The Pioneer, Vol. 51 Issue 8

May 7, 2018 / Vol. 51, Issue 8 

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom’s student news publication, Est. 1974 

Stigma 

surrounding 

mental health 

pages 12-13 

Honoring 

those who 

served 

Moms 

of Pierce 

pages 10 - 11 page 5

THE 

Web: piercepioneernews.com 

Email: pioneer@pierce.ctc.edu 

Facebook: piercepioneernews 

Twitter: @piercepioneer 

Phone:253-964-6604 

Room: CAS 323 

Editorial 

Remember 

all mothers 

May is full of reasons to celebrate. Gardens 

come to bloom, bringing life and color to a dismal 

landscape. Birds and other critters sing and chatter 

in the backyards as another season starts fresh and 

new. 

It is a season budding with promise. Moms get 

breakfast in bed or treated to lunch. Weddings are 

held, graduations are planned, summer plans are 

hatched. Frowns and worries give way to smiles 

and lighter steps. 

Yet under the all of the color and the gaiety, 

there is a shadow of sadness. Not every mom sees 

Mother’s Day the same way. 

There is the mom who keeps a box tucked 

away in a closet or attic. Each piece has a specific 

memory: This is the hat that he wore when he came 

home from the hospital. This is the blanket that 

grandma made before she passed away. That is the 

onesie he wore when he took his last breath. 

There is the mom who felt all through her 

pregnancy that she was not “mom” quality. When 

her daughter was born, she could not explain to 

anyone why she could not hold her newborn. 

Words like “crazy” and “mental” bounce around 

her head. 

Whatever the reason, her house is quiet and 

only shadows of giggles hang on the walls. As she 

watches the neighborhood kids ride their bikes 

past her house, she remembers the skinned knees 

she had to patch. 

Sometimes the kids come home from college 

or wherever their lives took them. When they 

do, she will sit at the kitchen table, listening and 

wondering who this stranger is that bears her 

child’s name. What happened to the child she 

knew, the one missing teeth and bubbling over 

with enthusiasm, telling her about school? 

Mother’s Day is about memories, old and new. 

It is about honoring the world’s second oldest 

profession (Erma Bombeck’s definition). It is easy 

to honor the mom who is surrounded by her kids. 

Just don’t forget the one who has only ghosts to 

hold. She is still a mom, too. 

2 / piercepioneernews.com 

Editorial Manager 

Marji Harris 

maharris@pierce.ctc.edu 

Production Manager 

Debbie Denbrook 

ddenbrook@pierce.ctc.edu 

Social Media Manager 

Amber Smith 

ansmith@pierce.ctc.edu 

Web Manager 

Marina Chetverikov 

mchetverikov@pierce.ctc.edu 

Multimedia Manager 

Justin Ngo 

jngo@pierce.ctc.edu 

Staff 

ABOUT THE COVER: The bond 

between a mother and her children is 

a precious part of life. It’s important 

to celebrate these amazing women. 

Lorelei Watson / Staff Photo 

Letters to The Editor 

Have an opinion on our articles or about campus events, policy? 

Write a letter to the editor and send to: 

pioneer@pierce.ctc.edu. 

We cannot publish letters that are anonymous. 

THE PIONEER MISSION STATEMENT 

Alyssa Wilkins 

Ava Zolfaghari 

Beatrix Cendana 

Hannah Nguyen 

Jennifer Burgess 

Lorelei Watson 

Nick Nelson 

Freelancers 

Caleb Hensin 

Calvin Beekman 

Carl Carallas 

Craig T. Hiblar 

The Pioneer is an official publication of the Associated Students of Pierce College and is 

sanctioned as such by the college’s Board of Trustees and funded primarily by student fees. It 

is a public forum for student expression since 1974. 

The Pioneer’s mission is: 

(1) to inform the student body of issues and events of interest, relevance and importance; 

(2) to provide students with a forum for discussion, opinion and expression; and 

(3) to provide the student body with editorial leadership. 

In carrying out this mission, The Pioneer will use as its ethical guide the Statement of 

Principles adopted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Although it will strive to 

represent the diverse views and interests of the student body, The Pioneer is not responsible 

for representing, endorsing or promoting any person, group, organization or activity. 

May 7, 2018 / Vol. 51, Issue 8

CONTENTS 

THINGS TO DO 

List of campus events 

MOMS AT PIERCE 

Student moms talk about 

balancing school, family 

RAIDERS SPORTS 

Baseball, softball 

games continue 

MAY DAY TRADITIONS 

How people celebrate 

around the world 

ASIAN PACIFIC HERITAGE 

Get to know locals, 

attend events 

MEMORIAL DAY 

Local memorials, 

honor fallen services 

MENTAL HEALTH 

Rethinking how to treat people 

4 

Page layout: 

Amber Smith 

5 

Page layout: 


6-7 

Page layout: 


8 

Page layout: 


9 

Page layout: 


10-11 

Page layout: 


12-13 

Page layout: 

Carl Carallas 

pages 10-11 

JOURNEY ACROSS AFRICA 

Derek Cullen’s 

incredible adventure 

BENEFITS OF BICYCLING 

Why you should cycle this season 

14-15 

Page layout: 


16 

Page layout: 


pages 6-7 

COMMENTARY 

Living with Bipolar Disorder 

COMMENTARY 

Moms are heroes 

OPINION 

Hallway Hassle 

& editorial cartoons 

18-19 

Page layout: 

Nick Nelson 

20 

Page layout: 

Hannah Nguyen 

22 

Page layout: 


page 16 

COFFEE BREAK 

Student cartoons, 

crossword puzzle 

23 

Page layout: 


pages 18-19 

May 7, 2018 / Vol. 51, Issue 8 piercepioneernews.com / 3

Annual Pet Adoption 

May 7 - 10 Noon - 1 p.m. CAS 4th Floor 

Give these pets a new home. All are spayed and 

neutered, current on vaccines and microchipped. 

$20 transfer of ownership fee per animal applies. 

