“Truth, No Matter The Cost” The Torch BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER IGNITING STUDENTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE VOLUME 26.. . . No.1 TORCHBCC.COM SEPTEMBER 2017 Trustees Fire Walter, Install Interim President in Surprise Move

ADRIANNA CABARALLO Co-Editor Michael Redmond was appointed as the college’s interim president on June 27, 2017 after B. Kaye Walter was fired. Not only were the students and faculty surprised by his appointment, but Redmond O.J. Simpson To Be himself was as well. He was Released from Prison offered the job not long before the BOT meeting. pg. 2 “It happened very quickly,” Redmond said. Before this, Redmond was getting ready to settle down and retire in Delaware. That day he was planning to drive down to Delaware where he would meet his family and guests at what was planned to become his retirement home. “It was funny that night [of the BOT meeting]. My car was packed, I was on my way to Delaware where we’re planning to retire eventually. We built our retirement home down there. We had a house full of guests,” he said. Redmond is unable to break free from BCC and does not have any real desire to do so just Keeping Up with yet. He has a long and extensive history with BCC and has served Trump multiple positions at the college. pg. 4 Redmond started his Interim President Michael Redmond // Adrianna Caraballo working at Bergen Community College in 1981 as an adjunct began to wind down his career, the most of it,” Redmond said. revamping the website, making it professor. A few years later but the opportunity to be interim During his time as the more user-friendly for students. he became a lecturer and an president had emerged. president of BCC, he believes he Redmond tried to register assistant professor of Philosophy “It’s part of my philosophy can make a change in the right himself as a student and found it and Religion. in life, opportunities present way. difficult: Navigating the website, After that, his role at themselves, you don’t always “I feel like I’m doing in general, was a challenge. With the school became more have to go chasing them, they something that can make a the fall enrollment dropping, administrative. He became a just seem to arise. The only difference if I do my job well, Redmond acknowledged that dean, then the college’s first choice is to take them or not,” so in that sense, I feel pretty something had to be done. CIO, Chief Information Officer. Redmond said. lucky right now, tired but lucky,” “I said to my staff here, we He also became the college’s This advice should be taken Redmond said. have to do a better job,” he said. Executive Vice President, a to heart by students who are Redmond has a number of Although it will take time, position which no longer exists. thinking about their future, no things planned; the main goal is currently a splash page is up One of his accomplishments was matter who they are or where to put the focus on students. He and running to make navigating assisting in building West Hall. they come from. wants to raise more money for the website a little easier for In 2008 he stepped down “What I want to say to scholarships and create a year- students. from the Executive Vice students is: you’re starting long series of events for BCC’s “Tell them, we know about President postion to get back a semester, and you may be 50th anniversary. It will take a it, we’re hearing them and we’re into the classroom. He began coming to the semester with all lot of planning and effort, but he trying to do something about it,” teaching online courses and kinds of attitudes and feelings. wishes to celebrate the college. Redmond said. wrote a few textbooks for his You might be scared, you might The biggest change A Split Nation students. At that point, Redmond be unsure of yourself, but make Redmond is making is Comes Together in the Moon’s Shadow Board Removes President, Buys Out Contract pg. 3 LESHAY JONES Editor in Chief from faculty members who and in concord,” Otis said. On June 27, the Board of did not agree with her style of After Walter’s termination, Trustees held a meeting in which management. Due to this, the Redmond was put right to work they voted to fire President B. union representatives of the and one of his first orders of Kaye Walter. The reasoning faculty passed a no-confidence business was placing a sign behind her termination is unclear vote against Walter. over the speaker button, where seeing as there was “no cause,” According to Faculty Senate one had to request admittance according to the Board. chairman, Dr. Alan Kaufman, a through the adjacent one-way- Walter, who had served as the contract with the faculty union glass door, that says “Please head of the college since 2012, had been settled amicably and come in.” said that she was “surprised” fairly. Over the past few when she found out that her The board appointed Dr. months, some notable changes contract was in danger. The Michael Redmond, a former have been made under board voted to buy out Walter’s administrator and philosophy Redmond’s administration; such contract, paying her 12 months and religion professor who has as the new Bergen website splash of salary at around $225,000. worked at the college since 1981, page that is designed to make the “The board thanks Dr. as the new interim president. navigation of the website easier Walter for all of her service The board has full confidence for students. to the college. We will begin that Dr. Redmond and the The board is on the The Life of Chester the search for a new president current administrators will push lookout for a new president that Bennington, Linkin immediately,” said chairwoman Bergen forward and beyond. will help Bergen Community of the board of trustees, Carol “We are entering an age of College continue to soar. In the Park Legend Otis, in a prepared statement. transition, and we will preserve meantime, Dr. Redmond must pg. 8 When Walter’s contract was what is and what always has help lead the college towards last renewed in May 2014, the been good about the college. To greatness. Former President B. Kaye Walter // board received a lot of backlash do that, we must work in tandem bergen.edu Anime in American Drum Corps: Culture Marching Music’s pg. 11 Major League pg. 12

2 VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1| SEPTEMBER 2017

NEWSThe Torch O.J. Simpson To Be Released from Prison PURNASREE SAHA Features Editor Nine years ago O.J. Simpson back. was sentenced for up to 33 years of After earning an athletic scholarship, imprisonment for armed robbery, assault Simpson attended the University of South with a deadly weapon and kidnapping in Carolina from 1967 to 1968. A football Las Vegas, NV. He’s expected to go free game between USC against UCLA in 1967 on parole in early October of this year. was considered to be one of Simpson’s The former NFL star apologized greatest performances. Although he didn’t for his role in the robbery in front of a win the Heisman trophy after that season, Nevada parole board, which led to their he was in the running and eventually won decision to let Simpson go 24 years early. the Walter Camp Award. At the age of 70, Simpson is spending The following year he netted the top Heisman honors, which further rocketed his twilight years behind bars. When // Wikimedia Commons parole board Chairman Connie Bisbee him into stardom. In 1969 he was drafted accidentally said that Simpson was 90 to the Buffalo Bills, where he played started dating a young waitress named Despite the severe sentencing, Simpson years old, he laughed and said that he felt running back for eleven seasons. Nicole Brown. The two got married in had familial and community support, like it. Even though Simpson fetched an 1985--the year he was elected to the Pro stable release plans and no prior criminal After Simpson gets released from annual salary of $806,688 and was Football Hall of Fame. Later on, Nicole convictions, all of which led to his early prison around early October, he plans on considered to be the highest paid football complained to her friends and family release. During the parole hearing, returning back to his home in Florida. player of his time, he retired early due members that her new husband was a Simpson was painted as a peacemaker O.J. (Orenthal James) Simpson, who to his damaged knee. After leaving the physically abusive guy. and model prisoner. was born in 1947 in San Francisco, NFL, he moved on to become a football The two split seven years later. In He said he did not make any excuses California, nicknamed The Juice, was broadcaster and an actor. 1994, Simpson was accused of stabbing about his prior actions and apologized a professional athlete in the National Simpson’s Hollywood career began his ex-wife and her friend Ronald for the incidents that had landed him in Football League. Simpson developed with the film “Back to the Beach” (1987). Goldman. In a highly publicized trial, jail. He claimed that he never wanted to rickets when he was born and had to wear Subsequently, he starred in the trilogy Simpson was charged with the murders hurt anyone in Las Vegas; he just needed braces on his legs until he was 5. In high “The Naked Gun” (1988,1991, and 1994), but evaded any criminal penalties. But to take back his personal things. Upon school, Simpson played football for the in which he played a role as a dim-witted that wasn’t Simpson’s last brush with the hearing the board’s decision, Simpson Galileo Lions. assistant detective. law. During the Las Vegas robbery, he thanked them enthusiastically. Simpson also manned both offense He also showed up in TV commercials said his associates misled him and turned But not everyone was so happy with and defense at the City College of San for Hertz, Monday Night Football and on him in court. the merciful reaction. As Clarence Hill Francisco from 1965 to 1966. Finally, he NFL on NBC brand. Tom Riccio was one of the people Jr., a sports writer at The Star-Telegram, joined the Junior College All-American After divorcing his wife Marguerite L. Simpson said threw him under the bus; he tweeted, “One lesson O.J. taught us: Team, where he was inducted as a running Whitley in 1967, Simpson started dating accepted a deal to avoid punishment. People don’t change.” Voters to Choose New Leadership in NJ BCC Offers Help Managing Finances OWEN MCCLOSKEY DAVID PEREZ Copy Editor Staff Writer On November 7, New Jersey will rhetoric and traditional values that many vote in its gubernatorial election for a Americans are blinded by party and fail new governor, one to replace Republican to draw information from both sides of the pundit and