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VOLUME 53, ISSUE 10 | THURSDAY FEB. 22, 2018 | WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

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A test of time: Black History Month at Meramec

The Louisiana Literacy Test, given to voters in the 1960’s, was marketed as a test to determine if takers were educated enough to vote. It was supposedly given to anyone who couldn’t prove education beyond a fifth-grade level, but according to news blog Slate.com, the test was given disproportionately to black voters. Many states had their own versions of the exam.

According to Buzzfeed, the test, some questions from which are reproduced above, had no formal answer key. Whether the taker passed or failed was left to the discretion of the grader. Participants had 10 minutes to answer 30 questions. A single incorrect answer resulted in failure and denial of their right to vote.

Riddled with purposeful spelling errors, confusing questions and misleading wording, literacy tests were common practice to prevent black Americans from voting. They remained common until the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which secured voting rights for racial minorities in America. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, the act is considered to be the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Fast forward to 1976, the year American president Gerald Ford officially established Black History Month.

Ford said that Americans should “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplish-

ments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, America has recognized February as Black History Month.

Andrew Smith is the director of TRIO Student Assistance Program at Meramec and the brain behind several of Meramec’s Black History Month events.

“I’m African-American and I haven’t always embraced my culture and my heritage for whatever reasons,” said Smith. “I just kind of sat back as I was driving on my way to work and realized that I really need to embrace my culture and my history. For me, to be able to expand this collegewide and to have other people embrace it as well, it’s a huge deal for me, to be proud of who I am.”

continued on page 4, related story on page 7

Meramec Professor Writes Play

The Importance of History

Archers Softball Out for Blood

-Art & Life, Page 5

-Opinions, Page 7

-Sports, Page 8

Page 2 | News Feb. 22, 2018

GOP tax bill will have consequences for higher ed Meramec political science professors weigh in on how Trump-era policies will affect students Stephen Buechter | Staff Writer

The Trump Administration is not student-friendly, according to Meramec political science professor John Messmer, Ph.D. With the GOP tax plan just recently instated, the effects of the bill have yet to be felt.

According to The Washington Post, the tax bill will lower taxes for most Americans until 2025, when the individual benefits expire, at which point only the richest Americans and corporations will benefit.

According to Time Magazine, students and educators could “breathe a sigh of relief” after Dec. 15, 2017, when Republican House and Senate leaders agreed to scrap policies that would have drastically changed tuition benefits. The House version of the bill, for example, eliminated a benefit that offset interest paid on student loans. The final bill kept the deduction intact.

Despite the worst student provisions being scrapped in the move from House to Senate versions of the bill, Messmer said the tax cuts Congress has passed could lead to even more cuts in public education spending.

“College students are going to be in debt,” Messmer said. “They’re going to hope to find some kind of relief when it comes to their debt, and yet when the government starts to take in less revenue, that means they have higher debt, so there’s going to be more pressure for them to cut spending.”

According to Messmer, the benefits to college students would be based on companies and others spending money on a local scale “trickling down” to students, but that such a policy is “not...to be taken seriously.”

While Messmer said that Trump’s administration “talked a good

game during the campaign”, he believes that promises Trump made relating to college were made because they “played well” in an election season where Bernie Sanders

appointment as Secretary of Education was a prime example that Trump has no intention of carrying through with his promises.

“The Devoses made their mon-

was a contender.

Emily Neal, Ph.D and associate professor of political science, said that Trump’s policy need to be judged by actions and not statements.

“To me, it really doesn’t matter what he says; I want to see what actions he takes to support students.

And, to me all the actions that he has taken with regard to education demonstrates that he doesn’t have support for students,” Neal said.

According to Neal, Betsy Devos’

ey through the student loan game,” Neal said.

The administration has considered “clamping down” on student loan payments, said Neal, and ththere has been talk that the Department of Education was previously “too lenient” in ensuring the payment of student loans.

Neal said that cuts to the Department of Education could impact the quality of professors and teachers hired in schools and colleges. It could also affect whether or not up-

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dated materials are available for use in classes and cause an increase in class sizes.

Messmer agreed, saying that increased class sizes and faculty cuts are examples of the effects of decreased funding for higher education.

STLCC has experienced this effect firsthand, when cuts to Missouri’s higher education slashed STLCC’s core funding by nearly $5 million. 58 full-time faculty were reduced as a result, although that number has been somewhat mitigated by some taking advantage of the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment, which encouraged early retirement with financial compensation.

