Volume 50 Issue 9 Feb. 12, 2015www.meramecmontage.com

BRITTNEY FARROW STAFF WRITER

The Brown Bag Café has been part of the STLCC-Meramec campus for less than two years, and yet the program has already helped to feed several hungry students.

Introduced to the campus in the fall of 2013, The Brown Bag Café (BBC) is a collaborative effort between on-campus groups such as Service Learning, Student Governance Council, Student Assistance Program, Phi Theta Kappa and TRIO Student Services.

Together these groups created the BBC in hopes that no student would have to go to school hungry.

By providing free lunches for students who otherwise would not be able to afford to eat, the hope is that they will have an easier time focusing on their academics.

Despite the fact that large portions of the STLCC-Meramec clubs and organizations have adopted this program, it was actually conceived by a former student, Deborah Caby.

In her English class, Caby needed an honors program project. The issues

students faced while hungry – such as receiving headaches and being unable to focus – came to light.

And Caby, an active member of TRiO Student Services, reached out to the organizations on campus to get them to back the program.

Due to the nature of the program, it runs primarily on donations. Throughout campus, there are boxes where students can contribute items such as canned fruits and vegetables.

When these boxes are not available, students are encouraged to take their donations to the Student Assistance and Service Learning offices.

These donations are compiled into a brown paper lunch bag that students can collect daily from the Student Assistance office. The more items collected, the more students the BBC can feed. Most items are collected during October, Hunger Awareness Month, but donations are accepted year-round.

“[The best items to donate are]

anything you’d put on your grocery list that doesn’t need refrigeration. Especially protein sources such as canned tuna [or other types of meat],” Debbi Corson said. Corson is the coordinator of Service Learning and Civic Engagement.

Aside from cost-free food, the Brown Bag Café aims to provide students with complete privacy. To determine whether or not they are eligible to participate in the program, students only have to talk to Corson.

While the assistance program has been beneficial for many students, its main purpose is to act as a gateway for referring students to the help they really need. Through the Student Assistance office, students who are eligible for the BBC can often find information on how to receive benefits such as free health screenings, access to food stamps and more.

The first time a student is in need of a free lunch, they simply have to go to the Student Assistance office and sign up. The second time they must fill out an intake

form to find out if they can continue to receive lunches.

All Pell Grant students are eligible for the BBC.

Compared to last year’s donations, the BBC is on track, Corson said. Numbers collected by the Service Learning office actually put the donations up 20 percent from the 2013-14 school year; however, there has been a 130 percent increase of students who are accessing the program.

“I’m really hoping [in the upcoming year] that we can get this out into the wider community, gain media attention and receive more funds so that we can help more students,” Corson said.

The second anniversary of the Brown Bag Café will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The anniversary celebration from the previous year included a birthday-themed party which included cake, balloons and food-centered games. It was also used as a method to raise more awareness for the service, according to Corson.

MT H E M O N T A G E

Athletic Department plans Cancer Awareness game.

Page 11

Communications professor strives to be more than a teacher.

Page 9

Meramec teachers flip teaching methods.

Page 3

Theatre presents “The Foreigner” Feb. 11-15.

Page 8

Brown Bagging Hunger

Meramec’s Brown Bag Cafe strives to feed students in needILLUSTRATION BY JASON WATERS

NEWS2Feb. 12, 2015

Collection for the Women’s Safe House

The Social and Behavioral Science Department is collecting items for the Women’s Safe House. Personal care items, diapers, socks, underwear, paper products and cleaning supplies for women, children and teens can be dropped off from Feb. 9-20 in designated boxes throughout campus or at the Social and Behavioral Science office in SO 211.

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African-American History Month Events

The Meramec campus will sponsor weekly events through February.

Understanding and Recognizing Mental Health Issues in African American Community: 11 a.m. Feb. 12 in BA 105.

Empowerment through Health and Fitness: Be Fit, Be You. 2 p.m., Feb. 20 in Student Center, Room 196.

UrbSlam Talk Back: 12 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Meramec Theatre.

Sky Club hosts storm spotter training Feb. 19

The Sky Club will host a severe storm spotter and public safety training class from 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Meramec Theatre. The class is free and open to the community. Participants who complete the class will be provided with information to register as an official volunteer storm spotter.

For more information, call 314-984-7419 or e-mail the.sky.club@hotmail.com.

Meramec hosts Experience STLCC

The STLCC-Meramec Office of Outreach and School Relations is hosting an Experience STLCC Information Night from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Feb. 24. The event is designed for high school students and their parents to navigate the enrollment process.

For more information, contact 314-984-7159 or cmadisonaskew@stlcc.edu.

Theatre hosts auditions Feb. 17-18

Auditions for “The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus” by Christopher Marlow will be hosted at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17-18 in the Meramec Theatre. The play will be directed by Keith Oliver and designed by Darren Thompson with performance dates April 15-19.

Those auditioning should prepare a one minute monologue from Shakespeare or Marlowe. Scripts are on reserve in the STLCC-Meramec Library.

For more information, call 314-984-7562.

