Monta e The
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St. Louis Community College–Meramec
May 5, 2011 Vol. 46 Issue 14
Meramec stands back from Forgotten Genocide
STLCC distances itself from the conference because of speaker’s associations Jacob Hight
- Graphics Editor -
In its second year, Meramec student Ann Morrison has personally sponsored the Forgotten Genocide Conference, which she began as an independent study project in 2009 while a student at STLCC-Meramec. The conference features lectures and a documentary about the cleansing of ethnic Germans during the aftermath of World War II; survivors of the genocide and their descendents share their stories. The project continues. However, George Wasson, vice president of academic affairs, said the college is distancing itself from the project since it was discovered that Tom Sunic, a 2010 Forgotten Genocide conference speaker, is the director of the American Third Position (A3P). According to its website, the A3P’s mission “exists to represent the political interests of White
Americans.” Sunic is also one author for the Occidental Observer, whose flag at the top of the page sports the motto, “white identity, interests and culture.” Sunic was not included in this year’s conference. Morrison said she was unaware of Sunic’s affiliations while he was a part of last year’s conference. “I don’t think that she had that knowledge prior,” Wasson said. “I would hate to see Ann hurt in this. I think she has every sincerity of good in this and it’s a shame that sometimes, for all of us, if we aren’t careful we can be associated with people who are less than desirable.” Last year, Sunic interviewed Morrison for his radio show, “The Voice of Reason.” Sunic’s involvement with the conference last year resulted in the Meramec logo appearing on his website, which Wasson said was not sanctioned. Also, the names of Meramec students and faculty members appeared on
his website. School officials are working to remove this information from Sunic’s site. “It would be a shame if we had people who didn’t come to the college and get their education because they had an idea that we represent something we don’t,” Wasson said. “That would be a shame for students to lose their opportunity because of that misconception.” The Conference The conference was first held in February 2010 on the Meramec Campus. However, this year the conference was held at the Viking Holiday Inn hotel in Crestwood. Meramec History Professor Dirk Voss, Ph.D., said the conference was held off-campus for two reasons. The first was the date of the conference changed and the space they would need was unavailable. The second was related to concerns rooted in Sunic’s involvement with the conference the year before.
Lady Magic Competes in Regionals Meramec softball team competes in 2011 tournament Spencer Gleason - Sports Editor -
When the final out was recorded for the 2010 Lady Magic softball team in the Region XVI Tournament, last season, the Magic had finished in second place. Looking to build off of a silver medal, the Magic entered the 2011 campaign with hopes of achieving gold. “I would take our successes that we had toward the end of the tournament and the momentum that we had toward that last game and we build it into a team that has more talent, more aggressiveness and more hunger to get that regional title this year,” head coach Kim
McCall said at the beginning of the season. However, due to the inclement weather at the beginning of the season, the Magic held practices inside the gymnasium. With eight of their first 16 games being rained out, the Magic first found the win column during an eight-game stretch in four days while in Pensacola, Fla. In total, 18 games, including their last six, along with the Daffodil Classic and Meramec Invitational, were rained out and not replayed. With 35 percent of their games lost because of weather, the Magic were never able to get in the swing of things; compiling an 11-29 regular season record and a .291 winning percentage
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Should Meramec support the Forgotten Genocide?
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C 46%
A 27% B 27%
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Meramec Political Science Professor John Messmer, Ph.D., and Voss, both gave lectures at the conference. Messmer spoke on the use of critical thinking to combat nationalism, which he said is at the root of genocide. Former Meramec mass communications professor Scott Dorough videotaped the conference. In addition to a documentary and lectures, the conference included art from survivors, genealogy, biographies, two fashions shows displaying traditional Eastern European-German clothing and modern clothing still influenced by that tradition. The conference concluded with a traditional German Folk dance accompanied by a Polka band. Morrison said her goals were more than just raising awareness of the cleansing. She said it was “bigger” than that. “The people who survived it, they live with a guilt you can’t even understand, just
‘‘Separation’’ See Page 2
Meramec makes music
(7-17) against teams in their conference. “This weather has not been kind to us at all,” McCall said after a 9-1 loss to Mineral Area College on March 31. “You can say this season has been a rollercoaster.” For as many ups and downs that the Lady Magic had over the course of the year, they looked for a rebound in the 2011 Region XVI Tournament. There, in the double-elimination tournament, everybody started over with a 0-0 record. However, just as it had earlier in the season, the rain from the nights before April
‘‘Softball’’ See Page 11
Midwest tornado tears through Missouri One Meramec student shares her experience with the April 29 storm
because they’re German,” Morrison said. According to Morrison, the German ethnicity is rooted in the Germanic tribes, which is distinct from being a German citizen; there are ethnic Germans who have lived in various parts of Europe for hundreds of years. “They never lived in Germany, they were never under the Nazi rule, they were never a part of the ‘Third Reich.’ Nothing. In fact, in the video you’ll hear them say ‘I didn’t even know anything was going on until 1945, 1944,’ you know? People don’t know there was a whole different population of German people,” said Morrison. Morrison said in the United States, there is still a climate of fear about claiming ethnic Germans were victims. “People are afraid to say the German people were victims because they’ll be called Nazi’s,” Morrison said.
Keith and Eric Hoffman, guitarist and percussionist for Sack Lunch respectively, sing one of their songs at Battle of the Bands. They were one of six bands that played at Battle of the Bands on April 29.
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Perspectives clash on classroom expectations Writer and professor look at teacher-student responsibilities
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Biology class goes from learning to teaching Students tutor high school students for final exam
2 NEWS
May 5, 2011
Q&A with Myrtle Dorsey Kurt Oberreither - Staff Writer -
What have you learned as chancellor at BRCC that you can apply to your position here at STLCC?
PHOTO BY: MIKE ZIEGLER
Ed Tullius, president of the Danuschwabien Foundation and vice president of the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Verein, speaks to attendees at the Forgotten Genocide Conference on Friday April 29. The conference addressed the hidden mass killing of ethnic germans after WWII.
Genocide project continues Continued from Page 1 “That’s still the stigma today. That’s why the story’s never been told.” Morrison said she hopes to get information about the German genocide into middle school, high school and college curriculums. “There are very few young adults, my age, middle-age on down, who know what this is about and it affects them dramatically,” Morrison said. The long-term effects of living through genocide or a death camp are passed down through generations, comparing it to cycles of spousal or child abuse, according to Morrison.
“There are definite psychological effects from surviving something like that that funnels down from generation to generation. You don’t even know you’re doing it,” Morrison said. Morrison plans to continue the project despite the controversy and distance from her school. She said plans to document the impact the genocide has had on the descendents of survivors. “It’s a very touchy subject. People keep saying, ‘You’re so strong for doing this,’ and ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this’ and ‘My gosh, are you crazy?’ I get ‘crazy’ a lot,” Morrison said.
