Oak Leaf Fall 2016 Issue 5

Santa Rosa Junior College’s Newspaper

The

Oak

Leaf

Let’s talk www.theoakleafnews.com

November 14, 2016

Volume CXXXVI, Issue V

Voices of the election

Luke Straub/ Oak Leaf

In this special post-election issue of the Oak Leaf, the staff have endeavored to present many points of view for your consideration.

Some of the articles you read here will almost certainly disquiet, irritate or shock you, however you voted. We ask that you make an effort to set emotion aside, and try to truly think about how other people are experiencing the aftermath of the election. We hope, through these many contributors’ words, to help bring our small corner of the United States of America back to that state described in our Pledge of Allegiance, a place created for and steeped in “liberty and justice for all.”

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November 14, 2016

News

Love trumps hate

Editors-in-Chief

www.theoakleafnews.com

Sonoma County community protests bigotry

Will Mathis and Devin Schwarz Section Editors A&E Editor | Devin Schwarz Assistant A&E Editor | Rachel Genthe Copy Editor | Carin McKenna Huber Editorial Cartoonist | Leslie Carrier and Zachary Chew Features Editor | Jocelyn Mobley Co-News Editor | Beatriz Verneaux Co-News Editor | James Wyatt Opinion Editor | Carin McKenna Huber Multimedia Editor | Catherine Ramirez Podcast Editor | Travis LaBrucherie Social Media Editor | Beatriz Verneaux Sports Editor | Albert Gregory Web Editor | Erin George Staff Writers Amoura Deering, Tommy Dennen, Arthur Gonzalez-Martin, Celine Gossage, Lachlan Irvine, Kevin Lipe, Genesis Napel, Tom Rivas, Luke Straub and Grant Wetmore Photographers Erin George, Arthur Gonzalez-Martin and Tom Rivas Distribution Manager Travis LaBrucherie Layout Team Leslie Carrier, Maci Martell, section editors and editors-in-chief

Contact Newsroom: 707-527-4401 Ads Office: 707-527-4254 Advisor: Abigail Peterson: 707-527-4867 apeterson@santarosa.edu Peer Assisted Learning Specialist Maci Martell EMAIL oakleafstaff@gmail.com Advertising Manager Keshia Knight oakleaf-ads@santarosa.edu LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We appreciate your feedback. Send letters to oakleafonline@gmail.com or to the Oak Leaf office. Letters should include first and last name and be limited to 300 words. Letter may be edited for style, length, clarity and taste. Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed.

Erin George/Oak Leaf

Community members advocate for minorities and protest possible consequences of Donald Trump’s presidential win at last Thursday’s rally at Santa Rosa City Hall.

Beatriz Verneaux and Luke Straub Co-News Editor and Staff Writer At two separate rallies on Nov. 10 and 11, Santa Rosa Junior College students and community members protested what they see as the bigotry of President-elect Donald Trump.

Both events were pacifist in tone and marked by support from passers-by and motorists.

Protesters chanted “Trump must go” and “Not my president.” The 250 people at the Nov. 10 march took over two lanes of traffic and marched from SRJC to City Hall.

The following evening, thirty marchers followed a similar route but stayed on the sidewalk for safety purpose.

“This is an anti-bigotry

protest,” said SRJC student Mia Al Mutawa, who uses the gender pronoun they and was an organizer of the Nov. 10 rally.

“This is against xenophobia, transphobia, any queer phobia, Islamophobia.”

They and other protest organizers urged attendees to prioritize the voices of people of color.

The election of Trump shocked protesters because of his disparaging comments about women, minorities, immigrants and the disabled. Many in the LGBTQ community are concerned that gains made under the Obama administration will be reversed during Trump’s administration.

SRJC student Jean LaRoy A. Jackson, an outspoken participant at both marches, said he was there because he was fired up. “This man is about to draw back 50 years of progress we made. I’m scared

for my Latino friends, my black friends, my transgender friends, friends that have no genders. I’m going to take that fear and put into everything here, cause my heritage is not a crime.”

“I think Donald Trump stands for hate and bigotry,” said protester Erin Opperman on Nov 10. “I would like to make it clear that I’m opposed to [bigotry] being in power. If I can tell subjugated groups and minorities that I’m their advocate and I’m here for them and I don’t agree with this, then I want that message to be carried.”

At the Nov. 11 march, protesters experienced some hostility as a passer-by called out racial slurs and said the Obama administration didn’t support white people. Two protesters helped keep the peace.

Al Mutawa hopes these kinds of protests, and others like them, can have an impact on the national narrative.

“This is our voice and regardless of whether the election is over or not we still have a say, and our feelings are valid,” said Al Mutawa. “The marginalized are still valid.”

Special Edition

Check out our website:

www.theoakleafnews.com We at the Oak Leaf had planned to produce our business-as-usual issue of the paper. Then the 2016 election happened, and the world changed. Instead, we offer this special postelection opinion issue in addition to our regular, if somewhat smaller, fall issue.

We hope you find this issue as worthwhile to read as we have to produce.

Erin George/Oak Leaf

Left: Protesters took up two lanes marching down Mendocino Avenue. Right: Before the protest started, the community gathered to define strategy and set up goals.

www.theoakleafnews.com

News

November 14, 2016

3

This is democracy

Students speak out on election

can do instead of [people] rioting and destroying the country.”

Beatriz Verneaux He believes Trump alone can’t make environmental decisions, Co-News Editor since he’s is just a figurehead and not the ultimate decision maker.

“It’s up to us, the people who run the environment department. He’s just Around campus this past week, the climate. He doesn’t believe in there to guide our country to wars many Santa Rosa Junior College climate change; he believes vaccines and interior things. Environment is community members exchanged cause autism. It’s scary to have for the people to take control of.” thoughts on the election of someone in the office who blatantly A biochemistry student echoed Donald Trump to the presidency refuses to acknowledge science,” the hopeful sentiment, saying and shared their expectations for said Taggart. “It’s like watching a Trump is a different kind of car crash in slow motion.” his administration. politician. “I’m actually really Taggart fears a new Bush era surprised that he became president.

Students, faculty and staff expressed opinions that is to come, with scientists not I’m surprised so many people voted range from pessimism to being able to come forward for him, especially Mexicans, black hopefulness, but for many there with information on climate people, and even women.” is an underlying tone of fear and change. “He talks about cutting “Him and Bernie Sanders astonishment. Several members down a lot of are different, of the community who spoke with g o v e r n m e n t outsiders.

And the Oak Leaf this week asked that f u n d e d since Sanders their views remain anonymous. programs. wasn’t running “It’s scary to have One faculty member said, “It’s Science is hard to anymore, a lot of someone in the office people went for horrible. I’m Latina, and it scares make profitable, me. A lot of my family is here, and even though who blatantly refuses the only different even if we’re here legally, [Trump] it provides a person who was to acknowledge has issues with Latinos. All of my lot of benefits left, and that undocumented students are having to society. It Donald Trump. science. It’s like a hard time with it.” makes sense to He’s ambiguous, watching a car crash and for a lot of Others hold onto hope. One socialize it. But student draws parallels between if you don’t have people it might in slow motion.”

Trump and Ronald Reagan, and the government have been very believes Trump may prove to be doing that, it’s the - Glen Taggart, student exciting,” inefficient in governing. harder to make student said.

Marina Franceschi, an economics it work.”

A biomedical student said, “It was my first time T a g g a r t engineering voting. I think it’s disappointing.” c o n c l u d e d , student said he With 69 percent of Sonoma “Climate is a doesn’t appreciate County voting for Hillary Clinton, public good, and as a country what Trump, says but that citizens Franceschi says she feels out of with so much wealth, it’s our job need to listen to voices other than touch with the rest of the country. to help others.” their own. “You can’t oppress 18-year-old Glen Taggart Another SRJC student studying that many people; they have that seconds the sentiment. “[Trump’s] environmental sciences believes opinion for a reason. Either we idea of change seems to be led by Trump deserves the benefit of the let them vent, or we educate these anger and fear. I’m also worried doubt. “He needs to get a chance people somehow.” about long term issues, especially to lead the country and see what he A materials engineering student

Martinez makes history: Will Mathis Co-Editor-in-Chief Mariana Martinez became the first Latina elected to the Santa Rosa Junior College board of trustees Nov. 8.

Martinez, a Chicano studies professor at Sonoma State University, won the three-way race for two open SRJC board of trustee seats Nov. 8, collecting 34.3 percent of the vote. She will be sworn in this December.

Martinez’s top priority for the college is to increase full-time enrollment through a multipronged approach. She wants to create affordable student housing, improve transportation and reduce food insecurity.

“The cost of living in Sonoma County has led to high housing cost and that impacts students’ ability and opportunity to be enrolled full time,” Martinez said. “That also means working on our retraining students, those in need of certification only and our English language learners.

Affordable housing is just one way and one of the issues I’d like to address.”

Attorney Don Edgar, SRJC alum and current board chair, won the second seat with 34.2 percent of the vote. This will be his third term. In a pre-election interview with the Oak Leaf, he said his priorities are to convert SRJC to solar energy, provide affordable housing to students and eliminate book costs. He also

wants to prioritize the use of local builders and tradespeople as the college spends Measure H funds on campus revitalization.

