March 2018 The DN magazine

THE DN VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 7 MARCH 2018

NU DELEGATE HEADS TO UN

WOMEN’S HOCKEY HITS THE ICE

LIGHT IN THE DARK SUICIDE PREVENTION

SPOTIFY SONGS BY STUDENTS

GUEST COLUMNS THE FIGHT AGAINST PARTISANSHIP

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THE DN

CONTENTS

VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 7 MARCH 2018

EDITOR’S LETTER

6

MARCH EVENTS

10

BE A GOOD PERSON UNL

12

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

15 18 23 24 27

4

NGSMA PROTECTS STUDENTS OUT OF THE DARKNESS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST LOVE FOR THE MIDDLE AGES

ASPIRING FOR THE UN

37 ‘LOST AND FOUND’ MUSICAL DEBUT 40 GUEST COLUMNS 42 WOMEN’S CLUB HOCKEY TAKES OFF DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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EDITOR’S LETTER

ISSUE N° 7 Dear reader, As the days count down to my graduation, I start to look at back at my time in college and reflect on what it means to be a student at UNL. For some it means to be a part of Husker nation and for others it’s a door to better life opportunities. Whatever it is, going to UNL has a different meaning for each individual.

For me personally, being a UNL student is a dream come true. Growing up in Indonesia, it was always a dream of mine to go to the United States. When it came time for me to apply to colleges, eight of the 10 schools in my shortlist were U.S. schools. How I ended up choosing to go to Nebraska out of all places is another story, but I knew UNL was the right place for me even without a prior visit to campus.

Even before I had stepped foot in Nebraska, I learned what it meant to be “Nebraska Nice.” When I missed my connecting flight from Minneapolis to Lincoln and had to take a later flight, a couple offered to drive me to my dorm in the middle of the night. They even took me to Walmart to let me buy some things when the airline misplaced one of my suitcases. When they could’ve just ignored me and went their own way, they took the time to make sure an 18 year old in the United States for the first time got to where he was supposed to be. Even though they were the first, they certainly weren’t the last good people I’ve interacted with during my time here at UNL and in Nebraska.

There are many stories similar to mine among students who dreamed of going to the United States for school and ended up here. There are also those who grew up dreaming of going to UNL because of familial ties or their fanatical fandom for the Huskers. Each of these individuals have their own path that brought

STAFF them to UNL. It is not hard to see how diverse the UNL community is. I’ve met people from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Vietnam and even places like Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Every person we walk past or sit next to in class has their own upbringing, culture and point of view that contributes to the diversity of UNL’s student body.

Despite the recent negativity sweeping across campus, we shouldn’t let one person define what UNL is. We shouldn’t focus on one person’s belief in hate and violence, but instead we should focus on the good things other students have accomplished, and take pride in their actions and achievements as fellow members of the UNL community. Whether it be native Nebraskans or someone from thousands of miles away, these people have achieved great things at this university.

editor - in - chief

STEPHANIE CAVAZOS managing editor

JESSICA LARKINS senior news editors

NOAH JOHNSON COLLIN SPILINEK senior sports editor

GRACE HARMON assistant sports editors

ANNA GLEASON ZACH MARKON senior arts & entertainment editor

MADDIE STUART assistant arts & entertainment editors

SAM CRISLER JOE JOHN senior opinion editor

BEN LARSEN assistant opinion editor

ALLI LORENSEN

In this world filled with pessimism and hardship, positivity and optimism (no matter how small) still exist. As we, The Daily Nebraskan, highlight some of the accomplishments current UNL students have made, we, as individuals, should be more aware of how many great things the UNL community has achieved through each student. Hopefully through this magazine issue, the negative fog that has clouded over this campus can be lifted and replaced by the sunshine of positivity that will highlight the greatness of this school.

copy chief

JENSYN LABADIE senior print design editor

WILL FLEIG senior photo / video editor

JULIAN TIRTADJAJA assistant photo / video editors

HANNAH DEPRIEST KARISSA SCHMIDT art director

HALEY HEESACKER assistant art director

AUSTIN COUDRIET senior engagement editor

Yours truly,

BEN BUCHNAT staff writers

MIA AZIZAH KARIN ELLEFSON ERICA COURTNEY JOHN GRINVALDS GRACE GORENFLO guest columnist

Julian Tirtadjaja Senior Photo/Video Editor

BAILEY O’CONNOR ALYSSA SLOANE staff print designers

ALLIE LAING YOOJEONG LEE SABRINA SOMMER general manager

DAN SHATTIL

THE DN

Founded in 1901, The Daily Nebraskan is the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s only independent daily news published by the UNL Publications Board, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. The board

professional adviser

holds public meetings monthly. © 2018 The Daily Nebraskan

DON WALTON

contact

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 630–962–1196 NEWS DESK 402–472–1763

HEADS TO UN

WOMEN’S HOCKEY HITS THE ICE

LIGHT IN THE DARK

SPOTIFY

BUSINESS OFFICE 402–472–1769 ADVERTISING 402–472–2589

PUBLICATIONS BOARD 402–472–2588

THE DAILY NEBRASKAN MARCH 2018 VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 7

SONGS BY STUDENTS

GUEST COLUMNS THE FIGHT AGAINST PARTISANSHIP

SUICIDE PREVENTION

COVER CONCEPT BY IRWIN PANGURIPAN COVER DESIGN BY KARISSA SCHMIDT COVER CONTRIBUTION BY ANN MILROY, HANNAH DEPRIEST, IRWIN PANGURIPAN, JACKSON WILFORD, KAYLA SOLORZANO, KENNETH FERRIERA, ODOCHI AKWANI, SYDNEY IRLBECK

4

&

DAVID THIEMANN

VOL. CXVII, ISSUE 7 MARCH 2018

NU DELEGATE

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5

EVENTS

LOCAL CONCERTS MARCH 1 The Breadwinner — The Academy Award nominated animated film, “The Breadwinner,” will be showing at the Ross. Based on the novel of the same name, “The Breadwinner” tells the story of an 11-year old girl growing up in the Taliban controlled Afghanistan. Tickets can be purchased at www.TheRoss.org or on the phone at 402-472-5353.

The Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center

MARCH 2- 16 Avenue Q — Nebraska Repertory Theatre, the only professional regional theatre in the state, will open their production of the musical “Avenue Q”. Although the comedic show features puppets, it also addresses adult themes, and is recommended for mature audiences. Tickets are available through the Lied Center.

Johnny Carson Theater

MARCH 2 Jane Lynch Sings

Lied Center for the Performing Arts

Nebraska Exposed Benefit Show — Five local bands will take over Duffy’s Tavern to benefit the Nebraska artists heading to Austin, Texas, to perform at this year’s South By Southwest festival. Better Friend, A Different Breed, The Dilla Kids, HAKIM and SAS are on the bill. 21+ Duffy’s Tavern Visit the Giant Abe Bobblehead Lincoln Visitors Center

MARCH 3 Best of Second City — The internationally acclaimed, Chicagobased sketch comedy group is returning to the Lied Center.

