The Pioneer, Vol. 51, Issue 3
The Nov. 20, 2017 issue of The Pioneer — Pierce College Fort Steilacoom's student news publication in Lakewood, Washington.
The Nov. 20, 2017 issue of The Pioneer — Pierce College Fort Steilacoom's student news publication in Lakewood, Washington.
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Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
PIONEER<br />
THE<br />
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom’s student news publication, Est. 1974
2 / CONTENTS<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
THE<br />
PIONEER<br />
Web: piercepioneernews.com<br />
Email: pioneer@pierce.ctc.edu<br />
Facebook: /piercepioneernews<br />
Twitter: @piercepioneer<br />
Phone:253-964-6604<br />
Room: CAS 323<br />
CONTENTS<br />
DEBATING<br />
THANKSGIVING<br />
STUDENT<br />
CALENDAR<br />
4-5<br />
6-7<br />
CRANES FOR KIDS<br />
NEEDS HELP<br />
9<br />
WHO IS SAINT<br />
NICK, KRAMPUS?<br />
10,12<br />
DIY GIFTS FOR<br />
THE HOLIDAYS<br />
TOP 10 UNIQUE<br />
GIFTS<br />
TOP 5 VIDEO<br />
GAMES IN 2018<br />
CARTOONS<br />
18<br />
20-21<br />
22-23<br />
26<br />
WORLDWIDE<br />
TRADITIONS<br />
Celebrate the holidays and history<br />
of Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s<br />
and Kwanzaa<br />
PAGES 14-17<br />
ABOUT THE COVER: A simple, yet aesthetic watercolor depiction of<br />
the fall season, in addition to the Thanksgiving holidays becoming near.<br />
Hannah Nguyen/Contributing Illustration
piercepioneernews.com CONTENTS / 3<br />
STAFF<br />
Editorial Manager<br />
Marji Harris<br />
maharris@pierce.ctc.edu<br />
WRITERS<br />
Ashley Johnson<br />
Ava Zolfaghari<br />
Craig Hiblar<br />
PHOTOS/<br />
VIDEOS<br />
Andrew Paulson<br />
Ava Zolfaghari<br />
Production Manager<br />
Megan Quint<br />
mquint@pierce.ctc.edu<br />
Social Media Manager<br />
Amber Smith<br />
ansmith@pierce.ctc.edu<br />
Hannah Nguyen<br />
Justin Ngo<br />
Marji Harris<br />
Sabrina Orozco<br />
SuYoung Park<br />
Debbie Denbrook<br />
Justin Ngo<br />
Lorelei Watson<br />
Marji Harris<br />
Sabrina Orozco<br />
Web Manager<br />
Debbie Denbrook<br />
ddenbrook@pierce.ctc.edu<br />
LAYOUT<br />
Amber Smith<br />
Andrew Paulson<br />
Ava Zolfaghari<br />
Beatrix Cendana<br />
Debbie Denbrook<br />
Hannah Nguyen<br />
Jon Paul Oledan<br />
Justin Ngo<br />
Lorelei Watson<br />
Megan Quint<br />
Sabrina Orozco<br />
THE PIONEER MISSION STATEMENT<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pioneer</strong> is an official publication of the Associated<br />
Students of Pierce College and is sanctioned as such by the<br />
college’s Board of Trustees and funded primarily by student<br />
fees. It is a public forum for student expression since 1974.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pioneer</strong>’s mission is:<br />
(1) to inform the student body of issues and events of<br />
interest, relevance and importance;<br />
(2) to provide students with a forum for discussion, opinion<br />
and expression; and<br />
(3) to provide the student body with editorial leadership.<br />
In carrying out this mission, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pioneer</strong> will use as its<br />
ethical guide the Statement of Principles adopted by the<br />
American Society of Newspaper Editors. Although it<br />
will strive to represent the diverse views and interests<br />
of the student body, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Pioneer</strong> is not responsible for<br />
representing, endorsing or promoting any person, group,<br />
organization or activity.<br />
CORRECTION<br />
In the Oct. 25 issue, an article on page 13 about Pierce<br />
College’s Science Dome should have been attributed to Kate<br />
E. Burrows.
4 / OPINION<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
Thanksgiving is an American holiday<br />
Not everyone sees the holiday as something to celebrate<br />
By MARJI HARRIS<br />
Staff Writer<br />
IT IS SAID THAT THE VICTORS<br />
ARE THE ONES who write history. In<br />
most schools across the country, this is<br />
a fact. A tradition is passed down, that<br />
of benevolent “Indians” helping the<br />
Englishmen survive the winter. Thus, a<br />
harmonious celebration was born.<br />
However, Native Americans history<br />
is very different than the whitewashed<br />
version taught in school.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y have watched as their land was<br />
taken from them, either by force or by<br />
treaties, which were then broken. In<br />
return, they were given pockets known as<br />
reservations, sometimes land considered<br />
worthless by the European settlers.<br />
If they did not willingly relocate, they<br />
were sent on a forced march thousands<br />
of miles from their home to designated<br />
“Indian territory” imposed by a federal<br />
government. <strong>The</strong> Trail of Tears was just<br />
another example of a white man breaking<br />
his word.<br />
Native Americans have been fighting<br />
for more than 200 years for the right to<br />
maintain their customs and be their own<br />
people. Given than reality, it would be hard<br />
to fault them if they thought that the head<br />
of Wampanoag nation should have left the<br />
Plymouth colonists alone to starve.<br />
Last year’s events at Standing Rock only<br />
served to highlight the battle they face for<br />
survival of their customs and their land.<br />
Granted, there are tribes that have<br />
accepted, even embraced the Thanksgiving<br />
holiday. <strong>The</strong>re are two tribes within 50<br />
miles Pierce College that operate casinos.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y will be among others around the<br />
country that will serve the traditional<br />
turkey and ham dinners on Thanksgiving<br />
Day.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y recognize the reality in which<br />
they live, that history cannot be rewritten.<br />
Some, like the Navajo, have managed<br />
to find a way to coexist with their<br />
neighboring white man. <strong>The</strong>y are part of<br />
the local Thanksgiving Day parade and<br />
will set up tables to sell their wares to<br />
passersbys.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y still hold out hands to welcome<br />
those who would come to visit. <strong>The</strong> Native<br />
American has always held hospitality to be<br />
a commendable and necessary trait. Even<br />
as their homeland and culture shrinks,<br />
they continue to hold that man, if he truly<br />
recognized what it means to be part of a<br />
community, he would come to the table in<br />
fellowship.<br />
SuYoung Park/Contributing Illustration
piercepioneernews.com OPINION / 5<br />
Thanksgiving to<br />
Friendsgiving<br />
Holiday shifts to friend-inclusiveness when family is not enough<br />
By ASHLEY JOHNSON<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
THANKSGIVING IS A VERY<br />
COMMON TRADITION within the<br />
United States. It is one of the few federallyrecognized<br />
holidays that is neither<br />
religion-based nor commemorates<br />
a historic event, such as the<br />
Fourth of July.<br />
It generally celebrates<br />
giving thanks and<br />
enjoying time spent<br />
with our relatives.<br />
Historically, schools<br />
have taught us that<br />
the first Thanksgiving<br />
was in celebration of the<br />
first successful harvest<br />
for the pilgrims and<br />
was a way to share<br />
their appreciation<br />
to the “Indians” for<br />
teaching them how to<br />
farm the land.<br />
Thus, we<br />
celebrate<br />
each<br />
Thanksgiving<br />
to honor those<br />
Native Americans who<br />
helped us survive.<br />
While historians have proven that this<br />
story, while nice, is completely false, that<br />
does not mean that Thanksgiving is a<br />
holiday that should be ignored.<br />
President Abraham Lincoln came<br />
up with the “pilgrims and Indians”<br />
Thanksgiving story to try and alleviate<br />
some of the familial tensions during the<br />
