The Pioneer, Vol. 52, Issue 4

DOWN STUDENTS PG. 10-11 SHUTDOW
Feb. 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom’s student news publication, Est. 1974
WN HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SHU
N HAS AFFECTED S
PIERCE COLLEGE FORT
STEILACOOM PRESIDENT
RETIRES PG. 6-7
LIBRARY RESOURCES
THAT MAY SURPRISE
YOU PG. 8-9

THE
Web: piercepioneernews.com
Email: pioneer@pierce.ctc.edu
Facebook: piercepioneernews
Twitter: @piercepioneer
Phone:253-964-6604
Room: CAS 323
2
Editorial
THE SHUTDOWN AFFECTS
OUR STUDENTS
At the time of this writing, the government
temporarily reopened for three weeks.
Amidst America’s longest government shutdown
in history, citizens across the nation were
struggling. However, for many students, there
was one glaring issue: the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process had been
affected.
There was (and is) the threat of losing food
stamps and tax returns being delayed. Small businesses
have been affected – more than 30 million
of them, according to USA Today – because they
could not take out federally assisted loans.
Government employees were not being paid.
Many national parks and museums were closed
to the public. Inspections of thousands of industrial
sites, like chemical factories, oil refineries
and water treatment plants, were halted.
The New York Times reported that the Food
and Drug Administration had stopped safety
inspections for foods at high risk for contamination,
like seafood, vegetables and fruits.
Students were still able to apply for FAFSA,
and it was not directly impacted by government
closures. However, due to the shutdown,
applicants were experiencing delays. Students
were not able to access certain IRS documents
required for the application because the departments
that hold that information were closed.
To remedy this, the Department of Education
“temporarily adapted their processes as needed.”
The question was, “How long is ‘temporary’?”
Donald Trump, the official who initiated the
shutdown, said on more than one occasion that it
could last for “months or even years.”
Negotiations for border security are being
made while the government stays reopened
through Feb. 15. For the time being, students
should continue to hope for the best.
/ piercepioneernews.com
Editorial Manager
Calvin Beekman
cbeekman@pierce.ctc.edu
Production Manager
Carl Vincent Carallas
ccarallas@pierce.ctc.edu
Web Manager
Alyssa Wilkins
awilkins@pierce.ctc.edu
Social Media Manager
Malia Adaoag
madaoag@pierce.ctc.edu
Office Manager
Jenn Burgess
jburgess@pierce.ctc.edu
Staff
Find Victoria: Victoria will
make an appearance in each
of our cover photos. Can you
find her in this one?
Nick Nelson/Staff Photo
Cover: Rhysadams/ Courtesy Photo
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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
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February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

CONTENTS
Pg. 6-7 Pg. 10-11 Pg. 14
Pg. 8-9
Pg. 12-13
Pg. 16-17
Pg. 6-7
Pierce will see presidential
changes
A national search is already
underway
Pg. 8-9
Pierce’s library of resources
An extensive list available to
students
Pg. 10-11
Pierce weathers shutdown storm
Students are struggling
Pg. 12-13
How Pierce is stepping into the
Chinese New Year
The beginning of the new year
Pg. 14
Love is all around
But it does not have to be romantic
Pg. 16-17
Love made me a good liar
“We cannot tell anyone, especially
not our parents.”
Pg. 18-19
Coffee Break
Take a break and enjoy some fun
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 3

HAPPENINGS
Feb. 11
Sign-ups begin for
R.A.D. Women’s Self
Defense Class at Student
Life Office
Feb. 12
“Let’s Talk
About Sex”
at Performance
and Fireside
Lounge
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Feb. 12
and 26
Clubs Council
Meeting at
Olympic 205
Noon - 1 p.m.
Feb. 14
“Cupid’s
Casino” in
Performance
and Fireside
Lounge
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Feb. 18 :
President’s
Day
Campus
Closed
Feb. 15
“Ralph Breaks
The Internet”
at Performance
Lounge
Doors open at
5:30 p.m.
Feb. 15
Student
Government
Meeting at
Student Life
Lobby
1:15 p.m - 2 p.m.
Feb. 15
M.L.I. Workshop in
Cascade 529
Noon - 1 p.m.
Feb. 20
Feb. 21
Living Voices
“Get Crafty” at
presents: “The Right
Art Day
to Dream” at Performance
Student Life
Lounge
Lobby
Noon - 2 p.m.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Feb. 22
E.L.A.
Workshop at
Cascade 529
Noon - 1 p.m.
Feb. 26
Clubs Council
Meeting at
Olympic Building
205
Noon - 1p.m.
March 6
M.S.
Awareness
“Seeing
Orange” at
Fireside Lounge
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
March 1
Student
Government
Meeting at
Student Life
Lobby
1:15 - 2 p.m.
M.L.I
Workshop at
March 1
and 15
Cascade 529
Noon - 1 p.m.
March 1
“Game Day” at
Performance and
Fireside Lounge
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
4
/ piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

