Warmheart,coldhands

SeniorDave Syby has big plansthat willtake him to highergrounds and leave his clientssix feet under.

by Janice C. Funk managing editor

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you want to be a doctor or a lawyer? A veterinarian or a rock star? A teacher or a funeral director? Wait, did you say funeral director?

As a child, senior Dave Syby wanted to re a flight paramedic, yet here he is, waiting to graduate from Cabrini in the spring of 2000, getting ready to enter mortuary science school for his post-grad work. His goal? To complete the three-year program in just one year, and regin his career as a funeral director.

Syby first became interested in mortuary science while working as an E.M.T. in New Jersey. He had worked as an E.M.T. for five years when he realized that he wanted to try something new. "I decided to see what the job was like, dealing with families and the dead."

In June of 1997, Syby recame a funeral apprentice at the Lisiecki Memorial Home in Trenton, New Jersey. Naturally, he did not know what to expect. Syby found his niche working with grieving families. "I wanted to help the families by giving them what they deserve," he said.

His day-to-day tasks diverged greatly, however, from just working with surviving family members. In any given day, his job could range from the innocuous (washing the hearses, acting as a pallbearer) to the embalming of bodies. This has to re the worst part of the job, right? No, according to Syby. "It's not morbid," he says. An important thing to keep in mind is that the people are dead and cannot feel pain anymore. This is where Syby's faith comes in; "I always believe people will go to a retter place," he said.

A religious studies major, Syby feels that one of the most important characteristics a funeral director should possess is a strong understanding of different religions and their practices. For example, Lisiecki Memorial Home was a Polish funeral home, therefore most of their clients were of the Catholic faith. However, by law, no funeral home may refuse to prepare someone for burial based upon religion, race or any other reason.

After compieting his degree in religious studies, Syby will continue his schooling at a mortuary science school. Mortuary science school will give him an associate's degree in funeral service; after that, Syby will need to complete 7 5 embalrnings and 30 arrangements to be licensed as a funeral director. He is currently considering Mercer

No cold shoulder here, Syby just wants to be there for people.

County Community College and McAllister in New York City.

Humor is another important quality for a funeral director to possess, according to Syby. "You shouldn't be afraid to use humor," he said. According to Syby, working in a funeral home is not always as painful as it may seem, because often death brings about a release from suffering for the deceased. Syby has seen people buried with many humorous mementos, ranging from pictures of farnily and friends to favorite foods like pepperoni and salami.

Syby acknowledges that many myths abound about funeral directors and funeral homes ("People are dying to get in.") It's obvious, however, that Syby is unfazed by the fact that many people are leery of his job. "I try to treat everybody with dignity, whether they're living or dead," he states, "and I always smile."

by Meg Merkel staff writer

College men wearing make-up. Lots of it.

Cat fights involving girls with six inch heels and tube tops. Capes, masks and ghostly figures roaming around. Is it Halloween night? Not quite. Oct. 24 proved to be an interesting night for the unofficial Cabrini Wrestling Federation, (CWF).

The group of wrestling lovers gathered together in house two study lounge to hold their big event; the match of the year.

Donna DIBiasio enters the study lounge, hoping to get some work done. Two steps into the door she hesitates, almost dropping her books. The furniture is pushed back against the wall. Familiar faces are altered by bizarre masks and painted faces.

Some of Cabrini's most prominent leaders are taking on strange disguises. A caped man in all black stands against the wall in Boo Radley form, waiting for the next match. ''I peered into the lounge and witnessed Nick Luchko and Dave Wiley dressed up like pro-wrestlers. I had to stay to see what it was all about, they really got into the event," DIBiasio said.

Mike "80's" Butler decided to do his match as "Triple 80's," a parody to "Triple H," the Pro-wrestler. However, photo courtesy of John De/l'Osa

Butler fell to the undefeated Shannon Downs. John Dell 'Osa, a competitor, was pleased with the success, "The matches aren't predetermined, only the actual wrestlers know who is going to win. This makes it more interesting to the audience," Dell'Osa said.

The theme for the event was "Tuition Down." Dave Wiley, a member of the CWF states, " It was a lot of fun, and its improved a lot since last year. Special thanks Lee Gamble and Bill Thorton and everyone who helped organize it."

Although the house two residents were a little intimidated by the chaos and strange appearances, the event proved to be a victory for the whole crew. "Even though it wasn't necessarily an actual Cabrini event, we still had a great turn out. People were able to come together with a common interest," Butler comments.

Next time just alert the residents.

Awarding of the title for the "Hardcore Match," the male bonding begins with (left to right) John the "Cage," Nick "The Real Ass" Luchko, a U.S.C., (unidentified shady character) and John, "Mankind" Dell'Osa.

Them pumpkins sure do make good eatins

compiled by

Shanna Lynn Fanelli features

editor

While pumpkins are mostly cherished for their susceptibility to the secret carver in all of us, they are also a highly nutritious and tasty squash, with a negligible amount of fat and one orange shell that is chock full of vitamins. Here are some ways to enjoy one of the holiday's most favorite staple.

Basic pumpkin recipe Wash and scrape out a 1-1/2 to 3 pound sugar pumpkin, (jack-O's are too stringy and large) cut out a lid and coat pumpkin with melted butter and sugar or salt. Replace lid and in oven for 35 minutes at 350. Coat again with butter mixture and bake for an ad- ditional 10-15 minutes until meat is tender. Slice and serve.

Want to spice up breakfast? Add canned pumpkin to traditional pancake recipe for pumpkin cakes. Top with butter whipped with cinnamon and sprinkle with orange sugar crystals.

Instead of peanuts, try this Wash and dry pumpkin seeds, spread them on a cookie tray, salt and roast in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 250.

Information obtained from the Clemson University, Cooperative Extension Service.

The editorials, viewpoints, opinions and letters to the editor published in Loquitur are the views of the student editorial board and the individual writers, not the entire student body or the faculty and administration.