Raiders Town Hall 

May 8 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Performance Lounge 

Let your voice be heard! Participate in a forum 

with members of the Student Government team to 

discuss issues happening on campus. 

Art and Flower Day 

May 10 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Student Life Lobby 

Students will have the opportunity to relax and 

make art for themselves or loved ones in their life. 

Volunteer: Applesauce Making 

May 11 2-7 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church 

Come volunteer with the Center for Food Preservation 

Arts to make applesauce for local food banks. 

Transportation will be provided from FS campus. 

Cope, Don’t Crash 

May 17 Noon - 3 p.m. Performance Lounge 

Listen to our speaker on mental health and stress 

relief techniques. Afterwards, participate in a yoga 

session. 

Last Day to Withdraw 

May 17 All Day Event 

Today is the last day to withdraw from classes. 

MoPOP Till You Drop 

May 19 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Off Campus- MoPOP 

Explore the Marvel Universe exhibition. Transportation 

provided. $5 admission. Must sign a waiver 

form from Puyallup Campus College Center C210. 

Petting Zoo 

May 23 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Outside Commons 

Meet some friendly llamas, goats, sheep, rabbits, 

and a mystery animal! 

Campus Closed 

May 28 

All Day Event 

Campus will be closed today in honor of Memorial 

Day. 

Student Appreciation Days 

May 30 | 31 

CAS 4th Floor: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

OLY 2nd Floor: 3:30-6:30 p.m. 

Free student lunch and activities including pinball, 

skee-ball, caricature artist, massages, and more. 

May 7, 2018 / Vol. 51, Issue 8 

Women of Justice Forum 

May 31 5-7:30 p.m. HEC Building 

Inspiration, challenges and triumphs from the 

nontraditional voices of the criminal justice system. 

Meet employers and learn about programs. 

Photos courtesy of Amber Smith and Pixabay 

“Finding Home” 

May 31 - June 2 6:30 p.m. Theatre 

Pierce College’s spring play that showcases the 

global refugee crisis. Written by 38 Pierce College 

students, faculty and staff. $5 general admission. 

piercepioneernews.com / 5

MOMS AT PIERCE: THE POWER 

OF LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE 

By HANNAH NGUYEN 

Staff Writer 

Campus 

BRENAE JOHNSON 

Johnson is a mom studying at Pierce 

College. She has been doing this for almost 

three years. Dealing with a 10-year-old son 

and going to school at the same time is not 

a relaxing job, she said. 

While achieving in classes which mostly 

involve STEM subjects, particularly math 

and physics, she still finds it difficult to 

cope with effective time management. 

Johnson said she makes sure that she 

spends a certain amount of quality time 

with her son and completing all of her 

coursework can be a hardship. Despite this 

challenge, Johnson still has an amazing 

motivation going back to school. 

Johnson equates her happiness with her 

learning. 

“I am not happy if I do not have an 

intellectual challenge. I love solving 

problems and challenging myself. It’s really 

hard to accomplish that when you are just 

at home,” she said. 

She said the winter quarter was tough 

Hannah Nguyen / Staff Photo 

“I AM NOT HAPPY 

IF I DO NOT HAVE 

AN INTELLECTUAL 

CHALLENGE.” 

— BRENAE JOHNSON 

for her, since she was taking Calculus 3, 

Engineering Physics 1 and a yoga class. 

However, Johnson still succeeded in 

managing her coursework and taking care 

of her child, and was even able to find time 

to play with him before bedtime. Johnson 

still has a long way to go on this path, but 

this courageous mom is always trying her 

best to balance being a mom and a student 

at the same time. 

TIFFANY SIALEGA MCKOY 

McKoy is also a mom attending classes 

at Pierce. She has been working on a 

business major for two years, graduating 

this summer. While working on her major, 

she also raises her children. If anyone has 

had experiences with multitasking, McKoy 

has. 

Along with her four children, she 

recently remarried and has one more stepchild. 

“It’s difficult but I am able to overcome it 

with the help of family and Pierce has been 

really helpful for me to get me to where I 

am now,” McKoy said. 

Tiffany Sialega McKoy / Courtesy Photo 

Pierce student 

Tiffany Sialega 

McKoy with 

her family. 

For her, the most significant hardship 

she encountered as a college mom was 

relocating and transferring from another 

college in North Carolina. 

“It was hard to be away from my kids, 

and finding people to take care of all 

of them or a daycare was unaffordable, 

especially when we had just relocated,” she 

said. 

Starting college and work prevented 

her from always being there for her kids 

because she did not have enough time. 

McKoy said, “It was difficult to be away 

from the kids after I had always been there 

for them; there was one time my kids had 

a school function but I was unable to make 

it due to classes.” 

At the end of the day, she finally 

overcame those challenges, and Pierce 

College helped her by effectively 

communicating with her about her 

schedule and her academic progress. “It’s 

possible. Although it takes a lot of patience 

having to juggle school and kids and work, 

as long as you put effort in whatever you 

do, everything is possible,” McKoy said. 


Sports 

RAIDERS WOMEN’S SOFTBALL 

FINDS REDEMPTION THIS SEASON 

By MARJI HARRIS 

Staff Writer 

FOR NEW COACH AMBER CO- 

BURN, anything that could go wrong did 

before the season was half over. 

The season started with just enough 

players to call a team. Then, one-by-one 

the players either got hurt or life got in the 

way. Thankfully, other players were able 

to join the team – but the roster never got 

over the required 10. 

“The biggest challenge being a new 

coach is coming in to (train) athletes that 

you didn’t recruit and then putting that 

team together with very few athletes,” 

Coburn said. 

Natalie Vollandt is one of those players 

recruited by previous coach Mark Edmonston. 

Vollandt is a pitcher and first 

base player and played under Edmonston 

for several years before coming to Pierce. 

Edmonston was the deciding factor for 

Vollandt to play for Pierce. Her mom, 

Kellee, and the family dog, Bentley, have 

followed the team all season. 