At BRCC, I gained invaluable experience in the working to start a school, building a campus from the ground up, confronting major challenges such as budget obstacles, and dealing with emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. Those experiences have reaffirmed my conviction that it is crucial to bring the entire campus together—students, faculty, and staff—to work as a team.
Where do you see the college (STLCC) going in the next couple years?
As STLCC’s new chancellor, I am succeeding an outstanding, nationallyrecognized leader whom I respect. We will continue to focus on the nation’s completion agenda for all community colleges, which I know STLCC already has as one of their top priorities.
Which aspect of student life do you think can be improved upon?
There is always the opportunity to get more students involved in the great programs and services that are offered on our campuses. Once I arrive, I plan to review our programs and talk to students, faculty and staff before making any determinations.
Faculty and Staff?
I first want to simply hear from them… to just listen and get to know everyone. My eventual goal will be to see how we can better equip them to do the vital work they do each and every day.
As chancellor, how do you plan to improve transparency at STLCC?
I am first looking forward to getting to know everyone at STLCC and becoming more familiar with its policies and procedures. What is your biggest goal during your time at our college? My goal is to advance and strengthen STLCC’s participation in the broader mission of all community colleges: to provide access to all who desire to further their education.
How do you balance
your family life with your professional one?
I have made a concerted effort to ensure balance between my personal and professional life. The demands of my responsibilities mean that I am not always successful, but it is a work in progress.
Are you looking forward to living in St. Louis?
I am very excited about both my new position and my new city. I’m looking forward to moving to St. Louis.
What is your favorite thing about being chancellor?
I love graduation. It is a celebration of the accomplishments of our students as well as the excellent faculty and staff who have supported them. Visit
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NEWS
May 5, 2011
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Guest speaker talks out about life as a disabled veteran Kelly Davis - Copy Editor -
On April 29, the veterans’ abilities were recognized. In the Meramec Theatre, Sgt. Brian Hawthorne told his life story; letting others know his disability, which led to his abilities and success. STLCC-Meramec Interim President Zerrie Campbell began the event by explaining she also understands the life of the disabled for she has had two knees replaced. She said we should celebrate ability because “What doesn’t kill us
makes us stronger.” Jim Frost, department chair of mathematics at Meramec, introduced Hawthorne as Campbell took her seat. “I just met him yesterday. I took to him like a fishing wire,” Frost said. Frost said he was honored to hear Hawthorne’s story. “Telling my story to others is therapeutic… although everyone can read about it online, because with Google you can’t hide whatever you have done,” Hawthorne said. Hawthorne grew up
PHOTO BY: DAVID KLOECKENER
Guest speaker Sgt. Brian Hawthorne, Access Office Manager Linda Nissenbaun and Interim President Zerrie Campbell wait to shake students’ hands as they pass. Hawthorne said it is his dream to reach out to other veterans.
in New York, though he currently lives in D.C. His parents divorced when he was in high school. He said he was interested in school “apathetically.” “School bored me. I wasn’t engaged,” Hawthorne said. “I liked fire fighting; it had a public service aspect.” When he was 16, Hawthorne volunteered as a fire fighter. After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, he said he wanted to take on more. Therefore, he joined the Army Reserve when he was 18. “The army got me out of the house and kept me in line,” Hawthorne said. “In May 2005, I was deployed to Iraq with the Alpha 401st Civil Affairs Battalion to Mosul.” After spending time in Iraq, Hawthorne said he spent time at home before he redeployed to Baghdad with the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) in July 2007. “I missed being on the battlefield. I actually felt guilty for going home,” Hawthorne said. “I had nightmares about it.” In Baghdad he volunteered as a military medic, which he said left him in charge of millions. On Sept. 26, 2007, he carried out his abilities by saving Sgt. Shaun
Chandler when his vehicle was struck by an explosively formed penetrating (EFP) improvised explosive device. “I did what I was trained to do as a medic,” Hawthorne
up with the teachers.” He was diagnosed with traumatic brain damage. “I am considered a disabled veteran. This is my struggle,” Hawthorne said.
“I am considered a disabled veteran. This is my struggle...”
-Sgt. Brain Hawthorne
said. “I applied tourniquets, administered intravenous fluids and medicines, and treated the soldier for shock.” Hawthorne said that Baghdad left him with many sleepless nights. He spent most of his nights reading, which allowed him to complete his associate degree. “Everyone had difficulty sleeping. Eighty percent of my unit was on sleeping pills,” Hawthorne said. “We were stuck in our nightmares hoping to make it through each day. This really wears down on a person but we knew we were making a difference.” After his mission in Baghdad, Hawthorne went to George Washington University to finish his education. He then discovered he could not focus or “keep
“As a country, we have to create a culture where we can talk about success and struggles.” Hawthorne has made it his dream to reach out to other veterans by “raising awareness about organizations and campus communities that appeal to veterans and discuss their social and health issues.” As a community, he said he would like everyone to work together to ensure that people are getting their education in every type of field. “We are the generation that has a story to tell. We can’t dwell in our own difficulties. We must honor our mistakes by learning from them,” Hawthorne said. “We must be proud of our abilities and our success.”
EF-4 tornado sweeps the area and leaves behind devastation for a Meramec student Rory Sullivan - Staff Writer -
When an EF-4 tornado ripped through Bridgeton, Mo., on April 22, it left behind a trail of wreckage: toppled homes, flipped automobiles and uprooted trees. One student at STLCC-Meramec witnessed the aftermath of the tornado after she discovered that her mother was caught in the path of the destruction. Amanda Fay, who lives with her boyfriend in Kirkwood, was visiting her boyfriend’s mother when she received a phone call from her mother, Patricia. “We got a phone call and she told me ‘The house is gone, the house is gone,’” Fay said. Fay said she thought the storm was going to hit her area in Kirkwood, but she was shocked to find that it actually landed in her mother’s neighborhood in Bridgeton. “I was panic-stricken. I literally started crying my eyes out. We drove all the way out there,” Fay said. When Fay got back to her old neighborhood in Bridgeton, only two out of 14 homes were left standing. Since then, she’s been working to determine what is salvageable and what is not.
Fay said all of the family’s cars were totaled, furniture was ruined, and the entire computer room was blown out. No one was injured or killed, including the Fays’ six pets. The Fays and other neighborhood residents received assistance from the community shortly after. Home Depot, in partnership with Service International, brought approximately 90 people to assist families affected by the storm. Brad Collins, store manager of Home Depot’s Bridgeton location, was there to help the Fays less than a week later. “Basically what we did
was come out and get her personal belongings from out of the basement that were salvageable and get them into her U-Haul van,” Collins said. “We helped her transport two vehicles over to her temporary residence.” According to Collins, the organized nature of Patricia’s home is what made the recovery of some of her belongings possible. Collins loaded up the Fays’ U-Haul van with the items Patricia had kept stored in the basement on shelving units and in tote bags. Items in other parts of the house, Collins said, are unlikely to turn up. Collins said the damage
in the neighborhood ranges from mild to severe. “You’re up there and you’re looking at the devastation on this whole block and some homes are standing, some are totally gone, some are partially there, and almost all of them are uninhabitable at this point,” Collins said. Fay said while the physical destruction of her
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home is a great loss for her, it is the memories that she will miss the most. The place where her grandmother spent her last five years of her life is now gone, and the room where Fay once slept is now destroyed. “You always think it won’t happen to your family,” Fay said. “But… it did.”
