The Saint :: Issue 10

Sochi update | 3

Refresh Yourself Reporter Veronica Burns recaps the fun-filled night.

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theSaint

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 Volume 33, Issue 10

>>NEWS Construction update | 2 News Editor Mayra Monroy has the scoop on construction progress on campus.

World news | 3 Reporter Yashowanto Ghosh has everything you need to know about the big news worldwide.

>>CULTURE Austentatious | 5 Staff Writer Cait Hilton reviews the Aquinas play.

Oscar predictions | 6 Staff Writer Ian MacNeil fills you in on this year’s Oscar race.

>>SPORTS Men’s hockey | 7 Reporter Veronica Burns has the latest on the men’s team.

Zander Atwood | 8 Sports Editor Alyssa Frese interviews the senior bowler about his time at Aquinas.

We’d clap our hands if we felt happy.

The provost search The search for a new provost has delivered three strong candidates

Student Senate elections kick into high gear with some fresh faces Student Senate begins elections the week of February 24. The candidates running for senate positions are strong contenders with a strong presence on campus.

The candidates for senate chair, juniors Maddy Burns and Tyler Clark, are prime examples of successful campaigning.

“Both have been on senate their entire 3 years here,” said junior Chuck Hyde, Academic Affairs director for Senate. “They’re both very active.”

B o t h c a n d i d a t e s h a ve m a d e great use of the on campus resources and create an outreach to the Aquinas student body. Through digital signage, a strong social media presence and posters across campus, t h e c a n d i d a t e s h a ve m a d e t h e i r presence and intentions known.

Both candidates also have prior experience of working on Student Senate Executive Board. Burns is the current Budget Director for her second year in a row, and Clark was Parliamentarian this past academic year.

The candidates for vice chair, sophomores Hannah Acosta and Brooke Johnston, have also proved to students that they have what it takes to be vice chair.

“They are both big on making sure that we use our office hours and utilize them very well, so that we may accomplish more,” said Hyde. “Both

president of Grand Rapids Community College, during which time Aquinas’ current president Dr. Juan Olivarez was the provost for GRCC. This took place exactly eight months before Dr. Olivarez

For an hour, all present asked Gedly a few questions, like, “Which of your strengths and talents best qualify you to fill this position?” Gedly answered, “I’m a systems thinker that sees and tries to

Near the final five minutes of the hour, Gedly turned the tables on the audience questioning her by asking After reviewing over 40 applicants, them questions about how Student carefully narrowing the search down to Senate works on campus and how they, the top 10 and then narrowing further as individuals, identify with through a series of Skype Aquinas’ values and the four interviews, the Aquinas charisms.

College Provost search is The other candidates, almost at an end. Three Wa n o u s a n d I n c a n d e l a , candidates have emerged to brought interesting be interviewed individually backgrounds and ideas to regarding the esteemed their interviews with faculty position. The three candidates and students. are Dr. Michael Wanous, Dr. Wanous, a professor Joseph Incandela and Dr. of biology at Augustana Gilda Gedly.

College in Sioux Falls, South The candidates were Dakota, was named Associate selected due to their Academic Dean in 2010 at management abilities and Augustana. individual experiences which Incandela is a professor they brought to Aquinas on of religious studies at Saint their tour of the college. Each Mary’s College in Notre candidate was individually Dame, Indiana. His areas of interviewed by members of expertise include Catholic the faculty and student body. social teaching, bioethics and Gedly was interviewed on the Catholic Church.

Friday, February 21, during The search for a new the 3:15 p.m. slot. provost has been a long and [Editors Note: Reporter arduous road, but the future Zach Balzer was only able to for Aquinas’ new provost is as attend the Gedly’s interview bright as ever. Each candidate due to time constraints, but brought several strong traits each of the other candidates were and important ideas to their interviewed by staff, faculty and interviews. students as well. The Saint staff Current Provost Dr. Chad COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS wishes all the candidates luck as Gunnoe took over the position final deliberations commence.]

Provost 101: Current Provost Chad Gunnoe, above, has held the position since 2008. The new provost will in 2008. Gunnoe taught history G e d l y wa s b o r n i n be chosen in March. courses during his time at Puerto Rico, and she came Aquinas and will be heading to hold the position of the director of came to Aquinas. “He left me,” said make connections and is quite flexible back to the classroom after the selection Languages Department at the University Gedly, joking at the president’s expense. with her strategic planning.” of a new provost. of Carolina. Later in her career, Gedly The interview with Gedly took Another question Gedly answered The new provost will be chosen was promoted to Vice Chancellor and place in the Donnelly Center at 10:45 discussed how she would help to foster sometime in March. helped to implement several masters a.m., and the atmosphere was nice and the Catholic Dominican identity of degree programs. relaxed as Gedly sat down with several the college by respecting others and Eventually, Gedly was hired as members of staff, faculty and students. working to find common ground.

By Zach Balzer The Saint Reporter

#AQVotes

By Zach Balzer The Saint Reporter

Griffins | 7

are really focused on getting stuff done in a very tangible way, which is good for a vice chair position.”

Acosta and Johnston, both RAs (one in Regina Hall, the other i n B r o w n e C e n t e r ) h a ve s t r o n g presences on campus through several mediums, such as the utilization of Facebook and other social media outlets to spread their campaign.

“Social media is an [important] campaign tool,” said Hyde. “It has worked well in the past.”

Both candidates have Facebook events and pages to urge students to vote this week for student senate elections.

Finally, the candidate for secretary stands solo but strong nonetheless. Freshman Zoe Collenburg, the single candidate for secretary brings a lot to the table in her effective campaign. “[Zoe] is very involved on campus, she’s part of the In Case of Emergency improv troupe and is also on the senate commuter committee,” said Hyde. “She is a commuter student and an out-of-state student which is a unique combination.”

Collenburg’s senate passion is commuters and provides introspective to committee and will bring it with her to the secretary position, the overseer of the commuter committee.

Voting for Student Senate begins February 24 and will last until March 4. Student Senator elections will begin after spring break and all are encouraged to apply.

Dr. Andrew Jefchak

By Mayra Monroy News Editor Aquinas lost one of its most prized professors on Wednesday, February 19. The passing of Dr. Andrew Jefchak affected every staff member, faculty and student who were able to experience the light that Dr. Jefchak brought to Aquinas.

A strong presence on campus, Jefchak provided many changes and brought together a community. Jefchak was the chair of the English department and also launched film study courses at Aquinas in 1972, the first serious program in the field and in the nation at the time.

“My dad and uncle had Dr. Jefchak when they attended Aquinas and I had the pleasure of taking his literature and motion picture class as a sophomore,” said Aquinas senior Laura Farrell. “His class was full of passion and wit, and it was incredibly apparent COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS how deeply he loved cinema and teaching.”

Legacy: Dr. Andrew Jefchak’s memorial service will be held Friday, February 28, at 3 p.m.

Jefchak also taught literature in the Wege Ballroom. and writing courses for 34 years while working with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, analyzing the materials. He was into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame located in Browne Center. Outside humanistic about everything...an at the Gala in 2012.

“Every moment spent with Andy of Aquinas, Jefchak loved films with absolute Renaissance man.”

“He seemed to know everything Jefchak, first as his student and later a passion and reviewed films for the Grand Rapids Press, now MLive.com, about every great film ever made and as a colleague, has enriched my life,” you could listen to him for hours,” said English professor Vicki McMillan, on a freelance basis.

It was due to this passion that said Farrell. “He will be sorely missed a former student of Jefchak’s. “I am he began the film study program at by Aquinas and the Grand Rapids sad for the loss suffered by his family and friends, but when I think of him, I Aquinas to share this love of films with community.”

During his time at Aquinas, see his delightful face and remember the students and faculty at Aquinas. His current class, a study in modern cinema, Jefchak’s positivity touched several his passionate love for the cinema. I’m is being taken over by close friend and faculty members and students: “This sure that he is on his way to the Great is a great loss. In addition to his many Celestial Premiere.” comrade, Dr. Roger Durham.

“He saw perspectives that many of “I can honestly say that I learned accomplishments, Jef was a warm and more from him about both content affectionate man and teacher,” said us didn’t see,” said Durham. “We are and teaching than anybody else,” said close friend and professor of English really going to miss him.”

A memorial service will be held for Durham, a political science professor. Dr. Daniel Brooks. “He was an early mentor—even a father figure for me Jefchak on Friday, February 28, at Wege “He loved teaching, he loved the Ballroom at 3 p.m. students. He loved the content and when I first came to Aquinas.”

Dr. Jefchak was recently inducted he loved getting it right. He loved

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Aquinas: This year’s Spring Formal will be wild

Grand Rapids: Big name stars head to city

National: The Daytona 500 returns

World: ‘El Chapo,’ Mexican drug lord captured

AQPB made an announcement at Refresh Yourself on Friday night regarding the secret location of this year’s Spring Formal on March 29. It was revealed to students the location this year will be at the Bissell Tree House at John Ball Zoo. Registration for tickets must be done before March 19.

Big name stars head into Grand Rapids to begin filming “The End of the Tour,” a biographical film about writer David Foster Wallace. Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) and Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) will be staying in Grand Rapids for the shooting of the film.

The highly anticipated return of the Daytona 500 happened over the weekend. Fans had to endure a six hour rain delay before the race finally began. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race despite the rain and delay.

Joaquin Guzman, known as ‘El Chapo,’ was caught over the weekend, and there is speculation the United States will extradite him from Mexico. Guzman has been on the run for 13 years and was captured through tips and leads that the Mexican government had on his whereabouts.

Crazy weather mayra monroy |news editor This wintry season has been a mix of just about anything and everything you could imagine. This p a s t T h u r s d a y a l l s e a s o n s we r e wrapped into one: snowing in the morning, thundering and raining in the afternoon and strong gusts into the evening and following day.

If that doesn’t prove that even mother nature is confused, then I don’t know what will. This winter has been nothing but unforgiving to those of us who are just trying to get on with our daily routine and lives.

