The Saint :: Spring 2016 Issue 1

Gender neutral clothing & toys AQ students voiced their opinions on stores that have recently omitted genders to their clothing and toys

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Volume 35, Issue 9

>>NEWS Spring service-learning | 2 Reporter Jake Eccleston provides insight on upcoming service-learning trips Martina Devetak | 3

Reporter Luisa-Maria Michiu introduces us to a new face on campus

>>CULTURE Harper Lee | 5

Culture Editor Abigale Racine laments the loss of the beloved author

Vinyl’s back | 6

Staff Writer Ty Smith reviews Vertigo Music and the comback of the music store

>>SPORTS Women’s tennis | 7 Sports Editor Taylor Hodges reviews the women’s season so far and what to expect Men’s lacrosse | 8

Sports Intern Charlie Crowley previews the lacrosse team’s upcoming season

Back at it again with the white Vans.

New programs at AQ Degree opportunities arise for the 2016-2017 academic year

By Tamara Tiethoff News Intern Aquinas College might be a s m a l l s c h o o l , b u t i t i s a l wa y s coming up with big advancements.

Recently, the college has decided to add a new Master of Arts program as well as a new Bachelor of Science program.

With the growing demand for mental health professionals, it only seemed appropriate to create a Masters of Art in Mental Health Counseling degree. Daniel Cruikshanks, Ph.d., the head of the department of Psychology and C o u n s e l i n g , i s l o o k i n g f o r wa r d to the opportunities this new program will provide to students.

This new program will begin in the fall of 2016 and will be accepting 24 applicants per year.

To apply, students will need a Bachelor’s degree and nine semester hours of undergraduate studies in psychology. This 60-credit hour program will provide students the opportunity to begin practicing their counseling skills with simulated clients during their first year, as well as the ability to specialize in areas like marriage, family, grief, faith-based, and many more counseling options. This will also make sure the program is aligned with the new national standards for counseling graduate programs instead of the soon-to-be expired 48-hour requirement in the state of Michigan. Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, three letters of recommendation, a 2-3 page written statement explaining their professional goals and how they

Resourceful Women’s Conference brings keynote speakers to AQ

By Zoë Gipson Reporter Join AQ’s Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center on March 19 for the Resourceful Women’s Conference, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., for a day filled with speakers and presentations about women, gender and identity from all different perspectives. This free conference will take place in the Donnelly Center and includes a luncheon. Everyone involved has been eager to share about the conference; not only about the keynote speaker, Community leader and Kent County Chief Judge, Sara Smolenski, but also to speak about the undergraduate research and mentoring happening at Aquinas College.

Across campus, leaders have been working hard to pull this incredible event together. Not only Dr. Amy Dunham Strand, the Director of the Women’s Studies Center and her intern senior Ellyse VanderKamp have been working hard, but Dr. Penny Avery, the Chair of the Communication department and Susan Ponischil, our Access Services Librarian, are coChairs of the conference. The theme of this year’s RWC is “Mentorship,” which means that Judge Smolenski will be sharing her experiences with mentorship in her presentation, “Here Comes the Judge: One Woman’s Journey to Judicial Office.”

Va n d e r K a m p w a s e x c i t e d to explain the uniqueness of the conference, pointing out that, “it is a way to share perspective on women, gender, and identity, as it relates to culture, both domestically and internationally.”

Dr. Dunham Strand added that the RWC is not strictly about a single discipline, but clarified that

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it “reflects, in condensed, one-day form, the multidisciplinary nature of work in Women’s Studies -- that work on women’s and gender issues appears across various departments and programs.”

And reflecting the multifaceted nature of the conference, student presentations vary from disciplines like Art, Creative Writing, Literary Studies, and Humanities; to Dance, Political Science, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. Topics will include photography, poetry, original choreography, analyses of gender in literature, and research on prostitution, Title IX, identity formation, and oral history. Undergraduate students had to submit proposals by the end of January, and approved submissions were matched with a faculty mentor.

Dr. Dunham Strand explained that this is a great opportunity, “to develop a project for presentation to a wider, collegial audience. Students gain an experience of moving their work from a classroom paper to a conference presentation.”

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Opportunities Await: AQ offers a new Master of Art program in Mental Health Counseling, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Translation and Interpretation. plan to reach them, background checks, and a submission of their Revised General Test scores (GRE).

To be considered for the fall of 2016 admission, all materials are due by March 16. Throughout the program, students will learn the specific roles and functions of counselors, the roles of research, statistical analysis, needs assessment, and develop a deeper understanding of their own values, worldviews, proficiencies and limitations.

The second addition to the Aquinas College academics field is the one and only Bachelor’s

of Science in Translation and Interpretation degree in the state of Michigan. Accor din g to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, translation and interpretation employment is expected to grow 46 percent nationally and 32 percent in Michigan. This program, set to launch in the fall of 2016, will be offered in Spanish, French, and German. It will provide students the ability to acquire work in one of the top ten fastest-growing business sectors worldwide. Each of the three concentrations has three components that go along

with it: language and culture study, professional language, and subject-area specialty. The program will require a minor or second major so that students will have a specific field that they can specialize in. It will allow students to work in various s e t t i n g s , i n c l u d i n g g o ve r n m e n t , business, medical, legal, education, industry, translation agencies, or as freelance translators.

Students will also be encouraged to study abroad in a country that their language concentration is spoken. Upon graduation, students will have the option to go straight into the workforce, or they could continue to build upon their education in a graduate program.

Aquinas describes translators as being the ones who provide products and services, and work with written documents, which is different from interpreters who work as oral language mediators.

Although most people choose to pursue one field or the other, it is possible to work in both.

According to Bill Manns, president at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, the need for interpreters for the patients is constantly increasing. In the past nine months, with about 60 appointments each day, the hospital has increased th eir Inter pr etive Ser vices team from three full time interpreters to eight full time interpreters.

For more information on either of these programs you can visit www.aquinas.edu/academics.

Ebony Road Players A staged reading celebrating Black and Women’s history months

By Valentina Garcia Staff Writer Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 25, from 7-9 p.m. The Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies center along with the Center for Diversity & Inclusion are bringing the Ebony Road Players once more to Aquinas College, this time presenting a staged reading o f H a v i n g O u r S a y a t t h e We g e Ballroom.

The Ebony Road Players are not new to Aquinas. In fact, group founder Edye Evans Hyde is an Aquinas alum. Ebony Road Players are a West Michigan black theatre company. As stated on their website, their mission is to “inspire, educate, and engage cultures of our community with high quality theater productions focused on the black experience.”

Latoya Booker, Director of the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, states that the Ebony Road Players “provide a much needed platform for black actors and artists to showcase their talent, which might otherwise get overlooked.”

The group began in 2014 and their inaugural show, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow is Enuf, was actually shown at Aquinas. This production consisted of staged reading of 20 poems depicting struggles and obstacles that African American women face in their lives.

They have had various programs since then.

Having Our Say follows the story of Delany sisters Sadie and Bessie. The staged reading is based off their book with the same title.

The sisters are funny and feisty, and their story “demonstrates how vision, tenacity and courage can h e l p s t r o n g p e o p l e p r e va i l o ve r

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Taking a stand: A staged reading will take place on February 25 in the Wege Ballroom in honor of civil rights activists Sadie and Bessie Delany. seemingly insurmountable odds, it is also a testament to the human spirit, wherever it is found,” as described on the Having Our Say website. Their book has won several awards and has been translated into six languages.

Dr. Amy Dunham Strand, Director of the Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s Studies Center, highly encourages students and faculty to attend the performance.

“For anyone interested in black history, women’s history, and American history -- or on the intertwining of race, class, and gender in real women’s lives -- the Delany sisters’ story covers it all,” Dunham Strand stated.

This performance is a great way to bring both Black History Month and Women’s History Month together. “[Ebony Road Players] provides the community at large a way to e n g a g e w i t h i s s u e s r e l e va n t t o the Black experience, participate

in conversations about race and celebrate Black culture,” Booker said.

We a r e p r o v i d e d w i t h the opportunity to attend this performance on race and gender just as one month comes to an end and another to a beginning, and it would be a shame to miss out on it.

In addition to the performance on February 25 at Aquinas College, t h e E b o n y R o a d Pl a ye r s w i l l b e performing Having Our Say on March 10 at Hope College and March 12 at Grand Rapids Hope Christian Reformed Church. The event is free and open to the public ($20 donations are suggested). For more information about who the Ebony Road Players are visit www. ebonyroad.org

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Aquinas: Economicology forum on Paris Climate Change Conference

Grand Rapids: George Bayard III is expecting to open a new museum

Michigan: Michigan House approves $30 million for Flint

National: One missing after aircraft crashes along Long Island

On February 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Donnelly Center there will be a panel discussion presenting an economicology forum discussing an analysis of the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference. The proposed limitations on carbon emissions in the international setting and how both political and economic factors could influence the passing of the agreement.

Grand Rapids resident of nearly 30 years, George Bayard III, is a local artist and collector, and is hoping to open up Grand Rapids’ first museum of African American History. He has been collecting family heirlooms and artifacts and is excited to share his knowledge with the community. He expects the cost will be about $2 million to get the museum up and running.

Lawmakers of the Michigan House approved $30 million to help pay for Flint residents’ water bills.

This would make it so about 65 percent of the drinkable water bills are paid for by the state for fear that if people consume the lead filled water it could lead to developmental delays and learning disabilities.

The bill will be sent to senate next and then to Gov. Snyder for a final approval.

Around 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, the Piper PA-28 made a crash landing in the Long Island South about a mile off of the New York shoreline. The plane had been flying from Fitchburg, Massachusetts to Republic Airport in Farmingdale when the plane ran into engine troubles. Three of the four men were rescued and the search continues for the fourth.

From Paris, with love

Latest breaking news from around the world

By Lainie Tuitman Reporter I am ultimately here to study, to do my homework every day, and expand my language skills. However, in my mind, the adventure is half the education. Thus far, I’ve managed to dive right in. Getting lost, having adventures, joining in local life-that’s the stuff that an education is built on. I’m going to guess by the end I will be very well educated indeed.

