95.5 by The Clocktower

The Clocktower September 30, 2020 Issue 5, Volume 95

The story you’ve never heard The winning story of the Library Queen of Hearts Fair.

rdinary World A war between the Heart kingdom and the Diamond kingdom broke out over which kingdom could have the rights to the color red. Call to Adventure The Queen of Hearts sends her army to fight the Diamond army. She is certain her army will win quickly and with little bloodshed. Refusal of the Call While the Queen of Hearts wants to preserve the culture of the Heart kingdom, she is unsure if all the Heart and Diamond lives are worth it. Meeting with the Mentor The Queen of Heart’s sister is her closest advisor. She pleads with the queen to end the war. The sister is fine with giving the Diamond kingdom the sole rights to the color red and switching to white instead.

Crossing the Threshold The queen’s sister dressed all in white and went to make a treaty with the Diamond kingdom. THey sent her body back with red staining almost every inch of her white dress. Her sister’s death sent the Queen of Hearts into a wild rage. She vows to destroy the Diamond kingdom as revenge.

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Editor – in – Chief Jovan Cross Assistant Editor Juliet Bromme 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 Max Lassel Adventist News Hannah Olin Union News Jade Covel

Tests, Allies, and Enemies Years of war pass and the Queen of Hearts has grown more and more bitter. She paints all of the white roses red to remind everyone of her sister’s death and keep her armies motivated. A group of mercenaries from the Spade kingdom are hired to assassinate the queen and end the Red War. The Approach The Spade assassins are eventually captured and beheaded, only one manages to escape. He runs off into the woods and becomes crazy with grief and people start to call him the Mad Hatter. More time passes and a young girl named Alice stumbles into Wonderland. The Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth After suffering defeat at Alice’s hands, the Queen of Hearts is taken to prison and Wonderland rejoices as the ten year Red War finally ends. The Queen of Hearts is set to be executed for her cruely. Her last request is that she be dressed in white and buried next to her sister.

Lincoln News TJ Pittenger

ENTERTAINMENT Editor Hannah Drewieck Photographer Andrew Schwartz Sports Joel Shetler Pop Culture Drew Hickman Comedy Sam Ortiz

LIFESTYLE Editor Maria Kercher Photographer Annabelle Harper Outlook Lacey Stecker Politics Alex Nesmith Love Kaitlynn Toay

@Jill Donald

Trump: Mastermind Researcher? A look at events in an alternate universe

ASHINGTON, D.C. — In a shocking turn of events, President Donald J. Trump posted on Twitter in the early morning of September 19, 2020 what some are calling “the tweet heard ‘round the world”. In the president’s words: “For the past four years I have been running a social experiment. My actions do not represent who I am as a person. No hard feelings @ United States of America?” Ever since taking office, controversy has surrounded the otherwise prestigious Trump and his ever changing Cabinet. Once decried as “racist, incompetent, a joke, that guy from Home Alone” and much more, his critics are now praising him for his bravery and outstanding strategy, with nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar for Best Actor. In a White House press conference today, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnay further explained what the President meant. “When President Trump told voters that he was going to drain the swamp, he meant it. However, to drain a swamp you must first get dirty and swallow in the muck. With him having exposed the swamp for what it is, he no longer has any need to continue being president. He is dropping out of the presidential race and is going to focus on publishing the results of his four year long study.” When asked by a CNN reporter about how he feels about the impact of all his “harmful laws, actions and procedures,” McEnay responded, “Look, science is a challenging thing. The president feels that the benefit of the research far outweighs any negatives a small percentage of the population may have experienced. He was also testing to check how our judicial

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and legislative systems are working, so if anything, you should hold them accountable for not having done their job.” Leaders across the globe have been reacting, with very mixed reactions. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reposted a meme saying “Trump: It’s just a prank bro. America: Am I a joke to you?” along with four laughing emojis. Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un sent a televised broadcast calling Trump “a genius...can’t wait to read his research.” and our sources say President Vladimir Putin was heard cursing and saying “о нет” which roughly translates to “Oh no.” As this story unfolds, one can only say “God Bless America.” This story is still under development, with updates to come as we get more information. Samuel Ortiz is a sophomore Nursing major from Orlando, Florida.

