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The Clocktower January 27, 2021 Issue 12, Volume 95

Nebraska continues to top US rankings of state vaccination administration Despite dropping in rank, Nebraska is still ahead of the majority of states

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ebraska is pushing forward with the largest vaccination drive in the history of the state.

At an official state Q&A, Nebraska leaders announced the plans and goals of the statewide vaccination campaign in response to the global pandemic. They answered questions ranging from who would be getting vaccinated first to when everybody will be vaccinated.

Many questions and concerns rolled in with the same repetitive answers, resulting with the phrase “be patient” as the almostslogan for the session. When asked where vaccinations will take place, especially in concern for the first priority group, reporters were simply told that locations would be set up. Where remains a mystery.

It must be noted that an undertaking of this size has never happened in Nebraska before. A website is in development for vaccination sign-ups using a system that has yet to be revealed. Priority groups include the elderly, those with medical conditions and an undefined group of medical personnel. In total, these groups number around 400,000 people. Priority

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groups are scheduled to begin receiving doses by Feb. 1.

Compared to the rest of the U.S., Nebraska seems to be staying near the top rankings of states administering treatment. Currently in vaccines given per capita, Nebraska ranks at 23 out of the 50 states. Two weeks ago, Nebraska was fifth.

Nebraska is still scheduled to administer a little over 80,000 vaccines and receive an additional 32,400 doses. However, thanks to politics, state officials are stating that doses have been dropped to 23,000 first doses per week, far lower than planned.

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Editor–in–Chief Juliet Bromme Assistant Editor Hannah Drewieck Distributor Marvin Velasquez Media Manager Francisco Campos Photography Editor Joseph Lee Layout Editor Chrisheline Kalawo Assistant Layout Editor Justin Anderson

NEWS Editor Olivia Jacobs Photographer Nathan Sweet Adventist News Hannah Olin Union News Jade Covel Lincoln News TJ Pittenger

ENTERTAINMENT Editor Annika Cambigue Photographer Andrew Schwartz Sports Jacob Roney Pop Culture Sierra Lastine Comedy Sammy Ortiz

LIFESTYLE Editor Maria Kercher Photographer Robert Umali Outlook Lacey Stecker Politics Alex Nesmith Love Advice Kaitlynn Toay

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It could be said that the federal plan of administering the vaccine is inherently flawed. Of the thousands of vaccines in the state’s inventory, only a fraction are actually being administered with the rest being saved for the second dosage.

Which makes very little sense. Why would the state need to save more vaccines than it’s giving?

Overall, the situation could be far worse than it is right now. On the national level, President Joe Biden stated that “the vaccine rollout in the United States has been a dismal failure.”

Alexander Nesmith is a junior communication major from Calhoun, Ga.

How to maintain strong personal connections during the pandemic Connecting during COVID-19 can be done

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hile social distancing affects how much we may see others in person, it does not have to completely ruin your social life. Interpersonal relationships are some of the most important connections we have in our lives. Whether it is keeping up with friends or your significant other, there are so many ways to maintain connections.

Be open with each other. Opening up can be difficult, but talking about how much you mean to each other can help solidify the bond you share. Be open about how you’re feeling and how you’re holding up during the extra time alone with the added burdens you may be carrying. Check in and provide a shoulder to lean on if your partner or friend needs one.

Set Zoom dates. At this point, we all know that Zoom is the go-to way to connect and socialize while social distancing. Set up Zoom dates so you can still see each other face-toface. These activities are also convenient, as you do not need to leave your house to attend!

Plan for the future. I don’t mean planning your wedding, unless you’re ready for that step. Simply planning activities that you and your partner would like to do after the pandemic has safely passed will help you both look forward to brighter days. Make a list of all the activities you would like to do. They can be as small as going out to eat or as big as traveling to Europe. They are your plans; think big!