Sometimes France is funny.

It is a Western European culture, with similar qualities to our own in the United States, yet it is a world away. It has a slightly worn and hard won sense of dignity about it that the United States may not b e o l d e n o u g h t o h a ve ye t . T h e French possess an almost shaggydog approach to the little things, yet much of life is layered with the pomp and circumstance of tradition.

The French seem to know when to fight their cultural battles, and when to leave them alone. Protests do not often raise too many eyebrows, and social movements usually gain easy footing. It seems like everyone has a cause, even if it’s to sigh and say, “to be young and crazy again.”

I currently live in a country where I am surrounded by some of the most famous medieval architecture in the world, and many of the streets are cobblestone. Yet, everyday I take a year-old green and purple tram that is part of France’s initiative to get cars off the road and prevent pollution. France has done something truly amazing: they have managed to culturally ingrain being “green.” Honestly, my host mom’s day-to-day life makes my last three years at Aquinas trying to be “ecofriendly” look like a total flop.

Many of the other students have said the same thing. Showers are cooler and shorter, dishwashers are not run until brimming, the compost is turned daily. Food is almost always carefully prepared with seasonal ingredients, which recently had my host mom proudly crowing about how her lifestyle since the 1940s is now “trendy.”

If you ever have the opportunity to be in Paris, or France as a whole, I would recommend any of the medieval churches. I wish they had places where you could lay on the floor and look at the frescoed ceilings.

If churches aren’t your thing, then there are a host of touristy things: there are small markets and holein-the-wall stores everywhere, with finds abounding. There’s of course the Eiffel Tower, and while it may make me nauseous because I’m afraid of heights, it provides a view of Paris that you have to see to believe. If you want the best versions of almost any dish, it is here (of course). My personal favorite is a simple, classic croissant…from the boulangerie, (like a bakery, but better… seriously) that my host mom has gone to for her entire life, that her mom went to as well. They know what they’re doing, if you get my gist.

I h a ve b e e n i n F r a n c e s i n c e February first. In that amount of time, I have seen, and done, more than I could have ever dreamed. I believe that everyone should have a chance to experience something similar.

Let me put it very simply: everyone should study abroad, participate in a Dominican Exchange, or go volunteer with one of the Service Learning Trips at the very least.

At Aquinas we have so many opportunities, from going all out or having a little taste of the action. We are so fortunate that we have programs like we do: ones that remain intently involved in our progress, that celebrate our success, and that actively take part in achieving our goals. If you are at all interested in Study Abroad, a Dominican Exchange, or the Service Learning Trips, do not hesitate to ask someone about them, because you may just have the experience of a lifetime.

Serving Saints: Upcoming service learning trips

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Missile Launched for “Strategic Goal”: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un addresses a ceremony for a missile that was launched on February 7.

By Yashowanto Ghosh Staff Writer NORTH KOREA – Supreme leader Kim Jong-un, addressing a ceremony honoring the scientists who had worked on North Korea’s missile launched on February 7, said it was his country’s “strategic goal” to “conquer” space, reports The Daily Mail.

Jong-un promised more “satellite launches.” President Barack Obama responded by signing into law a bill to strengthen U.S. economic sanctions against Pyongyang, North Korea. South Korea is suspending operations in its joint industrial zone with North Korea. Japan, too, has approved several punitive measures, including banning all North Korean ships, as well as third-country ships that called at ports in North Korea, and freezing all remittances to North Korea, reports The Mainichi. The United Nations Security Council is debating harsher sanctions as well.

UNITED KINGDOM – Prime Minister David Cameron reached a compromise about his status within the European Union— exempting Britain from the EU goal of “ever closer union”—after lengthy negotiations in Brussels on Friday, February 19, reports Reuters.

The deal involves the EU being less intrusive in Britain, Britain staying outside the euro area, and British social welfare being better protected from claims of EU migrants.

Britain is scheduled to vote this

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Saints Go Marching: AQ students Matthew Sova, Kate St. John, Nikki Bock, Patricia Schlutt, Claire O’Brien, Domenic Fusco, Taylor DeRousse,Kascha Sanor, Lexi Woods, and Tori Zalokar at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

summer on whether to stay in the EU or leave. Cameron said that, with the goals he had achieved in the deal, he would be able to campaign with all his “heart and soul” to stay; Britain’s eurosceptics dismissed the compromise as “Cameron’s hollow deal.”

UGANDA – Presidential candidate Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change party was arrested (for the third time in the week) on Friday, February 19, even as votes from the previous day’s elections were being counted.

His party tweeted that police had arrested Besigye at the party headquarters; the police issued a statement to the effect that Besigye had been detained in order to prevent him from announcing election results, reports the Ugandan newspaper The Independent. Incumbent Yoweri Museveni, who has been in office for just over 30 years, is ahead, according to Deutsche Welle.

TURKEY – The terrorist group Kurdish Freedom Falcons, a faction of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, claimed responsibility on Friday, February 19, for the suicide car bombing which had killed 28 in the capital Ankara two days before.

The terrorist group said the bombing was retaliation for the Turkish military’s actions against Kurdish rebels; it threatened further violent attacks. Turkish authorities have detained 17 suspects; Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said three of the suspects are believed to have played “an active part” in Wednesday’s attack.

By Jake Eccleston Reporter While most college students think about white, sandy beaches and palm trees when they hear the words “Spring Break,” a number of Aquinas students will be traveling to five different sites in order to make life better for a group of people. In the coming weeks, 53 students will embark on five different service-learning trips aimed at helping a variety of causes. The five sites include Christian Appalachian Project, Jerusalem Farm, St. Peter Claver School/Church, International Samaritan in Nicaragua, and Building Bridges of Hope in the Dominican Republic. Each program rewards the participants with unique experiences that will bring each of the students much closer together with the other students in the group they are attending with .

At the Christian Appalachian Project, Aquinas students spend one week in Eastern Kentucky, working primarily on local home repairs with the people of the community. Students going to Jerusalem Farm, located in Kansas City, Missouri, will learn about local foods, solar initiatives, community building and simple living, while working on home rehabilitation and serving with area non profits.

Student Leader junior Alex Karatkiewicz, is looking forward to returning to work alongside the people at Jerusalem Farm and recognizes the

importance of the memories that he will make saying that they, “impact a little part of yourself so that there is meaning behind your actions.”

At St. Peter Claver Church and School in New Orleans, Louisiana students will spend one week interacting with school kids and completing repair projects. Junior Maria Moon, a first-time participant on the New Orleans trip stated that while she does not know what to expect of New Orleans, she is really excited to meet and get to know the kids from St. Peter Claver because of all of the great stories she has heard about them.

The Nicaraguan group will be working with International Samaritan and the La Joya community, located near a garbage dump. The Dominican Republic group will assist to help provide medical clinics to three rural communities close to Haiti.

With all of these trips that are getting ready to depart, it is easy to forget all of the work and dedication that is put into planning and preparing each of these excursions. Service Learning Director Eric Bridge, now in his twenty-first year as director, is excited as ever for this spring’s group of service-learning participants.

He voiced his source of inspiration saying, “I’m inspired by the Aquinas students’ commitment to serve and to learn more about issues. AQ students display a willingness to engage with people across the US and around the world.”

University receives nationwide attention following firing of professors

By Carlos Hernandez Staff Writer In the beginning days of the 2015-2016 school year, Mt. Saint Mary’s University President Simon Newman went forth with a new idea to raise the retention rate of the university in time. This had incoming freshmen take a survey during orientation, using that information to monitor at-risk students, and encouraging them to drop out of college if they showed no promise in the first month of classes with a full tuition refund.

This new method was met with immediate opposition from a handful of staff members who disapproved of Newman’s questionable tactics. Despite this, he went forth with his plan and in the wake of these events, two professors were fired from their j o b s . Te n u r e d p r o f e s s o r T h a n e Naberhaus and school newspaper advisor Professor Edward Egan.

According to the school newspaper, “The Mountain Echo,” Naberhaus was fired for refusing to supply Newman with student records and Egan was fired for a code of conduct violation against fair use policy.

In Egan’s case, the article in question included e-mail

News Editors

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Nationwide Controvery: Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland experiences tension between faculty and administrators after disagreement with the college’s president occurs. conversations between Newman and Provost David Rehm. The use of these e-mails were deemed legal by professional reporters in the area, as well as the Student Press Law Center in Washington D.C., according to a follow-up article

by The Mountain Echo managing editor Ryan Golden. The first article was originally planned for its December issue, but due to the controversial content of the story,

Anna Musiyenko and Chucky Blackmore E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

the news team had to delay it to make sure the issue was handled carefully and if they were within their legal limits.

In response to the termination of these two professors, President Newman experienced immediate backlash from national media and the college’s faculty. Said faculty met and agreed (in a vote of 87-3) to request Newman’s resignation on by the morning of Monday,

Phone (616) 632-2975

February 15. The two professors have also been given the option to come back to the college, but both refuse to until Newman has left the college permanently.

As of Monday, President Newman has declined the staff’s request and is still currently there and continues his work to improve the college. In the aftermath of Monday, February 15, he has gained supporters, one of whom being board member Reverend Kevin Farmer. Farmer admits though Newman’s way of explaining his motives were unfortunate (Newman used an unfavorable drowning bunny metaphor ), he supports the President and believes he can do good things for the school. The controversy continues with the President being criticized by the nation. A petition collected 4,000 outraged professors about the two professors losing their jobs, and D.C.-based Georgetown University is supporting Mt. St. Mary’s for ‘academic freedom.’

For more information on the issue, visit The Washington Post’s website for continuing coverage and The Mountain Echo for their December 19 articles in response to the President’s controversial plan.