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OPINIONS Pursuit of Happiness
May 5, 2011
Sex
Self-improvement
Locating opportunities
Joe Douglas
- Editor-in-Chief -
O
pportunity is invisible to the naked eye. It comes and goes, but it doesn’t make itself known until it’s already gone. Therefore, as a tribute to this one-and-ahalf-year-old column, here is a definitive guide to discovering opportunity before it’s too late. An opportunity is anything that, if taken, contributes to a greater goal. The greater goal can be a career, marriage, a sport title, or anything substantial. Opportunities make these greater goals possible. The greatest resource available to students is opportunity. It comes in the form of clubs, jobs, classes, schools, awards and relationships. Opportunity is everywhere but everyone, including the writer of this column, misses out on them from time to time. The opportunities people choose to invest in are key to their future success, so it’s more important for college students than any other age group to start looking around and finding stuff to do. Focusing on one thing alone is a terrible idea, whether it’s schoolwork or video games. Opportunities are everywhere. Many opportunities are obvious, like the ones provided above. Others are well hidden. For example, leaving a job (for any reason) can feel defeating, but that next job could be so much better. I struggled in my first semester of Meramec when I was working at Washington University. It was high-pressured and I wasn’t ready for that environment. I was also working anywhere from 15 to 35 hours per week and taking 16 credit hours. My weeks were unpredictable and
POLITICS
Keeping Them Honest
Politics and Media
Death of bin Laden is not ‘cut and dry’
I couldn’t join any clubs with that workload. I left after my first year at Meramec and joined Phi Theta Kappa and became a student ambassador. I didn’t exactly have another job I could turn to, so I found opportunity to develop my skills in clubs. After losing that one obligation, my life opened up for so much more. I made many friends and became more outgoing than I thought possible. One year after I left my job at WASHU I became the editor-in-chief of the Montage, an opportunity I didn’t see coming until the day my advisor brought up the opportunity. Then there is opportunity within opportunity. While on the Montage, I’ve had the option to travel around the country to journalism conferences where I learned about media law, networking and leadership. Further opportunities to use what I learned followed. The bottom line here is: opportunity is everywhere. It’s in success, it’s in loss, and it’s within other opportunities. It can be found in activities or people. Never count out anything or anyone. Always consider the options and opportunity will follow. Jumping on an opportunity can be just as difficult as finding it. It takes courage and sacrifice. On the other hand, it could very well be an easy transition. The summer is full of opportunities. Think about the greater goal and consider what activities are available that will make reaching that goal easier or quicker. This summer, I will transfer to Mizzou where I will find new opportunities to become a motivational author and speaker. For anyone who will still be at Meramec when next fall comes around, remember: there is opportunity in everything. As my opportunity at the Montage comes to a close, I welcome the next one.
Patrick Olds
D
- Opinions Editor -
uring the course of this column, the one main theme that has been repeated from beginning through its conclusion is media literacy. Pessimism pays when reading news and deciphering sources in order to find truth. This past weekend was the celebration of the decade. Finally, after 10 disappointing and grueling years, the United States had killed Usama bin Laden. A group of 40-plus Navy Seals on four Blackhawk helicopters stormed a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and apparently were ordered by America’s chief executive, President Barack Obama, to “shoot to kill.” It was quite odd how news and events unfolded Sunday night. When the news came out, there was shock and disbelief. “Could bin Laden really be dead?” He was and the president made sure everyone knew it. In his address to the nation, Obama made sure everyone was aware that he gave the order and implied that he should get some praise. Sure, he thanked the soldiers but it was odd how he presented this information. It was almost as if this event had happened and, as Obama’s former Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emmanuel said, “Never let a crisis go to waste.” Obama wanted to exploit this event as a political rallying point. Whether he did it on purpose or not, it’s a fair discussion to have. Is Obama now positioned to be unstoppable during the 2012 presidential election? As soon as news was out Sunday night about bin Laden, there was a crowd quickly gathered outside of the White House, almost too quickly. If anyone was being pessimistic about the gathering
they might have asked what group of people was doing the celebrating outside of the White House. It looked like a very young crowd, which is unusual, to say the least. Based on recent history and observations, u s u a l l y college-age students are generally anti-war and hesitant to celebrate any military victory. That’s why it was odd to see such a young group. As I watched further, handheld political signs started to stick out that made it seem more likely that this was a staged event to rally political support for Obama. Political signs such as “Latinos for Obama” were being raised. The crowd seemed overly bloodthirsty for a group that usually is so pacifist. It’s almost as if people were told to rally around the White House and yell and scream and shout support. It didn’t seem like people knew what they were chanting about. This country usually doesn’t lust for blood like the lust that was on display Sunday night. Usama did terrible things. He furthered hate and murder as much as anyone on Earth. Americans don’t chant for blood, though. This idea of pessimism may seem over the top to some, but, in actuality, people should be this way all of the time. Don’t take for granted the news or information that is sent through the airwaves. Everyone should be their own reporter and political analyst. The idea that the media have public’s best interest at heart is no longer true and hasn’t been for a long time. Everyone has bias. Therefore, even if a reporter does what they can to be ethical, it’s not always a reality. Watch out for yourselves.
What do you remember most about this academic school year?
Online Columns
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That’s what she said; that’s what he said
America kicks ass
Ed Ellerman - Student -
“The people. Meramec is one of the few places where you can see trumpets playing and at the same time footballs are being tossed around. It’s a lively place. Other campuses are dry in comparison.”
Mason McParlane - Student “I learned dance moves at the International Festival. I dressed up like a nerd at the dodgeball game hosted by student ambassoders and felt like overall I had a good, fun year on campus.”
Kelly Davis - Copy Editor -
Shane Rice - News Editor -
Farewell from Us Kelly and Shane hope that everyone benefited from the wisdom they did their best to bestow.
Kavahn Mansouri - Art & Life Editor -
Roughing the passer on the U.S. - Penalty Accepted As the United States celebrates the death of Osama bin Laden, terrorists stuggle to locate their coach.
Emily Neal - Instructor, Ph.D. “I am most impressed by all the events that took place on campus outside of the classroom including the midterm elections, Disability Awareness Day and Women’s History Month. It provided much diversity and brought an added element to campus.”