With past members including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Mike Meyers, the group is sure to host a hilarious night of improv. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Lied Center for the Performing Arts

MARCH 3-4 Baseball: Nebraska vs. Wichita State

Hawks Field

MARCH 6 P!nk Beautiful Trauma World Tour — P!nk is on an international tour following the release of her seventh album “Beautiful Trauma” in October 2017. Tickets are still Photos left to right - Karissa Schmidt, Ann Milroy

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MARCH 2018 FEBRUARY 2018

available online.

Pinnacle Bank Arena

MARCH 1 – 30

AND FESTIVITIES MARCH 8-10 Baseball: Nebraska vs. Cal Poly

Hawks Field

MARCH 9-11 Kinky Boots — Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical, “Kinky Boots” tells the story of how a drag queen helped save a failing shoe business. Cyndi Lauper wrote the music for this hit show, which will play five times at the Lied Center. Student tickets are available at a 50 percent discount.

Lied Center for the

Performing Arts

MARCH 10 The Rewind — Buzzing Lincoln hard rock band The Rewind hits The Zoo Bar with Minneapolis R&B group Bluehound.

The Zoo Bar

MARCH 16-17 We’re Trying Records Presents: House Fest II — Though this is about an hour’s drive away from Lincoln, it features nearly 30 indie and punk bands playing in one house. Bands on the bill include Mad Dog and the 20/20s, Orca Welles, The Boner Killerz and Jacob James Wilton. $10, all ages.

Lucy’s Pub, Omaha

MARCH 23 Kill Vargas with Sutphin, Histronic, and Mad Dog & The 20/20s — Wichita, Kansas, indie rock bands Kill Vargas and Sutphin stop through Lincoln with local openers Histrionic and Mad Dog & The 20/20s.

The Commons LNK

MARCH 24 Lorde Melodrama Tour — Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, Lorde will be performing in Lincoln following the release of her sophomore album, “Melodrama.” The concert starts at 7 p.m. with Run the Jewels and Mitski opening up the show. Pinnacle Bank Arena

MARCH 30 Threesome Egos EP Release Show — Lincoln indie rock band Threesome Egos releases its debut EP at The Commons LNK with Death Cow and Melancollin & the HippySchitzos.

The Commons LNK

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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FEBRUARY 2018

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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BE A GOOD PERSON UNL Campaign raises awareness about sexual assault, hopes to expand KARIN ELLEFSON STAFF WRITER countless sexual assault and sexual W ith misconduct stories coming out in Holly-

wood and in the news recently, Jack Rhodes, a senior communications major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, wanted to make an impact.

He thought through a class project last semester he could start to make an impact on how people view those situations.

“So many people don’t really see that there is a personal side to all of these stories,” Rhodes said. “I want to make sure people know that women can be as strong as anybody else and that men can be as feminine as anyone else.”

For Rhodes’ Gender and Communications class this fall, he had to create a project that could give people across campus information to get the word out about an issue he thought needed to be discussed.

That’s when he created “Be a Good Person UNL,” an Instagram page and blog about people on campus who have experienced sexual assault.

This movement brings topics many people try to hide and push under the rug out to the public and the university, Rhodes said. One of these big topics is toxic masculinity, the idea that men look at masculinity as being more powerful and dominant to women.

“I grew up with such a strong mother and sister and was constantly surrounded by so many positive female figures,” Rhodes said. “I never knew how many people around me have actually been affected by it.”

The Instagram page he started consists of people sharing their stories and experiences with sexual assault.

Though it’s a touchy subject, Rhodes said he believes that if he can just share a few people’s stories, more people will be comfortable with saying ‘no’ in assault situations.

10

FEBRUARY 2018

Photos left to right - Kayla Solorzano, Odochi Akwani

The main intention behind the movement is to encourage people to be good to each other, hence the name. Rhodes said he wants to get the word out that whether you identify as a man or a woman, you need to be yourself, be different, be strong and stand up to sexual assault and rape culture.

“As much as it became something I was just doing for the sake of a good grade, it became something that I was becoming very passionate about, and I just need to keep it going,” Rhodes said.

The school project has the potential to become something that can make a big impact on UNL’s future, according to Rhodes.

“It was crazy because I had this vision in my head about creating a group like this to volunteer, share stories and just be a good person,” Johnson said. “So I reached out to [Rhodes] and hopped on board.”

Johnson, having found an interest in photography over the past few years, will be the eyes of in the movement, capturing moments of vulnerability to share the message.

“I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT WOMEN CAN BE AS STRONG AS ANYBODY ELSE AND THAT MEN CAN BE AS FEMININE AS ANYONE ELSE.”

With the fall semester and his communications class behind him, Rhodes is hoping to continue the movement with a little help from his friend since freshman year, Mitch Johnson, a senior advertising and public relations major.

Staying on the path of bringing awareness to sexual assault on campus, the boys are planning to expand the project and restructure the photos on their Instagram page, adding videos and making it more inviting.

Being a good person, in Rhodes’ eyes, doesn’t just mean standing up against sexual assault and rape culture, but also helping your community and making friends.

their hope is that they can transform this movement into an organization.

“We need to just raise awareness about being a good person,” Johnson said. “We hope to transform this into a whole registered student organization on campus throughout the next few years.”

With inspiration from the “People of New York” Instagram page that shares heartfelt, personal stories of random people in New York City, both Rhodes and Johnson hope to turn “Be a Good Person UNL” into just “Be a Good Person,” and spread the word to campuses all across the country.

“The main reason this is so important to me is that I believe that some of the most manly men in my life are just righteous dudes who are committed to their relationships,” Johnson said. “It’s not about being the most dominant race or conquering women, that is weakness in itself and we need to get that word out there and act on it.”

«

Because both men will be spending another year on campus finishing up their degrees,

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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FEBRUARY 2018

Kendall Dawson strives to make an impact, unites students

KARIN ELLEFSON STAFF WRITER

When Kendall Dawson isn’t in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, serving as a senator in student government, a member of the Committee for Fee Allocations or working as the vice president of the Afrikan People’s Union and UNITE UNL, she studies for the LSAT.

Dawson, a junior pre-law major and Explore Center senator, said despite her stress levels from being involved in several different campus organizations, she enjoys serving the community.

Dawson joined APU her freshman year after learning about the organization at a campus event. She was the president her sophomore year and stepped down this year to give others an equal opportunity.

“Even though I’m stressed out from doing everything that I can for those organizations and that place (Jackie Gaughan),” she said, “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Dawson said students in ASUN and students in the Multicultural Center don’t typically understand the other side of the fence. By joining ASUN, Dawson said she hoped to bring the two together.

