The Equinox 3.23.17

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THE EQUINOX The student voice of Keene State College

Vol. 69, Issue #23 Thursday, March 23, 2017

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KSC says hello and goodbye Barbara O’Connor joins Campus Safety Professor Paul Vincent set to retire JACOB BARRETT

SEnior rEportEr Keene State College (KSC) has recently welcomed Barbara O’Connor into the new position as Interim Director of Campus Safety.

O’Connor, who has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, is heading the safety department a month after the departure of the previous Director of Campus Safety Amanda Guthorn, who left KSC in February.

O’Connor said that she is adjusting to her new role at a smaller col-

GRACE KELLY

“You spend your first couple days trying to meet as many people [as you can] and meet the officers and meet some key constituents.

BARBARA O’CONNOR CAMPUS SAFETY INTERIM DIRECTOR

lege after spending years heading The University of Connecticut and larger university police and public The University of Massachusetts safety departments like The Uni- Amherst before retiring in 2016. versity of Illinois’ Urbana campus, » O’CONNOR, A3

Equinox Staff Professor Paul Vincent, the chair of the Holocaust and genocide studies program here at Keene State College (KSC), will be retiring after the 2017 spring semester.

When Professor Vincent first came to Keene State College, there was no Holocaust and genocide studies major.

“I was in the process of writing a dictionary on the Weimar Republic, which was an area of study full of tragedy. I was asked, I think, two times by a history professor to teach a course on Nazi-Germany while I was working in the library, and, in the mid-1990s and I said sure,” he said.

Professor Vincent also said he owes a bit of his success to sociology professor Charles (Chuck) Hildebrandt, who passed away in 2008. “Chuck Hildebrandt retired in

Special section inside Students spend time in different environments for Spring Break

1998 and he asked me to take over the Holocaust Resource Center he created. At the time, I was the most logical person to do this. That’s how I started, first dealing with Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, then gradually to the second World War because they are interchangeably connected,” he said.

His interest in these studies originally came from his parents and his heritage. “My parents were both veterans of the war. My mother was English in the Royal Air Force. My father was a first generation Polish American.

He started the war apart of the Polish Navy in exile and then went on to join the American Navy. So, the stories of their romance drove me towards this topic,” he said.

But obtaining a career in education was not as easy, “I was in the baby boomer generation, and there were so

» VINCENT, A2

BRIEF

Bookstore looks at options JACOB BARRETT

SEnior rEportEr Members of the Keene State College community got to see presentations put together by companies looking to take over control of the KSC bookstore.

This happened on Tuesday, March 21.

The two companies, Follett and Barnes & Noble College each had an hour to go over what they had to offer the students, faculty and staff of KSC. The first of which was Follett, who set up shop in the Madison Square Longue. Next, Barnes and Noble College talked to an audience in the Mountain View Room The representatives from both camps went over programs they offer which help educators and students get the coursework materials they need or want to use easily and affordably. T hey also discussed a reworked web presence for the store as well as merchandising.

Representatives from Barnes and Noble College gave their presentation in the Mountain View Room and talked about their vision for the KSC’s bookstore.

They also put a focus on the KSC brand as one of the most important aspects of the college’s bookstore as well as lowering the cost of course materials by implementing Open Educational resources, price-match and textbook rental programs.

KSC Chief Information Officer and Laura Seraichick has been

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY ALIZA GUERRERO

involved in a committee to try to find a new company to take over the now independently run bookstore.

She said that it is becoming more and more difficult for the bookstore to stay competitive as it is now.

Seraichick said that both of the companies offered possible solutions to the concerns surrounding the needs of those who use it.

“I think they both addressed a lot of the things around affordability, access, good value for students [and] faculty, and systems and processes to help sort of make that easy and simple for all of them, and then I think they presented their side that has all the other merchandise piece of it,” Seraichick said.

Seraichick said that the committee will continue to evaluate the two candidates before making a recommendation to KSC Interim Vice President for Finance and Planning Dr. Daniel Petree.

She added that Petree will make the decision as to who will receive the contract which will last between 24 and 29 months. She said that the college will be looking for whichever company that takes over to assume operation by no later than July 1.

After the contract expires, Seraichick said that the college and university system will look to have one company operate all bookstores on all of its campuses.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

In this section:

Above, the women’s softball team comes together in Florida.

They spent the week there for their spring break.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JESS BAKER

Students volunteer in Memphis, Tennessee, for an Alternative Break trip.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LUCY SMITH

A beach in Cuba where KSC geography students learned about the culture and dynamic of Cuban living.

Top Headlines

Index Section A: News .................1-3

Section B: A&E ..................1-4

Opinions ...........4-5

Nation/World...5-6

Student Life ......6-10

Sports................7-10

Associated Collegiate Press

A4: Old news, still current A10: Graduation anticipation B1: Students fund for film projects B10: Hockey team goes to nationals

Conversion Therapy Ban, A2

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Dr. Erin Wunker visits, A3

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Conversations on recent conversion therapy ban KATIE JENSEN

Equinox Staff

In past few months, the bill to ban conversion therapy for minors in New Hampshire has been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

It has both Democrats and Republicans in support, but still must be signed off by Governor Chris Sununu in order to become law. The bill that was amended by the New Hampshire State Representatives refers to conversion therapy as a practice which seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation through therapeutic treatment.

Under chapter 332-L, it includes that these efforts are to “...change behaviors or gender expressions to eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”

In the past, guardians of a minor were allowed to place their LGBTQ child in conversion therapy. This typically consists of counseling on how to think and behave in a “straight” heterosexual manner. Children were told to contribute in activities that match their gender role; boys were told to take up sports because that is more masculine, and girls were told to dress pretty and participate in activities more feminine.

The bill proposes that state-licensed counselors would be banned from conducting such therapy on minors.

According to the Human Rights Campaign organization, empirical studies say that minors who undergo this therapy are eight times more likely to commit suicide and three times more likely to abuse drugs in the future.

The American Psychological Association (APA) also came out with a detailed report which concluded, “Results of scientifically valid research indicate that it is unlikely that individuals will be able to reduce samesex attractions or increase other-sex sexual attractions through SOCE.” Student responses Samuel Whitaker, the student president of KSC Pride -- a LGBTQ support group on campus -- described conversion therapy as a conceptually flawed practice.

“It’s couched in language that wrongfully suggests that people’s orientations are malleable,” he said.

KSC Pride is about recognizing people’s chosen gender identity and respecting their way of life. Every spring, there is a Pride March on the Keene State campus, where members of the group will bring issues into the public’s eye and proudly support people in the LGBTQ community. As for the topic of conversion therapy, Whitaker said, “I could certainly see someone making a sign about it or creating a rally cry against it.”

However, some New Hampshire Conservative activists view this ban as an unnecessary government intrusion. According to an article by The Union Leader, opponents of the bill say it could infringe religious practices and parental rights.

Others speak out

In an interview with Manchester Gospel Baptist Church Pastor David Carlson, he said, “The way the bill is written -- it’s too broad and could consequently bar people from seeking religious counseling.” These unintended consequences could harm the religious community and limit their right to express ideas that coincide with their beliefs.

“We should be able to preach, express and encourage the word of God; that is what religious freedom is about,” he said.

Keene State College psychology professor Dr. Lawrence Welkowitz is critical of the conservative testimony that conversion therapy does have some positive outcomes. He remembered Frank Edelblut, New Hampshire’s current Education Commissioner and previous Republican House Representative, testified last spring in opposition to the ban on conversion therapy. “He is clearly being guided by some interest group… he unethically pulled things out of context from the APA report,” said Welkowitz.

Edelblut claims the APA did not conduct their studies correctly and pointed out misinformation and false conclusions. “Individuals who failed to change sexual orientation, ...describe their experiences as a significant cause of emotional and spiritual distress and negative self-imaging, just like you would have negative effects if you tried to quit smoking.”

He believes that the APA report selectively focused on the negative without acknowledging other outcomes, such as some patients experiencing a heightened selfesteem or a closer relationship with God. However, Dr. Welkowitz took the time to read the APA report and saw that on page 42, it revealed that those positive feelings are clouded by depression in the long term.

The APA report stated, “Recent studies document that there are people who perceive that they have benefited from it [conversion therapy].” These benefits include happiness, self-esteem, relief and improved family relationships.

However the report concludes, “Many participants in studies by Beckstead and Morrow (2004) and Shidlo and Schroeder (2002) described experiencing first the positive effects and then experiencing or acknowledging the negative effects later.”

Dr. Welkowitz condemns Republican Edelblut on these grounds and emphasized, “He’s lying. He’s misrepresenting the data and that’s criminal.”

KSC first-year student Nicholas Moungsa shared his opinion on the matter. “It should be banned. I don’t understand how conversion therapy could be a legitimate medical treatment. It’s just completely illogical.”

Another KSC first-year student Taylor Lindquist said, “I acknowledge parental rights and people can do whatever they want… but I don’t understand how people see it’s the right thing to do.”

Governor Chris Sununu was reached out to, but could not be interviewed in time for a comment.

Katie Jensen can be contacted at kjensen@kscequinox.com

SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

VINCENT Cont. from A1

many of us getting our degrees. The market was thick with people already. I realized my chances were very slim, and so I ended up taking a master’s degree in library science. I thought that working as a library director first would introduce me to teaching, which it did,” he said.

Professor Vincent also talked about awards received in his past years of teaching. “I’m most proud of receiving the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2008. The thing that matters to me most at Keene State College is what I’m doing in the classroom,” he said.

Professor Peter Greene, a lecturer in the Holocaust and genocide studies department, described Professor Vincent to be a thoughtful, helpful and dedicated professor.

“Professor Paul Vincent deserves a lot of credit for the creation of this program and for putting Keene State College on the map nationally and internationally,” he said.

TIM SMITH / PHOTO EDITOR

Professor and Department Chair of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program Paul Vincent teaches a class. He will be retiring at the end of the 2017 spring semester. He was the director of the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies from 1998 to 2007 and has won various awards, including a Distinguished Teacher Award at Keene State College.

TIM SMITH / PHOTO EDITOR

Professor and Department Chair of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program Paul Vincent is set to retire after this current semester. He served as the director of the Mason Library from 1985 to 1994, among other accomplishments.

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Professor Ashley Greene, another professor in the Holocaust and genocide studies, said that Professor Paul Vincent has always had an open door for his students. “He’s welcoming and a great mentor. He’s so generous with his enthusiasm for teaching,” she said.

She continued, “With strategies he’s mastered over the years for promoting student learning and his passion for the subject, he spreads this throughout the department. You couldn’t ask for a better colleague; it’s been a privilege.”

Marisa Benson, a senior at KSC, has taken two Holocaust courses with Professor Vincent and agreed with Professor Ashley Greene. “I am consistently impressed with Dr. Vincent’s teaching ability. His lectures, although dense, are deeply interesting and educating. Unlike many other history classes, he emphasizes concepts and cultural feelings,

rather than facts and dates. This approach has been fascinating for me, drawing my attention to overall moods and beliefs in different time periods. This is especially powerful when talking about the development of the Nazi Party and their rise to power,”she said.

Professor Vincent discussed what KSC has given him over the years. “It has been a fabulous ride here at Keene State College. I have been given opportunities here that I’d never dreamed I’d have. I came here as a library director. I was only expecting to be here for five years, and it’s now been 32 years. A big reason that happened is because I had a lot of support here and I made some great friends along the way,” he said.

Professor Ashley Greene included his involvement from the beginning. “In any program, there are the people who

are so instrumental in development and so passionate. Paul is that person. In many ways, he is the heart of the department and we’re here because of him. He will always be remembered fondly,” she said.

So what’s next for Professor Paul Vincent? He said, “I taught in Poland back in 2015. It was a thrill to work as a European historian being American, and I’ve been invited to come back after I’m retired, but I’m not sure if it’s going to happen yet. I’m also working on a book that I’d like to finish.”

Grace Kelly can be contacted at gkelly@kscequinox.com

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Event highlights International Women’s Day CAMPUS SAFETY report log

“I thought it was awesome; I thought it was really informative and insightful.

I didn’t realize the importance of feminist friendships… you should strive for these types of relationships.”

Week of: March 13 Monday, March 13

8:15 a.m. Pondside 2 Lot: Motor Vehicle Collision - Hit & Run

MADISON OLSEN KSC FIRST-YEAR

10:32 a.m. Mason Library: Trespassing After Notice Sunday, March 19 7:55 p.m. Mason Library: Destruction Property / Vandalism 10:19 p.m. Carle Hall: Controlled Drug Act Violation // - Drug Paraphernalia Possession // Odor of Drugs BRIEF

Keene Police Chief dies at age 42 DOROTHY ENGLAND

News editor

TIM SMITH / PHOTO EDITOR

Students and others listen to Dr. Erin Wunker, who spoke on feminism. Her recent book, “Notes from a Feminist Killjoy: Essays on Everyday Life” divulges the perspective of a feminist in the world. Wunker was brought to the college by Assistant Professor of English Dr. Emily Robins Sharpe.

Dr. Erin Wunker speaks at Keene State about feminism KATHERINE GLOSSER

equiNox staff Feminism has been a controversial topic discussed by many.

Lately, gender has become a topic widely talked about, and International Women’s Day was a perfect example. On Wednesday, March 8, which was International Women’s Day, Assistant Professor of English at Acadia University Dr. Erin Wunker spoke at the Alumni Center in Centennial Hall. She spoke about her recent book, “Notes From a Feminist Killjoy: Essays on Everyday Life.”

Wunker has been doing feminist research since she was an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina and became interested in intersectional feminist theory. The book talked about rape culture, feminist friendships, mothering and “resistance,” or working against female misogyny.

During the presentation, Wunker discussed pop culture’s toxic narratives about female friendship and how it contributes to stereotypes. Wunker than highlighted the importance

O’CONNOR Cont. from A1

“Those other places I worked really functioned like municipal or city/town police officers. They were fully sworn and did many of the same things the campus safety officers here did, but then could also do sort of a policing function, and so it’s a little bit of an adjustment,” O’Connor said.

On her arrival Assistant Director of Campus Safety Leonard Crossman said that he sees O’Connor’s experience at larger campuses as a benefit to having her on staff now.

“She recognizes that each institution is unique and she’s adapting to that,” Crossman said.

of feminist friendship and discussed intersectional feminism, as well as her book.

Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Emily Robins Sharpe proposed the idea and invited Wunker to speak. RobinsSharpe said that some students were reading excerpts of Wunker’s book and felt that it would be a great idea for people to meet the author. “I know that Dr. Wunker is a phenomenal teacher and a phenomenal speaker, and so I knew that if she were to come to our campus, it would be a really exciting experience for the students and faculty and staff and community members who got to not only listen to her, but also talk with her,” said Robins Sharpe.

Wunker said she knew that students were reading excerpts of her book and said she did the presentation to get people talking and thinking about how toxic narratives of female friendships circulate in pop culture and over history and why those narratives are toxic. “I felt that after the year we had, in terms of the gender and equity issues, that I wanted to talk about something a little less complicated but a little more joyful, like friendship, and so that’s really what

“She has a completely different perspective than we do at the college… She has a different way of looking at it, and that’s exactly what we needed for this position at this particular time. [That] is somebody who can evaluate where we stand…and [to] be able to propose how to do things more efficiently.”

Crossman said that the staff have adapted well to the new leadership after 16 years with Guthorn.

“They’re transitioning well. I mean any change can be difficult however… it’s also an opportunity to have a fresh start and to try new things and try different ways of doing things,” Crossman said.

O’Connor, who began her tenure as campus safety director the week prior to spring break, said that she had spent her first few days familiarizing herself with those in the Keene community.

inspired me to talk about feminist friendship,” said Wunker.

KSC first-year student Garrett McMorrow said he came to the event for his class and he didn’t know much about feminism. He said that going to the event changed his perception of feminism. “I thought it was really insightful. It completely changed my understanding of the ideology of feminism,” said McMorrow. “Prior to this, I guess I thought of it more as women want the same pay or women want the same opportunities, but you never really think of it as they want their image to be changed.”

KSC first-year student Madison Olsen came to the presentation for both her class and her interest in the presentation’s topic. “I identify as a feminist….so it was a talk that I wanted to see,” said Olsen. “I thought it was awesome; I thought it was really informative and insightful. I didn’t realize the importance of feminist friendships… you should strive for these types of relationships.”

Katherine Glosser can be contacted at kglosser@kscequinox.com.

“You spend your first couple days trying UConn campuses statewide. to meet as many people [as you can] and She led the police department with over meet the officers and meet some key constit- 80 sworn officers, as well as a full-time fire uents,” O’Connor said. department with over 40 members. Her work in the areas of campus sexual assault Those who know her and threat assessment teams has pushed UConn to the forefront of innovation in The University of Connecticut Chief of these areas.

Police and Interim Director of Public Safety Her positive attitude and seemingly endHans Rhynhart stated that O’Connor was less amount of energy will serve the Keene able to accomplish a quite a bit during her community well. If you could convince her tenure at the university. to stay on permanently you would be win“Chief O’Connor is an innovative and ning the lottery,” Rhynhart stated. progressive leader in the area of campus However, O’Connor said that she will law enforcement, as was exhibited during not be looking to make this a permanent her 30 plus years working for and leading position for her and will be on staff until the three state flagship university police depart- end of August. ments. At UConn, she was also the DirecDuring that time, she said she wants to tor of Public Safety, which encompassed help to find ways to solve issues such as comboth police and fire departments, as well as muter parking, look into how the departbuilding and fire code enforcement for all ment is staffed, look into the resources

The city of Keene lost a beloved community leader earlier this month. Police Chief Brian Costa was found dead at his home on Thursday, March 10 according to a New Hampshire Police statement. His death was untimely, and as for now, no further information on his death has been released, according to a March 12 article in The Keene Sentinel.

Keene Police Department dispatcher Christopher Milton said in a phone call that there are no new updates.

Costa was 46 years old at the time of his death. He was appointed police chief in May of 2015 and had worked for the department for 21 years. He will be missed by many, including Keene Mayor Kendall W. Lane.

In an article from The Keene Sentinel, Lane said, “‘I had a world of respect for Chief Costa. He was an incredibly sensitive and empathetic individual, and he brought tremendous value to the Keene Police Department and the city.’”

According to the same article, Keene Police Captain Steven Russo will stand in as acting police chief.

Dorothy England can be contacted at dengland@kscequinox.com

allocated to Campus Safety and how they are being used and make changes or recommendations based on her findings. She also wants to find better ways to prevent crimes such as sexual assault from occurring on campus.

She added that she also wants to hear from students about their concerns regarding safety.

“I should say I’m happy to be here. I’m looking forward to really seeing how much I can help the campus with their assessment of campus safety needs, and I think a critical piece of that is hearing from students [and] what their issues are around safety,” O’Connor said.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

BRIEF

Potential changes for Keene State College’s grading system DOROTHY ENGLAND

the system of plus and minuses (A, A-, B+, B…). In the e-mail, Denehy said a survey was sent out “earlier this semester.”

The practice of Keene State College professors giving In a phone interview, he clarified this survey went students an ‘AB’ may soon be over. out to faculty and staff.

An e-mail detailing potential new changes for KSC “We got feedback for students from Student Assemwas sent out by Academic Scheduler and Chair of the bly,” he said. Denehy said as far as he knows, there’s no Academic Standards Committee Brendan Denehy on evidence out there that either model gives a higher or Monday, March 20. lower GPA. For now, the school uses a system of A, AB, B, BC… In the e-mail, he stated the members of the Acaand the committee is looking to potentially change it to demic Standards Committee will be present to discuss

News editor

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this matter on both Wednesday, March 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. and Thursday, March 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. They will be located in the student center room 307. “This is a ‘drop in’ period; you are welcome to stop by and share your thoughts and to stay to listen to your colleagues,” he stated.

KSC sophomore Melissa Depew said she feels this potential new model could make things easier to understand.

“There was definitely some initial confusion coming here from high school where they have As and A

minuses, but then ABs here,” she said. However, she said the current system is not that bad now that she understands it. According to Denehy’s e-mail, the College Senate expects to vote on this proposal at the April 5 meeting. However, he said, “If passed, it wouldn’t be in effect until fall 2018.