Website www.thesaintaq.com

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NEWS

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Annual World Affairs Council International student profile: Martina Devetak provides diverse insight to AQ

By Chucky Blackmore News Editor

North Korea and South Korea will be able to reunite as one country again by putting aside their vast differences. “Is Korean The World Affairs Council of Western Reunification Possible?” will be hosted Michigan made its annual return to AQ

by Dr. James Person of the Woodrow on Monday, February 1, inviting students, Wilson International Center for Scholars in faculty, and staff to take part in their 2016 Washington, D.C. series, “Great Decisions Global Discussions.”

March 21: Former CIA Case Officer The WACWM has the longest-running Patrick Skinner will talk about the dangers discussion in West Michigan with over eight of ISIS, and how the militant group poses a weeks of presentations. threat to the U.S. Skinner, who is currently With the Performing Arts Center as with the Soufan Group of New York, titled the setting, the “Great Discussions” series his presentation “ISIS: What We Don’t covers topics far and wide, including Know.” global migration, climate change, genocide March 28: Ambassador Charles Shapiro, prevention, and normalizing relations with who was the former coordinator for Cuban Cuba--just to name a Affairs for the few. There are eight U.S. Department presentations in this of State, will series, and attendance wrap up the is free to all students, series. Shapiro’s staff, and faculty of presentation, AQ. entitled “Cuba “Our format and the U.S.: allows people to What Does the draw close and Future Hold?” gain a personal will discuss the perspective on some steps the U.S. of the most pressing has taken (and issues of the day,” still must take) said Dixie Anderson, to normalize executive director of relations with the WACWM. “We Cuba. July 2015 make it possible marked the reto hear from an establishment impressive group of of diplomatic scholars, researchers, relations between and policy makers the two nations.

COURTESY MLIVE without ever leaving E a c h Grand Rapids.” remaining To kick off this Discussing Wordly Affairs: Fromer Mayor George Heartwell addresses his audience presentation, year’s series, Arab- at the from February 29 American scholar to March 28, will Isra El-beshir presented on the political specifically in relation to genocide. run from 6-7:15p.m. in the Performing Arts “khartoons” of Khalid Albaih, a Sudanese Four more presentations are set to take Center at AQ. The World Affairs Council Muslim cartoonist living in Qatar. El-beshir, place every Monday until March 28: of Western Michigan came into existence in who represents the Arab American National February 29: Dr. Jessie Clark, geographer 1949, and now has over 2,500 members. On Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, titled her at the University of Nevada-Reno, will top of that growing success, the WACWM lecture “It Isn’t Funny: A Political Cartoonist present “Our Allies in the Middle East: The is considered one of the best Councils of the in the Arab World.” Her goal included Future of Kurdistan.” During her lecture, 100 that make up the World Affairs Councils bringing Albaih’s work to light, as he rose Dr. Clark will provide insight on regional of America. The most important news yet: to prominence during the anti-government and state conflict in Kurdistan and what The WACWM’s office is located right on protests of the Arab Spring in 2011. that means for the future of the Middle East. AQ’s campus, in the lower level of Donnelly On Monday, February 8, Bing Goei, March 14: One of the biggest questions Center. Take a visit today, and be informed who leads Michigan’s Office for New surrounding East Asia is whether or not of the issues that surround us.

Americans, discussed how Michigan is the third largest state receiving refugees in the U.S. Goei examined the future implications for Michigan and its people. On Monday, February 15, following Goei, a presentation on climate change was conducted by George Heartwell, former mayor of Grand Rapids.

Heartwell talked about the role community members can play to address climate change.

He also discussed his experience at the Paris Climate Conference last December.

The “Great Decisions” didn’t stop there. On Monday, February 22, Dr. Brent O’Bannon, from the Conflict Studies Program at DePauw University, explored the reliance Americans have on the United Nations in preventing mass violence,

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Martina Devetak: First-year student Martina Devetak enjoys playing tennis on the AQ Women’s Tennis Team and is excited to major in sports management.

By Luisa-Maria Michiu Reporter Ukrainian and Italian first-year student Martina Devetak is more than ready to take on all that Aquinas College has to offer. Having just arrived to the United States for the very first time six weeks ago, Devetak has big dreams that she would like to accomplish here in the states. She was very quick to adjust to the American lifestyle, even though there are some big differences between the lifestyle here and back home in Ukraine.

“I really appreciate how organized the school system here in the U.S. is,” said Devetak. “Back home we rarely got a notice as to when we would have an exam and I feel as though I am able to have more opportunities and control over my studies and future career here in America.”

Having played tennis for nine years now, Devetak dedicates a lot of her time and energy to this sport as she is proud to be part of the AQ Women’s Tennis Team, and especially excited to be flying to Florida for the first time with her team this spring break for a tournament. Devetak is thrilled of the fact that she will be able to carry on her love for sports by majoring in sports management.

She stated, “I was thrilled to find out that Aquinas has a sports management major because that doesn’t even exist in Ukraine.”

By pursuing this dream of hers, Devetak hopes to move out to a big city (preferably New York or Chicago) after she finishes up her studies here at AQ, and continue doing what she loves.

First Year Experience (FYE) is Devetak’s favorite class at Aquinas.

She finds it very beneficial and helpful that she can go to this class and talk about her problems/any concerns that she may have while adjusting to this new lifestyle. Martina has also had the opportunity to visit Chicago several times since she has arrived in the United States, and being a city girl, she absolutely fell in love with Chicago and everything that it had to offer. Coming from a fairly big city in Ukraine (Lviv), she was glad to find a piece of that marvelous city life in Chicago.

Something that Martina is proud of is her ability to speak four languages fluently – English, Ukrainian, Russian, and Slovenian. She is also aspiring to study the Spanish language for the time that she is at Aquinas College. Martina is ecstatic about all of the opportunities that she has had thus far and all of the ones that still await her.

Get ahead on your degree this summer!

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

FROM THE CROWD

APPLAUSE TO...

The Jammies, for uniting the Grand Rapids music community; The Center for Diversity and Inclusion, for putting on another successful Soul Food Sunday; AQ Maintenance, for being on top of the many repairs on campus; The Men’s Hockey team, for advancing the ACHA National Tournament; Fuller House, for letting us relive our Full House obsession; Spring, for giving us a sneak peak last week; The student art show, for showcasing some amazing artwork; HECKLES TO...

GoFundMe, for letting a user start a page for Kayne West Sturrus, for running out of hot water; Adulting, for being more difficult than it looks; Rick Snyder, for refusing to release documents concerning the Flint water crisis; FASFA renewals, for putting an extra to-do on our lists; The AB elevator, for being out of commission last week; The Corner Café, for giving us those dysfunctional wooden forks to use; Beads.

theSaint 2015-2016 E D I T O R I A L B O A R D Editor-in-Chief News Editors Culture Editor News Intern

Mayra Monroy Anna Musiyenko Chucky Blackmore Abbi Racine Tamara Tiethoff Adviser

Sports Editor Managing Editor Opinion Editor Opinion Intern Sports Intern Managing Intern

Taylor Hodges Aaron Campbell Mackenzie Murphy Mariah Cowsert Charlie Crowley Madison Wilder

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 32 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.

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Point-Counterpoint: Target’s gender-neutral products A hand-me-down cheat

By Kirsten Fedorowicz Reporter Target has just released a gende r-ne utral line o f b ab y bedding, and it’s b e e n s ub j e c t to a s urp ris ing amo unt o f dis cuss io n. The s up e rs to re has been w o rking to re le as e multiple ge nde r-ne utral ite ms , fro m toys to garde ning glo ve s . Many see the re le as e s as a p o litic al m ove that w o rks to wards de b u n king traditio nal ge nde r roles.

Many b e lie ve that the p ink-vs.b lue b e dding that is b o ught f or c hildre n is te ac hing the m h ow the y’re s up p o s e d to ac t fro m th e b e ginning. Swe de n in p artic ular has c aught me dia atte ntio n f or its mo ve me nt to wards ge nder ne utrality, inc luding a Toys “R” Us c atalo g fe aturing g ir ls p laying w ith drago ns and boys b rus hing a b lo nde Barb ie ’s hair .

The s e mo ve me nts s e e k to ease the lab e ls c hildre n fac e in th eir to y c ho ic e , and try to no rm alize the ide a that ite ms b e lo ng to w ho e ve r p ic ks the m up , and ar e no t de fine d no t b y the ir c olor

or amount of glitter . A ll this is, of cour se, incr edibly impor tan t.

It’ s just n ot ever ythin g.

O ut of cur iosity, I googled th e gen der - n eutr al bedding in q uestion , en din g up in the baby section . I was over whelmed, but f ound th at an entir e cr ib set of bedding would cost upwar ds of $70. That’ s n ot just Tar get, but seems to be a f air ly r egular pr ice at stor es like Meijer or Koh l’ s.

Wh en I was two an d a half , my little sister Autumn was bor n. The small age dif f er en ce between us led to ever yth ing mine becomin g h er s. Lookin g back thr ough baby pictur es, I of ten f ind a pictur e of a 1998 on eyear old me in a cute water melon on esie, an d a 2000 on e- year old Autumn in th e exact same outf it. It was easier an d cheaper f or our Moth er to save h er f avor ite items, f r om tiny beddin g to miniatur e shoes. A f ter th e f ir st child, baby sh ower s ar e ver y r ar e. Baby items ar e expensive, and childr en ar e notor ious f or gr owin g r idiculously f ast an d outgr owin g whatever item bough t.

If my sister Autumn h ad been bor n an A dam, it would h ave been har der f or th e h an d- me down pr ocess. A br oth er could still use my pin k cr ib sheets, but because the gen der - n eutr al movement h asn’ t succeeded yet, it would be seen as weir d or socially inappr opr iate.

Th e gen der - n eutr al sh eets on ly seek to make lif e a little easier and mor e cost ef f ective f or moms. Tar get will con tin ue to sell cute blue an d pin k sh eets in tr aditional styles, alongside th e ador able gen der - n eutr al bedding. Wh at th e Super Stor e is tr yin g to do is br ing better choices into th e business. The bedding in cludes zoo- th emed beiges an d gr een ocean s, as well as some cute Lor ax- themed sh eets. What’ s mor e ador able th an a baby wr apped up in tr ying to ch an ge the wor ld?

