September 26, 2017

SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 2, 2017

FEATURES

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

SPORTS

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College Cookbook: Go nuts for doughnuts

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Twelve athletes join Seawolf hockey for 2017-18 season

UAA’s athletic teams volunteer to rebuild The Dome Track and field, skiing and men’s basketball came together to support reconstruction efforts after collapse

PHOTO BY LAUREN CUDDIHY

UAA athletes gathered at The Dome on Sept. 15 to aid in rebuilding efforts. The Dome recently announced their reopening for November.

By Karolin Anders

sports@thenorthernlight.org

The re-opening of the world’s largest air-supported sports venue, The Dome, was recently announced for November. The announcement was eagerly awaited by many members and regular users of The Dome as the next winter season approaches, including UAA track and field

and cross-country athletes.

On Sept. 1, it was announced that Anchorage’s 200,000 square-foot indoor sports venue was saved due to the efforts of Jonathan Rubini. Rubini, Anchorage developer, chairman and CEO of JL Properties, stepped in to settle claims of bondholders and provide financial assistance for the necessary repairs.

“Until we lost The Dome, we

probably didn’t appreciate how important it was for the local community,” Rubini said.

The Dome’s 400-meter and six-lane indoor track provides the teams with excellent training conditions. UAA’s associate track and field Head Coach Ryan McWilliams knows The Dome’s importance to his program.

“From my standpoint, I know it is safe to say that we utilize The Dome to its full capacity

and it is instrumental to our success as a program. I like to think that we are instrumental to The Dome’s success as well,” McWilliams said.

Elena Cano, heptathlete and justice major, says that when volunteering to help rebuild The Dome became an option, the team was eager to help.

“Speaking for my team, I think it’s safe to say that we can’t wait to get back into The Dome.

When The Dome collapsed earlier this year, we all thought it’d be back up in no time. After days turned into weeks and weeks into months, we realized what a strain it had on us and our workouts,” Cano said.

Dean Cagle, project manager at Davis Construction and Engineers, ensured that even though

SEE DOME

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RED ZONE: University of Alaska Title IX compliance scorecards released, concerns still present

By Mariah DeJesus-Remaklus mremaklus@thenorthernlight.org

The University of Alaska Board of Regents held a full board meeting in Juneau on Sept. 14. Among the items discussed was the UA’s progress and performance on compliance

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with the Office of Civil Rights Voluntary Resolution Agreement, an agreement that the University of Alaska entered earlier this year in February.

The VRA covers systemwide compliance items and steps to ensure that incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment are being handled effectively on campuses. Ron Kamahele, acting Title IX coordinator and director of Equity and Compliance, said that via scorecard, each UA campus can report to the Board of Regents as a way to present their progress with compliance.

“The scorecard was created by the university so that the president and each of the chan-

GRAPHICS BY JIAN BAUTISTA

cellors could report out to the Board of Regents about how we are complying with the Voluntary Resolution Agreement,” Kamahele said. “Each one of those items is something that is listed in the [VRA] for the Office of Civil Rights.”

A scorecard contains items and tasks that the OCR requires each university to meet in order to fulfill the VRA. Additionally, the scorecard indicates the status of submission to and approval by the OCR, along with met-

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rics that demonstrate the various types of reports that were made based on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking, dating or domestic violence and others.

All three campuses, UAA, UAF and UAS, submitted scorecards for the academic year 2017-2018 that were discussed during the Sept. 14 Board of Regents meeting.

Out of 18 items, UAA was rated green/fully-on-track for 16 items. The other two items

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were rated yellow, which means “moving forward but with challenges,” according to Kamahele.

UAF and UAS were rated green for all but four items, which were yellow.

Each item requires a different deadline and for some of those which were marked yellow, completion is not necessary until December. Still, Kamahele

SEE COMPLIANCE

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NEWS

The Edge Update: PFDs, Affordable Care Act and Mexico’s earthquakes

By Grant Kniefel KRUA

The Edge Update can be heard every weekday on KRUA 88.1 FM The Edge, UAA's college radio station.

Local On Sept 15, Gov. Bill Walker’s administration announced the amount of this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend in a statement to the media. This year’s PFD has been announced at $1,100, approximately half of what it would have been had the Alaska legislature not given it a set amount this summer. The state is projected to spend approximately $670 million on PFDs this year, with disbursement beginning Oct. 5.

National This week, congressional efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act were resurrected as Republicans attempt to break down the act and replace it with a bill that

will provide block grants to individual states. The last ditch repeal was brought back to life on Sept. 18 when Arizona governor, Doug Ducey, strongly endorsed the bill, putting pressure on Sen. John McCain to repeal the ACA. McCain was one of three Republican senators to reject the initial repeal attempt in July, the others being Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Global A powerful earthquake struck Mexico City on Sept. 19, toppling buildings, trapping children in a school and killing approximately 216 citizens at the time of publication. The earthquake hit about 100 miles from the city and registered a 7.1 magnitude, shaking the capital for several minutes. This earthquake comes just two weeks after the biggest earthquake to hit Mexico in a century that killed at least 90 people, and occured on the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 earthquake that killed as many as 10,000 people.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

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COMPLIANCE: Title IX committee seeks student input Continued from cover said, the Title IX office works hard to ensure that every task is completed in a timely manner.

Fortunately, the entire UA system’s performance has improved over the last few years, Kamahele said.

“Starting in 2014, the university underwent an OCR review, which was a wake up call of areas the university needed to improve. The review was the catalyst that allowed us to identify our mistakes and make improvements,” Kamahele said. “The university has made significant progress: the approval of new Title IX policy and regulations, mandatory Title IX training for employees and degree-seeking students and students living on campus.”

Alec Burris, USUAA president, still has some concerns regarding future performance, particularly within UAA’s own Title IX office. One issue Burris has seen involves Action A4 on the scorecard, which requires that all contact information, such as office address, email address and phone number of the Title IX Coordinator, be published. Ron Kamahele has been the interim director and coordinator in Bridget Dooley’s place since mid-August and the posted phone number leads to Dooley’s voicemail.

This limits a student’s ability to immediately reach the coordinator, Burris said.

“Action Item A4... does give me concern as was brought up in the USUAA meeting, where a number for the Title IX coordinator actually just goes to a voicemail right now, and then the interim Title IX coordinator simply checks that voicemail at the end of the day,” Burris said.

“If a student has a serious Title IX concern, they want to talk to a human and not simply just a voicemail. That is something that I think is very concerning.”

It is important to have a designated Title IX coordinator who can focus their time and dedication to appropriate outreach, Burris said.

The Title IX Student Feedback Committee is a sub-committee of the UAA Title IX Campus Climate Committee, which is required under Action Item G on the scorecard. Universities are expected to have committees that represent the student body and can help implement ways to communicate the rights and resources that students have.

Hilary Huffman, anthropology major, is the Student Feedback Committee chair and had initially joined while beginning her thesis on sexual violence on campus.

She said that in her experience, the university has proven to be devoted to students’ safety.

“I think that our university is really dedicated to doing things right,” Huffman said. “I’ve been really impressed with not

just how much the Title IX people care, but how much the campus cares.”

The committee will be holding two sessions, one in October and one in November, to discuss recommendations for Chancellor Gingerich regarding Title IX. Huffman encourages students to take action.

“You don’t have to be super driven about this particular issue to have a voice for it to be important. If you are a student and this affects you and you’re interested in having a voice, I think that’s really important,” Huffman said. “We want to have all those diverse perspectives.”

Burris also hopes that more students will take part in the committees that address Title IX issues.

“I just sent out an email to approximately 800 residential students, inviting them to join the Campus Climate Committee, and I’ve gotten a good four or five responses right now. I’m hoping that I’ll get some more in the future,” Burris said.

