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M T H E M O N TA G E

All STLCC campuses close after Ferguson decision

Investigating the Clery Report: How safe is Meramec?

Page 2

Pages 4-5 PHOTO BY: ASHLEY HIGGINBOTHAM

Family Dollar in Ferguson, Mo. burns after the Grand Jury verdict was released Nov. 24, releasing Officer Darren Wilson from an indictment after the shooting of Michael Brown.

Volume 50 Issue 7

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Dec. 4, 2014

2 NEWS Dec. 4, 2014

Ferguson decision impacts STLCC campus closures SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF Following the Nov. 24 public announcement not to indict former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown, STLCC administration opted to close all campuses and facilities on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 26.

STLCC originally was to remain open until Thanksgiving Day. “There were talks prior to this — leading up to it — as there were everywhere,” STLCCMeramec Vice President of Student Affairs Kim Fitzgerald said. “Our [STLCC] police chiefs

attended a safety meeting over at Washington University, about several days prior for colleges and universities to identify the protocol, what to do, how to handle it.”

Fitzgerald said she was not part of the administrative decision to close, but District Wide Police Chief Mark Potratz was.

“There had to be a concern among all the schools and their public safety officials and their administrators as to what types of things could happen,” Potratz said. “We have to consider a wide range of possibilities across a whole spectrum.”

Students and faculty were notified by an STLCC text message at 9:39 p.m. on Nov. 24. Emails were also sent out, a message was posted on the STLCC website, as well as local media posting all school closings.

Fitzgerald said she knew of the closing 14 minutes before students were notified.

“I got a call from Meramec President Pam McIntyre that evening at 9:25 p.m.,” Fitzgerald said. “I text messaged all of my staff at 9:31 p.m. Eight minutes after I let [my staff] know, the college let all the students know.”

Potratz said that Meramec

Student voices: Should STLCC have closed campuses?

I understand closing because of safety hazards but look at the location, though.

We are in Kirkwood, we’re not as close as Forest Park. I understand Forest Park closing but Kirkwood, there is nothing out here that’s going to have any substantial draw.

Why should all campuses

BRI SAUNDERS, 20

suffer when it’s only one that is really in danger?

I think it was kind of pointless, because this is so far from Ferguson. I don’t think that it would have been affected by Ferguson at all.

WILL BLACK, 24

sent police help to the STLCCFlorissant Valley campus. All of the STLCC campuses offered counseling help, as well.

“When you have a particular need and you do not have enough people to meet that need,” Potratz said, “then you try to use personnel from other areas to try and meet that need.”

With the unexpected days off, Fitzgerald said that instructors and students had to adjust class assignments and ensue finals week preparation.

Although Thanksgiving Break was given an extra couple days, Fitzgerald said that she is thankful

STLCC students and faculty remained safe.

“I think we take the safety of our students seriously. The beauty of a college campus is that it sparks conversations and gets people talking,” Fitzgerald said.

But, this was a unique situation, she said.

“It’s got many layers of issues — political, social, racial. The entire thing,” Fitzgerald said. “It was kind of upsetting to see these things unfold, so I think that I am glad that they made the decision before everybody went to bed and we got the message out to students.”

News Briefs Music Dept. prepares for holiday concerts

the greenhouse.

The sale’s hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday.

On Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m., the Music Department’s holiday concert will feature the Meramec Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Concert Choir. This year’s guest is The Funky Butt Brass Band.

In addition, the Concert Choir was chosen to perform at the Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World in Florida on Dec. 17.

“Iconography of a Garden”

Horticulture Club Poinsettia Sale

r f e e f s raann r T

The Horticulture Club began a Poinsettia sale on Nov. 27 that runs through Dec. 17, located in

The Art Department is hosting “Marilee Keys: Iconography of a Garden” in the Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery through Dec. 12.

Keys’ work evolves from her immediate environment by recycling common materials, including organic plant life, and often placing them in modular configurations. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday.

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OPINIONS 3

Dec. 4, 2014

THE WAY IT IS

RYAN OBRADOVIC OPINIONS EDITOR

Burning the bridge of change The decision of the Michael Brown case has everyone up in arms in a difference of opinions.

Some say the decision is justified and Officer Darren Wilson was doing his duty as a policeman to protect his own life, while others believe the criminal justice system is corrupt and are tired of the discrimination and mistreatment by police.

Some of those that believe the latter have engaged in peaceful protests, respectively displaying their distaste for the verdict.

On the other hand, some are choosing to destroy the city they live in by looting, fighting, killing and setting fires to businesses.