The benefits of living on c a m p u s a l wa y s c o m e i n t o p l a y when the weather gets bad. I don’t have to risk the hazardous roads to get to class when I can just walk across campus (in awful weather, nonetheless) and take refuge in AB. However, why should anyone have to risk the roads in a dangerous winter to head to a class? I knew when I had my first winter here at AQ that snow days were not going to be given out like they were in high school, nor should they, since there will hardly be snow days when we leave here and find real jobs.

Despite this, weather conditions that are highly dangerous are the cause of accidents all over the nation, and that’s no different here in Grand Rapids. If you live on campus or close to it, it’s always a struggle trying to make it to class in what seems like a blizzard every day of the week.

The awful winter has been a rough one for not just AQ, but for everyone in the country. The “Polar Vortex” created the coldest months in record history. And it keeps returning for more.

Massive snow accumulation, below freezing and subzero temperatures claim the time and even some lives of people just trying to get to work. So what are we to do as a population living in the midwest, where it’s almost warm and sunny one day then swirling winds and inches of snow the next?

Schools all across the state are closed, and most days I just want to stay cuddled in my warm Doctor Who blanket and watch reruns of Law and Order: SVU. As nice as that sounds, I can’t, because I have 17 credits, three on-campus jobs and a social life to take up my time, not that I would ever complain. Due to this jam-packed life of mine, I have to layer up, pray for a quick walk and walk into the unknown, also known as the dangerous tundra that is Aquinas’ campus and visualize the warm spring that I am sure is on its way.

The thing about weather is that it is so very hard to predict. Half the time, our local meteorologists aren’t even close to getting it right and how could they predict something out of our control. They try their best and for that I commend them.

God knows I wouldn’t be able to figure out how to predict nature’s weather patterns. I don’t tend to trust them 100% either, there’s always some stray cloud that could contain today’s new flood, or in the current case, the new load of heavy snow.

So my advice for all of you Saints is to just bundle up and bear through this bitter winter.

Layer up your sweaters and coats, p u l l o n y o u r b o o t s , c o ve r y o u r ears, a n d p re p a re y o u r s e l f b o t h physically and mentally for the ten minute walk to the Academic Building. Don’t forget to buy some hot chocolate from The Moose to warm up your soul too.

Construction Twenty years Dr. Dan Brooks takes the AQ update Lecture series to Florence Alksnis and Apartment E are right on track

By Mayra Monroy News Editor Construction has become a routine sight for students on campus. Construction for the new Alksnis Athletics and Recreation center, along with construction for the new Apartment E, began in late October and has progressed into the bitter winter with signs of progress.

With weather being so inconsistent throughout the season, construction workers have found it

t h e A s s o c i a t e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t o f Communication. “By mid-march, you will see progress, like steel being erected.”

The new Alksnis building will accommodate every sport played at Aquinas and serve as a fieldhouse for games and events along with providing a training and practice a r e a . T h i s wa s l o n g a n t i c i p a t e d by athletes all over campus and t h e y l o o k f o r wa r d t o s e e i n g i t s completion.

Along with the progress, there have been new changes to the floor

<<“YOU’LL

BE SEEING BIG CHANGES IN THE SITES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS PROGRESS WILL BE RAPID”>>

difficult to maintain a steady work pace, but that won’t stop them from the construction of both buildings.

“As far as Apartment E goes,” said Brian Matzke, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. “We will still open [the apartment] in time for student housing in the fall.

You will be seeing big changes in the construction site over the next few weeks as progress will be rapid.”

Apartment spaces will be given to students in the housing process.

The rough completion date of Apartment E will be sometime in Au g u s t w i t h t h e d e l i ve r y o f a l l furniture and final furnishings.

As the housing process begins for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors, Aquinas’ athletes anxiously await the completion of the Alksnis center.

“Construction on the Alksnis Athletics and Recreation Building is progressing well with the break in the weather,” said Meg Derrer,

plan on the new Apartment E. Proclaimed to be an exact replica of Apartment D, E will have a few extra rooms to accommodate space. “ We h a v e a d d e d 8 m o r e residential spots in Apartment E,” adds Matzke. “Instead of having room for 64, [the] capacity of the building will be at 72.”

The rooms are expected to have more counter space and built in microwaves to accommodate more space for students. “We decided on these upgrades after conducting focus groups with residents living in Apartment D,” said Matzke. “The best news of all might be that project is running good to budget!”

Both buildings are expected to be completed summer 2014.

By Abigale Racine The Saint Reporter On the wintery afternoon of Tuesday, February 18, Dr. Dan Brooks, head of the Aquinas College Humanities department, took audiences from m u n d a n e We g e Ballroom to an ideal, sunny Tuscany setting.

He spoke as part of the 2014 Aquinas College Lecture COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS Series, sharing his personal essay A true humanist: Dr. Dan Brooks shares his tales of Flore n t i t l e d , “ Twe n t y ence and how the city affected his life and view of the Years a Humanist: humanities.

A Tale of Two Visits to Florence.” “ I wa n t i t t o b e m o r e t h a n representation of the human form, about what I did on my vacation,” and the intensity of his expression.” explained Brooks.

Twenty-two years later, in 2007, Brooks, who has been teaching the couple returned to Florence as part the Humanities course at Aquinas of a belated anniversary celebration. for 20 years, considered his two Brooks explained how the second visits to be thresholds in his life. He adventure was considerably more shared his personal reflections from comfortable than the first, as they both travels. stayed in an apartment in the heart His first trip to Florence took of the city for one week, then in a place while he and his wife were country villa the next week. Not to y o u n g g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s , b o t h mention they could afford real Italian pursuing PhDs in literature. Brooks food. reminisced on the past experience, He also depicted how his 25 years pr ovidin g a r omantic b ackstor y experience as a Humanities professor about poor students exploring enhanced his understanding of Renaissance art, surviving on pizza the city and its expansive culture, crust smothered in tomato paste and especially his favorite sculpture, sharing alcohol out of plastic yogurt Michelangelo. cups.

Ret ur n ing t o F lor en ce, mor e “We already thought we were mature and experienced, allowed well-cultured,” said Brooks. “How Brooks the opportunity to reflect on naive I was, I knew little about how he grew as a person. He found sculpture. We had to be selective this reflection in the art, as he found because money was tight,” added he could relate with the artist more Brooks. “Admission fees made our so than he did as a young man. heads ache.”

“It is interesting to see the One iconic sculpture the couple comparison of how Michelangelo’s splurged for was Michelangelo’s David was full of life when he had m a s t e r p i e c e D a v i d , a n d t h i s something to improve.” particular sculpture compelled Brooks the most.

“I was awestruck by the perfect

Professor Spotlight:

Dr. Dave Weinandy major to come back to Aquinas.

He worked with two presidents (Nelson and Harry Knopke) to open the facility and allow a After being at Aquinas for richer cultural environment to 23 years, Dr. David Weinandy come to Aquinas. is a constant fixture on campus.

Outside of the classroom, Whether students have had him in Weinandy thrives in his work class or not, there are few people consulting and speaking all over who don’t know him. Despite this, the country.

He derives a lot of there is likely a lot that most do not satisfaction from giving people know about him. the skills and confidence to lead W h e n We i n a n d y c a m e t o and speak on their own. Even Aquinas for his interview, he with consulting work, he knows had no intention of teaching as he represents Aquinas. He uses a career. He had actually turned this to his and his students’ down one interview already, but he advantage, making connections decided to give it a shot the second for them in a very real way. time around. When he arrived In the little spare time he has, on campus, he knew “almost Weinandy loves to volunteer. immediately” that he wanted the He finds that West Michigan job. has a lot of great opportunities His interview was challenging, for helping out, no matter he was interviewed by the president COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS what talents someone has. of the college at the time, Paul On-campus, he has helped Nelson. This interview completely Communication at its finest: Weinandy brings passion through teaching to AQ run Campus Life, Penny Ben, changed his mind about a teaching fundraisers for St. Jude’s position. He “knew on the way home” Perhaps more key to his long stay at been instrumental in instituting many Children Hospital, and many other Aquinas was where he wanted to be. the college is the ability of his students. campus traditions and programs. The Since his hiring over two decades He comes to work and gets all of the Homecoming Court was one of his charitable organizations.

Weinandy likes to think of AQ as a ago, Weinandy has always felt at home. energy from his students, making him co-creations, he helped raise money family, and “a family takes care of each The values of the college have helped ready to be at his best in the classroom. to renovate the Cook Carriage House other and others that they care about.” to shape him throughout the years. His favorite part of AQ is that he “can and he has helped teach at the OLLI Weinandy also loves visiting his He really feels as though the charisms teach and encourage others to learn who Program for many years. Perhaps his family in Ohio and traveling including “don’t just belong on four separate they are while still being Dave.” largest contribution to Aquinas was consulting for pageants. banners.” He speaks very highly of his Weinandy has not been the only one his help in opening the Performing department and their ability to teach. to benefit from his time here. He has Arts Center and allowing a theatre

By Chuck Hyde Staff Writer

News Editor Mayra Monroy E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

Phone (616) 632-2975

Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

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THE SAINT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

NEWS

Awareness & sweets Contemporary Writers Series

women of color. African American women earn only 64 percent relative to the earnings of white males, while Hispanics earn 53 percent, Pacific Islanders 66 percent, and American Indians 60 percent.

future.”