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Wed at 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. (summer only)
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Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
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9401 Farwest Dr SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 5

Campus
PIERCE WILL SEE
PRESIDENTIAL CHANGES
A national search is already underway for
Fort Steilacoom’s new president
BY NICK NELSON
Staff Writer
DENISE YOCHUM, PIERCE COL-
LEGE Fort Steilacoom’s now-former
president, medically retired on Jan. 2
due to her ongoing battle with metastatic
breast cancer. After multiple surgeries
and a month-long hospitalization, she
realized she could not get healthy and
give the college her best work.
“I needed to make a choice,” Yochum
said. “I chose to work to get healthy and
to let the college move forward.”
While Chancellor Michele Johnson
conducts a nationwide search for new
candidates, Deidre Soileau is serving
as the interim, or temporary, president.
Soileau will be playing the role of president
until June 30, and a new president is
expected by July 1. “In most colleges, July
1 is the first day of the fiscal or academic
year, so that’s pretty commonly a time to
start,” she said.
As the “stand-in president,” Soileau
is expected to fulfill the same duties.
“However, you act differently as an interim
because you know that you are the
interim; you are not making long-term
changes,” she said.
Prior to the interim president position,
Soileau served as the Vice President of
Strategic Advancement. The person in
this role works closely with Marketing
and Communications (MarCom), Institutional
Research and Effectiveness and
the Foundation, which raises money for
students.
“Those are the three primary departments,”
Soileau said. “But the nature of
strategic advancement is that your job
is to pay attention to where things need
to be pushed a little, or encouraged to
look a little more closely, and to find the
synergies between marketing research
6
/ piercepioneernews.com
and development.”
Soileau was planning to retire from
her position at the school, until the offer
for interim president arose. Her interest
shifted back to her 15 years of consultant
work. She had started “winding down”
her schedule at Pierce when Johnson presented
the position. “How did I prepare
(for the position)? I didn’t,” said Soileau.
She had to think about the offer, she
said. She compared it to being “halfway
in my camper, traveling down the road.”
However, she loves the people she works
with and decided continuity, if only temporary,
was best for the college.
Denise Yochum had a lot of
support from her team mem
bers, from gifts and cards to
rides to chemotherapy.
“I love this college, I love the people
I work with, I really enjoy the executive
team, which I was on and will still be on,”
Soileau said. “Even now, thinking about
leaving, even though I know I need to
do that, and I want to do that… I tear up
when I think about leaving the people.”
When it comes to picking the new
president, there are a lot of people
involved. Administration does not
handle the hiring on their own. A search
committee is formed that contains “some
people from outside, some people from
inside,” Soileau said. It also includes two
Pierce College Archives/
Courtesy Photo
Febraury 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