Participate in COVID-19 friendly activities. Though we are all told to social distance as much as possible, we still need socialization once in a while. Participating in coronavirus safe activities with your partner or friend is a good way to socialize safely.

Safe activities would include places where you are outside and/or wearing a mask while not in close contact with many other people.

Ultimately you and your partner have to decide what risks you will take during this pandemic, but keep safety in mind.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has

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been present for almost a year, many are still trying to adjust to the major changes it has made in our lives. Having a circle of friends or a significant other to help lift your spirits and encourage a healthy mentality is helpful in dealing with the effects of the pandemic.

Pandemic or not, it is important to invest time and energy into any relationship you want to last.

Kaitlynn Toay is a senior English major from Edgeley, N.D.

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Trending: how to retire at 39 The Colts say goodbye to their season and to their quarterback

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ight seconds to play. The Buffalo Bills are up by three, but it’s the Colt’s ball. The ball is hiked to the Colts quarterback, Philip Rivers. He surveys the defense quickly and fires the ball out of bounds. Four seconds remain. The offense sets into place. The ball is hiked. Rivers looks for an open man. He sees his man and chucks the ball down the field. The ball is in the air.

It’s going … it’s going … it’s knocked away

by Micah Hyde! The Bills win.

The Buffalo Bills advanced to the second round of the playoffs, taking down the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24. This game was close, but ultimately, the Bills pulled through with the leadership of their MVP candidate quarterback, Josh Allen. Josh Allen had a solid game with 324 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Veteran Colts leader Philip Rivers had 309 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, what is arguably the biggest storyline for the Colts right now takes place off the field: Was this Philip Rivers’ last game?

Rivers, age 39, was drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played 16 seasons with the Chargers in both San Diego and then Los Angeles when the Chargers moved. After his 16th season, the Chargers decided to go with a younger option and they parted ways. Rivers found a new home in Indianapolis where he would play season number 17.

Although Rivers did struggle in the playoffs, with a 3-4 record for his playoff career, he has some of the greatest regular season stats of any player in NFL history.

Since entering the league, he ranks fifth in all-time passing yards at 63,440, fifth all-time pass completion at 5,277, and fifth all-time in passing touchdowns with 421. These numbers are good enough that he will likely get into the Hall of Fame despite his lack of playoff experience and awards.

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Not only has Rivers put up some of the best numbers in NFL history, but he has been one of the most consistent players since entering the league. While most years he didn’t have the best supporting team of players, the Chargers were almost always a competitive team and that is due to his leadership and skill. In his only season with the Colts, he led them to the playoffs. Since Rivers has officially decided to retire, he will go down in NFL history as a tremendous leader and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Jacob Roney is a junior business administration major from Sturgeon, Miss.

The vaccine has arrived in Lincoln, Neb.

Here is what you should know

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o, COVID-19 is a thing. I know this is not something that needs to be said. We all have been affected in some way or another by the pandemic, but a vaccine has been released that could potentially help flatten the curve of the coronavirus. Some people, such as nursing majors or those at risk, may have already gotten it or are planning to in the future.

The vaccine is currently being given to three demographics in two doses. The first group is the medical and emergency workers.

Next is essential workers fighting COVID-19

on, don’t freak out. Spend a day in bed watching Netflix. Just don’t freak out.”

At this point, it is hard to tell if the vaccine will truly flatten the curve. With the new strains of COVID-19 spreading, we can only hope and wait at this point. Right now, we can continue to be strong. Like Jade said, “Don’t be afraid.”

TJ Pittenger is a junior theology major from Gilson, Ill.

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right now. The third are those at high risk over the age of 65. After this happens, the plan is for the vaccine to become available to the public in April.

I was able to speak to the The Clocktower’s Jade Covel, who had received the vaccine through her job as a member of the fire department. The fire department took care of the scheduling and paperwork needed for the experience. All Covel needed to do was visit the Dept. of Health. She told me that she was thankful for several things: She was thankful that she was part of the first few people to be part of something new in the world and she was grateful to receive it in hopes that it will keep her safe.