“Not only will ASUN have more diversity but the Multicultural Center will have more representation,” she said.

With the recent debate regarding free speech on University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus, Dawson, as well as several organization she’s involved in, took a firm stance against the self-proclaimed white nationalist student, Daniel Kleve.

By having a voice, Dawson said, she hopes students of color do not feel alone at UNL.

“There is someone advocating for Black people on this campus,” she said.

On Valentine’s Day, Dawson spoke at the “Unity Rally” inside the Coliseum at the Campus Recreation Center to condemn hatred and bias on campus. Speakers at the rally included sophomore Alex Chapman, Ayat Aribi, external vice president of ASUN, and several players on Nebraska men’s basketball team.

Aribi, the UNL Executive Council for Multicultural Organizations vice-chair, said Dawson defends people that she doesn’t even know when they are not comfortable speaking out.

“It’s really important that our voices are heard to show the university that we’re not taking this and sweeping it under the rug,” Dawson said.

Now more than ever, Dawson said, it’s important for students to unify even though they often feel unheard.

“I’ve struggled as a student leader with, ‘Am I being heard?’” she said. “In this case, we can only hope for the best...It still means something that you’re there even if you don’t get the outcome you want.”

As someone who is going into law, Dawson said she respects the First Amendment. While she said she’s angry, she understands the university is stuck between Constitutional rights and the code of conduct when debating action against the controversial student.

“I don’t want any retaliation [from getting expelled],” Dawson said. “I don’t want him to profit in any way from this.”

Looking back, Dawson said she doesn’t regret any piece of her college experience.

“I just feel like that makes my time at a place worthwhile if I can make some type of impact,” she said.

At the end of her time in college, Dawson said she wants to be able to look back and remember having an impact on the university, regardless of how hard it was to get there.

“Freshman me still would have been OK with this. Despite the stress I feel like this is worth it,” Dawson said. “Despite the stress, I want to do more good for the university.”

«

Photos - Ann Milroy

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BRIDGER CORKILL CREATES PAC TO PROTECT LGBT RIGHTS JOE JOHN ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR

A

7-year-old Bridger Corkill sat at the dinner table with his parents and one of his Beattie Elementary School classmates.

Following the usual dinnertime banter, his classmate brought up a teacher at the boys’ Lincoln, Nebraska, school who happened to be gay. Unfamiliar with the word, Corkill asked his parents what it meant.

After leaving Scott Middle School for Lincoln Southwest High School, the harassment died down and Corkill began to find the place he belonged: speech. He also participated and excelled in other extracurriculars like show band, concert band and jazz band, even managing to complete 21 university credits before graduating from high school.

“The response wasn’t super positive, but at that moment I knew,” Corkill said. “That’s me, that makes sense.”

In an extemporaneous speaking competition, participants have one hour to write a five to seven minute speech about a domestic or international current events topic. Corkill placed second at two district speech competitions during the 2014-15 forensics season.

Corkill said that he gives partial credit to extemp for his interest in news and politics.

Corkill, now a junior chemical engineering major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recently founded the Nebraska Gender and Sexual Minorities Alliance, a political action committee focused on promoting LGBT-friendly legislators and legislation in Nebraska.

According to Corkill, growing up gay in a conservative state was often challenging.

Recalling that he never “came out,” Corkill explained that he told a few of his Scott Middle School friends that he was gay, and soon after the whole school knew.

“It was never something that I didn’t know,” Corkill said. “I didn’t say anything about it for a long time because I thought it was wrong and that it was something that needed to be hidden.”

“I DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS WRONG AND THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE HIDDEN.”

“I’ve kept up with the news from a pretty young age because I realized early that I don’t have the same rights as everyone else,” Corkill said. “And that’s something that’s worth keeping track of.”

Corkill said he also keeps track of the lack of LGBT representation in the media and politics.

While he was growing up, he said there were not

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

15

a lot of positive, visible gay role models for young people.

was street harassed at UNL in the middle of the goddamn day.”

“There wasn’t really a gay person that I looked up to before [British diver] Tom Daley came out as bisexual,” Corkill said. “That was a big moment in my youth for sure.”

Corkill said it was then that he knew he had to do something. To remedy this feeling, Corkill created the Nebraska Gender and Sexual Minorities Alliance. The NGSMA works to elect LGBT-friendly public officials as well as introduce legislation to ensure the Nebraska LGBT communities are protected.

Soon after his graduation from Lincoln Southwest in 2015, Corkill decided to stay in state for college and declared a major in chemical engineering at UNL. Corkill said before college, he had never participated in anything deemed “gay.”

“I never wanted to participate in any of the LGBT groups or anything like that because I always thought they were really ‘hand holdy’ and not very productive,” Corkill said. “That frustrated me because I would rather see actual change happen.”

Aaron Drennon, NGSMA’s graphic designer and a senior advertising and public relations major at UNL, said it has been inspiring to see this entire project come together while making an impact in the community. He also said he hopes the NGSMA is the last PAC that ever needs to be created to protect minority groups. “[In the future], I hope people will not have to bat an eye to support the LGBT community, because they will just be ‘the community,’” Drennon said.

Corkill said he does think positive strides have been made in the overall acceptance of the LGBT community in recent years, but there is still work to be done.

Corkill said one of his biggest motivators has been the current political climate under the Trump Administration, saying that privilege played a big role in Trump’s election.

“The level of acceptance that is currently being enjoyed by gay people is incredibly new,” Corkill said. “And we’re still not even really accepted. I

“To have the ability to just be like, ‘y’know, I don’t really agree with what this guy is saying, but I’m going to vote for him anyway because

2018 FEBRUARY 2018 16 MARCH

it doesn’t ultimately affect me,’ is absolutely privilege,” Corkill said. “If you are so okay with giving up other people’s fundamental rights with your vote because it doesn’t impact you, I’m very confused, annoyed and frustrated.”

According to Drennon, community involvement is one of the most direct ways to confront these problems head-on.

“It’s important for others to get involved because without weight in numbers, NGSMA faces greater challenges against a conservative state,” Drennon said. “Anyone and everyone should support a cause that protects their fellow Lincolnites. I hope this is something people can still support and pair with legitimacy.”

For Corkill, the most rewarding part of this entire experience has been the community support. He said he loves seeing people work to make the world a better place.

“What I don’t love is the politicization of my sexuality,” Corkill said. “My humanity is inseparable from me.”

«

Photos - Sabrina Sommer

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17

OUT OF

THE DARKNESS

AND INTO THE LIGHT

JOHN GRINVALDS STAFF WRITER Suicide has cast a shadow over Shelby Williby her entire life.

After years of struggling with depression and anxiety, Williby, a University of Nebraska – Lincoln senior chemical engineering major, created a suicide prevention organization on campus to lift that shadow.