Not even a debate worth having

By Madison Wilder Managing Intern Recently, Targe t has ma de the mo ve to p has e o ut gende r lab e ls from the c hildr ens b e dding a nd to y s e c tio ns of the ir s to re s . Th e mo ve was made no t lo ng after a w o man twe e te d a p ic ture of a to y ais le s ign re ading, “Building Se ts , Girls Building Se ts ,” with the c o mme nt, “do n’t do this, @ targe t.” The s ign was s uggesting to s ho p p e rs that the b uilding s e ts we re o nly fo r b o ys , an d girls we re o ffe re d alte rnative o p tio ns s ho uld the y w is h to p lay w ith b uilding s e ts .

An artic le b y The Wa shingto n P o s t s ugge s ts that all o f the s e mo ve s we re fo r the b e tte rme nt o f s ho p p ing, and I agre e . As s tate d in the article, “to ys us e d to b e s o ld to kids in b ro ad c ate go rie s and o rganized

by type, n ot by who would use them, accor ding to Elizabeth Sweet, a sociologist an d lectur er at th e U n iver sity of Calif or n ia at Davis wh o has r esear ched h ow the gen der ed mar keting of ch ildr en’ s pr oducts h as evolved since 1905.”

Tar get has chosen to r emove gen der specif ic backdr ops as well as labels f r om stor es such as pink in th e “gir ls sections” and blue or yellow in the “boys sections.” A f ter lear nin g h ow toys wer e pr eviously categor ized an d sold, I am cur ious as to why gender specif ic toys h ave made an appear an ce at all. The stigma today ar oun d th e gen der debate an d the r isin g demand f or gen der eq uality appear s to me as somethin g th at sh ould h ave n ever become an issue.

The move f or stor es to r emove gender specif ic labels applies on ly to th e ch ildr en.

Mar r ied couples ar e n ot ever

headed to th e “wif e bedr oom decor ” section or th e “men s’ kitch en utensil” section. In af ter th ough t, wh y did stor es ever have a “boys buildin g set an d “gir ls buildin g sets” section in th eir stocks r ather th an just a “ch ildr en’ s” section ?

Labeling on ly ch ildr en’ s bedding an d toys as gen der specif ic was a tr en d like many other s that is now sh if ting to someth ing of the past an d will hopef ully be laid to r est f or good in th e near f utur e. Debating over what childr en can an d can not play with or have pr in ted on their bedspr eads is a debate not wor th ar guin g over . My bedspr ead is a patter n less wh ite duvet. If I wanted that as a child, what section would I h ave had to sh op in? Boys neutr als or gir ls?

Why we should dump Trump for Lent

By Mariah Cowsert Opinion Intern Hate, violence and inequality are the base of business mogul Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, which terrifies me that he’s made it this far. The irony and hypocrisy of Trump’s campaign is obvious with his “Make America Great Again” slogan printed sloppily on baseball caps that are made in China and saying he’s going to “save social security by bringing jobs back from China, Mexico,and Japan.”

While some choose to abstain from eating meat, going on social media, or drinking alcohol during the Lenten season, we should give up on

watching what was thought to be a joke turn into a high stakes terrifying battle for presidency fueled by fear.

Trump’s honesty is not refreshing and is not to be praised due to its racism, transphobia, and Islamophobia that’s only feeding a dark stereotype that has proved to be false in most circumstances.

Lent is a season of inclusion, togetherness, and sacrificing some luxuries so we can better connect with ourselves and our spirituality.

Although I am not Catholic, I find Trump’s attacks on Pope Francis disrespectful because race, religion, gender aside, we need to respectful of other people because respect is a necessary human right. According to the New York Times, the Pope said, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not

Christian,” when a reporter asked him about Mr. Trump on the papal airliner as he returned to Rome after his six-day visit to Mexico.

Initially, America saw Trump’s campaign as a provocative joke that wouldn’t develop into a successful campaign while now more than 59% of Republican voters are Trump supporters. But what can we do to give up Donald Trump for Lent? We can start by building up other candidates and reading up on their values to have a better idea about who is in the running to be our next leader. We can also embrace our differences in support of each other for a healthy and inclusive community. Lastly you can vote in the March primary election to let your voice be heard which is crucial regardless of what box you check on your ballot.

Like theSaint on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @TheSaintAQ.

Opinion Editor: Mackenzie Murphy Email: saint.editors@aquinas.edu Phone: (616) 560-1287

Website: thesaintaq.com

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THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Television: Former “Two and a Half Men” star’s diagnosis makes impact

Social Media: Bowie’s “Blackstar” to become mini-series on Instagram

Music: Kanye West claims he is $53 million in debt

As many know, former sitcom star Charlie Sheen, 50, shared earlier this year that he is HIV-positive.

A study by the JAMA Internal Medicine reports that Sheen has raised awareness on the potentially life-threatening condition, noticing a spike in Google searches for prevention and treatment since Sheen’s announcement.

According to MSN, Instagram announced that a mini-series inspired by David Bowie’s last album Blackstar will debut Feb. 24 on its platform. In a release, Instagram shared that Bowie agreed to this before his death on Sunday, January 10. Blackstar is critically-acclaimed and was released just days before Bowie passed away from cancer.

I ain’t saying he’s a “Gold Digger”, but artist and world class narcissist Kanye West recently proclaimed on Twitter that he is broke. West claims that he is $53 million in debt. He recently released his new album The Life of Pablo and his fashion line Yeezy just premiered its third season.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT >> Rihanna

The Barbados-based star is shining bright like a diamond.

Musician Rihanna recently set a new world record, surpassing Michael Jackson for having more number one singles. Rihanna released her new album ANTI earlier this month.

COURTESY IBTIMES

Deadpool, not your average superhero

“It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”

By Abigale Racine Culture Editor I’ve come to terms that 2016 is not going to be a kind year to me.

With passing of music legend David Bowie earlier this winter, and more recently Harper Lee, one of my all-time favorite authors, I feel the sudden urge to relocate to a reclusive cave to avoid further emotions.

If Barbra Streisand or Julie Andrews kicks the bucket next, I don’t know what I am going to do with myself.

Nelle Harper Lee, the infamously private novelist of To Kill a Mockingbird passed away over the weekend during the morning of Friday, February 19. I received a notification during class on Friday, and there were tears shed in public.

For anyone who knows me, I love Lee’s legendary, Pulitzer prize winning Mockingbird story, as well as her recently-released work Go Set a Watchman.

One of my fondest memories from high school was reading this book for my sophomore English class, as many others have as well.

This book brought so much good into my life.

For a project assignment, my step-brother at the time had built and worn Jeb’s ham costume to school, complete with chicken wire and red-pink fabric. I had to assist him getting the damned thing into the car to drive to school, and then had to help him with it for the remainder of the day. If that isn’t brother/sister bonding, I don’t know what is.

What I really loved about reading this in school was the classroom conversations that it inspired.

Considering that I grew up in a conservative small town, it was an experience seeing people consider the views of a minority for the first time. This tale inspires so many people to think outside themselves, and to witness inequality for what it truly is, told through the perspective of a six year old girl.

This is a coming of age story that details a crucial time in our nation’s history, and Lee told it in such a delicate, exquisite manner.

I idolized father figure, lawyer, and literary moral compass Atticus Finch just as much as his daughter Jean Louise (Scout) did. Even though more of his true character is developed in the 2015 novel Go Set a Watchman, I still adore Atticus.

The fact that he was portrayed so wonderfully by the timeless Hollywood talent Gregory Peck in the film adaptation of the book just make him all the more likeable.

Harper Lee was an incredibly gentle human being. Born and raised in Monroeville, Alabama, Lee strongly held onto her values of intimacy and privacy. After the bewildering success of Mockingbird, both the novel and the film of the same name, Lee remained publicly silent for 55 years.

According to TIME magazine, reportedly, Lee desired to be buried in the ground before news of her demise leaked, which almost happened.

She was childhood best friends with Truman Capote, also a critically acclaimed author and another one of my greatest influences as a writer.

Capote’s fair-hair, daddy issues and his dramatic character inspired Lee to place the character Dill into Mockingbird.

These friends investigated the brutal murders of a Kansas family together, which lead toward Capote penning the game-changing true crime novel In Cold Blood. They were close friends until Capote’s death in 1984. Talk about #FriendshipGoals.

Lee represented a time that was still turbulent, but was much more respectful than today. May she gain the rest and quiet she so strongly desired to possess.

COURTESY FOX MOVIES

Ryan Reynolds, Valentine’s Day lover: Acton flick“Deadpool”is not your predictable superhero love story.

By Haley Brink Staff Writer “Deadpool,” 2016 Action Comedy, was released on Valentine’s Day weekend. Though it was rated R, people everywhere were/and will continue to be tricked into thinking it is a super hero love story, which it actually was (in some ways). For those who don’t know what “Dead-

pool” is, it is recommended that you read up on it first, or you might be in for a surprise.

Ryan Reynolds, who is dangerously handsome, plays the dangerously super Wade Wilson. The movie jumps around quite a bit, but not so much that it’s hard to follow.

Wade Wilson is ex Special Forces who falls in love, gets cancer, and has to find a way to keep his girl

(and not die).

Wade trades in his dying body for a super body, though the process probably wasn’t quite worth it.

He gains the ability to be healed after any kind of abuse, which proved to be hilarious when one of his body parts gets cut off and grows back in a...childish way.

“Deadpool” is not a movie for children, and you probably

Savory Saint:

A year of Pokémon: Updates from a super-fan

Wolfgang’s

rated as a sleepy little diner, with lots of dark woods for the walls and the floor. There wasn’t much in the way of One of the most famous spots wall decorations, but it was a nice, cozy in Eastown would be Wolfgang’s Reslittle place despite that. I was seated taurant, and ever since coming to colnear the window, so I got a great view lege, I’ve been wanting to go there. Last of Wealthy while I waited. There was Friday, I finally got the chance. Wolfalso a small g a n g ’ s bar up front, Restaurant where they is a small kept the coffood joint fee and capon the corpuccino maner of Norchines. This wood and is where the We a l t h y , wait staff right next stayed bedoor to the tween caring Hookah for patrons, Lounge. chatting Lines can with the be fremen who quently decided to seen piling eat up there.

