The Saint :: Issue 7

Catching Fire | 6

AQuimas Reporter Abigale Racine checks out the annual Christmas event.

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Men’s basketball | 7

theSaint

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Volume 33, Issue 7

Do you what you want with our finals, Gaga.

Exam Cram

>>NEWS LLC Spotlight | 2 Staff Writer Mayra Monroy takes a look at Meijer Hall, the HOPE LLC.

World News | 3 The Saint has everything you need to know about headlines from around the world.

Aquinas aids students in preparation for the fall 2013 semester exam week

By Mayra Monroy Staff Writer

>>CULTURE Britney Spears | 5 Saint Reporter Abigale Racine has the scoop on the pop star’s new album.

Book of Days | 6 Staff Writer Chuck Hyde reviews the latest Aquinas play.

>>SPORTS Women’s basketball

| 8

The Saints hold an impressive 9-1 record.

Hugh Ingalls

| 8

Sports Editor Alyssa Frese interviews the hockey player.

With the end of the semester near, the scramble for studying and final projects comes alive for Aquinas. With the stress of cramming for exams, Campus Life and Aquinas Student Organizations join forces to provide students with a week of oncampus events to relieve stress.

Exam Cram week kicks off on Sunday, December 8. On Monday, commuting students are given the week long op portunity to enjoy free coffee at the Commuter Lounge taking place on second floor of the Academic Building 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other events on Monday include Yo g a a n d Yo g u r t , a 4 5 m i n u t e restorative yoga session with some yogurt for the go, sponsored by Integrated Campus Health Services from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Donnelly Center and free massages, sponsored

by AQPB with limited sign ups in the library from 9 p.m.-11 p.m.

The events continue into Tuesday with, including Campus Ministry’s Ice Cram, ice cream in the library piazza from 8 p.m.-9 p.m. and Open Mic Night brought to students by AQPB, taking place in lower Cook Carriage House from 9 p.m.-10 p.m.

We d n e s d a y e v e n t s p r o v i d e students with an opportunity to meet their class senators with Meet the Senators in the lower Cook Carriage House from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Habitat for Humanity gives students a chance to Pie-A-Prof at 5 p.m. in Wege. A variety of holiday related parties and activities in Donnelly and the Moose from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

The In Case of Emergency Improv Troupe will hold an improv show at the Moose at 9 p.m., the

New Forms Class exhibit

desktop computer with countless streams of the words “everyone knows.” Then you notice the formidable traces of blood cascading over the entire screen, which invokes a greater respect for those victims who have endured harassment.

Michelle Davis’s “A M i s c o n s t r u e d Perception” imitates the contemporary image of beauty with full-scale PARIS CLOSE/THE SAINT faces composed of magazine clippings Express yourself: Michelle Davis’s piece “A Misconstrued s y m b o l i z i n g i d e a l Perception” is on display at the AMC. perfection. Senior Dale D o m e r’ s e n g a g i n g

By Paris Close mixed media videologue “Mr. Bower, Culture Editor Meet Mrs. Bower” provides interesting On a cold, wintry Monday, when the insight on the rare bowerbird and its snow flurries are harsh and unforgiving, unnatural nature, exemplifying how I usually would not find myself trekking staying true to oneself means everything through sidewalk slush for an art exhibit. in a world of uncertainty.

Senior Jessica Wycoff’s visual piece But this isn’t just any exhibit. The New offers an inquisitive perspective with Forms Class exhibit, put on by students of the Art and Music Center Gallery here “Fixed Focus,” a work that almost at Aquinas College, is certainly a sight literally allows one to become one with the artwork itself. Wycoff’s work to behold.

S e n i o r L a u r a R i c o s t u n s defines depth in a manner of ways with a u d i e n c e s w i t h h e r i m m a c u l a t e waves of fibers keeping the squared work “Dreamscopes,” curated with lens in suspension in such a microscopic photograms of glass bottles, which fashion that it inevitably lures the viewer captures the possessive element only into the triad of scenic images.

Finally, contributor Sotir Davidhi’s nature commands. The artist’s intent to “Home” introduces a range of peculiar “trap the impossible” is fully mastered with a collection of nature’s most and visually-intense prospects. The lifeprecious treasures: milkweed seeds and sized creation stands erect on a wood dried flowers, all intertwined in a ribbon and oil medium with an astonishing 3D composition that signifies the many of nostalgia trapped in a glass bottle.

Another piece that pulls at the places Davidhi considers to be his viewer’s heartstring is “The Bully” by refuge, his haven.

If you have yet to witness the senior Benjamin Stoner, which is an beautiful work of AQ’s very own artistic advocatory work speaking out against marvels, there is still time. The exhibit cyber-bullying. At first glance, his will remain open for viewing until work seems simple, featuring a basic Wednesday, December 18.

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Representing AQ: President Juan Oliveraz serves breakfast at last semester’s Exam Cram Breakfast. The late night breakfast, which will take place on December 16 in Wege, is always a campus favorite. first show of the two they will have during Exam Cram week. An event happening on Thursday is sponsored

by Klub Polski, Study and Snacks on the second floor of the Academic Building, 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

F r i d a y ’ s e ve n t s i n c l u d e A Q Relay: A Sustainable Luncheon, brought to students by WAC and S3, a sorting relay with free pizza 12

p.m.; the Science Lock In, sponsored

by ACS in Albertus Hall on Friday at 8 p.m.-8 a.m. Saturday and In Case of Emergency Improv Show at 11:59 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

The Exam Breakfast will kick off the week of exams and the final week of the semester at Wege on Monday, December 16. Students can receive free breakfast with a student ID,

sponsored by Campus Life.

Finals are stressful, but organizations on campus strive to provide a stress free environment for AQ students.

Good luck on exams!

Comic relief

In Case of Emergency promises much needed laughs during exam cram

By Laura Farrell News Editor It is no secret that the last few weeks of the fall semester can be a little stressful. Between papers, finals and the encroaching Christmas season, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. A group on campus, however, is here to provide much needed comic relief.

In Case of Emergency, also known as ICE, is an Aquinas comedy sketch troupe has been dishing out the laughs on campus for years. This year, seniors Ian MacNeil and Katie Glossop lead the team of COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS eight as captains. The duo was chosen as c a p t a i n s b y l a s t Too funny: Members of last year’s In Case of Emergency team perform in the Wege Ballroom. This year’s ICE captain, year’s team promises even more laughs.

Chris Skurka.

Rounding out the ICE crew this Premiere Party, is set to start at 9 two humorous study breaks to AQ year is Sean Briggs, Zoe Collenburg, p.m. Be sure to get there early as during exam cram. “Our goal is to bring humor to the everyday.

Paul DeAngelis, Kenny Judge, Regan seats go quickly.

T h e f i n a l I C E s h o w o f t h e We wa n t A q u i n a s t o r e m e m b e r Rohrs and Ian Scheidel. The crew performs at least once a month all s e m e s t e r w i l l b e t h i s F r i d a y , that laughter is the best medicine, December 13, in the Performing no matter how sick you are,” said around campus.

ICE is set to end the fall semester A r t s C e n t e r a t 1 1 : 5 9 p . m . T h e MacNeil.

Be sure to catch the ICE team with uproarious laughs with two “Unplugged” show is a one-of-ashows. The first show is tonight, kind show and promises to bring on in action this week around campus, December 11, at the Cook Carriage the laughs, with new improv games and don’t miss their special show December 13, at 11:59 p.m.

H o u s e . T h e s h o w , U n f r o s t e d : A and “rules going out the window.”

MacNeil promises to bring

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Grand Rapids: Shooting outside local mall

Michigan: Woman sues Catholic hospital and gains national attention

National: Drones to deliver Amazon purchases?

World: Olympic Committee looking for U.S. bid in 2024

Outside Woodland Mall, multiple gunshots were fired last Monday, December 2, around 6:45 p.m. Although shell casings were found in the parking lot and one bullet hit The Gold and Silver Exchange near the lot, the shooter was no where to be found. The incident was reportedly contained outside the mall.

Tamesha Means of Muskegon is suing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, claiming that religious policy prevented her from obtaining an abortion in 2010. She later miscarried and is seeking damages for “physical and emotional pain and suffering.” Means is supported by the national ACLU and the ACLU of Michigan.

In a 60 Minutes spotlight last week, Amazon’s chief executive Jeff Bezos announced a plan in the works to use drone-like systems to deliver small packages. The plan, being labeled as a PR stunt, was quickly criticized for being unattainable. Following cyber Monday, Amazon shipping was noticeably backed up.

President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach stated last week that the Italian support for the 2024 Summer Olympics was good, but that the United States should submit a “strong bid.” Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas and Washington were amount the probable cities.

Pregnant pause laura farrell |news editor My fellow students, I give you many kudos if you are reading this column before the end of the semester. The late placement of Thanksgiving has made the cruel few weeks of classes even more drastic, with little time left before exams. I know that I, myself, am drowning in the myriad of papers and reading still left to complete within the next few days.

One of those many papers is for my Communications Theory class, taught by the dynamic duo of Dr. Avery and Dr. Weinandy. My paper, a literary critique, surrounds a hypothesis I developed earlier in the semester. My hypothesis deals with reality television and its effect on our perceptions of what is our actual reality. Specifically, I am looking at shows that focus on teenage pregnancy, 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom and My Teen is Pregnant and So Am I. I am sure most of you are familiar with these shows, whether you have watched them on television or have just seen the magazine covers depicting the “stars” of these shows at the grocery store.

