editor

James Patterson is the author of many books, including Zoo, the Alex Cross series, NYPD Red 1-4, The Women’s Murder Club books, and many more. He writes fulllength novels, but recently he released a new type of book called “BookShots.”

BookShots are books that are 150 pages or less, can be read in a few hours at most and are meant to target new readers. After purchasing a BookShot from Amazon, I took a shot at “Cross Kill” and would have to say that I was hooked. I like to read, but I like to play on my cell phone a lot more.

The book was short — it got me off my cell phone, and it entertained me for a couple hours.

All BookShots are written (or co-written) by James Patterson, with the exception of the romance BookShots. The romance genre is marketed as “James Patterson presents” and that means they will be written by other authors, and published with the BookShot logo.

I honestly think that BookShots are a good idea, the main reason being that they could gain new people to the world of reading.

Books send the reader to another universe; reading sends them away from trouble and passes the time. This society is filled with people on their cell phones and people who think they don’t have to read.

People need to start reading, but they don’t want to start on a 300-page thriller.

They want to start short and that is where I believe BookShots come in handy. Book-

“People need to start reading, but they don’t want to start on a 300 page thriller.”

Shots also have the idea of getting people not only started on reading books, but also writing books as well.

When I got done reading “Cross Kill,” it inspired me to start writing thrillers. If it can be an inspiration to a 19-yearold, it can be an inspiration to anyone. BookShots are an amazing idea, and I think Patterson will make a lot of money — as well as success — off this idea.

Graphic by: Jordan Morris

4

4 | Opinions

Sept. 15, 2016

Photo by: Andrew Ameer

Disruption or Destruction?

Consequenses of discouraging peaceful protest can be severe

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Andrew Ameer Opinions Editor

When is the right time to protest? At 6 p.m. on a Thursday? 12 p.m. on a Monday? After applying for a protest permit from city hall?

These are questions I’ve asked myself after witnessing the outrage at Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers player who refused (and continues to refuse) to stand up during the playing of the national anthem before football games.

The controversy started back in August when Kaepernick made the decision to sit down during the national anthem before a football game. He says he’s doing it to protest police brutality and ongoing social injustices.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said in an interview after the game.

He went on to say “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Indeed, the issue of police violence has become ever more pertinent in the years following the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri and other U.S. cities. Case after case of unarmed black men and children being killed by police has pushed public trust and confidence in police officers to a breaking point.

Michael Brown. Walter Scott. Eric Garner. John Crawford. Tamir Rice.

Philando Castile. And so many others.

This anger and frustration too often reaches a boiling point where it is released and the result is a destructive catastrophe — the kind that sees gas stations burned down, city blocks looted and, ultimately, the tragic loss of more human life.

People have lashed out at Kaepernick, burning his No. 7 jersey, calling for the NFL to punish him with fines or suspensions.

Some have even called for him to leave the country. Many people

feel that his protest is disrespectful to America, calling it un-American, un-patriotic, and disrespectful to veterans.

Some veterans, for their part, leapt in to defend Kaepernick’s protest with the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick to show support for his cause, or simply freedom of speech in general.

The fact of the matter is, Kaepernick’s protest could not be more American. Our nation was

“To me, this is bigger than football.”

Colin Kaepernick founded on disruptive protest.

From the Boston Tea Party which led to the revolution, to the sit-ins of the civil rights movement. Rosa Parks and the bus. Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics, just to name a few.

Due to Kaepernick’s celebrity status, his protest has been extremely effective at generating conversation about his cause. For

ordinary people without the power of celebrity status, it is difficult to protest effectively without being disruptive in some kind of way.

Protests by their nature cannot be passive events. Applying for a permit to protest on your local street corner is often not enough to affect positive change.

Sometimes, people have to become uncomfortable or even offended before real change can happen.

After the many incidences of police violence we have witnessed as a nation over the past few years, and the often violent protests that followed, we should welcome forms of protest that are disruptive, rather than destructive.

Protests from athletes like Kaepernick and others provide a valuable service to underrepresented people in the national media cycle.

Disruptive protest is the American way for repressed people to affect political change. So many people look at their TV screen, see burned buildings, looted stores, blocked streets and say “Why can’t they just protest peacefully?”

This is it. This is the peaceful protest you’ve been looking for.

