Issue 6 spring

Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

The Beacon

For more content, visit online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Volume 78 ◆ Issue 6

Th u r s d ay, M a r c h 6 , 2 0 1 4

Standing in defense of feminism

By Gabriel Kogel Senior News Editor

Gloria Steinem, the renowned feminist author, was asked her contribution to the Women’s Movement Tuesday.

She responded that, “it’s not for me to say, what is for me to do is always draw attention to the fact that it’s a huge, diverse, movement.”

Steinem spoke at the Church Street Center as a part of the “Creating Equality Series,” took questions from students at the Feigenbaum Science Center auditorium, and met with a small group of local journalists as well.

“I feel like I should be on the other side, asking the questions along with you all,” Steinem said to the reporters.

The pioneering activist, journalist and creator of Ms. Magazine, was personable with a generous smile. She humbly applauded back at the audience.

Wearing a long black dress, the sprightly 79-year-old deftly explained complex issues with nuance and humor. She spoke about a turning point in her life, when she realized other women were also fed up with patriarchy.

“It took me till I was thirtyfive to realize I wasn’t crazy,

those who would mischaracterize it. She pointed to attacks by political conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, who has spent his career deriding her as a “feminazi.”

“There has been and still is a massive campaign against [Feminism] to distort it,” Steinem said. “We’re only talking about equality. The problem for the Civil-Rights Movment and the Women’s Movement, is some people think of them as antiwhite, or anti-male. I think they’re terrified we’re going to do to them what they did to us.”

Weighing in on the long battle to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to the constitution, Steinem used a recent lawsuit filed by a female employee against Wal-Mart as an example.

“Laws come with their own history and interpretation,” she said. “The Fourteenth Amendment [for civil rights] has not always been viewed as applying to women. In the WalPhoto by Gabriel Kogel/The Beacon Mart case, we needed to prove Feminist Gloria Steinem spoke to students, faculty, and the Berkshire County community about the the company had the intent to continuing struggle for equality Tuesday night. discriminate. If we had the Equal Rights Amendment, we would the system was crazy,” she said. discover[ed] that work is defined longer and harder than any other have won it.”

“The experiences were shared as something only men do. What group.”

She added, “Wal-Mart is one … we began to identify issues women do at home isn’t called Much of Steinem’s message was STEINEM, and change language. [We] work, even though they work a defense of Feminism, against continued on page 3

Students speak up for Bottle Bill Students prepare for

By Caitlin O’Neill

Special to the Beacon MCLA students may have been slightly bewildered on their way to lunch Monday, Feb. 24 when they were greeted in the Marketplace by a large, anthropomorphic plastic water bottle.

But Bottle Bill became quite the celebrity, and many students had their picture taken with him. Bottle Bill is the mascot for MassPIRG’s photo petition to update of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill. The proposed changes would add a 5 cent recycling deposit to non-carbonated beverage containers. The idea of the photos was add faces to the list of names on last fall’s petition many students signed.

“I think it’s a good way to show who’s supporting it,” sophomore Chris Cozzaglio said. “You can read a name a hundred times and not think much of it, but once you see a picture, I think it means a lot more.”

Senator Ben Downing and State Representative Gail Carridi

twitter.com/ MCLA_Beacon facebook.com/ MCLABeacon

also came by the event to show their support.

Carridi, a long-time supporter of the Bottle Bill update, said the main reason non-carbonated bottles don’t have a deposit is they were uncommon when the original Bottle Photo courtesy of Tess Goyer Bill was passed Sophomore Ben Hoyt holds up a sign in support in 1983. Sports of the Bottle Bill. drinks, bottled iced teas, and bottles in the state by as much as other popular non-carbonated 60 percent. beverages have only become “I thought it was really cool popular in the past 20 years or so. having the state rep and senator Carridi said she feels the Bottle here because it shows how Bill needs to get with the times. important the Bottle Bill is,” “Some think it’s a tax imposed MASSPIRG student coordinator on the people who buy the Morgan McCarthy said. “And we products,” Carridi said. “I think got a lot of students to show their it’s an incentive for people to BOTTLE BILL, recycle.” The update is projected continued on page 2 to improve recycling of plastic

service-learning trip The spring break trip to Belize will give students the chance to learn about the area and provide community service for a school in need.

By Nick Swanson Staff Writer

Eighteen students will travel to Central America over Spring Break to volunteer at a Belize primary school and view the culture from a personal standpoint.

Spencer Moser, coordinator of the Center for Service and Citizenship, and Mathematics Professor Elizabeth Hartung, will lead the trip.

“Through intercultural experiences and exploration, the students will engage in learning about a different culture,” Moser said.

While in Belize, the group will complete a service-learning project at the St. Matthew’s

MCLA welcomes Stephanie Rosa

“Avenue Q” hits the stage after break

Men’s basketball falls in MASCAC quarterfinals

Rosa is the College’s first exchange student from Puerto Rico

Ben Balon and Veronica Gibson take the directors’ chairs

‘Blazers fall in 82 - 76 game against Salem State

Arts & Entertainment, page 6

Sports, page 9

News, page 3

Government Primary School in St. Matthew’s Village over the course of three days. The project is to build a sidewalk around the school, making it easier for the children to walk to, from, and on the school grounds.

According to Moser, the current pathways around the school turn to mud due to frequent torrential downpours, so the children bring an abundance of dirt into the school. The sidewalks will help maintain a clean environment inside the classrooms and for the entire school.

“This is all within the team perspective, and together we must find out how to navigate, move, and make decisions as a group,

BELIZE, continued on page 2 News Arts & Entertainment Sports Campus Opinion Local Events Photo Essay

2-4 5-7 8-9 10 11 12

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Campus News

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Beacon.MCLA.edu

SGA Budgets confirmed, funding cut for 35 clubs $25,000.00 $20,000.00 $15,000.00

$10,000.00 $5,000.00

2014 FY Allocation

$-

2015 FY Allocation

Club budgets were approved on Monday night. Of the 41 clubs recognized by SGA, 35 funds were cut, 4 clubs budgets saw an increase, and two new clubs have been created since the last fiscal year. Information from the 2014 and 2015 fiscal year budget presentaions. The budget for SAC was omitted from the chart due to it being much higher than others. The SAC budget dropped 6,200 dollars from 2014 to 2015.

