Los Angeles Loyolan April 14th, 2014

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AB trips Dance and bento bring students together under the palms celebrate 10 strong years Since 1994, the Alternative Breaks program has offered students diverse service trips.

Carly Barnhill

Assistant News Editor @carlybarnhill

The Alternative Breaks program celebrated its 10th anniversary last week with a special celebration that honored past and current students, faculty and community members involved with the program. The event, which took place Friday evening, included a dinner reception, a look back at the past 10 years of alternative break (AB) trips, a musical performance, awards and various speeches for those who attended.

The Alternative Breaks program organizes AB trips for students centered around diverse issues in various communities, putting participants in new and unfamiliar cultural contexts. The program gives students the opportunity to learn and serve in different areas of service in hopes that these volunteers will turn into advocates for social change.

Junior English major Allison Croley said that the event, set up in U-Hall, educated those in attendance about AB trips and what

Emma Spiekerman | Loyolan

Asian Pacific Student Services put on the annual Bento Beneath the Palms event on Regents Terrace during Convo last Thursday, April 10. It featured dances from various cultural groups on campus as well as Asian cuisine in the form of bento box lunches.

See AB Program | Page 3

Student participates on TV game show

Junior theatre arts major Ryleigh Sherer competed on “Let’s Make A Deal” last Friday.

Ali Swenson News Editor

@aliswenson

Ali Swenson: How did you get tickets to be on “Let’s Make A Deal”?

Ryleigh Sherer: I got tickets online. I think it’s under 1iota and you can go right on their website, and they’re free. I told my roommate, OK, let’s go, I’ll take care of all the details and everything, and we ordered them.

AS: For those who don’t know, how does the game show work?

RS: There are a ton of games. I don’t even think I know all of them. You can guess between three curtains and hopefully win a prize, or Wayne Brady will try to give you cash instead of picking a prize, or you have to pick between different boxes. There are all these different things. It’s almost like gambling. It’s intimidating.

Graphic: Mo Haley | Loyolan

AS: How did you get picked to be a contestant?

RS: The audition process was not too bad, but it was a long waiting process. As soon as you get there, they interview you. It’s two producers and they ask you some questions and they want to see your personality. And you have to take a picture and you weave through these lines and take another set of pictures and then the producers come and talk to you. And

then you sit in a waiting area where producers come out and they tell you about the show and they try to get you excited. And people are actually filming you, to see if you would be a good contestant or not, to see if you have good energy.

AS: I understand that people wear some pretty crazy costumes when they go on the show, and you wore onesie pajamas.

How did you choose your outfit?

RS: It was kind of a last-minute choice to go to the show. I didn’t really feel like buying anything and I didn’t want to look too ridiculous, just in case I did happen to make it on TV. I actually already had the onesie and never really had the chance to wear it, so I thought, why not?

AS: How did you feel when you found out you would be a contestant?

RS: I was shocked. The only way I found out was with everybody else, when Wayne Brady called me down. And it was just an adrenaline rush. I had no idea what was going on. It was pretty crazy.

AS: What was it like meeting Wayne Brady?

RS: It was cool. He’s pretty funny. I’m a little bit of a fan of his. I liked him from “Whose Line is it Anyway?” so meeting him was nice. It wasn’t anything crazy, but it was nice meeting him. He was really playful and fun.

He really talked to me. He actually let me do a monologue and everything and he was just really cool to talk to.

See Q&A | Page 3

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LMU Preview Day Favorite part about LMU

Kaylee Brunke

“It’s a beautiful campus and I really like the location.”

Jordan Sanders

“I like how it’s a very bright school, clean and there’s a spiritual part.”

At Sunday’s Preview Day, admitted high school seniors shared their feelings about LMU with the Loyolan.

Biggest Concern

Potential Activities

Katie Truoung

Khiem Lu

“Meeting new people and getting accustomed to a new environment.”

Aya Diaz

“Being away from my family.”

“Athletics, Division I or intramural soccer.”

Arielle Brumfield

“I like a lot of the African-American organizations, athletics and jobs on campus.”

Information compiled by News Intern Wendolyn Sims-Rucker and Assistant News Editor Amanda Lopez; Graphic: Mercedes Pericas | Loyolan

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Trips urge social change

BURNING QUESTIONS

This issue, designer Mo Haley sits down with freshman entrepreneurship major Bryan Benattou to talk about his lifestyle clothing brand.

1

You run a lifestyle brand called Keto Clothing. Can you explain what a lifestyle brand is?

Well a lifestyle brand is basically a brand that encompasses a certain form of living, whether it be sustainable living, surf culture and things around that premise. So what we do with Keto in particular is we kind of encompass the intelligent surfer, as well as a sustainable and locally produced culture, so like homestyle goods, rather than outsourcing.

2

What does your company do?

Essentially we make clothing, local clothing, we get American Apparel blanks, so they’re made in L.A. obviously, and we get them printed over in Boston.

You know, there’s the classic stoner culture of surfing and we’re trying to make it more reputable and looked at in a higher regard.

3

Why do you think it’s important to make surfing more reputable?

I think that’s important because a lot of people have a negative connotation of surfing, and water sports too. People don’t really understand the logistics behind it and I think it’s good to set a nice image for surfing. Also, there’s a huge push right now in the [surfing] industry for people that want to prioritize education, and education of the self, more than anything else, so that’s kind of why we do that. There’s a huge push for the high fashion part of surfing. It’s always been, you know, board shorts and a tank top, but now it’s evolving into full suits and nice outfits. It’s pretty cool.

4

When was Keto Clothing founded?

We were [founded] in 2011. I was 16; I did this in high school as a junior. I was inspired by my AP Environmental Science teacher. She got me really into sustainability and all that kinda stuff. I was super into making surf clothing, and it evolved from there.

5

What are your current products?

We currently have two lines, and right now we’re in the process of making more accessories and another line for summer. We’re going to have some new totes coming in.

6

Where do you see Keto at LMU?

I kind of want to have a Convo booth to kick things off and get the word out. I see people just wearing it around school and telling their friends about it and getting it a little deeper into L.A. because right now it’s basically just in San Diego and France, two of the most opposite places ever.

7

What are your favorite summer trends?

I’ve been really into wearing low-cut socks, specifically the vans ones with rolled up pants. I’m into tank tops, but more of full open tank tops with scoop necks and rings, I’m into rings. Just cool jewelry; I like necklaces a lot, too.

[I like] open airy clothing.

Read the rest of Bryan MORE Benattou’s interview at laloyolan.com.

QUESTIONS

AB Program from Page 1

Diego, Jordan and the Philippines.

These trips are focused on various issues including “ecological justice, education, farm workers, human trafficking, immigration, indigenous communities, LGBTQ, public health, land rights and refugee issues,” according to the LMU Alternative Breaks website.

Each September, the program hosts an AB Info Night that provides more information on the trips for winter, spring and summer.