6 | In-Depth

Sept. 15, 2016

Club sports on the rise at Meramec

Campus Life has seen increased interest in athletics from students.

While club sports don’t receive the same funding as recognized team sports, students continue to play any way they can.

Inline Hockey Soon to be a club at Meramec

Archived Photo

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Katie Hayes Editor-in-Chief

After a two-year hiatus, the roller inline hockey club is in the process of returning to Meramec.

While it is not currently a recognized club, goalie and full-time student Josh Wisely is in the process of assembling a team and paperwork.

“I wanted to start it up with a couple of friends and now a lot of people want to play,” Wisely said.

The inline hockey team, a club sport at Meramec, disbanded in 2014 after a lack of interest and funding. A decade ago, fifty students played roller hockey on four different teams — an A-team and three B-teams.

Wisely, a former goalie for Lutheran South High School, is currently assembling the team with two other players he has played with or against his entire athletic career. Wisely said there are currently twelve players interested in joining the team, but there may be more.

“It was just a bunch of people that we didn’t know that wanted to start the team and then we came together to start it,” Wisely said.

Steve Misuraca, who began working with the team when his son played roller hockey in 2001 and 2002, serves as the team manager. He is currently working with Wisely to organize the team. “[Wisely’s] kind of taken charge and he’s got a lot of guys from Parkway South, a lot of guys from Oakville, and other guys, I think a couple guys from Vianney that want to play,” Misuraca said.

Misuraca said the interest in inline hockey began to die down as interest in indoor soccer grew and competed with rink availability.

“Inline hockey grew really big when the Vipers were a St. Louis team back in the 90’s and got a lot of young folks interested, but a lot of the rinks in the last five years have either switched their court to ice hockey or to indoor soccer,” Misuraca said.

Before the teams dissipated two years ago, they played in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association. The A-Team travelled across Mid-America to compete. Although the team was classified as Division III, they still played Division I and Division II teams.

“Technically, the league classified us as a Division III school,” Misuraca said. “It worked out pretty good. Now, we’re a Junior College team, we’re not even Division III.” Although Wisely is still in the process of assembling interested players and paperwork to become an official club, he finds the outlook promising.

“You have to have people motivated enough to start a team,” Wisely said. “Then you have to have people who want to play. And then you have to have them motivated enough. It really revolves around that — I think motivation is the biggest factor.”

7 | In-Depth

Sept. 15, 2016

Ultimate Frisbee A sport where you don’t yell at each other Fun, fast pace, and a good workout for those who join the Ultimate Frisbee Club at Meramec

Eric Chavez (left) and Tyler Godar (right) playing Ultimate Frisbee at Bohrer Park.

Photo by: Marie Schwarz

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MarieSchwarz Managing Editor

When the weather forecast predicted rain and even storms for most of Friday, Sept. 9, the Ultimate Frisbee Club still met at Bohrer park to play. For the first 15 minutes of the game, rain poured, but as the sun came out, 10 players took to the field to play Ultimate Frisbee.

“The best part about Ultimate [Frisbee] is getting together with everyone [and] having a good time.”

Tyler Godar Much like any other competitive sport, the game involves high jumps and a lot of running.

“The best part about [Ultimate Frisbee] is getting together with everyone [and] having a good time,” said Tyler Godar, vice president of the Ultimate Frisbee Club.

“It’s really fast paced, you’re always really running around, and it’s a really good workout. Everyone is really polite and they are competitive, but we are not yelling at each other, not getting mad, it’s just a fun game.”

Godar, who has played Ultimate Frisbee since his sophomore year in high school, said the biggest difference between Ultimate Frisbee and other sports is that there is no referee needed. Fouls are discussed between those involved in an action.

“The sport has something that’s called ‘the spirit of the game,’” said Eric Chavez, president of the Ultimate Frisbee Club.

“The players are the guys who actually control everything. There are no referees, there is no player telling you something like ‘hey, this was a foul’ or something. It’s all the actual players who are controlling that.”

Chavez joined the Ultimate Frisbee Club when it was founded last spring. He had no experience at all. The former president of the club, Rusty McDonald, showed Chavez how to play and Chavez said he grew to love it.

Now Chavez is the president of the club.

“What I am pretty much in charge of is making sure everything is good with the club, in a sense of do we have a spot to play, do we have sponsors, do we

have guys to come out and play,” Chavez said.