COURTESY EASTOWNGR.COM up outside I got the doors, Yummy: Wolfgang’s portions makes one feel warm, toasty. my food snaking about ten down the minutes after I ordered it. I think that’s sidewalk. The curious thing about this an entirely reasonable time to cook is the time of day it happens-- while what I ordered, and if anything, faster most lines pile up outside bars and than I would have expected. There was clubs on late nights, the lines outside also a lot of it. The eggs over easy had Wolfgang’s happens first thing in the three yolks in there, and took up almost morning. See, aside from its unique adhalf of the plate. The potatoes took up a vertising, which focuses on the owner similar amount, easy three, four whole of the restaurant, Matt Wolfgang, the potatoes in there. The sirloin wasn’t thing that sets this place apart is its fohuge, but I did only order a six ounce. cus. Wolfgang’s Restaurant is a breakEverything I ate tasted up to par. The fast-only zone. steak was juicy and tender, and the poI walked inside early afternoon, tatoes were warm and greasy, just like and the first thing I noticed was how they should be. crowded it was. Despite it being hours The only knock I would have on after any sane person would have althis meal would be the eggs, and even ready had breakfast, the place was then it’s not much a knock. They just packed with people, hungry for some weren’t anything special, standard pancakes, eggs, or hazelnut coffee. I breakfast fare, something you could get was able to find a seat, and the waitress at home. Still, I couldn’t have asked for immediately came to my side, giving more- while the food I got was excelme a menu and asking what I wanted. lent, I paid nothing more than I would I ended up ordering a six ounce sirloin have if I ordered from some hole in the with a side of red skinned potatoes, wall place back home. My bill for the eggs and toast on the side. While my meal was only thirteen dollars. waitress was switched out for a waiter All in all, I would recommend before I even got my food- her shift Wolfgang’s to anyone I meet. With its was ending, and I don’t blame her not price, attentive and friendly waitstaff, wanting to stay just to serve me- but he decor and speedy service, it’s a staple was just as friendly as she was, and just of any visit to Grand Rapids. While it as available when I needed him, attenmay not be worth waiting in the line tive and easy to work with. for twenty minutes, it’s easy enough While I was waiting for my food, to get around them simply by visiting I decided to take in the decor. Wolfa little later, and well worth anyone’s gang’s, despite its popularity, is decoattention.

shouldn’t see it with someone who is appalled by super raunchy humor. There might be a handful of jokes that don’t hold any meaning, and don’t seem funny, though the theater audience will probably laugh anyway.

The very beginning of the movie, where the credits would be,was cleverly done. No spoiler alert, just read the beginning credits. It is made clear in the first couple minutes of the film that it is going to be filthy and suggestive, but who ever said that was a bad thing?

All kinds of emotions are streaked throughout this film, from happiness to shock and sadness to joy. The mix might feel confusing at first, but the ending is not what you might think. Aside from the fact that Deadpool has a lot of problems with his life, like becoming a superhuman, he also has a problem with his face. The whole movie is about his face. Imagine Ryan Reynolds with a face that looks like Mars.

Even though his face is distorted for a majority of the movie, the pleasure of seeing his perfectly sculpted buns is enough to make up for any planet-like face.

“Deadpool” is funny, inappropriate, and downright filthy. In other words, get to the theater as soon as you can because Marvel has done it again. If there is anything to learn from this movie, it’s that even through the worst of experiences, it is possible to keep a sense of humor.

Nobody has it as bad as Deadpool, he doesn’t even have a dishwasher.

By Ty Smith Staff Writer

Culture Editor Abbi Racine

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

COURTESY EIGHTWEST

Mewusic to my ears: Carlos-Eddie Hermandez brings continuous coverage on Pokemon.

By Carlos-Eddie Hermandez Staff Writer Hello again and welcome back to the monthly Pokemon update! February is a special month for Pokemon. Not only because the year long Poke-fest begins with the legendaries, but also because February is the exact month where Pokemon turns 20.

The twenty-seventh, to be exact. So, let me take the opportunity to say Happy Birthday to Pokemon officially! This month, two main events are taking place: the Mew giveaway and the Pokemon Symphony.

First, let’s talk Mew. From now until Wednesday, February 24, you can receive your Mew at any Gamestop nearby. What you do is you go to the counter, ask for an event card, and the cashier will hook you up. Remember, though, This is a one per customer deal, so if you have more than one eligible Pokemon game (eligible games are Pokemon X, Y, Alpha Sapphire, and OmegaRuby), you will either need to have a friend pick up the spare or go to all three locations to make sure each of your trainers gets a copy of this mysterious cat-like creature. After you get your card, make sure your game is updated fully (X/Y will need to be the 1.5 version, and ORAS will need to be 1.4) and connect to the internet. When you see your menu on the game, go to ‘Mystery Event’, ‘Receive Gift’, and pick that card code option. Then, go to the Pokemon Centre and pick up your new Level 100 companion. Easy as one, two, Caterpie.

The second event was the Pokemon Symphony, which took place on the Friday, February 5, at the Devos Performance

Phone (616) 632-2975

Website www.thesaintaq.com

Hall. Yup. For one night only, at the Devos Performance Hall, the Grand Rapids Pop Symphony played orchestrated versions of the video game music Pokemon fans have grown to love. Speaking as someone who was fortunate enough to go, I will say it was a magical night. There were so many 3DS’s out, that I made sure to bring my friends’ consoles as well to get them Streetpasses.

There were fans in Pokemon merchandise (I forgot my Magikarp hat like a moron), and some VERY dedicated fans who cosplayed for the event. The concert started with Kanto and one of the first songs was the music of Pallet Town that warmed the hearts of the entire audience. Three songs from every region was showcased and joining the orchestra was a giant screen that showed gameplay and we experienced 20 years of games go before us.

The concert ended with a word from the composer- who happens to be a GVSU graduate- talking about the project and announcing there would be two encores. The moment he said it would be a sing-along, the entire audience automatically knew he meant the iconic theme song to the Pokemon anime and we roared with excitement.

The second was a song from the very ending of X and Y. When the theme song was played, the audience sung it to the best of our ability, and we all choked on the second verse. It was very comforting to know we at the very least failed collectively. The second song, “Miracle” actually had lyrics on the screen and managed to get me teary-eyed. It was one of the most magical evenings of my life and I am so glad I got to go.

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CULTURE

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

#FREEKESHA:

Getting caught up in The Storm: a review of the latest Aquinas Theatre Production

Everything you need to know

By Valetina Garcia Staff Writer

COURTESY ELLE UK

TiK ToK on the patriarchal clock: The once glittery entertainer seen at the Supreme Court.

By Abigale Racine Culture Editor Ten years ago Kesha Rose Sebert, formerly marketed as Ke$ha, was a loud and proud pop musician once sang about chasing with whiskey. Now the 28 year old is chasing something else entirely: her freedom from her SONY contract and her former producer, Lukasz Sebastian “Dr. Luke” Gottwald.

In October of 2015, Kesha pubiclyclaimed that Dr. Luke has been abusing her for a decade. Her list of accusations, according to CBS News, are as listed: - Dr. Luke once forced Kesha to “snort an illicit drug” before a flight and then sexually assualted her while she was intoxicated and drugged.

- The producer forced Kesha to drink with him, then gave her what he called “sober pills.” Kesha claims she woke up the next day naked in Dr. Luke’s bed sore, sick and with no recollection of how she got there.

- Dr. Luke told Kesha “that if she ever mentioned the rape to anyone, he would shut her career down and otherwise destroy not only her life but her entire family’s lives as well.”

- Dr. Luke threatened Kesha physically, and she subsequently ran away from his Malibu home, running barefoot down the Pacific Coast Highway and hiding in the nearby mountains.

The singer was also previously checked into rehab in 2014, after nearly

dying from low sodium rates and low blood pressure, after Dr. Luke allegedly compared her to being a, “fat f**king refrigerator.”

After the original suit against Dr. Luke was placed by Kesha and her mother, he countersued the motherdaughter pair for defamation. This was overturned on Thursday, February 4.

However, Justice Shirley Kornreich denied the singer’s original request to part from SONY on Friday, February 19. The judge said, “There has been no showing of irreparable harm. She’s being given opportunity to record.”

Kesha’s fans have since started a GoFundMe campaign called I Stand With Kesha, with the trending hashtag #FREEKESHA, after the Supreme Court verdict was announced.

As of Monday, February 22, $12,301 of the $2 million needed was raised.

Many notable celebrities have spoken out regarding Kesha and her situation, such as Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga. Singer Taylor Swift contributed $250,000 to the campaign.

The statement from Dr. Luke’s representation reads, “The New York County Supreme Court on Friday found that Kesha is already “free” to record and release music without working with Dr. Luke as a producer if she doesn’t want to. Any claim that she isn’t “free” is a myth.”

This past week, the Aquinas College Theatre Department put on another outstanding performance. You may have found yourself caught up in The Storm on February 18, 19, 20, or 21.

The Storm is advertised as “an ‘Appalling Mistranslation’

by Peter Oswald of a Comedy of Plautus.” The play it was translated from is a Roman comedy called Rudens.

In the hilarious “mistranslation”, you follow the story of a shipwreck that occurs due to a storm. The survivors of the wreck make their way onto an island, inhabited only by a man named Daemones (played by TJ Corbett, returning student to Aquinas), his slave Sceparnio (played by Brock Gabbert, sophomore), and Ptolemocratia, who worships Venus in the temple (played by Zoë Gipson, senior.)

Their lives appear to have been pretty uneventful until the sea storm takes place. Daemones was a sad man because he lost his fortune and his daughter, Palaestra (played by Julia Glynn, sophomore), was kidnapped at the age of 2.

