By Zach Barlow “If you only have two options, either live here and watch my mom get beat and my father get drunk, or live outside, which one do you think you would choose,” asked Hannah Fisk, 28, regarding the hard decisions many homeless youths must face in Whatcom County….
Month: March 2014
Whatcom recognized for community college excellence
By Caleb Remington Whatcom Community College is currently in the running to receive the nationally-esteemed Aspen Prize in 2015. The Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit organization located in Washington D.C., awards the Aspen Prize every two years to a community or technical college that shows exceptional rates of student success….
International Night showcases talents at Whatcom
Story and photos by Zach Barlow Whatcom Community College held its annual International Night, Feb. 27, which featured food and traditional music and dance from all around the world. The event was sponsored by the International Friendship Club, which seeks to help integrate international students into life at Whatcom and…
Bellingham’s Roller Betties hit the track
By Christina Latham For the last eight years, Bellingham’s roller derby team, the Bellingham Roller Betties, have geared up to bring derby to the community. They’ve spent the past six years competing at Whatcom Community College’s Pavilion gym. Joanna Kenyon, an English instructor at Whatcom and a derby fan, said…
The power of bass
By Jeremy Rick Through their synthesis of music, movement, and art, the co-founders of Sacred Bass Sessions have created an up-and-coming series of social gatherings in Bellingham. “The key to the success of Sacred Bass Sessions is pulling together a lot of different communities,” co-founder Christian Martin said. Their most…
Upfront and personal
By Max Singer Located in downtown Bellingham on Bay Street is The Upfront Theatre, a venue dedicated to live improvisational comedy, also known as improv. “If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong,” said William “Billy” Tierney, 33, the Upfront’s artistic director and theater manager. The Upfront, which seats…
A story of courage, perseverence and hope
By Jake Knight Imagine being taken from your home, separated from your family, whom you may never see again, and forced to work, starving and afraid for your life, for those who hate you. Then imagine that there are people who don’t believe this ever occurred. “About three or four…
Putting a face to the place
By Jake Knight The Student Ambassadors are a group of students who “are the face of Whatcom Community College,” said Matthew Santos, Whatcom’s new Student Life coordinator and adviser to the ambassadors. Student Ambassadors offer campus tours to prospective students, lead W.A.V.E. orientations for new students, represent the college at…
Comic relief for soldiers overseas
By Christina Latham Whatcom Community College student Pete Redpath, 42, is volunteering his time with local comic book shop Cosmic Comics to organize a comic book drive for soldiers posted overseas. “There are food drives, blood drives, why not a comic book drive,” Redpath asked. Redpath said he originally thought…
Whatcom’s Sociology Department gains new full-time instuctor
By Anne Elliott Anita Harker-Armstrong, 34, did not always know what she wanted to study when she got to college, but once she decided that sociology was her interest, there was no stopping her. As of fall quarter, Harker-Armstrong became Whatcom’s only full-time sociology instructor. She said she was excited…