Although this particular Friday only men came out to play, Chavez welcomes everybody to join.

“A lot of people don’t know

“A lot of people don’t know that, but we are co-ed.”

Eric Chavez that, but we are co-ed, so girls are welcome to come as well,” Chavez said. “It tends to be a lot of guys coming though.”

Godar said the future goal of the Ultimate Frisbee Club is to become a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III team, play against other colleges and continue to the National Championship.

“We still have a lot to accomplish, but we are well on our way,” Godar said.

The club meets twice per week. On Thursdays at 2 p.m., the Ultimate Frisbee Club meets on the soccer field near the baseball fields on the Eastern side of

the Meramec campus. On Fridays at 2 p.m., they meet in Bohrer Park which is located on 5705 South Lindbergh Boulevard.

Chavez calls the Thursday meetings “for-fun practices.” The members who already play Ultimate Frisbee show new people how to play.

“We do show you how to throw a backhand, how to throw a forehand,” Chavez said. “We get you the rules, and how to play the game.”

The Friday meeting in Bohrer Park is for those who want to play more competitively, but that does not mean beginners are not welcome to join, Chavez said.

“If you have ever played before, come on out, we would love to have you. If you haven’t, come on out, and you’ll have a good time,” Godar said. “You’ll get some good exercise.”

Everybody brings in a really nice attitude, Chavez said. “It is competitive of course, but even if you go to Ultimate Frisbee all over St. Louis…everybody is incredibly nice. The whole scene behind this sport is just people who want to play Ultimate [Frisbee] and have fun.”

The Rules briefly explained:

Ultimate Frisbee takes place in an open field. Teams score by throwing the disc to another player from their team in the end zone.

• Teams play to 15 points • Each team consists of seven players • No running with the disk • Players call their own fouls • Players are allowed 10 seconds to throw the Frisbee

when another player guards them • Halftime takes place after 8 points • Two timeouts allowed per half The Ultimate Frisbee club in action.

Photo by: Katie Hayes

8 | Art & Life

It’s something that I could find passion in. It’s just about figuring things out mechanically and why processes happen and developing ways to handle those processes.

”

Photo by: Amanda Harris

Spencer J. Cook describes his interest in mechanical engineering

Humans of Meramec

“

Sept. 15, 2016

Grab a blanket and some popcorn Current indie movies

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Missy Arneson Copy Editor

Some moviegoers would argue that independent films are more original than mainstream movies. The only way to know your personal preference for sure is to see both types of creative works, and then compare the two. If you have only seen mainstream movies, here are a few suggestions of independent films to check out this September.

“Morgan” — this horror/thriller movie follows Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) as she consults on a genetic engineering project; namely, she seeks input on whether or not the project should be terminated. The project itself is a genetically engineered child named Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy), who is as technologically advanced as she is deadly. Morgan is kept locked up in a cage, but when events take a turn for the worse, few survive.

“The Light Between Oceans” — based on the novel by M. L. Stedman, this

romance/drama movie tells the story of a young married couple, Tom (Michael Fassbender) and Isabel (Alicia Vikander) who keep a lighthouse on an island. The couple is genuinely happy, but their attempts to have children are in vain. When a boat floats ashore bearing an infant, Tom and Isabel are ecstatic. Despite the child’s questionable background and reasons for arrival, they accept this gift with much joy.

Several years later, they discover that the child’s mother is still alive, and must decide whether to keep the girl they’ve raised, or return her to her rightful mother.

“Skiptrace” — This action-packed comedy features the misadventures of detective Bennie Chan (Jackie Chan) and troublemaker Connor Watts (Johnny Knoxville). It illustrates the conflicts that arise as they attempt to avoid a gang out for Watts’s blood, while simultaneously fulfilling Chan’s mission. The film tells a detailed story that incorporates suspense as well as humor and tension.

“Complete Unknown” — This mys-

tery/drama film uses emotion, artistic illustration, and dry sarcasm to explore the importance of identity. The story follows Tom (Michael Shannon) as he stumbles across an old acquaintance Jenny (Rachel Weisz) who disappeared fifteen years earlier. Since she went MIA, her name changed to Alice to represent this new identity of hers. The film portrays Tom’s journey in learning how Jenny assumed this “new life”, and why she left her previous one.