When the riots first began, anger was an understandable reaction to the

horrible news of Brown’s death and people developed their own opinions, even though details of the case were not fully known.

However, after time went on the riots continued even though details surfaced, leading people to believe that Wilson was innocent.

Even after the verdict was made confirming Wilson’s innocence, the riots escalated to war.

It’s perfectly fine for someone to disagree, question and challenge authority, but destroying a city will not bring justice to anyone.

The question is are those people really mourning the death of Brown or are they creating an excuse to go on a crime spree and terrorize St. Louis?

The peaceful protests are supposed to raise awareness of the discrimination and harassment the African-American community faces.

Throwing Molotov cocktails at police and setting their cars on fire is not helping to solve the problem.

Those taking part in the criminal activity are only strengthening the stereotypes associated with them.

This situation was a perfect time to show not only St. Louis, but also the United States and even the world that stereotypes are not true and everyone can work to gain equality.

People from all around looked onto our city to see if we could make history for this

country.

They saw an opportunity for change to be made through the death of Brown; a better name for the AfricanAmerican race while clinging onto the hope of equality for everyone.

Instead, the world saw the exact opposite.

They saw barbarians on the street making a disgrace of themselves, the AfricanAmerican community and St. Louis as a whole.

No matter if someone is black, white, Hispanic or Indian, if they destroy property and set cars on fire they will be looked at as menaces to society.

It is not because someone is black that they are being punished for this, but it is because they are breaking the law.

Positive change will not come with destruction of property. It will come from destroying the ignorant views of those who believe blacks are inferior.

The only way to do that is to continue with peaceful protests and changing for the better to survive in this brutal society.

Violence is never the answer for

ILLUSTRATION BY: MARISSA DIERCKS

anything. Wars are “won” by violence, but when so many people die on each side there is no real winner.

This war going on in Ferguson is just the same. People can fight the police with violence and break the law, but when that adrenaline high fades away, those who fought have dug themselves, other community members and people everywhere a deeper hole to climb out of.

I pray the people of Ferguson and those everywhere who are striving for equality to do so peacefully.

Show the world that minorities are the same as everyone else and should be treated as such.

Rise up with a peaceful rebellion and prove that “stereotypes” is just a word.

Parking in Narnia: but the walk is not fun DALILA KAHVEDZIC ASST. ART AND LIFE EDITOR Finding a good parking spot anywhere on campus appears nearly impossible, seemingly even more so when you are finding yourself having to sprint across campus to make it to the class that you

swore you would never be late to again.

On snow and ice. Did I mention wind?

Strong winds. Two overly-sized textbooks in one hand, a scorching hot coffee cup that is supposed to keep you sane throughout the day in the other, not to mention the 60 pound backpack.

With the winter season having quickly approached, it is safe to say that a majority of students want the closest parking spot they can possibly get without having to arrive 30 minutes early and circle the lot 10 times waiting for someone to leave.

However, I am parking at the end of Narnia when the much closer to campus, faculty ILLUSTRATION BY: JASON WATERS

EDITORS Spencer Gleason Livie Hall Marissa Diercks Ryan Obradovic Alex White Dalila Kahvedzic Bill Gezella Sabree Blackmon Shannon Philpott

parking lot seems to always be half empty.

Let’s be real for a moment, faculty definitely deserves to have the spots that they do. They earn them, and work hard for them. But deserved parking spots and needed parking spots are two completely diverse things.

Students are fully aware that the sooner they are on campus, the better of a parking spot they will get.

But getting real again, a 7 a.m. class was taken either because it is the only way it works with a personal schedule, it was the only time that one atrocious class that has nothing to do with your actual degree was available, or students just signed up for classes way too late and have no other choice.

Whatever the case may be, the amount of parking spots that are empty in the faculty parking lots whether it be between 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. could be put to better use.

Winter last year was horrid, so having

students park so far away from campus and walk on snow and ice with the possibility of completely demolishing their necks seems highly unfair.

Especially when there seems to be an almost barren parking lot with a much shorter walk to campus (and let’s not even get into the scenario of seeing a student park in a handicap parking spot, but they seemingly walk better and faster than you).

Laziness is not of an issue here, but rather safety, convenience and fairness to students that deserve as much as faculty.

Minimizing faculty parking spots would be a quick and easy solution to many issues students may be experiencing.

If minimizing the spots is not an easy fix, letting students park during certain hours would be helpful as well.

