Mystician 75 5

Volume 75 | Issue 5 | March 2014

BSC Play is Sure to be Insanely Impressive

The Spring Production at Bismarck State College features many unique characters and an even stranger title. Read more on page 16.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera PĂŠrez

HAPPENINGS

PERSPECTIVE

INSPIRATION

ENTERTAINMENT

ATHLETICS

BSC Jazzes Things Up See pg. 4

Conflict Over Attendence See pg. 8

Fighting to End Slavery See pg. 13

Review of The Lego Movie See pg. 19

Batting Up Another Season See pg. 22

Jade Eagle Tiffany Grannis Megan Haag Shannon Hawkins Katie Marthaller Kenneth Mitchell Blake Nemecek Tanner Purintun Sierra Rath Maria T. Rivera Pérez Alex Stavig Tayler Wolff

Colton Ulmer Jordan Bitz Nicole Gibson Jerrod Schumacher Erik Mathels Maria Perez Mercer Sage

Monday:

Colton Ulmer 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Spring Break, North Dakota Style.

From back left: MystiCast Manager Jerrod Schumacher, MYX Manager Jordan Bitz, Maria T. Rivera

Pérez, Senior Editor Sarah Morris and Tayler Wolff.

Front left: Megan Hagg, Entertainment Editor Kelsie Seiler, Shannon Hawkins, Inspiration Editor Nicci Johnson, Kenneth Mitchell, Athletics Editor Kaitlyn Olson, and Happenings Editor Derek Lee. Not Pictured: Jade Eagle, Tiffany Grannis, Katie Marchaller, Blake Nemecek, Tanner Purintun, Sierra Rath, Alex Stavig and Perspective Editor Tawnie Reisenauer.

Letter from the Editor Vibrant sunsets at the end of the day, a calm creek during a spring melt, and serene pastures in the summer are all things that I have seen with my eyes. Many people take their vision for granted. I know I have.

My senior year of high school I had a bad reaction to a medicine I was taking. My eyesight began to have gray, fuzzy splotches and I experienced stabbing pain in my head and neck. I went to the eye doctor and my regular physician, only to be told something that no one ever wants to hear: that I may have a brain tumor.

As I was rushed over to the MRI center, they took pictures of my brain, with me shaking as if an earthquake was undergo. This was one of the most terrifying experiences in my life. I went home to sleep, not knowing if I had a parasite invading my brain. I began making a list in my mind of what I would do if I only had so long to live. I prayed and cried, wondering if my life of only 18 years was about to be snuffed out.

How would I live differently? What things would I want to experience? How would I say goodbye to my family? These are all questions that ran like a filmstrip through my mind as I tried to go to a dreamland where I would not be afraid.

The next day I went to school, not knowing any answers about my condition. I then began having another distressing symptom – double vision. I seriously thought I was going to die.

Like the warm sun that breaks through the clouds, I received a call from my mom. I had no tumor! I had what they called pseudotumor cerebri, which was a big title for my brain thinking that I had a tumor when really I only had pressure in my brain, reeking havoc on my optic nerves.

I thanked God that I had another chance at life. But why did I wait so long to live? And frankly, I still don’t live fully to what I am probably capable of doing. Why do people wait until they are teetering on the edge of life and death to see something that was in front of them all along?

We need to make everyday count like it was our last, if that is cliché enough. Loving people, loving life, just living like we are supposed to live. Smell the air after it rains. Give your loved one a big hug. Laugh, dance and sing. We do not have to go win a Nobel Peace Prize, but we can make a positive Senior Editor difference in the world. Be an example of life.

Sarah Morris

Tuesday:

Jordan Bitz 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Wednesday:

Nicole Gibson 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Jerrod Schumacher 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday:

Erik Mathels 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Friday:

Maria Perez 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Mercer Sage 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

MystiChat 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Mission Statement The purpose of college media is to serve and give voice to its students.

We, as student journalists, are expected to provide content that is informative, fair and concise. With this goal in mind, this newspaper is dedicated to striving for accuracy and maintaining ethical practices.

The Mystician strives to be objective and is not affiliated with any organization. This publication upholds the principles guaranteed by the First Amendment and utilizes these rights to bring diverse, entertaining and thought-provoking material to our college community.

Disclaimer Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writer and not necessarily shared by the Mystician staff or Bismarck State College.

We encourage and welcome comments and letters from our readers. All letters to the editor must be signed and include contact information.

Bob Beck serenaded the audience at the Jazz Celebration that Bismarck State College hosted on Feb. 20. Read more on page 4.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera PĂŠrez

Page 4 Euthanasia Page 4 Jazz Fest

Page 5 Heid Erdrich Page 5 Club Radio

Page 6 Bad Food

BSC Looks Back at Two Decades of Jazz Derek Lee

Happenings Editor

Bismarck State College celebrated two decades of Jazz Celebrations (1975-1996) on Thursday, February 20, 2014. Music from Big Al’s Big Band, as well as the BSC faculty jazz ensemble filled the Bavendick Stateroom before and after a 30 minute documentary by Bruce Wendt on the historical Jazz Celebrations hosted at BSC. Master of Ceremony and BSC professor Mike McCormack provided stories and insight about his personal experience with Jazz at BSC throughout the evening. “... I was a lucky son of a gun that came to BJC,” McCormack said. “Oh, yeah. I came here, and I got my love of jazz reignited to the fullest.”

The BSC Jazz Celebration was originally the brainchild of Dr. Lloyd Anderson, and, as McCormack put it, “God’s gift to BSC bands,” Irv Eli. The two had the wild dream to bring some of the best jazz musicians in the world right here to Bismarck.

“For Dr. Anderson, jazz was an avocation, and a love ... and he needed to share that with the

Maria T. Rivera Pérez Reporter

Euthanasia is the action or process of ending a life to stop or prevent a human or animal from suffering. For euthanasia to be performed on someone, it must be a decision made based on the patient’s rights and dignity, the doctor’s rights and religious beliefs, societal views on morality.

There are four types of euthanasia: passive, active, involuntary, and voluntary euthanasia.

Passive euthanasia is defined as a medical withdraw treatment with the intentions of causing a patient’s death. For example, if a patient needs kidney dialysis to survive, the doctors would disconnect the dialysis machine, killing the patient within a few minutes. If a patient has a heart attack or a sudden

04

Big Al’s Big Band played at BSC’s Jazz Celebrations, as well as the the BSC Faculty Jazz Ensemble.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez world,” McCormack said. “Why not do it at a college with our young musicians, and bring the right ones in?”

Sights set high, Anderson wanted to bring in the best artists possible, such as BSC Jazz Celebration frequenter Jackie Byard, to play and teach Jazz to BSC students.

“I knew we were around absolute world-class [musicians],” Wendt said.

While well connected in the Jazz community, to accomplish such a feat, Dr. Anderson needed to raise

a substantial amount of money to recruit such prominent artists.

“To do anything like this you needed to be a fund raising genius,” McCormack said. “And he was.”

After nabbing Byard, many more artists became interested in coming to BSC Jazz Celebrations, as they were interested in working with the talented musician.

“All he had to say was ‘Jackie Byard will be accompanying you,’ and they appeared. Oh did they appear,” McCormack said.

interruption of life functions and medical staff make no effort to revive the patient and wait till he or she dies, this is passive euthanasia.

Active euthanasia is the action doctors take of injecting the patient with poison or a lethal dose of painkillers or sleeping pills to stop the patient from suffering.

Voluntary euthanasia is when the patient asks the doctors to end their life, and they have knowledge of what the doctor will do.

Involuntary euthanasia is the term used to describe the killing of a person who has not requested aid in dying. This term is often used with respect to the patients who are in a persistent vegetative state and is unlikely to regain consciousness.

“The reason that some people believe that euthanasia should not be legalized is because they think

that it is just a justification to kill someone and it would go against their beliefs” Luke Gormally, a member of the Catholic News Agency Inc. (CAN), said.

Gormally also stated that once this action is taken, it means that doctors believe that a patient’s life is no longer a “worthwhile life.”

On the other hand, many doctors and people believe it should be legalized, because it is a less painful death to the patients and to the loved ones seeing their family member in great suffering, and is also less expensive than hospital payments. It is always difficult to see a family member or close friend die, but having them go through constant pain, knowing that there is no chance they will recover, would not make it any better for anyone.

There is always a solution and is

Freedom from Pain

Byard accompanied the likes of Doc Cheatham, Phil Woods, Larry Ridley, Alan Dawson, and, a name even the most novice jazz listener will recognize, Dizzy Gillespie — all right here at the Sidney J Lee Auditorium, resulting in some outstanding collaborations.

“Like Lloyd says in the [documentary],” Wendt said. “‘There’s not five musicians on the planet tonight that are playing better music than right here.’”

Nearly 20 years later, it is now hard to imagine artists of such a high caliber coming to small-town North Dakota to perform with and teach college students. The world is now changing faster than any previous time in modern history, and in a world dominated by technology and money, bringing a celebration like this back to BSC seems near impossible.

“That’s why I opened with ‘We were living in a largely analog world,’ in ’75. And now, of course, we’re totally digital, I mean totally digital. Everything’s digital,” Wendt said “… and that was what I was trying to get at, somewhat, in the flavor of this thing. The world just moves so totally different.”

by giving them a “peaceful” death with less suffering.