Dorothy England can be contacted at dengland@kscequinox.com

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OPINIONS

Opinions / A4

Thursday, March 23, 2017

EDITORIAL

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Staying informed beyond the media Often times, news organizations will all jump on the same story at once, making a huge deal of it and then let the topic become forgotten. The story will get buried for a while before coming back into the media’s spotlight. It’s important to bear in mind that just because the news media isn’t currently focusing on a topic or issue doesn’t mean it isn’t occurring.

We’ve seen this play out quite recently through the examples of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and Flint, Michigan’s, water crisis. Both topics were highlighted across the board on mostly all news outlets.

However, at the peak of the DAPL’s popularity, with people eagerly paying attention to the protests back in November and December of 2016, it seemed to hide away from the headline’s shortly after. It has reappeared recently now that we’ve come to learn that it’s been given the green light to go ahead and be constructed.

We’ve also seen Flint, Michigan’s, water crisis get turned into a huge deal in the media. However, once news organizations put a halt on running articles

about the situation, people’s attention was geared elsewhere, away from this persisting problem that still affects residents today.

Issue’s like these two aren’t solved overnight or in the time it takes to publish a weekly paper. Just because more timely news is reported upon, doesn’t mean the old news corrected itself. That’s important to remember while taking in news from many different outlets.

It’s important not to fall victim to this trend of suddenly caring about an issue to forget about it in the following weeks or months that come. A classic example that comes to mind is Kony 2012. Perhaps, some of you may remember this brief but inspirational campaign. It may have come too late, but many were moved by it before, all of a sudden, it was a thing of the past.

We at The Equinox have noticed that as soon as the media stops bringing an issue or topic to light, people’s’ attention to that issue or topic will cease as well. If something occurring in the world hit home to you while reading a news article, don’t give up on

it just because it’s no longer getting as much media coverage as it once did. Look elsewhere to stay upto-date on whatever it was that sparked this interest.

Research outside of news outlets and delve into other forms of gathering information such as those who utilize Twitter to provide real news in real time.

Twitter and livestreaming have the ability to broadcast vital information before reporters and news stations have the opportunity to get the word out. Today, news is able to be covered constantly 24/7 through different platforms. With information constantly being shared, sometimes news becomes old news fast as new stories stack. If a topic or current event means something to you, investigate it for yourself and form your own conclusions, rather than letting that care conclude at the bottom paragraph of the most recent article published online. We at The Equinox encourage you all to stay informed on different topics that interest you.

SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

Student reflects on the controversy revolving around conversion therapy ALYSSA SALERNO

Equinox Staff After the supreme court made same sex marriage legal in all states, politicians have been under the microscope when it comes to their views on the issue. One topic of discussion that has been coming up repeatedly is that of conversion therapy. Politicians, however, should not have any right to say whether a homosexual person should go through conversion therapy or not.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, conversion therapy is based off of the theory that homosexuality is a mental disorder and a person can be cured through therapy and corrective behaviors.

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There is not a lot of evidence to support that conversion therapy helps people in any way. In fact, for the most part it only ends up hurting the person involved by putting them in a helpless situation, where they are attracted to one group of people but are told that thought is wrong.

The struggles that LGBTQ community members face daily are numerous. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, LGBTQ youth have higher risk of depression and suicide than most other groups of people.

The arguments of people who support conversion therapy are usually rooted in that of a religious background. People also fear that which they do not know. For these

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reasons, politicians like Vice President, Mike Pence and more recently, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, Frank Edelblut, have been accused of not standing up for the LGBTQ communities rights.

Most notably, Edelblut was on the fundraising board of directors for Patrick Henry College, a school that prohibits students from being homosexual.

Shameless, a popular TV show, just recently addressed the issue by putting Frank Gallagher, one of the show’s main characters who is heterosexual, through conversion therapy. The show highlighted the ridiculousness of the situation while keeping the comedic angle of the show intact.

The character that was really wronged in the episode was the woman who Frank met while in therapy. She was unable to perform the acts that the therapists were asking of her because it felt wrong to her. This storyline showed the underlying evilness of the theory of conversion therapy, that people are being forced to go against their natural instincts just because other people think those instincts are not right.

This issue affects all people, even those not directly related to the LGBTQ community. The people who support conversion therapy think they are doing people in the LGBTQ community a favor by helping them get over a mental illness.

The decision to go through the conver-

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sion therapy process is an extremely personal one. If a person decides to go to conversion therapy for reasons like religious beliefs or whatever other reasons, it should be on their own terms.

The government should not have any say in it, at all. The government should not even have a stance on whether they think it’s good for people or not because of how personal of a decision it is. The government does not have any stance of traditional therapy, so this should not be any different.

Alyssa Salerno can be contacted at asalerno@kscequinox.com

EDITORIAL POLICY The Equinox is a designated public forum. Student editors have full editorial control over the entire content of the paper. All articles and opinion pieces are assigned, written and edited by students without censor by administrators, faculty or staff.

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Opinions / A5

Thursday, March 23

STAFF COMMENTARY

STAFF COMMENTARY

What to do when pulled over

Misconceptions of massage therapy DOROTHY ENGLAND

nEws Editor

SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

Questioning if driver’s education should teach us how to act when pulled over ALEXANDRIA SAURMAN

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt Editor I was 18 years old the first time I got pulled over by a police officer. I had been driving for over two years at that point, but was a little scared and intimidated by the presence of the blue lights.

It was around 10 p.m.. I was taking my friend home from work when out of nowhere, we heard sirens and saw flashing lights behind us.

“I’m going to get a ticket,” I thought to myself, even though I was pretty sure I had done nothing wrong.

The road was dimly lit and nearly empty. I pulled my car into the parking lot of a shopping center, sitting idle in one of the parking spots.

I put my hands on my wheel, making sure not to move too much. The police officer came to my window and asked for the license and registration. After reviewing them, he informed me that one of my lights was out, something I had known but forgotten.

I promptly apologized. Thankfully, he only gave me a warning, and was on his way.

My dad taught me how to drive. He’s the kind of person that takes 30 minutes to run a five minute errand to the grocery store because he drives so carefully. None of the accidents he’s been in have been his fault. For him, the speed limit is the speed limit, and any speed more than five miles per hour over or under is illegal.

His values became the basis of his teaching, and with that teaching came what to do when being pulled over by a police officer—remain calm, do as the officer says, be polite and don’t

start a fight. The other information, such as what to do if you don’t feel safe when being pulled over, I learned from reading the Pennsylvania Driver’s Handbook.

How would this have been different had I taken a driver’s education course (driver’s ed)? Would I have known what to do? I don’t know, because I’ve never taken driver’s ed, and I probably never will. But what I do know is that teaching drivers what to do when they get pulled over is a must.

According to the 2011 publication by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration titled “Driver Education Practices In Selected States,” driver’s ed is required by 29 of the 50 states in America.

While Pennsylvania is not one of these states, New Hampshire is.

A document titled “STATE-BY-STATE OVERVIEW: Driver Education requirements, Online DE authorization, Requirements Post-18” on leg. wa.gov states that in NH, “Teens under 18 must take a driver’s education course with 30 hours of classroom instruction. They must also complete 10 hours of driving with a certified driving instructor, and observe their peers driving for six hours.”

But what exactly is included in these courses, not just in NH, but in general? In August 2016, according to DNAinfo, Illinois passed a bill requiring that driver’s ed instructors teach students proper procedures for being pulled over.

However, there are no reports available on the success of the new law due to its initiation date (2017-18 school year).

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Special Report “Police Behavior during Traffic

“Even though young drivers make up a small percentage of individuals who are pulled over, it’s still essential to teach them what to do if it were to happen.”

ALEXANDRIA SAURMAN A&E EDITOR

and Street Stops, 2011,” 26,433,330 of US residents were pulled over in 2011. Of those, only 9 percent were ages 16-17 or about 2,379,000 drivers. During the same year, crashstats.nhtsa.dot. gov reports that 12.6 million individuals aged 15-20 were legally driving on the road.

Even though young drivers make up a small percentage of individuals who are pulled over, it’s still essential to teach them what to do if it were to happen.

There is a chance that at some point in a driver’s life, even if he or she is a safe driver, the individual will be pulled over. And when that happens, they must know what to do.

Alexandria Saurman can be contacted at asaurman@kscequinox.com

His orange jacket contrasts sharply with his tanned and hairy skin.

He hurries over to me, urgency in every step. He’s not who I’m expecting, but I greet him with a smile and open-mind, because reputation is everything in this business. Right off the bat, he asks about our services.

His accent is thick like the cream we use. I tell him about pregnancy, hot stone, Hawaiian styles and Thai Yoga. At each he shakes his head, his frizzy curls bouncing side to side.

I stop. His hand is held up, a universal sign of stopping. “Do you offer arctic massage?” he asks me. I try not to let my confusion show as my brain racks the possibilities: it’s been cold lately, maybe he means using winter ice to help with inflammation, or maybe he means cold stones. Maybe I’ve just never heard of the term, damn my education, I think.

I ask him to repeat himself. He speaks slowly and deliberately. “Do you (he points at me) do erotic massage?” I’m shocked and frankly relieved that he hasn’t pointed below for the other noun in his sentence. I also want to laugh, badly, but I can’t. I pull an arctic face. “No sir, we do not.” I show him the door ignoring his comments of ‘why not?’ (Because it’s illegal) ‘Where else he can go?’ (The cops maybe?) ‘Are you sure?’ (Seriously? Get out.)

We don’t even look like the kind of place to “maybe” offer these types of services. We’re in a Chiropractic office where nutritional supplements line the shelves and people lay on devices that stretch their vertebrae like a slow moving accordion. Elderly women are our most frequent customers.

This is just one misconception about massage therapy: that we border on the kinky. But there are others and it’s my belief that these misconceptions hurt my chances of being successful in this field.

The other day a regular of mine came in. As always, I ask what to focus on. She shakes her head and shrugs, “You know best, Wonder Woman.”

Later while she’s on the table, I find the same problem I typically do: tension in the wrists and hands. “Oh yeah, that’s really tight,” she tells me, “I think I might have carpal tunnel.” This is not the first time, nor will it be the last that she says this. It’s not because she’s dumb and forgets, no, more so it’s because she’s lead to believe that only I can fix her problem so she has to once again remind me of it.

It’s a two-way street however. I’m not with my clients even a quarter of the time- they are with themselves. I can’t massage them every time they’re in pain or discomfort. So really, it comes down to their responsibility of working with me to take care of them. It comes down to them doing stretches or self-massaging techniques in their own time away from me.

On the other side of this coin, my job is often perceived as a “fluffy” one.

When I go out and tell people I’m a massage therapist, one of two things happens. I’m either asked to massage that person right then and there, or I’m told how nice it must be to get a massage. “Oh what a luxury,” they say.

“How relaxing,” they say. “I’d love to go to the spa,” they say.

All of these can be true, just as they can be false. It really depends on each individual.

I have a client who can’t tie his own shoes unless he gets a massage. He comes in, his shoes messily slopped on his feet. I spend two hours working to stretch, increase circulatory flow and bend his legs in positions he can’t do on his own. Meanwhile, he’s breathing deeply and talking to distract himself from the pain incurred. It’s like getting a splinter out, it hurts while it’s being done, but afterwards it’s all better.

Once the two hours are up, he gets up slowly with his body sore from the treatment, but he’s relieved. He ties his shoes in a simple bowknot and comes out to show me. He’s as proud as a first grader who’s just done it for the first time.

For this client, massage therapy isn’t a relaxing, hot towel on the neck and scents of jasmine aromatherapy type of deal. This is way to manage his pain.

Massage therapy is an individual experience. Some people do get more of the relaxing types of massage, but for them, it helps with their anxiety and depression. I’ve spent a good half hour just on a person’s scalp, where people feel emotional tension rolling around.

But massage therapy is not often what people think it is. There’s a lot to it and I just don’t “rub” people’s’ bodies for a living. I help them, and if they’re willing to work on their own issues, it’s a team effort. Massage therapy isn’t intended to be a sexual, all-powerful or just a nice, relaxing treatment. It’s intended to bring awareness to individuals about themselves.

And in my opinion, that’s the best you can offer for the road to recovery of any kind.

Dorothy England can be contacted at dengland@kscequinox.com

STAFF COMMENTARY

Community Fridges combat hunger while reducing food waste ADAM URQUHART

opinions Editor To combat the appalling amount of food wasted annually, some people are taking matters into their own hands in communities across the world. A unique initiative that seems to be on a slow rise is community fridges.

The idea behind the concept of a community fridge is quite simple. Those who are in need of food can stop by the community fridge anytime day or night and take what they need and leave what they don’t. The rules are simple and almost commonsensical in that you don’t leave behind unsealed products, food that’s rotten, half eaten, etc. It’s a way for local food retailers and producers to donate unsold food and help others as opposed to tossing it in the garbage. For example, a day and a half old pastry may hold little to no commercial value in a bakeries glass display case, but that pastry still has nutritional value. Community fridges operate on honesty and common decency. In some cases, people will volunteer to check up on the community fridge twice a day to ensure all food within the fridge is safe for consumption or not tampered with.

There are food pantries and donation services available in many communities across the world, but with a community fridge in your neighborhood, everything is more direct. It keeps everything local and convenient for those who would really utilize this fridge.

You could donate food you aren’t going to eat that’s in your fridge or cupboard as well. Also, with the fridge being available 24/7, people can have access to food or make donations around the clock on their own time.

A community fridge both reduces food waste and hunger. As it is now, according to www.feedingamer-

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ica.org, “An estimated 25 – 40 percent of food grown, processed and transported in the US will never be consumed.” That means while many go hungry, much of the food that could have fed them will end up in landfills. This in turn contributes to methane emissions. According to www.feedingamerica.org, “In 2015, 42.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 29.1 million adults and 13.1 million children.” That’s just among the United States.

Across the world, a lot of food that’s perfectly fine is discarded daily.

Last month, London’s first community fridge named The People’s Fridge was installed in south London. It’s located in the Brixton district in London’s Borough of Lambeth. Other similar fridges have popped up in the UK, but this is the first time it’s been brought to London. Hundreds of other community fridges are already operating in Germany, Spain and India.

I think it would be great to see more community fridges launched in the United States. Since it seems simple enough to operate, I feel more communities should look into investing in a fridge. If all food is safe and well-kept I don’t see an issue with them. As important as it is to seek to donate before discarding food, I feel it’s equally important to be conscious of our own food consumption. I mean this on an individual level in terms of eating out, grocery shopping and things of that nature. If we only buy or eat what we need, we can limit those excess amounts of food that end up being left over.

Take what you need.

Leave what you don’t.

ITY N U E MM CO FRIDG

As important as it is to seek to donate before discarding food, I feel it’s equally important to be conscious of our own food consumption.

ADAM URQUHART OPINIONS EDITOR

Adam Urquhart can be contacted at aurquhart@kscequinox.com

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STUDENT LIFE / A6

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Nutrition coaching for college students JOHN PIATELLI

Equinox Staff Are you looking to eat healthier? Do you lack valuable sports nutrition information? The Keene State College (KSC) Nutrition Coaching Program may be just right for you.

Going away to college can be a very stressful time for college students, especially those in their first year.

Along with an academic experience, moving into college offers one of the first steps into adulthood. Unfortunately, this also means moving away from all of the comforts being home has to offer. For some students, college is the first time away from home. Once students arrive on campus, learning how to balance schoolwork, potential jobs and other activities can become very stressful.

Dietetic Internship Field Supervisor Whitney Hightower said a collaboration between the KSC Dietetic Internship Program and the Center for Health & Wellness permits dietetic interns to provide students with valuable information that can encourage healthier choices. Using past experiences from her time at Central Washington University, Hightower said she was motivated to be a part of the program in Keene. Rather than hire nutrition coaches, the program utilizes post-graduate interns to educate the student body.

Hightower said when she began working with KSC in 2015, she was excited to bring her experience from former nutrition coaching programs to Keene.

In order to help students learn about healthy eating options and resources on and off campus, Coordinator of Wellness Education from the Center for Health & Wellness Tiffany Mathews said a partnership with the Zorn Dining Common was formed.

Rebecca Hunt, a registered dietitian, said she provides food tours in order to show healthier options and to help students become more familiar with the staff. According to Hunt, staff at the dining commons are prepared for anything students ask for, including allergies. Hunt also stressed the importance of the option to use special pans that are not in contact with particular foods for students with allergies. Hunt also mentioned the success of Vegan Valley for students who wish to eat meat and dairy-free meals. Hearing personal experiences from former and/or current students can help encourage healthier choices in the dining commons, according to Hunt.

Hunt said students should ask the dining commons staff “for what [they] want and the workers will notice and work with [them].” An example of this can be as simple as asking for olive oil rather than canola oil at the stir fry line. Hunt mentioned the potential

of a “mix and match” station at the dining commons in order to incorporate several food stations into one meal.

In support of this, Hightower said she views the program as a bridge between knowledge and behavior change, while “helping students develop the strategies to make healthy choices.”

Mathews said the program offers an initial 15-20 minute goal-setting, along with an additional followup coaching session lasting 45-60 minutes. Unfortunately, not all students realize this.

Mathews said the program was first started as a pilot program in the spring of 2016 for first-year students. She said the program proved to be successful with high participation levels and a high percentage of students who were interested in continuing to meet with nutrition coaches throughout the semester. In the fall of 2016, the program became available to all KSC students. Currently, according to Mathews, the program consists of 17 students enrolled, who are distributed among five nutrition coaches.

Mathews said, “Students who are interested in participating in the program will gain invaluable information that will guide them in their nutritional choices now and in the future.”

Even sports teams now have the opportunity to gain valuable nutrition information through group education presentations and possible one-on-one nutrition coaching for those interested. When asked how the Nutrition Coaching Program informs student athletes, Hightower said the program is currently developing a presentation for the men and women’s swim and dive team for the fall and have worked with the women’s lacrosse team in the past.

Hightower said she understands that “simply knowing what to eat does not equal behavior change.

Working with a coach can help bolster your confidence and encourage strategies that students can sustain. Developing relationships on campus through the KSC nutrition program can offer students valuable information.”

Rebecca Hunt noted, “March is national nutrition month, all students should feel encouraged to visit and chat with members of the nutrition program.”

Mathews said undergraduate interns from the health science department collaborate by tabling twice a week with the Center for Health & Wellness in the student center.

John Piatelli can be contacted at jpiatelli@kscequinox.com

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

Sometimes, making the healthy choice when eating is difficult, but the Nutrition Coaching Program can help you to make more mindful decisions.

Eating with the Equinox: Pico de gallo KATE FAULKNER

Equinox Staff Ingredients: -1 tomato -1/2 cup white onions -1/2 cup cilantro -1 tablespoon lime juice -1 green pepper -jalapeño pepper (if you want to add spice) Directions: 1. Dice ingredients and toss with the lime juice.

2. Serve with favorite chips and enjoy!

Spring is finally here and it is the perfect time to eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are coming into season.

Pico de gallo is a classic salsa that is great to savor in the new warm weather. With only a handful of ingredients and very little prep time, this is the perfect snack to prepare in a dorm. Try this simple but delicious recipe and make it your own by adding other spices or veggies.

EWTE is supported by the Student Nutrition Association at Keene State club (SNAKS).

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KATE FAULKNER

(603) 496-1967

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STUDENT LIFE / A7

Thursday, March 23, 2017

To Write Love on Her Arms comes to KSC EMMA HAMILTON

Student Life editor Depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide have the ability to take over the people we love and care for, or even ourselves, quickly and carelessly.

According to the To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) website, TWLOHA “is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, selfinjury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and invest directly into treatment and recovery.”

The nonprofit organization was founded in 2007 by Jamie Tworkowski, who was helping a friend going through the struggles listed above. Tworkowski wrote a story about his time spent with his friend before she went to a treatment center.

In helping her, Tworkowski sold t-shirts to assist with the costs the treatment center would entail, and the day his friend was admitted, he posted the story

he had written to MySpace. The story went viral and touched the hearts of several other individuals around the world experiencing the same struggles.

On March 8, the Circle K Club here at Keene State College brought To Write Love on Her Arms to campus in the Mabel Brown Room.

The room was filled with upbeat music and tables from various organizations that connected to bringing awareness in a variety of ways, along with activities such as Zumba.