For a closer look at and discussion on “Complete Unknown”, check out the Montage podcast at www.meramecmontage.com.

Montage Podcast

Episode 3 - Movie Review ~6 min Copy Editor Missy Arneson talking about Complete Unknown a movie that came out on Friday, Sept.

16. Complete Unknown is a movie directed by Joshua Marston and produced by Amazon Studios

Episode 4 - Ultimate Frisbee Club ~5 min Managing Editor Marie Schwarz talks with Professor Steven G. Collins about politics, history, his future plans, bicycle tours and more. Collins is a history professor at Meramec.

Visit MeramecMontage.com

9 | Art & Life

Sept. 15, 2016

The Great Circle collaborates with Meramec A small project for a grand cause

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Dalila Kahvedzic Staff Writer

Tucked away right off of Gore Ave. in Rock Hill lies a campus that many may not know of – a place of comfort and safety.

The Great Circle is a behavioral health agency that provides different support services, which focus on meeting people where they’re at and teaching them life skills, Transitional Facilitator Emily Mess said.

The school consists of campuses, counseling centers, and services based on homes and communities and provides specialized care from highly trained professionals. Employees at The Great Circle strive to guide those in tough circumstances through their times of struggle in order for them to flourish.

Mess has been with the school for over six years, including when she was a teacher’s assistant. She received her bachelor degree from St. Louis University in English literature and her associate in occupational therapy from St. Louis Community College – Meramec.

“We do a lot of things here at Great Circle; we have an education department, we have home and community based services, we have residential foster care - we just do a lot of things,” Mess said.

Great Circle serves all ages.

Their youngest is around the age of 5, and they can stay in the educational system up until their 22nd birthday, Mess said.

“Transition services are the bridge and the gap between when kids are in secondary education and moving into life after high school,” Mess said. “I was initially brought to help develop the department as we have more high schoolers now graduating with us than previous years, so my background in occupational therapy kind of made me a good fit in the realm of helping students as they’re really kind of trying to explore deeper and all aspects of their life.”

It is hard to put in a blurb what transition does, Mess said, but they [employees] do a lot of stuff with the kids on and off campus. A big part of Mess’s job is soft skill development, she said. Jobs can teach people the hard skills and on-the-job skills, but they cannot teach soft skill development – things such as having a positive attitude, enthusiasm, good communication skills and good interpersonal skills.

“They [students] often have had pretty severe trauma or maltreatment in their past, they’re used to not feeling safe from their past so we have to work with them to get them to trust us,” Mess said.

“A huge part of what we do here is trying to model having normal, healthy relationships – you know, because even adults need help with that too.”

Being in the transitional department has led Mess to her partnership with Mike Swoboda, Coordinator of the graphic communication and digital media department at Meramec. She was

holding a career week event when she reached out to Meramec and got partnered with the graphic arts department. Swoboda came to The Great Circle with the career coach van.

“He was really drawn toward our kids and being here,” Mess said. “He was great with the students and that was probably over three years ago, and ever since then he has hosted students coming out there for tours, specific students who need that extra kind of personal connection in order to feel comfortable when they go out,” Mess said. “A lot of our stu-

dents to look at design from a different perspective, LeClerc said.

“First of all, having a real world client I think is really important, but just the challenges associated with the project – having so many guidelines that you have to work around, so many safety challenges and still being creative at the same time,” LeClerc said. “So the end result I think is an expe-

that this redesign can do that for them,” Lemon said. “We have the potential to change lives.”

Another student in the program, Jessica Riess, agreed.

“The girls come from challenging backgrounds where their surroundings don’t encourage or inspire them to make more for themselves,” Riess said. “The new design will not only diminish that

“It’s really great for them, and I think it’s great for you guys too.”

Erin LeClerc dents might just have social skill deficits or challenges, so he has invited parents and he’s come back to work with the students again and just has put a lot of time and effort and creative effort into working with Great Circle.”

Mike Swoboda has been teaching full-time at Meramec, now entering his 7th year. He attended the University of Missouri and earned his MFA in design from the University of Notre Dame.

Swoboda organized the career coach van for a number of years, he said. He would bring himself, 12 or 15 laptops and a couple of student assistants to meet with students and discuss career options.