Like everything, there are rules and laws we must follow if euthanasia were to be legalized.

Dr. Kailash Chand, a British Medicine Associate who has practice medicine for more than 20 years, said there are at least four requirements for Euthanasia to be practiced. To take euthanasia into consideration, the patient must be terminally ill, an adult, mentally competent, and in severe pain.

Euthanasia can help families in a way, and it would not hurt as much seeing their loved one suffer from day to day, battling for their lives. Yes, it will still hurt, because it is someone loved. But, practiced on a very ill patient, euthanasia is setting them free of pain.

Club Radio: It’s Yours

Inspiration on Writing Tawnie Reisenauer Perspective Editor

Club Radio is a local Chrisian Radio station that is non-profit. There are many different types of genres and styles that the DJs play. It airs on 100.7 FM. Photo by Blake Nemecek Blake Nemecek Reporter

Club Radio is a Christian radio station that can be heard throughout the Bismarck/Mandan area. The radio station came from humble beginnings in 2004, based out of a local church in Bismarck.

Club Radio’s station manager, Justin Allen, took management of the radio station in 2012. He had previously been involved with the radio as a DJ since a month after it launched.

“Club Radio is a non-profit, low

power radio station that is geared to reach the community that most Christian radio stations normally do not reach,” Allen said. “We do this with the music we play and the events we participate in within the community.”

Club Radio plays many different genres and styles of positive music.

The station accommodates many different music tastes.

“Our station provides a variety of musical styles that vary from worship to music that is a little bit more hardcore,” Allen said.

“Club Radio also showcases many

BSC Student Wins Scholarship Jayme Pischel, student at Bismarck State College and Phi Theta Kappa member, has been named a 2014 Coca-Cola New Century Scholar.

In order to receive this honor, Pischel had to earn a high score in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition.

She was the top scorer in the North Dakota. More than 1,700 applications were received.

Pischel will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and the CocaCola Foundation.

unheard of groups that are not necessarily signed artists, but still have great talent.”

Music is not the only thing that can be heard over Club Radio’s sound waves. The station also has live DJs that come in to do weekly shows.

“Club Radio is unique because of its volunteer base. The DJs that we pick are by no means professionals in the field, but they are down to earth relatable people,” Allen said.

“We don’t like to limit our DJs in their freedom. We let them choose the music they play and develop their own style of radio show. What we do is we train them and equip them with experience on the air.”

The radio station’s music and entertaining radio shows help draw a large crowd of listeners for Club Radio.

“Our purpose is to share the love of Christ in a unique manner that encourages its listeners to take that next step, whatever it may be,” Allen said.

Tune in to Club Radio 100.7 FM. Check out the DJ shows and music that the station has to offer. Please contact Justin Allen by email at justinallen.clubradiolive@gmail. com with any questions regarding the station.

Poet Heid Erdrich came to Bismarck State College February 9-11 to talk about her work and life. On the 9th she did a workshop at the NECE building, and also joined classrooms to interact with students.

Erdrich read a few of her poems from her previous books, as well as showing some of her video poems on her website, heiderdrich.com. Everyone interprets things differently and Erdrich asked to hear everyone’s own interpretation of her poems and videos.

Her poems vary in subject; they range from her own experiences to environmental problems.

One poem talks about about an “indigenous Elvis,” which she says can be found almost anywhere. Reading her own poems out loud allowed students to hear poetry in the voice of the author.

Erdrich’s video poems include a lot of pictures and sounds to accompany the poems. In Lexiconography 1, she has the poem read in English but she also has it read in Ojibwe as well as adding wind chimes and other sounds in the background. There are also pictures of clouds with clotheslines and clothespins.

She also talked a bit about her life, starting with her early years and writing her first poem up to publishing her books of poems and her recent cookbook.

Erdrich provided inspiration and encouragement to young writers in the classroom by talking about her struggles and how she pushes through. Erdrich states that she doesn’t believe that writers block exists, that its all in our minds and that we can work through anything if we just keep writing.

For more information on Heid Erdrich, visit heiderdrich.com.

05

It is Only a Little Fuzz:

A College Student’s Guide to (Bad) Food

The Mystician Office fridge contains scary items. But, it is only a little fuzz, right?

Photo by Sarah Morris

Jade Eagle Reporter

Everyone has had that moment — peeking in the dorm-room mini fridge (or at home), and seeing that pizza. Oh, yes — THAT pizza.

Somehow that cheesy goodness managed to avoid the ravenous hunger of someone who has sat through several hours of classes, and, three days later, is staring tantalizingly from the box in the back of the fridge.

It is a question of risk vs. reward — is it worth the danger to eat it?

Many people are confounded and creeped out by food expiration dates. Some people throw away everything, faithfully regarding the dates on the package like a Bible for food safety. Others employ the age-old sniff test — if it passes, it is eaten — no matter how long it sat. A varietal amount of people wonder about the correct course of

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March 2014

action here; nobody, even the most masochistic, likes food poisoning.

“Sell by,” “best by,” “use by” and expiration dates are some of the most commonly confused terms when it comes to the inquiry of ‘can it be eaten or not?’

“Sell by” dates are usually used on baked goods, like breads and cakes, and other prepared foods; however, these labels are seen on things like meat and milk as well.

“Sell by” labels are notes to grocers on how long to keep a product in the stores and by no means show how long something will be edible.

These dated labels usually start a ticking time bomb on how long these products are going to stay fresh and not go stale or rancid — hence why people can usually get some pretty sweet deals on cake at the grocery store when it has hit the “sell by” date.

As long as people eat these delicious foods within the next few days, they will be perfectly fine.

Milk is still delicious for up to 1 week after the date on the carton, according to StillTasty.com, a website which prides itself as being the “Ultimate Shelf Life Guide.”

So, that milk is going to be okay to drink until it fails the sniff test or becomes chunky.

Eggs, everyone’s favorite “I only have 5 bucks in my pocket and I need breakfast before this test” food, can last for three weeks or even longer from the time they were purchased. Here is a tip to determine if the egg is still a ‘good egg’: drop it softly into a bowl of water. If it floats, it is rotten. If it touches the bottom completely, it is very fresh, and if it just touches on one side it is near its demise, but still good to be scrambled.

Cheese is unique. If it is a block of hard cheese, like Parmesan, Cheddar or Colby, it will keep for a long time, assuming proper refrigeration. If mold is growing on it, it is okay, according to the USDA’s fact sheet “Molds on Food: Are they Dangerous?” — just cut that chunk off thoroughly (at least an inch around all sides) and use the fuzz-free portion of the block.

If mold is seen on soft cheeses like Brie, Cottage/Ricotta, or cream cheese, use it to practice basketball dunks in the trash can. The same goes for pre-shredded cheeses of all kinds; they have more surface area for mold spores to congregate.

If bread is a little bit moldy, throw it away. There is probably more mold on that loaf of bread than the eye is even able to see.

Meat is a whole different matter, and is definitely the scariest when it comes to guessing dates. Ground beef and other ground meats are very particular, as they have more surface area for bacteria to grow; only store them for a day after the “sell by” date. If it won’t be used on time, throw it in the freezer by the sell by date, and it will stay good for up to three or four months.

Most other meats can be used for up to two to three days after their dates, but, as always, follow the mantra of ‘when in doubt, throw it out’ (or just look it up on

StillTasty‘s database).

“Use by” and “best by” dates are not really there for safety, but for quality. These are found on shelfstable items like peanut butter, brownie mixes, and condiments like ketchup and mustard. People can continue using these after those dates with few problems, but the taste and the texture of these foods might degrade significantly.

Leftovers also deserve consideration. Cooked food should be refrigerated within two hours, as recommended by the USDA. Food also needs to be kept airtight — no more throwing that pizza in the fridge still in its box.

Consider investing in plastic storage containers. Stored correctly, leftovers can usually last around three days, although the life of them often greatly depends on how quickly they were refrigerated.

For more about leftovers visit stilltasty.com, or for more about mold visit fsis.usda.gov.

Bismarck State College Mystician

Carol Cashman is a Speech professor at Bismarck State College. Her view on absences promotes regular attendence, for she thinks that it is vital to college success. Read more on page 8.

Photo by Sarah Morris

Page 9 Introverts and Extroverts Page 8 Staff Editorial

Page 10 Going Overseas Page 9 Sarah’s Stories

Page 10 Speaking Spanish

Staff Editorial: Students and Teachers Butt Heads Over Attendence Policies A conflicting issue the Mystician staff debated was the current attendance policies here on campus.

It’s a broad spectrum of possible outcomes when one is attending college and wanting to have an excused absence. On one hand, it’s understandable why there is a strict policy — for the chronic skippers.

On the other hand, this rule is frustrating because the policy punishes students who have a legitimate excuse for absence.

One question that was raised during this discussion was, if you are paying for school, is it fair for a teacher to make it mandatory for attendance then dock you points for in-class work if the absence was excused?

“I believe that it should be up to the student to take the initiative to catch up,” reporter Blake Nemecek said. “If the students are willing, the teachers should work with them.”

There are varying opinions on this topic. Some students in good standing with their GPA have had unexpected emergencies, such as a death in the family, and have had points knocked off for missing inclass work.

Assistant Professor Brent Reemes shared his opinion about his attendance policy.

“My attendance policy depends on the class.

Obviously labs are different than classes. Labs, if you’re not there to do the experiment, you can’t get credit for the experiment.