Jade did have a bit of a rough experience.

For starters, she is deathly afraid of needles.

That would make the experience hard enough as is, but there is a bit more. As mentioned above, the vaccine is given in two doses. The first dose that Jade received did not come with any side effects, but the second dose came with nausea, fever and chills for 24 hours. Her biggest fear was that this was COVID-19 and they simply had not caught it in time. These side effects, however, are common with the second dose and resolved within that 24-hour window.

I asked Jade for advice to anyone who plans on getting the vaccine. She said, “Don’t be afraid. And if you feel symptoms coming

Why do you draw?

The surrealist art of Micah Redlich

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he artist Mathiole said, “Art speaks where words are unable to explain.”

Every creative person seems to have this connection to their craft. Each individual finds their art to be the best way to express themselves. For me, it’s words. For others, it’s music, and for some, art. One of those people who finds expression in art is Micah Redlich, a freshman pursuing a degree in fine arts.

Background Micah originally hails from Canada, but recently moved to Oregon. Besides art, Micah enjoys the outdoors, which, like many artists, heavily influences his work. “Nature is basically where I get my inspiration from,” Micah explained. He has always lived in beautiful locations surrounded by forested areas, so it makes sense that it should be present in his imagery.

His journey as an artist began early in life.

He stated that he has basically always had a pencil in hand and is self-taught for the most part, although he has had some influential mentors. One such mentor was his high school art teacher, Mr. Way, who made a large impact on his work. A lot of the techniques he uses now are from him.

Process Some of his favorite mediums are pencil and acrylic paint; right now he is also experimenting with watercolor. While painting, most artists like to have some

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General Conference session postponed until 2022

Adventist leaders make decision based on COVID-19

Artist: Micah Redlich

background noise when they work: some like podcasts, movies or music. Micah listens to opera while painting. He says, “Mr. Way would always play classical music because it sparks creativity.” He stumbled upon opera as an offshoot from classical music and finds that it helps him focus while he works.

Current art style Micah said his art changed when he came up with a new character while drawing during church. The drawing was a figure with a cloud instead of a face. This was the inspiration for his first painting. The motif of anthropomorphized animals or heads swapped out for objects occurs a lot in Micah’s art.

This gives figures he sketches a unique, surrealist style. His works could be compared to René Magritte’s paintings, such as ”The Son of Man” (the painting of the businessman with an apple obscuring his face).

Why do you create art?

When asked why he creates art, Micah responded by saying, “It’s just what I’m good at. It is the gift I’ve been given, so I am going to use it.” His response reminded me of the responses two famous writers gave when asked why they write. The poet John Ashbery answered, “Because I want to,” and Flannery O’Connor said, “Because it’s what I’m good at.” If these aren’t great reasons to do something, I don’t know what are.

If you want to see Micah’s work, you can follow him on Instagram: @micahmakesart.

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he Executive Committee of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church has decided once again to postpone the General Conference session. This will be the second time in less than a year that the session has been postponed. Originally scheduled to take place late June 2020 in Indianapolis, Ind., the committee rescheduled to May 2021 earlier last year. However, in a virtual Zoom session on Jan. 12, 2021, members of the Executive Committee from around the world met to discuss the upcoming conference and came to the difficult decision to postpone yet again.

Chaired by church president Ted Wilson, the group heard from world division officers, Adventist Risk Management, health professionals, the Office of the General Counsel and more, all recommending that the General Conference be postponed for another year. Director of Health Ministries for the Adventist Church, Peter Landless, said, “We’ve been consulting with international experts, and taking into account the needs and concerns. The GC Health Ministries department believes it is prudent and practical stewardship to postpone the GC Session to 2022, given this difficult time. And it is with a heavy heart one makes this recommendation.

Sierra Lastine is a sophomore English literature major from Grand Junction, Colo. ©Nathan Sweet

Students played games to win prizes

would have learned, from math to history to colors. The scoreboard changed rapidly during the game and it was difficult to predict a winner.

