April 2018

April 2, 2018

Impending Meteor Almost Cancels Finals Donald Trump to Give Up Twitter Study Proves People Just Want to Be Dogs

The Uncounter p. 21-31

Ten Celebrities Announce Political Campaigns Creator of Internet:“This Went Too Far, Shut It Down” Local Dog Runs for Joliet Mayor

Editorial Board Clarice Swanson

Editor-in-Chief clariceswanson@stfrancis.edu

Mat Tuck

Assistant Editor mathewtuck@stfrancis.edu

Eva Lopez Benedi

Layout Director evalopezbenedi@stfrancis.edu

Kamari Jordan

Online Editor kamarijordan@stfrancis.edu

University

The Uncounter

Campus Calendar...................................4

USF Closes Science Building..................21

Club Spotlight........................................5

Teen (Almost) Faces Consequences........22

Campus News........................................6

My Art Degree Will Make Millions.......23 Flat Earth Curriculum...........................24 Racist Blind Man Doesn’t Know Race...26 Rebublican and Democrat Convo.........27 Memes are Cheaper than Therapy.........28 Facebook Autobuy................................29

News

Commentary

Abigail Blome

News Editor abigailblome@stfrancis.edu

Emily Plummer

Entertainment Editor emilyplummer@stfrancis.edu

Alex McDilda

Feature Editor alexandermcdilda@stfrancis.edu

Blake Tomac

Feature Editor blaketomac@stfrancis.edu

Ashley Hare

Commentary Editor ashleyhare@stfrancis.edu

Alex Guglielmucci Joliet News..........................................8

Right to Walk Out for Change..............31

World News......................................10

Side by Side: Physician Assited Suicide..36 Caring Less About the Kardashians.......38

Sports Editor alessandroguglielmucci@stfrancis.edu

Delainey Smith

PR Manger delaineysmith@stfrancis.edu

Katie Wozniak

Entertainment

Sports

Music and Moser/WCSF Top 10............12

USF Sports Update...............................40

April Fools at USF..................................13

Joliet Stadium Update...........................42

Living/Learning Abroad.........................14

High School Basketball.........................44

War on Drugs and Hip Hop..................16

College Scouting..................................45

Movie Review........................................18

March Madness....................................46

Concert Review.....................................19

2

April 2, 2018

PR Specialist katherinewozniak@stfrancis.edu

Staff Writers Elijah Anderson Iain Morrison Chandler Kowaliczo Amber James Travis Williams Ian Bond Jalen Williams

Cover Photo courtesy of Time Magazine

Contents

Letter from the Editor Hello, So to start- April Fools! No, the world is not about to be hit by any type of meteor, nor will any article on our front cover happen any time soon. But for April Fools day, we figured we’d give humor a shot.

In just passing this ever favorite American holiday, we decided to have some fun, and try our hands at a writing style that is not quite news, but rather fiction with a point: satire. So get ready to read about the science building’s closure, the new national flat Earth curriculum, and the importance of memes for our health.

In the “real news” section of our issue, we have your favorite news updates, including local entertainment and sports; campus, Joliet and World news; club spotlights and commentary on the recent school walk outs.

Want even more updates from Encounter? Check out our website (usfencounter. stfrancis.edu), to stay up to date on the latest news, entertainment and more. We are constantly posting new articles!

Make sure to follow us on facebook (USF Encounter), Instagram (usf_encounter), and Twitter (usf_encounter)!

For information on becoming a writer, contact me at clariceswanson@stfrancis. edu.

Happy reading!

Clarice Swanson Editor-in-Chief

From the top: Clarice Swanson(Edior-in-Chief) From left to right: Eva Lopez (Layout Artist), Mat Tuck (Assistant Editor), Abigail Blome (News Editor), Emily Plummer (Entertainment Editor) Alex McDilda (Feature Editor), Blake Tomac (Feature Editor), Ashley Hare (Commentary Editor), Alex Guglielmucci (Sports Editor), Delainey Smith (PR Manager), Katie Wozniak (PR Specialist), Kamari Jordan (Online Editor)

All rights reserved.

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

Policies The Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, Illinois, 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The Encounter phone number is 815.740.3816.

As a member of USF Campus Media, the Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design.

By reporting on issues that may be sensitive in nature, the Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics that affect their lives on and off campus.

Editorial pages provide Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics.

Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the Encounter Staff.

Publications of letters to the editor are subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters are also subject to editing. Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the Encounter office or emailed to usfencounter@gmail.com. The Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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Campus Apr

2

Apr 8

Apr

9

7:30 P.M.-Spring Musical-”The Fantastiks”, Sexton Auditorium

Apr 16

8 P. M. Paint Your Pot with RHA

9 P.M.- Spidey Hypnosis Show with SAB, Sexton Auditorium

Apr 20 7 P.M.- Spring Fling Dance with SAB, Brookfield Zoo

4

7 P.M.Paint and Apr Sip With Bob Ross

by SAB, Moes and Pres. Room 7:30 P.M.-Spring Musical-”The Fantastiks”, Sexton Auditorium

5

8 P.M.- Easter Egg Hunt with RHA

Calendar

April 2, 2018

8 P.M. SGA Meeting, San Damiano Hall

Apr

17

9 P.M.- Comedian Sam Comroe with SAB, Abbey Lounge

Apr 23 8 P.M.- Student Government Association Meeting, San Damiano Hall

Apr

Apr

7

6

7:30 P.M.-Spring Musical-”The Fantastiks”, Sexton Auditorium

Apr

10

6 P.M.Trivia with History Club

9 P.M.- Poetry Open Mic with SAB, Abbey Lounge

Apr

18

11 A.M.Animals in Uno Lounge with SAB

7 P.M.-Senior Celebration with USF Alumni & Family Association, Kegglers Bar and Grill.

Apr

27

12 P.M.Lunch Event with Commuter Assistants

9:30 P.M.-Free Bowling with SAB

10 A.M.CEA Hosts Service Event with FPDWC

7:30 P.M.-Spring Musical-”The Fantastiks”, Sexton Auditorium

Apr

13

6 P.M.- Ethics of Sustainability with Philosophy Club

Apr

19

9 P.M.- Bingo with SAB, Abbey Lounge

Spotlight

BY CLARICE SWANSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

H

The SAB executive board consists of: President, Clarice Swanson; Vice-President, Jalen Williams; Secretary, Meghan Price; Treasurer, Cara Dudeck; Publicity, Melissa Lopez-Nunez; and Advisor, Mollie Rockafellow. General members also assist with selecting entertainment and planning and running events. General meetings for SAB take place every Tuesday at 9 P.M. in the cafeteria.

Some of this year’s highlights for SAB have includ-

T

he Council for Enviormental Awareness (CEA) is a great club on campus for anyone who is passionate about enviormentally-related activities. If you are passionate about conservation, sustainability, wildlife and more subjects centered around nature, this group is for you.

The CEA executive board is made up of; President, Johnathan Marquardt; Vice President, Denise Milewski; Treasurer, Jeremiah Soto; and Publicity, Myra Limon. General meetings for CEA take place every Monday at 5 P.M. April is CEA’s time to shine, as they host Green Week, a week filled with enviormentally friendly and sustainable activities.

The week kicks off with a BBQ in the quad on April 16. Tuesday the group will best holding a tree planting.

Wednesday, April 18, the group will be holding Green Raffles at the Bistro from 11A.M. to 2 P.M. as well as a walk in the woods at Pilcher Park from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday will include a Trash Pickup, and Friday will bring the animals of Big Run Wolf Ranch to USF from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M. The week will wrap with a Kanakee River State Park Trip on Saturday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., and a work

Images courtesy of SAB and CEA

ed the first ever Homecoming Week competition, which had participation from over 15 groups around campus. Other successful events have included comedians, Pancakes and Poetry, Mid-Term Massages and their ever- popular free bowling nights at Town and Country Lanes.

University

Student Activities Board

ave you ever attended a magician, hypnotist, poet or other performance while attending USF? Most likely, that event was put on by Student Activities Board (SAB). SAB is group dedicated to implementing student entertainment programs on campus, including dances, comedians, hypnotists and special events.

April is set to be a busy month for SAB. On April 5, the group will be hosting Paint and Sip with Bob Ross, which is open to all students.

On April 10, SAB will host a Slam Poetry Night, emceed by poet Carlos Andres-Gomez. Finally, the group will host their annual Spring Fling week April 16-20. The week will be filled with animals, hypnotists, comedians and will culminate in the Spring Fling dance at Brookfield Zoo on April 20.

Interested in learning more about SAB? Contact Clarice Swanson at clariceswanson@stfrancis.edu or Mollie Rockafellow at mrockafellow@stfrancis.edu.

day at Joliet Junior College on Sunday the 22, from 7:30a.m. to 12:30p.m.

Interested in getting more involved with Green Week or CEA in general? Contact Johnathan Marquardt at johnathanmarquardt@stfrancis.edu.

Council for Envirormetal Awareness

Spotlight

BY CLARICE SWANSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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Campus News

BY ABIGAIL BLOME NEWS EDITOR

USF Alumni & Professor Shed Light on Will County’s Civil War History University of St. Francis (USF) students Frank Kalisik ’17 and Alex Campos ’17, with the help of their history professor and faculty advisor, Dr. Cathy Schultz, brought the story of Joliet’s 100th Illinois Regiment to life with their 25-minute film “Following the 100th Illinois: A documentary on Will County in the Civil War.”

While there will be a showing at Joliet Area Historical Museum on April 6 at 6:30 p.m., the trio also plans to the show the film at the University of St. Francis on Tuesday, April 17 in Tower Hall, N307 at 7 p.m.

Students and the community are welcome to attend the showing for no charge.