Director of the Women’s Studies Center Amy Strand said, “The Equality The annual Equality Bake Sale, Bake Sale is a great opportunity to raise held every Valentine’s Day by the awareness in both men and women­— Jane Hibbard Idema Women’s [both] are often equally surprised to Studies Center, aims to learn about the gap raise awareness about the and question, ‘Why current gender wage gap, is this not against which finds that women the law?’” Strand earn approximately 77 continued, “Creating c e n t s f o r e ve r y d o l l a r economic equality earned by a man in the between men and workplace. women is important At the Equality Bake if we aim to move Sale, supported by faculty towards the ideal of a and students, female fair and just society.” customers were asked to It is not only good pay 25 percent less for for women, but for baked goods than their men, for families, male counterparts. The and for society. So, difference in cost of why is the gender

COURTESY STE NEELA identical goods reflects the wage gap allowed? different wages between W o m e n ’ s Mind the gap: Women are paid 77 cents for every dollar men make. genders, often within the Studies Center same job position. intern Margaret The American Some argue that women could Miller said due to “the cutting of Association of University Women’s tighten the wage gap by seeking higher assistance for low income people, Graduating to a Pay Gap found that education. While schooling could help especially in WIC and other food full-time female workers one year after a woman increase her earnings, the aid programs, women are at an even college graduation were only paid 82 gender wage gap grows with higher greater disadvantage because of the percent of their male counterpart’s levels of education. wage gap.” earnings. Women face this wage gap In response to the wage gap, The AQ Women’s Studies Center equally in male-dominated, gender- sophomore Courtney Klawieter said, raised upwards of $120 for the Family balanced and even female-dominated “The wage gap is awful. If I pay the Promise of Grand Rapids from the occupations. The gap increases for same price for my education, I should bake sale this year. those who are older, and especially be paid back the same amount in the

By Cait Hilton Staff Writer

Farewell, Sochi Winter Olympics continue to captivate world right up to the end LGBT policies among other things. The action of the Russian As the Sochi g o ve r n m e n t h a s Olympics came to been fairly lowa close on Sunday, key during the there was a lot to games, but there reflect on. Filled is some concern with surprises, this of retribution Olympics saw many afterward, reports dreams come true, USA Today. A stars fail to perform lack of media and international scrutiny could be politics at work. problematic for On the Russian the activists as front, their most the international anticipated event was community leaves hockey. The Russian Sochi. This, along people have always with threats of loved the sport, terrorism and and the country has connection to dominated it through

COURTESY ADAM RIFKIN the protests in different periods in Ukraine have Olympic history. They did The Lost Ring: Russia pokes fun at the malfunction that happened all been largely not even get to the medal during the opening ceremony avoided by NBC round this year, however, with Canada taking gold in both the as the first American athlete to win during their coverage of the games. a medal in singles luge. In the same They have largely focused on the men’s and women’s games.

Presi d en t Vl a d i m i r P u t i n h a d event, Natalie Geisenberger had the aforementioned stories of the athletes previously said the happiness of largest margin of victory in the event among others, such as Bode Miller’s emotional acceptance of the bronze the Russian people hinged upon the in over 30 years.

Perhaps even more incredible were medal in the Super-G skiing event. event, and it seems he was right.

Overall, the Sochi Olympics were According to the New York Times, the results of Women’s Downhill many students and other Russian Alpine Skiing. Dominique Gisin and filled with many upsets, inspiring c i t i z e n s we r e q u o t e d a s s a y i n g Tina Maze ended the competition s t o r i e s , a n d g r e a t c o m p e t i t i o n . the games might as well be over. in a tie, both going home with gold Political controversies aside, the countries of the world have mostly Fortunately, Tatiana Volosozhar and medals.

The political climate of the games forgotten their conflicts and came Maxim Trankov brought Russian figure skaters back to the forefront h a s b e e n r i f e w i t h p r o t e s t s a n d together to compete in all of the controversy, something not new to events that are celebrated around of the sport, taking gold.

Erin Hamlin also made history Russia. Activists have been detained the world. for protesting Russia’s harsh antiBy Chuck Hyde Staff Writer

At it again...

MAYRA MONROY / THE SAINT

Turning AQ into Antarctica: With the recent accumulation of snow, mysterious on-campus snow sculptors are at it again, this time creating a snow sculpture that closely resembles the Coca-Cola polar bear plastered all over campus for AQ’s annual event, Refresh Yourself.

News Editor Mayra Monroy

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

Debra Marquart fills the ballroom with words and music

By Natalie Smith The Saint Reporter

‘Bakken Oil Fields Fail of the Day.’ Marquart’s favorite part about the page is the comments. It paints a picture of how the people of Bakken really feel and provides more to add to her essay every time she checks it.

Debra Marquart, of North Dakota, took the stage at the Aquinas Contemporary Writer Series on Monday, February 17. Marquart is a poet and musician with an impressive list of accomplishments, including the Wachtmeister Award for Excellence in the Arts, Iowa Author’s Award, “Editors’ Choice” recommendation, New York Times Book Review and PEN USA, 2007 Creative Nonfiction Award.

Marquart began her performance with a reading of her poem “Kablooey is the Sound You Hear.” This humorous poem detailed a time when her sister blew a hole through her brother’s bedroom ceiling with his shotgun. The audience laughed often.

“I’m gonna talk to you a little bit about where poems live and where they come from,”

COURTESY HRGC Marquart said. She detailed the way poems sometimes bounce Fiery Soul: Debra Marquart shares fire and truth around in her head for quite in her readings. some time before she finds a way to write them, but other times she will pour them onto Marquart wrapped up by asking the page only to discover they are all wrong. “The way I usually write for questions. The first addressed her a song is I have a poem that doesn’t fascination with fire a theme prevalent quite work,” she said. “Anything too in her writing. She answered by telling about her first apartment, stupid to be said is sung.”

Marquart sang two of her songs which had a gas stove.

The first time she went to use while playing the guitar: “Nothing other than the Wind” and “Big Love.” the stove, Marquart turned it on and “Big Love” especially had a twangy, left to take a shower. When she came catchy tune the audience really got back, it was not hot. She figured she needed to light the pilot. Without into.

She read an excerpt from an essay thinking, she lit a match and walked she is working on about the oil boom over towards the stove. Marquart did in Bakken, North Dakota. She read not even get close before the gas lit. It with heartrending imagery about blew her back and completely burnt the horrible living conditions of the off her eyelashes and eyebrows.

Her performance ended, and oil workers and the tiny towns that have been invaded with tin shanties Marquart suggested one last thing in military rows and trailer parks. She all aspiring writers should do: “Read wide and deeply.” read about the children of Bakken.

Marquart then told the audience to go check out the Facebook page

World news

By Yashowanto Ghosh The Saint Reporter

judicial anti-corruption commission investigating her controversial rice subsidy scheme. The scheme paid farmers more than the global prices for their crop and left the country with a surplus of rice, leading to a loss of $8 billion. Thailand has struggled to find money to finance the scheme, but Shinawatra defended the scheme.

If the commission finds her guilty, she faces impeachment, which could lead to further violence in Thailand.

Anti-government demonstrations continued in the capital Bangkok.

SOMALIA – A car bomb went off at the gate of the presidential palace Villa Somalia in the capital Mogadishu on Friday, February 21, followed by several more explosions and a firefight. At least a dozen people were killed. President Hassan S h e i k M o h a m u d wa s n o t h u r t .

Somalian Islamist militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility.

The al-Shabab, which first came to attention during the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia in 2006, had ear lier attempted to assassinate Mohamud after his election victory in 2012.

UKRAINE – Ukraine’s parliament voted on Friday, February 2 1 , t o r e l e a se o p p osi t i o n l e a de r and former Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko, who spent over two years in prison.

Parliament granted amnesty to all protesters, while President Viktor Yanukovych signed an agreement with the opposition curbing his o w n p o we r s a n d c o m m i t t i n g t o early elections but leaving him in office at least for the rest of the year.

The agreement was mediated by European and Russian diplomats but not endorsed by Russia. Protesters continue to demand Yanukovych’s resignation.

VENEZUELA – Student protests against the left-wing government of President Nicolás Maduro, which continued for the second month.

Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chávez by winning presidential elections in April 2013, has in the l a s t t w o we e k s h a d o p p o s i t i o n leader Leopoldo Lopez arrested o n c h a r g e s o f i n ci t i n g v i ol e n ce .

He also announced his government is expelling three US consular officials, accusing them of meeting antigovernment students in private universities.

He also threatened to expel CNN over their coverage of the protests, and he’s gone viral with a video in which he appears to not know that “SOS,” as in the hashtag # S O S Ve n e z u e l a , i s a call for help.

T H A I L A N D COURTESY CARLOS RAWLINS – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra #SOSVenezuela: Protesters rally against the President i s s c h e d u l e d t o of Venezuela’s political threats and misuse of presidenappear on Thursday, tial power.

February 27, before a

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opinion >> FROM THE CROWD

APPLAUSE TO...

Fellow binge-watchers, for being the first to talk about House of Cards with us; Tim Ramsay, for putting on Refresh Yourself all by himself; Spring break, for getting closer every day; Oscar buzz, for kicking into high gear before the awards ceremony on March 2; AQ’s mysterious snow sculptor, for decorating our campus with cute art; Buzzfeed, for providing us with the quality “The 20 Funniest Figure Skating Faces” article; The Olympic athletes, for providing us with weeks worth of entertainment, suspense, funny GIFs and gold medals.

HECKLES TO...

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Think before you tweet

By Stephanie Giluk Editor-in-Chief I get a lot of enjoyment out of following very famous celebrities on Twitter. It’s like having a window into a larger-than-life person’s intimate moments, and there’s no small amount of voyeuristic appeal involved in tweeting at, retweeting, or just following the people you like to watch on TV or the big screen. But sometimes I long for the days when I could pretend celebrities weren’t really mundane, vapid or just plain stupid, because Twitter has opened up a whole new world of fan-celeb closeness that can be a little weird.

You can tell when an actual person is running their own account versus a publicist/agent running said account, because sometimes you learn things about people on Twitter that you never would have known had they not had access to this social media platform where they can voice any number of stupid opinions that can be retweeted rapidly. Deleting a tweet doesn’t do

Polar vortices, for not leaving us alone; People who have after-graduation plans at the ready, for making us feel like losers; Terrible Valentine’s Day themed movies, for general suckiness; People who are still obsessed with “Let it Go” from Frozen, for not being able to let it go; Jimmy Kimmel, for letting a wolf loose in Sochi (but not really);

Recently, the news of a controversial bill being pushed through state legislature in two different states caught my attention. According to these bills, the residents of Kansas and Idaho are actually pushing for legal discrimination against anyone who is and who they suspect may be gay.

Legal discrimination? This means that doctors, who are supposed to, by law, not discriminate against anyone will be able to discriminate against anyone living in the state, who is known to be gay or possibly gay, and deny them medical treatment.

