Author: Mark Rummel

SC4 Potters Market Returns for 16th year

The St. Clair County Community College Potters Market returns for its 16th consecutive year on Thursday, Nov. 15, in the SC4 Welcome Center.

The annual event gives visitors the opportunity to explore and purchase one-of-a-kind pottery crafted by the college’s students, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as guest artists. This year’s event will feature ceramic work from 24 different potters that is either hand-built or wheel-thrown.

DSC_0555The market offers a valuable networking opportunity for students and a unique shopping experience for members of the community. Students have the chance to meet with professional potters to discuss their processes and learn strategies to market their work, while others can get a jump on holiday shopping by browsing the jewelry, holiday ornaments and functional and structural pieces that will also be on display.

The Potters Market was started in 2003 by former student Celeste Skalnek, who now serves as director of college, cultural and alumni relations at SC4. Skalnek has been key to the event’s continued success for the last 16 years.

DSC_0664“In our first year, we sold just over $3,000 in pottery. Last year’s total was near $12,000,” Skalnek says. “The offerings are as varied as the local artists who make them, and the artists are donating 15 percent of their sales to support the arts at SC4, so it’s a great way to help bring unique cultural opportunities to our community.”

The Potters Market runs from 3 to 7 p.m. on its opening day and from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 18. The event is free and open to the public.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Celeste Skalnek at cskalnek@sc4.edu.

TRIO Student of the Month: Crystal Devlaminck

Crystal Devlaminck was raised by her grandparents, who gained legal guardianship when she was taken away from her parents as a child. Though it may not seem like it, Crystal was born with a handicap, resulting from choices her parents made during pregnancy. She grew up in special education classes and utilized different types of therapy and counseling for most of her life. Along with her disabilities, Crystal has been managing mental health issues for nearly 15 years.

“Even with all these barriers, I was able to graduate high school in 2010 and am now attending St. Clair County Community College, finishing up my last transfer class for the 3 + 1 program with Siena Heights University to get my bachelor’s in business administration,” she says. After this semester, she will begin courses as a senior at Siena Heights.

Crystal is also driven by her Christian faith, explaining she came to religion later in life in her early 20s. “I have had a lot of ups and downs throughout my college career that I have had to overcome. Thanks to my support team in TRIO and others at SC4, I have always been encouraged to persevere. I am so very thankful for having everyone who has supported me throughout these years and motivated me to achieve success.”

Learn more about TRIO Student Support Services at SC4.

265 local students to get first look at SC4 Experience Center

On Friday, Nov. 2, 265 students from the STEAM Academy at Woodrow Wilson and Memphis Community Schools will get a first look at St. Clair County Community College’s new Experience Center partnership with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum before the Super Science Day public preview event Nov. 3.

One goal of the Experience Center is to provide unique experiential education opportunities to local students who may not otherwise have access to them.

“It is so important to have something like this right in our own community,” says STEAM Academy at Woodrow Wilson Principal Joseph Kramer. “Many of our students don’t have the ability to travel to Ann Arbor, Detroit or other areas around the state where these kind of opportunities exist. This is such a valuable resource, and we look forward to making these field trips for many years to come.”

During their visit, students will explore interactive exhibits on science, technology, engineering, arts and math, experiencing all the activities that will be part of Super Science Day ahead of schedule. They will have the opportunity to conduct innovative experiments, engage with live animals, interact with music and movement through a sonic display, explore the inside of an ambulance, learn about solar and wind energy, see an amazing collection of fossils and specimens, and view SC4’s new live sturgeon exhibit.

“This is precisely what we envisioned with this partnership,” says SC4 President Dr. Deborah Snyder. “The Experience Center will allow us to welcome more visitors to campus to provide them with an exciting experience that helps educate and inspire them.”

Super Science Day takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 3 in SC4’s Clara E. Mackenzie Building. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about scheduling a field trip to the Experience Center, send an email to experiencecenter@sc4.edu.

SC4 to host some of the best NJCAA volleyball teams in the country this week, Skippers to compete in action

SC4 Volleyball vs Concordia JV 09.jpgPORT HURON – St. Clair County Community College will host the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 12 Volleyball Tournament this week, Nov. 1-3. The tournament, which includes districts E and F, will send the two winning teams to the National Championship.

Games are scheduled for 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday; 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. (only if necessary) Saturday; in the SC4 Fieldhouse. The SC4 Skippers volleyball team qualified for the tournament and will play at 4 p.m. Thursday.

“The SC4 Fieldhouse will be filled with great college volleyball action,” said Vice President of Student Services Pete Lacey. “I encourage area fans to come watch some of the best players and teams in the U.S. compete for the opportunity to play for a National Championship. The winners will move onto Charleston, West Virginia, where the final 16 teams from across the nation will play to determine the national champions.”

Tournament brackets with all teams and game times are available below.

Tickets are $5 at the door.