Owl Magazine Fall/Winter 2015 by Harford Community College

FALL/WINTER 2015

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Matt Tennyson

Editor’s Note

CONTENT EDITOR Sydney Gaeth

MANAGING EDITOR Jessica Conway

WRITING STAFF

Laura Milcarzyk, Becca McLhinney, Megan Dell, Tia Jones, Georgina Cammayo, Tracy Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS Neil Harman, Joshua Eller

FRONT PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY John Morin

PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Nick Rynes

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY Ballpark Holistic Dispensary

ART DIRECTOR Faras Aamir

DESIGN STAFF

Mark Coleman II, Kelsey Stephenson, Jennifer Asbury

DESIGN SPECIALIST Brianna Breece

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Uchenna Ifeacho, Rashard Davis, Garrett Vesely, Alyssa Dietrich

BUSINESS MANAGER Rachel Mitchell

CHIEF ADVISER Claudia Brown

TECHNICAL ADVISER Philip Roszak

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Throughout history, there have been those who follow the path of least resistance. They prefer to keep to themselves and not cause too much trouble. There are also those who take it upon themselves to stir things up and challenge the status quo. They are the ones who push the boundaries of society to new limits, sometimes with unforeseen consequences. In 1965, different groups around the country were gaining traction in order to push social change and cultural expression to new heights. The Voting Rights Act, the formation of the Grateful

Another example is 19-year-old Aaron Fisher, the first of many teenage boys to come forward about their traumatic experiences with a Penn State football coach (p.30). Activists in Harford County have taken it upon themselves to organize in an attempt to legalize marijuana for the state of Maryland (p.18). Others have created lifechanging movements by following their wildest dreams, like Ken and Zane Kesey and the “Merry Band of Pranksters” (p.12). Musicians have taken a stand against the negative connotations

“We want to bring awareness to the stories of people who have ‘challenged the status quo.’” Dead, and the anti-Vietnam war movement all gained notable prominence in our culture. Fifty years later, the spirit that inspired these movements continues to motivate the grassroots movements of today. In this issue of Owl Magazine, we want to bring awareness to the stories of people who have “challenged the status quo” within our community and beyond. One of the most powerful ways to challenge the status quo is to simply speak out about injustice that we’ve experienced or witnessed in our lives. Such is the route taken by HCC Professor Susan Muaddi Darraj when confronted with the challenges of being an Arab-American (p.11).

and stereotypes often conveyed in mainstream hip-hop (p.6). Women around the country have been making the push for equal rights and wages for both sexes in the ever-growing Feminism movement (p.5). We also hear perspectives from police officers and citizens that have both been affected by the confrontations between law enforcement and the community (p.22). For this “Challenge the Status Quo” issue, we hope to inspire our readers to look deeper into the topics conveyed in each article, but also to look deeper into aspects of their lives that they may hold as being true.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

612

Bigger than Hip-Hop

Uplifting words of conscious artists challenge the stereotypes of rap.

The Baltimore Uprising

Learn about a variety of perspectives on the riots in Baltimore in May of 2015.

Sunday Scrimmage

Harford Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only roller derby team welcomes you to learn this underground sport.

Also Inside: Waging War on the Pay Gap p.5 Harfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Whiz Kid p.8

Concerns with Common Core

Gain insight on the history of Common Core and on who stands to profit from its implementation.

Finding Salvation in Sports

One student discovers team sports and gains the courage to overcome bullying.

50 States and Counting?

A group from western Maryland attempts to gain support to form the 51st state.

Professor Bridges Gap for Arab-Americans p.11 Get on the Bus and Go Further p.12 What is NORML? p.18

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

VOICES

Black Friday Blackout Turning off Greed, Turning on Tradition By Becca McLhinney | Photography by Faras Aamir | Owl Staff

At Thanksgiving dinner, technology has become the main course for many Americans.

Year after year, the meaning of the holiday season seems to get lost amongst the pushing and shoving of extreme holiday shoppers. My family celebrates each Thanksgiving around the dining room table filled with Thanksgiving staples. In-

I am shocked that some stores are open on Thanksgiving Day, a day that should be spent with our families reflecting on our blessings. This is especially hard for retail workers scheduled during the holidays and are unable to enjoy Thanksgiving

schedule,” says Kelly Scott, a Kohl’s employee and Secondary Education major at HCC. In addition to the long hours, many retail employees see things they’d rather not during this season. Kaylee Herbert, an Elementary Education major, says, “There was a lady that came out of the fitting room without pants on!” She adds, “There were crazy long lines and I was being questioned a million times where the exact same merchandise was.” Computer Science major Caleb Hutton says, “Black Friday door busters are madness: there’s longer lines than free ice cream day, and more people getting knocked out than a boxing match.” Hutton adds, “It’s the only time of the year that violence and gift giving have a correlation.” “I think some of them take it a little too seriously,” says HCC student, Jen Eline. She adds, “People are fighting each other over items they want and

“It seems like everything is about making money and not about making memories.” stead of saying our thanks, my family usually discusses why we need to find a new iPhone or big screen TV the next day. As early as November 1, I can walk through my local mall and see crying children seated on Santa’s lap, hear the overplayed Christmas music, watch the puzzled boyfriend or husband searching for the perfect gift, and notice the blinding slew of bright garland and bows.

with their families. It seems like everything is about making money and not about making memories. As a retail worker myself, the long hours that are forced upon us during this season are undesirable. Working midnight shifts every night while still going to school in the morning is rough. “At first, it was fun and exciting to work overnight, but I would never do it again. It really messes up your sleep

camping out from 7:00 pm the night before.” Are consumers so greedy that they’re willing to fight to the death in order to get just the right item that they want? It sounds more like The Hunger Games than it does Christmas. So, if you are brave enough to venture out during the season of giving, try to remember what the true meaning of the holidays are: kindness, compassion, and giving thanks.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

VOICES

Waging War on the Pay Gap

By Sydney Gaeth | Photography by Neil Harman | Owl Staff At the 2015 Oscars, Patricia Arquette said in her acceptance speech: “…It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America.” Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez whooped and hollered from the crowd along with Arquette as her message echoed around the theatre. However, those who believe women aren’t suffering inequalities and question the

to guarantee the equal treatment of men and women but was never ratified. So, 52 years after the Equal Pay Act was passed, women are still experiencing economic disparity. According to the American Association of University Women, females in 2009 were making 82% of male salaries. Six years later, the pay gap is worse — 77%, according to Forbes.com.

“I can’t fathom not being able to achieve total independence because of my gender.” merits of feminism don’t share their enthusiasm. After all, didn’t women achieve equality decades ago? Gaining the right to vote in 1920 was one of the first steps towards gender equality. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was intended to eliminate wage discrimination between men and women; this means that both sexes must be paid the same salary for the same work. However, in 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment was adopted by Congress

In 2013, women of all races averaged, yearly, about $39,000 while men brought home about $50,000, according the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. The missing $0.23 on the dollar really adds up. If the woman makes an average of $11,000 less than the man, she would have to work about a decade longer to catch up. The woman takes longer to pay off the college debt she accumulated to land the same job as the man who is

paid more. Even those who choose not to go to college are affected by the wage gap. Gas, rent, electric, and food cost the same no matter who pays. So what can we do to fight this inequality? One solution is for women to negotiate for the pay they deserve. According to a study conducted by Emily Amanatullah, Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Texas, women are less likely to negotiate higher pay for themselves but will negotiate as much as men when advocating for someone else. Other studies confirm this disparity. According to a study done by Linda Babcock for her book Women Don’t Ask, “about 7% of women attempted to negotiate, while 57% of men did.” I can’t fathom not being able to achieve total independence because of my gender. Support feminism and wage equality so everyone can achieve independence and equal success. Feminism is not a dirty word — it’s the solution.