Lancaster County COVID-19 cases provoke protest Anti-maskers in Lincoln rally

he Lancaster County COVID-19 risk dial has stayed in orange for the third week in a row. In response, a group of anti-maskers held a protest on the steps of the state capitol. On Sept. 19, 2020, a group of protesters organized by a man on Facebook held an anti-mask rally at the capitol building protesting against COVID-19 and the continued enforcement of masks in Lancaster county. (Which makes sense, as protesting usually makes germs go away.) On average, the past three weeks saw 600 new cases every seven days with a record high of 690 confirmed cases. Last week marked one of the first that new cases went down. Lincoln only had 396 confirmed new cases. Data is showing that 55% of all COVID-19 spread is done by individuals within the age group of 1822 years of age. The rally that took place hosted over 100 people with six speakers, including Benjamin Madsen, who has voiced intent to run for Lincoln City Council. The testing positivity rate for COVID-19 as of Sept. 20 is down to 8%, compared to the last three weeks that easily surpassed 13%. Despite this, the Lincoln risk dial remains largely unmoved as the percentage infected remains the same. (Thanks anti-maskers.) So far there are over 5,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lancaster County, and between 300-1000 in the College View district alone. Of all cases reported, a little over 2,200 have recovered. There have been 23 COVID-19 caused deaths in Lancaster, all over the age of 40. Despite the protest held, the mask mandate and social distancing will remain enforced for the originally stated

against city mandates

time. A new mask and social distance mandate went into effect on Sept. 14. There were no major changes to any of the old mandates, save that businesses must enforce regulations if they want to open. The mandate is set to continue until Oct. 31, where it will be reviewed for expiration or continuation. Testing is still recommended and is available for free at several locations around the city. If you want to take one for fun, there is a site on campus by the on-campus nursing station where you can get your brain swabbed to your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content. Or, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling risque, the CVS Health Drive Thru testing site will test you from the comfort of your car. Alexander Nesmith is a junior Communication Major from Calhoun, Georgia.

ON THE RADAR SAT. 10/03/20 Game Night

TUE. 10/06/20

PA White Coat Ceremony

WED. 10/07/20

NO SCHOOL DUDES

THURS. 10/08/20 - 10/09/20 Preview Days

SUN. 10/11/20 Banquet

Who’s left in the sports genre? The final countdown to the NBA Finals

t is no surprise this NBA season has had its share of difficulties. To begin the year, one of the most notable deaths of 2020 occurred with the passing of the iconic Kobe Bryant. This devastated the basketball community all the way from toddlers to retired Hall of Fame basketball stars and everyone in between. Bryant was an influence to all. His sudden death shocked everybody and people mourned for his loss. His former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, are dedicating their season to him. They are currently holding a 2-0 game lead over the Denver Nuggets, hoping for a berth into the NBA Finals. The Denver Nuggets, a local crowd favorite, are looking for a comeback to overtake the Lakers and play in their first ever NBA Finals. They have bonded and played as a team, rather than build a superteam like that of the Lakers. This makes the team an “underdog” with potential. Denver is the closest major sports city near Nebraska, which is another reason it is a crowd favorite. Denver is looking to erase their 0-2 deficit and clinch the top spot in the Western Conference.

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On the other side of the nation, the Eastern Conference Finals are close to declaring a victor. The Miami Heat are battling against the Boston Celtics heading into game four. Miami is barely holding onto a 2-1 series lead. The Miami Heat have struggled to make it to the Finals ever since LeBron James left. However, this year they have a decent shot at playing a redemption game against LeBron in the Finals. The Boston Celtics will not go down without a fight. Already notching one win against the Heat, the Celtics are looking toward closing the gap and overtaking the competition. The Finals are almost here. Who will be crowned the victor? Joel Shetler is a jnior Science Education major from Ruckersville, Virginia.

“Super Mario 3D All-Stars” Is this the best way to celebrate Mario’s 35th?

am infatuated with the Super Mario series. Its worlds, characters, bouncy music and cheerful aesthetic have captivated me since I was little. Recently, the series turned 35. That’s a massive deal, as most franchises don’t last that long without taking breaks or experiencing major dips in quality. But Mario has always stayed consistently great, so reaching this milestone deserves a celebration. Enter “Super Mario 3D AllStars,” a Switch title that bundles together the first 3D Super Mario games: “64,” “Sunshine” and “Galaxy!” Each of these games brings unique things to the table. “ 64” features open levels to explore, with a lot of fun secrets