NEWSBRIEFS

Student art exhibition accepting entries

Meramec is soliciting a call for entries for student artwork for the OA Gallery Juried Meramec Student Exhibition in Kirkwood. The opportunity is available to all Meramec students. Up to three artworks can be entered and may include 2-D work in traditional media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, gouache, charcoal, pencil, pastel, printmaking and digital prints. Photography and 3D works are not eligible.

All work must be professionally presented with a size restriction of 40 x 48 inches.

All entries must be submitted in HE217 from 2-7 p.m. Feb. 25 or 5-7 p.m. Feb. 26. Judging will take place on Feb. 27 by the gallery owners.

The opening reception for the OA gallery is from 6-9 p.m. March 6.

For more information, contact Margaret Keller at mkeller@stlcc.edu.

Meramec hosts college transfer fair March 25

The Meramec Advising Office will host the 2015 College Transfer Fair from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 25 in the Student Center Commons. Thirty-six four-year transfer schools will be in attendance to offer information about programs, admissions, requirements and scholarships.

Chancellor forums scheduled for spring

Interim Chancellor Dennis Michaelis will host forums in February and March on all campuses to provide information to faculty, staff and students about college initiatives, challenges and opportunities. The chancellor forum at the Meramec campus is scheduled from 2-3:30 p.m. on March 5 in BA 105.

Discounted Blues tickets for Meramec students

Meramec students, faculty and staff can purchase discounted tickets to three Blues hockey games this spring and support the STLCC book scholarship with the purchase. Five dollars from each ticket sold for the 7 p.m. games on Feb. 17, 24 and April 2 benefits the Book Scholarship Fund.

Tickets start at $23 and can be ordered online at http://www.stlouisblues.com/stlcc using promo code STLCC.

NEWS 3Feb. 12, 2015

Flip it and reverse it Meramec instructors adopt new ‘flipping’ teaching method LIVIE HALL MANAGING EDITOR

At 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, STLCC-Meramec math professor Karen Gaines walks through her classroom with a sticker pad in her hand. She goes over to each of her students and looks at their notes they took at home. If they are complete, they get a smiley-face sticker.

For the next 50 minutes of class, they do their homework. Gaines teaches her class using the “flip” method — and according to her, it works.

The flip method is one that Gaines said has grown in popularity nationwide. The idea is teachers post their lectures, PowerPoints and lessons online. The students take notes from that and when they come to class, they do their homework. This allows the teacher to help the students in person.

“The big picture with flipped learning is trying to decide what the best use of the in-class time is with the students,” Gaines said.

With math, Gaines said lecturing for an entire class period is not effective time use. She makes her own online videos for outside direction, making it easier for the students to work in class. Homework is now called “in-class activities.”

However, this method is not for everyone.

Freshman Bryan Hutson has not been in school for 10 years and at 29, he said the flip method is difficult.

“I’m not used to using the computer to learn. It’s a separation; it’s harder for me,” Hutson said.

Gaines said she knows this method is not for everyone, but she has seen great things from the students who like it. Describing it as “a well-oiled machine,” she said her attendance is much better. She said it is partly because they know if they need help, they have to come class.

Accounting Professor Markus Ahrens teaches his class using a partially-flipped model and he said he has reaped the same benefits.

With Ahrens’ model, he puts a portion of his lectures online and teaches the rest in class. This way, the class lectures are shorter. The students are required to take an online pre-quiz before each chapter and then they go over it in class.

Like Gaines, Ahrens has the class arrange themselves in small groups. Ahrens then brings the groups together and they have a class discussion. He said his

attendance has risen and he has seen students improve by an entire letter grade.

When students are having a problem with the class, Ahrens said he will take time to talk to them personally. He said he tries to get everyone on the same base level.

Ahrens and Gaines both presented their teaching methods to other faculty during Service Week.

Gaines said she has had nothing but support and hopes to eventually teach all of her classes by “flipping.” The students that like the method find it helpful and fun, said freshman Celie Reis.

“It’s weird listening to the notes on the computer and doing homework in class, but I think it’s working out for me so far,” Reis said.

Ahrens has already transcended into teaching all of his classes partially flipped. With his method of combining traditional teaching with flipping, it allows the students to be more engaged.

He said with a community college and no one living on campus, they are bonding with their own

groups. “It creates connection to the campus community,” Ahrens said.

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Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an international honor society, founded in 1918, serving two-year community colleges.

Rachel Schaffer, president of PTK, said the organization wants to reward students who have good grades.

“You come here to work hard and you want to be rewarded for your hard work,” Schaffer said.

According to Jeffery Schneider, PTK Faculty Advisor, students must take at least 12 credit hours of college level courses and achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Schneider said the membership dues are a one-time payment of $95.

Schaffer also said one of the best things about PTK is their numerous scholarship opportunities.

“There are automatic scholarships you can get for just being a PTK member,” Schaffer said. “When you send your transcripts to a four-year college, you automatically get a certain amount, per year, for two years.”

The PTK Chapter at STLCC-Meramec is “Xi Lambda”, but Schneider said the organization is

more than just academics.“We help with community

engagement and civic engagement, through the service learning department with Debbie Carson,” Schneider said. “We have fellowship opportunities along with leadership opportunities.”

Schaffer agrees and said the organization does many different service projects.

“This semester, we are going to do one big service project each month for PTK. And we are going to try and get a bunch of students involved to help out the school,” Schaffer said.