My avid research and familiarity with these shows and their subjects, and most likely my hours at work spent with toddlers and their mothers, have heightened by “baby senses.”

It seems like the Internet is the hub for baby madness. Pinterest is chock-full of baby announcement ideas. You can find knockoffs of Princess Kate’s maternity dresses in two clicks. Yahoo! headlines are devoted to which celebrity couple is now expecting.

The other afternoon, while naturally procrastinating, I came across a headline about a new mother’s “selfie.” The self-taken picture displayed a young mother, who h a d repo rt e d l y g i ve n b i r t h three days prior. The picture was the opposite of what I expected, however.

It depicted the mother in a pink bra and black bottoms, highlighting her toned and tight abs.

Yahoo! reported that the caption under the picture was labeled, “I feel so empty.” The picture had, no doubt, caused a frenzy of reactions both criticizing and supporting the mother’s post.

As I said, I do not plan on having children for a while and certainly cannot speak for mothers. I have to admit though, I was surprised by the posting. I would imagine in the whirlwind of the first days of parenthood, social media has to be pretty far down on your list.

Any posts on social media that I can foresee feature myself posting picture after picture of my new baby, but definitely not my own exposed body.

I do respect the mother’s rights to post what she likes and commend her for staying in insane shape. More power to her.

Sadly, the obsession with getting the baby weight off so quickly does not surprise me in the slightest. From Jessica Simpson to Kim Kardashian, the media hounds new moms to get the baby weight off as soon as possible. The media counted every gained pound during her pregnancy, even calling her a “whale,” only to turn around and count the days before she is back to pre-baby weight.

As annoying as the Kardashian clan might be, no woman ever preparing to become a mother should have to deal with purposeless criticism.

I think there are very few things more cruel than critiquing a mother’s physique. I find it plainly bizarre t o q u e s t i o n we i g h t g a i n d u r i n g pregnancy, and simply mean to do the same after birth. I feel that the competition of post baby bod needs to stop, and instead focus on healthy moms and babies needs to take it’s place.

So next time you run into an expectant mother, or new mom, don’t add to the incredible amount of pressure already there. And good luck with finals, everyone.

AQuismas tradition

A spring abroad

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Christmas cheer: The Cook Carriage House was bustling with holiday activities and the moose got into the spirit as well.

By Abigale Racine The Saint Reporter Oh, the weather outside was bone-chillingly frightful, but the holiday spirit at Aquinas was still delightful on the night of Thursday, December 6.

Wi t h t e m p e r a t u r e s b e i n g a t a solid 25 degrees Fahrenheit, the crowd present at the annual Christmas tree lighting on Holmdene lawn was grateful for the free hot chocolate generously provided by the AQ Programming Board.

However, the warmth of the delightful chocolate beverage cannot be compared to the warm fuzzies that the Christmas tree inspires to the student body, faculty, and visitors of Aquinas College.

Two years ago, the Sustainability Committee donated the tree that has become affectionately known as the official Christmas tree of Aquinas. The intentions of the environmentallyconscious committee were to provide the campus with a continual, greener resource every holiday season (pun intended).

This was explained at the official tree lighting ceremony on that chilly Thursday night.

Student Senate chairperson

Brandon Heritier spoke in place for President Juan Oliverez, who was unable to attend the event. Heritier spoke of the importance of the Christmas season being a chance for reflection and renewal.

The crowd then joined,in unison, with the Aquinas vocal arrangement group in a rendition of the timeless classic “Joy to the World.”

Besides traditional Christmas carols and personal growth, what else about the holiday season never grows old? Pretty paper, pretty ribbons too.

“There’s so much going on oncampus, but the decorations here at Aquinas are cool,” said freshman Hayley Jones.

Students gathered inside Regina Hall to listen to classic Christmas stories in their pajamas. Faculty, such as Vice President of Student Affairs Brian Matkze and Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Ian Borton read the crowd stories with the help of their own children.

Senior Catherine Jandernoa was one of the few students who spread some cozy Christmas cheer by reading a story. “There’s no better way to make Christmas come alive than by being a kid again,” said Jandernoa.

COURTESY AQUINAS COLLEGE

Ireland: Students will travel to Tully Cross, Ireland this spring semester with Dr. Ian Borton and his family. Students will get the chance to study Irish literature and history.

By Veronica Burns The Saint Reporter Excitement is growing for the 44 students leaving to study abroad this upcoming semester. With spring programs in Costa Rica, Ireland, France and two in Germany, there is something for everyone. These programs offer opportunities to learn and grow not only academically but individually as well.

Each program has a particular focus, and ranges between 13-20 credits.

Ireland is the largest study abroad program offered at Aquinas and just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Joelle Baldwin, Director of International Programs here at Aquinas, said, “While an AQ-led program, we work closely with Connemara West (a non-profit organization that helps place our students in internships), the local National Schools (elementary schools) of the Tully Cross area, and the Inch House Study Center.”

History, culture, and literature will be key areas of study in the Ireland curriculum. Sophomore English major Miranda Burel, when asked why she choosing to study abroad here this spring, said, “Being able to do an internship abroad would really help me get me feet on the ground and give me a good experience working in a community that is different than the one I am in now.

“Tully Cross is a really rural area,

very unlike Grand Rapids, and so the internship gives a new perspective on life and building a community that is significantly smaller than Grand Rapids.

Being able to do this internship too will set me apart from other candidates when applying for jobs and things like that.”

Those going to Costa Rica, France and Germany will be immersing themselves in the language. Junior student Joey Skorka will be studying abroad in France, and when asked what he’s most looking forward to, he said, “I’m most looking forward to is the fact that I will be able to explore places outside my comfort zone. I have never left the country and I have lived in the same state for my whole life so I am really looking forward to being able to broaden my horizons and explore the world.”

Those going to Germany will either be studying at the University Studies Abroad Consortium and Leuphana University in Lüneburg, or those in the Tübingen program will attending the University of Tübingen. During the semester, aside from studying, the students will participate in internships, class excursions around the surrounding areas and other activities.

“The best reward is to see how transformative a semester abroad can be for a student. The wealth of knowledge, confidence and sense of independence that a student gains during a semester abroad is amazing,” Baldwin said.

Living Learning Community Spotlight:

Meijer Hall

would fast (not eat) for 30 hours, to be in solidarity with those w h o d o n o t h a ve e n o u g h t o eat, or go long periods without Lining the road of LLCs on food,” explained Huth. Students the outskirts of the Aquinas should expect to see this event campus is a warming and take place during the second welcoming home whose semester. mission is to foster an inclusive With so many ideas and community for the rest of personalities in the house, HOPE campus. The HOPE LLC, house is never boring. “The best located in Meijer Hall, consists way to describe the dynamic of of 12 young women who seek the house is vibrant,” said Huth. t o p r o v i d e t h i s h o m e a wa y “There are always people in the from home through their faith living room conversing, or in and solidarity. the kitchen whipping up a new The acronym HOPE stands dessert to share with the rest of for “Helping Others, Providing the house.”

Encouragement,” and that’s The girls of HOPE house what the LLC plans to do. are faith-driven and through Senior resident assistant Molly this provide acceptance Huth explained, “We live in a and inclusivity to their community where faith is the fellow Aquinas classmates. main focus and center of our “Whenever I enter the home I actions. We work to live in am immediately greeted with solidarity with one another and smiles and updated of hilarious live simply.”

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS events and stories of the day.

The HOPE House, located Hope: Meijer Hall is home to the HOPE LLC this school year, a group that is determined to I t i s o b v i o u s h o w m u c h t h e right behind the Donnelly maintain a compassionate legacy.

H O P E h o u s e g i r l s l o ve t h e i r Center, is vibrant home filled community,” said Huth. with welcoming young women event welcoming students to join to the campus power outage that left who plan on providing a warm and the home as they knitted, crocheted, the house uncomfortably cold. open atmosphere to campus.

An upcoming event the house is and tied blankets to donate to local A recent event that HOPE house charity, God’s Kitchen. The event planning is a campus-wide 30 Hour held was “Project Warm,” a campus was moved to the Upper Moose, due Famine. “During this event students

By Mayra Monroy Staff Writer

News Editor Laura Farrell E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

Phone (616) 632-2975

Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

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NEWS

World news roundup

Former South African President Nelson Mandela passes

By Yashowanto Ghosh The Saint Reporter SOUTH AFRICA – Nelson Mandela, the man who defeated apartheid in South Africa, died in Johannesburg after a months-long battle with a recurring lung infection on Friday, December 6. Mandela was 95 years old.

Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner before being released in 1990 and becoming elected as his country’s president in its first multi-racial elections in 1994, serving for one term. He received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1993.

government protesters on December 1–2. The protests had been sparked by the government’s amnesty bill that would have allowed fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,

Bērziņš called the incident “murder,” Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis resigned and Nils Ušakovs, mayor of Riga, ordered inspections of other structures constructed by the builder of the supermarket.

The two-yearold structure had won the Latvian Building of the Year award w h e n i t wa s finished.