All that is required for students to get involved with AB programs is “a passion for service and a strong desire to get out there, roll up your sleeves and make a difference,” said Student Affairs Associate Nora Romero.

AB trips have had a substantial impact on students that have participated, often inspiring them to continue their service and work and start their own service projects afterward.

The 10th anniversary event on Friday night involved many of those already impacted by the AB trips, including Croley.

“It was a really nice event that educated people on what AB trips are about,” she said. “Probably the

most insightful part for me was when [AB Program Coordinator] Jessica Viramontes talked about the purpose of AB trips and the philosophy behind engaging students with people of different cultures.”

According to Rector, participants’ experiences on AB trips often last even after the trip is over as they “begin to think about and plan actions that can be taken to address those issues when [they] return to LMU.” Romero agreed that students are advocating for social change by getting involved with AB programs, and many students can share what they learn on these trips and hopefully enlighten others to do the same.

“We at LMU encourage our students to get out there, get involved, come back and share the knowledge they receive on their trips,” Romero said. “Having their eyes opened and becoming aware of where they’ve been and what they are coming back to, hopefully will give them incentive to start up programs here in our community and right outside our doors. The need is great!”

right because I was listening to the audience, but they gave me $100 anyway just for being a contestant.

AS: How did that go?

RS: It was pretty difficult trying to

guess. They actually gave me two chances to guess. The second time I just relied on the audience ‘cause I had no idea how much money was in there. And then I was offered an envelope, which I initially thought was probably a Zonk, and then he also offered me $100 cash, but I figured, what the heck, I’m here, go big or go home, why not, it’s all fun anyway. And they actually gave me $100 in the end. Basically I went for the box and I ended up not guessing

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they have to offer.

The variety of AB trips offered to students gives them a diverse selection for the experience of a lifetime, in which they can work with different communities and the issues surrounding them.

“Each trip has a social justice issue that is integral to the trip and a location where the trip takes place,” said Director of Center for Service and Action Pam Rector.

Rector explained that students who commit to the AB program are committing to a year’s worth of service. Once students are chosen for their trips, they meet as a group throughout the year to learn more about the community and the particular issue that they will be working with.

“Alternative Breaks help students learn more about the world, themselves and the social justice issues which are often worldwide issues,” Rector said.

This year, the AB program offered two winter trips, seven spring trips and four summer trips in different locations around the world such as India, Mexico City, Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, West Virginia, San

Student gets consolation prize on popular show Q&A from Page 1

AS: What game did you play as a contestant?

RS: I don’t even know what it was called. They gave me a box of money and I had to guess how much money was in the box based on crumpled $20 bills. That was really hard. That was hard and terrifying.

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AS: If you could win anything from “Let’s Make A Deal,” what would you win?

RS: I wanted to win a trip so bad. I didn’t care about cash or anything, I just wanted to win a trip. Any of the trips probably would have been fine as long as I hadn’t been there before.

SPORTS

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Board Editorial Zaneta Pereira Editor in Chief

Michael Busse

Digital Managing Editor

Allie Heck

Print Managing Editor

Tyler Barnett Design Director

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.

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opinion

For Sodexo to improve at LMU, students must report issues LION

SPORTS

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he Loyolan’s front page story last Thursday people that told their stories to Loyolan staff highlighted a handful of students’ following the publication of Swenson’s article experiences with Sodexo’s on-campus had similarly not reported their experiences. dining services including a parasite in salmon at On-campus dining cannot improve if its managers the Lair Marketplace, an uncooked chicken tender are not made aware of problems, so students at Iggy’s and a dead fly in a prepackaged salad. must be more vocal about the shortcomings of The story, “Sodexo leaves bad taste in students’ their on-campus dining experience. mouth” by News Editor Ali Swenson, has become In the past, Sodexo at LMU has made changes a hot topic of conversation on campus and has in response to student complaints. The current accumulated over 1,100 views online.

9 p.m. closing time on weekdays at the Lair The experiences described in Swenson’s article, Marketplace is the result of an ASLMU Senate though extreme, are likely representative of many action in early 2009, according to a Loyolan students’ interactions with article published on Dec. 6 Sodexo. One would be hardof that year. That same year, If LMU’s Sodexo pressed to find an LMU student the ‘First Annual Day without singing its praises every day of managers are not aware Sodexo’ was held, with over of the week. Whether it’s long of problems with their 1,500 students confirming wait times, strange flavors or their participation. services, perhaps it high costs, student complaints Sodexo has a number of ways about on-campus dining could be due to a lack of students can provide feedback are a staple of many LMU about their services, including student feedback. conversations. complaints to the managers of For that reason, it’s all the on-campus dining facilities as more shocking that Wassim Boustani, LMU well as texting feedback to 82257 with the code Hospitality’s director of operations, said that LMUEATS. LMU’s Sodexo even has a presence the parasite mishap was “the first such incident on social media networks – @LMUHospitality we’ve had at LMU.” According to Boustani, as on Twitter and Instagram – and they frequently quoted in Swenson’s article, all meals served by interact with other users.

Sodexo go through a strict food safety program If you don’t like something about your LMU that tracks the delivery-to-plate process very experience, you have every right to speak up about closely. it. If you report a problem, chances are you’ll If LMU’s Sodexo managers are not aware of be thanked for it, both by Sodexo and by future problems with their services, perhaps it could students who will benefit from improvements be due to a lack of student feedback. A number made. While cathartic, complaining to parents of students quoted in Swenson’s article never and friends is not effective; in order for changes reported their poor experiences. Countless other to be made, there must be action.

No need to force dying relationships Julia’s McQuery Julia McQuade Opinion Intern

@juliaGmcquade

A

fter a terribly dramatic and so classically seventh-grade-style friendship breakup, I’ve realized having quality friends is way more important than having a large quantity, and I have lived my life adhering to this idea since. I value my relationships immensely, whether they be with my family, friends or significant others. I believe what writer Jim Rohn famously said: “You are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with.” So these people should be positive, motivating influences in your life.

We are all social creatures, and especially in high school and college, most people’s main focus is their social life and building strong relationships with peers. While it is extremely comforting to have friends who have been by your side for almost the entirety of your life, it is also important to note that not every person that comes into your life is meant to stay.

As college students, we are all in a time of exploration, discovering who we are and what we want out of life. We do a lot of changing in these four years and I doubt anyone would say they are exactly the same person as they were in their freshman year of high school. And there is nothing wrong with that. It’s what we’re here to do.

Over the past two years, I have seen, both in my own life and in my friends’, people changing and seemingly solid relationships slowly fade out, both romantic and platonic.

While the loss of these relationships can be sad, sometimes it is for the better. It is important to look at our relationships and ask ourselves if they are still benefiting us, if they are still inspiring us and if we are still happy. It’s OK to look out for yourself first and realize that you’re not the same person anymore and you have outgrown someone who used to fit into your life perfectly.

