Cavalier star watch: Matt Blackham

March 15, 2013

By Mac Moore

As of the writing of this story, sophomore pitcher Matt Blackham is holding 13 consecutive innings without giving up a hit. The Cavaliers have won 7 straight games, in no small part because of the strength of Blackham and the rest of the pitching rotation.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR RECENT PERFORMANCE?

I am very thankful of all the support I received from my teammates, coaches, and family. I wouldn’t have been able to be where I am today without them. It wasn’t just my performance that I pitched as well as I did. It was a total team effort. I couldn’t have done it without them. I am glad to have shared such an accomplishment with my team I couldn’t have done it without them. I set very high goals for myself and it’s a pitcher’s dream to throw a no hitter and I’m very thrilled how well I’ve pitched.

HOW HAS THE TEAM PERFORMED AS FAR THIS SEASON?

We started out slow but the more we have played with each other the closer we have become as a team. We are currently on a seven game win streak and it seems like every game we learn something new to build upon to get better and play Johnson County baseball.

WHAT IS THE TEAM’S BIGGEST STRENGTH? WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST STRENGTH?

Our biggest strength has to be our potential. We are playing good baseball right now but when we put everything together there aren’t many teams that beat us. My biggest strength is I will do whatever it takes to win. I am very competitive. I get to play the greatest sport in the world and there is no greater feeling than stepping up on that mound.

FAVORITE ARTIST

Foo Fighters

FAVORITE MOVIE

For Love of the Game

Contact Mac Moore, sports editor, at mmoore82@jccc. edu.

Plaguestate: Are you in clean hands?

March 15, 2013

By David Hurtado

Our hands are vital when it comes to the everyday hustle and bustle; without them, we couldn’t prepare food, grip tools or greet friends.

However, these same hands that allow us to construct skyscrapers or paint a canvas of stars also serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. From shaking someone’s hand to using that dingy gas station bathroom, our hands are constantly under assault from unseen microbes.

Karen LaMartina, nursing director, said having good personal hygiene is where healthy practices begin. She said it’s vital to wash our hands thoroughly to limit exposure to harmful pathogens.

“Certainly our hands are one of the big ways we tend to get sick,” LaMartina said. “Through shaking hands, it’s a point of entry. If you touch any of the mucus membranes on your eyes, mouth or nose, that’s how those viruses and microorganisms get into our system. I think our hands are vulnerable, that’s why we stress good hand washing.”

According to the CDC, hand washing can reduce the risk for respiratory disease by 16 percent. The CDC also estimates washing hands thoroughly with soap and water can reduce diarrheal disease related deaths by up to 50 percent.

The introduction of hand sanitizer in 1988 provided an alternative means of cleansing the hands of germs, but it wasn’t until the late 1990s it gained popularity. LaMartina said she felt hand sanitizers could sometimes be overused.

“There really isn’t a substitute for good, vigorous hand washing with soap and warm water,” LaMartina said. “If you don’t have access to soap and water then sure, hand sanitizers are fine, but I don’t consider them to be a substitute. If they’re overused, they can cause you to build up some resistance to the normal flora of bacteria that reside on our skin. If you knock all that out, that can actually knock out some of that defense system of our immune system.”

Diseases that can be contracted due to inadequate personal hygiene include Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Gastroenteritis.

Hassaan Shaikh, student, said a time he’s had to deal with someone else having poor personal hygiene was during a meeting at Chipotle. An acquaintance Shaikh was seated near neglected to wash his hands.

“He had dirty hands and he didn’t wash them and he started eating with those,” Shaikh said. “I really didn’t like it and I told him to go ahead and wash his hands because we were sharing a table and I didn’t like it.”

In addition to personal hygiene, oral hygiene is essential for maintaining a healthy body. Like our hands, our teeth are responsible for many different tasks. Breaking down food or forming words to converse with others would be challenging with just two toothless gums.

Margaret LoGiudice, dental hygiene director, said brushing your teeth should be done after every meal, up and down in small circles. LoGiudice said brushing horizontally should be avoided because it can lead to abrasions along the gum line. She also said mouthwash is no substitute for a full two minutes of brushing with toothpaste.

“Mouthwash can do some things, but the important thing about plaque is that you remove it, physically from your teeth,” LoGiudice said. “That’s where the brushing comes in. Mouthwash can boost that if you have some problem areas and can decrease the bacteria in the mouth. It doesn’t take the place of brushing.”

LoGiudice also said sharing a toothbrush with other people should be avoided. If the brush is still wet, bacteria are still alive and growing and can cause an array of health problems. This is caused by residue food particles that are naked to the human eye after brushing.

Common symptoms of poor oral hygiene include tartar, cavities and gingivitis. Red, bleeding or puffy gums are all signs of inflammation. LoGiudice said you can’t always tell if infection is present just by feel alone.

“That’s one of the biggest problems, because gum disease doesn’t always hurt,” LoGiudice said. “It might be a little sensitive to hot or cold, but it’s not a thing that you’re aware of all the time. Your gums will probably bleed.”

LaMartina said the best way to ensure a healthy body and good personal hygiene is eating a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables.

“The better nourished you are, the better your diet exercise and rest are; all of those good healthy lifestyles are going to help boost the immune system,” LaMartina said. “It kind of works together with good hygiene, really; it’s all one big package.”

Contact David Hurtado, staff reporter, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.

News briefs – March 14, 2013

March 15, 2013

SPEED BUMPS TO BE INSTALLED

This week, two speed bumps will be installed in front of two parking garages on campus.

One will be installed at the northeast Regnier Center parking garage at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 15. The second speed bump will be installed at the south entrance of the parking garage at Galileo’s Garden at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. The following week, the north main section of North Campus Drive will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18 through March 22 due to further road construction.

Compiled by Sydney Studer, special to the Ledger

JCCC TRUSTEE CANDIDATE FORUM

JCCC and the League of Women Voters will present a trustee candidate forum at 7 p.m. Friday, March 22 in GEB 137.

The candidates in the forum are Jerry Cook, Lee Cross, Robert Drummond, Melody Rayl, Richard Schroder and Stephanie Sharp. Dave Helling, reporter for the Kansas City Star, will be the moderator.

The candidates will present their views regarding impending legislative changes affecting higher education and Johnson County public schools. The moderator and audience members will be able to question the candidates on these issues.

Compiled by Sydney Studer, special to the Ledger

JCCC GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE NEARS

The college’s general scholarship application deadline is Monday, April 1.

Students can apply through the My JCCC EASI tab by clicking the “Student and Financial Aid” tab, the “Financial Aid” link and then the “2013-14 General Scholarship Application” tab. Students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Over fifty general scholarships are offered to eligible students.

Visit the financial aid website for more information.

Compiled by Olivia Fox, special to the Ledger
DIVISIONAL SENATORS ANNOUNCED FOR FACULTY SENATE

Nineteen professors have been elected as divisional senators for the faculty senate. They are:

AHHS: Vin Clark, Jim Leiker

Business: Cherie Leiker, Hugh Forbes

Communication: Terry Helmick, Christine Buta

English and Journalism: Dave Davis, Lorie Paldino

Health Care/Wellness: Bob Parker, Joe Weiss

Math: Ron Palcic, Theresa McChesney

Public Safety and Cosmetology: Kay King

Science: Melanie Harvey, Steve Giambrone

Technology: Damon Feuerborn, James Hopper

Twelve-month: Marsha Cousino, Dave Ellis

The second senator for public safety and cosmetology has not been determined.