Kamahele said that the university will continue to comply with the VRA and uphold policies established by the Board of Regents.

“The university sets the bar higher than compliance — we are working to not only comply with OCR’s directives, but to do what is right. For that reason, it is unlikely that the university will be out of compliance,” Kamahele said.

Federal funding, such as student financial aid, can be withdrawn if a university is found to be non-compliant, but Kamahele is confident that the UA System will work to stay within regulations of the VRA and maintain safety on campus.

“In that agreement, we agree to do all those things that are listed there. If we don’t, then we would be in breach of that contract and the Office of Civil Rights could, in theory, take action, and the main action they have is to deny the University of Alaska eligibility to receive federal funds,” Kamahele said. “And when they say federal funds, they’re talking about student financial aid. If we fail to comply in some of these things, then that means no more Pell Grants for anybody. [It’s] catastrophic, so we’re still going to do all those things.”

Despite the ratings and statuses of the different campuses within the UA System, there is still a push for education, outreach and a commitment to providing resources surrounding Title IX for students. Huffman and Burris are continuing their efforts towards student involvement, and Kamahele will remain interim coordinator until further notice from the university.

The University of Alaska System conducts these progress reports for the Board of Regents quarterly, and current scorecards can be viewed online under the Title IX Compliance webpage.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

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Records requests reveal price of contracted performers

By Cheyenne Mathews cmathews@thenorthernlight.org

Contracted speakers and performers through Student Life and Leadership can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $40,000 per speaker and $100 to $165,000 for music artists or groups.

The Northern Light used public record requests to collect data on performers contracted through Student Life and Leadership over the past three years.

Those contracts showed the flat fees bigname performers were paid: Bill Nye ($41,500), Alabama Shakes ($165,000), and Garfunkel and Oates ($12,500).

Student Life and Leadership tends to contract four types of performers. Musicians and bands are the most common artists hired, speakers are second, comedians are third and spoken word poets are fourth.

UAA Concert Board is responsible for bringing musicians and comedians to campus with the use of their student-fee funded budget. Concert Board projects an annual budget with around $200,000 in student fees plus projected revenues from their ticketed shows. Student Boards Coordinator and Media Advisor, Zac Clark, said bringing performers to Alaska is always more expensive than in the Lower 48.

“The problem we have in Alaska, what makes us unique for universities and other concert venues in the Lower 48, you can get there by bus...If you are coming to Alaska you have to fly and you also lose two potential show days,” Clark said. “The day before and the day after. So when you’re looking at these artists you instantly have to pay more than like someone in Washington because you have to pay to fly them up and they lose those dates. You have to factor in that you are probably going to pay 15, 20 percent more just on average, and that you are going to have a hard time when you are trying to book someone as part of a national tour.”

Clark said some big name artists can cost a million dollars and it’s hard to recoup that flat fee in ticket sales. Alaskan arenas can only fit around 4,000 seats, and artists like Beyoncé are used to performing in 20,000+ seat arenas.

“People forget for a lot of these people, this is their job,” Clark said. “So there’s always like just thoughts of, ‘Why does this person cost so much?’ Because that’s what people would pay to get them here...

When you just look and see the price of some these artists, you don’t always get the full price and context for why that is.”

GRAPHICS BY JIAN BAUTISTA

Student Life and Leadership also contracts speakers to come and give workshops or lectures at the university. In the past year, Student Life and Leadership hosted civil rights activist Shaun King ($21,000), sex educator and YouTube personality Laci Green ($16,000) for the USUAA event Little Black Dress Doesn’t Mean Yes, founding-editor of The Onion Scott Dikkers ($12,000) and activist and scholar Dr. Marc Lamont Hill ($20,000).

Demry Mebane, political science major, has become the informal emcee for Student Life and Leadership lectures since his role as a Student Activities programer. Mebane is the individual who introduced Bill Nye, Shaun King and Scott Dikkers, among others.

“Being able to be a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, one would not expect to be able to have that type of opportunity,” Mebane said. “I felt really graced and lucky to be in the presence of someone so famous in Anchorage, Alaska. Any emceeing event that I do I feel honored.”

Mebane has also emceed for First Tuesday Spoken Word. Spoken word poets have been paid around $3,000 to $4,500 for their performances.

“I think what the University of Alaska Anchorage really needs are those big names,” Mebane said. “The goal of Student Activities is to engage students, and particularly here at UAA I think that’s a struggle because we have so many commuter students. So the question is posed: how do we get students to actually want to engage with their campus? I think that means bringing big names up to Anchorage — a relatively small place where students haven’t typically had the experience to become engaged in like their college. So having big names like Bill Nye, or Shaun King, or even like First Tuesday poets flying up is something that’s really important for this university to get its students engaged. Anything that can bolster

the student life of this campus, I think is intrinsically just a good thing.”

Sarah Haley has been a member of Concert Board for a year, and she said she has seen good student turnout at some of Concert Board’s bigger events, like the Alabama Shakes concert and the Kick Off Comedy Show.

“I feel like if it is one students want to see and it’s semi-reasonable compared to other artists, I think it’s worth it because no one tours up in Alaska,” Haley said.

“We also have to keep in mind that these are student fees and we can realistically, with the size of our college, we could probably bring one or two performers a semester.”

Contracts include riders — the part of the contract where artists will request additional materials for themselves and the crew they typically tour with — and con-

tracted artists have asked for things like Peanut Butter Captain Crunch (Alabama Shakes) to baby wipes and Ladies’ Secret deodorant (Action Bronson, $45,000).

This year Concert Board is hoping to have several successful events, including one featuring Maggie Rogers in November.

“I’m hoping that we are sort of catching an emerging artist,” Clark said about Maggie Rogers. “You look at her, she’s signed to a big major label, she puts out an EP on Capitol Records... went pretty viral with her video with Pharrell. So hoping you sort of catch an artist on that peak like we did with Macklemore.”

For a more in-depth look at contracted performers and speaker pay and special requests, visit www.thenorthernlight.org.

04 | FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Wolfcard replacement fee increased from $10 to $20

GRAPHIC BY JIAN BAUTISTA

By Mariah DeJesus-Remaklus mremaklus@thenorthernlight.org

This August, the replacement fee for the UAA Wolfcard increased from a flat rate of $10 to $20. This was implemented as an effort to compensate for budget cuts and locate another source of revenue, according to Brian deZeeuw, the financial systems administrator of the Wolfcard office.

“Last fiscal year, we found out — just as we’d expected — that most of the departments on campus would get another decrement in our budget,” deZeeuw said. “My supervisor, Sandi Culver — she’s the [associate vice chancellor] of Financial Services — asked all of her departments to look for other sources of revenue. I knew right off the bat that we weren’t going to have enough money to pay for the Blackboard license fee... The Wolfcard replacement fee is my only revenue source.”

The Wolfcard office’s budget is put towards labor and the license fee that is required to operate and maintain the Blackboard system. This also covers utilities such as card readers and printers, software support, door locks, card readers and more.

Unlike other departments, the Wolfcard office depends on gaining revenue solely from the replacement fee.

“Some departments are auxiliaries, like the bookstore, where they sell books to make money, but the Wolfcard office doesn’t get any money other than the Wolfcard replacement fee,” deZeeuw said. “The only money we get is from the normal budget process from the state every year.” deZeeuw had researched other viable ways to find sources of revenue, but they had been unsuccessful.

“Another option was to try to get some money from a fee.

There are a lot of different stu-

dent fees and currently none of those fees give any money to the card office operation, so I reached out to the information technology department to see if I could get any money from the tech fee. The tech fee is that $5 per credit hour that students pay up to $60 a semester,” deZeeuw said. “I thought it was worth a try because I didn’t want to have to raise any sort of fees... They said no, that it wasn’t going to happen in the short-term but they could revisit it sometime in the future.”