J A PA N , CHINA, AND T A I W A N – Te n s i o n s escalated over a chain of rocky uninhabited islands in East China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, which THE UKRAINE– the Japanese About 500,000 government people protested the COURTESY ECONOMIC WORLD FORUM p u r c h a s e d decision of President in 2012 from Viktor Yanukovich’s Revolution: Former South African president Nelson Mandela (right) shakes hands a p r i v a t e g o v e r n m e n t t o with former South African State President Frederick de Klerk, who also worked to J a p a n e s e suspend negotiations end apartheid in South Africa. owner, while for an agreement that China has been would have deepened trade relations ousted in 2006 and convicted on disputing Japanese sovereignty of the between the Ukraine and the European corruption charges in 2008, to return islands for decades. Chinese military Union, including the creation of a new to the country, and had escalated declared the islands an “air defense free trade zone. The resulting protests even as the government abandoned identification zone” on Saturday, were the biggest since 2004–2005, when the bill. Tensions were reduced when November 23, and Japan protested the the Orange Revolution forced new police withdrew their barricades on unilateral declaration. Taiwan, which elections after allegations that elections December 3, but protests continued. also claims the islands, expressed had been rigged for Yanukovich and concern and promised military police used batons, stun grenades, and LATVIA – The roof of a supermarket measures. tear gas on crowds on November 30. in Riga caved in, killing more than 50 people and injuring several others, on THAILAND – Police used batons, Thursday, November 21, reportedly water cannons and tear gas on anti- due to a design error. President Andris

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Remembering a leader Dr. Jason Duncan publishes book on JFK

By Chuck Hyde Staff Writer John F. Kennedy was one of the most fascinating political figures of the 20th century. He was a cult of personality and had an amazing amount of influence in the few short years that he was president of the United States. Aquinas history professor Dr. Jason Duncan has written a book about him and the time he lived in. Entitled John F. Kennedy: The Spirit of Cold War Liberalism, this biography attempts to encapsulate all that the American public knows about JFK. Duncan has been interested in the Kennedys his entire life, making this book an obvious choice for him.

Growing up in Albany, New York, in an Irish-Catholic family, Duncan became fascinated with the “Kennedy legend” at an early age. His mother even comes from a line of Kennedys, though not of any relation to JFK. Many people, particularly history and political science majors, are interested in the Kennedys and John in particular. They were a powerful family, and the extramarital affairs and assassination of their most famous son make for a very high profile story.

Duncan feels there is so much more to be told about JFK, however.

Kennedy led the country through one of the most tumultuous times of the last century: The Cold War. He led the people against the Third World,

hoping to prove America “a truly just and democratic society,” according to Duncan.

Duncan also relates how Kennedy influenced the greater political landscape of the 1960s, pushing for a stronger federal role in international politics. He promoted liberalism and broke ground as both the youngest and first Catholic president. He helped spearhead the Civil Rights movement as well.

Duncan hopes that his book will help everyone learn more about Kennedy and his presidency. He particularly is hoping that the book will benefit Aquinas students and help them learn more about him and the era. “My book is by no means the last word on Kennedy, but I hope my book does contribute to our understanding of him as a major figure in history,” said Duncan.

A scholar of American political history, Duncan already has hopes to write another book in the near future.

He plans to research Martin Van Buren and the founding of the Democratic Party, particularly his involvement in bringing Catholics and immigrants into the newly created group.

Look for John F. Kennedy: The Spirit of Cold War Liberalism in the Aquinas book store, on Amazon and through other book outlets in the area.

Video game surveillance Declassified documents show government’s interest in online gaming

COURTESY PM CHEUNG

Hero or villian: Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked over 200,000 classified security documents to the media, is still on the run.

By Laura Farrell News Editor

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News Editor Laura Farrell

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

There seems to be little that goes unnoticed and unwatched anymore.

With advances in technology, surveillance in major cities and on the Internet has rapidly increased over the past few years. In Great Britain, for example, little goes unrecorded due to the many cameras now placed in the busy streets of London. The copious amounts of surveillance has now moved to a new medium: video games.

The online fantasy worlds of World of Warcraft and Second Life are reportedly currently being infiltrated by authorities, according to recently declassified documents. Authorities are surveying various game sites to look for criminal and terrorists networks that may be communicating via these game sites.

Edward Snowden’s release of National Security Agency documents show a present concern that because of the “make believe” aspect of these games, it would be an easy place for criminals to communicate.

Reportedly, authorities are gathering data from gamer’s chat sessions and also creating their own characters to

Phone (616) 632-2975

Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

try and gain inside information.

A spokesman for Blizzard Entertainment, which produces World of Warcraft, told the New York Times: “We are unaware of any surveillance taking place. If it was, it would have been done without our knowledge or permission.”

With the help of technological advances, games like World of Warcraft and Second Life have become a second reality. Gamers can create avatars specifically to their own appearances, can talk with friends and/or strangers, and even exchange goods.

With the government’s interest so high in these gaming sites, private contractors even started debriefing the government on games and the behaviors of gamers.

Snowden, a former NSA contractor, disclosed upwards of 200,000 classified documents of the agency’s surveillance tactics to the press in 2012. Charged with espionage and theft of government property, he is now considered a fugitive and living in Russia.

Reportedly, only one percent of the leaked documents have been published by The Guardian, and more is sure to come.

opinion >>

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

The omnivore’s delight

FROM THE CROWD

APPLAUSE TO...

Michigan State, for making it to the Rose Bowl; The random delicious snacks found around campus during exam week; Customer Appreciation Month at Subway, for $2 sandwiches; Christmas themed drinks, for warming our taste buds; Nelson Mandela, for leaving behind a legacy of greatness; Ugly sweater parties, for being the best kind of holiday parties; Cyber Monday, for feeding our shopping addictions; Christmas break, for almost being here.

HECKLES TO...

Lack of lighting on campus, for making walking at night too spooky; Final papers, for sharing due dates;

By Paris Close Culture Editor I am not a vegetarian, nor do I ever want to be. Don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for the willpower vegetarians, fruitarians and vegans possess. For someone who could shamelessly clear a plate of wings and Checker’s burgers before the tenth Mississippi, you guys are super duper impressive.

However, like most other people facing the same dilemma as me, I don’t believe I’ve reached that point in my life where I am willing to go to such degrees to prove my loyalty to animals and more importantly, my body, by exchanging my omnivorous diet for a strictly plant-based or animal product-free diet.

That is the segue to my focal question: Does consuming animal products make me more or less of an animal lover? My answer? No. The question first emerged during a rather heated conversation, or “debate,” as my peer so eloquently put it, concerning the hypocrisy that

By Stephanie Giluk Editor-in-Chief

Students who only go to the library during finals week;

I would like to start this piece by saying I am currently working an unpaid internship. I have had only positive and educational experiences during my time working the internship, where I feel I have a platform I can use to develop my professional writing skills. That being said, I also feel the whole system behind pushing students to work unpaid internships before they graduate or even after college is flawed.

Unpaid internships are touted as a way for students to gain the elusive and ultra-valuable quality of “hands-on experience” in their projected line of work. What unpaid internships really do is invalidate the massive amounts of money and time students spend gaining a college degree by telling them their education does not matter. Instead,

The holiday crowds at Meijer, for collectively forgetting how to push a cart through the store; Horrible made-for-TV Christmas movies; Good TV shows that are on winter break until the new year.

2013-2014 E D I T O R I A L B O A R D Stephanie Giluk Laura Farrell Paris Close

Sports Editor Managing Editor

Alyssa Frese Michelle Szczap

Adviser Dr. Dan Brooks *** Please note that the views expressed on this page are those of their respective author(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of The Saint as a whole.

MISSION The Saint has worked diligently for the past 31 years to produce an informative, entertaining and journalistically-correct student publication. The Saint is distributed by students at Aquinas College and in the surrounding community.

Our goal is to continue to provide an open forum for the ideas, views and concerns of the Aquinas community.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR All letters must include a signature, typed or handwritten, and include a phone number for the sole purpose of verification. The Saint reserves the right to edit letters to the editor based on content, punctuation, length and libel issues.

Letters should not exceed 300 words. We will not print anonymous letters to the editor and will not accept letters to the editor over the phone.

>> write us a letter!

e-mail — saint.editors@aquinas.edu, or use the form on our website.

physical copies – AB, Room 20

of their love for animals.

This was until I rebutted the statement, recalling a particular instance where he, myself and another peer went out on the town for dinner and he ordered (and consumed) a dish that included goat’s meat, totally disregarding his “love” for the animal that was probably not of the free range variety and continued to indulged carelessly. The conversation after that point was brought to its inevitable end with the conclusion that one’s love for an animal cannot be solely decided upon their eating habits.

Criticizing anyone for their eating choices, or any preference for that matter, is corruptive and counterintuitive, and only bridges a larger and more uncomfortable dichotomy between veggie lovers and meat lovers. I mean, when you think about it, it’s really very silly. Why waste time fussing over who eats what and who loves what when you could occupy your time YouTubing cute cat videos or something?

it is really previous work experience that matters to future employers. So unpaid internships present themselves a solution to this lack of experience problem when all they do is make that problem worse. Because these internships are unpaid and many require the amount of time you would spend at a part- or even full-time job, they are restricted to those students who are very wellto-do or whose parents can support them for the amount of time spent working the internship. The “right” kind of experiences that prepare students for the working world then become restricted to a certain class of people.

