'The Molly' Turned Normal!

Each Holiday season, for about four years now, it had become a tradition that I share ‘The Molly’ Christmas gift with my colleagues in Enrollment Services. ‘The Molly’ is my sister and her gifts are the highlight of my season. That tradition has now grown and our Marketing and Communications Department also can’t wait to see what ‘The Molly’ has gifted me, her older sister.

Here’s how it goes…Each holiday season, I display ‘The Molly’ gifts in a prominent place under the Christmas tree – my son and I anxiously wait on the day when we can open these incredible finds. You see, there is a bit of jealousy between my sister and I – the more successful, socially prominent and much smarter sister. She gets me back for my God-given talents every Christmas and birthday with her incredibly thoughtful gifts. When we leave for Christmas break, all my colleagues say – be sure and text us about ‘The Molly’ present! They know…

The day finally comes and first I announce to everyone who had gathered for Christmas at my house that “I am opening up The Molly present.” I anxiously go through all the possible scenarios in my head of what she could have possibly bought for me this year. I have gotten some lovely clearance items bought at the previous year’s Kohl’s ‘After Christmas Sale’, some lovely hot pink long johns with bunnies on them from the previous ‘After-Easter Sale’ at Target or a re-gifted item from one of her clients like a candle wax burner with scented wax that had lost its scent. One year my son got a gallon bottle of Redken shampoo that had been discontinued. She is a beautician and I imagine it was a discontinued product from her shop. The funny thing is – she has no idea we have created a new adjective called ‘The Molly’.

One year for my birthday, my office friends and colleagues wanted in on the surprise and asked me to bring in ‘The Molly Present’ so they could share in the unveiling. That was the year of the hot pink bunny long johns.

This year we brought back a box and a large bag of ‘The Molly’ presents when we went up to Indianapolis for my dad’s 92nd birthday. There were two presents in the box for me, a small bag for my son and even a big box for my boyfriend. I thought – “Ohhhhhhh Noooooo, now my boyfriend gets in on the experience.” After a hushed quiet the unwrapping began. I slowly open the box...slowly lift the paper...and much to my wondering eyes did appear, my jaw drops as I say right out loud, "Oh My God, I like it! It's just what I wanted!"

My new addiction is Starbucks Iced Coffee and she got me 3 boxes of it and an insulated Starbucks Christmas cup to drink it in. This is unbelievably PERFECT. Then I think "well this is just too good to be true" so I tell my son to open his present. Its $20 in cash - not a check that he has to take to the bank, not a preppie pink Izod button down shirt but $20 in CASH. My boyfriend even got a pretty nice long sleeve shirt. OMG THE MOLLY HAS TURNED NORMAL!

And my next thought was: I hope she didn't find my blog!

It’s Back to School: Don’t forget the Kleenex Box!

I fondly remember those Back-to-School days when I would take my son to gather all his school supplies, checking the list once; checking the list twice and putting his name on his pencil box, his varied colored spiral bound notebooks and colored marker assortment, the one red ink pen and an eraser. But the most important supply was finding that perfect backpack…the most awkward supply was the Kleenex box.

How in the heck is a kid supposed to get a big Kleenex Box into the backpack?
Can’t be done…because of course, we always got the turbo size Kleenex box.

So, as I was reminiscing, I decided to ask some students about their memories of going back-to school. One student looked up into the air and said, “Ohhhh, my purple lunch box. I LOVED my purple lunch box.” Another student chimed in and said she remembers NOTHING good about school supplies – she wanted to get back to school for the Tether Ball Game. She was headed back to school merely for the Tether Ball at recess – school was secondary.

One SCC student said the coolest thing about coming back to college was the classes that she picked don’t start until 10 am. “I LOVE PICKING THESE CLASSES!”

Conversely, the Returning Learners I talked to work all day then go to class at night and they LOVE NIGHT CLASSES. I personally don’t know how they do it as I am brain dead after 5pm. But they all said they LOVE NIGHT CLASSES.

Eddie O’Neil, our Evening Welcome Center Concierge, said the very best part of Back-to-
School shopping was not for books or supplies but for the BACKPACK. He said, “You could put books and supplies in the backpack but what it was really for was his other collectibles…video games, card games and his most prized possessions that needed to be with him in case of emergency!” He said, “I’ve had the same backpack all through SCC and carry my collectables even to this day!” It accompanied him to Chicago this summer and provided a great tote for his laptop.