This is, in my opinion, outrageous. This bill will also deny anyone that is gay any service at any business in the state. These bills are popping up all over the place, and one has actually been passed in the state of Arizona. It allows anyone to exercise their religious beliefs, which, despite what Jesus said about loving everyone, will

The Great Lakes, for not being as frozen as we thought.

theSaint Editor-in-Chief News Editor Culture Editor

Stephanie Giluk Mayra Monroy Paris Close

Sports Editor Managing Editor

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

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

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

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

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exclude some people because of their lifestyles. I’m a Catholic; I was raised in a strict Catholic family that used to share these ideals and beliefs. Despite this, my family grew a new perspective and, as always, taught me to learn to be accepting of others. I can accept others and be nonjudgmental of personalities and backgrounds.

I knew that when I left my small town and met people outside of my obnoxious high school, I was going to meet some extraordinary people from all walks of life, and they were going to meet me, so who was I going to present to them? I know the Bible and I know the line that every homophobic throws out (Leviticus 18:22). But I also know that God said to love everyone and to be forgiving of those that you see as sinning.

When someone thinks of the fight for civil rights, they most likely will think of Martin Luther King Jr., and his walk for the end of racial segregation. And yes, that is the prime example of a fight for civil rights. And

though that happened over 50 years ago, the fight for civil rights still exists today, right now, and will for a while. See, instead of making progress for accepting everyone like we claim to do now, we’re just straying from it and pushing harder punishments onto those that just seek equality.

The Civil Rights movement back then took a long time to finally change anything as well, so there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, but I cannot see change happening soon enough. When it comes to the right to be happy and to love who you want, try to see it from outside of your own perspective, God’s perspective or really anyone’s perspective. What if you were told you couldn’t marry the love of your life, no matter if you were straight or homosexual? I wouldn’t wish for my rights to be taken away, so why should someone wish that upon someone else? This movement affects everyone and will affect the future of civil rights, so, if anything, prepare to be adaptable.

Let them eat cake Dear Editor,

Alyssa Frese Michelle Szczap

Celebrities and artists I’ve admired for years have sent out some dumb, insulting, and even vindictive tweets that have soured my view of them and their work.

So what can I do? Do I ignore the intermittent stupidity of these people (who are only human, after all) and continue to support them and their work? Or do I stop watching/buying their movies, books, TV shows, etc. after seeing their crappy personalities up close? Should art be totally separate from the people who make it or are involved in it?

Should celebrities just stay off Twitter unless they’re Patrick Stewart?

Maybe.

Twitter is both a blessing and curse for those who enjoy pop culture. I have access to your favorite celebrities (providing they have a Twitter account, of course) almost all the time, and I can even tweet them directly! So exciting! But I’m also around when they inevitably screw up, and that’s definitely not as fun. So tweet with caution, friends.

The world could be watching.

Letter to the Editor

Potholes, for destroying our tires and our sanity;

2013-2014 E D I T O R I A L B O A R D

much if followers have already had the chance to take a screenshot it (which many people do, especially if they sense the tweet could spread some controversy).

There are some celebrities who are definitely more Twitter-savvy than others, and they use Twitter to make themselves that much more likeable. One celebrity that knows how to use Twitter to his advantage is the wonderful Sir Patrick Stewart. His adorable photos with BFF and fellow Waiting for Godot actor Sir Ian McKellan always made my day brighter when I happened upon one. He, like many celebrities, also uses Twitter to raise awareness for charities and various causes he’s involved in. But he doesn’t use it for much else, and that’s probably a good thing. I don’t know what he’s doing or thinking every waking minute of the day, but I see enough of his personality to endear me to him that much more. This is good Twitter usage.

But I’ve seen a lot of bad Twitter usage lately, and I’m not liking it.

The fight for civil rights exists in 2014

By Mayra Monroy News Editor

The U.S. Olympic hockey team, for losing so spectacularly to Canada;

4

When people ask me what my hobbies are, I automatically think of the natural responses: reading, writing and listening to country music.

However, the real answer I always want to give is cake!

I love eating cake, baking cakes, thinking about cake, and looking at cake. But don’t we all? What is the common factor in weddings, birthdays, St. Thomas Aquinas Day? Why, it’s cake, of course! As I realized this, I decided it would probably be for the best to explore the best types of cake for the optimal cake-eating experience.

The way I see it, there are really three directions you could go in when considering obtaining a cake.

You could bake one yourself, get one from a chain store, such as Wal-Mart or Meijer or get one from a local bakery such as Connie’s Cakes or Cakabakery.

Each of these options are valid; however, only one will give you the ideal cake eating experience while also allowing you to do a good deed by supporting our local economy.

Can you guess which option that is?

To be fair, I will discuss all three options, beginning with baking your own cake. Now obviously there are

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exceptions, such as if your grandma is named Betty Crocker, but in general, baking a homemade cake requires a lot of time that college students do not have and the frosting is just not as flavorful, texturally appealing or tasty as a local bakery’s. Not to mention, all of us non-art majors cannot decorate cakes as well as the professionals can!

While I definitely encourage baking a cake as a stress reliever or as a cheap option, it does not always provide the most quality of cake consuming experiences.

Next, we have the chain store bakeries, such as Meijer or Walmart.

While the cakes on display at these stores, especially at the Cascade Meijer, are very visually appealing and readily available, the cake itself tends to be a bit dry. Not bad at all — just not the best cake I have ever had. Don’t get me wrong, the butter cream frosting is delicious from these bakeries, and I could eat the frosting all day, but the cake is missing a little something. I recommend staying away from the whipped frostings.

Whipped cream is not meant for cake. Whipped cream is meant for pudding.

Finally, we have cakes purchased from a local bakery. Throughout high school I worked in a small Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

town bakery and each and every cake we made, we made with love.

I believe that local bakeries are established because baking for others is a passion for the owner, at least in some capacity.

The cakes are perfected to the bakers’ liking or are passed down from the family, which shows that each cake is the reflection of an individual — not of Betty Crocker or Fred Meijer (while I do very much admire both of them its not the same).

I have found that especially locally at Connie’s and Cakabakery, cakes are made to the customers exact specifications, are fresh, delicious, beautifully decorated, and given to customers with a smile and a come back again. Yes, they may be a bit more expensive than other options, but you support our local economy by buying local.

Cake is more than a food. It is a part of our biggest happy days and maybe the not so happy days, but it is always just a store or bakery away.

The next time you are craving a cake or cupcake, consider supporting a local bakery to treat your sweet tooth!

-Molly Cook

culture

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THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Movies: Chiaroscuro International Film Series presents A Lady in Paris

Television: Orange Is the New Black season two summer premiere

Music: Femcee Angel Haze makes a name for herself

It’s not too late to check out what the Chiaroscuro International Film Series has to offer. A Lady in Paris is about Anne, a caretaker from Estonia, traveling to Paris to tend to the needs of an elderly Frida against her will. The film will play at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in downtown Grand Rapids March 9 at 2 p.m.

Have you been itching to find out what will become of Piper Chapman since season one’s giant cliffhanger of a finale? Well, get ready! The season two premiere of OITNB will kickoff June 6, so be prepared to have a binge-watching party in your best jailhouse orange.

The lyricist from Detroit, Michigan, is making her way toward hip-hop stardom with her recent collaborations with Ellie Goudling and song-writer Sia Furler, who’s also featured on her newly released single, “Battle Cry.” Haze’s debut record Dirty Gold is out now in stores for your listening pleasure.

<<

IN THE SPOTLIGHT >>ELLEN PAGE

Earlier last week, Juno star Ellen Page came out as gay in an awe-inspiring speech aimed to comfort LGBT youth at an event sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, proving she has the heart of a heroine.

COURTESY MICHAEL BUCKNER

Dallas Buyers Club shows frontrunner potential

#EllenPage

paris close | culture editor

I am not a big fan of “coming out of the closet.” And if you read my column on the matter in an issue published October 16, 2013, then you already know why. I know it sounds super weird to say, but I just don’t think it serves much of a purpose to publicly announce your sexuality to the world. I mean really, what good would it do knowing whether or not I am gay? And what would that have to do with my credentials as a potential employee?

The Editor-in-Chief might bring me into their office for my interview. We’ll exchange glances, my anxious glimpses for their astute stares. And in between a round of scripted questions they will ask me to tell them more about myself, and I’ll respond: “Well, in my spare time I like reading books I never seem to have time to finish because I am either too busy trying to get back the four years of sleep I’ve lost to college studies or YouTubing recipes for the most perfect chocolate chip cookie. I like cats. No wait, I love cats! And… oh yeah, did I mention, I like guys?”

Just imagine how dreadfully awkward that would be for you, let alone your employer. Unless it’s on your own accord, you should never feel pressured to reveal anything about yourself you don’t feel entirely comfortable with. It’s like, when will we learn to just respect someone’s lifestyle and stop prying for answers?

Still, no matter where I stand, coming out is still a powerful moment in a person’s life. It’s just as suspenseful as a marriage proposal but can be just as emotionally devastating as a death in the family if received wrong. That is why I respect those who do or do not choose to reveal that sort of detail about their life.

Because either way, it really wouldn’t change who that person is to me. They would still my relative, my best friend or my idol, which is why I want to spend these next few moments to acknowledge our girl, Ellen Page.

Page is a talented, triumphant actress and she is also gay. She made this fact brilliantly clear in her candid and tearful speech last week to members of the Human Rights Campaign, uplifting the hearts of LGBT members across the nation. Since then, I’ve replayed her speech a number of times because it was poignantly executed in a way that not only touches the heart but also doesn’t try pacifying a serious topic that is often swept under the rug. And for that, the 35-second round of applause she received following her confession was well-deserved.

For starters, I love Page. And who wouldn’t? She’s Juno, for Christ’s sake.

And as with all the other celebs willing to share this sort of information to the public, Page, too, will continue to have a prosperous career. She is so down-toearth and I even consider her to be a more polished and more talkative version of Kristen Stewart (say what you want, I live for anything K. Stew). Not only is she lovable to watch on the big screen, the girl also has a badass movie resume: An American Crime, X-Men: The Last Stand and Inception… need I say more?

Even though being openly gay is still a big deal, like I said, I’ve never really understood how someone’s sexuality would get in the way of their success.

It doesn’t cross my mind. But then again, we’ve always had this guilty tendency to exaggerate and nip-pick the little things about a person when basing judgments of character: choice of clothing, religious standings and sexuality all seem to be the most talked about. Welcome to America, people.

