The Pioneer Press – Page 131 – Volunteer State Community College's Student News

NY passes radical abortion bill

By SettlerOnline on January 28, 2019

By Yvonne Nachtigal

On Jan. 22, the 46th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the New York Senate passed the “Reproductive Health Act,” a radical pro-abortion bill that would allow unborn babies to be aborted up to birth. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called it “a victory for New Yorkers and their progressive values.” Signers of the bill proudly posed for a photo op with smiles on their faces like witches straight out of the Wizard of Oz.

Under the new Reproductive Health Act, non-doctors can perform abortions until the mother’s due date if the woman’s health is endangered or the fetus is not viable. Previously, abortions beyond 24 weeks gestation were only allowed if a woman’s life was at risk.

In celebration of the bill, Cuomo directed that the spire on the One World Trade Center and other NYC monuments be lit in pink to “celebrate this achievement and shine a bright light forward for the rest of the nation to follow.” New York was the first state to legalize abortion.

Black History Month filled with events

By SettlerOnline on January 28, 2019

By Gloria Cortes

February is Black History Month, where we celebrate the importance of Black history in our culture.

Monday, Feb. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Mary Cole Nichols Dining Hall B is The Art of Omari Booker. Omari Booker is a talented local artist who paints incorporating themes and current social trends. He is particularly skilled in creating images that depict the struggle for social justice in an unjust world.

Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mary Cole Nichols Dining Hall B is Documentary Screening: Brother Outsider. This documentary, which has won over 25 awards, illuminates the public and private life of Bayard Rustin. Rustin, a visionary strategist during the Civil Rights movement was called the “unknown hero” of the movement as he was central to the organization of the 1963 March on Washington. Because Rustin was openly gay, he was largely erased from history even by those among the top leaders of the movement.

Erik Been art exhibit featured at Vol State

Erik Been art exhibit featured at Vol State

By SettlerOnline on January 28, 2019

By Shelby Leighton

Located on the first floor of the humanities building, Volunteer State Community College Gallery began showing the exhibition, “Some Sort of Conclusion,” of Las Vegas artist Erik Beehn.

Beehn’s art exhibit will be showcased on the first floor of the humanities building until Feb. 14th.

While sparking the interest of those who enjoy art, others are able to use this current exhibit as a resource for the discussion of the book, The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the inspiration for these works of art. The visual representations of the story are meant to begin conversations around agency and empathy.

Free Hugs boost student morale

By SettlerOnline on January 28, 2019

By Gloria Cortes

The Volunteer State Community College Office of Student Engagement and Support is hosting Free Hug Day Jan. 30, from different booths across campus from 7:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

According to https://www.volstate.edu/events, booths will be set up in the, “Wood Campus Center Hallway, SRB 2nd Floor Hallway, Caudill 1st Floor Hallway, Thigpen Library Hallway, Wallace North Hallway.”

At the booths, student leaders, club members and staff from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as well as the Social Science and Education division will offer free food, some T-shirts, and Hershey Hugs.

Pioneer Pen gives students an artistic outlet

By SettlerOnline on January 28, 2019

By Erin Holloway

“The Pioneer Pen prints any art forms from poetry to short stories, memoirs, photography, videos, cartoons, and songs,” said Laura McClister, faculty advisor and chair of the English department.

The Pioneer Pen has been Volunteer State Community College since 1995, known as “Squatter’s Rites,” before the name was changed, and every year they print a new issue.

The Pioneers Pen makes its yearly issues from art submitted by Vol State students through the school’s website. To submit, go to www.volstate.edu, go to “Academics,” click on “English” and “Publication,” then you sign a Creative Works waiver where you give Vol State permission to print your work while you still own it. Then, you leave your name, email address and title of your work(s).