Williby founded the UNL Out of the Darkness Campus Walk her sophomore year, which later expanded to a Recognized Student Organization, with the goal of bringing light to lives hollowed by the loss of a loved one or crippled by suicidal ideations. For her, it started with the former.

At a young age, she was exposed to the pain of suicide.

FEBRUARY 2018 18 MARCH 2018

“When I was 9, my sister committed suicide,” Williby said. “She was 14.”

After the flood of tears and sadness had subsided, Williby said she was left to wonder why people would take their own lives.

“When you’re young, you really don’t know how to deal with questions from that,” she said.

Williby was again confronted with those haunting questions at the beginning of her teenage years.

“When I was 13, I had a really good friend that I had met through camp and stayed in touch with,” she said.

“One day, he went radio silent, and I found a couple of weeks later that it was because he killed himself.”

In just four years, Williby had been struck with the horror of two loved ones who committed suicide, a fact that damaged her mental health, she said.

ple on campus the space to open up. It’s about making people feel more comfortable.”

Many students desperately need that comfort, Ariel Zach, a sophomore marketing major said.

“The [UNL Out of the Darkness Campus Walk] tries to be a helping hand for people who need to know they’re not alone,” she said.

Zach, whose father committed suicide when she was 4, attended many Out of the Darkness walks with her mother while growing up. For her, it has always been a welcoming community.

“It was something that was really important to me,” Zach said. “It helped us to not feel alone and helped us know there was a hopeful future.”

“...THE FIRST STEP IS

“When you’re affected by suicide at such a young age, it contributes a lot to mental illness,” she said.

With a family history already full of mental illness, Williby said she was left in the dark to wrestle with those questions. However, these experiences made her passionate about preventing further suicides.

“When you’re looking at statistics, you realize that suicide is completely preventable,” Williby said.

“And the best way to prevent it is to get help with the underlying causes.”

RECOGNIZING THAT YOU’RE FEELING DEPRESSED AND THEN RECOGNIZING THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE MISERABLE ALL THE TIME.”

Williby said the causes, which include depression, anxiety and the constant feeling of being alone, led her to establish a Out of the Darkness as an RSO to promote suicide prevention.

The first step she took was organizing a campus-wide walk, the next to take place on April 8, to raise money for suicide prevention. According to Williby, the walk she brought to UNL is but one point in a national network of walks and fundraisers established by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“It’s a walk about raising awareness for suicide prevention and mental health advocacy,” she said. “We do fundraising. All of that money goes to the AFSP. They use that money to give grants to research on suicide prevention.”

But to Williby, the walk, which amassed 600 participants in its first year, isn’t just about raising money, it’s also about establishing a community of people affected by suicide.

“It’s a place for people to come and gather and share their experiences,” she said. “It’s about giving the peo-

According to Williby, society tightens its lips on matters like suicide and hardly ever gives people the space they need to talk about the realities of mental illness.

“The problem with suicide is that it’s still a taboo subject,” she said. “People are ashamed of struggling with mental health.”

Williby said she hopes to break that taboo, but to get there, she’s had the difficult task of addressing her own mental health. After starting the walk and RSO, she was still struggling with mental illness, and recognized the hypocrisy in telling others to seek help for their problems without seeking help herself.

During her junior year, Williby began going to therapy through the University Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services. She said it was hard at first, but she knew she had to do it.

“I’m not going to lie, going and starting therapy can be intimidating,” Williby said. “But I think the first step is recognizing that you’re feeling depressed and then recognizing that you don’t have to be miserable all the time.”

Williby said she realized how miserable she truly was during her CAPS screening, when she broke down crying. She was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety.

Thanks to that therapy, Williby said she’s now more mentally healthy.

“I’ve learned how to recognize when I’m feeling low and depressed and how to help myself,” she said.

Williby said she wants to pass that help onto others across campus and that is why her RSO, aside from organizing the walk, also seeks to help victims of mental illness in their everyday life.

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According to Zach, the organization is actively striving to help AFSP reach its goal of lowering the suicide rate by 20 percent in the year 2025.

“That’s something we advocate for by being walking billboards for [AFSP] and by raising money for mental health education,” she said.

One way the students in the RSO have encouraged awareness of mental illness is by allowing students to write their thoughts and feelings into a public journal.

“We’re collecting those as a massive experience of UNL and mental health,” Williby said.

The RSO also organized an event that involved putting up flags on the Nebraska Union green space. It used national suicide statistics to indicate how many students at UNL may have made actual plans to commit suicide.

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARCH 2018

Williby said the continued growing of social awareness has aided students facing uphill mental health battles.

“Honestly, even in the time that I’ve been here, I’ve seen such great progress, especially with mental health access,” she said. “When I was a freshman, there were no mental health suicide prevention organizations. By the time I was a sophomore, I started the walk, and there was another suicide prevention group.”

Williby also pointed to the policy currently taking shape at UNL to allow six free visits to CAPS as a victory for those struggling with mental illness. To her, the future of mental illness treatment and suicide prevention looks bright, especially if people come together and walk side by side to affirm each other.

“It helps to see that you’re not alone,” Williby said. “I hope more people come to [the walk] who may have not been directly affected by suicide but just really care about mental health.”

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Photos - Jessica Moore

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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23

Love for the Middle

Surrounded by Altoids tins, each topped by metal rings of different sizes and colors, Joe Abolt searches for the perfect piece. It’s a slow afternoon, and he has decided to play a Boston album, pick up his pliers and make a dent in his next project: a chainmail belt.

Abolt, a sophomore computer science major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a love for the Middle Ages, said the armorers at Renaissance fairs inspired him to begin making his own chainmail seven years ago.

“You’re wandering around [at Renaissance fairs], and some of the most impressive displays are the armorers,” he said. “It looks very real.”

Abolt said he has made several small items using chainmail, including jewelry, pendants and decorative pieces. A common creation for Abolt is a decorative flower, about 2 inches wide, made out of metal scales as well as rings. He sells the flowers for $5 each.

Abolt creates various items for anyone who asks, granted they’re willing to pay him.

Mostly due to cost, he has not yet made any large pieces, such as body armor.

“If I save up enough money, I really want to make myself a coat out of plastic scales and aluminum rings,” Abolt said. “Socially, that would look weird, so it would probably not get worn very often, despite its utility.”

Currently, Abolt is working on a belt, which he’ll charge about $30 for. He said smaller pieces are easier to sell because they can be used more often.

“If I was selling larger pieces, I would either use stronger materials and sell them for people who do live action role-playing, or I would want to be at Renaissance fairs and sell it as costuming,” Abolt said. “Otherwise, I don’t think I could reliably find people to buy it.”