JCCC STUDENT WINS ACHIEVEMENT IN LITERATURE AWARD

Ben Orman, an honor student at the college, won the Kansas region of Phi Theta Kappa Achievement in Literature award for a paper he wrote for in art history class. His paper was titled “Art Nouveau and Gaudí: The Way of Nature.”

Two other students, Arthur Collins and Elizabeth (Aislin) Reynolds, received honorable mentions for their submitted work.

Compiled by Hannah Davis, news editor, at hdavis18@jccc.edu

Letter to the editor from Jack Van Kirk

March 15, 2013

Hannah [Davis],

I found your op-ed piece ignorant and intellectually dishonest. You say that ignorance fuels oppression, and yet your entire piece is intolerant, closed-minded, and dogmatic. The long and the short of your argument is that everyone who is against abortion and same-sex “marriage” is a stupid, brainwashed bigot and chauvinist, and those of the opposite school of thought are freethinkers. Do you not see the irony of that? How dare I question your secular liberal doctrines! It’s a childish ad hominem that does nothing but shut down discussion.

To lump everyone who is against abortion in the same category as Todd Akin is intellectual dishonesty at its finest. I am pro-life, and I know Akin made a stupid comment. He admitted he was wrong, that he misspoke, and he apologized, so you can drop it. Instead, check out the March for Life (full of women our age), or Abby Johnson (a former Planned Parenthood director), or the late Dr. Bernard Nathanson, former chairman of NARAL, both of whom became pro-life advocates. You will see the real face of the pro-life movement, not the straw-men Planned Parenthood and the media have been attacking since the 70’s.

As for LGBT activists, they just want to reduce everybody to their sexual orientation, ignoring all other aspects of the human person. Their in-your-face obnoxiousness is on par with the Westboro Baptist Church. And saying I can marry another dude is like saying I can make 2 plus 2 equal 5.

This is dangerous thinking when we say, “don’t like this, don’t do it”. It is a sign that we are moving towards a dictatorship of moral relativism. Ironically, this worldview claims nothing is absolute, but such a claim is a claim to an absolute truth. We need not worry about being oppressed by Big Brother. We need to worry about being oppressed by the ego, from becoming Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. True freedom is doing whatever we want, but in freely choosing what is right.

God bless,

Jack Van Kirk

JCCC student

Counselors provide academic advising for transfer students

March 15, 2013

By Hannah Davis

The Counseling Center, located on the second floor of the Student Center, provides academic advising for students who plan to transfer to another institution.

“We work with a student who has just come in to determine what courses to take,” counselor Amy Warner said. “We help them figure out how that coursework fits with their plan, whether that course work is undecided, or if it’s something very specific. We talk about what options they have with a specific interest. […]That’s the piece of academic advising that we do. We work with somebody prior to becoming a student, first semester and then throughout their time here.”

The main roadblock that students run into during the transfer process, according to Warner, is that certain courses they may have completed at the college don’t always transfer to the school they’re considering.

“First thing the student needs to know is, when you’re considering transferring, […] you need to understand that certain courses transfer for certain majors and certain schools,” Warner said. “I always tell students, two main things determine what I advise you to take: what major you’re considering and what schools you’re considering, because a degree in general, doesn’t transfer overall.”

Parker Fitzmaurice, a student at the college, met with a counselor for advice to transfer to the University of Kansas.

“They showed me what kind of degrees KU offers and helped me see what interests me, and what’s required and prerequisites needed,” he said. “I’m planning on getting a business degree.”

The counseling center offers ‘transfer guides’ to different colleges or universities, which list the courses offered at the college that will transfer and fulfill requirements.

“The research that we have are these fantastic guides that are formal agreements between JCCC and the receiving school, and it’s a course by course evaluation,” Alicia Bredehoeft, faculty chair for the counseling center, said. “So whether it’s an agreement with Ottawa, or Pitt State, or an agreement with another institution, that institution is going to go above and beyond to make sure that our students have a seamless transition. That agreement is basically a ‘formal, gentlemen’s handshake’ that these two institutions are going to partner to the best interests of the students.”

These guides are updated almost every semester for clarity and accuracy.

About 60 percent of the college’s students intend to transfer to a four year university, and both Warner and Bredehoeft encourage students to utilize the counseling center.

“I would also hope that students would take the time to come in,” Warner said. “Not every student visits with us, and we find students who are close to the end and they will have taken what they thought was a list of requirements and then we end up telling them ‘okay, well you have all these other things you need to take to transfer, but these other things you have taken may not.’”

All the counselors are available by appointment, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and by walk-in Wednesdays. They provide not only academic advising, but personal and career counseling as well.

“When you talk about transfer, our goal is to see what the individual needs are, see what their education goals are, help them to find those goals, and partner with the career center to help them effectively figure out what their strengths are,” Bredehoeft said. ”Then [we] put together that academic plan to empower and encourage them to get engaged beyond the classroom to verify ‘is this the discipline or the career path that I want to go?’”

Contact Hannah Davis, news editor, at hdavis18@jccc.edu

Photo Essay: “Making Headlines” Fashion Show

March 14, 2013

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New measures created to crack down on piracy

March 14, 2013

By Stephen Cook

The Center for Copyright Information (CCI) has created a new ‘Copyright Alert System’, partnering with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in an effort to crack down on piracy.

The system is designed to alert individuals when they have downloaded an illegally shared file from a peer to peer network, according to the CCI website. Major ISPs, such as AT&T, Time Warner Cable or Comcast, will display a message telling you there was illegal activity. If the activity continues, then users will be able to receive up to six alerts before they are issued a “Mitigation Measure”. This will include consequences such as reduced Internet speed or the requirement to complete an “online copyright education program”. The CCI said that ISPs will not be able to use account termination as a means of a Mitigation Measure.

In light of its recent debut, the program has received some negative responses regarding its methods and processes.

Patrick Lafferty, assistant professor of interactive media, believes that although the program is “low enforcement”, it is arbitrary and is not set up to be transparent. It is dangerous to allow private corporations to police what he called “the most important communication tool.”

Lafferty said it is all about how systems have not yet caught up to the modern world.

“We don’t have the same protections on opening an email as we do opening a snail mail,” Lafferty said. “I can mail you a letter and it’s illegal for anyone else to open that, but everyone can open my email to you.”

The way people go about purchasing and discovering their music has changed too, according to Lafferty. Thanks to the Internet, fans can buy directly from artists, allowing the band to be fully supported monetarily.

“Piracy is an industry problem,” Lafferty said. “We as fans want to support the artist; I really don’t care about supporting the guy in a suit, who’s making millions of dollars off that artist.”

Kevin Tehan, student, said he stays away from pirating because it runs the risk of ruining a computer. Additionally, Tehan said it comes down to an artist’s rights.

“There are some people who it might not hurt, but there’s definitely principle behind it,” Tehan said.