Gov. Eric Greitens has since proposed another similar cut to Missouri’s higher education funding, which could eliminate another sizable chunk from STLCC’s core funding.

Chancellor Jeff Pittman has said that the results of this continued budget strain will likely be passed on to students in the form of tuition hikes.

Although education is primarily a state issue, said Messmer, there just isn’t a political will to do anything other than cut funding to education.

“Republicans and Democrats came to an agreement in the 1960s that higher education was one of the only tickets people have to move out up in the economy,” said Neal.

“As this continues forward, they’ll just continue to leave schools chronically underfunded, so again it disproportionately affects middle class and working class people. So, those who orchestrated the tax plan are some of the people least likely to experience the deleterious effects of that tax plan.”

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Page 3 | News 4 Feb. 22, 2018

Adjunct tackled at board meeting cleared of all charges

Steve Taylor walks free after lack of ‘sufficient evidence’ results in not guilty verdict Valentine’s day had a different meaning this year for Steve Taylor when he was acquitted of charges pressed

by STLCC. The former Wildwood adjunct faculty member came to national attention in October after being body slammed by an armed policeman at a Board of Trustees meeting.

Taylor was speaking out in regards to a board policy, which permitted clapping for administrative presentations but not during the public forum section of the meeting, when he began approaching the board and was subsequently tackled from behind.

Taylor was originally charged with both peace disturbance and resisting arrest. The latter charge, however, was dropped almost at once, a fact which the Riverfront Times attributes to a video released by the college of Taylor approaching the board showing him “in no way resisting.”

Late afternoon on Feb. 14, a municipal court judge dismissed the peace disturbance charge. According to Meramec student Xavier Phillips, who testified on Taylor’s behalf, the judge’s closing statement left no ambiguity.

“The judge’s closing remark was, ‘There’s no way this court could or would or should charge this man...The city has failed to provide sufficient evidence that this man has broken any ordinance,” said Phillips.

Taylor described himself as “thankful” regarding the outcome of his trial.

While he wouldn’t say whether or not the outcome was expected, he did suggest that his lawyers might have predict-

Photos by Chris Hutson

Cynthia Clausen

Sanela Mesic

Nancy Collier

Submitted Photo

Victoria Kettenacker

ed such a judgement.

“I was told that the law was on my side and that was the case,” said Taylor. “The court’s decision was proper and correct.”

While Taylor himself did not testify on his own behalf, Phillips said the defense presented a video of the board meeting from the back angle. In addition to Phillips, Forest Park adjunct faculty Brett Williams also testified, stating that Taylor was not aggressive and did not charge the board.

Testifying for Officer Robert Caples, the policeman who tackled Taylor, were two other STLCC police officers.

“They argued that [Taylor’s] behavior before the incident was somehow concerning or unusual. They tackled him simply because of the trustee’s fear for their lives, which is not something they could know,” said Phillips.

Phillips said he became nervous as the policemen testified, as they seemed to truly believe that they made the right call. However, the judge sided in favor of Taylor, establishing a need “to balance First Amendment Rights with the need for security of public officials.”

“Terms of engagement are not legally binding. The board can [establish rules] but they are not necessarily... making laws,” said Phillips. “I think the board was a little too sure of itself. It shows there’s a precedent for how these matters will be dealt with.”

The outcome of Taylor’s case may impact future legal proceedings. In late January, Taylor officially filed a lawsuit against STLCC in the Circuit Court of

St. Louis, with a trial by jury demanded.

Taylor is suing for 10 different counts including First Amendment violations, unlawful search and seizure and libel.

According to Lauren E. Bronson, one of Taylor’s lawyers, there is no timeline for when Taylor’s case will be heard.

“It will probably be a while. It was just filed last month,” said Bronson. “I would predict at least a year. Probably more than a year.”

Phillips said he believes STLCC will try to prevent the case from going to trial, but Taylor will not accept a settlement.

“He doesn’t want to settle. He wants them to face justice,” said Phillips. “It will be a long legal battle. I don’t think he’s afraid of that and I don’t think that’s what the college wants. But when you do wrong there are consequences. They tried to end this man’s career. I think it was a [despicable] move to charge him for disrupting peace when the disruption was him getting body slammed.”

Also in question is Taylor’s “No Trespass” order, which prohibits him from setting foot on any STLCC campus.

According to the 2017 Annual Security Report released by STLCC, a “No Trespass” order can be filed against someone “if there is enough reason to believe (through investigation) that an individual is likely to cause harm to any member on campus.”