During early research, Kalisik and Campos realized this regiment’s story was largely unknown—especially in the local community—they decided to bring their story to life. After receiving a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience grant, they were able to bring the project to life.

Please visit the Joliet Area Historical Museum for more information about the premier and the “Dinner at the Lincoln White House” event.

Make sure not to miss out on any of our specials.

Check Facebook @USFDining and Twitter @USFDining14

Quality of Life Services

DAILY Steak or Salmon night coming in April Sushi- April 18 Terrace Cafe “Peace begins with a Smile” - Mother Teresa

Stfrancis.Sodexomyway.com 6

April 2, 2018

Images courtesy of USF Marketing and The American Cancer Society

USF welcomes author John Dear to campus on Thursday, April 5, 2018 to discuss his new book, “They Will Inherit the Earth: Peace and Nonviolence in a Time of Climate Change” as part of the university’s annual Green Month celebration.

In his presentation, the author, activist and Nobel peace prize nominee will connect the way active nonviolence leads to oneness with Creation and demonstrates how our global epidemic of violence and war could only lead to catastrophic climate change. He cites Jesus’ third Beatitude as the basis for his meditation: “Blessed are the meek, they will inherit the earth.” Dear will reflect on Jesus’ own prac-

USF Relay for Life Raises Nearly $8,000 On March 16, USF hosted their fourth annual Relay For Life, an event created by the American Cancer Society to celebrate, support and honor those affected by cancer. USF organizations, the Student Government Association and the Student Activities Board, spearheaded the event which included bounce houses, raffles, several groovy crafts and plenty of food.

tice of nonviolence and how we can seek to do the same.

University

s

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Fr. John Dear to Speak at USF

The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. in San Damiano Hall, 603 Taylor St. on the main campus in Joliet.

Books will be available for purchase and a signing will take place after the presentation is complete. Admission is complimentary and open to the public but donations are encouraged. To RSVP, please contact Janine Hicks at jhicks@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3807.

created fundraising teams, including UVA, Pro-Life Club, Residence Hall Association, S.C.A.L.E.S., Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Alumni Association, Women’s Volleyball, Justice League, Alpha Psi Lambda, Alpha Phi and members of the Radiation Therapy and Radiology program.

This year, the fundraising goal had to be raised twice to keep up with the generous donation as team members surpassed the goals of $3,000, $5,000 and $7,000, raising a grand total of $7,920. Alpha Phi earned bronze status by raising $3,205, and single handedly surpassing the original goal.

This year the event was themed after decades from 1950’s through the early 2000’s. Groups from all over the school

USF Financial Team Receives Outstanding Community Partner Award Three members of USF’s finance team received the Outstanding Community Partner Award from the Joliet Spanish Community Center (SCC) for the financial and administrative volunteer work the team completed over a six-month period in 2017.

In March of 2017 a joint friend of the university and SCC was seeking volunteers who would be willing to assist the SCC on a short-term basis with some financial and administrative duties. Julee Gard, vice president for administration and finance, Rebecca Fry, director of financial planning and analysis and Suzie Dieter, senior accountant, answered the call on behalf of USF. Almost immediately the team determined that the Center needed help closing the books, preparing for the year

Julee Gard, Rebecca Fry and Suzie Dieter.

end audit, implementing payroll processing procedures and improving state grant reporting. By August of 2017, the SCC staff were trained in the new procedures and a parttime accountant was hired by the SCC in order to make sure the improvements would continue once USF’s volunteering came to an end. The USF team completed all of this while keeping up with the demands of their full-time position with the university.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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Joliet NEWS

BY ALEX GUGLIELMUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

Daniel Rios III Murder Update In the early hours of March 9, Daniel Rios III was shot and killed while at Izzy’s bar in Joliet. According to wjol.com, 55-year-old Patrick K. Gleason, of the 1600 block of Dearborn in Crest Hill, was charged with five counts of First-Degree Murder. Rios III, was working as a bartender that night and was the only death reported. Gleason and two other customers were taken to Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center for observation. Gleason’s bond was set at $10,000,000.

A GoFundMe account was started to help the Rios family with expenses. Hoping to raise $11,000, the local community had a different number in mind. As of March 20, $23,692 has been raised.

Gun threats at Schools have ties with joliet area Gun threats have been a cause of concern in the Joliet area with multiple high schools having threats made. Joliet West, Minooka, Romeoville, and Plainfield School districts have all made statements that they have had threats made by students. While some of these may be false alarms, police have taken action with each school. Many of these schools participated in the national walk out, which was a national protest against gun violence.

Earlier this month, Central Michigan University was put on lockdown because of an active shooter being on campus. 19-year-old James Eric Davis Jr. shot his parents inside his dorm room after they had come up to see him. According to cnn.com, the gunman’s father, James Eric Davis Sr. was a part-time police officer. Davis Jr., who is a student at Central Michigan University, is a graduate of Plainfield Central High School.

According to wjol.com, Plainfield School District confirmed that Davis Jr. graduated from Plainfield Central High School and also attended Plainfield South High School.

8 April 2, 2018

Photos courtesy of Your Black World, Wight & Company, bolingbrook.com and In Touch Weekly.

News Bolingbrook first to pass new will county law The Village of Bolingbrook was the first Will County city to pass the new “Tobacco 21 Law.” The law is to ban sales of all tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.

the first to pass the law in Will County, numerous cities in Cook County have already passed this law. It has not been said when the new law will come into effect.

According to wjol.com, the Village of Bolingbrook passed the law with a unanimous 5-0 vote. While Bolingbrook is

Updates in Drew Peterson Case Reports have recently surfaced that Drew Peterson will be charged with the murder of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

According to wjol.com, Cassandra Cales, the sister of Stacy Peterson, said the Illinois State Police and the Will County State’s Attorney will charge Drew in the near future. Peterson, who is already serving a 38 year sentence for murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio and an additional 40 years for solicitation of murder and solicitation of murder for hire, for attempting to have Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow killed.

According to patch.com Glasgow told Patch and other Chicago area news outlets that he still wanted to bring justice to Stacy Peterson.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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WORLD NEWS

BY BLAKE TOMAC FEATURE EDITOR

Pope Francis To Visit Ireland Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Ireland in August. This would make him the first papal to visit the country in almost 40 years according to BBC NEWS. Pope Francis will be arriving in Ireland on August 25 and attending the World Meeting of Families, a Catholic celebration of marriage and family life.

According to The Telegraph, the Catholic Church has been badly damaged by scandals over priests sexually abusing children and Pope Francis has been accused of failing to grasp the gravity of the issue. It is expected that he will face some confrontation and backlash from sexual abuse protestors during the visit.

Austin Serial Bombing Suspect Deceased After Dramatic Police Confrontation On Wednesday March 21, 23-year-old, Mark Anthony Conditt, blew himself up with a bomb after law enforcement closed in on him. Conditt is believed to be behind a wave of recent deadly explosions in Austin, Texas.

According to New York Daily News, Conditt’s death comes after three weeks of exploding packages in the Texas capital, which have killed two people and wounded at least four more.

According to The New York Times, the Austin police chief, Brian Manley, revealed the existence of “about a 25-minute recording where Conditt talks about what he has done.”

Chief Manley referred to Conditt’s recording as a confession.

NBC News says that the bombs Conditt created were constructed with exotic batteries that most likely came from Asia. The unusual batteries were the signature trait that helped investigators quickly link the various explosives to Conditt.

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April 2, 2018

Photos courtesy Static Times of Israel and BBC.

News Twitter CEO says bitcoin will become the world's universal currency In an interview with The Times, chief executive of Twitter, James Dorsey, said he believes bitcoin will take over the U.S. dollar’s dominant place in world finance and become the primary global currency for payments.

In the interview, Dorsey stated that this transition could take place in the next ten years or sooner.“The world ultimately will have a single currency, the Internet will have a single currency. I personally believe that it will be bitcoin.”

“There are others who believe it will be other cryptocurrencies, but I think bitcoin has a very small surface area which makes it potentially a lot more secure,” Dorsey said. “It’s been through a lot, it’s been tested a lot and it has a brand name. I believe in its power as actual currency for the world and for the internet.”

According to NewsBTC, Dorsey was one of several parties who recently provided a $2.5 million investment in Lightning Labs to continue their work on the bitcoin scaling proposal known as Lightning Network.

London introduces new electric black cabs At the start of this year, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, imposed a rule that every new taxi licensed must be “zero-emission capable.” According to an article from ABC News, 40 electric black cabs have already been licensed.

London Officials are hoping that by 2020 there will be around 9,000 electric black cabs in use. The goal of this innovation is to reduce taxis’ contribution to nitrogen oxide emissions by around 45 percent.

According to the same ABC News article, London is introducing this electric format with their famous double-decker buses as well. Every new double-decker bus must be hybrid, hydrogen or electric.

There are about 2,500 hybrid buses already in place and there are five fully electric bus routes in London. The goal is for all of London’s buses to be electric by 2020, according to Transport for London.

Over 9,000 London residents die every year as a result of air pollution, according to the mayor’s office in London. The incorporation of electric vehicles is expected to lower those numbers.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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W

ith April Fool’s Day just passed and everyone’s mental wounds still fresh from the intense day of the pranksters, we are reminded of what it’s like to be the butt end of a joke or two. Of course, April Fool’s day is fun, and everyone enjoys being on guard for hours on end and devolving into a primal state of ‘trust no one’ mentality that leads to the breakdown of one’s own sanity, what’s not to love? This year I was able to interview a few of the pranksters and the pranked, on campus.