Since these files are available to anybody with an Internet connection and a computer, Tehan believes that people pirate because it is easier than paying for it.

“It’s a shortcut,” Tehan said. “It’s always out there.”

Piracy is a worldwide issue, Lafferty said. If there is a movie or music available in another part of the world, some people turn to the Internet and file sharing to obtain it if it’s unavailable in their country.

“Personally, I think that information wants to be free and I think that we are seeing a transitional time,” Lafferty said. “It really started with the birth of the Internet but it’s come into focus since Napster.”

Free music doesn’t always mean piracy is involved. Brian Padavic, adjunct assistant professor, music, said the freedom of distributing one’s music depends on whether the artist is with a record company or is independent. Padavic, who teaches songwriting and digital audio classes, said artists who do not have a contract are less restricted than those who do.

“I think it comes down to an individual’s choice, how do you want your music to be heard and how do you want to make a living off of it, some people, some artists only do their art,” Padavic said. “Whereas if you have a full time job or maybe you’re a part time or full time instructor, you’re making a decent income and you might not be as restrictive on who owns your music.”

However, although giving away your music for free can give you good publicity, Padavic said. You have to step back and see what you are really gaining.

“At some point you’ve got to ask yourself, when am I losing financially and what am I gaining globally,” Padavic said. “At what point is it a risk that you’re giving away your music for free or that people are just burning CDs and [handing them out].”

Padavic said he believes it is up to the artists to decide for themselves what the best way is to distribute their music or movies.

“I think we live in a very special time and I think those who adapt to the times are those that are going to be more successful,” Padavic said. “Only time will tell where this technological age is going to take us. But I think it’s a beautiful thing and I’m embracing it and I think a lot of other artists are too.”

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

Bar Trek: The undiscovered tavern

March 14, 2013

By Jon Parton

It’s odd to find a dive just a block away from a martini bar unless you’re in Westport. Rather than surround ourselves with high-priced fruity drinks to begin with, my two companions and I set out to visit Buzzard Beach first.

Upon first glance, I had a hard time finding an employee or customer not wearing leather or sporting multiple tattoos.

The best dive bars don’t offer anything except a darkly lit place to sit and drink for cheap. In that, Buzzard Beach notably succeeds. If you drop something, cut your losses and leave it because the floors weren’t that clean.

The men’s restroom was small, cramped and uncomfortable for everyone that had to use it. It was the dirty, broken-down atmosphere that really led to my enjoyment of the bar. There was no cover charge to get in and the drinks were really cheap, a rare occurrence in a lot of Westport bars.

The wait staff was friendly and quick to get you another round. No one said a word to us as we played cards at our table. It’s the kind of spot that lets you come as you are and enjoy some cheap drinks.

After playing a few hands, we left for our next destination, wherever that may have been. We wound up inside a smoke shop since one of my fellow trekkers wanted to pick up a few fancy cigars. I’m not much of a smoker, but I am a freeloader when someone else wants to buy.

With our cigars in tow, we made our way over to Harry’s, a really crowded martini bar. Rather than try to navigate through the massive amounts of people, we stepped outside onto their patio.

Freezing ourselves out in the winter wind, we did our best to enjoy the recently acquired cigars. Our friendly waitress braved the cold to deliver our martinis to us, while we did our best to light the cigars in the midst of a Kansas City winter night.

The prices were more expensive, running anywhere from eight to ten dollars for a martini. I gladly paid the price in order to use a clean restroom that didn’t feature walls filled with graffiti.

After finishing a couple of cheap ciders at a juke joint just an hour before, sipping on martinis while smoking cigars seemed like the most contrasting part of our adventure.

We were joined by another lost soul, a woman who was waiting for her husband and friends to finish watching some game on TV. I truly felt content as everyone talked about the things you only talk about over drinks.

Harry’s is a decent place. There’s no cover charge. Most of the lower level is taken up by the bar, though there are a few tables and plenty of seating on the patios. Although they also serve food, we didn’t have a chance to sample their offerings.

I recommend Harry’s, especially if you’re a people watcher. Their patio gives you a great view of the hustle and bustle of Westport. If you like your drinks a little cheaper and don’t mind going to a dive bar, Buzzard Beach isn’t that bad either.

Contact Jon Parton, managing editor, at jparton@jccc.edu.

“The Great and Powerful Oz” Review

March 14, 2013

By Joe Hofbauer

“The Great and Powerful Oz” fits well with the notion of a 1905 crusty Kansas backdrop.

Oz seems to fall short of any deep intricate plots to feed a curious mind. Anyone with an inkling of intuition can see where this story leads. If you have children or the mental capacity of a 13 year old, then I suggest seeing this film. It has enough CGI to sparkle and dazzle any young mind, yet lacks the serious plot depth to keep any adult occupied.

The film starts off in the traditional fashion; a quick black and white introduction to the protagonist. James Franco plays a good-natured con man who tries to charm his way into the hearts of many Hollywood Vixens.

However, his antics soon catch up with him, casting him on his adventure.

When the dust settles, you are left in the vibrant land of Oz. Much like Speed Racer, the producers are eager to get your head spinning with all those unnecessary CGI graphics to capture the attention of any poor soul in the theater.

Action is slow and the plot is spoon-fed to you. I found myself wishing they would explain more of the backstory, such as where the Ruby Red Shoes came from or information on the sisters and their relationship. Character transformations happen too quickly with no real room for building emotional substance to create such actions.

Where were the Tinkers and normal citizens of Oz in the original film? This prequel does a fine job of setting up how Oz got to his position, but offered no helping hands as to a rich history of the supporting cast. However, this movie isn’t all bad. The Munchkins made a small appearance and you knew as soon as they introduced them they were going to burst out in a chipper song and dance.

Men dragged to this film against their will should take comfort in knowing there will be some nice shots of the always delectable Mila Kunis in tight leather pants, despite the fact that she looks as if she stepped off the set of “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.” Yet every time I heard her voice, I heard myself saying, “Shut up Meg!”

I highly recommend you wait to rent this movie. If you decide to waste the money and see it in theaters, make sure you bring your two best companions to help you conquer this pitiful attempt at entertainment; Jack & Coke.

Contact Joseph Hofbauer, Reporting Correspondent at jhofbauer@jccc.edu

Looking ahead

March 14, 2013

By Stephen Cook

As the new editor-in-chief of the Campus Ledger, I would like to say that I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity to lead this publication and serve you, our reader. In my time at the Ledger, I have become friends with a great group of very talented people that make this publication run smoothly.

One of my goals is to get our readers even more involved. We want you to be a part of this publication just as much as you are a part of this college.

Looking ahead, I can guarantee you that I will do everything in my power to make sure the Campus Ledger continues to be a publication of excellence and interest.

Thank you for reading and I hope you’ll enjoy what we have in store!

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

History of St. Patrick’s Day

March 14, 2013

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Column: An apology for my profanity

March 5, 2013

By Jon Parton

The Campus Ledger printed a bar review in Issue 11 written by me. The article contained two words that are deemed vulgar by most publications, including ours. I would like to apologize for their inclusion in my review.

The words printed were the words I wrote. Neither the adviser to the paper nor any other members of the editorial staff were responsible for my decision.