“For example if you didn’t get more money to give out,” he unspent by clubs goes back into year, expanding on the current

By Jess Gamari the funding for this semester said. Powers encouraged STAGE the supplemental budget. Bryant first year experience initiative in Managing Editor you needed for this semester… members to come back to SGA said that around 20 percent of the place. Vice president Brendan you can come back to SGA next next semester with these ideas as money allocated to clubs is not Peltier said the meeting will focus The proposed budget of semester with a bunch of details, a new initiative that needs fundspent. on defining what the experience $376,015 for the 2015 fiscal year more information, we can go ing and they can work on getting is, what students are getting out was approved on Monday night throughout the process to get the funding from the supplemenDiscussion on women’s study of it and suggestions. “So far the at the SGA meeting. The total more funding.” tal budget. minor changes continue committee has looked at other allocation toward club budgets is STAGE president Carissa “Nobody seems to be Classes have been added institutions and what they have $244,675.

Sacherski and vice president happy with their budget, that’s to the women’s study minor regoing and seeing what we could Treasurer Kelley Bryant said Hannah Bearup spoke during the why we’ve been expressing coquirement, according to Senator try to use here,” Peltier said. As that the overall budget process Nicholas Hernigle who met with an attendance incentive, gift was difficult and it was important discussion period before the vote sponsorship, but these are the to approve the budget occurred. numbers we were given from the All College Committee last cards to the Trailblazer Café will the budget finance committee They said that the suggested admissions.” week. This minor has been ofbe raffled off.

(BFC) make tough decisions on budget for their club was “not “The SGA has been generally ficially changed from the history cuts that had to be made. enough for our club to survive.” really willing to use money from department to the interdisciplinMassPIRG protests GMO labels Primarily, the BFC looked Bearup said that the club has the supplemental fund to finance ary studies department. In last at Super Stop and Shop upon each club’s history of revbeen trying to limit spending so new initiatives in the past,” week’s meeting, Hernigle said the During the open forum, enue including fundraising and revamp their image on campus Senator Stephan Rochefort said. art department planned to add Morgan McCarthy and Tess cosponsoring, resourcefulness from “the feminist club” to a He cited two examples of the Alfour classes to the art flow chart Goyer announced that MassPIRG and presentation of how each “gender equality club.” legrettos bus trip to Boston and for classes. The committee has is seeking SGA and student supclub came into the budget meetBoth members said they the Environuts traveling to DC to since decided against this addiport to petition Super Stop and ing. Bryant reminded everyone have established relationships protest the keystone pipeline. tion because “they don’t have the Shop supermarket. Goyer said that the $6,000 allocated for “Things are rough right now staff,” Hernigle said. she is hoping to gain 250 signasupplemental budget has been set with other clubs on campus through their annual Sextival and but you have to be as conservatures to support in endorsement aside for an emergency use that Body positive picnic, which they tive as possible with our budget Sophomore experience meeting for the company to provide labels comes up. hope to expand into a week-long process because we’re not sure to be held indicating genetically modified “The definition of suppleexactly how many students are On Friday, March 21, the organisms (GMO) on their store mental budget changes with each picnic in the coming semesters.

Powers said that as of now, going to come to MCLA next student affairs committee will brands. This petition will take cabinet’s opinion,” President Jake the college is projecting low year and what our collection meet at 3 p.m. in Murdock 218 to place this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Powers said. The supplemental enrollment numbers for the uprate will be and so the numbers discuss the sophomore year exthe store parking lot. “We’re trybudget is there for clubs who coming semesters and that’s why we have to work with are kept perience initiative. This will take ing to give the consumer right to need funding for new or last every club has a lower budget. conservative. a closer look at the transition know,” Goyer said. minute events that come up.

“Unfortunately there is no All money that remains from freshman to sophomore

MassPIRG takes photos to Service-learning trip will help Belize school show support for bottle bill continued fromBELIZE, page 1 BOTTLE BILL, continued from page 1

support.”

In addition to the Bottle Bill mascot (MassPIRG student coordinator Alyssa Dame) the table for the event also had paper signs with slogans such as “MCLA loves the Bottle Bill” and “I’m Voting Yes” for students to hold up in their photographs. The event continued even after the mascot deflated.

More than 100 students took pictures for the project. Many were flagged down by MassPIRG staff exclaiming “Hey, do you want to help increase recycling?” or similar invitations. Some students were unfamiliar with the Bottle Bill update, but expressed enthusiasm once it was explained to them.

“I support anything that will reduce the amount of bottles and litter,” sophomore Evan Patev said.

Many students said they recalled signing the written petition in the fall, and took pictures to continue their support.

“I think the event went

Photo courtesy of Tess Goyer

State Representative Gail Carridi poses with the Bottle Bill mascot. fantastic,” campus organizer Tess Goyer said. “We had two influential people and a lot of students show their support for the bottle bill. I think a lot of our students are getting more involved.”

The pictures from the photo campaign from MCLA and campuses around the state are online at bottlebill2014.tumblr. com.

and realize that team building and team dynamics are a whole part of human development,” Moser said.

Students will also have time each day to interact with the children through different reading and writing exercises, as well as games, after their work concludes.

The morning before the project starts, the students will canoe down the Sibun River for teambuilding and wildlife observation.

Six boxes of school supplies, consisting of various arts and crafts, pens, pencils, crayons, and sample lesson plans for teachers were sent as donations from an Illinois school as a part of their own related service learning project.

The group from MCLA will stay at Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a non-profit organization which sets up tourism endeavors and study-abroad services in Belize.

According to Monkey Bay’s website, their mission is to provide academic learning, experiential learning, and service programs

while serving as a model of conservation l a n d stewardship in Belize.

Mon ke y Bay has two distinct areas in northern and central Belize.

M o s e r ’s Photo by Nathan Buchana/The Beacon i t i n e r a r y Elizabether Hartung, left, and Spencer Moser and states that the student volunteers that will go to Belize for break. group will receive a special tour of the Belize “It’s mainly about exploring Zoo on the first night of the trip. cultures and seeing the world On the second day, they will travel through a different lens to to the Maya Ceremonial Center of gain a better understanding of Xuantunich, in western Belize, to ourselves,” Moser said. explore the ancient Mayan city all The students will make full day. reports formally presenting During the final days, they the Belize trip at the next will go to the Belize Museum, in Undergraduate Student Belize City, and then take a water- Leadership Conference. taxi to the island of Caye Caulker.