Trump supporter Chris aisle, and many policies that politicians Christie. In yet another controversial enact are colored by their party. race, the choices are split between the New Jersey’s upcoming gubernatorial former Republican Lt. Governor Kim candidates, Murphy and current Lt. Gov. Guadagno and Democratic local outsider Guadagno, come from two different Phil Murphy. political backgrounds but still focus on Former Vice President Joe Biden similar issues, such as reforming NJ’s called the New Jersey gubernatorial race housing crisis, the tightening of gun the “most important” in the nation. New ownership laws, and the eradication of Jersey is riddled with endemic problems corruption in Trenton. However, despite whose proposed solutions derive from their similarities in what they focus on, local New Jersey governmental policies. the candidates differ on how they are New Jersey bills could completely shift planning on fixing these issues. from the hardline conservative policies On November 7, the leadership in enacted by Christie’s administration to a New Jersey could be subject to a massive The new Center for Financial Literacy next to registration, room A-121// Rebecca Karpinski more progressive agenda. change, and the state of New Jersey must With a new semester starting and with aware of the office and the resources A majority-Democratic state, New do their research on who could be leading new students coming in, it is important to available to them,” Anaya said. Jersey citizens are more enthusiastic them before it’s time to cast the ballots. know about the term “financial literacy” “A lot of times when high school toward liberal policies. According to and all that it applies to. Thankfully, there students when they graduate they don’t random sampling polls from Quinnipiac is a Center for Financial Literacy open for know about financial stuff,” Anaya University and Monmouth University, all students. The center is located at One continued. New Jerseyans support marijuana Stop in room A-121 and it is open from However, the center has also seen legalization and school reform, and oppose 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Thursday, some faculty as well occasionally coming the proposed Republican healthcare plan however, they are able to be flexible if by, according to Anders. by a margin of over 66 percent opposal. they need be for the students. The Center’s coordinator, Anders, is Perhaps it’s time for Jersey to take a This would be the first time an office/ usually be found behind the desk. Some break from the policies of Chris Christie, center like this would be available for of the things that the Center does is one- as well as enjoy a drive across the students here at Bergen Community on-one appointments with students and George Washington Bridge without any College. the office is also able to be flexible for obstruction (Google “bridgegate”). The mission statement is on the the students in evening classes for one on Christie is synonymous with scandal, Lt. Gov. Guadagno // Chief Warrant Officer college’s website and is as follows: “The one appointments. and a separate Monmouth University poll John Edwards mission of the Center for Financial The Center has also done is seminars showed that once Christie spent a day on Literacy is to provide support for our and workshops with PTK and SGA along the beach after closing beaches and parks students related to Personal Finance and with workshops regarding FAFSA and due to a government shutdown; Christie’s Money Management thereby developing identity theft that are open to the students NJ approval rating sunk to a borderline- a culture of financial empowerment.” if they wish to attend. laughable 15%. This is also backed up by an “‘Financial aid’ is really an umbrella Before New Jerseyans vote on such a interview with Michelle Anders, Center term for everything that all the money potential shift in state political power, it is Coordinator and Victor Anaya, The involved in getting a student can get to paramount that they become accustomed Executive Director of Finance. pay for school,” said Anders. to the two candidates: their policies, “Really, we want to introduce a The office is also able to help out personal backgrounds and their plans for good basic foundation, a framework” with creating a budget for students for an the Garden State. said, Anders with regards to informing entire month. They are also able to help America’s current political stature is students on financial aid. with information on scholarships, grants akin to an MMA fight in well-pressed “Well, we are trying to and that is one and loans with regards to what they are suits. Politicians are so consumed by Phil Murphy //Wikimedia Commons of the challenges is to get the students and what they do in more detail. 3 News THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER 2017 BCC Celebrates Bulldog Day PURNASREE SAHA BCC. college together and this new students, so the group as Jim Bumgardner, professor Features editor “The orientation is good involved all the departments a chapter was encouraging of theater arts and advisor for students who are coming and organizations such as new students to join the of Bergen Stages, had a On Tuesday, August 22, in the fall because it will give PTK, Registration, Financial organization. conversation with new students 2017, Bergen Community students a knowledge and Aid, Tutoring Center and According to Marianna on how they could get involved College held Bulldog Welcome understanding about where Student Life. Maltsev, Vice President of in Bergen Stages. Students Day for new students, athletes their classes are located and According to Sibora Peca, Recruitment, “ PTK, the do not have to be a theater and family members in the it’s a week in advance before the President of SGA, “I am society, offers 90 million major in order to participate student center. classes start,” said Naveed. aware that a lot of students dollars worth of scholarship in Bergen Stages and they had According to Ian Wolf, Getting involved on at BCC are having a hard and explains leadership skills the option of being an actor or Coordinator of Student campus helped Joseph Sanchez time with their financials, that students could gain working on the stage. Conduct, “The main purpose become social and improve his scheduling their classes and through the program.” Since first time students of having Bulldog Day was etiquette. taking care of their family, New students are also are constantly coming to BCC, to help orient students with According to Joseph so they need a place just like capable of joining sports at it is recommended that they various aspects of campus Sanchez, “Chances are you home and where they could get BCC. Edgar Aguilar, the attend Bulldog Day because life.” will never see the students helped.” cross-country assistant coach they will get an overview of Students were capable again, so might as well say There are also a variety showed the new students what what the campus is like. of learning how to navigate something.” of programs and services that sports are available during the through the campus and The thing that Sanchez Phi Theta Kappa offers for fall semester. approach their first semester at liked about orientation was BCC. that he likes to see new faces, “Online orientation is meet and experience new going all the time and is people and learned how to mandatory for new students, handle situations. but the on-campus orientation “Bulldog Day is similar was an optional day for all new to past orientations, but the students,” said Greg Fenkart, format was different due to the Coordinator of Student guest speaker,” said Fenkart. Development. The guest speaker of the Students were encouraged orientation was Geo Derice, to attend Bulldog Day through who earned his Bachelor’s social media, e-mails, with the degree in sports management work of the admissions office from Saint John’s University. and after they completed the According to Geo Derice, online orientation. “If you fully engage with Rafiullah Naveed and school, college will be the time Joseph Sanchez were student of your life.” staff members to get students During the lecture, Derice checked in. wanted to give students a According to Rafiullah head start and a momentum Naveed, “a lot of the students to succeed. The students were who are attending Bulldog able to learn that shortcuts Day are high school students, were “long-cuts” in disguise. so I want students to make sure Taking shortcuts will create that college life is different long-cuts to students, which from high school.” will lead to frustration with the He also wanted new college experience. students to care for themselves After Geo Derice’s lecture, and join clubs, which will give there was the “get connected” students information about fair that brought the whole Geo Derice addresses students in the Ciccone Theater // Rebecca Karpinski A Split Nation Comes Together In The Moon’s Shadow REBECCA KARPINSKI Thousands of people... stopped for a Photo Editor single moment, looked up at the sky and On Monday, August 21, forgot about hate. for the first time in nearly a century, a total solar eclipse - Rebecca Karpinski was visible throughout the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. A solar eclipse only occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is fully or partially covered by the moon. Here in New Jersey, we viewed a partial solar eclipse with the moon only covering 80% of the sun. This is the first total eclipse of the Sun visible in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, since February 26, 1979. The last time a total eclipse was visible from coast to coast was on June 8, 1918. People used special glasses to safely view the eclipse. // Pixabay.com Thousands of people, all solar eclipse, everything in the this eclipse was a let down over the nation, of all different path of totality goes dark and because they didn’t get the full types of ethnicities, cultures, anyone can look up and see thing. The disappointment is age groups, religions and the bright ring. All humans, understandable, but this eclipse backgrounds stopped for a animals, bugs and plants, was far from a let down. single moment, looked up at Democrats and Republicans, It made people feel so small the sky and forgot about hate. Mets and Yankees fans, and insignificant compared to For that short moment in time, everyone no matter who they the world and universe around people only focused on the were got to see this once-in-a- them and how life is so short sun, and not tearing each other lifetime event. they should enjoy the beauty down. For that single moment, Yes, New Jersey citizens around them while they still the country was at peace. only got a slightly dimmer sky can. Americans rarely come and not complete darkness, nor To many other people, together to share a single event did we get a full solar eclipse, the eclipse symbolized the anymore, and when they do, but still so many people were beginning of change; change usually political divisions take outside with their solar eclipse in one’s personal life or in the place. However, during the glasses that they all most environment around them. eclipse, millions of Americans likely purchased from their If the Great American set aside their differences and local 7-Eleven, bonding with Eclipse can bring a split nation political standpoints to share in complete strangers, looking together peacefully, then it the wonder of a celestial event. up, trying to view the Great could quite possibly be the That’s what makes all of this American Eclipse. beginning of a fresh start for so special. The sun and moon Though not all were in the path of totality, those who were had a once in a lifetime view//Takeshi Kuboki Some people in areas such America. don’t discriminate. During a as New Jersey have said that 4 o pinions THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1| SEPTEMBER 2017

