November 23, 2015 Campus News mcccagora.com • The Agora | 3

Kultur-nacht

MCCC writing fellows hold Poetry Night

GSA holds suicide vigilBy Emily LortonAgora staff

No one should be left behind or left alone struggling with suicide.

There are multiple resources available to those who have thoughts or have been affected by suicide.

This was the main point made at the “Healing for Yesterday, Educating To-day, and Hope for Tomorrow” Suicide Awareness/Prevention Candlelight Vigil on Nov. 11.

MCCC’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) hosted the candlelight vigil to remove the stigma of talking about suicide from to-day’s society and provide resources for people who have thought of taking their own lives.

Ally Shyllander, co-chair of the GSA, said suicide is prevalent in the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer) community, and nearly 30 percent of LGBTQ have attempted suicide.

“Although the LGBTQ community members live happy and successful lives, the awareness still needs to be made,” she said.

Last year, the MCCC GSA club hosted their first candlelight vigil during suicide awareness week in September.

Since veterans have a suicide rate that is 50 percent higher than someone who has not served, the GSA decided to host the second vigil on Veteran’s Day, Shyl-lander said.

“This is a great way to show resourc-es to those who need them and a great way for remembrance,” said Kaye Lani Rafko-Wilson, executive director of Gab-by’s Ladder. “It shows how it can affect a community.”

Gabby’s Ladder offers grief support groups for all ages at no cost, Rafko-Wil-son said.

The Left Behind support group is spe-cifically directed toward adults who are left behind after a loved one completes suicide.

The phrase “committed suicide” is of-ten used, but Rafko-Wilson said they like to use the phrase “completed suicide”.

Completed is a softer word, she said, while committed is often associated with crime. The victim has an agenda and when they are finished, they completed their task.

“If someone is thinking they are better off

dead, it is our job to help them understand this is short term and they can overcome this,” Rafko-Wilson said.

She added that it is exciting that the college is conducting a suicide awareness event. She said she was grateful to be part of it.

“People are so quick to go to a doctor if they are physically sick, but not mental-ly,” Rafko-Wilson said. “A person suffer-ing needs to tell someone they trust that they need to get to a safe place and make things better.”

“Mental health needs to be treated on par with physical health,” said Dr. Mark Naber, professor of mathematics at MCCC.

Guests Diane Mackey and Jim Gross said they feel like our society does not do enough to prevent or acknowledge sui-cide.

“Stress and anxiety lead to poor self-image,” Mackey said. “We need to be kinder and nicer to one another; suicide

has gotten out of control.”GSA members Gabriel Trejo, Shylland-

er, and Ian Leach were featured on Toledo 11 News (WTOL) on Nov. 7.

They were contacted by WTOL to talk about the vigil, Shyllander said.

The main things they discussed were how the vigil was relevant to the GSA, why suicide needs to be talked about, and the agenda for the night.

Melissa Grey, assistant professor of Psychology and co-adviser of the GSA at MCCC, was a guest speaker at the event.

“Suicide is something a person consid-ers when they feel they have no help,” Grey said.

She said she thought the event went well overall and could see that everyone was very moved.

‘’Everyone who was there was there for the right reason,” Grey added. “We helped someone regardless of how small the crowd was.”

“Even if one person was there, it still would have been worth helping them,” Raflo-Wilson said.

Grey got emotional when presenting a story about Leelah Alcorn, a 14-year-old transgender who took her own life.

She also noted that youth are three times more likely to commit suicide, and that societies should implement policies

to prevent unfair treatment. Suicide is the leading cause of death

among 15 to 24 year-olds, she said. “There are great organizations and re-

sources out there for help,” Grey said. “People just tend to not be comfortable talking about it.”

It is up to the GSA if they wish to con-

tinue doing the vigil every year, Grey said.

There are many myths about suicide that are not true and should not be taken seriously, she said.

“It is important for people to know they are not alone,” Rafko-Wilson said.

Warning Signs of Suicide• Threatening to commit suicide.• Talking about wanting to die

or being better off dead.• Having a history of mak-

ing suicide attempts.• Showing sudden changes in

behavior: becoming with-drawn, moody, or irritable.

• Being sad or depressed; crying.• Showing changes in eating or sleep-

ing habits; having headaches, stomach upsets, or other physical problems.

• Making “final arrangements,” giv-ing away personal possessions.

For more information or help:• Trevor LifeLine (866-488-7386)• National Suicide Prevention Ho-

tline (1-800-273-TALK)

By Emily CornettFor the Agora

The foreign language department hosted a Culture Night on Nov. 11, providing food from around the world.

The focus of the evening was for students to enjoy a relaxing night of foreign food and discussion.

Students also were able to showcase their talents. Derek Malhoit, Miyuki Zerke, Ka-tie Wicker, and Samantha Bartley performed songs on the piano, Andrew Rayl played the violin, Tyler Lambert played the trumpet, and

Darian Branham and Raiann Porkarski played charades.

The German 151 class also sang a tradition-al German song.

“It was nice that all of the language class-es could learn over food and culture beyond learning the language in class,” Jessica Ryder said.

She said her favorite food was the beef bourguignonne, which seemed to be a big hit, along with the German chocolate cake.

Tacos and German sausage were also avail-able, as well as multiple other desserts.

By Rex WagnerFor the Agora

The MCCC Writing Fellows held their annual Poetry Night at MCCC’s Little Theatre Oct. 29.

The theatre was decorated with cobwebs and there was plenty of apple cider and donuts in the hall outside.

Students and faculty shared their original writing and recited the work of their favorite poets.

Foreign poetry was featured as well, with readings of the famous Chinese poem, “Taking Leave of Cambridge Again,” by Xu Zhimo, and the Indian poem, “Where The Mind Is Without Fear,” by Rabindranath

Tagore.MCCC English professors

read the two poems in English, followed by readings by Zijun Ning and Technology Division Dean Parmeshwar Coomar.

Coomar spoke on China and India’s peaceful relationship.

“I’m glad a Chinese poem was read and now a Bengali

poem will be,” he said.Sierra Taylor’s original poem,

“In The Dark,” was a twist on Halloween’s typical scary sto-ries full of ghosts and the like. Instead, she chose to focus on the real evil that happens in the dark.

“I wanted something dark, but not too dark,” Taylor said “Something with a religious twist.”

MCCC student Ryleigh Byrne also delivered an emotional per-formance of her original work, “To The Rest of The World.

“It’s emotional and nerve-wracking, putting all your emo-tion out in the open,” Byrne said.

“It’s emotional and nerve-wracking, put-ting all your emotion out in the open.”

Ryleigh ByrnePoetry night performer

Agora photo by Cherie Farley

MCCC students participate in a costume contest during poetry night.

Agora photos by Emily Lorton

Paper bags with lights inside and messages on the outside lined the sidewalk outside the La-Z-Boy Center.

Haley Breckenridge enjoys a piece of cake.

German students sing a traditional German song.Derek Malhoit plays the piano.

German and Spanish food was served.

Students enjoy tastes, sounds from around world

“It is important for peo-ple to know they are not alone.”

Kaye Lani Rafko-Wilson

Photos by Emily Cornett