Why should your college degree be useless if it does not have an internship attached to it? Granted, some unpaid internships hint that if you work for them for free at the moment, it might lead to employment with them later, but nothing

is ever guaranteed. And if a company says they are going to hire you later, why not hire you now? You are hired as an intern to perform a certain function and unless the internship involves training you to perform a function you did not previously know how to do, there is no reason a company should make you work for free when you are providing a service to them.

I think internships are a valuable way to gain experience and since they are usually tailored to college students, your chances of getting one are usually higher than your chances of being hired at some other part- or full-time job. I just wish more internships valued students’ time enough to pay them for the work they are providing. Not everyone can afford to gain a little experience for free.

Letter to the Editor

theSaint Editor-in-Chief News Editor Culture Editor

follows meat-eaters claiming to be just as much of an animal lover as their vegetarian colleagues.

This subject is so touchy that it is why I am choosing to take a stand for those like me who enjoy eating meat every now and then. I have an adorable cat named Cotton, whose fur is softer than any pillow or chinchilla known to man, and my love for her is in no way skewed or defined by my preference for a ground beef burger every once in a while over a black bean burger.

My peer, who ironically eats meat himself, but only of the free range variety, argued that my love for animals could not match his as I choose not to buy my meat products from an anti-animal cruelty companies, like he does. Granted, he makes a valid point. I don’t purchase from those companies but not because I don’t support the movement (as he suggested) but because their items are usually quite expensive and out of my pocket range. He then went on to insist that one’s readiness to eat those types of meat-products is a reflection

If you’re good at something, don’t do it for free

The Sound of Music Live, for von Sucking;

Parking lines, for confusing everyone who tries to park when it has snowed;

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Whose freedom of speech?

Dear Editor, Last month, Abigale Racine directed a rather scathing article towards the Aquinas Saints for Life club, accusing them of “shamefully” violating freedom of speech in a blatant act of closed-mindedness.

What brought on these accusations? Is the club duly charged, or did it simply act to preserve the integrity of its own free expression?

Saints for Life created a (collegeapproved) display on September 24, to kick off this year’s 40 Days For Life campaign through a prayerful act of remembrance. 100 crosses were placed on Holmdene lawn to represent the 55 million unborn children lost to abortion since the Supreme Court decision.

On the morning of September 25, new signage and notecards were anonymously placed on the crosses. Saints

Management E-mail saint.business@aquinas.edu

Phone (616) 632-2975

for Life removed the ambiguously worded additions, preserving the integrity and legitimacy of the original display.

Racine believes this act constitutes a grievous attack on individual liberty and freedom of speech. Yet, if one takes the “neutral” stance she claims, it becomes clear that the actual fault lies elsewhere. Saints for Life values and utilizes this same right to unimpaired free speech, as expressed through the very display in question. In reality, the club’s actions Racine portrays as “offensive” were simply ensuring their own, unimpaired expression.

Rather than defaming a respected student organization, true scrutiny should lie with the nameless person(s) who jeopardized Saints for Life’s legitimate display. Aquinas College utilizes certain rules and vetting processes for public campus displays. Saints for Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

Life fulfilled all such requirements— provided their display remained within approved parameters. Regardless of the anonymous notecards’ message, there are more orderly ways than vandalism to publicize opinions. If you wish to contribute to the abortion debate on campus, go through the same channels as Saints for Life or—better yet—contact and collaborate with the club!

So yes, thank you for making important observations about our First Amendment rights. Every side of an argument deserves to be heard, every voice contributes a valued perspective.

Yet perhaps, in the future, a few minutes’ fact-checking will aid your arguments.

-Sam Klee

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THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Movies: Bradley Cooper goes gangsta for American Hustle

Television: Ladies love Benedict Cumberbatch

Music: The 2014 Grammy Awards nominations are in!

A m e r i c a n H u s t l e , s t a r r i n g p o we r - d u o Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, could be the year’s edgiest crime movie yet.

If you happened to ask for more J.Law on your wish list this Christmas, you’re just in luck. David O. Russell’s drama flick will hit theatres this Friday, December 13.

Sure, he’s no LL Cool J, but nothing says hot stuff like Benedict Cumberbatch’s dramatic recitation of R. Kelly’s “Genius.“ I f y o u h a ve n ’ t h a d y o u r d a i l y d o s e o f sexy (or laughs) already, be sure to watch Cumberbatch’s stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and thank us later.

The nominees were announced this past Friday and we couldn’t be more satisfied.

Among the noms for Song of the Year are Pink, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and newcomer Lorde for “Royals,” of course. See who else made the list by visiting www.grammy.com.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT >>joe jonas

Joe Jonas penned a tell-all for New York Magazine this month, sharing intense moments from his time as a teen star. According to Jonas, he smoked marijuana with Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus around the age of 17 or 18, when the girls weren’t even 16.

COURTESY JONATHAN LEIBSON

Catching Fever paris close | culture editor I am frustrated and shocked to announce that I am now a Belieber.

People, if you ever needed evidence to prove Justin Bieber is, in fact, a part of the Illuminati: this is it.

It’s more than “just a little bit” difficult to cope with the fact that Ellen DeGeneres’ little sister turned Justin Timberlake Mini-Me is now my biggest muse, it’s borderline crazy. The man has made it onto my playlists and under my skin, especially with the new content he’s been leaking, which is reminiscent of the soulful sound JT led on “Cry Me a River.”

After having listened to “All That Matters” and “All Bad,” I am completely sold on the Biebs’ next album. This new obsession has me feeling about as embarrassed and conflicted as Miley Cyrus’ (once) bleached eyebrows right now, and I’m not happy about it.

I really want people to understand that this confession is not out of betrayal but of weakness. I am human and Bieber’s “swag” on these new songs is freakin’ addictive and, dare I say, sexy.

If you never decide to consider his talent, the least you could do is take the time to appreciate the beauty behind his hot hazel eyes.

Since we’re talking about things we appreciate, I figured it would only be right to address my feelings about one of this year’s biggest blockbusters: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Before you bash me, I’ll admit I haven’t read the second novel, or the third for that matter so my judgment may sound a bit predisposed.

I know, shame on me. Blah, blah.

Anywho, I love the route director Francis Lawrence has taken with the series: it’s necessarily flashy in certain scenes but puts greater focus on the operations behind President Snow (who’s a total jerk and then some) as well as the Capitol.

There is even more Katniss and Gale action in this one! What more could we ask for than Liam Hemsworth, right?

Still, in some cases, I felt the film projected too much time and attention to the Capitol and its underlings—more than half of the film to be exact. I did enjoy seeing Prim again though, and how the living arrangements of Katniss’ family have drastically evolved once we visit their home in the Victors’ Village.

The action, which is perhaps the most pertinent motivating factor for seeing these films, was not as active as I’d expected it to be.

In fact, the action or lack thereof in the Quarter Quell seemed to expire in less than 40 minutes or so. This totally sucked because I was hoping to see more of a fight between Katniss’ crew and the other victors rather than watching nearly everyone die unremarkably and so abruptly.

What was far from unremarkable were the performances put on by Jennifer Lawrence, Sam Claflin and surprisingly Jena Malone. Claflin is a total babe just as every fangirl of the series has told me and Malone is definitely emblematic of the word “badass.”

Nonetheless, speaking as someone who has yet to read Catching Fire (but earnestly intends to soon), the film’s gripping climax is what will take everyone by surprise, and Francis’ art of cliffhanging serves as evidence of such cinematic brilliance.

Since we’re already talking about appreciating the brilliance of someone, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the late Paul Walker.

While I wasn’t a fan of The Fast and the Furious flicks, I was always an undeniable lover of Walker since his appearance in Pleasantville as the gorgeous, ocean blue-eyed Skip Martin. I remember deliberately borrowing my grandparents’ copy of Joy Ride just to see him and Steve Zahn walk into that gas station half-naked.

Too much? Maybe. But strange memories make the best memories, am I right? No? Okay, whatevs.

In all seriousness though, just as Cory Monteith’s disturbing and untimely passing befell this year, Walker’s death was also far too soon. While we mourn the loss of another Hollywood hero, his legacy lives on forever as an incredible father and husband, and the handsome actor with an infectious smile.

Rest in peace, Walker. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Statham’s performance sure to lull you to sleep

By Nathan Gimby Staff Writer Homefront has a pretty standard action movie formula, with all the depth and complexity you’d expect from a film penned by Sylvester Stallone and starring Jason Statham. Statham plays Phil Broker, an ex-cop with a sordid past who tries to get out of the game and live a peaceful life down south with his daughter. Inevitably, his past catches up with him and he is forced to do his whole invincible killing machine thing on some meth dealing bikers.