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OPINIONS
May 5, 2011
Both sides of the teacher-student relationship Teacher
Student
In her 1977 convocation address to Douglass College, Adrienne Rich instructed students to claim their educations by taking themselves and their professors s e r i o u s l y. She said, “If university education means anything beyond Jeffrey the processing Schneider of human beings - Assistant Professor into expected of English roles, through credit hours, tests and grades, it implies an ethical and intellectual contract between teacher and student.” In terms of the relationship between professors and students, the key element is developing a mutual respect for this ethical and intellectual contract by creating a classroom in which both parties take their responsibilities seriously and work consistently to create an enriching learning environment. In my many years of teaching, I have come to understand students do not always have a clear sense of what we professors expect in our classrooms. I have had students argue with me over grades because they felt if they did the work and came to class, they deserved a certain grade—often one much higher than their performance merited. I have even had students either suggest or state outright they paid for their courses and by extension my services and therefore deserve a better return on their investment. More commonly, students argue they should not be penalized for missing class or not being prepared because if they can do the work without coming or reading, what’s the point? I cannot presume to speak for all my colleagues, but I can speak to certain general expectations many of us share. First and foremost, we want
students to engage with our courses. To do so, students must take their courses seriously and come prepared to participate on a daily basis in the academic discourse communities professors attempt to create. The notion of an academic discourse community is central to our discussion. In college, we ask students to enter a conversation about important ideas with not only us but with their fellow students. Why the insistence on preparation and participation? Students cannot enter a conversation without sharing a common vocabulary and ideas, which can only be achieved if they do the reading and work assigned. Students cannot enter a conversation unless they are willing to speak to their professors and the other students, and they cannot enter a conversation if they are not in class. If students view education as nothing more than a list of courses with “preferred grades” that becomes a passport to future jobs, they need to re-examine the purpose of an education and what they hope to achieve when they leave college. The point from my perspective is this: students should not see education as a fixed product for which they have paid but as a process in which they have invested their time and efforts. The more students put into the process, the more they will receive in return. Education is a means of becoming well-rounded, critically thoughtful participants not only in the academy but also in daily life. This process ultimately enriches the academy and the world outside, and we all benefit.
A student’s relationship to their professor is unique and potentially tenuous. On one side of the aisle—a teacher is necessarily professional while on the other hand the student is pushed in the opposite direction. A student is in the process to learn how to be a professional. A student does not necessarily act as such during his education. The outcome, of course, is a potentially tenuous relationship because the teacher or professor expects an adult relationship while the student will do what they have to in order to attain the preferred grades.Students crave these grades because they have such a higher meaning in our culture then does actual knowledge. Students understand current realities and will ignore the theory behind the ideal theoretical relationship between a student and a teacher. The main points of tension that exist center around class participation, busy work, and most of all, attendance policies. Many students feel they can acquire the same amount of knowledge by not opening their mouths during any given class period –the same as someone who could talk every single class. Teachers prefer student participation, if not require it. Teachers prefer an active participation, because for many, that’s why they became teachers. Busy work, by student definition, is work assigned to keep a student on task in order to burn time. Students have an intuition about most teachers and realize who is talking out of the side of their mouth and who is capable of having a higher level
critical thinking discussion. There is a difference: students are more willing to attend class when they have an engaging, t h o u g h t provoking teacher as opposed to someone, who by all measures, does not fit the requirements of Patrick a real teacher. Olds O t h e r - Opinions Editor tip-offs to an uncomfortable or ill-prepared professor are textbookprepared PowerPoints, denial of questions, and poor body language. Textbook-prepared PowerPoints are one of the most embarrassing tools a teacher can utilize. Students can see right through a lazy teacher. Secondly, whenever valid questions are raised during class, the teacher will either deny a response to or humiliate the individual student for asking it. Most of all, though, if the teacher does not want to be there, it shows through bad body language and students will never become motivated for that specific class if the one teaching the subject can’t even get into it. Lastly, the attendance policy has many students up in arms over the idea that in order to pass a class, a student must attend most if not every class period. This seems ridiculous if a student can do the work and pass the tests without having to be physically present. Necessary questions are needed for this debate. What happens to the student’s investment when a teacher misses class? Are the teachers reprimanded or does nothing happen to them? Are they held administratively responsible? If there is an implied contract then must it be broken if ever the professor ever is absent? Answers to these questions are what students crave.
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor,
It is good news to read that some consideration is being given to enforcing the campus smoking ban. I am a Continuing-Ed student who is on campus twice a week. I would really like to walk up to these smoking knuckleheads and say, “What part of smokefree don’t you understand?” The problem is I would have to expose myself to their cigarette smoke to do so. While smokers have a
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choice about smoking, none of the rest of us have a choice about breathing. Those of us who have asthma are really out of luck. I pass a number of smokers going to and from the parking lot. Presumably, they are college students who know how to read. I understand this is a non-enforcement period, a time of just getting the word out. So let’s see the place plastered with signs all the
way out to the far ends of the parking lots. “Tobacco Free For You and Me” is sweet but I don’t think it’s getting the job done. How about, “Tobacco-Free Campus. Don’t smoke.” Let’s see some signs that say, “Your parked car is on campus. Don’t smoke.” How about some that say, “Don’t smoke. The Rest Of Us Have To Breath.” Or, “What part of smoke-free don’t you understand?” In those hidden
smoking spots? “No smoking here, either!” The April 21 article, “Smoking enforcement under discussion” sounds like the district is tippytoeing around the issue, afraid to make any tough decisions. This is a health issue for heaven’s sake. I cannot imagine why the enforcement procedures were not part of the initial smoking ban but better late than never. The district should
Shannon Philpott Faculty Adviser sphilpott@stlcc.edu Joseph Douglas Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Stough Managing Editor Kelly Glueck Online Editor Courtney Stark Photo Editor Patrick Olds Opinions Editor Shane Rice News Editor Kavahn Mansouri Art & Life Editor Spencer Gleason Sports Editor Kelly Davis Copy Editor Tim Doty Copy Editor
Shah Jahan Ali Staff Writer Clinton Borror Staff Writer Luelana Bustamante Staff Writer Amber Davis Staff Writer Steven Duncan Staff Writer Donald Handshy Staff Writer Nick Herrin Staff Writer Jesse Hofford Staff Writer Matt Lindsey Staff Writer Kurt Oberreither Staff Writer Amicia Ramsey Staff Writer
Rory Sullivan Staff Writer Justin Villmer Staff Writer Benjamin Williams Staff Writer Ashley Young Staff Writer David Kloeckener Staff Photographer Michael Ziegler Staff Photographer Jacob Hight Staff Designer Kait Thomas Staff Designer Elicia Tuzzolo Staff Designer Hans Steinert Multimedia Specialist
lock themselves in a room somewhere and not come out until it settles on a unified enforcement procedure. The next day, enforce away. Fall 2011, is months away. Thank you from those of us who enjoy breathing regularly.