Twenty-four year board member Rick Call lost his seat on the board with 31.5 percent of the vote.

“I didn’t see it coming,” Call said.

“I am committed to SRJC and the success of our students. I’m really going to miss my trustee position.”

Call wonders whether partisan politics may have influenced the outcome.

“There must have been something that caused Mariana and Don to receive almost the same number of votes,” Call said.

“It’s a non-partisan position, but all local races are influenced politically. I’ve never let myself get caught up in party politics.”

expressed his disappointment with Others standing in a group with the election results and fears people this student agree that Trump will feel the ramifications for a long comes from a different world. “All time. “But there’s nothing we can do the money he’s got. He’s already on right now other than kind of wait top. He gets to see a different view and see. As problems happen we from what we see.” need to fix the damage.”

Jaxon Cantu, 20, an English Jeffrey Perrone, major who did 19, says the not want to give presidential vote his last name, speaks to deep says Californians “Trump has said divisions in are in a bubble. questionable things our nation, and “It’s even hard compares with to conceive that in the past, but the Brexit vote in people in other he stressed unity Great Britain. parts of the “These are country take a and acceptance people who are different stance in his speech. I alienated to the in things.” e s t a b l i s h m e nt , Cantu adds that hope he aspires and they want he believes radical to live up to that.” to kick the reactions to the establishment in election results are - Jaxon Cantu, the butt,” Perrone not in good taste. said. “I think to a “I understand, but student athlete big extent they’re we can’t change the not bigoted in past. If anything, anyway, they just we have to do our need to be aware best to at least of what’s going on.” come together, try to align ourselves A psychology student said, “I to who’s going to be our leader. We am not shocked, but fearful. As can’t cling to these petty things he’s a woman of color, the behavior done in the past, and even yesterday. that’s going to come up from It’s not conducive to really move the woodwork—it’s absolutely forward. Trump has said questionable terrifying to me. Pence is scary for things in the past, but he’s stressed LGBTQ and women’s rights.” unity and acceptance in his speech. I Another student believes the hope he aspires to live up to that.” president is just a figurehead, and Will, who declined to give his that the real power lies with those last name, believes it’s necessary behind the scenes. “We elect the to maintain a vision of peace, president, but we haven’t elected prosperity, and love going the people we don’t see, not only forward. “I don’t want to see running our country, but running people fighting too much. People the world. The majority of the like him will bring fight. I wish money, the 1 percent in the world. I we didn’t have to stand up for don’t feel like presidents do as much ourselves,” he said. “This is not the as they seem.” time to fall asleep again.”

S R J C B o a r d o f Tr u s t e e s welcomes first Latina member

Left: marianafortrustee.com / Right: Santa Rosa Junior College

Sonoma State Chicano studies professor Mariana Martinez, left, and incumbent president Don Edgar both won seats on the SRJC Board of Trustees.

Voices of the E S S AY S F R O M T H E S

It was like a nightmare unfolding in front of me.

Early Tuesday evening, I stationed myself on the couch, tuned the television to PBS and settled in for a long night of political discussion and voting results. I had a fruit smoothie in my hand and a feeling of anxious excitement in my heart.

In the days leading up to November 8th, I watched, read and researched everything I could about the election, hoping the prognosticators could somehow give me a better idea of what the final results would be. The race was way too close.

While most predictions had Clinton winning the election, I couldn’t seem to get rid of the pit in my stomach. Something about Donald Trump’s unyielding defiance and his attitude of absolute certainty that he would be the victor had me on edge. But I had faith that the American people would make the right decision.

One hour passed by, and already the commentators were explaining to viewers what needed to go right for Clinton to beat Trump to 270. Predictions don’t always reflect reality. Texas had already been called for Trump, and Florida and Ohio were close behind. The color of blood covered the graphic map of the United States.

How fitting.

As each hour passed, it became more apparent that Trump was actually going to win. My phone became inundated with texts and calls from both friends and cousins, asking me, with a sense of seriousness that reminded me of death, “What are we doing to ourselves?”

I longed to give them an answer, but I was asking myself the same question. The question tumbled around in my head, but I couldn’t figure it out. The longer I sat staring at the screen, the more dazed I became. My mind raced.

How could the American people do this to themselves and the world?

What had this man done to gain our support?

I wondered aloud what the world was thinking of America at that moment, and feelings of sadness and embarrassment washed over me. For the first time in my life, I did not feel proud to be an American. My eyes blurred, and I leaned against a tree and tried to gather myself.

The results of the election hadn’t surprised me, but they reminded me that hope doesn’t equal reality, predictions don’t always come true, and trust in your fellow man is often undeserved.

The American people failed themselves and the world by electing Donald Trump as president.

The man is a racist, a sexist, a bigot and has committed acts of sexual abuse and bragged about it.

There are criminals with more integrity and conviction.

Trump won the support of the many but turned Americans against each other. He claims he will move America forward, and we will be united like never before, but he has spent a year and a half deepening divides.

Trump claims that he will cut taxes and cut the federal deficit, while building new infrastructure and providing better care for veterans, but unless the man shits money, his claims are logically impossible.

For a country that prides itself on independent thought and progressive thinking, the results of this election are indefensible.

The world spent 18 months watching Trump insult minorities and women, lie through his teeth and incite violence, and Americans responded to these reprehensible actions by making him the leader of the free world. The American people looked at the face of a man who represents everything we claim our country stands against, and then made him the most powerful individual on earth.

Insanity.

— Parker Dangers Oncken, Student

M

y loving, accepting and educated mother voted for Donald Trump. Many people see him as an arrogant buffoon who ridicules people just because they come from different races and values. But my mother explained to me why she voted the way she did.

I was baffled because I knew my mother’s morals didn’t align with Trump’s. I asked myself how could she ever vote for a man like that. Her response was as beautiful as she is.

“Just because a person is conservative doesn’t mean they don’t have a heart, but I don’t believe big government is the best way to serve those needs. I think those needs should be served at a community level,” my mother said.

It goes back to the age-old saying, “buy a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” She believes the time you spend with someone far outweighs the money you would give them.

“If you really want to help somebody you give them a meal, give them a place to live. You teach them a skill.

You be a friend to them and you love on them. That is a far more effective way to help people.”

When you pay taxes, half the money goes back to the people who need it my mom says. The other excessive amount goes to running the country. Like most conservatives, my mother wants to decrease taxes by cutting funding to national and international aid. By doing this, she believes it leaves additional discretionary income, so citizens can be more generous with people. Feeding tax dollars into a large federal government is not only slow, but inefficient. They believe it’s more important to give locally and build relationships within the community.

Even though Trump has said many harmful and ignorant things, we must remember that he has good qualities too. For many citizens, those qualities outweighs the crude remarks he makes. It’s difficult to look past the ugliness of his behavior, but he will be the next President of the United States, and because of that we need to show respect. Not showing him respect will only divide this nation more, and that’s the last thing we need right now.

— Jocelyn Mobley, Oak Leaf Features Editor

L

ove trumps hate. That statement was on millions of bumper stickers, t-shirts and signs of Hillary Clinton supporters all across America. After the riots across the country, it seems to me that, in fact, it does not.

It baffles me how people can destroy their own communities, especially places which overwhelmingly supported Hillary. This is a democracy, and many learned for the first time that it doesn’t always go your way with elections.

Frustration with the result of this election is no excuse to riot. Rioting only creates more opposition and shows immaturity. These riots and hateful social media posts show those who claim to be open-minded are only blindingly hypocritical.

If you think all Trump supporters are racist, misogynist, islamaphobic or anti-gay, then you clearly are not as open-minded as you think. If you say all who voted for him don’t care about the rights and treatment of the minorities previously stated, you are sadly mistaken.

Simply look at Hillary’s history, and you will see why Trump won. People were not angered by minorities and their rights, but by her lies and blatant corruption. Now is not the time for “unfollow me” posts on social media; this is the time to come together as one nation. At the end of the day, we are all red, white and blue and that’s important to remember.

I don’t judge based on race, gender, religion or party—just like millions of other Americans who voted for Trump. I base my judgment on actions, and unfortunately I have seen many actions that show America has a maturity problem. If you know me, then you know that to be true. I do not deny racism was a part of this election, but it did not determine it. There is no doubt that we will overcome racism in America, but it is important not to hate someone for their political views. It is our right as Americans to have an opinion. This is coming from a fellow SRJC student. This is coming from a fellow American.

Do not be a part of the hate, be a part of the solution. Thank you.

—Jared Brazis, Student Athlete

America is just another trendy country.

If being trendy is your thing, be proud. The U.S. is not shying away from the wave of conservatism and bigotry that’s rising once again all over the world.

In the country I am from, Brazil, our population managed to allow an illegal impeachment over unfounded allegations, and replaced a corrupt yet progressive government with Michel Temer, who can’t run for office due to a conviction for violating election laws. Yes, I said corrupt yet progressive. That’s how bad things are over there.

But Brazilians shouldn’t worry about not looking cool. In 2018 we’ll get an exciting opportunity to replace Temer with Jair Bolsonaro, someone who’s been outspoken about being pro-torture, compared homosexuality to pedophilia and encourages physical abuse of children if they happen to be gay. He said about congresswoman Maria do Rosario: “She’s not worth raping; she’s very ugly.”