With all charges dropped against Taylor, there may no longer be legal reason to uphold the order.

Regarding the legality of the situation, Bronson said she was unsure.

Photo Courtesy of STLCC

Melissa Wilkinson | Editor-in-Chief

Steve Taylor “That’s a good question,” said Bronson. “I’m looking into that myself.”

Whether or not the decision is upheld, Phillips said the result will be “interesting.”

“What they can’t use as a justification now is that he is a threat to the community,” said Phillips. “I think they should accept that they don’t have a case against Steve Taylor.”

According to Kedra Tolson, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, STLCC has no official statement on the matter.

“Because it’s part of a pending civil lawsuit, we won’t have any comment on that outcome,” said Tolson.

2017 John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Awardees honored Four Meramec faculty and staff receive award for leadership and teaching Chris Hutson | Staff Writer

The first Board of Trustees meeting this semester celebrated STLCC’s recipients of the John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award of 2017. It is an award given to teachers that exhibit exceptional leadership and teaching in the community college field. Four of Meramec’s professors received the honor.

CYNTHIA CLAUSEN Manager of Academic Support, Clausen was born in Nebraska and has what she called a “farm background.”

Clausen grew up mostly in central Illinois, attending school at Southern Illinois University where she earned her teaching degree in English education.

She moved on to work for a newspaper in a small town in southern Illinois before teaching high school in Bloomington, later obtaining a master’s degree in reading.

Clausen said she was surprised that many of her students were not able to read at a high school level. This prompted her to take a break from teaching to learn how to teach others how to read.

“It is its own kind of intelligence if you can help people see the intelligence they have in an area and translate that to a different area,” said Clausen.

“It’s making the personal translate into the greater learning experience.”

Of her award, Clausen said only that it is a teacher’s job to help people learn about themselves, connect with each other and find their place in the world.

“I feel like I’m doing what everybody should be doing,” said Clausen.

“We who have been around, who have experienced a lot, should be in a good

position to help people do that.”

SANELA MESIC Mesic obtained her bachelor’s from Webster University before finding a position as an academic coach at STLCC’s Florissant Valley campus working with high school students. Seven years ago she became an advisor for TRIO at Meramec. After one year she was promoted to director.

“In terms of how I work with students on campus, I really believe that it is important to begin with the end in mind,” said Mesic. “That helps students visualize that all of these little steps lead somewhere. And, if they visualize that every little step leads somewhere they’re more engaged in the process.”

Mesic credited her award to her “amazing colleagues” who go above and beyond to take care of students.

“I try to be very involved on campus and I’m really interested in promoting student engagement,” said Mesic.

NANCY COLLIER Both a chemistry professor and Meramec’s General Education Coordinator, Collier received her bachelor’s in chemistry from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, later receiving her Ph.D in the same subject from the University of Texas. Collier moved to St. Louis to work at Washington University.

“I kind of fell into teaching. I was doing research when I came into the St. Louis area, had three children, decided to stay home for a while, was looking for something to do and applied as an adjunct here,” said Collier. “I realized how passionate I was for teaching students

and to being with students and opening the doors of chemistry for them.”

After receiving official recognition, Collier said that her true award is watching her students become successful.

“Right now, I’m General Education Coordinator and it fits really well with my idea of teaching students because when we teach students, it’s not just chemistry. I teach them a lot of other skills as they learn the chemistry,” said Collier.

VICTORIA KETTENACKER Before joining STLCC, Kettenacker worked as the Fiscal and Administrative Manager for the state of Missouri’s Division of Youth Services for 11 years.

She began her career at Meramec in March of 2006 in Student Accounts.

Six years later she moved to her current position: Manager of Campus Business Services.

“I am responsible for the cashier’s office, mail services and business services…This position allows me the pleasure of working with students, staff and faculty on a daily basis.”

Kettenacker said that while she is honored to have been chosen as a recipient the honor is more of a group effort.

“Working at St. Louis Community College for the past 12 years has enabled me to contribute to the success of the college and the success of our students. My hardworking team and the talent of other individuals I work with on a daily basis keeps me motivated and excited about the important work we do as a community college,” said Kettenacker.

Page 4 | Art & Life

4

Feb. 22, 2018

Mural by Amanda Reagan, Carl Contevita and Hannah Hinton

Mural will say ‘Bienvenidos’ to International Students Typographic installation welcomes students in different languages Meramec’s campus is about to become a lot more welcoming. Circa this May, the blank wall on the first floor of the Student Center will be adorned with a mural produced by students from Michael Swoboda’s typography class.