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InDepth
An ‘app’ a day keeps the
Reference applications for iPhone and iPod that Kelly Glueck Stephanie Stough - Online Editor -
ACTPrinter
- Managing Editor -
Being a student has never been easier. Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch open a new world of resources and reference applications available at the tap of a finger. Below are 16 useful apps for students, and even teachers, including dictionary apps and relaxation apps. *The apple rating system under each application name is based on customer reviews from the Apple App Store.
AP Stylebook
Sometimes the difference between an A and a B is how much students study on the go. Stacks of history notes and blackboard printouts can get lost in the black hole better known as a backpack. The ACTprinter app will allow students to transfer or “print” documents to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch through any wireless network. Beyond saving trees, this app helps organize notes and saves students from the panic of missing page three of his or her history notes. ACTprinter is also secured so the “printed” information will not go through a third party. The downside: This app costs $1.99 and will support Microsoft Office and Pages, but Adobe users will need use other programs.
The same version of the AP Stylebook that comes in the form of 465 pages can now be accessible in app form, but at a price. The book and the app sell at about the same price of $24.99, but the app simplifies searching, with a layout that’s similar to the alphabetical artist layout on the iPod. The AP stylebook provides fundamental guidelines such as grammar and spelling and is an essential tool for journalists, editors and students. This app lets users make custom entries and bookmark frequently used entries. People who buy this app for $24.99 will automatically receive an upgrade to the 2011 AP Stylebook app for free.
Blackboard Mobile Checking assignments, deadlines and grades come even more accessible with the Blackboard app. All STLCC students and teachers have access to this app. It’s essentially the same thing as checking Blackboard with a mobile browser but it’s easier to read and has more of a user friendly layout. Students and teachers can post to a discussion board, view grades and assignments. There’s no extra clicking around to find what they need. The downside- Sometimes it takes a while to load and in some cases, doesn’t load at all. It’s worth the try because there aren’t any ads, and it’s completely free.
Dropbox Dropbox is another file sharing cloud app similar to SugarSync. Dropbox is slightly more basic and therefore simpler to navigate. If students are using Linux, they may opt to use Dropbox over SugarSync, which caters to Windows and MacOS. Ultimately, cloudspace is to be determined by the navigator. The downside: Dropbox lacks password protection and some of the features available in other apps.
Evernote Evernote is the jack-of-all-trades app. It will allow notes and to-do lists to be supplemented with images, audio, and geo-location. If that homework list got lost in the various social obligations in its calendar, just search “geology” and voila, there is that geology assignment. It even makes phrases within the note searchable, so find that answer to that tricky study guide question, just got easier. The downside: There is no security features. Information travels through a third party and there is no password protection for notes or folders. Evernote works best when connected to an Internet connection. Offline syncs have a reputation for losing saved data.
Awesome Note AwesomeNote is Evernote with a fee (there is a “lite” version, but it only allows for ten fully functional notes). It can do nearly everything that Evernote can, but also offers students the option to password protect folders and individual notes. AwesomeNote also allows for due dates on notes, so that forgotten computer paper can resurface and remind a user to prioritize. This multifunctional app is also notable for its visual design. This app is for students that color code their notes. The downside: Users have to sync to GoogleDocs or Evernote to sync with his or her PC or Mac.
Dictionary.com Using a dictionary and thesaurus can come in handy when writing papers, playing Scrabble, etc. This app lets users look up words via the dictionary and thesaurus without Internet connection. There are definitely more resources available here than a traditional dictionary, including phonetic and audio pronunciation, example sentences, non-standard uses, and Word of the Day. One of its most unique features is a Voice to Text search. According to the Apple App Store, this app was named as the top 10 app for high school students and college students. An ad-free app is available for $2.99.
Google Search Google couldn’t get any better, but somehow with this app, Google exceeds expectations. This app is best for students who have the newest version of the iPhone. Image recognition lets users take a picture and receive relevant search results in return, such as barcodes, landmarks, artwork, print ads, etc. This app even translates into text in six languages and solves Sudoku puzzle. It finds places nearby, such as food or amusement, without needing to type in a location. It saves past searches for easy navigation and gives URL suggestions to popular websites. It has direct correlation to other Google products such as Maps, Gmail and Voice.
e stress away
May 5, 2011
7
are useful for students and teachers
Google Translate
Free Graphing Calculator Scientific calculators can be expensive, but thanks to the Free Graphing Calculator app, its doesn’t cost a thing. This app acts as a fully functional calculator, including arithmetic functions and exponentiation. It’s a math student’s best friend. It has several reference groups scientific notation in Algebra classes to the laws of sine, cosine and tangent for trigonometry. It also explains classical mechanics such as speed and velocity and potential and kinetic energy. It can graph up to four equations at once and users can zoom in and out on a graph. It also includes a conversion calculator for density, distance, speed and temperature. For iPod touch users, this app doesn’t require the Internet. This app is more than a free graphing calculator; it’s a free science and math tutor.
MindMeister Remember those brain clouds used as a brainstorming technique in elementary school? They’re back; this time they are used as an organizational tool for adults. This app is useful for creative people on the go. Creating an account with mindmeister.com is required but only takes a few seconds. Unlike the preloaded app “Notes,” MindMeister lets creativity flow through with opening and closing branches and with the option to edit colors and styles. Users can sketch out ideas and concepts and manage personal and meeting notes, grocery lists, etc. however they please. Maps can be exported to Microsoft Word and as a PDF or image.
Ladies and gentlemen, there are more translation apps than there are textbooks in the bookstore. Each one offers something a little different. Google Translate seems to be the most all in compassing. It offers text translations for up to 57 different languages and speech translations for 23 of the most popular languages. Google Translate will even detect speech and translate it but sometimes it takes some patience to listen to the app to clarify the spoken word or phrase. There is also a dictionary included to make sure the word is the correct translation. The downside: This can only be used when accessing the Internet. This is a deal breaker for some. Those students may opt for the paid app Jibbigo which only supports English translations to and from Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, or Arabic.
Silva Relaxation Students, teachers and faculty can all be victims of stress at some point. The Silva Relaxation app provides free quality tracks to help the body relax and it’s totally effective. This app helps people reach healthy and deep physical and mental relaxation. The audio tracks and the relaxation exercises which vary from 15 minutes to 31 minutes. This app can help students relax before a final or stressful situation or maybe even put them to sleep.
SimpleNotes
SugarSync
Waking up late happens and so do forgotten notebooks. While iPhones and iPads come standard with the app "Notes," it has a reputation for losing notes and faulty syncing. Simplenotes offers the same simplicity of notes for the same price free. Simplenotes also allows users to tag people in a note, thus automatically sending it to the tagged person’s email. Users can also create customizable hierarchies to his or her lists because some notes are more important than summer break packing lists. Downside: While this app is basic and user friendly, there are apps that do what SimpleNotes does plus a lot more.