Statham is wholly uninteresting when he is not beating the living snot out of someone, which doesn’t happen nearly as often as you’d expect. The movie instead spends a whole lot of time trying (in vain) to make you care about its protagonists. Nauseatingly sentimental violin plays over scenes of Phil and his daughter Maddy (Izabela Vidovic) horseback riding through the woods as beams of sunlight stream through wispy willow leaves. They settle down by a picturesque river Where’s the action: Jason Statham just isn’t the same when he’s not going rogue. and mournfully reminisce about the wife and mother they tragically lost to with here. He also gradually loses his and away the film’s most interesting an unnamed illness. It would almost initially convincing Southern drawl element. Gator is working under the be touching if it weren’t so bland and until finally abandoning it completely pressure of getting his meth operacontrived. at the film’s climax, adding an unfor- tion into the big leagues and his sister James Franco has a more promistunate and accidental bit of comedic hounds him for meth while trying to ing entrance into the film as local meth effect to what should have been an raise a son and whip her docile husdealer “Gator” Bodine, menacing intense scene between Gator and his band into shape. It’s no Breaking Bad, some punks who have butted in on his partner Sheryl (Winona Ryder). but it’s a refreshing change from Staturf while displaying a bit of heart that But even with the flaws in Fran- tham, who only ever expresses deep could have made his character more co’s performance, the family dynamic concern for his daughter or various conflicted and interesting. Sadly, Franbetween Gator and his meth addict degrees of violent rage. At any rate, it co isn’t given much of a plot to work sister Cassie (Kate Bosworth) is far still isn’t enough to carry this misfire

COURTESY MILLENNIUM FILMS

of a film out of mediocrity.

At best, Homefront offers a bit of guilty satisfaction as Statham goes on a brief but bloodthirsty rampages on his woefully incompetent foes. At worst, it’s is a tedious slog of a film, full of phony sentimentality and bland or unrealized characters, both of which you can get elsewhere with more satisfying gunfights and better fight choreography.

Artist Spotlight:

Oops, she does it again with the impressive Britney Jean

Cody Simpson

By Abigale Racine The Saint Reporter Oops, she’s done it again.

That’s right, the legendary Miss Britney Spears has released yet another danceworthy album, destined to be a club sensation in 2014 as well as another guilty, bubblegum pop pleasure.

On her eighth album Britney Jean, Spears remains the same unapologetic diva that captivated the world since COURTESY RCA RECORDS her Disney days and definitely She’s back: Britney Spears pulls every trick in the book for went to work in this awesome record. the studio for this bangin’ record.

Considering the album cov- Tik Boom,” an explosive dance er, Spears was totally channeling mix featuring T.I, who surprisa pop culture icon that bore the ingly provides the rough edge the same middle name as her—Norma tune needs, than you could with Jean Baker, also known as Marilyn her appearance on Cyrus’ “SMS Monroe. While the paying homage (Bangerz).” Other highlights on the to the late Monroe was sincere and record include a mesh of potential chart-toppers clever, I will admit I was initially radio-dominating, like “Body Ache” and the enticworried about this album.

I was not impressed with ing, hypnotic beat on “It Should Be Spears’ hyper-autotuned, first sin- Easy” featuring will.i.am.

Listeners will be surprised gle, “Work B**ch” but I decided to change my perspective. I could to- with the cutesy tune “Chillin’ With tally appreciate the message Spears You,” a Spears-Spears collaboration was trying to put out there: “You featuring little sister Jamie Lynn wanna live fancy/ Live in a big Spears, who astonishingly bears no mansion/ Party in France/ You bet- vocal comparison to her older sis ter work b**ch.” Essentially, Spears (thank God). In other words, once is trying to entice us to chase after you hear this dynamic duet you’ll the finer things in life and join her be hoping for more Jamie Lynn colin the fast lane. The single has now laborations in the future.

While Britney Jean isn’t necesbecome everyone’s pump up song and is powering me through finals sarily anything extraordinary, the week, while also keeping me mo- queen certainly does not disappoint tivated on the treadmill which I’ll in her latest effort. And how could be confined to thanks to the snow. we expect anything less? In her atHowever, this album will make tempts to keep up with the tradition time on that dreaded exercise ma- of techno music, Britney Jean cranks chine much more tolerable with all out a lineup of beats that will inspire everyone to break it down on the amazing work-out tunes.

By the sound of this album, it the dance floor. seems Spears saved all her bangers for her own album (sorry, Miley Cyrus). You can definitely sense a difference in energy on “Tik

Culture Editor Paris Close

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

COURTESY ALEXA SPIELER

Heartthrob: Meet the handsome Aussie behind “Pretty Brown Eyes.”

By Veronica Burns The Saint Reporter Artist: Cody Simpson Genre: Pop Current Album: Surfers Paradise Comparisons: Austin Mahone, Justin Bieber & Greyson Chance Popular Tracks: “Pretty Brown Eyes,” “La Da Dee” & “iYiYi” Australian singer Cody Simpson is becoming the next teen heartthrob. Like Justin Bieber, he made YouTube videos covering popular songs and even some of his own original content. This gained the attention of users, and later on, Grammy-nominated record producer Shawn Campbell in 2009.

Originally, the blue-eyed singer was an aspiring Olympic swimmer but music ended up taking over. Simpson often citing Jason Mraz as his musical inspiration.

His first release 4 U EP (2010) featured songs “All Day” and “iYiYi” which featured Flo Rida. On the latter, Simpson adorably sings: “Oh baby whenever I’m gone, I’m wishing I was back home, I can feel your heart when we’re apart.” Since capturing the hearts of tweens, Simpson’s co-headed a tour with Greyson Chance, and continues to make media appearances.

One year later, his Coast to Coast EP peaked on the Billboard 200 at No. 12. The EP featured the

Phone (616) 632-2975

catchy tune, “On My Mind,” which he said, “[was] very emotional. It’s stuff that I think a lot of people can connect [with].”

His 10-track debut studio album Paradise was released last year, after his third EP Preview to Paradise. Simpson’s vocals give the former a feel-good vibe along with his down to earth personality, which obviously made fans fall even more in love with the crooner.

This increase in popularity helped him land a spot as an opening act in Justin Bieber’s Believe Tour.

His latest album Surfer’s Paradise features hits “Pretty Brown Eyes” and “La Da Dee,” which landed a spot on Cloudy and a Chance of Meatballs 2 and reached 10 on the Billboard 200.

Unlike most young artists, he tries to keep himself grounded: “I try to stay out of the whole Hollywood scene as much as I can and just focus on my music and my shows. I definitely feel like I’m still able to come home and still feel like a regular person,” Simpson told The West Australian.

Since creating a platform for himself, Simpson has garnered over six million followers on both Twitter and Facebook. The star will be headlining his very first tour with the Paradise Tour this upcoming year. For more information concerning his music, tour dates and merchandise be sure to check out www.codysimpson.com.

Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

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CULTURE

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

The Hunger Games: Aquinas presents Book of Days Catching Fire burns bright

By Chuck Hyde Staff Writer

Girl on Fire: Catching Fire is a worthy successor to the young adult franchise.

By Stephanie Giluk Editor-in-Chief The Hunger Games: Catching Fire improves on the first movie in every way while remaining true to the heart of the series.

Our heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is back and dealing with the trauma that comes with surviving the events of The Hunger Games. Katniss has also unwittingly become a symbol of rebellion to the oppressed citizens living in the 12 districts of Panem (North America of the future) who are ruled by a fascist, dystopian government.

To quiet the revolutionary stirrings of the other districts, Katniss and fellow tribute and Games survivor Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) go on their victory tour, trying their best to play up their fake romance and distract the starving and angry citizens of Panem so the status quo can be maintained. But Katniss is much better at shooting a bow than she is at faking a relationship with Peeta (plus Hutcherson, as Peeta, just

can’t quite live up to book Peeta’s charisma and draw) and President Snow (a menacing Donald Sutherland), Panem’s leader, decides to take care of the Katniss problem for good.

Snow, along with the sinister new Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), decides to add a special twist to the 75th Hunger Games, dubbed the Quarter Quell. Only previous victors are reaped to compete in the games-in other words, Katniss and Peeta are forced back into the arena, and this time, they are facing fellow victors (or, more accurately, fellow killers).

The film’s sense of pacing is excellent, thanks to new director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), who gives Catching Fire much needed energy and suspense. The film spends just enough time back in District 12, Katniss’ home, that it hurts when she’s pulled back into the grotesquely opulent world of the Capitol, where she has to make nice with the people who root for her and the other tributes’ deaths every year. She banters lightly with the purple-haired Ryan

Seacrest-ish Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) even as the gown she’s w e a r i n g burns away to reveal a black Mockingjay dress, designed after the bird that has become as much a symbol of the rebellion as Katniss has. But Katniss can’t prolong her entry into the Games forever, and the film revels in the madhouse jungle that is COURTESY LIONSGATE the Quarter Quell arena.

T h e s e Games pit Katniss against a range of horrors, like poisonous fog, evil monkeys and the arena itself. Bitter newcomer Johanna, played by a scene-stealing Jena Malone (Sucker Punch) is a treat to watch, and razorsharp Finnick, played by Sam Claflin, who turns in a pitch-perfect performance, are Katniss’ unlikely allies.

As for Lawrence, she gives a powerful performance, playing Katniss as both the victim of the Capitol and a survivor. You feel every emotion she feels, even if Katniss isn’t allowed to show us.

Catching Fire is an excellent, tense movie, though its greatest pitfall is the same one that the book fell prey to—Katniss is set up to be the fierce face of the rebellion, but by the end it’s revealed that she has only been a passive agent in the rising revolution so far. It’s too early to tell whether or not Mockingjay (both part one and two) will deliver the active agent of the revolution the Girl on Fire deserves to be, but for now, we have an incredibly entertaining movie to watch while we wait.