Immigration, behind the A Helping Hand curtain pg. 6 pg. 7

OPINIONSThe Torch The Torch THE TORCH, a member of the Keeping Up with Trump Associated Collegiate Press and the LESHAY JONES College Media Association, is the Editor-in-Chief official student newspaper of Bergen Community College. The purpose of Every time you turn on paign, which is another factor THE TORCH is to report on the events your TV or open up the news that makes it hard to keep up at BCC and the local community, and app on your phone, nine with him. I don’t know about to offer the BCC community a forum for times out of ten you will see you, but I constantly find expression. The opinions expressed President Donald Trump’s myself doubting what Trump in THE TORCH are not neccessarily name sprawled across the those of THE TORCH. All the materials says. submitted to THE TORCH become screen in big, bold letters. In July, Trump tweeted that af- property of THE TORCH. I never go a day without ter he consulted with military seeing his name in my Twitter, officials, they decided to put LESHAY JONES Instagram and Facebook feed. a ban on transgender people Editor-In-Chief Trump is everywhere and because they did not want to he probably wouldn’t have be “burdened” by the medical ADRIANNA CARABALLO it any other way, being the expenses. Co-Editor reality TV star that he once However, military officials was, and arguably still is. said the matter had not been OWEN MCCLOSKEY I know you have probably discussed and there was no Copy Editor heard it 101 times, but I official policy put into place. am going to tell you for the DAVID PEREZ Now, I did not trust the man News Editor 102nd time that the media is before this instance, however, extremely important in this The media is a popular target for Trump’s frustration and rage. // Rebecca Karpinski whatever little trust I did have PURNASREE SAHA day and age. for him completely diminished Features Editor With the constant updates and it made realize that I have on Trump, his administration as Buzzfeed, because once it is out there, there is no going his administration, I make to be even more careful and CHRISTOPHER MOLINA and their “alternative facts”, it sure that I get a second or conscious of what’s going on Sports Editor is important for media outlets back and changing it, and with things in the White House third source for confirmation, in the White House. to triple-check their own facts because we all know that this CHARLIE LEPPERT before putting something out constantly changing, it can be Layout Editor frustrating trying to keep up. is the era of fake news. there. It is no secret that the Presi- Print media has it way LESHAY JONES Whenever I read or write dent has indeed told many lies, worse than online outlets such Layout Editor something about Trump and especially during his cam-

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REBECCA KARPINSKI Photo Editor SGA President’s Letter Dear Student Body, PROF. LEW WHEATON Advisor On behalf of Student Corrections Government Association, The Torch strives for the highest I would like to give you a journalistic standards and accuracy. warm welcome to Bergen Readers are encouraged to contact Community College. I am us if they find any mistakes in any Sibora Peca and this year I edition of the Torch am honored to serve as your Student Government President. Editorial. and I would describe myself as Opinion Pieces an optimistic individual who As an open public forum, The Torch believes that every experience welcomes guest opinion pieces and is a chance to leave a mark and letters to the editor from any member a legacy in our community. of the Bergen Community College I know the struggle of community. Materials should be coming as a new student to submitted to [email protected] or college, the struggle of finding delivered to The Torch office, SC-111. a place to belong, the struggle Such submissions must include of choosing a major, the the writer’s name, contact informa- struggle of finding money to tion and affiliation with the college. Students should include their major; pay for college and I know the faculty and staff should include struggle of attending college campus title or position. Opinion while you have to take care of pieces are limited to 600 words and your family. letters to the editor to 200 words. The I also know that there Torch reserves the right to edit and to is a solution for all of these refuse publication of any submission. obstacles. I know that at Bergen, we have amazing programs and The Torch offices are located diverse resources that help us in Room SC-111D, succeed. We have an amazing 400 Paramus Road faculty and staff that is here to Paramus, NJ 07652-1595 hold our hand and direct us to better opportunities. What is 201.493.5006/5007 most amazing is that among [email protected] students you see in hallways and in your class, there are incredible individuals who are full of spirit and inspiration to help you turn your time here into a life learning experience. My main goal is to create The new SGA President, Sibora Peca. // bergen.edu ways to share all the necessary semester, club meetings and organization to make this online application. SGA trusts information that will help different workshops. I really campus a better environment in you! you throughout your journey encourage you to join Student and to have a more involved here at Bergen. Please, do not Government. We definitely student body. Please visit Have a wonderful semester, hesitate to come visit me at need your contribution in our bergen.edu/sga and fill out the Sibora Peca 5 o pinions THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER 2017 Work That Fro LESHAY JONES Editor-in-Chief As I went through high school, Once upon a time, many of the more and more girls started to go girls you saw would have straight natural and I started to become more silky hair, despite their natural confident with my hair. I’d be lying texture. Many African American if there weren’t times when I wanted girls were willing to put harmful chemicals into their hair in order to to throw in a texturizer or put a flat give it that look. iron to my hair, but these urges went Then one day, these women away the more I fell in love with my traded in their flat irons for scissors hair. so that they could start fresh, finally noticing the harmful effects of There were still the comments relaxers and texturizers. Suddenly, about my hair being nappy but they they wanted to embrace their natural were not coming from my African kinks and curls. American peers anymore. My Today, natural hair is more prominent than ever, and African Caucasian classmates would use my American women could not be more hair as an insult. proud of their kinky curls. Comments like, “that’s why your If I had a dollar for every time hair is nappy,” or questions like, someone called my hair “nappy,” I would be a billionaire by now. “why does your hair look like that?” Going natural in the middle of 8th became constant. grade, when a lot of black girls were However, for every comment still getting perms and texturizers, I like that, I got about five positive was an easy target. Looking back, it seems like comments about my hair. Now, I will these girls were trying so hard to get girls stopping me in the halls at ignore their roots and assimilate into school and at the store asking me white American culture and because what I put in my hair and how I got I went against the grain, I was not one of them. the curls to look the way that they At first, I only went natural do.After a while those comments because my older sister went natural became jokes to me because I knew and, although I would never admit that my curls were beautiful and this to her, I wanted to be just like her at that age. It wasn’t until I knowing that made me stronger and went to high school when I started more confident. to realize that my natural hair went Once upon a time, black girls much further than the roots on my with natural hair were something head. When I walked the halls at that was negative and considered to school, people didn’t even give my Natural hair has become increasingly popular over the past few years. // Pixabay.com be ugly. Now, we couldn’t be more hair a second glance; in fact, people happy with our “nappy” heads. would compliment it. ISIS is Intangible OWEN MCCLOSKEY Copy Editor regimes were brutal toward the citizens The Islamic State, IS, ISIS. The of Iraq and Syria, citizens who were various names of the abhorrent group unaware that the law under the Islamic have unfortunately become household, State’s caliphate would be even more and nearly everyone on Earth has a vicious. microscope on the group attributed to Although the pro-Shiite Iraqi and a slew of recent terror attacks across Syrian governments bombarded the the globe. population with their philosophy, ISIS Through black market oil sales, was born out of oppression. While ISIS, only a year after their inception, the NVA was supported heavily by would generate some $1 billion the North Vietnamese Communist through black market oil sales. Videos government, the Islamic State had been and accounts of captured Americans, subject to war with the governments Europeans and Syrians being beheaded of their countries of origin. Because were circulated online and on-the-air, of this, ISIS would behave much like CNN says. a