Bigger than Hip-Hop A Return To Conscious Rap

By Georgina Cammayo | Photography by Neil Harman | Owl Staff “In the old days, it was easy to defend rap music on [an] intellectual level. You could break it down intellectually why Grandmaster Flash was art, why Run D.M.C. was art, why Whodini was art,” comedian Chris Rock says to the crowd. “I love all the rappers today…but it’s hard to defend ‘I got ho’s in different area codes.’ It’s hard to defend ‘Move, [expletive], get out the way!’” As hilarious as his comment was, Rock’s stand-up had plenty of substance pertaining to hip-hop music. Money, sex, and violence have increasingly become the major topics of mainstream rap in the last decade or so. Wendy Ambrozewicz is a Philosophy major who listens to hip-hop. She says, “I’d like to make today’s rap culture much less degrading to women. I’d also like to see female rappers become the norm rather than something to sexualize.”

under the same category as other mainstream artists do. Dubbed as conscious artists, they rap about relevant issues and intelligent themes. DJ Kool Herc, who’s credited for forming the basis of hip hop music, kept teens from partaking in gang-related activities in the ‘70s by luring them into his creative beats. In the ‘80s, KRS-One led a collaborative effort in which multiple artists like MC Lyte and Public Enemy were featured in the song “Self-destruction” as part of the Stop the Violence Movement. The ‘90s introduced rappers such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Dead Prez who tackled social issues from inequality to environmental concerns in their lyrics. Female artist Jean Grae rose from underground hiphop years ago and remains a front-runner in representing intellectual female rappers to this day.

“Positive rap songs are far from extinct. They are, however, greatly outnumbered.” Defending his favorite genre, Mass Communications major Rashard Davis says, “Hip-Hop can be full of negativity, but there is a bright spot within the industry. We just have to look beyond what is shown and what hip-hop really can be.” He shares that the beats, rhymes, and rhythm of the songs are what draws him to the music. He describes two of his favorite artists, J. Cole and Wale, as lyrically gifted rappers who tell a story about life and values. Looking deeper into the history of rap, one would discover that there are a few rare gems who don’t fall

Then there’s my personal favorite, Common, whose single “I Used to Love HER” cleverly uses a metaphor to describe the decline of conscious rap beginning in the late ‘80s. Macklemore’s 2013 album “The Heist” includes hits like “Thrift Shop” that contradicts the glorification of materialism as often seen in rap culture, and “Same Love” that advocates for gay and lesbian rights. Other current influential artists include Nas and Lupe Fiasco, whose powerful lyrics combat the more popular and sometimes negative mainstream rap.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

CRITIC’S CORNER

Positive rap songs are far from extinct. They are, however, greatly outnumbered. It’s worth noting that the problem has never been the lack of demand for conscious lyrics, but is due in large part to marketing corporations refusing to support more of them. Byron Hurt, the genius behind the documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, says that what hinders the spread of positive rap is the belief system that conscious hip-hop doesn’t sell. He says, “I believe that if it was good hip-hop and it sounded great and it made you wanna dance…I believe that people would buy it.” DC native rapper and producer, Oddisee, exemplifies this statement. Naming Dela Soul and A Tribe Called Quest as some of the biggest influences to his music, he shares in an interview with NPR, “It just related to where I came from. They didn’t talk about crack, drugs, killing, murder…and it makes sense to me.” His album People Hear What They See includes powerful rhymes like “Took it as a sign then I took it to the streets. Took it from the books then I took it to the beats”- music that delves into politics and international issues, as well as his own struggles as an artist. Backed by a large international fan base, there is definitely a need to pressure the multi-billion dollar industry to practice more caution as to what is being promoted through their craft. At the end of the day, hip-hop is more than just upbeat, feel good music; many fans live and breathe hip-hop because they associate it with their lifestyles, their dreams, or the state they’re in. For many, it’s their reality. Avid fans, then, shouldn’t be so accepting of the negative connotations attached to their beloved genre. Doing so is unfair and damaging, to say the least, to a type of music that has proven to be an effective tool when pushing for change, and one whose rich history makes it deserving of a reputation other than the one it currently possesses. For anyone who would like to see progress in conscious rap, Hurt says, “You can start making change right where you are. If there’s something that you’re unhappy about…do something about it. You have the power, intelligence, and inherent gifts to change your culture.”

Harford’s Whiz Kid Article & Photography by Neil Harman | Owl Staff

William Burlew may seem like an average 22-year-old: he likes Netflix, Chipotle, music, and traveling with his friends. However, William Burlew enrolled in community college at 14, earned his Bachelor’s degree at 19, and obtained a Master’s degree at 21. His early passion for math and science inspired him to apply to the Science and Math Academy (SMA), a specialized school within Aberdeen High School. He was accepted among just 50 other students throughout Harford County. With his high ambitions, it became clear that he was going to take it even further. Burlew enrolled at Harford Community College initially to fulfill his high school gym requirement, a common practice for many Aberdeen High School and SMA students at the time. Burlew enjoyed his gym class but HCC captured his curiosity further. His mind made up to pursue the math and science field, Burlew’s decision to continue his education at HCC was further emphasized by the fact that his older sister was also an HCC student.

A freshman in high school, he first had to qualify for additional classes by taking the American College Test (ACT) that consisted of standardized sections of English, Math, Reading, and Science. Burlew met it head on and attained a score that approved him to take more classes at HCC. “At first it was a bit of a struggle because everybody saw me as a kid,” says Burlew. Mostly unshaken by the new atmosphere and older peers, Burlew persisted and his intellect and hard work would soon prove that he was indeed not just a “kid.” These new, older peers that initially made him uncomfortable began to ask for his help, “When I started at HCC I was motivated by my innate desire to challenge myself, but as I attended more classes people asked me for help and I love helping people,” says Burlew. “Sometimes the best way to reinforce your own knowledge is to share what you know with others,” says Burlew. According to Calculus professor Chris Jones, “Burlew was a model student in a traditionally difficult course. I frequently observed Burlew working with his classmates

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT before and after class on assignments and preparing for examinations.” “It was important to do well and in order to make myself better, I wanted to learn,” says Burlew. At 17, Burlew graduated from HCC with a 3.96 GPA, receiving his Associate’s degree before his high school diploma. This workload ultimately required Burlew to make school a priority. “I spent a lot of time studying for all my classes and so while I was in high school, I had to sacrifice a lot of the social aspects. I couldn’t go to every party or stay after school all the

Biological Center among some of the region’s top scientists. Burlew credits many of his instructors, supervisors, and family for their help throughout this journey as a crucial contributing factor to his early success. “I asked for help when I needed it,” says Burlew. “It’s up to you to take charge and find the people that can help you.” Although it isn’t possible for everyone to tackle school like Burlew did, it is possible to enjoy the same success in different ways. “Pick something to do that you love, go full

“At 17, Burlew graduated from HCC with a 3.96 GPA...” time and hang out with friends,” says Burlew. A year after receiving his Associate’s, Burlew graduated from SMA and was accepted into the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He entered as a junior and continued his journey, acquiring a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry by the age of 19. Two years later, with the same intensity, he achieved a Master’s degree from Stevenson University in forensic science at the age of 21. “I want to make a name for myself,” Burlew says. Today, he is fulfilling a dream: working full-time as a research chemist at the Edgewood Chemical

force and do everything you can to achieve your goals,” says Burlew. He adds, “Live in the moment, but make sure you keep the future in mind.” Burlew has been planning for the future since he was 14 and has demonstrated the value in doing so. Whether we’re older or younger, a student or not, we all can learn from Burlew’s experience. He set goals, studied hard, challenged himself, and achieved. No matter what goals we have, we shouldn’t be afraid to stand out in a crowd and do whatever it takes to get there.

1 Find something that you love

to do and commit to it. You will achieve more and have more motivation to do something you love than to do something because you can get a big paycheck.

2 Ask for help when you need it. Nobody has all the answers, so sometimes you have to seek help from others to further yourself.