Aquinas College Theatre has put on another unique and interesting show with Book of Days. Led by AQ’s own Theatre Program Director Randy Wyatt, the play depicts a modern take on George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan. The small town of Dublin, Missouri, is rife with drama and conflict as the eccentric citizens come into conflict with one another. Among the characters are an owner of a cheese factory, his crooked soon-to-be-politician son, a power-hungry preacher and a couple caught up in the middle of everything.

Caught in the chaos are husband and wife Len and Ruth. Ruth is a bookkeeper and aspiring actress that gets cast in the town’s production of Saint Joan as the titular heroine. Junior Taylor Nefcy takes on the role with passion and naivety that is characteristic of Joan of Arc. Nefcy lets the obvious influence of the saint show through in her portrayal of Ruth. As the play goes on, she becomes more and more like Joan, with obvious parallels being made throughout the play’s second act particularly. She has been working hard on the play for months now.

She is says it is “an amazing project” that she is “grateful that [she] could be a part of.”

Among the other leads are two first-year students: Ben Avery and Caleb Jenkins, playing manipulative lawyer James and friendly cheese maker Len, respectively. They both

One Direction falls flat with Midnight Memories

The Catching Fire soundtrack is a surefire winner cover of Tears for F e a r s ’ “Everyb o d y Wants to Rule the World.”

The dark, t e n s e themes of the song match the overall tone of the movie, and Lorde’s chilling v o c a l s make you feel every word she sings.

Cleverly chosen COURTESY REPUBLIC RECORDS lyrics like “ W e l Playlist-worthy: Ellie Goulding, The Lumineers and Imagine Dragcome to ons join the ensemble roster. your life, there’s no turning back/ Even while

By Veronica Burns we sleep, we will find you,” capThe Saint Reporter tures the suspense of the Catching The soundtrack to one of most Fire movie.

Ellie Goulding’s high, piercanticipated movies of the year, The ing vibrato makes a statement with Hunger Games: Catching Fire, has something for everyone. It includes the track “Mirror,” and she spoke an impressive lineup that ranges in earnestly about the tune with MTV genre throughout the record and News: “I actually wrote about someone, and then I converted it slightly lyrics that contain deep meaning.

Lorde, the singer of the moment, for Hunger Games, because I spoke to captivates with a haunting, melodic the director, and he loved the song Culture Editor Paris Close

so much and wanted it to be about the film.” The song features lyrics about a girl on fire, so it matches exactly with Katniss’ rebellious image.

Imagine Dragon’s track “Who We Are,” drums up a fast pace while “Atlas,” by Coldplay, moves slowly with powerful lyrics Billboard said “… abstractly touch upon main characters Katniss and Peeta’s mutual reliance.”

Santigold’s “Shooting Arrows at The Sky,” The Lumineers’ “Gale Song” and “Capital Letter,” performed by Patti Smith, contain lyrics that provide insight into the movie alongside cool indie beats, projecting guitar sounds and revolutionary tones, making each record stand out on its own.

“Elastic Heart” by Sia featuring The Weeknd and Diplo is the record’s most popular indie pop track with lyrics that embody the characters’ fight for survival: “… I know that I can survive, I walked through fire to save my life/ And I want it, I want my life so bad.”

It’s amazing how many of these artists’ songs resemble the feel and emotional duress of the characters from the book. With so many different other fabulous artists on this record, including Christina Aguilera and Of Monsters And Men, the Catching Fire soundtrack is a sure to be a hit with fans and newcomers alike.

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

put on great performances, with Jenkins managing to be perhaps the most relatable character in the play.

Meanwhile, Avery’s James becomes a very unlikable (though conceivably realistic) politician. Both stark characters contrast each other, being almost complete opposites.

The play did have its downfalls. Some of the performers had brief lapses of character, while the transitions could have gone much smoother. Ultimately, though, the play was entertaining, thought-provoking and engaging. It will keep you paying attention throughout the spectacle, and the pacing never seems to drag on one bit.

When speaking on the experience directing the play, Wyatt said he loved the play’s ensemble nature and how “it flow[ed] like a river to its inevitable conclusion.”

The production plays along with the idea of morality. It is frequently seen that such a concept has to go deeper than the shallow surface level. Such examples of common sources of morality (i.e. the law, the church) are shown to be corrupt when examined more closely than skin deep. True convictions reveal the right choice but only with great harm to those that seek them.

As Wyatt puts it, “Ruth’s crusade ultimately immolates her.”

Overall, Book of Days was a great play and a display of just how incredibly talented our students actually are.

COURTESY PEGGY SIROTA

Outgrown: One Direction’s latest record seems too preteen for such rising stars.

By Kane McLoughlin The Saint Reporter One Direction’s third album, Midnight Memories, reminds listeners you can’t teach a boy band new tricks. Despite hitting the milestone of being the first group in history to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their first three albums, Midnight Memories has little to be desired. It can be said that 1D’s new album is slightly edgier with more of a rock-like undertone, but it still suffers the criticism their previous album Take Me Home suffered: the songs are too generic.

The album consists of love songs that range from syrupy sweet lyrics which tug on the heartstrings of young girls to deceptively sweet melodies that show how convincing #YOLO is when it comes to getting someone into bed. Now, these themes in popular music are not uncommon, but what is interesting about this album is the awareness of growing up.

Since 2010, when Simon Cowell first Frankensteined 1D into existence, it was always expected that the group would disband one day. This in itself is not shocking, as every boy band preceding 1D eventually grew up and split apart. However, almost every member of 1D seems to be getting to the age when they are too old to fly in the world of boy bands. This is possibly why there is an urgency to songs that promote “not taking it slow,” which is noticeably consistent throughout Midnight Memories.

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Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

Underneath the party melodies and repetitive ABABCA pop song rhythms, there seems to be a group that understands they are at the apex of their boy band careers. Lyrics such as: “I know you want to take it slow/ But think about all the places we could go/ If you give in tonight” from “Why Don’t We Go There and “You say it’s getting late, it’s getting late/ And you don’t know if you can’t stay, if you can stay/ But you, you don’t tell the truth/ You say you’re a good girl/ But I know you would girl/ ‘Cause you’ve been telling me all night” from “Little White Lies” are only samplings of the reflective nature of the happy go-lucky boy band. There seems to be a sense of urgency that there is only so much time to “dance all night to the best song ever” and make midnight memories.

The album is not without some merit. “Story of My Life” is one of the better songs on the record, which could be considered the bastard child of Mumford and Sons and 1D—no doubt riding off the wave of popularity from folk rock. “Story of My Life,” unlike the other songs on the album, offers a refreshing narrative change.

Instead of convincing girls that they need a man for the night, the song gives the different message of being gone from a girl’s life.

With only a few songs actually keeping the momentum of Midnight Memories going, it begs the question whether or not 1D has grown too old for the Neverland they’ve created for themselves.

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Michigan State Spartans: Rose Bowl bound

Record broken: Denver Broncos kicker breaks 63 yard record

BCS National Championship: Florida State will play Auburn

The Michigan State Spartans will head to the Rose Bowl after finishing the season with a record of 12-1. This is the first time since 1988 that the Spartans will compete in the Rose Bowl. The Spartans will be playing the Stanford Cardinals who finished the season with a record of 11-2.

This past Sunday Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater kicked a 64 yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans. The record of 63 yards was set by New Orleans’ Tom Dempsey in 1970 and was tied by Denver’s Jason Elam in 1998, Oakland’s Sebastian Janikowski in 2011 and San Francisco’s David Akers last season.

The BCS National Championship game will be held in Pasadena, California. The number one Florida State Seminoles who finished the season with an undefeated record of 13-0 will play the number two Auburn who finished with a record of 12-1.

Football Frenzy alyssa frese |sports editor Ever since heading back home for Thanksgiving Break, I feel as if I’ve been living and breathing football. Between all of the college football games I watched over Thanksgiving Break combined with the NFL games I watched, I feel that I have gone into football overload.

Not that I am complaining. I’m not going to lie, football hasn’t always been my favorite sport. Growing up in a baseball loving small town, football was not something that was as familiar to me. My dad was always a Packers fan and sure I would watch games with him occasionally but the love for football never clicked like it did for baseball.

That was until I got into high school. High school football games were a big deal where I came from. I know this is common is small towns especially. The thing was my high school football team was never really that good. There are so many movies about the cliché small town football team that the whole town lives for and how all the high school football players were treated like athletes.

My high school wasn’t like that at all. Football was just football. When school would let out we would we would put the tailgates of our pickup trucks down, unload our grills and tailgate until it was almost time for the games to start. In excitement, we would rush to the student success and cheer so loudly we didn’t have voices the next day.

Fast forward to my freshman year Aquinas when I realized there was no football team. A football team was something I had never given much thought when I was applying to and touring colleges.

When I came to Aquinas, however, it felt like something was missing. I would log onto Facebook and stare with envy at pictures of my friends tailgating at Iowa and Iowa State games. I felt like I was missing out on something. Football games bring students together in a way no other sport can. The tailgating gets everyone pumped and rowdy for the game and then everyone goes to their student section where they scream and cheer for their school. There is so much pride shown at football games and it unites the crowd in a way that not many other sports can compare.

This past fall, I was able to experience college football as any college student should. I had the privilege of attending two games at Notre Dame.