Swoboda, who teaches many graphic design classes at Meramec, said he’s always seen the wall as an opportunity to tell a story. His first idea was a history of the campus.

“In the past few semesters I’ve tried a couple of projects where [my class] went down to the archives of the college near the Forest Park campus and went through all of their slides and spent a day scanning things. Those designs didn’t really come to fruition,” said Swoboda. “So I met with some of the [English as a Second Language] faculty here. We have a growing and outstanding body of students who come from all over the world and I think collectively we thought, wouldn’t it be fun to visualize a welcoming spirit for all these people from all these places?”

According to Swoboda, some of the ESL faculty asked their students to write a welcoming message (such as ‘hello’, ‘welcome’, or ‘we’re glad you’re here’) in their native language. Swoboda then gave the samples to his fall 2017 typography class, alongside the assignment to create a mural utilizing them.

Students were divided into groups to create their murals, which were then voted on by Meramec faculty, staff and students in January of this year.

The winning mural was produced by

Carl Contevita, Hannah Hinton and Amanda Reagan.

“There were two weeks of school left and [Swoboda] said we have this big project to do,” said Hinton. “We were like, come on, two weeks?”

Hinton said the group was stuck for a while but eventually came up with several ideas. Rather than focusing on layout first, the group first acknowledges that they wanted their design to be handwritten.

Hinton worked with Contevita to copy the messages from ESL students using paint brushes dipped in India ink.

Reagan then took the messages and scanned them, working with Hinton to place the words into their design.

“Our group was the only group that had three people in it. Everybody else had four,” said Reagan. “We were the underdogs. So when we found out we thought, “Oh, we were chosen?

That’s awesome!”

According to Swoboda, all the entries had strengths, but the selected mural was chosen for its “good hierarchy,” a design term referring to the conveyance of important information in a way that’s easily navigable for the reader.

“It was a good deal of big and small, interesting angles used. The type the students chose was recessed against other moments of type,” said Swoboda.

“It was 50 different writing styles that, by virtue of the good design skills of these three students, was made to look like almost a singular icon.”

Submitted Photo

Melissa Wilkinson | Editor-in-Chief

Carl Contevita designs handwritten type using India ink based on the submissions of STLCC ESL students.

Though the team submitted sever- ral can be produced on campus using al color schemes, the version selected the vinyl cutter in the Center for Visuby campus vote was a version with six al Technology lab, or if bids should be colors: red, orange, yellow and three taken from other companies. Swoboda shades of blue. According to Reagan, said he hopes it will be displayed in the her team wanted to go beyond STLCC’s Student Center by May. trademark blue.

“People want to see it now,” said “We figured, since people are com- Swoboda. “This is a 40-foot long typoing from all over the place, why have it graphic mural that says ‘we are happy be basic school colors?” said Reagan. you’re here.’ I hope once it’s installed “First it’ll catch your eye from the color that’s the spirit that people feel when but then you’ll look at it and think oh, they see it.” this has more of a message to it than a Though he has since graduated, colorful wall.”

Contevita echoed similar thoughts Swoboda said that now that the about his team’s mural. design is finalized, the next step is to “I want everyone to feel welcome create a mocked-up version. After that, when they come to STLCC Meramec,” research will be done to see if the mu- said Contevita.

STLCC Meramec celebrates Black History Month with campus events continued from page 1

Photo by Tania Robin Students Bo-Courtney Billops (left) and Derrick Baker (right) perform a song at the first Black History Month event on Feb. 7 in the cafeteria.

Smith said he wanted his events to reach “not just students, but faculty and staff, administrators, janitors.”

The first event, an open-mic stage, took place on Feb. 7 and was coordinated by sophomore Elijah Thomas. Students wrote and performed poems, songs and spoken word in Meramec’s cafeteria.

“I’m pleased with how our first event for Black History Month turned out,” said Thomas.

Another part of the event was an entrepreneurial showcase. One featured student was Gina Carr, current art major, who showed off her works from tattoo design to caricatures and portraits.

“Ever since I was taught to finger paint, I couldn’t stop painting and I’ve loved art ever since then,” said Carr.

Carr has been formally practicing art since the seventh grade. She had two tables displaying her work and handmade business cards for the event.

Also featured was Brad Riaze, COO and Co-Founder of his brand “Lite Apparel.”