DJ Spoiled Milk, otherwise known as Isaiah Williams, talked about his best prank he ever pulled on his own family members (such love). “I put a rubber band on a [faucet] sprayer in my kitchen so as soon as someone turned it on they got sprayed.”

This is a simple prank that is sure to ruin someone’s day (as well as their shirt) but is mostly harmless and should only result in a few shoes being thrown at you for being a disgraceful child that doesn’t respect your parents.

Another student that told me about the “prank of a lifetime” came from Sophomore, Adam Petty, who stated “One time I almost convinced my mom I was heading to the hospital until I said why I was going, the reason was that every time I closed my eyes I couldn’t see. Needless to say, when she saw me later that day I got smacked.” This is a perfect example of a prank gone wrong. Pranks should be light, playful and cause just enough harm that the pranked individual feels slightly inconvenienced for the day.

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April 2, 2018

AT USF

BY ALEXANDER MCDILDA FEATURE EDITOR

If you feel you have been pranked better or worse than the above pranksters feel free to tweet your pranks to our USF Encounter social media pages. Share your best and worst April Fool’s day experiences with us and maybe win a free prize!

!

Photos courtesy of Askideas.com

Top 10 at Moser Artists

BY CLARICE SWANSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

L

ooking for some great music in your own backyard?

April is filled with exciting events put on by the Music Department. Come support your fellow students in these upcoming events:

Spring Musical: “The Fantastiks”

Thursday Apr. 5 - Saturday Apr. 7- 7:30P .M., Sunday Apr. 8, 3 P.M. Sexton Auditorium, Tickets Required The world’s longest running musical comes to the USF stage!

Whimsical, poignant, and romantic, “The Fantasticks” is a story of two young lovers, their meddling fathers, and the journey we all must take through adolescent thrills, the growing pains of hurt and betrayal, the highs of passion, the challenges of distance, and the agonies of heartbreak to discover how to truly love.

Spring Student Recital I

Thursday Apr. 12, 7:30 P.M.-Sexton Auditorium, Free Admission USF music students perform solo repertoire for voice, piano, guitar and orchestral instruments.

USF Concert Chorale’s Spring Concert: Dance Away!

Saturday Apr. 14, 7:30 P.M.-Sexton Auditorium, Tickets Required The USF Concert Chorale presents “Dance Away,” a concerts of works inspired by or written for dancing! Enjoy songs that have traveled their way from moving feet to moving music for voices.

Spring Student Recital II

Tuesday Apr. 17, 7:30 P.M.-Sexton Auditorium, Free Admission USF music students perform solo repertoire for voice, piano, guitar and orchestral instruments.

Joliet Symphony Orchestra: At the Movies!

Satudary Apr. 21- Sunday Apr. 22, 7:30 P.M.-Sexton Auditorium, Tickets Required Join the JSO on the red carpet as they perform music from your favorite movies! From blockbuster hits such as “Indiana Jones” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” to classic scores like “Robin Hood,” this concert will have something for everyone.

“American Tune:” A Spring Concert featuring the Schola Cantorum, Swingin’ Saints, and Concert Chorale

Friday Apr. 27 7:30 P.M.-Sexton Auditorium, Tickets Required This concert explores some of the diversity in American music through its many styles. From Native American, African, Spanish and Irish cultures to pop, jazz, blues and revivalist styles, this concert has a mix for everyone.

Photos courtesy of dvd.netflix.com, ElvisBlog, Amazon.com and Club Penguin Wiki - Fandom

Entertainment

Music

1. RIDE

Tommorrow’s Shore

2.

CHAPPO

3.

SOCCER MOMMY

Do It

Clean

4. BEACH HOUSE

Seven (7)

5.

KING TUFF

The Other

6. POST ANIMAL Ralphie [Single]

7.

8.

MOBY

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt

IN TALL BUILDINGS

Akinetic

9.

NIHILIST CHEERLEADER & She Takes It [Single]

10. Superorganism

Superorganism

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

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&

ABROAD

Living Learning CHANDLER KOWALICZKO, STAFF WRITER EVA LOPEZ BENEDI, HEAD LAYOUT ARTIST

“If you were to visit England, the first thing you would hear from someone is ‘you alright?’ and it is important not to take offense to this.”

Joliet

England

Chandler Kowaliczko is a sophomore Communication and Media Arts Major, currently studying abroad in London. He had this to say about his experience:

Even though Americans and Brits live life relatively similar to one another, I have had to adjust not only to life outside of the classroom but also pay close attention to cultural differences inside it as well. I have been living in London for almost two months and even though I have managed to blend in with my comrades successfully, I wouldn’t consider myself a pro just yet.

Among the things I have had to learn the hard way is bus etiquette.

Standing at the curb of a bus stop and waiting for it to approach simply isn’t enough to get a bus driver’s attention. In order to get them to stop for you, it takes the wave of a hand as if you’re hailing a cab in New York City, even if there are a dozen other people waiting to get on with you. If you were to visit England, the first thing you would hear from someone is “you alright?” and it is important not to take offense to this. They don’t think you are about to cry or look sick, it’s just another way of saying “what’s up?” or “how are you?” in passing. Admittedly, I still have no clue what the appropriate response to this question is, but I typically reply with “good, how are you?” I haven’t gotten any strange looks thus far.

As for my coursework, I am expected by my professors to be more in-

dependent and manage my time responsibly. Across all the courses I am taking, I will have only a handful of grades in each class, so the stakes are fairly high. Attendance to lectures and seminars is more or less optional, as well as purchasing textbooks and other course materials. I’ve met people from India, Ireland, Spain, China and more, so it’s been interesting hearing from the perspectives of different cultures within the context of each course.

Overall, my experience living and learning in another country has been an unforgettable one. Learning how another culture lives has a steep learning curve and requires patience and a willingness to look stupid. By exposing myself to situations that have made me uncomfortable and vulnerable, it has become easier to gain confidence in whatever I’m doing, as well as convince others and myself that I’m not just a tourist but a true Londoner.

View of London.

14 April 2, 2018

Photos courtesy of Sumfinity, Imperial College London, Flaming Text

Entertainment

say is either cool or weird. You are always the different one.” Our cultures might be different and we might have a different native language but that doesn’t make us weirdos. In reality, we are just like everyone else.

However, it’s not all bad. It’s also the easiest way out of many situations: when you need to play stupid, when you didn’t listen and you should’ve, when you are perfectly fluent but you pretend to not have understood, when you want to break the ice with someone… In sum, being international is a great excuse for many things and an excellent way to play dumb.

Spain

Joliet

Eva Lopez Benedi is currently a senior Communication and Media Arts major, and the head layout designer for the USF Encounter. Originally from Zaragoza, Spain, Eva had this to say about her international experience:

According to the Wall Street Journal, “the number of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities exceeded one million for the first time during the 2015-16 academic year.” If going to college (and graduating) wasn’t hard enough, just imagine doing so in a foreign country and in a foreign language.

At USF, we have a good number of international students that can testify for it. For most of them, English isn’t their native language and all of them have left their families, friends and home behind to learn and live abroad in the U.S. As an international student myself, these are some of the perks and downsides I’ve found being an international student living and learning in the U.S.

Then, there’s the obvious acclimation issues every foreign student goes through: missing home, friends, family, your pet, the food, the warmth, speaking your language, doing the stuff you used to do back home… you name it. There are also some real difficulties at school. Learning in a different language might slow you down a bit or lead to dumb mistakes and unwinding yourself in a different cultural setting might present its challenges. According to the Keely University webpage, international students often face cultural shock/stress, which consists of five stages: honeymoon stage, hostility stage, adjustment, home stage and reverse culture shock. While not everyone goes through cultural shock, it actually is a thing, and being able to recognize it in order to make your experience better it’s recommendable.

Despite all the frustration and loneliness that living and learning in the U.S. might bring to the international student, I think almost every one of them will agree with me that this is an unbelievable experience that opens the doors and minds to a brighter future, great friendships and unexpected turns of events.

Basilica del Pilar, Zaragoza.

The biggest issue I’ve realized is the following: no matter how long you might have been in the U.S for, you are and will always be the foreign chick/guy. It´s something that inevitably draws attention and you will be treated differently. Being an international student is a tag that’s hard to get rid of. Sometimes you wish nobody knew you were foreign but unfortunately, the accent always gives you away. Kevin Rada, international student from Venezuela, said, “The stuff you do or

“No matter how long you might have been in the U.S for, you are and will always be the foreign chick/guy.”

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

15

BY IAN BOND STAFF WRITER

F

or those of you who are unfamiliar with hiphop, this genre of music developed in the 1970s by intercity African Americans. Today, hip-hop comes off as “angry, sneering, nihilistic and dystopic” according to Touré in a 2012 article for The Washington Post titled “How America and Hip-Hop Failed Each Other.” This was not always the case though. In the genre’s infancy, musicians vilified drugs and portrayed “doing drugs as a character failing.”

This all changed with Richard Nixon’s “War on Drugs” in the 1970s and Ronald Reagan’s escalation of the drug war in the 1980s. Matters were made even worse as the Crack Epidemic set in. The portrayal of drugs went from an outsider observing the impact of drugs to personal stories about selling and even using drugs.

According to Touré, this was likely the case for some hip-hop musicians as it was all they knew growing up.

Between the black male unemployment rate and the destruction of the black family, black men growing up had little to look forward to. As Touré puts it, “Crack, a sort of fast-food version of cocaine, allowed some the chance to earn as much as they would have by owning a McDonald’s franchise, when their only other option was working at one. The crack trade allowed some young men to support their families.”

Jess Stevens, the WCSF Music Director, sees The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace and sometimes referred to simply as Biggie, as a prime example pointing to the song “Ten Crack Commandments.”