Busy mornings and late nights appear to be the times when students are most desperate. Students are benefiting but not hurting the faculty. A win-win situation.

MONTAGE STAFF THE MONTAGE

Brittney Farrow Senior Staff Writer Editor in Chief/ Sports Editor Christian Hargas Staff Writer Managing/News Editor Ashley Higginbotham Staff Writer Graphics/In-Depth Editor Jason Jamison Staff Writer Opinions Editor Aaron McCall Staff Writer Photo Editor Kayla Cacciatore Staff Writer/Photographer Asst. Art and Life Editor David Kloeckner Staff Writer/Photographer Copy Editor Jason Waters Staff Designer Copy Editor Aaron Landgraf Staff Multimedia Specialist Faculty Adviser

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4 INDEPTH Dec. 4, 2014

Investigating the Clery Rep

SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIE GRAPHICS BY MA

What goes in the Clery Report.

Meramec Campus Police Chief Anthony Russo said the police chiefs from each St. Louis Community College campus meet to discuss what goes into the Clery Report. They look over each other’s reports and statistics from the year to consolidate everything.

The Clery report can work with the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) reports. Everything reported to BIT is also put into a police report. Russo said if someone commits a “major part one crime,” it is filed as a police report, a BIT report and the BIT is pulled into the case. A crime like this would be homicide, burglary, forcible sexual offenses, arson, auto theft and aggravated assault. These acts would go into the Clery Report. Major thefts are not required to go on the report.

Russo said he and his officers recently made an arrest on someone for stealing a $700 phone. The case went through the BIT and legal processes. They also broke a check cashing ring that was around for almost three years. Two people were writing bad checks at every STLCC bookstore. These are major thefts that are made into a police report.

What is Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Title IX “protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.”

According to the American Bar Association, the Violence Against Women Act is “a federal law aimed at ending violence against women and remedying the laws and social practices that have fostered and justified the history of violence against women.”

What is the Clery Report?

The United States Department of Education requires most college campuses to submit an annual report of the crime statistics on and around their campus.

This report is known as the Clery Report.

Formally known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the act originated when Connie and Howard Clery lost their daughter, Jeanne, when she was raped and murdered in her college dorm room. Her parents worked to create a better system for campus crimes to be reported when they learned of how little

annual report and show campus crime statistics. Vice President of Student Affairs Kim Fitzgerald works with Russo on the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT.) The BIT handles any Title IX incidents such as domestic violence and stalking. Every BIT report is filed as a police report and some of those reports will fall under Clery. Assistant Vice Chancellor William Woodward works with each STLCC campus to ensure they are in compliance with the law and do each Clery Report correctly.

All Clery Act information is from clerycenter.org.

Florissant Valley Crime Statistics Campus Crime Statistics (Clery Act Report) Criminal Offenses On Campus

Noncampus/Public Property

Criminal Offence

2011

2012

2013

2011

2012

2013

Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sex Offenses – Forcible

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sex Offenses – Non-forcible Incest Statutory Rape

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

Robbery

0

0

1

0

0

0

Aggravated Assault

0

0

0

0

0

1

Burglary

1

0

0

0

0

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

1

1

0

0

0

Arson

0

0

0

0

0

0

Stalking

0

0

8

0

0

0

How STLCC stays in compliance for the Clery Report.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs William Woodward started at STLCC at the end of September. His job is to make sure each STLCC campus is in compliance with the law. For the Clery Report, he makes sure things are reported and dealt with correctly and is already helping put the report together for the next year.

Among the incidents required to go in the Clery Report, Woodward said he deals with Title IX incidents, such as sexual misconduct.

Woodward is still easing into the position and looking into what things should be changed as far as guidelines go. On Oct. 20, the federal government came out with a final rule on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and that has

statistical information was available to students and their parents.

In the Clery Act requires colleges to have the annual Clery Report, a public crime log and disclose crime statistics for on and around campus. Crimes that have to be reported are homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson. They must also include any liquor, drug or weapon violations.

Meramec Campus Police Chief Anthony Russo works with other STLCC campus police chiefs to put together an

given colleges new requirements on what they are supposed to report and how they are supposed to handle education and awareness of the act. In the Spring of 2015 semester, Woodward said he hopes to bring awareness of the VAWA to the college.

“Let’s have St. Louis Community College be in the foreground of educating our citizens on campus to take it with them wherever they go after, and I can’t do that without the help of the students, faculty and staff that are here,” Woodward said.