3 Stay organized — I am constantly

juggling multiple tasks. A lot of deadlines are going to get thrown at you, but you will be less likely to miss one if you have a place to write them all down.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

PROFILE

Freedom on the Waves A Professor’s Expedition

By Sydney Gaeth & Tia Jones | Photography by Neil Harman | Owl Staff Mixed with guitar solos and saxophone riffs, the lyrics “Be a radio pirate” and “We wanna hear our own songs” are part of an original jig written by Associate Professor of Mass Communications, Wayne Hepler. The song is featured at the end of his documentary, Taking Back The Airwaves: The Story of the Radio Pirates. “I couldn’t get this song out of my head while we were filming so I thought I should write it down,” says Hepler. Hepler has traveled America, Holland, and the United Kingdom to film a documentary about radio pirates. “I think most people light up when they hear ‘pirates.’ They think ‘rebels,’ and in a sense that’s what they were — but these pirates just did it to hear what they wanted on the radio,” says Hepler. The radio pirates emerged in the late 1950s when European airwaves were dominated by government broadcasting. It wasn’t too long before people figured out that they could

The idea to learn about radio pirates came to Hepler during Graduate School at Ohio University in the late 1980s. “[Making this film] was much more personal than just trying to spread information,” recalls Hepler. “I heard about pirate radio and immediately thought, ‘one day I’ve got to meet these guys.’” Hepler’s excursions were not originally intended to produce a film. It became a film project when one of his students, Everett Glovier, suggested it. Glovier eventually became Master Editor of the documentary. “I was going to do a travel log and just share stories,” says Hepler. “[But] I’m used to doing things differently than planned...” Another student of Hepler’s, Zach Meyers, became the main cameraperson. Meyers is also credited with coming up with the title. These students traveled with Hepler overseas when he was granted a paid sabbatical from Harford Community College to pursue this project.

Associate Professor of Mass Communications Wayne Hepler traveled to the Netherlands to interview “radio pirates.”

“I heard about pirate radio and immediately thought, ‘one day I’ve got to meet these guys.’” broadcast from boats in international waters and not be restricted by laws. “In America, we had ‘British Invasion’ galore while the Europeans only heard their music about an hour a week,” says Hepler. The pirate radio stations were instantly popular because people were finally able to hear more of what they wanted.

Since the beginning of production in the fall of 2011, Hepler has collected a number of experiences and stories he won’t soon forget. In a British accent, one pirate recounted a horrifying experience of a boat fire made hilarious through his delivery of the story. “[One pirate] started a boat fire in the middle of the English Channel

and the broadcast is perfectly hearable. He was shouting, ‘they bombed us’ and ‘Mayday! Mayday!’ He was talking over the rock and roll songs he’d been playing,” says Hepler. Get to know the unique stories of these airwave rebels in the finished film and look for a clip of the documentary on facebook.com/ OwlMagazine.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

BOOK NOOK

Cross-Cultural Connections

Professor Bridges Gap for Arab-Americans By Laura Milcarzyk | Owl Staff As a little girl, HCC English Professor Susan Muaddi-Darraj spent countless hours writing down stories in composition notebooks. When she was ten years old, her parents bought her a used typewriter to help organize the booklets she had begun creating. Yet, her dream was not to be a writer, but a teacher. Darraj grew up in South Philadelphia. Both of her parents are immigrants from the Middle East who met in America and married, making her childhood a mixture of both cultures. Darraj’s parents briefly considered not sending her to college, since they also had three male children. Growing up, Darraj noticed an absence of stories depicting life as an Arab-American girl. “I think anyone who was raised in two cultures knows what I am talking about. There are different forces that pull you in different directions.” She adds, “When I was younger, I was never able to find literature that spoke to my experiences of being both Arab and American. The first book with which I identified with — where I said, ‘This is a true depiction of the life of an Arab woman’ — was Ahdaf Soueif’s novel, In the Eye of the Sun. I didn’t find that book until I was in my twenties.” Darraj has since begun adding her own voice to an ever-widening

Professor Darraj engages with readers at a U.S. Embassy for a book signing in Amman, Jordan.

circle of Arab-American literature. She hopes “to tell people good stories, real stories about Arabs and ArabAmericans, to combat the stereotypes that people have now of those of us of Middle Eastern descent.” Her book, The Inheritance of Exile, published in 2007, does exactly that. It is a true to life story of four young women and the unique challenges

groups, and on a popular morning talk show called Al-Rouiah (The Opinion). “It was a great trip and the book was well-received,” says Darraj. “Many Arabs don’t know what life is like for other Arabs who have immigrated to the United States. Arab-Americans have very different experiences and world views than Arabs who live in the Middle East.”

“…I was never able to find literature that spoke to my experiences of being both Arab and American.” they face as Arab-Americans. Throughout, Darraj used many of her own childhood experiences, such as when her parents bought her the typewriter. In 2011, the State Department chose Darraj’s book to be translated into Arabic for the Middle East — an honor given to one American author every year. They also sent her on a speaking tour in Amman, Jordan, where she spoke at universities, for writer’s

Darraj continues to make writing a part of her life by rising every morning at 5:00 a.m. and writing until 7:00 a.m., resulting in her soon to be published collection of short stories. The stories span generations of Palestinian women as they transition to the United States. Look for Darraj’s latest book, A Curious Land: Stories from Home, published by the University of Massachusetts Press and winner of the 2014 Grace Paley Fiction Prize.

A vibrant array of colors surrounds a diverse union of people dancing carelessly into the night. The streets come alive to the tune of a classic “Grateful Dead” jam. Laughs, smiles, and peculiar looks are given as the psychedelic school bus appropriately named “Further” leaves people in awe at the 8x10 club in Baltimore City. Counterculture author Ken Kesey, known for books such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, launched the original “Further” bus along with his

by A r t M icle att Te & Ph nn o y s to g on r a | O phy wl S ta f

friends that called themselves “The Merry Band of Pranksters” in 1964. Their goals were to travel the country, experiment with their consciousness, film their whole adventure, and show other people how to let loose and really be themselves. Little did they know that launching this bus trip would spark the flame of revolutionary movements and radical perspective transformations for years to come.

In an attempt to revive the spirit and impact of his father’s legendary trip across the country during the 1960s, Zane Kesey and his “Merry Band of Pranksters” embarked on the 50th anniversary tour of the trip that changed America forever. “I wanted to get the bus out there so this new generation could participate and see what has bloomed and what still is blooming,” says Kesey. Along with Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the assassination of president John F. Kennedy, the ‘60s era is known for being a time of diverse social change.

Kesey’s excursions in his book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, explaining how Kesey would say, “You’re either on the bus or off the bus.” This wasn’t just a literal statement; it was also a metaphor that pertained to a state of mind associated with the Further Bus. To be “on the bus” was to be on the same wavelength as Kesey and the hippies. It meant that you weren’t afraid to show your true self and get weird. Along with this radical change in perspective, expression, culture, and artistic freedom in the 1960s came the

Ward adds, “We’re always going to have issues and we’re always going to have movements of dissent. They’re important for giving people a way to voice their grievances with society.” Nonetheless, the peaceful protests of the 1960s gave rise to a chain reaction of even more social change movements to follow in the coming decades. Occupy Wall Street, the Arab Spring, and the Million Masked March are just a few examples. The goal of each of these movements may differ in their desired result; however, the method in which they take action to achieve the result

“We want to bring back the

love vibe and all that was once embraced to be manifest again. rise of various political movements. The most notable of these political movements were the civil rights movement, the student movement, the anti-war movement, the women’s rights movement, the gay rights movement, and the environmental movement. On May 5, 1967, counterculture leader and American poet Allen Ginsberg came to HCC for a cultural art fair that was being held on campus. Although The Aegis wrote that “the college should have spent the money on something better,” his appearance was hailed by hundreds of students on campus. Avery Ward, a former student and current Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences at HCC recalls the visit. He says, “I wanted to hear this voice of dissent,” speaking on the counterculture influence of Ginsberg.