Deidre Soileau worked as a
consultant for 15 years. Her
role at Pierce is the only job
she’s had in Washington.
students.
The chancellor is responsible for determining
a job description, and she has the
final say. However, Soileau assured that it
is a very collaborative process.
Debra Gilchrist, the vice president for
Learning and Student Success, said that
students play a part in hiring a new president.
“There will be … open forums that
everyone in the college – students included
– will be invited to,” Gilchrist said.
Anyone can submit comments about
candidates and the screening committee
will consider them before making a final
recommendation.
Candidates will be given a topic to
make a presentation. The day of the interview,
anyone who attends will be able
to ask questions. There will be an email
sent out to the college as an invitation to
the candidates’ presentations.
There are core values that the college
looks for when searching for a new hire,
Deidre said. The values include integrity;
Matt Wuscher/
Courtesy Photo
a commitment to equity and inclusion; a
commitment to student success; and the
ability to collaborate. “(They need to) be
able to function in a way that they’re not
the (only) person who gets to make the
decision and then go do it,” Soileau said.
“All of us is smarter than one of us.”
Commitment to student success is an
important value at Pierce. Gilchrist said,
“If we don’t hear our candidates in their
application materials talk about students,
then this isn’t the place for them. That’s
why we’re here.”
Soileau said that one of their frequently
asked questions is, “How would you see
your role contributing to student success?”
If the candidate answers “in a very
narrow point of view,” then it is likely that
they don’t fit the role.
“Often, the president is the person
who meets with students,” Gilchrist said.
“They meet student leaders. They’re out
on the forefront, so they’re who students
will see. They’re often the face of the
institution.”
Before Yochum left Pierce,
her proudest accomplishment
was Pierce landing on the
Aspen Top 10 list. Gilchrist
said, “ All of the criteria that
we had on that award, every
one of those factors, we worked
really diligently to further. Her (Denise’s)
leadership and moving us on every one
of them (helped).”
Gilchrist and Soileau listed Yochum’s
leadership, advocacy, cheerleading,
creativity and brainstorming as reasons
for the college’s Aspen success. However,
Soileau said, “You’re not going to find
one person who says, ‘I did that.’”
Soileau added, “Denise is highly respected
and much loved. It’s a blow to the
institution to have her retire, but I think
everyone understands.”
“DENISE IS HIGHLY
RESPECTED AND MUCH
LOVED. IT’S A BLOW TO
THE INSTITUTION TO
HAVE HER RETIRE,
— DEIDRE SOILEAU,
INTERIM PRESIDENT
Campus
On Yochum’s personal influence,
Gilchrist said, “She’s been a good role
model for me. I learned how to be a
good vice president through her eyes
and through her actions and the way that
she thought about things. I’ve been very
appreciative of what she’s taught me and
what she’s mentored me through.”
Soileau said what she would like
students to know is where Yochum
began. “Where she came from, where
she started, to then becoming president
of a college, very closely mirrors many
of our students who are first-generation,
who come from rough places, who have
to scrabble together the money to do
anything.”
She said, “It’s not up to me to tell her
story, but I can say that it was not easy.”
Soileau said that Yochum’s story closely
resembles Pierce students’ and that she is
a great example for them.
Febraury 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 7

Campus
Pierce’s library
of resources
There is an extensive list of resources available to students
By CANDEE BELL
STAFF WRITER
BALANCING HOMEWORK, FAM-
ILY OBLIGATIONS and a side job can
be exhausting, but Pierce College offers
untapped resources to help alleviate
some of the pressures of school life. The
Pierce College handbook has five pages
of resources that are available to students.
Here is a list of just a few:
The library is bursting with free
resources that students can take advantage
of. Students can check out laptops,
camera equipment (including lighting),
calculators and more.
The library page on the college website
offers a list of equipment available for
checkout. There is a “Media Equipment”
link on the right-hand side of the page.
Students need to bring their Pierce ID
and fill out a short form at the main desk
in the library. A little bit of extra time is
necessary at the counter when checking
out equipment; this way, the library staff
can go over each item in the equipment
bundle.
If the library has
classroom textbooks
on the shelves, students
can save some money
by checking them out if
they are available.
Kanopy is a free
resource where students
can watch movies and
educational films. This
library movie collection
is accessible to students
on the library webpage.
The link for Kanopy is located on the
right side of the library page. Students
just need to click on “Articles and Databases,”
then click on the letter “K.” After
selecting the Kanopy link, students have
access to over 26,000 movies.
“This comes out of the library budget
“ONE OF THE GOALS OF OUR
TEAM THIS YEAR WAS TO
ELIMINATE AS MANY POTENTIAL
BARRIERS TO ACCESSIBLE
EDUCATION AS POSSIBLE.”
— CONNOR FREDERICKS,
ADMINISTRATIVE SENATOR OF
STUDENT LIFE SERVICES
8
/ piercepioneernews.com
Kanopy/Courtesy Photo
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