So really you’re looking at two different types of classes. It really depends on the level of class as well,”Reemes said.

Some teachers offer extra credit or bonus points to make up the missed class discussion or in-class work to show that you care about

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March 2014

your grade if you miss a day or two.

“I think that attendance should not be reflected so much on our grades,” perspective editor Tawnie Reisenauer said. “ I also find it unfair and confusing that every teacher thinks and does things differently toward attendance. It should all be the same with no variations.”

A concern brought up a few times was that campus athletes have special treatment.

“Being an athlete here at Bismarck State College, I find the absent rules quite confusing. If the reasoning is school related, it is usually excused … it will not be marked against me in that class,” Athletics editor Kaitlyn Olson said.

“But say my mother were to die, I would have to miss school for the funeral.

This is not school-related, and I would be considered absent. It almost marks a level of importance with things like a basketball game being put over topics like family. Where should the line be drawn from class?”

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Brent Reemes agreed.

“I have to treat athletes different. But if they let me know ahead of time if its a school function or school sponsored event it is an excused absence. They are still responsible to let me know ahead of time if they are going to miss class,” Reemes said. “As with time your attitude can change, like online homework, I used to think people needed to do homework outside of class, and I thought that grades were a motivating factor. But I don’t think it’s a motivating factor as much as it used to be.”

Let’s take a different

Students and teachers have conflicting issues over policies concerning attendence.

Graphic by Sarah Morris

look at this for a bit. We can blame the teachers for a silly syllabus but where does the responsibility really lie?

“Students who are not attending class regularly will probably suffer academically whether attendance is required or not,” reporter Megan Haag said.

Staff reporter Sierra Rath agreed.

“Common sense dictates that sometimes life happens and a class will be missed.

But if students think they are old enough to go to college and be adults, then they should be responsible enough to show up for class.”

According to the Bismarck State College Student Handbook: “Students who know they will be absent from any class should contact the instructor in advance. This includes absences due to medical situations, family emergencies and authorized College activities. The student is responsible to contact the instructor of the course to obtain any missed coursework assigned due to being absent. The instructor will determine whether a student will be permitted to make up missed coursework.”

The financial aid policy has changed the

importance of how faculty take attendance. Associate Professor of Speech Carol Cashman shared her thoughts with us on this matter.

“In many ways, faculty is forced to take attendance because of the new requirements of Financial Aid,” Cashman said. “Now when we do final grades, it has on there, if you were to give somebody an F you also have to include on there the last date of their attendance on their grade sheet … they mainly failed the course because they didn’t show up. It really is almost fraud if you are taking financial aid and then taking off and doing whatever with it. And that’s why we are getting into this administratively dropping people, because the school is liable for their financial aid.”

In the student handbook, the teachers can drop a student out of a course if he/she doesn’t show up for class. Teachers are getting more strict about it.

Within the first 16 calendar days of a semester, if a student never logged in, or didn’t show up, faculty can administratively drop the student.

“In my opinion, students at some point in time need to start realizing they need to come to class and they

need to do work outside of class. So my attendance policy is, they don’t get any extra points for coming to class. They don’t get points for seat time. But by coming and seeing the problem done then it helps them for their future exams,” Brent Reemes said. “If they let me know ahead of time I will let them take a quiz early. usually if i do an extra credit thing it’s going to be for everybody. I got a pretty small class and they are all dedicated students. So if someone’s going to miss, sometimes I just won’t do a quiz that day.”

Intelligence is not the only factor in college success.

“Attendance is the one variable that will help you have more success in college than any other thing. Not prior background, not the fact that you are natively intelligent, the books or your interest in the subject,” Cashman said. “The fact that you’re there means any more than any other element as far as the overall influence of your grade. If you’re there you’re there. If you miss it, you miss it.”

Bismarck State College Mystician

Introvent in an Extrovert World

Megan Haag Reporter

Introvert and extrovert, maybe you have heard these terms before, maybe you haven’t. I didn’t know what these words meant until I was a freshman in college. I just always thought something was wrong with me up until then.

Carol Bainridge, a psychologist and advice column writer for about. com, describes an introvert as someone who,“is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people. They often

avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy.

This is true even if they have good social skills, ... conversations are generally about ideas and concepts, not about what they consider the trivial matters of social small talk. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to recharge.”

Extroverts are described as someone who gains energy by being around people. They thrive in social situations. They do not like being alone, it often causes extreme boredom.

My family and friends frequently used the word shy and scared to describe me growing up. I remember being frightened to talk to adults at a young age.

But as I grew older I realized that I had a hard time connecting with

people and would much rather be by myself. I was always jealous of my social butterfly friends–the ones who could strike up a conversation about anything, with anyone.

In seventh grade my mom suggested that I compete in a rodeo queen pageant. I had been around horses almost my whole life and had been competing in rodeo for several years.

I agreed, hoping it would help conquer my shyness.

For the first time I actually enjoyed meeting new people and found that conversations came easily because we all had a passion for rodeo. Although when the weekend was over, I was very excited to go home and be alone in quiet.

I thought I had fixed myself and conquered my shyness, but back in school Monday morning,

I still could not have a conversation with someone I didn’t have much in common with. I decided I wanted to be around people that I could connect with and enjoyed being around.

So I spent my next years of junior high, high school and then college competing in rodeos and rodeo queen pageants.

My freshman year of college I was reading a newspaper and came across a small article on being an introvert. I had never heard of the terms introvert or extrovert before and wanted to learn more.

After hours of searching the Internet I determined that I was an introvert.

It’s not that I was scared of talking to people, I just would rather have conversations that were meaningful. I enjoyed being around large groups, but there was only so much I

could handle before I was burned out.

We live in an extrovert world. If you like to be by yourself, you’re labeled depressed. If you don’t have loads of friends, you are labeled a loser. If you don’t like to talk to people, you’re labeled shy. I grew up thinking something was wrong with me and always being jealous of my extroverted friends.

But all along I just had a different way of thinking and seeing things. I may not have a copious amount of friends like an extrovert would, but to me friendship is about quality not quantity. I like to spend time alone more than others would and sometimes cannot hold a conversation well with every person I meet. But I am an introvert and I know now, I am normal – even if I’m a little different.

Sarah’s Stories: Belly Up Sarah Morris

Mystician Senior Editor

It all started with a genius mind that wanted to do something different.

Seventh grade was upon me, and my science teacher had just told us that we would have to be in the Science Fair at school. Blocking out the rest of the class period, my mind tried to find ideas to create something new and to make the world a better place.

I could build a hovercraft – too complicated. I could create a working volcano ­– too elementary. I could teach mice to go through a maze – I hate mice.

Then it hit me like a light from above. As the rays of inspiration covered me, I saw myself at the Science Fair, winning that blue ribbon. All with my winning idea: I would find which fish food makes goldfish smarter, and then teach them to go through a

maze.

Genius mind in tow, I came home and tried to decide how on earth I was going to make a maze. It had to be filled with water of course, so how was I going to make an underwater maze that wouldn’t leak?

An under-the-bed storage box became the surrounding fortress to keep the water in.

Plexiglass was cut into walls, and then glued together inside of the storage container, creating a one-of-a-kind maze Then off to the pet store I went, searching for the greatest goldfish. I carried 14 baggies out with me, bringing my little guys home. Dumping them into their new crystal white palaces, okay ice cream pails, the fish began to swim around freely and happily.

Walking out into the living room the next

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morning, my heart started pounding, my eyes opened, and I gasped in disbelief.

My fish had literally jumped ship. There was one pail with a couple fish in there now instead of just one. Other orange bodies sprawled on the carpet, meeting their doom. This happened day after day until finally there was only one goldfish left.

Well, it wasn’t too hard to see which fish was the smartest.

Somehow I made it through the school Science Fair to Regionals in Bismarck. Everything was going fine until one judge came around. All of a sudden, she was taking her pen, writing on my sheet that I was “D.Q.’d.” In other words I was disqualified. I still remember the cold tone in her voice, the feeling of humiliation coursing through my body.

Why was I disqualified?

The death rate of my test subjects was too high. If that wasn’t bad enough, during the judging session, word got around fast about my unfortunate mishap.

I heard a sound behind me, stabbing into my soul.

“Fish Killer” was attached to my name, not world class scientist or inventor.

No, I was more like an evil scientist in the eyes of my peers.

I laugh about it now. I have learned that I should not have fish as pets.

Other than the 14 fish that perished in the project (yes, smarty died too,) a couple betta fish and other goldfish have died under my watch.

For all of the funerals that happened in my toilet, perhaps I should make a plaque with this epitaph:

March 2014

09

Kiss me, I’m Irish

Shannon Hawkins Reporter

This last month, I’ve been telling people, “I’m hoping to be on a plane heading to Ireland next fall.” That’s when my eyes bug out, my heart pounds and I silently say to myself, “Crap...I need to start planning!”

I want to study abroad in Galway, Ireland. Why? There’s a million reasons why, but who cares? I’m going to do it anyway.

For my senior year of high school, I had to write a Bucket List for class credit.

I wanted to go to Ireland for two weeks with my friends. I didn’t know if I would ever go.

Well, If you had sat down next to me and said I was going to go to Scotland that March for Spring Break, I would have looked you right in the eye and called you a liar.