Geser Bat-Erdene, USUAA vice president, said that he wishes he had better insight into the decision to raise the replacement fee. deZeeuw had attended a USUAA general assembly meeting on Sept. 15 to discuss the new fee increase but only after the change had already taken place.

“If he decided to do it that way, one issue that student government has is that students weren’t aware of such change.

Even the situation [where] we didn’t know was kind of confusing,” Bat-Erdene said. “That’s exactly why we invited him to attend our meeting and present that situation. That was the first time we’d encountered that news.”

Maintaining communication and transparency is important to Bat-Erdene and USUAA, particularly when changes such as the replacement fee increase affect students.

Josiah Nash has been living on campus for three years and although he has yet to lose his

Wolfcard, he said that the new fee could be a burden on the wallets of residential students.

“This can have a very negative effect on residential students who rely daily on this card to get into their residence halls, individual rooms and use it to have access to their meals.

Twenty dollars can be a lot for a student who has to pay for all of their living expenses, tuition and textbooks,” Nash said.

For Maia Wen, a UAA graduate who works in UAA’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services, said the fee increase may actually be a good thing. She lost her Wolfcard several times throughout the last four years and uses it for work and the bus.

“It’s bad news for forgetful people like me, but I understand why the university raised the price of replacement cards,” Wen said. “So in the end, I’m fine with it, as it provides incentive for all of us to be more responsible with our belongings.”

The use of one large operating system for Wolfcards is concerning for Nash and he said that the university could start looking into a better, cheaper alternative.

There are other companies to provide the necessary software, according to deZeeuw, but it would still be expensive, and a switch between card systems for the entire UA system could cost even more.

“They all charge a license fee, so it’s not like we’re getting screwed by Blackboard,” deZeeuw said. “Not to mention

the hardware is proprietary, so it only works with Blackboard.

If we did get a new card system, we’d have to get all new card readers and it would cost closer to a million dollars in hardware.

With the current budget climate, it’s not realistic.”

For the first 16 years that the Wolfcard has existed, there has been an escalating replacement fee, which meant that the first replacement would be $5, the second $10, the third $15 and so forth. In 2012, the fee had been changed to a flat rate of $10 to alleviate issues that kept the Wolfcard office from keeping accurate track of students’ number of cards. deZeeuw intends to keep the flat rate since the transition made no significant difference in the fees they received.

“It was almost an even amount from the old escalating fee because once people started getting into the $15-$20 replacement fee, then they stopped getting replacement cards,” deZeeuw said.

The search for more viable options will continue with deZeeuw, and students, such as Bat-Erdene, hope that changes like this will be brought to USUAA in the future.

Lost and stolen Wolfcards will be replaced for $20 but there is currently no charge for cards that are worn out due to normal wear and tear. It is still up to the office’s discretion to determine whether the card has been misused.

FEATURES Banned Book Week raises awareness on challenged books, ideas and expression

By Brenda Craig

features@thenorthernlight.org

Banned Book Week is back and will be celebrated Sept. 24 through Sept. 30.

This is an annual awareness campaign, sponsored by the American Library Association and American Booksellers Association to celebrate the freedom to read.

During Banned Book Week, there will be multiple events throughout Anchorage with libraries hosting live readings, trivia, spoken word and displays of banned books.

“Banned Book Week is an annual event where libraries celebrate the freedom to read by focusing on the books that are challenged every year in libraries and schools through the United States,” Mike Robinson, head of the systems department at the Consortium Library and former chair of the Alaska Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, said. “People ask that books be removed from library collections for a wide variety of reasons: sex, dirty words, murder, suicide, drug use, cultural appropriation, political correctness, hate speech... you name it.”

To start off Banned Book Week, the Anchorage Public Library will be hosting Censored Story Time Sept. 25 to Sept. 30 from 4 - 5 p.m. at the ZJ Loussac Public Library. Each day, there will be a different banned book story being read, it is advised that there may be strong language and imagery not suitable for children.

“There are a lot of books out there, that you wouldn’t think anyone could object to, like ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak, or ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?’ by Bill Martin Jr,” Stacia McGourty, adult services coordinator, said.

The UAA Campus Bookstore will be holding two events during Banned Book Week.

Yuhua Cui and Yuan Tian from the UAA Confucius Institute will be discussing the financial management with cellphones in China on online banking, the WeChat Purse, online purchases and transportation orders on Sept. 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. in the UAA Campus Bookstore.

The next day, Sept. 27, from 5 - 7 p.m. artist Thomas Chung will be presenting “Art and Everything Else.” During this event he will be speaking about art, expression and American life.

Around campus, there will be banned

book displays in the UAA Campus Bookstore and the Consortium Library.

“Here at the Consortium Library we will have a banned books display and freebies students can pick up like bookmarks and buttons during the week.

There will also be a shredded book contest, a jar with shredded pages from a book you have to identify, and students can take to enter a drawing for bigger prizes.” Robinson said.

Some view Banned Book Week as a way to promote free expression in numerous forms.

“I think we do not fully appreciate the uniqueness of each person and our abilities to share our unique lives with others, So freedom of expression is important to me,” Rachel Epstein, Special Events Coordinator at the UAA Campus Bookstore, said. “Banned Book Week honors creative expression and reminds each of us how precious our freedom is.”

On Sept. 28 from 7 - 9 p.m., the Consortium Library is linking up with the Anchorage Public Library, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska and Geeks Who Drink for the fourth annual Banned Book Pub Quiz at the 49th State Brewing Company. The trivia questions will be related to banned books, censorship and other intellectual freedom issues. The quiz will not be censored and is expecting explicit language and imagery in celebration of intellectual freedoms.

There will be prizes for first, second, third, not last and best team name.

To end the week, the Anchorage Public Library is hosting a showing of “Lolita” on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. in the Wilda Marston Theater at the Loussac Library, with a panel discussion taking place afterwards. “’Lolita’ is a book that engenders a lot of feelings and opinions,” McGourty said.

Although Banned Book Week celebrates the freedom to read, it also highlights other issues surrounding freedoms.

“Banned Book Week is the library and publishing world’s week to draw attention to censorship and issues of intellectual freedom. While the focus has been on books, I think it’s really important that we remember that libraries are more about ideas and information,” McGourty said.

Banned Book Week will be filled with activities around town relating to banned books, censorship, expression and intellectual freedom.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

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06 | FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

College Cookbook: Doughnuts your way Directions

By Victoria Petersen copy@thenorthernlight.org

I’ve been waiting patiently for Dipper Donuts to open. The Spenard doughnut shop was poised to open Labor Day weekend, but due to municipal issues with their electric system the doughnut shop has still not opened. The craving for artisanal donuts was real this week and I needed to address it in the only way I knew how.

My grandma had a mini doughnut pan she let me borrow. You can find mini or regular size doughnut pans at most kitchen stores. This was the first baked doughnut recipe I tried and it turned out perfect.

It’s also easy to adjust for different flavors. For instance, I swapped the matcha out for some powdered saffron and made a rosewater glaze.

This recipe really allows you to be creative in the kitchen.

PHOTO BY VICTORIA PETERSEN

Saffron and rosewater glaze.

Ingredients Dough • 1 1/4 cups flour

• 2/3 cup vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 egg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar • 1 teaspoon matcha powder • 2-4 tablespoons hot water

• 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder • 2-3 tablespoon hot water

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix all dry ingredients — flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and matcha powder in a small bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients — oil, milk, egg, vinegar and vanilla until mixed thoroughly.

4. Combine the dry and wet ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer, or into a separate bowl to mix by hand. Mix until combined. Be careful not to over-mix.

5. Place the batter into a piping bag. A zipper storage bag works just fine. Use the piping bag to squeeze the batter into doughnut pan. Make sure to pipe the mold only half full to allow room for the doughnuts to rise.