In between Kahoot games, there was a junk scramble. Participants turned their cameras and microphones on and raced to find things such as an unsharpened pencil, a banana, a red beanie, a purple loofah, a musical instrument, a purple toothbrush, a dongle for an iPhone or a polaroid. When someone found the requested object, they had to holler that they found the object and prove they had it on camera. Whoever popped up as speaking first on the SA officers’ screens was declared the winner. Some objects, such as a musical instrument were found right away (one guy had his piano right beside him), and others such as a red beanie, took a significant amount of time before anyone could find one!

The second Kahoot was Disney/Pixar themed. According to the host, Drew Hickman, while some of the answers to the questions were definitely a bit unclear, it was a lot of fun even for those who aren’t experts on Disney. The final Kahoot was a random knowledge quiz, including random and obscure facts. Anders Jeronimo dominated this Kahoot, only missing one question out of over a dozen.

The final event was an online scavenger hunt. Participants had to search the Union College website for answers to ten questions, like finding what class rebuilt the rockpile, the date are spring semester grades due, how much swimming lessons at Larson Lifestyle Center cost and who is the fifth person listed on the board of trustees. Kristin Sydow was the first person to email the correct answers in to the host and won a $20 Amazon gift card.

Other prizes included airpods, a Keurig and a blanket. Overall, it was an enjoyable event.

group of about 25 students came together on Zoom for the Student Association’s (SA) first event of the year. Events on Zoom have come a long way from where we started a year ago. Prizes were offered for each event. The event kicked off with a Kahoot version of “Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader.” Participants answered a series of questions that a fifth grade student

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However, it is a recommendation that comes because it appears there is no alternative.”

President Ted Wilson agreed, saying, “This is not a recommendation directly coming from the three senior officers of the GC. This is something that has come from a plethora of information and counselors.”

In addition to the health and safety issues that the pandemic has presented, there were other challenges. International travel and visas, quarantine, transportation, travel bans and more all added to the doubts as to whether the session could go forward. At the conclusion of the meeting, the motion to postpone the General Conference session to 2022 was voted on electronically by the committee and passed with 185 in favor and nine against. “We have been brought to this point, not because it is something we would like to do, but something we have to do,” stated Landless after the vote was taken. The General Conference session is now scheduled to take place June 6-11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Ind.

Hannah Olin is a sophomore history education major from Princeton, Ill.

Zoom kicks off first Student Association event of the year

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After another Zoom event on Jan. 23, SA will begin hosting in-person events again.

Jade Covel is a senior religion major from Topeka, Kan.

Inauguration: the elephant in the Zoom A look at events in an alternate universe

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isclaimer: The writer does not claim to be an authority on stocks or business decisions and is therefore not liable for any economic mishaps on the reader’s part.

January 14, 2021 10:47 a.m.

SAN FRANCISCO – I am no business major,

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nor am I the son of business people, but if I were to be looking for something to invest in right now, I would put it all on Zoom stock.

Stock prices have skyrocketed following this morning’s announcement that the presidential inauguration will take place over Zoom due to “safety and COVID-19 concerns.” Presidentelect Joe Biden’s inaugural team has yet to reveal all the details as to how this will work, but from what we know, there will be set intervals at which links will be sent out so that every American has the chance to get on the Zoom Inauguration “meeting” at one point.

Our sources also tell us there is an ongoing debate between the inauguration team and the current administration over budgeting. After the inauguration team asked for funds to purchase Zoom premium and suggested reallocating some funds from the military budget, the current administration reportedly said, “That’s ridiculous” and “We’ll see if we can get something from the Department of Education budget.” From these reports, we can assume that the inauguration will be, in fact, held over multiple, 40-minute meeting rooms.