By my senior year of high school, I had

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Georgia Henderson | Loyolan

five best friends who I would trust my life with, all in different friend groups, and then a few more who I enjoyed spending time with but knew that we probably wouldn’t keep in touch once we all went to college. I was friends with these people because I saw them almost every day and we had things to talk about on a day-to-day basis, whether it was a shared class or mutual friends. But with 3,000 miles between us, our common ground was left back on our private school campus in North Hollywood. I’m content with having happy memories of high school with these individuals instead of always being frustrated with trying to keep up with them and not focusing on my present life.

People can serve different purposes for us at different stages of our lives, and sometimes it is best to let them walk out of our lives and cherish the memories we had with them, instead of forcing two people, who are completely different from when those memories occurred, to try and keep living in the past.

One of my best friends and I were both feeling that we weren’t at the right schools last year. We were both on the east coast,

both missing home and we Skyped almost every week to keep each other company when one of us was lonely or sad. This year, although we both moved home, we have only seen each other a few times. While I felt angry about this at first, I recently realized we have both found happiness in our new communities, and our current contentment doesn’t detract from our past relationship.

It just means we are both moving on to separate lives.

In trying to make every relationship last forever, you could be putting so much effort into trying to make your old relationships continue that you don’t have time or energy to create new ones with people who could be an integral part of your future. While it is important to fight for long-term, loving relationships, like I have with my boyfriend of two years, it is equally important to realize when a relationship has run its course, and to understand that that is OK.

This is the opinion of Julia McQuade, a sophomore communication studies major from Los Angeles, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email dfeldman@theloyolan.com.

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LOYOLAN EDITORIAL POLICY The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student-run campus organization, publishes a twice weekly newspaper for the greater LMU community. The first copy is free of charge. Additional copies are $1 each. Paid, mailed subscriptions can be purchased through the Business department.

The Loyolan accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff and alumni, and press releases from on-campus and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication.

The Loyolan reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions, including advertisements, articles or other contributions it deems objectionable. The Loyolan does not print consecutive articles by the same author that repeat/refute the initial arguments.

Opinions and ideas expressed in the Loyolan are those of individual authors, artists and student editors and are not those of Loyola Marymount University, its Board of Trustees, its student body or of newspaper advertisers. Board Editorials are unsigned and reflect the opinions of the Executive Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of the Executive Editorial Board and reflect the views of the author.

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The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.

opinion Euthanasia lecture sparks debate on personal freedom

Letters to the

EDITOR

RE: “Sodexo leaves bad taste in students’ mouths”

Dear Editorial Board: I just read through the latest edition of the Loyolan. I don’t think I’ve ever written a letter to the editor. However, after reading “Sodexo leaves bad taste in students’ mouths” I literally cannot help myself. I felt compelled to sit down and dash off a response. I mean, is this really front page news? It is unfortunate that the five or six students quoted had a bad experience with Sodexo. What about the other side of the story? How about the other hundreds (thousands?) of students served every single day by Sodexo? Were you not able to find one single individual with anything positive to say about Sodexo to help balance out the story? In the

Caroline Burt | Loyolan

John Keown, speaks to the audience at “The Euthanasia Debate: International Perspectives.” an event held this past Wednesday night.

Sydney Stuart Contributor

@LoyolanOpinion

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uthanasia. A word that most people can’t spell correctly, but has the power to determine the fate of millions.

Or more specifically, the fate of my grandmother.

Several years ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, and I have watched her memory and overall mental state decline exponentially. Her years of cognizance are gone; today, she stands as a ghost of the woman she once was. Dementia has robbed her of her independence and forced her into a life beyond her control.

Euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide, in the simplest terms, is the medical practice of ending a patient’s life due to their extreme pain and suffering. It often comes up in conversation with cases of terminally ill patients who wish to die on their own terms rather than by the conditions of their illness.

Many argue it is an individual’s right to choose whether or not to live; however, in the cases of those who may potentially not be in the right state of mind to make that decision, who decides? Contrary to voluntary euthanasia, where a patient decides to end their life, involuntary euthanasia is when the decision to end a patient’s life is made without the consent of the patient.

Dementia prevents my grandmother from answering this question for herself, and I can’t help but wonder: If she were truly aware of her current state, would she want to continue living this way? She isn’t in the right state of mind to make a decision to end her life, but if she could, would she?

Last Wednesday night, I attended the Bellamarine College’s bioethics lecture “The Euthanasia Debate: International Perspectives” with John Keown, D. Phil., Ph.D., who is renowned for his research involving euthanasia and who has served as a member of the ethics committee of the British Medical Association.

Keown’s argument centered on the idea that if legalized, voluntary euthanasia would become an over-used procedure, resulting in unnecessary deaths.

He argued that while it is the patient who decides to end their life, it is ultimately their physician who writes the prescription responsible

for ending a life. Keown reasoned no doctor in his or her right mind would have the nerve to do so.

He brought up a valid point that doctors would have to seriously examine the competency of the patient before considering euthanasia. Could it be that the patient is simply depressed? The wish to die is often caused by depression, which is an entirely treatable mental disorder. No life is worth risking over something so common and resolvable.

My concern with Keown’s argument is this: if a terminally ill patient has already been condemned to a certain death, why is it wrong to grant them the choice of when their time should come?

Euthanasia gives terminally ill patients one last shred of control.

Rather than let the illness they didn’t ask for take their lives, they have the power to take their lives on their own accord.

I don’t think Keown argues against that point specifically; his main concern lies in whether or not the criteria used when deciding whether euthanasia is an appropriate course of action for a specific patients is stringent enough. Without strict regulation on the use of euthanasia, I agree Keown’s prediction of unnecessary deaths among patients is likely.

However, I disagree that euthanasia would or could be legalized without the implementation of heavy restrictions, so Keown’s fear is less likely to become reality.

With terminally ill patients, euthanasia is not unreasonable.

Whether because of their illness or the hands of their doctor, those patients will inevitably die in the foreseeable future. A more controversial issue stems from the patients whose quality of life has deteriorated past the point of a life worth living. I don’t want to live my final years in total dependency like my grandmother. In those years I wouldn’t be living a life I’d want for myself, so isn’t it fair to say I shouldn’t have to live them?

Euthanasia isn’t a ruthless killer; it’s a way of alleviating unnecessary pain and suffering from our final moments. For those with limited time left, there is solace to be found in knowing their inevitable end will be a peaceful one. And in death I think that’s all anyone could possibly want.

This is the opinion of Sydney Stuart, a freshman film production major from Bellevue, Wash. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email dfeldman@theloyolan.com.

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sixteen years I have worked at LMU, I have eaten countless meals on this campus and I have to say that NEVER ONCE can I remember having a bad experience. In fact, just the opposite.