Schaffer added that the organization does a project for PTK only, known as the College Project.

“For the college project, we meet with faculty advisors, usually the vice president of academic affairs, and we ask, ‘What would you like us to work on? What do you think PTK can do to help benefit the campus?’” Schaffer said. “We go into the meeting with a list of what we think might benefit the school and a decision is made.”

Schaffer said, for their college

project, the organization has been working on increasing awareness about financial aid and also increasing the relationships with financial aid staff.

“We are hoping we can increase the relationships between students and faculty. That way they feel more comfortable,” Schaffer said. “And to increase awareness about how to properly fill out the FAFSA.”

The PTK Induction Ceremony will take place on March 5, and Schaffer said eligible students will receive an invitation by Feb. 12-13 in the form of an email and a mailed letter.

Schneider said he feels PTK is a great organization and one of the campus’ more premiere societies.

“It is a great organization for students, particularly students who are going to transfer, because there are so many transfer scholarships and opportunities available through PTK,” Schneider said. “It is more than just a club, it is trying to prepare you for not only transferring to a four-year college, but for when you get a career.”

Honor society is ‘more than just academics’PTK adviser, students work on increasing awareness on campus, in the community

CHRISTIAN HARGAS STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY: LIVIE HALLMath Professor Karen Gaines helps Freshman Alexis Lee with her Intermediate Algebra homework during class on Feb. 9 .

People are told their whole lives to grow up. Looking forward to the first car, the first apartment and the real big-kid job are all things adolescents hope for. They cannot wait to get out of high school and move out of their parent’s house.

What they are not always told is how much this newfound freedom is going to cost. In reality, it costs a lot and all of the big-kid money is going to pay for all of these things before it can pay a tab at the bar.

In order to budget properly, students must make a list of absolutely everything to pay for. This includes bills, rent, car payments, etc. Everything that costs money must be accounted for. Once a list has been made, the next step is to calculate a

paycheck.A job is what will make or

break a budget. Students need to have a job that pays enough to cover all expenses. When renting an apartment, they require the renter’s income to be triple the amount of rent. It’s good to use this method for other expenses.

Do yourself a favor and shop smarter. Big Lots has great kitchen pieces and cheap snacks – at awesome prices. Walgreens has good deals on make-up and hair products and Aldi is the ultimate money saver. Everything at Aldi is around one dollar and the savings are unbelievable. Someone can get away with spending $70 when they would have spent $150 at Schnucks.

However, there are things you need to spend some extra money on. Produce at Aldi is pretty risky, so the best bet is to stick to Schnucks. Ladies, cheap make-up from Family Dollar can make your face break out. Head over to Wal-Mart and spend $12 on Neutrogena.

Living alone is really trial-and-error. Take advice from friends and family to get on the right track. Spending money on food is hard not to do, especially when in college during the day and working at night.

Spending $70 once a month at the grocery store ends up being

cheaper than grabbing a $5 meal in the drive thru.

It gets to a point where being an adult is all it’s cracked up to be. Once the financial situation is grasped, it gets easier to save and spend wisely. Being broke with friends ends up being a fun part of life. Late nights at Courtesy Diner, Redbox evenings at home and thirsty Thursday drink specials become weekly events. Find fun in the little things. There is no need to pay a $10 cover charge and $6 for a drink.

These are the best years of life. When the 50th birthday hits, these are the times to look back on and smile. Being a real grown up is challenging, but it brings strength and understanding vital to the years to come. The point will come where that bar tab has a few shots of rail vodka and greasy pizza. Until then, save up and budget on. Cheers.

OPINIONS4Feb. 12, 2015

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Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the board of trustees or the administration.

The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122. 314-984-7655.

One copy of The Montage is free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager.

Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.

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THE MONTAGE

www.meramecmontage.com

EDITORS

ALEX WHITEPHOTO EDITOR

FOR THE HEALTH OF IT

Rest, Relax, Repeat

AUSTIN SCHUMANNONLINE EDITOR

LYRICAL LAMENTS

What is Love?

LIVIE HALLOPINIONS EDITOR

HELP! I NEED AN ADULT

Budgeting the College Way

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s also very important to treat yourself. This can be done in many different ways.

After a long week of running and general day-to-day events, yoga can be a great way to unwind and relax. There is no need to join a gym or go to a yoga studio, many different yoga videos can be found on YouTube.

All that needs to be searched is “beginning post-run yoga.” There will be many options to choose from. If it’s the first time doing yoga, stick to a video that is about 15 minutes long. Yoga is a workout in itself and the first time is not going to be a walk in the park. There are plenty of other options other than yoga to relax and the first time around is not always the most relaxing. Sometimes the body just needs to do absolutely nothing. Laying in bed all day and watching a few movies on Netflix can do the

trick. It’s best to do something like this once a week and make that the day to recollect thoughts and nothing else.

Personally, I don’t like not doing something for a whole day. Rest days for me are actually very light exersice days. Either a light walk, a bike ride or maybe if there is an indoor pool near by a good swim could be the answer. Doing things that keep the heart rate low but also feel good are the goals for these days.

These days help keep the body active and moving and help it keep up with everything that it’s going to do in the week ahead.