As this will be the first virtual inauguration, President Trump appears to be

interested in being a part of such a historic event; being the president of many firsts, he seems to want to add to his list before his final days in office. He has announced through the White House twitter account that he will indeed be attending the inauguration. The problem, however, is the fact that President Trump currently finds himself banned from Zoom, following the mass movement of companies/entities that have blocked or banned the President, among those being Banana Republic, American Airlines, Taylor Swift and the island of Bali. The President has wasted no time and is currently suing Zoom, seeking to reverse the ban just for inauguration day. One of our sources close to the President says he is considering using his son’s school account and crashing the inauguration ceremony if the lawsuit fails in court.

While stock market indicators predicted this legal battle between Zoom and Trump would have a negative effect on its stocks, we are seeing the exact opposite, with the battle over the ban raising the stock’s “desirability,” especially among Democrats. Zoom is now the leading company on the stock market and is projected to get even bigger as more government functions try to adapt to Zoom.

Who knows, we might even be voting over Zoom in the next election!

In other possibly related news, Skype is filing for bankruptcy and its CEO has announced plans to write a book titled “14 Years Ahead and We Still Blew It.” 5:37 p.m.

Update: The court has decided to reverse Zoom’s ban just for inauguration day. In this image leaked by a source working at Zoom headquarters, President Trump and President-elect Biden are receiving a crash course on how to use Zoom.

Sammy Ortiz is a junior nursing major from Orlando, Fla.

9 Sammy’s Vine Throwback of the Week

How to make it through the cold

A polar vortex survival guide

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t has come to my attention that not everyone on campus knows how to deal with cold weather (I’m looking at you, Floridians!). I don’t know what faulty wiring forced you to come to Nebraska, but your lack of caution has caused me some alarm. Thus, it’s my civic duty to provide a few tips on surviving in a frozen land.

Layer like a sheet cake: Layers are the key to warmth. The more layers you wear, the warmer you are. The key, however, is the order in which you layer. You must start with the lightest item, then move on to heavier pieces. For example, the proper shirt order is tank top, t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, sweater, hoodie, light jacket, winter coat (layers may be skipped to account for “warmer” temperatures and you can always shed a layer).

Side note: never wear canvas shoes. If they get wet, they never dry and will stay

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EDITORIAL

Sweet gifts for your sweetheart A Valentine’s Day gift guide

©Joseph Lee

cold forever. Also, put your gloves on before you’re outside. They work by containing the heat from your hands. If you wait until they’re cold, they won’t work.

Kitty litter saves lives: If you end up stuck in a ditch, it’s likely that you can’t get out due to a lack of traction. The solution? Kitty litter. If you get stuck in a ditch, pour the litter as close to your tires as possible to provide traction and slowly drive out of your trap.

Keep a blanket and a candle: If you make a poor driving decision and didn’t heed my kitty litter advice, you may end up waiting for help to arrive. If this happens, you will want a blanket and a candle in your car. The blanket will keep you warm. The candle will also help a little with heat and provides some light if it’s late at night or early in the morning.

Stockpile like the apocalypse is nigh: Keep at least a week’s worth of food in your home.

If there’s a bad storm or blizzard, it could be days, possibly weeks, before you’re able to go shopping again. The worst possible thing would be starving in your home because you weren’t prepared. Keeping extra food in case the weather turns is the best thing you can do.

You must respect cold weather when it comes to town. It’s nothing to mess around with. Please make wise decisions. Take my advice and stay safe!

Lacey Stecker is a sophomore communication major from Noblesville, Ind.

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f you’re reading this on the day it is published, you have 18 days until Valentine’s Day. So if you haven’t begun thinking about how to make this day special for your significant other, you’re late. Here are some ideas to get you started.

For Her Flowers. It’s simple, boys. Girls really do like flowers. Find a sneaky way to figure out her favorite kind or stick to the traditional roses. We’re really not all that hard to please.

Necklace or bracelet. Girls love wearing things that remind them of their man, whether it’s a hoodie they stole or jewelry you give.