Getting Donald Trump elected was what America needed not to fall behind and look out of place among the right-wing governments of Eastern Europe, South Korea and nearly all of South America.

What brought us to this point wasn’t just racism or bigotry. It was a very old, overused tactic of strong nationalism, which appeals to workers, and a spiel about anti-corruption. Trump utilized the most democratic force, which is the freedom of speech, against democracy itself. It seems to work like a formula, like a catchy pop tune that sticks in our minds. In Sonoma County we created our own liberal tune, but that’s not the music that’s playing in the rest of the country, and that’s not the music that appeals to shortsighted folks seeking a quick fix to hunger and unemployment.

Trump is a snooze fest. He polarizes and simplifies issues. He names reasons why the country is in this state, reasons that have faces and names and that are easier to grasp than, let’s say, a complex conversation regarding colonization.

Trump mimics Vladimir Putin, Hugo Chavez, and world leaders from both ends of the spectrum that gained power by inserting fear and panic into people’s minds.

I’m guilty of feeling panicked too. In fact, I’ve been feeling panicked ever since I found Trump had been elected. I spoke to my therapist and she said new patients have been contacting her having mental breakdowns. Not surprising, considering that this is precisely how they get to us.

People like Trump make us so vulnerable that we cave. We settle for whatever they give us by tiring us out and feeding the bare minimum. We quickly become a fractured, wounded body without a source of energy, without ability to stand together, doing anything to just survive. That’s how the status quo is being maintained all around the world.

This is the bleak reality of what’s going on in most countries around the world. But I’ve never been up-to-date or followed current trends. I’m always one step forward, and both my countries can keep trying me. I won’t live in fear, and I won’t allow my soul to be torn apart.

—Beatriz Verneaux, Oak Leaf Editor

See our special online section for additional opinions, including statements from students Grant Wetmore, Nikki Goe

e Election RJC COMMUNIT Y T

he United States of America is 240 years old. It’s an adult. But with the election of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton the country is acting more like a teenager. And aren’t teenagers the worst?

With the election’s outcome, it’s like my teenager did something wrong and now I’m dealing with the repercussions. So it’s time that America and I have a little talk.

So I send America to its room and I sit America down and say, “Are you high!? What was going on in your head that made you think this decision was all right? You know better than that.”

Then comes the classic parenting line: “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.”

We’ve all heard that one. Which is what I truly am—disappointed in how far we’ve come as a nation, only to take one giant leap back.

We’d raised America to be accepting of people. It didn’t matter what gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, class or nationality you were. We were striving for equality. We were on our way.

I don’t believe every Trump supporter is either a racist, sexist, homophobe or bully. But I do believe that most of them are ignorant of how this election’s outcome affects most people.

Thoughts start to come to my mind. What will our neighbors—Mexico and Canada—think? How are we going to explain this to our friends and family? I don’t want that troublemaker Putin hanging around...

And then I realize it’s only four years. It’s like high school. Four years of Donald Trump High. Then maybe America can grow up. In four years America can look back at this and laugh and realize how silly and immature we were.

That is, as long as we are still around and haven’t nuked the planet. ­­— Travis LaBrucherie, Oak Leaf Distribution Manager

T

his election—this reality show—was as fascinating as it was depressing.

Fascinating because of the mud slinging rhetoric and disregard for any shred of decency, and depressing because voters had to chose between such polarizing and unqualified candidates.

I voted for a third party so I could sleep at night knowing I didn’t contribute to either one of these deplorable choices.

Let’s start with President-elect Trump. Wow that sounds weird. Here is a man whose rhetoric was the basis for both his success and his potential failure. His views on women and his comments on certain races infuriated everybody, and rightfully so. There is no doubt that Donald Trump is not qualified to be President of the United States.

Are you happy, Hillary Clinton supporters? Don’t get too comfortable. There are two big mistakes Hillary supporters make. They assume that because you have held a job in the government and your husband was president, that you are qualified for the presidency. She is not. The level of corruption that Clinton has participated in is staggering, from the email scandal to covering for her husband’s extramarital transgressions. The second mistake is saying that since Trump is unqualified, Hillary is better. These two candidates are mutually exclusive; they can both be horrible. And don’t try to use the gender argument. While Clinton won a majority of women’s votes, 42 percent of women voted for Trump.

I’m not attacking Clinton more than Trump. Trump is an unhinged jerk who says mean things; Clinton is more sneaky with her corruption. I don’t like either of them.

This is why I voted for a third party. The electoral college means my vote doesn’t matter, because all of our electoral college votes went to Clinton who won the popular vote in our state. So ignore anyone who tells you to feel guilty for voting for Trump.

Donald Trump is our president. We have no choice but to accept it and hope that he does a good job. Rioting will do no good. Democrats now know how Republicans have felt the last eight years. There is no point in whining. This is not 2000. Trump won convincingly. I understand Hillary won the popular vote, but Trump won the electoral vote decisively.

This election showed how disliked Clinton is. States and counties that were traditionally blue turned red. Counties that went to Obama over Romney in 2012 went for Trump in 2016. America wanted a change that deliberately, for better or worse, shook up the system. They got it. Now deal with it and move on. If you want to claim Trump is not your president, as many protesters have, go ahead. Like it or not, he is your president.

We will be fine. This is America. We adapt; we come together. It’s our job to get behind this president for the good of the country, because we don’t have a choice.

—Matt Fowler, SRJC Alumnus

I

t’s not my selling point, but I am a former member of the Republican Party. What this election has done more than anything is reaffirm my decision to leave an institution that values tradition over integrity, sexual assault over emails. I am not alone in my shock at America’s newest president-elect, shedding my fair share of tears with friends, family, and strangers.

As a woman, this election felt like a slap to the face. My voice--as it has been for centuries--was silenced and washed out over the bigoted rhetoric of a man who judges women based on their pant size and brags about his ability to sleep with anyone he wants to. As a history major, I can’t help but remember every imperfect male that has sat in the oval office, yet at every turn Secretary Clinton was forced to pass every test with 110 percent. If that isn’t sexism, I don’t know what is. As a patriot, I feel shocked that the systems meant to represent me have utterly failed me. I have had realizations newly made and old beliefs reaffirmed.

Yet as a woman, I have never felt more empowered to fight back against structural violence and end the suffering of my fellow sisters. I refuse to sit back and watch for the next four years as women’s rights continue to be put on the sideburner. The glass ceiling has yet to be broken, but it is within our reach if we have the strength to stand on each others backs and work together.

As a history major, I know that we are doomed to regress 50 years if we don’t consciously move forward and organize to achieve our goals. History can be made in spite of any barrier that blocks the path. This loss will only make the win that much greater. As a patriot, I am inspired to channel a revolutionary spirit into progressive reform. A love of country extends deeper than contemporary issues.

Though everyone will grieve in a different way and each person is entitled to their reaction in light of recent events, I hope to see more activism than ever before. Now is not the time to push a particular agenda, but rather to work together from all fronts. Some will take to the streets and make their voices loud. Others will continue educating citizens about the importance of voting and make their voices tactful. Many will write letters to the appropriate organizations with advice for next time and make their voices heard. It is not a matter of how but when individuals will choose to stand up for what they believe in.

— Victoria Sherber, Feminists United Event Coordinator

etz, Daniel Kong, Hannah Cagle, Marina Francheschi, Glen Taggart, Kyle Schmidt, Thomas De Alba and others.

Voices of the election 10 Opinion November 14, 2016

www.theoakleafnews.com

California is a pretty unique place. For the most part, we feel sheltered

from a lot of what happens in Washington D.C. and the rest of the country.

At least that’s what I’ve been told by hundreds of tourists in my life.

When the news hit that Donald Trump won the presidential election, I wasn’t terribly surprised at the backlash that hit social media. Then again, I wasn’t terribly surprised at the results. For weeks I had been speculating that things would go in Trump’s direction while whomever I was speaking with told me, “There’s just no way.”

I know people from all over the country. I follow the news as best as I can, and I knew t h a t the over-lying theme in the country was (and is) fear. Fear of not being able to feed your family, fear of terrorism and fear that our government wasn’t doing anything to ease those fears. Trump spoke to those fears far better than Hillary Clinton did. It was more than that though. Trump seemed to have some type of “invincibility factor”—no matter what the offense, he always came back. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, was held to an almost irrational level of scrutiny. Clinton was the establishment; her leash was going to be much shorter.

The media and the blue states never seemed to pick up on this. Sure, they got Trump’s fear-mongering and massive tastelessness, but for people trying to stay afloat in the middle of the country, that didn’t matter. Trump was going to take care of the things they were afraid of, bring money back to the United States, and who needed the rest of the world? That’s what mattered. An outsider promising to take America out of foreign hands beat out the lifetime politician with the conventional rationale.

