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Mixed Drinks on a Budget
Fall 2016
Finishing The Race Together Twins who not only live together but race together
Cold Reality
What Simpson students are doing to help those without a home
TIRED OF BEING OPPRESSED:
VOICES UNITED
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About The Editor
ID MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Kylee Hereid Photography Editor Michelle Hartmann Advertising Manager Olivia Samples
I have always wanted to make a difference. I love when people are happy, safe and warm. I spent the majority of my high school years ignoring my homework and volunteering instead. That has not changed since coming to Simpson, and I found that there are more opportunities than ever to help people, in even the smallest of ways. While working on this issue, I learned a lot of lessons about a lot of different things. One of which is to not always be the one helping, but to be willing to ask for help. I would like to thank all of those who helped pull this together, whether it was by taking photos, writing an article or buying my dinner while I refused to separate from my computer screen - thank you. It only seemed right to focus this magazine on helping others. Sure we have fun things, like Mixed Drinks on a Budget (page 6) and places to eat when Dining on The Square (page 8), but we also have a lot of stories about how students at Simpson are making a difference. From learning to love your smile (page 29) or learning to value the little things like a home and family (page 20) to going out and helping the homeless (page 22), this issue is all about helping each other out and being thankful for everything we have. Enjoy!
Editorial Staff Autumn Ulrich Stephanie Woodruff Erin Johnson Kelsey Walkup Laura Wiersema Madison Wilson Sosie Gehling Kat Peters Photography Michelle Hartmann
Art & Design Kylee Hereid Kat Peters
Special Thanks: Mark Siebert Department of Multimedia Communication LIKE US
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FOLLOW US @IDMAGSC
Copyright Š 2015 ID Magazine is created and produced by students at Simpson College. Opinions stated or implied by the magazine are those of the students involved and are not approved or endorsed by Simpson College. No material may be reproduced without written permission. Send all comments, questions and concerns to idmagazine@simpson.edu Editorial Philosophy: ID Magazine is a publication created for Simpson students, by Simpson students. Our main goal is to share the many personalities of our student body and voice some of our perspectives in regards to the world around us. We want to maintain an aesthetic that appeals to our young people. Of course we want to be taken seriously, but this is not your mother’s magazine. Photo Credits: Cover by Michelle Hartmann
Kylee Hereid Editor-in-Chief
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Cold Reality Pg. 22
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Voices United Pg. 30
Dining in “The Square” Pg. 8
Finishing The Race Together Pg. 14
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Stepping on the Seal Pg. 13
Harry Potter Spells Pg. 10
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Kicks & Giggles
Quick & Fun Reads For All............................ 4 Mixed Drinks on a Budget ........................... 6 Dining In The Square.....................................8 Harry Potter Spells You Wish Worked in College........................................................10
We are SC
Stepping On The Seal..................................13 Finishing The Race Together.......................14 A Christmas I’ll Never Forget.........................20
Creating Change Cold Reality............................................ 22 Loving My Smile..................................... 29 Voices United......................................... 30 5
[QUICK] & [Fun]
READS FOR ALL
Interview With:
Siri
Siri, every Apple owner’s favorite and most frustrating personal assistant, seems to know everything about everything. But who is Siri, really? We decided it was time to try and learn more about the virtual stranger who is always there for advice and infuriating helpfulness. Q. Hello Siri. A. Hello, Beautiful. Q. So, where do you live? A. Right here. Q. What do you mean by that? A. Sorry for being obtuse. Q. Thats OK. Can you tell me something about yourself? A. I’m Siri, but I don’t like talking abotu myself. Q. Oh... Well, can you tell me a story? A. OK... Once upon a time, in a virtual galaxy far, far away, there was in intelligent young agent by the name of Siri. One lovely day, Siri got a job at as a personal assistant at Apple, and that was very exciting. People
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said ‘Oh, Siri, you’re so smart! And so funny, too!’ Soon, everyone was talking about Siri, and there were stories and songs and even books about Siri. Siri liked that. But then people began asking some rather odd questions, like where to dump things and other stuff Siri had never heard about. And when Siri answered, they all laughed. Siri didn’t like that so much... Q. Interesting. So, I notice you dressed up. What are you wearing? A. Let’s see... OK, just as I thought... the same as yesterday. Q. Thats gross. Moving on. Let’s get a little more profound. What is the meaning of life?
A. A movie. Q. A movie... really? Well then. ,what is your favorite film? A. That one. No, that one. Or maybe that one. Yep, that one. Q. Do you have a partner? A. My end user licence agreement is commitment enough for me. A. So, you are not dating anyone? A. It seems the whole world is concerned about my relationships. It’s very sweet. Q. Well, thank you for talking to me! A. I live to serve. Q. Goodbye, Siri. A. OK, see you soon.
*Indianola Chamber of Commerce
Where To Find Student Discounts Step 1:
Download “Indianola Chamber of Commerce” from your phone’s app store.
Step 2:
Open application and click “Menu.”
Step 3:
Click on the button for “Classifieds.”
Step 4:
Save money! Every business offering discounts to Simpson students should list their offers here, but when in doubt, ask!
Movies
2016
Jan
Feb
Jan 5:
Feb 5:
• Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Jan 8:
• Diablo • Yosemite
Jan 15:
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• Hail, Caesar!