Wikipedia The Wikipedia Mobile is perfect for people to go. The app is free and opens up with “Today’s Featured Article” and a news section with links to the corresponding Wikipedia articles. The only downside is that it takes a few extra seconds on a loading screen between each screen change. Frequently visited searches can be bookmarked. The bottom bar has a Google-powered map feature that uses the current location of the user and gives a real life aerial view. The app is as simple as it gets and serves its purpose.
With every purchased iPhone, Apple offers MobileMe. At first, MobileMe was in the top of its class and well worth the $99 per year. Times change and now there’s a free app for that, it’s called SugarSync. This fully loaded app allows users to access any and all information linked to its shared databases, whether it’s from be a home computer, iPad, or iPod touch. The app comes free with 5 GB of space and offers editing options for some file types. SugarSync also allows users to post to third party sources and password-protect files. The downside: It offers grouping systems but does not support searching capabilities.
WebMD This app is essential to medical students but is also a great tool for the average person. There are five different categories: symptom check, conditions, drugs and treatments, first aid information and local health listings. While using symptom checker, people enter their age, ZIP code and gender and an interactive human body appears. Men and women are able to tap the part of the body that is hurting and in return get a list of extensive symptoms. In other parts of the app, there is an A-to-Z list of conditions with an overview, symptoms, and related articles. This app allows people to research ailments at no cost. It’s like a doctor that’s free and accessible at all times. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION : STEPHANIE STOUGH
ART & LIFE
May 5, 2011
A day in the life of Hillary Woodal
Student artist helps create summer anime convention NatsuCon Clinton Borror - Staff Writer -
STLCC-Meramec student Hillary Woodall, founder of the summertime anime convention, NatsuCon, expresses herself through drawings. Anime is a style of Japanese animation that is popular with viewers worldwide. “I believe that her passion
for her art and her passion for anime led her to start a convention. That’s what I believe,” said Woodall’s fiancé Carl Wallace. Woodall said that with anime the plot is always clear. “One of the things anime usually has over American cartoons is plot,” Woodall
said. “Occasionally you’ll get some back story because it was funny, but with anime, there’s always a plot. There are exceptions.” Woodall’s drawings appear similar to anime cartoons with exaggerated features, large eyes, and commonly minimized noses and mouths. “I actually have my own art style,” Woodall said. “I like comics and cartoons, so I find styles that I like and try to adapt them into my own style.” Woodall made a drawing of a character from the anime series “Sailor Moon.” “This, for instance, is Sailor Mars. When you compare it to the original you can tell that my style of drawing is completely d i f f e r e n t , ” Woodall said. The original image is of an adult. Woodall’s drawing has a body that is more childlike, with an enlarged head, and small appendages, and a different face. Woodall improved her skill by drawing frequently. She has taken Drawing I, Figure Drawing I, and Design I at Meramec. “I draw on myself. I draw on my papers. I draw on my homework. I drew on my schoolbooks. I had to erase those,” Woodall said. Woodall carries sketchbooks of drawings made with pencils, pens, colored pencils and copic
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markers. She carries them to anime conventions, comic conventions and videogame conventions. Copic markers use pigment suspended in alcohol. “Since it’s pigment it doesn’t fade out as fast, and because it’s suspended in alcohol you get the really smooth transitions,” Woodall said. Woodall has colored multiple drawings using copic markers. “You can do bleeding like that, where the colors fade into each other,” Woodall said. “You can do sharp lines. You can do soft lines. You can let it bleed. You can do lots and lots of stuff with it.” Woodall also uses Adobe Photoshop CS3 to make artwork by computer. For some of these drawings she uses a Wacom Bamboo Pen. “It works like I’m actually drawing using pen and paper, so it’s being drawn directly in Photoshop,” Woodall said. Woodall has a gallery of pictures at the art gallery website http://deviantart. com. “I post them online so people can see them,” Woodall said. “Being successful, for the most part, is based off how many people see your work.” Woodall assisted in founding NatsuCon summer 2009 and ran the first convention. “There was nothing to do during the summers, so why not?” Woodall said. “It was obviously something people wanted.” Woodall did not lead NatsuCon 2010, and will not lead NatsuCon 2011. “I don’t run it now because I’m busy with real life, and school and work and stuff,” Woodall said. “The people who helped me start it the first year are running it now.” It took approximately six months to prepare for the first NatsuCon. “It started up in North County in a janky little hotel called The Best Western,” Woodall said. “We had to fight tooth and nail because they didn’t want us even though we were paying them.” Approximately 650 people attended the first NatsuCon and a cap of 500 people per day. Some were t u r n e d a w a y because
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Hillary Woodall is a founder of the summertime anime convention, Natsucon. Woodall said she expresses herself through drawings.
the attendance cap was reached by noon one day. “About six people started it up, six people in charge of 500 people,” Woodall said.
In one event a game show called “The Gong Show” was re-enacted. “It’s kind of like ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ where the points don’t matter,” Woodall said. “The Gong Show“ reenactment took place in 2009 and 2010. “This last summer we had a girl who sang opera and won with a score of ‘It’s over 9000,’” said Woodall. The current sole proprietor and Chairman of NatsuCon is Matt Lankford, who is running NatsuCon 2011. Lankford assisted in starting NatsuCon in 2009 and ran it in 2010. “I graduated high school in 2008 and went to Kansas University for a semester and decided it wasn’t the place for me,” Lankford said. “I
decided I needed to do something to not go insane.” Lankford said it now takes about one year to create NatsuCon. “About two weeks after NatsuCon 2010 I started working on NatsuCon 2011,” Lankford said. Attendants pay admission fees based on the number of days they attend NatsuCon. NatsuCon workers are unpaid. Money gained through admission fees goes to re-compensating workers for expenses and improving the convention next year. “It’s an interesting hobby and it’s a labor of love,” Lankford said. Lankford said when NatsuCon began, Woodall paid for NatsuCon to become a limited liability company,and Lankford paid for the deposit at the Best Western Hotel. The first NatsuCon was paid for out of pocket until the founders received registration fees. “We originally thought we might not break even, and it was overwhelmingly successful,” Lankford said. Before NatsuCon in 2009 there was one anime convention in St. Louis and it took place during spring. “Hillary said ‘Why don’t we make another one?’ We won’t be competitive. We’ll be small,” Lankford said. “She did it, and she was proud to see her idea make it all the way to a full-fledged event,” Lankford said. NatsuCon 2011 is scheduled for Aug. 12 to 14 at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, ILL.