Biggie himself claimed to have started dealing drugs at the age of twelve behind his mother’s back. In the song itself, Biggie raps, “I’ve been in this game for years, it made me an animal/ It’s rules to this s--t, I wrote me a manual/ A step-by-step booklet for you to get/ Your

The Impact

DRUG WAR

of the

on

ARTWORK BY MOLLY CRABAPPLE

16

April 2, 2018

Entertainment

“When its audience was black, hip-hop embraced black nationalism, afrocentrism and social consciousness; it was rebellious and almost always antidrug.

After the audience whitened, many MCs embraced criminality and sold the image of the criminal black man.”

game on track, not your wig pushed back.”

Stevens also points out that Biggie’s portrayal of drugs was not universal, pointing to Tupac Shakur, born Lesane Crooks and went by the stage name 2Pac. In the songs “Brenda’s Got a Baby” and “Trapped,” 2pac raps more about society and issues in the black community than the glamorization of drugs. “Brenda’s Got a Baby” focuses on a young black woman who is forced to become a prostitute following the birth of her child and abandonment of what little family she had. “Trapped” on the other hand offers a controversial take for its time and a social commentary on the black community focusing primarily on the relationship between the black community and the police.

Unfortunately, the change in demographics of who listened to hip hop meant that hip hop had to produce what its audience wanted. As Touré writes, “When its audience was black, hiphop embraced black nationalism, afrocentrism and social consciousness; it was rebellious and almost always antidrug. After the audience whitened, many MCs embraced criminality and sold the image of the criminal black man. Black nationalism was out, embodying drug dealers was in.” This in turn, cemented the stereotype that blacks are criminals and hip-hop’s love for drug culture until now.

Recently, some hip-hop musicians have changed how they portray drugs. In 2017, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, known simply as “Logic,” released the single “1-800-273-8255,” which is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, to help people thinking about suicide. According to August Brown’s Los Angeles Times article, “Young rappers are getting honest about doing battle with depression, drug addiction and suicide,” calls to the lifeline increases by thirty to fifty percent following the music video’s release.

Logic is not the only one trying to use hip-hop’s cultural influence for the good. Victor Kwesi Mensah, known as Vic Mensa, also contributed to the conversation with his album “The Autobiography.” Mensa states, regarding his own album per the LosAngelesTimes.com, it is “All the feelings I’d been repressing and escaping came out in music, and that was very cathartic and necessary for me.”

This reflects are growing recognition of how to portray the traumatic experiences many rappers experienced firsthand growing up. But there certainly is “a difference between speaking out about your troubles and glamorizing that lifestyle,” according to USC’s Health, Emotion & Addiction Laboratory director Adam Leventhal.

For the time being, rappers still have to decide whether they want to continue glamorizing drug culture or join the movement to, if nothing else, not glamorize drug culture and give listeners a sense of hope that they can overcome drug culture.

Image courtesy of nytimes.com

***

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

17

Movie Reviews

BY IAIN MORISON STAFF WRITTER

Red Sparrow

9/10

If there was one word to describe my experience watching Red Sparrow, it would be intense. The film follows Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) as she transforms from a Prima Ballerina to spy seductress. Aside from the film ‘Mother’, this is Lawrence’s most ambitious role yet, some of the scenes in Red Sparrow are confronting to watch and Lawrence handles them flawlessly. The film’s strength comes from its ability to draw you in and keep you engaged for its entirety.

Though the plot can be confusing if you don’t pay attention, its compelling nature will keep you glued to the screen. This spy thriller is one I would recommend to any adult who can stomach the graphic content of the film, as the film is engrossing from start to finish and will have you leaving the theatre satisfied and with a craving to discuss.

Game Night

7.5/10 Game Night is a really fun film that will have you laughing out loud at the antics of the all-star cast. The film highlights the duo of Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, and while they fall into their stereotypical roles, the film highlights the reason why so many people fell in love with the two. Their chemistry on screen perfectly reflects how a newlywed couple with their personalities would act and it really makes the film a pleasure to watch. The film pokes fun at crime movies that involve schemes of deception towards others to a point it becomes ridiculously funny.

While a somewhat forgettable film, I would recommend Game Night to anyone because it is so easy and fun to watch and has some very well done and funny.

Tomb Raider

6/10

Another attempt to reboot the Tomb Raider franchise comes and goes in a forgettable film. Lara Croft’s latest film looks visually good with some quality action scenes but ultimately falls flat as no aspect really stands out or sets itself apart from the pack.

If you are new to the Tomb Raider universe then this is a fine film to start yourself off but for hardcore Tomb Raider fans, I can imagine that you will be disappointed.

18 April 2, 2018

Photos courtesy of IMBD.

BY ASHLEY HARE COMMENTARY EDITOR

Demi Lovato at the Allstate Arena Even though I have seen Demi Lovato three times in concert and met her already, I knew I had to see her again when she announced her tour. Demi, who struggles with mental health and addiction, used her voice to bring awareness to these issues on her Tell Me You Love Me Tour. She’s lived through in era of cyberbullying, harassment, unsolicited comments on her body and addiction. Through all of that, she is here to help others and her fans through the power of song.

That’s why I knew I had to come see the new and improved Demi Lovato.

Her tour came to the Allstate Arena on March 9.

7.5/10 The Tell Me You Love Me Tour features songs off of her 2017 album along with some throwbacks. The tour also features Kehlani and DJ Khaled as her openers.

When the iconic Demi Lovato took the stage, the crowd was filled with awe. She started off her performance singing “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore” in a black bodysuit and thigh high boots. With many outfit changes and transitions between songs, the singer showcased that anyone can get through any struggle. Demi stated “I say this because there’s someone out there that needs to hear it. We don’t take care of ourselves mentally. Everyone focuses on physical help, not mental. The brain is an important organ, too.” The tour is a complete success that showcases Demi’s struggle and triumph. It was definitely a night to remember.

8.5/10

Local Music Monday at the Rialto

BY EMILY PLUMMER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

As part of a new series in local entertainment, The Rialto Square Theater has introduced a new weekly event called “Local Music Mondays”. Each week new local bands perform for the Joliet community, for the reasonably low price of 20 dollars a ticket. On March 26, the featured bands were Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts along with The Big Lagniappe. Both of the bands had an old school jazz and soul influence encompassed with a rock style.

While the Big Lagniappe put most of their focus on the music itself, with many drawn out instrumental solos, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts put on an incredible show and truly had the crowd rocking all night.

Although this event was enjoyable, it did draw out an older crowd and was not music I would typically listen too. One of the biggest downfalls, I think, was that the music was far too loud for such a tiny venue that echoes. I found myself focusing more on how uncomfortably loud the music was, more than I listened to the music. I would rate the event overall a 7/10 because the music was good, the crowd was great and tickets were affordable.

Photos courtesy of Pexels.com, instagram.com/ddlovato, Clker and Emily Plummer, southbendtribune.com

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

19

Entertainment

concert Reviews

The USF Uncounter

BY CLARICE SWANSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Welcome to the first ever edition of the USF Uncounter, where we bring you hard-hitting satire on a monthly basis. This first issue includes articles on the closure of the new science building, a wealthy teen almost facing consequences and the new national flat Earth curriculum. The issue also includes a never before seen document of a civil conversation between a Republican and a Democrat. So without further ado: here is the USF Uncounter.

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April 2, 2018

Photo courtesy of Inspiration Hut

BY MAT TUCK ASSISTANT EDITOR

the Uncounter

N

ews broke last Thursday that the new LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall on campus will be closed indefinitely following safety concerns about the building’s structural integrity. The science building opened up for classes in the beginning of the spring semester of 2018 only two months ago on February 8.

The Closing of the New Science Building Causes Protests on Campus

Vice President of Operations and Information Technology, Terrance L. Cottrell, held a press conference in front of the science building explaining the details of the sudden closing.

According to Cottrell, a city inspection revealed that black nails were used in the construction of the new science building. “They should have been using ANNSI [American National Nail Standard Institute] regulated silver nails for the job,” said Cottrell at the press conference. “This is why we continue to double check everything, even after construction is complete and classes have been in session for two months.” Cottrell went on to explain how the less reliable black nails aren’t as durable as their counterpart silver nails. They are more brittle and prone to snapping. Cottrell warns that the building is in danger of collapse within the next 73 years unless every black nail is switched to silver.

Many science major students were upset to hear that the science hall they had waited so long for has been taken away from them so soon. “It was fun while it lasted,” said biology major Meghan Price. “I’m glad I got to step foot in it before I graduated.”

However, many other students with various majors in the science field took the news a bit harder than Meghan. A group of these students have already begun marching around the building in protest of its closing. “They

USF studemts protest.

can’t take our new science building,” said chemistry major Alan Hunt. “We just got it and we won’t give it up without a fight!” Alan represents the newly formed activist group Anticlo (Anti-Clos- “Many science major ing-of-the-Science Building) which insists students were upset that the science building is in no immediate danger and that it should remain open until to hear that the the end of the semester and should be closed during the summer to work on replacing the science hall they had nails. Anticlo has declared all pro-closing-ofwaited so long for the-science-building rhetoric as hate speech.

has been taken away from them so soon.”

Still, Anticlo isn’t the only group protesting the closing of the building. Another activist group calling themselves “Black Nails Matter” have begun protesting what they call the systemic racism and eradication of all the black nails in the new science building.

Not everyone is against the closing of the new science hall, however. A creationist group WWJDS (Why Would Jesus Do Science) is protesting the idea that a Catholic University would support the sciences. “The Bible is very clear that the earth is only six thousand years old,” said WWJDS founder Thomas Joseph Christianson.