The atmosphere there is something I cannot even begin to explain. The rich tradition of football and the bond the fans share is something that is unspoken but so evident and strong. The student section was the most impressive part of these games.

Decked out in their Notre Dame gear and screaming at the top of the lungs, the student section cannot be missed.

I might have spent just as much time watching this section as I did watching the game to be honest. Experiencing Notre Dame and all of the tradition and history there was one of the highlights of my college career. It filled the yearning I have had to root for a football team. It filled the void that had been left since I had graduated high school.

Baseball may be named America’s past-time, but in many ways I feel that football has become the pasttime of today’s era. After attending my first NFL game last season, I can say that football affects fans the same way at any level, whether it be high school, college or professional. The background of the sport is something I had missed for such a long time and did not even realize it until this year.

I know Aquinas isn’t going to be getting a football team anytime soon which is definitely a bummer. However, I know that I have other options that I can enjoy. Whether it be a road trip to East Lansing or South Bend for a college game or to Detroit for the big time stuff, I know football is something that doesn’t have to be missing in my life ever again. I’m glad I was able to discover the magic of Notre Dame and get back into my groove of watching football. It was something that was definitely missing for far too long.

7

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

Patrick Eaves and Jordin TooToo are looking pretty good in Griffins uniforms this season. Eaves, who has five points in five games, has helped the team reach second in the Western Conference and first in the Midwest Division. The Griffins are currently riding a five game win streak and they look to extend that with five home games in the next two weeks against Rochester, Chicago and Milwaukee. TooToo, who was recently sent down by the Detroit Red Wings, has two points in seven games and is a plus one. Having players with NHL experience seems to be helping the youngsters as well.

One of those youngsters is rookie Alexey Marchenko. Marchenko was taken 205th overall by the Red Wings in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and seems to be making the adjustment to the North American game easily. Having posted 13 points in 21 games, Marchenko spent his youth playing hockey in his native Russia

at the junior and professional level so look for him to be an impact player. Also benefitting from the veteran presence is rookie Teemu Pulkkinen. Pulkkinen has posted 16 points in 21 games with the Griffins and is an impressive plus 11. While this is his first professional season in North American, Pulkkinen joined the team at the tail end of last year and won the Calder Cup with the Griffins, which is pretty impressive considering he didn’t even play a full season.

Former Griffin Richard Nedomlel was reassigned to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL after playing in three games with the Griffins this year. Nedomlel, registered two penalty minutes and one shot on goal in those three games. This six foot five, 231 pound defensemen has already played four games with the Walleye and posted two points, two shots on goal and 18 penalty minutes. After receiving graces from the hockey gods, the Griffins will hit the road after their next five home games and play against the Iowa Wild.

Aquinas men’s basketball The Saints are determined to turn the season around

>> Indoor track and field

The Aquinas men’s and women’s indoor track and field season has just begun. The Saints ran at GVSU on December 6 and will compete there again on December 13. Other upcoming meets are at Calvin College on January 10 and Mike Lints Open in Allendale on January 17. Both the men and women’s teams will be competing.

Aquinas bowling

Grand Rapids Griffins

By Taylor Hodges The Saint Reporter

<<

WHAT TO WATCH

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Finishing strong: Freshman Brenda Tamez bowls for the Saints during their meet that was held at Westgate Lanes in November. Tamez and the rest of the Saints will pay their next match-up on Saturday, January 4.

By Chuck Hyde Staff Writer The Aquinas Bowling team is now halfway through their season, already hosting a home tournament at Westgate bowl and attending three others. With three events left, the bowling team is feeling optimistic about the state of their team and the events of the season.

At the start of this season, there was a coaching change. Though that can always be difficult, many of the team’s members are looking at things in a positive light. New coaches Charlie and Marliss Tapp have professional bowling experience, something that is becoming a huge asset to the team. Senior Zander Atwood is pleased, saying their coaching has allowed the team to “learn many new things and make adjustments to [their ] individual bowling styles.”

Though the team’s record is not the best, they aren’t letting that get to them. The players feel their team is improving and believe it will continue to do so. Sophomore Dakota Neff is glad that the team is “improving every tournament,” something

that should always be strived for.

The reception for their home meet was particularly favorable. Many Aquinas students showed their support, and junior Kara Turkstra was particularly excited. She acknowledged that bowling is not the most traditional spectator sport, and “their support meant everything to the team.”

More than just a sports team, the bowling team makes certain that everyone is friendly and supportive.

Even when a team member experiences a loss, the team makes sure that they are comforted and taken care of. Sophomore Lauren Kingsley is glad that her team has a positive outlook. She feels good about the rate of improvement, and hopes for “an even better season next year and in years to come.”

With the combination of many new faces, as well as returning players, the bowling team shows no signs of slowing down in their continual improvement. They still have three more events to go, hopefully finishing stronger than they have previously. The men and women’s teams will compete next at Indiana Tech on January 4.

Detroit Lions The Lions remain first in the NFC North

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Focus: Sophomore Zach VanBeek prepares to shoot a free throw for the Saints in home court action this season.

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor The Aquinas men’s basketball team has had a bit of a rough season. With a record of 4-6, the Saints are struggling to get more wins under their belt. The Saints lost four in a row recently, but dominated in their most recent game against Marygrove, winning 89-49.

On November 26, the Saints played against Concordia and lost in overtime with a final score of 9186. High scorers for the Saints were sophomore Zac VanBeek and senior Brett Pfahler, who put up 15 points apiece for the Saints. The Saints then played Hope College on Saturday, November 29. The game was very close, but the Saints ultimately lost by just one basket with a final score of 69-67. The top performers for the Saints were senior Kolin Kazen, who scored 18 points and sophomore Jake Bullock, who scored 17 points.

On Saturday, November 30, the Saints had a tough loss against Calvin, with a final score of 77-55. Bullock and Kazen were top performers once again. Kazen put up 18 points Sports Editor Alyssa Frese

and Bullock put up 11 points for the Saints. “Our record cannot speak for how much potential we have and how we feel we are doing,” said senior Brett Pfahler. “Collectively we compete better than any team I have been a part of here at Aquinas and it is only a matter of time before our record starts to show that.”

In their most recent 89-49 win against Marygrove, the top performers for The Saints were Kazen again with 16 points and Pfahler with 13 points. The Saints will play their next game on Saturday, December 14, against Northwestern Ohio.

With determination to work hard and give 110 percent on the court, the Saints are looking to turn this season around. “I would like to be a part of a championship team and reach the national tournament where we can compete against some of the best competition across the nation,” said Pfahler. “Leaving this program in better shape than when I came in is a huge goal that I am aiming for and I am working at every aspect of my individual game to do just that.”

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

By Joe Foldenauer The Saint Reporter Finally, after 13 years of constantly disappointing Thanksgiving games against the Green Bay Packers, the Lions have achieved victory, winning 40-10. Previously, the Lions suffered a tough loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Matthew Stafford was one of the top performers of the game though, passing for 26/46 attempts, 297 yards, three touchdowns and an unfortunate four interceptions. The last one sealed the win for the Buccaneers.

Calvin Johnson completed 115 yards off of seven receptions.

But then a Thanksgiving Day miracle occurred and the Lions ended a long losing streak against the Packers. The Packers, without their star quarterback Aaron Rogers have been struggling. This Thanksgiving game marked the highest point-value win against the Packers for the Lions since 1973. Matthew Stafford played a great game, with 62 percent accuracy off of 330 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was also sacked and threw two interceptions, but that didn’t stop the win for Detroit.

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Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

Calvin Johnson had six receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown. Reggie Bush also had 20 carries with 117 yards and one touchdown. Also making some headlines would be Ndamukong Suh, who has made some headway since his 2011 stomping incident. Suh has showed maturity and played a good game, with four tackles and one sack.

Joique Bell, who backs up for Reggie Bush had a great game with 19 carries, 94 yards and one touchdown.

This past Sunday, the Lions played in some of the worst weather conditions they have played in a long time. In a game nicknamed the snow bowl, the Lions were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 34-20.

Before the game was over, there was a foot of snow on the field and this did not help Detroit in any way, especially Calvin Johnson, who attempted a catch and got a face full of snow instead. Besides this missed catch, Johnson had three catches for a total of 49 yards. While Joique Bell had 23 carries for a total of 69 yards and one touchdown.

This Sunday the Lions will play against the Baltimore Ravens.

8

SPORTS

THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11,2013

Detroit Red Wings

By Taylor Hodges The Saint Reporter The Detroit Red Wings are sitting comfortably in the Eastern Conference after a pair of wins. Beating opponents Buffalo, Boston, New York and Ottawa gave the team that extra push needed to be in the top half of the conference. Their four game win streak would end with a heartbreaking loss to Philadelphia, but they have a chance to redeem themselves with pair of home games, and we all know how good the Wings are at home.

Still leading the team in points is captain Henrik Zetterberg who has gone pointless in his last two games.

He looks to build on his three point effort against Boston a couple weeks ago. Zetterberg leads the team with 30 points in 28 games.

Not too far behind him is Pavel Datsyuk, with 23 points in 24 games.

Datsyuk has been in and out of the lineup due to concussion symptoms.

Fans should know that he is expected to return soon after participating in morning skates and feeling no concussion symptoms.