and is a great resource for students,” said
Sue Cole, a reference and instruction
Librarian. “If you don’t find what you are
looking for through Kanopy, you can also
look up ‘Swank’ in the library database or
check out DVDs off the library shelves.”
In today’s busy world, it can be
challenging to find a peaceful spot to
read or study. The Pierce College library
has a few quiet spaces that students can
take advantage of.
Study groups of five or more can
request one of two large conference-sized
rooms located on the lower floor of the
library. Study groups of three to four
students can reserve one of three smaller
private study rooms. The library also
provides a silent study room which does
not allow laptops upstairs next to the
Design Studio.
The Design Studio is a resource for
graphic artists, photographers, game
designers or anyone looking to try out
one of the many computer programs
used in today’s workforce.
“Our computers have many design
programs like the entire Adobe Suite,
Paint, Unity video game software and
on certain computers, Maya is available
to use,” said Marissa Warren, a student
design studio employee.
If a student needs a specific program or
is wanting to experiment with a new one,
they should check with the Design Studio
and see if it is available. “The Design
Studio doesn’t offer tutoring services, but
they do provide assistance for camera
usage,” Warren said.
Students are given $10 for printing
expenses at the beginning of each
quarter. A large Epson printer, scanners
and color printers are also available in
the Design Studio. The Green Room is a
Design Studio feature that students can
use for audio and music production. The
room is not soundproof, but it does offer
a private space for producers.
The bus pass is an exciting new addition
to Pierce College’s resource list. “We
have a large population of students here
at Pierce College that do take the bus and
that is the only way they can get to and
from school,” said Connor Fredericks,
the administrative senator of Student Life
Services.
Fredericks said, “With such a diverse
population of students, sometimes they
must choose between getting to school,
keeping the lights on or paying tuition
and so one of the goals of our team this
year was to eliminate as many
potential barriers to accessible education
as possible.”
This resource is available for both
Pierce College campuses. It is a year long
contract between Pierce College and
Pierce Transit that will run from January
2019 to January 2020. Students can also
pick up an Orca card at the security
office if they do not have a phone
or cannot get the bus app to work.
Pierce College is the first to try out
the new phone app Hopthru and is
testing it for Pierce Transit.
For more information on
resources available to students
check out The Pioneer’s website at:
https://piercepioneernews.com/
Carl Vincent Carallas/Staff Photo
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 9
Campus

News
By CALEB HENSIN
Staff Writer
SHUTDOWN
AS WHAT HAS BECOME
THE LONGEST GOVERNMENT
SHUTDOWN in U.S. history trudges on,
Pierce College continues to operate as
normal.
The shutdown began on Dec. 21 after
spending bills were not signed into law
before the midnight deadline. President
Donald Trump had indicated that he
would not sign any spending bills that
did not contain over $5 billion to help
fund his proposed U.S.-Mexico border
wall, one of his campaign promises.
“If we don’t get what we want, one
way or the other, whether it’s through
you, through military, through anything
you want to call, I will shut down the
government,” Trump said on Dec. 11
in a televised Oval Office meeting with
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate
PIERCE WEATHERS
Pierce administration and staff are largely unaffected by the gover
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“And I am proud, I’ll tell you what. I
am proud to shutdown the government
for border security, Chuck. Because
the people of this country don’t want
criminals and people that have lots of
problems and drugs pouring into our
country. So I will take the mantle. I will
be the one to shut it down.”
Democrats refused to approve
“MANY OF THE THINGS WE
DO HERE AT PIERCE ARE
ALSO FUNDED LOCALLY AND
THROUGH THE STATE,”
— CHOI HALLADAY,
VICE PRESIDENT OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES
packaging the border wall funding
with spending bills, although they did
offer $1.6 billion for border security
funding that could not be used for a wall.
President Trump refused any such deal
and refused to sign a stopgap funding bill
passed by the Republican majority Senate
on Dec. 19.
Due to 75 percent of government
funding being approved for the budget
year that started in October, the
shutdown is considered a partial one.
Multiple cabinet departments are among
the 25 percent that will go unfunded;
including Homeland Security, Interior,
Justice and Transportation. Programs
like the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) are also affected by the lack
of funding, leaving thousands of
government workers furloughed and
currently without paychecks.
Choi Halladay, vice president of
The White House/Courtesy Photo
10 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