“Through exploring different The group has reservations at the cultures, you get a better vision of Tropical Paradise Hotel on the where people came from, where island, where they will conclude society might be going. Overall, the trip with island exploration, doing things like this makes me beach-combing, and a snorkeling feel like a global citizen,” Brittany excursion in Belize’s coral reef.

Guntor, senior, said.

Campus News

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Beacon.MCLA.edu

From Puerto Rico to North Adams with ease

about MCLA and that insight solidified my decision.”

The other school Rosa considered was California State University, Bakersfield, but the opinions of students at both universities ultimately led her to decide on MCLA.

Rosa’s journey to MCLA was enabled by the National Student Exchange program, or NSE. According to nse.org, NSE is for undergraduates within the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.

It has provided exchange opportunities to more than 105,000 students since its establishment in 1968. The funding for NSE comes from institutional membership fees and student application fees.

The basis for the program is set upon the values that guide it, consisting of sensitivity, respect, cooperation, the needs of students, and overall excellence in the performance of the program.

“The NSE program has a list of schools that participate, and it was limited for me because I wanted the spring semester,” she explained. “I barely had any complications with the process. Ashton Darrett is very accommodating and introduced me to offices in Eldridge Hall. Everyone is really helpful.”

Here, Rosa majors in sociology, with her favorite class being a families course. She likes the broadness of the sociology

quality paper, color printing, and better binding.

“Our big plan is just to create this beautiful thing that people are going to want to hold onto forever. It will be something you can look back on and be proud of,” Sweet said.

In addition to a higher quality magazine, Hantman said the next edition will be the first to accept alumni submissions.

“A certain number of pages will be dedicated to alumni work and the rest will be dedicated to current students,” Hantman said. “The content isn’t changing, there’s just more of it.”

Hantman said that accepting alumni submissions will open Spires up to a greater “pool of talent.”

The voting process for the new magazine will work differently than in previous years, according to Sweet.

“We’re voting on what goes into the magazine earlier,” Sweet said.

“Instead of doing it in one long

session, we are doing it in multiple shorter sessions.”

Sweet said the club hopes to have the magazine on campus by mid-April.

A Spires website is scheduled to launch by the end of this semester.

“Not only will the website allow the potential students to investigate the club, and what we are, as well as what we do more, but it will be an opportunity for them to learn more about the College campus as well,” Virginia Graves, the web master for Spires, said in an email interview. “As a collective, Spires plans to be able to display the works that are within our magazine, as well as inform the general public about the creative people that reside on our campus.”

“We’re going to have more opportunity to publish visual art because we won’t be constrained by financial considerations or questions of page space,” Professor of English/Communications and advisor to Spires David “Zack”

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Staff Writer

Students who heard about her arrival couldn’t wait to say ‘hello,’ while at the airport in Puerto Rico, Stephanie Rosa said ‘goodbye’ to her parents. Her destination: North Adams.

The campus welcomed its first national exchange student this semester from Puerto Rico. Rosa stands around 5’2” with silky, dark brown hair, thick-rimmed glasses, and a friendly smile.

“It was surprising that people knew I was coming,” she said.

“They were excited I was coming.”

Rosa, a sophomore, is a commuter student at home and majors in social sciences at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. In January, she left her 15-year-old brother, her parents, and her cat Leo, who was the one exception to the no-pets-allowed rule in her household.

“I was being a huge dork about researching schools to go to and everything,” she said. “I looked at student profiles on YouTube

Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon

Stephanie Rosa is the College’s first national exchange student from Puerto Rico.

program, because it fits with the as-yet-undecided nature of her future career path.

“My school at home is similar in size,” she said. “The classrooms are kind of the same, just with less people. I find myself wanting to participate more.”

Rosa said she is uncertain of what her future looks like in terms of a career, but hopes to attend graduate school and possibly become a psychologist. She wants to read more about internships and explore her options.

“My plan here is to pick my professor’s brain for advice in what I want to do, and for different career options,” she said with a smile.

Currently, she is a member of the Berkshire Towers Advisory Board and is in two dances for Dance Company this semester, a hip-hop and a pop dance.

“I danced in high school, but never took classes; I just belonged to the club at school,” she said. “I really love to dance, and I haven’t done it for two years after high school. It felt good to do it again.”

In high school, Rosa participated on the swim team and played

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volleyball, but said that she wasn’t really good at it. She also said that this is her second visit to America, the first time being a trip to Disneyland when she was seven.

One of the major differences between Rosa’s school at home and the MCLA campus is the greater emphasis on and popularity of clubs here.

“I set a goal for myself, to join clubs and be involved,” she said proudly.

Her preferred activities during free time include listening to music, blogging on Tumblr, and cooking. She mentioned that at home, she is the only one who cooks.

On long weekends and breaks, Rosa tries to travel to Worcester, Mass. to visit her boyfriend, who is also from Puerto Rico. He attends Clark University full-time and started there as a freshman.

Rosa is remaining on campus for the spring semester, but is unsure what next semester will bring, or if she intends to transfer.

“Overall, I’m really happy here compared to being at home,” she said. “I’m busier and consumed, happier in a sense.”

Spires updates to utilize more vivid media outlets

By Alexander Moore Staff Writer

Spires literary magazine is aiming to revamp its print publication and stake its own claim on the web this semester.

“We want [the magazine] to be as physically beautiful as the work it contains,” Kaylie Sweet, co-editor-in-chief, said. “In past years, the focus was on what it should be on, which is art itself, but we want to focus on the actual medium the art is being printed on.”

The club said that readers shouldn’t expect anything different in terms of material, but can expect a higher quality physical magazine than in previous years.

“Previous editions weren’t poor by any standards, but this year’s edition will feel like something you can treasure and remember forever,” Christopher Hantman, co-editor-in-chief, said.

Both Hantman and Sweet said they are working closely with their printer to ensure higher

Photo by Amy Modesti/The Beacon

Faculty advisor to Spires Zack Finch, left, and web master Virginia Graves working on the Spires website.

Finch said. “In the future, we might utilize some of the capabilities that are specific to a website, such as the ability to embed audio and video.”

Hantman said the web site will make it easier for students to submit their work. He also said

he hopes students will have the ability to import content they like from the web site into their social media and start a discussion over it.

Finch said he hopes the website will attract prospective students who are interested in creative writing.

