Category Archives: Issue 64.4

Front, Issue 64.4

Port Huron suits up for Blue Water Music Awards

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BWMA one year away from annual event

Erick Fredendall
Editor-in-Chief

Travis Boone of Manifest the Machine pulls out his phone to take a “selfie” while preforming at the Feb. 27 BWMA.
Travis Boone of Manifest the Machine pulls out his phone to take a “selfie” while preforming at the Feb. 27 BWMA.

Snappily dressed musicians and fans gathered on Feb. 27 at the Blue Water Music Awards to celebrate what organizer David Whitt called “an awesome year in music for Port Huron.”
The Blue Water Music Awards (BWMA) debuted last year after Whitt and various other local music supporters began to brainstorm various ways to acknowledge and showcase local talent in the Port Huron community.
“I believe in my heart that we have, not just some of, but the best musicians in the world right here in our little town,” Whitt said. “Our music scene is so deep that this award show was bound to happen sooner or later.”
The American Legion Post No. 8 hosted the BWMA this year. According to Whitt, out of the 270 chair set up for the event, few were left vacant.
“The turnout was amazing,” said Whitt.
Sixteen awards, ranging from “Best Cover,” “Amateur of the Year,” to the “WTF Award” were presented at the BWMA.
The BWMA also featured live performances from various bands, including Charlie James and the Silver Devils, Yeddie in the Woods, Rhinos and Winos, Fifth Avenue, Dick Hickey, Manifest the Machine, and Cool Kids Communication.
The BWMA Academy also added three new categories to the award ceremony this year: Best DJ, Best Hip-Hop, and Producer of the Year.
Randy Willis, owner and producer at SS Sounds in Port Huron, received both Producer of the Year and Fan of the Year at this year’s awards.
“It’s great and brings to the forefront that Port Huron and the surrounding areas have a great scene going on,” Willis said.
Another recipient, “DJ View” Gage O’Barsky, walked away with the Amateur of the Year award. At 15 year’s old, O’Barsky sets the bar as the youngest recipient of a BWMA award.
“It’s incredible, I can’t wait to bring this to school tomorrow,” O’Barsky said.
Nominees for the awards are chosen by the BWMA Academy, a group of producers, musicians, and supporters who monitor the local music scene for potential candidates.
Three nominees are selected for each category. The Academy then turns the choice over to the public, whose vote determines who walks away with a BWMA trophy.
According to Whitt, the focus for the 2014-15 BWMA is to tweak the Academy process, possibly add new categories, and encourage more participation from the city.
Whitt intends on coordinating the event next year and then easing into the background, possibly passing along the event to the Blue Water Social Club.
“We have talked about taking it over, and it looks like that will be what happens,” said Ryan McInnis, a spokesperson for the club.
Musicians, producers, or fans interested in participating in the BWMA are encouraged to reach out to David Whitt at dutchboyrecs@gmail.com.

Issue 64.4, Sports

Two-timing their way to triumph

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2013-14 MCCAA Champions

Brendan Buffa
Sports Editor

Andranay Beverly, guard, awaits her chance for a free throw, as well as the chance to be a national champion in Kansas on March 18 – 22. Photo credit: Brendan Buffa
Andranay Beverly, guard, awaits her chance for a free throw, as well as the chance to be a national champion in Kansas on March 18 – 22. Photo credit: Brendan Buffa