On this day, also eat some really good food. It’s okay to have a day to eat nothing but Ramen noodles and ice cream. Just remember to do it in moderation.

What is love? Love is a very hard thing to describe, seeing as it means so many different things to people. To some it is simple infatuation while others do not even believe it exists. When people cannot see love as a force greater than themselves, it makes it harder to form connections with people. The truth of the matter is the definition of love is as varied as the people it affects.

Everyone experiences different types of love. When you say goodbye to your parents leaving for school, caring for brothers, sisters, grandparents and even creepy Uncle Jim. This is the kind of love that stems from blood relations, where you can not pick who you are stuck with but love regardless. Your parents are the ones who raised you and cared for you when you were too young and vulnerable to do so for yourself. Your siblings played with you and stuck up for you when you were pushed around by the neighbor’s kids. Can one really go through all of that, spend so much time with these people and not feel something close to love?

Moving outside the love of those we share a home with is the love we have for our friends. It does not have to be a romantic

love, though it can often blossom into that. Forming relationships with our friends gives us companionship and support that can be hard to find anywhere else.

Finally, there is romantic love. This is what usually comes to mind when the word “love” comes up and this is arguably the most important type. This love comforts you at night and gives you someone to spend the rest of your life with.

Romantic love can give life meaning and being in love with somebody you truly care about gives you companionship through tough times. The phrases that are spoken during a wedding - richer and poorer, sickness and health, till death do you part - all mean more than tradition and ceremony. These phrases illustrate the deepness and absolute wonder of true love, the ability to be with somebody no matter the circumstances.

With all of these types defined, many may wonder how love can still be so strongly denied. Surely everyone has experienced at least one kind of love and caring, and if so how can they still be against it, deny it or outright denounce it? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner many people are even more jaded to love than usual, and this feeling is understandable. They have been hurt before or have never experienced true love, or maybe they just think themselves above such silly and simple emotions. This coming Saturday should be a time for love and joy, for spending time with your friends, family and loved ones alike. So when Valentine’s Day rolls around, just remember one thing, your baby will not hurt you no more.

ILLUSTRATION BY: MARISSA DIERCKS

ILLUSTRATION BY: KATE LAM

OPINIONS 5Feb. 12, 2015

Fashion forward: six trends for this springFashion trends are always changing and evolving, sometimes making strutting in style a difficult task. Follow these tips to have an on-point wardrobe this spring ALYSSA MCCUTCHAN STAFF WRITER

Chic SneaksSneakers are in fashion now? Yes, sneakers have broken into

the fashion world. A multitude of patterns, colors and difference shapes of sneakers have made it to the big leagues. Pair a fun set of chic sneaks with leggings or jeans to compliment the look.

Hat-tasticA hat is the perfect accessory to increase the “cute”

factor for any look. Fedoras and floppy hats will enhance an outfit with just the one item. Take an outfit to the next level with a fashionable beanie.

Casual ChicComfortable has never looked so good. It is about time

comfort and fashion became friends. A basic t-shirt, matched with a pair of destroyed jeans creates an innocent and chic look for anyone. Add red lipstick and the look is complete.

Color BlockingLearn how to mix and match bold colors with one

another for an epic look. Select opposite colors to have a show-stopping appearance. Mix and match a combination of solids and patterns to make a more dynamic look.

Bold, Bright and BeautifulSpringtime brings an abundance of color, so one’s

outfit should match the occasion. Colors to choose from are kelly green, cobalt blue, as well as bold oranges, pinks and yellows.

Fringe BingeFling around in fringe this season. Hot fringe items for

spring include bags and boots. A little fringe action takes any look to the next level. However, there is such a thing as too much fringe. Less is more when it comes to this style.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY: DALILA KAHVEDZIC, ALEX WHITE AND JASON WATERS

INDEPTH6Feb. 12, 2015

orLove

AUSTIN SCHUMANNONLINE EDITOR

Love, just love away. It is

safe to say that more people should follow this directive.

Much strife in the world comes from arguments and hate, but this is the time of year where all of that should be put to the wayside.

Valentines Day is coming soon, which means that it is a time of happiness and love.

Many people will complain about this holiday, saying that it is an invention of the greeting card industry or that it is unfair to single people and while that may be true, it does not have to continue being that way. Any holiday, even Valentines day, are

subject to how we want to celebrate them.

They can be dreaded as something that only couples can celebrate and those who are single are ignored or pushed off to the side. They can also be waiting with bated breath to ask out the love of their life or take their significant other on a romantic date. The beauty is that it does not have to be one way or the other.

The true soul of Valentines Day is not greeting cards, romantic dinners or overpriced jewelry. It is, almost too simply put, about love. If people can stop worrying about who is dating who, or who wants to ask who out or even why they may or may not

have a date that day then they will be happier. This is not a day about gossip but about love.

All that anybody should be doing this Saturday is loving unconditionally. If you have a date, congratulations you can go and take them somewhere

nice, but you do not have to. There is nothing wrong with snuggling up on the couch with someone and going on a Netflix watching binge.

The flip side of that is that even if you are single this weekend do not let it bring you down. Meet up with some other single

friends and go out on your own adventure or treat yourselves to some nice dinner. Or if nothing else, there is still nothing

wrong with going on a Netflix binge on your own.