“

Anyone who lived through the ‘60s will remember it as either a paradise on earth or an extended nightmare due to the underlying revolution of mind taking place. Critically acclaimed author Ken Kesey (father of Zane Kesey) had given rise to an entirely new transformation of America commonly referred to today as the “Psychedelic ‘60s.” While some may associate the Psychedelic ‘60s with debauchery and chaos, there was also a wave of open mindedness, spirituality, and sexual liberation that was brought in by the likes of Ken Kesey and his “Band of Pranksters.” “When we first broke into that forbidden box in the other dimension, we knew we had discovered something as surprising and powerful as the New World when Columbus came stumbling onto it,” says Kesey, alluding to the transformational nature of methods used to expand one’s consciousness into previously unmapped territory. Kesey and others like him catered to a completely new paradigm of ideas and radical perspective transformation. Author Tom Wolfe wrote about

is often similar — question authority, disobey convention, and say what you truly feel inside. These movements and others like them often rely on nonviolent, civil disobedience to enact social and political change, though ›

Zane Kesey, shown above, launched a kickstarter campaign to fund the modern Further bus trip.

they have become violent at certain stages. Having kick-started an entirely different shift in culture and awareness in the 1960s, the Further bus tour was revamped for this modern generation and Zane Kesey embarked on a journey to create a legacy of his own in 2014. Stopping in major cities all along the continental U.S., the mission of the bus was simple: “Bring the positive back around. We want to bring back the love vibe and all that was once embraced to be manifest again,” says “Thumpah,” a prankster on the bus. While the message is often positively received with smiles, laughter, and dancing, not everyone is as amused. “Some of the more conservative people pretend not to notice the bus, or they cry out ‘devil bus!’” explains “Pesky,” another prankster riding the

bus. He adds, “We just smile and tell them we love them.” The bus has been known for stirring things up wherever it goes; however, according to Zane, “In the 60s, everything was all so new and so fresh that it couldn’t be ignored. Now they [government and media] don’t mind ignoring us at all.” He adds, “The hippie movement has fractured. People look at us now like we’re these dirty, confrontational people who just want to argue about government and taxes and the environment.” People will often gawk and stare in awe at the explosion of colors, symbols, and shapes painted all over the bus. The radical visual expression is only part of the message behind the Further bus. “We need to get some of that innocence and fun and approachability

back. Once we do that, we can reclaim some of the power that the 60s had,” says Zane. What does this mean? Where can we go from here? Where are we going from here? The message behind the bus and those who are “on the bus” certainly gives rise to many questions. With all that’s going on in the world, it can sometimes be overwhelming to try and grasp the enormity of the situation we are in. Despite this, there is something we can all takeaway from the Keseys, the Pranksters, the 1960s, and the Further bus that propelled America into a new era — love yourself, your neighbor, and your environment, but also be true to yourself and express what you feel inside. Who knows? You might just inadvertently start the next movement that changes the world.

From California to New York 14

The 1964 Further Bus Trip

X Building from the spirit of the “Further” bus trip, the

Grateful Dead kept the adventure going as the house band for the parties thrown by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters in California in the 1960s.

X X

Characterized by extended instrumental jamming and thought-provoking lyrics, no concert was the same due to the improvisational nature of the music. Known for their dedication to their music and their fans, they encouraged fans to tape live concerts and avoided associations with record labels.

By 1991, they were the top musical touring attraction X in the U.S.

In 2009, surviving members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh attempted to take the music even further when they formed the band “Further,” a name inspired by the bus trip.

The Further band played to sold out audiences of every generation until 2014.

In 2015, all of the surviving Grateful Dead band members reunited for their 50th anniversary; tickets sold out within minutes.

Grateful Dea d band membe rs left to right: Donna Jean G Bill Kreutzm odchaux, Jerr ann, Bob Wei y Garcia, Phil r, Lesh.

By Owl Magazine’s Editorial Staff | Photography by Faras Aamir | Additional Reporting by Megan Dell | Owl Staff

“Parents, take control... If you have questions, confront them!” Robert Small, an Ellicott City resident and parent, voices his concerns about the Common Core academic standards at a 2013 meeting between parents and the Maryland State Department of Education. Small’s outburst led to his arrest for disrupting a school function. There have been a growing number of concerns regarding these standards, defined by CoreStandards.org as “a set of clear college and career ready standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts/literacy and mathematics.” What is often neglected in this discussion is how the standards were determined and who stands to profit. According to The Washington Post, the development of Common Core began in 2008. Gene Wilhoit, director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, and David Coleman, President of the College Board, (a testing corporation) asked

zations such as Pearson, CTB/McGraw-Hill, and Educational Testing Service, among others, were given contracts and awarded hundreds of millions combined. CNBC.com reports, Maryland has a $60 million contract with Pearson. Microsoft and Apple also stand to profit from the technology used. In Los Angeles alone, the school system spent $1.3 billion purchasing iPads from Pearson for every student, according to Workers.org. Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates, developed Common Core software with Pearson for the Windows 8 platform. While some critics focus on the corporate profits gained by Common Core measures, teachers’ unions and parents have raised concerns about the increased emphasis on standardized testing. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), questions the connection “between test

“Something is coming before the children’s best interest.” Bill Gates to “bankroll” the development of a set of national standards since previous attempts to mandate national standards through the federal government had failed. Gates agreed, and through his foundation contributed more than $200 million to promote Common Core. Meanwhile, President Obama offered a total of $4.35 billion to states willing to participate in the 2009 “Race to the Top” initiative, a measure passed in the wake of the failure of the No Child Left Behind Act. Essentially, any state that agreed to adopt a set of “college ready standards” was granted a chunk of this money; however, if they declined, they would have less funding because of the recession during the previous year. The majority of states signed on to the Race to the Top mandates by adopting Common Core. According to the Pioneer Institute, the implementation of Common Core will cost an estimated $16 billion over a seven year period. In order to align with Common Core standards, new textbooks and computer-based standardized tests were written. According to Educationweek.org, testing companies and organi-

scores, the effort of teachers and the success of children. It just ignores everything else that goes into learning.” Due to these misgivings, the AFT recently turned down a $5 million grant from the Gates Foundation. Bel Air parent Genevieve Elder shares these concerns. “Trying to pack a child full of information to memorize is not learning. Something is coming before the children’s best interest,” says Elder. Additional concerns regarding the drafting of the standards come from other education professionals. Former Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch says, “The writers of the standards included no early childhood educators, no educators of children with disabilities, no experienced classroom teachers; indeed, the largest contingent of the drafting committee were representatives of the testing industry.” Dr. Sandra Stotsky was the English language arts specialist on the Common Core validation committee; however, she did not sign off on the final report approving the standards and has become a vocal critic of the standards.

Stotsky shares, “Common Core was/is not about highquality national education standards. CCSSI was and is about how to lower the academic level of what states require for high school diplomas and for admission to public colleges.” How could this impact HCC? Currently, high school students take an ACCUPLACER test to determine readiness for HCC entry-level credit courses, such as ENG 101. “Roughly 60% of all HCC students enrolled in creditbearing college classes require one or more transitional course,” according to HCC Professor Chris Jones, who previously served on the Statewide Common Core Algebra II Curriculum Committee. However, Jones shares, once the Common Core “PARCC” tests are implemented, high school juniors who receive 4 or 5 (out of 5) on the tests will be eligible to enroll in entrylevel credit courses without taking placement tests at HCC. But will they be ready for college level material? Additional academic concerns include the implementation of the standards. No pilot testing was done to determine the effectiveness of the new standardized tests and the testing was not phased in. Teachers also report a need for more training, according to Education Week Research Center. “Many schools and teachers were unable to update their curriculum before they were rushed to test students according to the new standards,” explains Diann Woodard, the President of the American Society of School Administrators.