Being gay, lesbian, bisexual etc. does not determine who you are, and we have plenty of successful figures that flaw that senseless notion: Ellen Degeneres is rich, beloved and a truly endearing role model who is unbothered by the expectations of society. Orange Is The New Black’s Laverne Cox, the fabulous transgender advocate, made her very own breakthrough last year on Netflix’s hit series, making headlines everywhere. And how could we forget about our fellas? Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris and Andy Cohen (my dreamboat) all continued to have thriving careers after coming out to the general public. If anything, Page’s announcement will do nothing but gain her more followers and inspire others to feel as comfortable enough to join her in the fight for freedom and happiness.

COURTESY FOCUS FEATURES

True stories: Matthew McConaughey comes alive as Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyer’s Club.

By Laura Farrell Staff Writer Although the Oscar race this year is as close as it has ever been, a few actors seem to be leading the race, and they happen to be from the same film.

With his track record of cheesy romantic comedy films, Matthew McConaughey did not sit high on my list of favorite, or even serious, actors. But his latest role in Dallas Buyers Club brought out a whole new McConaughey, or perhaps just a lighter McConaughey, who pushed the limits and executed a stellar

performance.

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, Dallas Buyers Club tells the story of rough and tough cowboy Ron Woodroof (McConaughey) as he finds himself at ends with his sex, alcohol and drugs-filled life after he is diagnosed with AIDS. Set in 1985, Woodroof finds himself ostracized by his former friends and neighbors, yet still remains hostile to fellow HIV positive patients.

Woodroof decides to take matters into his own hands, and after meeting with a doctor in Mexico, Woodroof smuggles unapproved pharmaceuti-

cals into the United States after they begin to improve his symptoms.

The journey of Woodroof is a heartbreaking but heartwarming one.

Now associated with AIDS-stricken homosexuals, the rodeo cowboy is in limbo, with no where to go and no companion to confide in.

Jared Leto gives the performance of a lifetime as Rayon, a transgender woman who is the first person to take on Woodroof for everything that he is and eventually become his business partner.

Other performances include Jenni-

fer Garner as Dr. Eve Saks, a dedicated and ambitious physician who treats HIV-positive patients. Garner’s performance, in my opinion, might be the most underrated of the year.

At the height of the movie, Garner and McConaughey give a heartbreaking performance during a dinner scene, where the weight of death and disease seems to be heavier than any sense of hope. In that moment, Garner seems to realize that her efforts in finding a cure will go for nothing for her newly found friends, and the result is pure acting genius.

Controversy surrounded the already-touchy film as Leto and McConaughey lost 30 and 50 pounds respectively for their portrayals of HIV positive characters. Every move they make in the movie looks painful, since the audience can just about count their ribs.

Dallas Buyers Club provides a window into the pure prejudice and tragedy those who have AIDS in America experience.

If I had to choose my favorite movie from this Oscar season, I would have to plead the fifth. It has been a monster year for cinema, but truthfully, Dallas Buyers Club remains one of my favorites. The unclouded genuineness of its storytelling makes for a philosophical ride home from the theatre.

As far as the Academy Awards, Dallas Buyers Club deserves any award it brings home, so definitely catch the flick before the awards show airs this Sunday.

Artist Spotlight: Lake Street Dive

By Cait Hilton Staff Writer Artist: Lake Street Dive Genre: Jazz, Soul Current Album: Bad Self Portraits Comparisons: Fitz And The Tantrums Popular Tracks: “You Go Down Smooth” & “Use Me Up” Lake Street Dive, with the power of Rachael Price’s ringingly clear vocals against upbeat jazz and soul inspired instrumentals, brings something so unlikely but naturally exhilarating to the table.

Polished in the art of jazz from the New England Conservatory, the United States’ oldest independent school of music, comes the members of Lake Street Dive: stand-up bassist Bridget Kearney, drummer Mike Calabrese, trumpet/guitar player Mike Olson and lead vocalist, Price.

The band is named after a neighborhood of seedy bars, Lake Street, in Olson’s hometown of Minneapolis.

According to the band’s website, the second part of the name comes from their devotion to always being a “dive bar band, whether we’re playing for 10 people or 10,000. We always want them to have that feeling.”

In an interview with NPR, Olson spoke about the band’s growth over the years: “Our musical development has been like Google Earth.

Going from the entire universe to a specific place. That is how we’ve honed our sound. We had the whole world of music at our fingertips.”

Those fingertips have prints they can completely call their own. Lake Street Dive pulls together both familiar and distinctly unfamiliar sounds cohesively, producing their largely acoustic, energetic, jazzy sound. After a decade of shared performances, the band exhibits true chemistry, which comes through in the creation of their music.

Some say this puts Lake Street Dive on the cusp of stardom, but although gorgeously tasteful, their unique sound goes against everything popular in COURTESY JAY ADAN music today Lake Street Dive released Gettin’ jazzy with it: Tune into the soulful sounds of Lake Street Dive. a new album on February 18, Bad Self Portraits, that truly showcases Hall & Oates are equally as energetthe talent of the instrumentalists and by the beats of the past.

Lake Street Dive features songs ic and strong. Their performance of Price’s surging voice. The album encases many of the band’s practiced like, “My Heart in Its Right Place,” a The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” styles: the R&B in “You Go Down concoction of smooth jazz, the jangle- on a Boston street corner last spring Smooth,” the Motown soul of “Use pop, ‘60s garage rock tune “Got Me is what earned them their new found Me Up” and the gospel-like blues Fooled” and “Don’t Make Me Hold popularity.

NPR has said Lake Street Dive pulling through in “What About Me.” Your Hand,” which is the record’s From Bad Self Portraits all the way knock-out track but impossible to “powers past nicety to connect with the passion that brings blood and back to their earlier self-titled album knock-out of your head.

All four members of the band sweat” that thrives on creating music, Lake Street Dive, released in 2010, the band’s style has never stopped evolv- contribute to writing lyrics to all-orig- that breaks your heart, all while asking but has always revolved around inal songs, but their covers of George ing you to dance. their core, original sound influenced Michael’s “Faith” or “Rich Girl” by

Austentatious gets clever and chaotic

By Cait Hilton Staff Writer Austentatious (the musical) is a violent beating of the classic novel Pride and Prejudice. In a performance that would surely make Jane Austen turn over in her grave, one could not imagine chaos delivered with such charm anywhere other than AQ’s Circle Theater.

Austentatious highlights the annoyances of working with an amateur theater company built on a misfit cast and serves as an ode to behind the scenes efforts of technical support during production. Playing hot potato with the struggles of the theater as they recreate P&P is cooled by the cast’s lovely singing, full-hearted acting and novel-inspired comedic relief.

The play within the play is directed by Dominic (senior Stephen Wright), an incredibly eccentric and

Culture Editor Paris Close

narcissistic man with no idea how to pull together a production, but he does know how to handle actress Emily.

Emily (played by senior Marris Wimmer) has an energy that demands attention. Sleeping with the director has earned her writing and choreography rights, as well as the role of leading lady, Elizabeth Bennet, in what she tries to make “her” production of Austentatious. Penciling in clog and tap routines, pirates, and, God forbid, dancing to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” she drives her cast and crew members up the wall and Austentatious down the drain.

On stage, Lauren (sophomore Marisa Purcey) frustrates audience members with her need for control, especially when she is cast as Lydia, and drags David (freshman Ben Avery) around.

Devoted to her role as Jane, Jessi-

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ca (junior Taylor Nefcy) has an agreeably spunky attitude. Accompanied by cast member Blake (freshman Kenny Judge), a stoner participating as Mr. Bingley on doctor’s orders, the pair are sources for guaranteed laughter. One of Emily’s renditions of Austentatious has Jessica and Blake promiscuously flash dancing in gold jumpsuits, followed by a “lighters in the air” scene where Blake professes his desire to perform well, thanking his joint and homemade bong, which he keeps in his lunch pale, for strength. The duo had the audience roaring and jumping out of their seats.

Sam is the theater’s foundation, played by senior and Rachel Varley.

After nine productions and earning her degree in Theater and French, Varley is ready to leave the department, thanking her friends, family and Theatre Program director Randy

Phone (616) 632-2975

Wyatt for guiding her through.

Varley bowed at her last curtain call, showing the audience the important yet underrated technical side of theater through her unrealistic ability to stay calm while surrounded by chaos and managing the show when no one else can. Sam supports every character, especially David, who, through their awkward romance, evolves from a nervous wreck to a confident man.

Austentatious is jam-packed with hyperactive personality embodied by the cast of talented students. The chemistry demonstrated by these performers as they act and react with one another shines on stage is flawless.

They produce shows like Austentatious that never disappoint.

The show deserves the 10/10 gold stars, and an added point for creativity.

Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint

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CULTURE

THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Teddy Geiger rocks Refresh Yourself

Meg Myers evokes Kurt Cobain in Make A Shadow

By Paris Close Culture Editor

THE SAINT/ MAYRA MONROY

Guitar groovin’: Singer-songwriter Teddy Geiger and band bringing the house.

By Veronica Burns The Saint Reporter Aquinas College’s highly anticipated event Refresh Yourself was a major hit this year, bringing a variety of activities for all students to participate and enjoy. The annual event, sponsored by Campus Life, AQPB, RHA and others brought in quality entertainment with five hours of fun and free food, which is one of the more popular perks of experiencing Refresh Yourself.

Thanks to catering by Yesterdog, Jet’s Pizza and Coca-Cola, the food options were endless and totally delicious. There were even free Coca-Cola cups for each student who attended along with other prizes throughout the night, which included customized cell phone cases, photo souvenirs and a ton of other nice knickknacks. And a few lucky individuals were in the running to win some of the biggest prizes of the night, like tickets to see the Pistons, Red Wings or even Bruno Mars in concert.

The big bash started off with Baby Wants Candy, a special musical improv comedy group. The group really got audiences involved, especially one special student, freshman Jake Ringer, who was portrayed by one of the members of the comedy group.