The commuter founded organization, The Lot is too Damn Small, is protesting the anti-closing of the building protesters. They believe the science building should be torn down not for religious reasons but so there can be more parking available at the school.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

21

Wealthy Teen

Almost

Faces Consequences

BY DELAINEY SMITH PR MANAGER

B

enjamin Wellington, 19-year-old university student and legacy heir to the prestigious Wellington family fortune came close to suffering a consequence after his own wrongdoing last Friday, in what local authorities are calling an, “excusable accident.”

Late Friday night Wellington was setting off illegal fireworks which resulted in a local family’s home being burned down.

Luckily for Wellington, no charges have been brought against him after a team of elite attorneys rushed to the scene and saved the teen from facing personal responsibility.

When Benjamin’s father, Arthur Wellington, arrived at the scene he began vulgarly threatening the authorities and stating as he angrily dialed his phone, “Don’t you realize laws don’t apply to rich people.”

Moments later the Police Chief, George Williamson, arrived at the scene announcing that no charges were being pressed against Benjamin and he was to be released from custody.

Williamson said, “Sometimes fun and games goes too far and accidents happen.

It’s just lucky Ben did not experience any repercussions for this mishap.” He add-

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April 2, 2018

ed, “He is a very, very fortunate boy.”

Williamson personally shredded and disposed of the police report ensuring the teen’s record remains untarnished.

District Judge and close friend of the Wellington family Todd Johnson understands that these mistakes happen and agrees that no punishment will be necessary in this situation.

Wellington heir Benjamin Wellington, 19.

Benjamin Wellington shared that he is thankful for his family’s money allowing him the opportunity to never find out how things work in the “real world.”

Wellington reflected on the situation stating, “The whole experience was annoying, I knew my dad would get me out of it – but for a moment I got really worried and thought what if I wasn’t filthy rich… I would have died or worse I would have been held accountable for my actions!”

Thankfully, Benjamin Wellington is back to doing what he does best, being a self-absorbed, failing college student. As for the family whose home was burned to the ground, they continue to remain under critical care in the ICU at St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

“District Judge and close friend of the Wellington family Todd Johnson understands that these mistakes happen and agrees that no punishment will be necessary in this situation.”

the Uncounter

Making Money

Creatively:

The Lucrative Job Outlooks for Artistic Majors

BY CLARICE SWANSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A

recent series of interviews with students in artistic fields shows that these college students have very optimistic outlook on career prospects when they graduate, firmly believing that their degrees will make them into millionaires.

One place this optimism stems from is the very apparent encouragement the arts have in schools across the country. Music student Melody Notte, who specializes in saxophone, shared her personal experience with the arts in her high school.

“Our school decided to cut the band program during my junior year, and took away funding for the art club as well. However, our teacher explained that this was just to give us more inspiration for our artistic work, and that this would never really happen in today’s thriving artistic environment,” Notte said.

Notte also commented that she has been very supported in future endeavors, with her private instructor encouraging her to “look for other individuals to collaborate with to do jazz versions of pop songs,” a unique genre that Notte is certain will put her on the road to good job prospects.

Students also recognize that the digital age is adding to artistic value, contrary to popular belief. Visual Art and

Graphics courtesy of appspicket.com

Design Student Eloise Peint stated that, “people have such true respect for ownership of art. I don’t believe a single piece I have put online would be used without my permission.”

Peint also acknowledged that there is a direct correlation between the speed of circulation and the amount of time taken for an artist to be recognized for their work. “Look at a great artist like Van Gogh. He was not recognized for his artistic talent until after his death. But that time lacked digital communication and all the technology of today. It is only logical to conclude that recognition of talent moves much more quickly, so gallery-worthy art can be recognized and purchased much more quickly.”

As a graduating senior, Peint is looking into the field of illustration, in order to combine her lucrative minor of creative writing.

“People have such true respect for ownership of art. I don’t believe a single piece I have put online would be used without my permission.”

Both Notte and Peint noted a positive outlook for their job outlooks when graduating from college, and a firm belief that art is becoming more appreciated by school, state and national administration. Statistics also support the outlook, with a whopping 2 percent increase versus decrease in jobs over the next ten years.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

23

Flat Earth Science Coming Soon to a Classroom Near You

BY DELAINEY SMITH PR MANAGER

In an effort not to offend those who believe in the flat Earth model, schools across the country will begin to incorporate flat Earth theory into the curriculum, effective this fall for the 2018-2019 academic school year.

Flat Earth philosophy is sweeping across the nation causing a demand for the ideology to be taught in schools. The flat Earth model shows that the Earth is shaped as a plane or disk rather than a globe and that the spherical Earth is a conspiracy.

Concerned individuals have repeatedly expressed, over social media, that they are completely and utterly offended that their beliefs are not being appropriately acknowledged by their public schools; demanding that a flat Earth curriculum be immediately adopted into the classroom.

Parent, citizen and creator of the Official Flat Earthers discussion group on Facebook, Gregory Randford, is outraged that schools teach one philosophy while completely ignoring another. “It’s completely ridiculous that such a radical concept of a spherical Earth rotating in an endless pit with other spherical globes is taught, when by simply relying

on our own senses you can see that the Earth is obviously flat,” said Randford.

He continued, “The world looks flat, the bottoms of clouds are flat, the movement of the sun is flat. These are all examples of our senses telling us that we do not live on a spherical heliocentric world.”

“We believe everyone has the right to their own opinion and school lessons should not discriminate or leave some feeling offended that their belief is not validated by our school system.”

The U.S. Department of Education have heard the pleas and in order to not hurt anyone’s feelings, a new requirement to add the flat Earth model into curriculums has been implemented and will begin this fall.

United States Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, supports this transition, telling reporters that, “A well-rounded education is important for children and all ideas are worthy of being taught.”

Tucker Elementary School was the first to adapt this new curriculum and has not regretted the decision.

Wendy Wright, principle of Tucker Elementary School, wants to create a judgment-free, happy learning environment for all of her students.

Wright stated, “We believe everyone has the right to their own opinion and school lessons should not discriminate or leave some feeling offended that their belief is not validated by our school system.”

She continued, “We are confident that this new curriculum is not offending anyone and results in a well-rounded education for all students.”

To make this transition easier, the Flat Earth Society, the number one resource for information on

24 April 2, 2018

Image courtesy of the Daily Express

the Uncounter

the flat Earth ideology, is producing a textbook, The Flat Earth: Science vs. Conspiracy, teaching their plausible explanations and reasoning for the Earth being flat.

Spokesperson for the Flat Earth Society, Denis Hackman, shared that there will be a The Flat Earth: Science vs. Conspiracy textbook for every grade level traveling deeper and deeper into the theory as students’ progress in their education. He stated, “It’s extremely eminent that children are taught this information before they are solely convinced of a spherical Earth.”

Hackman continued, “It starts simple, comparing Earth to a big blue pancake and not a small blue marble. It then advances to explain the dome, the Arctic circle with the 150-foot-tall wall that holds in the ocean and the conspiracies of the spherical Earth.”

The Flat Earth Society Scholarship

$5,000 Scholarship For Flat Earth Science majors Investing in the next generation of

thinkers

The Flat Earth Society

LearnLearn more at FlarEarthSociety.org more at FlarEarthSociety.org Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

25

Racist Blind Man Doesn’t Realize He’s Black

BY JALEN WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

I

f there is one thing that everyone on this planet knows, it is the color of their skin. It’s the skin you’re born into and it’s the skin you are probably proud of. Well, that’s not the case for one man, in fact, it’s completely the opposite.

Michael Jordan, a 25-year-old man born to two black parents, never got to see the skin he was born into. Michael grew up hating black people, saying that, “they are the least successful minority out there,” and that he, “would never be like them.” However, he didn’t know he was black himself. This odd ideology stuck with Michael throughout his childhood and into adolescence, where he began to develop his identity as a white man. Since Michael couldn’t see his skin, he felt as though he could decide what his skin color is.

Everyone around Michael thought it was weird that he was a black boy telling everyone that he was white, but everyone just went with it. Telling him otherwise only sent him onto a racist tirade. Hatred aside and despite his vision disability, Michael was a highly intelligent man, graduating valedictorian from his high school and was the top of his college class. He credited his academic success to his “white privilege” and said “being white was the key to success.”

After college, Michael decided to live out his life’s dream: moving to Alabama and joining a white supremacist group. Unfortunately, no groups would accept him since he was black. Michael wouldn’t take no for an answer. He called the white supremacists racists for not wanting a white person in their organization. Michael’s racism has only gotten him into more and more trouble, including several arrests in Alabama for hate crimes. After attempting to burn down a church and burning a cross, Michael tried his best to scare those in the south with his racist beliefs but to no avail.

To this day, Michael still doesn’t understand why the white supremacist group denied him and upon his arrival to prison for his hate crimes, was again rejected by a white supremacist gang for not being white. He now spends his time denying his race and speaking out against blacks, which often results in more trouble for him in prison.

26 April 2, 2018

“Since Michael couldn’t see his skin, he felt as though he could decide what his skin color is.”

Image courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

T

BY KATIE WOZNIAK PR SPECIALIST

A Conversation For the Books

the Uncounter

wo Chicago natives were spotted having a conversation at a local coffee shop. A member of our staff was luckily nearby to hear their entire conversation. What was so interesting about their exchange, you may ask? Our inside sources told us that reportedly one was a Democrat and the other, a Republican. While sitting nearby, our reporter listened in on all the juicy gossip these two had to say. Here is their conversation: “Thanks for meeting me for this important discussion.”

“Of course, how have you been?”

“Oh, just great! Bought myself a new gun yesterday. Really made me feel alive, you know? What have you been up to recently?”

“Just the usual, been out protesting gun control laws. It has been a very liberating experience. As you said, it made me feel alive.”