Ravitch adds, “Common Core Standards are being imposed on the children of this nation despite the fact that no one has any idea how they will affect students, teachers, or schools. We are a nation of guinea pigs. Almost all trying an unknown program at the same time.” Another element of Common Core standards that many find troubling is the fact that they were never voted on by Congress or the state and local governments. Why is it, then, that billionaires and corporations are deciding what is the best way for our children to learn? Instead of relying solely on standardized testing, we should give more credit to teachers to evaluate student performance. Perhaps the U.S. should take note of countries like Scotland, “the best educated country in Europe,” according to a report by the Office for National Statistics in the U.K. “In Scotland, national education policy emphasizes a wide range of approaches to assessment, including presentations, performances and reports,” shares NPR.org. ”These are designed to measure higher-order skills like creativity, students’ well-being and technological literacy as well as traditional academics. Schools and teachers have a lot of control over the methods of evaluation.” In a democratic society, the people should be involved in the process of determining how its citizens are educated. That means organizing or joining grassroots efforts to make the voices of parents, teachers, and students heard.

Two generations show the difference between using a standard algorithm and a Common Core approach to solve a math problem.

By Rachel Mitchell | Photography by Matt Tennyson | Owl Staff

The name Eminem isn’t just a popular rap artist — it’s also the name of a particular strain of marijuana offered at Ballpark Dispensary in Colorado. In addition to Eminem, other strains of marijuana, such as Glass Slipper, Sour Diesel, Lemon G13 Haze, and Strawberry Trainwreck are used for a variety of medicinal purposes. A new culture of awareness is coming forth to try and change the negative stereotype that has stigmatized a legitimate discussion of this plant for decades. Playing a large role in this culture is The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (aka. NORML).

its members and affiliates, seek a change in the legislation regarding marijuana prohibition. Maryland NORML is its own individual, non-profit corporation and a member of the Marijuana Policy Coalition of Maryland. This team effort combines capable legal and political minds of the Coalition with the more grassroots approach of NORML. The Harford County NORML chapter is still young, but so far they have held monthly meetings, several of which have included guest speakers such as Leigh Maddox of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition).

“ It is our goal to grow our movement and numbers so that the public forces Annapolis to affect change.” In October 2013, Judy Pentz, executive director of Maryland NORML, set up a simple Facebook event to call like-minded individuals together and discuss the potential of marijuana law reform. Approximately 18 people came together and the Harford County chapter of NORML had begun. NORML is comprised of different chapters across the country that facilitate the mission statement by working at the state and local levels. The organization, along with

In addition to their own meetings, the Harford County NORML chapter can also be found with information tables at local festivals and flea markets. Fundraisers such as restaurant events and concerts are held to raise funds for renting meeting rooms, publishing literature, and paying fees to participate in county events. One of the biggest roles of NORML is the spreading of accurate information to combat the fear propaganda of the last 40 years. ›

Members of the Harford County NORML chapter. Left row (front to back): Judy Pentz (Director), Kevin Quantmeyer, Eric Suarez-Murias, Christopher Randers-Pehrson (Chapter Leader). Right row (front to back): Tyler Moebius, Ian Schultz, Laura Setikas, Shavon Worrell.

Eric Suarez-Murias, the assistant chapter leader of Harford County’s NORML, says he spreads information every day particularly via the sharing of research and stories over social networking. Getting accurate information regarding the safety and benefits of marijuana is crucial to obtaining significant legislative reform. Marijuana, also called cannabis, refers to Cannabis sativa, a plant that can be grown all around the world with a plethora of uses including many known medicinal effects. More than 600 cannabis medicines had been documented before 1937.

every year. Pentz and many others agree that the first step in bringing marijuana laws up to date with society is to remove Marijuana from Schedule I. Individual state progress such decriminalization, medical use, and even legalization will continue to be hindered as long as the federal government insists on classifying marijuana as Schedule I. With several years of legalization in states such as Colorado and Washington, many states are now looking to see how changes have affected the people in these recently legalized states. HCC alum Jennifer Lewis, now living in Colorado, provided some insight with regards to life in a legal state.

“Getting accurate information regarding the safety and benefits of marijuana is crucial to obtaining significant legislative reform.” In 1970, the Controlled Substance Act was introduced giving the government authority to classify dangerous substances based on their “potential for abuse and medical applications” into different classes or Schedules. This act put a long trusted medicine, the only substance directly linked to zero overdoses, in the most egregious category: Schedule I. In addition to the fact the government made marijuana — a multipurpose, inexpensive, safe, natural medicine illegal — putting it in Schedule I also means that getting caught with marijuana will carry the harshest penalties. According to the federal government, marijuana deserves to be in the same category as heroin, LSD, and peyote. Legally speaking, cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone are “less dangerous and less susceptible to abuse” than marijuana. More than 17 states have some form of medicinal marijuana with more states legislatures tackling the issue

Lewis moved to Colorado for a summer job at a wilderness camp and simply fell in love with the environment. Although she did not live in Colorado before legalization, she says, “The subject of marijuana is very casual.” Most of the propaganda ads she sees are pro-marijuana — such as dispensary promotions. “Multiple times I’ve seen propaganda relating to Colorado’s elevation, saying things like ‘Getting this high would be illegal in most states.’” After moving to Colorado, Lewis began working for a dispensary that operates as both a medical and recreational facility. Different laws within the state govern medical and recreational use and procurement of marijuana. Lewis describes the job as “a very mellow and happy environment. I’ve learned countless information about the state laws, growing, testing, and the health benefits of different strains.” She adds, “It’s interesting experiencing both the medical and recreational aspects of the industry, because they operate so differently yet the aim is the same.”

A Brief History of Cannabis use, production, and sales are prohibited.

President Richard Nixon increases the size and presence of federal drug control, declaring the War on Drugs.

Marijuana becomes the target of the War on Drugs. Arrests increase by 882% in New York City.

Although a Maryland dispensary may not be enough to bring back Lewis, “depending on where working in the industry takes me, it’s very possible I could come back to the east coast to aid in its establishment.” Many people like Lewis have found new homes in states that have a marijuana industry. The marijuana industry is providing a rewarding and lucrative career for many people. Colleges have begun offering classes in different marijuana subjects and even a specialized institute is giving people all the knowledge they need to find work in the burgeoning marijuana industry. What could this mean for Maryland? The most obvious includes the jobs and revenue that come with the opening of any new industry. Perhaps more importantly to our community is that the Maryland Police could focus on the heroin epidemic that has rattled Harford County for years. Simply seeking to end the arrests for minor marijuana possession charges can have a transformative effect on the economy. As Pentz states, “These people are not criminals and need to be enabled to lead productive lives. It not only affects the person who was charged, but also their families.” Many able-bodied individuals have been removed from the workforce due to a minor possession charge that makes obtaining gainful employment difficult. Pentz’s voice is not an isolated one. There has been a push on the matter of legalization of marijuana in Maryland. In early 2015, The Marijuana Control Act of 2015, SB531 and HB911, was introduced to the Maryland government. This legislation, whether successful or not, indicates that Maryland, along with much of the nation, is on the path to the legalization of marijuana. In preparation for the hearings, Pentz and NORML organized people to attend the Marijuana Policy Coalition’s Lobby Night in Annapolis where citizens from all over the state speak in person with their representatives. They also produced a video and held a training seminar in lobbying. “We have mobilized the public to attend hearings and also trained those who want to testify before the committees. It

is our goal to grow our movement and numbers so that the public forces Annapolis to affect change.” On February 24, 2015, a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on HB911 was held. Former Harford Community College student, Rashad Kimble, was in attendance. Although he had never heard of NORML before this hearing, he gained a respect for their efforts and found it to be an “enthralling experience where he got to hear from passionate and educated individuals.” Kimble enjoyed witnessing the testimony and its role in the government process and was surprised to find that atmosphere to be pleasant with both sides being relatively courteous. At the time of the hearing, all but one of the representatives for Harford County were against the Marijuana Control Act of 2015. It is quite possible that these bills died not long after the hearing. The growing public support is not mirrored in local government just yet. As Pentz stated after the February hearing, “Many on that committee are in opposition to legalization. Some of that committee even left the room, having made up their minds, without even listening to testimony.” This hearing made it clear that marijuana reform will remain a hot topic as the government continues to find its balance between protecting the public and ensuring individual rights. It is important to take away from this that it is the people who participate who have the power. The more we educate ourselves and get involved, either socially or politically, the better chance we have of making our mark on the legal precedent. For the last five decades we have seen what our society looks like under complete marijuana criminalization — thousands of arrests and millions of dollars spent. Education, awareness, and action on Marijuana Law reform has the power to rebuild what the Drug War has destroyed: equality, justice, and faith in government policy.

