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

For me, “Black Phone 2,” a sequel to the original “Black Phone” movie, is either you love it or you don’t.  The film brings Finn (played by Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) back into a world of nightmares, family secrets and supernatural chills. It is a sequel that not only honors the original but also builds on top of it. This time, the two siblings ventured to uncover the unsettling truth about their mother and the mysterious figure named “the Grabber.”  I'll try

Last May, Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) voters approved a $131 million facilities bond measure, the college’s first successful bond effort in more than 50 years. The measure funds necessary campus upgrades, including $23.3 million for repairing old infrastructure and $28.5 million for accessibility and community improvements. With bond-funded projects now beginning to take shape – including repaving of several parking lots, a new surface for Mt. Hood’s running track, and

HERE ARE TWO ANIME TO CHILL Midterms got you questioning your life choice? Whether you are drowning or not in the unlimited assignments and exams, sometimes the best medicine is just zoning out with a good show. And so here are the two-anime guaranteed to help you scream your stress away. ‘MyHeroAcademia’(PlusUltra!!) Results are coming out of the midterms and if you are feeling like your GPA is in danger, watching a quirkless kid fight his way toward becoming the greatest he

Marisa Engelhard’s journey with The Advocate is a wonderful reminder that sometimes, getting lost leads you exactly where you’re meant to be. About three years ago, while taking a film photography class at MHCC, Marisa needed to rent a tripod for an assignment. She was searching for the equipment room where Integrated Media students borrow gear but accidentally entered the Advocate office during the staff’s first meeting of the term. A photographer was needed and she decided

Your student ID isn’t just a plastic card that opens doors or hides in your wallet, it’s a discount card in disguise. You’re literally walking around with cash you’re not using. From educational platforms to shopping sites and streaming services, plenty of companies are ready to hand you perks just for being a student here at Mount Hood Community College. Save this, you’re going to need it soon! I’ll start with the ones I love and use myself: Study & Learning Discounts Quizle

Have you ever noticed that certain headlines – local, national, or global – barely register anymore? You scroll past them, not because you don’t care, but because you’ve simply run out of space to care. That creeping sense of indifference has a name: news fatigue. It’s the emotional and mental exhaustion that comes from the relentless current of information, especially the kind steeped in crisis, conflict, and catastrophe. We live in the age of information, a time when techno

Midterms, money issues, shorter days, rainy weather, and complex family dynamics – this time of year can be difficult for students even under the best circumstances. But this fall, the weight of it feels heavier. Government shutdowns, SNAP benefits on hold, military deployments, rising community tension over increased immigration enforcement, protesting, political polarization, and global uncertainty – it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling stretched so thin. We’re on edge,

I am Christian Ilechukwu, a Staff Editor at The Advocate, originally from Nigeria. Writing has been a part of my life since high school, where I first discovered my passion for crafting stories. My debut published work, “Politics of Deceit,” a drama, marked the start of my journey as a writer. I enjoy engaging in thoughtful discussions with others, exchanging ideas on a wide range of topics, and I am always open to trying new things, whether it’s a fresh perspective or a new

As TriMet grapples with a massive budget deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, the resulting service cuts currently planned are creating a hostile environment for student success. The reduction of bus frequency on key routes, particularly during early mornings and late evenings, starting Nov. 30, directly undermines student punctuality and academic efforts. For students at Mt. Hood Community College who rely heavily on public transit to reach the Gresham campus, these c

It’s coming up on that time of year again – the leaves are turning shades of red and yellow, the daylight hours are getting shorter, and the wind is getting colder. It’s the season of pumpkins, corn mazes, and sweet treats. Fall is truly here, and the end of October is approaching. That means that Halloween is just a few days away. For many years now, MHCC has held a Halloween event on campus for people of all ages. This year, the Halloween event is Barney’s Boo Bash, which w

Chiderah Edeh The Advocate Education today is not just about learning facts or passing exams, it’s about discovering new ways to think, solve problems, and express ideas. At Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), creativity is at the heart of learning. The college encourages students to explore their interests, challenge traditional ways of thinking, and use their imagination to connect what they learn in class to the real world. One of the most inspiring things about MHCC is how

Saints left outside hitter Brooklyn Boyd skies for a spike attempt in a recent home match at the Yoshida Events Center. The Centennial High School product is currently third in “kills” (a winning attack shot) per set for Mt. Hood this season. She trails only fellow freshmen teammates Hannah Laursen (Westlake High School, in Saratoga, Utah) and Taylor Young (Corbett High School) in that category. The freshman-heavy Saints, 6-16 on the year, play their final three home matches