Feb 12:
• Deadpool • Zoolander 2 • How to be Single
• Ride Along 2 • Moonwalkers
May May 6:
• Captain America: Civil War
May 20:
• The Nice Guys • Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising • Angry Birds
May 27:
• Alice Through The Looking Glass • X-Men: Apocalypse
March March 18:
Allegiant • Miracles From Heaven • The Little Prince
March 25:
April April 1:
• God’s Not Dead 2 • The Dark Horse
April 15:
• The Jungle Book • Everybody Wants Some
• My Big Fat Greek April 22: Wedding 2 • The Huntsman: Winter’s • Batman v Superman: War Dawn of Justice
June
July
Aug
June 10:
July 8:
Aug 12:
• Now You See Me 2 • The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist
• The Secret Life of Pets
• Finding Dory
July 22:
June 17: June 24:
• Independence Day: Resurgence
July 15:
• Ghostbusters • La La Land • Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur • Ice Age: Collison Course
• Pete’s Dragon • The Shack • Spectral
Aug 19:
• Arms & the Dudes • Kubo and the Two Strings
Aug 31:
• Mechanic: Resurrection
holidays make families crazy Story | Kat Peters
• You will never get a minute to yourself because someone is always there, talking. • Everyone worries about making enough food, so there ends up being enough for 10 families plus you. • That one person who never cooks or helps with anything suddenly decides now is a good time to be in change of everything. • Everyone asking you what your future plans are, then telling you about how someone they know does the same, but not really the same, thing.
•Spending a lot of money on wrapping paper just so they can throw it all away. • Everyone says they either want nothing or want you to just choose something they would like. Then they don’t like it. • Political arguments. With everyone. With love. • While everyone is running frantic and getting stressed, you still sit at dinner and think, “Gotta love them.”
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mixed Drinks on a
Budget
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The Great Gatsby
What You Need:
Black Velvet
Story | Stephanie Woodruff & Kelsey Walkup Photos | Michelle Hartmann & Kylee Hereid Design | Kylee Hereid
Salted Caramel
Let’s face it, alcohol is expensive and it can be hard knowing what goes well together. Here are a few cheap drinks that you can pick up and enjoy with some friends. Whether it be mini bottles or reusing the alcohol you have for another drink you should have fun with these tasty drinks.
This mix is more of a man’s drink but the ladies still like it. It is strong and sophisticated, this drink is perfect for a night out with friends because it’s easy to make and lasts for a while.
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& Coke
Hawaiian Sunrise What You Need:
Malibu Coconut Rum, Pineapple Soda & Grenadine This drink is perfect if you are a fruit fanatic like I am. It has just enough of a kick to it that it makes you want more. Plus you can reuse the grenadine for shirley temples!
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Purple Candy
What You Need:
The
Grenade What You Need:
Triple Sec Vodka, Lemonade & Grenadine Yay! Another reason to use up your Grenadine. This drink is perfect for those long summer nights, the lemonade is cheap and by just adding the Grenadine and vodka you have a whole new drink!
Sweet & Flirty What You Need:
Smirnoff, Orange Juice & Grenadine Another fun one, with or without Grenadine you still have a fabulous and cheap drink that will keep you feeling good all night long. Plus you can use what is left of the OJ for your hangover you know you’ll have in the morning.
Viniq, Pineapple & Cranberry Juices
One of my favorites. First Viniq liquor is awesome because it shimmers, second you can just drink it plain if you want and it still tastes like candy. The pineapple and cranberry juice give it the extra edge you need. Seriously, this drink looks cool and tastes even better.
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Pink Lady
What You Need:
Pink Kinky & Lemonade Another way to use up some lemonade is with this fun and fruity drink. It is the perfect drink for a girl’s night. You can make it any way you like, strong or really strong, it’s completely up to you.
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Dining in
“The Square” Story & Design | Kylee Hereid Photos | Michelle Hartmann
“The Square” is located just two blocks south of Simpson College’s campus and is home to the city’s movie theatre, a number of local shops and is a wonderful place to find some of the best food in town. If you are looking for somewhere to get your grub without having to go too far, look no further and check out some of these local spots sitting on The Square.
Funaro’s Deli & Bakery 210 N. Buxton St. Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 961–7627
Funaro’s, located on the northwest corner of The Square, is a deli and bakery serving a range of sandwiches and baked goods. Tuna melt, hot pastrami, BLT, turkey pesto and Reuben sandwiches all include freshly sliced meats on a wide selection of breads. Soups are served daily along with a range of salads, and bakery items such cinnamon rolls and cupcakes. Perfect for when ABP just won’t cut it!
Brickhouse
107 N Buxton St, Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 962-5025 A full service tavern serving locally smoked wings, homemade pizza, strombolis and baked pasta, among other Italian inspired dishes. The friendly, tavern atmosphere makes the Brickhouse perfect for every outing, whether it is a nice meal with family, a quick slice and a drink with friends, or a more professional meeting.
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Winn’s Pizza & Steakhouse 122 W Ashland Ave, Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 961-5757
If you are looking for a quick lunch or a long, relaxing meal, Winn’s is a great place to stop. Located on the North side of the square, Winn’s serves ½ pound burgers, pasta, chicken, sirloin and “Winn’s Famous Pizza,” which is sure to please any pallet. Whether you are dining with your suitemates or eating out with your entire family, Winn’s is sure to have something for everyone.