Marijuana Criminalization During this period, more than a dozen states vote to decriminalize marijuana for medical treatment.

Washington and Colorado become the first states to legalize marijuana for adult recreational consumption.

Maryland decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana and approves qualifying patients access to medical marijuana.

ma n l Har i e N by i ng by aff epor t aphy r R g l wl St a o t ition Pho yk | O d z | r d a n A c o l Mi nys L aura tt Ten y Ma

R am e st Kw e. i v i t c City a Baltimor f m or e Balti e streets o h t h g ro u

l m ar ac ef u e p a ad s o s e le

Protest signs, drums, megaphones, and people marching in solidarity — the people of Baltimore have united over a common goal. When Freddie Gray was pronounced dead on April 19, 2015 after police used excessive force to detain him, Baltimore erupted into violence; however, Baltimore also saw one of its largest demonstrations of solidarity in recent history shortly after, having support from cities around the country. As an outsider of the city, it can be easy to look at the situation that transpired on May 1, 2015 as a series of unnecessary acts of violence. Several people on my personal Facebook news feed who live north of the city lashed out at those committing these acts, saying things like: “These people are savages. They are burning their own city down”

or “Violence is not the way to get people to listen to you.” Others shared parts of this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quote: “It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent,

a medical examiner’s report citing that his death was caused by the illegal choke-hold, the officer was not indicted. Shortly after the officer was dismissed of any charges, Eric Garner’s wife, Esaw Garner, says at a press conference, “He’s still working, he’s still getting a paycheck, he’s still

are really frustrated, they don’t think rationally. They react emotionally.” To hear some of these concerns first-hand, I traveled to Annapolis for a police brutality rally and policy hearing on February 26. During the hearing, I spoke with a police chief and a sheriff about the topic of police brutality.

intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions to get attention.” Shortly after the assassination of King in 1968, Baltimore was one of more than 100 cities across the U.S. to have been affected by riots of civil rights protesters. Today, almost 50 years later, we’re facing very similar problems despite the political and social gains of the Civil Rights Movement. Jake Hutton, a Harford County resident with a Master’s degree in History, focused his Master’s Thesis on the 1968 riots that occurred in Baltimore. In an interview with Owl Magazine, he explains, “What I think a lot of people outside of the city fail to understand is that people usually don’t just riot because of police brutality. There’s a series of conditions that lead up to that explosion.” These conditions include a disparity in arrest rates and treatment by police. For instance, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that Caucasians abuse more drugs than African-Americans yet AfricanAmericans are arrested three times as often for drug possession, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Incidents of police brutality have made national headlines, such as a November 2014 case where the NYPD officer wasn’t charged after choking Eric Garner to death for selling cigarettes. Despite video evidence and

feeding his kids, and my husband is six feet under.” She adds, “He should be here celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving and everything else with his children and grandchildren. And he can’t. Why? Because a cop did [something] wrong.” These cases have led some citizens to lose faith in the justice system. Baltimore resident Kevin Eaton explains, “When police kill innocent people, they often don’t get charged.” Hutton adds, “[Often] we don’t want to face the very real socio-economic problems and urban blight that lead to violent reactions. Another thing to keep in mind is that when people

Chief of Police for Annapolis, Michael Pristoop shares, “The videos and reports circulating from Ferguson and the Department of Justice findings are just atrocious.” He adds, “But sometimes we only see part of a story and it can be very sensationalized.” Sheriff Darren Popkin of the Montgomery Police Department says, “I think all of the police chiefs of Maryland have periodic cases of misconduct. We have exceptionally good investigators that handle those [cases].” He adds, “We make sure that the appropriate disciplinary actions are taken and that everyone is given a fair due process.” ›

“ When you have oppression, you have people that want to fight back against that. ”

A diverse crowd gathers in front of Baltimore’s City Hall to rally against police brutality and to raise awareness on the suffering of Baltimore’s citizens.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

VOICES In May of 2015, I went to Baltimore City for a first-hand look inside the protests that came about following the death of Freddie Gray. When I arrived at City Hall, I first spoke with local resident Ericka Campbell who had organized with local businesses to help feed the community. In between handing out bag lunches to protesters, police, and the National Guard, she shared her views on the protests. “I think the community doesn’t really trust the police, and the police don’t really trust the community. Somewhere along the line there’s been a breakdown.” Campbell adds, “There’s so many opportunities that we have to help people and we usually don’t think about it. Just jump in and do it and you can help to change things.” Local schoolteacher Josh Ober joined the ranks of the thousands of protesters that hit the streets to march for justice for those affected by police brutality. He says, “I hope we all realize that there is much more justice to be done than just getting the officers convicted.” A young woman and local resident named Angela spoke briefly on why she was marching with the protesters. She says, “I hope to see the police and everyone in a position of authority treating those with darker skin the same way they treat me.” She adds, “When you have oppression, you have people that want to fight back against that. It’s like a pressure cooker: eventually, it’s going to pop.” The protest found its way from the city into local universities and even to the Bel Air Courthouse in Harford County. Leading many of the efforts at Towson University’s protest, John Gillespie says, “I never in my wildest imaginings thought the protest would grow to be so big. It was not something I planned on happening.” Hundreds of diverse students came out to show support for those affected by police brutality. Observer Katie

Baltimore native Jack Devlin joins Black Lawyers for Justice to peacefully march down North Avenue.

Simmon-Barth says, “This is the first significant multi-racial protest I can ever remember hearing about on our campus. I have never seen one to this extent.” Other protest movements throughout the nation were also widely represented with a diversity of people of different ethnicity, religion, age, and sex.

Our culture is in need of social change. While I don’t condone the violence of the riots, I think we need to push the conversation forward on what’s wrong with our justice system instead of solely focusing on the reactions of those who feel the weight of oppression on their shoulders. As Dr. King once said, “A riot is the language of the unheard.”

Th e Us Vs Th e By Jessica Conway | Owl Staff

In preschool, my classmates always played Cops and Robbers and the boys would fight over who should be who. I thought it was a silly argument; who would want to be a cop? I was born in Baltimore in an area recognized as Loch Raven. There is little crime there and yet there was an overall sense of “us versus them”: AfricanAmericans versus the police. No one had to tell me that the police couldn’t be trusted. I instinctively knew to be afraid of them. The police were the bogeyman of my childish imagination and I don’t know why. According to Police Officer First Class Kate Saltzer, the respect she held with the community has dimmed and it is mostly due to the media. “The media has made all police ‘bad’,” says Saltzer, “TV shows … don’t always reflect the ‘real’ police/citizen world.”

e nt ality

I hear this sentiment often, but now that I’m older, I don’t believe the media is completely to blame. The larger problem is the lack of community contact with the police. I hadn’t met a police officer until age ten and rarely saw one before that. With all that we hear and see on television, we need a healthy dose of reality to offset it. I can’t claim that these cases are unfairly emphasized with so much

When I moved and had more interactions with police, my assumptions changed. I have never been treated with anything but respect from the police. My best friend’s mother is a retired policewoman and she has taken care of me in more ways than one; whether it’s food or clothes she always thought of me. I empathize with the officers who have a dangerous job and go to it happily, but have to face the anger

“ I have never been treated

with anything but respect from the police ”

proof otherwise. Multiple incidents have given me pause to think over my opinion of what we should do to find a solution. On April 12, 2015, six police officers chased Freddie Gray and then arrested him for “illegal possession of a switchblade,” according to The New York Times. During the time he was arrested, Gray requested his inhaler, but never received it. The police then proceeded to use force on Gray and ignored his need for a physician. He went into a coma and died a week later due to a spinal injury. With stories like this I wondered, when was it that I stopped seeing the police in a bad light?

of the community. We need to remember that these officers are people and when cops suffer, so do their families. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 117 Law Enforcement Officers were killed in 2014; that’s 117 families devastated by death and hearing people so against the police must hurt them as well. The sooner that we remember that officers are human and will make mistakes, the sooner we can stop pointing fingers and find a solution.