separatist or rebel group, denouncing ISIS fortunately hasn’t made other governments without fear of headlines lately. Iraqi Security Forces sanctioning or condemnation. and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, The Islamic State’s system of backed by the United States, have beliefs resides within the broader scope retaken the war-torn city of Mosul of Islam, and its poisonous rhetoric earlier this year, and Raqqa - another taints the reputation of Islam as a whole. Iraqi stronghold formerly under ISIS Uninformed people can be convinced control - is well on the way to being Though a serious threat, ISIS is difficult to pinpoint and, therefore, destroy. // Wikimedia Commons recaptured. Pockets of ISIS resistance that Islam as a whole spouts violence, dot the streets of Raqqa, only to be military and advanced weaponry, but Communist sentiments propagated because of the ideals of a tiny minority, picked off block-by-block by Iraqi their ideology can spur violence nearly by the NVA. To start, governmental but this may play into the hands of the Security, with U.S. and British support. anywhere there is a susceptible mind and theological ideals are completely Islamic State and those who adopt its ISIS seems to be on the decline. that could be warped. ISIS may have averse. ideals. Its former territory has shrunk lost much of their territory in the Middle In contrast to the Communist The fact that acts of terror could exponentially, and its troop numbers East, but any radicalized person with ideals of the NVA and North be caused by radicalized people on have dwindled significantly, but ISIS is a weapon, no matter their geological Vietnamese government, the Sunni- different continents shows that the no longer confined to the Middle East. location, could join their ranks or Shiite conflict is more theologically- Islamic State’s rhetoric is unlike others ISIS-affiliated soldiers had taken commit atrocities in their name. based. This means that the conflict in that it can produce violence in the the city of Marawi in the Philippines, Many analysts have drawn parallels arose from centuries of religious strife form of religious retribution. After all, only to be nearly eradicated just a few between the ongoing Middle-Eastern between two oppositional sects of few Vietnamese soldiers truly killed in weeks later by militaristic Filipino conflict and the Vietnam War, and Islam, not solely a federally-spread the name of Communism, rather, they President Duterte’s local police - but there are many parallels: the proxy ideology. fought against what they thought was the fact that a poisonous ideology war between Western and Eastern ISIS was able to control such an colonialism. spread intercontinentally from the superpowers, the guerilla warfare immense swathe of land because of Although the Islamic State despises Middle East and coerced a group to used by native people and military the adversarial relationship between the cultural ideals of Western nations, take arms and capture a developed intervention from further-developed Iraq and Syria’s two main religious it’s easier to spread a crusade against city thousands of miles away is quite nations. groups: the Sunni and Shiite Muslims. heresy than one against governmental disheartening. New York Times columnist Thomas The pro-Shiite regimes of Iraq and differences. ISIS has inspired marauders around L. Friedman states, on the cusp of a Syria oppressed the native Sunni Weapons alone will not destroy the globe to commit acts of terror; most Vietnam visit, ‘that the core political population for years, a population ISIS. The United States and its allies notably in Paris two years ago, where drama of Vietnam was an indigenous that included radicalized Sunnis who can bomb the Islamic State all they militants orchestrated several lethal nationalist struggle against colonial would later form the Islamic State. want; but ISIS is intangible. ISIS is attacks around the city, including the rule.’ Enthusiastic for any change in no longer an army, but an idea, and Bataclan Theatre Massacre. However, the religious tension and leadership, a faction of downtrodden the idea must be quelled before more The Islamic State lacks a modern spread of the Islamic State’s ideology Sunnis embraced ISIS ideology. bloodshed occurs. could prove more potent than that of the After all, the al-Assad and al-Malaki 6 o pinions THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1| SEPTEMBER 2017 A Helping Hand REBECCA KARPINSKI Photo Editor Every day that you choose to go University, the study shows that the just how close to the edge someone to and vent all of your emotions out on living in this world of suffering is rate of suicide is between .5 and 7.5 is just to giving up. One simple act of of your system, I highly recommend another chance to affect someone’s per 100,000 among college students. kindness and just general common visiting Bergen’s personal life in a positive way. Your life story The study also states that suicide is the courtesy, like holding the door open counselors. I’ve been to the counselors has the potential to be a tale of victory, second-leading cause of death among for someone with a smile and wishing many times and they really are however, it may be difficult. people aged 25 to 34 and the third- them a nice day, can change someone’s very helpful. Everything you say to No matter how weak, sad, scared leading cause of death among people disposition. your personal counselor is 100% and angry you feel, the fact of the aged 15 to 24. This is just one simple thing that confidential. What you say in that matter is that deep down within you is Also in that research, they found could make someone smile for a second, office stays in that office. the ability to channel the same amount that groups that are particularly at risk turn someone’s entire day around, give They are located in the Center of negative energy toward positivity. for reflection and attempt are male, them a moment of solace and grant For Health, Wellness, and Personal Negative emotions require you to use white, and under the age of 21. them a bit of hope and optimism that Counseling, HS-100, in the Pitkin more strength because suffering equals This research also states shows that they might not have had before you Learning Center of the Main College strength. The world is full of people 1/10 college students have made a plan came along and did something nice. campus. You can make appointments who are suffering, but you know for suicide. Suicidal thoughts, making I don’t see any reason why I should by walking into the office or calling what? It is also full of people who are plans for suicide, and suicide attempt ever pass an opportunity to do that 201-447-9257. Walk-in appointments overcoming it. are higher among adults aged 18 to 25 for others. That reason alone is one of are also available. Also, personal You are stronger than you know. than among adults over the age of 26 the main reasons why, no matter how counseling is free for all students. How do I know? I have always been and longterm thoughts of attempting messed up my life has been in the past, You are not worthless nor plagued by demons of self-hate. I am suicide are reported to occur among I will never give up on my opportunity unimportant. Your life is precious to still tormented by the ruthlessness of 5 percent of graduate students and 18 to be alive so that I can affect the lives humanity. We need you to overcome my own self-degradation every single percent of undergraduates. of others in positive ways. your hardships to provide inspiration to day, but I choose to use it as motivation. In all honesty, I could go into If you really need someone to talk others who are also ready to give up. I channel that anger and use that sage mode and hit you with enough energy to keep on working towards philosophical quotes from history’s the goals that I want to achieve. I get most prolific thinkers. I could fill up a pissed off and work harder to prove book with quotes to try and inspire you myself and everyone who doubts me. to keep fighting for the amazing destiny I’ve decided that there are only two that is waiting for you. However, you types of people in this world: those who will only keep fighting if you never decide their own destiny, and those give up and always believe in yourself. who let others and external situations What it all really boils down to is decide what their destiny will be like. one simple truth: that you are valuable The only type of people who will try because you possess the ability to to control how you feel about yourself affect the lives of others in a positive are the people who can be controlled. way. You are you - and you are alive. This is why they try to drag you down. Just like I am attempting to do for Why? It’s because they are stagnant. you right now through this article as Those kind of people do not want I fight to see through tear filled eyes to see anyone rise because when you to type these words from my heart to rise above them in your life and start you that I feel so passionately about. making the progress in ways that make Everyone is fighting a battle. No one is you happy, they have no choice but to really that happy, but we all desperately look up to see you. They also know want to be. that the higher you rise, the smaller Regardless of the mood that you are they look in your eyes. in, it is not that difficult to just be nice to In a study conducted by Emory people for no reason. You never know You are never alone. // Rebecca Karpinski The Casualties of Capitalism Side Effects: Munchies CHARLIE LEPPERT no raise increases in decades, BRIYA GARDNER Layout Editor despite skyrocketing inflation and an Ad Manager ever-ballooning cost of living. Fundamentalism, in all of its forms, Rising costs of education So I know you’re probably reading is a poison. Any worldview that excludes perpetuate this plight; college degrees this right now thinking, “what can interpretation or difference destroys are required in order to find jobs with this article tell me about weed that I any hope of progress, and often dooms living wages, but these degrees are don’t already know?” Well you’ll be itself by ignoring the context in which prohibitively expensive for most. surprised by what comes next. the individual functions. Of course, the free market has its Cannabis, better known to the For example, I am a socialist. I benefits, and there are certainly those public as marijuana or weed, has believe that, in an industrialized society, who are untouched by our nation’s made its groundbreaking return to the private control over production is not a current economic hardships. However, main stage, and this time - it’s legally necessity to innovation or efficiency. the basic American beliefs of empathy recreational. However, I am not currently and equality with which I was raised The first state to make weed legal Negative connotations still persist, despite medi- advocating for a socialist revolution; implore me to reject any system that medically was California in 1996 cal benefits.