Sophomore and Circle K Club member Faith Pudlo said the event’s purpose is suicide awareness.

“This is globally an issue and we are bringing a small part of awareness here to Keene State. It’s to show that people are really not alone and there’s this feeling of a sense of community,” Pudlo said.

Pudlo and other Circle K Club members had a welcome table filled with smiles and gift baskets to raffle off at the end of the night.

One activity the club included was the wishing well fears and dreams, which allowed event attendees to

write what they fear and dream of in their future.

Tables around the room included The Samaritans Inc, WKNH, Mentors in Violence Prevention, KSC Beautiful Lengths, Campus Ministry and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Each group had their own individual table focused in on connecting to TWLOHA. The Samaritans Inc table covered suicide prevention for survivors of suicide attempt and information for being able to volunteer. MVP members were there to support the event and bring awareness to sexual violence.

KSC Beautiful Lengths volunteers sophomore Maria Aiello and sophomore Aimee Krafft were supporting TWLOHA and seeking individuals to donate their hair in a few weeks at their event.

“We are looking for people to donate at least eight inches of their hair and it can’t be bleached, dyed or have chemical treatments to it. The donated hair goes to wigs being made for cancer patients that they receive free of cost,” Aiello said.

The Campus Ministry had a post-secret and con-

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

CIrcle K Club members put on the event To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) in the Mabel Brown Room.

fessional trifold set up by their campus minister Cindy Cheshire.

“Anyone is able to fill out a postcard with something that they may need to get off their chest; it can be anything. They can either put it in the postsecret section or the confessional section. If they just want to get it off their chest and never speak of it again, they can do that. If they need someone to talk to, they also have that option,” Cheshire said.

With the ministry, anyone’s secrets are kept safe and confidential, according to Cheshire. She said, “It makes people aware that they are not alone.”

The Counseling Center is open and available to anyone on campus. It is located in the Elliot Center and is open during the academic year from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Emma Hamilton can be contacted at ehamilton@kscequinox.com

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

Mentors in Violence Prevention was one of the several organizations at the event supporting TWLOHA.

Spending the semester studying down in Australia DEVEN FREIHOFER

Study AwAy I guess you could say adjusting from a school of 4,000 students, where a walk to class is no more than 10 minutes, to a school with 37,000 students, where I must catch the public bus for a 10-minute drive to campus from my dorm, has been a bit different.

Nonetheless, it has been an adventurous experience thus far.

My favorite part has been submersing myself in the Australian culture and picking up the little things they say or do.

Studying abroad was something I had always wanted to do, but the thought of being away never really hit me until I was saying goodbye to my mom in the airport and about to board my flight.

I had no idea what to expect for any aspect of this journey.

Let me tell you, although things seemed very similar, in actuality, they are all very different.

To start, the people here are always nice and welcoming.

There isn’t a day where someone doesn’t pass me walking on the street, see me in public or on the public transportation, where my presence is not acknowledged.

I love that about the people, because they make me feel so comfortable here.

Next, there are many slang terms.

I learn at least two new ones a day. There isn’t a language barrier, but there are different terms used here. I’ll include a list.

1. “Keen” means you’re down to do something. “I’m keen to go to the beach this weekend.”

2. “Heaps” means a lot. “I got heaps of homework to do this weekend.”

3. “Chewy” is a piece of gum.

4. “Lift” is the elevator.

5. “Transpo” is the public transportation.

6. “Trolley” is a shopping cart in the store.

7. Stores are called “shops.”

8. “Chemist” is the pharmacy.

9. “Boot” is the trunk of the car.

10. “Tomato sauce” is ketchup.

While this is a small list, it shows how even little things differentiate Australia from home.

Some other things that I have noticed are very cultural.

There is no tipping here.

You don’t tip employees at a restaurant, cab drivers, tattoo artists, or anyone.

This is because their wages are so high, that tipping is never even thought of.

I have heard that the usual pay rate is $30 AUD, even though the mini-

“Studying abroad was something I always wanted to do, but the thought of being away never really hit me until I was saying goodbye to my mom in the airport and about to board my flight.”

DEVEN FREIHOFER KSC JUNIOR

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When not in class, one of the things Freihofer enjoys doing is spending her free time in the warm sun on the beach.

mum wage is about $17 AUD. Also, since their steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road, you should follow that when you walk too.

You need to walk on the left or else you will stick out like a sore thumb or get bodied by whomever you’re walking past.

Their degrees are in Celsius, time is in military and the date is written dd/mm/yy.

If you need the bathroom, you ask for the toilet.

Fries are chips, so if you order chips and guac, expect some French fries and a weird look from whoever takes your order (I did this once).

Cars will not yield for pedestrians, ever. You need to make sure you’re in a crosswalk and wait for the light to tell you it is safe to walk.

In Australian restaurants, you aren’t usually waited on.

You will order food at the bar and they will either bring it out to you after or give you a buzzer.

Rotaries are everywhere, at least every few feet on main roads, and there are very few traffic lights.

They also love and mock the American accent, and since they grew up listening to American music and watching American movies, they are usually good at it.

In the three short weeks that feel like a lifetime that I have been here, this is what I have been able to pick up on, and I can’t wait to continue to observe each day and pick up on everything I can.

Everything seems so simple here.

I live in a first-year dorm, but most of them are my age anyways because gap years are huge here, so almost everyone takes a year off and travels before they come to Uni. My floor has six Americans and 14 Australians, so it leaves a lot of room for all of us to learn about each other.

The beach is right next to my dorm, so trips there are endless.

At the beach though, you must be careful.

The waves here are not like home.

The undertow (riptide) is very strong and you can easily be taken out.

To get to campus, I must walk to the bus stop, catch the bus I need (55A) and take the 10-minute ride.

Classes run differently here than at Keene State.

Your class will have a lecture that meets once a week with 100+ students for an hour or two, then you have a practical or tutorial breakdown of the subject with about 20 other students once a week for two or three hours.

I think the academics have been the biggest adjustment so far.

They are so much more in depth and formulated differently.

While it is all stressful and confusing, I think that is the beauty of studying abroad.

I’m learning every day, in class, out experiencing, with my floormates and even just about myself.

I am so fortunate and grateful to have this experience, and it is something I would strongly advise anyone to dive into. I never knew it was possible to be this happy.

Although missing home is hard and being away is as well, I know I will never regret this experience and it will be something I reflect on for the rest of my life.

With plans to go up the Gold Coast to visit Bond University, to explore and to see Byron Bay, followed by a trip to Cairns to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, and then my mom coming shortly thereafter, I know this semester is going to fly by. I plan to enjoy every moment and take nothing for granted. As for everyone at Keene State, I’ll see you soon mates.

Deven Freihofer can be contacted at deven.freihofer@ksc.keene.edu

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STUDENT LIFE / A8

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Long-lost friends find eachother and themselves SAMI SMITH

Equinox Staff Eight years ago, a family uprooted from New Britain, Connecticut, to a small town in central New Hampshire called Belmont. For the family’s 11-year-old, John Valengavich, that very first day became a memorable one. A classmate, Paige Norkiewicz, asked him out on the playground, but he turned her down.

The two adolescents moved on through various life rituals and transitions. Both had their own friend groups, hobbies, school activities and classes. They, along with 273 other students, graduated from Belmont High School in 2015 and went on to study at different colleges.

Beginning the transition Until 2016 – when each was experiencing, perhaps, the biggest transition of all – hormone replacement therapy, John was now Vivian and Paige was now Pan and they fell madly in love. What didn’t click in their gender birth bodies is now flourishing.

According to Medical Daily, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used for transgender individuals in which sex hormones and other hormonal medications are orally administered into the body. The purpose of this is to synchronize secondary sexual characteristics with the individual’s gender identity. Both John-Vivian and Paige-Pan are in the process of HRT. Around the end of the 2016 spring semester, JohnVivian updated Facebook with a new picture, name and gender. At first glance, Paige-Pan thought that it was actually John-Vivian’s younger sister, Julie. “I ended up realizing that it was [John-Vivian] and I was so proud, the second I saw that I almost cried … she looked so pretty,” said Paige-Pan. “I was trying to reconnect with old friends … so immediately I messaged her.”

Paige-Pan was overcome with emotion because he knew exactly how John-Vivian felt during her transition and coming out. Coincidentally, just this summer, Paige-Pan began to fully come out himself as a transgender male.

As someone who was also in the beginning stages of transitioning, Paige-Pan felt the need to let John-Vivian know, if for nothing else, Paige-Pan was there for support. “[John-Vivian] was someone I never thought of transitioning like that, but was so happy that she did because she was happier,” said Paige-Pan. Paige-Pan denied any immediate attraction to JohnVivian, but it’s clear through his words that John-Vivian left a deeper mark than Paige-Pan admitted. The bond was evident from the start, as Paige-Pan said they spoke heavily with one another just days after the initial contact was made.

In just those few days of messaging, Paige-Pan was falling for John-Vivian. “I started to fall in love with what [John-Vivian] was saying,” said Paige-Pan. “She had such amazing ideas about life and what could happen to people.”

An unexpected love story On Aug. 23, those same kids from the playground were now adults, catching up at a Chinese restaurant in town. That confident little girl grew up to become Paige-Pan Norkiewicz, a 20-year-old transgender man who was finally getting that chance with the new boy from school.

According to John-Vivian, “I didn’t know going into it that this was going to happen, I thought I was just going to be reconnecting with an old friend.” The two did reconnect. They played cards, ate Chinese food and talked for hours to make up for lost time. “A few minutes later, [Paige-Pan] told me he was hoping it would be a date,” said John-Vivian.

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work; we were really different in high school, but I said ‘I’m going to try it,’” John-Vivian said. “Now we’re engaged.”

“[Vivian] knows how to treat someone; she’s someone who knows how to put a smile on your face when [you’re] two hours away.”

PAN NORKIEWICZ VIVIAN VALENGAVICH’S FIANCE

Both getting an education John-Vivian is currently a KSC sophomore studying chemistry in the hopes of becoming a research chemist.

If that doesn’t work out, becoming a college professor is a good secondary option. At KSC, John-Vivian holds a position in KSC Pride as treasurer and is a paid tutor for the BEST and Aspire programs.

John-Vivian’s fiancé Paige-Pan is a sophomore currently enrolled in Lakes Region Community College near the couple’s hometown. Although, he transferred to KSC this fall. Paige-Pan is pursuing a degree in Human Services in the hopes of becoming an LGBTQ Resource Coordinator. Paige-Pan currently works as a Dietary Aid at St. Francis Nursing Home and Rehab Center and is an advocate at New Beginnings, a women’s crisis center.

Both John-Vivian and Paige-Pan take their school and jobs seriously. Every effort contributes to their transition. Once John-Vivian realized she wanted to transition, she said, “I wanted to do it as soon as I was able to, as soon as insurance would cover the costs.” Six months ago, that became a reality for the now 19-year-old transgender woman.

Gender identity In October of 2015, John-Vivian began using the female pronouns: she/her/hers. “I was still mostly closeted; I wasn’t out to pretty much any of my family, it was really only when I was on campus,” Vivian said. It wasn’t until May of last year that Vivian officially began her transition. She said, “That was when I started being out in all aspects of my life … in general, being myself all the time.”

Paige-Pan refers to his younger self as a “tomboy” and believed he had more masculine qualities than feminine. “I had an older brother, so I did a lot of ‘boy’ things,” Paige-Pan said, referring to playing with cars, video games and consistently acting as a boy character in plays that he and his friends would put on as children.

“As I got older, I realized there were different sexualities and genders, and I was gender-fluid for a really long time,” Paige-Pan said. “Then, as days went on, I started to see that I had more masculine days than feminine days by a long shot.”

According to Gender Diversity, gender-fluid is a gender identity that varies over time. The person may identify as male, female, or through some combination of identities, which could vary at random or in response to different circumstances. Before Vivian’s transition, she also identified as gender-fluid and pansexual.

“Even before I knew what the word was, I believed I was pansexual,” Vivian said. “I never really came out to anybody as pan just because it wasn’t an integral part of my life.” A pansexual person does not look at gender, biological sex or identity when looking for a partner. Vivian said, “If I like them, I don’t really care what gender they identify as.”

For six months, Vivian has been taking two hormones, estradiol and spironolactone. According to Medical Daily, the estradiol is an estrogen supplement that is responsible for the development of breasts, wide hips

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VIVIAN VALENGAVICH

and fat distribution. The spironolactone is a testosterone inhibitor, which Vivian said “stops the testosterone that the body produces from actually doing anything.”

Specifically, it prevents the production of male characteristics such as deep voice, broad shoulders and hair, muscle and fat distribution (Medical Daily).

Most recently, Vivian started taking progesterone the first week of December. The progesterone specifically helps with breast development, regulation of skin and hair, sex drive, sleep and anxiety levels.

Throughout the experience, Vivian said it has been nothing but enjoyable to see her body changing. Vivian referred to those changes and said, “The hair on my chest and thighs has thinned out, and I’ve even noticed some breast growth as well.” As for side effects, Vivian experiences increased urination, an increase in blood pressure, cravings and gets fidgety. Specifically, Vivian said, “I crave salty foods literally all the time now.”

As for sex reassignment, Vivian said, “I’m on the fence about it, but it’s a solid maybe.” The main reason behind that is the fact that Vivian is nervous about surgeries in general. Although, she said insurance will only pay for it when the patient follows specific guidelines. At the very least, Vivian said, “You have to have been on hormones for two years and you have to have had gender therapy for at least six months.”

Paige-Pan has also been taking the hormone testosterone since October and is uncertain on whether or not to go through with sex assignment. Vivian was a large factor in Pan’s decision to start HRT. Vivian said, “I had an impact on him because before me, he was scared and nervous.”

The couple’s future

TIM SMITH / PHOTO EDITOR

The couple attended the Pride Prom put on by KSC Pride this past fall, where Paige-Pan Norkiewicz

proposed and John-Vivian Valengavich accepted.

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Pan said that Vivian is always there whether he needs her or not. Pan said, “It’s nice to be in a relationship where someone is completely and utterly kind, caring and wants to be there, wants to help.” Pan was isolated by family when he first brought up thoughts about transitioning.

Vivian exposes Pan to different outlooks in life.

Vivian joked and said, “I usually try to shrug [those who disagree with the transgender community] off, I don’t really like to deal with that… clearly whatever I say isn’t going to change their mind.” When Pan doubted himself, Vivian convinced him to go with his gut and make the decision for himself.

Pan expressed gratitude and explained why he quickly he fell for Vivian. Pan said, “I even tell her all the time, with what she was saying, how I could not fall in love with her? It’s amazing I can be in a relationship with someone that is my best friend.”

Now, Pan is happy with the decision to start HRT, but hasn’t thought too seriously about surgery. “I’m obviously considering [a mastectomy] … but Vivian and I want a child of our own and we can’t do that if we have the surgeries,” Pan said.

This idea isn’t far-fetched at all. Back in 2008, 34-yearold Thomas Beatie became the first man to give birth.

Beatie had his breasts removed and had been living outwardly as a man for about 10 years before the pregnancy.

Pan is in a similar situation and may follow suit, considering Beastie retained his female sex organs, because of the fact he wanted biological children.

There are no definite plans set in stone just yet, but it’s a possibility that Pan and Vivian would have a child and then have the surgeries afterwards. Vivian said, “I would love to have a biological child with Pan, but it’s a very complex thing to worry about when we’re both

trans and we’re both on hormone replacement therapy.”

Even though Vivian and Pan are still young, both are looking to enroll in graduate school after their undergraduate studies. Pan has expressed to Vivian his thoughts of going to school in California. Vivian said, “We’re already going to have to spend quite a lot of time apart, it’s going to suck if we have to go to school for our master’s programs on different sides of the country.”

Finding a school that fulfills both Vivian and Pan’s desired programs, might not be so simple. Vivian said, “I was already kind of looking into a master’s program in New York at Stony Brook University.” Vivian is looking to get her PhD in Chemical Engineering, while Pan is seeking a master’s program in Gender and Sexuality.

Considering Pan and Vivian are already in a long distance relationship, they maintain good attitudes and stay positive. Pan said, “[Vivian] knows how to treat someone; she’s someone who knows how to put a smile on your face when [you’re] two hours away.” The constant communication and love has kept the couple going strong through everything.

Before Vivian, Pan was in an abusive relationship, both mentally and sexually, that went on for about three years. Pan was stuck in hell. “It was hard to see how a relationship was supposed to be,” Pan said.

Even worse, Pan was sexually assaulted by his roommate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Pan’s experience was so traumatic that he checked himself into a mental hospital. He was broken and felt alone until Vivian. Pan said, “She treats me like a human.

In my other relationships, I wasn’t being treated like I should have been.”

Vivian has always been there for Pan. “I’m a very open person as it is, but it didn’t take long for us to immediately be open about [the assaults,]” Vivian said.

“Even before we were officially together when I found out that happened, I just wanted to be a good friend.”

Pan was comforted with Vivian’s compassion. “She didn’t pry, she didn’t need to know what happened,” Pan said. “She didn’t need answers right away.” Pan felt himself taking down his walls with Vivian’s continued support and opened up completely. “It built a different kind of trust; it was a friendly trust, very much like you can tell me, but if you don’t want to talk about it, then let’s talk about something else,” said Pan. Both Vivian and Pan give each other the support and space they need. Even though others have hurt them, they stand up against them and grow from it. Their relationship has shown love, trust, honesty and promise in just the six months since it began.

Despite their quick engagement, Vivian and Pan have already discussed future plans for school, children and marriage. According to Vivian, Pan is ready to tie the knot. Vivian said, “He just really wants to be married to me, which is just adorable as hell.”

Vivian further described Pan’s thoughts on having a wedding sooner rather than later. “He is a very impatient boy,” Vivian said. “We will have an actual wedding ceremony after we both graduate.” Discussion about a honeymoon in Japan has even come up. A wedding could be complicated to plan though. Vivian said, “Pan’s parents, notably his mother, don’t know that we’re together.”

Although, Vivian said she believes it is important for her story to be told. “I like to talk about my story and my life because everyone has a unique and interesting life, but I believe mine is particularly so,” Vivian said.

Sami Smith can be contacted at samantha.smith@kscequinox.com

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STUDENT LIFE / A9

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Finding success after the nest

SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

Keene State alumni share their career paths and lives after graduation EMMA HAMILTON

Student Life editor With graduation quickly sneaking up on the current seniors at Keene State College (KSC), many have been thinking about life after graduation and what it might entail.

Searching the job market can bring mixed emotions and a variety of outcomes being fresh out of college. Luckily, several alumni Owls have found success once leaving the nest.

Christopher Stevenson Christopher Stevenson graduated from KSC in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Stevenson is currently a technology entrepreneur.

“Essentially, this means that I start, operate, advise and/or invest in technology businesses. The businesses I’m currently involved with are focused on I[nformation] T[echnology] consulting and support services, cognitive computing and digital media,” Stevenson said.

He continued, “I often joke with friends that I chose this unorthodox path to avoid getting a ‘real job,’ and frankly, although I’m having a blast, I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.”

Stevenson is a co-founder of iCorps Technologies: IT Services & Consulting in 1995.

He is a current board member and they have offices in various locations including Boston, New York and Philadelphia.

Additionally, he co-founded OnWords Inc in 2010. It is a digital media technology company that provides technology solutions to online publishers and advertisers. Stevenson is the current CEO. Being a technology entrepreneur wasn’t Stevenson’s intended career path post graduation.

“Honestly, I didn’t have much of a plan [for after graduation]. It was more of a vague idea. I knew, or I thought I knew, I wanted to write for a newspaper or magazine. My girlfriend [now my wife] had graduated KSC a year ahead of me and was living in Boston. So the basic plan was to move to Boston, find a job and figure things out from there,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson enjoys three main things about his career.

He said he enjoys the people. “I get to meet so many talented, intelligent and wonderfully insane people, from investors and fellow entrepreneurs, to customers, employees and strategic partners. I’m addicted to the buzz I get from meeting people and hearing their stories and experiences,” Stevenson said.

He continued by explaining that one of his advisors once told him, “Your network is your net worth,” and with the 30 years he has been in business, he agrees she was spot on.