Civil War. His intention was to create a<br />
holiday as a means of bringing families<br />
together, and that is something the U.S.<br />
needs now more than ever.<br />
<strong>The</strong> past year of political tensions have<br />
only<br />
risen higher and<br />
higher between the two parties… and for<br />
many families, as well. Thanksgiving is a<br />
day meant to celebrate what we have in<br />
our lives, but perhaps it can also be a way<br />
to set aside differences and enjoy being<br />
together.<br />
For some, however, such a thing is not<br />
an option, whether it is for financial or<br />
personal reasons.<br />
Within the Pierce College community,<br />
and within many parts of the United<br />
States, Thanksgiving has taken a new path<br />
of “Friendsgiving.” Generally celebrated<br />
the weekend before traditional<br />
Thanksgiving Day, it<br />
is meant for friends<br />
to celebrate their<br />
own way, without<br />
the pressures and<br />
judgments<br />
that can<br />
sometimes arise<br />
when spending<br />
time with relatives<br />
who have certain<br />
expectations or<br />
beliefs.<br />
It is a<br />
growing<br />
trend,<br />
especially<br />
among<br />
millennials, that<br />
has started to get<br />
attention,<br />
with places such as<br />
grocery stores starting<br />
to cater toward it by advertising<br />
their deals on social media.<br />
While some may balk at the idea<br />
of taking away the family aspect that<br />
has become so ingrained with the<br />
Thanksgiving tradition, it shows that the<br />
concept itself is being taken somewhere<br />
that could be more effective.<br />
Hannah Nguyen/<br />
Contributing Illustration
CALENDAR / 6<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
21<br />
Clubs Council<br />
CAS 526<br />
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.<br />
Men’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Clackamas CC<br />
28<br />
Star Wars Episode VIII: <strong>The</strong> Last Jedi<br />
Student Life Office<br />
Students Only/ Limit 2/ Cost $5<br />
until supplies last<br />
24 29<br />
Men’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Clark College<br />
8 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Women’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Mt. Hood CC<br />
5 p.m.<br />
25<br />
Women’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Olympic College<br />
2 p.m.<br />
26<br />
Women’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Southwestern Oregon<br />
8 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Women’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Portland CC<br />
6 p.m.<br />
30<br />
Game Day<br />
Performance/ Fireside Lounge<br />
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Student Government Meeting<br />
Student Life Lobby<br />
DECEMBER<br />
10 a.m.<br />
ELA Workshop<br />
CAS 528<br />
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.<br />
1 5<br />
Lattes ‘n’ Lyrics<br />
Fireside Lounge<br />
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.<br />
Men’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Shoreline CC<br />
6 p.m.<br />
12:20 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Clubs Council<br />
CAS 526<br />
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.<br />
IMPORTANT DATES<br />
Nov. 22 - 24 Nov. 27<br />
Thanksgiving Break<br />
No Classes<br />
RPD Day<br />
No Classes<br />
All Day<br />
All Day
piercepioneernews.com CALENDAR / 7<br />
6<br />
Share - A - Bear<br />
Student Life Lobby<br />
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.<br />
7<br />
Raider Review<br />
Performance/ Fireside Lounge<br />
4 p.m. - 9 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Student Government Meeting<br />
Student Life Lobby<br />
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.<br />
8<br />
Last Day of Instruction<br />
Women’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Bellevue College<br />
8 p.m.<br />
Men’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Chemeketa CC<br />
5 p.m<br />
13<br />
Last Day to Apply for<br />
June Graduation<br />
Men’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Everett CC<br />
.<br />
14<br />
15<br />
Men’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Yakima Valley CC<br />
4 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Women’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Everett CC<br />
7 p.m.<br />
16<br />
Men’s Basketball Home Game<br />
Clackamas CC<br />
2 p.m.<br />
Women’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Clark College<br />
5 p.m.<br />
17<br />
Women’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Yakima Valley CC<br />
1 p.m.<br />
25<br />
Deliver Cranes 4 Kids to<br />
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital<br />
30<br />
Men’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Bremerton<br />
4 p.m.<br />
31<br />
Women’s Basketball Away Game<br />
Shoreline CC<br />
IMPORTANT DATES<br />
6 p.m.<br />
Winter Break<br />
No Classes<br />
All Day<br />
12 p.m.<br />
Dec. 25 - Jan 2 Jan. 3<br />
First Day of Winter Quarter
CAMPUS / 8<br />
Nov. 20 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
Representation matters<br />
Illustration of<br />
Native American<br />
student Sierra<br />
Seward.<br />
SuYoung Park/ Contributing Illustration<br />
<strong>The</strong> importance of<br />
Native American<br />
Appreciation Day<br />
By JUSTIN NGO<br />
Staff Writer<br />
NATHANIEL DEVISH, ISSUES<br />
AND AWARENESS COORDINATOR<br />
FOR STUDENT LIFE, HOSTED a<br />
presentation Nov. 14 in honor of Native<br />
American Heritage Day. <strong>The</strong> event<br />
included an exhibition of Native American<br />
culture, representing different tribes in<br />
Washington.<br />
Legislation introduced by former U.S.<br />
Rep. Joe Baca, a Democrat from California,<br />
and signed into law by former President<br />
George W. Bush in 2008, designates the<br />
Friday following Thanksgiving as Native<br />
American Heritage Day. <strong>The</strong> bill was<br />
supported by the National Indian Gaming<br />
Association (NIGA) and 184 federally<br />
recognized tribes. <strong>The</strong> first holiday was<br />
held Nov. 28, 2008, and commences<br />
annually after being passed by the Senate<br />
and House of Representatives.<br />
Though a civic holiday, some individual<br />
states such as Maryland recognize Native<br />
American Heritage Day as a state holiday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> importance of the holiday serves to<br />
highlight the relationship between the U.S.<br />
government and Native Americans as well<br />
as Native American contributions in the<br />
states.<br />
<strong>The</strong> day is meant to encourage<br />
Americans of all backgrounds to enhance<br />
their understanding about Native<br />
Americans and their culture through<br />
participating in ceremonies and activities.<br />
Schools are also more inclusive with<br />
their learning experience by adding to<br />
their curriculum of Native American<br />
history and achievements. <strong>The</strong>re’s also<br />
individual states that celebrate November<br />
as Native American Month.<br />
Sierra Seward is a Native American<br />
student works with the rehab center on the<br />
Nisqually reservation and a Pierce student<br />
studying criminal justice. When it comes<br />
to Native American culture and identity,<br />
she is proud of her heritage.<br />
“It’s something that’s always been a part<br />
of me, and I’m very proud of my heritage<br />
and the ability to pass that down to my<br />
daughter,” Seward said.<br />
While she does not personally celebrate<br />
Native American Heritage Day, she is<br />
encouraged that Student Life is focusing<br />
on it.<br />
“Though I’m not personally involved<br />
with the Student Life event, I appreciate<br />
their efforts in trying to be inclusive and<br />
celebrating different cultures,” she said.<br />
Native American Heritage Day is<br />
officially recognized this year on Nov. 24.