“Other four-year schools were looking 

at her. I suggested that she go play for 

“E” (that’s what we called him) for two 

years, get your 

prerequisites 

done. She’s not 

ready to give it 

up yet,” Kellee 

Vollandt said. 

Another 

factor the 

team faced: 

games are 

double-headers 

with no extra 

players. Any 

injury meant 

they were 

done. 

“That’s 

what’s challenging 

when 

you have only 

10 athletes, 2 

pitchers. That’s 

our challenge, 

when somebody 

is getting hurt or sore or tired, that’s 

our biggest challenge of how many players 

to fit into a game,” said Coburn. 

It is hard enough to get a mix of seasoned 

players vs. green players to play as 

a team. Other teams they were competing 

against have been able to play as a team 

the whole season. The season was about 

half over before the team started coming 

together. 

When the Raiders played the Bellingham 

Bulldogs on April 20, the players were 

starting to show the pressure. 

“The last few games have been a struggle. 

We are short on players midseason. 

Girls getting hurt, girls getting tired, just 

trying to piece it together,” Coburn said. 

But their spirit is undefeatable. Despite 

the challenges, Coburn said the team is 

in good standing to be in the playoffs in 

Spokane. As of April 30, the team is in last 

place in its conference. 

“This team has it, we have the talent. We 

stay competitive. How exciting it would be 

for the sophomores to finish their season 

up and for the freshman their first season 

to make it there, my first year as a coach, it 

would be exciting to make it,” she said. 

Freshman centerfielder Michaela Houglane 

signed on last year under Edmonston, 

too. Coming together as a cohesive unit 

with new players in the middle of the 

season has not been easy, she said. 

“It’s been challenging just because you’re 

having to work with new people constantly. 

You don’t know them, you don’t know 

their styles as well and then people leave 

and you get attached. It’s sad because it is a 

very team-oriented sport,” she said. 

Coburn’s optimism is felt by the 

team’s potential. 

“I believe in this team. I believe 

in them a lot. There is a lot of 

mental challenges, as well as 

physical. This team is very 

much in their heads. But 

we do have a good chance 

at the playoffs, keep getting 

better every day. 

It is just a matter of 

coming together 

as one, working 

together,” she 

said. 

Upcoming Games 

May 8 at Highline, 2 p.m. 

May 10 vs. Highline, 4 p.m. 

May 12 at Skagit Valley, noon 

Debbie Denbrook/Staff Photos 



Sports 

Record: 17-20, Overall, 

10-7 Conference 

Opponent Score W-L 

Left: Riley 

Reyes-Redhair 

prepares to connect 

with the ball. 

Below: Michaela Hougland 

slides into second base. 

Women’s Softball Record: 6-16 Overall, 4-14 Conference 

Opponent Score W-L Opponent Score W-L 

Chemeketa 3-2 W 

Lower Columbia 5-18 L 

Big Bend 14-4 W 

Wenatchee 7-8 L 

Bellevue 1-10 L 


Douglas 0-9 L 

Douglas 1-8 L 

Olympic 16-3 W 

Olympic 10-0 W 

Shoreline 10-11 L 

Bentley is one of the team’s biggest 

fans. His owner Vollandt, said whenever 

Bentley gets his Raiders shirt 

put on, he gets excited because he 

knows he’s going to a softball game. 

Shoreline 10-6 W 

Edmonds 7-16 L 

Edmonds 2-9 L 

Douglas 13-7 W 

Douglas 1-9 L 

Everett 11-7 L 




Everett 0-8 L 


Edmonds 0-8 L 

Edmonds 0-5 L 

Olympic 5-6 L 

Olympic 5-3 W 

Bellevue 5-2 W 




Spokane 13-0 W 

Spokane 13-2 W 

Spokane 7-6 W 

Spokane 0-10 L 

Everett 1-6 L 

Everett 2-6 L 

Edmonds 3-5 L 

Edmonds 0-4 L 


Everett 7-0 W 

Big Bend 0-1 L 

Everett 4-2 W 

Centralia 11-0 W 

Green River 4-1 W 

Tacoma 6-7 L 





Centralia 2-3 L 

Grays Harbor 13-3 W 



Green River 3-5 L 




Upcoming Games 

May 11 vs. Grays Harbor, 1 p.m. 

May 12 at Grays Harbor, 1 p.m. 


Features 

MAY DAY TRADITIONS 

AROUND THE WORLD 

Celebrate with a dance, drink or lei 

Carl Carallas / Contributing Illustration 

By NICK NELSON 

Staff Writer 

WITH MAY UPON US, it’s officially 

time to celebrate May Day customs. A 

holiday with ancient roots, May Day 

is observed around the world, often to 

welcome a change of season. 

In places like the United Kingdom, 

people honor May Day by dancing around 

the maypole, watching or participating 

in Morris dancing, and crowning a May 

Queen, according to British media site, 

metro.co.uk. 

Maypole dancing is a folk dance from 

Germany, England and Sweden, according 

to a historical music group website, 

historicalharmonies.org. A common form 

of maypole dancing involves intertwining 

colored ribbon around the pole. The 

dancers weave around each other to form a 

plait with the ribbons. The other version of 

maypole dancing still includes participants 

dancing around the pole, but the ribbons 

are left out. 

The historical music group site also said 

maypoles are believed by historians to have 

originated in Germanic Pagan fertility 

rituals. The rituals are from a holiday 

called Beltane that mixed traditions with 

Floralia, an old Roman holiday with many 

similarities. When it comes to fertility, 

not only is the maypole representative of 

a phallus, but the ribbons used represent 

femininity. Also, the point of Beltane 

is celebrating the sexual union of the 

Pagan God and Goddess, according 

to nicoleeveline.com. Because of this, 

celebrants would have sex to emulate the 

gods. 

Scotland celebrates Beltane, as well 

as many of today’s Wiccans and Pagans. 

According to a lifelong learning website, 

thoughtco.com, Beltane is celebrated with 

bonfires, maypoles and dancing. 