The process of weaving chainmail involves

24

FEBRUARY 2018

Ages inspires Joe Abolt to make own chainmail WATCH VIDEO HERE: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/YB2K2VH4

GRACE GORENFLO STAFF WRITER Surrounded by Altoids tins, each topped by metal rings of different sizes and colors, Joe Abolt searches for the perfect piece. It’s a slow afternoon, and he has decided to play a Boston album, pick up his pliers and make a dent in his next project: a chainmail belt.

Abolt, a sophomore computer science major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a love for the Middle Ages, said the armorers at Renaissance fairs inspired him to begin making his own chainmail seven years ago.

“You’re wandering around [at Renaissance fairs], and some of the most impressive displays are the armorers,” he said.

“It looks very real.”

people who do live action role-playing, or I would want to be at Renaissance fairs and sell it as costuming,” Abolt said. “Otherwise, I don’t think I could reliably find people to buy it.”

The process of weaving chainmail involves taking each ring, which is cut in the middle, bending it open with pliers, hooking it through another ring and then using the pliers to close it.

“That is kind of long and tedious,” Abolt said. “A lot of people are surprised I have the patience to do it.”

“ THAT IS KIND

Abolt said he has made several small items using chainmail, including jewelry, pendants and decorative pieces. A common creation for Abolt is a decorative flower, about 2 inches wide, made out of metal scales as well as rings. He sells the flowers for $5 each.

OF LONG AND TEDIOUS... A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED I HAVE THE PATIENCE TO DO IT.”

Abolt creates various items for anyone who asks, granted they’re willing to pay him. Mostly due to cost, he has not yet made any large pieces, such as body armor.

“If I save up enough money, I really want to make myself a coat out of plastic scales and aluminum rings,” Abolt said. “Socially, that would look weird, so it would probably not get worn very often, despite its utility.”

Currently, Abolt is working on a belt, which he’ll charge about $30 for. He said smaller pieces are easier to sell because they can be used more often.

“If I was selling larger pieces, I would either use stronger materials and sell them for

Abolt said the difficulty of making chainmail depends on two factors: what material is used and what weave is used. His current project uses the weave “European 4-in-1,” which he said he chose because it’s easy to make and distributes stress well, so it won’t break.

Overall, chainmail is a fairly flexible and protective material, which is why it was used in battle during the Middle Ages, according to Carole Levin, director of the Medieval and Renaissance Studies program at UNL. “Very often, [chainmail] would be worn over leather or wool so it would have more to protect the person,” she said. “The chainmail was, for a number of centuries, used by everyone in battle.”

A few industries today still use chainmail.

According to The Ring Lord, a website Abolt uses to purchase all of his materials, butchers use the mail for gloves, and shark divers use it for full-body suits.

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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According to the Financial Times, chainmail is also used in the fashion industry. Its coverage of the Versace show in September 2017 discussed how designers used chain mail in womens’ clothing to convey power and freedom.

However symbolically powerful, chainmail was replaced by plate armor in the 13th century, according to UNL associate professor of history Jessica Coope.

“Plate armor is even better at protecting against stabs and percussive blows, but it also limits your visibility and your range of motion more than chainmail does,” she said.

“There’s always a balance between being safe and having the freedom of movement to be aggressive.”

Today, however, chainmail artists have access to tools and materials that historical armorers did not, according to The Ring Lord.

This modern chainmail can be used in live action role-playing games, or LARPs.

FEBRUARY 2018 26 MARCH 2018

Though Abolt does not participate in any live reenactments of medieval battles, he is a devoted player of “Dungeons and Dragons,” a fantasy tabletop role-playing game based on the Middle Ages.

“Dungeons and Dragons” is largely the reason why Abolt has such an interest in that time period. He said the game acts as a great framework for talking about several societal concepts.

“There is not a computer running the game, there’s a person,” Abolt said. “When everything’s programmed by the computer, there are less reactions that you can have and it’s less dynamic. It’s less able to challenge your beliefs and your thoughts.”

For example, Abolt said “Dungeons and Dragons” has options of various skills someone can acquire, begging the question, “Should I be good at one thing or should I be good at a number of things?”

“Think about your major,” he said. “It’s the same situation. So even though these are

very different, ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ gives you a great way of talking about it.”

Abolt said another concept dealt with in the game is that of law versus chaos. He said his experience from the game alone allows him to have proper philosophical discussions on this topic.

“Everyone else who has played ‘Dungeons and Dragons,’ or a similar game, has that same framework,” Abolt said. “We can talk about this very complicated subject of morality, what is good and evil, without having to have theology or philosophy courses.”

From his experience with Renaissance fairs and “Dungeons and Dragons,” Abolt appreciates the simplicity of the time period.

He said he believes it provides clarity for people to look at the big picture.

“When you strip down a bunch of the complexities and nuances,” Abolt said, “you have this neat situation where you can talk about what the world should be.”

«

Photos - Karissa Schmidt

Mohammed Hussain inches closer to achieving dreams of working for the UN MIA AZIZAH STAFF WRITER

M

ohammed Hussain’s dream is to someday work at the United Nations.

This year, he is one step closer to that goal.

Hussain, a senior chemical engineering major, attended the 2018 Winter Youth Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York City from Feb. 14-16. As a student delegate he discussed and advocated a number of global issues, including economic empowerment, sustainable energy and education.

Launched in 2002, the UN Youth Assembly is a semiannual conference in which people from at least 70 different countries come to participate. The assembly, Hussain said, gives people the opportunity to come together to work on issues they are passionate about regardless of where they are from or what language they speak.

“The United Nations is an amazing platform because it brings all the countries [together]” he said. “We, as a young people from all these diversities, can share the same things, same problems.”

Two issues Hussain planned to discuss at the assembly were equality of education and sustainable energy. He said he wants to help students from developing countries have access to better education, such as providing more exchange programs to study in the United States.

“Every generation would not be the best generation without education and equality,” he said. “The United Nations can really think critically on how we can help these countries, usually in Africa and Asia, and how we can really afford education for them.”

Hussain said his involvement and leadership at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln prepared him to participate in the assembly. For two years, he was the president of University Ambassadors, a recognized student organization that helps current and prospective students feel welcome at UNL, and helped the organization to create projects and resources

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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to help international students adapt to their new home.

Under his leadership, the organization grew from two to 55 members, according to Hussain.

“Me and my team, we worked every day to just really help and encourage students to getting engaged with the university and really think about what needs in the university,” he said.

ber of the Student Alumni Association Board of Directors, as someone who wants to make UNL an inclusive community for all.

“That’s something I very deeply appreciated him being a part of our board,” he said.

“He’s always making sure we are thinking of international students and how we can include them.”