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to find inside the endlessly entertaining Peach’s Castle. As one of the first major 3D video games, like, EVER, it holds a lot of historical value simply by existing. I think it holds up surprisingly well, and messing around with its controls is mindblowing. I can say the same for “Sunshine,” although I feel no shame in saying that game has Mario’s best moveset. Abusing Mario’s jetpack to make crazy jumps is SO fun. It also has the best setting in the series, taking place on an interconnected island paradise. Every level has a warm tropical feel, with a very pleasant soundtrack. “Galaxy” is my favorite. I’m a big fan of the cosmos, and flying around space and running around small spherical planets makes for a very engaging experience. Add in orchestrated music and awe-inspiring visuals and boom! Drew’s happy. I was worried that using Switch controls instead of a Wii remote would feel gross, but I adjusted quickly and had a blast.

As for the collection itself, the presentation leaves something to be desired. You can select the games, and you can enter a sound player mode to just listen to the music, but that’s it. There’s no behind the scenes stuff, no easter eggs, no nothing. This collection is only available through March 31, too, which feels dubious. It’s hard to review this because of that. As a product it’ll probably scare some people off due to the lack of high production value and availability. But on the other hand, it has three of the best games EVER in one place. It comes down to what you want to do, but having these freaking opuses all together is worth it for me. Drew Hickman is a junior Communication major from Shawnee, Kansas.

Random COVID-19 testing begins on Union College campus

Many options available for students needing testing

nion has introduced random COVID-19 testing. So what should one expect when getting a test? Last week’s article was a brief overview of Union’s COVID-19 policies once someone is exposed to it. This week is more focused on testing, where and how to get tested and what to expect. For some reason let’s assume a student needs testing, they either consented to random testing or have COVID-19 symptoms. There are two options: get tested at Gateway Mall, or get tested here at Union. Gateway Mall offers tests Monday through Saturday, while Union offers testing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To get tested at Gateway, go online to Test Nebraska and fill out the questionnaire. You will then be given a list of testing sites, and then select Gateway Mall and scroll to the bottom of the page to pick a date. At your selected time and date, you will then take the confirmation email to the testing site. (For this you will need a car with windows that roll down, so if you have an old beater car like mine with windows that don’t work, Union might be your best bet!) They will scan the QR code in the email, then you proceed to the actual testing. A tester asks you to roll down your window and adjust your mask so that your nose is revealed, then they take something like a long q-tip and pushes it up your nose into the back of your nasal cavity. For many people this is mildly uncomfortable, but for some unfortunate

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people such as myself, it is very painful. Getting tested at Union is similar to the actual testing process, however the scheduling is different. According to an email sent out by Ryan Teller, “The Union College COVID-19 Testing Center is on the east side of Rees Hall across from the Campus Health office and is open from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Please complete [a form on uGroups] prior to your arrival to receive a personalized QR Code via email. You will be asked to show your personalized QR Code (printed or digitally) when you arrive at the testing site so that testing staff can correctly sync your information with your test.” Wherever you choose to get tested, thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe! Jade Covel is a senior Religion major from Topeka, Kansas.

Lincoln theaters begin to open as COVID-19 persists Theaters enforce pandemic precautions

hen I tell people that I went and watched Tenet, they are usually surprised. They are surprised that movie theaters are even open. So here is what you need to know about theaters during COVID-19 season. Theaters are taking every precaution possible. They are cleaning the seats regularly. They are setting seats at a good distance from each other. They are only doing pre-chosen seats, so you have your seat picked before you even get to the theater. Buying tickets is incredibly easy. There are multiple ways you can buy your tickets. First, there is the online option which is always good. Buying tickets like this allows for zero contact at the theater. All you need to do is buy the tickets and walk in for your showing. Secondly, there is a kiosk at the doors that are regularly cleaned and easy to use. Most theaters have them so you can use a touch screen to buy your tickets and choose your seats. Lastly, you have the option to buy tickets in-person. I asked Union students and teachers if they would go to the theaters and tell me about their experience. Those that did go and watched something said that it was nice to actually be in the theater and enjoy

a new movie. I also asked some students to try buying tickets using every way possible. They said that the easiest way was to just buy them online and avoid any wait or in-person interaction. There are plenty of theaters to choose from. The three closest theaters that are open to choose from are all Marcus Theaters: Marcus South Pointe, Marcus East Park and Marcus Lincoln Grand. They are all within three miles of Union and are taking cleaning very seriously. Marcus Theaters has good deals such as $5 Tuesday and $6 Student Thursday. If you want to go to the theater but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know what to watch, here is what I suggest out of what is playing. Tenet is incredible. The New Mutants has finally been released after years of being put on hold. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to watch anything new they are always showing oldie movies like Jaws (1975) and The Goonies (1985). If you are looking for something to do on a Tuesday, then I would say go enjoy a new movie.