That is not to say that love is restricted to this weekend, quite the opposite. To love away

everyday is something that should be strived towards.

Love should not end on an arbitrarily picked day during the

winter, it should be spread around and shared.

To work together to a better life, or at least a

better weekend, is something to be

proud of.

INDEPTH 7Feb. 12, 2015

orLove

LIVIE HALLMANAGING EDITOR

“What’s love got to do with it?” Absolutely nothing. The reality

of Valentine’s Day is that it is a Hallmark holiday. The revenue this waste of a calendar day brings in would

be better spent on a 30 pack of beer and chocolate ice cream - for myself. I have no intention of sharing my love with anyone on Feb.

14 and if you are expecting it, sorry about it.

Am I bitter and single? Sure. But I am pretty bitter when I am in a relationship, too. And that is fine. I used to expect my boyfriends to shower me with gifts on

Valentine’s Day, but they never did. And Lord knows I did not spend a dime on them.

The whole day puts so much pressure on relationships in general and it really is not worth it. You can take your significant other to dinner any day and you should always let each other know how you feel.

I am not one to hide my feelings and I am more than willing to share them anytime — you do not even have to ask me. I will love you on Monday. I will be mad at you on Tuesday. I will miss you on Wednesday and I will be sorry on Thursday. No, I will not buy you a card. You can have a hug.

Personally, I do not think I am special enough to deserve a day to be pampered — nor is anyone else. If you think the 75 cent card aisle at Wal-Mart can express your love better than you can, get yourself some literary help. That is sad. And God bless the poor human being you are dating.

This is what anniversaries are for. That is the day you should celebrate your time together and enjoy “being in love,” or whatever you do.

Do not succumb to society’s lame expectation to spend pointless money that could be going to better things, like M&M’s (again, for myself).

So many restaurants are advertising for lovers to retreat to their establishment for a meal no one really needs to have. I am sorry, but if a guy ever asks me to go to Texas Roadhouse on Valentine’s Day, he can take someone else because no.

As for me, I will spend this Saturday working. Then I will retire to my couch and watch Seinfeld. I will buy myself Chinese food because I am a strong, independent woman and I do not need a man. V-Day might as well be called D-Day because a lot of men are going to get shot down. If the guys out there have a princess they are required to serve, I wish you the best of luck.

Ladies, give your boyfriend a break and just make a pizza. Seriously, everybody needs to just eat pizza and shut up because love is EVOL.

ART & LIFE8Feb. 12, 2015

Give more by spending less

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and nothing beats homemade gifts created with

love.

DALILA KAHVEDZICART & LIFE EDITOR

Deck of cards: Get a deck of 52 cards and on each one write a different reason as to why you love your significant other. Short and sweet.

Personalized Coffee Mug: Buy a white mug, write or draw on it with a sharpie, bake for 30 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees and it’s done! Perfect for winter-time hot cocoa and tea.

Note Balloons: Fill balloons with “I love you because...” notes, blow the balloons up, and have your valen-tine pop them. A fun adventure in itself.

Burn a cd: An old classic that’s gone out of style, burn it with some of the songs you listen to. The upside - it can’t be deleted off a phone.

Movie Night: Stay in, rent a movie, light some candles and order a pizza. With everyone’s hectic schedules inbetween school and work, it’s hard to wind down.

Repeat your first date: Go back down memory lane. Good luck remembering.

Coupon Book: Make little note cards with messages such as “Present this for a free massage” or “Use this for a free dinner.”

Scrapbook: Fill a few pages up with your favorite pictures and memories - another classic.

If none of these float your boat, just set up a nice fire and enjoy each other’s company - that is the best gift afterall.

The foreigner who is not so foreignSTLCC Meramec Theatre Director Michelle Rebollo directs actors and actresses to successTY TAYLOR STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY KATE LAM

(From left to right): Community Actress Wendie Berry acts as Betty, former student Durian Rozanski acts as Charlie the ‘Foreigner’ and student David Robinson acts as Froggy.

(From left to right): Wendie Berry, Dorian Rozanski, Madeline Finn, and Jesse Burton act out their roles.

When asked what the play “The Foreigner” by Larry Schue is about, Director Michelle Rebollo said it was “a comedy beyond a comedy.”

The two-act American comedy set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia centers around the lodge owner, Betty Meeks, a mother figure to all the guests that loves the stories of the travelers that end up at her humble cabin. She pays a special interest in an Englishmen named Froggy and his companion Charlie.

Froggy, with the understanding of his friend’s unique situation, is quick to tell Betty that his dear friend doesn’t understand

English as an excuse for him to not properly respond to her questions. When in reality, he is well equipped to respond.

Charlie is an Englishmen who has the unfortunate situation where he lacks social emotion and is uncomfortably, awkwardly and painfully shy.

To remedy his habits, his friend Froggy comes up with the excuse to everyone that he is a ‘foreigner’ from an exotic country and doesn’t understand a lick of English.

This sets the tone for the play because while playing along with the lie, Charlie is soon engulfed with secrets of the rest of the

lodgers and the situation that each of the characters are withholding from everyone; especially with the evil motives from the antagonist, Owen Muskier, who is trying to buy the lodge from Betty.