Predictably, the blue states and the media went into mass hysteria. Protests became riots, social media changed its narrative but remained just as heated and confrontational. No one took the time to understand the other side after Clinton beat Sanders for the nomination. It continues on Facebook, Twitter, all over. Trump supporters chastise protesters as if they never did anything of the sort when Barack Obama won (they did, both times, perhaps in different ways, but just as loudly). Blue state folks see Trump voters as racist, misogynist, hate-filled bigots. Some are, but some are just thinking about getting their careers back and look past all the negativity. Most of it doesn’t effect them anyway. That is a huge problem for the protesters. How do you look out for yourself when you know these other groups are being treated so badly?

The takeaway, for me, is that we all need to listen to each other better. Within hours of the results, California secession propaganda flooded the internet. That’s not the answer. We need to reach out to Nebraska, Idaho, the South, Texas and find out what the people there are really like. What do we have in common? How can we all get our needs met so that we stop fighting and demonizing one another?

We need to ask more of our representatives and our media. Stop telling us what we want to hear inside our own bubbles, and help us get what we need.

—RJ Skywalker Burks, Student

Finally, this horror of an election is over. But the horror of politics

is not.

I have never been interested in politics, until recently, because it made me uncomfortable. I’m not pursuing an education to validate my own opinion, I’m just a student still learning and wanting to better understand the opinions of myself and others. I felt uncomfortable because my personal mindset doesn’t mean I do not care about others. I understand America as a place where we are allowed to make our own choices and have them respected.

With that being said, I want to offer insight as a member of the socalled silent majority.

I know this is not a simple issue, I know this election could change and, in many cases has changed, everyone’s lives. There are so many obstacles we, as Americans, have overcome and there are still many ahead of us. But how do we move forward when there is no room for possibility?

So here I am, emotional like many people in America. My emotions, on the surface, are for the same reasons: I am emotional because I understand that Americans are distraught and angry about what the future brings. I am emotional because I thought I would be able to have my own opinion, yet it doesn’t seem that way.

I have not once been able to have a civil political conversation with someone of the opposite mindset. That is discouraging. As a student I feel obligated to understand both sides. How can that happen when it’s not open on both sides?

Recently I took a political science class at Santa Rosa Junior College where, for the first time in my life, politics were discussed in a nonthreatening environment. Both political sides were discussed with the intent of increasing the students’ knowledge and understanding of American politics. That was refreshing. Each student walked away from class with a different point of view because of course that is what America offers. And yet to some, one opinion is the only opinion.

This election has divided us as a nation. It has been taken to a personal level where respect for one another, as human beings, has been disregard. Now I ask you- and myself- what happen to the openness we all desire?

—Rachel Genthe, Oak Leaf Assistant A&E Editor

tW

hen Donald Trump was elected this week, many of us went into a state of shock and started to feel heavy-hearted. In connection with the college’s fall 2016 Work of Literary Merit book selection, “Between the World and Me,” my students are now in the middle of writing letters to their unborn children describing their own struggles against discrimination in their daily life. They are also sharing their advice for the next generation on ways to forever end racism and prejudice in this world. The timing of Trump’s election and our discussions about ways to end racism collided on Tuesday, election day.

Since President-elect Trump has outwardly made bigoted comments, this election result has brought a sad, sudden sense of fear to many of us who work in education or are a student. The focus for our Nov. 10 class was discussing our sentiments, and how to create hope despite the reality of knowing that we will begin 2017 with a president who has made many racist remarks throughout his campaign.

My feeling as an educator is that “hope is a decision,” a famous quote from Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. I want my students to feel and know that as faculty here, I will stand by them no matter what and that obtaining their education is still, as it always has been, key to their happiness. I know that by publishing a book, “Creating Peace” in connection with our 2016 reads book, our students can express their voice and their hopes and we, as an educational institution, can promote peace.

One of our student authors wrote in his peace letter to his unborn child: “I’ve been discriminated against for my skin color starting at a very young age.

This is very painful. The way we treat each other and how we look at each other can only be defined by one person: You. Nobody was born a racist, and we are all the same. It doesn’t matter what religion, skin color, or culture you are from: Our blood is red and we are all human. People who say, ‘Go back to your country’ or ‘You don’t belong here’ don’t know that I was born here in the United States.”

Later, he writes, “Take care son. I hope that you can help people in need and learn from the mistakes that we, in this time period, are making.”

As we continue our writing process toward the publication of our book, my hope is that through words my students can feel the power of the pen that they possess to create peace even in these turbulent political times.

—Leslie Mancillas, Faculty, College Skills

W

hen I did my master’s degree at Harvard, I studied with Dr. Helmut Koester, an immigrant to America who served in the German military in WWII. Once, he had a meeting with students to talk about his experiences during the war. He enlisted, he said, because he heard that his country was being attacked, and because the secret police were always watching. He was eventually a prisoner of war under both British and American forces. He saw concentration camps at the end of the war. He and the enlisted Germans he was with had no idea that the camps were used the way we now know they were used: to kill millions of people. Not only was military command strict, the media was controlled by the Reich, so most citizens were afraid of “outsiders” and didn’t know what was really happening. The scariest thing Koester said that afternoon was this: “Germans didn’t think something like that could happen there.”

In November 1922 The New York Times ran an article which reassured readers that Hitler’s anti-Semitism and bravado weren’t serious, and that he wasn’t really as genuine or as violent an anti-Semite as he sounded. Germans didn’t think it could happen there, either.

The racism, misogyny, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia and ableism displayed openly by Donald Trump and many of his most vocal supporters has no place in the U.S. I thought equality, civil liberty and religious freedom were American values! I don’t believe Donald Trump shares these values. Worse, some of his fellow bigots have been inspired by the election, leading to a wave of vandalism, taunts, threats, and assaults of minority people.

I support people of color, people of minority religions, LGBTQI community, people with disabilities, undocumented and documented immigrants, refugees, sexual assault survivors, and women. The U.S. is stronger and better with you here. I demonstrate support by wearing a safety pin. This is a mark of solidarity with minority people that developed in Britain after a wave of hate crimes followed the Brexit vote, and many in the U.S. have suggested we use this symbol now. The safety pin symbolizes that the wearer is supportive and is a safe person to ask for help when needed. Will you wear one?

The Germans didn’t think it could happen there, either.

— Emily Schmidt, Adjunct Faculty; Philosophy, Humanities, Religion

www.theoakleafnews.com

Opinion

November 14, 2016

11

EDITORIAL

Electoral college, legal voter fraud?

Three days after the United States 2016 presidential election, Google reported 99 percent of popular votes for presidential candidates have been counted. Donald Trump scored 60,072,551 votes. Hillary Rodham Clinton scored 60,467,601 votes. Yet Trump won the election.

This isn’t the first time the popular choice—the candidate more people voted for—did not win the election. In the 19th century, John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Grover Cleveland all won the presidency despite losing the popular vote. In 2000, Al Gore won about 540,000 more popular votes than George W. Bush, yet lost the election.

How can the candidate more people voted for not win an election?

By being chosen through an electoral college system.

Part of the reason the Electoral College was created was the lack of political parties in the 18th century.

Congress feared a presidential election by popular vote would result in each

state putting forth candidates, with each state’s populace likely to vote only for their own candidates. Candidates from states with higher populations would repeatedly take the office, and states with fewer people would be unable to compete.

But the other option, Congressional appointment to the presidency, carried two risks. First, the risk of candidates pandering to members of Congress for their support. And second, once appointed, the president would be effectively powerless to disagree with Congress, for fear of losing his seat in the next appointment cycle.

The Electoral College was designed as a compromise between these two methods of choosing a president.

This may have been a fair solution to the problem in 1787, when the College was designed, but politics today are very different. We do have polarizing parties now. Presidential candidates now select their own potential vice presidents, rather than the runnerup in the race taking that office. And

I

n the wake of the presidential election you may find many people you know are afraid. They are, or they love, someone who is an immigrant, nonChristian, non-white, LGBTQ+, a woman, low-income or some combination thereof.

This may seem an overreaction. Every election you remember people swore to leave the country if the other guy won, but nothing really ever changed and life went on. What’s the big deal?

This fear isn’t about politics; it’s about survival. People are afraid that President-elect Donald Trump will do what he promised throughout his campaign: drive out illegal immigrants, regardless how they got here or how they contribute to society; drive out Muslims, whether they’re here legally or not; eliminate a woman’s right to choose whether to keep a pregnancy; repeal Obamacare with no plan to replace it; and strike down the Supreme Court ruling that same-sex marriage is a Constitutional right.

The president can’t do any of these things alone. The Senate and House of Representatives must cooperate, as must the Supreme Court because doing many of these things will bring lawsuits. But both Senate and House are controlled by Republicans, so their cooperation with Trump looks likely.

And if President Barack Obama can’t overcome the Senate’s refusal to hear his recommendations for the open seat on the Supreme Court, Trump will be free to fill the vacancy with whomever he chooses.

But that’s only part of the nightmare for some people, and not even the most immediate part.

Nearly half of U.S. voters elected an openly bigoted sexual predator to the presidency. They feel justified now in acting on behaviors Trump has espoused throughout his life and campaign. Within 24 hours of the polls closing I read in social media multiple first-hand accounts of men opening sexually harassing women, one of a Muslim woman being assaulted and told to hang herself, of two different black women having white men hurl racial and sexist slurs at them with one man threatening gun violence, and of multiple LGBTQ+ people committing suicide to escape the violence and persecution they see coming from their heavily Republican neighbors.