“Yes, she’s going to have a baby soon! She’s the first senator to give birth serving in office. She is getting older though, do you think she is going to keep the baby?”

“I wanted to ask you, I am going to a rally tonight to fight immigration laws. Would you like to come with? I have a poster already made for you!”

“That’s great! Isn’t our right to exercise our freedom of speech great? Oh, have you talked to Senator Duckworth recently?”

“Of course! Unborn lives matter too! I think, with it being her second child, she will do well.”

“That’s okay, I am going to stay home and watch Fox News. Thanks though.”

“Oh come on man, you suck.”

“I know you do but what about me.”

“Hey, not fair.”

“Just like this weather, am I right?”

“You sure got that right. Hey, I got to go now. Care to share a taxi?”

Republican Democrat

Grapjhics courtesy of OnlyGFX.com

As the two left the shop together, our on-field reporter watched, feeling oddly unsatisfied. It was not the expected conversation that was expected to be overheard but it felt as though it went well. Seems as though Republicans and Democrats can really be friends after all.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

27

Memes: the free alternative to therapy

BY ABIGAIL BLOME NEWS EDITOR

A

s USF student Jane Doe scrolls through her social media pages; she shares a meme that shows a screencap from That 70’s Show that includes the quote “If I were a bird, I would fly into a ceiling fan.” This is how Doe copes with life, by sharing memes that she finds relatable or that give her a brief respite from her crushing mental illness.

Like 6.7 percent of the U.S. adult population, Doe suffers from Major Depressive Disorder. This makes some aspects of life incredibly difficult for Doe as it can be hard for her to be motivated to do homework, interact with friends, or even get out of bed in the morning.

“Tests are still in the early stages for these prescription memes but the results are staggering.”

Because there are so many young adults like Doe and Petty, a group of medical students at Harvard University have begun experiments of replacing expensive medication and talk therapy with a daily dose of memes.

“With the soaring prices of antidepressants and talk therapy with an actual licensed doctor, many adults can’t afford the treatment they need,” said Harvard researcher, Keith Murphy. “In an effort to make coping with these serious issues more available to the general public, we’ve started specially crafting memes that accurately express their desire to die without pushing them to act on their suicidal thoughts.”

Tests are still in the early stages for these prescription memes but the results are staggering.

“After we took these students off their meds and away from their doctors, their depressive symptoms immediately got much more severe,” Murphy admitted reluctantly. “However, we have faith that memes alone will be able to manage the depression or even cure it in some cases.”

“I know I have a problem,” says Doe, “but therapy is just so expensive. I don’t have the money for that.” So, Doe fills her Facebook Timeline and Twitter feed with memes, which are one of her few sources of joy. When people like or retweet these memes, she feels a connection with them.“When people like my memes about wanting to die, I don’t feel so alone,” Doe confessed. “It gives us a connection and I feel reassured that I’m not the only one that feels this way about my life.”

“My doctor told me I should talk my deep seeded issues out with a professional.’ Well, that just sounded expensive and a waste of time. What does he know?” asked fellow USF student Adam Petty. “I’d rather just look at some funny memes and pictures of dogs. Now instead of crying myself to sleep every night I only slightly feel my constant existential dread! I’ve never felt so mediocre in my life, it’s wonderful!”

“Yes, we know that most college campuses provide free counseling services,” said another researcher, Ashleigh Cabellos, “but if we are successful in treating mental illness this way, we believe we could even start treating physical issues as well. Dank memes may not be able to melt steel beams, but maybe one day they could cure cancer or heal a bullet wound.”

Serious note: The University of St. Francis offers free counseling services to all students and discounted rates for alumni. If you are looking to memes to help you cope with depression or anxiety, please consider calling the USF Counseling and Wellness Center at 815-740-3598 to set up an appointment.

28

April 2, 2018

Photo courtesy of Cheezburger

“I was looking to buy a sweater for my grandma for Christmas last year, and a week later I had one show up in my mailbox. You suck, Mark Zuckerberg,” said 22-year-old Lauren Larucci of Somerville, MA. 97-year-old Mary Albert of Chicago, Ill. was also interested in sharing her thoughts this morning. “I even shared one of those Facebook posts that said, ‘Like and Share if you don’t want the Autobuy feature attached to your Facebook!’ and it still bought stuff for me. Do you think I needed to like it, too? Was I hacked? Come over here and help me figure this stupid thing out!” The new feature is not elderly-friendly, but more specifically it’s not anyone-friendly, so don’t try teaching anyone about it. Just let the gifts roll in, or hope the feature goes away on its own.

The new feature also allows people to be super lazy and inconsiderate with their gifts. 27-year-old Matt James of Newark, NJ Skyped us with a terrible quality webcam

“The new feature also allows people to be super lazy and inconsiderate with their gifts.”

the Uncounter

F

acebook recently releasing a feature called “Autobuy,” which basically ruins the fun that comes with buying anything yourself. Sources confirm that once you look at a page once or twice, Facebook’s Autobuy feature will be able to automatically buy items it thinks you might enjoy.

God forbid we get something we actually want.

Auto-Buy

BY AMBER JAMES STAFF WRITER

from his parent’s basement to let us know he’s literally the only person who enjoys this thing. “I totally love it, dude! My girlfriend shows me stuff she wants, and BOOM! It’s already coming to my door. Well, my parent’s door. No effort required. Definitely recommend it!”

“I just don’t understand,” Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg stated. “Everyone needs to grow up and let us help them out with their purchases. We’re just trying to be nice. If you don’t want it, don’t look it up. Stop being so mean. Ever heard of cyber-bullying?”

Basically, this feature really sucks and the only people that like it are Mark Zuckerberg and that lazy Matt James guy. As a result of the extreme idiocy of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg in general (such a baby), countless complaints have been filed, but they are trying to resolve the issue.

“Yep,” said lesser-known co-founder Eduardo Saverin, after being asked if they are actually trying to resolve the issue.

If you’ve checked your Facebook recently, check your front porch, too. You probably have a surprise waiting for you that you don’t even want.

Thank you for reading The USF Uncounter Please continue to enjoy the rest of our regular issue.

Photo courtesy of Vector Pro

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

29

Talk to your advisor about a Logistics or Business Analytics certificate!

30

April 2, 2018

Walk-Out

BY TRAVIS WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

I

n today’s society, we find ourselves constantly in the midst of many devastating, polarizing and controversial events like mass/school shootings.

The government politicians and officials mourn the loss of lives and debate how to handle the issue. Many ideas are thrown around and some may be more extreme than others. They vary between age, culture, economic standings and so on.

would be safe from legal and administrative reprimands.

One of the means to a solution was created by students, a form of protest – they decided to do walkouts for social change. However, this solution brings out several questions pertaining the legality of the idea and whether or not students possess the right to do such an action. This is not the first time in history students have banned together to protest current events in the hopes the government would head their concerns.

This allowed the informed students to safely express themselves and their opinions in an open, accepting, and peaceful environment. USF student, Samantha Petkunas believes that, “these students do have the right to walkout and protest for something they believe in, especially when it’s with the best of intentions but they should only use this right if they truly believe in it and if they are educated enough in the matter to understand it and follow through with it not because it’s what everyone else is doing but because it means something to them.”

“One of the means to a solution was created by students, a form of protest – they decided to do walkouts for social change.”

One of the first times we saw this happen in the United States was in the mid twentieth century with the war in Vietnam. To address the legality issue, one must first address age laws involving juveniles which vary from state to state. In Illinois, truancy, the law mandating students in public school systems to attend school, ends at age 17. By this alone, students under the age of 17 can face charges of truancy, a Class C misdemeanor and one would assume that students of the age of 17 and older

Graphic courtesy of Jashui Zarate

However, that is not entirely true, in the education system students are not privy to the same rights as adults are, whether they are over the age of 18 or not. It is important to note that these are laws and can be changed. An example of this took place on Wednesday, March 14 in Massachusetts; the police partnered with the mayors and school officials to allow students to protest peacefully, without any repercussions.

With this the aforementioned questions are answered, challenged and countered with hope and potential.

Will the United States change its laws in regard to students being able to protest? Like all things only time can tell.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 31

Commentary

Right To

Physician Assisted PRO

BY ELIJAH ANDERSON STAFF WRTIER

I

magine you have a family member who is dying.

This family member has been given all the best medical care but there is ultimately no hope of survival. What would you do? Many would argue that life is precious and that this person should be kept alive as long as possible. However, I don’t see value in this if the person is suffering with no hope of recovering.

Let’s begin by defining what physician assisted suicide is.

According to medicinenet.com, physician assisted suicide is defined as the voluntary termination of one’s own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician. The end goal is to stop the suffering of the person in question. But what make this method worth the effort and time of those involved?

I also think that if the patient is competent and able to make the decision on their own, then that should be their decision.

However, there are times when the choice is left to the family of those involved when the patient is unable to speak for themselves. But this is not the case for every situation. USF student Jordan Bushno, stated her opinion about the matter: “I’m for it if the person cannot get better and is suffering. However, I am still very iffy on the subject.”

Physician assisted suicide is a very touchy subject and one that people have to be careful when discussing. Again, I’m fine with the action of physicians assisting those who want to take their own lives in order to end the pain. However, I can see the part of the argument that is against this practice. I still stand by my decision though and say that those who wish to end it to be happier have the right.

To begin with, it is easier to take people out of their misery.

I personally do not want to be suffering in a hospital with an incurable disease that takes a majority of my time and energy to fight. I do not see a point in doing something like that. Granted, I know that there will be many people in my life like my family, that would be hurt if I made that decision.