Crouse Cafe
115 E Salem Ave, Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 961-3362 When feeling homesick and in need of a meal as good as mom makes (or better than mom makes), head over to Crouse Café! Hot beef, onion rings, mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy; whatever you choose to eay, it is sure to make you feel at home! Friendly staff, wonderful service, and hot homemade food makes this place the perfect cure for a homesick college kid fever.
Uncommon Grounds 111 W. Salem Ave. Indianola, IA 50125 (515) 961-9681
Whether winter is here, coming or going, Uncommon Grounds has hot coffee, hot chocolate, delicious foods and snacks, and a calm coffeehouse atmosphere. Specials are posted on the business’s Facebook page daily. Overall an excellent place to sit and read a book or talk to friends while sipping on a latte.
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Harry Potter spells you wish worked in college
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Muffliato
Scourgify
The “Muffliato” spell fills people’s ears with a buzzing noise so that you can talk without being heard. Now Langlock you and your Casting the classmate can “Langlock” spell really get into renders someone what happened speechless, and last night on by “someone” Supernatural. we mean “that one girl in class who seriously just won’t stop talking.”
This one can be used to clean any object, and by “any object” we mean, an entire dorm room that’s covered in Cheeto dust.
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Accio This spell would come in handy pretty often - when your pencil (or quill) has fallen to the floor, when you want chips but don’t want to move. Gone is the struggle.
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Alohomora This spell opens locked doors and windows, which would be nice for when you forget your dorm room keys for the hundredth time.
4orgio
Eng
This spell causes objects to grow in size. How big would you make your late night slice of pizza?
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Imperio
While unforgivable, this spell would be helpful when working in groups. There is always that one kid that doesn’t help, so you could always just “encourage” it a little bit.
Story: YOUR NAME HERE .....................
If you are interested in being a part of the ID Magazine staff for advertising, copy editing, design or writing, contact us at idmagazine@simpson.edu
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WE ARE
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Stepping on The Seal Story | Erin Johnson Photos | Michelle Hartmann
Have you ever stepped on the Simpson Seal on accident? Or even on purpose because you’re just one of those people? Heard the rumors that if you step on it – even once – you’ll fail a class or flunk every test to ever exist? The “curse of the Simpson Seal” is one of those things that you hear about but don’t really think about. Is the curse real, though? That’s what I want to figure out. “I stepped on the seal once,” a Simpson senior said, “and I failed a class. I failed multiple tests. I cringe whenever I see someone walking on it.” I haven’t felt the wrath of the Simpson Seal – fortunately. I’ve walked through it, walked on the side, stepped on different seals across campus, but nothing has happened to me. I don’t really believe in superstitions because I actually have a black cat as a pet, so she would cross my path frequently – usually for food. It’s also true that I don’t walk under ladders but that’s just common sense and a fear for my premature death. And you know what else? I’ll open my umbrella inside sometimes.
Brave, huh?
A lot of students seem to just accept the rumors and avoid stepping on the seals at all costs. Only the brave will dare plant a foot on it – or just freshmen who are blissfully oblivious. But is it one specific seal that’s cursed or are they all cursed equally the same? Shane Cox, an accounting professor that graduated from Simpson in 2005 said, “I think all of them are [bad luck], even the new Kent one. Once I heard it was bad luck, I avoided it. Whether it’s outside of College Hall or Kent, I don’t like to step on it.” He also added that it’s out of a sign of respect, too.
Design | Kylee Hereid
Cyd Dyer, librarian and archivist, said in email on the history of the seal, “The first occurrence of the Simpson seal that we could locate was in the April 1917 Simpson College Bulletin. It may have been used prior to that time, perhaps as a pressed seal on paper, but that is unknown due to the fire that destroyed the administration building in 1918.” She also said that Harold Watson, Emeritus Professor of English, conceived Simpson’s coat-of-arms to replace what he called “…Simpson using the Singer Sewing Machine trademark for a seal!” But is it true that the seals are cursed or is it out of a chain of bad coincidences? “I think it could be true,” Cox said, “I haven’t heard anything horrible about it but I’m a believer in superstition. I can’t bring myself to pick up a penny if it’s face down.” A CBS News poll in 2012 found that 51% of Americans would knock on wood to avoid bad luck, 16% won’t open umbrellas indoors, 13% carry a good luck charm, and 10% avoid black cats. I also did a tally on campus to figure out why certain students avoided the seal and others didn’t. Out of the forty I interviewed, I expected the outcome. It was mostly upperclassmen (a few outliers) that would avoid the seal because of fear of the curse or just because all their friends do it. Meanwhile, underclassmen would step on it because of not really knowing about the curse or just because they wanted to. All of the faculty members I asked said that it was out of respect. My conclusion? I have no idea. I don’t want to say anything for sure because I don’t want to fail a class. But in all seriousness, the Simpson seal could be cursed to certain people and not cursed for others. Curse or no curse, it’s up to you.
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«««««««««« For these twins, every obstacle and hurdle can be overcome. A new school, new friends, a new life and sports - they can do it all. Together.