As someone who is engaged in recruiting students to come to LMU, I am always particularly sensitive to anything that paints our campus and/or student life in a negative light. I’m all about telling the truth and I certainly don’t believe in blowing smoke or “glossing over” imperfections. And I am old enough to know that nothing is perfect and mistakes are sometimes made.

However, I have to say that I found this article to be unfair to Sodexo and unjust in the way that it portrays on-campus dining at LMU. I found it to be sensational and borderline irresponsible. You can be sure that I will not be recommending this edition of the Loyolan to the high school kids we will have visiting our campus during their Spring Break.

Sodexo may have left a bad taste in the mouths of these five or six students. Unfortunately. it’s the Loyolan that left a bad taste in mine.

Scott Guerrero Head Coach, Cross Country/Track & Field

Editor’s note: After reviewing both the claims of the letter above and News Editor Ali Swenson’s April 10 article “Sodexo leaves bad taste in students’ mouths” we find no evidence of journalistic wrongdoing or unbalanced reporting in the story. The Los Angeles Loyolan stands by our reporter and the story which we believe highlighted an important, newsworthy issue in an objective manner that equally represented both sides of the story.

RE: “Pilot program just first step” and “Reactions to Derby Days”

Dear Editorial Board: As participants in the Women and Place pilot program, we are concerned by the potentially misleading representation of Women and Place in Ali Swenson’s March 13, article, “Pilot program just first step” and in last week's editorial, "Reactions to Derby Days."

Our primary concern is that no distinction is made between the objectives of the Women and Place pilot program and the ideas and proposals for other centers. Though we are relieved that the issue of women’s safety is gaining momentum on campus, we wish to clarify that the Women and Place program aims to (re)establish a women’s center at LMU, not a “gender resolution center” or a “sexual health support and information center,” all of which have been misleadingly used as synonyms or alternatives.

A women’s center does not fall under any of these other monikers. Its functions would include and also exceed attention to sexual health and

victim services to foster the empowerment of women and students through education, community and shared place. Guest speakers, group workshops, community leadership initiatives and other programs under a women’s center would explore what it means to be a woman with a place in the world.

The inclusivity of a women’s center and its constituents, then, would be broad. But, because women’s community, self-care, health and safety, education and empowerment are at risk of being generalized under vague monikers as “gender” and “relations,” the first purpose of a women’s center is to place women’s experience at the center of information, education, support and leadership. In short, a women’s center recognizes that women’s empowerment can only be obtained by recognizing, valuing, supporting and harnessing women’s difference.

Sincerely, Rebecca Liaw, Jade Turner, Jenny Daugherty, Alex Zanzinger, Cristina Garcia, Chelsea Chenelle, Aisha McKee, Parisa Loftis, Cat Weiss Michelle Badillo

We want to hear from you! letters@theloyolan.com The Loyolan welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions must include the author’s first name, phone number, email address and year in school or relation to the University (i.e. alumnus, professor, etc). Submissions should be typed and no more than 300 words.

opinion

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Live better with local shopping Russell’s Rule Russel Mansjur Opinion Intern

@LoyolanOpinion

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almart is built on the statement “Save money.

Live better,” which is funny because the only people saving money and living better are on Walmart’s board of directors.

And they manage to save money only because of the low wages paid to employees. They only live better knowing Walmart has stolen revenue from local small businesses.

The story of Walmart opening in Chicago’s West Side seemed promising – a large retail store in a struggling impoverished community.

But, according to a Loyola University in Chicago study, 82 local stores went out of business within a two year period as a result of Walmart’s presence.

Walmart is not the only large retail store to have this effect.

Small businesses cannot compete with corporate retail chains’ low prices.

Basic economics says most families will end up shopping at large retail stores for this reason.

However, this results in the loss of valuable revenue for local small business, meaning they have to close their doors because

Flickr Creative Commons

Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market (above) is a great example of a bustling and thriving local economy. of the lack of profit.

Locally-owned businesses recycle the revenue into the local economy, unlike large chain stores such as Walmart. This leads to support for other local businesses and support for local jobs.

Once this revenue is lost, other small businesses that may not even be in competition with the larger retail stores will suffer, and jobs that generally have

better pay and treatment of their workers will disappear.

Small businesses also support and enrich the community through establishments such as bustling main streets or town centers, which are essential to a healthy local economy and social relationships.

Small businesses are more involved in the community than you might think. If you played t-ball as a kid, you might

remember a sponsor on your jersey. This sponsor was likely a locally-owned business. Big businesses certainly would not commit their funds to this. Local sports often raise funds through fundraisers sponsored by local businesses, and high school clubs share the same benefits.

Freshman accounting major Eugene Kim was raised in La Cañada his entire life. The town lacks the presence of a superstore

such as Walmart and for Kim, the benefits are clear. “It feels great to go to your local restaurant and actually know the employees and see your friends around,” Kim says. “You just don’t get that personal interaction from a Wal mart.”

We can feel the effects of small businesses here at LMU too. The LMU farmers market shows how your support of local business can make a difference and exists because as the consumer, you choose to support a product which keeps the presence of the farmers market alive.

The LMU community gives the farmers market a reason to keep coming back to LMU, and this idea needs to expand back home. Think about this when you return home for the summer. The stores in your town count on you, and your dollar is their greatest support.

As a college student, money is likely in short supply. But the next time you need to pick up a few binders or buy a new book, think locally. That extra dollar spent helps small businesses stay afloat, and as college students preparing to be financially independent, you can determine where your dollar goes.

This is the opinion of Russel Mansjur a freshman marketing major from La Cañada, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email dfeldman@theloyolan.com.

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laloyolan.com Page 7

Kingdom Animania

By Lauren Kisich, contributing cartoonist

PIXELLANEOUS

By Hannah Kim, staff cartoonist

Bear My Puns

By Chris Meinen, contributing cartoonist

laloyolan.com

FASHION Page 8

Are you looking to spice up your style? Designers Mo Haley and Tyler Barnett give you their advice.

Upcycling Upcycling fashion is the creative process of taking an old item of clothing and transforming it into something new. This upcycling “how-to” gives 4 simple steps for how to turn an old men’s dress shirt into a chic skirt.

Information and graphic by: Mo Haley | Loyolan

PETER BEHM

sophomore screenwriting major

If you could raid one celebrity’s closet, who would it be and why?

For formal situations, probably Justin Timberlake because he has the hookup with Tom Ford.

In terms of everyday, I’m more of a street wear kind of guy. I like Pharrell’s style.

SUN GLASSES – RAY-BAN

NECKLACE – TOPMAN DENIM SHIRT – HOLLISTER WHITE TEE – CALVIN KLEIN

PANTS – URBAN OUTFITTERS

Information and graphic by: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

Where do you like to shop?

Karmaloop, Topman, Asos and Urban Outfitters.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to improve his or her personal style?