Also looking to follow Datsyuk on the road of recovery is former Western Michigan Bronco Danny DeKeyser. DeKeyser has been out for seven games after suffering a separated shoulder against Nashville and is still a few weeks away despite participating in morning skates.

Looking to stick with the team this year is former Grand Rapids Griffin Gustav Nyquist. Nyquist, who has six points in seven games with Detroit this season, seems to be

Aquinas women’s basketball

finding his way into the lineup on a regular basis and, according to General Manger Ken Holland, is going to be sticking with the team for the rest of the season. Also looking to stick with the team is rookie Brian Lashoff. Having played in 25 games so far this year and performing quite well, Lashoff seems to have finally found a home in the Wings lineup despite being more a defensive player.

If you happen to like Jonathan Ericsson, he has signed a contract extension to remain with the Wings for the next six years. Ericsson would have become an unrestricted free agent in the summer had the Wings decided not to resign him. The Red Wings will play next on Thursday, December 12, against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Playing with devotion Senior Hugh Ingalls leads AQ hockey on and off the ice COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Put it up: Sophomore Dani Lollo shoots around her opponent in home court action this season. Lollo and the Saints have a 9-1 record this season.

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Staredown: Senior Hugh Ingalls eyes his opponent this season in home rink play. Ingalls will graduate in May with a degree in Sutainable Business.

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor Hockey is a sport that takes a great deal of time, practice, persistence and money. None of these things have prevented senior Hugh Ingalls from staying involved with the sport he has grown to love since beginning it at the young age of five years old. “My dad was involved with hockey and skating before I was born. My parents got me involved and I’ve been playing ever since,” said Ingalls. “I fell in love with the game.” Ingalls credits his parents as having the largest influence on his hockey career as well as former NHL superstar Sergei Fedorov.

“It would have been possible to play hockey growing up without the support of my parents. They provided transportation and funded the bills for travel hockey which was quite expensive,” said Ingalls. “Fedorov was my favorite hockey player growing up.”

Ingalls was so passionate about hockey that he decided he wanted to play in college; however, Aquinas did not have their own hockey team at the time when Ingalls decided to enroll as a student. “I decided to enroll at Aquinas initially because of the Sustainable

Business program. When I realized Aquinas didn’t have a program, I started to advocate for team my senior year of high school by e-mailing the president and [Associate Director of Admissions] Jeremy Wood.”

After expressing his desire for a hockey team at Aquinas, Ingalls entered in a Business Pitch Competition with the help of other Aquinas students Nolan Smith, Louis Vecchio and Christian Potter. “There were 18 guys in a rec league my freshman year, but by the beginning of sophomore year we were approved as a team. We had practice once a week and were granted $10,000 from Student Senate,” said Ingalls. “We were recruited 15 guys and 12 of those 15 stayed on the team.”

Ingalls considers starting the hockey program at Aquinas to be the greatest achievement in his overall hockey career. “It feels great to know all the hard work has paid off. Giving other kids the opportunity to play college hockey is huge,” said Ingalls.

“None of it would have been possible without the support from the Athletic Department and (Vice President for Enrollment Management) Paula Meehan and the Management Office.”

Since hockey has played such a large role in Ingalls’s life, he plans to stay as involved as possible with the program after he graduates in May. “I would love to help recruit. I will definitely stay in touch with the program,” said Ingalls. “If I stay around the Grand Rapids area, I could play a bigger role in the recruitment process.” Ingalls has been dedicated to the Aquinas team since day one and his hard work does not go unnoticed.

“It’s been a privilege to watch Hugh develop as both a person and an athlete over the past three years,” said Aquinas head coach Mark VanVliet.

“He was an instrumental part in the startup of this program and has paved the way for the new recruiting class of Aquinas student athletes.”

After he graduates in May with a degree in Sustainable Business, Ingalls is optimistic about where he wants to end up. “My dream job would be working for a corporation or working within the office of sustainability at a college or university,” said Ingalls. “I am open to moving anywhere in the country, but I would love to eventually raise a family in Grand Rapids.”

Aquinas men’s hockey

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor The Aquinas men’s hockey team is playing a solid season so far. With an overall record of 11-6, the Saints seem have hit a bit of a rough patch, losing the last four games in a row.

The Saints played two games against Calvin College on November 22 and 23.

The first game, played at Calvin College, was well-played by both teams. The Saints ultimately lost 3-1 with the lone goal being scored by senior Hugh Ingalls. The next night, the Saints came back determined to defeat the Knights, but ended up losing 4-3, with goals being scored by freshman Corey Giffel, sophomore Brendan Giffel and senior Greg Baranyai.

The Saints then played Adrian in two games this past weekend, one at

home and one on the road. The Saints were defeated in both games against the Bulldogs.

The Saints are improving significantly from the previous season, where they finished with an overall record of 15-13. This is only the second season of the Saints being an official team at Aquinas. With a little less than half a season left to play, there are still high hopes for the Saints.

“We’ve certainly raised the bar in terms of commitment, depth, and talent,” said head coach Mark VanVliet.

“Our strengths this season are the development of our ‘top tier’ talent and the solid recruiting class. The future certainly looks bright.”

VanVliet does not feel discouraged by the recent losses. He is optimistic about the remainder of the season and is projecting nothing but positivity and encouragement to the Sports Editor Alyssa Frese

team. Like many coaches, he ideally would like to make it to the conference championship, but that isn’t the only thing that matters to VanVliet.

“There is a broader goal of developing and preparing young men for the challenges that await them in their professional, post graduate life,” said VanVliet. “Years from now when this current crop of sophomores and upperclassmen look back on their time at Aquinas - and being part of the inaugural ‘start up’ of AQ Hockey - I would hope they grasp the enormity of what they really accomplished. I am confident that those experiences will serve them well. “ The Saints play their next two games against Davenport University on December 13 and 14.

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

The Aquinas women’s basketball team has played an impressive season so far, with an overall record of 9-1.

The Saints have been on top of their game. With a four game win streak, the Saints seem to be unstoppable.

On November 23, the Saints played at UM-Dearborn and won 96-57. Putting up the most points for the Saints were juniors Allison Heberlein and Chelsea Matley. Heberlein had 14 points and Matley had 13 points. Next, the Saints played Concordia at home, winning 77-58.

High scorers for the Saints were Heberlein, with 15 points, senior Taelor Sanders with 14 points and senior Marisa Marx with 12 points.

“There isn’t just one person an opposing team needs to worry about stopping,” said Sanders. “We have five plus players that could put up double figure points at any time.”

In their next match-up against Lourdes, the Saints never let up, winning 60-43 against the Grey Wolves.

The top scorers for the Saints were Sanders, with 17 points, and Heberlein, with 12 points. In their most recent game against Marygrove on December 7, the Saints were again

victorious, defeating the Mustangs 64-60. Top scorers were Marx, with an impressive 22 points, and Heberlein with 17 points. With such successful wins, the rest of the season looks promising and the Saints are hoping to make it farther than they have in a long time.

“Every game our team has our goals we are going to hold our opponents defensively and offensively-these goals are proving to be huge in our wins,” said senior Jenna Brower.

“When we meet our goals we gain a victory. Our biggest goal of the season is to win the conference and travel to Sioux City, Iowa to play for a national championship.”

The closeness of the team off the court may definitely have an impact in the success of the team on the court. “I can count on everyone on my team and we all get along better than ever” said sophomore Dani Lollo.

“Our team unity and being a family is a big strength and so is our defense and pressure.”

The Saints play tonight at home against Olivet and if they keep up the hard work, they may come out with a five-win streak. Anything is possible with the talent displayed on the court this season.

College football update Spartans beat the Buckeyes to advance to the Rose Bowl

By Joe Foldenauer The Saint Reporter The Michigan State Spartans have had a great season this year.

During the past few weeks, the Spartans played two great games against the Northwestern Huskies, winning 40-3 and the against Minnesota Gophers 14-3. During that game, Jeremy Langford had an incredible 21 carries, 134 yards and one touchdown. Cook had a light game with only attempting 20 passes, completing 10 for a total of 143 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

This past Saturday history was made when Michigan State beat Ohio State. Not only did this game mark the end of a 24 game win streak for Buckeyes coach Urban Meyers, but it also established that the Spartans will be headed to the Rose Bowl. The Spartans proved that they have greatly improved this season and have become a tough team to beat. Connor Cook played a great game, throwing three touchdowns and a total of 304 yards and won the MVP Award.

Also playing a great game was Jeremy Langford, who had 24 carries with a total of 128 yards and one

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touchdown. The Spartans will play in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2014, against the Stanford Cardinals.

The Michigan Wolverines had a rough finish to their season, losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes 24 -21 andto Ohio State 42-41. A win for the Wolverines looked possible, but somehow Iowa, after being down 14 points at the half, managed to come back and seal the win for them with a fumble recovery with a few minutes left in the game.

Then, during the following week, the Wolverines played one of their toughest and oldest rivals: the Buckeyes. The Wolverines put in a good fight, but with 32 seconds left and with a possible overtime, Gardner went for two and was unable to complete the pass losing the game. The Wolverines ended the regular season with a record of 7-5.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came close to pulling off a win against the eighth ranked team in the country, Stanford, but fell short losing 27-20.

Notre Dame ended the regular season 8-4 and looks forward to the return of Everett Golson next season.