“We only had them [students] for about 15 to 20 minutes, but it was meant to kind of jazz them up and get them excited about opportunities beyond their high school years,” Swoboda said. “Emily Mess is an ideal kind of partner, [who] really understands the needs of her students and [is] really quick to ask for assistance and I’m happy to be a part of it with her.”

Swoboda was also a leading connection to Erin LeClerc, Interior Design Coordinator at Meramec and with the partnership of the three and others, they hope to have an active part in redesigning Leighton Cottage, a living area which houses 12 teenage girls on campus.

Swoboda approached LeClerc on a professional level in regards to redesigning the cottage, LeClerc said. She then presented the idea of this becoming a student project.

“I kind of explained how that all works - how service learning is a big part of what we do here at the college and it really is just a great learning environment for students to do that,” LeClerc said.

“I kind of talked to them about how I would still be involved on a professional level in kind of guiding the students through the project and making sure that they’re following professional standards and codes and everything so they were kind of like – ‘okay,’ so they were on board and they were really excited about it.”

This project will allow stu-

Photo by: Dalila Kahvedzic Maggie Aubuchon (left) and Emily Mess (right) are both Transition Facilitators, and Dovia Williams (middle) is a Special Education Job Coach. The three make up the entire Transition Department within the education program on Great Circle’s Webster Groves campus. rience that will be uplifting, also something that the students can get really passionate about. It’s a project where we can really make a difference.”

Not only does this project benefit students at Meramec, but students at The Great Circle as well.

“I think these girls have never really had something like this where people have given them so much attention for a design project – listen to them and hear them give input and show that we value their opinion more than anything else – it’s really great for them and I think it’s great for you guys too,” LeClerc said.

Understanding the girls’ needs is important, Swoboda said.

“For this particular small constituency of students that you are working with, how do you enhance the enjoyment of their time there?”

Swoboda said. “How do you enhance the value of their day to day experience? How do you include them in the design process and we have a term in graphic design – empathic design. Does your design have empathy for the user? Have you had empathy for the user, for the recipient of the design during the process and do the results show that you have listened and collaborated with the people who were a part of it?”

The redesign is so much more important than a theoretical project, he said.

“As a student – it is ten times the amount of excitement and relevance to be doing something that’s real,” Swoboda said.

Heather Lemon, an interior design program student, hopes to achieve a home-like design, she said.

“These girls need to feel safe and taken care of, and I believe

deficit but also create a sense of home for people who feel like they don’t have one.”

Both students agree that this project is much different and much more eye-opening because it is a real-life project.

“The budget matters, the material matters, everything that goes into this project has potential consequences and the pressure is on to get it right for the client,” Riess said.

With this project, students are bringing a sense of value to the girls’ living space, Mess said.

“A lot of them walk over and go to school not far away from where they live so you want it to feel different and special and age appropriate for teenagers, so they want it to be hip and cool and I think it will just help them, again, feel like normal teenagers,” Mess said. “I think that’s a big part of it. I think it’s inspiring in a way for them to see you guys in school and doing something that you enjoy to do and so I think it’s kind of a winwin.”

Mess is grateful for St. Louis Community College - Meramec’s support of the students at Great Circle, the agency and their vision, she said. She hopes the partnership continues.

“We’re trying to just really better ourselves each and every day to becoming a place where people can go when they need support,” Mess said.

Swoboda and LeClerc will partner to choose student work to be featured in the Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery Nov. 3 – Dec. 2– Convergence: Processes and Outcomes of Social Design Practice.

10 | Art & Life

Sept. 15, 2016

Scope out the future Find out your horoscope for October of 2016 Aries (March 21-April 20) You may feel overwhelmed trying to balance everything you have chosen to invest yourself in. So take a step back, and make a decision as to which is more important to you: quality or quantity.

Taurus (April 21-May 21) Despite recent feelings of isolation, the month of October will put you more at one with your surroundings. Take advantage of this connectedness, for it may bring about significant gain.

Gemini (May 22-June 21) You may be confronted by a decent amount of adversity in the month of October. Practice your internal strength by forming an alliance with yourself, and know that the celestial bodies are also on your side!

Cancer (June 22-July22) You may be exposed to some toxic situations in the month of October. Because of this, it may be in your best interest to make self-care a priority.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22) You may be pulled out of your comfortable place of solitude and thrown into unfamiliar territory. As long as you are grounded in your identity, it is healthy to embrace these new experiences.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 23) The month of October will give you a significant amount of leeway with regard to making decisions. You will be presented with a variety of options, so choose wisely! Your future depends on it.