Don’t always fall into the trends because people who try to pull off the most trendy things either can’t pull it off or don’t know how to pull it off. Start off simple and get the basics locked down, then you can graduate on to the more fancy and wild stuff.

If you could name a fashion collection after your wardrobe, what would you call it?

Eccentric.

SHOES – FLIGHT CLUB

Any last fashion tips?

I really like wearing shoes that make people’s heads turn.

If you’re going to wear one bright and bold thing, make it be the shoes.

Interview, photos and graphic by: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 9

Emma Spiekerman | Loyolan

The annual Juried Student Exhibition explores the many mediums of studio arts For the 30th time, selected works of LMU studio arts students are being showcased in the Laband Art Gallery for the annual Juried Student Exhibition. The works were chosen by jurors Rebecca Morse, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s associate curator of photography, and Aandrea Stang, Occidental College’s OxyArts director. At the front of the exhibit is a message from the jurors, describing the various works and forms in the gallery as refined in vision and reflective of the student body’s cultural influences.

These influences are ones students “love, hate, respect and discard,” according to the jurors’ introduction. The gallery’s walls feature various other striking images, rendered with methods ranging from acrylic paint on canvas to inkjet printouts. Carolyn Peter, curator of the Laband Art Gallery, is particularly pleased with this year’s threedimensional entries. “The creativity and the ways in which students have stretched the medium is really impressive,” said Peter.

- Josh Grega, contributor

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 10

‘Hunger Games’ screenwriter closes ‘Masters’ Writer and director Gary Ross was the final focus of SFTV’s “Hollywood Masters” series.

Jordan Bierbower Contributor

@LoyolanArts

G

ary Ross is a four-time Oscar nominee and has written and directed everything from comedies to period pieces to dystopias. His big break came from the comedy, “Big,”(1988) co-written from Anne Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks.

Ross’ most recent film, “The Hunger Games,” (2012) written alongside novelist Suzanne Collins and starring Jennifer Lawrence, began the four-part franchise that is now a pop culture phenomenon.

On Wednesday, April 9, Ross joined The Hollywood Reporter’s Stephen Galloway for the final installment of the School of Film and Television’s (SFTV) “The Hollywood Masters” series. Ross spoke about his mother’s influence in “Pleasantville” (1998), his father’s effect on his view of Hollywood and having to buy a few horses himself after going over budget on “Seabiscuit” (2003).

Gary Ross grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s to politically involved parents. With his screenwriter father clacking away on the typewriter at home, Ross states he was “never aware of what a real job was.” Ross always thought he would go into politics, despite the fact that he was constantly writing. In elementary school, he wrote two school plays. In high school, he wrote short stories instead of papers, and by his senior year, Ross had completed an 80-page novella. After dropping out of college, Ross returned home and studied acting with the acclaimed Stella Adler, a close friend of his parents.

Ross engaged with the audience, asking attendees, “Who wants to be a director? Who studies acting?” Ross credits his acting training to helping him become a better writer and director, and recommends that all directors take acting lessons. Galloway asked Ross, “Were you a good actor?” To which Ross replied, “No, I sucked.” Ross explained that training can’t give you talent, but it can teach you “how a scene works, [and] how to build a character.”

In his work on “The Hunger Games,” the acting talent came from Jennifer Lawrence. Ross had only good things to say about Lawrence, calling her a “genius,” and her work “almost indescribable. She was born with this. With what I do, you get better with time.”

That is not to say Ross needed much time to earn the title of master. “Big” was Ross’ first screenplay to be made into a feature film, for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Writing and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. When Ross was writing “Big” with Anne Spielberg, Spielberg brought up the idea of using the floor piano in FAO Schwarz. She continued to stress the idea of the piano, to which Ross replied, “Anne, will you stop with the piano already? We’re trying to figure out this scene.” That scene would later become an iconic moment with Hanks and Robert Loggia playing “Heart and Soul” and “Chopsticks.” Ross outlined two reasons why that scene works: the delightful implausibility of a thing that could have happened, and patience. The two-minute scene, devoid of cuts, allows the audience to “sit in it,” without giving in to the anxiety of always driving the story forward.

Ross stressed that, at the same time, the scene is a critical plot point, the “fulcrum in the center” of the film.

According to Ross, there can be four things wrong with a scene: the writing, the acting, the way you’re shooting it and the way it’s staged, but “you really hope it’s not the writing.” The trick is to understand what’s wrong.

Ross decided to end his work on “The Hunger Games” after completing the first

via Juan Tallo

Known for the classic “Big” (1988) and the film adaptation of “The Hunger Games,” screenwriter, director and actor Gary Ross closed out The Hollywood Masters series on April 9. Ross spoke about everything from the piano scene in “Big” to Stanley Kubrick, his favorite director. movie. Due to scheduling conflicts for “Catching Fire,” Ross would have had to write and prepare for shooting simultaneously, in half the amount of time he had on “The Hunger Games.” He has also always wanted to move on and do new things, and has been talking about doing an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel “East of Eden,” with Lawrence as Cathy Ames.

Ross does not have very many credits to his name, but their wide range reflects his favorite filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick, who according to Ross, “mastered every single genre.”

When Galloway asked Ross if he is still idealistic, he responded, “I am, because I don’t want to live the other way.”

Sophomore production major Brianna Arambula described the event as “inspirational.” When asked what she enjoyed about Ross’ talk, senior production major Julianna Collins responded, “how honest he was about the industry without being cynical.”

life+arts Student writes and records his own EP

laloyolan.com Page 11

Artist to Artist Cameron Tagge

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LoyolanArts

J

unior recording arts major Chris Kalil flips the light switch as he enters Foley Recording Studio room 13. It’s 10 p.m. He starts his routine with a subdued urgency.

Lay out the guitar. Turn on and set the mixing board. Jib the switches, turns and knobs.

Connect the power cords. Position the microphone stand. Tune the guitar. Start the metronome track.

Hit record. Play.

It’s 2 a.m.

Four hours later, Kalil has spent another night working on his EP, “The Low EP.” Most LMU students, faculty and staff are fast asleep by now. Kalil powers through the late hours of the night to perfect his music. And all by himself.

Chris Kalil is a band of one. The band name: Kilimanjaro.

Completely written, produced, recorded and mixed by Kalil, “The Low EP” is quite an impressive accomplishment, especially for a university student.

For those unaware, an EP (Extended Play) is a collection of songs which runs longer than a single but shorter than an album.

Cameron Tagge (CT): What is “The Low EP”?

Chris Kalil (CK): “The Low EP” is a five-song EP. It’s a concoction of electronic-based, with a blend of alternative music that tracks the up-and-down journey of human issues, connecting the human experience.

The song list – “Low,” “Trouble,” “Loving You Drives Me Insane,” “Talking Lazy” and “Confidence” – serves as a story. While they can be played separately, listening to them from beginning to end tells a very real, very human tale.

CT: What were some of your influences during the EP’s creation?