I make no excuses for my language. Profanity is vulgar, sometimes funny, but more importantly, can be offensive.

The Campus Ledger holds itself up to the standards of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Kansas Press Association.

Under the SPJ’s Code of Ethics, journalists are required to minimize harm. Part of that includes showing good taste. I did not show good taste by my inclusion of profanity in the review. By using vulgar language in my article, I neglected the code I believe in.

I have damaged the public trust not only in myself, but in The Campus Ledger as well. My apology extends not only to our readers, but to my fellow staff members who work hard to make the newspaper the best it can be.

In my arrogance, I reached out to one part of our readership while shutting out another. As a journalist, it’s my responsibility to reach as many people as possible. I can’t do that by pushing people away with my use of language.

Above all else, my greatest goal as a journalist is to help create an informed society. I do that by reporting on our world in a clear and objective manner that invites everyone to read and discern the truth.

Although vulgarity may appeal to some, I want to reach everyone. I apologize for the profanity that appeared in my review.

The Campus Ledger is your newspaper, not mine. I never wanted to leave out any part of our readership and I sincerely hope I haven’t.

Contact Jon Parton, managing editor, at jparton@jccc.edu.

College produces stories to spotlight students

March 4, 2013

Sheperd-BannersOnline — Banners all around the JCCC campus illustrate the friendly and productive environment that the campus has to offer. Photo by Andrew Shepherd

By Stephen Cook

The college will add new banners to the tree-lined walkway in front of the science building this spring, in an ongoing effort to promote student recognition and inspiration.

Examples of these banners can be seen around campus, hanging in the Carlsen Center and the foyer of the Student Center. The “Changing Lives Through Learning” banners are part of a student stories project, started around four years ago by Paul Kyle, Dean of Student Services/Success.
Kyle said the project was created as a way to make students feel more “connected” at the campus.

“[We] felt like the campus was a little sterile,” Kyle said. “We wanted to try and get people’s faces up there, and their story and their ideas and so it’s been multi-faceted, and one of them was the banners.”

The project also includes a series on the JCCC YouTube channel as well as the stories seen on the homepage of the college website. Between the different outlets, there have been a total of about 70 student stories.

The students are selected to be a part of the student stories project when they are referred by faculty or by their friends, according to Kyle. The college has been doing this for four years now, with two iterations of banners.
Jane Shipley, Program Director, Success Center, is one of two co-chairs that serve on the project committee with Kyle. Shipley said she hopes students have been able to enjoy the project.

“I hope it’s been positive for students, I know it’s been positive for faculty and staff,” Shipley said. “The one way that I have to gauge that is that students, most of them want their posters, most of them are really excited to be a part of it when they’re asked.”

Ada Martinez-Medina, who grew up in a household as the oldest of nine children with a single mother, was selected to be on one of the new banners after taking a strength finder test from the college.

Before coming to the college, Martinez-Medina had only finished the eighth grade. Previous circumstances had prevented her from graduating high school. Now Martinez-Medina has not only earned her GED through the college, but is currently working towards an associate in liberal arts. She is also married, works a full-time job and takes care of her children.

Martinez-Medina said being a part of the student stories project has meant a lot to her.

“Getting this all fulfilled [is] so rewarding,” Martinez-Medina said. “It feels like somebody just said, ‘Hey, we’re recognizing everything you went through.’”

It was one of her professors, Kit Gorrell Frankenfield, who suggested she be a part of the project. Martinez-Medina described Frankenfield is an “amazing professor.”

According to Martinez-Medina the college is here to help students and see them achieve their goals.

“They recognize their students,” Martinez-Medina said. “They really appreciate each and every student and the help is there, you just have to go look for it, they give you so many resources it’s unbelievable.”

Martinez-Medina’s story can be found on the JCCC website, along with many other stories produced by the college about students and staff.
Kyle said the stories he has heard from students are inspiring to him and hopes they inspire other students as well.

“It’s fascinating the stories that you’ll see and hear from students that, from their perspective, ‘no big deal,’” Kyle said, “But when you look at the scope of their story and some of them have really [overcame] lots of obstacles.”

Shipley said her favorite part of the process is getting to know the students.

“It’s like you get a little window into someone’s world,” Shipley said. “I think all of us, everyone of us, that have sat in on those interviews we feel the same way, we just come out so inspired around, what students do, what they do, what they overcome, what they’re capable of, their great spirit: spirit of hope.”

Contact Stephen Cook, copy editor, at scook35@jccc.edu.

Campus star watch: Q&A with Christian Hildebrandt

March 4, 2013

Top scorer Christian Hildebrandt leads team to Regionals

By Mac Moore

Sophomore forward Christian Hildebrandt is the leading scorer for the Cavaliers this season. Despite a 10-20 record heading into regionals, Hildebrandt averages 17 points and more than six rebounds on the year.

Cavaliers forward Christian Hildebrandt attempts a guarded jumper. Photo by Daniel De Zamacona

As top returning scorer from last season, Hildebrandt knew he would have to take on a leadership role for this team and bore a large load for this squad. Hildebrandt is the 11th player in school history to score 1,000 points in his career.

Q: How do you feel about your performance and the team’s performance this season?
A: My performance, I always feel like I can do better. I feel like my performance has been alright but there have been so many close games. I feel like I could have made a difference in those games. As far as the team goes, I feel like we’ve done okay but like I said, there were so many close games that we could have done something different. There were times we played really well and that’s what I’m hoping to see in these later games.

Q: Biggest highlight?
A: Probably my 32 point performance against Labette at home.

Q: How excited are you for Regionals?
A: I’m very excited. It’s win or go home. Moments like that always get me excited because in the past I’ve always had pretty good success in those situations. So I’m pretty excited to see how our team will play, hopefully have another good run.

Q: Favorite artist?
A: My favorite artist might be The Weeknd.

Q: Favorite movie?
A: I just saw “Django” and really liked it, but my all-time favorite movie would be “Friday.”

Q: Dream vacation?
A: On this one Twitter page they have pictures of all these beautiful places on Earth, nice resorts and stuff. There is this one in particular, it’s like a bunch of villages, a bunch of huts and in the middle there is a big swimming pool, so you just swim around everywhere. I would like to go there.

Contact Mac Moore, sports editor, at mmoore82@jccc.edu.

Behind in the count

March 4, 2013

Early under 500 record doesn’t deter baseball team’s optimism

By Gabrielle Fitzgerald

Matt Ham practices with a teammate tossing a medicine ball to build up strength for future games. Photo by Andrew Shepherd

The college’s baseball season may not have started out the best, but head coach Kent Shelley predicts victory in the future.

The Cavaliers are 3-4, starting the season with three consecutive losses to Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana.

“Prior to going to Bossier City, we had only been outside twice on our new field,” Shelley said. “We had not seen live pitching until this series and that was very evident, and we had a very difficult time scoring runs.”

Shelley said he was proud of the team’s pitching over their last seven games. In a game against DuPage Community College, Matt Blackham and Nick Kolarik combined to pitch a no-hitter.

“We made great strides from the first series to the second,” Shelley said.

The new field dries quickly, but with the recent snowfall the team has been forced to cancel games and move practices inside. According to Shelley, what the ball club needs most is to play and gain experience, especially with the constant change in roster.