Ringer shared his thoughts on what he thought of the group’s performances

by dishing out some tough love: “It was super funny. They did very well, but I thought the time machine thing was not as funny at all,” said Ringer.

The man of the night, Teddy Geiger, was a total smash, performing some of his major tunes for the AQ crowd. Geiger sang some of his classics, and he even performed a few songs from his upcoming record The Last Fears (slated for May release). He also sang the song he’d written for One Direction, “Little Black Dress,” driving the audiences insane.

The last and final performance of the night took place with AQ Idol 8’s top three performers: seniors Jessica Bredeweg and Brandon Harris and sophomore Nathan Schall. After each performed their two songs, it was decided that Harris would be eliminated.

This left Bredeweg and Schall to compete for the $500 grand prize.

Bredeweg chose to perform Rihanna’s heart-wrenching tune “Stay,” and Schall put his heart into Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.” It was later announced Schall would be crowned the winner of AQ Idol 8.

Overall, Refresh Yourself was amazing as always, and it is highly recommended to those of you who couldn’t make it to catch the bash next time around.

Have you ever experienced an anchor crushing your heart? Or unrequited love? You know, that feeling you get when you finally realize he or she’s just not that into you?

That is the sort of emotion 21-yearold singer-songwriter Meg Myers unleashes on her second EP Make A Shadow, a bone-chilling record that channels the stiff sentiments of Sylvia Plath or Tristan Prettyman gone goth, propelled by five lovelorn confessionals.

The former Jehovah’s Witness hailing from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee has the je ne se quoi that could easily rival the likes of Lorde.

With lyrics as spellbinding as her voice, Myers’ music is like witnessing a lyrical exorcism, a purging of unpleasant memories and an invitaCOURTESY LORA ATE tion for delicious desires.

From the feral sound heard on Venting voices: The femme fatale turns the heartstring into an instrument in her her first EP Daughter In The Choir, debut album Make A Shadow. featuring the bleeding tune “Curbic is poison/Leave me alone, leave song may seems sanguine at first, stomp” and the pining serenade me alone.” In another verse, it seems Meyers’ talk of “lions and bears “After You,” Myers has developed a as though the only way she finds tearing” her lover away from their much louder, unfiltered, animalistic refuge is with escaping, in which bed makes this choral lullaby anyroar on her latest project. she sings: “Nobody’s ever gonna tie thing but sweet.

For a woman who equates viome down/Nobody’s ever gonna hurt Finally, “Heart Heart Head” lence with love, it’s no wonder “Deme now.” sends the listener reeling into a sire” is both brutal and beautiful in The third and most vocal song chasm of chaos and closure. In this its lyricism and ambience. The song on the record is the titular tune record, Myers undergoes her fitakes listeners hostage with a slow “Make A Shadow,” in which My- nal transformation from disturbed, droning intro that is immediately ers’ cries of wanting to return to her lovesick victim to being fully posbreached by organs and drowning younger self again are set on fire. sessed by the spirit of Kurt Cobain, basslines, thrusting listeners into The rhythmic verses gradually lead belting out the kind of cathartic the grips of her voice almost immeup to the epiphanous chorus “My screeches only understood by the diately. In the tune, Myers sings of heart is fire/My heart is young,” brokenhearted. both carnal and cold-blooded demaybe referring to the ember of life If you ever had any doubt in sires: “I wanna taste you/I wanna that still burns inside of her despite the existence of magic, you haven’t skin you with my tongue.” the pain of maturing. listened to Make A Shadow. It is a “Go” is a tune that seems like Even with the darkness of the must-listen. Myers is unsuspecting, Myers is running away from some record, Myers’ rich and warm vibra- theatrical and wizardly, making her religious force, perhaps speaking to certainly validates her expertise the sort of entity the music industry about the chokehold of her former and potential as a rising artist. has been lacking for more than a dereligion. This is heard in one verse One could imagine her tuck- cade now. where she confronts a mob of judging retiring into a closed off room, ing onlookers who examine her: plucking away at her guitar on the “I’m sick of being your altar … Spit track “Morning After.” While the on me with your words/All this stat-

Pompeii goes for the slow burn

86th Annual Academy Awards

By Ian MacNeil Staff Writer The 86th Annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2. This year’s nominees are a bunch of fresh, young, talented faces celebrating their first Academy nominations and seeking the career-changing influence of a win.

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, yes, the same Jared Leto who fronts 30 Seconds to Mars, leads this impressive category of fine freshman and sophomore nominees. Playing Rayon, an HIV-positive transgender woman, Leto gives a powerful performance that unfortunately will outshine the devilish slave owner played gutwrenchingly by Michael Fassbender in 12 Years a Slave. Shout out to Jonah Hill for proving it is possible to transition from a sex-crazed teen in Judd Apatow comedies to a two-time Academy Award-nominee buddy-buddy with Martin Scorsese.

WILL WIN: Leto SHOULD WIN: Leto Best Supporting Actress: This is a close race between last year’s Best Actress, Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), and outstanding newcomer, Lupita Nyong’o. As tight as this race is, the performances could not be any more different. Lawrence anchors American Hustle with so much New Jersey sass, but Nyong’o is unforgettable as the beautiful yet painfully battered Patsey in 12 Years a Slave.

WILL WIN: Nyong’o SHOULD WIN: Nyong’o Best Actor: Last year, Daniel Day-Lewis’ Abraham Lincoln was a lock for Best Actor, but this year is a three-way race for the Oscar. Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic as corrupt stock broker Jordan Belfort, but he is bound to remain Oscar-less for the fourth time. Chiwetel Ejiofor is mesmerizing as Solomon Northup, a free man sold into slavery, but he, too, will be bested by McConaughey. The Academy cannot deny McConaughey, who dropped forty pounds to play a homophobic cowboy diagnosed with AIDS as a new version of Tom Hanks in Philadelphia. McConaughey was very impressive, but virtually unrecognized in 2012’s The Paperboy, and his time has finally come. Alright, alright, alright!

By Chucky Blackmore The Saint Reporter

COURTESY DAVIDLOHR BUESO

Off to the races: The Academy deliberates 12 Years A Slave and American Hustle.

WILL WIN: McConaughey SHOULD WIN: McConaughey Best Actress: With 38 Academy Award nominations (and six wins) amongst them, this category is packed with star power. Woody Allen has again written an Academy Award-nominated script, and Cate Blanchett is highly favored to win for her role as a rich socialite falling into poverty and homelessness in Blue Jasmine. Judi Dench is cute as ever in Philomena, and Amy Adams again proves she is a force to be reckoned with when under the direction of David O. Russell. In perhaps her darkest and rawest performance in years, Meryl Streep looks to tie Katharine Hepburn’s Academy record of four acting Oscars.

WILL WIN: Blanchett SHOULD WIN: Streep Best Director: Looking to split the Best Picture and Best Director awards again this year, Alfonso Cuarón is highly favored to win this award for his science-fiction masterpiece, Gravity. His only real competition is Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave). Credit is definitely due to David O. Russell for being the only directing nominee to also be nominated for writing his own screenplay.

WILL WIN: Cuarón SHOULD WIN: Cuarón Culture Editor Paris Close

Best Picture: There may be nine Best Picture nominees, but this is a two-film race between 12 Years a Slave and American Hustle. Both films won their respective Motion Picture Golden Globe awards in January. 12 Years a Slave is, and has always been, the front-runner, but American Hustle has garnered major support in recent weeks. Both films are elaborate recreations of history anchored by phenomenal casts. This category is a real toss-up.

Nominees: 12 Years a Slave American Hustle Captain Phillips Dallas Buyers Club Gravity Her Nebraska Philomena The Wolf of Wall Street WILL WIN: 12 Years a Slave SHOULD WIN: American Hustle The Residence Life Department is hosting its annual Academy Awards Party with fancy food, fancy clothes and over $500 in prizes. The event will begin at 8:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Hall on Sunday, March 2.

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Charcoal ashes flooded the ancient skies of an Italian peninsula as molten lava trickled down the monstrous body of Mount Vesuvius, occasionally launching hot bursts of lava into the local village of Pompeii below—the entire city was engulfed and destroyed within hours.

Previous to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., causing Pompeii’s great demise, enslaved Milo (Kit Harrington) seeks revenge on a cynical Roman senator (Kiefer Sutherland), who brutally pillaged and murdered Milo’s tribe 17 years earlier. After several years of living with images of his parents’ brutal deaths, Milo is unwillingly brought to Pompeii from his home in Britannia, fighting as a gladiator, acquiring the title “the Celt” along the way.

Entering the unfamiliar Pompeii, Milo meets Cassia (Emily Browning), daughter of a wealthy merchant from Pompeii; their eyes meet and it becomes a Titanic with lava from there. A coarse rumble occurs once a day, shaking Pompeii and its inhabitants, foreshadowing the lifethreatening eruption.

Atticus (Adewale AkinnuoyeAgbaje), a burly, solemn slave with strength equal to Milo’s, is set to battle his counterpart in a large arena. The two become close when Atticus saves Milo from an infliction in the back, stating that a gladiator should only die from a wound from the front. The two strong slaves become the only men worthy of enduring pain in the arena.

When the Roman senator shows up in Pompeii to marry Cassia and further take over as ruler, Milo remembers his face and vows to kill him.

During the last battle, when

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Milo and Atticus are to fight each, they agree not to. Instead, they look at the Roman senator in the crowd and Milo destroys the Roman eagle as an insult. Mount Vesuvius rumbles one last time and the final eruption has begun.

Citizens scurry for the sea, but coincidently a tsunami holds them back. Milo’s last mission is to rescue his beloved Cassia from her villa right at the base of the scorching volcano. The two get to shore but it is much too late.

The film ends with the visual aftermath of the destruction: Milo and Cassia have their lips sealed together as the two ashy bodies hold each other close.

Chock-full of historical accuracy and dramatic plot twists, Pompeii excellently depicts the disastrous events that occurred after the turn of the millennium.

The film’s CGI was epic—a little too epic at times. The 3D motion picture captured more asteroid-like flares launching from the volcano than molten lava, overwhelming the eyes at times.

Bringing in a profit of only $32,810,000 with a skyrocketing budget of $100 million, Pompeii surely could’ve had smoother character development, especially with the theme of love introduced: the chemistry between Milo and Cassia just wasn’t evident.