// pixabay.com I understand that the political and under Proposition 215. This proposition would allow people to starve, suffer In 2012, CNN reported on a story economic climate of the United States, and perish for the sake of profit. If simply states that anyone who lives in both historic and current, would make California with an illness can engage in about six-year-old, Jayden David, who America is truly the land of the free had violent seizures regularly. Jayden this impossible right now. I understand and the home of the brave, then we the use of marijuana if their physician that just because I hold a certain deems it beneficial. California then couldn’t walk, eat solid foods or take a cannot value the interest of the few bath as most children do. Jayden began set of beliefs does not mean that, at over the survival of the many. went on to make the use of recreational this precise moment in history, my weed legal in 2016. taking a liquid form of weed and his It is critical that we realize the seizures stopped. He does everything ideas are right for everyone. I have destruction capitalism has caused and Since then, many states seemed to plenty of room in my world view for have followed California’s lead, New a young child loves to do like playing accept the need for reform before it is at the park and swimming with his others’ perspectives, and a healthy too late. If left to devolve any further, Jersey being one of them but with very consideration for the zeitgeist. strict laws. friends. America’s “free market” could As mentioned before the way, I am certain that many Americans, consume countless more lives. Though In New Jersey the patient must if not most, would agree with me suffer from at least one of the following Jayden David took it was as a liquid. the complete overthrow of capitalism Weed can also be found in many other that a belief that makes no room for is hardly on the horizon for the United in order to be eligible: the ideas of others or for the milieu forms as well. States, it is imperative that reforms are It can be baked into cookies and is dangerous at best. It is shocking, made to protect Americans from the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis then, how comfortable Americans are Multiple Sclerosis brownies which is recognized as toxicity of fundamentalist capitalism. “edibles.” It can even be cooked into accepting of a fundamentalist capitalist It is time to reclaim our compassion Terminal Cancer belief. The concept that the free market Muscular Dystrophy food. There are over twenty-five and our sense of community to become Youtube channels dedicated to teaching must be preserved in its “purest form,” a nation that places people over profit, with the least intervention possible, is a What many people don’t know you how to cook with weed. protecting the good of the whole over Weed can also be found in oil form, popular one in the United States. the interest of the few. is that weed does more than give a However, no economic system is sensational high. It can help with wax form, hash, kief and shatter. There infallible, and the failings of capitalism settling many other illnesses. is also the “traditional” way by rolling have become quite lethal in some cases. into a “blunt” or a “joint.” What’s the The growing gap between poor and difference you ask? rich Americans has created a strained, Well, blunts are cigar paper that shrinking middle class, many of weed is rolled into and joints are whom were hit especially hard by the regular rolling paper which can be 2008 economic crash. These growing described as “thinner” and “flimsier” impoverished populations struggle to than cigar paper. find health care, a situation exacerbated Although weed is controversial here by a lack of access to healthy food in the US, many people don’t realize its and labor which puts them at high Medical Marijuana has become increasingly beneficial properties. Weed isn’t a cure risk for injury. These high risk jobs, popular and legally accessible in recent years. // for anything but it is the first step to the on the other hand, have seen little-to- Capitalism poses a threat. // Rebecca Karpinski Wikimedia Commons cure. 7 o pinions THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER 2017 Gene Manipulation: A Moral Standpoint OWEN MCCLOSKEY Copy Editor diseases and improve their agricultural However, there are arguments on Every Internet user - which, output. the side of selective breeding of cattle. I assume, pretty much includes There are even reports of featherless The world population will reach 10 everyone - has seen hilariously-edited chicken which are bred in Tel Aviv, billion by 2050, and starting in 2005, photoshops of outlandish creatures Israel. These chickens suffer from National Geographic found that half of on the side of their browser, usually reduced mating and susceptibility to the Earth’s surface is already dedicated accompanied by a flashing banner that cold temperatures. to agriculture. With space running out might read something along the lines Naturally, a philosophy sets in: do and not enough food for the growing of: has science gone too far? the obvious moral objections of putting population, perhaps GMO modification Humanity has accomplished livestock through these deplorable is an adept response to the impending some remarkable achievements, but conditions outweigh the benefits of population boom. genetically crossbreeding a chicken “Knockout” mice, a product of the “double-mus- having a larger and more lucrative It might be impossible for humanity with a fish or reviving a fossilized cling” gene manipulation using myostatin disrup- livestock industry? to produce enough food for its growing creature aren’t things crossed off of our tion. // ergo-log.com GMO-tinkering with vegetables population without the use of genetic bucket list. experiment that affected the myostatin obviously has its own issues regarding modification because the capacity However, competition in of lab mice, creating a breed dubbed bacterial strengthening and pesticide for farmland in the world is almost agriculture and an exploding demand “myostatin knockout mice”. use, but crossbreeding animals poses diminished. for food due to a booming population The success of the experiments an entirely separate set of moral issues. Could genetic modification save have led to farmers creating doing made it clear that suppressing Past the point of the morality, humanity? Is the cost of ruining the some abominable experiments in the myostatin across a number of species double-muscling could pose some natural ecosystem of Earth worth the field of genetics. can lead to an extreme development in economic problems. The shortened potential for further survival? The image above might look muscle growth. lifespan of these Belgian cattle could Perhaps researchers should focus photoshopped, but this widely But doesn’t this cause these bovines render them useless, not to mention on other ways to create sustainable circulated picture was taken in 2010 and mice (don’t worry lab mice, you’re the problems regarding the birth of the food sources without causing a grief- and depicts an actual breed of cattle not forgotten) an immense amount of livestock. The issues with the upkeep stricken life for these animals, and the known as the Belgian Blue, whose pain and reduced quality of life? of these enormous cattle may not even selective breeding of livestock may ancestors from the 1850s were Although the breeding of these be worth the continuation of their backfire if their genomes are changed crossbred generationally in an upper cows and bulls may seem a bankable breeding. to a fatal extent. region of Belgium. The cattle are still venture, the repercussions on the being crossbred today, according to livestock are horrific. the Animal Science Department of PETA correspondent, Angela Oklahoma State University, and in Henderson, reports that the Belgian the Province of Liege in Belgium by Blue cattle have serious difficulty Professor Hanset of the Al Center. with pregnancy due to their size, and The females of this breed can reach the animals nearly always require over 1,000 pounds and the males can C-sections to deliver their offspring. reach a staggering 1,700 lbs - or just The calves may have a number of birth short of a ton. defects, including enlarged tongues, According to The Cold Springs which obstructs nursing. Laboratory Press, a science editorial, They may also suffer from cardio- the growth of these cows are caused respiratory, bone, and joint problems. by the disruption of a gene called Usually, these gargantuan animals die myostatin, which is done through a prematurely. meticulous style of crossbreeding. Belgian Blues aren’t the only Myostatin regulates muscle growth, animals that are tampered with. and makes sure one’s body keeps the Everything from chickens, sheep building of proteins in check. and pigs to carp and silkworms are The Cold Springs Lab ran an genetically modified to prevent The Belgian Blue bull, also a product of “double muscling” gene manipulation. // Wikimedia Commons Immigration, behind the curtain ADRIANNA CARABALLO Co-Editor father argued with the employee. We were not supposed to be in biometrics, however, my father wouldn’t allow the man to get away with being rude. “Sir, you’re hurting my feelings,” my father said. He caused the room to chuckle, breaking them out of that somber mood. He carried on and my father and I were escorted out of the area. “What are they going to do? Send me back to Ohio?” my father said to me, reassuring me that they could not do anything since we were U.S citizens. It is my strong belief that my father did what all those other people wanted to do: put the rude worker in his place. I don’t see why people need to feel fearful or why they need to be handled in a rough manner. Respect is not exclusive to those who hold U.S. citizenships. It is hard to believe that A mural protesting discriminatory immigration a country made up of immigrants has policies// Mary Anne Enriquez such hostility towards them. Now more than ever America is I’ve finally done it; I’ve found a lashing out on immigrants, blaming worse place to be than the Department them for taking jobs and crime. This of Motor Vehicles: the office of belief is enforced by the current the United States Citizenship and leader of the country, President Immigration Services. In this place, Donald Trump. cell phones, food and drink are not Trump has faced much backlash permitted. for his anti-immigrant ideas, but The air is stiff and somber and many Americans still support him in many of the immigrants waiting are his effort to build a wall and deport looking down like they have done illegal immigrants. Immigrants are something wrong. not the source of evil that Trump It is not the ideal place to spend my believes them to be. Friday, but I went to support a family Most are struggling families or member of mine. Although I was rather single mothers with children. When uncomfortable, all was fine until my I was in USCIS I saw many single family member went into biometrics mothers with children. and I went in with her. I urge you to educate yourselves I sat down next to her and my father on immigrants, who are they and came and sat down as well. Soon, a what their purpose is. I would also worker asked my father in a rather urge you to treat them with the same curt tone,“Why are you here?” It pretty respect you would give any human much went downhill from there as my being. 8 Features THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 |SEPTEMBER 2017 Broadway Meets Conspiracy Bluegrass Theories pg. 10 pg. 11