6. Bake for eight minutes. Let the doughnuts cool completely before icing them.

7. While the doughnuts are cooling, make the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, matcha and hot water. Make sure the icing is thick.

& AE

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

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Countdown to Senshi Con: More than just cosplay

By Ammon Swenson arts@thenorthernlight.org

This weekend fans of anime, comics and gaming will descend on downtown Anchorage for Senshi Con, the largest anime convention in the state.

People like Emily Johnson of UAA’s Anime Club look forward to checking out everything the convention has to offer, from the booths and vendors to the panels and featured guests.

While Johnson wants to see what Senshi Con does for its first time at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, she’s excited for the cosplay. She loves to sew and dressing up as her favorite characters is a chance to take a break from the doldrums.

“You can be yourself or you can be whoever you want and it’s just like the joy of going from boring normal life to a colorful life,” Johnson said.

Between work and school, she can spend upwards of three months working on a costume, but for her, it’s worth the effort and makes her want to get better.

She’ll go on Facebook groups like Cosplay Alaska for help, ideas or just to connect with other cosplayers.

The best compliment, Johnson said, is when she’s made her own costume and someone asks for a photo.

Senshi Con is the big payoff for cosplayers in Alaska and, if the Facebook group is any indication, there are a lot out there.

The group has over 1,900 members.

John Weddleton, owner of Bosco’s comics, remembers when he got his first dose of costumed fans.

“It was totally weird to see those few brave cosplayers a decade ago,” he said in an email.

“Now, the streets downtown are full of cosplayers during Senshi Con. Not only then, but at other events throughout the year. It’s fun and creative. We need more of that in the world.”

For attendees like Johnson and creators like local comic

PHOTO BY JAY GUZMAN

Fans meet with Jessica Nigiri, a well-known cosplayer, and several other guests at Senshi Con’s 2016 convention at the Egan Center.

book artist Lucas Elliot, events like Senshi Con are about community.

Elliot has had a booth at Senshi Con for the last four years.

Going to conventions like Rose City and Emerald City Comic Cons in Portland and Seattle are a part of the job, but they’re also a way to make connections and build relationships.

Elliot wants to help the comic book community in Alaska grow and work together to make something worthwhile. Aspiring comic book artists assume they have to leave the state to find greener pastures, but Elliot wants people to understand they can build something here.

“We might be small, but we have a lot of heart,” Elliot said.

That’s why he, along with comic artists Tadd Galusha and Lee Post, will be holding a panel moderated by podcaster David Harper on Sunday, Oct. 1 at Senshi Con to share their stories and maybe help or inspire the next generation of artists.

“Each one of us [panelists] has a different path and if that can help somebody kind of gain some insight on where they want to take their career — fantastic… Building a local Alaskan community is very important,” Elliot said.

Super-fans of things like comics and anime have gotten a bad rap historically, but the geeks, nerds and weirdos are having the last laugh in the end.

Geek culture is mainstream and nerd isn’t the four-letter word it used to be.

Johnson said when she was in high school her group of friends who liked anime were seen as outcasts, but having their support helped give her more confidence, even when the group drew negative attention from other kids.

“They would walk by us and stare at us and you could hear them making whispering comments about how, like, weird we were,” Johnson said. “While that, I’d say, could frighten

someone of being looked down upon, I’d say it definitely opened me up as a person to show who I am.”

Weddleton remembers when Bosco’s moved from one side of Spenard to the other in ‘87.

The old location’s windows were covered in faded posters, but he wanted people to be able to see inside the new shop. On the first day of opening, an adult customer came into the new location and asked when they’d be covering up the windows.

“Why? He was afraid people would see him in a comic shop,” Weddleton said. “That’s not a problem anymore. We carry our comics proudly.”

The organizers of Senshi Con know what it’s like to be looked down on for their interests, event director Braxton Bundick said.

That’s why he wants Senshi Con to be a safe haven for people to express their fandom.

It’s the twelfth year for the convention and it’s come a long way since the first at West High

School. It moved to UAA for the next seven years and then to the Egan Center.

“I’m so humbled that we still have people coming back for all these years,” Bundick said.

The event has grown again this year, using all three floors of the Dena’ina Center.

Bundick said new features of Senshi Con include fast passes for things like autograph singings, more featured guests and free entry for kids 12 and under.

There will also be a masquerade ball Friday night prior to the convention opening on Saturday.

With the extra space, Bundick wants people to feel like the have too many options of what to do. He hopes Senshi Con will feel like Disneyland without the rides, but where the Disney princess just happens to be hanging out with Deadpool.

Senshi Con goes from Friday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 1.

For more information about Senshi Con, go to senshicon.org.

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From Anchorage to Portland: A conversation with Old Hounds

By Jay Guzman

PHOTOS BY JAY GUZMAN

Aric Hanley (Bass), Argel Isaguirre (Guitar), Alberto Alcala (Vocals), Joshua Springer (Guitar) and Mac Holtan (Drums) at the Old Hounds Farewell Show.

The first time I heard Old Hounds was at their album release party for “Tooth & Nail” in late 2016.

A stranger to the metal-core genre and local scene, I was unsure what to expect but interest-

ed enough to check it out. I was instantly overwhelmed by the sheer volume but also fascinated by the energy in the crowd and on the stage. Post-show, I picked up a CD and popped it in the car to hear the other ten songs I

Alberto Alcala turns from the crowd during the farewell show.

missed, by the time I caught up to the last two tracks I couldn’t help but think, “This isn’t the same.”

Fast forward to Sept. 2017 at their farewell show before their move to Portland, and I finally

got to hear a full set and had to resist putting my cameras down and joining the mosh pit.

I was lucky enough to stop

by Old Hounds’ last practice and chat with them before the show.

Being able to watch the dynamic

Old Hounds hold their final practice Thursday night in preparation for their farewell show.

So, Alaska to Portland.

Let’s talk about that.

Argel Isaguirre shreds it out for his last show with Old Hounds.

of a band comprised of long-time friends, converse with them and watch them perform their farewell show, I couldn’t help but become a fan of the group.

Josh Springer: So I made the decision to relocate back in June. I finished school back in December. I got my [Bachelor’s of Arts]. From a personal standpoint that’s kind of what’s kept me here. I made the decision to move back in June and the first person I went to was Alberto. I told him I was leaving simply to put myself in a better position to travel and play music fulltime. We had kind of touched base with Argel on the longevity of [him] being in the band and what that was gonna look like.

And Mac has been rooted here for a long time and will continue to be rooted here because he’s got his fingers in a lot of pies. So he’s got a lot going on. So asking him to relocate was a stretch.

We already knew that Brian was leaving, too.

I honestly did not think the project was going to come with when I decided to leave. That was an aftereffect of Alberto deciding to come with me, then us talking to Argel and Mac about the life of the project. Because that’s really what a band is. It’s an art project. We picked Portland because the musical opportunity that I have is in Portland.

I’m joining another band based out of Portland and we have a built in friend system and are very well connected with promoters and venues in Portland.

It was be easier for us to get a local start there than anywhere

else it the country.

Alberto Alcala: I was super opposed to the idea at first. You came up to me and I was like bump that. I don’t wanna leave.

But I have a really bad habit of staying complacent sometimes.

Josh came to me and said what he had to say then I thought about it for four days and thought, “This has to happen.” Like I said you get complacent and... not stuck but kind of happy where you are.

Argel Isaguirre: Thanks to you guys, when I go to shows outside of [Old Hounds shows] I know what to do. Playing for years with these guys helped me grow as a musician, but this is like destiny we crossed paths at a young age. It’s the end of a chapter but a start of a new beginning but these guys I’m super happy for them. Geographically we are restricted in Alaska. And as far as this kind of music like you get to a certain point but then it’s like you’ve seen it all.