“As we do every year, we lose key players,” Shelley said. “You only have them for two years and every year you’re recruiting a new team, so it’s nothing that we haven’t experienced or dealt with in the past and we’ll continue to deal with in the future. We just have to have some players step up, and have some sophomores have some big years for us.”

Juan Bauers, first base, had a rocky season start with an injury during the Bossier Parish series. Darius Hampton, shortstop, also hasn’t started out as well as he hoped to. However, both have high expectations for the season, provided the team can find the confidence to believe in success.

“Coach has been talking to us about confidence,” Bauers said. “Just knowing that when we get in there we can do it, instead of just hoping to get it done.”

Hampton pinpointed an issue plaguing the team.

“We haven’t been outside that much to see live pitching, but that should come around so we really just need to work on our hitting,” Hampton said.

The team had great offense the past season, so Shelley expects the offense to improve over the season.

“The kids have kept a fantastic attitude. Their work ethic remains very strong, so we have high hopes,” said Shelley. “Last year we started the season 0-4; we finished with 40 wins and a Jayhawk Conference championship so nobody’s panicking… I have all the faith in the world in them that we will get it turned around offensively and I know that we’re going to be a very strong defensive club. We remain optimistic that we will continue to progress and continue to improve, and we will be ready when the Jayhawk Conference kicks off.”

Contact Gabrielle Fitzgerald, features editor, at gfitzge1@jccc.edu.

Man on the Street: Why did you pick your smart phone?

March 4, 2013

Serving up a strong season

March 4, 2013

Sheperd-TennisOnline — Erika Castillo and Shannon Beckett high five after winning a point during practice on February 27, 2013. Photo by Andrew Shepherd

By Mac Moore

The snow days and snowfall have interfered with the early season practice for the tennis team, but they still have bright plans for themselves during the sunnier days in March.

The women’s squad ranks sixth in the NJCAA heading into the season. Sophomores Shannon Beckett and Erica Castillo-Lopez are ranked third in the nation in doubles, as well Beckett being ranked fifth in singles. With no matches played, the tandem has already made a step forward through another team’s mishap.

“The number two team, one of the girls had surgery and is out for year,” head coach Glen Moser said. “So technically, I guess, [Beckett and Castillo-Lopez] are the number two doubles now.”

Sophomore Daniel De Zamacona and freshman Spartak Rahachou are currently set to lead the charge for the Cavaliers as the team’s number one doubles. De Zamacona is also ranked sixth in singles. Overall the team is ranked eighth heading into the season.

“Ranked number eight, that’s a fair assessment,” Moser said. “I like to think our men are better than eighth but the top 10 teams are looking pretty even and pretty close.”

Moser said most years there is a distinct advantage between the top squads. While his team is ranked similarly to last year, he feels the field is much more even from top to bottom.

Part of that can be attributed to the new international rule. Previously, teams would stock themselves with the top foreign players. Local talent was nearly non-existent.

This season, junior college teams are only allowed two total international players. Draper believes this will allow mid-range squads the chance to compete against the top teams.

Sophomore Michael Draper believes because of this, both teams can put together a quality season and make a run at nationals.

“I feel as if we play to our full potential then we have a real shot,” Draper said. “With the international rule, you are going to see some teams not be as deep all the way through the lineup as in years past. The bottom of some team’s lineups will be much weaker than before.”

The international rule should shrink the talent differential of the top and bottom teams. It should also give the team trouble with the four-year universities they face throughout the year. Moser knows this, but still believes this will definitely benefit Cavalier tennis in future seasons.

“In 2009, I looked at the top 50 JUCO players and 45 were foreign, five were American,” Moser said. “We had three of them. That’s in the top 50, that’s how foreign the sport has become. Now JUCO teams are forced to go out and get American kids. Personally I like it; it’s more a of ‘community college’ philosophy.”

The team will really get a feel for their ability to compete once spring break arrives. Both squads will compete in a five-day, five-tournament stretch from March 15-19. The men’s team is facing three of the top 10 teams during that time.

“The neat thing is we are going to face the number one, four, five, seven and 10 squads during our season,” Moser said. “There are not a lot of sports where you can play five of the top 10 teams on your schedule.”

Editor’s note: Daniel De Zamacona is an employee of The Campus Ledger.

Contact Mac Moore, sports editor, at mmoore82@jccc.edu.

Sports briefs – March 4, 2013

March 4, 2013

Men’s basketball

The Cavaliers halted an eight-game losing streak by defeating Allen County in a 58-57 thriller on Feb. 27. The win was a much needed confidence booster as the team heads into Regionals. The team had come out on the short end of multiple games, including two overtime games during their losing streak.

Women’s basketball

The Lady Cavs finished off the season 28-1 and undefeated at home. Their sole loss was a three-point loss in the first game of conference play vs. Highland. The team is heading into regionals with an 18-game winning streak and three players averaging double figure scoring for the season.

Baseball

After a rough start vs. Bossier Parish, the baseball team rebounded against DuPage College. The three-game stretch saw a 13-1 run differential. The squad was hoping to continue this run before the snow interfered with their February schedule. The team hopes to improve their 3-4 record to this side of .500 when they face Highland in a double-header on Tuesday, March 5.

Compiled by Mac Moore, mmoore82@jccc.edu

News briefs / Clarification – March 4, 2013

March 4, 2013

Staff Editorial: School’s out for no one

March 4, 2013

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, we normally would have been sending these pages to the printer and happily preparing to distribute them to you the next day.
Instead, half of us drove through treacherous conditions to make it to classes we found out were canceled upon arrival. The other half was stuck at home in neighborhoods where the streets weren’t plowed, and have now gained an unnecessary absence from any class they missed.

From our small staff, which in no way represents the entire campus population, one employee took the chance of driving through the harsh conditions and ended up getting his car stuck in the snow.

Those of us who made it safely to find parking behind the tennis courts were lucky if we could climb over the giant mountains of snow and ice that blocked the ends of the sidewalks.

This is a community college with a very diverse population. This is a commuter college that draws students from all over the metro area and beyond. A decision that should have been simple was made prematurely and in poor taste.

The Cavalier community let out a groan audible to the entire county when we received that alert text around 8:42 p.m. Tuesday night.

After seeing the Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Kansas City Public School Districts all closed, many student parents had to scramble to decide what to do to care for their children.

Any elderly or disabled person who attempted to cross the parking lots was putting him or herself at risk. Even a professional athlete would have struggled to climb Mount Snowpocalypse to make it inside the buildings for shelter.

Despite the best efforts of valiant workers, this campus was unsafe. Our administrators made a poor decision when they announced the college would be open last Wednesday by failing to take into account the long commutes some students face, family problems that arose and the general safety of this community at large.

If the college is closed, no profits are to be reaped by Dining Services, the Bookstore, C-Store or any other businesses. Naturally, it was acceptable to stay open even if only half the general population could actually make it.

We appreciate the cancellation of classes on Thursday, Friday and Tuesday, Feb. 21, 22 and 26, but on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 26, our administrators made a selfish and dangerous decision for the sake of pure economics.