CK: Even with only five songs, there’s quite a mix of sounds pulled into “The Low EP.” Bon Iver, James Blake, Kanye West (“808s and Heartbreak” Kanye), Bill Withers and the Manchester Orchestra are some of my favorites. That’s such a diverse range of genres and styles, but I loved exploring with them.

You can see it in the acoustic, bittersweet love style of “Loving You Drives Me Insane” or the trapesque 808 slaps of “Trouble.”

I recorded myself playing acoustic guitar, piano and drums.

Then I went onto vocals. I pulled these to the computer where I started to blend some produced synths and various arrangements.

It’s a unique listening experience.

CT: What are some of the themes you explore?

CK: In the first song, “Low,” the first line is, “They call me crazy cause I don’t wanna go outside.”

The last line in the last song, “Confidence,” is, “If it was up to me, I would be dying with my friends.” The five songs play in a sort of order of how people feel through a day, month and year and how they function with the highs and lows of life.

Ultimately, the music and lyrics surround the struggle of being diagnosed [with] depression. It was interesting to me. How can you have that problem and keep going with your day-to-day life? Instead of following a prescription pill path, I explored depression through my music. It’s my medicine.

The first track, “Low,” is fully a cappella. It puts the entire EP in a lonely position. By the end, with the last track, “Confidence,” there is a complete story. Through that journey, the music helped me. It was a form of therapy. I want it to connect with others.

CT: That’s deep stuff that I’m sure listeners will catch onto and respect. What do you want them to take away from the EP? CK: I’m confronting human issues with “The Low EP.” It explores the highs and lows of life. As college students, we tackle school, work, extra-curriculars, self-esteem issues, peer and self-judgments, life questions and a host of other choices. Alcohol and substances are introduced and our lives become extreme highs and lows. I know everyone feels them. I’ve decided to take the perspective from the low valley to try and connect with listeners who feel high or low.

The EP starts in a state of isolation and depression, ignites a connection with others and ends with a sense of acknowledgment and understanding.

CT: What was the development and production process like?

CK: I started writing in February

Chris Kalil

Asst. Life+Arts Editor Cameron Tagge sat down with junior recording arts major Chris Kalil, who recently created and released an EP from the ground up. Kalil spoke about his creative process and the inspiration behind the music.

2014 with the intention of writing a kind of folk-acoustic album. That changed, obviously.

Recording sessions were in LMU’s Foley Recording Studios, room 13. I went from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. a couple times a week for about two months.

[Junior recording arts and music double major] Taylor Blaine was in the recording room with me some nights. Without him, I would have to start the recording from the studio room, run over to the recording room, play until I exhausted myself, and run back to the studio room to stop, listen and tweak. Then repeat. I was like, “I’m never going to finish this.”

After the songs were finished, I reached out to Greg Dunn, the lead singer of my favorite band, Moving Mountains. He mastered the entire EP. That’s one of the high points for me in the production.

CT: Recording an entire EP

doesn’t sound easy, especially almost entirely by yourself.

I imagine a giant studio with dozens of workers. How did you pull it off in the LMU studios?

CK: I forced myself to do it alone for a specific purpose. That lonely process led to honest results.

I’m very blessed to be at LMU and have access to LMU’s studios.

With the knowledge from a recording arts education and fully functional facilities, I could use the Foley Studio to produce results I wanted and needed for “The Low EP.” CT: Why specifically room 13?

CK: It’s nothing too fancy or intricate, an unlikely room to record in. That’s what I liked. The restrictions of the room forced me to be as innovative as possible.

Kalil continues to make music everyday. He showed me a bonus track he plans to release when the Kilimanjaro music Facebook page

reaches one hundred likes.

Check out “The Low EP” on Soundcloud and let him know you enjoy it. Even better, let him know you relate. There is nothing better for an artist.

This is the opinion of Cameron Tagge, a junior theatre arts and screenwriting double major from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

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LION SPORTS

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Lions’ chance to rally off wins falls short LMU women’s tennis’ weekend is bittersweet after they split games.

Andrew Rezk Contributor

@loyolansports

The LMU women’s tennis team had two big conference games against University of the Pacific and St. Mary’s College this past weekend. These conference games were critical for the team if they want to finish out the season strong.

“These games are important for a number of reasons,” said Head Coach Jamie Sanchez. “All the results from the conference matches determine our seeding for the West Coast Conference tournament in two weeks. And with the season coming to an end, this is the chunk of our season when we want to be playing our best.”

The team split the pair of matches, defeating Pacific 5-2 on Friday and losing to St. Mary’s 4-0 on Saturday.

The season has been a trying one for the Lions, due in part to the relative youth of their roster. The step up from playing tennis at a high school level to the collegiate level can be a challenging one, but the Lions coaching staff is understanding of the growing pains.

“You can describe it, you can explain it, but in the end they

have to go through a series of issues as freshmen. But they’ve been improving,” Sanchez said.

That improvement was on full display against Pacific, where LMU won five of their six singles matches, including three wins by freshmen Jessica Perez, Lauri Mueller and Ellie Grossman.

This burst of youthful energy is exactly what the team needed.

Senior captain Reka Rohonyi had nothing but praise for her younger teammates.

“They’re doing really well actually,” she said. “Better than I did my freshman year!”

Rohonyi won her singles match and her doubles match with her partner sophomore Kristine Kouyoumjian on Friday, helping to ensure the Lions’ victory.

The story was completely different against St. Mary’s, whose program is ranked 43rd in the nation. The pivotal moment came in the match that would decide the doubles point, with Rohonyi and Kouyoumijian losing a nail-biter, which gave St. Mary’s a one point lead heading into the singles matches.

St. Mary’s dominated in singles play, sweeping the Lions.

This quick victory left three matches unfinished on the day.

“St. Mary’s has always been tough,” said senior and cocaptain Miya Jin. Despite the team’s struggles, Jin, one of the team’s most statistically consistent performers, won both her singles and doubles matches. “I feel like I’ve been

Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

Senior Miya Jin (right) is on a roll with her doubles partner, freshman Jessica Perez (left). Though the duo went 1-1 for the weekend, the team is 11-8 for the year. The Lions face Pepperdine University this Wednesday in Malibu. getting more confident, [with] my doubles,especially.”

Speaking about her partner, Perez, Jin said, “We just clicked right away. We just get along really well, which carries over on the court.”

Despite a losing record in conference play and their most recent loss, the team seems upbeat and confident about the upcoming tournament.

“I think we’ve got a good shot to advance. I don’t think the record shows the true quality of this team in regards to wins and losses,” said Sanchez. “We’ve been competitive with every team. Some of those losses came by only one point.”