I did go to Scotland through Bismarck State College. I loved everything about it and wanted to go overseas again. I made the decision several months later that I wanted to study abroad in Ireland through BSC. I had to back out for financial reasons and to change my mind on how long I wanted to

study in Ireland. Had I stuck to my original plan, I would have been studying abroad for a semester.

Now, I’m shooting for an academic year. I want to study Creative Writing at the National University of Ireland in Galway.

Telling my friends and family that I wanted to study abroad produced mixed reactions. I’ve received excitement, support, curiosity--and disbelief. My dad’s side of the family has travelled all over. My aunt used to be an airline hostess and my cousin studied abroad in Vienna. My mom’s side doesn’t understand my desire to go back overseas and thinks I’m wasting my money. I’ve had a family member tell me I was dreaming, and doesn’t believe that I’ll do it.

That only makes me want to prove my family wrong even more.

There are numerous, and sometimes personal, reasons, why everyone should study abroad, as travelling while in school is inexpensive and the best time to go overseas. There are programs that help with funding, discounts on practically everything if student I.D. is shown, and

it’s helpful that you’re not the one planning out what you’re going to see and do on your own verses if you were out of school.

The reason I want to study in Ireland is because I’m proud of my Irish roots.

I don’t know what part of Ireland my family came from, but I want to see what they saw as I walk along the dirt roads and watch the sunrise every morning.

I want to physically see and personally get involved in my heritage.

Another reason for going back overseas is inspiration. As a writer, I need to be exposed to as much as possible, or I can’t expand my story ideas with creativity. I want to explore Ireland, England, and to go back to Scotland. I want to experience as much culture as I can so that I understand what I want to write and what I want to use in my stories, and I can’t do that staying at home.

But a huge, and important, reason for studying abroad is personal growth. You cannot grow as a person if you don’t take yourself out of your comfort zone, out of a home that you’ve always known, and understand how to adapt in any given

Photo by Sarah Morrus

spot. Yes, a completely new environment is scary as hell, but sometimes the people in that new surrounding are the kindest, most helpful people you will ever meet in your life. It’s really a game of chance. So far, I’ve been winning the game with my travels.

I’ve been told the Irish are the friendliest people on the planet, so I’m super excited to go over and start meeting the locals.

If you’re interested in studying abroad, talk to your school and see if they offer their own international abroad program, or are partnered with study abroad programs that will help you out. Discuss what the requirements are for the program that you choose, as most international

programs require you to be at a junior or senior class standing before being sent overseas. You can also check online, too, for other programs that suit you, as some schools allow international programs that they don’t offer to be used to transfer credits from the international school back to the home campus. It just involves a little more paperwork.

Travelling, in general, is completely worth it. It’s a different perspective on the world. Its a new adventure.

It’s discovering you. I encourage anyone that has ever given going overseas a thought to do it. Going to Scotland has expanded my goals, and I want others to experience the same thing through their travels and education.

“Estás en America, se habla Inglés ” (You’re in America, Speak English)

Maria T. Rivera Pérez Reporter

My name is Maria Perez, I’m from Puerto Rico, and my native language is Spanish. I moved to the United States when I was 14-years-old, and I’m currently 18-years-old. I have not been speaking English for a very long time, and whenever I get a

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chance I like communicate with others in my language, it makes me feel comfortable.

Now you may say, “Okay so what if you speak Spanish, we don’t care.” Here is where the title of this article comes into play. There is a lot of people that when they hear someone speaking Spanish they freak out and think we are talking about them.

So they come and say the stupidest line ever “You’re in America, speak English.”

Like really? The United States is a free country,

people should feel free to speak their native language without having to worry that anyone will insult them or report them to their job manager because they are speaking Spanish to a friend or family member. I understand that we should speak English so we can develop the language more.

But put yourself in my position, what if you went to a place where English is not the native language, for example, Puerto Rico.

How would you feel if you did not know much of that language and someone told

you “Estás en Puerto Rico, habla Español.”

I bet you would feel bad and very uncomfortable if they came at you that way.

My family and I take our time to learn a language that is very different from ours. We do not feel comfortable speaking it and sometimes we don’t even like speaking it either because there are too many rules for it.

Okay yes, fair point, if you don’t like English then why did you come to America? In Puerto Rico there are not a lot of

opportunities to succeed in life, and for many other personal reasons.

Spanish is the world’s second most spoken and known language. So with this being said, just because you live in America does not mean you have to speak English. There is a very simple solution for all of those people that feel bothered when someone is not speaking English and that is learning how to speak Spanish or any other language, just like I had to learn how to speak English.

Bismarck State College Mystician

Tayler Wolff has been on a rewarding, weight loss journey. Read her story on page 12.

Page 13 #End It Movement Page 12 Weight Loss Journey

Photo by Sarah Morris

Page 14 Get Naked Page 13 Prescriptions for Life

Page 14 Children in Restaurants

The New and Improved Tayler Wolff

My jouney of weight loss, the renewal of my heart, and changing the way I look at myself.

Tayler Wolff Reporter

For the longest time I was really afraid to put my all into certain things. I knew there was the possibility of failing.There is always the possibility of failing and I was ok with that. I was never worried about how failing at something in life would affect the way I felt about myself. I was worried about how failing in life would affect how other people would see me. Mostly I was afraid of not being the person people knew I could be. This weighed down on me and caused me to gain weight throughout the years. I had a constant fear of what people would think if I tried and still didn’t succeed.

I have tried losing weight several times, but I would either give up early or keep going, but obviously not put my all into it. I am not sure why I thought looking lazy to people was better than actually trying and failing, but in my mind, it was. Looking back, I think it had something to do with the fact that if I was just being lazy, then I could change. There was a possibility that I could change things. I could do better. But if I had been giving it my all the whole time, well, then, I really was a failure in others eyes.

There are so many things wrong with that way of thinking.

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Seriously! I have, or I am trying to eliminate the word “failure.”

To me, failure means over – out of options. I am at the point in life where I believe that until I am gone from the face of this Earth, well, I will never again let myself think that I am out of options.

I finally came to that point in my life where I had found my love for God. God showed me that it was time to live, to really live and show this life what I am about. Everyday God gives me the power to wake up and live my life! Over the past couple of months, he has shown me that it is time to make myself unstoppable, because I’m tired of being the fat girl. I’m ready to enjoy life and not pretend like I’m okay.

I’ve been hiding behind my skin for too long. I’m tired of being hurt.

Every time someone hurt me, I just replied with laughter, because I did not know how to respond to it. But really I was barely holding on. I did a really good job of hiding how I felt because I didn’t want anyone else to talk or comfort me about it.

That was one of the worse things I could of done. Because of that reason it led me to the problem I have today.

I was too afraid of what people would say to me. But now I’m realizing that it was the wrong thing to do. I just keep telling myself that I need to believe in myself, trust in the process that’s happening, and that this change will last forever. The only way I will start doing better with this weight loss is if I believe that I can do this! The process might be slow and I won’t probably see the physical evidence right away but everything that I am doing is changing me in the inside, and I will not get discouraged!

One thing I have started to remember is that exercising is about rewarding the body with the strength and endorphins that I have. It’s not punishing my body for what I have eaten.

One thing that I have forced myself to see in life is my worth.

Losing weight has shown me that

I am an amazing person. I have so much talent inside of me screaming to get out. I have so much to offer the world.

I have come to realize that the more you support yourself and your efforts in life, the more faith you put in yourself, the more you truly, honestly, and sincerely believe in yourself, the more other people will have faith and belief in you. I am in no way saying that I am better than anyone else out there. I am just saying that I am the best “me” that I can be at this point in my life.

In my eyes, it means that as long as I don’t give up, I am one step closer to my goal. Let me tell you, I have learned so much about myself over the last couple of months. Last year was a year of many lessons. Lessons about life.

Lessons about love. Lessons about loss, about doubt and fear. Lessons about my heart. Lessons about who I am. And I think that the lessons that I learned about my heart were definitely the most important.

In my mind, everything stems from the heart. I live more by my heart than I do my mind. I have learned to trust my heart and my soul. When I look back at life and think about things that led me to heartache or things that just didn’t work out right, I noticed a pattern.

I wasn’t trusting my heart the way I should have been. I spent many years quieting my heart because listening to your heart wasn’t “logical.” It didn’t “make sense.”

I discovered there are a many times when I am not logical. There are a great many times when I don’t make sense. But that is me.

And there is only one person in the world who gets the chance to be me... and it’s me! So, why waste it?

God knew what he was doing when he created me. He knew what he was doing when he was creating each of us. Sure, let’s do things to make sure that we can be the best that we can be... stay healthy, do things to work on your soul, pray, love, laugh – live.

But, what I have learned and

what I want you to remember, and myself as well, is that there is so much good inside each of us and weight does not define us. There are so many amazing things waiting to be let loose from inside of us. And we have three choices in life. We can quit, hide, or set free those amazing things.

If you quit them for too long, they might disappear. If you continue to hide them, they might end up being buried too deep to find. But if you set them free, if you set free to all of the world these amazing things that are a part of you, then you will truly be able to celebrate and believe in the amazing person that you are. I would have never believed any of what I just stated before but because I finally encountered God and actually truly believed in him, I was able to change. Not only on the inside but the outside as well.