piercepioneernews.com CAMPUS / 9<br />
‘Caring for Kids’ needs<br />
student help to reach goal<br />
1,000 paper cranes<br />
to be delivered to<br />
Mary Bridge’s<br />
oncology unit<br />
By JUSTIN NGO<br />
Staff Writer<br />
STUDENT LIFE IS HOSTING<br />
WORKSHOPS TO MAKE 1,000 PAPER<br />
CRANES as gifts for the oncology center<br />
at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and it<br />
needs student help.<br />
According to Student Life promotional<br />
coordinator Dalisha Ellis, she was inspired<br />
to jumpstart the project after hearing about<br />
Hiroshima bombing victim Sadako’s story<br />
and other similar projects.<br />
“I’ve seen a lot of people doing similar<br />
projects, so I thought it would be nice<br />
to do it for the children in Mary Bridge<br />
Hospital since they’re alone during the<br />
holidays. I just want to remind them that<br />
somebody’s out there. I also think it would<br />
be nice for the school getting together to<br />
achieve something,” said Ellis.<br />
Ellis said she plans to get 100 cranes<br />
Different type of paper<br />
materials provided along<br />
with instructional visual.<br />
Number of cranes made<br />
during a past event.<br />
made during each session. Delivery of the<br />
cranes is planned for Christmas Eve to the<br />
hospital.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> main goal right now is checking<br />
on the community and how they feel<br />
connected. It’s a nice way to relax in<br />
between classes,” said Ellis.<br />
According to William Syhlman, student<br />
government vice president, as of Nov. 3,<br />
the current crane count is 258.<br />
“It’s our first year with Crane for Kids,<br />
and hopefully Student Life could (make<br />
it) happen again next year, but I’m unsure<br />
about my involvement with the event and<br />
Pierce College,” said Ellis.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are additional sessions Nov. 30<br />
and Dec. 7 that will take place in the<br />
Student Life lobby. Tables are set up<br />
with picture instructions and different<br />
patterned paper materials to build the<br />
cranes. Kandace Artero and Aiyana<br />
Parham have been working alongside Ellis<br />
and are available to help with guidance<br />
and support.<br />
Photos by Justin Ngo/ Staff Photo<br />
Promotional Coordinator Dalisha<br />
Ellis shows a finished crane.
10 / HOLIDAYS Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
<strong>The</strong> Origin of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus<br />
By CRAIG T. HIBLAR<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
CHRISTMASTIME IS ALMOST<br />
HERE and the air will be filled with joy<br />
and cheer. Tradition says that all across<br />
America, children find it hard to sleep on<br />
the eve of Dec. 24 as they eagerly wait a<br />
visit from Santa Claus.<br />
Santa folklore says he comes from<br />
the North Pole in his sleigh pulled by<br />
eight reindeer. <strong>The</strong> children wake up on<br />
Christmas morning to find gifts that Santa<br />
has left for them in their stockings and<br />
under the Christmas tree.<br />
But how did the tradition of Santa Claus<br />
get started in the United States? How did<br />
Santa Claus become a cultural icon at<br />
Christmas time?<br />
<strong>The</strong> story of Santa Claus begins with St.<br />
Nicholas. A bishop who lived in the 4th<br />
century (A.D. 300) in Myra, what is now<br />
Turkey, he was known as a kind man who<br />
gave money and gifts to the poor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most famous story about St.<br />
Nicholas involves a poor man who had<br />
three daughters. According to biography.<br />
com, the man could not marry off any of<br />
his daughters because he had no money<br />
for dowries. One night, Nicholas secretly<br />
dropped three bags of gold down the man’s<br />
chimney. <strong>The</strong> bags landed in the stockings<br />
that had been hung by the fire to dry. This<br />
extraordinary act of kindness started the<br />
“HOW DID<br />
SANTA CLAUS BECOME<br />
A CULTURAL ICON AT<br />
CHRISTMAS TIME?”<br />
tradition of gift giving at the feast of St.<br />
Nicholas held on Dec. 6 in many European<br />
countries.<br />
St. Nicholas became known by different<br />
names in Europe, but all referred to a<br />
kindly old man who delivered gifts at<br />
Christmas time. In England and France,<br />
he became known as Father Christmas.<br />
In the Netherlands, he was known as<br />
“Sinterklaas” or Kris Kringle.<br />
Sinterklass was later changed to Santa<br />
Claus when the celebration of St. Nicholas<br />
reached America, according to news.<br />
nationalgeographic.com. <strong>The</strong> celebration<br />
of the feast of St. Nicholas was brought<br />
to America by early Dutch and German<br />
colonists in the 17th century, attribution.<br />
With the publication of Washington<br />
Irving’s work in 1809 “Knickerbocker’s<br />
History of New York,” St. Nicholas soon<br />
became very popular in New York, where<br />
many Dutch and German immigrants<br />
settled.<br />
<strong>The</strong> image of Santa Claus as a big jolly<br />
fellow in a red suit originated in early<br />
19th-century America. <strong>The</strong> publication<br />
of the poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas”<br />
(better known today as “<strong>The</strong> Night Before<br />
Christmas”) in December 1823, created<br />
the Santa Claus icon in America.<br />
<strong>The</strong> poem, written by Clement C.<br />
Moore, described a jolly, fat man with a<br />
beard. He wore a red suit, came down the<br />
chimney and had a sleigh pulled by eight<br />
reindeer. <strong>The</strong> cartoonist Thomas Nast<br />
immortalized Santa as a bearded man<br />
in a red suit who lived at the North Pole<br />
when he drew cartoons of Santa Claus for<br />
Harper’s Weekly in 1863. In 1889, the poet<br />
Sabrina Orozco/Contributing Illustration<br />
Katherine Lee Bates published the poem,<br />
“Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride,”<br />
first mentioning Santa’s wife in the United<br />
States.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 20th century saw an evolution in<br />
department stores in America with the<br />
commercialism of Christmas starting.<br />
Soon, every department store in the<br />
United States was hiring actors to play<br />
Santa Claus and having them pose for<br />
photographs with children, according to<br />
answers.google.com.<br />
Santa Claus’s image was used to sell<br />
products, most notably by Coca-Cola.<br />
Because of the heavy use of Santa on the<br />
bottles, this contributed to a popular myth<br />
that the Coca-Cola Company invented<br />
Santa Claus, according to snopes.com.<br />
Santa started showing up at Christmas<br />
parades, most famously, the Macy’s<br />
Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York<br />
City. At family Christmas parties, Santa is<br />
often impersonated by a male member of<br />
the household.<br />
Santa has had a long journey from a<br />
kindly 4th-century bishop who really<br />
existed, to the, jolly fictional character who<br />
says: “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas.”