In California this may seem extreme, and it probably won’t be common here.

But California is not the whole country. When the rising tide of privileged prejudice victimizes innocent people, the victims won’t care whether they’re in California or Tennessee. It’s real, and it’s already happening.

If someone expresses fear or anxiety about the recent presidential election, please, don’t tell them they’re overreacting. You would help someone in a crisis, right? Then it shouldn’t matter if you expect that crisis to arise. They need to know you have their back.

—Carin McKenna Huber, Oak Leaf Opinion Editor

modern media allows everyone to Hillary Clinton to the presidency. learn about the candidates, wherever The petition currently has 3.3 million they come from. signatures of its 4.5 million goal. This The workings of the Electoral College petition might not have any effect on are convoluted, and would take an entire the outcome of the Electoral College’s page of this paper to explain sufficiently. decision, but if one doesn’t ask, the An important point to know, however, answer is always “no.” is all the electors As for the of most states are popular idea of expected to vote disbanding the for the popular Electoral College "The workings of candidate of that outright, that would state. Electoral votes the Electoral College take a major change are not split between to the Constitution, are convoluted, and a difficult task candidates in most cases. Despite this, would take an entire unlikely to occur electors don’t have anytime soon. page of this paper to to vote the popular There is another vote in their state, explain sufficiently." option, however. though there might The National be consequences for Interstate Vote voting against the Compact is an mandate. And the electors don’t vote agreement between states to award this year until Dec 19. all electoral votes to the candidate Change.org is spearheading a with the most overall popular votes. petition that asks electors to vote It requires states with a total of 270 the national popular vote and elect electors, the number of electors needed

for a candidate to win, to agree to the compact for it to take effect. Currently 10 states and the District of Columbia (which has three electors of its own) have agreed, for a total of 165 electors.

California is one of the states that has already adopted the compact. It took three attempts to get a bill through the Legislature and signed into law.

Twenty other states have submitted bills to their legislatures that have failed so far. The fact the issue has been addressed in those states means enough people care about it to try again.

If you believe the Electoral College, as it now operates, has passed the point of fair usefulness, talk to your friends and family members who live in those states about writing to their state legislators. Again, if one doesn’t ask, the answer is always “no.”

For more information on the NIVC, including a list of states that have tried but failed, so far, to adopt it, go online to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_ Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact.

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Oak

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November 14, 2016

Leaf

Volume CXXXVI, Issue V

Bear Cubs win in overtime

Trustees eye new district plan Luke Straub Staff Writer

Tom Rivas/ Oak Leaf

Freshman point guard Justin Frazier pulls up and makes a midrange jumper in SRJC’s 91-84 overtime victory over Foothill College on Nov. 11 at Haehl Pavilion.

Albert Gregory Sports Editor Freshman guard Jordan Graves made a 3-pointer with 11.8 seconds left to tie the game and send it to overtime as the Bear Cubs men’s basketball team won 91-84 in their home opener against Foothill College Nov. 11 at Haehl Pavilion.

“I think we played well; we really came together at the end,” said sophomore forward Justin Botteri.

“Jordan [Graves] especially, he came in off the bench in the last five or 10 minutes of the game and made the play to send us into overtime.”

With less than six minutes left in the game the Bear Cubs were down by 10 but then went on a 11-2 run

that included three back-to-back 3-pointers, which gave them a 69-68 lead with less than four minutes left in the game.

It remained close for the rest of the regulation, and with 40 seconds left in the game Foothill had a 7976 lead. SRJC began intentionally fouling. After Foothill missed both free-throws, SRJC drove down the

court, and with 11.8 seconds left in regulation Graves made his gametying shot.

“We were out of the game pretty much down 10 late but we rallied and didn’t give up, didn’t hang our heads and made some big shots and some big plays and we’re able to stick with it,” said head coach Craig McMillan.

Continued on Page 7...

‘Music Man’ ready for opening night Celine Gossage Staff Writer Santa Rosa Junior College Theatre Arts department marches to the beat of the drum with its upcoming production of the Music Man, slated to open on Nov. 25.

Set in a small town in Iowa during 1912, the musical tells the story of Harold Hill, a con man who goes from town to town duping residents out of their money, but finds his plans interrupted when he falls in love with a young librarian.

“He’s pretending he’s this great music director and he’s not, he’s a total con man,” said John Shillington, director of the musical.

Trevor Hoffmann, who plays the role of Harold Hill, says, “Hill’s basic gig is going to a town, find or invent a social problem, stir up the water to catch some fish and

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then spring it on the town that he’s going to fix everything by organizing the youth of the city into a marching band.”

The musical often pokes fun at Iowans, where writer Meredith Wilson grew up. “It’s a very rigid community that’s very cantankerous and always wanting to argue about everything,” Shillington said. “Hill takes them from a black-and-white, right-and-wrong existence to this other world.”

Hoffmann said Shillington’s direction has stretched him. “John is a director who’s going to go straight for how you feel, straight for the heart of the matter, straight for the human-to-human interrelation.”

Shillington experiments with including the audience in the performance, a practice known in theater as breaking the fourth wall.

“I treat audience members like they’re Iowans and that Harold Hill

is actually talking to them.”

Cast member Maureen O’Neill says Shillington’s depth as a director has allowed the actors to discover new layers in their performances: “This is the kind of production that doesn’t feel forced, because there’s so much behind it.”

Shillington says, “I think the play

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Rachel Genthe/ Oak Leaf

Cast members rehearse in Burbank Hall in advance of the show’s Nov. 25 opener.

has a great heart behind it about people who start opening up to the mystery of life, which is the magic of music that connects us all.”

The musical will run weekends Nov. 25-Dec. 11, with afternoon and evening performances.

General admission is $22. Students and seniors are $16.

College officials are currently analyzing a plan to change district zones for Board of Trustees elections to create seven equally populated districts with one trustee each. The proposals mark a switch from the current total of five districts split among seven board members.

“The only question is how it happens,” said Jordan Burns, a current west county trustee. “There are different options.”

The board of trustees has presented two redistricting options. Both plans look to maintain school district boundaries. Redistricting plans have been proposed by public advocacy groups as well.

All of the proposals plan to split the large Santa Rosa district into three individual districts.

Currently, Santa Rosa has three trustees as opposed to the other districts, which have one. The board would like to assign every trustee their own clear-cut area.

Some trustees feel having seven districts is a more accurate representation of the county.

“If you look at [the Santa Rosa district], it’s three times the size of others,” said trustee and board Vice President Maggie Fishman. Fishman explained that in a large district with three trustees, it’s difficult to know exactly who represents a certain area.

There is also the matter of fairness for trustees, considering the difference in cost to run for the board in a small district as opposed to in Santa Rosa.

“It is much harder to run a campaign in a super district,” Burns said.

Each of the plans strives for simplicity. “One representative, one area,” Burns said.

The next step for redistricting involves review and approval from the public and governmental bodies including a county committee and the State Board of Education. It will most likely be several months before a decision is made, according to SRJC senior vice president Doug Roberts.

All of the proposed district maps are available on the SRJC website, www.santarosa.edu, and public feedback and comments are welcome.

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November 14, 2016

A&E

Local filmmakers shine

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Petaluma’s film festival celebrates storytelling Celine Gossage

Editors-in-Chief

Will Mathis and Devin Schwarz Section Editors A&E Editor | Devin Schwarz Assistant A&E Editor | Rachel Genthe Copy Editor | Carin McKenna Huber Editorial Cartoonists | Leslie Carrier and Zachary Chew Features Editor | Jocelyn Mobley Co-News Editor | Beatriz Verneaux Co-News Editor | James Wyatt Opinion Editor | Carin McKenna Huber Multimedia Editor | Catherine Ramirez Podcast Editor | Travis LaBrucherie Social Media Editor | Beatriz Verneaux Sports Editor | Albert Gregory Web Editor | Erin George Staff Writers Amoura Deering, Tommy Dennen, Arthur Gonzalez-Martin, Celine Gossage, Lachlan Irvine, Kevin Lipe, Genesis Napel, Tom Rivas, Luke Straub and Grant Wetmore Photographers Erin George, Arthur Gonzalez-Martin and Tom Rivas Distribution Manager Travis LaBrucherie Layout Team Leslie Carrier, Maci Martell, section editors and editors-in-chief

Contact Newsroom: 707-527-4401 Ads Office: 707-527-4254 Advisor: Abigail Peterson: 707-527-4867 apeterson@santarosa.edu

Staff Writer The eighth annual Petaluma International Film Festival featured a collection of seven short films ranging from documentaries to short stories.

On Oct. 30, the event focused on films made by local filmmakers or ones that were filmed in the area.

“Being Seen” follows the lives of people living with developmental disabilities.

The documentary shows self awareness and a widely misunderstood subculture of people living with disabilities, leaving the audiences with questions about the differences between “disabled” and “normal.” The film was produced by Bay Area filmmakers Paul Zehrer and Chikara Motomura, who spent three years following the lives of Bay Area people with developmental disabilities.

“OAK” tells the story of two brothers living in Oakland. Jonah, the older brother is a fighter, who is forced to choose between following the norm or branching out in order to give his little brother, Tai, a chance at a better life.