The government requires colleges to be in compliance with the new guidelines

by July 1, 2015. However the next Clery Report is not due until Oct. 1, 2015. In that report, STLCC will show the government what they have been doing to get in compliance.

INDEPTH 5

Dec. 4, 2014

port: How Safe is Meramec?

EF | LIVIE HALL MANAGING EDITOR ARISSA DIERCKS

How the BIT works with the Clery.

Meramec Crime Statistics Campus Crime Statistics (Clery Act Report) Criminal Offenses On Campus

Noncampus/Public Property

Criminal Offence

2011

2012

2013

2011

2012

2013

Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sex Offenses – Forcible

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sex Offenses – Non-forcible Incest Statutory Rape

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

Robbery

0

0

0

0

0

0

Aggravated Assault

0

0

1

0

1

0

Burglary

1

2

2

0

0

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

0

2

0

0

0

Arson

0

0

0

0

0

0

Forest Park Crime Statistics Campus Crime Statistics (Clery Act Report) Criminal Offenses On Campus

Noncampus/Public Property

Criminal Offence

2011

2012

2013

2011

2012

2013

Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

0

0

0

Negligent Manslaughter

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sex Offenses – Forcible

0

1

1

0

0

0

Sex Offenses – Non-forcible Incest Statutory Rape

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

Robbery

0

2

0

0

0

0

Aggravated Assault

0

2

1

0

0

0

Burglary

0

0

1

0

0

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

0

3

0

0

0

Arson

1

0

0

0

0

0

“I guess the police on campus. But other than that, no. If it were to happen at that moment, like I got attacked or something, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

- Galang Nguyen

“I would just call 911.” -Shadrack Seeru

“If my friends felt scared, then I know who to contact. I don’t know where to go, but I know who to contact, which is the campus police.” - Helen Vu

As a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at the STLCCMeramec campus, Vice President of Student Affairs Kim Fitzgerald sees BIT reports about students that faculty and staff have filled out. The BIT is a way to keep track of different behaviors that students display.

“The act of having a BIT team is a choice. Every college campus would have to deal with behavior,” Fitzgerald said. “BIT teams are good because it allows four people from four different perspectives to look at a report and have a conversation about what’s going on. It’s not like everything is conduct. It’s not like everything is a police act.”

The BIT consists of Fitzgerald, Meramec Police Chief Anthony Russo, Manager of Access Linden Nissenbaum and Hope Steiner, a counselor.

“The four of us don’t necessarily address what’s going on,” Fitzgerald said.

“We make sure that it gets addressed.”

BIT teams were created after the Virginia Tech shooting in April 2007.

Fitzgerald said that the reasoning was that everyone knew a little bit about the shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, but all of the information was not put in one place. Many things — from English class writings, individual drawings and behavior — collectively painted a picture of him, but no one knew the full picture.

“That’s why we have BIT reports, to report behavior,” Fitzgerald said. “Behavior can be unusual or it can be serious.”

The National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NBITA) hosts conferences throughout the country. They educate educational institutions on how to deal with behavior and different levels of threats.

Information that goes beyond a BIT report and moves into criminal activity then requires a police report. However, not all BIT reports are police reports. These crimes are reported as required by the Clery Act, said Fitzgerald.

“I feel like we’re in a pretty good place right now, in terms of making sure we’ve got information that can be shared and addressed,” Fitzgerald said. “Clearly, the reason for it in the first place is [parents] wanted this information available. If I’m a parent and I’m not looking, that’s my decision. But it should be something that you should provide, so I can make the choice.”

6 ART & LIFE Dec. 4, 2014

Sculpture professor shows students the ‘broader picture’ Chesla encourages students to ‘just work’ in the studio, learn new things DALILA KAHVEDZIC ASST. ART AND LIFE EDITOR Joe Chesla, a full-time sculpture professor at STLCCMeramec has been getting his hands dirty for 13 years on campus.

Recently he gave his students the opportunity to go to the annual Sculpture Object Functional Art + Design (SOFA) fair in Chicago on Nov. 7 and 8.

Chesla said the SOFA exhibit included more than 70 galleries from around the world exhibiting on the Navy Pier in Chicago.

Each gallery showed between five and 10 different artists and Chesla said there was quite a bit of artwork to take in within a couple of days.

Chesla said the trip was good for the students to attend because it would advance their understanding of sculpture and understand where they fit into society.

“It was more than just learning about sculpture, it was much more that experience of getting out and seeing the broader picture of things,” Chesla said.

Third year Meramec Fine Art/Art Education Major Amanda Attarian said she has been to SOFA the past two years.