Steinem encourages students to stand together STEINEM, continued from page 1

of the worst, most discriminatory employers on earth, and their female employees are especially disadvantaged.”

Steinem defended Feminism against critics who charge the movement favors concerns of middle class and white women, ignoring socioeconomically disadvantaged women and women of color.

“People of color, and working class women, have always been feminist, since you’re much more likely to face these problems,” she said.

Steinem said the history of racism and sexism are intertwined, rather than merely intersecting.

“If you’re going to continue racism, you have to restrict women,” she said. “White women in the South were restricted, too. A pedestal is a prison of a different name. So while white women were protected from “race mixing,” African-American women were sexually exploited to continue the system. It’s not possible to be a feminist and not be against racism, or to be against racism, and not be a feminist.”

Today, racism and sexism are often associated with the Republican Party, especially tea party Republicans, Steinem said.

“It’s the nature of patriarchal systems to try and control women’s bodies,” she said.

“These groups are angry this country isn’t going to be a majority white European

population anymore. Studies show white women have fewer children than women of color. So while these groups are against immigration, they’re also against providing family planning and contraception, saying, ‘the white race is committing suicide.’”

Steinem commented on the role feminists have taken in the Animal Rights Movement.

“There’s definitely a connection,” she said. “The majority of animal rights advocates are women. It’s Photo by Gabriel Kogel/The Beacon about seeing the hierarchies of Steinem’s speech filled the Church Street oppression, and struggling against Center basement and auditorium with them together.” devoted listeners.

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National News

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Nation and World Briefs

Nation Supreme Court extends whistleblower protections under anti-fraud law WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday expanded protections for whistleblowers covered by an anti-fraud law passed following the collapse of energy giant Enron, ruling outside accountants, auditors and lawyers cannot be fired or punished for exposing fraud.

The 6-3 decision will have an effect in the mutual fund and financial services industries, the court said, because they rely heavily on outside contractors and advisers.

-Tribune Washington Bureau Guantanamo judge pushes USS Cole trial date to Dec. 4 A military judge has pushed to Dec. 4 the trial date of a Saudi man accused of orchestrating al-Qaida’s USS Cole bombing in 2000 that killed 17 U.S. sailors, according to military sources.

-The Miami Herald

World Putin tries to protect Russians in Ukraine Ukraine--RussianPresident Vladimir Putin insisted in a televised interview Tuesday that he has the right to use “all means” necessary to protect Russians in Ukraine, but said he had yet to deploy additional forces to the Crimean peninsula where Russia maintains its Black Sea naval fleet and other military installations.

-Los Angeles Times Neighbor tells court Pistorius kills girlfriend South Africa--A neighbor of Olympian Oscar Pistorius told the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday that she thought she heard a woman loudly arguing with someone the night the athlete shot dead his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.

-The Los Angeles Times

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Russian war of words continues in Ukraine MCT Campus

KIEV, Ukraine--As thousands of Russian and Ukrainian troops stare each other down in Ukraine’s strategic Crimean peninsula, the worlds-apart views from Moscow and Washington over the dangerous faceoff suggested Tuesday that a resolution was far from imminent.

At the same time, signs emerged from the Kremlin and Kiev that both sides were wary of escalating the crisis, in which one nervous reaction could spark a shooting war.

U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, during a visit Tuesday to the Ukrainian capital, accused Russia of gun-barrel diplomacy and brutish behavior more befitting the war-racked 19th century. Moscow, he said, has chosen aggression rather than one of the “countless outlets that an organized, structured, decent world has struggled to put together to resolve these differences so we don’t see a nation unilaterally invade another nation.

“It is not appropriate to invade a country and at the end of a barrel of a gun dictate what you are trying to achieve,” Kerry said as he concluded a visit in Kiev to shrines of the protest movement that recently resulted in Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovich, seeking refuge in Russia.

President Barack Obama, meanwhile, chided President Vladimir Putin in comments during a Washington school visit, saying the Russian leader wasn’t “fooling anybody” with his claim

that he was protecting the Russian minority in Ukraine with an act of naked aggression against a sovereign country.

In Moscow, Putin assembled journalists from Kremlin-controlled media to air his views that Western support for Ukraine’s political opposition had egged on the three-month protest that prompted Yanukovich to flee.

“We have told them a thousand times, ‘Why are you splitting the country?’” Putin said of the United States and the European Union.

Putin said he still regarded Yanukovich, widely seen as corrupt and autocratic, as the legitimately elected leader of Ukraine and denounced the interim leadership that has taken power as the executors of “an anti-constitutional coup.”

And in one of the most encouraging, if tentative, signs, Ukraine’s interim prime minister, Arseny Yatsenyuk, said Tuesday at a news conference that officials in Kiev and Moscow were talking behind the scenes, a development that might give cooler heads an opportunity to prevail outside the world spotlight.

But the tone of Kerry’s and Putin’s assessments of the standoff painted a picture of two adversaries staking out what they consider principled positions while speaking of blame rather than compromise or dialogue.

“In the hearts of Ukrainians and the eyes of the world, there is nothing strong about what Russia is doing,” Kerry said, referring to analysts’ interpretation that Putin had seized Crimea to project an image of a powerful new

MCT Campus Photo

Ukrainian officers sit looking across the soccer field near their airport captured

by Russian troops.

Russia bent on reasserting its influence across the former republics of the Soviet Union.

Putin continued to cast the new authorities in Ukraine as “armed, masked militants roaming around Kiev,” despite the fact that many of them have previously held national office, conducting affairs of state.

Kerry praised the Kiev leadership for its restraint in the face of the Russian moves and called on the people of Ukraine to remain committed to a peaceful transformation of their country and calm in the face of “a Russian government that has chosen aggression and intimidation as a first resort.”

For Samsung, Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscars selfie is a triumph MCT Campus

SAN FRANCISCO--Samsung Electronics Co. struck social media gold when Oscars host Ellen DeGeneres used one of its smartphones to take what has now become the world’s most famous selfie.

DeGeneres never mentioned Samsung, a major Academy Awards sponsor, but handed actor Bradley Cooper the company’s Galaxy Note 3 for the celebrityfilled shot that included Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Spacey, Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o.

The Oscars selfie was such a viral hit that it crushed the previous record set by President Barack Obama after his re-election in 2012 and temporarily knocked Twitter’s service offline as fans retweeted it more than 700,000 times in the first half hour alone.

“We crashed and broke Twitter,” DeGeneres said from the stage.