SHUTDOWN STORM
News
nment shutdown, but some students are struggling in other areas
Administrative Services at Pierce, said
that it is “fortunate” that the department
of Education is among the 75 percent of
already funded Departments.
“Many of the things we do
here at Pierce are also funded
locally and through the state,”
Halladay said, and added that
he was not aware of any nonpayment
issues regarding
financial aid. However, he
did say that there could be
“crossover effects between
departments” if programs
continue to go unfunded.
As for professors and other
staff members, Halladay said
that payroll is also unaffected.
“What is more likely to affect
staff at Pierce are personal problems
caused through the shutdown of other
departments, especially the IRS, as tax
season approaches and people are unable
to get their tax returns.”
Aiden Helt is Pierce’s current Student
Life Activities Board Issues and
Awareness Coordinator. She also receives
aid through the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP), more
commonly known as the Food Stamp
Program. SNAP is a federal aid program
administered through the Department
of Agriculture, one of the cabinet
departments going without funding.
It provides food-purchasing assistance
for U.S. citizens who meet certain low
income and resource requirements.
Due to the government shutdown,
food benefits that would normally
be received by recipients this month
were distributed weeks earlier, with no
announced plan for March. Helt said she
normally gets benefits in the beginning
of each month, but received February’s
benefits on Jan. 20. “I was told if the
shutdown continued, there wouldn’t be
any more after that,” she said.
Helt, who lives in a household of six,
said that she generally uses up her SNAP
benefits roughly halfway through every
month and afterwards relies on personal
“HOLIDAY SEASON SPENDING,
I KNOW FOOD BANKS IN THE
COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING
MORE DONATIONS BECAUSE
PEOPLE KNOW OTHERS ARE HAVING
TROUBLE DUE TO THE SHUTDOWN.”
— AIDEN HELT, STUDENT
LIFE ISSUES AND AWARNESS
COORDINATOR
funds. She stated that if she does not
receive aid after this month, she could
potentially be unable to afford enough
food to support her family.
Because of her closeness to the issue,
Helt expressed empathy with other
students on forms of federal aid affected
by the government shutdown. She
encouraged students with problems
affording food, whether it be due to the
government shutdown or other reasons,
to take advantage of community food
banks and the food pantry outside the
Student Life office.
“Though donations to our food pantry
are usually down at this time of year due
to people recovering from holiday season
spending, I know food banks in the
community are receiving more donations
because people know others are having
trouble due to the shutdown,” Helt said.
Helt said that this month, Pierce will
also be implementing a “food truck” that
will visit both the Fort Steilacoom and
Puyallup campuses two days a week, one
day for each campus. The truck will
be like a “mobile food bank” that
operates similarly, and is
funded partially through the Student Life
budget and donations.
Nani Hazard, the TRiO Presentation
Manager, talked about how she
and roughly 20 Pierce students are
volunteering at the Emergency Food
Network (EFN), a Pierce County
organization with the stated mission “to
provide Pierce County with a consistent,
diverse and nutritious food supply so that
no person goes hungry.”
Hazard stated that she sent the email
out to students asking for volunteers
to join her after hearing about how the
government shutdown would affect those
on benefits like SNAP. “We just felt the
need to get out there and do something,”
she said.
Currently, the government has
been restored to normal operations
for at least three weeks after President
Trump backed down and signed a
stopgap spending bill on Jan. 25. The
bill included none of the border wall
budget money the president originally
demanded, and was essentially the same
proposal the democrats had advocated
for in December and since.
In a speech in the Rose Garden,
President Trump indicated that he was
willing to shut the government down
again if democrats and Republicans
could not reach an agreement by
the February deadline, or declare a
national emergency over border
security and bypass Congress
altogether.
HUTDOW
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 11