Letter to the editor: Golden Girls overexposed on cover of Issue 10

March 4, 2013

Mackenzie [Clark],

We, a few students, were upset by the most recent issue of The Campus Ledger because of the over-exposure of the Golden Girls that was portrayed on the cover. It doesn’t make sense that there should be photographs of the drill team half-naked in the school paper, especially on the front page. You could at least have had photos of them in their uniforms. Not everyone feels that comfortable exposing their body that way, which detracts from our school being a ‘community’ college, which is something we pride ourselves on as a community college. We care for their well-being and dignity, and feel such images would make young women feel inadequate or insecure about themselves. The story is called “What it takes to be a golden girl”. Shouldn’t a golden girl understand her own worth?

Also, there are parents of young children here. This could be potentially harmful to any children who happen on campus (example: teen moms and the child care center). Furthermore, what does this tell the men on campus other than that women are to be treated for their external appearance only? Finally, we feel this is downright unprofessional for a newspaper. It would be one thing if this was a dance academy or a gym, but not a college.

Sincerely,

Mary Khadivi, student
Abraham Khadivi, former student
Emily Bragdon, student
Jack Van Kirk, student
Madison Wasco, student
Peter Williams, former student
Kelsie Gartner, future student

Review: Bar Trek: The Next Inebriation

March 4, 2013

By Jon Parton

A pub should provide two simple things: alcohol and a bathroom you don’t have to clean up. Everything else is a matter of taste.

Don’t mistake a bar review as an endorsement for getting wasted. In historic times, the town pub was where townsfolk met after a hard day of work. They shared news and stories and built up community ties over a pint of ale or rum. The word “pub” is short for “public house,” a place where everyone is welcome.

The Bier Station, located at 120 E. Gregory Boulevard in Kansas City, is a decent embodiment of the classic pub.

They only stay open until midnight on weekends and 11 p.m. on weekdays. True to form, they don’t open at all on Sundays. It’s a place you go to have a drink, not to get drunk.

It’s Kansas City’s first tasting bar and bottle shop, meaning you can walk out with a six pack or just enjoy a pint at the bar.

The prices for bottles are cheaper if you buy them “to go,” comparable with most liquor stores. If you stay to drink, it’s a little more expensive.

The first thing I noticed when walking in was the huge wall of coolers. Every international and domestic craft beer I never knew existed sat behind glass doors.

The entire place is decorated to look like a German train stop, right down to the authentic train signs hanging on the walls. A large LCD screen displays a list of beers on tap, about 20 altogether.

The pub features community tables and benches, harkening back to the days when people were encouraged to drink and socialize rather than just drink and listen to bad music at maximum decibels.

My drinking companions and I ordered a variety of beers and ciders for our first round. Rather than just take the top off the bottle, the friendly staff poured drinks into glasses. If any beer was left over, they’d save it for you behind the bar when you needed a refill.

I picked out a bottle of cherry cider, the taste of which still beckons me. If only I could remember the name of it.

The Bier Station features a few food offerings from local farmers and bakers, including soft pretzels, cupcakes and cheeses.

Although the quality was good and I enjoy supporting local farmers, $12 for cheese and crackers is still $12.

After spending a fair amount of money at a vegetarian restaurant earlier in the evening, I was tired of paying for food that never said “moo.”
Another thing I didn’t care for was the cramped parking. Most of my companions had to park down the street because there wasn’t any room.

As we settled in for the second round, we got to know some of the other patrons there. There may have been a game playing on TV, but everyone was too engrossed in conversation to pay attention to it.

Friendly conversation, decent drinks, and a clearly marked restroom; that’s the hallmark of what I think makes a great pub.

I recommend trying The Bier Station, but bring your wallet and try to carpool.

Contact Jon Parton, managing editor, at jparton@jccc.edu.

Failed kidnapping succeeds in scaring community

March 4, 2013

By David Hurtado

White with grey hair, a mustache and glasses driving a silver four-door sedan. This was the description a Holy Spirit Catholic School student gave of a man who allegedly tried to abduct her on Feb. 14.

The incident was one of four stranger danger kidnapping incidents reported in the last month in the Johnson County area. Half of them occurred in Overland Park and the other half took place in Shawnee.

Sara McElhenney, director, Hiersteiner Child Development Center, said children tend to be easy targets due to their trusting nature and their dependence on someone else to care for them.

“I think anyone who can’t care for themselves, or any human being that isn’t able to manage their own self is at risk,” McElhenney said. “A child just really needs someone to be with them, look after them, care for them and so forth. They are a real easy target from that standpoint.”

Although there have been four attempted kidnapping incidents in recent weeks, Gary Mason, Public Information Officer, Overland Park Police Department (OPPD), said there is nothing to indicate this might become an increasing problem.

“We’ve been fortunate not to have any kids that have been kidnapped,” Mason said. “Our goal with the police and working with the community and school districts is to not have any. […] These kids walking to a school bus stop by themselves in the morning are very good targets for sexual predators out there that are looking for an opportunity to nab a child. Overland Park and Johnson County haven’t had that problem, so we’ve been fortunate.”

However, Mason noted that these recent reports have put some local residents on edge. He said even with one or two reported incidents, people become more hypersensitive to what is going on around the area. Mason said the department has received a few more calls about what he termed as “suspicious activity.”

In determining the appropriate age for children to begin walking to school on their own, McElhenney said a child’s maturity is one of the primary factors to consider.

“I think that is the decision of the family,” she said. “I know kids in elementary school who are quite capable of walking to school on their own, and I know others the same age that probably shouldn’t be walking on their own.

Wendy Dunwiddie, student, said she doesn’t feel like the really needs to watch her kids around their school and neighborhood. She said the most she worries is when they get hit during a basketball game. Dunwiddie has two sons and one daughter.

She said the most she worries is when they get hit during a basketball game. Dunwiddie has two sons and one daughter.

“In terms of them going places, if they go to someone’s house, it’s someone that we’ve already met,” Dunwiddie said. “We usually invite families over so we can get to know them.”

If approached by a stranger, Mason said the best thing kids can do is to not communicate with them, run in the opposite direction, and find an adult they can trust to tell what happened.

In teaching children about stranger safety, Mason said it is possible a child could take the lessons to the extreme and mistrust everyone they don’t know; albeit a remote one. Even so, he said because of the world we live in, it is in the best interest of children to teach and prepare them for what to do if they encounter a dangerous situation.

“When we deal with stranger danger, I think we as a community need to keep an eye out on our children,” Mason said. “If you see kids walking through the neighborhood, keep an eye out for them and make sure nothing happens to them. The best eyewitness we can have if something does happen if the neighborhood in general watches out for these young kids as they are walking to and from school or are just out playing.”

She said the most she worries is when they get hit during a basketball game. Dunwiddie has two sons and one daughter.

“In terms of them going places, if they go to someone’s house, it’s someone that we’ve already met,” Dunwiddie said. “We usually invite families over so we can get to know them.”

If approached by a stranger, Mason said the best thing kids can do is to not communicate with them, run in the opposite direction, and find an adult they can trust to tell what happened.

Contact David Hurtado, staff reporter, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.