ART & LIFE
May 5, 2011
9
Meramec Battle of The Bands 2011
PHOTOS BY: HANS STEINERT
Student Activities Council hosts showcase of bands Joe Douglas
- Editor in Chief -
Sticks and drums clash with the sound of lightning, guitarists and bassists pluck a downpour of chords, and singers flood the gymnasium with their trained voices. On April 29, the Student Activities Council dedicated one night to the talent of local St. Louis musicians. The bands’ music ranged from blues to metal and their goals vary from advertisement to obtaining first place. Aside from motivations, their sounds competed in the annual Battle of the Bands. More than 30 musicians of eight bands played this year Battle of the Bands. Those bands are Axis Denied, Save the Penguins, The Stone Sugar Shakedown, Stealing Silver, M@, Blue Bottom Boat Blues Band, Sing Me a Fiction and Sack Lunch. “We want to win first place,” Johnny Pelhank, base guitarist for Sing Me a Fiction, said. Nick Blackburn, singer for Sing Me a Fiction, said, “Winning would be good. I would like to have more energy than any of the other bands here.” Some bands weren’t after first place, though. Guitarist Josh Barbre with Saving the Penguins, whose band members played while sitting on a living room couch, said they just wanted to have fun. “[We’re here] just to play music. I mean, just
chill, obviously. We got it set up just like my living room,” Barbre said. Stealing Silver, a Christian rock band, made their first performance at Battle of the Bands. Guitarist and singer Will Gerdel said its members have been playing together for approximately 8 months before this. He said the name “Stealing Silver” comes from a story of Joseph in the Bible where Benjamin was framed as stealing a silver cup from Joseph. “We’re here to have a good time, plant some seeds, show people that Jesus loves them, and that we love them, too,” Gerdel said. “It’s true.” On the other hand, Blue Bottom Boat Blues Band consists of members who have played at previous Battle of the Bands events. They’ve been playing together for almost one year and this is their first time as the Blue Bottom Boat Blues Band to play at Battle of the Bands. In addition, Saving the Penguins has played at the past two Battle of the Bands. They won first place in 2009 and third place in 2010. This year, the top three bands were Blue Bottom Boat Blues Band, Axis Denied and The Stone Sugar Shakedown in first, second and third place respectively. “[Winning] feels really good,” Troy Rollen, singer and harpist for the Blue Bottom Boat Blues Band, said. The first place band
won $700. “I think we’ll split it up individually and use it to keep the band going.” Axis Denied who won second place earned $500. The Stone Sugar Shakedown received $300. “Axis Denied really had their [stuff] together this year,” Mike Roman, Student Governance Council public relations officer who worked at the event, said. “It was just well-rounded.” Proceeds from the event went toward the Student-to-Student Book Scholarship. SAC President Tony Speruzza said, “I think it went very well. We were pleasantly surprised at the number of at-door sales.”
Sean Archer plays for Blue Bottom Boat Blue Band at the 2011 Battle of the Bands held in the Meramec gym on April 29. Archer’s band won first place against five other bands.
Andrew Bushway plays drums for Stealing Silver at the 2011 Meramec Battle of the Bands held in the Meramec gym on April 29. Another competing band, Stealing Silver, a Christian rock band, performed for the first time at the Battle of the Bands.
ART & LIFE 10 Biology students tutor high schoolers Tim Doty
- Copy Editor -
As the semester comes to an end, students in many classes may need to write a paper, take an exam, or give a presentation for a final grade. Kelli Roberts, biology professor at STLCC-Meramec, gave students in her Intro to Biology class an option other than writing a paper or giving a Power Point presentation. Her students tutored a biology class at Sumner High School. “I looked at some of the high schools in the St. Louis public school system and it made me think,” Roberts said. “They lacked things we take for granted… labs, microscopes.” Roberts, in her second year teaching at Meramec, was intrigued by the idea of service learning. She said after the first attempt last spring, she worked with Justin Coppedge, a teacher at Sumner, to formulate the project. “We decided to streamline the process from last spring, involve more tutoring,” Roberts said. “I gave students the option of the service learning project or do a paper and a Power Point.” The students in Roberts’ class went to Sumner three times during this spring semester.
“The first time they had this packet full of terms they had to teach the students. The third time they developed a lab,” Roberts said. “Some students learn better hands-on. This gives them another option besides traditional ones.” The latest time they went, the students developed a lab for the biology students of Sumner. They also helped them with the state-wide End-of-Course (EOC) exams given to Missouri high school students. “We went through, helped them with any questions,” said Roman Balaban, Meramec student and a member of Roberts’ class. “We had to come up with an experiment, design a lab… genetics, mitosis, meiosis… for the students at Sumner.” Balaban is studying to become a teacher. He said tutoring at Sumner was a learning experience for him. To him, it seemed like when “worlds collide.” “I’ve been observing a lot of middle school, elementary school and high school classes. In my class, we are covering achievement gaps,” Balaban said. “They get a whole new perspective. It was definitely a learning experience.” Other than becoming more organized, structured
MUSIC
and learning public speaking skills, Roberts said teaching in a different environment was an eye-opening experience for her students. “Students actually got into a teaching environment. When they go to Sumner, they are the authority,” Roberts said. “They learned more responsibility. They get a broader view of the demographics of St. Louis.” Roberts said the chance to tutor at Sumner not only helped the high school students, but also helped the students in the biology class at Meramec. Roberts said it was helpful for the Sumner students to see the Meramec students teach a few classes. “It helps [Sumner students] to see college students. They see them, and they want to give college a shot,” Roberts said. “They say, ‘I can do the same thing.’” After the new experiences, Roberts said her students are grateful for the chance to tutor and she intends to make this opportunity available every spring. “They tell me how appreciative they are. They love it,” Roberts said. “Every spring semester, this will be an option for my Intro to Biology class. They are thankful when it’s all said and done.”
May 5, 2011
A hairy situation
The story behind Meramec’s mustache men Mike Ziegler
- Staff Photographer -
PHOTOS BY: MIKE ZIELGER
Photo student Gene Peeper poses with a camera while working in the photo lab on May 2. Peeper is retired and is taking photo classes at Meramec to gain personal knowledge. "I shot digital for about two years, but it didn't really do anything for me," Peeper said. "I really like the start-to-finish process in the darkroom. It's given me a new appreciation for black and white photography."
George Wasson, STLCC-Meramec vice president of academic affairs, pauses in his office on May 3 for a photo. Wasson began teaching in 1978 at Indiana University. "I thought I could make a difference in people's lives and I've taught over 10,000, so I think that I have," Wasson said about his teaching career. All 10,000 of Wasson's students have been witness to his mustache. "I shaved my mustache once in 1976 and it's been like this ever since."
at Meramec
The Music Department at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students. You may take courses for general education credit or pursue the Associate of Arts in Music degree to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music or Music Education program. ** SC H O LA R SH IPS A V A ILA B L E **
COURSES
MUS 101,102,201,202 MUS 103 MUS 113 MUS 114 MUS 115,116 MUS 121,122,221,222 MUS 128 MUS 130 MUS 138,139,216 MUS 141,142,241,242 MUS 143 MUS 211,212
Music Theory I,II,III,IV Basic Music The History of Jazz The Enjoyment of Music Class Voice I,II Class Piano I,II,III,IV Survey of Rock Music Beginning Guitar Jazz Improvisation I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Introduction to Desktop Publishing Music History I,II
SCAD eLearning B.A. | B.F.A. | M.A. | M.F.A.