Under the helm of Michael Groulx and Lucretia Bowerman, the Lady Skippers resemble a righteous and relentless wall, rolling away from the MCCAA as born again champions.
Bringing home the title for the second year in a row, the Lady Skippers have surely set a statement in the league, as they are now an established superpower not to be taken lightly by competitors.
Only losing two games in their five month stint, the Lady Skippers have mopped up their competition in every game since Nov. 23, 2013.
The Skips took on Lake Michigan in the MCCAA Championship, and rattled off the win, 84-73.
Whitley Currie, freshman forward, put up 27 points against Lake Michigan.
Newcomer, Haley Rutledge, a transfer from Jackson College, saw the promise that the team possessed before game one.
“After all the success last year, I was hoping to see another title,” said Rutledge, “and once I saw the team, I knew it was going to happen.”
Rachel Kehoe, a returning center, also saw a hopeful future for the team.
“I mean, nothing is written in stone,” said Kehoe, “but the way we were able to come together really showed success.”
After winning the MCCAA title, Kehoe and the rest of the team kept their head on straight and looked down the road to the desirable District tournament.
“I thought of how amazing it was to take the title in the MCCAA,” said Kehoe, “but I was looking forward to the tournaments at District and National.”

Forward, Whitley Currie, raises above the Henry Ford Hawks defense while sporting her pink breast cancer awareness jersey. Photo credit: Kaylee Bert
Forward, Whitley Currie, raises above the Henry Ford Hawks defense while sporting her pink breast cancer awareness jersey. Photo credit: Kaylee Bert

The Lady Skippers embarrassed Delta College on their own court, winning 84-67, taking the District title and deservingly winning a spot in the 2013-14 National tournament.
The Skippers played against Delta twice in their season, with a whopping blowout on Jan. 18, 110-69, and then nail biter on Feb. 15, 71-69.
With both results in favor of the Skippers, Delta was seeking revenge, yet had an unfortunate stumble as they took the court.
“It was nice to have a win at Delta,” said Rutledge, “especially beating them pretty bad, I’m glad we did it.”
Ta’kira Height, freshman guard/forward, racked up 25 points in the win against Delta, which Groulx called, “the best game of her life”, and Kehoe had an outstanding defensive run, fighting for her 15 rebounds.
Coach Groulx, with two MCCAA Championship titles under his belt in his two years of coaching, is looking for his first National title, as the Skippers were knocked out last year in the semi-finals.
“We have set the standard in this program,” said Groulx, “these ladies are very disciplined, and have sacrificed the ‘me’ for the ‘we’ of the team.”
The Skippers currently hold the highest win streak in the nation at 24.
The Lady Skippers are taking the show on the road, traveling to Kansas on March 18 through 22. The tournament will hold the top 16 teams in the country, and the Skippers are currently predicted to get the third or fourth seed.

Campus Events, Issue 64.4

Returning club seeks members

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Criminal Justice club making a positive comeback

Mairead Warner
Staff Writer

Breaking news, SC4’s Criminal Justice Club is back and looking for members. The club has been in probation status due to of lack of members’ and is now reinvented. The club is welcoming anyone, especially people that are interested in having careers in the criminal justice field.
Students who cannot make the meetings can join on the club’s official Facebook group, “St. Clair Community College Criminal Justice Club.”
All students are encouraged to come to the future meetings. There will be sign in sheets for students who are interested in joining the Criminal Justice Club.
According to Jim Jones, the Criminal Justice Club’s advisor and SC4’s criminal justice instructor, “Being a part of the Criminal Justice Club or any can help with networking, and becoming more active in a student’s community and in the college.”
The Criminal Justice Club meets every other Wednesday in room 203 in the North Building at 10:00 am. The next meeting is scheduled for March 12.
At the most recent club meeting, everyone in the club is very active in asking questions and was extremely inviting of new members. The atmosphere of the meeting was positive and welcoming. The club was very aware of what was going on and got straight to the point.
The Criminal Justice Club is a “student club” and is a good place for students to learn information about the criminal justice field.
The Criminal Justice Club and many other clubs helps students develop leadership skills in the careers that they want to become a part of. Clubs also allow students to connect with different types of people. To be a part of any job takes a certain leadership skill, and those skills that can be strengthened in the Criminal Justice Club.