Libra (Sept 24-Oct 23) You may feel a wave of negative en-

E T I R

W

ergy flowing against you during the month of October. However, if you maintain stability, you will act as a dam against the flood.

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22) Although the meaning of your Zodiac sign can contradict itself, you will feel spiritual harmony throughout the month of October. Use this to your advantage, and empower yourself!

Saggitarius (Nov 23-Dec 21) Enemies may team up against you during the month of October and make you feel inferior. With that being said, it is crucial to know your worth and to only accept the treatment you deserve.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20) You may soon experience some conflict in areas that matter most to you. If it is worth the fight, you will find yourself doing everything you can to settle these disputes and acquire unity with those of highest value to you.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19) The month of October may be a good time for self-evaluation. Certain issues you may experience could stem from problematic qualities inside of yourself. The key is to acknowledge these – not as weaknesses, but as opportunities for progressive growth.

Pisces (Feb 20-March 20) You may feel an exceptional amount of warmth during the month of October. However, be cautious; too much light can eventually blind you. So absorb this with humility, and radiate that positivity to others.

DESIG

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The Montage

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11 | Sports

Sept. 15, 2016

“

Upcoming Games

Growing up in a big athlethic family, [playing softball] was almost a must. I’ve played since I could remember and have never once thought about quitting. -Mary Kate Raftery, second base

”

Sept. 16 Men’s soccer: at East Central College 4:00pm

Sept. 21 Men’s soccer: Missouri Baptist University 4:30pm Softball: at Lewis and Clark Community College 3:00pm

Photo by: Erik Muschinske

Mary Kate Raftery catches a ground ball during practice Sept. 5.

Sporty folks serve up BBQ Archers’ event focuses on team bonding

m

Sept. 24

Baseball: at Springfield, MO 12:00pm Softball: at McKendree University 12:00pm

Ashley Biundo Sports Editor

Students walking by the PE building on Tuesday, Sept. 13 were greeted with the smell of barbecue, but it was the Archer athletes who joined the festivities.

Archer athletes from the Meramec, Florissant Valley and Forest Park campuses joined together as one team, despite representing different sports teams from baseball and softball to basketball and soccer.

“I think [having the Barbecue] is important for the student athletes to kind of get together and get to know each other because we are spread out across three different campuses. It gives them a chance to know the people they might not meet otherwise,” said STLCC Athletic Director Shawn Summe.

The teams not only joined to learn about one another, they also reflected on their team’s progress and potential.

“I think we look like we have made a lot of progress since we started. We are getting 1 percent better everyday and I am excited to start our season,” said Haley Franklin, softball player.

Hope Beckerle, women’s soccer player, said the team expects to win regionals.

“We are doing a lot better than last year. We work a lot better this year as a team. We are getting a lot more offensive opportunities and scored goals every game and that’s not what we were getting last year,” she said.

The men’s soccer team is also

Volleyball: Mineral Area College 6:30pm- Home

Sept. 25 Softball: at East Central College 12:00pm Men’s soccer: at Jefferson College 1:00pm Women’s Soccer: at Illinois Central College 12:00 pm

Oct. 1 Women’s Soccer: at MMC- Maple Woods 2:00pm

Oct. 6 Photo by: Ian Schrauth Defensive player Ben Holmes from the men’s soccer team grills hamburgers. striving for more wins, said Ben Holmes, defensive player.

“We expect to win nationals and I think we have come very far this season already, being undefeated.

We drawled our last two games and we are going to bounce back with winning against East Central.”

Charles Jones of the men’s basketball team said preseason is underway. ‘[Preseason] is going amazing.

We keep running a lot. Over and over again. The fun part about it is I get to continue to bond with the teammates.”

Men’s soccer: MMC-Maple Woods 4:00pm- at Meramec Women’s Soccer: St. Charles Community College 4:00 pmMeramec (Schedule may change)

12 | Sports

4

Sept. 15, 2016

Meramec takes to the field

Men’s Baseball

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Baseball

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Softball

Women’s Soccer

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Men’s Soccer Photos by: Ashley Biundo & Erik Muschinske