Faithful readers, This winter marks a new chapter for The Advocate—and, unexpectedly, a new chapter for me as well. When I returned to MHCC after a decade-long hiatus, I did so with the practical goal of learning the technical skills needed to stay relevant in my field. I never imagined that journey would lead me to serve as editor-in-chief of a paper I’ve been reading, on and off, for nearly 30 years. It’s an honor and an opportunity I don’t take lightly.  I’ve always been

Photo by Prisma Flores This past school year, one of the clubs that has re-emerged from the past at Mt. Hood Community College is the Wildside club. The group, which restarted in the fall of 2024, takes students on various trips to learn outdoor, adventuring skills. The club’s current adviser, Josh Stratman, says that he was largely the person who started the club up again after it went dormant in years past, due to a lack of leadership. He said that when he mentioned the ide

The TRIO program was established by the federal government as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue and succeed in higher education. Originally launched with three programs – Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services – TRIO was created in response to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. It aimed to provide academic support, college access, and retention services for low-income, first-generation

A few words shared from a 3x SUP World Champion, Wing Foil Champion, Waterwoman, Student, Coach, Wylde Wind & Water Founder, and Type 1 Diabetic. Surely each of us has experienced feeling adrift and lost in the sea of life, moments when it seems the last drops of our motivation are drained, making room for weariness and a gnawing sense of frustration. What do you do? Do you allow yourself to rest by letting go of everything and surrendering to the waves of worries and anxieti

The traditional cultural dance of the Zomi people, an ethnic group from Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh, is a powerful display of unity and collective identity. Photos by Aung Pyae Lin This dance, characterized by meticulously synchronized movements, symbolizes the community’s harmony. Every dancer must execute each step perfectly, as a single misstep can disrupt the beauty of the entire performance.At the heart of this dance is the leader, who plays a crucial role by skillful

HOW MHCC ARTIST OVERCOMES HER DEMONS While steadily powering through the arts program in my second year here at MHCC, one particular artist has caught my eye. While seeming to be a bit timid when you first meet her, seeing her art shouts prominently of Megan Albertine’s journey through life.Pursuing art has been intertwined with Megan ever since she could collect memories. She became entranced by the freeing sensation art brought with how many ways you could tackle it, and gr

Where Local Vendors Grow There are a lot of curveballs being thrown at Americans, whether it is tariffs or inflation. It has never been tougher than ever to tighten up your bootstraps and create something that is your own.That is why it’s awesome to see so many people hustling and see lots of consumers support local entrepreneurs in the Portland metro area. And while on most days the MHCC northeast parking lot is just a parking lot, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sund

Are you looking for something to do after classes are done for the day? Perhaps you want to go watch something funny with the added benefit of learning something new?Well, the Planetarium on the MHCC Gresham campus is the place for you. The director, Will Blackmore, balances humor and education very well, making for quite the amusing show for visitors. Each month he hosts shows on a different topic. It can be anything, from black holes and supernovas to the Fermi Paradox – wh

Project Red Workshop Fentanyl is a public health crisis that has landed on the doorsteps of unsuspecting families across America and in our own backyard here at MHCC. Guest speaker Ellen Wirshup from Project RED reported that more than 70,000 persons are dying of opioid overdoses each year in the United States, and east Multnomah County is not immune. During an educational workshop at Mt. Hood on Feb. 11, she gave a brief history of how she helped established Project RED, an

LOCAL CLIMBING GYM DOWN HILL OF MHCC Located in Gresham, Oregon, Rock Haven Climbing Gym is a vibrant hub for climbing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Since opening in August 2022, the gym has become a place where passion, determination, and a strong sense of community come together. Founded by four climbing enthusiasts who sought to bring the sport to a new area, Rock Haven offers more than just a place to climb—it’s a welcoming space for anyone looking to challeng

RESPONDING THROUGH RESCUE AND RELOCATION Photos by Brian Moua In response to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) has been playing a crucial role in rescuing and relocating displaced animals. While the wildfires have brought intense media attention to the issue of animal welfare, OHS has been quietly working behind the scenes to make a real difference for shelter animals in California and beyond.During a recent visit to OHS’s Portland location,

PRESERVING OUR MOMENTOUS ACHIEVEMENTS What drives humanity to advancements and development is curiosity. Humans are curious about everything, from the birds in the sky to the stars thousands of light-years away. And it was curiosity that took me about an hour’s drive southwest of Portland recently.The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum stands in McMinnville, Oregon, and is divided into two main buildings. One is the aviation center, with the famous Spruce Goose as the centerpi

JennyMendoza The Advocate Looking for community service opportunities but don’t know where to volunteer? Here’s a list of possible local options with brief descriptions. If any of them capture your interest, simply go on their website and sign up to volunteer. Or, email/contact them directly! Meals on Wheels People https://www.mowp.org Meals on Wheels People and Meals 4 Kids focus on delivering food to seniors and families living below the poverty line. Another service they

‘Coughing Blood Together’ Lights up VA Gallery “Little moments of frozen theater” are currently on display in the MHCC Visual Arts Gallery, a thought- provoking series of creative scenes inviting visitors to peek in and ponder the artist’s messages and sculpting skills. Photos by Prisma Flores Montana-based artist Tom Foolery has been creating these armature dioramas – featuring small-scale figures crafted from found items – for years, beginning as a fun hobby. “I took a mous

Exploring Outdoor Sports Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, hiker, rock climber, or a complete newbie to outdoor sports, MHCC’s Wildside Club has something for you. Photos provided by Brooklyn Noel We welcome anyone who is interested in learning new skills – or improving them – and is a bit of a thrill seeker to join our adventures. It’s the perfect way to meet amazing people who have the same passion for the outdoors and become a part of our supportive community.In the few

May you introduce yourself?My name is Ella, and my Chinese name is Zhixuan Xiang. I am currently studying in the Mental Health, Social Services, and Addiction Counseling program at MHCC. I am an international student from Sichuan, China. I am also a blogger on TikTok with 100,000 followers. The reason why I came to study in the United States is a long story about the pursuit of ideals of knowledge and freedom. Biggest adjustment so far?Every scholar who comes from a foreign c

Photo by Ken Perez As a writing tutor at MHCC, my role has always been to support students in improving their writing and assist those learning English. My responsibilities have also evolved into something more personal: I have found myself helping Arabic-speaking women navigate complex paperwork and address serious life challenges – issues such as abuse, insurance problems, and job struggles – that they often have no one else to turn to for help. This shift in my duties has

Photos by Prisma Flores The Visual Arts Gallery here at MHCC is hosting the exhibition of local artist Dan Pillers, originally from Spokane, through the end of January – with content and commentary on our society that has brought some gallery visitors to tears. “This particular show is, in a lot of ways, is a dream show for me,” Pillers said of the exhibit that reflects the raw emotion and consequences of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s-90s and its impact on the gay community.

Help is available 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) Text “START” to 88788 Falling in love: It can happen to anyone, even when you’re just keeping it low-key in your sweatpants! The media’s all about that perfect-couple life, making us feel like we’re missing out if we’re not boo’d up. Scrolling through those glam pics of happy couples can make you wonder if you’re the one missing the spark. Then suddenly you meet that person (or persons) who just gets you, and suddenly you’re all about c

Supporting survivors of violence This month, Mt. Hood has displayed decorated T-shirts in the Library lobby as participation in the nationwide Clothesline Project. Though these shirts may seem to be simply an expression of art, it’s also a way for those affected by violence to speak out against their abusers anonymously. The first Clothesline Project event was hosted by the Cape Cod’s Women Defense Agenda in 1990 after a member discovered that while 58,000 soldiers lost their