The play follows along with the lie and Charlie’s special reaction when being a foreigner is in question.

Through the duration of the scenes we learn to adore the characters and see how Charlie adapts to the environment and grows as a human being.

“You will take something away from watching this play because it’s not just comedy that is being addressed” said Community

Actress Wendie Berry who plays the lead as Betty. “It feels like you’re a part of something bigger”.

Charlie, played by former student Dorian Rozanski, advises to the public in the practiced English accent, “You would be missing out not seeing this play”.

Rebollo said that the warm atmosphere, rustic feel and chemistry between the actors and their friendship and continuous rehearsals makes it easy to see the effort that was put into this production.

So much time and effort has been put into the play since the beginning of December, she said.

Showtimes

Feb. 11: 7 p.m.

Feb. 12: 7 p.m.

Feb. 13: 7 p.m.

Feb. 14: 7 p.m.

Feb. 15: 7:30 p.m.

Location:

Meramec Theatre

Free Admission

ART & LIFE 9Feb. 12, 2015

St. Louis Community College Meramec has no shortage of dynamic teachers and Assistant Professor of Communications Christopher Smejkal is no exception.

Smejkal has been here since 2001. Beginning as a part time professor 14 years ago, Smejkal eventually became a full-time professor at Meramec in 2007 and has stuck around ever since.

Born and raised in Troy, Ill., Smejkal earned an undergraduate and a master’s degree in Speech Communication with a minor in English from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in Edwardsville, Ill.

Originally Smejkal hoped to attend the private University of Dubuque Iowa to study environmental law; however, due to financial reasons, Smejkal decided to attend SIUE instead.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated high school,” Smejkal said. “I immediately fell in love with the campus and the people.”

After college, Smejkal had a bit of a journey before beginning a teaching career.

“I just started interviewing for random jobs,” Smejkal said. “For the first 15 months out of college I worked for the Girl Scouts as their Membership Development Manager. It was a horrible experience. Through some research I conducted on my own I found out that I was perhaps the only male in the country to have that role at the time.”

Despite disliking working for the Girl Scouts Smejkal said, “It definitely taught me what I didn’t want to do.”

After that Smejkal decided to pursue a teaching career out of a love for working with people.

“I applied for one of two positions as a teaching assistant at SIUE and I got it,” Smejkal said.

Smejkal was paid

while earning a master’s degree and taught two classes: Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication.

“I fell in love with teaching,” Smejkal said. “I have the best job, I get to do what I love.”

Smejkal teaches several classes at Meramec; yet one stands apart from the others.

“ G e n d e r Communications is what I am most passionate about. I’m passionate about issues concerning men and women. It’s important that men talk about issues that pertain to both men’s lives but also women’s lives,” Smejkal said. “I think it is important for young males to hear it from another male. There are so many myths behind it [gender] and I just want to dispel some of those.”

Smejkal assigns a charity project every semester in Gender Communications that demonstrates a desire to make a difference in others’ lives.

Smejkal breaks the class into small groups. Each group selects an issue pertaining to gender and then together finds “a charity that champions that issue.” Each group presents to the class about the issue as well as advocates for their chosen charity. Once all the presentations are done, the class votes for the group that did the best. Each student donates $5 to the winning team and Smejkal puts money on top of that total.

“To date, in those classes, students have raised over $5,000.00 to charities locally and around the world,” Smejkal said.

With a passion for students, as well as the content being taught, it is

not the tangible rewards that drive Smejkal to continue teaching.

“I think too often in any

job you get bogged down by tangible outcomes: salary increase, a title, promotion, an award; I honestly don’t focus on those things. Money has never driven me. What drives me is making a difference in some way.”

In addition to the desire to inspire students’ lives, Smejkal has another passion: backpacking.

“I like it because it is partly physical, but a lot of it is mental,” Smejkal said.

Smejkal went backpacking for the first time during a high school trip at the age of 16, but became passionate after high school at the age of 18.

For several summers after the birth of this newfound hobby, Smejkal worked as a ranger and backpacking guide in Cimarron, N.M. at Philmont Scout Ranch.

“All I did was backpack, take people out and teach them low impact

camping skills and survival skills,” Smejkal said. “I like the solitude of it, being out in the elements, the rawness of being away form the hustle bustle of everything. It was a way to re-energize me. Like my soul needed it, to be out in the elements doing that.”

Smejkal has backpacked in many places over the western part of the United States: such as Utah, Colorado, Washington and the Grand Canyon from rim-to-rim in August in 120 degree weather.

During one backpacking trip Smejkal came within feet of a “giant blonde bear.”

“You’re not supposed to run when you see a bear. You’re not supposed to act quickly. We just started to make noise. I started clapping really loud. The bear slowly turned and walked away,” Smejkal said. “We kind of freaked out so we grabbed our bags [and] walked very swiftly away. So for the next hour we sang Violent Femmes ‘Blister in the Sun’ at the top of our lungs.”

Smejkal teaches three classes at Meramec: Oral Communications, Gender Communications and Public Speaking and said he desires to go above and

beyond what is in the job description.

“Learning to me is just not what you get from a book, it’s about your experiences, figuring out how it fits into the bigger picture,” Smejkal said. “I learn just as much from my students as they learn from me. I walk away feeling more enriched than when I came in at the beginning of the semester.”