“The second thing I love is that I get to dance on the edge of innovation and new technologies every day. Working to solve big problems or take something from an idea to a completed project is quite a rush. I don’t think I would be happy at a desk job,” Stevenson said.

Lastly, Stevenson enjoys being the boss within his career.

He said he is unsure if he will ever work for someone else in his lifetime.

“I realized a few years ago that I am happier when I have control over the process of making my vision a reality,” Stevenson explained.

As far as the future of Stevenson’s career goes, he said he doesn’t have much of a plan, but rather he will figure it out as he goes, just like after graduating.

He said he would like to get to the point in his career that he “is mainly investing in and advising businesses as opposed to operating them.”

Stevenson said, “Although I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the challenge of building and running businesses, the grind can wear on you after a few decades. And ideally, I’d like to spend more time supporting and advising some amazing non-profits that strive every day to improve the lives of others both here and around the world. There’s a lot of good work to do and only so many hours in the day.”

According to Stevenson, Keene’s liberal arts program was able to provide him with a well-rounded education and it was eye-opening to various viewpoints and enforced him critical thinking skills in the classroom.

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“The school’s modest size allowed me to get involved in numerous organizations, where I was inspired and encouraged to become a leader. As editorial editor of The Equinox, I learned about the power of the pen, and how important it is to use that power wisely, honestly and with integrity.

As president of Phi Mu Delta fraternity, I learned the awesome challenges and responsibility that come with leading a national organization,” Stevenson said.

He continued, “In a nutshell, KSC gave me exactly what I needed to achieve success in the world of business and in life. My apologies if that sounds like a commercial for Keene, but it’s just the plain truth as I see it.”

In his personal life, Stevenson has a wife of 26 years, Michele, who graduated from Keene in 1987.

Currently, she works in the senior assisted living industry and intends to complete her masters degree in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston in May. Christopher and Michele have two children, Madeline who is 23 years old and graduated from New York University last May and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Thomas, who is a 21-year-old college junior who attends Denison University in Ohio Stevenson misses Keene State dearly.

He said, “I miss it all. I found KSC to be a warm place, where you could always find a group of folks to sit with in the commons, a completely different group to play hacky sack with on Appian Way and another group to play guitar with on Oya Hill. I know it sounds corny, but I miss the people [and] the communities within the community.” Stevenson joked, “Also, I know this isn’t about the college per se, but I miss Athens Pizza.”

As seniors approach their last few months of college, Stevenson’s word of advice would be to enjoy every remaining second.

“It’s a truly unique experience that you will not be able to replicate in your lifetime. Beyond that, as you enter the workforce, be flexible, openminded and opportunistic. The world is changing at a frenetic pace. Don’t be afraid to jump in, get your feet wet and learn something new,” Stevenson said.

He continued, “The most important skills in this economy are versatility, adaptability and integrity. If you prove to be reliable, trustworthy and able to handle curve balls, you will quickly become invaluable to virtually any company and opportunities will open up to you faster than you can imagine. If you wait for the ‘perfect job,’ opportunities will quickly pass you by.”

Jason Beckta Jason Beckta graduated from KSC in 2008 with an individualized major, behavioral biology.

After graduation, Beckta’s plans included going to Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) MD-PhD program.

The program is a dual-doctorate program and Beckta attended both medical and graduate school there.

Currently, Beckta is a Resident Physician at Yale University.

For the future of Beckta’s career, he has some uncertainty.

He’ll remain at Yale for the next several years as he finishes residency, but is unsure what will come after that.

“Keene State was the basis for my entire career. The resources, people and opportunities available at KSC are the reason I was able to continue on into medical school,” Beckta said.

It’s hard for Beckta to pick a single aspect of his career that he enjoys.

“Something I enjoy very much is teaching the medical students who rotate with our teams and watching them learn and develop as time goes on,” he said.

Beckta has been married to his wife for almost six years. They were dating while he attended Keene State and have known each other since middle school.

The atmosphere at KSC is something Beckta misses.

“Both VCU and Yale are very large universities in very urban areas.

Keene State always felt like much more of a community to me. Since moving to much larger institutions, I’ve come to appreciate KSC’s atmosphere more and more,” Beckta said.

“The most important skills in this economy are versatility, adaptability and integrity. If you prove to be reliable, trustworthy and able to handle curve balls, you will quickly become invaluable to virtually any company and opportunities will open up to you faster than you can imagine.

If you wait for the ‘perfect job,’ opportunities will quickly pass you by.”

CHRISTOPHER STEVENSON CLASS OF 1988 GRADUATE

Beckta’s advice is something most learn at a very young age.

“Never forget what you learned in kindergarten. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Nothing has consistently helped me achieve more than just trying to follow the Golden Rule,” Beckta said.

Gabbie Pace Lastly, a recent graduating Owl Gabbie Pace graduated from KSC in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Safety and Health.

Before graduation came in May, Pace knew she would be moving to Orlando, Florida, to pursue an Occupational Safety and Health internship with Walt Disney World.

“My role as an intern transitioned into a salaried full time position with the company. I currently work as an Associate Safety Professional at the Magic Kingdom, supporting Main Street/Park Arrival,” Pace explained.

Pace describes her role as “unique.”

“Typically, a safety professional will be in manufacturing, construction, insurance, etc. Being in entertainment is distinct, but also allows you to learn from a variety of lines of business. Every day, I do something different, which keeps my work interesting and fun. Not many people can say that their boss is a mouse,” Pace said.

She said it’s difficult to see where she’ll be five years down the road with the company, but she does hope to continue to grow within it.

“Safety is definitely a rarity in the industry as whole, but the program at Keene State is very well-known and respected by employers. Getting my degree at KSC helped to set me apart from some of my competitors. Also, being involved with professional development student chapters such as the American Society for Safety Engineers and Rho Sigma Kappa, the safety honor society, allowed me to connect with professionals in the field and have continual growth,” Pace explained.

Pace misses the people at Keene State.

She said she was able to make sincere relationships with not only her peers, but also professors.

Pace continued and said there will always be the feeling of not having them with her daily, but most of them are a phone call away.

Pace said, “The best advice I can give is to go all in. When interviewing for a position as an intern, I was specifically told that full time is near impossible. I could have stayed home and found a great job, but I knew I wanted more. Hard work and perseverance will get you far, especially as a professional up-and-coming in your field.”

She continued, “Anyone can do a great job, but it is the people that go above and beyond that will stand out from their peers. Work hard and don’t doubt your ability to be great.”

Emma Hamilton can be contacted at ehamilton@kscequinox.com

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STUDENT LIFE

Student Life, A10 Thursday, March 23, 2017

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Graduation is coming quickly for seniors

SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

Students in the Class of 2017 have mixed emotions about commencement being around the corner JILL GIAMBRUNO

Equinox Staff With the conclusion of spring break 2017 comes the final stretch of another semester at Keene State College (KSC), and seniors especially are counting the days until May. Three KSC students spoke with The Equinox about their feelings on graduation, what they would like to do before they graduate and what advice they have for underclassmen.

Pat Homer, a KSC senior, will have his BA in music this coming May. Following graduation, his plans are not yet set in stone.

“I plan on freelancing as a musician and continuing to build up my music composition portfolio. I want to eventually go get my masters for music composition or percussion performance. In order to do that, I need a strong portfolio to show,” Homer said.

Homer added that he is both ready for and terrified of his graduation on the horizon.

Homer said, “I have adored my time at Keene, but I am ready for the next step in life. I have been here for five years and that is plenty for me.

I am terrified to not have my exact plan for where I am going to end up after May. I do not know if I will move back to my hometown or venture out on my own.”

Homer said that he has had a great time in his five years at KSC and has seen and done some amazing things.

“I have climbed Mount Monadnock, played at Saturday Night Jive, had drinks with my mentors, done a pub crawl, gone to rivers to swim over the summer, played some of my favorite pieces of music [and] sat at Sunset Rock with the woman I love,” Homer said, before adding, “If I were to find anything [to do before graduation], I would want to see the sunrise from the top of Mount Monadnock.”

For those he is leaving behind when he finally graduates, Homer offered a piece of advice. “My biggest advice for underclassmen is to, above all else, be kind to everyone. When I say everyone, that includes you too. Treat yourself with love and respect, be there for your friends,

“My biggest advice for underclassmen is to, above all else, be kind to everyone.

When I say everyone, that includes you too. Treat yourself with love and respect, be there for your friends, and show up for people you care for and people you do not know.”

PAT HOMER KSC SENIOR

and show up for people you care for and people you do not know.”

Homer added that KSC has made him who he is today.

“I have become much happier and stronger through all that I have experienced here. It was not always easy, and it was an uphill battle for some time, but you get through it and it feels awesome when you do,” Homer said.

Sean Stinehour, who is graduating after only three years at KSC, will have a degree in computer science and a minor in math come May. Stinehour plans to go into software engineering after leaving Keene and is currently looking at job offers and interviewing at different companies.

“I’m wicked excited to get out there. [Graduation] can’t come fast enough,” Stinehour said.

Stinehour’s KSC bucket list includes three things he’d like to do before he graduates: “Get a drink with the whole computer science department,

do a trust fall with Kemal [Atkins] and get everyone on campus to say, ‘It’s a great day to be an Owl.’” Reflecting on his three years at KSC, Stinehour said, “I’m glad I got involved on campus; it really enhanced my time here. I went from living off campus, only going to classes and working, to being on campus involved in dozens of things. It’s way more fun and you get to meet a lot of awesome people.”

When Marisa Hope Benson graduates from KSC in May, she will have a dual degree in Holocaust and genocide studies and exercise studies.

“After graduation, I hope to take an internship in Washington, D.C. with an organization called The Sanctuaries. Its work is with diverse groups of people using creative arts to catalyze social change. After the summer internship in D.C. I plan to spend a few months in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I will be working at the Center for Peacebuilding in Sanski Most,” Benson said of her post-graduation plans.

With mixed feelings of what is to come, Benson is excited to start her future, but anxious as she tries to balance everything and live in the moment.

Benson said, “I am on the cusp of something extraordinary and completely unknown. This dichotomy makes it easy for fear to sneak in, but I am trying to trust the universe.”

Among Benson’s favorite KSC memories are the little and seemingly inconsequential moments: slumber parties with friends, late night talks about life, tears and laughter… Benson added, “It’s hard to compete with authentic, refreshing honesty and kindness from real friends.”

Before she leaves Keene, Benson said she wanted to express her sincere gratitude and respect for the faculty and staff on campus.

Benson said, “They have made my time here wonderful and I cannot thank them enough. I feel I have made the best of my college experience, but I could not have done it without the support of the amazing people I’ve met.”

Jill Giambruno can be contacted at jgiambruno@kscequinox.com

Getting in a semester slump with a few weeks left ADRIANA SANCHEZ

Equinox Staff It’s that time of year again where the weather is confusing, making it feel like spring, and in the blink of an eye, we’re in the middle of another winter storm. With spring break, finals, spring weekend and even graduation for some, many people can say all this makes them feel like they are in some sort of a slump. The spark some students had when they came to tackle the new school year just isn’t there anymore and many just don’t care anymore or don’t have the energy to do school work or pretty much anything. Most students just want to be outside with their friends enjoying the weather.

KSC sophomore Sienna Tedesco agreed she doesn’t have the energy or motivation to do school work anymore. “Since the beginning of the year, I am definitely lazier when it comes to the quality and timelessness in which I complete my work,” Tedesco said. She explained the weather does not help at all. The gray skies and the cold weather makes it look very depressing, she said. Tedesco said being surrounded by people who are just as stressed as she is and on top of it, spending too much time at school is major factor on why people get like this.

Tedesco isn’t the only one who agrees. Even The New York Times had an article called, “The Sophomore Slump.” Writer Samantha Stainburn explained in this article that nobody seems to care about the sophomores.

“You are feted as a freshman, but no one seems to care that you’re back on campus. Quirky first-year seminars have been replaced by large foundation classes, making you doubt that major in econ or bio. You’re not high enough up the totem pole to do fun stuff like join a research team or lead student organizations. With the newness of college gone, malaise sets in,” she wrote.

KSC sophomore Kyana Anderson explained no one wants to be locked up in classrooms when the weather gets nicer. “I usually start feeling like this towards the end of semester [when] there’s always a ton of assignments and projects. It gets super overwhelming and I mentally just clock out of my work,” she said. Being in this academic slump makes her procrastinate more than she did in the start of this semester, she later explained.

The PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), a program by the U.S. Education office, stated once the “new” has worn off from the

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As the end of the academic year comes closer, students have a harder time being productive.

school year, and students and teachers have become accustomed to a daily routine, the seeds of a mid-year slump begin to be sown.

KSC senior Allison Middleton can support this. “I find that I have to put a lot of effort into the start of the semester, so I’m bit a burnt out at this point. Now everything I am doing is very routine, so it feels like I am just going through the motions until the end of the semester,” she said. Middleton said being a senior makes it even harder for her to stay focused. “Graduation being so close makes it even harder not to be in a

slump,” she said.

Students scroll through their Twitter feed, Instagram feed and Facebook posts and see many memes of some sort, showing students in a slump. There’s only a few months left in this semester, so let’s all push on through.

Adriana Sanchez can be contacted at asanchex@kscequinox.com

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ARTS ENTERTAINMENT

A&E / B1

Thursday, March 23, 2017

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SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

$ funding for film

How Keene State College film majors raise money for their projects DOROTHY ENGLAND

News editor It’s never easy to ask people for money, especially if there’s no return date on the request.

For some Keene State College students, this plea is a major part of completing their degree and often doesn’t stop even after they graduate. This is the life of a typical film major. As imagined, making a movie is not cheap.

The cost to just produce a major studio movie (without any elements of marketing) was $65 million in 2007, according to the financial website Investopedia.

The likelihood of a college student having a fraction of $65 million is unlikely. The likelihood of a college student having even $1,000 is unlikely. But student films are expected to be made, and most range in the thousands, so students have to devise a plan, or not graduate as a film major. They have to ask for funds.

One group of students has eight members asking for money towards their film, ‘The Mountain.’ The students used the crowdfunding website Indiegogo to raise funds for their film. On their page, they asked for $9,000 but only raised $5,027 online.

KSC junior and assistant director of the group Sarah Shufelt said the nice thing about Indiegogo is that you still get the money even if you don’t reach your goal.

Of the money raised, $2,000 of the funds raised went towards renting an entire hotel floor. Other funds went to food, lodging and travel reimbursement for the actors involved. “If we have any at the end, we donate it to festival circulation,” Shufelt said. This basically means the money is used to help sponsor films that want to be reviewed and critiqued for festivals.

Shufelt said it wasn’t that hard at first to get money.

“It was fast at first. We got like $1,000 the first week, then it slowed down and the money trickled in slowly,” she explained.

She said she personally brought in around $1,000 from friends and family. “It’s really rewarding to know people wanted to provide help,” she said. Shufelt said their group did what others do, by offering rewards for different amounts of donations given. “If you gave $10, you got your name in the credits, if you gave $250,

you could get a handwritten love letter from one of our directors,” she said.

Shufelt said this whole experience made her realize just how hard it is to make a movie. “In the real world, you have to push past the awkward phase of asking for help. This process made this me more comfortable realizing my reality,” she said.

Shufelt said if she had any advice for someone just getting into this process, they should plan ahead.

“Things are really expensive, you have to plan carefully,” she said. Shufelt said it’s also about hooking people in, “You have to come up with a good trailer and really convince people. You really have to sell yourself.” She also said it’s important to support each other. “It’s not cheap, so if you can, support your fellow classmates,” she said.

More than a student’s responsibility One of her classmates is KSC senior and film major James Calnan III, who had support from a distant relative. “My grandfather’s brother is well off and we asked him for help. He gave me $1,000. I didn’t know if he was going to, but I had to ask,” he said. Calnan said him and the group of four people he’s with also with went out to ask local businesses for their help.

“We didn’t have a lot of success with that,” he said. “It’s tough. It’s almost like a full-time job.”

He said part of this is because you have to have a good presentation set for the people you’re asking money from. “You have nothing to give them, so you have to impress them,” he said.

Calnan acknowledged that realizing this now helps for his future endeavors in film. But he was adamant that there’s only so much he can do. He brought up how many independent films don’t always do well, even if they’re better than the main-stream movies. He compared the critically acclaimed film ‘Moonlight’ to the new ‘Transformers Five’ movie out. “A lot of people didn’t go see it (Moonlight) because it’s not a big blockbuster film,” he said. “But they’ll see Transformers and that’s a tremendous piece of s---.”

He said as a society, we need to do our research to support the more independant films. “People go and

see what’s advertised to them, they need to give other received $400 to help with his filming project. “He got movies a chance,” he said. money to transfer some old films of his Dad’s that he had never seen. He didn’t even know what was on there.

He was excited to get the money to uncover this time Bringing class knowledge to the ‘reel’ world capsule,” White explained.

KSC film lecturer Ted White said that in the real The power of asking for help world, it’s still difficult making a movie. However, he said he doesn’t think this should discourage a student from their passion. “There’s not really any kind of filmAcker is working on his film project all by himself. making a person can do where fundraising is not part of He acknowledged there are pros and cons to being by the process. You’re either doing it very directly, if you’re himself. “Some pros are this is no power struggle with making your own movie, but even if you’re being com- the direction of the film. I am free to make my own decimissioned to make a film for somebody else, they had to sions without the burden of having to run every idea raise the money as well, so you’re associated with the by someone else,” he said. “Some cons would be all process no matter what,” he said. the work. The pre-production, the filming, the editing, He also said being involved with a film doesn’t mean is done by me alone so it was difficult to set up some someone is set financially for life. “A film, even a won- shots.” He also said he was solely responsible for any derful film, is over in six months, or a year or a couple and all mistakes, however he said he’s learned from the of years maybe and then that’s that, you’re on the run process. “[It’s] transformative and informative to help again. You always need to begin again and either attach me self reflect on my own style of filmmaking,” he said. yourself to a project that’s already going or if you’re KSC 2014 alumna Melissa Jellie graduated as a dual leading or heading up a project. Then you need to start film and criminal justice major. She too went through that process over again,” he said. “You have to be very the same ordeal of fundraising for a film. Jellie worked entrepreneurial. Projects don’t last forever.” as the producer for her group’s film. “As producer of the White said that while students are in school, it’s film, it helped me learn a lot about managing money important for them to get used to asking for help since in terms of raising money through another source. We it likely won’t stop once they graduate. “In the future also learned that many people are excited to support once they finished school, they would be looking at pri- the arts,” she said. vate charitable organization that are interested in the Jellie said she couldn’t quite remember how much arts media and this could also include government money they raised, but thought it might have been funding like from the National Endowment for the around $3,000. She said if she had any advice to give, it Arts,” he said. would be to “Not stress about it, but also push it everyFor the time being, White said there are also grants where on the internet you can: Facebook, Twitter, post that can help in addition to crowd-funding. “What I it on forums and groups.” She said she felt like she have done successfully with a lot of students and what learned a great deal from this practice. “Knowing how we just did with a student [recently] was go through to raise funds professionally is a very important skillthe Center for Creative Inquiry at Keene State,” he said. for the real film world,” she said. “People do it in all “You submit an application describing your project and films, so learning how to be professional while asking how much money you’ll need and if it’s well written for money is important.” and you’ve made your case for why you need the funds and what you’re going to do with them, then you can Dorothy England can be contacted at get money from the school.” dengland@kscequinox.com That student was KSC junior Colin Acker who

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

BRIEF

Student Music Video Night returns ALEXANDRIA SAURMAN

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt Editor This semester, Keene State College’s Music Video Night changed up the rules. In previous semesters, filmmakers volunteered to produce their own music videos to an artist’s song.

This time, however, these film makers, whether film majors or not, were required to use local artists’ music.

The Music Video Night Revamped was hosted by Rachel Blumberg, Keelan Brown and Joseph Erwin on Thursday, March 9 in the Putnam Theater.

There were eight videos submitted and shown this semester.

The first video was a rerun from last semester’s Music Video Night called “Boss Town,” by Sunnie Nukes.

The second video was a rap song called “Push,” sung by Evooms.

Garrett McNamee was the singer for one of the night’s videos. The song was titled “Rolling and Vaping.” He also helped produce the music for a second video, “Holding Out for a Hero.”