This almost constant smile on my face is because of this amazing life style change. I have finally realized just how much I love not only getting my feet wet, but dancing in the rain. I love feeling the way I do. I love being the real me. The me who is a self-proclaimed dork. The lady who wears her heart on her sleeve. The person who has not and will not never give up on what she loves.

Bismarck State College Mystician

#END IT MOVEMENT Sierra Rath Reporter

For most, it’s that time of year where New Year’s resolutions are forgotten and winter blues set in. However, for the founders of the End It Movement, hope is being discovered and resolutions are far from forgotten. During the first week in January, 60,000 young people, ranging from 18 to 25 year olds met in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for an annual Passion conference. This is where Louie Giglio introduced the End It Movement which is now sweeping the nation and raising awareness for the more than 27 million people in slavery today in 161 countries The campaign has been gaining momentum by raising awareness via social media. The symbol for the campaign has been a bold, red “X” drawn on a hand. Several celebrities including Nick Cannon, Matt Hasselback, Kyle Korver, Carrie Underwood, and Natalie Grant have all supported the movement on social media. Closer to home, however, groups such as The Element, a youth group in Bismarck, are supporting the cause by encouraging students to raise awareness and give to charities also

supporting the movement.

Amanda Bennes, a leader at The Element who is also promoting the cause, recently returned from The World Race, a program that led her all over the world in eleven months. While traveling, she witnessed sex trafficking and child labor in more than one country.

“The way to stop any kind of slavery is to talk about it and to get people to know what is going on,” Bennes said.

The Element’s students and leaders have been supporting the campaign for the past three weeks.

In rural North Dakota, slavery is seldom thought about, but because of the oil boom, sex trafficking is becoming more widespread. Eight out of ten slavery cases involve some sort of sex slavery. Since slavery is becoming more and more prevalent, law-makers are scrambling to adjust laws to the growing numbers sex trafficking cases. The End It Movement is hoping to raise enough awareness and money to stop slavery not only in North Dakota, but around the world.

One person, one college, one city, one state at a time can shine a light on slavery. So as a student at Bismarck State College, there are

The End It Movement campaign uses the symbol of a red “X” drawn on the hand to raise awarness of the fight against slavery.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez

many ways to get involved with this movement. First of all, check out the website, enditmovement. com, and donate to any of the 10 coalitions working towards ending slavery. Write a red “X” on your hand and put a picture on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to raise awareness that slavery still exists today, and to help end it.

The movement’s website states, “It doesn’t cost you anything to

get involved. You can fight for the release of those who cannot fight for themselves by taking up the cause and making people aware.

You can give money or energy.

You can fight through social media, through local or national government, or through the alarm bell of awareness. You can shine a light on slavery. You can end it.”

Prescriptions for Life With Dr. T and Nicci J

We poured out the folded up papers on the desk and began sorting through the questions with smiles on our faces. Dr. T and I did not know what to expect. But we came up with the best possible answers to a couple questions that inspired us immediately.

The first question is: “What do visit us at: www.mystician.com

you do when you find out the guy you love has a girlfriend and just wants to be friends?”

We both agree: In this circumstance, you must move on. If you continue to pursue a relationship with this person, you will be disappointed. Plus, you do not want to be responsible for discord within another relationship.

You do not want to be “the other girl.” You are setting yourself up for heartbreak.

Although this may be extremely difficult for you at first, try to remember that there is someone out there for you. You deserve to be the first choice.

Dr. T: “Everyone deserves to be someone’s first choice.”

Nicci J: “No one should be sloppy seconds.”

The second question is something that a lot of people struggle with.

“I struggle with self-esteem.

With so much pressure to look/act a certain way from the media, how do I stay confident with myself?”

Our answer: This is an inside job.

What we mean is that self-esteem is just that, self-generated. Everyone has value. It is sometimes difficult to ignore the images we see around us and to not reflect them on to ourselves, especially when the media portrays an image of what “they think is beautiful.” We all struggle with self-image at times.

Its is important to remind yourself that you are special and have unique qualities that make you beautiful inside and out.

Dr. T: “I suggest an exercise in cognitive restructuring to address faulty thinking. Whenever you find yourself having negative thoughts regarding your self-worth, try to restructure that thought in a realistic way. For example, when thinking “I am ugly/fat/

unattractive — no one could ever love me,” try to change your thoughts and replace with specific, realistic, positive affirmations that cater to your own talents and abilities, such as “I have great hair/ smile,” or “ I have an uncanny ability to make people laugh in the most humorless situations, etc.”

Nicci J: “The point is to remember that we all have unique talents and abilities that outweigh the superficial image the media wants us to be. If you can focus on these and try to maintain your optimism, you will feel better about yourself.”

We didn’t get to answer all of the questions on here but tune in to our radio show on The MYX –we will be able to answer many more at that time.

March 2014

13

Get Naked Life After 30

Nicci Johnson

Inspiration Editor

So here I find myself, naked, staring blankly in the mirror. I am not going to lie, this body does not look like it used to. The tight skin that once covered my bones when I was 18 and in my athletic prime is now stretch marked and hanging there in such a way that only my fiancé can appreciate. After many years of not taking care of myself physically, this is what I am left with.

I am not telling you this to get you to feel sorry for me by any means. I feel it is important to share my journey with you. In the last year and a half I have spent many hours working out.

But I have been working out the roadblocks that have held me back from remembering who I truly am.

This happened by the process of elimination to illumination.

These roadblocks consisted of me letting go of old ideas. Ideas that the world was against me, that I was unlovable and unworthy haunted me every day. I was held captive in the four-inch prison between my ears for 32 years.

Little did I know by having a mustard seed of hope that an act of Providence was on its’ way.

In order to heal completely from emotional and mental wounds I had to understand that I had to break down in order to break through. Self-sufficiency had plunged me to rock bottom and I was fresh out of ideas. So I began to do some soul searching. And I encourage you to do the same.

Think about being naked. Not about taking your clothes off naked but being vulnerable, bearing your soul, naked. Here is where you are going to take a good, hard look at what is really in your way. I’ll give

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you a hint: Everywhere you go, there you are. The only problem you have is you.

Often times we find it so easy to place blame on people when our life gets all messed up. I want to stress the importance of taking responsibility for our actions.

Things that happened to us as children are not our fault. As an adult, however, everything we do is a direct reflection of the movie projector we play in our heads. It is like a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is a result of the belief system we were taught as a child­­–things to be afraid of, people to like or not like because of something they say or do, making others feel less than or putting others on a pedestal.

Anxiety, doubts, selfdemoralization, jealousy, criticizing, and judgment are all things we have to be willing to unlearn. These are all forms of fear.

I have learned that when we are afraid, it is because 1 of 2 things is happening: Either we are afraid to lose something we have or we are afraid we aren’t going to get what we want.

The time for all the things we “Should have done” is over. Once you stop “Should-ing” yourself and started taking action you are able to wake up. Wake up to the fact that today is a new day So I am here to tell you the solution that helped me to unblock all the crap that was preventing me from my authentic truth and revealing my naked soul. Today you can make changes in your life.

Listen to your instincts and stop doing whatever it is that is making you feel so unhappy.

You can choose to be happy today by simply shifting your perspective from fear based thoughts, to more loving thoughts.

This is when miracles happen. One little shift in the way you see things is a miracle in itself.

Be willing to set aside everything you think you know about life, yourself and other people and remember what it feels like to be free. Relearn new ideas and actions, reconnect with people and share the goods with others. This is the only way you will be able to keep the light inside of you. Take a stand for yourself, let your soul guide you and get naked.

Restaurants or Playplace?

Kelsie Seiler

Entertainment Editor

We’ve all been there. You’ve just sat down to a fancy dinner across from your cute date when all of a sudden, you hear a loud, almost inhuman wail from across the restaurant. You drop your fork, and along with everyone else in the room and you crane your neck to look at the very unhappy child and the mother whose face is now bright red.

Noisy children in highend restaurants can be a bit uncomfortable for those of us who are not parents and just want to go out and have a good time without being interrupted by unnecessary racket.

Jon Bredwick, a young Bismarck resident says he agrees with the idea of converting a few of the fancier restaurants in town to feature a more ‘adult friendly’ atmosphere.

“I think there are enough places in town for parents to take children strictly for ‘child time.’

I think it’s important to have somewhere for parents and other younger adults to go and have some quiet time — besides going to the bar,” Bredwick said.

It’s a practical argument. There are some young adults who feel very strongly that higher end restaurants should be reserved for grownups, without the interruptions of loud, crying children. For those who are still not old enough to go into the bar to enjoy a nice meal, it’s out into the main restaurant among the dozens of parents and small children to dine. Many young adults would benefit from a few restaurants in town converting to cater only to a more mature audience — No children allowed.

Eli Fix, a former student at BSC, doesn’t agree with this argument. He sees the value in a child-friendly atmosphere in the higher end restaurants around

town.

“I don’t see any reason to not allow children into some restaurants. Sometimes it’s hard for parents to find a babysitter, and it’s nice to share the experience of a nice, fancy meal as a whole family. And, you know, it is a free country.

If parents want to bring their children into a nice restaurant with them, nobody should be able to tell them that they can’t,” Fix said.

Although children may sometimes be disruptive to other restaurant patrons sitting around them, some young adults, along with Fix, see the importance in keeping fine restaurants open to parents and their children. Is it really fair to parents with young children and no babysitter to ban them from being served a fancy dinner? Is it really so hard for young adults around town to ignore the upset child across the dining room as they sit down to a pricey meal? Some say, no, it is not.