Beyond the borders of the classroomProfessor Christopher Smejkal continues to teach ‘making a difference in some way’ALYSSA MCCUTCHAN STAFF WRITER

“ What drives me is making a difference in some way.

- Christopher Smejkal

Christopher Smejkal facilitates a classroom discussion in his 12:30 p.m. Gender Communications class on Tuesday Feb 3 in Communications North. Smejkal is in his 14th year teaching at STLCC Meramec.

PHOTOS BY ALEX WHITE

Facts about Smejkal

* Professor for 14 years.

* Helped raise more than

$5,000 to local charities and worldwide charities.

* During a backpacking trip Smejkal came within feet of a bear.

ART & LIFE10Feb. 12, 2015

Serious education. Serio

us value.SM

Office hours for

STLCC Meramec students:

Mondays & Thursdays

Call 314-984-7575 for a

n appointment

9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Advising Center – Clark Hall

University of Missouri–

St. Louis

Christy Hummel | Transfer Specialist

Transferra nsf er

T Contact Christy Hummel

to choose

Meramec_5.75x8.indd 1 2/9/15 2:58 PM

Lots H, L, X and Y - Faculty and Staff Parking Motorcycle ParkingAdditional Parking available on lots G, H, L, P and X Emergency Call BoxesStudents cannot park in the Visitor Parking lot.No parking along walls, curbs or in drivewaysunless specifically marked with parking spaces.Concealed firearms prohibited on College Property

AC Assessment CenterAD Administration/Clark HallAS Applied ScienceBA Business AdministrationCE Continuing EducationCN Communications NorthCP College PoliceCS Communications SouthGH GreenhouseHE Humanities EastHW Humanities West

LH Lecture HallsL LibraryPE Physical EducationPH Power HousePP Physical PlantSC Student CenterSO Social ScienceSS Science SouthSW Science WestTH Theatre

Faculty Y

Staff Parking

11333 Big Bend Road • St. Louis, MO 63122 • 314-984-7500

For more information, visit us online at stlcc.edu/mc or call us at 314-984-7611.

Spring Career FairFREE admission!

Meet with area employers and learn about employment opportunities in your community!

Thursday, March 5, 20159 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Meramec Gymnasium11333 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122

Non-discrimination Statement -- St. Louis Community College is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran and shall take action necessary to ensure non-discrimination. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is also prohibited. For information or concerns related to discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor Student Affairs at 314-539-5374.

St. Louis Community College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you have accommodation needs, please call 314-984-7611 within two working days of the scheduled event to request accommodations. Documentation of disability may be required.

ABOVE: The International Club hosts a lecture series on Colombia Thursday, Feb. 5.

PHOTOS BY NICOLE DIXON

PHOTOS BY ALEX WHITE WHITE

As the weather topped 45 degrees Tuesday, Feb. 10, Meramec Student Ryan Bouman e n t e r t a i n e d students, staff and faculty walking to and from classes by playing his trumpet. Bouman plays outside the Student Center often. Last week he played his harmonica.

SPORTS 11Feb. 12, 2015

For the love of the game

A couple congratulations are in order for the STLCC athletic department.

For as many times as I have reported on harsh realities of the department, they are starting to turn over a new leaf. It is a positive thing to see, for a department that has been given such a rocky road to travel since the district-wide consolidation of athletics in July 2011.

First, congratulations on the hiring of Shawn Summe, as the new athletic director for STLCC.

Summe took over the responsibilities of athletic director in December 2014. Those responsibilities were previously a revolving door of duties given to two co-athletic directors, following the consolidation.

Through research of similar multi-campus colleges and personal experience covering athletics, I have never seen two co-athletic directors — especially two who were also coaches in the department that they oversaw, i.e. their own bosses. (A conflict of interest? I think so).

Job descriptions would become cloudy; their communication would suffer.

With the hiring of Summe, there is a clear-cut director of athletics — no muddy waters.

His positive presence has already been felt in the two-and-a-half months he has been on the job with STLCC.

He was there to console the Lady Archers basketball team, after their head coach lost her mother to lung cancer. He was on the road with the team — in constant communication with Head Coach Shelly Ethridge — letting her know how the team played during their away game.

And he helped set up the 26th anniversary celebration of the 1988-89 Meramec Warriors men’s basketball team. This, the second congratulations.

The 1988-89 team was 27-9 and placed second in the nation, runner-up at the NJCAA Tournament. The team and their Head Coach Randy Albrecht were honored during halftime of STLCC’s game on Saturday, Feb. 7.

With such a rich athletic history at STLCC, one can only hope that there are more moments like Saturday to follow. And Summe is the right person for the job.

Kudos, athletic department

SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF

Cancer Awareness game set to take placeFourth Annual Cancer Awareness game will take place when STLCC hosts MCC-Penn Valley on Feb. 21 at STLCC-Forest Park

SPENCER GLEASON EDITOR IN CHIEF

The fourth annual STLCC Cancer Awareness game is set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the gymnasium on the STLCC-Forest Park campus.

The event is scheduled to take place during the STLCC women’s basketball game. Tipoff for the Lady Archers scheduled for 1 p.m.