TJ Pittinger is a sophomore Theology major from Gilson, Illinois.

Oregon Conference helps evacuees amid West Coast fires As fires continue to burn, church members are doing what they can to assist those who are being affected

hroughout the past month, the West Coast wildfires have continued their slow and steady spread, forcing many to evacuate. In their wake they have left thousands homeless, destroying everything in their path. As firefighters heroically battle the blaze, others are finding ways to assist and help those who have been affected. In hard hit Oregon, the local conference along with the guidance of the Red Cross and the Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS), have opened their 80 acre, 569 RV site campground, usually used for camp meeting, for RV’s and tents to house those who have lost or cannot yet return to their homes. The Red Cross had originally hoped to help manage the site. However, with their continuing demand, they have entrusted the site to

the management of the conference. In addition to providing a safe place to stay, the leaders and volunteers have been working hard to provide food and necessary supplies to the evacuees. Local businesses and organizations have partnered with the conference to provide free meals. In the midst of all this, several volunteers have provided entertainment for the children at the camp, bringing in donated toys and games for them to play with. The volunteer pastors and their families have also put on “summer camp” like programs with songs and activities to occupy the kids. As the fires continue to burn, and hopefully die soon, the Oregon Conference has renewed their commitment to helping as long as there is a need. “We’re committed to providing a place until we’re able to wind down this crisis situation, with our county partners,” said Jonathan Russell, Assistant to the President for Multimedia Communication in the Oregon Conference. The Red Cross has praised their organization and efforts as they continue to provide assistance to those who need it most. The conference has received abundant amounts of food and supplies and is now asking for monetary donations to their Wildfire fund. They will use this money to help in more specific ways. “I am grateful that God has enabled our Oregon Conference to be the compassionate heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in serving our hurting community,” said Oregon Conference president Dan Linrud. Likewise, Pastor Tara VinCross of the Azure Hills Church said, “This is the church at its best.” Hannah is a sophomore History Education Major from Princeton, Illinois.

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How not to ask your crush to banquet

Goin’ stag

h, the inevitable banquet. Maybe you want to go, maybe you don’t. But one thing’s for sure: you aren’t going alone. Now is the time to seize the day and ask your crush to the institutionally sponsored group date night. There are many ways to get it right…and many more to get it wrong. I’m sure none of you would ever screw it up, but I’d like to highlight the top four ways to ensure your crush will always say no…just in case. » Have uc_match suggest you and your crush as a couple. Although this could be a good way to test the waters, it’s also super threatening if done incorrectly (see #2). If you don’t know your crush well, this is intimidating and puts up some red flags. Avoid this method of “subliminal messaging.” » Noticeably creep on your crush. Staring vacantly at your crush from afar is creepy. Please avoid it as much as you can. Your crush may not notice, but their subconscious will. They’ll see you and feel a sense of unease.

Try your best to avoid staring, but if you can’t help it, take the initiative to talk to them. A conversation will help your crush get to know you. » Use peer pressure to get your crush to say yes. Just no. No, no, no, no, no. DO NOT DO THIS. First, it’s wildly disrespectful. Second, it’s cowardly. And third, it’s unfair. Your poor crush is stuck looking like a jerk if they say no to you. They may not be brave enough to tell you no in the moment, but they will not want to go with you if you do this. If they talk to their friends or mother about the situation, you will be dumped within the next few days. » Plan a promposal. Cue extreme cringing here. Argh! This is the most awkward and uncomfortable thing you could ever do to a person (unless they really like the attention). Please just ask them one-on-one. The elaborate schemes to get the S.O. make everyone uncomfortable. Just like with peer pressure, you may get an immediate yes, but you’ll likely be scrapped later. Now that you know the worst things you can do, go out there and make good choices. Find a person you enjoy and ask them out respectfully (and hopefully one-on-one. NO PROMPOSALS PEOPLE!) Go to banquet, and have fun! Lacey Stecker is a sophomore Communication major from Noblesville, Indiana