Teresa, who works in Student Development remembers being dropped off to the Junior High School by mistake. ..she was entering grade school, was new in town and her parents took her to the wrong building. “All I remember thinking, “ she said, “was that these kids are REALLY BIG.”

So, as we all get ready for ‘Back-to-School’ make sure you get a small Kleenex box, know what buildings you need to go to and even though we don’t have a Tether Ball game you can hang out in the Student Activities Office (College Center 102) where they have the pool table, a new flat screen TV and lots of fun!

Welcome to Fall Everybody!

This is why I work here

Thought I would share some words of wisdom from one of our students who is an SCC Ambassador and a returning learner. She bottomed out in life and joined us last year to start anew. She was just accepted into Phi Theta Kappa, tutors, is active in Science Club and is always available to help 'at risk' high school students, because she can relate. She was awarded the Trustee Scholarship only to find out she is closer to her degree than she thought and will be moving on to UMSL in the Spring. She does not want to leave because she feels she can do more here but she has completed her degree much sooner than she expected. Yes, she is a returning learner...

Shivering, I sat in my car and stared at the front door of the building. The windshield fogged over with my breath as I watched people exit the double glass doors with carts filled with food. I knew that I shouldn’t be ashamed, that everyone else was in the same position that I was in.

I reached for the handle of the door once again, pushing myself to get out of the car this time, to be brave. I didn’t want to be there, I doubt anyone wants to be where I was. I had plans, I was going to be somebody, and this was not the person I wanted to be. I would like to convey why I got to this place, and where I want to be.

This is my second chance attending college. Fresh out of high school I went away to college, I was bright and being in the Gifted and Talented program in high school afforded me many scholarships... But I was naïve and, dare I say, I had too many scholarships.

I am one of five children of a single mother. Our mother was an addict to many things including gambling and substances. I moved 24 times before I turned 18. I raised my brothers through much of their young life, living in a trailer and serving microwave banquet meals. I vowed when I was younger to go to college and get a degree. Neglecting my studies, I dropped out, losing those scholarships I now know mean everything to a lower class student. I moved to Florida, eventually met my husband, and married the best man I have ever met. Together we decided to return to school.

Returning is hard, not just to readjust the way you spend your time, but monetarily. The economy in Florida was bust, we packed up everything in our car, throwing much we owned away, and moved to Missouri. We found jobs, a feat that hadn’t been possible in Florida, and joined SCC. With both of us as full time students, we have not been able to support ourselves fully. Last fall was especially hard, as we had been supported by his parents until October. We both took out full student loans, but the money ran out fast. We paid our rent and bills, and little remained after.

The scene above is from this January. I was sitting outside the Salvation Army food pantry, dreading going inside. Armed with my paycheck stubs, I made my way to the front counter. The woman sitting there smiled at me and told me to sign in. I didn’t know what to write on the sheet, and explained it was my first time there. I stammered as I spoke, on the edge of tears. I was surrounded by those waiting to go inside and receive food. I didn’t expect the reaction I received.

Every person there was just like me, or worse, and everyone smiled at me, and reassured me. We exchanged stories, and gave each other support. Those who were in a worse state than I still hadn’t lost their optimism. They had nothing to give, so they gave their hearts. They gave me determination. I want to succeed for them, for those out there who are suffering and who still have a smile for a nervous stranger.

Next month I will be able to volunteer at the food pantry, I have to wait until I am no longer considered a client. I am no longer too proud to admit that I cannot go through this on my own. I plan to make a difference, and even small things can change someone’s life. We live, we learn, and we continually make ourselves into better, wiser people.  

Last week, my Ambassador shared with me proudly that she is no longer a client and has started volunteering at the Salvation Army. She plans to continue to do so twice a week to pay back and I have no doubt will influence another to follow in her footsteps.

Are Our Clubs Going to Pot?

Noam Chomsky,  

“If we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise we do not believe in it at all.”

I have been reading with great interest (I am a student senate advisor) this discussion that has been occurring on SCC’s campus regarding the recent approval of the ‘cannabis' club!  