FEATURESThe Torch BCC Appoints New Vice President of Student Affairs PURNASREE SAHA Features Editor development, human resources, On June 19, 2017, Dr. Waldon Joseph “I get to work... advancing the mission of the facilities, fiscal resource management, Hagan became Vice President of college: student access, persistence, and success.” strategic planning, oversight and Student Affairs at Bergen Community coordination. College. “Staying organized and managing Prior to coming to Bergen, Hagan Coordinator, a role he has held at other Registrar, One-Stop, Enrollment my time wisely are big challenges. served as Vice President of Student higher education institutions. Management, Student Rights and So much goes on in a day and a Development and Success at Mt. Hagan and his team also work Responsibilities, Athletics and week—meeting with various people, Hood Community College in Oregon. continually on creating a student- Veterans Affairs. departments, and divisions at the Hagan earned a Bachelor’s degree in centered culture. As the VPSA, he Essentially, as VPSA, Hagan college to keep things operating English at the University of Louisiana provides leadership to the offices focuses on providing executive-level smoothly. All these activities demand in Lafayette. of Admissions, Student Activities, leadership for programming, policy that I stay organized and carve out time As an undergraduate, Hagan started to do the work that will well position working in student affairs as a resident the College for meeting its goals and assistant in 1987, so he has been in the objectives,” Hagan said. student affairs field for 30 years. In On any given day, Hagan might addition, Hagan was highly involved be in a meeting providing leadership in several student organizations/ and guidance for the development and activities, including sports and the implementation of high quality and Greek letter charity group, Alpha Phi student-centered approaches to support Alpha Fraternity, Inc. student success or collaborating with After completing his undergraduate Academic Affairs to support student studies, Hagan went on to earn both a learning or championing student- MS in counseling and then a Ph.D. in centered decision making throughout educational research and psychology the institution. from the University of Memphis. Vice President of Student Affairs, “It’s exciting because I get to work Dr. Waldon Joseph Hagan does a lot and with a wonderfully talented group it is good to know that his philosophy of professionals in advancing the is to put students first always so that we mission of the college: student access, will have a campus culture dedicated persistence, and success,” Hagan said. to helping students meet their goals He jokingly adds that BCC likes and realize their dreams. him so much that they are allowing him to serve as BCC’s Title IX Waldon Hagan, the new Vice President of Student Affairs // Waldon Hagan The Life of Chester Bennington,Linkin Park Legend PURNASREE SAHA Features editor Chester Bennington, who was the lead singer and songwriter of the band Linkin Park, committed suicide on July 20th, 2017 at the age of 41. He hung himself in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, just two months after his best friend, Chris Cornell, also committed suicide. He leaves behind his wife Talinda Ann Bentley and his six children. Bennington was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 20, 1976. His death shocked and saddened many people around the world. “Shortly after 9am in the morning, we were notified by law enforcement of a death,” Brian Elias, chief of operations for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, said. It was Bennington’s feeling of loneliness and experiences that led him to become a multi-platinum American rock singer. His father was a police detective and his mother was a nurse, and they got divorced when Bennington was 11 years old. After Bennington’s parents were Bennington performs at the O2 Arena in London// Wikipedia separated, he was sexually abused, and Bennington’s first marriage was In 2005, Bennington created a new released in 2010, was Linkin Park’s eventually, he became addicted to drugs. with Samantha Marie Olit in 1996. Two a rock band named Dead by Sunrise. fourth album and it received many He began abusing cocaine, marijuana, years after tying the knot with Olit, he Their songs did not sync well with positive reviews. Once again, alcohol, opium and methamphetamine. decided to leave Grey Daze because of Linkin Park’s style, but they were Bennington took the lead of vocals and At age 17, Bennington’s mother Jeff Smith, the vice-president of A&R well-written and were considered to be lyrics. This album was multi-concept found out about his habits and refused at Zomba Music. successful. Bennington then released because it highlighted the pretexts to let him leave the house. Many of He allowed Bennington to audition the album “Out Of Ashes” in 2009 with nuclear warfare. his fellow high school students also as a lead singer for the group Linkin Dead by Sunrise. After singing for Linkin Park, bullied him for looking skinny and Park. In 2000, Linkin Park released a In the year he founded the new Bennington stopped drinking and different, which further led to feelings debut album known as Hybrid Theory, band, Bennington split up with Olit taking drugs for a stretch. He even of isolation. which achieved a lot of success and and married Playboy model Talinda dabbled in Hollywood, playing roles in Before becoming a professional was considered to be the best selling Bentley. films such as Saw 3D. singer, Bennington worked part-time album of the year. Regarding his divorce from Olit, Bennington’s final public work was at Burger King just to earn a living. Meteora, released under Warner Bennington said during an interview One More Light with Linkin Park this Meanwhile, he read poetry, wrote songs Bros, was a Linkin Park’s next album in 2009, “The difficult part was losing past May. The band was scheduled to go and drew to feed his artistic solace. in 2003. It was launched to No.1 in all my money, starting my life over and on tour, but concerts were cancelled as In 1993, he joined the band Sean the U.S. charts and No.2 in Australia having to pay the person I didn’t want news of Bennington’s suicide trickled Dowdell and His Friend and later Grey right after it was released. The hit song to be around in the first place.” through the music world. Daze and recorded three albums. “Numb” was found on this album. A Thousand Suns, which was 9 Features THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 |SEPTEMBER 2017 Nine Ways to Survive BCC

Navigating college can be a difficult and stressful experience// Rebecca Karpinski ALYSSA BLUNDO Staff Writer College can be exciting to many Newspaper, Softball, and many other another class to fill that void. students, but it can also be scary for 2. Accommodations: clubs and organizations. As students those who are not familiar with the participate in these activities on 8. Are Students Lost? We can campus. By using these nine steps, Accommodations help students Campus, they can build friendships, Help: students don’t have to worry; they will with disabilities, so they can take expand their knowledge on an issue have everything that they need to help their classes with ease. Students are in our community, participate in bake It is normal to get lost on a big them tackle their first year of college able to take extra time on an exam sales, and fun trips, or even look for a campus during their first year of with ease. in any subject and have calculator possible career choice. college. However, with assistance from usage for their math classes. To the Information Desk, which is located 1. Utilize Campus Resources: get accommodations, the Office of 5. Show School Spirit: in the Student Center by the doors of Specialized Services in Room L-115 the main building, informed students There are various types of sends out email notifications with a College is the best place to show will direct students to any location resources on campus that can help sheet attached, which would allow off school spirit. Attending events on inside or outside the Campus. Other students tremendously in the academic students to print out and sign. This will campus such as: sports games, plays, ways students can get guidance would world of college.The library is a perfect help the students accommodate toward workshops or even helping a club raise be to ask other students on Campus, place where students can study, relax, their classes and be able to learn the money by buying a baked good can Public Safet or their classmates. Lastly, and work on their assignments. It is same classwork as the other students help students get their self out there. It they can check the nearest map of the open on Monday through Friday from surrounding them, but with assistance is also a great way to break the ice with Campus on any of the three floors of 7:40 a.m. to 10:40 p.m. and Saturdays from these resources. others who share the same common BCC. from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the goal. Fall and Spring semester. The library 3. Take a Study Break: 9. Get to Know BCC Shuttle: can be found on