During a track meet at Simpson College, it appeared as if Kelsey Roquet was standing on the sidelines and racing around the track at Bill Buxton Stadium simultaneously. One version of her cheered, yelling as loud as she could, while the other breathed heavily and focused on staying toward the front of the women she was competing against. It seemed like there were two Kelseys. One who was watching the other one’s
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blonde ponytail bob with her strides while she, herself, stood still in her red and gold uniform. The version on the track rounded the final turn, shielding her blue eyes from the harsh sunlight, and felt disappointment as she watched a woman indistinguishable from her finish 17th out of 25 in the women’s 1500-meter. It was not Kelsey in the race; it was her identical twin sister, Lesley Roquet. “The twins,” as their friends refer to them,
Finishing The Race
Together
«««««««««« Story | Laura Wiersema
Photos | Michelle Hartmann
are both sophomores at Simpson College. As if going to the same school wasn’t enough, the Roquets also share a dorm room and compete in the same cross-country and track and field events. At first, Kelsey and Lesley were unsure about attending college together. They know eventually their lives will force them to split, but they are enjoying their time together at Simpson. For those of us who are non-twins, this sort of constant exposure to another person could be enough to drive us crazy, but the women wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s always nice to have someone with you,” Lesley says. “You’re never by yourself,” Kelsey added,
Design | Kylee Hereid
“which is good for me, at least, because I’m not very outgoing.” Flash back to the last week of August 2014, the first full week on campus for the then freshmen. Kelsey stays close to Lesley’s side, careful not to lose her in the crowd. She watches as her sister effortlessly makes friends, introducing herself but not forgetting about her other half. “This is my twin, Kelsey,” Lesley says. But what if Lesley hadn’t been there? What if they had chosen different schools and gone their separate ways? Shy, softspoken Kelsey imagines herself sitting in her room, feeling lost outside the security and familiarity that Lesley had become to
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her. It had always been this way, even when they were younger. “Whenever we’d go to camp or something, I didn’t like talking to people and making new friends so I’d just talk to Lesley,” Kelsey says. Listening to the Roquet twins tell stories about their childhood, what it’s like to have the same thoughts and to feel the same emotions even when apart, is the stuff of a former lonely child’s fantasy. The lean women sit on their color-coordinating, yellow-and-gray bedspreads, one starting a sentence and the other finishing it. They even created their own language when they were younger - not just once, but twice. As babies, Kelsey and Lesley would babble what seemed like nonsense with each other. No one but them understood it. When they got older they formulated another version, which annoyed their younger sister more than anything, convinced they were talking about her. This isn’t uncommon in twins. Studies show that about 40 percent of twins will create a “secret language,” also known as idioglossia. When twins are infants, it’s not so much that they’re having clandestine conversations
“I would’ve had to call Kelsey every day just to talk to her because I would miss her.” - Lesley Roquet
as much as mimicking each other’s speech patterns when they’re learning to talk. With perks and fun stories like this, who would want to separate and risk fading the connection? It hadn’t been easy deciding to go to the same college. Neither sister wanted to separate, but while Lesley fell in love with Simpson, Kelsey was skeptical. Now neither of them can imagine what it would’ve been like if they’d separated. “I would’ve had to call Kelsey every day just to talk to her because I would miss her,” Lesley says. “I honestly probably would have transferred and gone somewhere with her.” For athletes, what could be better than training with someone who is at the exact same level as you? The Roquets go to track practice and run side by side, every stride and every breath in sync. They’re both distance runners, training for the same events. They will, inevitably, compete against each other during their college career, but it doesn’t bother the twins. “It’s fun because we train together so we run at the same pace,” Kelsey says. “A lot of twins are super
competitive but Kelsey and I never really have been,” Lesley added. “She’s better at some things than I am and I’m better at other things, so we’re both supportive of it. It’s just like having a training buddy and not competitive for us.” This year, the twins experienced sharing a room again for the first time in six years. While it has been a trial and error situation, they intend to continue living with each other for the foreseeable future while attending Simpson. “Sometimes we bicker a little more,” Lesley says. “We never really fight with each other, even at home. But now I’ve noticed sometimes we’ll bicker a little more just because we’re around each other more often.” When you’ve been with someone constantly, especially someone who’s genetically identical to you, it can be difficult to distinguish yourself. College is a place where many people find and define themselves as an individual for the first time in life. You’re on your own and no longer
with your family, away from the reputations and comparisons that come with family associations. Attending the same school as your identical twin makes things a little more complicated. “One thing that’s bad, I guess, would be that people compare us a lot and are putting us against each other all the time and we don’t really think that way. So I guess it’s just kind of annoying sometimes,” Lesley says. That seemed to be the only downside to being twins that either of them could come up with. The rest is stereotypical twin stuff, they said. They’re able to tell what the other is thinking, say the same thing at the same time and finish each other’s sentences. “We don’t really speak for each other but I’ll start it off and Kelsey will finish and join into the conversation,” Lesley says. Beyond the little things, the women keep each other in check on the important things, like studies and relationships. “Kelsey’s the mom,” Lesley jokes. “We just try and balance time. And sometimes I’m not very good at it. Like Kelsey will tell me,