“I personally do not want to be suffering in a hospital with an incurable disease that takes a majority of my time and energy to fight. I don’t see a point in doing something like that.”

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April 2, 2018

Photos courtesy of The Learning Network - The New York

BY IAN BOND STAFF WRITER

I

prefer less government as opposed to more government. However, there are some issues that will have a negative impact on culture, that are better for the government to regulate or even outlaw.

There are too many negative ramifications to justify allowing physician assisted suicide.

Physician assisted suicide in large, contributes to what Pope Saint John Paul II called the Culture of Death, which he refers to in Evangelium vitae as “…a war of the powerful against the weak: a life which would require greater acceptance, love and care is considered useless, or held to be an intolerable burden, and is therefore rejected in one way or another.” This is achieved in numerous ways.

AGAINST

When someone is asked why he or she would seek physician assisted suicide, the answer might be surprising. The most common reasons cited for requesting physician assisted suicide were the loss of autonomy and the inability to engage in activities to make life more enjoyable, per the 2016 Oregon Death with Dignity Act Data summary. This alone shows that there is already an inclination to believe life is only worth living when it can be enjoyed fully.

Another conflict arises when health insurance is brought into the equation. Because of healthcare costs in the United States, health insurance companies will have more of an incentive to push policy holders to seek physician assisted suicide over expensive treatment options. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops even claims that there have been cases in which insurance companies would only cover physician assisted suicide. While this seems like a reason to support physician assisted suicide, the economic issue risks revoking a patient’s freedom to decide for themselves possibly even coercing him or her to seek physician assisted suicide.

This in turn forces us to ask the following questions provided

by USF Theology Professor Dr. Daniel Hauser: “But is not caring for the weak and the sick important to understanding human life? If we love others do we not stand with them? Is death a solution? When is life so bad that it should be ended?

What constitutes suffering and the loss of the quality of life?”

“Because of healthcare costs in the United States, health insurance companies will have more of an incentive to push policy holders to seek physician assisted suicide over expensive treatment options.”

The fact that we must ask these questions reflects the growing absence of faith in our culture. Flannery O’Connor states, “In the absence of faith, we govern by tenderness. And tenderness leads to the gas chamber.” While this may seem absurd, O’Conner is saying that our culture’s lack of faith forces us to put limits on the value of human life in the name of compassion and, according to Dr. Hauser, “When we put limits on the value of human life we begin to create problems and ultimately culture will be affected,” as it already has.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 33

Commentary

Suicide

Caring Less about the

the scrutiny we get all the time, I try to avoid that.” In my opinion it’s hypocritical for them to put themselves in the lime-light, deliberately drawing constant attention to their bodies, then get mad at the media for releasing images of them.

veryday its seems like the Kardashian and Jenner family are up to something new and regardless of how insignificant the topic may be, it always makes the headlines. What’s the point? And why are they even famous? There is no reason for them to be famous.

E

As a family of celebrities who are continually augmenting their faces and bodies with plastic surgery, it is appalling to see the influence they have on teens and young adults. With a demographic of primarily young adults, according to an Entertainment Daily statistic, this sends such a negative message to viewers about their own bodies. They are given a huge platform, just because of their name and could use it to promote so much more. USF student Victoria Daugherty finds them to be overrated, stating, “they were given fame because of Kim’s sex tape and their mom and dad… overall I don’t think people respect them because they do dumb things all of the time.”

Like many people I am not a fan of the K-dash family, specifically because of the way they fuel their fame on drama and their own self-image is incredibly distasteful to me.

The only credit that I can grant to the Kardashian and Jenner clan is that they have created a massive brand out of nothing. Their fame has surmounted because of their parents, befriending celebs such as Paris

Although Kim Kardashian became one of the first women in modern day Hollywood to bring attention to curvy body types, the images that are taken of her are tailored to her liking, including photo altering and personal “paparazzi” according to Oxygen Magazine.

Hilton to improve their socialite status and dating a variety of professional athletes and musicians.

BY EMILY PLUMMER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

“As a family of celebrities who are continually augmenting their faces and bodies with plastic surgery, it is appalling to see the influence they have on teens and young adults.”

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April 2, 2018

In October 2017, E! News reported that Kim freaked out when she discovered that paparazzi had taken photos of her on vacation without her knowing. In an episode of “Keeping Up with The Kardashians” she responds saying “Oh my God… like I don’t get it, I literally don’t look like that. And just

Throughout the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018, it felt like the internet was going to explode when three out of five Kardashian and Jenner sisters announced their pregnancy. Kylie Jenner’s makeup line, Kylie Cosmetics, has amassed a tremendous amount of media attention with items selling out within minutes on her online store. Kim Kardashian somehow “broke the internet” in 2016 by posing with a champagne bottle balancing on her rear and the tabloids and social media loved it. “Keeping Up with The Kardashian’s”, their reality television, has maintained the spot as one of the top shows on E! TV, one of the longest running reality television show, and has produced seven spin-off shows.

So, there you have it, the Kardashian clan is no more than a group of self-obsessed women who thrive on their own petty gossip and the size of their butts. Even if you love or hate the Kardashians, you probably know more about their drama than you think.

Image courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

35

USF

BY ALEX GUGLIELMUCCI SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS UPDATE

M

ost students look forward to Spring Break as a time of rest where everything slows down for a week. However, there was no time to rest for the student-athletes here at USF. Here at USF, student-athletes from all different programs were participating in different contests all over the United States. Teams that competed over spring break were baseball, softball, Women’s basketball, tennis and bowling.

BASEBALL The baseball team traveled to Florida where they played ten games. The Saints went into their spring trip with four wins and five loses. The first three games in Florida, the Saints faced off against 25 ranked Webber International. In those three games, Webber took the win in each game winning by no more than three runs. Finishing up their trip, the baseball team finished with a 2-8 record in Florida. On March 18, Head Coach Brian Michalak won his 300 game as a college baseball coach, with 212 of those coming with the Fighting Saints.

Sophomore Tom Smith.

SOFTBALL The softball team made their spring break one to remember when they traveled to Arizona. With rain cancelling their first four games, the Saints were fired up and ready to play coming out winning six of their first seven games.

Morghan Dieringer started the first game of the year with an impressive outing, posting her second collegiate perfect game and led the team to a 12-0 win. The Saints ended their spring trip with an 8-4 record.

Senior Ally Balandis.

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April 2, 2018

Photos courtesy of gofightingsaints.org

Sports

WOMEN’S AND MEN’S TENNIS Both the men and women’s tennis teams were in action in Florida. The women struggled a bit but did show improvement. The men’s team went 3-2 in their five matches. Both teams return to action in early April.

Junior Erika Edrada.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Women’s Basketball team pulled off two upsets to reach the NAIA quarterfinals. In the second round, USF beat number three ranked College of the Ozarks with a final of 77-63. Unfortunately, the ladies fell in overtime to Northwestern College.

Women’s Basketaball at NAIA National Tournament.

WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BOWLING The men and women from the bowling team traveled to Smyrna, Tennessee for their sectional tournament. Both teams finished in the top four and advanced to the National tournament, with the women advancing to their fourth straight national’s appearance. For the men, a second place finish booked their first trip to national’s in program history. Both teams will compete March 23-25 at the NAIA Invitational in Highland, Indiana. April 18-21, both teams will head to Lincoln, Nebraska looking for their first Intercollegiate Team Championships title.

Juniotr Jessica Halas.

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

37

Joliet Slammers Stadium Update

Route 66 Stadium prior to turf installation in the fall.

BY AMBER JAMES STAFF WRITER

I

n October, Joliet’s downtown baseball stadium, formerly known as Silver Cross Field, received a new name.

From now on, the minor league ballpark used by the Joliet Slammers will be called Route 66 Joliet Stadium: however prior to this change came a more interesting, if only temporary name.

The newly named Joliet Route 66 Stadium was re-named again in December by the popular card game “Cards Against Humanity.” The company’s website announced that it has purchased naming rights to the stadium. The Joliet Route 66 Stadium had its name changed to “The Cards Against Humanity Baseball Place” and, while it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, this is what fans of the Joliet Slammers minor-league baseball team could be hearing this summer, well, until the name gets changed again.

According to the Joliet Patch, the name change is more likely to be a marketing ploy rather than an actual name change, but those living in Joliet will take what they can get. “Although we just recently learned what baseball is, we couldn’t be more excited for this partnership,” Cards Against Humanity co-creator Ben Hantoot said in a statement. “Go Slammers.”

The Chicago-based company’s website also reads: “For the final day of Cards Against Humanity Saves America, we really “hit it out of the park” by purchasing the naming rights to a mi-

38

April 2, 2018

Right photo from spring.

nor-league baseball stadium in Joliet, Illinois. Kindly remove your caps and stand — no kneeling! — for The Cards Against Humanity Baseball Place, the new home of the Joliet Slammers!”

“I love Cards Against Humanity. It’s a little random that they chose the stadium in Joliet but I’m glad they did,” said University of St. Francis student, Bennie Radford.

The temporary name change caught interest of those in the area and will hopefully allow for more attendance in upcoming games. According to the Joliet Slammers website, the first game at the Joliet Route 66 Stadium will be Tuesday, May 15 against the Evansville Otters.

Overall, the stadi“The newly named Joliet um has big plans to Route 66 Stadium was reimpact the city of Joliet this summer. named again in December Adding field turf by the popular card game allows them to hold ‘Cards Against Humanity.’” outdoor music concerts, soccer tournaments and youth baseball tournaments. The city also realizes, according to the Joliet Patch, that it makes sense to capitalize on the fact that thousands of people are already coming to Joliet.