Beautifully shot and poignantly told, the short puts a spotlight on the bond of the brothers. The film was written and directed by young independent filmmaker Maya Neumeier, a native of Mendocino.

“For the Kids of Paarl” documents an effort to build a playground in Paarl, South Africa. San Rafael native S. Kramer Herzog directed the film. The

Courtesy of Petalumafilmfestival.com

This year’s Petaluma International Film Festival featured a wide array of films from around the world.

short followed events as organizations raised funds in San Francisco and shipped 340,000 meals, enough to feed 340 children for a year. The film focuses on the South African children who are effected by the economic stress and political injustice of their country.

“Go Away Gary” is a humorous and twisted story following the day of Gary, an everyday man, who was fired from his job and kicked out of his home by his wife. This turn of events causes Gary to lash out on everyone who wronged him in loads of humorous ways.

Filmmakers Jeremiah Johnson and Danny McMillan produced the short film.

“Eat Pray Farm” documents the culture of rice farming in Bali, Indonesia. The film explores the harmony and religion behind the sustainable water management and irrigation system known as Subak, in use for more than 1,000 years.

The film also explores the difference in cultures between the growth of rice farming and the young who seek to get work in the tourism industry.

Lauren Michele, a UC Davis graduate, produced the film. “#JoshuaStrong” follows the everyday life of 10-year-old Joshua

Garfield gets gritty

Peer Assisted Learning Specialist Maci Martell

Rachel Genthe Grant Wetmore Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again, folks! It’s the magical, special two months where Hollywood puts on its Sunday best in preparation for the upcoming Academy Awards. So, without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, Mel Gibson presents for your Oscar consideration: “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Check out our website: “Hacksaw Ridge” is based on the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew www.theoakleafnews.com Garfield), a conscientious objector who becomes a combat medic during World War II. This means that no matter Exclusive, online-only content can be found daily at www. what, Doss refuses to kill anyone for theoakleafnews.com his personal religious beliefs. He won’t even pick up a gun for any reason, be it rifle training or defense. Then why Check out this week’s exclusive join the Army in the first place? The NHL opinion, a review of "Doctor Strange," an extended "Music Man" short answer would be he feels a sense preview, tips for fighting the flu and of duty to save lives on the frontline. If a story about the safety pin moveyou want the complete answer, go see ment on campus to support minorthe film yourself. It’s worth it. ity students.

This powerful film is nearly flawless in every aspect. From the opening

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We appreciate your feedback. Send letters to oakleafonline@gmail.com or to the Oak Leaf office. Letters should include first and last name and be limited to 300 words. Letter may be edited for style, length, clarity and taste. Libelous or obscene letters will not be printed.

the people that are most successful at wanting to be filmmakers just are making as many films as they possibly can,” Traina said.

For those who seek training in film without having to sign up for academic classes, community access centers in Petaluma and Santa Rosa offer access to professional equipment and training for a low membership fee.

The broader North Bay has an active film festival scene as well, with events such as the Film Fest in Petaluma, the Mill Valley Film Festival and the Napa Valley Film Festival.

“Particularly if your film shows off a lot of Sonoma County landscapes or scenery, I think those festivals are interested in supporting local artists and their community,” Traina said.

In the past decade, Traina says there has been an explosion of specialty film festivals either geared to students or focused on specific genres.

“Those are a good place for young filmmakers to break in because the most famous festivals, like Sundance or Toronto get ten thousand-plus films a year, when they’re only picking maybe 15 to 18 that would be in competition.

It’s super steep for a young filmmaker to break through that level.”

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Strong, who faces the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis. He dreams of becoming a sixth degree black belt and opening his own martial arts studio in the future. Danielle Mandella directed the short documentary and is a resident of Sacramento.

“A Different Kind of Path” tells the story of a girl who has a dream about two paths, the past and the future. She chooses to climb towards the future, realizing that the challenges will only grow worse for her. Zach Bellin, a current high school student at Marin School of the Arts, directed and wrote the short film.

Mike Traina, film and media studies instructor at SRJC, said Sonoma County has a lively local film scene.

“There’s a lot of student filmmakers between our college and Sonoma State University who are majoring in film,” Traina said.

Many local high schools offer production classes, such as ArtQuest at Santa Rosa High School and Analy High School, which helps students get involved in film even before they enter college. “You can produce something of fairly high quality without having many resources or any kind of fancy professional equipment. I find that

moments, it’s clear this is an A film. The only flaws are a few rough cuts here and there, but everything else from story to acting is extraordinary.

The best part about the film is the battle sequence, which takes part after the hell-on-wheels experience that was Doss’s boot camp. Be warned: This isn’t your usual movie battle where every shot is clean and men just slump over when they die. You’ll see gratuitous amounts of blood and guts strewn about the battlefield, men being burned alive, rotting corpses consumed by rats and many other things deserving an R rating.

Who says war is a pretty picture? It doesn’t matter if you played every Call of Duty or Battlefield game out there, you will be deeply frightened and disturbed by the harrowing experience that is combat.

However, the film isn’t all blood and gore. In addition to the horrors, hostility and loudness of battle, there is also true bravery and heroism. Combine that with a strong religious undertone, and you’ve got yourself a great film.

Assistant A&E Editor For some students, caffeine fuels the mind, getting them through the dreaded mornings. Around the world coffee and tea are traditional beverages, but Santa Rosa Junior College students are blessed with multiple coffee shops in Sonoma County. Flying Goat Coffee, with locations in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa’s Old Railroad Square, is well known for its simple interior and aromatic coffee where musical artists like P!nk caused a buzz for popping in for a cup of joe.

Flying Goat offers fresh squeezed juices and beautifully made pastries—like gluten-free cookies, muffins, croissants and scones—to complete a balanced breakfast. Other healthy options include house-made granola and a cold breakfast sandwich with aioli, arugula and a vegetablecheese frittata on a ciabatta roll.

The coffee menu brings a twist on classic drinks like the

Aztec Mocha, made with pepper infused chocolate to heat your insides, and the Bangkok, which is like a trendy new Vietnamese coffee and includes house-made condensed milk. But don’t worry, as more standard lattes and pourover coffees are also available.

There are many delights besides just coffee to enjoy at Flying Goat Coffee: the sharp interior of black, white and yellow; the wooden seating and tables for two; the large windows bringing in warm natural lighting on winter mornings and mid-tone speakers blaring easy-listening music in the background.

Park the car and take a stroll towards the train tracks to this little coffee shop. The atmosphere will have you coming back constantly, for either a meal or a brief pop in to pick up a coffee and scone.

It’s also a great place to study, since WiFi is free, but it’s not big enough for a group bigger than two. Overall it’s very enjoyable and perfect for the Instagram coffee photo we all want.

www.theoakleafnews.com

Features

November 14, 2016

3

Erin George/ Oak Leaf

Left: A group of students gathers for instruction on buddy breathing. This was one of many training stations the academy students rotated through.

Bottom: Chief Gerard assists a student as he makes his way safely down a fire hose. Teams of students are taught how to cautiously escape life-threatening situations if necessary. Bottom Left: Students of the academy need to trust their partners as they ascend into smoke filled buildings. There are four stations to rotate through as the students pick up new skills in their training. Bottom Right: An instructor of the academy demonstrates how to remain calm and remove your gear if you are blinded by smoke during a rescue operation.

Fire training Amoura Deering, Jocelyn Mobley & Erin George

Staff Writer, Features Editor & Staff Photographer “We have this motto: ‘39 in, 39 out,’” said Israel Cruz, third year Santa Rosa Junior College fire academy student.

There are 39 candidates currently pursuing their dream at SRJC’s Public Safety Training Center in Windsor.

Cruz’s grandfather, who worked with Santa Rosa Fire Department, inspired him to join the program.

“I was a firefighter a long time ago, and when I got out of the Marine Corps, I never got back into the fire service. Now, I’m trying to get back into it,” said Buck Minitch, who is

excited to graduate from the academy in early January.

“I feel like this is where my passion is. They say if you find the right job you’ll never work a day in your life, and I feel like this is it,” said Brandon Smonski, who has already completed several associates degrees through SRJC. Instructor Nate Gerard, a volunteer fire fighter with Russian River Fire Department since 1993, said going through Fire Fighter 1 Academy is the most basic of several options for

training in the field. The program offers two options: an extended academy for those looking for a career change, and a full time academy that requires 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, according to Gerard.

“It’s pretty competitive,” Cruz said.

“Our instructors are saying we will go apply for a job for a department that needs two people and there will be a thousand people applying.

You’ve really got to be on top of your game, take it seriously, take all your schooling; it’s all about experience.”

Your best Th

Devin Schwarz &

Co-editor-in-chief

Buy the bird When preparing for your festive feast this year, one of the most important and simple things you can do to make your meal complete is picking the proper turkey.

Here in Sonoma County we are blessed with a number of local farmers raising livestock that will liven up any table.

For a truly authentic flavor on your table this year, heritage turkeys are the way to go.

Mary’s Free-Range Turkey is a local organization out of San Joaquin that’s been raising organic turkeys since 1954. A few years back, their farms were hit hard by low demand for turkeys during nonholiday months, but they were saved by a new craze sweeping the nation; heritage turkeys.