KSC graduate Jasz shared one of his newest songs, which was produced by two KSC students. Jasz also showed one of his songs at last semester’s music video night.

Blumberg helped create two of the videos: “How Many?” by The Beautiful Girls Club, and “Orcas,” by Gray Haven.

The concept for a music video night was started by Film Lecturer Lance Levesque when he first arrived at KSC. Last semester, he decided to hand the responsibility of hosting and producing the event to his teaching assistant and students.

Alexandria Saurman can be contacted at asaurman@kscequinox.com

LUKE STERGIOU / SENIOR PHOTOGRPAHER

Music Video Night Revamped featured eight music videos, produced by both film and non film majors, incorporating music from local Keene artists and bands.

KSC alumnus finds passion outside of major JACOB BARRETT

sEnior rEportEr It’s been over fifteen years since professional musician and Keene State College (KSC) graduate Ryan LaPerle left the college with his degree in communications and an unfinished music minor, but that unfinshed minor and his passion for music laid the groundwork for what would be a full-time career as a pop musician.

LaPerle, who said he began playing the guitar at age twelve and credits musicians like John Mayer, Hozier and Andrew Belle as some of his musical influences, came to KSC with no immediate intentions of pursuing music, but played at local parties and gigs to entertain his friends and work on his performance prowess. Childhood friend and fellow KSC alum Roy Jones said that LaPerle would perform whenever he got a chance.

“As a musician, you couldn’t stop him from playing. He was always playing the guitar every chance he could get.

At parties and wherever we were at, he was always kind of the entertainer I should say,” Jones said. “Everyone loved listening to him to play.”

LaPerle said he also wrote his own music in his cramped off-campus bedroom in a Bruder Street house he stayed in with some of his friends. He said that many of those songs would be critiqued by KSC music professor Ted Mann.

Mann said he would suggest different chords and lyrics for LaPerle’s songs to make them stand out more.

After graduating a couple classes short of completing his music minor in 2005, LaPerle said he traveled the country for a little over a year, selling medical equipment, before returning to school at Boston University to study audio production in 2007. He later released a studio album in 2009 which contained two songs written during his time at KSC which made it onto the record- Eyes and Where The Warmth is. The first of which he said he wrote in that small bedroom just off-campus on Bruder St. while attending KSC. “I remember just being really proud of it and being like ‘Wow this is the first acoustic pop song I’ve ever written,’” LaPerle said as he recalled when he first wrote the song.

Since then, the Boston-based musician has toured at colleges and other venues around the country, making a living playing music. Since his years at KSC, LaPerle said he still loves performing even with the extra burden of making a living off of it. He said that is because he remembers that his desire to play goes beyond necessity.

“I think for me, the biggest thing from Keene to now is learning to not to lose your passion in what you do or at least the foundation of why you’re doing something,” LaPerle said.

LaPerle has made a couple of trips back to the KSC, most recently during an open-mic night in February.

“It was cool being back because I used to play the open

ADAM URQUHART

opinions Editor The Vermont-based jam band Twiddle came to The Colonial Theatre in Keene, New Hampshire, this past weekend to play backto-back shows Friday and Saturday night.

The Colonial was packed both nights.

The Twiddle show was general admission (GA). Executive Director at The Colonial Theatre Alec Doyle said, “We tend to find with these types of shows it makes it easier for both the house management as well as the patrons as well. There is the orchestra pit area which is not seated so there is room for people in front of the stage to be there. Dancing is allowed in there and in the rear of the show.” He added, we can allow a little bit down in the aisles near the orchestra pit for dancing. However as the orchestra pit became crowded many of the patrons who filled the seating area were up on their feet swaying to the music as well.

Doyle explained that, “Aisles can’t be filled with people though because it becomes a risk.” Nonetheless, both young and old danced the night away.

Doyle said, “Part of the draw is that these guys are up and coming, local and Vermont-based. We do jam band shows on occasion.” He explained, “We do Dark Star Orchestra once a year, which tends to skew a little bit older, but there’s always a young element to any of the jam band presentations.” Both demographics were out enjoying themselves this past weekend.

Doyle said, “We like having college students from Keene State or other surrounding colleges coming to shows here. “Doyle

continued, “The trick sometimes is getting the right kind of show that’s going to appeal to that demographic and be the right price point as well.” He explained that there are just not many things that would fit the bill.

He said, “A lot of things we’ll look at would be great, but the ticket prices because of the hall size being 900 seats the ticket price are going to be too high to appeal to that demographic.” He explained that in a city with a 3,000-seat hall, it’s different and prices are able to be made cheaper. Doyle said, “Part of our mission is to serve every demographic we can in this area, so if we can make that happen, all the better.”

Twiddle was unable to be reached for comment in time for the deadline.

Senior majoring in American studies Miles Duhamel went to see Twiddle both nights this past weekend. Saturday night marked his 16th time seeing them perform.

Duhamel said, “I really love the band, but I was super excited to hear that they were coming to Keene because it’s just really fun to experience quality recreation together with a bunch of people such as music.” He continued, “Normally there’s not as much to do, but it was really nice that a lot of good people came to town and were ready to have a good time.” He explained how he really enjoys the collective atmosphere that happens with good music. He said, “Twiddle really knows how to do that.” Duhamel said, “I just really love the music in general, it brings people together.”

Adam Urquhart can be contacted at aurquhart@kscequinox.com

BRIEF mic back in the day and I remembered for me as a musician on campus going to Keene, that was the big thing because you were able to play two or three songs,” LaPerle said. “You had your peers there [so] you wanted to do something that was new that was going to be great, be it an original [or] be it a cover and it was always nice. To have that culture and to have those people and that exposure around you, it was great. It was, I think for me, a growth period to be where I am today.”

According to Jones, who has seen him play live since LaPerle first started, said that his friend is still getting better and building on his skills.

“The dude improves yearly,” Jones said. “He just has a passion for it. That guy, he just needs a guitar in his hands.”

LaPerle said that he is currently writing and working on original songs and covers that he hopes to be released this summer. He said he wants to keep improving as musician and continue touring. For those who wish to make a living as a musician, LaPerle had some simple advice.

“Don’t get in your way and just do it.”

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

RYAN LAPERLE / CONTRIBUTING PHOTO

LaPerle graduated from Keene State College in 2005 with a degree in communications, but now tours playing music.

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Twiddle comes to The Colonial

‘Made In China’ to perform at the Redfern ALEXANDRIA SAURMAN

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt Editor On Saturday, March 23, the Redfern will be hosting Made in China, a puppet show put on by Wakka Wakka Productions.

Wakka Wakka Productions, founded over 15 years ago, is a theatre company based out of New York City.

According to their website, their “mission is to push the boundaries of the imagination by creating works that are bold, unique and unpredictable.”

Made in China encompasses a few types of art, including the use of numerous puppets, live music and video. The puppets range

in size and shape, from a woman to a talking telephone.

According to DC Theatre Scene, Made in China follows the story of Mary, a middle-aged woman who encounters a note from a Chinese prison factory prisoner.

Soon, Mary discovers that a majority of the objects in her house are from China when her plunger begins to talk to her.

Eventually, “Mary and her neighbor get sucked down her toilet and wind up in the People’s Republic of China, where a dragon eats them.”

“Inspired by true events, MADE IN CHINA will delve into questions of greed, cap-

italism, ethical manufacturing, secrecy, paranoia, and perceived/projected realities. Through the relationship that develops between the two main characters, the piece will confront our own complicity as individuals in today’s global network of supply and demand,” per hensonfoundation.org, who gave a $2,000 grant to the production.

On their website, the Redfern recommends that the play is for individuals ages 16 and up. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $5 for Keene State College students, with an ID. Alexandria Saurman can be contacted at asaurman@kscequinox.com

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Griffin’s Comics

by Griffin Baker

Interested in Arts, Events, Music or Movies?

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUDOKU: USING THE NUMBERS 1-9, FILL IN EACH BLANK BOX SO THAT EACH ROW, COLUMN AND 3X3 BOLDED BOX CONTAINS ONLY ONE NUMBER. EACH NUMBER CAN ONLY APPEAR ONCE IN EACH ROW, COLUMN AND 3X3 BOLDED BOX.

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Answer to last week’s puzzle: Difficulty Level: Medium

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Disney’s remake is “a soulless, uninspired carbon copy” WRITER: MATT BILODEAU

POSITION: EQUINOX STAFF REVIEW: Failing to recapture the same Disney magic, “Beauty and the Beast” adds up to nothing more than a soulless, uninspired carbon copy.

Belle [Emma Watson], a strong, independent young woman, dreams of greater aspirations beyond the confines of her illiterate village.

When her father, Maurice [Kevin Kline], accidentally finds himself at the mercy of the Beast [Dan Stevens], Belle makes a deal in which he’s set free while she remains as his prisoner. Repulsed by the Beast’s outward appearance, Belle keeps her distance, but through the help of a colorful cast of enchanted household items [Voiced by Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nathan Mack], she unearths the inner beauty lying deep within her lumbering captor.

From Jean Cocteau to Ron Perlman, Madame de Villeneuve’s romantic French fairy tale “Beauty and the

Beast” has been adapted through countless mediums, further proving that it is indeed, a tale as old as time, a song as old as rhyme.

The parable of a kind, graceful figure learning to love a unsightly monstrosity with a kind soul, is often present throughout all of literature, dance, film and television.

Adaptations sanction respective artists to bring their (supposedly) fresh interpretation to life; this doesn’t mean taking an established work and calling it your own. There is a large difference between reimagining and plagiarism, and director Bill Condon walks that tightrope numerous times.

“Beauty and the Beast” is cynical in its technique, crossing its fingers that anyone who once held the Academy Award-winning animated feature near and dear will blindly forgive any and all misgivings because...nostalgia.

A golden rule that accompanies most criticisms of unwarranted remakes is to resist comparing it to the original and judge it on its own merits.

With this cheap (or should I say, extremely expensive) rendition of “Beauty and the Beast,” it’s damn near impossible, especially when the narrative is hell-bent on reminding you of what you already loved, minus the charm and sincerity.

It wasn’t long until Emma Watson arrived on the scene for her opening number “Belle,” a catchy tune violated by the cancer of modern pop singers: auto-tune.

I sat there in disbelief, shaking my head and clicking my heels three

times, begging to go home; this couldn’t possibly be real.

But alas, from this moment on, I knew I was in for a bumpy ride as an aura of cynicism hovered above the production.

Aggressively mediocre covers of famous Disney songs aside, the crux of “Beauty and the Beast” is solely contingent on the companionability between the romantic leads; get them wrong and the film loses all meaning.

Elsewhere, Emma Stone (The “Harry Potter” Series) and Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) are tremendous performers, but if the Beast’s enchanted rose depended on their chemistry, it would wither away upon their first encounter.

When one envisions Belle, I imagine a caring, intelligent woman who, when pushed to her absolute limit, willfully speaks out on her behalf as well as others.

A remake’s greatest advantage is the ability to play around with expectations and try something new, to mold the character into someone unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

When gazing upon Emma Watson’s Belle, I see an actress attempting to mercilessly imitate the animated Belle without understanding what made her special to begin with.

Likewise, despite Dan Stevens providing motion capture for the Beast, the CG stature of the character keeps us at arm’s length.

Anytime the camera lingered on his exterior, all I could picture was

COURTNEY BETHEL / EQUINOX STAFF

how much greater he would have looked had the effect been achieved through extensive makeup.

I never once bought into the Beast as a sympathetic character because the CG places an unwelcome barrier between humanity and computer; in doing so, therein lies another dilemma.

The danger often associated with remakes that reconstruct a particular film beat for beat, is missing the filmmaker’s true intention. Animation grants its subjects to express themselves within an environment that suits them.

In recycling familiar characters from the animated film, Condon misconstrues their purpose, prohibiting

the fluent movement that gave each of them a memorable personality.

“Beauty and the Beast” barely garners a hint of energy due to Luke Evans as the ravishing Gaston, and Josh Gad as his flamboyant sidekick, LeFou. These two are the only ones who seem to be having any fun with the thinlystretched material even if they still falter in comparison to their animated counterparts.

To those curious about the socalled ‘gay controversy,’ let me get one thing straight: there isn’t one; aside from dancing with a male partner or offering an occasional glance at Gaston, literally nothing happens.

Not since the 2016 re-imagining of “Ghostbusters” have I been witness to such an unwarranted firestorm over nothing.

Had Disney kept mum about LeFou’s sexuality, the homoerotic subtext is incredibly obvious upon his introduction. Until now, most incarnations of the story distinguished themselves as their own entity.

In their latest trend to blindly remake their greatest animated hits, Disney simply took a beloved family classic and hit the rewind button.

Not surprisingly, this “Beauty and the Beast” is forever doomed to live in the shadow of its animated predecessor.

Matt Bilodeau can be cotacted at mbilodeau@kscquinox.com

RATING: D+

KSC Music Department hosts two concerts Concert Band debuts new collaboration ALEXANDRIA SAURMAN

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt Editor Keene State College’s Music Department has accomplished something they’ve never before attempted. On Thursday, March 9, the KSC Concert Band presented “Locally Grown! Totally Keene!”

The performance, a part of their ensemble recital series, included soloists, guest and assistant conductors, as well as a special dance and cinematography performance.

The night began with Associate Music Professor Dr. Jim Chesebrough walking onto the stage. He conducted the band, composed of about 14 different instruments, in their first song, “American Fanfare.”

After the song was complete and the applause died down, Chesebrough addressed the audience. He introduced junior Callie Carmosino, who conducted the following piece entitled, “October.”

The next piece, “Concert Piece for Trumpet and Band,” featured junior Joe Conti as a trumpet soloist.

For their fourth song of the evening, the Concert Band played Heather Gilligan’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” This piece, created in 2016, was meant to be a representation of gun violence, as said

by Gilligan, who spoke to the audience before the performance of the piece.

“The harmonies resolve in the end, and hopefully, life does, too,” said Gilligan, concluding her brief speech.

Chesebrough called the piece “a New Hampshire premiere, if not a New England premiere,” since the piece had only been performed once before.

The last song before intermission involved more than simply the band.

“Solitary Dancer” featured a performance

by Amanda Untracht, Makayla Ferrick, Seiichiro Okuma and Sultan Thahir.

While the band played the song, Untracht and Ferrick danced to the music in the Redfern’s Wright Theater. Their performance was filmed live and streamed into the Main Theater, where the Concert and was being held.

16th annual Faculty Composers Concert features musicians’ original works JACOB BARRETT

sEnior rEportEr

COLTON MCCRACKEN / EQUINOX STAFF

The band played a series of songs for concert held on Thursday, March 9.

The collaboration was a work between Chesebrough and Contract Theatre and Dance Lecturer Cynthia McLaughlin.

When McLaughlin, who choreographed the dance piece, sent out information regarding auditions for dancers, Ferrick said that she was confused.

“At first, I didn’t really know what it was for, to be honest,” she said.

McLaughlin mentioned that she was interested in casting either a soloist or a trio, but she ultimately ended up giving the role to the duo of Ferrick and Untracht.

“I didn’t realize how big this project was, honestly, until [the technical rehearsal]…We don’t usually do this kind of collaboration with other things so…I didn’t realize how many people are actually working on this project together,” said Ferrick.

Thahir and Okuma were responsible for filming and live streaming the performance to the Main Theatre.

“I thought it went well. There are challenges filming a live event with not being able to go back and edit our mistakes. You have to follow the rhythm of what is right in front of you even if it strays from what you have been rehearsing for however long,” said Thahir, a senior film production major.

After the conclusion of the piece and a 15-minute intermission, the band played three more songs: “National Emblem,” conducted by senior Hailley Dufresne, “The Witch and the Saint,” conducted by

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KSC 2015 alumna Samantha Fowler, and “First Suite in Eb for Military Band Op. 28 No. 1,” which included three sets.

First-year music education voice major Emily Bingham was one of the four tuba players in the concert.

“I think it went really well,” she said.

“The tone was great. The whole band was really connected to each other, which made it a lot better than what it normally sounds like, but I think we really pulled a really great concert tonight.”

Senior writing major Tori Tucker and junior women and gender studies major Emma Simpson both attended and enjoyed the evening’s event. Tucker “loved it” and Simpson “liked the dance piece.”

Chesebrough commented on the performance as a whole, and also touched on the collaborative piece, saying, “It was outstanding…and I had a good time and I think the players had a good time; I hope the audience had a good time. We try to get, the goal for this one was to show off Keene State’s collaborative artistic community.”

McLaughlin also commented on the dance piece. “Oh, I thought it went swimmingly well, that it was just so much fun,” she said. “It was a joy doing this project with Jim.” Alexandria Saurman can be contacted at asaurman@kscequinox.com

The Keene State College music department held its 16th annual Faculty Composers Concert on March 8.

The concert, held in the Alumni Recital Hall of the Redfern Arts Center, showcased original work composed by six faculty members from KSC’s music department.

The event began with a series of pieces composed by Jose Lezcano on guitar, with Franziska Huhn accompanying him on the harp.

The next performance was a piano piece composed by Elaine Ginsberg,and tenor Matthew McGinnis sang the English-translated words to a poem by Pablo Neruda.

KSC music professor Christopher Swist then played his piece Intermezzo on Vibraphone, for the Redfern audience.

The next four performances consisted of works which made their world premiere on a live stage. KSC professor Ted Mann played two pieces using an electric guitar and machines that were meant for a short film which he was asked to score.

Craig Sylvern joined fellow KSC professor and pianist Vladimir Odinokikh, along with two KSC students to perform Sylvern’s new “Walking into Two Worlds” piece, which, according to Sylvern, is meant to represent stepping from one environment into another.

Swist returned to the stage to play his new Simplicity for Vibraphone piece.

KSC professor watched as her piece, “Scenes from Midtown,” was premiered by other musicians including Vladamir Odinokikh and two student musicians.

Swist said that he thought the event and the showcasing of his new piece went well.

“It was pretty good, I was pretty happy with it,” Swist said.

Mann added that the yearly event gives faculty another chance to support one another while showcasing their work.

“I think it’s a great event here because a lot of the faculty are also composers… Everyone supports each other to do something creative like that,” Mann said.

Mann said that there are benefits to the faculty performers students as well.

“The one’s that come, they get to see their teachers perform. They get to see that we’re humans also and that sometimes we make mistakes and also hopefully they can look at it and see something to strive for,” Mann said.

Swist said that student-composers will have to put together performances much like the one that the faculty did, and in that way, seeing the concert may help them know what to expect.

“The process that we go through as faculty from writing a piece to getting it on the stage is the same thing the students go through so it’s important…” Swist said.

KSC senior and music performance major Carolyn Jean Cunningham was one of the students who performed pieces by Heather Gilligan and Craig Sylvern during the concert.

She said that having the opportunity to work with some of her professors for the event was helpful for her to grow as a musician.

“I know them first and foremost as my professors, but then to work with them in this collaborative project was a really great experience.”

Cunningham later continued, “I think they’re a great help because as a performance major, you want to get as much of a diverse background in music as you can so that going forward you have these experiences of working with different composers, different styles of music, different genres different techniques of playing your instrument that just kind of broaden your horizons and make you a more versatile player in the future.”

KSC music major and audience member Derek Hall also stated after the concert that he enjoyed the performance.

“It's definitely a good reminder that your professors are writing music outside of the classroom versus doing lesson plans all day and whatnot. It's cool to see the creativity that they have put to use and it's fun to watch them perform,” Hall stated.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

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TIME CAPSULE A look back at the history of Keene State College and the world around us

Time Capsule / B5 Thursday, March 23, 2017

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Legend of St. Paddy’s Day revisited MARY CURTIN

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR/TIME CAPSULE EDIITOR

While drinking green beer, eating green food and singing and dancing through parade routes and toasting in cheer of the luck of the Irish is the modern way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, this tale did not always have the same cheery connotation.

On March 17, 461 A.D., the man known as Saint Patrick passed away after a life of enslavement and poverty.

It is presumed that Saint Patrick was born in Scotland and was captured by Irish marauders at the age of 16. One night, as his story of Confesio states (the memoir he wrote in his last few years), he heard a voice that prompted him to escape the marauder’s internment and return home to his family in Britain.

However, he claimed to have been summoned back to the Irishmen by another dream where he claimed that these Irishmen wanted him to come back and walk with them in their country once again.