“We made history.”

The selfie holds the record as the most popular tweet ever, making the picture worth every dollar Samsung paid for the sponsorship, said Peter Sealey, chief executive of the Sausalito Group strategic marketing company.

“That was a social media home run. It really was,” Sealey said.

Samsung said Monday that the selfie was not scripted and that it would donate $3 million total to two charities picked by DeGeneres to thank her. It also began running an ad on Twitter: “Record-breaking selfie taken on (hashtag)TheNextBigThing!

Noted.”

The South Korean electronics maker used the Oscars to introduce its “One Samsung” campaign that promoted a variety of products including the Galaxy Note Pro Tablet, the Galaxy S5 phone, the Gear 2 smartwatch and a curved ultra-high-definition television.

MCT Campus Photo

Ellen DeGeneres takes a selfie with attendees during the 86th annual Academy Awards.

Samsung did not disclose how much it paid to be a sponsor, but according to research firm Kantar Media, the company spent $24 million from 2009 to 2013 to be one of the top advertisers on the show during those years.

Samsung’s Note 3 phone was a fixture on Sunday’s broadcast. On Monday, DeGeneres tweeted that she gave everyone in the audience of her namesake TV show a Galaxy Note 3.

Product placement is the practice of paying to have merchandise featured in a scene. It has become a multibillion-dollar business as more viewers skip commercials, making product placement an effective and less intrusive way to get brands in front of people.

Even so, Samsung still has some mighty competition from the iPhone in becoming the smartphone to the stars.

Sony’s Studstill is helping lead female charge in video game field MCT Campus

As a child, Shannon Studstill sold gum to her classmates to finance her weekly trips to the video game arcade.

That early investment in “Pac-Man” and “Defender” would pay huge dividends.

Studstill, one of the most powerful women in the male-dominated world of video games, now runs Sony Santa Monica Studio, the development group responsible for the 5 O’Clock $5 Nachos!!! company’s hit franchise “God of War” and the publisher of such critically acclaimed independent titles as “Journey.”

Weekend entertainment Women are best represented among the producer ranks, where roughly 1 in 4 are Dine-In and Take-Out menu online. female (though they make less than their Gift Certificates & Discount Programs Available male counterparts), according to the results published last year in Game Developer www.TheParlorCafe.com Magazine. fb.com/TheParlorCafe As executives such as Studstill rise through (413) 346-4279 the ranks, though, they are in a position to

correct the gender imbalance.

During her tenure, Sony Santa Monica has been more successful in attracting women: About 20 percent of its staff is female.

In college, she majored in graphic design and photography, then moved to Los Angeles in 1992 to study cinematography. But the slight, petite woman discovered she was unable to perform some of the physical aspects of the job such as lugging heavy lighting equipment.

“Shannon was one of those people that immediately got that. She immediately understood the broadening definition of cinematography.”

Studstill landed an internship at Black Ops Entertainment, an independent studio in Santa Monica founded by four MIT graduates. She recalls being the only woman around as she traveled to Edwards Air Force Base to take reference photos of aircraft for a flight simulator game under development.

MCT Campus Photo

Studstill helped launch the God of War video game franchise and is now one of their most popular video games.

After working six months without a salary, and depleting her savings, Studstill finally got a full-time assignment as an artist to help create 3-D renderings of the planes she had photographed for the PlayStation game “Agile Warrior F-111X.” Studstill worked her way up at the studio, as texture artist, modeler, lead artist and eventually to the position of art director.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Beacon.MCLA.edu

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Photos by Shannen Adamites/The Beacon

Shana Falana (above) headlines at The Parlor Café; 17 Gentlemen Callers (above right) and Hill Haints (below right) opened up the night.

The Parlor Café hosts strikingly eclectic concert Review by Shannen Adamites Arts & Entertainment Editor Very rarely do you get to experience a barebones, one-person folk band stringing together a slew of classical pieces with whimsical theatrics, a no-frills, low-fi garage punk band with an edgy touch, and a hazy, atmospheric dream pop duo with shimmering vocals and guitars, all in the same night.

The Parlor Café featured Brooklyn’s upcoming shoegaze duo, Shana Falana, as well as North Adams’s Hill Haints, and 17 Gentlemen Callers, in an extremely eclectic night that sprawled across several distinct musical genres in

the span of roughly two hours.

Somehow, the vast differences managed to pull together a successful show and were united under the immense amounts of creativity and innovation each performance presented.

Armed with a ukulele, tambourine, and a suitcase, Jondavid Shetler, the mastermind behind 17 Gentlemen Callers, played an endearing set of traditional tunes and folky arrangements of classical and Renaissance pieces, and concluding with a cycle based on William Shakespeare’s play, “The Tempest.” Any misplays and fumbled notes were easily forgiven considering the complexity

of the pieces, including playing the percussion parts with their feet. There aren’t too many oneperson bands out there right now, and watching Shetler sing and perform classics and folk so theatrically was a breath of fresh air, and definitely an artist to keep in mind for future reference.

Following 17 Gentlemen Callers, Hill Haints played a short set of highly energetic punk songs with vocal and guitar distortion that sounded like a low-fi album brought to life. Their throwback to the familiar sounds of The Saints and The Wipers, with subtle hints of Bauhaus and Joy Division, was powerful and incredibly

dynamic, and got many people in the audience dancing about the space. With only four songs out at the moment, this band has serious potential in the Western Mass. punk scene – they do retro well without going overboard, and contain just enough grit and thrash to make things interesting, but not unlistenable.

However, it was Shana Falana who exerted the greatest deal of radiance and grace in their mesmerizing, hazy-summer-day set.

Shana exuded mastery over artillery of loop pedals and amps, playing simple yet entrancing riffs on her heavily distorted guitar, while drummer Michael Amari

rhythms were steady, consistent, and lively. Layers upon layers of sounds along with a series of projected, abstract images provided a completely immersive listening and viewing experience. The combination of sound and visual art worked very well with Shana Falana’s innovative musical style: a combination of melancholic, retro-pop from the 1980s mixed with some My Bloody Valentine and an ethereal montage of drawn out backing vocals resembling an echoic church choir. The glittering quality was captivating and grabbed the audience with a delicate, but sprightly hold for the entire duration of their set.

Barrington Stage Company to host staged reading Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, Mass., under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, will present a staged reading of “Dancing Lessons,” the new romantic comedy by playwright Mark St. Germain, on March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Church Street Center, Eleanor Furst Roberts Auditorium.