Palaestra’s kidnappers made her into a prostitute and with help of the storm she and her best (read: only) friend, Ampelisca (played by Jessi Towell, senior ), get away from their pimp, Labrax (played by Daniel Cole, junior ) and his apprentice, Charmides (played by Kenny Judge, junior ).

Coincidentally, the storm that frees Palaestra and Ampelisca also leads Palaestra to her father. The comedy ends with them reunited and with two happy

Vinyl’s back:

Downtown Vertigo Music is where they are at

COURTESY AQ THEATRE PHOTO GALLERY

couples (and the promise of a third).

Director and Aquinas Theatre professor Kyle Westmaas said The Storm deals with “adult themes shown lightheartedly.”

There is rediscovery, as father and daughter reunite. Going beyond this, characters rediscover themselves; Palaestra ends the show with the name Diana.

The topic of freedom is also discussed. Gabbert plays a slave that longs for freedom.

“Even when there are no slaves, there will still be people that aren’t free,” he reflects upon while looking at the sea.

While these topics sound serious, they really were presented in a merry way.

This play was written 2,000 years ago, but this does not take away from its enjoyability. “[The Storm is a] 2,000 year old comedy, but the jokes still work,” Westmaas said.

And the jokes most certainly

do work, the audience was laughing the whole time. This could not have been achieved without the acting of the ensemble.

From the Priestesses’ (played

by Lauren Heyboer, freshman and Justina Ouellette, sophomore) dance moves, to the crew member that got to be a random airplane to Gabbert’s great portrayal of Sceparnio (easily the character that made everyone laugh the most), the audience was able to laugh and laugh.

If you missed The Storm sadly, you also missed out on a lot of great puns.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the final AQ theatre production of the year, Enchanted April

by Matthew Barber.

It will be showing April 14 to the 17 at the Performing Arts Center located on-campus.

Chelsea on a whole new level: What will Handler do next?

By Abigale Racine Culture Editor

For the record: Vertigo Records, located downtown, has something for all tastes.

By Ty Smith Staff Writer Down Division Avenue, nestled between Woosah Outfitters and Mourning Star Tattoo Studio, lies Vertigo Music. A music store is already a rarity in today’s world-- almost all of our music comes from iTunes, Amazon or Google Music. When it comes time to actually buy physical music, it’s usually a CD from the music section in Walmart, Kmart, or a similar big brand store. Vertigo’s mere existence as a music store already sets it apart-- but what makes it more unique is that it doesn’t just sell CDs, or even focus on them. Vertigo Music sells records and other novelties that are remnant of a time much simplier.

Walking inside, the first thing you notice is the atmosphere. Unlike the sterile, crisp feeling of a Walmart or Kmart music section, Vertigo is laid back and friendly, open to everyone. The walls are adorned with posters and pictures of various bands and artists, and the plain wooden floor is cluttered with rows upon rows of stands for the new and used vinyl. CDs line the wall to your left, and to the right are dozens and dozens of posters, all up for sale. Vertigo is also home to a diverse cast of people-- when I walked in, there

were three punk rockers, complete with mohawks and piercings, checking out a Sex Pistols albums. Two rows over stood an elderly couple, checking out the classical music section.

Speaking of the music selection, Vertigo has an amazing one.

Anywhere from Coheed to Lady Gaga, the store’s owners don’t skimp on their catalog. It has almost every genre imaginable, and each genre has a mixture of the most popular artists and a few niche artists, all packed with brand new LPs. They even have a section set aside for local artist, promoting Grand Rapids’ music scene with pride. They don’t only sell new LPs, though. They also have a wide selection of used records with varying prices. Don’t worry if a record is too expensive, though, because the staff is always happy to haggle a little on the price on a used record.

If the rest of the store is a cake, the staff is the cherry on top. No matter when I come in, and who’s working, they’ve always been friendly and helpful.

You get the sense that everyone that works there is really a person that just loves music, and is happy to help you find what you need. Their knowledge of their selection is impeccable, too. I’m Culture Editor Abigale Racine

COURTESY GRPROSPECTOR.COM

a fan of a somewhat niche artist, and when I asked the man on duty if they had them in, not only was he able to answer with a yes, he also listed off every album of theirs that they had, which ones they didn’t have, and when those missing ones would be in. They’re not just there for their knowledge, though. I’ve always been able to strike up a good conversation with the attendants, whether it be about music in general or a specific artist or genre I’m into that day.

In all, Vertigo Music is a breath of fresh air in a world whose music buying experience is largely spent online or in a superstore. There’s just something about flipping through dozens and dozens of records, talking to other music lovers, and the simple experience of picking out an album that you can’t get online, or grabbing the latest Bieber from Walmart. It’s special, and Vertigo is the best place to go if you want to experience it.

Records are back, baby, and Vertigo is where to get them.

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

Marriage.

Silicon Valley. Racism.

Drugs. These are the relevant (and challenging) topics that comedian and New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Handler tackles in her documentary series Chelsea Does, which premiered to stream on Netflix last month.

Allow me to begin with this written claim before you commit to reading this fine piece of journalistic excellence: I adore Chelsea Handler. The foul-mouthed funny woman formerly associated with Chelsea Lately on the E! network is notorious for being unashamedly brash and outspoken about popular culture and society. I love that she always speaks her mind, as politically incorrect as it may be at times, but she is always open to equality and a learning experience. Handler is an open book, and now the forty year old, New Jersey native has no network regulations to stop her. And she’s not holding back during the first series of four episodes of Chelsea Does.

In the first episode, Handler addresses the subject matter of marriage.

An unmarried woman herself, Chelsea is curious about what makes a good marriage and what brings couples together. She asks her married friends over drinks; she interviews numerous professionals (i.e. wedding planners, counselors, matchmakers); and, most humorously, she gets childrens’ input on the union. Notably, before the scandal, Handler places Ashley Madison’s co-founder in his place during an office visit.

Admitting that she repels technology, Handler travels to Silicon Valley, the mecca of tech, in the next episode, in efforts to gain a better understanding of the things that trouble her. Chelsea learns how to code alongside a classroom of children, gains knowledge on how technology affects our brains, and she pitches and helps create a helpful

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dating app called ‘Gotta Go.’ By far the most controversial episode is the third installment where Chelsea confronts racism in America.

As a comedian, she is intrigued by where the line is drawn in regards to racial humor. Chelsea sits down and discusses this with several civil rights organizations and activists, including Al Sharpton. Perhaps the most touching, hard-hitting sequence is when Chelsea meets with shooting victims’ families. She also addresses where her own racism comes from, her father, which I thought was sincerely humbling of Handler. This episode was an emotional, politically-charged, beautiful turmoil.

I commend director Eddie Schmidt for the cinematography of this well-produced series as well.

This season of Chelsea Does ends on a much-needed lighter note, with an episode on drugs. Chelsea is honest about her past and present drug usage, opening with an edible dinner scene with friends. She speaks with recovering addicts, then experiments with Adderall and Ambien on-camera.

Later she travels to Peru with friends to experience the healing wonders of the powerful drug Ayahuasca, which many users cite having a spiritual awakening after drinking. For those unfamiliar, it is a hallucinogen that is supposed to access a higher power.

SPOILER ALERT: for some. it is not all that it cracked up to be.

The scenes I like best in these documentaries are the ones that feature Handler in sessions with her therapist. It is interesting to hear the deepest fears, insecurities and thoughts of America’s favorite vodka aunt.

It is important to say that the funloving Chelsea is not gone, she’s just matured into becoming the entertainer she’s always fancied herself to be. I will say, if you weren’t a fan of her on E!, don’t bother watching this.

Chelsea is in her element more than ever here on Chelsea Does, and here I want her to stay.

sports

page

Maple Leafs clean house

Kobe Bryant calls it quits

Angelique Kerber wins in Australia

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a busy February. After shipping out captain Dion Phaneuf in a nine player trade, the Leafs most recent trade included shipping out players Shawn Matthias, Roman Polak, and Nick Spaling. The Leafs have officially entered rebuilding mode.

Kobe Bryant is set to retire this season after a storied 20 year career. Bryant, who participated in the 2016 NBA All-Star game, is expected to play less and less as the season goes on. With the Lakers sitting at an 11-46 record, it looks like Bryant’s career will end without a shot at the playoffs.

The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team is getting ready for the Copa America. They’ll be facing the likes of Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica, and while they aren’t the heavy favorites, they’re expected to have a great showing.

An AQ Favorite

taylor hodges |sports editor

As I was leaning against a wall in the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center waiting to speak with Coach Bo, known by others as Terry Bocian, I was trying to picture how the interview might go.

Would we just talk about his accomplishments, or would I get to know Coach Bo as the man he is today?

Anyone can write about someone’s accomplishments. How he’s been here for 43 years, grown the college to 26 sports programs from its original nine, served as Athletic Director for 38 of those years, and is in three hall of fames across sports, but I wanted to get away from that a bit and get to know who he really was. With my tape recorder out and a pen and paper ready, I spoke with him for nearly an hour, and let’s just say it ended with smiles on our faces enjoying a couple Tootsie Rolls.

Coach Bo was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was very close with his father who is a World War II veteran and played in one of the local Grand Rapids baseball leagues where he always put on a show. Some might say that’s where he first fell in love with America’s greatest game.

While in high school, he was not your typical jock. He treated everyone with respect and described himself as being just an average middle class kid.

Out of high-school, he chose to attend Grand Rapids Community College where he was offered to play both football and basketball, but ultimately chose basketball where he was named co-captain of the team.

He eventually went on to attend Aquinas College where he received his Bachelor’s, and after coaching at Catholic Central, explained that he faced a decision between being a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University or Western Michigan University, and after consulting with his wife, found it best to remain here and take the opportunity to coach at Aquinas while simultaneously completing his Master’s through Western.

While at Aquinas, Coach Bo was hired as the assistant basketball and baseball coach while also being named the intramural director. The following year, he was hired as an English professor making it his fourth position here at the college.

When asked what his greatest memories were while being a coach and athletic director at Aquinas, he said he loved seeing students get an opportunity to play and compete. And each game and player he coached holds a special place in his heart.