Patrick then devoted his life to priesthood, soon becoming an ordained bishop, and lived for 40 years in poverty where he taught and worked.

There are many legends on why St. Patrick’s Day has become widely celebrated, one of which is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland, which is how it is commonly portrayed in art.

Technically speaking, according to National Geographic, “Snakes likely couldn’t reach Ireland. Most scientists point to the most recent Ice Age, which kept the island too cold for reptiles until it ended 10,000 years ago. After the Ice Age, surrounding seas may have kept

snakes from colonizing the Emerald Isle.”

It wasn’t until 1995 that St. Patrick’s Day went global, according to history. com. It actually began when Irish troops paraded through New York City in 1762.

By 1995, the Irish government thought of this as a good way to promote their country and market the day.

According to wallethub.com, in 2017, the celebration continues on and is widely observed, with Boston, Massachusetts ranking in third for best celebration in the United States. It is also celebrated in many ways that are close to Keene State College.

Just 63 miles shy of KSC is the Holyoke, Massachusetts road race and parade generally celebrated over the course of the weekend after St. Patrick’s Day. In 2017, almost 6,000 runners participated in the 42nd race with the temperatures barely reaching mid-40s.

A bit further away from Keene, NH is Chicago, Illinois, where the city is known for the idea of turning the river that runs through the city green.

The city pours 45 pounds of vegetable based oil into the river to give it this green color.

According to wallethub.com, 56.1 percent of the United States population celebrated in the St. patrick’s Day traditions.

Of these celebrators, 82.5 percent of the wore green, on average they spent $38 each and overall $5.3 billion was planned to spent for St. Patricks Day 2017 according to wallethub.com.

Mary Curtin can be contacted at mcurtin@kscequinox.com

SAMANTHA MOORE / ART DIRECTOR

Sources: This information was presented by wallethub.com. “The data in the report is based on projections on wallethub as well as information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Retail Federation, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Produce News, AOL, Hallmark, Choose Chicago, Seven Seas, and news reports.”

Equal Rights Amendment 1972 MARY CURTIN

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR/ TIME CAPSULE EDITOR

In 1972, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, Richard Nixon was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year and in the United States, The Equal Rights Amendment was passed.

This was first proposed by the National Women’s political party nearly 50 years prior in 1923 that wouldn’t allow discrimination on the basis of gender.

According to National Council of Women’s Organizations, “The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was passed by Congress in 1972 and sent to the states for ratification. It was ratified by 35 of the necessary 38 state legislatures, but even with an extension of the ratification deadline from 1979 to 1982, organized anti-equality political, economic, social and religious forces prevented any further state ratifications.”

Hawaii was the first state to ratify this

amendment, but it was not able to be ratified due to a backlash of feminism.

While it took a while in the 20th century to get the final proposal on this amendment, it is was eventually written as follows on history. com, “‘Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.’”

In recent months, there have been Women’s Marches, International Day of Women and numerous occasions of feminism prevailing.

Women and men are still fighting some of these same rights in the 21st century.

For example, women’s rights in the workplace have been long fought over with the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the right for everyone to receive the same money for doing the same job.

However, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), “On average, women today earn just 78 cents for every dollar that men earn—an increase of only 17 cents on the dollar

since the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was enacted. The figures are even more dismal for women of color.

Black women are paid only 64 cents and Latinas only 54 cents for every dollar that white men earn.”

While it has been 35 years since The Equal Rights Amendment was passed, the struggles for gender equality and equality for all minorities seems to be an ongoing battle.

Moreover, this is not just a battle being fought in the U.S., it’s consequences can be felt all around the world.

The Equal Rights Amendment, in its most recent form, now reads, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

Mary Curtin can be contacted at mcurtin@kscequinox.com

ADAM URQUART / OPINIONS EDITOR

This photo was taken at the Women’s march in January 2017 in Concord, NH, just after President Doanld Trump was inagurated.

Famous birthdays 1912 Werner von Braun, German rocket scientist

1952 Rex Tillerson, American businessman (ExxonMobil) and US Secretary of State (2017-)

KSC becomes liberal arts school in 1965 MARY CURTIN

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR/ TIME CAPSULE EDITOR For many current and recent alumni at Keene State College (KSC), the ideals of the liberal arts college is all they have ever known.

It was not until March 1965 that The Monadnock (The Equinox’s former name) reported that KSC would offer Liberal Arts degrees.

The Board of Trustees of the University of New Hampshire voted for the approval of the bachelor of arts degree curriculum in five subject areas.

At this time, KSC was set to offer degrees in the major fields of English, history, mathematics, biology and psychology for students who would enroll and be accepted for the 1965-66 academic year.

This liberal arts program was in response to New Hampshire General Court which constituted KSC and Plymouth State University as autonomous categories within the University System of New Hampshire.

The intention was to drive both colleges to steer away from teacher’s colleges and look towards becoming multipurpose colleges.

Alongside these revisions, Dr. Roman J. Zorn, the president of KSC during this time, said that, “the liberal arts curriculum will produce stronger academic departments throughout the college which inevitably will make our teacher programs ever better.”

While the changes to college were to expand the programs, the main focus was still to be on teacher education.

Much like the requirements for students at KSC today, students that were enrolled in the new bachelor of arts program had to complete general education courses, much like the integrated studies courses as well develop a field of concentration. The total program required 122 hours of studies with a “C” or better.

Of these 122 hours, 55 of them were to be part of the general education courses where students would take courses in English composition and literature, history of civilization, modern foreign language, social studies, humanities, sciences and physical education.

KSC would also accept up to 60 transfer credits from junior colleges as long as the credits that students wanted to transfer received a “C” or better for those credits. At the very least, one year the student’s academia, 30 to 32 hours of credits, had to be completed while in residence at the college.

Mary Curtin can be contacted at mcurtin@kscequinox.com

Famous deaths Famous events and pop culture 1869 Charles Lucas, composer, dies at 60

1868 University of California founded (Oakland California)

2011 Elizabeth Taylor, English-American actress World Meteorological Day - 23 March 2017

Moses Malone, NBA center (Atlanta Hawks, Milw Bucks, Philadelphia ‘76ers)

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Syrian troops respond to rebels attack PHILIP ISSA

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Airstrikes and artillery fire shook Damascus on Tuesday as government forces tried to repel a second rebel attack on the Syrian capital in three days.

The military deployed tanks along the city’s leafy Fares al-Khoury Avenue leading to the eastern Jobar and Qaboun neighborhoods, where opposition forces have been pinned for years, and the cracks of gunfire could be heard from Abbassin Square.

Government jets pounded the areas behind rebel lines, according to footage released by opposition factions, and fighters scrambled between rubble and burning buses to take up positions. Smoke clouded the skies.

Syrian state media said 15 people were wounded in rebel shelling across the capital. State-affiliated alIkhbariya TV said government forces had killed and wounded several “terrorists” and arrested several more.

A broad federation of insurgent factions renewed their assault on Damascus on Tuesday after their first

attack launched Sunday stalled. That attack marked the most serious infiltration of the capital, seat of President Bashar Assad’s power, in years.

On Tuesday, as on Sunday, the rebels detonated a car bomb in the eastern parts of the city before launching their attack. On Sunday, the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for two car bomb explosions.

The campaign brought together a number of rival factions, including the Levant Liberation Committee, two ultraconservative factions — Ahrar al-Sham and the Islam Army — and the Free Syrian Army-affiliated Failaq al-Rahman.

Assad’s armed opponents are divided over strategy, with the al-Qaida-affiliated groups preaching a confrontational, military approach against the government, and others — including the Islam Army — agreeing to political discussions.

But the government’s own intransigence — ratcheting up military pressure against its opponents across the country despite peace talks in Europe and Asia — appears to have brought the

factions closer together.

Mohammed Alloush, the rebels’ chief negotiator with the government at technical talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, said his group, the Islam Army, was prepared to send further reinforcements to the Qaboun front in Damascus.

“Opening the Jobar front had a major effect in reducing the pressure on us and other fronts in Ghouta that have not calmed down in more than a year, and has contributed to scattering the Assad gangs,” said Islam Army military spokesman Hamza Beirakdar, in a Twitter posting.

Jobar has been besieged by government forces since 2013.

The Syrian government holds authority over most of the country’s population, after an overwhelming Russian intervention in 2015 turned the tide against advancing rebel forces. The government now controls the country’s five largest cities.

Still, the parties to the U.N.-mediated Geneva peace process, including various rebel factions, are expected to attend the resumption of talks on Thursday, a U.N.

spokeswoman said.

Alessandra Vellucci said the focus of this round will be governance, constitutional issues and elections, as well as counterterrorism, security and confidencebuilding measures.

Sunday’s rebel blitz, spearheaded by Syria’s alQaida branch, was the most serious insurgent incursion into Damascus since 2012.

The Levant Liberation Committee said through social media midday Tuesday it had reclaimed the points it had lost the day before. Syrian state media said the government forces had repelled the advance.

The government has been trying to pressure the rebels to surrender the pockets they hold in Damascus following victories in the northern city of Aleppo, the central city of Homs and other Damascus suburbs.

Tens of thousands of fighters, dissidents, and their family members in long-besieged areas have accepted exile to the country’s rebel-held northwest, in what opposition figures have termed “forced displacement.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, damaged and blocked street where clashes erupted between the Syrian government forces and rebels, near the Abbassiyin square, east Damascus, Syria, Monday March 20, 2017. Syrian government forces on Monday regained control of parts of Damascus that were attacked and captured by rebels and militants the previous day, with the two-day fighting leaving dozens dead on both sides, the military and an activist group said.

Stocks tumble as banks, industrials take broad losses MARLEY JAY

AP MARKETS WRITER

MARK LENNIHAN / ASSOCIATED PRESS

n this Jan. 12, 2017, photo, traders work on the Mizuho Americas trading floor in New York. Technology companies are leading stocks slightly higher in early trading on Wall Street, Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

U.S. stocks are on track for their biggest loss this year as banks tumble and industrial companies such as transportation stocks take large losses. Small-company stocks are falling more than the rest of the market.

KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor’s 500 index tumbled 24 points, or 1 percent, to 2,349 as of 1:37 p.m. Eastern time. It hasn’t taken a loss that large since October. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 190 points, or 0.9 percent, to 20,710. The Nasdaq composite surrendered 83 points, or 1.4 percent, to 5,818. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks plunged 29 points, or 2.1 percent, to 1,354.

Three-quarters of the stocks on the New York Stock Exchange fell.

BONDS: Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note declined to 2.43 percent from 2.46 percent. Lower interest rates hurt banks by reducing interest rates, which shrinks the profits finan-

cial institutions make on mortgages and other loans. Capital One shed $3.02, or 3.5 percent, to $83.76 and Bank of America fell $1.37, or 5.6 percent, to $23.07. Banks have climbed dramatically over the last five months.

Big-dividend companies did relatively well. Utilities moved higher. Dominion Resources rose $1.24, or 1.6 percent, to $77.83 and PPL gained 45 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $37.24. Some real estate companies also rose. American Tower climbed $1.26, or 1.1 percent, to $117.24.

HIT THE BRAKES: Transportation companies like airlines, railroads and rental car companies plunged. United Continental lost $1.51, or 2.2 percent, to $65.98 and railroad operator CSX declined $1.32, or 2.8 percent, to $45.56.

Hertz Global skidded $2.21, or 10.4 percent, to $19.05. Steel makers also slid. AK Steel plunged 70 cents, or 8.5 percent, to $7.57 and U.S. Steel lost $2.52, or 6.8 percent, to $34.58.

THE QUOTE: Kate Warne, an investment strategist for Edward

Jones, said investors are taking some profits after the market’s long winning streak, and they are waiting for more information about the Trump administration’s plans.

This week Congress is debating the Republican-backed American Health Care Act and its chances of passing are not clear.

“Some of the concerns about how long it will take to implement some of the policy changes are probably resurging in investors’ minds,” Warne said, adding that if the bill doesn’t pass, “the concern is what that means for corporate tax cuts.”

RETAIL WOES: Department store operator Kohl’s dropped $1.30, or 3.4 percent, to $37.26 and Macy’s gave up $1.28, or 4.4 percent, to $28.09. Gap fell 93 cents, or 4 percent, to $22.53 and athletic apparel company Under Armour lost 79 cents, or 4.3 percent, to $17.47.

SOGGY CEREAL: Food companies fell after General Mills posted a better-than-expected profit but weaker sales. The Cheerios maker faces more competitive pricing

and a market that has been shifting demand from processed foods.

Its stock dipped 24 cents to $60.02, and Kellogg shed $1.19, or 1.6 percent, to $73.79 cents. Campbell Soup gave up $1.78, or 3 percent, to $57.22.

ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude dipped 68 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $47.54 a barrel in New York.

Brent crude, used to price international oils, lost 51 cents, or 1 percent, to $51.11 a barrel in London.

CURRENCIES: The dollar slipped to 111.87 yen from 112.58 yen. The euro rose to $1.0814 from $1.0733.

OVERSEAS: The DAX of Germany fell 1.1 percent and the British FTSE 100 lost 0.6 percent. France’s CAC 40 made big early gains after a debate between the nation’s candidates for president, but it finished 0.5 percent lower. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.3 percent. The Kospi in South Korea rose 1 percent and in Hong Kong the Hang Seng rose 0.4 percent.

Stolen Van Gogh paintings return to Amsterdam after 14 years MIKE CORDER

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Two paintings by Vincent van Gogh that were stolen in a smash-and-grab heist more than 14 years ago went back on display Tuesday at the Amsterdam museum dedicated to the Dutch master.

“They’re back!” said Van Gogh Museum director Axel Rueger, calling their return one of the “most special days in the history of our museum.”

The paintings, the 1882 “View of the Sea at Scheveningen,” and 1884-85 work “Congregation leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen,” were discovered last year by Italian police investigating suspected Italian mobsters for cocaine trafficking.

It wasn’t an easy find. The two paintings were wrapped in cotton sheets, stuffed in a box and hidden behind a wall in a toilet, said Gen. Gianluigi D’Alfonso of the Italian financial police, who was on hand at the museum for the ceremonial unveiling.

The paintings were found in a farmhouse near Naples as Italian police seized 20 million euros ($21.6 million) worth of assets, including villas, apartments and even a small airplane. Investigators contend the assets are linked to two Camorra drug kingpins, Mario Cerrone and Raffaele Imperiale.

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“After years shrouded in darkness, they can now shine again,” said Jet Bussemaker, the Dutch minister for education, culture and science said as an orange screen slid away to reveal the two paintings behind a glass wall.

One of the two men convicted of stealing the paintings told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that said he originally wanted to steal Van Gogh’s world famous “Sunflowers” painting, but it was too well protected.

Another well-known Van Gogh work, “The Potato Eaters,” was too big to get through the hole that Octave Durham and his accomplice smashed in the security glass to get into the museum after clambering over a fence and using a ladder to get onto its roof.

Durham, who was sentenced to 3 1 /2 years in prison after being convicted in 2004, told De Telegraaf that the paintings were sold to the mafia after a Dutch criminal who had agreed to buy them was murdered.

The paintings are now back on display at the museum before being taken to its conservation studio for repair. Experts said they suffered remarkably little damage even as the thieves in 2002 ripped them out of their frames and fled.

“It is not only a miracle that the works have been recovered but it’s even more miraculous almost that they are in relatively unharmed condition,” Rueger said.

The museum director was on vacation when the call came last year from Italian authorities who believed they had recovered the paintings. He didn’t celebrate right away; he’d had calls like this before.

“I was hopeful but also a little hesitant, because over the course of the years we had multiple occasions when people phoned us, contacted us, claiming that they knew something about the whereabouts of the works.

And each time it was false, the trace went cold,” he said.

“The way has been peppered with disappointment.”

But museum experts dispatched to Italy to check the authenticity of the works quickly turned Rueger’s doubts into delight.

“It was something we had secretly been hoping for, for all those years,” he said.

The two small works are not typical of Van Gogh’s later and better-known works, but are still vital pieces for the museum’s collection, Rueger said.

The Scheveningen seascape, with a fishing boat and rough sea under a typically gray, cloudy Dutch sky, is one of Van Gogh’s earliest works. It is the only painting in the museum’s collection painted during his time in The Hague. It suffered a missing rectangular chip from the bottom left-hand corner.

The painting of the church in Nuenen portrayed the village where his parents lived.

“He had painted as a gift to his mother, so it’s a very personal and emotional connection,” Rueger said.

Rueger said the paintings are now back for good at a museum, which is home to dozens of works by Van Gogh, whose paintings fetch millions of dollars on the rare occasions they come up for auction.

“The security, I can assure you, is of Triple-A quality now. So I’m very confident that everything is safe in the museum,” he said.

“He had painted [‘Congregation leaving the Reformed Church’] as a gift to his mother, so it’s a very personal and emotional connection.”

AXEL RUEGER VAN GOGH MUSEUM DIRECTOR

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Baseball

Softball Overall

Home

Away

Neutral

6-6

0-0

6+6

6-6

vs. Bethel

vs. SUNY Plattsburgh

Team

Points

Team

Keene State

10

Bethel

0

Overall

Home

6-6

0-0

Keene State SUNY Plattsburgh

6

Team

Away

0-5

0-1

0-2

vs. Endicott Team Keene State Endicott

12

Team

Keene State

Keene State

RWU

10

Stockton

8

Men’s Lacrosse Neutral

0-2

Overall

Home

Away

3-2

0-0

1-2

Team

Keene State

4

Keene State

SUNY Geneseo

14

Nichols

Neutral

2-0 vs. Hamilton

vs. Nichols

Points

Team

vs. Stockton Points 13

vs. SUNY Geneseo Points 6

6-5

Points 6

Women’s Lacrosse Home

Neutral

0-1

vs. Roger Williams

Points 2

Overall

Away

Points

Points

Team

12 10

Keene State Hamilton

14 7

Indoor Track & Field ECAC Championship Katelyn Terry

400 Meter Run 58.88

Alyssa Lombardi

1000 Meter Run 3:14.26

Katelyn Terry, Lindsey Terry, Nicole De Almeida, Brittany Gravallese Jared Hannon

4x200 Relay 1:48.44 Long Jump 6.69 meters

Upcoming Games Women’s Lacrosse Saturday, March 25 vs. Wheaton

Men’s Baseball Saturday, March 25 vs. Johnson & Wales

Men’s Baseball Sunday, March 26 vs. Salve Regina

Men’s Baseball Tuesday, March 28 vs. Trinity

spin

WELLNESS Zorn Dining Commons Thursday, March 30th 11am to 2pm

Enter the Spring Forward National Prize Sweepstakes to

We’re bringing in the blender bike and making smoothies at lunch on the 30th to kick off a fresh and healthy start for springtime!

Mango Lassi Non Dairy Smoothie Fresh Garden Veggies Ranch Yogurt Dip Fresh Fruit Chocolate Yogurt Dip Berry Parfait

Pay it forward Win some cash!

Enter to win one of four $2,500 national grand prizes to pay forward in your name to a charity of your choice. As an added bonus, grand prize winners will also receive a $250 Visa pre-paid gift card.

www.springforwardsweepstakes.com.

Winners will be selected via random drawing and will be notified in person at the end of the sweepstakes,

keenestatedining.SodexoMyWay.com

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Sports / B8 STAFF COMMENTARY

Luke’s Kickin’ Column

Thursday March 23, 2017

Swinging into action

JAMES WICHERT/ CONTRIBUTING PHOTO

Atlanta United: The New Underdog of the MLS? LUKE STERGIOUS

SEnior PhotograPhEr Matchweek three of the MLS (Major League Soccer) and there is plenty to talk about. The 21st season of the MLS has added two new expansion teams: Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC. But the main team popping up on headlines all over the United States is Atlanta FC because of their impressive form thus far.

After three games, Atlanta has won two, lost one, scored 11 goals in three games and currently has the league’s leading goalscorer Josef Martínez.

Expansion teams in the MLS have a bad history of not achieving much in their inaugural season, but when Atlanta started doing business, MLS fans realized that Atlanta meant business.

So why does Atlanta United look like they have been a team in the MLS for years now?

Becoming a franchise team in the MLS is a very long and grueling process, and usually the first season is the toughest. Atlanta United is showing the league that they want to defy expectations, and so far, the organization looks like it’s doing everything right.