If you really want to make your girl feel special, personalize it. Etsy has lots of options for engraved jewelry. A popular choice is a necklace with the first letter of your name.

Love Letter. What we want more than anything else on Valentine’s Day is just to be reminded of how much you love us. Don’t worry about your messy handwriting – as long as we can read it, it’s perfect.

Something cozy. You can never go wrong with a fluffy blanket, a candle and cuddles (just don’t forget the cuddles – they’re essential). You could also put together a spa-themed gift basket with bath bombs, face masks and lotion.

For Him Something engraved. Valentine’s Day is all about adding that personal touch.

Find something your man would like and get it engraved. Some ideas are a watch, AirPods case, wallet, duffel bag, tie clip and pocketknife (find all these on Etsy). Whether it’s personalized with his initials or a short message from you, he’ll love it.

Picture of you two. Print out your favorite picture, frame it, and write a cute message on the back. Throw in some of his favorite candy, and you’ve got a thoughtful and tasty gift.

Something cozy. Cozy vibes aren’t just

for the girls. Get your man a new pair of sweatpants, a pair of slippers or new socks.

Something geeky. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to let your man know that you love all of him – including his geeky side.

Look online for gift ideas related to his favorite video game, superhero or TV show.

Just remember, Valentine’s Day is about love. Focus on that, and your gift will be well-received.

Hannah Drewieck is a junior business administration and communication major from Stoughton, Wis.

FACULTY & STAFF

Overcoming the winter blues

Ways to thrive in a long winter

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inter is not my thing. I was in college before I learned about seasonal affective disorder and realized that it explained my struggle with winter. Feeling down about this season wasn’t all in my head – it was literally dragging me down.

Here are nine ways I’ve learned to make the most of a long winter when my heart longs for summer.

Hear people rave about winter.

It reminds me to pay more attention to the beauty of the season.

Take vitamins.

Especially remember vitamin D during a Nebraska winter. Some deficiencies are more common and can cause depression and fatigue. Talk to your doctor about what and how much to take.

Do light therapy.

Start the day sitting in light (direct sunlight from a window or at least 10,000 lumens from a special light therapy lamp). It can improve energy, mood, frontal lobe function and

healthy sleep rhythms.

Drink warm drinks.

A warm drink has a cozy, warming effect.

Plus, peppermint, cinnamon and citrus (in coffee or tea) adds to a feeling of alertness, and teas with valerian or chamomile in the evening can calm anxieties.

Dress for the season.

Being cold tenses my body, seeming to instigate anxiety. Being warm reduces that.

I especially love having gloves that let me use my camera/phone without taking them off and enough sweaters to not feel like I’m wearing the same thing every day. Winter got exponentially more bearable with each warm item I added to my closet.

Get outside.

My natural instinct in winter is to stay home. But getting out to other warm indoor places – or even bundling up for a quick walk – can really help break up cabin fever.

Hygge together.

Hygge (a Danish lifestyle of coziness) has become a trendy topic the last few years. But more than the typical coziness of blankets and hot drinks, hygge is also about cozying up together. Spend time with your circle and check in on those you can’t see. Winter doesn’t have to equal loneliness.

Hibernate. Kind of.

I’m learning to let my body get some of the extra sleep it craves. As long as I’m getting the important things done and not slipping into depression, an earlier bedtime isn’t a bad thing.

Talk to the doctor.

Talking to my doctor and getting on an antidepressant has freed me to follow through on the things that help me thrive.

What helps you thrive in winter?

Trina Cress is the Career Center and Advising Coordinator.

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https://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku/ The Clocktower encourages reader feedback and strives to maintain accuracy. If you have comments, please email juliet.bromme@ucollege.edu or hannah.drewieck@ ucollege.edu. ucollege.edu The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Student Association of Union College, is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters.

The opinions expressed are the opinions of the writers and are not to be construed as the opinion of the editors, Student Association, Union College, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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