the second floor 6. Be Prepared: around the corner from the cafeteria If students are doing difficult For students who take the shuttle and straight ahead if taking the elevator assignments for their classes on campus, When looking for school materials, to and from the Campus, it is a free by the public safety desk. taking a study break is crucial for them. go the Bookstore, which is located past service that allows them to travel Next, The Cerullo Learning If students feel overwhelmed,they the registration desk. Students can find Monday through Friday that picks up Assistance Center is one of the top should stop by the cafeteria, which is textbooks, pens, pencils, post-its and and drops off in front of the Pitkin tutoring centers in the country, which located on the second floor after exiting other items that they may need for their Education Center. Though, this service provides one on one tutoring to guide the elevator or by taking the stairs classes. They can also buy t-shirts, is available for current students, they students in any subject, but students by the registration windows which is sweatshirts, or sweatpants that are can see the shuttle through the doors need to schedule an appointment to past the Student Center. Other food comfortable and supports their school. of the Pitkin Building and check use it. The Writing Center and the establishments are Dunkin Donuts and the schedule of the BCC shuttle.The Math and Science Walk in Center also Bergen Pizza, which can be found in 7. Dropping Classes: schedule is found on the BCC website provide one-on-one tutoring, but no the Student Center to the right after and in front of the Information Desk. appointments have to be scheduled. entering the doors of the main building. If there is a class that is too hard As the year progresses, students will be Lastly, the Testing Center is where for students or if they are in danger of able to ride this shuttle to and from the students with accommodations can 4. Getting Involved: failing, then they can drop that class Campus. receive extra time on an exam. In by going to the kiosk outside of Room order to enter the testing center on College may be all about work, but A-118. There, they can select the Add/ By using these steps during the the first day or any day they desire, it can also be fun by getting involved Drop Classes tab button and then put first year of college, it will help students students need to sign a form stating in numerous clubs and organizations in their student ID number and phone become successful at BCC and help that they should adhere to the rules and on campus. Students can join: Bergen number. Students will then receive a create many experiences throughout responsibilities of the Testing Center. PRIDE, Alpha & Omega Club, ticket with a wait time and the section the year. Good luck, study well and The testing center is located in Room Environmental Club, F- WORD Club, they have searched for. By dropping have fun. S127, right across from the gymnasium. Anime Club, The Torch Student their class with this kiosk, they can add 10 Sports THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 | SEPTEMBER 2017 Broadway Meets Bluegrass at B. B. Kings

REBECCA KARPINSKI Photo Editor On July 23rd and 24th, London’s Never Dies when it was showing in Karimloo was bitten by the acting Kenny Rogers. very own West End and Broadway London’s West End. He is currently bug when he was a twelve-year-old He loved the emotion in their actor Ramin Karimloo married the starring on Broadway as the antagonist, while living in Peterborough, Canada voices and how there was a story and captivating show tunes of Broadway Gleb Vagonov, in Anastasia. when he attended a school field trip life behind all their music. Karimloo with the sweet beckonings of bluegrass At Karimloo’s B. B. Kings with his school to see Phantom of felt the same way with the music from music at B. B. Kings Blues Club and performance, he performed a wide the Opera in Toronto starring Colm Phantom of the Opera and even thought Grill. arrangement of various songs from Wilkinson, who later became his it would be interesting to combine the Known as one of the most Broadway classics such as “Bring biggest inspiration. two unique sounds together and create formidable talents in the theater world, Him Home” from Les Miserables, and Karimloo originally did not want what he and previous Phantom co-star Karimloo was known for his portrayal “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’” from to see the musical, however, he viewed Hadley Fraser called “Broadgrass” of leading roles such as Prisoner 24601, Oklahoma along with some original this field trip as a day off from school. music. Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (which songs such as “Broken”, “She Is Loved As Karimloo grew up, he was Karimloo is not the stereotypical granted him a Tony nomination in the (Wings)” and “Traveller’s Eyes”. very much into country music. His guy you would picture being a 2014 Broadway revival), as the Viscount “I was honestly shocked at the family didn’t grow up on Disney films Broadway actor with his sleeve tattoo, Raoul Vicomte de Changy and as the impact and the amount of emotion in or musical theatre. Still to this day Harley-Davidson motorcycle and his Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. his voice,” said audience member and Karimloo has not seen the Wizard love for mixed martial arts and cage Karimloo was hand-picked by theater lover Kayla Drozdowski, “he of Oz. While his peers would listen fighting. He is one hell of a show man Andrew Lloyd Webber himself to play turned classic Broadway show tunes to pop music, hip hop and rock and who will make any audience fall head the iconic lead role again in his sequel into folk-like songs. I loved every roll, Karimloo would prefer to listen over heels in love with him and his to The Phantom of the Opera; Love minute of it.” to Johnny Cash, Tracy Chapman and captivating, powerful voice.

Ramin Karminloo performs at B.B. Kings’ with band members Jessie Linden, Matthew Harvey, Nick Pini, and Andy Collopy. // Rebecca Karpinski 11 THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 | SEPTEMBER 2017 Conspiracy Theories Popular, Though Bizarre BRIYA GARDNER Ad Manager A conspiracy theory” is defined as owners of the buildings conducted the world. and others. Many say that the U.S. a theory which explains an event that is attacks to collect insurance money. The Illuminati is supposed to be government is under control of the the result of a plot from a covert group Some believe that the Illuminati an “elite organization” which is made Illuminati. or an organization. Many people across was behind all of this. The Illuminati up of world leaders, artists, business It even said that during the 2016 the globe who truly believe in these is a conspiracy theory in and of itself. authorities and other influential people. elections Hillary Clinton became ill theories are known to be “conspiracy An overwhelming amount of Some of the most famous in from pneumonia and then died. She theorists.” people around the world believe that the world are known to be apart of was replaced with a body double that At the top of the list for most there is a more powerful government this organization like Beyonce and the Illuminati created for her. popular conspiracy theories in most than their own that controls the entire her family, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj Even though these conspiracy recent years is the Mandela Effect. theories may seem a little bizarre and This theory has been popping up all outrageous, they are believed by many over social media. Many say that the U.S. government is under people around the world. You never The name comes from many control of the Illuminati. know what is true and what isn’t. Stay people who think that Nelson Mandela, woke. former president of South Africa, died during the ‘80s when he was a prisoner, but in reality, he died on Dec. 5, 2013. The theory he created is basically defined as people who remember only one thing, when in reality, their memory is “wrong”. Here are a few things that people remember while being one way when it is really another: “Oscar Meyer” is really “Oscar Mayer,” “Chic-fil-A” is really “Chick-fil-A”, “The Berenstein Bears” is in fact “The Berenstain Bears”, “Sex in the City” is actually “Sex and the City” and there has never been a peanut butter called “Jiffy”. These are just a few among the long list of items that people remember but had never existed. There is another conspiracy theory concerning one of the biggest and saddest events in American history - the September 11th attacks. As history explains it, 9/11 was known to be a terrorist attack, but conspiracy theorists think otherwise. One theory behind 9/11is that President Bush and his administration were behind the attacks to secure oil reserves. Another theory was that the However bizarre, conspiracy theories remain very popular. // Viemo Anime in America Culture DAVID PEREZ Staff Writer I also remember watching Naruto Anime in America is huge right and Dragon Ball Z, which was around now. Netflix released a live-action grade school. Dragon Ball would have adaptation of the popular anime, Death more of an impact for me in high school. Note, on August 25th. Also in the What do I mean by this? Some people works is the live-action adaptation of who were into athletics in school were Fullmetal Alchemist which is releasing heavily into Dragon Ball Z, and would in Japan on December 1st of this year. regularly argue over who would beat On top of new anime TV shows, whom in a hypothetical fight. there have been multiple movies Other times, they would wonder released in the past that had their source who would be which character in material in anime, such as Ghost in the the show, and they agreed I would Shell and Dragon Ball Z, both of which be Mr. Satan. Other than DC and the have seen American releases. Transformers series, these were their Some of these releases are seen as obsessions. classics, especially the shows. The very There was even a time where one first few shows that I watched as a kid of my classmates and his friend were were anime. There were some shows dressed up as Goku and Vegeta from which were around in the 90’s and the Dragonball series. Now it seems some that were new, such as Fullmetal that it has come to be a normal thing Alchemist, but I didn’t watch the latter in America to watch anime, and even until my senior year of high school. stores like Hot Topic allow you to buy Fullmetal Alchemist saw its first shows anime related t-shirts. in 2003 and then a reboot in 2010.