His e-commerce business launched

in November 2017. He describes his wares with a “Vaporwave, retro-minimalistic studio vibe.”

Riaze attended the event with one of his models, Viridiana Suarez, both wearing sweatshirts from their brand.

Riaze’s website, which launched Christmas Eve, is lite-apparel.com.

Campus events have so far included a screening of a movie centered around a young Thurgood Marshall, a theater performance of ‘Letters to Harriet Tubman’ by Paul Morse and an African drum performance and workshop.

The final event is on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 3-5 p. m. in Meramec SC 201. The event will be a screening of ‘The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement.’ Free soda and popcorn will be provided.

Housekeeper Elaine Ranson will also offer some of her extensive collection of African art for display in the Academic Support Center from Feb. 2628. Ranson has been collecting African art for 10 years and has collected thousands of pieces. She will introduce the collection at 1p.m. on Feb. 28 in IR218.

Page 5 | Art & Life 4 Feb. 22, 2018

‘The Piddlings’ Sets the Stage for Spring Theater Season New comedy penned by Meramec professor centers on quirky St. Louis family Meramec’s theater season kicked off the spring semester with a theme appropriate for its Valentine’s Day release date; what defines love?

‘The Piddlings’ is a play written and produced by Meramec English-professor-turned-playwright Pamela Garvey.

Garvey penned the piece after a request from theater professor Keith Oliver last winter.

Oliver specifically requested a play with ‘quirky-eccentric’ characters, comedy, domestic scenes, no more than eight characters and no political agenda. Garvey then requested and received a grant from the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission and got to work.

“To write a play you need a premise to start with. Knowing that I needed a domestic scene, something quirky and comic, what I figured would be a good premise would be a family of characters, eccentric in their own ways,” said Garvey.

The play is set in modern day St. Louis and stars Madeline Piddling, a girl trying to introduce her boyfriend to her family without being utterly embarrassed by them. “[Madeline] is most embarrassed by her family, so she spends a lot of her time with her boyfriend around his family because they think she’s the best thing since sliced bread,” said Garvey.

“But in reality, his family is weirder than hers. She just can’t see it because she’s

blinded by love.”

The cast is a mix of alumni, current STLCC students and outsourced actors.

Scarlett O’Shaughnessy, current UMSL attendee and Meramec alumnus, plays Madeline Piddling.

“I like the dinner scene a lot. It’s when the boyfriend finally meets the family which is kind of what the whole play is leading up to,” said O’Shaughnessy. “All the excitement really explodes in that scene.”

The arrival of boyfriend Joseph Eagleton, played by Meramec alumnus Kalen Riley, is highly anticipated but not actually given any major screen time until the dinner scene.

“He’s talked about for most of the show until he shows up in the last twenty five minutes, which I find absolutely hilarious,” said Riley “He’s kind of hyped up the whole show by his girlfriend because she thinks that he and his family are perfect, but it comes out later that none of that is true.”

Pamela Garvey has authored several books and poems. Her upcoming poetry compilation, ‘7 Miles Deep’ will be out Mar. 17. ‘The Piddlings’ premiered Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 and ran until Sunday, Feb. 18.

‘The Piddlings’ is the third Meramec theater production of the 2017-2018 season. The final presentation will be the musical ‘Avenue Q’ which will premier in April.

Photos by Amanda Harris

Will Murry | Art & life

Top Right: The cast and crew of ‘The Piddlings, including director Keith Oliver and writer Pamela Garvey. Middle Right: Lorraine Jensen (Jordan Stiles) pours water down Richard Piddling’s (Sherard Curry) back after he aggravates her, just as Madeline Piddling (Scarlett O’Shaughnessy) is in the middle of helping him clean up from a previous water attack. Left: Ella (Dorothy Robinson) hugs Madeline Piddling after being told she is allowed to stay for the party, where Madeline’s family will meet Madeline’s boyfriend. Middle: Lorraine Jensen eats straight from her pot of pasta during dinner. Bottom Right: George Piddling (Wesley Kilburn) reads the fortune that Ella added to the salads during dinner.

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Page 7 | Opinions 4 Feb. 22, 2018

Calling All ‘Mania’cs: Fall Out Boy’s New Album Fall Out Boy is back with the madness after three long years of waiting for Patrick Stump’s soaring vocals and Pete Wentz’s lyrical magic. Their latest album, ‘Mania’, released on Jan. 19, is the epitome of an identity crisis and hits the listener with a wave of emotions like the one pictured on the cover.