First, they hired former Barcelona and Argentina Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino.

The club’s first big statement basically said, “We’re here to play.”

Atlanta started raising more eyebrows when they started making transfers. They brought in players such as Miguel Almirón, Héctor Villalba, Leandro González Pírez and most notably, Josef Martínez. Atlanta looks as if they are trying to break the stereotype that the MLS is not a “retirement league” anymore.

Almirón, Villalba and González Pírez all came from the Argentine Primera División, as they had proven their ability in South America. But Josef Martínez is currently on loan from Torino FC of the Calcio A (Italy’s top flight division), which was a huge move for the club.

At 23 years of age, Martínez has already proven himself as a lethal striker. The Venezuelan currently has five goals in three games, scoring a hat trick against Minnesota United (despite playing in a blizzard) in matchweek two and two goals against the Chicago Fire in matchweek three. He is currently the league’s top scorer, which is a pretty decent feat for an expansion team.

Their offense may be in form right now, but Atlanta’s defense is not getting the love it deserves. Only conceding two goals in three games is showing signs of a strong defense, especially for an expansion team.

The overall squad depth is incredible as well.

The team is made up of not just players who’ve transferred here, but homegrown MLS players, drafted college players and other players brought in from other MLS clubs.

For an expansion team, Atlanta United FC is taking the MLS by storm.

Even as a fan of the New England Revolution, it’s great to see expansion teams add some more competition into this league and making it more attractive for fans to watch.

The entire organization looks like it’s heading in all the right directions, and Tata Martino seems to be getting the most out of this team and it’s players.

I really enjoy how much the MLS has progressed in recent years, and I’m very excited to see how this season unfolds and how Atlanta United progresses.

KEN HOWE/ CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The Keene State College baseball team took its yearly spring training trip to Florida. The team finished 6-5 and will continue its season back in Keene.

Keene State College baseball kicks off their season 6-5 in Florida JOHN PIATELLI

Equinox Staff It’s that time of the year again. The Keene State baseball team is back from Florida looking to continue their fresh start to the 2017 season.

Last year, the Owls finished the season with a 17-21 record. According to junior Noah Rizio, “This year feels different.”

When asked what separates the team this year from the team last year, Rizio said, “This year’s team is more positive; we have guys who just want to play baseball, win and have fun.”

Head Coach Ken Howe described this year’s experience in Florida as different from years past. Coach Howe said this year, the team was within “three floors of each other, thanks to excellent housing in Florida.” In years past, the team was dispersed by as many as six different housing units. Coach Howe stressed that being able to keep the team so close to one

another provided a “better bonding experience for the team.”

Last season, during the Owls time in Florida, a 6-4 record was accomplished, but this season, the Owls left Florida with a 6-5 record. According to Coach Howe, “Losses were not from a lack of effort.”

Junior Kolby Reggione described the team as “a lot closer this year with the most team chemistry I have seen during my time in Keene. We were much more fired up for Florida this year than in years past. [We] lost some close ones, but that happens early in the season. We are still trying to find ourselves, but can already tell there is a lot of upside.”

Last season, there was only one loss within two runs, and this season, the Owls walked away with three close losses all within two runs. Coach Howe said, “We only had two bad games during our time in Florida this year, with the remaining nine games all being hard-fought, competitive battles.”

Reggione said, “We were in almost every game and had the potential to win them all.” This year’s team is still very young, consisting mostly of first-years and sophomores. According to Coach Howe “Last year’s f[irst years] learned the grind of the season from last year’s seniors.”

The Owls lost eight seniors from last season, including standout pitcher and current Baltimore Orioles minor league player Cody Dube, leaving big shoes to fill for the rest of the team.

Going into the season, the Owls are ranked last in the Little East Conference (LEC) rankings. Junior Abe Grainger said he views this ranking as an opportunity to “go out each game and prove people wrong.” When asked what feels different heading into Florida this year than in years past, Grainger said, “good team chemistry” could be the difference for the Owls. Grainger said, “This year’s team feels [like] more of a family than just a

team. Everybody seems to get along with each other. We have more fun and do not have to worry about guys getting on us for staying loose and having fun.”

Grainger said he attributes a very good offensive lineup this season to “quiet confidence” in the team’s abilities to execute.

In order to achieve the team goal of winning the same conference they are ranked last in, this quiet confidence could prove to play a major role.

Coach Howe mentioned the struggle of this year’s playing conditions. “This year was the first time during my time in Keene where all the snow fell during our team time in Florida.” With that being said, Coach Howe said, “When the ump[ire] says, ‘Play ball,’ we are ready to compete and get better every day.”

John Piatelli can be contacted at jpaitelli@kscequinox.com

Interested in writing for Sports or The Equinox?

203-695-5359

Luke Stergiou can be contacted at lstergiou@kscequinox.com

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Sports / B9

Thursday, March 23, 2017

STAFF COMMENTARY

Red

rocks of Sedona JACOB PAQUIN/ EQUINOX STAFF

All photos taken by Jacob Paquin. The red rocks of Sedona are in Sedona, Arizona. Red Rock State Park has a network of trails totaling five miles.

Keene State College student captures the beautiful sites of Sedona, Arizona JACOB PAQUIN

Equinox Staff Out of the 52 weeks in a year, there are two weeks each year that I have especially looked forward to ever since college began three years ago. One week contains a camping trip during the summer months with my neighbor Christian, where we explore a new place every summer.

The other week is a mid-winter break, where I get to accompany my dad on a spring break trip. The past two years, I have been extremely lucky to travel with my dad to snowboard out west in Salt Lake City, Utah, and also to one of my favorite places, Jackson, Wyoming.

This past week, the Paquin family took on the Red Rocks of Sedona.

We flew out late Thursday night where we met my sister Carly, a recent graduate of James Madison University, and one of the newest nurses at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. That night, or morning since we didn’t land until 1:00 a.m. Mountain Time, was the first time my father and I had seen my

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sister since Thanksgiving, so it was great reunion for all of us.

The first thing we did together was drive four hours through the night to catch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. As we were driving, all Carly and I could feel was the pain in our neck from whiplash.

What I mean by this is that when my dad rents a car, he can never adjust to the new breaks. For the entire vacation, we were reminding our dad about the breaks.

By the end of the vacation, we were all laughing about it.

Sadly, we missed the sunrise by 30 minutes, arriving at around 7:00 a.m..

My first thought while arriving at the Grand Canyon was that I could stay there for hours upon hours, sitting and enjoying the view. While driving along the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon, we stopped along the way to take in the view and to snap some much needed photos at various rest stops on the side of the road. Our original plan was to hike during the day and travel back to Sedona by sundown.

Instead, we headed back before noon for some much needed relaxation after traveling all day and all night.

The next five days consisted of hiking the Red Rocks of Sedona, and some much needed family fun and photographing beautiful sights along the way.

The trails we hiked not only consisted of breathtaking views, but they also had a variety of difficulty along the way.

On our first day, we nearly hiked eight miles, starting from our room at the Matterhorn in Downtown Sedona, eventually exploring up to Brin’s Mesa and Soldier’s Pass trails in the Coconino National Forest. We walked along Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, which has a 150 by 90-foot opening.

That sinkhole has collapsed three times, once in the 1880s, once in 1989 and again in 1995. The second hike was a tourist trap, but it is a view that is iconic to Sedona’s Red Rocks.

Devil’s Bridge is a photography hot spot, probably because it is also Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arches. Our third and final hike, Cathedral Rock, was my favorite out of the three.

The distance was short to the top, but it wasn’t easy.

We were crawling on all fours to scale our way up the

sandy rock surface to skyscraper-like rocks that wait for the arrivals of many hikers each day.

On our first day in Sedona, we searched for activities to do while we weren’t hiking.

These activities included off-roading with Red Rock Jeep Tours through the Diamondback Gulch, five zipline rides over rescued bears, zebras and giraffes, and a helicopter tour of Sedona.

All in all, putting an ocean boy in the middle of the desert turned out better than believed. At least we found some type of water at Slide Rock State Park, which was a chilly 40 degrees.

Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Jacob Paquin can be contacted at jpaquin@kscequinox.com

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Sports / B10 Thursday, March 23, 2017

SPORTS

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Owls get bounced from the bracket SHELBY IAVA

SportS Editor

Sweet 16 The Keene State Owls traveled to Babson College for their rematch against Christopher Newport University (CNU). However, the Owls did not have the same outcome as they did last year. The Owls trumped CNU 68-64 Friday, March 10.

Senior Jeffrey Lunn led the Owls with 20 points and eight rebounds. Fellow senior Matthew Ozzella had 14 points, senior Lucas Hammel had 15 and sophomore Ty Nichols had 11.

CNU had the upper hand early on. Marcus Carter, the junior All-American, sank a three for a 9-3 lead. Christopher Newport sank another three to increase their lead, 14-7.

Keene State kept up with CNU, getting within four, when Ozzella converted a threepoint play with only 10 minutes remaining on the clock. Christopher Newport responded quickly and kept their lead 21-12.

Ozzella hit a pair of threes in two minutes.

He also added a layup in-between, tying the game at 24. Christopher Newport had a 12-4 run over the remaining time in the half, giving them an eight-point lead.

CNU hit a fadeaway three to beat the shot clock, and Justin Hampton of CNU hit away Nichols’ layup at the sound of the buzzer with CNU on top 45-33.

Nichols converted a three-point play with

18 minutes left in the second half. CNU continued their lead with three baskets.

Keene State was able to get within five on Jimmy Layman’s jumper. CNU had an offensive foul against the Owls and Hammel stepped up to the line.

Hammel made both of the baskets and brought the Owls within three points. Jaquel Edwards made a basket with 10:43 left to bring the game within one.

Lunn hit two free throws with 9:46 left on the clock, giving the Owls their first lead of the entire game.

After that set of free throws, the game went cold, and there were no points scored until the 7:29 mark on the clock. Christopher Newport missed six straight free throws.

Lunn made two more free throws with 4:49 left on the clock. CNU answered quickly with a three from the right corner and tied the game at 58 with 4:30 left on the clock.

The Owls and the Captains went back and forth, but CNU was on top by one. Lunn managed to bring the Owls back on top, 62-62. Nichols made a basket with 31 seconds left for a 64-61 lead.

Hammel sank a pair of free throws, which put KSC up by five.

CNU missed a three, but grabbed a rebound and hit a fadeaway triple to cut the lead 66-64 with six seconds left on the clock. Nichols hit two free throws, securing the Owls’ win.

The Owls advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2004.

Elite Eight The first half of the game was a constant back and forth battle between Keene State and Babson College. Both teams tied up the game at least five times.

With 6:22 left on the clock, the Babson Beavers received their biggest lead of the game with a 10-point advantage, 38-28, Babson.

Lunn grabbed back-to-back baskets, bringing the Owls within five.

Nichols converted a three-point play with .53 left on the clock shortening Babson’s lead to two. Babson responded with a three right before the sound of the buzzer at the half.

Babson was up 51-46.

The Owls would only come as close as seven in the second half, 69-62, after a layup from Lunn. Babson ignited an 18-4 run to pull away from the Owls.

The Owls got no closer than 17 points the rest of the game. Nichols sank a three with 3:10 left to go.

Nichols led the Owls with 21 points, while Lunn had 14 points and six rebounds. Hammel chipped in 17 points and Ozzella had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Ozzella became the fifth player in school history to have over 1,200 points and 700 rebounds in his career, joining Tyler Kathan, Dave Terry, Al Hicks and Chris Coates.

Hockey Ohio heads to

“This was the best group of guys I’ve ever played with. From the get-go, the rookies fit right in and we were a team in every aspect of the word. The coaching staff was phenomenal and put us in a position to succeed all year long.”

ANDREW PIERCE ASSISTANT CAPTAIN

CRAE MESSER/ MANAGING EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Cooper Hines (14), Jeff Rossman (21) and Andrew Karlin (7) watch their team play from behind the barrier in a game earlier this season.

SHELBY IAVA/ SPORTS EDITOR

Shelby Iava can be contacted at Lucas Hammel fights for possession over the ball in the Sweet 16 game siava@kscequinox.com against Christopher Newport University (CNU). The Owls beat CNU in their rematch 68-64 on March 10 and advanced to the Elite Eight the following day.

The Keene State College men’s club ice hockey team arrived in Columbus, Ohio, for the ACHA Division 2 National Championship AUSTIN SANIDAS

Equinox Staff The Keene State College Men’s hockey team spent their spring break in Columbus, Ohio, competing for the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 2 National Championship.

The Owls finished their season with a solid (145-2) record. The offense was anchored by Andrew Pierce (42 points), Kurt Mitchell (34 points) and Kyle Carignan (28 points). Carlin Testa was a rock in goal all season, sporting a 10-4 record with a 2.24 goals against average and a .925 save percentage.

KSC competed in the regional tournament and defeated Roger Williams University in the first game. With that win, they met their rival Northeastern University, and the winner of that game would punch a ticket to Columbus. Keene overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period and won in overtime, thanks to Tucker Johnson’s goal.

The Owls made the 11-hour trek to Ohio and had matchups against Liberty University (Virginia), Williston State College (North Dakota) and Lindenwood University (Illinois).

In their first game, they faced off against Liberty.

The Owls started off with a quick goal from Mitchell just 25 seconds into the game. Unfortunately, this was the only lead they would have in the game.

The Flames went on to score four goals to build a three-goal lead. The Owls would claw back within one as Derek Clark scored two goals. The Flames added an empty net goal to put the game out of reach as the final was 5-3 in favor of Liberty. The Owls’ second game had them facing off against the top seed Williston State College. The first period had both teams deadlocked at one. The KSC goal came off Pierce’s stick.

Keene went up 2-1 in the second period, as Mitchell finished a pass from Clark.

The Tetons managed to tie the score, but the Owls regained the lead. The Tetons would go on to score four straight goals and would win the game 6-3.

The Owls were

eliminated from advancing at this point, but still had one game to play. They faced off against the Lindenwood Lions. The Owls struck first as Cooper Hines unleashed a rocket from the top of the circle that found its way into the back of the cage. The Lions tied the game at one, but the Owls quickly regained the lead with a power play goal courtesy of assistant captain Andrew Karlin.

Lindenwood tied the game once more, but this was the final goal that would elude Owls’ keeper Jon Fields.

Pierce scored what turned out to be the winning goal less than a minute into the third period.

Josh Bell doubled the Owls’ lead with a goal of his own a few minutes later. Carignan made it 5-2 after he tapped home a pass from Pierce. The final goal came courtesy of Adin Sobel. He made a move on the goalie after receiving a pass from Ricky Panton.

“This was the best group of guys I’ve ever played with. From the get-go, the rookies fit right in and we were a team in every aspect of the word. The coaching staff was phenomenal and put us in a position to succeed all year long,” Pierce said.

He continued, “We started the season off absolutely electric and went 10-0-1 in our first 11 games.

We had a swagger about us that we were better than every team we played. I believe that was a huge contributor to our nationals push late in the season. Going back to nationals for the second time was our goal at the beginning of the year and an incredible accomplishment for us. We didn’t get the outcome that we had hoped for, but we built on the previous year which is a positive. And finally, I want to the thank my family, my grandfather, coaches and especially my teammates.”

Austin Sanidas can be contacted at asanidas@kscequinox.com

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JESSICA RICARD

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Students help rebuild

NEW ORLEANS OLIVIA BELANGER

AlternAtive BreAk nOlA The city of New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), is vibrant and lively, from listening to live jazz on every corner, indulging in spicy foods or conversing with the people submerged in the culture. However, one could be easily fooled by how upbeat the community has stayed after Hurricane Katrina and not realize how much damage is still there. As a volunteer with the United Saints Recovery Project over spring break, I was able to hear the heart-breaking backstories of those impacted by the storm that may go unnoticed.

Driving to our volunteer service in the lower ninth ward, there was empty lot after empty lot, where houses used to be filled with neighbors, friends and lovers. Stairs leading to nothing were also a common sight, or houses with DOA (Dead on Arrival) still spray painted on abandoned doorways.

Twelve years have passed, yet the constant reminders of the damages Hurricane Katrina caused such as these is seen every day for those who are still living in the community. In certain areas, you would think the storm happened a few weeks ago.

When Hurricane Katrina struck NOLA, it overwhelmed several of the city’s unstable levees and drainage canals. By nine in the morning, the low-lying places, such as the ninth ward, were under such massive amounts of water that people had to scramble to attics and rooftops for safety. Eventually, nearly 80 percent of the city was under some quantity of water.

Before the storm, the city’s population had nearly 30 percent of its people living in poverty. Hurricane Katrina only added to these conditions, and left many of NOLA’s poorest citizens

more vulnerable than ever before. The storm also had a way to turn a person’s world upside down, leaving those in more comfortable status’, such as the middle class, finding themselves begging on the streets for money the day after. Nearly 2,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands of evacuees scattered far and wide. The rebuilding of the city has been ongoing since 2005, and I was able to be a part of it.

I worked on two different houses in the span of a week, with seven other Keene State College students.

We became carpenters overnight, between putting up sheetrock, texturing walls and painting. The house we worked on had barely been touched since Hurricane Katrina, with one woman and her mother living in a quarter of the size of their whole house since the storm. While her situation was not ideal, she did not let her situation define her.

She was rooted in kindness, constantly asking our group throughout the work day if we were okay or if we needed anything. Every home that we worked on had a gracious homeowner, and it truly put into perspective that happiness is not found in material things. Meeting people with such appreciation for what they have, no matter how small, proves all that we take for granted.

Alternative Break allows me and other students to step out of our own world, where we have been given everything we could ever ask for, and dive deep into another. It shows that some of the most positive people have been through hell and back, but use their experience for the better, rather than the worse. This trip has taught me no matter the battle you face, there is always a chance to find the silver lining. You can always rise above.

“It [Alternative Break] shows that some of the most positive people have been through hell and back, but use their experience for the better, rather than the worse. This trip has taught me no matter the battle you face, there is always a chance to find the silver lining. You can always rise above.”

OLIVIA BELANGER ALTERNATIVE BREAK NOLA

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY DRE CUZZUPE

Top: Junior Amy Buonopane and sophomore Dylan Pariseau drill in sheet rock inside a house in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bottom: Five of the group members pose in front of a house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they had been mudding and texturing the walls inside all day.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JESSICA RICARD

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY OLIVIA BELANGER

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Finding the values of diversity in

GEORGIA JESSICA RICARD

AlternAtive BreAk GeorGiA Clarkston, Georgia, is known as the most diverse square mile in the United States (U.S.).

Thirty years ago, Clarkston was described as a mostly-white American town, but for a generation, it has been designated as a refugee resettlement center with a white population of less than 20 percent. Myself and seven other Keene State College students traveled to Clarkston to take part in service and education-based activities in the area of refugee resettlement in the U.S. and across the globe through the Alternative Break (AB) program.

After an 18-hour drive, the eight of us rolled up in a Dodge Charger and Ford Expedition to a church where we would be living for the week. Our team was hosted by Something New, an organization dedicated to spreading positivity and an overall message of love being greater than fear. Each evening, the volunteers from Something New hosted events for us and other participating universities, such as an opening rally, a chance to learn group dances, trivia night and a closing celebration. Within these events, KSC came in first place out of five other colleges in trivia night, and one of our team members came out on top in a ping pong championship.

Our service projects began early each morning, the first being at Jolly Elementary School, where the population of refugee students is exceptionally high. Additionally, the eight of us were placed in classrooms at the International Community School. The charter elementary school was founded 15 years ago to address the educational conditions of the thousands of refugees from all over the world who were relocated in DeKalb County, Georgia. Many of the students at both of these schools do not speak any English, or only speak a small amount, and are given all the standard assignments any ordinary English-speaking student is given.

In order to help with the language barriers, those who are English Language Learners (ELL) take English classes, whereas the rest of the students take Spanish or French.

Language barriers aren’t the only issues these students face every day though, for the immigration ban took effect Jan. 27 of this year.

The day after the immigration ban was placed on those trying to enter the United States from other countries, one sign was placed in the grass in front of the International Community School that read, “Stay Strong Neighbors.

You are ALL welcome here.” The day following the first sign, hundreds filled the school’s front yard with messages welcoming and ensuring the safety of all families in the neighborhood and community the school is located in.