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Music 132 – Orchestra Music 133 – Jazz Lab Band Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 135 – Concert Choir & Chamber Choir All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal. Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Choir.
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Apply now for summer or fall enrollment. Use promo code artic1011 to waive the application fee. www.scad.edu/apply Scholarship opportunities for students and educators www.scad/edu/scholarships www.scad.edu
For more information, contact the Meramec Music Department Gary Gackstatter, Director of Instrumental Music, ggackstatter@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7636 Dr. Jerry Myers, Director of Choral Activities & Music Theory, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638
800-869-7223
Allie Rotenberg, B.F.A. student, advertising, West Bloomfield, Michigan USA
Interested in performing in an ensemble?
All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!
SPORTS
May 5, 2011
Softball team battles through the season Lady Magic fights through adversity, weather conditions, gives their all Continued from page 1... 29 forced the Magic’s first game of the tournament into a 2 hour and 21 minute rain delay. Once the field dried up enough to play softball, the Magic took the field and the first pitch was thrown for a strike at 12:21 p.m. “[The butterflies] settled down a lot,” starting pitcher Lauren Menning said after the 9-2 victory over rival STLCC-Florissant Valley Fury. “We were really confident coming into these games and we knew we had business to take care of, so we just went and did our job and it showed.”
After allowing one run to score in the top of the first, Menning settled into a rhythm and went the distance, allowing only one other runner to cross home plate. “She’s pretty good about picking herself back up,” catcher Ally Kubel said during a postgame interview. “When she gets going she’s fine. She’s got the motivation.” Kubel helped lead the Magic offensively, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs and one run scored. “It definitely makes it easier,” Menning said about her team putting up crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
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“I like those games where we don’t have to play run for run. We did that today. We came out really strong and proved a point.” A f t e r making a statement against the Fury, the Magic set their sights on the Mineral Area College (MAC) Cardinals from Park Hills, Mo. The top-seeded Cardinals were the defending two-time Region XVI Champions, winning the title in both 2010 and 2009. During the regular season, the Magic went 0-4 against the Cardinals and they were outscored 44-13. “We got some making up to do [for this MAC game],” Menning said before the start of the second game. “We need to go to work… we definitely got another point to prove to MAC. They think they’ve got this. We’re not going to let that happen.” Although the Magic came up on the short end of the stick in a 6-3 final, in four different innings the Magic either had the tying
ForCOMMENTARY the love of the game
ARCHIVE PHOTO
run or lead run at the plate. A fifth time, in the bottom of the seventh, the Magic had it staged for the tying run standing in the on deck circle, giving the Cardinals their closest game en route to their third consecutive title. With only one loss, the Magic played their third game of the day against the Cottey College Comets. The bats came alive and the pitching put up a goose egg in a 13-0 final. The Magic had lived to play another day. However, one more game was all the Magic had left, as they lost 10-4 against the East Central College Falcons the following day, April 30; and with that, their season was over. “They’re a special group
Tim Doty
- Copy Editor -
The clock is ticking down and is about to hit zero. This is my final column writing for “For the love of the game.” I took over this column last January. I only wrote seven posts including this one but I enjoyed every moment of it. I got to do what many people do every day: discuss sports and my opinions on them. It was a fantastic time for me and, hopefully, for anyone who read any of my entries. One thing I didn’t discuss is the sports program at my, soon-to-be alma mater,
ranks and everywhere in between, should be enjoyed, discussed, and provide entertainment. They teach the players and the fans about passion, dedication and teamwork. Even the pros may need a quick recap of teamwork every now and then. Fans are as important to sports as the athletes. With them, there would more than likely be no sports to watch, no Stanley Cup, no World Series, no Super Bowl. The entertainment factor is why professional athletes make the big bucks. College players, even though they aren’t paid, play for either passion or the chance to one day have their name called out over a P.A. system in a stadium filled with 50,000 screaming fans. With some professional athletes now on Twitter, following not only games but even favorite players provide whole new spin on covering sports. Fans fuel the fire that is sports. Columns are written,
Visit
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MONTAGE .COM for video of the Lady Magic softball team during the Region XVI Tournament
Magic baseball gets ready for regionals
Through tranquil, tough times, don’t stop loving the game school STLCC-Meramec. Throughout this semester, discussions took place and the decision to consolidate the sports programs at all St. Louis Community College campuses was reached in order to help trim the budget. Teams at Meramec, STLCCFlorissant Valley and STLCCForest Park will eventually play under one STLCC team effective July 1, 2011. This decision is not completely terrible. It could have been worse. The entire sports program could have been cut leaving STLCC with no athletic teams whatsoever. As the next seasons for sports approaches after this semester, the new STLCC teams should continue to charge on in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Even with budget cuts and difficult economic times, there will still be sports at STLCC. There will still be games to love. All levels of sports, from little league to the professional
of girls,” McCall said after their final game against the Falcons. “They continued to battle through adversity throughout the season. We started off very slow and then picked it up... They were a special group that fought all the way through it… It’s going to take them farther in life than what they know. If they can fight hard through adversity here in just a softball game then they’re going to make it through adversity in life.”
games are televised, entire networks are devoted to 24/7 coverage of all sports. There are shows on these networks dedicated to debating sports. From the anchors on “SportsCenter” to the two guys at the bar arguing about the referee’s call, the phenomenon of sports will always be there year after year. Keep reading this column no matter who writes it next semester. Keep cheering for favorite teams and players no matter if they play high school football or in the NFL. Why do players worldwide dedicate countless hours to practice and playing? Why do fans cheer season after season? It’s for the love of the game. Visit
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MONTAGE .COM for other “For the love of the game” columns
Spencer Gleason - Sports Editor -
Nick Herrin - Staff Writer -
The STLCC-Meramec Magic baseball team will take their talents to Farmington, Mo., for the 2011 Region XVI Tournament. The Magic have compiled a 29-19 regular season record with a record of 12-6 when playing teams within their conference. “We have been showing up every day,” head coach Tony Dattoli said. “We just need to execute. We just need to do the simple things in the game and stop being so cerebral.” The double-elimination tournament will take place from May 11 to May 15. The Magic will finish the regular season at home on May 7, against conference rival Mineral Area College at noon. “When we play aggressive at the plate, I think that’s when we beat up on teams early,” right fielder Koby Chadick said. “If we do that we will be successful.”
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