The team’s goals for their last game against Pepperdine University and in the tournament remain the same: “We want

end with a bang, really come together, stay positive,” said Jin. Even if this season has been tough on the youthful Lions team, the future is bright and the players keep bettering themselves. According to Coach Sanchez, “Our ongoing goal is improving. With every match, we get better. Learn something, understand something a little better.”

sports

laloyolan.com Page 14

Harman set to make last season count Harman from Page 16

Over the course of her LMU career, Harman has had a batting average of .293, has a total of 94 RBIs, has played in 178 games and has started in 172 of them. Despite some of these stellar statistics, the athlete in the No. 10 jersey can still recount the highs and lows of her LMU career.

“One of the highlights I think was in my sophomore or junior year. We were down by one and I hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, which was pretty cool. It was like a movie. As for the lowest point of my career, I’d say it was my freshman year. I was in and out of the lineup trying to earn my spot so I had to show the coaches that when the pressure was on, I was able to get the job done. Although it was the lowest point, it helped make me the player I am today because I was working to get in the position I’m at today; it wasn’t just handed to me,” said Harman. “But really, the highest point has been getting those home runs, being with the girls; I love my teammates and we just get along so well.”

A lot of people have the idea that student-athletes don’t have as much of an opportunity to get involved in other components of the college experience, given that sports and school take so much time and energy in a student-athlete’s life. However, Harman insists being a student-athlete enables a person to become well-rounded and she feels she’s had a balanced college experience.

“Being a student-athlete totally shapes who you are because you have to work on your time management, but it has made me so ready for grad school. Being able to represent my school is awesome.

I love wearing LMU on my jersey and just kind of playing for a bigger purpose is fun,” said Harman. “If I had to describe myself using one word I’d say balanced because I’m in a sorority, I get good grades, I play softball and I’m really close with my friends and family. I try my best to do great in all those. If I’m doing great in softball but I’m not doing great in school, then there’s really no point in me doing great in softball. I think playing a sport helps me be more well-rounded,” continued Harman.

As for LMU’s debut in the WCC, it is no secret the softball team has had a slow start, with a three game setback in its opening weekend.

Sunday, however, proved to be a pivotal moment for the team when it won its first WCC game against the University of the Pacific 3-2 in which Harman led a four-pitch walk in the bottom of the eighth that helped sophomore shortstop Stephanie Maciel deliver an RBI walk-off, leading to the Lion’s much-needed win to improve their conference record to 1-5.

“It’s a very big deal. We used to be in the PCSC, which people didn’t really know about because the rest of our school is in the WCC. But now that we’re in the WCC, I feel like we’re representing the school even more. There’s so much good competition in the conference and

even though we’ve had a rough start, we’ve been fighting in every game. You don’t see us giving up and losing by a lot. I think we’re rising to the occasion,” said Harman about the softball program’s first season in the WCC. So what’s next for Harman? Will softball be in her future after she graduates from LMU in May? “People would kill me if I said no,” said Harman with a nervous laugh.

“But I don’t think I see softball directly in my future. I start grad school at the end of May, so I only have three weeks and then I’m off on

my next journey, but I’ll definitely be around the game. I have so many friends that are still playing and I’ll use softball and athletics so much in my future profession of physical therapy. I don’t really know yet; we’ll play it by ear. I’m sure once I leave, I’ll realize how much I miss it and I’ll try to get it somewhere in my life.”

Although Harman might not see softball in her future yet, she sees the future of the LMU softball program in very good hands with the underclassmen on the team.

“I was thinking about this today.

I was looking around and we had two freshmen and one sophomore on the outfield and two freshmen and two sophomores on the infield and I was just thinking that ‘they are going to be so good.’ When you’re a freshman, you’re not supposed to be really good players but these freshmen are really stepping up and I can only imagine how good they’ll be when they’re all juniors and seniors,” said Harman.

LMU will continue to play next week in San Diego, Calif. against the University of San Diego in a three game series.

Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

Senior third baseman Meghan Harman, who dons the No. 10 jersey, plans to go to graduate school for physical therapy within the same month that she graduates from LMU. Harman is one of the few graduating seniors on the team this year.

LION SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 15

Tough Mudder: a test of true grit Mike at the Mic Michael Busse Digital Managing Editor

W

@mrbusse

hen I hit the fourth electrified wire, the shock knocked me off my feet. I received my fifth electrocution as I fell, tumbling into another live wire right before landing face-first in the mud. I crawled out from under the wires — the final hurdle before the finish line of the 2014 Los Angeles Tough Mudder obstacle course — thinking just one thing: Did I actually sign up for this?

To be honest, when I forked over my debit card number and emergency contact info last November to register for the Tough Mudder, I can’t say I really knew what I was getting myself into. Billed as “probably the toughest event on the planet,” the team-oriented course includes 24 obstacles over 10 to 12 miles. As a regular runner, I figured I could handle the mileage no problem and would worry about the obstacles later. But as a 5-foot-7-inch, 130-pound guy who has literally never set foot in the Burns Rec Center, I probably should have known better.

I could barely believe what I saw on the Tough Mudder

website when it came time to worry about the obstacles.

Nearly all of the 24 stations had intimidating videos featuring dramatic music and really sweaty people who were obviously a lot stronger than I am. I walked away from my laptop convinced that if jumping into a dumpster filled with 80 thousand pounds of ice cubes didn’t kill me, the electroshock therapy would probably do me in.

Fast forward to March 30, the morning of the event. I was feeling super well-rested after spending the night on the floor of a bargain hotel room with my seven teammates. Okay, maybe we weren’t feeling the most invigorated, but fueled by the adrenaline of anticipation, we pulled on our matching “I Woke Up Like This” T-shirts, decorated our cheeks with war paint and made our way over to the starting line.

If there is one thing that characterizes the Tough Mudder, it’s teamwork. From the cheers at the starting line to the helping hands of the other participants, camaraderie is the rule of the game. One of my teammates actually insisted that I step on her head so I could reach the arm of a stranger offering to pull me over a wall.

Did it hurt sometimes?

Definitely. The 2,349 feet elevation change tested our endurance, and army crawling through gravel isn’t exactly easy

Baseball swings to second place Raff’s Rap from Page 16

The team’s offense carried on from game two of the series, as both junior right fielder Tanner Donnels and Boeke had three hits each. Donnels had two doubles and four RBIs, a career high.

Boeke was perfect at the plate Saturday, going three-for-three and scoring twice.

The Lions trailed 3-1 Friday night until freshman shortstop David Fletcher cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple to right field. Senior first baseman Tommy Cheek promptly drove Fletcher in on a sacrifice fly to give LMU the lead and eventual victory. Cheek now leads the nation with 10 sacrifice flies.

LMU regained much of its identity this weekend after winning only one of three games last weekend against the University of San Francisco Dons. Head Coach Jason Gill said his team became individualistic at the plate against the Dons.

This weekend, however, his club rebounded and regained its signature team-oriented approach, which obviously led to big dividends.