12 / HOLIDAYS Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
By JUSTIN NGO<br />
Staff Writer<br />
KRAMPUS RIDES AGAIN!<br />
‘Devil’ of the holidays has a wicked backstory<br />
HALF-GOAT, HALF-DEMON AND<br />
100% HORRIFIC — it is the horned<br />
monster of the night, Krampus.<br />
He’s the antithesis of Saint<br />
Nicholas, and he rides with chain<br />
and bell in hand lashing about<br />
with a bundle of sticks to punish<br />
misbehaved children. <strong>The</strong> punishments<br />
of wicked children vary from kidnapping<br />
to whipping and cannibalism, but<br />
the history of Krampus wasn’t always<br />
nightmarish.<br />
<strong>The</strong> historical influences and<br />
manifestations of Krampus predates that<br />
of Saint Nicholas himself, but the history<br />
behind Krampus is alluded to. According<br />
to historians and folklore, Krampus could<br />
be identified as the horned god of the<br />
witches or the son of the Norse god of the<br />
underworld, Hel. <strong>The</strong> influences of which<br />
are profound characteristics of Krampus<br />
himself, and parallel toward Christianity’s<br />
devil.<br />
<strong>The</strong> practice of masked devils and Pagan<br />
practices contribute to the establishment<br />
of the Krampus figure. <strong>The</strong>se traditions<br />
of masked devils occurred in early<br />
Germany during the 16th century, long<br />
before the celebration of Christmas.<br />
Krampus’ creation added a counterpart to<br />
Saint Nicholas, highlighting the contrast<br />
between good and evil figures.<br />
By creating counterparts, the different<br />
celebrations of holidays became Krampus<br />
Night, followed by Saint Nicholas Day. On<br />
Dec. 5 — the night before Saint Nicholas<br />
Day — Krampus arrived in town with<br />
the holiday known as Krampusnacht, or<br />
Krampus Night. Krampus Night stirred<br />
fear and intimidation within children,<br />
incentivizing them to behave well.<br />
<strong>The</strong> celebration of Krampus has been<br />
suppressed for years by the Catholic<br />
Church and fascists in World War II,<br />
according to nationalgeographic.com. This<br />
added to the fading of the Krampus figure<br />
in public prominence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fallout added changes within<br />
traditions of how<br />
Krampus Night is<br />
celebrated, along with<br />
Krampus himself. <strong>The</strong><br />
pop-culture attitude of<br />
celebrating the holidays and<br />
Christmas has changed<br />
and allowed for nontraditional<br />
ways to<br />
celebrate, including<br />
the emergence of suppressed<br />
holidays.<br />
Within European countries<br />
like Austria, celebrations of<br />
Krampusnacht have been<br />
tamed. Chocolates shaped as<br />
horns and demon figures have<br />
become popular. Celebrations<br />
with drunk men dress as devils and<br />
they proceed in taking over the streets and<br />
“KRAMPUS’<br />
CREATION ADDED<br />
A COUNTERPART TO<br />
SAINT NICHOLAS,<br />
HIGHLIGHTING THE<br />
CONTRAST BETWEEN<br />
GOOD AND EVIL<br />
FIGURES.”<br />
Ava Zolfaghari /<br />
Contributing Illustration<br />
chasing “wicked” people, are all done in<br />
fun.<br />
Today, adding to the entertainment<br />
factor, a horror film produced in<br />
Hollywood called “Krampus” was released<br />
Dec. 4, 2015. Comic book fans know of the<br />
series written by Michael Dougherty about<br />
the horned demon.
14 / HOLIDAYS<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
HANUKKAH<br />
By ASHLEY JOHNSON<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
“Put on your yarmulke… Here<br />
comes Hanukkah…” sings actor<br />
Adam Sandler in the now-infamous<br />
“Saturday Night Live” skit. While<br />
the song may be silly, it highlights<br />
something that can be forgotten<br />
during the Christmas craze — not<br />
everyone celebrates the same<br />
holidays, and as a result, many are<br />
left feeling left out from the things<br />
that are commonly seen in pop<br />
culture.<br />
In layman’s terms, Hanukkah is<br />
an eight-day Jewish holiday that<br />
commemorates the fight between<br />
the mighty army of the Greeks and<br />
the small band of Jewish fighters.<br />
As the story goes, the Greeks came<br />
and tried to force the people of<br />
W<br />
O<br />
RLD<br />
W<br />
IDE<br />
HANUKKAH continued on page 16<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
By MARJI HARRIS<br />
Staff Writer<br />
<strong>The</strong> Christmas season is full of<br />
traditions. For many people they<br />
evoke memories filled with bright<br />
lights, elves who make toys and Bing<br />
Crosby singing with Danny Kaye.<br />
But Christmas traditions are not<br />
always about Santa, reindeer, or<br />
even about a Jewish baby born in a<br />
Bethlehem barn.<br />
According to christmastraditions.<br />
com, Christmas in Sweden is<br />
celebrated in honor of St. Lucia, the<br />
patron saint of the blind. Several<br />
traditions exist around how a young<br />
girl lost her sight, but all agree that<br />
it was connected to persecution of<br />
the early Christians.<br />
<strong>The</strong> holiday season starts on<br />
Dec. 13. <strong>The</strong> oldest daughter in<br />
CHRISTMAS continued on page 16
piercepioneernews.com HOLIDAYS / 15<br />
NEW YEAR’S<br />
By SABRINA OROZCO<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
T<br />
R<br />
A<br />
D<br />
ITI<br />
O<br />
Across the world people welcome<br />
the new year by celebrating with<br />
their friends and loved ones. All<br />
cultures find optimism in the<br />
prospect of the coming year,<br />
and each culture has their own<br />
traditions relating to it.<br />