From Torm By Tia Jones | Photography by Nick Rynes | Owl Staff

Anticipating a jaw-dropping performance, thousands of fans roar in the brightly lit venue. Hundreds of competitors from around the world are in attendance while ESPN cameras pan from left to right, capturing every moment - both minuscule and enormous. Maryland F5 is a 35 member, all girl, all-star cheerleading team. This was my team, and to be a part of such a prestigious organization often brought overwhelming feelings of joy and relevance…though, this feeling of importance did not always exist. In fact, I often flash back to the time that I believed I was nothing more than a mental and physical punching bag. BOOM! The sound is heard as my forehead hits the hard, chipped wooden desk. I leave my head down as it began to throb; roaring laughter spreads across the room like an oil spill in a body of water. I then begin to pray that I will no longer have to endure such pain. As I gain the courage to slowly lift my head back up… BOOM! I feel the same hand once again, forcing my head down, face first toward the splintered wood desk, hitting my head in the same location. My days in middle school were nothing short of awful. Not only did things similar to the desk incident occur almost daily, but name-calling and non-stop mental abuse also became commonplace. It made me feel so small and unworthy of anything positive. The hatred that was shown towards me made me hate myself. These ill feelings I had for myself were prevalent and had a detrimental effect on my life. If it wasn’t for sports, I know I would still be suffering from such effects.

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

SPORTS

ent to Triumph Finding Salvation in Sports Through sports I found family, formed everlasting bonds, cultivated nonverbal expression, respect, a stress release, pertinent social skills, and most importantly, I learned to value and love myself again. I honestly do not know how I would have been able to overcome the plagued mentality that was beaten into me by bullies if I had not dared to explore and find where I could excel. HCC Business major Larry Roscoe had a similar experience with his sports team. “Honestly, without sports I wouldn’t have graduated from high school.” He adds, “I would probably be doing nothing with my life and I would be extremely unmotivated. Sports push me to come to school every day, and to want to do well.” I was able to convert negativity into positive energy with sports. Through envisioning everything I knew I was capable of, when any one of the bullies attempted to bring me down, they no longer had the power. I’m not the only one who has won the battle of bullying with sports. Eighteen-time Olympic gold medalist, Michael Phelps, was also able to turn the tables on his childhood bullies. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, he explains how he was the object of scorn and torment by bullies in middle school. The physical and mental abuse ceased for Phelps soon after he made his first Olympic team at fifteen. He shares a story about how one of his

former bullies approached him, attempting to become friends and how he pretended to not recognize him. Phelps now finds himself amused by the memories that once frustrated him. Statistics show that sports have a prevalent effect on bullying. According to a recent study by Playworks (a non profit organization that helps facilitate active recess programs in schools across the country), schools implementing these recess programs reported an 79% decrease in bullying incidents and an 68% decrease in disruptive events in the classroom. Bullying is becoming more visible and it is increasing within today’s society. Psychiatry.org states that 160,000 kids in our country stay home every day, due to bullying. According to a metastudy led by Melissa Holt, a Behavioral Scientist and assistant professor of psychology counseling at Boston University, “[For] kids who were bully-victims, suicidal thoughts or behavior were about four times more likely than for the kids who were uninvolved in bullying.”

Thanks to sports, I now have the strong mindset needed in order to tackle bullying and prevent it when I witness it happening to others. Now when I close my eyes and see myself being presented with a gold medal, I imagine the podium being all of the insults, abuse, and bullies themselves underneath of me. I am finally bigger than my adversity; I am a winner.

“[For] kids who were bully-victims, suicidal thoughts or behavior were about four times more likely...”

Skating with the Hazard County Hellions Article & Photography by Tracy Smith | Owl Staff

Baconator. Hedda Chopper. Sk!n Shady. These are the skate names for middle-aged men and women who live typical lives during the week. On the weekends, however, it’s a different story. On Sunday mornings, these roller derby players are lacing up their skates and gearing up with elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, mouth guards and helmets for their weekly, twohour practice. As members of Harford County’s only roller derby team, the Hazard County Hellions are a close-knit group of athletes with great enthusiasm for this sport.

While skating with the Charm City Roller Girls for several years, she developed a greater passion for the sport and felt that Harford County was large enough and progressive enough to have its own league. In 2013, she began forming the team. “It’s hard to overcome stereotypes that come with roller derby,” Lotz admits. As a team, they are working to remove antiquated images of women in tight mini-skirts and fishnet stockings. Having gender neutral uniforms brings credibility to the sport while showcasing their derby names. Since they are affiliated with the Modern

hurt, then not being able to work,” comments 43 year-old Jeff Rohrbaugh (Sk!n Shady), who is currently the only male on the Hellions. Rohrbaugh used to serve in the Armed Forces but is now employed at Verizon Communications. A self-proclaimed “adrenaline junkie,” he also plays ice hockey and he loves to rock climb, scuba dive, skydive, and BASE jump. Being on a roller derby team seems like a natural fit in light of his athleticism and outgoing personality. Yet, an interesting facet to this sport is that it appeals to people that may not fit the typical profile of a derby

“I’ve never seen my mother happier than when she’s participating in roller derby.” Roller derby is a high energy, action-packed sport where teammates work together to propel one member of their team (the jammer) past the competition, while blocking the opposing team in their efforts to do the same thing. During an official game, or “bout,” teams have to score within 90-second periods called “jams.” After a jam, there is a 30-second break and then they try again. This pattern continues until the end of the quarter or half, when they take a longer break. The entire bout lasts one hour. Jennifer Lotz, a former non-credit instructor at HCC and veterinary technician of Forest Hill, MD (Hedda Chopper), is the Hellion’s founder.

Athletic Derby Endeavor (MADE), their team can be co-ed, which removes the stigma of it being a women’s sport. Roller derby is about “learning to skate in a tight pack and communicating with one another,” according to 39-year-old Westminster resident Mandy Liberto, also known as “Schlapshot.” Liberto works as a credentialing specialist at Sinai Hospital and has been a derby enthusiast for the last three years. With book clubs, gym memberships and paint nights, why choose roller derby? For middle-aged adults looking for a way to spend their free time, roller derby may seem like an unconventional choice. “Most people my age are playing it on the safe side out of fear of getting

skater. When she first started, Lotz hadn’t been on skates in years. After having children, she was looking for a new and enjoyable way to exercise. “It was a challenge for me because I had to step way outside of my comfort zone. I’ve always been an introvert so it was scary for me to do something that doesn’t seem like a typical introvert’s activity and I was doing it all by myself,” Lotz shares. Knowing her personality, even her friends had a hard time picturing her playing this sport. Recent HCC graduate Allie Lotz couldn’t be more proud of her mother. “I’ve never seen my mother happier than when she’s participating in roller derby. Having this community of like-minded peers has been really wonderful for her, and working with

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

SPORTS her fellow skaters has really brought out a side of her that I’ve never seen before. She’s a natural born leader.” In a real way, roller derby allows individuals to reinvent themselves when they are skating. Something magical seems to occur when the players are geared up and take that first stride onto the rink. Even the idea of choosing your own creative derby name makes this sport unique. When communicating, players only refer to each other by these names as opposed to their first names. This isn’t just something fun to do, it is actually part of the sport. It builds camaraderie. It’s this sense of camaraderie that helps to bring very different people

like Rohrbaugh and Lotz together. Although they both appreciate the fact that roller derby is a means of helping them stay physically fit, it’s much deeper than that. “Derby is an outlet for me. It keeps me occupied, keeps me in shape and we are a close knit group and I like the sense of belonging,” expresses Rohrbaugh. Similarly, Lotz shared that “It feels good to be part of a team and after a while, you begin to think of your league as a second family.” The Hellions may be close-knit, but they are anything but exclusive. In fact, they are an incredibly welcoming group of people and their enthusiasm for this sport is contagious. Anyone is

welcome to join them on Sunday mornings at Putty Hill Skateland from 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. for their practices. Skates and gear are provided. “We’ll even teach you to skate,” Lotz promises. If you have a desire to learn and you are willing to commit to being part of the team, you just may be inventing a derby name of your own.