“EVERY GENERATION

The second issue Hussain planned on discussing at WOULD NOT BE THE the assembly was the importance of energy sustainBEST GENERATION ability. Billions of people WITHOUT EDUCATION live on the planet, he said, Jordan Gonzales, director yet energy resources may AND EQUALITY.” of alumni engagement at be gone if young generathe Nebraska Alumni Assotions do not come up with a ciation, who worked with Hussain for about worldwide solution for renewable energy. two years, said Hussain always reminded the association to include international students “There is energy, but maybe it’s a very polin social events it held. luted energy,” Hussain said. “It’s not clean energy. If we have polluted energy, that’s Gonzales said he saw Hussain, now a memgoing to kill many kids.”

FEBRUARY 2018 28 MARCH 2018

Gonzales said he hopes Hussain will take what he learned at the assembly and create high-quality educational projects for students at UNL and raise awareness for renewable energy.

“I hope he finds ways to implement these great ideas that he has,” he said. “Whatever ways Mohammed can learn to encourage private companies to get involved with that process, I’d also be very happy as well.”

Despite his youth, Hussain said he has found one of his purposes in life: to voice the issues young people want to work on and to make the world a better place.

“Our world needs so much positivity,” he said. “I think if we young people think about peace and positivity, think about the world, there is no war. People will not hate each other. People will love each other.”

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Photos - Hannah DePriest

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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‘LOST & FOUND’ IN APRIL

ERICA COURTNEY STAFF WRITER Editor’s Note: The Daily Nebraskan Senior Arts and Entertainment Editor Maddie Stuart had no role in the reporting, writing or editing of this story. rowing up in Johnston, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, University of Nebraska – Lincoln junior Meredith Toebben has been surrounded by theater her entire life.

G

“My mom stage manages, and my dad’s actually a composer,” Toebben, a junior music education and composition major said. “It’s kinda been part of my life since I was little.”

Though much of her childhood was immersed in the arts, Toebben never imagined she would begin writing her own musical during her sophomore year of college.

Toebben’s performing debut came in fourth grade when she played a baby angel named Doris in the play “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” where she had a solo in the song “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” She also had roles

WATCH VIDEO HERE: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/YCHWG4RB in “Charlotte’s Web” as a lamb and “Peter Pan” as Wendy.

Toebben was inspired by her father, who scores musicals, to take an interest in composing music. During her sophomore year of high school, she was approached by a director at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, who asked her to become part of a new teen initiative she was starting. The initiative gave teenagers the chance to pick the show they wanted to perform, be part of the production team and be in charge of the marketing and fundraising.

Toebben said she and the rest of the team selected “Lord of the Flies” as the show they wanted to put on. Through this program, she got the opportunity to score the music for the show. It was the first time she began composing.

“I absolutely fell in love with the fact that music could instill emotion within an audience, saying things that lines in a script never could,” Toebben said.

Since entering college, Toebben said she hasn’t had as much time to be involved in theater as she would like, because the music school fills so much of her schedule. However, in the school, every composition major has to perform a recital.

While the recitals usually consist of songs the students have written over the course of their college career, Toebben said she wanted to do something that would make people want to come to the show, rather than just show up to support her.

“I wanted them to enjoy what they were seeing more than they just enjoy supporting me,” she said.

Throughout the spring 2017 semester, Toebben and her friend, senior advertising and public relations major Maddie Stuart, spent a lot of their free time in coffee shops working on homework.

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One day while the two were studying at The Mill on Prescott Avenue, Toebben asked Stuart if she could write music to a poem she wrote.

Then as a joke, Toebben asked Stuart if she would be interested in writing a musical with her. “[Stuart] really likes to write lyrics or poetry and I’m awful at that sort of thing,” Toebben said. “So I jokingly asked her if she would be interested in just writing a musical for my junior recital, instead of me writing instrumental and vocal songs, and that’s kind of how it happened.”

After that day, the duo quickly began to form a plot for their musical, and how they wanted the show to be presented.

“We wanted something that, when it was performed, would make sense without very many props, extravagant scenery or costumes,” Toebben said. “We wanted something that was able to be performed in a lot of spaces with not a lot of budget because that’s not what we’re doing it for.”

Like the girl writing the apology letter, the other characters in the show deal with relatable problems such as a man trying to come out to his friends, a couple that feel as if they are not good enough for each other and a man contemplating if he should break up with his girlfriend, whom he still loves, because he is cheating on her.

“Everyone’s had the feelings that are being experienced in the show, so I hope it’s something relatable, not too out-of-the-box that people can identify with,” Toebben said.

After they had a full plot written out, Toebben and Stuart began asking their friends if they would be willing to be cast members. Hesitant about how well students they didn’t know would perform, the two decided they needed to enlist the help of people they knew they could trust to put on a good show.

“SINCE THE

MUSIC IS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR EACH CAST

After a few months of re-writing, character switching, scrapping entire storylines and figuring out how to make the story relatable, Toebben and Stuart finalized the synopsis of their show.

MEMBER AND THEIR VOICE, IT MAKES IT EASY FOR US TO TELL

“We didn’t write the characters after the people,” Toebben said, “but it was after we had the basic characters and general plot figured out that we thought about which of the people we knew would fit into each of those parts.”

Once the plot and cast were decided, Stuart set out to write the lyrics, while Toebben followed up with writing the music.

OUR STORIES AND

“I think the hardest part is knowing you have a plot that people can identify with,” Toebben said.

“Because if that isn’t right, then even if the music and the lyrics and the lines are wonderful, no one’s going to be able to get into a musical because they can’t get into the story.”

“When [Stuart] wrote something that truly spoke to her, and it was truly wonderful, I could immediately imagine a melody in my head,” Toebben said. “It was so easy for me to hear that and hear exactly what the melody was supposed to be.”

SHOW OFF

OUR VOICES.”

The hour long musical focuses on six friends who get together for one last celebration after graduating college. Each of the six characters struggle with different problems that they try to resolve throughout the duration of the musical.

One of the storylines centers around a girl who is up in her room away from everyone else writing an apology letter. While the content and receiver of the letter are a mystery at first, the girl narrates and parallels her problems with those of the other characters in the story.

FEBRUARY 2018 38 MARCH 2018

Before she started composing, Toebben went through each cast member and asked them about their vocal range, where they were most comfortable singing and where they believed their voice sounded the best.

For cast member and junior music education major Cal Cross, the customized music was one of his favorite parts of working on the show so far.

“It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform music that was written specifically for me and my voice,” he said. “Since the music

was written specifically for each cast member and their voice, it makes it easy for us to tell our stories and show off our voices.”

When writing the music, Toebben turned to assistant professor of composition Greg Simon for guidance. During the composing process, Simon encouraged Toebben to think like a playwright and to analyze every aspect of her characters.

“The script evolved as we talked about these things, and I think the resulting story is a really interesting one with a lot of depth,” Simon said. “The most exciting thing about a new musical is how many different people’s creative visions are at work, and so much magic can happen when it’s all finally synthesized.”