Campus
Stepping into the
Chinese New Year
How students at Pierce celebrate
By CALVIN BEEKMAN
Staff Writer
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELE-
BRATES the beginning of the new year
on the Chinese calendar. It is one of the
world’s most prominent and celebrated
festivals. However, not everyone gets to
experience the celebration in their home
country. Many students who are studying
abroad in the U.S. find ways to celebrate
here.
In an email sent by Erik Gimness, director
of Institutional Research at Pierce,
he said, “Last year we had 96 international
students from China. This year,
we have 50 international students from
China as of winter quarter. However, we
are expecting that number to grow in
spring.”
Gimness said, “In general, enrollments
vary a bit from year to year, but I would
be surprised if by the end of spring quarter
we still saw such a large decrease from
last year. Also, the International Education
program is projecting an increase in
spring quarter,” he added.
Although it is not a formal holiday
in the U.S., it is still thought of and
observed by those who live here from
abroad. Two students spoke about their
experiences with the holiday back home
and what they liked best about it.
Loan Vo, or “Tracey” as she is known
at Pierce, is in her second quarter studying
business but thinking about transferring
to marketing management. Vo chose
to study here at Pierce because she enjoys
Washington’s weather, and the classes
were convenient for her.
Vo talked about her fond memories of
the holiday. “There’s always the traditional
food. Pork and eggs and a special cake
is always made,” she said. “There are also
lucky wars – competitions that happen
throughout the holiday.”
Sabrina Li, a peer tutor in the tutoring
center, is in her third year at Pierce. She
is studying business and came to Pierce
through the Running Start program. She
enjoys being in leadership positions and
connecting on campus. Li also observes
the holiday here in the states – or tries to,
at least.
“THE IMPORTANT PART
(OF CHINESE NEW
YEAR) IS THE UNITY
AND LOVE.”
— SABRINA LI, A
PIERCE COLLEGE
STUDENT
Sabrina Li’s favorite Chinese New Year
tradition is lucky money, and her favorite
symbol is 春 , which means “spring.”
“I want to celebrate with my host
family, but it’s a little tricky compared
to home with all that’s involved,” Li said.
“My favorite part back home was being
with family and watching the Gala (a
Chinese New Year special produced by
China Central Television).”
There are, of course, differences
between the Chinese New Year and the
New Year’s celebrations that are held in
the U.S. “It lasts three to four days longer,
and there’s ‘lucky money’ (money that
is given at the end of competitions to
younger people by older people),” Vo
said.
12 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

Campus
“Every Chinese person goes home,
it’s really crowded, the businesses close
down. The important part (of Chinese
New Year) is the unity and love. It has a
long, long history,” Li added.
Vo, when asked if she had her favorite
things to pick from the holiday, she said,
“The food and lucky money and being
together with family.”
Today (Feb. 11), International Education
and ASPIRE Waymakers will be
hosting a Chinese New Year event in the
Fireside and Performance lounges from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will include additional
booths in the hallway.
This year’s theme is Tet 2019 (the Vietnamese
New Year), looking at how the
Vietnamese culture celebrates the Lunar
New Year, which is similar to Chinese
New Year. The stage will be set up for
various performances. There will also be
food tables featuring Vietnamese food.
Alyssa Donaldson, an ASPIRE coordinator
that has been working on the event,
said, “This is our second time collaborating
with International Education.
We went with the Vietnamese theme
this year because we try to highlight one
country’s look on the Lunar New Year
and not just one group.”
Art project tables such as calligraphy
and origami will also be available for the
arts-and-crafts-minded.
A kid zone will be available during the
event for those with children. There will
also be a K-pop booth.
Anyone who wants more information
can contact Donaldson in the ASPIRE
office on the third floor of the Cascade
building in room 301. She can also be
contacted at adonaldson@pierce.ctc.edu.
Tracey Vo’s favorite Chinese New Year tradition
is the decorating competition of lucky
money. If you win the competition, you can get
more lucky money that year.
Karley Wise/
Staff Illustrations
If you have events you would
like to collaborate on with
ASPIRE or International
Education, contact the
International Education
department at
international@pierce.ctc.edu
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 13