Springer: We plateaued awhile ago. I think when we told Mac a while ago he was like, “That makes sense. There’s not much to talk about. You should totally do that.”

Mac Holtan: It’s very logical.

Springer: When it was first happening, things were falling apart because we weren’t communicating openly.

Isaguirre: We had that feeling.

Springer: Alaska will always be home but I think for us it’s time to make a move.

A&E In respects to Alaska, like [Argel] said, geographically, you’re kind of locked.

Springer: We have a lot of friends that have come up here in big bands that we admire and we’ve heard both sides of the story. Like, base yourself out of Alaska then you can market yourselves as the only band touring out of Alaska. We’ve had other bands saying you won’t be able to do it, so you need to move. And what I have found is people will not work with us solely based on the fact that we are not from Alaska. It is impossible to get attention from anybody.

Isaguirre: Driving hours to another city here is like driving through four, five different states.

Springer: You could drive across the country in the same time it would take to drive through Canada just to Alaska.

So logistically, it doesn’t make sense to continue to try and do that, even with plane tickets.

Isaguirre: It’s impractical.

Springer: Being in a bigger city with more people and a hub for music; it will make or break the project. I’m really hoping it makes the project. We’re really gonna put ourselves to the test, but Alaska will always be home.

It’s bittersweet. I’m leaving my family. Alberto is leaving his family. I’m leaving a bunch of my friends.

I think that’s just kind of generally the Alaska perspective. One thing I’ve heard in terms of Anchorage, Alaska is you either build Anchorage or leave Anchorage. In respects to you guys, you have to build.

As an artist I feel like that’s kind of the destiny of an Anchorage artist. Whereas Mac, he’s bolted in here but kind of as a business entrepreneur.

Springer: Yeah Mac builds a lot. Mac is still building and

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

he’s an intrical part of a lot of stuff that happens in town. Alberto and I leaving not as tragic as if Mac relocated. Anchorage would take a much bigger hit.

Holtan: I can believe in Anchorage but I can still advocate that the right move is for Old Hounds is moving. There’s a lot beautiful things in this city.

These guys are only gonna grow if they move. It’s not like, “Hey, I hate my town, it sucks here.”

It’s literally like given our genre, given what we do and where we’re at in our lives they need to move.

Springer: I think a lot of people leave Anchorage and they’re like, “Fuck this city, there’s nothing here, there’s nothing for us.” And we are not approaching it from that perspective at all.

Holtan: 90 percent of people that say that move back in five years.

Isaguirre: Sometimes even way less like a year.

Springer: I’m not ruling out the possibility of moving back.

What needs to happen is to get down there first. Alberto and I will give it a shot then we decide from there.

Holtan: The genre that Old Hounds is in is aggressive and a big big part of that is the live show. which we went over the logistics they have to be rooted somewhere that’s more of a hub.

Whereas Anchorage, it’s very isolated and its out there. Music is very much thriving here but not so much in the genre [that Old Hounds is in].

Isaguirre: I can speak for that cause I’m playing gigs that are pop gigs here in town. It surprised me like, “This existed?” I didn’t wanna compare but when I compared the different sides I was like, “Man… Doing it in a different city would be more beneficial for the dudes.” It’s a good game plan.

Springer: The only thing I wanna do is travel and play music. And Alberto wants to do that with me for whatever reason. So

we’re gonna try and do that. Alberto and I kind of talked about it. I’m not gonna get married to Portland. I’m also not gonna get married to the idea of us having to make it work in Portland or whatever. All I want to do is give it a shot and Anchorage, Alaska this town will always be home.

Alcala: This is the first time I’m gonna live on my own. I’ve lived at home for this long. I don’t have a set job, but I’m willing to risk that.

Isaguirre: Trial and error, my friend.

Springer: This is part of the trial. There will be errors along the way. And we will decide whether we want to continue after that. Literally the first step is moving then Alberto and I will decide what we wanna do after that. Brian will have to weigh in as well. Brian is our bass player, he’s already down in Portland.

Alcala: As soon as we get there, Brian is gonna rejoin.

We’re gonna try to find another drummer then we’re gonna continue as a four piece. Shortterm. Were gonna get more aggressive. We’re gonna get louder. We’re gonna get more riffier. Were gonna get more beat downier.

Springer: Alberto wants to turn into Kublai Khan. I will not let that happen. This is not a last show. It is simply a goodbye.

Isaguirre: Yeah, it’s a goodbye. These guys will always be the brothers. We’re watching each other grow as people. Music is a part of our lives. When we see that growth it makes us proud.

Springer: The only way to feel is to be happy for each other.

Josh Springer sings back up with Alberto Alcala.

As a band, in this phase of Old Hounds, any last words?

Alcala: I’m gonna say for Old Hounds, stay tuned cause it’s gonna get crazier.

Springer: If Alberto says it, I believe it.

Alberto catching his breath mid-set.

Old Hounds play their final song at Anchorage Community Works on Sept. 16.

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Get off the couch!

Fight off boredom with Senshi Con, ASL drag night and more TAKE BACK THE NIGHT MARCH

By Ammon Swenson arts@thenorthernlight.org

At UAA ALASKA DISPATCH NEWS JOB FAIR What: Applying for jobs can be soulcrushing, but it doesn’t have to be. Bring your resume and network with professionals from dozens of businesses. There will be seminars from Alaska Tracy on using social media in job searches, United Way of Anchorage on health insurance and Chaz Alexander on resume writing and interview techniques.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Alaska Airlines Center Cost: Free ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? SAFETY SCENARIOS What: Learn what to do in case of an emergency and try out your skills while having fun and winning prizes.

When: Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: UAA Gorsuch Commons room 104 (Cama’i Room) Cost: Free ART AND EVERYTHING ELSE WITH THOMAS CHUNG What: Artist and professor Thomas Chung discusses art, expression and American life. Chung has participated in art shows across the U.S. and has work in the Anchorage Museum. He received his Master’s of Fine Arts from Yale University and has been written about in Art in America, The New Yorker and Modern Painters Magazine.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 5 - 7 p.m.

Where: The Loft in the UAA Bookstore Cost: Free

What: An event aiming to raise awareness of college sexual assault and the Red Zone, a time period between August and November when most sexual assaults on college campuses occur. The walk will start at the Alaska Airlines Center and conclude at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium. Hot drinks will be provided by Kaladi Brothers after the march.

When: Friday, Sept. 29 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Where: Alaska Airlines Center Cost: Free FANTASY AUTHORS M. COTE WARNER AND L.S. GOULET DISCUSS THEIR BOOKS What: Alaska authors M. Cote Warner author of “The Stratus Estate” and L.S. Goulet author of “Sword of Dragonblood” read and discuss their books.

When: Monday, Oct. 2 from 5 - 7 p.m.

Where: The Loft in the UAA Bookstore Cost: Free

Around town “BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY” What: A documentary examining climate change through the lens of impacts on native Alaskans, receding glaciers and arctic soil. For more information, go to BetweenEarthAndSkyMovie.com.

When: Friday Sept. 29 from 2:30 - 4 p.m.

Where: Bear Tooth Theatrepub (1230 W. 27th Ave.) Cost: Free DRAG ASL NIGHT What: Ever wanted to go to a drag show, but felt left out because you’re hearing impaired? Well, this is the event for you.

Mad Myrna’s, Denali Deaf Community Center and Alaska Deaf Awareness Week teamed up for what promises to be a fabulous time. For more information contact denalideafcommctr@gmail.com. Ages 21 and up.

When: Friday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m.

Where: Mad Myrna’s (530 E. 5th Ave.) Cost: $5 SENSHI CON What: Anchorage’s largest anime convention returns. Fans of everything from gaming to comics can spend the weekend fully immersed in all things fandom.