Festivities include a pep band, as well as raffles, a concessions and silent auctions throughout the game. There will be multiple giveaway prizes.

Silent auction items in prior years included bidding on hotel stays, Gateway Grizzlies’ baseball tickets, restaurant gift certificates and an autographed baseball from former St. Louis Cardinal and STLCC-Meramec alum David Freese.

Special T-shirts will be available for sale marking the occasion.

The halftime show will consist of an award winning pom-pom squad and a Little Dribblers exhibition basketball game.

“The most important thing is that we make people aware of this horrible disease,” Lady Archers’ Head Coach Shelly Ethridge said.

In previous years, the money raised went toward Kane Weinberg, a 20-year-old battling leukemia.

Last season, the event raised $3,050 for Weinberg.

This season, the money raised will be presented to two families. Braelynn French, 4, and Jacob Swiderski, 11, are both battling brain cancer.

“We’re trying to help these two little kids out,” Ethridge said.

The two children have ties to Ethridge and Meramec.

Shae French, Braelynn’s mom, played for Ethridge during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. And Joe Swiderski, Jacob’s father, works in the PE Building at Meramec.

Jacob Swiderski has been battling brain cancer for nine years.

“He’s been through [several] years of chemo,” Ethridge said.

“Three years of radiation and five surgeries.”

The Cancer Awareness game is played in memory of Ethridge’s father, Mike Ethridge, who died in December 2011. Ethridge’s mom, Judy, died of lung cancer three weeks ago, in January.

As the Lady Archers’ final regular season home game, the matchup against Metropolitan

Community College-Penn Valley will also mark Sophomore Day.

The six Lady Archer sophomores on roster will be acknowledged prior to their game.

Sophomores Deborah Holcomb, Khalilah Morrow, Tiara Bradley, Dajae Williams, Brandy Ward and Lorielle Little will all be honored.

Kane Weinberg attends last sesaon’s Cancer Awareness basketball game at STLCC-Meramec with his father. The 2014 Cancer Awareness game raised $3,050 for Weinberg, who is battling leukemia. This year the Cancer Awareness game will raise money for two children battling brain cancer.

ARCHIVE PHOTO

UPCOMINGMEN’S BASKETBALL

SCHEDULE

Monday, Feb. 16vs Lindenwood Univerity-Belleville

HOME, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17at Wentworth Military Academy

(Lexington, Mo.)AWAY, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21vs MCC-Penn Valley

HOME, 3 p.m.*Sophomore Night

*Home games played at STLCC-Forest Park

UPCOMINGWOMEN’S

BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Saturday, Feb. 14vs Cottey College (Nevada, Mo.)

AWAY, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17at Wentworth Military Academy

(Lexington, Mo.)AWAY, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21vs MCC-Penn Valley

HOME, 1 p.m.*Sophomore Night and

Cancer Awareness Game

*Home games played at STLCC-Forest Park

STLCC-Meramec PE instructor Michael Moore has been teaching first aid classes for 20 years at the campus. Moore’s class, which is scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. has 23 students this semester.

“It is a combination of adult CPR and first aid skills,” Moore said. “I always like to start off the class by interviewing the kids. One of the questions I ask is, ‘Have you ever had to deal with a life-threatening situation?’ I constantly put them on the spot, giving them information to go over again and again.”

Moore said there are a lot of important steps to first aid.

Moore said some of those important pieces include when you get to a scene, approaching the victim and checking the victim. Knowing what to do after you checked the victim and the positioning of the victim are also important.

“I teach a lot of the finer points that the students would not even think about,” Moore said. “I want them to leave my class

feeling confident they can deal with potential life threatening situations.”

Moore said that 911 will not be available all the time, so the responder has to have a basic idea of what to do in a serious situation.

“The general population will still have 911 to call, but when dealing with others, without that availability, I want them (students) to know the skills,” Moore said.

Moore said he expects them to fully understand the different parts of first aid, so that is why he continues to drill them.

“I tell my students there are a thousand different pieces to the puzzle when learning CPR. It is not just 32 compressions and two breaths. There is more to it,” Moore said.

Moore said he enjoys teaching the class because he knows everyone is learning something new.

“I truly believe everyone will be faced with a life-threatening situation some time in their life,” Moore said.

First Aid LessonsSTLCC-Meramec PE course offers tips on how to be a first responder in critical situations

CHRISTIAN HARGAS STAFF WRITER

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

SCORES

Saturday, Jan. 31Wentworth Military Academy- 36

STLCC- 88

Wednesday, Feb. 4State Fair Comm. College- 83

STLCC- 56

Saturday, Feb. 7North Central Missouri College- 69

STLCC- 99

‘Like’ The Montage on FacebookVisit www.meramecmontage.com

Follow @TheMontage on Twitter{MGet Social

MEN’S BASKETBALL SCORES

Saturday, Jan. 31Wentworth Military Academy- 51

STLCC- 75

Wednesday, Feb. 4Missouri State University-

West Plains- 71STLCC- 68

Saturday, Feb. 7North Central Missouri College- 82

STLCC- 85

Learn how you can transfer to Loyola and transform your life.

For more information, visit LUC.edu/transfer.

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Mar. 26 • Apr. 23 • May 21

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Mar. 24 • Apr. 21 • May 26

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