USA<br />
Many are familiar with America’s<br />
New Year’s traditions, but very few<br />
are familiar with the origins.<br />
Perhaps the most well-known of<br />
American New Year’s traditions in<br />
the annual ball drop in New York<br />
City. Every year in Times Square, a<br />
large, decorated ball descends 77<br />
feet on a flagpole at the stroke of<br />
midnight Eastern Standard Time.<br />
According to timessquarenyc. .org,<br />
NEW YEAR’S continued on page 17<br />
KWANZAA<br />
By SUYOUNG PARK<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
N<br />
S<br />
This year’s Kwanzaa in the United<br />
States begins on Dec. 26, and<br />
continues through Jan. 1.<br />
A celebration of African American<br />
heritage and traditional values,<br />
Kwanzaa was created by Dr.<br />
Maulana Karenga in the U.S. in<br />
1966, according to University of<br />
Pennsylvania’s African Studies<br />
Center website.<br />
During the week, participants<br />
celebrate different principles<br />
by lighting one candle at a time<br />
each day, similar to Hanukkah.<br />
Three candles are red, which<br />
represents struggles. One black<br />
candle represents people. And the<br />
remaining three green represents<br />
the future. <strong>The</strong>se colors represent<br />
KWANZAA continued on page 17<br />
Lorelei Watson / Contributing Illustration
16 / HOLIDAYS Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
HANUKKAH from page 14<br />
Israel to give in and observe their<br />
own culture and beliefs; the small<br />
band of Jewish fighters impossibly<br />
drove the Greek forces away. As<br />
they relit the temple’s menorah, they<br />
discovered that only a drop of olive<br />
oil had been left uncontaminated by<br />
the Greeks. Amazingly, the oil lasted<br />
for eight days, and so the holiday<br />
Hanukkah is meant to celebrate<br />
those eight days of oil. A candle is<br />
lit for every night of Hanukkah, and<br />
celebrated with gifts, songs and<br />
special food, such as latkes (thin<br />
potato pancakes).<br />
Perhaps out of guilt, popular<br />
culture has made Hanukkah out<br />
to be the Jewish equivalent of<br />
Christmas, although that is not<br />
necessarily true. Gabrielle Stubbs<br />
and Elliot Mayer-Yeager, both PC<br />
students, said Hanukkah is not<br />
an especially important holiday<br />
for them, and that it is more of a<br />
nostalgic tradition.<br />
According to a Pew Research<br />
Center article “How many Jews<br />
are there in the United States?”<br />
published on article Oct. 2, 2013,<br />
there are about 4.2 million adults<br />
who identify as Jews by religion.<br />
By getting to know how different<br />
cultures celebrate their traditions,<br />
communities could benefit from<br />
knowing more about other<br />
traditions that are celebrated. By<br />
being aware of those who practice<br />
different traditions, a more tolerant<br />
and understanding society is<br />
encouraged to flourish.<br />
WORLDWIDE TRADITIONS<br />
continued<br />
Lorelei Watson / Contributing Illustration<br />
CHRISTMAS from page 14<br />
the family rises before the rest of<br />
the family, dresses in a long white<br />
gown tied with a red sash. She takes<br />
a crown fashioned with twigs and<br />
set with nine candles, lights the<br />
candles, and carefully places it upon<br />
her head.<br />
As “Lussibruden” (Lucy’s bride),<br />
she wakes the rest of the family,<br />
and then they gather around the<br />
breakfast table and dine with<br />
candles lit around the room. Torches<br />
were used when hunting or fishing<br />
was done and at the end of the day,<br />
a parade would be held with the<br />
people carrying torches to light a<br />
bonfire in the common area.<br />
In warmer and drier climates,<br />
snow does not exist, nor does the<br />
scent of pine fill the air. In Egypt, the<br />
holiday is primarily celebrated by<br />
a small portion of the population.<br />
According to whychristmas.com,<br />
only about 15% are Christians.<br />
Christmas is considered an Advent<br />
and the season starts on Nov. 25.<br />
and finishes Jan. 6. For 43 days,<br />
they do not eat any animal products,<br />
including milk and eggs.<br />
On the eve of Jan. 6, everyone<br />
goes to the Christmas service. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
start about 10 p.m. and end around<br />
midnight, but sometimes can run<br />
as late as 4 a.m. Afterwards they<br />
break the fast by serving foods with<br />
all of the animal products they went<br />
without. Sweet biscuits called kahk<br />
are baked and given as gifts as they<br />
wish each other Eid Milad Majid<br />
(Arabic for merry Christmas).<br />
In Banglidesh, Christmas is<br />
celebrated as a public holiday.<br />
According to whychristmas.com,<br />
Muslims and Christians wish<br />
each other shubho [or shuvo]<br />
bôrodin, which is Bengali for Merry<br />
Christmas.<br />
Nishans (small pink paper<br />
triangles strung on string) are<br />
also hung to decorate buildings. In<br />
rural areas, people gather at the<br />
church after the Christmas service<br />
for dinner, called the “Preeti-bhoj”<br />
or the love feast. Chicken and<br />
vegetables cooked with curry is<br />
served along with “pitha” which are<br />
sweet rice cakes made with rice<br />
flour mixed with milk, coconut and<br />
molasses.<br />
Christmas in Greece has its<br />
own legends and stories as<br />
well. According to history.com,<br />
the primary difference are the<br />
mischief makers. It is believed<br />
the “kallilantzeri” (goblins) appear<br />
during the 12 days of Christmas.<br />
Also, gifts are not exchanged until<br />
Jan. 1, known as St. Basil’s Day.