Nevertheless, the movie met historical expectations and built up to the exploding climax quite nicely.

Pompeii is worth the watch, giving the viewer an hour and forty-five minutes to relive the inexpressible disaster that is found within history books worldwide.

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THE SAINT | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

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Cabrera back at First: Fielder’s absence causes movement in roster

Detroit Pistons: Pistons ranked third in Central Divison

MLB makes new rule: Limits made to home plate collisions

WHAT TO WATCH

With Prince Fielder playing for the Texas Rangers after the shocking trade made in December for Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera has moved for his third base position back to first base. Victor Martinez will now hit fourth behind Cabrera once again. Fans are anxious for the Tigers’ regular season to begin.

The Detroit Pistons hold an overall record of 23-34, losing their most recent game to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, February 24, 104-96. The Pistons are struggling to win this season, and each game is looking less promising for this team. The Pistons play tonight in San Antonio against the Spurs.

The new rule 7.13 states, “a runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate).” A runner who violates the rule will be declared out regardless if the fielder drops the ball.

The Aquinas men’s and women’s basketball teams will both play in the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals today and tomorrow. Today’s game will be held at Madonna, and the women will play Thursday, February 27, at Indiana Tech. Both teams will need to win in order to advance.

Let’s play quidditch alyssa frese |sports editor It doesn’t take a Harry Potter fanatic to know what Quidditch is.

I was never an avid reader of the books myself, and I am vaguely familiar with the game. Quidditch has become so popular that, all across the world, people are starting their own Quidditch teams. There is even an international league. The International Quidditch Association, by definition, is a nonprofit dedicated to governing the sport of Quidditch and inspiring young people to lead physically active and socially engaged lives.

Quidditch was adapted in 2005 at Middlebury College in Vermont and is now played at over 300 universities and high schools throughout North America, Australia and Europe. The IQA was founded in 2010 and annually hosts or sanctions around 25 events, including nine regional championships: the World Cup, International Open, Global Games and QuidCon. Membership in the IQA is open to teams and individuals in any country and any age group.

The IQA lists the three C’s as sort of pillars for the game. The pillars are explained on their website as “competition, community and creativity. The IQA facilitates competition through regional championships, the World Cup and other tournaments; comprehensive referee and snitch training programs; maintaining league wide standings; and developing the IQA rules.

“The IQA ensures that Quidditch has an inclusive and welcoming community through policies like the two-minimum gender rule; teaching Quidditch to children; community service events and partnerships; QuidCon, the only Quidditch convention; and the mentor and pen pal programs. Although it sounds abstract compared to competition and community, creativity is an important force in our organization.

Starting and maintaining a quidditch team requires a lot of creativity, entrepreneurship, and dedication, and the IQA aims to always have a culture that fosters creativity.”

I found the concept of the IQA and the rules and regulations to be most interesting. During this school year, junior Nick Rudofski started Aquinas’ very own Quidditch club.

At the last RSO meeting on campus, Rudofski and club vice president senior Sam Fogus spoke about the club and the need for funds to purchase necessary equipment. The allocation for funds for the necessary equipment to be purchased for the team was passed, and I could not be more ecstatic.

Any student is able to learn the sport of Quidditch at Aquinas now.

At this time, Aquinas students will only be competing against each other for fun, but if the club grows and more people show interest and dedication to the sport, playing actual games against other colleges is something that could easily happen in the future. Although this club just came into existence this school year, interest is something that is greatly increasing with non-Harry Potter fanatics such as myself showing as great of an interest for the sport as the many Harry Potter lovers on this campus.

The question is, when is this all going to begin now? With snow covering the soccer field and the spring lacrosse seasons starting soon after it melts, I can’t help but wonder when there is going to be time for all of us geeks to play Quidditch.

In the meantime, I am going to anxiously await the start of this exciting new opportunity, because I personally think this is one of the coolest and most genius clubs that has been created at Aquinas in a really long time. It is time for a new game to bring us all together for fun and competition and I think that Quidditch can be just that game for Aquinas. It may be my inner nerd speaking, but I think Quidditch is a sport that can appeal to so many different people, and I cannot wait for it to unite many of us here on campus once again.

Aquinas men’s hockey

Grand Rapids Griffins

By Taylor Hodges Staff Writer The Grand Rapids Griffins lost both home games to San Antonio February 14 and 15, losing on Friday in a shootout and getting blanked on Saturday. Many of the Griffins players have been watching the Olympics and cheering for their respective countries, but Mitch Callahan might have the most spirit. Yesterday was the women’s gold medal game against none other than Canada and the U.S. While Canada pulled away with a win in overtime, it seems Callahan thinks the U.S. won the overall “hottie” matchup. “I think the Americans still won on the fact our girls are better looking,” said Callahan.

The Griffins are currently second in the Western Conference, only four points away from leader Abbotsford Heat. This is quite the achievement, since the Red Wings have called up a number of players from last year’s Calder Cup team.

Leading the team in points is Teemu Pulkkinen, with 42 in 51 games. Pulkkinen was recently called up to practice with the Red Wings during the Olympic break, so look for him to come back with

some fire.

Along with Pulkkinen, the Red Wings returned Riley Sheahan, Cory Emmerton and Adam Almquist back to the Griffins. Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar did quite well in the Olympics despite team Slovakia being eliminated in the qualification round.

While the team didn’t fair too well in the tournament, it gave the chance for young players like Jurco and Tatar to develop their game to the next level and play against mostly NHL competition.

This past weekend, the Griffins played two games against the Oklahoma City Barons, losing the first on Friday 4-2, but coming out with a victory on Saturday 4-3. The Griffins then played the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday, February 23, and came out with a 1-0 victory.

The Griffins are now in first place in the Midwest Division, with an overall record of 32-17.

The Griffins will play next tonight on the road against the Milwaukee Admirals.

>> Aquinas basketball

The Saints end their 2013-2014 season

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Looking to pass: Senior Greg Baranyai searches for an open teammate to pass to in home game action this season. The Saints ended with an overall record of 18-8-0-5.

By Veronica Burns The Saint Reporter

Men’s basketball The Saints are determined to finish strong

After a tough loss to Calvin on Feb. 14, the Aquinas men’s hockey team had their last game of the season, with a final score of 4-1 after being eliminated in the first round of the ACHA Regional Playoffs by Adrian College.

Aquinas hockey head coach Mark VanVliet said, “Although losing is never pleasant, our hockey program can take great pride in the accomplishments over the past season. For a program in only its’ second year—just qualifying for regional play­—proves that we can play with the very best in the country.”

When asked about the team, VanVliet said, “There were five seniors who played their final game for the Saints: Hugh Ingalls, Christian Potter, Brent Steele, Jimmy McDonagh and Greg Baranyai. It’s amazing to think that when these young men were freshmen there was NO hockey program at Aquinas, and by their senior year we’ve evolved into a solid program with a very, very bright future.“ For the next season, the hockey

program is looking solid. VanVliet said, “As a coaching staff, our focus now turns to solidifying recruiting commitments for next year as well as improving the returning student athletes. Next season we will be relying heavily on the leadership of returning lettermen (sophomores) Sam Matthews, Brendan Giffel and Justen Caudill. Our defensive corps is in fine shape with all four goalies returning next year—including Sean Schmeiser—who emerged as a solid #1 for us down the stretch. Anchoring the blueline in addition to Giffel and Matthews will be (freshman) Cal Brininger and (sophomore) Kyle Jansens. Returning forwards (sophomore) Doug Zalenka, (junior) Matt Krzykwa, (sophomore) Carson Miller and (freshmen) Graham Gates and Corey Giffel should provide the offensive firepower needed to remain competitive in the ultra tough Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“All in all the future of Aquinas College Hockey is very bright and I am confident we’ll take another solid step forward,” said VanVliet.

Women’s basketball The Saints play in WHAC Quarterfinals tomorrow

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Drive: Senior Austin Semple drives the ball against his Marygrove opponent in homecourt action this season while senior Kollin Kazen prepares to rebound.

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor The Aquinas men’s basketball team has worked hard this season.

With an overall record of 15-15, the Saints have had their ups and downs.

One thing is certain, however; they haven’t let their losses keep them down.

Winning the last three of four games, the Saints are determined to finish strong. In their most recent match-up on February 22 against Lourdes, the Saints were defeated in 59-57 in an extremely close game. Top performers for the Saints were sophomore Jake Bullock, with 13 points, and senior Austin Semple, with 10 points.

The three games previous to the Lourdes loss were all won by the Saints. On February 19, the Saints played at rival Cornerstone and won 75-70. Top performers for the Saints in this match-up were Semple, with 17 points, as well as senior Kollin Kazen and junior Anthony Williams, with 10 points apiece.

“Our greatest team strength this season was our coachability and willingness to buy in to the game plan,” Sports Editor Alyssa Frese

said senior Brett Pfahler. “Defensively we have done a great job late in the season.”

The two games previous to the Cornerstone win were played against Lawrence Tech and Madonna. In home court action against Lawrence Tech, the Saints were able to pull an impressive 78-49 victory. Top performers for this game were Semple, with 18 points, and Kazen, with 14 points.

In their next game against Madonna in Livonia, Michigan, the Saints were victorious, winning 7164. Top performers for the Saints in this game were Semple again, with 20 points, and Kazen, with 17 points.

The Saints will play tonight in the WHAC Quarterfinals at Madonna.

“This game on Wednesday will be a huge challenge for us, but there isn’t a doubt in the locker room that we are ready. Madonna is a highly explosive team with a great shooter and an All-American point guard,” said Pfahler. “In order to win, we need to play great defense and continue to share the ball and value our possessions.”

E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor The Aquinas women’s basketball team has finished the regular season with an overall record of 21-8. The Saints won three of their last four games and will play in the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinals tomorrow at Indiana Tech.

In their most recent game, the Saints played Lourdes and won 7461. Top performers that game for the Saints were junior Allison Heberlein, with 19 points, and senior Nicci Thomas, with 17 points.