Track 1: ‘Young and Menace’ It’s not a bad thing that every song on this album is its own genre. This is particularly apparent in ‘Young and Menace.’ However, despite the energy and catchiness, this song’s lyrics and depth are overshadowed by all the EDM beats. The chorus was too long and everything seemed to be thrown together haphazardly. This is the kind of song you blast while speeding down the highway.

While it’s not my favorite on the album, this song definitely grew on me.

Track 2: ‘Champion’ This song is my favorite on the album. Despite the added amplification to Stump’s vocals, this song is the band going back to their roots. Even though the chorus lyrics are a little too simplistic and repetitive, the guitar undertones and crashing snares really drive it forward and give a strong sense of raw power. Patrick Stump being “back with the madness” is like a battle cry to the world. The chorus emphasizes how “true champions are created not born.” All in all, its meant to empower the community through insecurities and other struggles. The whole thing gives me Ancient Rome stadium vibes.

Track 3: ‘Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea’ The driven, upbeat chorus line makes you feel strong and as though you can accomplish anything, but ironically the lyrics, “the only thing that’s stopping

me is me,” beg to differ. As the chorus reaches its close, Stump sings, “I testify, if I die in my sleep/Then know that my life was just a killer dream.” The way the line is sung makes it seem very bold and celebratory, when in reality, Pete’s lyrical vision captured it in a dimmer lighting.

They no longer care as much for glory, recognition and fame; they just want to live an exhilarating, fulfilling life.

Track 4: ‘Hold me Tight or Don’t’ Despite this song being ranked number nine on the charts, it’s overdone, generic pop junk. Even though I’m a firm believer in experimenting with new sound, it seems too random. There are some parts of the song I do like: the synthesizer behind the “woah’s” in every chorus, a couple short guitar riffs, too. And the bridge, which is the only section that sounds even remotely like them. The tune masks the genuine message, unless the song is actually representative of how he wears his happiness like a mask. At least it’s fun to dance to.

Use it for a luau (or don’t.)

Track 5: ‘Last of the Real Ones’ This is another really popular song (according to itunes) and I can tell why.

There is a certain strength and jubilance to Patrick’s voice when he starts singing.

There are a lot of lyrical ties to previous albums, like the “gold plated” reference from “Infinity on High”. I love how this song reaches out to those who’ve formed a close bond in their lives. It leaves listeners in a “You and I” against the world kind of mindset and proves to be the anthem for all things daring and bold.

Track 6: ‘(Wilson) Expensive Mistakes’

I love how Pete continually makes references to forgetting what he was

Submitted Photo

Lauren Johns | Staff Writer

doing at the time. The whole “Mania” theme really plays into the irony of “forgetting what you were crazy about.”

This song is possibly the most relatable on the album. For instance, Pete throws in a little comedy with the line, “and when I say I’m sorry I’m late, I didn’t plan on showing up at all.” Every college student has used this little white lie at some point in their lives. In addition, Pete became “such a strange shape,” from trying to fit in, even more reason to stay in the dark. The song has a laidback nostalgic vibe and closes with Patrick’s voice in acapella, ending on the word “color,” pure and genuine.

Track 7: ‘Church’ The symphony of bells and choral is somehow uplifting and creepy at the same time. Although the chorus is simplistic, the music makes up for it just enough to leave a large impact on the listener. My favorite part of the entire song is the amazing yet unexpected rhythm change from the chorus to the verse. It sounds so easy and effortless with Patrick’s impressive vocal range.

The lyrics in the bridge seem to show

the darker undertones of life. Based on this, time is fleeting and we can sit around and wait for our turn to come or we can love what we have to the point of worshipping it. Truthfully, this song is holy to me.

Track 8: ‘Heaven’s Gate’ I enjoy how soulful, old time rock’n’ roll and almost jazzy this song is. It was pretty mediocre until Patrick’s high note after the bridge. All in all it was another opportunity for Pete’s lyrics to showcase how hard it is for people to change and to know who they are. They need someone holy, like a ray of light, showing them the way to positive change.

Track 9: ‘Sunshine Riptide’ Nothing about this song knows what it wants to be. In the beginning, it sounds like the typical indie rock with a little bit of futuristic synth to it. But then, Burna Boy randomly starts singing with a reggae style. I get it; it’s meant to remind listeners of the ocean and sunnier times. But it’s constantly changing and you never know what to expect. A “riptide” is unpredictable and rapidly moving so the song must be that way on purpose, which in a weird way is kind of genius. I actually love this song for its outlandish creativity.