Simon said he is excited to see how the final product turns out. He also said while it takes a lot of work from the composer to put together their recital, those who willingly donate their time to help out make a large impact in the result of the show as well.

“I think Meredith can be very proud of everything she’s accomplished with this production, but it’s equally remarkable how much her dedication to the project inspired others to take part in it,” Simon said.

Recently, the cast, which included Toebben and Stuart, began their rehearsal process in order to prepare their show, titled “Lost & Found,” for its debut at The BAY April 6 and 7 in the venue’s newly renovated arts collective space.

Although rehearsals have just begun, Cross said everything is going great and that he and the rest of the cast are excited to present what they have been working on for so long.

“I’ve had a lot of fun in rehearsals thus far, and the performances can only be more fun,” he said. “It is always a great feeling to get in front of an audience after working so hard for such a long period of time.”

When it comes time to debut the show, Toebben said she hopes that the audience can relate to the problems, and even relate to the fact that while all of the problems get resolved by the end of the musical, it doesn’t end well for all of the characters.

“I don’t personally like when all shows end super happy, so I like that this show ends, but not necessarily in the best way for every character,” Toebben said. “That’s more beautiful and realistic than happily ever after.”

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Photos - Julian Tirtadjaja

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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THE OPINION OF

Alyssa Sloane Alyssa Sloane is a guest columnist and the president of UNL Young Democrats

T

he 2016 election was undoubtedly one of the most contentious and controversial in American history.

Not only did it spark debate over race relations, sexual assault, election interference and the legitimacy of the Electoral College, it also raised political tensions among the public to a new height.

To many, how one voted in 2016 does not simply indicate political preference, it reveals one’s character and moral values. That election was personal. It drew a line in the sand, which no one seemed willing to cross.

This extreme level of partisanship, however, didn’t happen overnight.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, political parties in Congress began pulling apart as early as the 1970s.

Since then, the center-left and center-right have gradually disintegrated, and now they are virtually non-existent.

In addition to congressional gridlock, another Pew Research survey found that political negativity among the

public has steadily increased over the last quarter of a century.

In 1994, 21 percent of Republicans and 17 percent of Democrats held a “very unfavorable” view of the opposing party.

Today, those numbers have increased to 58 percent of Republicans and 55 percent of Democrats. Even more startling, about half of Republicans are afraid of the other party in 2016.

Bipartisanship is more important now than ever. We have serious challenges facing our country that require bipartisan support: health care, immigration reform, climate change, the national debt and the list goes on and on. In order to finally tackle these issues, we have to work together. This is how our democratic system works.

If a bill narrowly passes without the single vote of one party, it is more likely to be repealed when that party takes control of Congress in a future election.

Take the Affordable Care Act, for example.

It passed in 2010 with zero Republican votes.

Over the next seven years, Republicans attempted over 70 times to repeal, delay or gut the ACA. If the parties could have reached a compromise in 2010, they would not have had to waste so much time

arguing over a law that was already passed.

Extreme partisanship is detrimental to our government, our democracy and our communities. If we reach across the aisle, we can get meaningful policy passed and restore the public’s faith in the government.

Lack of faith leads to political apathy and low voter turnout, which often exacerbates the problem.

Democracy depends on the faith and participation of its people, but equally important is the role of bipartisanship in our everyday lives and our relationship to those around us. Without the ability to respectfully debate and communicate, we are literally afraid of each other.

We don’t speak to one another because political affiliation tells us everything we need to know. The connotations associated with liberalism and conservatism are no longer questioned – they are facts.

But these assumptions are dehumanizing and very, very dangerous.

Engaging in dialogue with those you disagree with may not change anyone’s mind, but it can broaden perspectives, create understanding and even help solidify your argument.

Having positive relationships with those with opposing viewpoints remind us that they, too, are human. While we may disagree, perhaps to our very core, this fact cannot be forgotten.

This is not a call to compromise on your moral values. It is simply to compromise when you can, to acknowledge that there is a diversity of opinions within each party and to not assume what one’s moral character is based solely on their political affiliation.

Bipartisanship is possible, and absolutely necessary, for our government, democracy and everyday lives.

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2018 FEBRUARY 2018 40 MARCH

Photos - Sabrina Sommer

THE OPINION OF

Bailey O’Connor Bailey O’Connor is a guest columnist and the president of UNL College Republicans

A

merica has always prided itself on one extraordinary thing – democracy. For centuries, Americans have been lining up at the polls to select who they think will be the best representation of the people and the future of a great country.

Although I believe democracy is one of the greatest forms of government the world has seen, often we forget the country is much more than a two-party system.

I believe the conservative candidate is the best one on the ballot because of things like limited government intervention, free enterprise, an originalist theory of constitutional interpretation, support of Israel and much more.

However, no one person (or party) has all the answers. When I talk about making bipartisan efforts I keep three things in mind: person first, party second, relationships are key and the greater good.

Person First, Party Second: One of the most important things I believe people forget in politics is that we are all just people. People with different emotions, backgrounds and nationalities.

The experiences we have encountered in our lifetime up to when we turn 18 has a direct influence on us when we go to the voting booth. Every individual is a conglomeration of their pasts and you simply cannot change that. This is one of the most important elements of politics. Individuality is what makes America so exceptional.

To try and alter another person’s viewpoint that is based solely on human emotion and human interaction is completely unrealistic; throwing out hateful rhetoric because of a difference in opinion is not productive.

The goal of both parties is quite similar: many of us want a lot of the same things and see a lot of the same problems, we just disagree on the best solution.

When you encounter someone who holds beliefs different from yours, try to understand their perspective. Try to put yourself in their shoes and recognize that their diversified views carry just as much weight as yours do. Our diversity keeps us strong and unique.

step back from politics for a while. That election had no precedent. Students on campus still have high tensions.

Some individuals made it obvious they had no interest speaking to me as a Republican, but they did seem to show interest in talking to me as a classmate, sorority sister or friend. I put the relationship first and then my party. I began to see amazing results.

This year, UNL College Republicans have teamed up with Earthstock, Students for Liberty and Young Democrats to help make UNL a comfortable and cohesive campus for every student.

We have planned a forum, a community cleanup and more in just the last three weeks. These collaborative events have allowed us to fight stereotypes and negative stigmas.

Society’s welfare is dependent on a high-functioning system that includes (but is not limited to) a prosperous economy, a strong education system, a vigorous military and hundreds of effective government agencies.

If I have learned anything from my time in politics, it’s that you will not get anywhere if you listen just to respond. In order to be effective leaders, we have got to begin with the understanding that we listen to learn.

No good comes out of a heated argument or blaming one another. There is no point in pointing fingers or being assertive with your power.

Individuals grow from conversation and interdependence, not isolation and disrespect.