Cosplay as your favorite characters while checking out booths, meeting artists and going to panels.

When: Saturday, Sept. 30 to Sunday Oct. 1 Where: Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center (600 W. 7th Ave.) Cost: Ticket prices vary. Go to senshicon.org for more information.

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| 11

‘Night of the Wild Boar?’ More like ‘Night of the Wild Bore’

By Jacob Holley-Kline Contributor

Sitting through “Night of the Wild Boar” is like walking on cold coals: by the end, you’ve overcome no obstacle and just end up with dirty feet. Thankfully, it’s an easy movie to wipe away. Once the credits roll, viewers won’t remember a thing.

That ends up being the one good quality of this movie: it leaves as quick as it came.

Somehow, though, these 71 minutes move at a glacial pace.

Scene after scene is wrung out for all its worth until first time director Ramiro Tenorio decides he’s had enough of pointless crosscuts and tree branches. The result falls somewhere between Purgatory and Hell, where hapless critics force themselves to wander and smarter viewers leave before the opening.

To give credit where credit is due, “Night of the Wild Boar” is an efficient time waster. Not one to build tension, Tenorio sticks to a formula: burn through 30

seconds of plot per scene and end each with montages so predictable they become upsetting.

How can a whole movie have so little variation, so little investment?

Here’s the answer: even “Night of the Wild Boar” is bored with itself. Tenorio doesn’t know how to write characters or narratives. He knows how to write a plot, something functional. And make no mistake, this movie functions, but that’s all it does. Case in point, it opens with an interview where the now dead writer Guillermo San Roman (Spyros Papadatos) answers questions about his life.

Conveniently, his answers set up the central conflict, the main character’s motivation, and the setting. To zero fanfare, his girlfriend, Claudia (Catalina Zahri), pops on-screen, traveling by boat to his home. It turns out, Guillermo’s stories fictionalize real murders in his village. His neighbors suspect he’s involved because of this, and Claudia, now embroiled in the investigation, sets out to prove his inno-

cence.

Calling the plot paper thin would be an insult to paper.

It’s transparent. The characters aren’t characters, they’re chess pieces. The events are moves on the board, and when they get to where they need to go, nothing changes. Along the way, Tenorio makes a number of perplexing cinematic choices without committing to a single one.

Against all hope, “Night of the Wild Boar” plows forward.

Plot, character, and cohesion be damned. It’ll get viewers to the finish line even if it kills them in the process. And trust me, if the unimaginably absurd final sequence doesn’t do it, then you have a stronger spirit than me.

The big “reveal” is hackneyed to the extreme and plays like the most unimportant moment in the movie. From there, it just gets worse. It’s surprising, really: just when you think it’s as bad as can be, it ups the ante. For that, I salute Ramiro Tenorio. He didn’t just make a bad movie. He made the bad movie.

TITLE “Night of the Wild Boar”

DIRECTOR Ramiro Tenorio

RELEASE DATE 2016

COUNTRY Chile

GENRE Thriller

Many forms of cartoons and animation at the Hugh McPeck gallery “Hickory Cartoon Show” features 35 students and professional artists with over 50 works of art

By Ammon Swenson arts@thenorthernlight.org

The current show at the Hugh McPeck Art Gallery in the Student Union is an frenzy of creativity with a wide range of artists and styles.

“Hickory Cartoon Show” features over 35 students and professional artists who collectively contributed over 50 pieces with an animation or cartoon aesthetic.

The work ranges from 2-D animation and sculpture to water color and screen printing.

“It’s very eclectic,” art student and show organizer Milo Stickle-Frizzell said. Stickle-Frizzell is a former employee of The Northern Light. “My intent was to get as wide a range of mediums and styles as possible.”

Stickle-Frizzell is a member of the Hickory for Animation and Cartooning club, which focuses on aspects of art not covered by UAA’s art department, like political cartoons and animation.

Selene Still, a member of the club, submitted a video breakdown showing a side by side comparison of her work process next to her final product of a fully animated raven.

“Cartooning is very diverse in itself, because it’s going across genres, going across types,” Still said. “Cartooning can also mean animation, it can also mean comic cartoons, it can also mean just the characterization of something or the or the simplification of something, so you have that liberty to deal with that one word.”

The exhibit has the spirit of an underground art show and gave some aspiring creators, who have never had their work displayed, the chance to show their pieces in a public setting.

Art major Levi Werner submitted a piece called “City Life,” a free-standing

PHOTO BY YOUNG KIM

Community members and UAA students attend the opening of “Hickory Cartoon Show” at the Hugh McPeck Art Gallery on Sept. 21.

clay sculpture resembling a grey corallooking city standing on spindly, rootlike legs with what appears to be collections of blue fungus growing from their upper halves.

While Werner’s art has been displayed in other shows, he said getting work seen publicly for the first time can be stressful for artists. They tend to blow things out of proportion and worry about what preconceived ideas a viewer might have about their work. He thinks this show was a good way for new artists to get over that hump.

“I think it’s a really positive thing for

introducing people to the gallery type of environment and it just helps boost people’s confidence,” Werner said.

Sarah Haley of Student Life and Leadership said the show is bigger than what’s normally at the Hugh McPeck gallery and more cohesive than other multi-artist exhibits she’s seen at UAA. “I think this is work that artists have truly put themselves into,” Haley said.

Stickle-Frizzell hopes the show will inspire other artists and students to take the plunge and try something like this for themselves.

“I think that this is sort of a good op-

portunity to show students that you can make a big community art show like this, because they teach you how to make art at UAA, but they don’t teach you the other half, which is really the business side and the entrepreneurial side of art,” StickleFrizzell said.

There are already plans for a similar show next year, which Stickle-Frizzell said will be even bigger.

“Hickory Cartoon Show” will be on display from now until Friday, Oct. 6, concluding with a First Friday reception and artist chat from 5 - 7 p.m.

SPORTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

| 12

Radical Recreation: Documenting the ride

By furthering her education in film and photography, Shannon Evans wants to inspire others through board sports

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDON JOHNSON

Shannon Evans doing a nosegrab to fake on the bank at Loretta French Skatepark.

By Brenda Craig

features@thenorthernlight.org

No matter the season, Shannon Evans, associate of arts major, always finds a way to keep busy. From skateboarding in the summer, snowboarding in the winter and filming throughout the whole year, Evans does it all.

After falling in love with board sports at the age of 14, Evans’ lifestyle has been based around the skate and snowboard community. Evans was first exposed to skateboarding by her brothers. She would use their boards to push around the garage, finding her balance at a young age.

“They would always be outside skating in front of the house and they had a flat rail they would skate every day,” Evans said. “All my brother’s friends would come over and they would have a big session, it just looked like a lot of fun and it made me want to do that.”

What attracted Evans to board sports is the fact that there

are no rules.

“My favorite thing is the freedom of expression. If you just want to cruise around you can do that or you can learn tricks and there’s such a variety of different tricks you can learn,” Evans said The feeling of accomplishment is what keeps Evans pushing through the difficult-to-master sports.

“It sucks at first when you’re falling a lot and getting hurt constantly, but once you get past that and actually getting good at it then it feels good because you know that you are pushing yourself to be better at something,” Evans said.

Through her accomplishments, Evans has come across serious injuries. Five years ago, Evans suffered a head injury from skating, but that only inspired her to get back on the board after her recovery.

“Even when she had to reteach herself some of the skills that she lost due to her injury, she pushed herself to not only learn those skills again, but be-

Shannon Evans snowboarding at a local street spot. Evens picked up the hobby of board sports from her brother and his friends.

come better than she was before.

To me that says a lot about her,” Briana King, physical therapist assistant major, and close friend and roommate to Evans, said.

Evans is influenced to improve her skill level and style by the growth of females in board sports.