Campus Events, Issue 64.4

Local students find fun in science

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SC4’s Science and Engineering brought the best of the best

Jenelle Kalaf
Staff Writer

SC4 held the Science and Engineering fair on March 7 through the 9.
Elementary, middle, and high school students show off their science projects for the community to see.
Four awards were designated for each school level.
The judging started Friday and ran until Saturday. On Sunday, the winners were announced in an award ceremony held in the Fine Arts Building.
Every school level held their own competition, giving away 3 grand awards and 1 best of show.
For the elementary level, the 3 grand awards went to Benjamin Govaere, Kylie Russell, and Kayla Walker. All are students of Pine River Elementary.
The best in show award went to Michael Wilkinson, a student of St. Mary’s Catholic School in St. Clair, for his project about processed and non-processed foods.
Middle school level grand award winners are Tyler Danielson, Caleb Hendershot, and Neehal Tumma. All recipients are students of Fort Gratiot Middle School.
The best in show went to Khristiyana Dixon of Fort Gratiot Middle School, for her project about gender and memory.
High school level grand award winners are Ilina Krishen, Medha Krishen, and Aishah Ahmed, all students of Port Huron Northern High School.
High school best in show went to Sophia Ahmed, also of Port Huron Northern High School, for her research in inhibiting E. coli growth.
All winners were given blue ribbons for their achievements.

Campus Events, Issue 64.4

Counting down to a career

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Marketing and Management Club hosts skill building program

Erick Fredendall
Editor-in-Chief

Marketing and Management Club is to host the fourth annual Countdown2Career event throughout late March and early April.
Countdown2Career falls on four different Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre, each day covering a different topic.
Events are on March 25 and April 1, April 15, and April 22.
Countdown2Career is a skill building workshop designed and hosted by SC4’s Marketing and Management Club to help provide agency to students embarking on the hunt for a career.
“Our students really need “soft skills” and this program helps them get it,” said Dan McCarty, Marketing and Management Club advisor.

dressing professionally
Dressing professionally

The program includes tips and advice on various aspects of job searching, drafting resumes, dressing professionally, and ultimately impressing potential employers.
The first Tuesday, March 25 is resume and job sites, during which a presentation will be held on how to draft a resume, what to include/avoid, and showcase good and bad examples by prospective job hunters in the past.
April 1 is the Dress for Success Fashion Show, where students showcase various outfits suitable or not suitable for an interview.
“Our host will explain what to wear in a certain situation depending on what kind of job you’re going for,” said James Woolman, president of Marketing and Management Club.
April 15 is interviewing, where student actors portray job seekers during the interview process. According to Woolman, the Marketing Management Club is currently looking at using students from the Drama Club to act at the event.
The last day, April 22, is about networking.
“The presentation will be about how important it is to network with people, and how important it is to reach out and get that handshake,” Woolman said.
New to the Countdown2Career event is the meet and greet, occurring after the April 22 networking panel. After the panel, students will be invited to attend a meet and greet session with employers in the local area.
“We’re bringing in about 20 to 30 employers from around town that are looking for college students to work for that field, whatever that may be,” Woolman said. “The whole point of networking to get out there, shake hands and meet people.”
Students interested in actively participating in the event can contact Woolman at jameswoolman@rocketmail.com.

Campus Events, Issue 64.4

E-cig or no cig

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SC4’s tobacco ban to include E-cigarettes