I will never ask you to compromise your values, but rather to work with me to find a solution that benefits the country as a whole. Neither party may be entirely happy with the outcome, but for the greater good of the country it is necessary.

The path to bipartisanship is not an easy one and it will take individuals on every level to institute change. In short, no one person (or party) has the right answer, but our diversity is exceptionally important and we should listen to understand, not respond.

«

Even though those are just a few of the aspects that affect American society, they can bring tremendous amounts of heated arguments.

What do I mean by the greater good? Well, the greater good is not found in arguments, it is not found in government shutdowns and it is not found in blaming one another for a blunder everyone contributed to.

The greater good is about putting differences aside in order to create a society where every American can see success.

Our heterogeneity keeps us innovative. In our contrasts, we can find solutions that are beneficial to every member of society.

Relationships Are Key: After the 2016 presidential election, everyone seemed to have taken a

DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

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FEBRUARY 2018

J U S T I C E F O R T E ’ S E F F O R T S T O S TA R T WOMEN’S CLUB HOCKEY TEAM PAYS OFF ANNA GLEASON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

S

tarting college can be a big adjustment and a difficult transition. After moving halfway across the country, Justice Forte felt the impact of that transition but found a way to make the Midwest feel a little more like home.

A junior from Hackettstown, New Jersey, Forte started playing hockey at the age of 10. For the Fortes, hockey is a family tradition. Forte’s father played in high school, which she said contributed to her decision to switch from figure skating to ice hockey.

“My dad is like, my hero, so anything that he did, I wanted to do,” Forte said.

Forte’s younger brother, Francis, also plays hockey. She started two years after him, when she saw another young girl playing defense on his team.

Her mother, Daisy Forte, said the family took Justice to a game one day and she was excited by it.

“She turned to me and she said, ‘I can do what she’s doing,’” Daisy said. “[Justice] said, ‘it seems way more exciting than figure skating.’”

Justice continued playing through high school, then on both traveling women’s club teams and on the varsity men’s high school team at Pope John XXIII high school.

“Growing up with hockey, it’s everything you do,” Justice said.

When it came time for her to head to college, Justice chose academics over athletics. As a pre-law political science and communication studies double major, she wasn’t sure if she would have time to commit to a collegiate sport.

But moving more than 1,000 miles away from home took a toll on Justice, especially without hockey. She didn’t know anyone in Nebraska and said it was difficult for her to transition to college life without the camaraderie a hockey team provides.

“Not doing the thing that defined me was really difficult,” Justice said. “I figured that if I felt

like this there must be other people who felt like this.”

After a few phone conversations with her mom, Justice decided to look into reforming the Nebraska women’s club hockey team.

The previous team functioned for three seasons but eventually folded due to a lack of interest and players.

Forming the team at first wasn’t as easy as it seemed, but Justice remained dedicated.

“Once Justice says ‘I’m gonna look into something,’ she just runs with it,” Daisy said. “She’s very determined.”

Though Justice’s first attempt at forming the team was unsuccessful due to lack of interest, the club eventually got up and running.

“She really wanted the women’s hockey team to succeed,” Champagne said. “It really showed in how much effort she put into it.”

Finally, on March 8, 2017, the UNL women’s hockey club team was official.

The team finished its inaugural season in February. It played a 17-game season with 11 women on the roster and three coaches. UNL women’s hockey competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the same league as the men’s club team at UNL. The women competed against teams from North Dakota, Iowa, Colorado and Nebraska this season, with hopes of expanding their schedule into other Midwest states in the future.

“GROWING UP WITH

The process of forming a new club team at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln isn’t easy. It involves paperwork and a large time commitment. Justice said she and the newly-formed executive committee for the team had to present a case to the sports club council, which included writing the team’s constitution, and then the team had to be voted into existence. She then had to find a league to join, set up a schedule, contact other teams in the area and book ice time, in addition to figuring out other logistical things.

HOCKEY, IT’S EVERYTHING

Current head coach Scott Smith said Justice makes his job function smoothly within the team.

“She and her executive team do all of the work,” Smith said. “It makes it to where as far as coaches go, all we have to do is show up and coach.”

The experience of creating and running a team has been different but good, according to Justice. During the season she still has many responsibilities regarding the logistics of running a college hockey team.

YOU DO.”

Her teammate, Jessie Champagne helped with some of it. The two met when Justice first decided to form the team during their freshman year in 2015, and got to know each other further when the club finally formed.

Champagne said Justice put in a lot of time and effort into creating the team.

She keeps track of score sheets, the team’s schedule and even makes sure there are referees at each of the games.

“It’s been a whole different experience,” Justice said. “I think it’s made me, honestly, a better hockey player.”

Smith said as a hockey player, Justice exemplifies the kind of athlete he wants to coach.

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“She works incredibly hard and really does set the example as far as attitude and coachability that I like to see in all my players,” Smith said.

dead week of the fall semester, but ultimately decided against it due to the team’s demand that they still hold practice.

For Justice, she said this season has been about getting on the ice and taking care of the team. Though this season wasn’t the most successful, Justice remains optimistic about the future.

Justice said she’s seen a lot of dedication from all the players on their small team, which drives her own passion for the sport.

The team had two wins as of Feb. 9, which Justice said was a positive indication of the team’s future.

“That means we do belong in this league, and eventually we will be able to compete in it,” she said.

The passion her teammates showed for the sport this season is one of the things Justice said she appreciates most. With a team of only 11, each person has to play almost the whole game, every game.

The team practices twice a week, at night. Practices begin at 9:45 p.m. at the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center, off campus. Justice said the team considered cancelling practices during

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For Justice, one of the most fun aspects of playing on a hockey team is traveling for away games. The UNL women’s club team takes a 12-person van to its away games, which helps form team bonds.

“We’re all in this van together hanging out and doing our homework and listening to music,” Justice said. “The most fun part of playing is going on those road trips.”

Justice’s hopes for the future of the team are to win more games, keep up the positive team morale and add more players to the program.

She said everyone who’s currently on the team plans on returning next season.

The hard work she put into creating the team was well worth it, Justice said. Especially for incoming students, Justice said she is excited

UNL can offer a women’s hockey team. For students in situations similar to hers, who want to continue playing hockey without the commitment of an NCAA program, they now have that option.

“I’ve heard from a few incoming students who are considering Nebraska because there’s women’s hockey here,” she said. “That’s been huge for me.”

Daisy said she is proud of all her daughter has accomplished with the team and beyond. She said she is glad Justice found a place like home at UNL. “There’s something about the smell of a rink that my children grew up with that’s part of home,” Daisy said. “This is something that completed her, I think.”

Editor’s note: Justice Forte is the sister of The Daily Nebraskan sports staff writer Francis Forte, who was not involved in the writing, editing or publication of this article.

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Photos - Dylan Widger

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