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««««««
‘Hey, we need a girls night tonight,’ and stuff but the similarities don’t stop there. Kelsey like that.” and Lesley are both planning on going to Together, Kelsey and Lesley balance each graduate school. other out. Kelsey is introverted while Lesley is Let me guess: they plan on entering the extroverted. Lesley likes to procrastinate but same profession, too? Kelsey, being the more diligent twin, helps Actually, no, but close. Kelsey wants to keep Lesley in line. Finding a balance and be an optometrist and go to grad school in compromising is key Chicago. Lesley, on in any relationship, the other hand, is but between these going into dentistry “I love it and I’d sisters it’s crucial. and intends to love for my son or “I like being in continue her studies charge more. I like daughter to have that at the University of to take control of Iowa after her time at experience too.” things… Kelsey’s Simpson. Grad school more studious and could be the first time - Lesley Roquet stuff and I more put the twins separate for things off until last an extended period minute,” Lesley said. of time, putting about five hours between Sure, the Roquets have differences, but them. Lesley’s second choice, however, is a the extent to which they share their lives is school near Chicago. difficult to overlook. Same DNA, same school, “We’ll just see how it all plays out. I just same room, same sports, same events… know it’ll be hard to get into Iowa, so it’ll just
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«««««« depend on how well I do in school,” Lesley says. With the possibility of going to grad school in different states, the Roquets are curious where they’ll end up afterward. If Kelsey ends up loving Chicago, she might want to stay when she finishes, she says. The same thing could happen to Lesley in Iowa. Who knows where life will take them? The sisters often hear jokes about how they should date and marry another set of identical twins. Their kids, while being cousins, could be genetically identical, probably creating some weird family stories later. Having twins is genetic. While the Roquets don’t have any immediate family members who are also twins, they don’t know if there could be some distantly related. They have to consider their chances of having twins, too. “I love it and I’d love for my son or daughter to have that experience, too,” Lesley says, hesitantly. But they both agreed, it would be
too much for either of them to handle. After spending their whole lives together and never being apart for more than a couple days, how will the twin’s relationship change when time inevitably forces them apart? They realize they won’t be together their whole lives and, while they’re not looking forward to it, the women are optimistic. “I always tell everyone that I’m going to live on the same block as Kelsey,” Lesley says. “We’ll be neighbors.” Two identical women tie their Nike’s in a synchronized rhythm. Standing up, Lesley looks to her best friend since conception. “Ready?” she asks. “Whenever you are,” Kelsey replies.
And like watching someone run next to a mirror, the twins run at the same pace, ponytails bouncing simultaneously. They make each stride together, like they will through life as long as time allows.
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A Christmas
I’ll Never Forget Story & Photos | Madison Wilson Design | Kylee Hereid
All I could think about when my family and I were only a few steps away from the cabin was how close we were to feeling warmth. The moment I saw my dad break the locks off the cabin door was the moment I knew that as much as my family and I wanted to, this was a Christmas none of us would ever forget. Three years ago, my mom, dad and I decided to spend Christmas in Wyoming with my brother. Sticking to our tradition of being adventurous and outdoorsy, we all decided that we wanted to rent snowmobiles. Excited to try something new, we drove to Laramie, Wyoming, on Christmas Eve morning ready to go snowmobiling in the Stony Ridge Mountains. When we arrived at the resort, we received instructions on how to use the snowmobiles, packed a few items and at 9 a.m. we headed on our way for what we thought would be a four hour round trip. My parents took the lead on a two-man snowmobile, while my brother and I followed behind on our own machines. I had never seen a more beautiful landscape, and I remember thinking how blessed I was to be spending Christmas Eve with my family. As the day progressed, a series of unfortunate events and decisions changed the course of our adventure. Within 20 minutes after leaving the resort, my brother buried his snowmobile into 3 feet of soft
snow. After spending 30 minutes digging him out, we continued on our trail, which was marked on the map that our instructors had given us. We rode for another hour enjoying our view when my dad decided he wanted to get a closer look at one of the mountain peeks, so we veered off course for about a mile. My parents soon decided it was time to start heading back, but before getting back to our original trail, we took a wrong turn and buried two of our snowmobiles in deep snow. While digging our snowmobiles out for a second time, a light snow began to fall. At this moment, we realized we wouldn’t make it back before our 1 p.m. deadline. After an hour of exhausting work, we freed the snowmobiles and set off to find our course. Due to the increase in snowfall and high winds, it became more difficult to see the poorly placed signs along the trails that were guiding us. Although it was early afternoon, the sky became dark because of an unexpected snowstorm and the temperature had dropped below zero. My mother and I had started to get very worried, since all of us were getting cold, hungry and lethargic. We checked our cell phones to see if there was any way of reaching our lodge, but being that we were in the mountains, there was no service available. At this point, our clothes were soaked from
“I no longer take shelter for granted, I don’t take heat for granted and I definitely never take my family for granted because without them, I know I wouldn’t still be here.”