“For skateboarding and snowboarding, I’d say my biggest inspirations are watching female riders doing something that has a really good style and everyone double takes and are like, ‘Whoa, a girl just did that and it was sick!’ That’s what inspires me,” Evans said.

Having a skate session with her friends and feeding off their high-energy keeps Evans wanting to land more tricks.

“During the time that I’ve known Shannon she has progressed quite a bit, she’s done a lot of stuff especially in the last year where I’ve been pretty hyped on it and it’s really cool knowing someone and just watching them progress throughout the time that you know them,” Brandon Johnson,

close friend, said. “Shannon has done quite a bit, she has a whole bunch of new tricks, started to figure out her style, knows what she likes and she’s been kicking ass when she’s not behind the lens.”

In addition to skateboarding and snowboarding, Evans also enjoys filming her friends. One reason she decided to further her education after high school was to take photography and videography classes provided at UAA to expand her knowledge of filming.

“I just want to be around the snow and skate scene as much as possible filming, because filming skating is really fun and I don’t get bored of it,” Evans said. “There’s a number of different things I can be filming but I know that if I do it for a couple seasons I’ll get tired of it, but I’ll never get tired of filming skating.”

Along with Evans photography and filming, she provides support anytime her friends need her, whether it’s pulling bungee at a snowboard spot or

building ramps.

“Shannon is on it with the filming, photo-taking and everything, she loves that stuff,” Johnson said. “So that’s what she really what she brings, just someone that you can rely on especially when you’re short on people at a spot, you really need every pair of hands you can get.”

Evans determination is contagious and often inspires those around her.

“Shannon’s love for both of these sports makes me, someone who is not considered a snowboarder or skateboarder, so much more excited to continue learn and get better,” King said.

“She has been a fantastic teacher to me, and still continues to be.

I couldn’t think of anyone else I would rather have helped me improve. I look up to her, her skills and her determination to be a better snowboarder and skateboarder.”

What Evans can do year round is film and have sessions with her friends, whether it is skating or snowboarding.

DOME: November reopening possible due to community, athlete support

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTINS ONKULIS

UAA’s ski and track and field teams secure the sides of The Dome during the rebuilding process.

Continued from cover the rebuilding process is challenging, The Dome will provide the same opportunities to the community once it’s set up again.

“The Dome will largely remain the same in structure,” Cagle said. “There is a lot of challenges, and it’s going to be a long process. This isn’t a normal project.”

Cano, her teammates and

coaches spent eight hours at The Dome on Sept. 15. Many of them returned on the weekend. They helped lifting and spreading The Dome’s massive fabric out, so its tears could be stitched together by metal plates and screws.

“We got a lot done which included almost sealing the entire dome together by hand. We all had to work together especially because the fabric was so heavy.

It was important that we were all in sync when doing something,”

Cano said.

UAA’s ski team, which also utilizes The Dome from time to time, joined the rebuilding efforts of The Dome and was supported by the men’s basketball team.

“Many of the other sports have volunteered time and man power to help,” McWilliams said.

The loss of their facility was a hard hit for UAA’s track and field program, but the athletic department supported them in adjusting to the situation by making accommodations in the Alaska Airlines Center and volunteering during the rebuilding efforts.

Despite the circumstances, the men’s indoor track and field team was able to win the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title, and both teams captured the outdoor crowns in 2017.

They look forward to another season in The Dome.

SPORTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

| 13

A dozen new faces for UAA hockey

The Seawolves will boast a new lineup with 12 new freshmen

By Lauren Cuddihy

sports2@thenorthernlight.org

UAA hockey starts the new season with twelve new freshmen, in contrast to their 201617 season, which left the team with a scarce amount of players.

The team finished up the season with 7 wins, 21 losses and 6 ties before bidding farewell to five graduating seniors.

Departing from the team were Brad Duwe, Dylan Hubbs, Rasmus Reijola, Connor Wright and Chase Van Allen. To make up for those loses, the team added a new goalie and defensemen.

In addition, several locals joined the team.

Of the new additions, the vast majority are relocating from Canada, including players from Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, British Colombia and Manitoba. In addition, two Anchorage locals and an Ohioan joined the team for the 2017-18 season.

Head coach Matt Thomas is confident in the abilities of all the incomers.

“They all come from programs that won, and they were leaders and impactful players on those teams. We expect them to create a more competitive environment for our returning players to strengthen a lot of very important areas. We are excited to see them push us to the next level,” Thomas said.

Brody Claeys from St. Rose, Manitoba played for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. As a goalie, Claeys regularly was a starter on the team and even earned the team’s MVP award this past year. For his 2016-17 season, Claeys maintained his goalie position for 45 games, averaging a 0.908 save percentage.

Another Canadian, Trey DeGraff, comes to the Seawolves to play as a forward from his junior team of the Okotoks Oilers. The Alberta local boasts the impressive accomplishment of being the third-leading scorer in franchise history, 144 total in 167 games.

“Trey is a well-rounded player who can adapt his game to different roles. He is a leader

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM EBERHARDT

The UAA hockey team celebrates after a win at the Sullivan Arena during the 2016-17 season. Seventeen of the athletes from last season will join up with 12 freshmen for the 2017-18 season.

and a consistent performer who will develop into a solid contributor for our team,” Thomas said.

A second of seven new forwards is Drake Glover, also an Anchorage local. However, Glover didn’t always play in Alaska. After graduating from Dimond High School in 2013, Glover moved on to play with the Weyburn Red Wings for two years, and for his final juniors year, played for the Lone Star Bahamas.

Glover made many accomplishments while on both teams, including 13 goals and 47 assists in his 2015 season on the Red Wings and 47 points in 52 games during his final year on the Bahamas.

After competing outside of Alaska, Glover was ready to return and play for UAA. “I’ve always watched UAA hockey growing up being from Anchorage, and I’ve always imagined myself playing here so to actually be able to is unbelievable. I think one of my goals would be to win a conference championship and go to the NCAA tournament. That would be an unreal experience and it would be great for the program,” Glover said.

Another forward addition and Canadian is Jason Lavallee. A top forward in the SJHL,

Lavallee played on the Flin Flon Bombers and brings an impressive history of point scoring to UAA. At eighth in the SJHL and fourth in the league, Lavallee scored 30 goals in 2016-17 and 39 in 2015-16 season.

Similar to Glover, Lavallee joined the team with high goals driven by past successes. “[I hope] to develop myself as an elite player to have the chance to play at a higher level. My biggest prior accomplishment was winning the championship three years ago and going to the final in my last two years of junior,” Lavallee said.

Zac Masson, an Ontario local, is the fourth forward to join the Seawolves. Masson was a consistent starter and assistant captain for his junior team of Langley Rivermen (BCHL) claiming a spot in 175 regular season games and 17 playoff games, scoring 15 goals and 39 assists in the 2016-17 season.

The first of three new defensemen and the second of the only two Alaskans is Aaron McPheters. Just like Glover, McPheters graduated in 2013 from South Anchorage High School. McPheters moved around quite a bit before ending up back with the Seawolves. First, he spent some time in Connecticut playing with Select Hockey Academy

before playing for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs the past two years.

McPheters joins UAA with a previous 6-41 record.

Assistant coach Louis Mass has confidence in McPheters.

“Aaron is a solid, puck-moving defenseman with a high level on-ice IQ and poise beyond his years. He’s a prototypical power play quarterback. We have high expectations for Aaron,” Mass said.

A second defensemen joining UAA is Eric Sinclair, a second Seawolf coming from the Flin Flon Bombers. With an impressive record, 46 points in 44 games last season, Sinclair is coming in as a valuable asset to the Seawolves. The two-time Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Defensemen of the Year also boasts the title as team MVP and the accomplishment of being fourth in the league with 12 power-play goals.