Attarian said it’s nice to relate to and be around people who are in the same field as her.

Although a lot of pieces were based on aesthetic and composition, Attarian said she

liked specific glass-ceramic infused pieces that had narratives behind them about afterlife and relationships; pieces with meaning behind them.

Attarian said it was cool to see everyone brought together from the sculpture class. They were able to discuss what they were each doing, art-wise.

“As important as it is to do what you love and do it independently, it’s good to see what everyone else is doing and how it works. It gives you a little bit of encouragement and a lot of hope for my future and as well as others to show their work,” Attarian said.

In the Classroom Attarian said it is exceedingly important to convey your own messages through art, and said it’s nice that Chesla is one-on-one and involved with his students.

“He has definitely given me a lot of insight on why I make the stuff that I do. He’s helped me have a better understanding of what I want to do and who I am as a person. More of an insight on myself and what messages I want to convey.” Attarian said.

Meramec Fine Art Major Krista Valdez said what appeals to her about SOFA is the students are exposed to a more high-end and commercial environment of art.

They are seeing the front-end

PHOTO BY: DALILA KAHVEDZIC Joe Chesla instructs student, Mary Anne Nye, on whatsteps to take next with her sculpture.

of how the art industry works and that exposure is valuable because they are basically seeing what art sells, she said.

Valdez said Professor Chesla tells them to “just work” in the studio.

“If we’re in the studio, we should constantly be doing something. Regardless of what it is. Being able to constantly do something and learning new things as you go along,” Valdez said.

Chesla said most of his students come into his classes with no experience.

His job is to help them develop their ideas, their drawings, develop their models, learn how to work economically and be smart artists.

“If you watch what’s going on, there’s a great assortment of work that tends to happen in this studio. I teach everything from sand sculpting to working in wood and working in plaster,”

Chesla said.

Chesla said students learn how much more powerful a piece can be by keeping it simple.

This can be difficult because the students have “amazing imaginations.”

Chesla said.

“When they start to understand their own abilities, they want to do ‘monstrous things.’”

“You learn a lot in here.

There’s a great trust and respect for everybody and the space,” Chesla said.

Six-step recipe to coo-coo coconut cookies for the holidays DALILA KAHVEDZIC ASST. ART AND LIFE EDITOR INGREDIENTS: VANILLA WAFER COOKIES SHREDDED COCONUT MILK, BUTTER & SUGAR STEP 1: In a seperate bowl, mix together butter and sugar - approximated amounts until it turns into a spreadable batter.

STEP 4: Dip another cookie and put it on top of that one - making a cookie sandiwch. Spread mixture around the combined cookies.

STEP 5: Roll around in coconut.

STEP 2: Pour milk into a cup - large amount is not needed- so you can easily dip each vanilla wafer in to soften it.

STEP 3: After you have dipped your vanilla wafer, spread on the butter/sugar mixture enough to stick another cookie on.

STEP 6: Set in fridge to cool for an hour before serving.

ART & LIFE 7

Dec. 4, 2014

Meramec Art Exhibit : The Iconography of a Garden Local artist Marilee Keys creates an indoor garden symbolizing the cycles of life.

DALILA KAHVEDZIC ASST. ART & LIFE EDITOR Meramec’s Contemporary Art Gallery is hosting a monthlong exhibit for artist Marilee Keys from Nov. 13 through Dec. 12. Keys focuses on recycling common materials and turning them into modular art.

This exhibit incorporates many items that would be seen in a garden, from plants gathered from the Soulard Garden Co-op

to tomatoes and beets pressed onto paper.

The cycles of life through Keys’ art pieces start with seeds, continues to the roots, grows to the petals and sometimes into food.

The exhibit is located in the Humanities East building in room 133 and is free of charge to anyone who would like to attend.

PHOTOS BY: DALILA KAHVEDZIC

From boy scout to policeman Meramec Campus Police Officer Ed Ucinski serves as head adviser with the boy scouts JASON JAMISON STAFF WRITER Ed Ucinski is an STLCCMeramec police officer that spends his off-duty time as a Boy Scout and Explorers leader. He also works with the Venture crew, which is a part of the Boy Scouts.

“I am involved with the venturing crew as well as the Explorers, and have been for most of my adult life,” Ucinski said.

“The Boy Scouts wanted to do something for the older scouts because after a certain age, the kids start losing interest.

Each venturing crew is a little bit different, and is open to females to expand the Scouts program.”