When he steps down at the end of the year as athletic director, he hopes to leave behind a bright future for incoming athletes and coaches. While we were talking, he made it very apparent that even though the media is congratulating him on all of his accomplishments, that it was the entire staff at Aquinas, from the housekeeping department at Sturrus to the receptionists, that helped built this program into what it is today. “It’s a we-go, not ego,” he would say during the interview.

He kept reiterating that when he does retire he hopes a lot of his time is spent with his family. He and his wife have four children and plenty of grandchildren to keep them busy. He said that he doesn’t need anything fancy when he retires, as long as he has the basic necessities he will be fine.

Towards the tail end of our interview, I asked him if he were a candy, which would he be and why? To my dismay, and hopefully he doesn’t mind me putting this in here, he was overtaken by a memory that you could tell meant a lot to him.

As he began to choke up, he told me that early on in his career, Sister Helen Louise Brogger used to have a bucket of Tootsie Rolls sitting outside her office that kids were eager to grab. When she passed away, he kept the tradition going and to this day keeps a bucket full of Tootsie Rolls outside his office.

Throughout our interview, it was apparent to me that he has a tremendous amount of love for this school and all of its students, not just student-athletes. While all of his accomplishments speak for themselves, what he will be remembered most for is his out-going personality and always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it. I think I can speak for the majority of this school when I say Coach Bo holds a special place in our hearts and will be thoroughly missed. While we are confident that whoever comes after him will do a great job, it won’t be the same.

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7

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

AQ Cheer looking for national title

By Carlos Hernandez Staff Writer Aquinas’ Cheer Team continues their hard work as they hosted their second annual ‘Saints Showdown’ in Alksnis FIeldhouse on Sunday, February 14, 2016.

This was their second time hosting the WHAC Conference Tournament. The new facility and support from the college allowed for the cheer team enough space to be able to host nine teams efficiently.

In preparation for this event, the cheer team worked through a rigorous practice schedule on Wednesday mornings, Friday afternoons, and Sunday afternoons. At practice, the team worked on skills in gymnastics and tumbling. In addition, the team also worked with high schoolers and younger folk at their Wyoming Expedition on January 10.

Excited to be a part of this year’s competition is senior Brandon K. Harris who commented on the event say-

ing “I’m proud of what our team has accomplished; we’ve gone through a lot this semester. changing up of routines and switching in and out members and doing things like that. So, I think we did well on Sunday, but we have so much far [sic] to go.”

Each team performs separately with their routines. The order to competiton is normally random. The cheer team scored 69 points in their portion and the dance team scored 100, allowing them to win the dance portion by three points. As a bonus to the win, to Saints were honored at the event. One was sophomore Katie Hann, who was named to the First All- WHAC Team as well as the Champions of Character representative for Aquinas’ Cheer Squad. Also honored was first-year Brigitte Busch, who was named a part of the honorable mention for the AllWHAC Squad.

The Saints recently competed at Siena Heights for the NAIA Regular Season Competition where the team had an outstanding showing. Next up for the Saints is the NAIA Regionals at Siena Heights on February 27 where they will look to compete for a spot in the national tournament.

Tigers pitchers & catchers report

WHAT TO WATCH

>> TRACK AND FIELD

The Aquinas Track and Field Team placed third in the WHAC tournament this past weekend.

Earning All-Conference for the Saints were Carley Woolcott, Tori DeSira, Tom Willet, Adam Cichon, Adam Bundy, Dionte Williams, Paul Gass, Octavian Condet, Tyler Johnson, Analis Floyd, Courtney Klawieter, and Marissa Ingersoll.

On the rise and ready for action

By Taylor Hodges Sports Editor The Aquinas Women’s Tennis team is off to a great start early in the season after posting a 2-2 record. The Saints started things off with an 8-1 over Huntington before dropping a 2-7 match-up against fifth ranked Cardinal Stritch. Senior Leia Jansen won at number one singles while the doubles team of Jansen and first-year Martina Devetak won at number one doubles.

The team dropped a close match against Lewis on February 20 before gathering themselves and sweeping Salem 9-0. Before spring break, the team will take on Ferris State in Big Rapids for a February 28 match-up. During spring break, the Saints will take on the likes of Keiser, Northwestern College, McMurray, Marian, and Southeastern before returning for a home bout against St. Francis.

The team only has one firstyear player in Devetak who hails from Lviv, Ukraine. Devetak is 2-0 at the number one and two singles spot on the year.

Jansen looks to continue the success she had last year at the

number one singles spot. Jansen posted a 15-2 record last year going 5-0 in the WHAC helping the Saints finish with a 17-11 overall record.

The team has seven returning members in juniors Brittany Mayer, Kasey Jacobs, Kali Green, and Becca Hurth, with Jansen and Marjeanne Bothma being the only seniors.

Bothma posted a 9-10 record last year competing at the number four, five, and six singles spots while Mayer posted 6-5 record at the five and six singles spots.

Returning at the helm is third year coach Jordan O’Neill who will look to continue the success he’s had in previous years.

With seven players from last years squad not returning this year, the Saints will be looking to practice hard and have a successful spring break to carry over into the regular season.

If you wish to see the team in action make sure to come out to MVP in Grand Rapids for an upcoming home match.

COURTESY KEITH ALLISON

Vibes: Fans are getting excited to see their Tigers in action this year as they head down South for spring training.

By Zoe Harmon Staff Writer After a long 137 days, Detroit Tigers baseball is finally back. On February 18, the Tigers’ pitchers and catchers reported to their Spring Training facility in Lakeland, Florida.

With a rough 2015 season behind them, staying healthy is the main topic when it comes to the pitching staff.

With their first workout on February 19, the pitchers and catcher began training four days before position players. This may seem like a mystery, but the reasoning behind the early arrival is simple. Typically, pitchers need 45 days to properly stretch their arms and prepare for a grueling 162game season and of course, catchers are necessary. Position players don’t need as much time to prepare.

The Tigers’ pitchers and catchers decided to arrive even earlier than their scheduled reporting date, which was probably a good idea. Every Tigers fan knows that last year was brutal for both starting pitchers and the bullpen, who had 4.78 and 4.39 earned-run-averages (ERAs), respectively.

However, as long as they stay healthy, the Tigers’ pitchers could turn their numbers around.

Much of the hope for a successful 2016 comes from Justin Verlander, whose ERA greatly improved towards the end of the 2015 season. After fully recovering Sports Editor Taylor Hodges

from a set of injuries, both his fastball and curveball improved, bringing him closer to his true potential. With any luck, he will come out of the gate strong and secure wins early.

Another predicted success is Jordan Zimmerman who was signed as a free agent from Washington to fill the number two spot in the rotation. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a great 2015 season and he has had Tommy John surgery in the past, so time will tell if he will prove to be an asset.

Third in the Tigers’ predicted pitching rotation is Anibel Sanchez, who can’t do much worse than last season. With a 4.99 ERA and a 10-10 record, Sanchez is due for a rebound. If he stays healthy, he is bound to put up better numbers.

The last two positions of the rotation are filled with Daniel Norris and Mike Pelfrey. Norris is in his second season with the Tigers and is still unpredictable. With three pitches in his bag, Norris needs to have command to be on top. Pelfrey was signed by Detroit in December with some baggage. He has also had Tommy John surgery in the past and missed much of the 2014 season with various injuries. However, as long as he stays healthy, he could be a “good enough” addition to the bottom of the rotation.

It is pretty clear that ensuring injuries don’t happen will be the name of the game.

Tigers pitchers and catchers will have to stay healthy to have any hopes for an improvement over their dreadful 2015 season.

Nonetheless, one thing is certain, the Detroit Tigers’ unpredictability will be exciting to watch.

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

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8

SPORTS

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Nationals bound

By Crysta Paganelli Reporter On February 13, the Men’s Hockey team defeated Hope College in the second round of the MCHC Tournament with an overtime 1-0 win. With 3:45 left in overtime it was first-year Austin Kuch who had the winning goal for the Saints.

After losing to the Flying Dutchmen twice in the regular season, it was a huge win for the men’s squad as it puts them into the MCHC West Division finals.

“Winning the second round of the MCHC tournament was great and of course we would love to win the conference but there’s been a sense among the guys since day one that we have something special here and we really want to run with this as far as we can. We’re expecting nothing but the best from ourselves,” senior Carson Miller stated.

With the season quickly coming to a close, for eight seniors it is almost time to say goodbye. Senior Jonathan Edwards shared his thoughts about what he hopes to take away from his journey as a Saint.

“I hope to take away the disciplinary aspect that I have learned to use both on and off the ice. Many times throughout my past four years here, I have found myself always relating back to the structure and foundation that hockey has given me.”

For the seniors on this team, they got to be a part of making history. They were the first class to play on the team its first official year as a varsity sport back in 2012. Miller shared what it has meant to him being one of those seniors.

“I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. You really won’t find a tighter knit group of guys. A big factor in that is the seniors have been together now for four years. We’ve been together since the inception of the program and have really grown with it over the years.

With something so big in common it really helps unite in the locker room.”

Last Friday at Farmington Ice Arena, the Saints overpowered Lawrence Tech University 3-0. Scoring for the Saints was first-year Tyler Layle, junior Zach Grover, and senior Doug Zelenka.

The Saints returned for competition the next day to defeat Grand Valley University 6-3. First-year Nathan Aloisio, Zelenka, sophomores Jason Wrbelis, Bill Warren, Hunter Jenerou, and Domenic Fusco all put the puck in the back of the net for the Saints. With these two huge wins, the Saints will advance on to the ACHA National Tournament that will take place at their home rink, Southside Ice Arena starting March 8.

“My hopes would be to graduate knowing that myself, as well as the other seniors, left everything out on the ice.

As much as a championship title is ideal, the thought of knowing that we gave it our all is what’s truly important,” said Edwards. The thought of winning a national championship at our own home rink my senior year is a thought that words cannot express.”

This weekend the Saints squad will take on the Calvin College Knights to determine who will advance on to the MCHC Championship game.