Features
Love is All Around
Valentine’s Day does not have to be romantic
By DIANE RUSSELL
Staff Writer
CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S AND
OTHER FAMILY HOLIDAYS are over.
February is here and Valentine’s Day is
around the corner. Stores are decorated
with red hearts and bows. Everywhere
seems to have reminders of love. Valentine’s
Day is a time to celebrate with
romantic partners and show them how
much you care, but it does not have to
exclude people without partners.
Love comes in many forms. Valentine’s
Day can be an opportunity to remind
any loved one how special and meaningful
they are. It can also be a wonderful
chance to see how many sources of love
exist.
One can remove the romantic part of
Valentine’s Day. It can be another
family-oriented holiday. Candy hearts
and flowers can be given to anyone,
even to family members. Family can be
blood-related or chosen. Either way, family
is about community and belonging.
Aimee Sander, a sophomore in the
nursing program at Pierce College Fort
Steilacoom, said that family can be
supportive even if it is only in small ways.
“Family is a source of love for me as a
support system,” she said. “Not even in
the sense that they do big things for me.
They may not even support my career
and schooling choices, but the smaller
things.”
Things like making a snack or a cup
of hot coffee for each other “speaks love”
to Sander and makes her “feel loved.”
Disagreements can happen in families,
but love can be shown in a hundred
small ways that add up. Family members
weather the storm together. Valentine’s
Day can be a time for family members to
remember that love is unconditional.
Another common source of love is
pets. Animals provide true, wholehearted
love and support. Pets show affection and
devotion all year long. Many people love
their pets like family. For people without
families, animals can make great substitutes.
“ANIMALS PROVIDE
ONE OF THE MOST PURE
FORMS OF LOVE. ”
— JANIE UNBEHEGEN,
VETERINARIAN
Veterinarian Dr. Janie Unbehagen
owns Animal Care Clinic in University
Place. The Animal Care Clinic website
states that Unbehagen “enjoys working
with owners and their pets to develop
fun, long-term relationships.”
Dr. Janie, as she is known to her
clients, said, “Animals provide one of the
Nick Nelson/Staff Illustration
most pure forms of love. They do not
judge. They do not withhold their love
and adoration for any reason.”
She said, “They will be at your side no
matter how hard life appears to be for
you or them until the end.”
Valentine’s Day can be a holiday to
celebrate with one’s “fur babies.” It is also
a chance to spoil them more than usual.
However, Valentine’s Day does not
have to be shared with anyone. It can
be a chance to be alone and indulge in
hobbies. Love can be found in self-expression.
Photography, painting, writing
or any creative outlet allows for self-love.
Digital Design student Lucas Schuetz
said, “Creating art makes me feel fulfilled.
It instills a sense of accomplishment and
also a sense of purpose. It makes me feel
complete.”
Valentine’s Day does not have to be
romantic; what matters is how it is spent.
14 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

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February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 15

Commentary
Love made me a good liar
By KARLEY WISE
Staff Writer
IN MARCH OF 2011, I BEGAN
DATING my partner. The problem that
I addressed right away was something I
made very clear: “We cannot tell anyone,
especially not our parents.” The reason
this was brought up was because I did
not want any attention at all. I had not
told anyone, not even my family, that I
was gay.
It was hard to put trust into others. Being
young, I had this strange idea that if
even one person knew, it would somehow
trickle all the way to my parents. Because
of this, I allowed a select few to know of
my relationship and sexual orientation.
It was fun for a while, but naturally, I
wanted more. I wanted my relationship
to be known, but most of all, I wanted to
be myself.
I grew up thinking about coming out,
but the idea made me sick to my stomach.
I was afraid of not being accepted. I
was even more terrified of being separated
from her. The thought of being
separated from someone I considered to
be the love of my life was devastating. I
had heard too many times about LGBT
youth being forced to change their identities
by their family. I would rather live in
fear than be apart from her.
Writing all this now, it seems so silly,
but the feeling of anxiety and fearfulness
was something I experienced almost
every day.
So we stayed together, acting as best
friends, having slumber parties and
spending summer days together. Chit
chatting about “girl talk,” which, for us,
was dreams of getting married, living
together and still laughing at each other’s
jokes, even in our old age. She was my
entire world. I could not give her up.
Valentine’s Day came and left many
times during our relationship. It was
difficult. I had to sneak her some kind of
gift and be able to spend time with her
without question. I had to exceed the
expectations of Valentine’s Day, all while
trying to make it seem like we were just
friends.
I would watch as other couples got
public displays of affection, romantic
gifts, go on dates and express their love
without fear. I wanted to do that so
badly. I wanted to give her the world
and show everyone our incredible bond
and relationship. I wanted to be able to
express just how much I loved her, but I
could not. I was unable to do as others
could, all because of the fear in my heart
of being in a queer relationship.
This took a big toll on me mentally
and emotionally. How was I supposed to
be happy if I could not even be myself? I
could not sit back and watch everyone be
happily in love with their partner. I could
not break the idea of being rejected by
society.
Social media showed loving couples
post gushy texts and representations of
their affection for each other. It seemed
never ending, like it was something I
could not escape.
There were times that were very dark
for me, but I could not even tell my
parents what was wrong because the
truth would be out, and it would all be
over. Love made me a good liar for far
too long.
Karley Wise (left) and her
fiancée, Savannah.
16 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