What I love about working on a college campus is that it is an excellent venue and time for students to become more aware of the world around them....it is a time to discuss controversial issues and to learn to really listen to each side. As a result some minds are opened.  And maybe the discussion(s) will lead to a clearer understanding and maybe the discussions will not lead to anything but what is most important is that each person was respectful of each person's beliefs, opinions, and ideologies. 

What concerns me about this cannabis discussion is when ‘we’ begin to censor clubs or dismiss ideas based on our own fears and beliefs, the opportunity for critical thinking, debate and engaging in an exchange of ideas ends.  My other concern is that some feel that First Amendment Rights should not apply at a public institution that receives public funding and those rights should not have to apply to our student government.

Controversial issues should not be feared but embraced as an opportunity to learn.  Students need to feel free to ask challenging questions and to express controversial opinions without fear of censorship and if they want to form a club to discuss political issues - so what?  

Shouldn't we be happy that our students want to join together and work towards a common cause?  How many important skills are these students gaining while working together as a team?   

For me, the skills gained far outweigh the club's mission - the skills they gain are skills that can be transferred and used in their futures...(lobbying, debating, communicating, picketing, etc.)  My initial reaction to the club's creation was exactly that - what a great learning opportunity!

The same right (First Amendment) that allowed the club to be approved is the same right that also protects us from groups like a pedophile club on campus.  There are limits to Freedom of Speech as set forth by the US Supreme Court – thus the ‘pedophile’ group referenced by opponents would not stand a chance of being approved based on the criteria written by the U.S. Government.  The ‘cannabis’ club does not meet any of ‘this’ criteria (there are various court cases) for denial.  Furthermore, SCC’s legal counsel advised the college to allow the club for first amendment reasons.

The Student Senate was advised that the senators could deny the club based on legitimate and constitutional  (student senate’s constitution)  reasons.  Reasons like ‘poor image’, ‘we are a conservative institution’, ‘I don’t want my money going toward that..’ are not proper reasons to deny a club.  Bottom line each club has to be approved or disapproved by the same criteria used on all clubs.  We cannot begin using separate criteria for clubs based on beliefs.  Each of you should be more disturbed and outraged when an organization or individual begins censoring and denying rights based on personal beliefs. 

So, What are the opponents scared about?  The club cannot make you join, the club cannot make you smoke pot, the club is not forcing you to sign a petition - .the club is not doing anything illegal.  

My federal and local tax money goes to support programs that I may not support and I also pay taxes to schools and have no children.  Big deal.  That is what it is about, isn’t it?  Living in a democracy.

   

So, instead of slamming the administration or slamming the club - what is the proper response?
Start an anti-cannabis club – that is the great thing about living in a democracy.

The Lesson: Never reach for a napkin when driving

Like I even need to learn this right? Well, apparently I needed a reminder. And it goes like this...

I had just helped Joe Howe and the Math team with their National Sectional Regional Math Competition...I'm not Mathy so this is foreign to me, all I know is I sure enjoy student watching of mathy people. So even though I needed to be there by 8am on a Saturday, Joe promised me coffee this year and of course there's always donuts. When I first started helping him, I had willpower. Now that I'm well into my fifties, I don't care so I had one or two...maybe three, OK? So then I felt guilty. After the competition started and I was no longer needed, I agreed to meet my boyfriend/fiance' at the mall to go WALK. That's what people in their fifties do, too, and I did just eat one or two or three donuts.

It was still fairly early and there were not alot of cars at the mall yet. I'm feeling a little 'allergy-ee' and think I better blow my nose before I go walk - I can't be sniffing while swinging my arms and getting my walkin' pace on. As I reach for my dashboard compartment where my stash of napkins are, one falls out onto the passenger side floor. AUGH - I think I could reach it. As I'm reaching I turn right into and over the curb of one of the landscape scenes. My tire popped like a balloon and I rumbled into a parking space. Of course you know what my first thought was...my boyfriend/fiance' was going to kill me.

When I fessed up, he realized I had beat myself up enough - he was so kind. Then he looked at my tire and rim and saw that I not only blew the tire, but the rim was destroyed too. And the back tire had a chunk out of it. And the back rim was destroyed, as well.

But wait, there's more...