The staged reading is sponsored

by Cricket Creek Farm in Williamstown, Mass.

Directed by Boyd, “Dancing Lessons” stars John Cariani and Brenna Palughi. Cariani made his BSC debut as ‘Dogberry’ in last summer’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Cariani is also the playwright of the play “Almost, Maine” and is currently starring in the play’s Off-Broadway revival. Recently seen in John Grisham’s A Time to Kill on Broadway, Brenna Palughi makes her BSC debut.

“Dancing Lessons” centers on a

young man (Cariani) with highfunctioning autism (Asperger’s syndrome) as he tries to navigate a relationship with a Broadway dancer (Palughi), now sidelined with injuries.

Following the staged reading, there will be Q&A and reception with the cast and playwright Mark St. Germain.

“Dancing Lessons” is sponsored

by Sydelle and Lee Blatt & Judith Goldsmith. “Dancing Lessons” is sponsored in part by an Art Works Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and was commissioned through the generosity of Judith Goldsmith and is part of BSC’s New Works Initiative.

“Dancing Lessons” marks the ninth play by Associate Artist Mark St. Germain that BSC will produce, and the eighth world premiere of his work. Barrington Stage presented a staged reading of Dancing Lessons in September 2013.

Barrington Stage Company will present the world premiere

of Mark St. Germain’s comedy, Dancing Lessons, with performances from August 7-24, 2014 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage.

During the run of Dancing Lessons, BSC will engage audiences through special discussions on Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum conducted in partnership with community organizations such as the College Internship Program, whose main office is in Pittsfield, Mass.

Tickets to the staged reading of Dancing Lessons are $15 and on sale now. Please note this is general admission seating. For more information, call the Barrington Stage Box Office at 413-236-8888 (or toll-free at 855-TIX-2BSC) or visit www.barringtonstageco.org.

Depending on availibility, the College’s students, faculity, and staff are eligible for a free ticket at the door with their MCLA ID. Photos courtesy of Laura Roudabush

John Cariani and Brenna Palughi star in “Dancing Lessons.”

6

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Photo by Shannen Adamites/Arts & Entertainment Editor

“What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?” Jimmy Dunn, 1’4, Emily Hebert, ‘17, and Callen Gardener, ‘16, perform at the SSDP/Spires/IGC open mic to promote Harlequin’s production of “Avenue Q.”

Harlequin prepares to present “Avenue Q” after spring break

Junior Benjamin Balon and senior Veronica Gibson direct their first full-scale musical production

By Jenna O’Connor

Arts & Entertainment Writer Harlequin, the College’s musical theater club, will present their annual full-scale production, Robert Lopez’s, Jeff Witty’s, and Jeff Marx’s Tony award winning musical, “Avenue Q,” the week after spring break. The show goes up Wednesday, March 19 and continues through Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 p.m. in Venable Theater.

With the performance dates creeping up, everyone involved with “Avenue Q” are working especially hard to create a memorable performance.

The directors—junior Benjamin Baylon and senior Veronica Gibson—have been creating the innovative production with specific visions in mind.

“I want the show to feel like a children’s television program,”

Baylon said. “Something crazy entertaining, yet insightful and powerful.”

“I want every audience member to connect to life the same way that they did as children,” Gibson said. “Adulthood puts an end to the colorful vision of the world that most of us share as children, but it’s important to re-examine that image from a mature perspective.”

Deemed as “Sesame Street for Adults,” “Avenue Q” and the director’s visions for the show will be a creative and hilarious production to attend.

The cast, crew, and puppets are well under way with the rehearsal process and are making little debuts around campus, such as last week at the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Inter-Greek Council (IGC), and SPIRES open mic night.

“The actors really make you fall

in love with the puppets,” Gibson said. “It’s gotten to a point that they are very convincing, singular, entities.”

“The students working on the project have all been giving 110 percent to this production,” Baylon said. “I couldn’t be happier with the show’s progress so far.”

Balancing school, theatre, and everything else that life throws at college students, Baylon and Gibson are able to pull through and create an enjoyable and exciting show for the spring production.

“Directing this show has been fun from the start,” Baylon said.

“The script is just so funny, we are constantly laughing throughout rehearsals. And the cast is a bunch of truly quirky and talented individuals.”

“Working with the cast of ‘Avenue Q’ is one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in

Save the date!

Harlequin’s “Avenue Q”

directed by Benjamin Balon & Veronica Gibson

March 19, 20, 21 8:00 p.m.

Venable Theater

$1 for students, $5 general admission Reserve at harlequintickets@gmail.com

theatre,” Gibson said. “Ben and I really complement each other’s process.”

This production will not only provide insight and humor into the adult world, but it teaches the cast and crew the skill of mastering the art of working with puppets. “[Working with the puppets] requires a lot of stamina, and their [the cast] arms are going to be jacked by the time the show opens,” Gibson said.

Focusing the eyes and synching up syllables with puppet mouth movement is a challenge, however, the cast and crew are proving otherwise.

“The puppets really come to life once in the hands of the actors,” Baylon said. “It amazes me how convincing the puppets can be, even with the actors standing right next to them.”

Baylon and Gibson’s visions for

the show will soon come to life, and directing the show has evidently been a great experience for all parties involved.

“Ben and Veronica have changed the course of the way that Harlequin musicals are done,” sophomore Kathleen Sansone, publicity, house, and boxoffice manager for the production said. “They have made the process absolutely seamless and so professional.”

Baylon and Gibson have been actively involved with the Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) here on campus since they started at the College. They have contributed much of their time and effort into the arts, and will continue to do so throughout their future careers.

To reserve your tickets to “Avenue Q” email HarlequinTickets@ gmail.com. Tickets are $1 for students, $5 general admission.

Arts & Entertainment

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Contemplations of a former art student

Representation matters

By Shannen Adamites

Arts & Entertainment Editor e are living in increasingly more progressive times. Every day, more people become aware of important social issues and become more conscious of individuals who may not necessarily fit in to mainstream society’s rigorous standards and expectations.

While we have come a long way, we still have a long way to go, especially as media representation is concerned.