The swagger of this team was lost a little last weekend. The team is used to competing and being better than a lot of people on the schedule; almost getting swept at home to a team that came in with a losing conference record didn’t sit well with LMU. They rebounded and grinded out three quality wins.

Both starting pitchers junior Colin Welmon and senior Patrick McGrath earned their fifth wins of the season and both threw

quality starts. Although Welmon gave up runs in three innings, he finished with seven innings pitched and two earned runs given up. McGrath went six innings for the Lions and only allowed one run.

The Lions started freshman right-hander J.D. Busfield on Sunday, in place of junior left-hander Sean Buckle, who typically is the Sunday starter.

The 6-foot-7-inch freshman impressed, throwing three innings, allowing one hit and one first-inning unearned run while striking out a pair. Buckle then came in a relief role, throwing three innings of his own. He struggled, however, giving up four runs on seven hits. Senior reliever Carlos Fuentes came in and held down the fort for senior closer Brett Dahlson. Fuentes was credited with the win and is now 4-1 on the season.

Dahlson recorded two saves on the weekend, extending his alltime save record to 25, the most in LMU history.

The Lions now sit at 11-4, which ties the club for second place in the competitive WCC standings. The University of San Diego is also at 11-4, with Pepperdine University sitting in the lead with a 12-3 mark. The Lions and Waves will square off, at LMU from May 2-4. That series could go a long way in determining which team finishes the season in first place. The top four teams in the WCC head to Stockton, Calif. for the WCC Championships May 22-24. The winner of that tournament gets an automatic berth to an NCAA Regional tournament.

via Michael Busse

All eight members on sophomore entrepreneurship major Michael Busse’s (bottom right) team completed the 2014 Los Angeles Tough Mudder, a 10.3 mile obstacle course designed to test stamina, strength and mental grit. on the elbows. But in the end, I was surprised by how prepared I felt. I guess a few weeks of long runs on the Bluff was all it took. However, I wouldn’t have found the will to finish without the uplifting atmosphere on the course and encouragement of my team. Our go-to call involved one person yelling, “What do we bleed?” followed by an enthusiastic response from the group: “Mud!” To top it all off, the Tough Mudder is a supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that assists injured service members in the

transition back into civilian life. In keeping with the spirit of putting others above oneself, the organizers of the event encourage participants to donate to the foundation. To date, the Tough Mudder has raised over $6 million for the cause.

If this column were a cheesy MasterCard ad, it would go something like this – number of times I got electrocuted: five. Temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, of the ice-filled water I jumped into: 34. Length in miles of the course: 10.3.

Value of the Tough Mudder experience: priceless.

Two days after reaching the finish line, while I was still stretching out my sore legs, scrubbing the permanent marker from my face and finding bruises and scabs all over my body, I took out my computer and went to the Tough Mudder website. This time, however, I breezed right past the daunting videos, and without hesitation, signed up for next year.

This is the opinion of Michael Busse, a sophomore entrepreneurship major from Eugene, Ore. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email mbusse@theloyolan.com.

sports LIONBITES SOFTBALL Sophomore shortstop Stephanie Maciel helped the LMU softball team win its first West Coast Conference game against the University of the Pacific on LMU Athletics Sunday by delivering an eighth-inning walk-off RBI single to bring a 3-2 win over the Tigers. LMU’s record is now 20-19 overall and 1-5 in conference play. The team will play against the University of San Diego this weekend.

SCORES UPDATE BASEBALL

LION

7-5 W

W. WPOLO

3-2 W

M. TENNIS

vs. St. Mary’s

SPORTS

SOFTBALL

vs. Pacific

13-5 W

at Azusa Pacific

5-2 L

at Pacific

Follow us on Twitter @loyolansports for up-to-date scores.

Page 16

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | April 14, 2014 | laloyolan.com

Mr. LMU pageant bares all

W. WATER POLO The water polo team picked up two wins against Chapman University and Azusa Pacific University on Saturday with scores of 16-3 and LMU Athletics 13-5, respectively.

Junior driver Laura Lopez led the team with five goals in the Chapman game and senior driver Alexandra Honny led the team with five goals against APU. LMU’s record is now 19-11 overall and 5-1 in the Golden Coast Conference.

For daily LION BITES, like Loyolan Sports on Facebook and visit laloyolan.com/sports.

Lions sweep series vs.

St. Mary’s Raff’s Rap Dan Raffety Staff Writer

@DanRaffety

N

Emilia Shelton | Loyolan

Representatives from several LMU men’s sports teams gathered at Gersten Pavilion to compete for the crown of 2014 Mr. LMU. Athletes competed in a talent, modeling and question portion of the pageant. This year, men’s water polo took the crown away from men’s soccer. Freshman utility player Riley Smith (top right) won the judges over with his quick wit and unbeatable charm.

Harman leads Lions in final year With only a handful of games left at LMU, senior Meghan Harman looks back on her time.

ow, that’s more like it.

The LMU baseball team (22-14, 11-4 WCC) capped off a threegame sweep over West Coast Conference (WCC) rival St. Mary’s College Gaels Sunday afternoon in comeback fashion winning 7-5 at Page Stadium. The Lions scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to solidify the Lions third three-game sweep of the season and fifth straight victory.

The Lions loaded the bases in their final at bat on two singles and a walk to set the table for freshman outfielder Austin Miller, driving in freshman first baseman Jimmy Jack on a sacrifice fly. The Lions added another insurance run, scoring senior utility Kevin Garcia on a wild pitch.

The club took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning of Sunday’s final game, only to give it back to St. Mary’s in the top of the sixth. The Gaels scored three times in the sixth inning.

But the Lions answered once again. Senior outfielder Cole Trezek singled to begin the sixth inning, eventually scoring on a twoout wild pitch. Trezek extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Garcia and freshman third baseman Ted Boeke both walked, and Miller doubled in Garcia to tie the game and put the Lions back in the ballgame at five apiece.

This season is a special one for LMU’s softball team – not only does it have a remarkable number of new athletes with 13 freshmen and eight sophomore players, but it is also in its debut season in West Coast Conference (WCC) after leaving the Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC).

Although the team as a whole is young, one of the biggest leaders this season is senior third baseman Meghan Harman.

A native of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Harman, a health and human science major, decided to come to LMU for several reasons: the education, the prime location and the softball program.

“I was getting recruited by a couple of California schools, but since I live in Orange County, I knew I wanted to stay in Southern California and stay close to home.

I also decided to come to LMU because the campus is beautiful, it has my major and the softball team has a lot of fun while getting the job done, which is my style. I loved the coaches, the girls and, of course, the location,” said Harman.

See Raff’s Rap | Page 15

See Harman | Page 14

Karen Ruiz

Asst. Sports Editor @ruizydoesit

Loyolan Archives

Senior third baseman Meghan Harman has proved herself to be both a vocal and stats leader.

So far this season, Harman has started all games, and has a .365 batting average and 27 RBIs.