For Finland, May Day is a drinking 

and party holiday. According to Finnish 

website, saunalahti.fi, Finland has loud 

festivals with a carnival atmosphere. It’s a 

celebration of spring and, if the weather is 

good, celebrants will enjoy the outdoors on 

a walk or go for a picnic. Many festivities 

are held on May Day Eve. The next day, 

May Day lunch is held at home, restaurants 

or as a picnic. 

Although May Day isn’t celebrated in the 

United States (besides Beltane festivities 

held by Pagan groups), Hawaii does have 

Lei Day, held on May 1. According to 

travel site, hawaii.com, Lei Day is honored 

by making leis, watching live music and 

hula performances, eating food and 

crowning a Lei Queen. The Lei Queen is 

decided based on her lei-making skills, 

hula proficiency and Hawaiian language 

fluency. 



CELEBRATE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN 

HERITAGE MONTH 

Get to know this rich culture 

Features 

By BEATRIX CENDANA 

Staff Writer 

ASIAN PACIFIC HERITAGE MONTH 

CELEBRATES and pays tribute to a rich 

Asian Pacific culture in May. 

Pierce College’s ASPIRE helps fund 

low-income Asian Pacific American 

students and teaches and shares a common 

culture through many kinds of activities, 

such as volunteering with NW Furniture 

that serves over 130 families a month 

by building the furniture. This year they 

hosted Pierce’s Earth Day events which 

included a carnival to teach students how 

to separate the trash and to analyze the 

garbage. 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 

was first started in a 1979 as a way to 

acknowledge the significant role Asian 

Pacific Americans play in U.S. society 

with their contributions they’ve made to 

the sciences, arts, industry, government 

and commerce. Then-American president 

Jimmy Carter described America as a 

land of hope, opportunity and freedom. 

In creating the month, he pointed out 

that Asian Pacific Americans face many 

challenges such as education, employment 

and acquiring the rights necessary to live 

on their own and be treated equally. 

On May 7, 1990, then-U.S. President 

George H.W. Bush issued a proclamation 

designating the month of May as the first 

Asian Pacific Heritage Month. The people 

of the United States were called upon to 

observe Asian Pacific American Heritage 

Month with appropriate ceremonies, 

programs and activities. 

Since then, Americans have found many 

ways to honor Asian Pacific Americans 

who have and continue to enrich our 

country. Some suggestions in how to 

participate in the month: 

Join activities in Asian Pacific 

American temples, mosques, or 

churches 

Visiting a place of worship is a way to 

learn about the beliefs of others and how 

to respect others’ religious perspectives. 

The Asian-Pacific Cultural Center in 

Tacoma offers programs and services, 

and represent 47 different countries 

and cultures. Events vary from culinary 

journeys exploring different foods 

traditionally served in various countries 

to celebration festivals. The center is 

located at 4851 South Tacoma Way. 

More information can be found at 

asiapacificculturalcenter.org. 

Learn about the history 

of Asian Pacific Americans 

Talking to Asian American immigrants 

and their families is a positive way to 

Lorelei Watson / Staff Illustration 

learn about their history. One way to do 

this is by visiting an Asian restaurant and 

talking to the owners while waiting or 

eating. Many restaurant owners are open 

to sharing about their experiences and 

struggles as immigrants, and what it is like 

to start a new business in a new country. 

Read books about 

Asian Pacific Americans 

There are many books written by 

Asian Pacific Americans describing their 

experiences as immigrants. Author Amy 

Tan, whose parents immigrated from 

China to San Francisco when she was 

young, learned how to blend the culture 

from her native country with America’s 

culture. In the novel, “The Joy of Luck 

Club,” Tan describes the relationships 

between Chinese immigrant mothers and 

their American-born daughters. 

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage 

Celebration 

11:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. May 6 

Free Admission 

Seattle Center Armory 

Thousand Faces Chinese Opera 

7:15 p.m. May 12 

Chief Sealth International High School 

7:15 p.m. May 13 

Pantages Theatre, Tacoma 

More information about 

Asian Pacific American events 

asianpacificheritage.gov. 

Participate in ASPIRE’s events 

tinyurl.com/ya5oro9w. 


Features 

REMEMBERING THOSE 

WHO SERVED LOCALLY 

State memorials dedicated in memory of the fallen 

By CALVIN BEEKMAN 

Contributing Writer 

Memorial Day is a day 

set aside to honor 

the ultimate 

sacrifices of 

the brave 

men and 

women 

who 

fought 

for the 

freedom of 

the our country. 

The military is a large presence in the community, 

with four bases in a 80-mile radius. Three local memorials 

honor the branches of the military that have had the 

biggest impact in the area. 

WAR MEMORIAL PARK, 

TACOMA 

Located near the Tacoma Narrows 

Bridge just off 6th Avenue, it is a small 

unassuming park nestled in a quiet 

community. The park features a large bell 

salvaged from the first USS Tacoma when 

it was decommissioned after its service 

during World War I. The park includes a 

path and bridge that leads to monuments 

dedicated to different wars, veterans and 

prisoners of wars, including one large one 

dedicated to the fallen men and women 

of WWI and WWII. Placards line the 

walkway leading to the monuments, 

detailing the service of the USS Tacoma 

and history. — Traveling the Pacific 

Northwest blog 

the course of the river was changed, the park was a frequent 

picnic spot for the locals. After the river’s direction was changed, 

it left a natural pocket for the park. 

At the end of WWII, an idea was presented to the city of 

Puyallup to build a memorial for the service men who gave their 

lives. A community fundraising effort enabled the city to expand 

part of the park in 1951 to create a memorial for the Puyallup 

servicemen who gave their lives in WWII. — City of Puyallup 

WINGED VICTORY MEMORIAL, 

OLYMPIA 

The monument was designed shortly after the main capital and 

surrounding buildings were finished in 1927. It honors those who 

served in WWI. The sculpture has at its center the Greek goddess 

Nike, or victory. She is accompanied by representatives of the 

armed forces that existed at that time, that of the Navy, Army and 

Marines. A Red Cross nurse also stands with them, signifying the 

care the Red Cross gave in taking care of the wounded. 