There are many pros and cons to the argument of allowing children in high end restaurants in Bismarck. For young parents, it’s a no-brainer. Allowing small children into restaurants is sometimes a necessity on date night. For other young adults who do not have children, a little peace and quiet while enjoying a nice dinner might be nice, especially if one is too young to enter the restaurant’s adjoining bar. No matter what side of the debate you personally stand on, maybe you’ll understand the flip side of the argument a little bit better. So next time you’ve just sat down across from your sweetheart and your conversation is interrupted by a loud, persistent screech, just remember that someday the parent seated across from that unhappy child might just be you.

Need some questions answered? Submit your questions to Dr. T and Nicci J in the marked boxes around campus. Answers will be in the next issue of the Mystician and/or on the Bismarck State College Radio Station the MYX. Bismarck State College Mystician

The BSC Spring Musical is set to open on April 2. Jean-Paul Marat is played by Dallas Schaefer and Heather Pearson plays Charlotte Corday.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera PĂŠrez

Page 16 Cast of Characters Page 16 Dan Rogers

Page 18 A History of the Play Page 17 Music of the Spring Production

Page 18 Building the Set

Come One, Come All Tanner Purintun Reporter

The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade is quite the name for a play. In fact, the name itself is intriguing to students at Bismarck State College.

“Wow, I didn’t know a play title could really be that long,” BSC freshman, Mason Bucholtz said. “I didn’t really know much about the play but I might actually check it out just because of the title.”

“I never really heard much about the play but it sounds like an interesting play and something entertaining to do on campus,” BSC freshman, Kam Cieslak said.

The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade combines two very different eras, the French Revolution and contemporary punk. This is said to be a shocking play that uses many different theatrics to make the play come to life.

“I never really go to plays, but I’m a fan of action so this sounds like it could be a sweet play to watch,” Bucholtz said.

The play will be open to the public from Wednesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 6. Come attend the play and experience the revolution that will be performed by actors/ actresses of all kinds.

The title of the play is “The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis De Sade” Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez

The Director’s Dirt on the Play

Dan Roger, Associate Professor of Theatre/Speech is the Director of the Spring Musical at BSC.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez

Megan Haag Reporter

“It’s about revolution,”said Dan Rogers, who is the director of the upcoming Bismarck State College spring play, The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade.

“It’s how human beings transform themselves and their society. Looking around the world today, there is revolution everywhere. Revolution is a messy

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business, which is one of the key themes of the play,” says Rogers.

The play combines two very different eras, the French Revolution and contemporary punk. It really looks into finding your own way and ignoring what society tells you.

The play has been said to not be appropriate for young ears, which makes it sound shocking and even controversial.

“This is to some degree a shocking play, it really pushes to the edge in some areas,” said

Rogers. “But most things people are shocked by such as bad language and nudity are not involved in the play. It dives into the psychology of human nature and takes a look into darker areas of our mind, and that can be a little scary.

“I think the community will really have a good time. I think it will challenge people to think about revolution. There is a lot of debate going on right now about conflicts in happening around the world. Should we have a moral necessity to involve ourselves in these revolutionary movements. I think the play takes a look at this in an extremely fun and theatrical way,” Rogers said.

“The play allows the actors to explore possibilities and gives a lot of freedom on taking off on improvisational movement and sound.

“We use song dance, mimicry, gymnastics, and anything you can think of to bring the play alive,” Rogers said. “We use theatrics to make the play fun while still dealing with these serious issues,” The director Dan Rogers, encourages students and people of the community to broaden their dynamics and come see this unusual, fun exciting play.

Cast of Characters

Marquis De Sade-Jesse Lagos Jean-Paul Marat-Dallas Schaefer Duperret-Zachary Watson Herald-Conrad Bauer Simone Evrard-Madison Singer Charlotte Corday- Heather Pearson Coulmier- Mark Hasbargen Jacques Roux- David Puma Singers: Cucurucu- Loranna Szimhardt Polpoch- Josh Hannaman Kokol- Derek Pich Rossignol- Ashley Clooten Madaleine- Asa Fox Patients (also play other various characters): Patient(1), Scientist- Emily Blunt Patient (2), Newly Rich- Anne Glass Patient (3), Lavoisier- Mary Armstrong Patient (4), Mother, US singers Farren Gunderson Patient (5), Schoolmaster- Kevin Tengesdal Patient (6), Military Rep. “Mad Animal”- David Harris Patient (7), Father & Devil’s Prayer- Bandon Erickson Patient (8), Morgan Rebenitsch Guard- Nathan Kurtti Guard- Charles WardSisterAllison DeKrey Coulmier’s wife- Linda Hugelen Coulmier’s daughter- Laura Naadea Bismarck State College Mystician

Musical Ready to Seranade Audience

Lexy Land, Adjunct Music Faculty, rehearses with the preformers for the Spring Musical.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez

Blake Nemecek Reporter

“The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis De Sade” is a musical play within a play. The music of this production is far from a typical Broadway style musical.

The play was originally written in German and the play is set in France, however the play and the lyrics of the songs will be in our native language.

Andy Miller, an assistant professor of music at Bismarck State College, is the vocal director of Marate/Sade.

“The words that will be sang will all be in English, in the dialect that

is spoken here, but when it comes to names and places, we will use the French pronunciation,” Miller said. “The music for this is a little obscure, it is not complex, but it sound like it was written by a person that was a little deranged.”

Richard Peaslee composed the score for Marat/Sade.

Dr. John Darling, assistant professor of music at BSC, is the orchestral director for this production.

“Many of these pieces are juxtaposed, you’ve got this beautiful little waltz going on and the lyrics are talking about beheading the king,” Darling said.

“You’ve got this juxtaposition of this beautiful music and very horrid scenes going on in the

lyrics.”

Another aspect of the music of this production that is unique is the composition of its orchestra.

“It is not a normal construction of a pit. The instruments are an unusual combination. There is a tuba, a trumpet, a flute, a harmonium, an acoustic guitar, and percussion,” Darling said.

“It is an unusual combination of instruments but the score itself kind of fits the style of the music, the tongue and cheek, in times, of what is happening on stage.”

The music of the play stays true to its time period while also providing a twist on the styles of music.

“It has a large spread of styles from song to song. There is one that really sounds, to me, like a sea shanty, there is a waltz, and there is also like a medieval green-sleeves type of melody,” Miller said.

“At times, the music is emulating the styles of 19th century France, the play is set during the classic/ early romantic period.” Darling

said. “The aristocrats would be listening to the symphonies and chamber music, and the common folk would be listening to tavern music like ballads and sea shanties that translate into their songs of revolt.

Music is an important tool that musicals used to convey certain ideas beyond dialogue. It is another technique to make a production more interesting and to lighten up the mood of heavier themed play such as Marat/Sade.

“Music, throughout history, captures the essence of what people are going through in various cultures--wars and revolutions and such,” Miller said.

The production of “The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis De Sade” can be seen in the Sidney J.Lee Auditorium on April 2 through April 5 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 6 at 2:30 p.m.

“The Persecution and Assassination of JeanPaul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis De Sade” April 2 - 5 at 7:30 p.m.

April 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Sidney J. Lee Auditorium visit us at: www.mystician.com

Andrew Miller, Assistant Professor of Music at BSC, (front) is the vocal director of Marate / Sade.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez

March 2014

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Creating Insanity at Bismarck State College roughly a thousand man hours, Bellin estimates they are only half done building the replica Charenton Asylum.

“This is probably, in terms of size, the biggest show I’ve done here at BSC,” Bellin said.

This year’s set has a relatively reasonable number of builds, but numbers simply do not serve justice to the scale of this construct.

“In what we call a ‘scenic breakdown,’ there’s 12 main elements in the set,” Bellin said.

“But that’s kind of tricky, because some of these elements are really big.”

Items being constructed range from stairways, to scaffoldings, to smaller mobile props. Even the Student Employees, work study participates, theater majors and voluteers small elements of this set can prove put many long hours in preparing the set for the musical. to be a challenge, as they are often Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez more intricate than the larger, static props.

Derek Lee Dean Bellin, Assistant Professor “Theres several moving, what Happenings Editor of Technical Theatre and recent we call ‘wagons’ in the business,” Kennedy Center American College Bellin said. “There’s several With the BSC spring musical Theater Festival award winner, and moving set pieces that go all over right around the corner, many his crew of stagecrafters have also the place.” student musicians and actors been breaking their backs to ensure Seems like quite a bit of labor for are now fine tuning their the spring production of Marat/ five performances, right? performances, in hopes of a Sade goes off without anyone “Luckily we have a lot of really successful production — but actually “breaking a leg.” committed and really hard working they’re not the only ones putting in Having already racked up and talented people working on it hours of work to reach that goal.

right here at BSC so that certainly helps,” Bellin said.

Those hard working and talented people find themselves as BSC stagecrafters for a number of different reasons.

“In the fall, I do teach a stagecraft class, and part of their requirements of the class is to help out,” Bellin said. “But in the spring semester, no. We have student employees, work studies, and then just volunteers and theater majors that are interested in helping out.”

BSC student and stagecrafter Cody Walker has been helping Bellin construct sets for BSC spring musical for three years.