piercepioneernews.com HOLIDAYS / 17<br />
NEW YEAR’S from page 15<br />
the first ball drop was hoisted in<br />
1907 with the design made of iron,<br />
metal, and 100 25-watt lightbulbs,<br />
<strong>The</strong> creator, an immigrant<br />
metalworker Jacob Star, also<br />
formed a sign making company<br />
which became responsible for<br />
lowering the ball.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ball drop has occurred<br />
annually every year since, except for<br />
1942 and 1943, due to World War II.<br />
Other states in America have made<br />
their own versions of the ball drop,<br />
such as Georgia’s “peach drop”<br />
in which, a giant replica peach is<br />
dropped at the stroke of midnight.<br />
LATIN AMERICA/SPAIN<br />
When the Spanish came to<br />
America, they influenced the<br />
pre-established culture greatly,<br />
introducing many New Year’s<br />
traditions that are still practiced<br />
today.<br />
A common practice is to eat 12<br />
grapes only during the countdown<br />
for the new year: one for good luck<br />
each month, according to npr.org.<br />
In Mexico, the more superstitious<br />
practices of eating lentils the whole<br />
day; sweeping toward and dumping<br />
a bucket of water outside to expel<br />
the ‘bad’ from the household; and<br />
wearing special colored underwear<br />
for luck, such as red for love and<br />
yellow for money are common.<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
New Year’s celebrations in the UK<br />
are rich in area’s history according<br />
to projectbritain.com. At the stroke<br />
of midnight when Elizabeth Tower’s<br />
Big Ben chimes in London, people<br />
link hands with their kin and sing<br />
“Auld Lang Syne,” an old Scottish<br />
song that translates to “times gone<br />
by.”<br />
Many years ago, people partook in<br />
a tradition, “the first foot,” in which<br />
the first person to enter a household<br />
would bring coal, bread and money<br />
inside to signify good prospects in<br />
the coming year. <strong>The</strong>y would take<br />
out a pan of ash to signify the end of<br />
the last year.<br />
People may also be gifted a Welsh<br />
“calennig,” an apple that has been<br />
propped up on three sticks and<br />
adorned with cloves and dried fruit.<br />
JAPAN<br />
According to Japan Monthly Web<br />
Magazine, in Japan, it is customary<br />
to visit a Buddhist temple on the<br />
night of Dec. 31. During this time,<br />
a large bell will be rang 107 times,<br />
and once more after the stroke<br />
of midnight, symbolizing the 108<br />
human sins presented in Buddhist<br />
belief. Many people wait in line for a<br />
chance to ring the bell.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many foods that<br />
Japanese people also associate with<br />
the New Year, such as mochi (sweet<br />
rice cake), soba (buckwheat noodle),<br />
KWANZAA from page 15<br />
Pan-African, according to Oxford<br />
Living Dictionary’s “Relating to<br />
all people of African birth or<br />
descent.”<br />
A Youtube video published by<br />
BuzzFeed in 2015, “Black People<br />
Learn about Kwanzaa,” explains<br />
what Kwanzaa is and notes that<br />
not all in the black community in<br />
America celebrate it. This weeklong<br />
celebration starts with a<br />
wake-up greeting to one another<br />
of “Habari Gani!” which means<br />
“what’s up?” or “what is the<br />
news?” every morning.<br />
According to<br />
officialkwanzaawebsite.org, the<br />
eight days celebrate the Nguzo<br />
Saba, which is Swahili for “Seven<br />
Principles.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> first day is to celebrate<br />
unity. In Swahili, this is said<br />
“umoja.” On this day the emphasis<br />
in on family, community, nation,<br />
and race.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second day celebrates selfdetermination,<br />
“kujichagullia.”<br />
On this day is to bring up the<br />
awareness and the importance of<br />
empowering voices within.<br />
<strong>The</strong> third day is collective work<br />
and responsibility, or “ujima.”<br />
Rather than neglecting and being<br />
ignorant, but to support one<br />
and osechi-ryori (a meal consisting<br />
of many small parts.)<br />
NIGERIA<br />
According to 123newyear.com,<br />
in Nigeria, New Year’s is truly the<br />
time to forget the past with many<br />
people taking vows to end rivalries<br />
and turn past foes into friends. Also,<br />
regardless of one’s faith, prayers<br />
are offered to the supreme Lord for<br />
the coming year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> biggest events are annual<br />
masquerade parties held on New<br />
Year’s Eve. <strong>The</strong> Nigerian people see<br />
these lively parties and extravagant<br />
costumes as a way to bring good<br />
spirit and cheerfulness into the new<br />
year.<br />
another to do better as family.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fourth day, “ujamaa”,<br />
meaning cooperative economics.<br />
This means to promote the<br />
economic growth within<br />
communities, benefiting all.<br />
Fifth day is “nia,” means<br />
purpose. On this day is to remind<br />
the greatness of the root, African<br />
traditions and let that flourish.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sixth day celebrates<br />
“kuumba” or creativity. Whenever<br />
the circumstances that are to be<br />
faced, use whatever means to<br />
overcome, being creative in ways<br />
to preserve for next generations<br />
to come. <strong>The</strong> emphasis is to leave<br />
the community better than what<br />
was.<br />
<strong>The</strong> seventh day celebrates,<br />
“imani” or faith. On this day is to<br />
remember to keep pursuing to do<br />
greater than yesterday and endure<br />
for manifestations of better<br />
tomorrows.<br />
And the final day everyone<br />
comes together to celebrate<br />
“karamu” which is a dance that<br />
represents African American<br />
heritage in the United States.<br />
Nelson Mandela said, “Education<br />
is the most powerful weapon<br />
which you can use to change the<br />
world.” Further information on<br />
Kwanzaa, is available at<br />
officialkwanzaawebsite.org.
18 / HOLIDAYS Nov. 20 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
4 DIY HOLIDAY PRESENTS TO<br />
FIT YOUR STUDENT BUDGET<br />
BY HANNAH NGUYEN<br />
Contributing writer<br />
STUDENT BUDGETS can be small,<br />
but these four gifts will make the stingiest<br />
Scrooge smile. An inexpensive, lovely and<br />
meaningful handmade gift is perfect for<br />
any one on your gift list.<br />
A PERSONALIZED MUG<br />
What you need: a mug and some Sharpie<br />
markers.<br />
STEP 1: Wash a ceramic mug, make<br />
sure that it is clean.<br />
STEP 2: Dry it out.<br />
STEP 3: Decorate your mug with<br />
Sharpies (let creativity shine through!).<br />
STEP 4: Bake your mug for 30 minutes<br />
at 350°F (180°C).<br />
(Reminder: Put your mug inside the<br />
oven before heating and make sure the<br />
oven is completely cool when taking your<br />
mug out to prevent cracks).<br />
STEP 5: Re-bake it if the colors and<br />
design did not set completely; make sure<br />
to follow step 4.<br />
STEP 6: Hand-wash your mug gently to<br />
protect the design and colors. Your full-oflove<br />
project is now ready to use!<br />
It is hard to compare the feeling of<br />
enjoying the snow and drinking coffee<br />
or tea from a unique cup. That’s why<br />
a personalized cup for your friends or<br />
family is a more-than-perfect present for<br />
Christmas!<br />
A JAR OF STARS<br />
What you need: A4 paper with patterns<br />
or color (you can use wrapping paper,<br />
letter paper, writing paper, anything),<br />
ruler, scissors, jar, vase (that can keep the<br />
stars in).<br />
STEP 1: Cut the paper into long pieces<br />
approximately ½” wide by 12”-18” long.<br />
STEP 2: (Optional) Write some wishes<br />
on each piece of paper (this could be<br />
wishes, encouragements or just simply<br />
show them how important they are to<br />
you).<br />
STEP 3: Make a<br />
knot at the beginning<br />
of each piece.<br />
STEP 4: Take<br />
other end of strip<br />
and feed through<br />
knot hole completely,<br />
pulling snug but not<br />
tight.<br />
STEP 5: Take<br />
small spare end of<br />
knot and fold over,<br />
making a firm crease.<br />
STEP 6: Continue<br />