— Olympia Historical Society 

GRAYLAND AND MEMORIAL 

COMMUNITY PARK, 

PUYALLUP 

Built on a depression formed from at 

the old north riverbed of the Puyallup 

River, the park has always been a key 

part of the Puyallup community. Before 

The Tacoma War Memorial honors 

Pierce County’s fallen soldiers. 

Marji Harris/Staff Photo 



MEDAL OF HONOR, 

OLYMPIA 

This site honors the Washingtonians who received the Medal 

of Honor, the highest award that anyone can earn in the U.S. 

armed forces. Throughout history, fewer than 3,500 individuals 

have received this honor, many after their death. The 

monument itself is a replica of the state obelisk in the Medal of 

Honor Grove in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 

— Olympia Historical Society 

Features 

MEMORIAL SERVICES 

PLANNED IN THE AREA 

Sunday, May 28 

• Vaughn Bay Cemetery, Aisle of Honor, 

Memorial Day Observance, noon. 

• Fir Lane Memorial Park Memorial Day 

Observance, 12:30 p.m., Spanaway. 

• Yelm Cemetery Memorial Day 

Observance, 1 p.m. 

• Enumclaw Veterans Memorial Park 


• Roy Cemetery Memorial Day 


Placards line the walkway of the Tacoma 

War memorial. 

Marji Harris/Staff Photo 

Monday, May 29 

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord Monday, 

May 29, 11 a.m. Col. Daniel S. Morgan, 

JBLM garrison commander, will speak and 

place a wreath on the marker honoring 

service members. If you want to attend, 

visitors must get a guest pass at the JBLM 

Visitor Center located off of exit 120 on I-5. 

• Sumner Cemetery Memorial Day 

Observance, 10 a.m., Puyallup. 

• Bethany Lutheran Cemetery Memorial 

Day Service, 10 a.m., Spanaway. 

• Memorial Day Ceremony at the 

Washington State Capitol Rotunda, 10:30 

a.m., Olympia. 

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord Memorial 

Day Observance, Camp Lewis Cemetery, 

11a.m. 

• DuPont Memorial Observance, DuPont 

Plaza 12:30 p.m. 

• Washington Soldiers’ Home Memorial 

Day Program, 2 p.m., Orting. 

• Pierce County Memorial Day 

Observance, 2 p.m., Lakewood. 

• Honoring the Fallen, Olympics West 

Senior Living Center, 3 p.m., Tumwater. 

View of Memorial Community Center from 

Grayland Park side in Puyallup. 

Flag; above: Marina Chetverikov/Staff Photo 


Features 

Mental health and its stigma 

False facts, cultural misconceptions harm society’s perception 


Staff Writer 

SOCIETY HAS RECEIVED MANY 

MESSAGES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH 

that are surrounded in negativity. The 

news, social media, video games, movies, 

or TV shows all show portrayals of many 

different people, including those with 

mental illness. 

Biological factors, such as genes, brain 

chemistry, experiences of trauma, and 

family history regarding mental health 

problems are some of the common 

contributors, according to WebMD. 

According to the National Institute of 

Mental Health, depression affected about 

16.2 million (6.7 percent) of people in 

the United States in 2016. It’s one of the 

most common mental illnesses in the US, 

yet there’s much self-stigma among those 

with depression. There’s a perception 

that people with depression are weak. 

According to Australian mental health site 

Beyond Blue, someone who has depression 

may believe that they are responsible 

for their condition and should be able 

to control it. They may feel guilty or 

embarrassed by their disorder. 

Megan Irby, counselor at the Pierce 

College Fort Steilacoom campus, 

recognizes the perceived stigma among 

people with mental health problems. 

Familial and cultural ties have an impact, 

along with the media. 

“I find that many students discuss 

how their family or cultural background 

influence their ideas of mental health such 

as not wanting to access mental health 

care because they have been socialized to 

believe ‘only crazy people go to counseling.’ 

There are many cultures that believe 

people should only access support within 

their family or church, for example, and 

this can sometimes lead to people not 

getting the professional mental health 

care they need because of the fear of being 

shamed or ostracized from their family,” 

she said. 

One of the reasons many people don’t 

go to treatment is because of fear and 

shame, according to Kentucky psychologist 

David Susman. People recognize negative 

stigma and don’t want to be labeled “crazy,” 

Susman wrote. 

Many myths surround mental illness. 

According to the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services’ mentalhealth. 

gov, there is a misconception that people 

with mental health needs cannot handle 

the stress of a job. The reality is that these 

people are just as productive as anyone 

else, the site said. There is also the public 

idea that mental health problems make 

people weak, and that they can just “snap 

out of it.” 

According to the British Association for 

Psychopharmacology, Peter and Isabelle 

Haddad said one of the most common and 

damaging misperceptions is that people 

with schizophrenia are violent. The truth 

is that less than 10 percent of violent crime 

in society is linked to schizophrenia. 

Actually, it is more likely that a person 

with schizophrenia would be a victim of 

Carl Carallas/Contributing Illustration 

violence, according to the Haddads. 

A recovery-oriented mental health 

care website, rtor.org, points out another 

example of this in a recent film, “The 

Visit.” The film is about two elderly 

people who have schizophrenia and have 

escaped psychiatric care. According to 

its commentator, Veronique Hoebeke, 

while this in and of itself is not bad, the 

way that director M. Night Shyamalan 

portrayed the mental illness was incorrect 

and fear-inducing to viewers. In several 

scenes, the older woman is shown reacting 

to hallucinations, inflicting self-harm, 

becoming catatonic, then switching 

back to “normal” within a few minutes. 

Schizophrenia does not make someone flip 

through different symptoms like this. 

“The more we all talk about our 

struggles in an open, transparent and nonjudgmental 

way, the better we will be as 

a society,” Irby said. “Because we will not 

only normalize the symptoms of being a 

human but also help each other in times of 

struggle which in turn reduces shame and 

stigma regarding mental health issues.” 