“About three fall semesters ago I took Dean’s stagecraft class, and like he said, it was a requirement to help out,” Walker said. “And I just kind of stuck with him ever since, helping out with each show.”

For Walker, the hard work put into constructing a set has its perks.

“It’s a lot of fun, good people to work with,” Walker said. “You can just have fun while building.”

For more information about stagecraft at BSC or the Spring Musical, visit bismarckstate.edu.

Revolutions and Revulsion - A History of the Production Jade Eagle Reporter

In the dark shadows of the asylum, lurks a curious history.

This month, Bismarck State College’s theater department is featuring “The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade”, or as it’s less frenziedly referred as, Marat/Sade. While this rendition of the play is certain to go down in the books at BSC, what might not be commonly known is that the brooding chaos of Marat/Sade has had quite an interesting past on other stages, as well.

The play was written in 1963, published in Germany

by Peter Weiss. One of the first performances was by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), in which the play was translated into English and performed in London.

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In December of 1964, the play moved to Broadway in Manhattan, where it was a huge hit and won a Tony Award, as well as several others.

Recently in 2011, the play was revived by the RSC – where it met a considerable amount of criticism.

According to the BBC, 80 people walked out of the production during an interlude on the first night alone, and comments were left on the company’s website that the play was “warped, disturbing, and shocking.”

The play’s producer, Anthony Neilson, did an interview for the newspaper The Guardian, where he defended the production’s content.

“There’s nothing there that should be senselessly shocking to anyone who has lived above ground for the past decade,” Neilson said.

A film was produced of the play in 1967, starring Patrick Magee

Conrad Bauer plays Herald, the narrator of the play.

Photo by Maria T. Rivera Pérez

as Marquis de Sade and Ian Richardson as Jean - Paul Marat.

The movie received favorable reviews from critics – Roger Ebert of movie critic fame gave it a 4/4 – and currently has an Internet

Movie Database (IMDb) rating of 7.6.

Marat/Sade might have a dark and controversial past, but it is sure to entertain on the stage at BSC.

Bismarck State College Mystician

Book Review: “Light a Fire Within” This months BSC “Light a Fire Within” BookTalk was on the book “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.

The discussion was held on March 2 and lead by Tayo Basquiat. If you didn’t get a chance to attend, it’s okay! I recommend still reading the book and discussing it with a friend or teacher who has read it as well.

It is a great book about censorship, knowledge vs. ignorance, and other universal concepts used in literature.

Bradbury is most known for his science fiction but he had also written poetry and children’s

books. He has published more than 500 pieces of literature. “Fahrenheit 451” was written in 1953, when the topic of the censorship and banned books was brought up in the education system.

Thus brought upon the story of Montag, a man who lives in a future dystopian society. He meets a teenage girl whose questioning of the world and society opens his eyes to the emptiness of his life. Montag works as a firefighter, instead of fighting fires, he creates them. In this future, books are a banned piece of art and must be

destroyed upon sight. One day at work, he risks it all by opening a book and reading it. He soon realizes that the society he lives in oppresses they inspiration of knowledge and ideas.

This novel brings forth a lot of questions asked when people try to ban or oppress something just because they don’t like it or find it a danger to society just because it expresses different views. Most of us have read it in high school but if you haven’t, I would recommend this to any book lover and long time reader.

Hitting theaters on February 7, The Lego Movie was a big hit among all ages. Like a lot of really awesome couples, my boyfriend and I saw it on Valentine’s Day and we were definitely not disappointed. Taking place in the Lego universe, it is made entirely out of CGI animation and everything seen in the Legoverse is made entirely out of Legos.

The film starts out with Emmett,

a pretty normal Lego construction worker, waking up and starting his day. This quickly leads him to work and finally to the object that with begin his adventure and test his character; something not normally found in the Legoverse.

The plot is pretty selfexplanatory, the villain, Lord Business, wants to rule the Legoverse with an orderly fashion.

But this is not what Legos are

about. Lego’s were made to be used creatively, always a new object being built with every take down.

So it is up to the Master Builders to save the Legoverse from being completely glued together.

The movie is full of hilarious content sure to knock your socks off and a great story line. I saw in the eyes of kids and adults a like, the laughter and excitement as Emmett went on his journey and

Tawnie’s Reviews:

Movie Review: The Lego Movie

Tawnie Reisenauer Perspective Editor

not only saved the world but also himself.

I would greatly recommend anyone to see this movie. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars. I have also heard rumors of The Lego Movie 2 being produced as well so be on the look out for a sequel!

March Astrology: Spring Break (For Entertainment Purposes Only)

Jade Eagle Reporter

Looking for ideas for something to do over spring break? Here is a list of what the 12 signs of the zodiac are more apt to do over those few sweet days of freedom.

Aries, the Ram <March 21 April 19> Ariesians will be the ones busting the door down after the last class before break, hopping into their car, screeching out of the parking lot straight to a resort, where they’ll probably be snowboarding and subsisting purely on adrenaline and energy drinks.

Taurus, the Bull <April 20 - May 20> Taureans invented the term “staycation,” because why not just stay at home? It’s fun enough to warm up under an electric blanket, drinking cocoa and catching up on sleep before classes resume.

Vacations cost too much, anyway.

Gemini, the Twins <May 21 June 20> Geminians might be seen slumming along with friends for whatever they decide to visit us at: www.mystician.com

do — taking up the back seat of someone’s car, and prepared with a tablet full of fantasy novels.

Gemini is not too picky about what happens, as long as friends are there to make it interesting (and pay for it).

Cancer, the Crab <June 21 - July 22> Cancers normally aren’t eager to leave their cozy homes, but sometimes they just have to bust free. They might like to visit friends or family that live out of state, which would fulfill their need to get away and let them see the people they care for most.

Leo, the Lion <July 23 - August 22> Lions are going to feel the need to do something fun enough to become a story to tell later. Leos will be out doing something glitzy.

Sure, a little too much money might get thrown around, but what does it matter when you’re really living?

Virgo, the Virgin <August 23 September 22> Virgos have already had their spring break planned since Christmas, so there’s no point in even speculating what they might

do. They already know and have the tickets to prove it. Hopefully, they’ll invite you along!

Libra, the Scales <September 23 - October 22> Libras could very well be seen skipping out of town and heading to the beach. After a few days of showing everyone just how hard they can party, they’ll take a pledge that they’ll never do it again.

Scorpio, the Scorpion <October 23 - November 21> Scorpions can be found at the bar most nights during spring break, looking for a partner to spend the night with. They’re sure to find someone, or multiple someones.

Just don’t expect them to call you back.

Sagittarius, the Archer <November 22 - December 21> Sagittarius absolutely has to travel and go somewhere.They’re even likely to hop in their car and drive in a random direction until they find something fun! They’re sure to find a part of themselves in the process.

Capricorn, the Goat <December 22 - January 19> Cappies would love to do

something fun, but they’re likely to talk themselves out of it. There’s just so much work to do, you know? No one else is dependable like they are, and they’re not sure they’re able to just get up and go somewhere.

Aquarius, the Water Bearer <January 20 - February 18> There’s a good chance Aquarians might take this time to clear out a backlog of homework they’ve had for a while now, but, if not, the Water Bearers will still be at home on the internet anyway, playing MMORPGs and never seeing the sunlight.

Pisces, the Fishes <February 19 March 20> Pisceans are happy with whatever naturally comes their way, so they might not to do much for spring break. Hanging out with their closest circle of friends and making memories, or just staying at home alone and catching up on their reading — this is a Fish’s idyllic way to spend their time off.

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Calendar Your Guide to Find Out What’s Happening.

March 6 Roast of Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley 6:30 p.m.

(Bavendick Stateroom, NECE) March 11 Larry Watson/Campus Read 7:30 p.m (Bavendick Stateroom, NECE) March 12 Larry Watson/Campus Read 7:30 p.m (Bavendick Stateroom, NECE) Travel Writer Rick Steves 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

(Bavendick Stateroom, NECE)

March 27 Artists Celebrating Christ 7-9 pm (U. of Mary, Benedictine Center) March 28 Artists Celebrating Christ 9am-6pm (U. of Mary, Benedictine Center) March 29 Artists Celebrating Christ 9am-9pm (U. of Mary, Benedictine Center) March 30 Artists Celebrating Christ Noon-4pm (U. of Mary, Benedictine Center) Conversations at BSC 3 p.m.

(Bavendick Stateroom, NECE) April 2 BSC Spring Musical 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 3 BSC Spring Musical 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 4 BSC Spring Musical 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 5 BSC Spring Musical 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium)

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April 6 BSC Spring Musical 2:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 7 Alumni Art Show and Artist Residency (Elsa Forde Gallery, Schafer Hall) April 8 Alumni Art Show and Artist Residency (Elsa Forde Gallery, Schafer Hall) Collage Concert with Figments Readings 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 9 Alumni Art Show and Artist Residency (Elsa Forde Gallery, Schafer Hall) Lauren Pelon in Concert 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 10 Alumni Art Show and Artist Residency (Elsa Forde Gallery, Schafer Hall)

BSC BS

If money was not a problem, what would you do for spring break ?

“Go visit my family in Texas, and they live like 3 hours away from the beach, so go to the ocean” -Nicci Johnson “Got to Rio, I heard so much about it, like if a girl walks by you and you don’t kiss her she will think you’re gay. So thats where I would like to go somewhere I can feel welcome.”