folding the strip over the knot, following<br />
the sides of the pentagon, until the end<br />
of the strip will not fold over completely.<br />
Tuck over inside the start to secure it.<br />
STEP 7: To make a puffy star, pinch the<br />
corner edges.<br />
Finally, put the stars into a jar that you<br />
will give to your friends or family. Tie with<br />
ribbon around the edge. You now have a<br />
super cheap and special Christmas present.<br />
A good step-by-step video tutorial can<br />
be found at tinyurl.com/ybxy5xbb.<br />
KEY CHAIN<br />
What you need: Transparent plastic<br />
container (any clear take-away food<br />
container), Sharpie markers, small x-acto<br />
knife, oven, small jump ring, 2 jeweler’s<br />
needle-nose pliers, and split ring<br />
STEP 1: Use the small cutter to cut out<br />
the flat part of the food/plastic container.<br />
STEP 2: Use sharpies to draw and color<br />
your design (you can draw the design on<br />
paper then copy it into the plastic piece).<br />
STEP 3: Cut your design out and make<br />
sure it’s nice and neat. Use the knife to trim<br />
any excess plastic, taking care not to cut<br />
into design.<br />
STEP 4: Using a paper punch or small<br />
nail, punch a hole in the top of the design.<br />
Using the pliers, carefully place ring<br />
through the hole.<br />
STEP 5: Bake the design into the oven<br />
at 330°F (165°C) for two to three minutes<br />
on a baking sheet covered in aluminum<br />
foil, or an aluminum pie pan may be used.<br />
Andrew Paulson/Contributing Photo<br />
If you do not have an oven with a window,<br />
you may leave the door open at the resting<br />
point as long as you put the design as far<br />
back as you can go. Once the design stops<br />
moving, you may take it out. Silicon tongs<br />
are best for removing from pan, but you<br />
may use your fingers, carefully lifting up<br />
as evenly as possible. It is also helpful<br />
to note that it will shrink about three<br />
times smaller and nine times thicker, so<br />
remember not to draw your design too<br />
small!<br />
STEP 6: after baking, hang design from<br />
jump ring in split ring.<br />
CARE PACKAGE<br />
This present does not have any specific<br />
instructions since it depends on what you<br />
want this present to consist of.<br />
What you need: A container, colors,<br />
ribbons and a combination of stuffs you<br />
want to give to your family or friends.<br />
STEP 1: Cover your container with<br />
acrylic color.<br />
STEP 2: Use sharpies to decorate your<br />
container.<br />
STEP 3: Tie a ribbon around the<br />
container and put the name tag of<br />
whomever you want to give this present to.<br />
STEP 4: Fill it up with prepared stuffs.<br />
For example, a Christmas card, some<br />
makeup brushes, a pack of candies, and<br />
a Starbucks gift card would be perfect<br />
for a girl who loves sweets, make-up and<br />
drinking coffee.
20 / HOLIDAYS<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
10 UNIQUE, FUN CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS<br />
AT REASONABLE PRICES<br />
By SUYOUNG PARK<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
<strong>The</strong> holiday season is here and budgets are tight. Even with Black Friday deals, finding the right gift can be an overwhelming<br />
challenge. <strong>The</strong>re is always the risk that a gift given that was affordable ends up as a white elephant gift at the next Christmas party. Want<br />
a way to relax and chill with family? Here are 10 fun and unique Christmas ideas available online that will fit any budget gifts ideas:<br />
1. AvoSeedo Avocado Tree Starter Kit, $12.99, avoseedo.com<br />
Who doesn’t like avocados? Avocados are must when active in social media.<br />
This is an Instagram-worthy product for that soon-to-be or occasional vegetarian/vegan<br />
who would love to brag about how perfect their lives are. Why<br />
not meet their need to be appreciated and their love for nature by giving them<br />
a tree starter kit? Other past gifts will be forgotten, but when looking back,<br />
they will remember, “Oh yeah! Grandma got this for me! She is so hip!”<br />
avoseedo.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
2. Pick Punch “Standard 3<strong>51</strong>,” $24.95, pickpunch.com<br />
This is a great gift for musicians in the family. With this pick punch, loved<br />
ones can make their own, customized picks! This also promotes recycling old<br />
credit cards and student IDs and turns them into a new collection of picks.<br />
pickpunch.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
3. “What’s Your Poo Telling You?” $9, uncommongoods.com<br />
To show loved one a sense of humor and how much you care, give them this<br />
illustrated book. Not only will it provide them something to read during visits<br />
to the bathroom, but it will guide them to examine what they leave behind<br />
and lead them to make healthier life choices. <strong>The</strong>y will become experts in<br />
describing their symptoms based on the color, looks, shapes and smells of<br />
their bowel movements.<br />
uncommongoods.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
thinkgeek.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
4. Brain Specimen Coasters, $19.99, thinkgeek.com/product/huir<br />
Anyone going into or already working in the medical field in the family? This will be<br />
a great gift for those who devote themselves to service to those whom are in need and<br />
taking care of the sick. According to the website, 10 glass coasters are stacked to form a<br />
brain. Loved ones no longer needs to make expensive trips to ‘Bodies: <strong>The</strong> Exhibition,’<br />
but could own collection of these coasters, including one for the heart. It is useful in<br />
everyday lives instead of heavy, expensive science illustration books. Show them appreciation<br />
for their efforts to memorize all those terminologies to save lives with this gift.
piercepioneernews.com HOLIDAYS / 21<br />
5. “Minecraft” foam pickaxe, $19.99, thinkgeek.com/product/e847<br />
This gift will be great for all generations who love “Minecraft.” It is a lifesize<br />
foam pickaxe, just like in the game. Kids can go outside with this safe<br />
“heavy-duty EVA foam” axe and have an adventure, without violence. A word<br />
of caution — it will melt under open flame. And for the alternative, the sword<br />
is available too.<br />
thinkgeek.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
6. Boys’ “Minions” slippers, $12.99, target.com<br />
It might say boys but “Minions” shouldn’t be gendered. It is good for all who<br />
loves the “Minions.” Of note, the size charts are numbered with standard<br />
boys’ shoe sizes so find the right fit for younger ones.<br />
target.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
7. Light-up LED fidget spinner, $10, urbanoutfitters.com<br />
This is no ordinary fidget spinner — it lights up! If kids have a hard time<br />
sleeping during the night, then give them one of these and let them play until<br />
they fall asleep. This will be a great toy to distract children so their parents<br />
can continue shopping in peace, getting ready for supper and so on.<br />
urbanoutfitters.com/<br />
Courtesy Photo<br />
9. Poké Ball serving bowl set, $19.99, thinkgeek.com/product/jgpo<br />
Gotta catch ‘em all: this large serving bowl accommodates popcorn, chips and<br />
sweets! It could be used during dinner time as salad bowls. Very unique —<br />
parents, perhaps, could entice their kids to enjoy salad at mealtime.<br />
urbanoutfitters.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
8. “Wonder Woman” mug, $10, urbanoutfitters.com<br />
Everyone talked about when the movie, “Wonder Woman” came out earlier<br />
this year. Women who watched the movie sang its praises, saying how<br />
empowering it was. Celebrate that empowerment. Encourage them with this<br />
mug daily as they get ready for school or work, reminding them that they are<br />
all wonder women.<br />
thinkgeek.com/Courtesy Photo<br />
urbanoutfitters.com/<br />
Courtesy Photo<br />
10. “Star Wars” lightsaber salt and pepper grinder set, $40, urbanoutfitters.com<br />
This is exclusively for Star Wars fans. Use them during a movie marathon of the<br />
first original three — and for those extra special fans, the recent ones. Give this<br />
set and watch the joy and smiles.