HOW TO HELP 

If someone 

close to you 

has an anxiety 

or depressive 

disorder, here are 

some ways to help: 

• Learn about the disorder. 

Understanding what your friend 

or relative is going through will 

help you give support, as well as 

keep your worry under control. 

• Encourage treatment. Offer 

to drive him to an appointment 

or attend a therapy session with 

her. 

• Realize and accept stressful 

periods. Modify your expectations 

of how your friend or 

relative should act and be sure 

to be extra supportive during 

difficult times. 

• Remember that everyone experiences 

anxiety differently. 

Be tolerant, supportive and nonjudgmental. 

Respect his or her 

feelings even if you don’t understand 

exactly what your friend 

or relative is going through. 

• Be encouraging and don’t get 

discouraged. Give praise for 

even the smallest accomplishment. 

Stay positive. 

• Ask how you can help. Listen 

carefully to the response. 

• Talk to someone. Being supportive 

all the time is difficult, 

so make sure you have someone—a 

friend, family member, 

or counselor—to support you, 

too. This support system may 

be especially important if your 

friend or family member is not 

seeking treatment. 

— Anxiety and Depression 

Association of America 

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL 

HEALTH ISSUES 

Myth: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental 

health problems. People with mental health problems can snap 

out of it if they try hard enough. 

Fact: Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak 

and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to 

mental health problems, including: 

• Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury or brain 

chemistry 

• Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse 

• Family history of mental health problems 

People with mental health problems can get better and many recover 

completely. 

Myth: I can’t do anything for a person with a mental health problem. 

Fact: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. Only 44 percent 

of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20 percent 

of children and adolescents receive needed treatment. Friends and 

family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment 

and services they need by: 

A RESOURCE TOOL 

— impawards.com 

Features 

— U.S Department of Health & Human 

Services’ mentalhealth.gov 

According to a faculty review from the 

College of Psychiatric and Neurologic 

Pharmacists, a movie that portrays 

a more accurate depiction of schizophrenia 

is “A Beautiful Mind.” Released 

in 2001, it stars Russell Crowe as John 

Nash, a brilliant mathematician who 

battles schizophrenia and goes on to 

win a Noble prize. It also won four Oscars. 

The reviewers said this film is a 

worthy teaching strategy that will augment 

traditional methods of conveying 

the realities of severe mental illness to 

students. 

— College of Psychiatric and 

Neurologic Pharmacists 


Features 

DEREK CULLEN’S 

INCREDIBLE JOURNEY 

ACROSS AFRICA 

By CRAIG T. HIBLAR 


microadventureworld.com/ 

Courtesy Photo 

“IT GOT TO THE 

POINT IN MY LIFE 

WHERE I WAS FED UP 

WITH LIVING A LIFE 

CRIPPLED BY FEAR 

AND ANXIETIES. THE 

IDEA OF TRAVELING 

FROM ONE END OF 

AFRICA TO ANOTHER 

BY BICYCLE WAS AN 

INTRIGUING ONE TO 

CONQUER FEAR.” 

— DEREK CULLEN 

DERRICK CULLEN IS A REMARK- 

ABLE INDIVIDUAL IN THE SPORT 

OF CYCLING. He chose to test the limits 

of human endurance by riding his bicycle 

across 11 African countries in 2013 and 

2014. Cullen made this journey to find 

solitude and inner peace in his life. 

In a July 2014 interview with Daily 

Mail journalist Chris Leadbeater, Cullen 

shared his reasons for riding a bicycle 

across Africa. He said, “It got to the point 

in my life where I was fed up with living 

a life crippled by fear and anxieties. The 

idea of traveling from one end of Africa to 

another by bicycle was an intriguing one to 

conquer fear.” 

Cullen decided to raise funds for Aoibheann’s 

Pink Tie, a children’s cancer charity 

in Ireland. His inspiration for his decision 

was losing both of his parents to cancer. 

Cullen, who had never once in his life 

owned a bicycle, bought a 13-year-old Trek 

mountain bicycle with 23 gears. After that, 

he started on his journey in Cape Town, 

South Africa in November 2013. He then 

rode across Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, 

Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, 

Ethiopia and Sudan. He ended his journey 

in Cairo, Egypt on October 2014, a total of 

13,500 kilometers. 

For his trip across Africa, Cullen traveled 

as light as possible. He took basic 

camping supplies, a pocketknife and a 

camera. In his pack he also carried a map, 

spare spokes, tires, a compass and bicycle 

tubes. His Kindle served as a virtual 

library. 

He had to adapt to a diet of bananas, biscuits, 

chocolate and “lots and lots of water.” 

When possible, he dined on the local cuisine 

offered in roadside stalls in whatever 

country he happened to be visiting. 

Each day, Cullen said he averaged 

between 60 and 100 kilometers on his 

bicycle. He took his time so he could take 

in the beauty and scenery of Africa. Cullen 

made it a rule not to ride at night. 

He said the most challenging reality of 

riding across Africa was the hot climate. 

The countries in southern Africa such 

as Namibia and Botswana consist of 

desert-like conditions. The desert is not 

exactly conducive to cycling. Cullen suffered 

from heat exhaustion while bicycling 

through the Namibia desert. To prevent 

a repeat, Cullen said he wore a widebrimmed 

hat and lots of suntan lotion. 

Incessant desert heat and the occasional 

thunderstorms would not deter him from 

his mission. 

Another unexpected part of Cullen’s 

journey was riding through sparsely 

populated land. Cullen admitted that his 

lowest point was “The desperate feeling of 

isolation” especially in southern Namibia. 



Cullen’s route across Africa 

Features 

Cairo, Egypt 

Lake Nasser 

Despite the reputation that Africa 

has as place of poverty and danger from 

civil wars, Cullen said he never faced 

any danger on his journey. He found the 

African people to be the most kind and 

compassionate in the world. Unfortunately, 

the language barrier often made verbal 

communication with the native people 

impossible. 

Cullen said, when he traveled through 

Africa, he witnessed people using mobile 

phones for communication in some of the 

countries he visited. 