-Chuck Rebhun

“I would go visit Paris.”

-Lindsey Reede “I would go to Spain.”

-Sindy Wetzel “I would probably travel the world in a week.”

-Shanda Decouteau

“Go to the Caribbean, somewhere nicer where there’s no snow.”

-Juan Barrett

Graduating?

Stop by the Bookstore and order your graduation garb.

Caps, gowns, tassels Phi Theta Kappa tassels and stoles Picture frames "Thank you gifts"

April 11 Alumni Art Show and Artist Residency (Elsa Forde Gallery, Schafer Hall)

Stop in the BSC Bookstore and ask any associate for help.

Dakota Garden Expo 3 p.m. -8 p.m.

(Bismarck Civic Center)

Congratulations!

Orders must be placed by April 17

April 12 Dakota Garden Expo 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(Bismarck Civic Center) April 14 BSC Wind Ensemble Concert 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium) April 15 BSC Choir Concert 7:30 p.m.

(Sidney J. Lee Auditorium)

Bismarck State College Mystician

Emily Kautzman is a freshman at BSC and a player on the softball team. Read more on page 22.

Page 23 Winter Olympics Page 22 Baseball/Softball Preview

Page 24 Cold ND Weather Page 23 Wrestling

Photo by Kaitlyn Olson

New Start for Mystics Baseball and Softball Kaitlyn Olson Athletics Editor

A new season for the Mystic’s baseball and softball teams is just around the corner. With new coaches in both the men and women’s teams, the change is looking like a hopeful one.

Many new faces besides the coaching staff are being seen with numerous freshmen being accounted for on the rosters.

Sophomore baseball player Kody Kalb is ready for another season with new teammates.

“We have a lot of young guys.

Everybody knows why we’re here though; we want to win,” Kalb said.

Joe Mueller, though not a new addition, is taking on a new position for the men’s baseball team. Last year Mueller was the

assistant coach, but he is now taking the lead role as head coach.

Mueller knows the game of baseball, and the baseball team is prepared for what he has to offer the program.

“I’m excited to have coach Mueller. He was our assistant coach last year and he reminded me of what I love about baseball,” Kalb said.

Both the softball and baseball teams have been occupying the weight rooms and gym to prepare for their seasons. Though the weather has not been cooperating enough to take the field, the players still push through until spring. Lane Huck, a freshman to the Mystic’s baseball program, is hopeful for the spring weather to appear while preparing for the season games to begin.

“We do a lot of stuff inside. We

Upcoming Game Schedule March 31- Century College (away) April 1- Century College (away) April 5- Lake Region State College (away) April 6- Lake Region State College (home) April 9- Jamestown College (home) April 12- Dawson Community College (away) April 13- Dawson Community College (home) April 16- Jamestown College (away)

April 18- Dakota College at Bottineau (home) April 19- Dakota College at Bottineau (away) April 26- Miles Community College (away) April 27- Miles Community College (home) May 3- Williston State College (away) May 4- Williston State College (home)

can’t really get outside often, but we do what we can. We do a lot of calisthenics and a lot of stretching and getting our arms loose,” Huck said.

Though the teams still have a month before games begin, they are already building a good relationship within one another.

Spending many days a week with each other to lift weights, workout, and better each other has made them grow a teammates.

“Our chemistry is good. We all get along together really well,” Huck said.

Jason Harris is a new addition to the women’s softball team.

Both Mueller and Harris are double-sport coaches while just having completed their basketball season seasons. A few of Harris’s basketball girls are making the transition for the winter sport to the spring softball season.

“It’s a new challenge being my first year as the head coach.

I enjoy working with college kids, so it’s what I want I want to do and what I enjoy doing as coaching,” Harris said.

Emily Kautzman, a freshman

double-sport athlete of both basketball and softball, is prepared for the new game.

“What I’m most excited for with starting softball season is just getting to be outside and enjoying the fresh air. I’m excited to interact with new teammates and getting to know them and develop new friendships. I’m ready to continue working with Coach Harris and to see a new side of his outside the basketball court,” Kautzman said.

With both seasons prepared to begin, there are high hopes for the Mystic’s baseball and softball teams.

“Expectations are no different here than in any sport I coach.

Come ready to play, practice hard, play hard. We need to make sure we’re there to win games first and get after it,” Harris said.

New coaches, new teammates, and a new season will be great motivation to get the teams off to the right start. They will kick off both seasons with a doubleheader taking place on Mar. 29 at Dakota County Technical College.

Sam Wolf prepares for the new softball season by practicing her swing in the batting cage.

Photo by Kaitlyn Olson

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Bismarck State College Mystician

A Sage Approach to Wrestling Alex Stavig Reporter

The energy from the crowd, the entrance music, the highflying moves – this is what makes the sport of professional wrestling what it is today.

Professional wrestling has been around for a long time and has stayed consistent for many years. From greats like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, professional wrestling continues to put out a quality product for fans to enjoy.

This is a sport of hard work and dedication to that particular craft. Many of the wrestlers in the business say that professional wrestling is not for everyone, and it requires dedication. There are many professional wrestling companies like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Impact Wrestling is another professional organization.

Many of the wrestlers like to work on the independent circuits where it is not so hectic, and the road schedule is not as grueling.

This is how it is for Bismarck State College Student Mercer Sage. He

visit us at: www.mystician.com

runs the Elite Wrestling Initiative, a company based out of Mandan that started in November of 2011.

When it comes to professional wrestling, the dream to become a professional wrestler usually comes early in life.

“I pretty much knew I wanted to do it at a very young age. I really stuck with it for the most part,” Sage said. “I would like to think of myself as a good entertainer at this point. When the opportunity came to be involved in professional wrestling, I took it. “ Whether it is wrestling in front of 20,000 people in Madison Square Garden or a couple hundred at the Elks Lodge in Dickinson, N.D., you still get that same energy from the crowd each and every time you go to perform.

“The best moment though was coming out in 2010 at the what was the Double Wood Inn. I got this huge reaction, and I still haven’t gotten a reaction that huge. It was like a wind knocking you off your feet,” Sage said. “I had a great match with a good friend in that match. I was basically able to pass the torch over to him. It was a good feeling.”

Winter Olympics Overview Kenneth Mitchell Reporter

The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXII Olympic Winter Games, was held in Sochi, Russia. Some of the countries competing include; Russia, Norway, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, China and our very own United States, just to name a few.

Russia finished first in the gold medal count. Russia had 13 gold medals, 11 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals. The United States finished in 4th place in the gold medal count with 9 gold medals, but in second place overall with total medals. The U.S. also had 7 silver medals and 12 bronze medals.

In the gold medal count Norway finished in 2nd place with Canada in 3rd.

Some of the headlines for the

Winter Olympics were Canada destroying Sweden 3-0 to take home the gold in hockey. Shani Davis went after his third straight gold medal in speed skating but came up short and ended up in eighth place. Shani Davis could have won a record breaking three straight gold medals in the men’s 1,000 meter competition. There are 15 sports involved with 98 events, which means there are 294 medals available to be won.

As everyone may know The Winter Games are much smaller than the Summer Games. The U.S. has won 2,400 medals in the sunshine, and just 253 at Winter Olympics. There were a lot of expectations on the U.S. this year, mainly because in the Vancouver Games the U.S won 37 Winter Olympic medals.

The United States finished second in total medal count with 28 while Russia finished in first with 33.

March 2014

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Cold Winter Blues Tanner Purintun Reporter

North Dakota is often known for its cold winters. The joke has been made that we have two seasons, winter and construction season. However, this year has been quite different. The harsh winter has been a roller coaster of ups and downs as far as temperatures go. The coldest day of the season came on December 23 with a temperature of -24 degrees. So far, the warmest day of the winter season came on February 19 with a high of 46. The changes in temperature have been rough on some west coast students such as Kenneth Mitchell, a freshman at Bismarck State College from Long Beach, CA. “Man, when it gets that cold I just want to stay in bed. It like hurts to walk to class it’s so cold” Mitchell said. “I never thought 46 degrees would feel so good.

In Cali., that’s like one of the coldest days of the year. Here, you guys are wearing shorts.”

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Even North Dakota locals have a hard time with the winter.

“I’ve lived in Bismarck my whole life so I’m kind of use to it, but it still sucks when it gets that cold” BSC freshman, Troy Haushauer said. “You can try to act tough but the fact is, it’s cold.”

Even though we have experienced some high temperatures here and there, the winter season is still a tough season to withstand.

“It’s almost worse having a really nice day because it gets your hopes up and then its back to negative numbers in a week,” BSC sophomore, Madison Deibert said.

Last April, Bismarck experienced a record breaking snowfall just when winter seemed to be over. BSC students are optimistic about this year ’s winter season.

“This winter hasn’t been as bad as last year ’s was so I’m hoping that the pattern continues,” Haushauer said. “Hopefully, it

Even though the sun shines, the wind creates a cold that goes to the bones.

keeps getting nicer and I can start my lawn mowing business at the beginning of April.”

Some people are optimistic about the future while others are scared.

“I couldn’t imagine more snow in April. I might honestly consider crying if that would happen. I’m just going to keep

Photo by Sarah Morris

praying for warmer weather” Mitchell said.

Although the winter has been a roller coaster of temperatures, the responses of most people have all been the same, “We want summer to come.”

Bismarck State College Mystician