How understanding your partner can lead to a stronger connection

A guide explaining the different love languages

ery often, partners do not give and receive love in the same ways. The five love languages can help understand how we and our partners give and receive love. Most people have a dominant love language and a second, inferior one. This quick guide may help you identify which one your partner connects with best. 1. Words of Affirmation. If this is your S.O.’s love language, they may want you to verbally express how much you care about them -- often. They may also express how much they care about you often as well, as they express love in the way that they would like to receive it. If your partner asks you how you feel about something, enjoys receiving sweet texts or writes little love notes or letters, words of affirmation just may be their love language. 2. Quality Time. If your partner’s love language is quality time, they may want to spend their extra time with you, even if you are not doing anything. They may enjoy just being in your presence while watching a movie. However, they also may prioritize time without phones or other distractions present, as this is time for them to connect with you on a deeper level. 3. Gift Giving. A person who shows their love through gift giving will often present you with little trinkets or special items that have meaning to them. They

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want you to know that whatever they are giving you made them think of you. You can try giving them little things to help communicate your feelings to them. 4. Acts of Service. Does your significant other help you with your homework? Or maybe they go grocery shopping with you and help carry all those bags. If your partner’s love language is acts of service, they may like to show you they care by providing some assistance with everyday tasks. 5. Physical Touch. If your partner likes to hold your hand, or have their arm around you often, this is a sign that they value physical touch as their love language. They may look for little ways to keep in touch, such as subtly putting their hand on your knee, or resting their leg against yours. This is a way to stay connected to you. If your partner seems to value this, try grabbing their hand first sometime, or give them a surprise hug to let them know how much you care. If someone shows love in a different way than you receive it, learning to accept their love language and how to reciprocate it is a great communication tool. After all, relationships are all about communication. It never stops, and the sooner you can get a firm communication foundation built, the easier the relationship will go! Kaitlynn Toay is a senior English major from Edgeley, North Dakota

Finding God in times of fear

anuary 13, 2020. Classmates, young enough to be my grandchildren, filled the room. (Sigh, being a parent-aged student was bad enough.) College algebra professor, Dr. Richard Clark, kindly explained course expectations and presented our memory verse: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10. Not particularly familiar with this verse, I set out to memorize it – after all, it would be on our tests. (Little did I know, on that frosty day, how I’d cling to this verse over the next few months.) March 13, 2020. Due to the coronavirus, Union College decides to close its campus. Quarantined for the rest of the semester, online classes replace in-person learning. “Fear thou not”. Fear has gripped our society. So many fears. Fear of: COVID-19, pouncing the moment we venture out of our homes. Being asymptomatic. Death. Going to work, school, church, family gatherings. Losing income. Touching carts and making eye contact with other shoppers. Wearing a mask; being shamed for not wearing a mask. Fear of: Peaceful protests disrupted with violence and destruction. The police. Defunding the police. The November election. Returning to classes. Inability to complete in-person classes. Unpackaged foods, potlucks, even haystacks! Sports – participating or cheering. Singing. Hugs. Sneezing in public: “Honestly, it’s just allergies!” “Be not dismayed”. Dismay: “to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion. Dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as how to deal with something.” www.merriamwebster.com.

This summer, as buildings downtown were set afire, dismay gripped my soul. My hometown of Lincoln, its civility, my security, was shattered. Never have I seen such fear, anxiety and anger in this city, or in our nation. How do we get through these turbulent times? More than ever, study God’s word and pray. Limit news reports, for they rouse up negativity and fear. Show kindness to others. Go outside – soak in the beauty. (Our campus is gorgeous – thanks, Plant Services!) Purposely seek for what is good. Read Joshua 1:9. Refresh your soul. Union College, God will strengthen, help and uphold you. Dr. Clark, thank you for teaching us algebra and, especially, Isaiah 41:10. Truth be told, despite your efforts, this verse will be in my memory longer than any algebraic formula.

Sandy Kolb serves as the Office Coordinator of Academic Administration. Happily married, she has three vibrant daughters, amazing sons-in-law (all in their 30’s), a vivacious 13-year-old daughter, one grandchild (with another due in October), and, of course, our lovable Goldendoodle, Tucker.

The Clocktower email: cltower@gmail.com social media: @clocktower_uc

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The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Associated Student Body of Union College, is published semi-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, Associated Student Body, Union College, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.