Cullen had originally planned to fly to 

Canada on his way back home to Ireland. 

The massive popular response by the 

public who followed his entire journey on 

the social network made Cullen decide 

to ride across France before catching a 

ferry to England. Cullen then rode across 

England and Wales before catching a ferry 

to Ireland. He then rode back to his home 

in Dublin. 

When he first started on his journey in 

November 2013, Derek Cullen was carrying 

the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

By the time he finished his ride in 

October 2014, Cullen was a changed man. 

All of the anxiety was gone to be replaced 

with confidence and serenity. Cullen’s life 

had new meaning and it took a seemly 

impossible bicycle trip to make it happen. 

Cape Town, South Africa 

Mount Kilimanjaro 

Victoria Falls 

Other photos courtesy of Pixabay; 

Debbie Denbrook/Staff Illustrations 


Features 

EXPLORE 

BENEFITS 

OF BICYCLE 

COMMUTE 

Marina Chetverikov / Staff Photo 

By CRAIG T. HIBLAR 


In a state as densely populated as 

Washington, automotive transportation 

can be a frustrating experience. Traffic 

congestion is a frequent contributor for 

students to often arrive late for work or 

school. This can lead to a lot of unwanted 

stress. 

An effective alternative is to use a 

bicycle as a means of transportation. There 

are many benefits to riding a bicycle that 

can help bring some serenity to traveling 

in Washington. 

When taking a bicycle out on the road, 

remember to wear a helmet; it is the law in 

Washington. Riding a bicycle can be just as 

dangerous as riding a motorcycle. A rider 

can sustain a serious head injury in a fall 

off of the bicycle. 

An additional safety measure would 

be to install blinking lights on the front 

and rear of the bicycle. This will allow 

oncoming traffic to see a bicyclist riding at 

night. 

Riding a bicycle is also a solution to 

being stuck in traffic. According to the 

website pennyhoarder.com, riding a bike 

can save a minimum of $18 per month. 

Around here, the savings are even better 

because the calculations are based on a 

gallon of gas in Florida at $2.22. 

Use public transportation to help reach 

the destination by bicycle. Every Pierce 

Transit bus comes equipped with a bicycle 

rack. Using the transit system makes a 

longer commute possible. 

Bicycle riding gives a sense of freedom 

that is hard to get when driving a car. 

On a bicycle, there is a euphoric feeling 

while riding through the sun and wind. 

There is something to being outside and 

experiencing life instead of being confined 

behind the wheel of a car. Being stuck in 

a traffic jam can create a claustrophobic 

atmosphere and a desire to escape the 

confines of the vehicle. 

Exercise is also a benefit to cycling. 

Many students spend hours sitting in front 

of a computer screen. Bicycling can also 

burn up calories and keep leg muscles 

limber. Riding a bike will ease the pain 

and stiffness that comes from sitting at the 

computer too long. 

May is National Bicycle Month. After 

the long weeks of rain, it is the perfect 

opportunity to do something different. 

Use two wheels instead of four. Reap the 

benefits to health and pocketbook. 



Pierce College FORT STEILACOOM 

Theatre presents 

This production contains strong language. 

Some material may be unsuitable for children. 

Viewer discretion is advised. 

Pierce College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical 

or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, 

creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service 

animal in its programs and activities. For inquiries regarding compliance contact the Pierce College 

District Title IX Coordinator, (253) 964-6519 | 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood WA 98498. 

Pierce College is committed to equal access to all college sponsored events. Persons with 

disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical 

access provided should contact Access & Disability Services, 253-964-6468 or 

ADS@pierce.ctc.edu. Requests can be served most effectively if notice is provided at 

least 2 weeks before the event. 

Tickets available at 

PierceCollegeEvents.com 


Commentary 

LIVING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER 

IS MORE THAN MOOD SWINGS 

Once diagnosed, the coping methods – whether they worked or not – 

helped me to understand myself and work my way towards a better life 

Nick Nelson / Staff Illustration 


Staff Writer 

FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE, I have 

been concerned with my mental health. 

Unfortunately, with very few resources as a 

child, I resorted to Google searches alone. 

First, I thought I was schizophrenic. 

Then I thought I had dissociative identity 

disorder, and then I thought I had several 

personality disorders. Therapy was hard 

for me, as any therapist I saw would refuse 

to diagnose me further than depression 

and anxiety. I was scared, scattered and 

clinging onto any label that I could. 

After long discussions with my mom, 

more refined research, a lot of thought 

and consideration and psychiatrist 

sessions, things clicked. I, as well as my 

psychiatrist at the time, came to the 

conclusion that, much like my mother, I 

had bipolar disorder. I was prescribed a 

common bipolar “cocktail” of medications 

and things turned around. I had been 

searching a long time for the answer and to 

finally receive one was like a weight off my 

shoulders. 

Since coming to terms with type II 

bipolar disorder, I have noticed other 

people misrepresenting the mental illness. 

Think about it: how many times have you 

heard someone call themselves or someone 

else “bipolar” in jest? Often, that joke 

refers to rapid mood swings, from “hot” to 

“cold.” Because of this, many people seem 

to think that having bipolar is simply a 

change in mood. 

There are also people who are unaware 

that there are different types of bipolar 

disorder. Bipolar disorder involves 

depressive episodes and manic episodes, 

which often last for days, week or months. 

Type I bipolar disorder has more severe 

mania compared to type II. And both 

types share similarities in depressive 

episodes. 

One thing is clear for anyone who has 

bipolar disorder: bipolar, no matter 



the type, is definitely not a simple shift 

in emotions. Bipolar disorder is much 

deeper than some people think. The reason 

I thought I was schizophrenic in the 

beginning was because of the psychosis I 

experienced when I was young. I saw some 

scary things, such as blood on my hands, 

tall figures outside of my house, figures 

dancing in the dark of my room. I felt bugs 

crawling on my arms — inside my arms 

— and I heard many voices and sounds 

that weren’t really there. In addition 

to hallucinations, I also experienced 

irritability, disorganized thoughts, lack of 

concentration, paranoia and much more. 