My Malibu has one of those new-fangled jacks that fit precisely on a place in back of the tire on the car. He didn't quite get it on the precise space and as he was jacking up the car to put the spare tire on, the jack slipped off the precise space and went right into my car door. Pierced it. So now I am out two tires, two rims and the entire piece of car under the door.

After I paced, ranted and raved, thinking this was going to cost me thousands of dollars, Chris calmly says to me, "What's your deductable?" I say, "Car Insurance? CAR INSURANCE!"

"OMG," I say. "I think I have a $500 deductable so I am only out $500? I can get two new tires, two new rims and a piece of car for $500?" He said, "Call your insurance agent."

The Lesson was turning around. It was not as painful as I thought. I had a $250 deductable, not a $500 deductable and only had to pay for 20% for a car rental for the week. So for about $300, I got two new tires, two new rims, a new piece of car AND they touched up by back bumper where a student side swiped me a few months ago. My cell phone is staying in my purse when driving, and my nose will wait until I'm parked.

Lesson Learned.

A 'CAPITOL' Time in Jefferson City!

This past weekend (Feb 25 - 27) the SCC student senators hosted the spring Missouri Community College Student Government (MCCA-SG) conference in Jefferson City. And not only did our students host the conference, they prepared the registration materials, planned the agenda which included arranging entertainment and planning the menu. Each SCC senator also had the opportunity to present and emcee meeting sessions.

Our student senate behind the Speaker of the House's podium. Jared in particular loved using that mallet!

Approximately 88 student senators and student government advisors (representing 8 Missouri community colleges) participated in the conference.

Below Rachael and Jared making last minute changes prior to everyone arriving.
Jared Streiler, SCC Student Senate President, and Representative Anne Zerr getting ready to run the mock legislative session. Some of the mock bills included 'making it illegal to walk and text at the same time, zombie preparedness, and mandatory recycling at community colleges.'



After the mock legislative session - SCC Senators and Representative Anne Zerr.


Things got a little rough for Eddie (alias 'Boomer') O'Neil as seen in the below photo. This senator was demonstrating how NOT to get your point across.

Ian Thompson, SCC Student Senator, was selected after an interview process to serve as the MCCA Board student representative. Four other students also interviewed for the position.

Ian will represent the voice of the MCCA students (which is quite ironic because Ian is the quietest person I have ever spoken to....).

We are very proud of Ian and know he will do an excellent job in representing the students' voice - now if we could just get him to put that book down......joking!


Murder mystery characters. No one was actually murdered during this session.

SCC Senators caught thinking about dinner.

TAKING A STAND ON 3-LEGS!

My name is Hunter. For those of you who are not familiar with my story, I only have three legs due to an extremely abusive owner. I was thrown from the back of pick-up truck several years ago on Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Due to the impact from hitting the ground and where the break occurred, my leg was amputated - which ultimately was the best thing to ever happen because I was then taken away from 'that' abusive situation.

When I was brought to my new family, you could see my ribcage, my skittish behavior communicated the fear I felt. I was distrustful of all humans. Fast forward - It has been years since I was rescued and I have made great strides but to this day I still have flashbacks to that horrible time and sometimes my behavior regress.

So what is my point?
Not to make you feel sorry for me. But yesterday, I was busy chewing up the newspaper and immediately a bad taste in my mouth developed. No, I wasn't eating the politics page.

I actually saw the below tweets (there were 25 tweets listed - am only including a few ). These young girls tweeted (BTW - term stolen from us bird-dogs) about how it would be welcomed if Chris Brown would beat them. (Chris Brown is a singer, songwriter and guilty for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna). Read below...if you need to read more...just 'Google' Chris Brown.

Now We're Getting to My Point...
As I was chewing, I began to growl. What? Who cares if he was some top dog who made the girls pant? Then it is okay? Any form of abuse is not okay!

I growled more - was I mad at these girls? Was I mad at the media? Was this a joke?
To make a long tail short, from my experience it is not cool to be abused - it is not something one just gets over. Male or female - top-dog or pack-member it is not alright to abuse anyone. And if this was a joke or a case of being a copy cat (copy a dog instead) - it is not okay.

Remember each of you no matter your age, race, sex, etc...you deserve and are worthy to be treated with love and respect. Please paws for a moment and think about what messages are being sent to our young pups - seems to me we need to send someone to obedience school.