Column: Ignorance fuels oppression, knowledge fuels freedom

March 4, 2013

By Hannah Davis

A few weeks ago, I was approached by an old man at the restaurant I work at. I was chatting with another server as he invaded my personal space.
He grazed my arm with his finger and gave me some generic compliment about my appearance. I just smiled politely and stepped back a few inches, knowing that he and his pals had been drinking wine all night.

He began to tell us about his friends and how they are all “good ol’ Kansas boys” that are “pro-life” and “traditional.” He then asked the other server and me questions about where we grew up and which high schools we attended.

He eventually asked me what I was majoring in. When I hesitated and then stated that I was “undecided” he winked and exclaimed, “So, you’re majoring in finding a rich husband.” I held my tongue as he continued to banter on. Eventually, a few of his friends whisked him away. Once he was gone, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

That encounter, though it may seem brief and insignificant, had a profound impact on me. I realized that this man, who I found out later was part of the education system in Johnson County, represented something extremely disturbing. This is a man who holds chauvinistic ideals without knowing he does.

This type of ignorance plagues many Americans, including many members of public office. I probably don’t need to recycle the names Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock to make my point.

I am certainly not saying that anyone who may call him or herself “pro-life” or “traditional” is a chauvinist. I will certainly say, however, that in my non-scientific analysis as a 20-year-old woman that seems to be the observable trend.

I grew up in a very religious home. This religious home was also a very conservative one. I spent many evenings watching programs such as Hannity & Colmes and The O’Reilly Factor with my dad. I spent three hours at church every Sunday. I spent many hours fiercely defending right-leaning ideals that I did not know a thing about. One of these ideals happened to be that a sperm cell plus an ovum equaled, without a doubt, a sacred life of a human-being. I believed a lot of things then that I do not now.

As I matured, I realized that there was a difference between what I knew and what I believed. And ironically, that realization drastically changed my beliefs. I opened my eyes to the world around me, and I realized, with my chin a little lower, that I knew very little.

Joni Mitchell wrote, “Good or bad, we think we know, as if thinking makes things so. All convictions grow along a borderline.”

People’s beliefs will always differ from one another. Our beliefs, however, should determine our personal choices and actions, not public policy. If you believe that abortion is a sin, don’t have one. If you believe that gay marriage is wrong, don’t marry someone who has the same sex organs that you have. And if you believe that an omniscient being will sort everyone into the good place or the bad place, don’t worry about what other people are doing because you believe it’s already taken care of.

Ignorance fiercely plagues this country, and it needs to be defeated. Women should have equal pay for equal work, gays and lesbians should be able to get married and marijuana should be legalized.

Ignorance fuels oppression. Knowledge fuels freedom. Let’s labor towards freedom.

Contact Hannah Davis, news editor, at hdavis18@jccc.edu.

Expanding horizons: New scholarship can take you to China

March 4, 2013

By Sara Maleki

The college offers study abroad experiences in 31 different countries, and will be offering 10 fully funded study abroad scholarships to China this fall.
Students will have the opportunity to study at the college’s partner college, Northwestern Polytechnical University, in China’s ancient capital of Xi’an.

The scholarship will cover textbooks, tuition and registration, dormitory fees (excluding water and electricity) and also provide approximately a $250 monthly stipend for living and educational expenses.

“Students just have to pay airfare, application fees for the visa, the physical exam and spending money,” said Janette Jasperson, coordinator of International Education.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have completed at least one semester at the college. Furthermore, students do not need to take a Chinese language class before departure.

“Generally, for students going to China we do require one semester of Chinese language college level classes […] we are waiving that for this program,” said Barbara Wilson, administrative assistant of International Education. “It’s easier to learn a language when you’re surrounded by it. Osmosis is a factor – it helps you learn that language faster.”

Without this scholarship, Wilson estimates the total cost of studying in China (not specifically in Xi’an) for one semester would be approximately $12,000. With the scholarship to Xi’an, pre-departure costs – depending on airfare costs and acquisition of a passport – would be about $3000 to $4000. Food expenses and spending money could add an additional $100 per week.

As part of a 20-year-long exchange program between the college and its partner school, visiting professors from Northwestern Polytechnical University have come to the college to teach Chinese for one academic year. This year, Professor Tan Kang came to teach Elementary Chinese levels one and two.

“[Xi’an] is one of the top three educational cities […] there is the chance to communicate with students from all over the world,” Kang said. “In terms of higher education, food, history, scenic spots, [it] is one of the top choices in China to visit or live.”

China is becoming increasingly relevant as one of the top economic powerhouses in the world.

“The news is full of information about China,” Wilson said. “So many American businesses are trying to get in to the Chinese market. [There is a] long tradition of history in poetry, philosophy, religion, fine arts.”

Living in a new country with unfamiliar language, culture and customs can be intimidating, but Kang said excessive fear is unnecessary because his people are warm-hearted and helpful.

“No matter what your major is, you can really benefit from a semester in China,” Jasperson said.

For more information about these scholarships, JCCC to the Max, which provides academic support presentations and various workshops, will hold sessions in COM 319 in the first week of March to allow students to gain more information and ask questions.

The sessions will be held on today, March 4, from 12-12:50 p.m., Tuesday, March 5 from 11:45-12:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 6 from 1-2 p.m. and Thursday, March 7 from 1-1:50pm.

Scholarship applications to study in China in the fall 2013 semester are due March 31 to the International Education office located in COM 220 and successful students will be notified by April 10.

Contact Sara Maleki, reporting correspondent, at smaleki@jccc.edu.

The consequences of unfriending

March 4, 2013

By Stephen Cook

Prior to the invention of social media, nobody had to worry about being “unfriended.” Now, what started out as a way for college students to stay connected has turned into a widespread phenomenon with some very real implications.

According to recent studies, Facebook is having a direct effect on how people view, treat and interact with others in real life. A study by Professor Catalina Toma, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Professor Jeffrey Hancock, from Cornell University, concluded that the popularity of Facebook can be better understood by looking at how it fulfills the needs of peoples’ egos and gives them self-affirmation.

Ryan Darrow, adjunct assistant professor of Psychology, said he sees people viewing themselves as quasi-celebrities, looking for attention from their peers.

“They can tweet funny quips, they can post funny updates or YouTube, upload some crazy video and they do it all to this fictional audience,” Darrow said. “It’s a stretch for them to sit down, to have an emotionally connected conversation or to deal with disappointments and to deal with rejection.”
Diane Kappen, adjunct professor, Psychology, also said an inflated, built-up self-esteem is one of the root problems.

“The basis of a lot of this stuff too, you have high self-esteem, but it’s rather baseless,” Kappen said. “We’re trying to make our kids and our students feel good about themselves, but they have to be based on something that they had done.”

Another study by Christopher Sibona, a doctoral student at the University of Colorado Denver Business School, found that 40 percent of people surveyed said they would avoid a person in real life who unfriended them on Facebook.

According to Darrow, the millennial generation already has a difficult time expressing and dealing with their emotions. If they are unfriended by somebody, then the problem is only exacerbated.

“The idea that they’ve been rejected, couple that with the lack of emotional intelligence their inability to identify, assess and control their emotions, to have emotionally intelligent conversations, they can’t face those issues at all,” Darrow said. “So they just ignore it, they go onto the next friend, the next person, drown themselves in a passive aggressive post, never address the issue, they don’t sit down one and one.”