Many American anime trends blend styles of art and genres of entertainment. Above is a mash-up of Disney princesses with popular Anime series, Sailor Moon. // flikr.com Popular Anime character, Koro Sensei // Jessica Karpinski 12 Sports THE TORCH VOLUME 26 ISSUE 1 | SEPTEMBER 2017 The Torch

Drum Corps:SPORTS Marching Music’s Major League REBECCA KARPINSKI Photo Editor On Saturday night, August 12th, from San Antonio, Texas, in 11th place in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Blue Devils and finally the Madison Scouts from from Concord, California won their Madison Wisconsin, in 12th place. 18th World Championship title at A record crowd of 23,342 people the Drum Corps International World who saw the finals all claimed the Blue Championships with a final score of Devils incorporated everything that it 98.658. meant to be a performer in the Drum Drum Corps is a musical marching Corps activity with them starting out ensemble consisting of only brass their show with traditional Drum Corps instruments, percussion instruments, drill and rifle choreography. synthesizers and color guard. It’s like The same could be said for the marching band’s major league, but Bluecoats, who took first place at without woodwinds. several other competitions this season Finishing in second place after the and often were within a point or so of Blue Devils was Santa Clara Vanguard the other top corps. from Santa Clara, California at 97.6 In July, the Bluecoats and Blue and Carolina Crown from Fort Mill; Devils met for the first time this season, South Carolina was third with 96.575. with the Blue Devils prevailing by 1.15 Drum Corps teams from all over the country competed for glory. // Chris Maher The Cavaliers from Rosemont, points. the sister corps of the DCI 10x World The New York Skyliners, Atlanta CV, Illinois slipped right past the Bluecoats The Blue Devils also won special Champion Cadets, The Cadets2 from Carolina Gold and all the way from from Canton, Ohio at fourth place. The caption awards for best visuals and best Allentown, Pennsylvania who are also the United Kingdom, The Kidsgrove Bluecoats finished fifth with a score overall effects. Santa Clara Vanguard the current reigning 2016 DCA World Scouts. of 95.163 that was just off their season won for best percussion and best color Champions. And even though the DCI season high. guard. Carolina Crown won for best Also marching in the circuit is not over yet, it’s sure going to be Rounding out of the top 12 corps brass performance. is the 14x DCA World Champion as exciting as the season progresses. were the Boston Crusaders from After the DCI season ends, people Reading Buccaneers from Reading, Who will be on top? Will Cadets2 Boston, Massachusetts at 6th place, the anticipate the final competitions of the Pennsylvania who currently have the remain reigning champions or will the Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania Drum Corps Associates circuit. most DCA wins in DCA history. Buccaneers steal the crown back? Will at 7th place, the Blue Knights from DCA is often compared to DCI, the Competing in the open class Cadets2 win best guard for the third Denver, Colorado at 8th place, Phantom DCA is a weekend only commitment category are The Hawthorne Caballeros, year in a row or will Fusion Core nab Regiment from Rockford, Illinois, at until September, whereas the DCI tours Fusion Core, The Bushwhackers, the caption? Only time will tell for the 9th place, the Bluestars from La Crosse, all summer long until mid August. The White Sabers, Minnesota Brass, Marching Music’s Major League. Wisconsin in 10th place; the Crossmen In the open class DCA circuit is Sunrisers, Connecticut Hurricanes, BCC Men’s Soccer Coach hired by FC DALLAS BCC Men’s Soccer Season Update CHRISTOPHER MOLINA CHRISTOPHER MOLINA Sports Editor Sports Editor compared to high school. “It was great having “When you’re facing many players Many people from Bergen a passionate coach who with college-level experience and the Community College, including its game is much faster, it’s different, sports department, are proud to know handled everything but you know you get along with the that Freddy Herrera, Head Men’s teammates quick, you get to know them Soccer Coach, was hired in late May to professionally.” [and] they’re cool so we have good be the video analyst for a Major League chemistry going on,” said freshman Soccer team, FC Dallas. -Nikola Nikoloski Joyce Alias. Coach Herrera left Bergen after College’s Athletic Department For every team, a coach back-to-back Region XIX titles, congratulate Herrera on his hire and understands that chemistry is vital in confident that he left the soccer team wish their bright alumnus the best of the development of its players and the in a much better state than ever before. luck as he moves up the professional team as a whole. Herrera was head coach for four years coaching ladder. “The team has some type of at BCC, his career record was at an He graduated from the National chemistry in terms of how we play, that impactful one with a 46-28-3 record. Soccer Coaches Association of they understand their responsibilities In the postseason, Herrera led Argentina in 2014 with a professional as soon as we get off the van to play,” in wins with a record of 6-4 in the soccer coach degree. Herrera held an said Coach Soto. NJCAA National Soccer Tournament. assistant coaching job before beginning Soto also stressed challenges many As a former Bulldog and an All-Region his managerial career in 2014 with of the freshman are still facing with XIX student-athlete himself, Coach Bergen Community College of New much of what will be waiting for them Herrera has made it his mission to get Jersey. As he moves up the coaching this upcoming season, Bergen its first Region XIX Soccer ladder many people here at Bergen “[There are] a lot of things that championship title in 50 years aren’t going to forget the progress made Head coach Giovanni Soto// bergenccbulldogs. we are gonna have to teach mostly the In 2015 that mission was during his tenure. Despite that, the com freshman because they’re new to the completed, when they won the region program will continue their progress It’s always a challenge for sports program but in terms of play definitely title by penalty kicks. But that desire on and off the field. teams who have rookies on the majority a lot of the tactical portion we already to win a Region title didn’t go away, of their rosters. It can sometimes be went over with the sophomores from he and the program then demonstrated challenging to teach new players the last year, so they already know,” said that wasn’t going to be enough, and style of the game at the college level. Soto, “so for the freshman it’s a whole with that he won Bergen’s its first title On the Bergen men’s soccer team new program for them; they come with for the second year in a row. there are fifteen rookies, as compared their own types of ideas of the game With the back-to-back region titles, to the seven veterans. Head Coach and we just have to try to gel all of Herrera helped earned Bergen men’s Giovanni Soto, along with his players, those ideas into one idea so that the soccer team national recognition in the are determined push forward in their team has chemistry.” Top Ten NJCAA DIII ranking polls. season. Many of the players are looking “It was great having a passionate The first two weeks of practice has forward for the season as well as coach who handled everything been progressive for the sophomores developing as a team. A lot of the professionally,” said former player coming in because they’re all attention is going to be on the captain to Nikola Nikoloski. accustomed to the system. For the be the sort of leader that many expect, Much of the success came from freshmen, and at the same time leading the team the style of coaching he brought to the “It’s a little bit different but they into the season. field. been grasping the idea,” said Head “It’s a good feeling you know, we “His coaching style is professional. Coach Giovanni Soto. have a good team and hopefully we can We would make adjustments to our Many of the freshmen are shaken do well,” said captain Kamar Newell. style of play when we needed to and we by the challenges ahead, especially Leading his team implies pressure, would work hard,” said Nikoloski. Coach Herrera will be greatly missed. // ber- the kind of challenges that occur when the kind of pressure that every captain Those in Bergen Community genccbulldogs.com adjusting to a different environment must face. JOIN THE TORCH Meetings every Tues., 12:30 p.m., SC-111C-D