These turkeys are an unaltered variety never tainted by hormones, caged lives or any other unnatural additives.

These turkey’s lineage can be traced to the first turkeys eaten at the holidays in the 19th century. You can find Mary’s free-range organic turkeys in Pacific Market in Santa Rosa and their heritage turkeys at Shelton’s Natural Food Market in Healdsburg, among others.

These turkeys won’t be cheap, but their unique and pure, natural, un-altered flavor will set the stage for a delicious holiday meal.

If you’re looking for something a little less expensive but still a step above Butterball or Kirkland, try Willie Bird’s Turkeys, a freerange turkey farm based in Sonoma that has been a local staple for years. From their storefront at Highway 12 and Llano Road, in Sebastopol Willie Bird’s sells a variety of raw and cooked poultry including smoked turkey and pheasant, turkey bacon and various deli cuts. Willie Bird’s free range turkey offers a much better flavor then the massmarket equivalent without breaking the bank.

Make the sides

The next most important thing to consider when trying to make a special meal this Thanksgiving is the side dishes.

Mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole have graced nearly every Thanksgiving table for the last century and we’re getting pretty tired of it. Here are a few alternative sides that will breathe life back into a stagnant tradition of bland sides.

Pearl Couscous Salad Pearl couscous, also referred to as Israeli couscous, is a rarely used pasta that originated in Israel in the 1950s when the region was going through a rice shortage. It’s a curiously chewy food that can be easily flavored and combined to make a massive variety of salads.

Add feta, cherry tomatoes and spinach, and top with a vinaigrette to create a fresh, Mediterranean themed salad that will keep things light.

For something a little heartier, mix in bechamel and cheese and bake for a fresh twist on classic mac n’ cheese. My personal favorite dish is couscous with butternut squash, roasted red peppers, red onions and a light honey vinaigrette. It’s fresh, tangy and filling enough to be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table.

Roasted Veggies

Roasted vegetables drenched in butter are another common appearance on many tables, but there are a number of ways to spice things up by mixing and matching vegetables or highlighting more uncommon players like mushrooms, squash and Brussel sprouts.

For a bonus p to eat out on T and avoid gro steamy kitche mountable cl theoakleaf

hanksgiving

& Jocelyn Mobley

f & Features Editor

piece on how Thanksgiving ocery stores, ns and insurleanup, visit news.com

Roasted cremini mushrooms are a unique surprise at any feast. Sautee them with brown butter and minced garlic for a dish that could almost replace the turkey for its meatiness.

You can also try mixing a variety of winter vegetables for a delicious medley sure to mesmerize. Toss roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, pecans and cranberries in butter and cinnamon for a deliciously sweet replacement for yams.

Wedge Salad on a Stick

Wedge salads are an over-used side dish that are as simple as they are boring. To take it up a notch, why not put it on a stick?

All you have to do is skewer cubes of iceberg, cooked bacon segments and sliced tomato on shish kebab sticks and drizzle with blue cheese dressing for a quick and simple salad that’s to-go friendly and easy to eat. You can also apply this method to other simple salads that use iceberg or romaine hearts. Try a chicken Caesar on a stick and you’ll never go back to using a bowl.

Use the rest

After the glory of Thanksgiving day, one of the many challenges families face is throwing away leftovers. Here are three quick recipes to transform your food into something even more delicious.

Potato Pancakes

This simple recipe uses leftover mashed potatoes, turkey and stuffing.

Lightly break two eggs into a bowl and fold in two cups of mashed potatoes, turkey and stuffing. Heat up two tablespoons for butter and your favorite oil to cook with in a sautee pan. Scoop in a part of your potato mixture and fry it on each side for three minutes or until golden brown.

Pat dry and serve warm.

Turkey Stew

Don’t let that turkey carcass go to waste. For big health benefits, make your own turkey broth to use in a turkey stew. Homemade turkey broth is enriched with calcium, glucosamine and magnesium, which can improve gut health, fight inflammation, reduce infection and help with joint pain.

To make the broth, all you need to do is take all the meat off the turkey, place the bones in a big pot, submerge the turkey, bring the pot to a boil, then simmer for about three hours. Skim the

excess fat that collects at the top.

When the turkey is done infusing the water, take it out and cool the broth in the refrigerator. Don’t be alarmed if your broth turns into a gelatin consistency—when it’s heated up it will turn back into a broth-like texture.

You can also add extra nutrients into the broth by adding chunks of carrot, onion, and other root vegetables while the turkey bones are boiling.

After you make your broth, toss in some of the leftover turkey meat and cooked vegetables to make a deliciously healthy meal.

Shepherd’s Pie

For a deceptively easy to make dish that combines everything but the kitchen sink, try a Thanksgiving themed shepherd’s pie.

There’s really nothing to it; combine your casseroles, stuffing, turkey and roasted vegetable leftovers in a casserole dish and smother it all in a generous coating of leftover gravy. Spread a generous layer of mashed potatoes over the top and drizzle with some melted butter to help it brown. As soon as you see the potato-y peaks begin to brown and the filling begin to bubble up the edge, remove from the oven. It’s all the taste of Thanksgiving with less clean-up.

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November 14, 2016

Features

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New hot spot’s maiden voyage

Former students open Flagship Taproom in Cotati Kevin Lipe Staff Writer Starting a business is no small feat, and it’s tough to break into business regardless of your education. Some of the world’s most successful business owners never went to college, including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs. Each had a dream and decided to pursue it.

College isn’t an avenue for everyone. It can be a transformative experience and most people have a calling to be there for one reason or another.

Matthew Inlow, R.P. Ivey and Jack Montgomery, three of the five co-owners of Cotati’s new Flagship Taproom are former Santa Rosa Junior College students.

Ivey took his time in identifying that school wasn’t the right fit for his path. “I learned I wasn’t adept at a sit down learning environment,” he said. “Last year I tried to go back for the third time, and on the second day of class, it was just not me.”

Two of the owners have been in school for some time, but studied subjects that don’t necessarily relate to their current restaurant career.

“I was studying music education before,” said Inlow. “After a while, I thought I really liked that more as a

hobby and not a career. I was also on the road to franchise something with Dutch Bros. Coffee, and realized the more I got into that, the more I wanted my own thing.”

Montgomery has attended both SRJC and Sonoma State, switching his major seven times in a single semester. He downsized his belongings to fit in two duffle bags and was planning to leave California before being approached by his longtime friends about the taproom venture.

The five owners have been long time friends, and two of the group even attended kindergarten together. All wanted a place where they could be their own boss and serve the community they’d grown up in, one beer at a time. Given their shared Sonoma roots, they felt opening a business together was their best option for success.

While all three men have left college for now, they say their education held some advantage in launching their business.

“Going to college built stamina.

Now I have taught myself how to work really long hours and continue to push through and do it all while not getting paid,” said Inlow. “I think some of the most successful people are those who work for themselves.

They are able to make money work for them, rather than work for money.”

Ivey said he realized he didn’t need to compare his happiness to someone with a four-year degree.

“Use [college] to find that goal you have in mind, and know that it doesn’t take one path for you to get there.”

After months of development, plans for their business rapidly fell into place in early November with their liquor license finally arriving, proving that all they had worked for was becoming a reality.

Only time will tell if their gambles will pay off—but what’s life without a little chance? In the end, only you can decide what’s worth it for your Courtesy of Flagship Taproom goal or dream. It takes a leap of faith The Flagship staff, ready to set sail, poses for a photo in front of their restaurant. to start running with the big dogs.

Flagship Taproom is shooting for a more casual, family-friendly atmosphere than other downtown Cotati bars. It boasts a great downtown location next to popular La Plaza Park. The ir plans are to serve some small bites alongside local beers, with twists on such classics as grilled cheese. Flagship will be the only taproom to serve every offering from Lagunitas Brewery on tap, aside from the wellknown brewery itself.

Flagship Taproom is at 8099 La Plaza in Cotati. It’s currently in the midst of a soft opening Courtesy of Flagship Taproom and will have a grand opening Flagship Taproom got off to a good start on the night of its soft opening. in early December.

LUNCH SPECIALS YOU GOTTA TRY

Cup of soup or half house salad served with a half sandwich 8 (S&H Club Sandwich, Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich or House Smoked Brisket Sandwich) served with our house pickles. No problem substituting half Caesar salad or fries for the soup/salad.

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1901 Mendocino Avenue at Steele (in the Redwood Plaza Shopping Center just a few blocks from the SRJC).

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Choose any brick oven two-topping pizza, two house salads or two cups of homemade soup STEELE

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Welcome to your new favorite lunch spot.

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Chili Cheese Fries 7

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Sports

Win streak: Albert Gregory Sports Editor The Bear Cubs came away with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over rival American River College in Santa Rosa Junior College’s final home game of the regular season Nov. 8. at Cook Sypher Field.

Both teams struggled to score early; SRJC got the worst of it and spent most of the first half on defense.

“I think we did a good job,” said sophomore forward Samuel Richter. “We need to come out stronger and score in the first half, set the pace in that sense.”

Both teams hatred was visible from the first whistle in what turned into a very feisty game.