Track 10: ‘Bishop’s Knife Trick’ This song is a breath of fresh air and a strong finish to a well-crafted album.

In the verse, he proves how disconnected he feels from the real world, as if he lives in an entirely different dimension altogether. It all takes a darker turn with the “last blues line” possibly representing pills and how close he was to suicide. But on a more positive note, it was the last of them and he’s continued living his life.

The Test that Barred Thousands from Voting The importance of the Louisiana State Voter Literacy Test

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I recently read the Sean Thomas story and felt a disappointment in this student not being able to graduate from St. Louis Community College. I went to the bookstore looking for the Student Conduct Book and found out it’s a one-page directive online in an obscure place.

What I did find was a student who did not have to give up his/her First Amendment rights to attend this school. What I did learn was a student who felt he could not graduate from this school with his constitutional rights intact. This school should make sure it is understood that students are the number one priority of this institution.

According to the Webster University Journal on Jan. 25, 2018, Chancellor Jeff Pittman said “[People’s] key for a successful life is continuing their education.”

Thank you, Daniel Jackson Meramec Alumnus

Senior year of high school I enrolled in an African-American history course. It was the first time it was ever taught in my high school. There, my classmates and I were educated on what is possibly one of the most important, and most controversial, state documents of the civil rights era: the Louisiana State voter literacy test.

My teacher, Kaylan Holloway, gives this test to his students every Black History Month. Last February was the first time many of us had ever heard it. It was introduced to us as a test to “prove our fifth-grade education for our right to vote”. I thought that it had to be easy enough. Thirty questions about shapes and simple math and then I’m done. But the reality of the test was way more sinister.

The questions are meant to confuse. They’re nothing but logic twisters that even those with education beyond a fifth-grade level have a difficult time with. The purpose of these tests were obvious; they were just another tool that southern state governments used to prevent black people from voting.

As I took a deeper look into these questions I started to see that the answers for some of the questions could be completely subjective. Some could be stretched and twisted to an answer that was not what most would find the answer to be. On top of that, the test was timed. Participants had ten minutes

Graphic by Noah Sliney

Will Murry | Art & Life Editor

to complete the test. If only one question was answered incorrectly, you were automatically failed and denied the right to vote.

After the ten minute time limit, I was still hanging on the logic of one of the questions and I didn’t even finish. I just felt tricked and confused. The main question I asked myself was “Why do you need to answer any of this to vote?”. The answer is plain and simple; you shouldn’t, but the state governments at the time were barring African Americans from voting and this was one of the loopholes they used to do it.

Despite how much these tests af-

fected the voting rights of African Americans during the civil rights movement, I’ve gotten the impression that nobody knows what these tests are or their historical importance. This Black History Month I took it upon myself to try and get this test to a larger audience to show one of the barriers that African American voters had to break through in the fight for equal rights. I believe that this test should be given to high schoolers across America that are close to voting age, just like how it was given to me, to promote awareness of the the crueler and more obscure sides of the civil rights movement.

Page 8 | Sports Feb. 22, 2018

Archers softball sophomores are out for blood ‘Back to basics’ is the theme of pre-season preparation for regionals Vengeance is this season’s motivation to win, said Archers softball first baseman Sarah Goers.

According to Goers, her team is still reeling from last year’s loss to Cottey College. It was a well-played game with plenty of home runs and opportunities to showcase the Archers’ offensive and defensive skills. Ultimately, said Goers, it came down to “who was better.” The win would have won regionals for the Archers and earned them a place in the national competition.

“Losing to Cottey really took a hit,” said Goers. “I know a lot of the sophomores are out for blood this year.”

Head Coach Kristi Swiderski said it’s that very drive that keeps her team fighting through pre-season.

“They want to win. They want to hit the ball far. They show up to practice every day,” said Swiderski. “When we started the program, we talked about the beginning of a new legacy. The girls really bought into that. They finished last year 38-10 and fifteenth in the country. I think they really got a taste of what success is like and they want to build on that. They’re wanting to continue that legacy and outdo last year.”

Swiderski has been coaching for the Archers for the past two years. Before STLCC she coached softball at UMSL in the early to mid 1990’s, quitting to take a full-time position and become a mom.

It wasn’t until a personal tragedy that she rejoined the world of softball.