From Left to Right: Mandy Liberto (Schlapshot), Jen Lotz (Hedda Chopper), Michele Stelmachovicz (Shellshock), Christine Grauling (Maryland MonRage), Sarah Carey Bacon (Baconator), Jeff Rohrbaugh (Sk!n Shady).

Follow the Hellions on Facebook! facebook.com/HazardCountyHellions

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

BEYOND CAMPUS

Stolen Innocence

Defendant #1 Speaks Out By Laura Milcarzyk | Photography by Neil Harman | Additional Reporting by Nadia Kaczkowski | Owl Staff While most 15-year-olds are concerned with friends, school, and games, Aaron Fisher faced the biggest hurdles of his life. Instead of the aforementioned activities, Fisher went through the first of many courtroom trials where he would give a detailed account of the sexual abuse he endured by

felt better about sharing his story. “I realized that other kids had the same issue,” says Fisher, “and I didn’t want anything like what happened to me happening to anyone else.” Fisher met Sandusky through his charity organization for needy children called Second Mile. For over

life. Wanting to tell, but afraid, Fisher began avoiding Sandusky, which led to him being stalked by the coach. Concerned about this aggression towards Fisher, Dawn Daniels sought help at her son’s school. When confronted by his school counselor, Fisher came clean and

“I didn’t want anything like what happened to me happening to anyone else.” Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky. Known as the first to come forward, Fisher shares memories of speaking to that grand jury in his book, Silent No More. “Suddenly I was that little boy again… I was that little boy who was too afraid to cry or run.” In an interview with Owl Magazine, Fisher reveals that he eventually

a year, Sandusky was a kind-hearted mentor inviting Aaron on special outings with a group of other boys. These outings often ended at Sandusky’s home in a basement furnished with a pool table and gaming system. Eventually, these trips involved just Aaron. He was 12-years-old. When Aaron was 14, living with the abuse increasingly affected his

Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse on June 22, 2012.

Daniels demanded contacting the police. The principal suggested they reconsider because Sandusky “would never do such a thing.” Daniels and Fisher were faced with lack of support throughout the investigation. Their only support came from Child Protective Services. Sandusky’s threats and abuse gave Fisher nightmares that affected his confidence to testify. “I just didn’t want to tell random people who I had never met before in my whole life,” says Fisher. “…this story that I never wanted to come out in the first place. What I had to tell them was so personal.” This feeling became less important to him when others began to tell similar stories of abuse. Fisher continues to share his story across America and Canada. “I lived through four years of abuse and four years of investigation. That was my childhood,” says Fisher. “The years that I should have been enjoying growing up I was dealing with this…I’ve overcome the biggest hurdles. What’s left after that is a need for me to speak to help others do the same.”

FALL/WINTER 2015 | OWL MAGAZINE

BEYOND CAMPUS

50 States and Counting?

Western Maryland Group Fights to Secede By Henry Baumgart & Sydney Gaeth | Photo Illustration by Kelsey Stephenson | Owl Staff Many people associate Western Maryland with its beautiful mountains and rolling hills — not with civil unrest. However, a concerned local group is upset over gun control and high taxes and has been fighting to become its own state since 2013. Scott Strzelczyk, a full-time IT Consultant and active member of the community, founded a movement called “Free Western Maryland” to try and accomplish the feat. “This is a difficult, long process that might not happen in a year, and it might not even happen in a decade,” says Strzelczyk. Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties are the five that would form the new state. 150 years ago, West Virginia was the last state to break away from its former territory and now, Strzelczyk and his team believe it can and should happen again. “We have 50 states, right? Why? Wyoming has the lowest population and California has the most. Why not divide California into multiple states so every group is represented? Why not have 300 states?” says Strzelczyk.

With the newly elected governor of Maryland, Strzelczyk explains, “We have to determine if Larry Hogan’s election changed others’ thoughts about this.” He adds, “It doesn’t change mine at all.” The counties believe that Maryland’s lawmakers do not listen to their concerns so they want to create a state better fitting to their beliefs. “Rural areas never have proper

is a local chapter of a larger movement seeking to limit government, lower taxes, and uphold the constitution. The potential 51st state, with discussed names such as “Augusta,” “Antietam,” and “Liberty” would have to be approved by the state of Maryland as well as the U.S. Congress. “In Colorado, the County Commissioner can put this [movement] on a ballot and we can’t.

“Rural areas never have proper representation.” As of 2015, the group of leaders has collected 3-4,000 signatures with both online and paper petitions. “We’ve been to town halls in Allegany and Garrett counties as well as gun shows to pass out literature and petitions,” says Strzelczyk, “We get incredible support at the gun shows because they feel Maryland is too restrictive on gun laws.”

representation,” says Strzelczyk. There are similar movements happening in California, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida. Even in Harford County, the motto “Don’t Tread On Me” is seen on the Gadsden Flag displayed by many concerned local residents. The flag is also commonly associated with the Harford Campaign for Liberty, which

Our options are only to approach Annapolis as these five counties,” explains Strzelczyk. The petitioners are aware that it’s an uphill battle to secede, but are still willing to give it their all. According to Strzelczyk, “I stand for freedom, liberty, and the founding principles… this effort is to educate people about their options of governance.”

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Mame September 18,19, 25, 26 @ 7PM September 20, 27 @ 2PM Chesapeake Theater Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood September 19 @ 8PM APG Federal Credit Union Arena Sunday Afternoon Concert Series September 27 @ 3PM Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1 Harrietâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happiest Halloween October 15 @ 7PM October 16 @ 5PM & 8PM October 17 @ 5PM & 8PM October 18 @ 1PM & 4PM Chesapeake Theater An Evening of Jazz October 16 @ 8PM & November 6 @ 8PM December 11 @ 8PM Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1

National Geographic LIVE October 29 @ 7:30PM Amoss Center Rocky Horror Picture Show October 30 @ 10PM APG Federal Credit Union Arena Get the Led Out October 31 @ 8PM APG Federal Credit Union Arena Five Women Wearing the Same Dress November 6, 7, 13, 14 @ 8PM November 8, 15 @ 3PM Chesapeake Theater The Sicilian Tenors Christmas Amore November 17 @ 7:30 PM Chesapeake Theater Julius Caesar November 18 @ 7:30PM Chesapeake Theater

The Nutcracker December 4 @ 8PM December 5 & 6 @ 1&4PM Amoss Center Applied Music Students in Recital December 14 @ 7PM Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1 A Christmas Carol December 18 @ 7PM Amoss Center With a Bang January 29 & 30, February 5 & 6 @ 8PM January 31 & February 7 @ 3PM Joppa Hall, Blackbox Theater The Winter Doldrums January 31 @ 3PM Chesapeake Theater and Student Center The Jason Bishop Show February 13 @ 7PM Amoss Center

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