By The Torch Staff
Welcome to the MatchBox Column, we’re glad you could make it.
It’s no secret — we love Eugene Weekly. If you’ve ever flipped through their free print edition, out every Thursday, you’ve probably come across their commentary column Slant. Students at The Torch have been asked (repeatedly) to do something similar, so here it is: MatchBox — like Slant, but more student-focused, and focused squarely on things that matter for the population of Lane Community College.
- Where did April’s print issue go? Good question. It’s not lost — just…delayed. We decided to upgrade from eight pages to twelve, onboard new staff, and invest in training so that Editor-in-Chief Kat Tabor and Managing Editor River Shepherd don’t burn out trying to make this paper happen on their own. Trust us, it’s worth the wait. Please help us welcome Rye Butler-Corbett, Amy Prince and Fern Dimick to the team! We’re still hiring — work-study and freelance positions available. Hit up torcheditor@lanecc.edu if you want in.
- More on the board elections. The LCC Board of Education election is heating up, and ballots for the May 20 special election should already be in your mailbox (or your recycle bin — go fish it out, please). Student candidate Devon Lawson isn’t pulling punches. This week, he told The Torch he was “disturbed” after his opponent received an endorsement from Darin Harbick — he described as a far-right figure known for opposing HB 2002, Oregon’s 2023 bill protecting gender-affirming and reproductive care. “When I saw my opponent endorsed by right-wing MAGA State Representative Darin Harbick, I was disturbed,” Lawson says. “This is the same person whose relatives stormed the Capitol on January 6th, and who actively opposed a 2023 Oregon House Bill which protected vital reproductive and gender-affirming care services for Oregonians [HB 2002]. Freedom of education is on the ballot May 20, and voters deserve to know which candidate will stand by their values and who won’t.” Lawson has centered his campaign in direct opposition to sitting board member Julie Wiesmann, criticizing her role in the December 18 appointment process. Wiesmann told The Torch she abstained on principle, stating that as someone who was herself appointed in July, she felt “unqualified to vote” and that the decision should be left to voters.
- LCC SPA finishes Macbeth. Shout-out to the Student Production Association for pulling off a powerful run of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Directed and adapted by local actor, director, and theater creator Paul Dunckel, the show brought blood, betrayal and bold performances to the LCC stage. Bravo.
- Miss the Sneaker Ball? Sneakers, mocktails, and serious vibes. The Black Student Union and Student Government Association took over the second floor of the Center Building for the first-ever Sneaker Ball — and yes, it was a whole moment. Dat Boi DJ Smuve brought the beats, the food was free, and the energy was high. The Torch tips its hat to BSU and SGA for kicking off what we hope becomes a legendary LCC tradition as they have plans to continue this next spring.
Drama? Always. Democracy? Hopefully. Match lit.