“Our son died of brain cancer in 2015. That was when the [Archers] coach resigned and we just kind of walked into it,” said Swiderski. “They had been wanting us to take over for a while but we just couldn’t grip it. When I say we I mean me and my husband because we’re a packaged deal.”

Swiderski’s husband, Joe, is an assistant coach for Archers softball. He is also the athletic facilities supervisor at Meramec. Swiderski says they coach together “all the time.” Outside of

Photo by Syed Ali

Melissa Wilkinson | Editor-in-Chief

Archers softball enjoys a rare outdoor practice on (DATE) to prepare for their upcoming season in March.

Meramec, they also coach three other teams in a program the couple started: the St. Louis Stix.

According to Goers, both Swiderskis consider the team their children, both on and off the field.

“We call them Mom and Dad,” said Goers.

Though the Archers have good defense, said Swiderski, their offense is where their true power lies. Her team is composed of a “nice balance of been-there-done-that sophomores and freshmen.”

Among Swiderski’s sophomores to watch are centerfielder Anna Counts and outfielder Morgan Moss.

“Anna was an all conference shortstop last year. She’s got incredible speed and she chases down balls that other outfielders don’t,” said Swiderski.

“Transfer Morgan Moss [has] got some killer power. The other day she hit five over the fence on five pitches.”

A sophomore herself, Goers has

seen numerous players come and go. She said what makes the current team unique is the number of multitalented players.

“We definitely have more people who can play different positions. Moving people around creates a different way of playing the game rather than each person playing one position,” said Goers.

According to catcher and third baseman Haley Fisher, also a sophomore, the team’s atmosphere changed with the addition of many new freshman, but that didn’t stop the team from growing close through their pre-season practice.

“We’ve made a lot of improvements over this winter and we’re ready to start up in March,” said Fisher. “We’ve been working on a lot of our basic fundamentals. Kind of starting over and just really focusing on our momentum to carry on into the game.”

Fisher said the team has only been

able to practice outside three times this semester, hosting most of their sessions in Meramec’s gymnasium. Due to the limited space, the team sets up special enclosed practice areas where they can hit the ball without risk of causing damage.

“Every time we’re indoors all of it gets set up,” said Fisher. “The cage, our nets. We set up a little field area. We actually do our front toss in there...It just gives us an area where we’re not going to hit things, break lights and all that.”

Aside from Cottey, Fisher’s list of teams to beat include East Central, Mineral Area and St. Charles Community College. Despite the long road ahead, Fisher said she isn’t worried about her team’s chances for regionals.

“I really like the coaches and the connection we have on this team is fun and outgoing,” said Fisher. “I think we’ll be really good this year.”

The Archers’ 2018 season starts officially on Mar. 5.

Photos by Stephen Buechter

Upcoming Games Feb. 24

Baseball Olive-Harvey College Home at 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball MCC Penn Vally Away 3 p.m.

Women’s Basketball MCC Penn Vally Away 3 p.m.

Left: The Lady Archers face off against the Cottey College Lady Comets at the Sixth Annual Cancer Awarenesss Game on Saturday, Feb. 17. Right: A table features donated prizes to be given out via raffle. All money raised was donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Feb. 25

Sixth annual Archers basketball Cancer Awareness Game played on Forest Park campus

Feb. 27

On Saturday, Feb. 17, STLCC’s Archers and Lady Archers played in the name of something bigger than victory. The Sixth Annual Cancer Awareness Game brought parents, students and community members alike to the Forest Park gymnasium to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Money was raised via raffle, with several donated prizes on offer.

Playing against the Archers were the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Stars. The Lady Archers faced off against the Cottey College Lady Comets.

The opening ceremony included the national

anthem sung by Spencer Gleason, the US Marine Corps Color Guard and the McCleur High School Band from Florissant, MO. The half-time show featured the Dupo High School Dance Team with a solo from Michaela Rouggly and the McCleur High School Dance Team.

The Cancer Awareness Game is played yearly in honor of Mike and Judy Ethridge, parents of the Lady Archers’ Head Coach Shelly Ethridge and Kim Dumstorff. Mike and Judy Ethridge lost their battles to cancer. The two were large supporters of STLCC.

Baseball Olive-Harvey College Home 12 p.m.

Baseball Southwestern Illinois College Home 1 p.m.

March 2

Men’s Basketball Region 16 Semi Final Jefferson City, MO Away 3 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Region 16 Semi Final Jefferson City, MO Away 3 p.m.