THE GROWL Holmes Community College Volume 86 Sept. 29, 2016 Goodman – Ridgeland – Grenada Number 1 www.holmescc.edu Nip it in the Bud Holmes takes learning outdoors with new Arboretum in Grenada By Taylor Vance Growl Editor When asked where she would like the arboretum grow in the next eight years, It was eight years ago that Dr. Kathy Nipper held up a copy of the Clari- Nipper escorted her General Biology on-Ledger with the Eastern Heights students over to the wooded area by subdivision on the front page. the Holmes Community College li- Referring to the current lawsuit re- brary to give them hands-on instruc- garding the toxic materials allegedly tion that couldn’t be done in the class- released into the environment surround room. This was an idea field biology the subdivision, she asked me, “Have courses and forestry classes had been you ever thought to ask yourself the utilizing, but Nipper chose to build question why these chemical spills upon it. The funny part is, she forgot have [allegedly] been going on for to ask permission to take them there many years? I think it’s because your in the first place. While riding in his average citizen doesn’t know enough vehicle, then Grenada Vice-President about natural science or the environ- Jack Holmes spotted Nipper and her ment to recognize the chemical spill students walking across Avent Drive. as having long-lasting effects on the Alarmed a teacher was walking out of environment. So I want this facility to the building with a full class, he franti- become an educational center not only cally asked her what was wrong. for Holmes, not only for the communi- “Nothing,” she replied. “Is it okay if ty of Grenada, but for the entire region I take the students to the woods so they of North Mississippi.” can get an in-depth look at the differ- Amy Land’s Intermediate English students visited this new attraction on the Nipper has the support of, Grenada ent species of plants?” Grenada campus for observation and free-writing. administrative officials, Vice President He smiled and let her continue on Michelle Burney and Academic Dean toward the woods. At that moment, until I’m blue in the face, but it adds a Myra Harville who encouraged its use in the middle of the road the idea of “It is nice to see what started out as a whole new dynamic to the picture when in the community and at Holmes. an outdoor classroom was born. Eight nature area for my Dendrology class I physically put one into a student’s Bronwyn Martin, director of Mar- years later, Holmes has profited from become an official arboretum. We had hand a then say, ‘This is a lichen,’ and keting and Recruiting, said to make Nipper’s idea and hard work and has problems at first with only a certain then it clicks.” this vision come to life, “We have to become one of three places in the state number of plants being able to grow on Nipper learned that arboretum status publicize this because not every insti- of Mississippi to have an arboretum. high ground, but we came together and is not easily obtained. At least 30 dif- tution has this bragging right that we When asked how her eight-year proj- were able to collaborate and figure out ferent species of plants have to be in- currently have. The Marketing Depart- ect first came to be, Dr. Nipper stated, ways to plant more species in the area.” cluded in the nature area. The Grenada ment is currently working on a logo for “I saw that as I would talk about moss- Nipper says that this came to fruition Arboretum has twice the amount need- the arboretum and a tri-fold map for a es, ferns, and fungi in the classroom, through cooperative efforts of fellow ed to be formally declared, with 64 total self-guided tour.” some students wouldn’t get what I was instructors like Floyd, as well as the species of plants present in the area. Floyd also said, “A geocache could be talking about. So I knew I would have Holmes Foundation and the Grenada James Floyd, forestry instructor, was in the works for the arboretum. I hav- to try something a little different.” Garden Club, both of which donated responsible for identifying most of the en’t worked all the kinks out, but it is Always the educator, Nipper picked time, resources, and grants. different species of plants in the ar- in the works.” up a leaf and thrust it into my hand and Holmes English Instructor and Gre- boretum and being a voice during the Student Activities and Recruiting said, “I can point to a picture of a li- nada Garden Club member Pam Moore construction and planning. Floyd said, Coordinator for the Grenada Campus chen all day and say ‘This is a lichen’ said, “The Garden Club believed in Bronwyn Robertson said, “First and Kathy [Nipper]’s vision from the be- foremost, I just want to applaud Dr. ginning; and when we saw that she was Nipper for her efforts. Through her de- dedicated and this wasn’t just a tem- termination, she has brought different porary project, we knew this would be faculty members, the Holmes Foun- beneficial to the college as well as the dation, the Grenada Garden Club, the community. community, and the administration to- In addition to science and forestry gether for one project. I think this will classes, English and creative writing be another great thing to use to recruit classes are now utilizing the arboretum, prospective students to the Grenada which proves the Garden Club’s invest- Campus.” ment was worthwhile. Creative Writ- The Growl wants to thank mainte- ing Instructor Gwen Graham had the nance for their work, Dr. Tom Holden idea to partner with Nipper and have a for providing bluebird houses, Holmes place specifically for students wishing President Dr. Jim Haffey for his sup- to write. port, and everyone who donated funds “In this area, we plan to have a lily to ensure this facility could come to from the Eudora Welty House, a plant life. We also would like to encourage from Rowan Oak (Willian Faulkner’s faculty members to continue using the home), and a plant from Donna Tartt’s arboretum in creative ways that allow home. This would be a place to have a students to learn and connect, and we plant from every Pulitzer prize-winning hope the administration continues to writer from Mississippi.” support these efforts. Don’t Miss out! What’s Inside... Holmes Commu- •Homecoming schedule •A look at happenings nity College- dis trict-wide will celebrate •Recognition of Service photos homecoming • Faculty/staff achievements • Student Spotlights 2016 on Oct. • sports updates and schedules 29 on the • thought-provoking editorials goodman campus. This is Holmes 91st an- and More! niversary! See pg. 5 for more details! Opinion 2 He took a stand by taking a seat By Mia Jones Growl Reporter knowing the media would be watching was another police-related or race-re- tions did not begin to make headlines his every move. It is sad to me how lated incident. This pattern continued until he sat, in uniform, at the team’s In the past few it took someone on his level of fame throughout 2015 as well, as nearly third preseason game. He stated, “I am weeks, Colin to finally use their platform to call 1,000 people were fatally shot by not going to stand up to show pride Kaepernick has attention to something that has been policeman. People began to question if in a flag for a country that oppresses sent the country ignored for years and years now, yet we should really feel safe around law black people and people of color.” At in a near up- seeming to have gotten worse in the enforcement. the start, he was alone in this protest, roar by forcing past few years. Kaepernick has man- Meanwhile, I began to wonder if this but after being joined in the next game a re-ignition aged to force attention toward a delib- was ever going to become more than by his teammate, Eric Reid, various in the discus- erately avoided topic, and while many just a conversation and if necessary ac- other players and even the whole Seat- sion of racial are avidly expressing their disapproval tion at the higher levels of government tle Seahawks team began to follow suit injustice, with and anger, others are thinking to them- was ever going to be taken. Aside from in their own way of protesting. Now, special atten- selves, “It’s about time.” constant protests and riots, not much this issue is finally beginning to get the tion toward police brutality. It started The sad truth is that police brutality other action was taken. vital attention and action it so desper- when he decided to sit down during the has not gotten worse. People are just Actually, it was not until the 2016 ately needs. National Anthem, causing both positive finally paying attention. Dating back summer killings of both Alton Sterling In addition to silently protesting, he and negative shock among not only to even before the 1991 brutal beating and Philando Castile just a day apart announced that he would be planning fans, but also all others watching him, of Rodney King by the LAPD, some from each other that the nation began to donate $1 million to various chari- whether it be on television or in per- police have been abusing their author- to collectively speak on the severity ties that focus on racial issues.