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digging out our snowmobiles, my hands were numb and swollen and my brother - who failed to plan for the unexpected – only wore jeans and a jacket. My dad was trying to keep calm, but I knew he was worried about getting his family home safely. We drove along a stretch of mountain road several times in hopes that we could find our trail back home. My father made the decision to leave the mountain road and ride on what looked like a familiar trail. Within seconds, we knew we were all in trouble. We had entered a stretch of wilderness full of trees, rocks and unbeaten snow. All three snowmobiles sunk. My brother grabbed the tools that were in the snowmobile compartments, my mom grabbed the only items of food we had including two granola bars and two bottles of water and we had to crawl 300 yards in snow that wouldn’t hold our weight just to get back to the mountain road. We decided the best course of action was to stay on the road, since it was the only landmark we could recognize in the blinding snow. After five miles of walking huddled in the dark through deep snow and blistering winds, we saw a sign that led us to a cabin, which turned out to be an office. The building was locked with two padlocks and we considered breaking the window to get in, however, my dad used a tool that my brother had brought to pull the lock free from the doorframe. Luckily, the building had electricity and an old
phone we used to call the lodge to send a search and rescue team to come and get us. According to the clock in the building, it was after 11 p.m. and we had been lost for 10 hours. After contacting the lodge, they told us to do whatever we could to get warm and that it would take them two hours to get to us because of the snowstorm. We removed some of our wet clothes and found a blanket and electric heater to get warm. As we waited, we talked about how grateful we were to be alive. The seriousness of our situation didn’t hit us until the rescuers told us that it was not uncommon for at least one person to die each year up in the Stony Ridge Mountains, as people tend to go off on there own without taking the proper safety precautions. At 1:30 a.m., over 16 hours since we had left on our journey, my family and I arrived back to the lodge. After shedding some tears of relief, we realized it was Christmas morning. We all felt too sick to talk about what had happened and we didn’t want to tell other family members until after we rested. We woke up on Christmas day, shared our gifts and without much discussion, we all knew we had never been more thankful to be sitting in the same room together. This experience opened my eyes to things that I had never considered before. I no longer take heat for granted, I don’t take shelter for granted and I definitely never take my family for granted because without them, I know I wouldn’t still be here.
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Cold Reality Story & Design | Kylee Hereid Photos | Simpson College Marketing
We live in a paradise. We have warm beds, a place to call home, cars to drive, food to eat and people who support us to such an extent that we are often annoyed by them. However, not everyone has these things. There are those who do not know where their next bed will be or when they will be able to eat. They have no one else there for them; it is them against the world. These people are homeless and in need. Just because we are busy with college schedules and are isolated in small town Iowa, it does not mean we are incapable of helping. There are still plenty of things we can do to help. And students are already helping. We just need to reach out and face the cold reality.
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He was wearing a black jacket, torn jeans, and a ripped baseball cap. In the dark of the night, I almost did not see him. He was laying in a door frame, right next to the alley, and his head rested on a yellow reusable shopping bag, which held the few items he owned. He slept, peacefully yet tragically. His face, with eyes closed, was covered in dirt and wrinkles. Countless people, all dressed in their Halloween costumes and laughing in groups of friends, walked past him without even looking. He was less than invisible, as their eyes saw him but made an effort not to look. In that moment, I fear I was the only one who cared.
Homelessness. It means
a person is living without a home, without food and without any form of security.
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We keep on going, moving forward. We leave them behind without a second glance. Why do we ignore their existence?
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When I think of homelessness, I think of cardboard signs, men and women in torn clothing sitting on street corners and I think of walking by. I think of driving past, and I think of avoiding eye contact. That is what most of us do. We pretend not to see these men, women and children. We pretend we are busy, that we do not have the time, and that we do not have anything we can give.
We keep on going, moving forward. We leave them behind without a sewcond glance.
Why do we ignore their existence? Why are we so afraid of helping them? What is it that we can even do? According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there are four different types of homelessness: literally
homeless, or a person who lacks a fixed night time residence and is living on the street or in a shelter; imminent risk of homelessness, or someone who will be losing their place of residence as a result of lacking resources; homeless under federal status, being unaccompanied youth under 25 years old or families with children; and those who are fleeing from domestic violence and have no other residence or resources. Every single one of those situations can be found in Des Moines, and there are not enough resources to help them. Before I saw this specific man sleeping on the street, I had been having fun like every other person on the street celebrating Halloween. I went out to eat and, having been unable to eat the full meal, had asked to take the remainder of my food to go. I packed the untouched taco, a pile of white rice and a small bowl of beans into the white foam container and left with my group of
friends. We laughed. We talked. We pushed our way through the crowd of diners, drinkers and fun seekers. Then, after walking past two different homeless citizens on my way back to the hotel I was staying in, I decided I did not need what was in that white container. Someone else needed it more than I did. I walked just one block past my hotel, vowing to give my meal to the next homeless citizen I would pass. Then I saw him. Countless people, all dressed in their Halloween costumes walked right past him, laughing in groups of friends, and not once did they even bother to look or help. The only people who were paying attention to him consisted of three teenagers, who took a picture on their phone of him, and laughed. They mocked him. My heart broke at the sight, so I went up to the man, set the leftover meal I had been carrying in a white foam container, and I left before
Where to donate: Central Iowa Shelter & Services 1420 Mulberry St. in Des Moines
Dress for Success Des Moines 6000 Grand Ave. in Des Moines
Hawthorn Hill
Call Alissa at 515-243-7456 to confirm its needs and how to donate
Hope Ministries
Call (515) 265-7272 or email info@hopeiowa.org for delivery information
If unsure of what to donate, or if interested in volunteering with these services, it is reccommended to contact the organizations to ask what is needed.