“I can’t answer why it’s chippy, they’re young men and there’s a good rivalry,” Kinahan said. “I’ve played those guys 39 times and it’s never an easy game.”

American River players complained most of the game to the referees, who missed glaring calls.

SRJC expected the game to be like that and tried to fight

through the missed calls.

“They were trying to get to us by being physical,” Kinahan said. “They play really hard-nose soccer and they were desperate to kind of get on.”

Late in the first half, Wilson Briggs got the ball on a missed pass by American River. He streaked down the field to what seemed would be an easy goal, but an American River defender came up from behind and kicked his legs out from under him. Briggs fell hard and the American River defender was given a red card and ejected from the game.

“There’s just a history with [American River] and I guess they’ve had like six red cards this year, so that’s their seventh I guess,” said SRJC midfielder Dominic Laird. “It’s just a bad blood history.”

Early into the second half American River scored in the 46th minute.

“We fought hard but we gave them a goal,” Kinahan said.

“We’re losing 1-0 so we had to show some composure.”

The Bear Cubs were able to do just that by holding American

November 14, 2016

7

Men’s soccer comes back to defeat American River 2-1 River College scoreless the rest of the game and scoring on goals from sophomore forwards Wilson Briggs and Chris Ochoa.

The Bear Cubs scored in the 72nd minute when Ochoa fed Briggs the ball in the box and he drove it into the back of the net.

Their next goal came in the 80th minute after Briggs stole a pass and sprinted down the field with the ball. He tried to score but narrowly missed by hitting the crossbar, luckily Ochoa was there to clean it up and sent the ball into the back of the net.

“We started off a little slow and I think we could’ve came back and played a little quicker but we got the result,” Laird said.

With this win the SRJC Bear Cubs have clinched the first spot in their confernece. This also guarantees them the first seed in the 2016 NorCal playoffs.

The Bear Cubs have faith they have the resiliency and talent to make a deep playoff run.

The Bear Cubs next match will be for the NorCal playoffs Nov. 19.

Who they will face and the time of the game is still being determined.

Albert Gregory / Oak Leaf Top: SRJC sophomore forward Chris Ochoa pushes the ball past a defender and fakes out the opponent's goalie to score the Bear Cubs first goal. Bottom: Sophomore midfielder Henrique Noujeimi steals the ball and looks for an open teammate in SRJC's 2-1 victory on Nov.8 .

Tom Rivas/ Oak Leaf

SRJC freshman guard Cetrick Yeanay shakes a defender and drives ball into the post on Nov. 11.

Bear Cubs squeeze out win Continued from cover Santa Rosa Junior College struggled in the first half against a very aggressive Foothill team that defended the Bear Cubs with a full court press and played with an uptempo offense.

“The first half was kind of iffy but the second half, we picked it up,” said freshmen guard Gabe Knight.

After being down by as much as 12 in the first half, SRJC made a push in the final minutes to take a 39-38 lead into halftime.

“I liked a lot of the stuff we did,” McMillan said. “There was a lot of mistakes I think both ways, but they really played hard and both teams battled and both teams made some big shots and some big plays.”

In the second half, Foothill’s offense continued to have success,

which mostly consisted of their talented point guard driving into the post to score and kicking it out when necessary.

“I think we didn’t do as well as we should’ve on defense,” said John Montez. “Our matchups were bad from the beginning. We didn’t execute and keep them out of the paint, which was our game plan.”

In overtime the Bear Cubs played great on both sides of the floor and cruised to victory. Freshmen guard Justin Frazier capped off the game with a steal and easy fast break score.

SRJC may face Foothill again soon in the Shasta Tournament on Nov. 18.

“There’s a lot of good teams,” McMillan said. “We could probably beat just about anybody and just about anybody could probably beat us.”

ADM_1614_BAC_Community_SFCCGuardsman_Nov19_6x7.5_r3_FINAL_AM_1007.indd 2

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November 14, 2016

Sports

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Bittersweet

SRJC wins final regular season game but misses out on playoffs Albert Gregory Sports Editor The Bear Cubs offense helped seal a 53-30 victory over De Anza College in what was a must-win for Santa Rosa Junior College on Nov. 12 at De Anza College.

SRJC knew that if this game was lost, the season and any hopes of making playoffs were over.

The Bear Cubs offense started out stagnant and was only able to put up seven points in the first quarter on a 10-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Mitch Hood to sophomore wide receiver Kerr Johnson Jr. “It was flat at the beginning of the game,” said head coach Lenny Wagner. “It was scary because these guys are impressive.”

Despite having a losing record, De Anza challenged the Bear Cubs defense more than any other team they’ve faced this season.

“They’ve lost nine games in a row and you wouldn’t think it. They play hard,” Wagner “There is no quit in those guys.”

In the second quarter SRJC’s offense came alive, scoring 26 points.

But the defense allowed a touchdown and a field goal in that same quarter SRJC with a 26-9 lead at halftime.

“It was a great team win,” said sophomore center Jalen Soto. “Our defense struggled a little bit, but the offense pulled through.”

SRJC’s offense had its best performance of the season to date.

Hood threw for 460 yards and

completed 30 passes on 40 attempts.

Hood also threw seven touchdowns, a season-high for the sophomore.

“I’m really happy about the way they played and a lot of backups had to step up because our roster size,” Wagner said.

The Bear Cubs offense continued their success in the second half, outscoring their opponent 20-14 to secure the victory.

SRJC’s defense has been the foundation of the Bear Cubs team all season, but at the last game of the regular season they were not at their best. They allowed 338 yards, including 145 rushing yards.

“The team did cool,” said sophomore defensive back Keilan Benjamin. “Defensively we had some mental breakdowns though.”

Benjamin and other players on the team felt the defense wasn’t performing up to their ability because their minds were focused on the fact that their season might be over.

“Its depressing because we had a long season and we went 7-0 and our first goal was thinking state,” Benjamin said. “But now its like damn we lost two fluke games, and we don’t know if we’re making playoffs now.”

Despite winning the game the Bear Cubs will miss playoffs and instead play in a bowl game against the College of the Siskiyous.

“Wherever we make it to its still a blessing,” Soto said. “Whether it be playoffs or it be a bowl game.”

The Bear Cubs will play their last game of the season against College of the Siskiyous Nov. 19 at Bailey Field.

SRJC finishes strong: Tom Rivas

Assistant Sports Editor The Bear Cubs won their last home meet of the year on Nov. 9 against Skyline College at Tauzer Gym. It was sophomore night, which acknowledged Bear Cubs wrestlers Paris Henry and Colten Farley before the meet began.

A few Bear Cubs starters were out with injuries, but others won their matches.

After last week’s beat down

by Chabot College, Santa Rosa Junior College came back strong and ready to battle.

“The guys wrestled with a little more intensity this week,” said head coach Jake Fitzpatrick.

“Its nice to have your last home game a win.”

Henry, who normally wrestles at 197 pounds, was bumped up to heavyweight. He defeated David Corona, who received

honorable mention at the state level for heavyweights.

“I knew I had a disadvantage from the start, because I was wrestling at a weight class above my normal,” said Henry. “My opponent had a 60-pound weight advantage over me but I wasn’t going to let that get to me.”

Ricco Vasquez had a huge win for the Bear Cubs, picking up six points for his team. Vasquez lost early in his match against Hugo Plancarte, a well-rated wrestler, but ended up getting a reversal and a pin with twenty seconds left in the match.

“Vasquez’s win was the difference in the dual meet,” said Jake Fitzpatrick. “It was a ninepoint swing and we won by 6.”

The Bear Cubs’ Oscar Rios came back after being down early in his match. He defeated his opponent 7-4.

“I feel like I did pretty good,” Rios said. “Banging on heads is my wrestling style and I just keep focused on getting tougher

Albert Gregory / Oak Leaf Top: Sophomore wide receiver Kerr Johnson Jr. pulls in a pass by his fingertips in the Bear Cubs' final regular season game. Bottom: SRJC sophomore wide receiver Ben Putman fights through multiple tackles and falls into the endzone to score one of seven receiving touchdowns for the Bear Cubs in their 53-30 win on Nov. 12.

Bear Cubs wrestling team finishes final regular season match with ease each match.”

The Bear Cubs’ Garret Heath also won his match, defeating Brady Green of Skyline 6-1.

The wrestling team has a week off before the Coast Conference Tournament at Chabot College on Nov.19.

“I’m looking forward to the next two meets,” Rios said.

“Chabot College has a lot of tough wrestlers, so I have to be ready to battle.”

The North Regional Championship is Dec. 3 at Lassen College. The top six at the meet will qualify for the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship Tournament on Dec. 9-10 in Victoria, CA. Likely State qualifies for the Bear Cubs include Garrett Heath (1412), Joel Anguiano (15-5), Rios, and Henry. Blake Boswell, who is recovering from a concussion, will likely to be ready for state at Victoria College and East Los Angeles College.

Tom Rivas/Oak Leaf

Top: SRJC wrestler Oscar Rios attempts to pin his opponent from Skyline College by maneuvering into the top position. Bottom: Bear Cubs heavyweight wrestler Paris Henry defeats his Skyline college opponent David Corona in SRJC's win on Nov. 9.

Henry was honored for his achievement before the match during sophomore night.