Finding out that bipolar disorder causes 

psychosis made things a little clearer. 

There is truth in the mood swings 

stereotype; only, they’re much more 

severe than going from bummed out to 

feeling fine in a short time. When I am 

in a depressive episode, I lose interest in 

things I love. I don’t talk as much, I get 

reclusive, I feel guilty for living, and I 

feel disconnected from most people and 

things. I have a hard time waking up and 

getting out of bed. 

When I am manic, I feel giddy. I want 

to spend a lot of money, stay in a hotel 

somewhere or leave the state. I seem 

happier than ever and I feel powerful. For 

me, manic episodes are just as dangerous 

as depressive episodes. I am still irritable 

and my mood turns sour quickly, even if 

the issue is miniscule. 

Having bipolar disorder scares me. 

I am not sure if I will lose friends, 

acquaintances, connections or 

opportunities due to an episode. I’m not 

sure if I will stay safe or financially well 

during an episode. 

However, I am at a point in my life 

where I can confidently say that I am 

stable – or at least more stable than I was 

in the beginning. This is due to long talks 

with multiple therapists, many cycles of 

medication, and above all else, the will 

to improve. Without pushing myself to 

achieve mental stability, I could have been 

in a lot of trouble by now. 

In an effort to control my mental 

wellbeing, I have tested out many coping 

methods — holding ice, snapping rubber 

bands, drawing or writing out my feelings, 

talking with friends, meditation. All of 

these methods, whether they worked 

or not, helped me to understand 

myself and work my way towards a 

better life. 

More than anything, I want anyone 

suffering from mental illness to know 

that things can get better. Nothing 

is 100 percent but hard work goes 

Bipolar disorder affects 

men and women. 

into managing symptoms. Seeing 

a psychologist is very important. 

While no one knows you better than 

yourself, professionals can help you 

overcome hardships. It may take a 

while for a solution to come your way, 

but the best thing you can do is to 

keep working hard. 

Commentary 

Ava Zolfaghari / Staff Illustration 


Commentary 

A SILENT HEROINE 

called 

By HANNAH NGUYEN 

Staff Writer 

I GET UP AT 6 IN THE MORNING 

and go to bed at 10 at night. I go to school, 

hang out with friends, do homework and 

still have time for myself. Mom gets up at 

4 a.m. and goes to bed at midnight, has a 

job, does household chores, 

takes care of me 

and doesn’t 

have time 

for herself. 

WHILE I WAS DEALING 

WITH A heartbreaker in 

my high school that I had 

a crush on for 3 months, 

Mom was dealing with 

a heartbreaker that 

she had been taking 

care of for 15 years. 

I was 14 years old 

and 8 months when 

I shouted at my 

mom and told 

her that she was 

the worst mom I 

had ever known. 

SOMETIMES I 

FORGOT Mom’s birth 

year. She, however, always 

remembered my birth time 

and day, my weight and 

height, my shoes and 

clothes sizes, even my 

eye color. She does the 

same for my brother 

and my dad. 

MOM WAS 

PLAYFUL, and she 

used to hang out with 

her friends a lot. After 

she gave birth to me, she 

spent most of her time 

taking care of me. Now I 

am her only best friend. 

MOM IS STRONG. I have 

never seen her cry except the time 

she rushed me into the hospital 

because I broke my leg after falling 

from the tree in front of our 

house. I will never forget her eyes, 

they were full of tears and pain. 

MOM HAS NOT LIKED 

MATH for most of her life. 

When I told her I do not like 

math either, she decided to study 

with me to encourage me doing 

math homework. 

THAT’S WHY, even though there 

was a time that Mom grumbled at 

me for half a year because I lost my 

phone, and even though she never 

said “I love you”, I know she will be 

my forever heroine in my life. 

Hannah Nguyen/Staff Illustration 




Opinion 

HALLWAY HASSLE 

PiercePioneerNews.com 

WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT YOUR MOTHER IN YOUR LIFE? 

I appreciate what (she) 

taught me in life, the 

skills given me to, and 

not giving up on me. 

I appreciate my mom 

because she teaches 

me life lessons, and 

she’s the one who 

taught me how to cook. 

I appreciate — 

although I didn’t really 

appreciate it when I 

was younger — she 

really likes to push me 

for what I want to do 

and she makes sure I 

work toward my goal 

when I’ve have my mind 

set on it. 

How she always 

there for me. And she 

sincerely and genuinely 

does cares for me. And 

most of the stuff that 

she has done for me 

or stuff that she didn’t 

have to do — but she 

did it out of pure love, 

and this is something 

that I know is priceless. 

–Raymond Power 

– Evelyn Mendoza 

– Alyssa Hanes 

– Nick Pecache 



Coffee Break 

Across: 

1. Which state was the first 

American Mother’s Day 

celebrated in? 

3. Duchess of Cambridge and 

member of the British royal 

family. 

4. What is the official flower for 

Mother’s Day? 

5. Who has the title “Queen 

Mother” (she was the mother of 

Jesus) 

8. How many planets is the Earth 

from the sun (in numbers)? 

10. More than half of the 

breathable oxygen in the world 

comes from where? 

12. Who was Captain America’s 

love from Marvel’s “Captain 

America: The First Avenger” 

(last name)? 

13. How many planets are there? 

Down: 

2. Mother of Prince 

Charles? 

6. The most famous 

mother of the poor? 

7. Which country was 

the first to recognize 

Mother’s Day? 

9. A big figure in 20th 

century, Princess of 

Wales said: “I don’t go 

by the rule book... I lead 

from the heart, not the 

head.” 

11. Which planet is no 

longer a planet? 

14. Around the world, 

how many millions of 

indigenous people live 

in forests? 

“MOTHER EARTH” 

Crossword by Marina Chetverikov/Staff Photo & Illustration 

Find answers for this crossword at piercepioneernews.com/category/ae/

The Pioneer, Vol. 51 Issue 8

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?