Emily Gliserman, student, said on Facebook, people are more likely to say something to you that they wouldn’t normally say in person.

“It takes more courage to say something to someone’s face,” Gliserman said. “[On Facebook] you don’t have to face the consequences of their reaction immediately, if you don’t want to. You can act like it didn’t happen, and you don’t have an actual exchange with somebody.”

Logan Blackburn, student, believes online interaction through Facebook is starting to parallel real life when it comes to relationships.

“When someone isn’t your friend on Facebook, people kind of take it seriously in real life too,” Blackburn said.

When you’re online, it’s human nature to try and make yourself look as good as possible, Gliserman explained. With Facebook you can do that, but it may or may not be who we really are.

According to Kappen, we are naturally built to be social people. Our brains react a certain way to face to face communication. However, today people are changing how their brains react by changing how they communicate. In 1988, when Kappen first came to the college, she said students would wait in the enrollment line and be forced to talk to and get to know other students. Nowadays, students have become accustomed to electronic interaction rather than face to face.

“My students come in and instead of talking to each other[…] they use their cellphones and their texting,” Kappen said. “They don’t get to know the people around them. […]The weird thing about it, is not like people do that on purpose, ‘I’m just not going to talk to anybody because I don’t want to,’ you have kind of trained your brain that way.”

This isolation has had an impact on how people respond to conflicts and personal issues. Darrow said before, people would sit down and have a face to face conversation if there was a disagreement or if somebody had hurt feelings. Now, instead of resolving matters, Darrow said young people are reacting with a ‘click’.

“I think there’s a lack of emotional intelligence in that millennial generation,” Darrow said. “I think there is a definite lack of ability to identify, assess and control their own emotions […] because it just goes back to, if you don’t like what’s being said, you just unfriend somebody, or you hang up the phone or you just don’t retweet what they said.”

Ultimately, Darrow believes it is important to not let other people influence your outlook and attitude, especially when it comes to social media.

“I think one of the most powerful things my mom ever said to me growing up was, ‘Not everybody’s going to like you,’” Darrow said. “It’s even funny, because Facebook doesn’t even have an unlike button, it just has a like. There’s something to be said psychologically about that.”

Contact Stephen Cook, copy editor, at scook35@jccc.edu.

Column: Governing through logic instead of emotion

March 4, 2013

By Jon Parton

The Kansas Senate is currently drafting a bill that would require drug testing of any unemployment or welfare recipient suspected of doing illicit drugs.
While Kansas is not the first state to create such a law, it is the first to also add drug testing for all lawmakers as well.

Not only do I like the idea of having some elected parasite pee into a cup, I think poetic justice would be served if both politicians and public assistance recipients were forced to get tested at the same clinics.

I’m not morally opposed to drug testing welfare recipients. The money is there for people in need, not for people to support their habits. However, I’m opposed to the idea because of the amount of money it takes to implement the program.

A standard urine test usually runs employers about $100, while more thorough tests requiring hair samples can cost even more.

In addition to the costs associated with the tests, the state would also have to hire, train and pay officials who could then report suspected illegal activities.
The draft currently being debated in the Senate requires those who fail the test to complete a drug treatment and job program before their benefits would resume. A second failure would result in a year-long suspension, while a third failure would ban them for life.

’m amazed this bill is even being considered. I believe the government can do a better job at saving money, but this doesn’t seem to be a solution. If anything, the state will have to spend more money just to make sure government assistance isn’t helping someone buy pot.

This sort of legislation happens when you govern by emotion rather than logic. Much like the gun control debate, people want to treat the symptom rather than the cause.

Instead of banning guns, fix the situation that leads to gun violence. Instead of testing welfare recipients for drugs, fix the situation that leads to drug use.

It’s easier and even reflexive for lawmakers to make a bill like this. They make the assumption that there are enough drug users on welfare and unemployment to make the bill necessary. Furthermore, they assume the state will save enough money to make the initiative worth it.

Another amendment got shot down, one that required business owners who received subsidies from the state to face the same drug testing. I would have loved to see that part pass as well. However, funny as it may be, it doesn’t make for good, responsible government.

Instead of asking people to take drug tests, let’s do our best to create an environment where welfare isn’t even needed.

Contact Jon Parton, managing editor, at jparton@jccc.edu.

Sports Column: Trading publicity for practicality

March 4, 2013

By Mac Moore

The weeks leading up were filled with endless possibilities. Kevin Garnett to the Clippers. Would the Lakers give up on Dwight? Josh Smith could just walk after the season if the Hawks don’t deal him.

Teams needed to make that final change, that final tweak, to try and compete with the Miami Heat this June. As 2 p.m. Feb. 21 passed, that didn’t happen.

This was the last time the NBA will be relevant until March Madness is over and teams start fighting for playoff spots. The league’s last moment in the spotlight for the next couple months dimmed out rather quickly.

The NBA trade deadline came and went with minimal excitement. Trade rumors centered around playoff teams that knew they didn’t quite have what it took to challenge the Heat in postseason play.

The only trades that actually went through involved teams looking at their bottom lines, figuring out which contracts they didn’t want. Few of the trades that came at the deadline will impact this season.

The Heat is the team to beat and only two teams truly have a chance to compete: the Spurs and the Thunder. The Clippers, the Celtics, and the Knicks have quality teams that will not hold up against LeBron’s squad. They need something more.

The Knicks stayed pat because they did not have the flexibility to make a move. The Clippers weren’t willing to give away a potential superstar in G Eric Bledsoe for a big man that would make them more competitive. The Celtics made the best move, grabbing Jordan Crawford who is a streaky player who adds the scoring threat that will help them come playoff time. It won’t be enough.

The Thunder made an intriguing move in grabbing F Ronnie Brewer. Giving up a draft pick to gain a solid backup for Durant was crafty. This team seems to be the same squad that lost to the Heat down the stretch last year, minus James Harden, of course. The bench is the thing most likely to stop them from changing their fortunes this postseason. Adding Ronnie Brewer should stop the hemorrhaging of bench play caused by Harden’s move to Houston.

The Spurs have continued to be the most successful team in the NBA. That hasn’t translated to post-season success in a few seasons. The lack of trade deadline moves show that the Spurs are banking on the belief that last season’s series loss to the Thunder was because of Manu Ginobili’s injury. Some speculated that if he stayed healthy, they might have won that series and even beat the Heat in the Finals. I doubt it, but I guess we will never know, unless of course they meet up this year.

I was personally hoping for a couple trades that might have made the contenders a little more prepared to face the Miami Heat in the playoffs. Thing is, I’m not really sure it matters. LeBron is playing some of the best basketball that has ever been played. These teams might have no chance either way.

Some of the best moves made this year were teams that did nothing and teams that traded off assets for nothing in return. The Lakers specifically seem to be gearing up to par Dwight Howard and LeBron James once his contract is up in South Beach. The question is, how many rings will James have before he has to make that decision? More importantly, does LeBron James want to become a gypsy champion that just goes from city to city, bringing in MVPs and championship rings? That would be pretty cool.

Contact Mac Moore, sports editor, at mmoore82@jccc.edu

Monthly Archives: March 2013