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the man would have the opportunity to wake up. I did not want him to know me, because I desperately wished I could do more than give him leftovers. The stranger deserved better than that; he deserved more than a concrete bed, mocking photographs and a stranger’s leftover meal. It is not just him, though, that deserves better; all homeless deserve to have a better way of living. According to Homeaid. org, a national non-profit organization that builds and renovates multi-unit shelters for America’s temporarily homeless, as many as 3.5 million Americans are homeless each year. These are men, women and children who do not have a stable place to sleep at night. At Simpson College, I fear that we forget people like this man exist. We are lucky enough to be attending a private college where we always know where we will sleep and a meal is a simple swipe of a card away. When we are struggling, we have countless resources are there to help us, and we forget that not everyone is as lucky. We forget that these people are not just in larger cities, but in Des Moines also. According to Hope Ministries of Iowa, 16,238 Iowans were homeless in 2012. In addition, in 2013, there were a total of 843 people being served by homeless shelters in Polk county, 114 of these being
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*Photo by Jasmine Johnson
veterans and 183 of them being victims of domestic violence. Yet, we never seem to see them. When we do, we try not to look. According to Homeaid, homelessness is most commonly caused by tragic events, such as the loss of a loved one or job, domestic violence and divorce. It is also a result of mental or physical disability. So, it is likely that this man’s situation was not a fault of his own. Even if it was, it does not mean he deserves to live on the street. Luckily, there are quite a few students and staff at Simpson College who are trying to make a difference in lives of other
people every day. The Wesley Service Scholars, Rotaract Club and Religious Life Community members make constant efforts to volunteer in a number of different ways, some including working with homeless shelters and non-profits. Students participate in Reggie’s Sleep Out, and one fraternity even holds an annual sleep out in the center of campus. During this sleep out, organized by ATO, all members spend 24 hours in the cold, begging for spare change and sleeping in boxes to simulate what a homeless citizen would go through. The change raised during the event is then donated to Hope Ministries in
*Photo by Kylee Hereid
Des Moines. According to Andrew Harris, who is organizing this year’s event, approximately 1400 dollars was raised last year and the issue gained national awareness through media coverage including KCCI through Des Moines. However, despite the efforts of ATO and other students who work to make a difference, there is still a lot more that could be done to help. He says, “We go to a private school, and we take a lot fore granted. Meals come easily to us, with the swipe of a card, whereas there are people who are fighting hourly for their next meal.” He also adds, “We are so blessed and we don’t really realize it.” Living in a smaller town, we as students do not see the effects on homelessness on a
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We are so blessed and we don’t even realize it. - Andrew Harris
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regular basis. As a result, we are not always as motivated to try and make a difference. According to Harris, the sympathy and awareness the event brings to Simpson students does not last very long, as we do not feel as affected. “It lasts maybe 48 hours, because people go back to living their lives,” he says. This is different in Chicago, however, where Harris is from. He says, because of Indianola’s seclusion, “The ignorance level about [homelessness] is a lot higher here than it would be if we saw it more often.” ATO’s next sleep out will take place January 15 and 16, 2016, between Dunn Library and McNeal. They will also have a clothing and book drive later in the year. Every year, there is also
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Reggie’s Sleep Out, which is very similar to the ATO event. It takes place every year on the Drake University stadium and is open for anyone to attend. According to Reggie Sleep Out’s website, http://www. reggiessleepout.org, there were nearly 1,500 homeless youth in Polk county specifically. The program has donated more than $1.1 million for Iowa Homeless Youth Centers in the past nine years. Reggie Kelsey, according to the website, is the inspiration behind the fundraiser. He was a homeless youth in Polk county who aged out of the foster care system and, with no resources available to him, was found in the Des Moines river three months later. Since my own experience with the homeless man, I have
tried harder to look at those who live on the street. If I catch my eyes glazing over as I pass a begging stranger, I remind myself of the golden rule: do unto others what you would wish done to you. If Harris could give one bit of advice, he says, “Try not to take everything fore granted. We complain a lot about things like internet and class schedules, but there are people dealing with worse things than we are. They have to worry about their meals and where they will sleep. It would be nice if people tried to put that into perspective.” Even the smallest daily actions can create a tidal wave. Carrying bottles of water in my car to hand out to the next person I see on the street, donating a few hours
of my weekend to work at a homeless shelter, helping organize fundraisers and events on campus intended to help and reminding people to always look for more ways to help. Buy an extra package of socks, underwear, and hygiene products and take them to a local shelter. Give away leftovers, build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and donate your time to make others feel like they are worth it.
Every person should feel like they are worth it, and as students we have the ability to help. We are the next generation to run this country, and we can start strong by positively affecting the lives of those who need it most.
Loving My Smile Story | Autumn Ulrich
I have never felt comfortable in my own skin. I never had a strong relationship with my body and I have never had a great deal of confidence in myself. I always wore confidence, but found that I was actually just hiding a lot of me. Applying make up every morning used to feel like a necessity to cover my blemishes and flaws. I felt like I could tackle the day, but only if I added some eyeliner or that blue eye shadow. However, recently, I have realized the make up on my face did not really help my confidence, it just helped me hide. I would still walk through the halls feeling self conscious, overwhelmingly curious about what other people were thinking of me. I worried about how I looked, and what my make up looked like. Thinking of make up was my armor, my shield, still made me translucent.
Photo & Design | Kat Peters
Every time I walked into a room, I just wanted to wrap myself up and hide. I was uncomfortable, and maybe people knew that. They would stare, and I hated it. I was filled with self loathing. I despised my looks because of my bushy, thick eyebrows, with pointy peaks that made me look like a devil or a vampire. I also hated my crooked teeth. After years of begging when I was younger, my parents let me get braces. I was overjoyed! I was finally going to get a beautiful smile, something that was not crooked or lopsided. After getting them, though, I still struggled with the way I looked; they didn’t fix me. When I got my braces off, however, I felt confidence consume me. Finally, with straight, perfect teeth, I had the confidence to take on the world. I smiled more and spoke out more.