Trans women of color have been scrutinized and disregarded since the early days of the gay rights movement. “Orange is the New Black” made a huge stride in depicting this rarely represented societal minority, featuring trans woman actress and activist, Laverne Cox, as Sophia Burset, the only transgender woman in the prison complex . Her character is exceptionally portrayed as she blatantly calls other characters out on their transphobic ways, and it is unfortunate that many viewers see her iconic act of desperation after being denied estrogen is seen as a moment of “fierceness.”

While all of this is seriously great, several sexual and gender minorities remain ignored. Asexuals have little to no representation whatsoever, or they’re played up as “virgins for life.” Bisexuals, especially bisexual females, are seen as “confused,” and are greatly objectified. Rarely are people with non-binary genders, or genders other than male or female, depicted, and there are still a lot of issues surrounding transgender people, people of different races and ethnicities (that are not blatantly stereotyped), and people with disabilities and mental illness.

I was extremely disappointed when Jared Leto won an Oscar for “Dallas Buyers Club.” I think that it is extremely unfair that he, a cisgender man, was cast and received so much recognition for his role as a transgender woman, when there are several equally talented, and much better qualified trans women actresses who haven’t even been discovered yet.

This casting decision essentially says that trans women are really just men “pretending to be women,” when that could not be farther from the truth.

On a different note, a recent article said that Academy Award winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o, actually helped persuade a young woman of color not to bleach her skin, and told her to embrace her own beauty.

Tell me representation doesn’t matter now.

W

Beacon.MCLA.edu

“Oscar and Felix” is well designed, but poorly written

7

Despite an attractive set and committed cast, “Oscar and Felix” failed to uphold its supposed update.

Review by Raanan Sarid-Segal Arts & Entertainment Writer

There is something rotten at the core of “Oscar and Felix,” the supposed update of the classic comedy “The Odd Couple.” And it can be boiled down to one fact: There is nothing modern about this version, only the basic trappings of modernity. In fact, the play suffered due to the fundamental disconnect between the time and the material, leading me to have one of the less pleasant experiences with a play I have had in a while.

Like many so-called modern updates of classic works, “Oscar and Felix,” fails to change anything substantially enough to be a truly contemporary version of the story. It is the same play, but with the occasional line of dialogue acknowledging the present day.

A common thread in updates of older work is a complete inability to integrate technological changes as if they mean something, and so every time a cell phone showed up in this play, it was used in precisely the way the phone was used in the original.

Despite what I am sure are the best efforts of all involved, this production seemed completely wrongheaded from the begin-

ning, when we see the collegeaged cast trying to project the hangdog energy and air of despair that emanates from every line of the script. These actors, as committed as I am sure they were, lack the age or experience to adequately convey the feelings that the script demands.

This is not to say that the crew did not do their work. The set was appealingly simple, and the color choices were smart and well thought out. The stage was organized to maximize audience appreciation, and the lighting was clear. There were few of the technical bugbears which can haunt college level performances.

However the script is too uneven, shifting between the classic bits from the original and awkwardly shoehorned-in modern qualities, and the performances couldn’t carry the tone of the dialogue.

“The Odd Couple” is justifiably a classic, having premiered in 1965 and going on to be adapted extremely well in 1968 for film.

But part of what makes much of its comedy still work is the distance we now have from the time of writing. It was one thing in the 60’s to make jokes about the character Felix’s atypical and neurotic behavior by equating him to

a woman; it wasn’t immediately seen as misogynistic, homophobic, and cissexist. This update was written in 2002, making its weird anachronisms and decidedly older energy stand out.

Some of the changes, like the replacement of Cecily and Gwendolyn Pidgeon with Ynez and Hoolya Costazuela (who, I might add, are female versions of male characters taken from the “female” version of the play from 1985), read as somewhat racist, not well-meaning diversification of the cast.

singing acapella versions of the songs “How Excellent” and “Ride On King Jesus” with such soul and power that they elicited a loud “Hallelujah” from one of the members of the audience.

“We are a diverse group, and we’re all friends, we all get along, so we wanted to promote that people with different backgrounds can come together through art,” said Melody Rolph, co-president of the Allegrettos.

Following their performance was another parade of models, this time dressed for a set titled “Grudge,” a collection that featured fur coats, velvet skirts, rompers, bustiers, harem pants, and cropped turtlenecks on women and ripped jeans, graphic sweatshirts, and patterned sweaters on men.

“This collection is meant to represent the rebellious side of fashion,” announced Andrews.

Another set titled “The Fab Life” followed Nexxus’s performance.

Female models strutted on the runway to Beyoncé’s “Partition” in blazers and miniskirts, pearls and lace, and fur vests, while the men donned bow ties, ribbon belts, plaid sports coats, and sweaters.

The final collection was titled “All Black Everything,” both a nod to the purpose of the showcase as well as the title of the after party hosted in addition to the show.

Ben Balon and Zack Botkin performing with the Allegrettos gospel choir last year.

Male models wore black t-shirts and jeans, and the ladies boasted peplum and lace tops, shorts, biker vests, sky-high heels and ankle boots all in black, resulting in a very chic finale.

“Asia knew since her freshmanyear that she wanted to throw a big event that would include a fashion show. We made it our Scan for more Allegrettos goal this year to achieve it,” Joseph gospel videos said.

Photo by Shannen Adamites/The Beacon

Marcus Neverson, ‘16, as Oscar and Philip Shedd, ‘17, as Felix engage in verbal combat.

Comedy is notorious for aging poorly. What was once edgy and transgressive is now recognized as oppressive language or relies on information and beliefs that are no longer common. Social standards march on.

The best refuge classic pieces like “The Odd Couple” can find is by remaining time capsules, not trying to keep up with the changing times. Because doing so just shows the age of the material and the whole affair starts to feel sad really quickly.

Black Student Union hosts first showcase

By Rachel Fitterman

Arts & Entertainment Writer The Black Student Union (BSU) hosted its first showcase and fashion show on Friday, featuring both student work and performances by the Allegrettos and Nexxus.

Students piled into the Church Street Center, some dancing to the music blasting from onstage as disc jockey Supreme Vybz remixed old and new favorites. Emcees Asia Andrews, BSU president, and Kenya Joseph, treasurer welcomed everyone with a short dance and opening remarks. The first set of fashion designs was introduced: t-shirts featuring photography from senior Benjamin Mancino.

Student models were styled by BSU members. They stalked up and down the center aisle before returning to the back of the stage, pausing at the end and striking a pose— often to be photographed.