Angie Stoecklin
Copy Editor

While SC4 makes moves to implement the new smoke free campus to go in effect August 1 of this year, a particular addition to the rule is beginning to draw student attention.
In addition to banning tobacco use spanning every inch of SC4 grounds, electronic cigarettes are also on the list.
For those who do not know, electronic cigarettes are battery powered devices that allow a person to get their nicotine fix without the harmful side effects of normal cigarette smoking.
Electronic cigarette fluid has three ingredients, nicotine, propylene glycol, and artificial flavoring. The vapor is easily dispersed into the air and leaves little to no smell.
A perfect solution right?
Wrong. Even though Michigan’s Smoke Free Air Law, which was implemented in 2010, specifically states that although cigarette smoking is banned in all public buildings, electronic cigarettes are not.
However, according to Todd Orlando, manager of the Tobacco Section of the Michigan Department of Community Health, SC4 has every right to ban e-cigarettes.
“Although electronic cigarettes are not covered by Michigan’s Smoke Free Air Law (Public Act 188), business owners and operators are within their legal rights to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes on or within properties they own or operate,” Orlando said.
With the addition of e-cigarettes, the board’s new policy includes all other tobacco and smoke products.
“E-cigarettes are smoking related and are still under review by the Surgeon General in regards to potential health effects. The policy is consistent with many college/university campuses,” said Pete Lacey, vice president of Student Services at SC4.
Several universities such as the University of Michigan have added electronic cigarettes to their no smoking policy.
Smoking bans are a growing trend among colleges.
With the ban scheduled to go into effect this year, the main question now is how the college plans to enforce this ban.
Lacey stated that the board has designated enforcement responsibilities to college administration. The guidelines for enforcement are currently being decided upon by task force. Those guidelines are said to be in place by April or May.
“In regard to enforcement, the taskforce is reviewing practices from other college campuses and we plan to take a ‘student friendly’ approach by politely reminding students that we are a smoke/tobacco free campus,” Lacey said.
In the event we experience repeat abuse, we are discussing a phased approach with potential increased discipline for code of conduct violations along the way.”
Students who wish to share feedback of possible implementation and/or enforcement of the ban are encouraged to send an e-mail to smoketobaccofree@sc4.edu.
All suggestions will be reviewed by the taskforce.

Campus Events, Issue 64.4

An evening down the “Rabbit Hole”

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Curtains open March 20

Liz Whittemore
Photo Editor

The SC4 Fine Arts is bringing to the stage 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner “Rabbit Hole” on Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 23.
“Rabbit Hole” written by David Lindsay-Abaire is a story about a family’s struggle to find peace of mind and live day to day in the wake of a tragedy.
“It’s a very powerful show,” said Tom Kephart, Director/Technical Director of “Rabbit Hole” and the Artistic Director for the SC4 Players. “When I read it, I knew I wanted to produce it here at SC4.”
The cast consists of five characters, husband and wife Howie and Becca performed by Elizabeth Wentzel and Justin Rutherford, Becca’s pregnant sister Izzy performed by Alinah Purdy-Sachs, Jason performed by August Smith, and Becca and Izzy’s mother Nat performed by SC4 faculty member Suzanne Moore O’Brien.
Smith plays Jason, the 17-year-old who caused the accident.
“He’s not a character you’ll support right away, but as the play goes on you’ll learn along with Jason,” said Smith. “He wants to repent but feels as though it’s his burden to try to make amends.”
Wentzel approves of the choice for “Rabbit Hole” to be brought to SC4.
“It’s a drama instead of a comedy. It’s new and different, very unlike Gatsby. Not as many people will be familiar with it,” said Wentzel.
Show times are at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Students with a Skipper OneCard are admitted free of charge, $7 for adults, and $5 for seniors ages 60 or older.

Community, Issue 64.4

Empty bowls; not empty hearts

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Port Huron residents step up to end hunger through the empty bowl event

Lily Petit
Staff Writer

SC4 student Shelby Castillo, 21, forms a bowl at Studio 1219 that she plans to donate to the Empty Bowl Event. Photo credit: Lily Petit
SC4 student Shelby Castillo, 21, forms a bowl at Studio 1219 that she plans to donate to the Empty Bowl Event. Photo credit: Lily Petit

