Page 4 IjJnrtlanb (Dbserürr IPs Back! Live Music at Billy Webb’s Elks Lodge Every Friday and Sunday Come join us for a Scorpio Party Friday November 15th, 2013 9:00pm till 2:00am Featuring Randy Starr and the Player ’s Dress to Impress; Cash award for Best Dressed Great Drinks and Big Fun for the 30 and over Crowd Admission: $5:00 For Members & Guest November 6, 2013 Reception for new College Leader Jeremy Brown takes reigns at Portland Community College More than 500 people, including Gov. John Kitzhaber, gathered at the Portland Art Museum to meet Portland Community College's new president Jeremy Brown. Notable guests for the Oct. 30 ceremony also included Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz, State Senators Mark Hass and Betsy Johnson, State Representatives Michael Dembrow, Chris Gorsek and Margaret Doherty, Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey and Portland Public Schools leader Carole Smith, to name a few. The PCC Investiture Ceremony, "Together, Envision the Future," gave the community a chance to get a taste of Brown's vision for the college's future and welcome him to his new position. In his address, he said the investiture wasn't about him but a celebration of the college and the difference it makes in the community. "All of this is humbling," Brown said. "I am grateful, and I thank each of you. This is an amazing moment Jeremy Brown listens to remarks during a ceremony installing him as the sixth president of Portland Community College. Seated next to him is student Rachel Black Elk. in PCC's history. More and more people are looking to PCC as the primary route to achieving their educational and career goals. We offer opportunities to older stu­ dents, students right out of high school, veterans, displaced work­ ers, and international students. Stu­ dents interested in transferring to universities such as Portland State, as well as those seeking terminal two-year degrees, one year certifi- Model School continued With the change of season it’s time to consider how visible you and your family are at night or during low-light hours. Here are some easy ways to increase visibility: L Be reflective and shine Z Add lights Z Be alert Make it a priority to *be seen* when you’re out and about this fell and w inter trimet.org/beseen Drive less. Save more. TR l@MET < v . m from fron t instructors adopt a village mentality, and are committed to putting in the hours to develop a good curriculum and key programs like summer school. He credits the commitment of teach­ ers as crucial to the fact that over 98 percent of SEI kids graduate on time, with 85 percent going on to college. Harri s said that the school ’ s model has long been successful. In 2010 when she and others from the acad­ emy went before the Board of Educa­ tion to renew their charter, she says its students were outscoring other African-American students in the state in the subjects of reading, writ­ ing, and science. This year alone, she said, SEI 8th grade boys were even outscoring their peers in mathemat­ ics. Hopson said he only hopes that more people will take heed to the work SEI does, especially considering the odds stacked against the vast major- Policy Director cates, retraining in new skills, ESOL, GED, pursuit of lifelong learning, and small business development. "More and more, we are asked to be all things to all people, at all times and in all ways," he added. The program, hosted by KGW- TV news anchor Laural Porter, in­ clu d e d p e rfo rm an c e s by the Jefferson Dancers and the student- continued on page 18 ity of its students from underserved populations in north and northeast Portland. He said the 9-year-old academy has proven itself during its short tenure as a uniquely positive force for African-American students, and said it is time for more financial sup­ port for the school. “Now when we look at the amount of kids that we service, and the amount of money that we’re getting both from Portland Public Schools and state g overnm ent, w e’re very underfunded...by a long shot.” “When you’re looking at what we call the ‘misery index,’ which talks about education, healthcare, and the criminal justice system, black folks are at the bottom of it. And if you’re looking at the equity lens that the state, Portland Public Schools and the county are using now, it says we’re trying to close the disparity between races. Because that’s what we do. And our stats are clear in our abilities to get this done,” he said. Resistance Education and Training instructor, and has been involved with the Making Positive Choices c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 2 Youth Forum; Racial Profiling Com­ too many waves it will be a detriment mittee; Citywide Diversity Commit­ to the changes needed in the Bu­ tee; Police Equity: Leadership Coun­ reau.” cil; and Community and Police Rela­ Wesson-Mitchell has served as tions Committee. a patrol officer, an investigative of­ She lives in the Lents neighbor­ ficer and police recruitment coordi­ hood with her husband, JaMarr nator. She also has been a Gang Mitchell, and their sons.