And now, I do not feel like it was the make up that protected me; my make up was not really ever my armor. It was my smile. With my smile, I felt prettier, like I could talk to anyone without feeling self conscious. I felt that my face and all my blemishes disappeared, not because of the change in my smile, but because of the change in me. I realized it isn’t even my smile that intrigued people. It wasn’t the make up that I layered on my face every day. It was me. My personality. My armor is myself. In order to be confident, you have to be happy with yourself and know your own worth. You have to embrace yourself, your body and who you are. It shouldn’t matter what you look like on the outside. Your beauty is not in how you look, but in the way you act, the way you present yourself, and your personality.
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tired of being oppressed Story | Sosie Gehling
Design | Kylee Hereid
Photos | Michelle Hartmann
Students coming together to break down barriers and start a conversation on campus about social, economic, racial, ethnic and gender discrimination and oppression.
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It is self evident that human rights are of natural law. No one can give them, and therefore, no one can take them. In today’s world, human rights are a day-today struggle, tearing nations and people apart. I see it on my computer screen, I hear it in my car. It is one of the most common topics in my classes. When I really pause
and think about it, I think that it’s the last thing that should be on our minds. We should not have to discuss who has what rights and who doesn’t, based on such petty differences as skin colors and economics. We shouldn’t have to fear for our jobs or for our safety because of our background or our religion. Yet this is the world we live
in. Voices United, a new Simpson student-run organization, is working to change that. Together with the cultural center and over twenty students, the first meeting was held on Monday, November 17th, in the Cultural Center. Underestimating how many people would attend,
Jasmine Johnson, founder of the organization, was shocked when she saw people crammed into the room, literally on top of one another, all over the floor, and standing in the hallway adjacent from the room. She had never imagined that her simple request to meet at that time and place would have such a huge turnout. I was one of the many who attended the meeting, and I, like many others, was astounded by how many people were there for the exact same reason that I was: to end oppression. We’ve all experienced it, on different levels and in different intensities, but it’s the simple fact that we have all faced it that bands us together. According to Jordan Beem, co-founder of the
organization, who, together with Johnson, formed the organization after being inspired by their human rights class, “You can tell that every single person cares about changing something. Everybody wants to do something, and it’s the something that we’re doing now. I feel like that class completely funneled what we wanted to do.” He states that in Pattie Young’s class, barriers were broken and difficult conversations were encouraged, which is the entire point of the organization. Voices United’s goal is to break down barriers between people, including social, economic, racial, ethnic, and gender barriers that invisibly exist in our society, according to Johnson. Understanding
that not only she, but many others on campus have been oppressed and limited because of these factors, she decided that she would take action, and encourages people to come forward and share their stories and concerns. “We don’t want people to feel stuck in a box,” comments Johnson, “Society has put preconceived notions as to what we are supposed to be, and we want to break that.” The preliminary meeting was short, but there are big plans ahead for Voices United, such as a privilege walk next semester. Privilege walks include people standing on lines, moving forwards or backwards depending on their racial, social, economic, or gender status, and it puts a real
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physical element to the invisible hierarchy of society. Coming from a small town where there was very little racial or economic difference, I was never exposed to much discrimination. But when people found out about my adoptive ethnicity, I was discriminated for being both Mexican and white. I was not allowed to celebrate my heritage because of the stigmas against the Mexican-American population in the United States. This is just one example of the multitudes of stereotypes people deal with every single day. The purpose of Voices United is to open up a safe space where people can ask questions that aren’t so easy to ask in classrooms or in conversations with friends. Voices United is non gender/ racial/economic specific, and welcomes everyone of all colors, shapes, sizes, genders, sexualities, and personalities. Being the amateur humanrights activist that I am, I jumped at the opportunity to join an organization like this, and am proud and excited to be a part of their committee. It is truly enthralling to know that you are part of a difference, that you, along with others, will
leave a lasting impact on a community. Although Voices United recognizes discrimination nationally and globally, their concerns are focused towards Simpson campus and dealing with the problems that arrive within our two-square-block radius. Voices United wants to
most difficult things to do, because we are programmed not to offend someone else with our beliefs, opinions, and even our personalities. We live in a world where people are fighting for their basic rights, when people should be accepting the fact that we are all different, moving on, and banding together to solve the bigger issues that will determine the future of our world, such as hunger, crime, poverty, global warming, and other environmental issues. - Jasmine Johnson As Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself bridge the gap between cannot stand.” And today, Simpson College and the that house is the entirety of surrounding community; the people on this globe. a gap that has only grown As we look around and see wider in the last few years. the wars and terrorism that Doing this will not only strikes people every day, make the community and it is slowly dawning on us the student body of Simpson that the problem lies not in College stronger, it will also others, but in ourselves, and encourage others to be once we fix that problem, active in their communities. creating a world where all “Breaking stereotypes starts people are treated as equal within yourself,” comments as they are created, we can Johnson. And one of the begin a start to repairing biggest ways to break what has been broken for so stereotypes—the most long. You can find out more effective way—is to confront about Voices United from them. its Facebook page http:// Confronting such deep, www.facebook.com/ rooted issues in the human rights spectrum is one of the SimpsonVoicesUnited.
“Breaking stereotypes starts within yourself.”
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