Come to benefit our local soup kitchen. Stay for the entertainment and leave with a one-of-a-kind bowl made by a local potter.
The Empty Bowl event takes place on Thursday, March 27 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. It will be held in the school gym of St. Stephen’s Church located at 325 32nd street, Port Huron. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
The event is a benefit for Port Huron’s local soup kitchen, Mid-City Nutrition. The evening includes entertainment by pianist and singer, Johnny Needham. During this time there will also be a silent auction which will take place from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m.
This event is not only a fundraiser, it also helps to raise awareness of hunger in our community and worldwide. Therefore, a simple meal consisting of soup and bread will be served.
Lastly, every person will leave with a hand crafted bowl made by a local potter. One such potter, Shelby Castillo, donated her bowls last year and will be doing so again this year. She says that the event is a good way for getting artists’ name out there while helping out with a good cause.
You can purchase tickets at Weekends, Proper Framing, and Mid-City Nutrition. Or you can contact Donna Baker at 810-334-6221.
For more information on this event, contact Denise Dencklau at 810-385-3508. If you would like to donate an item for auction, contact Caroline Corby at 810-966-3536.

Community, Issue 64.4

Food, friends, and art.

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SC4 Spiral Gallery features Mike Henry for the month of March

Hannah Hunter
Staff Writer

Close friends, wine, and art. What better way to spend a Friday night?
Every month an SC4 instructor is selected to have his or her art displayed in the Spiral Gallery at Studio 1219.
This month, the Spiral Gallery featured artist is SC4 alumni Mike Henry. His show “Conversations with Light,” includes work representing the blue water area.
Henry could be found mingling among reception guests answering questions and engaging in conversation with close friends.
“I love painting light, so the theme that runs throughout the show is light,” said Henry.
According to Henry, this is his first show at Studio 1219, but in 2011 he had three other galleries at SC4. Among those three galleries were a total of 45 paintings.
Henry began his painting endeavor in 2004. While attending high school Henry took 4 consecutive years of art and thoroughly enjoyed it, but did not continue to pursue it in college.
He started a business degree but found that he was unable to sit still in class. This led him to rediscover his love of art and his talent for watercolor painting.
“It’s fantastic. Mike is a friend of mine so we go to all the shows,” said Dave Hastings from Fort Gratiot.
Studio 1219 is located on Military Street and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Community, Issue 64.4

Lucky times for Tripod

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A cat with three legs

Angie Stoecklin
Copy Editor

At first glance, he may seem like your everyday ordinary black cat, but take a closer look, and you’ll see that this normal cat is anything but.
He is known around the Blue Water Area Humane Society (BWHS) by three names, Lucky, Mr. Mom, and more commonly, Tripod.
Tripod was brought into the humane society in 2010 when he was a kitten by a couple and their three young children. They had found him with his bone sticking out of his back right leg. Unsure as to what happened to him, the volunteers then took Tripod to a veterinarian who regularly works with the humane society.
After Tripod was healed, the family who had found him asked to adopt the young feline. The staff at BWHS weren’t sure how he would deal with the healing process around three young kids, so they declined the adoption request.
“We kept him and come to find out he was obsessive compulsive, he would lick his fur until he was bald in spots,” Said Carl Erickson, a regular volunteer at BWHS.
According to icatcare.org, frustration and anxiety due to losing a leg can make the cat feel unsettled, and may lead to distressed and altered behavior.
This most likely explains Tripod’s obsessive licking habits.
To try and distract Tripod from his compulsive behavior, the volunteer’s placed him in a free range cat room that held a number of kittens.
“The Kitten’s just gravitate to him like he’s made out of Velcro, he washes and grooms them and no matter what room we put him in the other cats just love him,” Erickson said.
Tripod’s nurturing and loving attitude towards kittens is what gave him the nickname Mr. Mom. When his Mr. Mom personality began to take notice, Erickson and the other volunteers decided that it would be best for him to stay there as a shelter cat.
Erickson said that Tripod has no trouble getting around and climbing on the cat towers, and that his attitude is accepting, “He just acts like ‘I have three legs and that’s what I’ve got’ and he gets along fine with it.”