He said some crews focus on things such as high adventure and sports. His particular crew focuses on shooting sports like safe shooting and training with firearms. Ucinski said safe shooting is teaching the safety aspect of shooting.

They do not shoot at any targets that look like humans or animals. Instead, they shoot at paper targets.

He said responsibility is also a very important aspect of the

firearms training and something he also teaches to the members of his crew.

“The program is designed to teach responsibility to the members on the proper use and handling of firearms,” Ucinski said.

Ucinski is the head advisor of Crew 2784 and they have five registered members to assist him, such as a Range Safety Officer.

The Venture crew allows him to pay forward what he was taught during his youth involvement with the Scouts.

“It gives me a chance to give back what I received when I was a youth member,” Ucinski said.

Ucinski was a youth member of the Boy Scouts and said he enjoyed the experience.

“I really enjoyed the outdoor activities such as weekend camping with friends,” Ucinski said.

“I never said that I set out to obtain Eagle Scout [Rank], that inspiration came later on.”

Ucinski’s involvement with the Scouts from his youth gave

him passion and experience to become a Scout leader. He stayed with the Scouts until the age of 18 and then became an Assistant Scoutmaster.

The Explorers is another young adult program Ucinski is involved with. He said the Explorers gives teens a chance to learn about possible career paths that may interest them.

“There are a number of posts here in the Greater St. Louis area for interested parties to look into. Everything from health care to fire fighting services, EMT and law enforcement,” Ucinski said.

“It really works out well being involved because it gives me a chance to pass on law enforcement experience.”

Ucinski said his own Scout and Explorers leaders greatly influenced the way he mentors the youth but he also acknowledges his own personal leadership style.

“My former Scoutmaster, who I still keep in contact with today, was a former Marine Drill Instructor, and it showed,”

SUBMITTED PHOTO From left, STLCC Board of Trustees’ Chair Craig Larson, Interim Chancellor Dennis Michaelis, Meramec Police Officer Ed Ucinski and Meramec President Pam McIntyre pose at a Board of Trustees meeting when Ucinski was recognized.

Ucinski said. “I emulate his structure, but I also realize some people need different learning avenues.”

Ucinski said mentoring youth is not only enjoyable for him, but important to him as well.

“My parents were divorced and I lived with my mother, so Scouts and Explorers were a definite positive role model on

me. You see these people come in as kids and watch them grow into young adults,” Ucinski said. “I didn’t set out to be this big Scout leader but watching the transition these kids go through from first grade to college, and seeing what they learn, its really rewarding.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to make a difference in a young person’s life.”

8 SPORTS

Dec. 4, 2014

Shooting for the playoffs Lady Archers shoot through 3-game winning streak SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF After stringing together a fivegame and three-game winning streak, the 2014-15 STLCC Lady Archers enter December with back-to-back conference games against Jefferson College and Mineral Area College.

With an 8-1 record, STLCC will play six of their next 10 games at their STLCC-Forest Park home.

“This month is a good month for us. We have a lot of big games coming up. They’ll be big tests for the girls. We just try to take it one game at a time,” STLCC Assistant Coach Janey Milligan said. “When they’re on a roll.

We have to keep them down to Earth a little bit and push them in practice. And that’s what we try to do. There’s always room for improvement.”

Following last season’s Region XVI Title loss, the Lady Archers began remodeling their roster.

Six freshman and six sophomores make up the 12-girl roster.

Freshman Khalia Miller was their first of six signings. Since starting her college career, Miller

has averaged 12.6 points per game. That is second best on the team in the category.

“She’s maturing a lot in her first year, which is good,” Milligan said. “She’s such a competitor.

For being such a small player, no challenge is too big for her. She’s very intense, especially on the defensive end of the floor.”

Sophomore guard Deb Holcomb leads the Lady Archers with 23.8 points per game.

“I think [they’re] a nice duo,” Milligan said.

Sophomore Khalilah Morrow and freshman Abby Holtkamp lead the Lady Archers from inside the paint, combining an average of 14.6 points per game.

From start to finish, Milligan said that the Lady Archers have the talent to travel deep into the playoffs.

“I got excited about this team over the summer — having all of the girls come in and fitting all of the pieces of the puzzle,” Milligan said. “They’re playing well together. I can’t wait to see how far we go this year.”

PHOTOS BY: DAVID KLOECKENER At left, Sophomore Guard Brandy Ward shoots to score Nov. 19 during a home game against McKendree College Junior Varsity. Above, Freshman Guard Khalia Miller dribbles down the court Nov. 19. The Lady Archers won 73-59.