Commentary
Carl Vincent Carallas/Staff Photos
In April 2016, I came out to my parents.
I was 18 and I was prepared for anything.
It turned out that I did not need
to worry. I am lucky; I was accepted. We
were accepted.
I could not have been happier. It was
like opening a door to a locked room to
which I had not had access until now. I
was free! I no longer needed to pretend
to be someone else. I could say what was
on my mind and it was amazing. It also
helped that my family already liked my
partner. We had an easy transition into a
new, romantic lifestyle.
We got to go to Senior Prom together,
which I had never been able to experience;
I had not been to a school dance
with her the entire time we were together.
We got to spend as much time together
as we wanted without the fear of being
caught. Life was really brightening up for
me, and I could see it staying this way for
years to come.
Today, we are still together. I do not
call her my girlfriend anymore, though,
because she is now my fiancée.
I can now spend as many Valentine’s
Days with my partner as I please. This
will be our third Valentine’s Day out of
the closet, and it feels amazing. I can
buy her as much as I want, tell everyone
I want, express myself freely and finally
feel like my love can be seen.
Although, there are still LGBT youth
who have a difficult time during month
of February. According to the Human
Rights Campaign, 44 percent of LGBT
youth are not out of the closet to their
immediate family. Ninety-one percent
are only out to their close friends.
Without the ability to express yourself
romantically with someone you love,
seeing others who can is difficult. I know,
because it is something I had to battle
with for five years. Consider those who
do not feel comfortable with their sexuality;
give them a safe place to be happy.
Valentine’s Day is all about love, and to
freely express it matters more than you
may think.
A local LGBT resource is the Rainbow Center and
Oasis Youth Center (for ages 14 - 24) in Tacoma.
2215 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA 98402
Oasis Youth Center:
(253) 988-2108
oasis@oasisyouthcenter.org
Rainbow Center:
(253) 383-2318
info@rainbowcntr.org
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 17

Coffee Break
Hallway Hassle
What is your favorite resource and how did you hear about it?
“ “ “ “
My favorite resource
is the Library Writing
Center. I found out
about it from friends.
I asked them how I
could get feedback on
my work when I was
writing essays.
- Charles Mateo
The food pantry is my
favorite because it is
accessible when you
run out of money after
buying all your textbooks.
I heard about
it through friends and
student life.
”
- Samantha Davis
The library database
because the information
is more reliable
than Google when
looking for the factual
information. College
Success and psychology
class mentioned it a
few times.
”
- Jose Castillo
The Tutoring Center
is very helpful and I
use it a lot for chemistry,
English 101 and
College 110. I heard
about it through a
friend. It’s been so
helpful that I tell others
about it also.
” ”
Freeform Crossword
All of the resources listed below can be checked
out from the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom library.
- Lacey Barbee
Fill in the crossword by matching each item with
the corresponding column or row. The word ‘tripod’
has been filled in for you.
Down:
Camera
Laptop
Green Screen
Wireless Hotspot
Tripod
Across:
Microphone
Headset
Lighting Kit
Video Camera
Web Camera
IPad
t
r
i
p
o
d
18 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4

Cartoon
Corner
Coffee Break
Every Day Matters
Created by Nick Nelson
A Desire To Be...
A Revolutionary
Created by Karley Wise
COLLEGE WOES - BROKE VALENTINES
Created by Carl Carallas
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4 piercepioneernews.com / 19

SHUTDOWN SHUTDOWN SHUTDOWN SHUTDO
UTDOWN SHUTDOW
TDOWN SHUTDOWN SHUTDOWN SHUT
Did you know? The last time America had a big government shutdown
was in 2013 when former President Barack Obama was in office. It
lasted 16 days because Congress could not come to an agreement on
the Affordable Care Act.