On February 19, the Saints played at rival Cornerstone and ended up losing 64-49. Top performers for the Saints in this matchup were Heberlein, with 13 points, and Thomas, with nine points. “I believe that our strengths (in winning) have been our communication and our ability to make reads in our triangle offense,” said senior Lindsey Karpowicz. “Our defense has also been tremendous, it fuels our offense.”

The two games previous to the Cornerstone game were against Lawrence Tech and Madonna. The Saints

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were victorious in both games. In the Lawrence Tech match-up, the Saints came out with a 77-63 victory. Top performers for the Saints were Heberlein, with an impressive 25 points, and senior Taelor Sanders, with 15 points. In the Madonna game, the Saints never let up and were victorious, with the final score being 90-74.

Top performers for the Saints were Sanders, with 32 points, and Heberlein, with 16 points.

The Saints play tomorrow at Indiana Tech and need the victory to move on from the Quarterfinals.

“We have to prepare not only physically but mentally through concentration and hard work. We have been preparing for this all season now it just comes down to who has the most heart for the game,” said Karpowicz. “As a team we have to take all the little things and put them together with our system. Everyone brings something different to the table; if we put all those aspects of the game together we will be alright. If we focus on our defense then our offense will fall into place.”

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SPORTS

THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Senior Zander Atwood Winter Olympics 2014 update encourages others The Sochi Games proved to be full of surprises

By Taylor Hodges Staff Writer

COURTESY ANDRIS VISOCKIS

Knock ‘em down: Senior Zander Atwood bowls for the Saints this past season at their meet in Grand Rapids. Atwood will graduate in May with a dual major in Sports Management and Business Administration and a minor in Communication.

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor For many people, bowling is an occasional hobby or pastime. For senior Zander Atwood, however, bowling has become much more than that.

“I got involved with bowling my freshman year of high school,” said Atwood. “My best friend had been bowling for a while and he kind of talked me into it. Our parents then helped set up the bowling team at our high school.”

Atwood’s parents worked very hard to ensure there would be the opportunity for him to compete in bowling during high school. Atwood credits his parents and his best friend as the greatest influences in his career to date.

“My best friend from high school, Mike, has definitely been a huge inspiration to me. He pushed me to do a lot of different things including bowling,” said Atwood.

Bowling continued to be a big part of Atwood’s high school career, but it had no influence in his decision to attend Aquinas College, since there was no team present at the time of Atwood’s initial enrollment.

“I really liked the campus. I graduated with a class of 60 students and I really like the small class size, the student to teacher ratio. The city of Grand Rapids is fantastic, campus is beautiful and Aquinas had a sports management program so there were all sorts of pluses all around,” said Atwood.

Although it had no influence in his decision to attend Aquinas, Atwood found a way to get involved with bowling at Aquinas when the sport became an official collegiate sport in fall of 2012.

“Frank Rogers, who was the women’s lacrosse head coach at the time, came up with the idea of a bowling team and put out a survey to Aquinas students to see if there would be enough interest from students to form a team. Rogers found out there were enough people interested and started both a men’s and women’s team,” said Atwood.

After Rogers left Aquinas, former professional bowler Charlie Tapp and his wife Marliss took over coaching the teams. Both teams practice and compete together, so they form one team in essence. Atwood has been a very positive role model for the younger bowlers and has shown great leadership in his time bowling for Aquinas. “Zander is a great teammate to have. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate and friend to bowl alongside with. He is always positive and encourages everyone on the team to do their best no matter what the situation is,” said teammate Travis Hunt. “He has the true heart of a champion and will certainly be missed next year.”

Zander has not only had a huge impact on his male team members but he has affected the entire bowling team as a whole with his magnetic personality. “You would always hear Zander

yelling ‘Come on boys, LETS GO!’ He was always the motivator. This year Zander received the championship of character award, and that alone says it all. Zander was the guy that have everything on each shot,” said teammate Kara Turkstra. “He is the easiest guy on the team to talk to, whether it’s about bowling or his life experiences. Zander was there for me when my grandma passed away. His character shows in and out of the alley. Zander always organized logistics when the coaches weren’t there. The team always counted on him and it will not be the same next year.”

Atwood is pursuing a dual major in Sports Management and Business Administration and a minor in Communication.

“I’d like to get into something with professional baseball or I would like to become an agent for professional athletes,” said Atwood.

Grand Rapids has become a place Atwood has called home for the past four years, and he would ideally like to stay here.

“I’d love to live here in Grand Rapids, but I am willing to go anywhere that my career path takes me,” said Atwood.

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics came to a close on Sunday. In terms of overall construction of the Olympic village, Sochi has been one of the most disappointing. But aside from bricklayers, the Olympics were one of the best yet.

Slovenia, who competed in their first winter Olympics in hockey, have proven to the rest of the world that they belong. In a country of only about two million people, Slovenia performed quite well on the ice rink.

Despite only having one NHL player on their roster, Slovenia knocked off Slovakia for the countries first Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey win. The future is looking quite bright for this country.

The country with the most gold medals in this Olympics is Russia.

The leader for overall medals is also Russia. The U.S. comes in a close second, with 28 medals, followed by Norway, with 26.

The U.S. women’s hockey team lost a close game against Canada, losing in overtime on a somewhat preventable goal. Team Canada won the gold, followed by the U.S. and Switzerland. U.S. athlete Matthew Antoine won the bronze is men’s skeleton on day eight, losing to Martins Dukur of Latvia and Russia’s Alexander Tretiakov.

Other highlights for the U.S. include a silver in women’s skeleton, a gold and bronze in women’s halfpipe snowboarding, bronze in women’s luge and sweeping all medals in men’s freestyle skiing.

The Netherlands swept men’s 500m speed skating and men’s

Spring break preview

By Alyssa Frese Sports Editor With hockey season wrapped up and basketball season coming to an end, several teams at Aquinas are gearing up to start their seasons, with their first games being played over spring break in various regions of the country. Aquinas’ baseball, softball, lacrosse and tennis teams will all be competing in games on the road during Spring Break.

The Aquinas men’s baseball team will be traveling to Florida March 9 until March 15, where they will be competing in Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational, which consists of 11 games.

The Saints finished the 2013 season with an overall record of 25-20.

“We believe our strengths to be our solid defense at all nine positions and our overall team speed. The back end of our bullpen will provide great innings late in games,” said sophomore Casey Wila and junior Brendan Penny. “We hope to develop team roles, especially with our new guys in the lineup, and to get a lot of reps before we begin conference play.”

Added sophomore Tyler Golembiewski, “We have a lot of depth on the team this year. There are a lot of guys that can contribute in many ways.

Hopefully playing so many games over break will allow everyone to get in the swing of things for regular season when we play some good teams. Just have to have everyone working hard and giving it their all during break to get ready.”

The Aquinas women’s softball team will be on the opposite side of the country, playing their games in Tuscan, Arizona, in the Tuscan Invitational. The Saints will be playing in 14 games from March 8 to the 15. The Saints finished strong in their 2013 season, ending with

an overall record of 29-17, which means a strong start is optimal for the Saints this season.

“I believe our strength as a team going into spring break is our readiness. We have been putting in a ton of hours working out all the kinks,” said sophomore Olivia Hrymak. “When we get to Arizona we will be ready to play and ready to win.”

The Aquinas men’s lacrosse team will be headed to play three games in South Carolina and North Carolina over Spring Break. The Saints finished their 2013 with an overall record of 6-10. With Aquinas lacrosse Alumni Doug Seites stepping up from the assistant coach position to head coach, the Saints have been working hard and preparing for this spring break run.

With only one senior who graduated after the 2013 season, the Saints have a lot of returning talent.

“Our strengths as a team are that we are very dedicated and are excited to play. We have put a lot of work in this these and are ready,” said junior Tim Hansen. “We have improved from last year because we have worked twice as hard as all of the other years.”

The Aquinas women’s lacrosse will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois, to play two games over spring break.

The Saints will be playing games in Grand Rapids and Indiana. The Saints finished the 2013 season with an impressive overall record of 21-5. With new head coach Owen Blank leading the team and a high number of freshmen joining the team, expectations are remaining as high as ever for this previous powerhouse.

The Aquinas men’s tennis team will travel to Florida over spring break from March 8 to 14, where they will compete in seven games against different schools. The Saints finished the Sports Editor Alyssa Frese

2012-2013 season with an overall record of 25-5. Expectations are high for this solid team once again.

“Strengths going into this year’s spring break trip is our depth. Having two to three guys we can reliably switch out with will make a big difference when we’re playing in hot weather, and we have four different matches to play on the same day,” said sophomore Frankie Fischer. “This year the whole team will be staying in an apartment together which is really beneficial to our team chemistry. You learn a lot about everybody on the team when you have to eat, sleep and kill time in between matches.”

The Aquinas women’s tennis team will also be traveling to Florida.

The Saints will play seven games from March 8 until March 16. The Saints finished the 2012-2013 season with an overall record of 12-1,1 and the girls are determined to start this spring break trip off strong.

“Going into this spring break we are already much stronger than last year. Physical and mental strength are really going to help us be successful this spring break,” said sophomore Jenelle Miller.

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5000m speed skating.

Men’s ice hockey may have been the most exciting event this year due to a Canada vs U.S. matchup in the semifinals. The U.S. would fall to Canada by a score of 0-1, and Canada would go on to win the gold medal, beating Sweden.

One of the most exciting games involved the U.S. winning over Russia and Russia being knocked out before the medal round. Word on the street is Siberia is getting a new hockey team. Due to the cost of funding an Olympics, many people don’t know if the facilities will be kept up and if Russia will be able to bounce back from the deficit. Usually, the country that hosts the Olympics ends up losing money due to all of the construction and workers.

There were multiple threats that a terrorist attack would be conducted at the Olympics, but none proved true. The Sochi Olympics may have been the most secure Olympics in recent history.

In an interview on Rant Sports, U.S. snowboarder Danny Davis claimed that in the mountains there were “sniper huts and guys in white militant mesh who were littered all over the hill side.” While the events in Russia had some people nervous about what this Olympics would hold, Sochi has truly been one of the best and showed that no matter our beliefs, the world can come together and have peace, if only for a few weeks.

Here’s to another four depressing years waiting for the next Olympics in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Hopefully the construction will be better this time around.