22 / FEATURES<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
TOP 5 MOST ANTICIPATED<br />
VIDEO GAMES OF 2018<br />
2018 is fast approaching, and with that comes an awesome lineup<br />
of new video games. Here are five upcoming releases<br />
that are worth the wait.<br />
By AVA ZOLFAGHARI<br />
Contributing Writer<br />
“Far Cry 5”<br />
DEVELOPER: Ubisoft Montreal<br />
PLATFORMS: PS4, XB1, PC<br />
RELEASE: Feb. 27<br />
WHAT TO EXPECT: Emphasis on narrative,<br />
new rural Montana setting, continued<br />
open-world playstyle, tons more<br />
customizable features<br />
far-cry.ubisoft.com/ Courtesy Photo<br />
“Metro Exodus”<br />
DEVELOPER: 4A Games<br />
PLATFORMS: PS4, XB1, PC<br />
RELEASE: To be announced, 2018<br />
WHAT TO EXPECT: Story rich gameplay,<br />
continued post-apocalyptic Russia setting,<br />
combat and stealth, survival horror<br />
metrothegame.com/ Courtesy Photo
piercepioneernews.com FEATURES / 23<br />
“God of War”<br />
DEVELOPER: SIE Santa Monica Studio<br />
PLATFORMS: PS4 Exclusive<br />
RELEASE: Early 2018<br />
WHAT TO EXPECT: Hard reboot of original<br />
franchise, new methodical combat system,<br />
Norse mythology, over-the-shoulder camera<br />
movement<br />
godofwar.playstation.com/ Courtesy Photo<br />
“Red Dead<br />
Redemption 2”<br />
DEVELOPER: Rockstar Games<br />
PLATFORMS: PS4, XB1<br />
RELEASE: Spring<br />
WHAT TO EXPECT: Action-adventure<br />
gameplay, new online multiplayer, openworld<br />
environment, third-person perspective<br />
rockstargames.com/ Courtesy Photo<br />
“Sea of Thieves”<br />
DEVELOPER: Rare, Ltd.<br />
PLATFORMS: XB1, PC (Microsoft Exclusive)<br />
RELEASE: Early 2018<br />
WHAT TO EXPECT: Shared-world adventure,<br />
exploration, crew co-operation, pirate<br />
theme, customization<br />
@seaofthieves/ Courtesy Photo
24 / OPINION Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
REMEMBERING<br />
MY SANTA CLAUS<br />
By HANNAH NGUYEN<br />
Contributing writer<br />
I JUST REALIZED that Santa Claus is<br />
no more Santa. Actually, I just realized I<br />
did not believe in Santa a long time ago.<br />
I remembered when I was six, I doubted<br />
how could an old man have such a good<br />
memory to buy all the presents for all the<br />
children. My grandpa was only 60 at that<br />
time and he began to forget things. How<br />
could Santa Claus know the pink scooter<br />
in the store my mum and I went to this<br />
afternoon was in my favorite shopping<br />
center?<br />
Hannah Nguyen/Contributing Illustration<br />
When I was seven, I kept wondering<br />
why the little girl living on our street did<br />
not have any presents. She was really nice<br />
to me when sharing her only almost-torn<br />
teddy bear that she got from the trash<br />
can. She told me, “Homeless children do<br />
not get presents at Christmas.” I did not<br />
understand why Santa did not like the<br />
homeless children.<br />
When I was eight, I thought it was<br />
ridiculous when people dressed up as<br />
Santa Claus and gave candies to children<br />
in the shopping malls, parks and fun fairs.<br />
I thought they wanted to replace Santa<br />
Claus and what they did was offensive to<br />
the real Santa. I did not know that was<br />
their way to earn a living.<br />
When I was nine, I stop believed in<br />
Santa Claus when I saw my parents put the<br />
presents under my bed and my brother’s<br />
bed at Christmas Eve…<br />
I thought about that night a lot. To<br />
me, it was something that put an end to<br />
my childhood. It felt like I just woke up<br />
from a dream where an old chubby man<br />
in red gives presents to every good child,<br />
everyone receives the same love, and<br />
nothing but happiness is present.<br />
I was wrong. I regretted sneaking off to<br />
see Santa. I hated myself for completely<br />
believing in magic for such a long<br />
time. But then the memories from my<br />
childhood, like an oldie song, started<br />
playing in my mind. I have received so<br />
many presents — some priceless and many<br />
did not come from Santa Claus — but<br />
from a different guy.<br />
He always knows what I want, what<br />
I love and what I need. He was clumsy,<br />
but he was willing to spend three hours<br />
studying hair-braiding when I told him<br />
that I wanted my hair braided when I went<br />
to school. He did not buy me a boat with<br />
a remote control when I asked him to.<br />
Instead, he secretly made me a floatable<br />
and movable boat using a water bottle.<br />
That boat turned out to be the most special<br />
toy that no one in my class would have. He<br />
is the only one who could tell one story all<br />
night — again and again — as long as it<br />
made me happy.<br />
“HE ALWAYS<br />
KNOWS<br />
WHAT I WANT,<br />
WHAT I LOVE<br />
AND<br />
WHAT I NEED.”
Attention<br />
Poets, Writers,<br />
Photographers<br />
and Artists<br />
SLAM, the award-winning Student<br />
Literary and Arts Magazine of Pierce<br />
College, seeks poems, short stories,<br />
creative non-fiction, photographs and<br />
artwork for its Spring 2018 issue.<br />
Submission Guidelines<br />
Anyone who has been a student at Pierce College<br />
in the past year is eligible to submit work.<br />
Please limit your submissions to no more than ten<br />
in any one category.<br />
Submit your work electronically<br />
or via campus mail to SLAM<br />
or to Corrina Wycoff, Olympic 207, FS campus<br />
(cwycoff@pierce.ctc.edu).<br />
Please include on a separate page your name,<br />
telephone number and a brief biographical note.<br />
student literary arts magazine<br />
2017 Cover Design by Aiden Woods<br />
Artwork and Photographs:<br />
If possible, submit electronically. Otherwise,<br />
photograph and submit as a slide.<br />
Poems, Short Stories, and<br />
Creative Non-Fiction:<br />
Manuscripts should be typed and include name,<br />
address and telephone number in the upper<br />
left-hand corner of the first page.<br />
Poems should be single spaced.<br />
Fiction and non-fiction should be double spaced.<br />
Submissions of your work on disk is encouraged.<br />
Please note the file format and program.<br />
Submission deadline is<br />
Wednesday,<br />
Dec. 13<br />
All submissions will be recycled unless<br />
accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped<br />
envelope.
26 / CARTOONS<br />
Nov. 20, 2017 / <strong>Vol</strong>. <strong>51</strong>, <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
Debbie Denbrook/Staff Illustration