The Mt. Hood Community College District Board of Education approved two high-value contracts and appointed seven community members to the newly formed Bond Oversight Committee during its Nov. 19 meeting. These decisions move the college into the next phase of work connected to the $136.4 million general obligation bond measure approved by voters earlier this year. Project management contract approved MHCC completed a competitive solicitation for project management firms to su

Photo by Aung Pyae Lin MHCC’S NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SPECIALIST In this feature, The Advocate interviews Taeya Hillman-Johnson, who in August became Mt. Hood Community College’s new International Student Recruitment and Engagement Specialist. With a background in event planning, community building, and student support, Hillman-Johnson brings creativity, warmth, and a deep commitment to helping international students thrive. Advocate : Tell us about yourself, please. Hillma

A STAFF FAVORITE YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE ALL SEASON LONG Russian Tea Cakes, also known as Snowballs, are a delightfully buttery, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that has been a holiday staple in our family for at least six generations. We do a lot of baking around the holidays, but these are hands down my favorite. I grew up making them with my mom and my great-grandmother. I made them with my children when they were growing up (the ones who were interested, anyway), and now we

Including Mt. Hood Students TriMet, the Portland metro area’s public transit agency, is facing a $300 million gap between expected revenues and expenses in the next few years. The agency is trying to close that gap by cutting back some services and laying off employees to avoid more severe service cuts in the future. But the impact on many riders, including MHCC students, has already come. “We are facing a fiscal cliff in 2030, so we must act now to balance our budget for the

A STAFF FAVORITE YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE ALL SEASON LONG Holiday traditions often start in the kitchen. Whether you’re keeping old traditions or creating new ones, nothing brings people together like good food. So, we’ve pulled two of our staff’s favorite traditional recipes – one sweet, one savory – to help you bring a little extra flavor and festivity to your holiday season. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Wait Time: 30 minutes Ready In: 1 hour 30 minutes Serv

I keep seeing posts and memes online about how “all things in nature hibernate or die back during the winter,” or how “winter is a time of rest, and therefore we need to refrain from activities and social events so we can reset.” And while I absolutely agree that we need to allow ourselves more time and space for rest, I can’t help but feel like we’re missing the point. If growing up in the temperate rain forest of the Pacific Northwest has taught me anything, it’s that winte

Aung Pyae Lin came to MHCC from Myanmar as a computer science major with no plans to become a photographer. Last spring he walked into The Advocate with nothing but an old childhood camcorder and curiosity. One assignment later, everything changed. “I didn’t expect to love it,” he says. “But framing a shot started feeling like debugging – except the result is something people actually want to look at.” What began as a side gig quickly turned into passion. His photos sharpened

Holidays: Time to Rest, Reflect, and Rejoice Have you ever counted down the days to a holiday and felt like the world finally slowed down? Holidays are more than just a break, they are special times that give us a chance to rest, connect with others, explore new experiences, and reflect on the things we are grateful for. In our busy lives, filled with schoolwork, jobs, and daily responsibilities, these special days allow us to pause, slow down, and focus on what truly matters

This 2025 season was quite a journey for Mt. Hood volleyball team. After training hard the whole year and giving everything they had on the court, the Saints finished their year with a thrilling 3 sets to 1 win against visiting Chemeketa Community College on Nov. 5. Both teams battled, point after point, but the Saints showed great teamwork and energy in their final home game. The whole season was full of growth, great moments and a strong effort put in by each and every play

Between travel, groceries, and the temptation to “celebrate properly,” it’s easy for college students to spend money they don’t really have. But being broke doesn’t mean you have to skip the fun.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the smell of pumpkin spice and the feeling of gratitude fill the air. Whether you’re staying local for the break or just looking for ways to celebrate, there are plenty of activities around town to enjoy the season. From festive gatherings to volunteer opportunities, Thanksgiving is about connection, reflection, and giving back. COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FESTIVALS The Gresham area hosts several events to capture the holiday spirit. The 2025 Celebration

I’ll be the first to admit I was a little jealous of the bonds and the laughter they shared on those bargain-blitz battlefields, but I also knew myself well enough to realize it was more than I could handle. I mean, let’s be honest: Holiday shopping in general was more than I could handle, and Black Friday was in a league of its own. Nowadays, the holiday shopping season hits a bit differently. Instead of waiting in line for hours to brave the crowds in physical stores, intro

At Mt. Hood Community College, a small room filled with shelves of food and care helps students meet one of life’s most basic needs. Known as Barney’s Pantry, it’s a place where no student is turned away, and no one has to face hunger alone. Making sure every visitor feels welcome, Pantry clerk Solana Sonnier helps to keep the space running with empathy and dedication. “When a student comes to the Pantry for the first time, all they need to bring is a physical copy of their s

There is a quiet but unmistakable shift in the way modern culture approaches progress: Not simply political or technological progress, but the ordinary, often unglamorous act of working toward something that takes time. Patience, once considered a civic virtue and a personal discipline, has begun to feel antiquated. The world moves quickly, and many people now expect everything else to move at the same speed. What used to be understood as a process is increasingly judged as

Finals week has a reputation for chaos: Late-night cram sessions fueled by coffee and energy drinks, half-finished assignments scattered across the kitchen table, and students hyperventilating in the bathroom between exams have become synonymous with the college experience. But while the pressure is real, the full-blown meltdown narrative might be more myth than reality – and students today are all too aware of how easily overdoing it can lead to burnout. That doesn’t mean w

Hello!, I’m the writer behind the “Frugal Living” column for The Advocate. I share practical money tips, budget-friendly hacks, and everyday strategies to help students stretch their dollars and still enjoy life.

As “Stranger Things” enters its long-awaited final chapter starting Nov. 26, the anticipation isn’t just about seeing monsters fall or worlds collide. It’s about finally uncovering the answers that have been waiting in the shadows since the very beginning. This season feels like the moment where every question finds its place: The truth behind the Upside Down, the origin of Vecna’s power, the connection between dimensions, and the personal destinies of the characters who have

On Nov. 6 in the MHCC Student Union, the Japanese Culture Club hosted its first big event of the term: Onigiri Action. Onigiri Action is an annual charity event hosted by the JCC, where members showed students how to make onigiri, a Japanese rice ball, and serve tea and took photos. If participants wished, they took a photo of each with their onigiri and submitted the photo to the Onigiri Action program. Each photo of onigiri submitted  to the campaign website or on social m

Marisa Engelhard The Advocate One of the tables at Barney’s Boo Bash - Photo by Marisa Engelhard Halloween has now passed – with the leaves brown and falling, the wind picking up, and the rainfall more frequent. On Halloween night, Oct. 31, Barney’s Boo Bash was hosted at the MHCC Main Mall. The annual event featured people of all ages dressed up for Halloween tricks and treats. Tables were set up by various Mt. Hood clubs and departments, offering a variety of treats includi

Paintings by Nathan Orosco, prominently 'The Spill', being observed by a student - Photo by Marisa Engelhard Alma Perez The Advocate The annual Faculty Art exhibit was held in the MHCC Visual Arts Gallery from Sept. 22 through Oct. 30. All of the art presented in the showcase was created by our talented faculty members here at Mt. Hood.The individual faculty got the opportunity to present their hard work and passion for their art  with different forms of art – including call