Whether it’s the old Joliet Prison on Collins Street or the Cards Against Humanity Baseball Place/Route 66 Stadium, Joliet is growing by the minute, and we’re happy to call this historic city “home.”

Images courtesy of The Joliet Herald News and the Joliet Slammers

Sports

Hours

Free Bowling Day

April 27th

Mon - Thurs 8am -11pm Fri-Sat 8am-12am Sun 11am-10pm

www.joliettownandcountrylanes.com

2231 West Jefferson St Joliet, IL 60435

Show your USF ID and receive free rental shoes!

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39

Local High School Basketball

e t da

BY ASHLEY HARE COMMENTARY EDITOR Sophomore Mike Salter leads Romeoville past Joliet Central.

L

ocal high school basketball has come to end for the 2017-2018 season. The area is left with many memories and thrilling games to look back upon. However, no teams are representing the area in the state finals in Peoria, Illinois.

Bolingbrook Guard Jordan Myrick.

The final four teams that had a far run in the area was Bolingbrook, Joliet Central, Romeoville, and Lincoln Way East.

Bolingbrook ended the season to West Aurora in the championship game of the Class 4A Romeoville Sectional. The Raiders lost 82 to 67. The game seemed much closer than what the score tells... But speaking of close games, Joliet Central fell to the Raiders 94-91 in double-overtime to advance to the sectional title.

This is the third year in a row that Joliet Central has made it this far in the playoffs but just can’t seem to get past. Senior, Don Joachim, stated, “It’s been a blessing to be able to be in

“Lincoln Way East became the best team in school history.

The Griffins won their first regional title.”

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April 2, 2018

Up

that situation the past three years but it was heart breaking that we couldn’t get past the section semi-final. It really hurts.”

Joliet Central ended the season with 23 wins and 6 losses and Bolingbrook ended the season with 22 wins and 7 losses.

According to Chicago Tribune reporter Michael O’Brien, Lincoln Way East became the best team in school history. The Griffins won their first regional title. However, the Griffins ended the season with 23 wins and 6 losses.

The Griffins season was ended by West Aurora.

West Aurora beat East 61 to 48 in the sectional semifinal. The head coach for East, Rich Kolimas, stated, “It’s a shame that everyone at the sectional did not see the East team that we had seen all season.”

Romeoville High School had the talent but couldn’t make it past the regional championship. The Spartans lost to Lincoln Way East 61 to 48. The Spartans came out dull which costed them the game. The Griffins opened the game with a 13-0 lead which gave the Spartans no chance to catch up. The Spartans ended the season with 20 wins and 8 losses.

Joliet Herald News Sports reporter Dick Goss described the local high school season in a way that many fans and other teams will remember: “Bolingbrook was the team that had the best chance to get to state. If not the Raiders, then maybe Joliet Central, and Lincoln-Way East promised to be good as well. Romeoville was a wild card, as the Spartans had the kind of talent that if they put it all together, they could make a state run.” As a Joliet Central alumnus, basketball fan and local attendee to these games, Goss’s statement was the best way to wrap the season up.

Photos courtesy of Sun-Times High School Sports, The Herald-News

BY BLAKE TOMAC FEATURE EDITOR

T

he University of St. Francis Fighting Saints are always searching for new student-athletes. Every year USF coaches recruit and sign students from high schools and junior colleges, hoping they will join the school’s team.

The USF baseball team has already had five players sign letters of intent to play for the Saints next season.

Those players include: Jake LaSota, a catcher from Marengo Community High School; Jonathon Wolf, an infielder from Portage Northern High School; Kevin Kardas, a pitcher from Hampshire High School; Josh Tesch, an infielder from Joliet Junior College; and Mack Malczewski, a pitcher from Prospect High School. Coach Brian Michalak says he is excited to have all of these athletes join the program and believes they will be good additions to the Saints next season. Josh Tesch is the only junior college transfer of the group and Coach Michalak hopes he will make an impact next year. “Josh is a versatile athlete who has experience at all four infield position and behind the plate,” said Michalak.

The Fighting Saints softball team has also made two additions for next season: Madisen Tucker, a pitcher from Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana; and Jensen Crenshaw, a catcher and transfer from East Central

Graphic courtesy of whoopdirt.com

Sports

College Searching College in Union, Missouri. According to the Fighting Saints website, Jensen Censhaw is an excellent hitter and head coach Amanda Jensen believes she will make a tremendous impact for the Saints next season. In 2017 at East Central College, Crenshaw was a first-team all-region and all-conference selection after hitting .401 with 49 runs scored, 23 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and five home runs.

Looking to make improvements on last season, the USF football team has also signed five new athletes and is in the process of recruiting more. Those new faces include: Matt Brachmann, a tight end and transfer from Elmhurst College; Maurice Coleman, a corner back from Richards High School; Anthony Green, a defensive back and transfer from Eastern Arizona College; DeAndre MArcelin, a linebacker from ASA Junior College in Brooklyn, New York; Adrian Page, a defensive lineman from Minooka Community High School and Dominic Sterr, a running back transferring from Joliet Junior College.

Other Notable Recruits are Listed Below: EJ Charles (Lincoln-Way Central) – Men’s Golf Hannah Rieker (JJC) – Women’s Soccer Emily Hartke (JJC) – Women’s Soccer Hayley Bazan (Joliet Central) – Women’s Soccer Grace Gialo (Plainfield East) – Women’s Soccer Mary Kate Hynek (Plainfield North) – Women’s Soccer Arely Sanchez (Plainfield Central) – Women’s Soccer Austin Stariha (University of Wisconsin-Parkside) – Men’s Soccer Edgar Oropeza (Truman College) – Men’s Soccer Nikkie Christiansen (Guliford High School) – Women’s Tennis Grace Monahan (Providence) – Women’s Tennis Lindsey Luff (Flushing High School) – Volleyball Gabby Paelmo (Schaumburg High School) – Volleyball Alexis Engst (University High School) – Volleyball Mike Nape Jr (Yorkville High School) - Men’s Bowling Emily Schrader (Carl Sandburg High School) – Women’s Bowling

Read more stories daily at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu

41

March Madness: Top Team Takedowns 42

BY KAMARI JORDAN ONLINE EDITOR

T

he most exciting part of March Madness is the busting of the brackets. Busted brackets are an inevitable result of upsets. Our own USF Women’s Basketball Team caused two upsets in the NAIA National Tournament this year defeating the No.1 and the No.4 teams in their bracket. As of March 18, 2018, there have been 9 bracket busting upsets in the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Tournament. Here is a break down of those 10 triumphs starting with the most recent upset.

Florida State Seminoles No.9 vs Xavier Musketeers No.1 Xavier controlled most of the game, but a 3-pointer from Florida State’s PJ Savoy took the lead with one minute and eight seconds left in the game. Xavier failed to put the Seminoles away missing 11 free throws during the contest.

Nevada Wolf Pack No.7 vs Cincinnati Bearcats No.2 With 11 minutes left in the game Cincinnati led by 22 points. In a desperate attempt to save their season, Nevada applied pressure on the defensive end with a trap defense. Cody Martin led the Wolf Pack to victory with 25 points, six rebounds, seven assists and no turnovers in 40 minutes of play. However, Josh Hall was the hero scoring the winning basket off an offensive rebound.

Texas A&M Aggies No.7 vs North Carolina Tar Heels No.2 The Aggies got off to a great start going on an early 15-0 run in the first half. Freshman guard T.J. Starks led the way with 21 points. The Aggies held the Tar Heels to a 33.3 percent shooting night. There will be no repeating championships for the Tar Heels.

Syracuse Orange No.11 vs Michigan State Spartans No. 3 It all came down to grit. Neither team had a great shooting night, the Spartans shot 25.8 percent and the Orange just 35.7 percent but the Orange out rebounded Michigan State 51-30. Losing the shoot out and the battle of the boards resulted in the Spartans defeat.

April 2, 2018

Loyola Chicago Ramblers No.11 vs Tennessee Volunteers No.3 Not quite a buzzer beater, but close. Loyola’s Clayton Custer hit the winning shot with 3.6 seconds left in the contest. This is an exciting win due to it being Loyola’s first time winning a game in the tournament since 1985.

Syracuse Orange No.11 vs TCU Horned Frogs No.6 TCU’s shooting percentage was better, shooting 39.8 percent while Syracuse shot 36.8 percent, but Syracuse’s defensive efforts held TCU 31 points under their average.

UMBC Retrievers No.16 vs Virginia Cavaliers No.1 UMBC made history being the second No.16 seed to beat a No.1 seed in the Tournament and the first men’s team to do it. The first to do it was Harvard Women’s Basketball in 1998. At the half, the Retrievers and Cavaliers were tied 21-21 but UMBC shot 67.9 percent the second half of the contest. UMBC shooting was led

by Jarius Lyles scoring 23 points after half time.

Marshall Thundering Herd No.13 vs Wichita State Shockers No.4 While Wichita outrebounded Marshall 44-30, the Shockers continued to turn the ball over. They also shot 27.6 percent from the three-point line and in this tournament, a bad shooting night plus a lot of turnovers equals a bus ride home. Marshall’s Jon Elmore, who was recently named Conference-USA Tournament MVP, scored 27 points for the Thundering Herd.

Marshall has not made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 31 years.

Buffalo Bulls No.13 vs Arizona Wildcats No.4 It was a close game and Arizona led with a little over 17 minutes left in the game, but with the Buffalo’s shooting almost 57 percent in the second half and 64 percent from the 3-point line they put themselves in a great position for a victory. The suffocating defensive pressure left the Wildcats drained and ultimately in defeat. Buffalo’s Wes Clark scored 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting leading his team to victory. Arizona was the seventh most popular national champion pick, leaving a lot of brackets busted.

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