The only American joining the team outside of Alaska is Joe Sofo from Ohio, who comes in as another forward. At the junior level, Sofo was Coulee Region Chill’s third-leading scorer with 51 points in 57 games, including two game-winning goals.

“Joe brings speed to our lineup. He has had a knack for scoring big goals and he will be a threat on the Olympic-sized ice

at the Sullivan Arena due to his quickness,” Thomas said.

The second of two goalies coming to UAA is Kristian Stead from British Colombia.

With a 0.936 save percentage in 42 games in 2016-17, Stead holds an impressive record, including a 0.946 percentage in playoffs.

In addition, Stead helped his team finish with a record of 29 wins and 7 shutouts in the previous year.

Brandon Switzer is the third Flin Flon Bomber to join the Seawolves. He overcame a ruptured ACL to boast 32 goals and 43 assists in 53 games during his final junior season.

Thomas recognized the dedication Switzer had to hockey and realized that he would be a valuable asset to the Seawolves.

“Character and desire are two words that kept coming up in conversations about Brandon.

His injury was a setback but he has worked extremely hard to recover and we believe that he can make a significant impact over his four years. He has the skill level to create offense,” Thomas said.

The final of three new defensemen is B.C. local Cameron Trott. From the Vernon Vipers to the UAA Seawolves, Trott comes to play with a previous record of six goals and 20 assists. In addition, Trott took a spot on the lineup in the team’s playoffs in 2015-16.

The final of twelve additions comes forward Jordan Xavier. The Calgary, Alberta local comes in with 155 junior games played. His play history is spread between three different junior teams including the Okotoks, Calgary Mustangs and Fort McMurray Oil Barrons. His time spent on those teams resulted in a final record of 54 totals in 56 games.

The 12 new freshmen only add to the 17 returners that the Seawolves currently have. After the loss of several valuable players, UAA hockey will debut their new lineup on Sept. 29 for the Green and Gold scrimmage game at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

14 | SPORTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

First Great Alaska Mile Series breaks records

In four days, eight professional runners set the outdoor and overall soil record

PHOTO COURTESY OF TODD LIST

Trevor Dunbar taking the lead during the Great Alaska Mile Series on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

By Karolin Anders

sports@thenorthernlight.org

Trevor Dunbar, Anchorage grown and the first Alaskan to have ever broken four minutes in the mile, created the Great Alaska Mile Series. Even though Dunbar has accomplished every mid-distance runner’s dream of running a sub-four-

minute mile, it had never been done on an outdoor track in the 49th state. His mile series was set up to change that.

Jack Bolas of Washington, D.C. is believed to be the first person to have ever run the 1,609-meter race under the fourminute mark in Alaska. Bolas ran 3:58.3 minutes during a time trial sponsored by Skinny Raven in The Dome on Sept. 13, 2013.

Dunbar, a professional runner, was joined by seven of his professional running friends to make history in his home state. Five of the eight competing runners had broken the four-minute barrier before, so their motivation was high to accomplish that again on Alaska’s ground.

Their first race was held at West High School’s track on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

The second race was held at Kodiak Island’s Baranof Park on Saturday, Sept.

16.

Exactly four years after the first ever sub-four-mile was run in Alaska, two men broke the magic barrier on an outdoor track for the first time. Despite challenging weather conditions, Kyle Merber of New York won the race in 3:59.36 minutes. Merber was followed by Ben Blankenship of Oregon (3:59.67) and Colby Alexander of New York (4.00.01).

“I think Colby [Alexander] was pretty confident that he was going to win. With a hundred meters to go, Ben [Blankenship] pulled up on him, and I saw them staring each other down and I was able to just come up in lane two and sneak on by as they were distracted looking into each other’s eyes. We got under the fourminute mark and Colby was very close,” Merber said.

The record was a group effort. Pacesetter Doug Benson led the first 800 meters before Dunbar took the lead into strong headwinds to keep the group on pace. The decision to pace the group cost him energy and the chance to run a good time but helped accomplish the ultimate goal.

“In my mind, I was cognizant of the splits, and I wanted to push the pace,” Dunbar said. “I was driven towards making sure someone got a fast time. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing, but I’m happy the [winning] time was under four minutes.”

Dunbar’s affords were greatly appreciated by his fellow runners and the numerous members of the running community that came out to witness history being made. Two weeks out from the crosscountry state championship many high school teams came out to watch the event.

The crowd of more than 1,500 celebrated the racers.

Joe Alward, teacher and former track and field coach at West High School, described the experience as inspiring.

“It was a dream come true. I was an athlete at West High School and I spent many days running in wind just as they did, and believing that someday I would run a mile in under four minutes,” Alward said. “Not only was it a thrill to see the athletes perform and do this, but it was a huge thrill to see so many community members supporting them. Anyways, it was a huge undertaking that these guys had with poor and especially, windy conditions, but I thought the crowd really brought them through and made it possible.”

Having accomplished their first goal of running a sub-four-minute mile outdoors in Alaska, the dynamic group of runners would not just leave it at that.

On Saturday, they tied their racing spikes again on Kodiak Island in Alaska.

This time, Blankenship, who placed eighth at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 1500 meters, took the Alaska soil alltime mile record. He finished the race in 3:57.85 minutes, breaking Bolas’ record of 3:58.3. Blankenship was the lone runner going under the four-minute mark and made up for placing second on Wednesday. Blankenship was followed by Alexander running 4:00.46 minutes and Garrett Heath of Washington (4:01.76).

“I think the biggest goal was to come out here, have a good time, and accomplish the goal,” Blankenship said. “I think so much this season, before U.S. Champs and even kind of early into late summer period, you are fighting to get everything out from the training you put in for the last nine or ten months. Now, we have the opportunity to do something that not everybody gets to do. So, to come up here and have such a great group of guys to experience some of Alaska and to get onto the track and then to try break four [fourminute barrier], is such a great opportunity for us. We put our hands together for Trevor to make it all happen.”

Dunbar hopes to be able to host the Great Alaska Mile Series again next year to inspire runners and athletes all around the state to strive for what they want to accomplish. Especially, since no Alaskan has ever run a sub-four-minute mile in their home state.

OPINION

THENORTHERNLIGHT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

| 15

Letter from the Editor: A season of awareness

By Kathryn DuFresne content@thenorthernlight.org

Next month, in terms of health awareness, is probably best known for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, October also contains Mental Health Awareness Week, National Depression Screening Day and Domestic Violence Action Month. Three weeks ago was National Suicide Awareness

Week. In December, survivors of suicide are honored on the 19th.

I write this letter from the editors as a way of saying to check in on those you love in the next few months. As the days become shorter, weather becomes colder and school rolls into a full swing, life is not always easy for those who struggle with anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.

It’s not obvious when these

issues come to light within ourselves, or within others, but sometimes, it happens too late. I have lost close friends to suicide, and no one around them seemed to know what they were going through before it happened.

So I ask you... check in on your friends, loved ones and others you know. You can never be sure what one is going through, and a simple text, letter, email or other communication saying, “Hey, I was thinking about you,”

could impact them positively.

Not to say that this could heal them of their mental illnesses, but it could remind them that someone is there for them.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, or signs of depression and anxiety, many organizations on and off campus are available for support.

Student Health and Counseling Center: (907) 786-4040 UAA Care Team: (907) 786-6065 UAA Title IX Coordinator: (907) 786-0818 Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC): (907) 272-0100 Standing Together Against Rape (STAR): (907) 276-7273

A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S

The Northern Light is a proud member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 2,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood.

The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.­­­

L E T T E RS A N D CO R R E C T I O N S P O L I C Y

Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length is 250 words.

Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum word length is 450 words.

Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity.

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at www.thenorthernlight.org.

The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union, directly next to Subway.

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