Softball preview

By Zoe Harmon Staff Writer Softball is so much more than what is seen on the field. The dedication, hard work, and time that goes into preparing for a season is extremely important. Since mid-October, the Aquinas Women’s Softball Team has been hitting it hard in the gym and on the practice field.

After fall break, the team began their preseason conditioning, “CST”, which they did at least twice a week.

These workouts were specifically designed for baseball and softball players, which helps to physically prepare the women for their season.

Starting in January, the team began practicing five to six days a week.

They spend a lot of time enhancing their basic softball skills to ensure they are ready for anything. Pitcher Anna Kelly noted, “We are putting forth our best effort to ensure that we are mentally and physically ready. I think that our team is pushing themselves to be the best they can be on the field.” This steady training along with conditioning will continue until spring break.

For their Spring Break trip, the team will travel to Tuscon, Arizona where they will play 15 games in the span of a week. Sophomore Brooke Senkbeil said that the best part about preparing for the season is, “Going to Arizona, because that is the first time we get to play outside on dirt, and it is the first look at how we will be for the rest of the season. How we play in Arizona can be a big momentum changer

Winter State Games recap

COURTESY ZOE HARMON

What a struggle: Ultrafit winners stand to pose with their medals and belts after a tough competition.

By Zoe Harmon Staff Writer Grand Rapids’ best kept sports secret just wrapped up it’s 2016 Winter Games main weekend. The Meijer State Games of Michigan has been a division of the West Michigan Sports Commission for nearly six years and continues to gain in popularity.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan plays host to two major sporting events each year, the Winter and Summer State Games of Michigan.

Both events host numerous sport competitions and are open to athletes of all ages and ability levels. Competitors from the ripe age of two to the golden age of 100 have competed in the

Men’s lacrosse: Raring to go

By Charlie Crowley Sports Intern

when coming back to Michigan.”

Arizona is always a great place for the team to play as the weather is perfect. Not only do they spend time bonding on the field, but the women also prepare for their season by spending time together off the field to get to know each other as individuals. With free time in Arizona, the team will be able to bond on a whole different level.

Junior Irma Cruz mentioned, “The best part about preparing for the season is that we all become so close as teammates and really build a bond as a team which makes playing so much more enjoyable.”

Goal setting is also a huge part of preparation for the team. Typically, they do goal setting as a team and make a copy to post in the dugout for each game. The team’s greatest goal is to win the WHAC. In order to make this happen, the team will have to come together and truly play as one. A major area in which the women are hoping to improve on is team chemistry. Overall, they have talent and can certainly meet their goals if they stay unified, working together through the good and bad.

Dedication and hard work are both apparent as the softball team prepares for competition. It will be exciting to see how their effort pays off during the 2016 season.

Games, so nothing is out of the question.

Most recently, the 2016 Winter Games main weekend events were held all over Kent County. The weekend hosted 13 sporting events over a three-day span. Kicking off the main weekend was the Archery competition which brought in over 170 competitors and took all three days to complete.

Over the next two days events included: Basketball, BMX, Bowling, Darts, Disc Golf, Fencing, Karate, Quad Rugby, Racquetball, Shooting Sports, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

In addition, Virtual Rowing has been taking place since February 1. Athletes were welcome to register and send in their scores until

Spring break is an enjoyable time for college students. It is a time to relax, head home, head somewhere warmer, or make some extra money. However, for Aquinas Men’s Lacrosse, spring break is their time to hit the road south and begin their season. This year, the men will trek down to North Carolina for a three game set against UNCCharlotte, St. Andrews, and Davidson. Coach Doug Seites is looking forward to the first game, which falls on March 5.

“They beat us last time we went down there, and we want to start the season off right,” Seites said.

Although the squad lost some big time players to graduation, Seites is confident in what the players this year can bring.

“Our senior attackman Kyle Foley and Will Comai I think are in for big seasons. They have

played big roles before, but this is the year they both breakout. We will look to those two, along with (junior ) midfielders Nate Cantin and Chris WIlder to give us a scoring punch.”

If last season is any indica-

with 14 points while going 1928 on faceoffs. Wilder is due to break out as well coming off a six point campaign of his own.

On the back end, the Saints have second team All Conference defenseman Matt Mulcahy, who recorded 71 ground-balls.

Senior long stick midfielder Christian VanDrie will help as well, coming off a 42 ground-ball season of his own.

Coach Seites is overall optimistic about his team and what they have to offer.

“The guys have been working their tails off and we have the opportunity to do some damage this spring. We hope to see the community COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS AQ tion, Comai is ready to and students out explode. Named third team All- in the stands having fun, we’re Conference in the Central Col- planning on putting on a good legiate Lacrosse Association, show for you.”

Comai finished last season with The Saints will take the field 24 goals and six assists. Foley for their first home game on finished right behind him with March 14 against Taylor Univer14 goals and seven assists of his sity. own, helping create a one two punch up front. Cantin finished

Red Wings

AQ Baseball: #Play4Evan

By Sam Bell Staff Writer Spring is in the air. The weather is getting warmer (depending on the day), the very little snow we accumulated this winter is melting, and the men’s baseball season is less than a month away. The squad is slated to start their 2016 season with a spring break trip to Florida, March 6-12.

This season will be a unique one, in a variety of ways. One of these things is having a veteran team.

“We have eleven seniors,” head coach Douglas Greenslate said. “Our team chemistry and our leadership have been excellent.”

Along with the plethora of veteran talent the team has this year, there is also a good amount of talented young blood that is looking to help the Saints to a winning season, including first-years Jack Garthe, Alex Hart and Noah Gloe. Although there are 7 incoming first-years, new coming infielder Drew Hernandez is confident that they will be able to adjust, and in doing so help the team win.

“I think the first-years have been putting in a lot of hard work that will allow us to adjust to college ball more easily,” Hernandez said.

One of the biggest challenges the team will face this season is staying healthy. According to Coach Greenslate, this will be a key to the team’s success.

“We have some very good position players that were affected by

February 21.

The 2016 Winter Games officially began January 30 and 31, with the Cross-Country Skiing events taking place near Traverse City, Michigan. In the following two weekends, both the UltraFit Team Challenge and the USA Cycling Michigan State Fatbike Championships took place in Grand Rapids.

Despite the unusual weather, the 2016 Winter Games were a success. Athletes from across Michigan and neighboring states competed in their events and took away gold, silver, and bronze medals. Even those who did not medal had a good time, because that’s really what the Games are all about.

Executive Director, Eric Engelbarts commented, “The Winter Games give Michigan residents of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to compete in large event and stay active year-round.”

Next on the agenda is the 2016 Summer Games, which plays host to over 37 sports. For a full list of winter and summer sports visit www. stategamesofmichigan.com.

Another extremely exciting event on the agenda is the 2017 State Games of America in which medal recipients from around the United States are invited to Grand Rapids to participate in their sports. As residents of the state, Michigan athletes are eligible to participate whether they have won a medal or not.

The State Games of America are expected to host over 50 sports and will take place from August 3-6, 2017. This event will be a huge revenue boost for Grand Rapids and will give athletes a rare opportunity to compete against athletes from around the country.

A huge variety of sports will be a part of the Games, so all athletes should consider competing. For the most up-to-date State Games of America information, visit www.stategamesofamerica.com.

injuries last year, Greenslate said. “The key to this season will be our players staying healthy.”

The team is also looking to build depth, especially in their pitching rotation. “Our two top pitchers return from last year, but we need to build depth, and mature quickly with the lack of COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS experience we have in Concetration: Senior Matt Kryzkwa looks with intense focus as our pitching he throws out a pitch. staff,” coach “Our motto is #Play4Evan, we all Greenslate said. wrote EK4 on our hats and we have The boys have a very full schedule stickers that say that on our helmets too,” this season, having 62 games in 63 days, Hernandez said. Their goal is to have a stretching from March 6-May 5. This seawinning season not only for themselves, son will also be unique for a very differbut for a guy they grew to love in the ent reason; not only are they playing for short time they knew him. the wins, but also for a fallen teammate.

Be sure to go watch the Saints kick Earlier this school year, first-year off their season on home turf on Wednesteammate Evan Kimball was killed in day, March 23 at 2 p.m. against Davena car accident. This tragedy shook the port University. campus to the core, and the boys haven’t forgotten their friend, brother and teammate.

Sports Editor Taylor Hodges E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

Suffering injuries

By Charlie Crowley Sports Intern When February rolls around in the National Hockey League, teams are fresh off the All Star break. As much as this break can help teams rest and recover, the few games following it can help determine if a season is still worthwhile. For the Detroit Red Wings, the season is looking pretty good. The Wings currently sit third in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference, and although Tampa Bay is hot on their tails, the Wings continue to play strong hockey.

There was a lot of speculation with the Wings early in the season with management choosing to dress 19 year old Dylan Larkin with the big club. However, the gamble has paid off in a big way. ‘D-boss,’ as he is affectionately known, has taken his chance by storm, second on the team in points and first in goals. He also sits seventh in the league in plus/ minus with a sparkling +21. Leading the offensive charge for the Wings is captain Henrik Zetterberg, who has 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists). The Magic Man Pavel Datsyuk, despite playing only 43 games so far, sits third on the

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Wings with 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists). Goaltender Petr Mrazek has been fulfilling his potential as future of the Wings with a 2211-5 record, to go with an impressive .927 save percentage and 2.11 goals against average.

The biggest problem with the Wings going into the final part of the season is the injuries suffered by forward Drew Miller and defenseman Niklas Kronwall. Kronwall had knee surgery done on the 19th of January, while Miller is out four to six months after knee surgery as well. Both are seasoned veterans who provide leadership both on and off the ice. How Detroit does without them will be a big indicator of how far the team can go.

With the tail end of the season prepared to start up, the Wings will have to continue to step up their play to keep a lock on their playoff streak, one that currently stands at 24 years. With veteran leadership and a strong young core, the Wings should be optimistic with how the rest of their season will go.