Different from the International Community School, we were given the chance to observe at Legacy Academy, a homeschool cooperative with a population of about 50 students. This school is more focused on a mission where all students are encouraged to express, love and embrace themselves, as well as each other. Here, most of the teachers are volunteers who come and teach a few times a week, and the students are not separated by grade, but by age group and ability.

On days when the students take elective classes, such as freedom class (music and dance) and art, each class is made up of students from kindergarten to eighteen years old high school aged, allowing them all to learn from each other.

At one point throughout the week, we participated in Non-Violence Training, which was constructed using many of the values and ideas Martin Luther King Jr. had during his peaceful protests during the Civil Rights Movement. The training allowed reflection and insight into our own personal thoughts and actions and allowed for us to inspire change not only for ourselves, but in our home communities as well.

Following the training, we listened to a panel of people involved in refugee services throughout Clarkston, which was facilitated by 11Alive Atlanta news anchor Cheryl Preheim.

“Salam Neighbor,” a documentary about a refugee camp in Jordan, was shown after the panel to give a closer look into what life is like for those who are forced to leave their homes.

On average, individuals and families stay in refugee camps like the one in Jordan for 17 years of their life until they are able to be relocated, and even still, that dream is seldom promising.

For our final day of service, we volunteered at Global Growers, which is an organization dedicated to helping refugee families plant, grow and harvest crops like they did in their home community before they were relocated to the U.S.. Half of our group weeded and spread mulch, while the other half built a gazebo near the entrance of the garden.

In our “free” time, which there wasn’t much of, we attended The National Center for Human and Civil Rights, containing information regarding the many achievements during the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the worldwide human rights movement. The museum contained a sit-in exhibit, which simulated what it felt like for a colored person to sit in at a lunch counter during the non-violent protests during the Civil Rights Movement. I was required to sit at the counter with my hands on the table and headphones over my head to listen to the yelling, banging and various forms of harassment people of color were forced to deal with in the 1960s.

When there was finally time for exploring Atlanta, our team took a ride on the 20-story ferris wheel right by Olympic Park, where the 1996 Summer Olympic games were held. Many of us shopped at Atlantic Station, and we were all able to try some authentic southern food.

The fried chicken with sweet potato pancakes definitely lived up to its expectations.

Overall, Alternative Breaks are the most fulfilling, rewarding and educational experiences I’ve ever participated in. Many of us in New Hampshire live in a bubble, where we tend not to see the real-world issues facing so many people in different parts of our own country.

Alternative Break is the perfect way to get personal with those issues, learn about them and bring them back to our home communities to inspire change. Tropical vacations are the way to go for some people, but there is no other way I’d rather spend spring break than immersing myself in service.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JESSICA RICARD

Top: Eight Keene State College students traveled to Clarkston, Georgia, the most diverse square mile in the United States, over spring break to help refugee children.

Left: Neighbors of the Clarkston, Georgia, community came together and made signs to support refugees of the International Community School.

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WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN

TENNESSEE JESS BAKER

AlternAtive BreAk MeMphis Ten Keene State College students all from different backgrounds set upon a journey to Memphis, Tennessee, on the Pediatric Healthcare Alternative Break trip to assist in any service opportunity they could.

This life-changing experience is one that is hard to put into words because there doesn’t seem to be a description that gives it justice. The team leaders, Jess Baker and Darren DeSena, did an incredible job picking a group consisting of eight versatile and brilliant individuals. Ranging from education majors and psychology majors to health science and nursing majors, the group dynamic, which was filled with first year students to seniors, could not have been better.

There was never a dull moment with this group, and our love for each other could be considered borderline obsessive. The dynamic that was created within our group allowed all of us to be comfortable with each other, and we created life-lasting bonds.

We were graciously housed at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, located five minutes from Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Our Volunteer Service partners at Le Bonheur felt like family by the end of the first day. As volunteers, we were given a wide arrange of opportunities to serve in the hospital. With the children’s well-being as our number one priority, our team members went from room to room offering crafts, blankets, coffee or just a welcoming smile to anyone who needed it.

By day one, every volunteer had already started making strong bonds with the children and their families. If a volunteer didn’t have a specific task to do, we would be a “unit buddy,” which consisted of walking around the units and simply spending time with the patients. The parents of

many children still have to work to support their health care, which often leaves children alone for the majority of the day.

As volunteers, we spent as much time as we possibly could with children who were alone. Although many would say that we were making a difference in these children’s lives, we would say they were making an even bigger difference in our own. Watching a child’s face light up as you walk into their room is an indescribable moment-the littlest things really do go such a long way and this trip is a testament of that. The parents who remained with their children were often tired and emotionally strained, and as volunteers, we offered our time with their child in order for the parents to take a shower or simply to have a minute for themselves.

By the end of the week,every volunteer wanted to constantly be a unit buddy because of all of the amazing relationships we had built. Lending a helping hand to the nurses, parents, children and child health workers instilled a humbleness inside every single person on this trip that changed us all forever. On Wednesday, Child Life services put on a “Teddy Bear Clinic.” Each child picked out a stuffed animal of their choice and made a hospital bracelet and named their new buddy. Throughout the event space, the children went through multiple fun and interactive levels of diagnosis for their bear.

They got to listen to their bear’s heart, give their bear a cast, even a pretend CT scan and prescriptions were available.

The nurses and the pharmacists were so gracious and fun when running the stations and the children loved being able to make their teddy bear feel better. This experience has opened all of our eyes to the importance of showing and sharing compassion and kindness.

As representatives of Keene State College, we used all the values that make our college an amazing community and shared them with our community partner. Whether it was saying a simple hello in the elevator or playing a board game with a child, we tried to share kindness and spread smiles. This trip has changed all of us and has opened our eyes to the struggles within health care. We all plan on taking steps within our community here at Keene State College to take what we have learned and apply it to our daily lives.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JESS BAKER

Top: Alternative Break group members explore the city of Memphis, Tennessee after a day of service at LeBonheur Children’s Hopsital.

Bottom Right: Alternative Break group members get ready for a day of service at LeBonheur Children’s Hopsital.

Bottom Left: Alternative Break team leaders Darren DeSena and Jess Baker pose with LeBonheur Manager Timorie Belk.

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Alternative Break group visits Carolina Tiger Rescue to lend a hand JUSTIN MAHAN

AlternAtive BreAk PittsBoro Lions and tigers and, leopards? Oh my.

A group of ten Keene State College students left New Hampshire for Spring Break on March 11 but weren’t headed for the beach.

They were headed for Pittsboro, North Carolina to spend their spring break volunteering.

The group is part of the Alternative Break Program through the Community Service Office and spent the week volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue, helping do the maintenance work for the facility so the staff could focus their attention on the animals in need.

Carolina Tiger Rescue gets their animals from all over the country from situations like abuse through entertainment, abandonment and even neglect. When the facility receives these animals, they give them a happy permanent home for the rest of their lives.

The contingent from Keene worked alongside members from the University of Vermont to do things such as trail maintenance, cleaned out empty enclosures for the arrival of a new animal, and sorted fence pieces for either reuse or recycle.

The trail work allowed for the staff to safely inspect surrounding enclosures quickly in the event of an emergency to ensure that the animals were where they were supposed to be.

The enclosure cleansing was conducted in order for a new animal to be introduced to the enclosure. The participants clipped the vines that were growing on the enclosure fencing, as well as pick up cut logs that the staff had cut prior to the groups arrival.

The group also helped with the recycling of fence pieces. They sorted through the scrap pile of fencing and threw away any bent, rusted or broken pieces and moved those salvageable to a new pile for the staff to use at a later date.

While the students were doing hard work throughout the week, they were surrounded by the animals and learning about their stories and about the issues that animals face while living in the United States.

Carolina Tiger Rescue operates to raise awareness of the abuse and conditions these animals are living in and hope for the day that these animals will only be found in their natural habitats and not in the backyards of the United States.

The group spent their off days recovering from the work day and exploring the small town feel of Pittsboro, shopping downtown and getting to know some of the locals, all while spreading awareness of animal rights.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JUSTIN MAHAN

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“The kids were ages infant-6 years old and were fun, loving and adorable. They face challenges that most should not have to endure.

Yet, their smiles would never have you believe it.”

BAILEY ST. LAURENT ALTERNATIVE BREAK DETROIT

Volunteering with children in the heart of

DETROIT

BAILEY ST. LAURENT

AlternAtive BreAk Detroit During this year’s Alternative Spring Break, one group traveled from Keene, New Hampshire, to Detroit, Michigan, to work with Focus: Hope.

Focus: Hope is a non-profit organization in Detroit’s North End. The impoverished area has been left in ruins as a result of a poor economy and increased crime rates throughout the years. High unemployment has forced citizens out of their homes and into shelters and churches as they hope for change and search for answers.

Fortunately, Focus: Hope exists and helps through a variety of different ways. The organization has an educational career center fully equipment with shop and automotive equipment to prepare eager learners with the proper knowledge to apply their experience with Focus: Hope to the real world. Not only does Focus: Hope want people to obtain jobs, but the organization wants people to have long, flourishing careers. In addition to trades, Focus: Hope also has professors who teach classes in engineering and mathematics. There is immense diversity amongst students; some

come as a result of dropping out of high school and are trying to receive a GED, some want to get ahead for college courses and others are assimilating back into society after a stint in prison. Focus: Hope is a new start.

Focus: Hope also has a Head Start preschool and food packaging and distribution center. While there, Keene State College (KSC) students were able to box over 22,000 meals by the end of the week, feeding a plethora of people in the Detroit area.

While boxing foods, we found that the boxes we had arranged during the morning shift were currently feeding people before the job was done.

700 people who suffer from homelessness ate hot food at a nearby church because of the efforts of our KSC Alternative Break team. In addition to box prep, KSC’s group of nine delivered foods to those in need in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the city. The group of nine included: Bailey St. Laurent (junior) and Monica Doorley (junior) as group leaders, Liz Gallacher (senior), Gabby Brzozowski (senior), Mariah Lamy (senior), Casey Sault (junior), Stephanie Ryder (junior), Sydney Olson (first-year) and Anna DePasquale (first-year).

The highlight of the week for most was working in the preschool at

Focus: Hope. The kids were ages infant-6 years old and were fun, loving and adorable. They face challenges that most should not have to endure. Yet, their smiles would never have you believe it. There, we played in the gym with the kids, read them books and envied their nap time.

The trip exposed some of the awful conditions the people of Detroit have to live in. It reinforced the power of optimism and hope and showcased the overwhelming sense of pride those living in Detroit have for their city. It is an up-and-coming city, filled with bright and intelligent individuals trying to figure out how to revitalize Detroit. Construction is abundant and people are confident Detroit will reign supreme once again and enjoy financial stability.

As a leader, I cannot be more proud of the team Monica Doorley and myself brought out to Motown. Words cannot describe their compassion for others, their willingness to help and their passion for helping a community. We cannot wait to further our efforts and initiate some programs here in Keene to benefit our own community, and hopefully help the kind people we met at Focus: Hope.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY BAILEY ST. LAURENT

Left: Alternative Break group members boxing food for people who suffer from homelessness.

Top Right: KSC junior Casey Sault feeds an infant at non-profit organization Focus: Hope in Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom Right: KSC junior Bailey St. Laurent reads with toddlers at non-profit organization Focus: Hope in Detroit, Michigan.

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GEOGRAPHY CLUB

TRAVELS TO

CUBA LUCY SMITH

GeoGraphy Club

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LUCY SMITH

KSc Geography Club members explore Cuba during their spring break.

“This trip was the best week of my life,” said Keene State College (KSC) senior Cameron Cummings.

I’m sure many people say this about spring break in Cancun or in Florida with friends, but from this trip, the Geography 371 course gained more than just fun times in the field with Dr. Jo Beth Mullens and Dr. Christopher Cusack.

From March 9 to March 17, a group of KSC geographers and honors students took to Cuba with a lot of excitement and a little Spanish vocabulary. After spending the first half of the semester learning about Cuban history, we took advantage of spring break and immersed ourselves in the culture that history created. We saw the sites we learned so much about, such as the Revolution Museum and the organic farms of Viñalles and Las Terrazas, to the beautiful Caribbean beaches featured in the pages of our textbook.

The most interesting part to many members in the group was the exposure to such a different political system. Cuba is one of the few remaining Socialist governments in the world. I believe that some students thought we would see how poor and desolate the lives of these “oppressed people” are, however the experience showed a very different reality. The people of Cuba love Cuba, and the people of GEOG-371 came to love Cuba as well. There were no people who suffer from homelessness, the healthcare is free, the education is subsidized and advanced degrees are encouraged. In fact, in a lecture we attended on economics, the teacher was a young woman with a PhD in Economics, pursuing a second PhD in Political Science.

The downfalls that we first learned about in the Science Center room 264 were also very real in our individual homestays in Havana. The people of Cuba live on fixed salaries and food rations. It was very clear that as tourists, we were living the good life, but it was also clear that the lack of people who suffer from homelessness was in equal proportion to the lack of wealth. In this socialist society, the vast majority of Cuban people are truly, for the most part, given equal opportunity in all aspects of life. They are also under the constraints of equal limitations in terms of mobility towards prosperity.

The trip as a whole was educational. You couldn’t do anything without learning or experiencing something new, but it wasn’t necessarily all planned out. A huge part of Cuban culture that is experienced by women is “Machismo.” This is the sort of “game” men play of cat-calling female tourists in the streets. We were warned about this behavior prior to leaving the classroom, but upon arrival in Cuba, the attitude was very different than expected. The catcalls were not aggressive and the females on the trip who spoke about it reported never feeling unsafe. When we were out dancing or at a bar, it was clear the men were interested in this foreign American breed of woman, but never in an entitled or disrespectful way.

One student was dancing with a boy and when she said she wanted to leave to dance with her friends on the trip, he smiled and said “Have a good night,” and didn’t pursue her any further. How many KSC ladies can say that is the typical reaction they get when they say “no” to a boy at a party? The educational take away from this night out dancing was the idea that equality and lack of entitlement within the Cuban political system of socialism is also deeply rooted into social and cultural behaviors.

We had the nights free, for the most part, to experience the local nightlife with our peers, but during the day we saw and did amazing things too. Walking around Old Havana was a highlight for many people. The colorful buildings and interactions with locals at street markets was always a source of bliss.

So many Cuban people approached us just to say how happy they were that Americans and Cubans could be friends again.

They spoke about December 17, 2014, the day Obama and Castro lessened the travel restrictions between the countries, as a day of new hope for mutual relationships. These conversations helped remind us that while our various governments represent both countries, the people represent so much more. The most important part of the Cuba-U.S. relationship going forward proved to be the person-person relationship. Politics played no role in the ability to learn and make connections cross-culturally.

Every spring break is a gift, whether it’s at Señor Frogs or your couch with a good book and homemade food. But, the spring break of GEOG-371 was easily the greatest gift many students involved have ever received, myself included.

“I believe that some students thought we would see how poor and desolate the lives of these ‘oppressed people’ are, however the experience showed a very different reality.”

LUCY SMITH KSC GEOGRAPHY

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LUCY SMITH

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Softball heads ASHEVILLE, NORTH south for Spring Training

Softball splits 12-game spring training trip down the middle ALIZA GUERRERO

Softball The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, our Spring Training trip! As a senior on the Keene State Softball team, I was prepared for a fun-filled, relaxed, but also aggressive week of softball.

For freshman, they don’t know what they are walking into, the adrenaline rush and the determination to win by returners is a new feeling for them, one they have never experienced before.

When I think about all the hard work our 2017 team has put into pre-Spring Training, it’s impressive. As a team we have dealt with injury, mental confidence, and physical confidence, which is everything a normal team goes through. For us, Florida is about putting all of our indoor time to practice. If you really think about it, we practice to practice for the real deal. Our season officially begins April 1st, less than 2 weeks away.

At the beginning of Florida, we all felt excited, and determined to make this the best Spring Training trip ever. I’ll be honest, the first day wasn’t what I expected to happen. We certainly had highlights as a team and individually during our first set of games. From scoring first, to having great plays, and being smart on the bases, we did all the

right things! After the first day, our goal was to come out hungry and aggressive and intimidating to our opponents, because intimidation gets us to our goal, winning.

The second day and the third day went very well. We finished both days with a split. Our off day came around and we spent the time by the pool, relaxing, and enjoying each other’s company. Our last three days of the trip was where we, as a team, needed to kick into high gear.

It was important to us, and to our coaches, that we utilize the last six

I believe that we are capable of anything that Keene State Softball puts their mind too, and it’s up to us to make that possible.

ALIZA GUERRERO KSC SOFTBALL

games to our advantage, to find who we are.

After our first game on Wednesday we pulled it together with a split on the day, making our record 3-5, two wins away from an even record. Thursday rolled around, our latest game start of the week, a 6:30PM and an 8:30PM game day. Fortunately, we all got the rest and sleep we needed, because we came out on top in both games, ending the day with a 5-5 record. Our last day rolled around, and we ended the day with a split, concluding our Florida trip with an overall record of 6-6.

As a senior, I am not disappointed in the way the trip ended. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed at all! We have so much talent this year that provides us with ability to do what we need to do on the field. Our job as a team this year is to find a balance of who we all are as individuals and come on top together, in the the way we did our second to last day in Florida with that sweep.

Our team goal is to win LECs, like any team goal, but a team goal goes deeper than winning that trophy or title. A team goal is based on reliability, connecting, trust, audacity, and every component that makes a team a team. I believe that we are capable of anything that Keene State Softball puts their mind too, and it’s up to us to make that possible.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ALIZA GUERRERO

Aliza Guerrero leads off of second base during a KSC softball Spring Training game.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ALIZA GUERRERO

Members of the KSC softball team look on during one of the team’s Spring Training games in Florida.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ALIZA GUERRERO

The KSC softball team gathers prior to one of the team’s Spring Training games in Florida.

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Men’s Lacrosse Sunshine State touches down in the

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY TYLER REILLY

The Keene State College men’s lacrosse team traveled to florida to play a pair of games. The team beat Nichols College 12-10 and Hamilton College 14-7.

Senior reflects on fourth and final trip TYLER REILLY

Men’s Lacrosse Warm weather, pool volleyball, burgers and lacrosse. That is one sentence that pretty much sums up what the Keene State Lacrosse spring break trip is all about. We’ve been going down to Florida for all of my four seasons as a player, and each time has been an absolute blast. It’s a full week of non-stop team bonding from the second we step off the plane in Orlando, until the second we get back to the bitter cold weather in New Hampshire and Coach Theriault always emphasizes the importance of that. He always reminds us that the week is 80% team bonding and 20% lacrosse, and after having the opportunity to experience it numerous times, he’s absolutely right.

The trip is all about building the team into a family and what better way to do that than by packing 45 guys into three houses and getting around central Florida using only a handful of vans? Usually on the first day we go out to buy groceries and spend the week making meals for ourselves and each other, regardless of our skills in the kitchen. It’s an experience to say the least, but it’s one that you would just never want to pass up, because times like these don’t come around often after college. It’s an opportunity to get to know the guys on the team who you’re not always able to spend too much time with, as well as a chance for the players and coaches to bond away from the lacrosse field.

Beyond the team bonding aspect, the week is a business trip. We are a

competitive program and we are down there to win lacrosse games and that’s the bottom line. This year, we went 2-0 for the first time since my tenure started as an Owl. We beat Nichols College on Monday, March 13, 12-10, and went back to work two days later,putting together an incredible team effort to beat Hamilton College 14-7. The Hamilton game was as good of a game that I’ve played in since I got to this program and it was exciting to be a part of. The team’s energy was unmatched from the starters all the way down to the last guy on the roster. I think it left a lot of us in a good place mentally, knowing that we are capable of playing at that level and

FILE PHOTO / TIM SMITH

Rob Hart battles a defender during a game in the 2016 season against Eastern Connecticut State University.

that we are moving forward to getting closer to where we want to be as a team.

Unfortunately, this year’s spring break has come and gone and again, but there is plenty of work left to be done and we’re looking forward to getting back into action and playing our first home game against Bates College on March 21.

FILE PHOTO / TIM SMITH

Ryan Askham fends off a player from Eastern Connecticut State University during the 2016 season.

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