Mancino’s t-shirts were styled casually with shorts and jeans on both males and females. Mancino made an appearance at the end to copious applause, sporting a white sweatshirt with one of his own black and white photos on the front, a camera hanging around his neck.

The gospel section featuring the Allegrettos then took the stage,

Beacon File Photo

8

Sports

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Fair territory

College honors coaching legend

By Kelsey Marini Sports Writer

MLB ousts plays at the plate

By Jesse Collings Sports Editor

The collision at home plate is one of the most extraordinary moments to take place during a baseball game. Not only is it a supremely dramatic affair, but it is also the one real moment of physical violence during a baseball game, that is actually within the rules of play.

MLB is now trying to limit home plate collisions, implanting a new rule for the 2014 season. The rule states that ““a runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). A runner violating the rule shall be declared out, even if the fielder drops the ball.”

On one hand, the rule makes a lot of sense. Often times, a player will intentionally launch himself into the catcher in hopes of jarring the ball loose. This is completely avoidable and really has very little to do with actual skill, just reckless abandon. Often times, like in the much publicized case of Giants catcher Buster Posey, it can result in serious injury.

On the other hand, baseball thrives on short bursts of high drama and tension. In between the monotony of pick-off attempts and intentional walks, there is a play where a runner rounds third and charges towards home plate, while a catcher tries to focus on a throw from a fielder that is coming in hot and heavy. The runner and the ball arrive at nearly the same time, resulting in a climactic bang-bang play at the plate.

Also, baseball is not really a contact sport. The game relies a lot on hand-eye cordination and lightning reactions, but not really pure physical contact. The only real time it comes into play within the rules of the game, is the play at home plate.

The argument toward safety is a tricky one. Sure, everyone is in favor of safety, but when are safety restrictions going to go too far? Former Angles first baseman Kendrys Morales broke his ankle crossing home plate once, why not eliminate that factor from the game as well? Hell, you are more likely to jam a finger or roll an ankle sliding into the plate then you are to getting seriously hurt running into the catcher.

MLB is trying to make the game safer for its players, but it just might end up making more dangerous if it doesn’t properly anticipate the consequences of its rule changes.

Beacon.MCLA.edu

The Athletics department recently inducted six new members into their Hall of Fame, one of whom was retired Men’s Soccer Coach Ronald Shewcraft.

With a total of 33 years of coaching under his belt, Shewcraft amassed an outstanding 292184-46 career record. He led his team to 16 postseason appearances, five MASCAC championships, and the first and only final four appearance. Because of his historic coaching career, the turf field at Joseph Zavattaro Athletic Complex was named after him in 2007 as a tribute to his achievements.

Shewcraft graduated from West Virginia University, where he was the goalie for the men’s team. He spent his first three years of coaching at West Virginia as an assistant. He was also an assistant his first year at MCLA, but quickly made a huge impact on the team.

In 1978, Shewcraft became head coach and in his second year coaching at MCLA, he made history. He helped lead his team to their first and only NCAA final four appearance.

The 1978 team were later inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

His coaching career didn’t end until 2006.

He knew it was going to be his last season but decided not to make a formal announcement.

He did not want his retirement to get in the way of his team and the way they played.

“I only told my family about my decision,” Shewcraft said. “It was a well thought out decision, but I knew it was time.”

His players were initially shocked, but respected his decision. They, too, understood it was his time to retire. He helped pave the way of achievement for many of his players, and they showed their gratitude through their hard work.

“At the end of the day, I love my players and they know that,” Shewcraft said.

He said his coaching style it is consistent, fair,

and demanding, all at the same time.

When recruiting, he looked for players who wanted to work hard to make themselves better.

He referred to one of his favorite quotes: “Luck is really the residue of design.” For Coach Shewcraft, controlling all aspects of the game made the team successful. He made sure his team stayed level-headed and focused on what it took to win each game.

“The only game I wanted to win was the next one,” said Shewcraft. “As a team, we focused on staying in the present.”

Shewcraft admits winning is a great feeling, but there is much more to life than having a successful season. He has always valued the importance of academic success.

When he was head Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon coach, he made sure Shewcraft coached 292 winning Men’s Soccer games at the his players aimed to College. do their best on and tion classes. Because soccer had him always off the field. To Shewcraft, academic success busy and traveling, it took away from other reflected success on the field. aspects of his life. Now, he said he enjoys havShewcraft is still actively involved with the ing time for his family and being around his school, teaching biology and physical educa- wife and kids.

Softball looks to build on success

By James Hunter Sports Writer

It’s that time again. The preseason poll for this year’s softball team is out, picking MCLA to finish second in the 2014 MASCAC . During the previous year, the Trailblazers finished in second, losing in the MASCAC championship game to Bridgewater State.

“We are predicted second, however our expectations are higher than that,” sophomore pitcher Rachel Quackenbush said. “We want to finish first in the league.”

With the return of last year’s MASCAC Rookie of the Year, Quackenbush, the Trailblazers will look to keep the pace they had a year ago, with the push they made to the championship.

Quakenbush was first team All MASCAC, and also led the team in wins and strikeouts.

The Trailblazer will hopefully be able to play on their home field more times Photo from MCLA Athletics this year than last year. The TrailblazThe softball team poses for a photo with alumni after their annual student vs alumni game. ers played all their home games at difyear and coming up with win in the MASCAC “We want to win our last game we play,” ferent location or at the away teams championship. With only losing three players Coach Ameen said. field being the home team.

The Trailblazers will begin their season on “We’re looking forward to actually playing from last years’ team, the Trailblazers bring on our home field this year because we feel back a core group of players including the of- a road-trip in Florida. They will compete in it is an advantage for us, especially in league fensive support from Quackenbush of course the Gene Cusic Classic, a five day series of play,” Quackenbush said. “We know the field along with junior Amanda Meczywor and Mi- games that will feature teams from five different states. MCLA will play a grueling series of and we have our fans behind us to support us chaela DiNicola.

“We have a core group returning from last doubleheaders, playing ten games in five days. as well.”

With winning being the top priority of the year, a lot of young talent on the team,” fourth MCLA went 2-8 last year during the tournaTrailblazers, losing is not an option for them. year head coach Mike Ameen said. “We plan ment. The Trailblazers will have their first home game on March 30th.

Planning to be in the same position as last to have a special season this year.”

Sports

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Men fall to Salem in MASCAC Tournament

By Kaleigh Anderson Sports Writer

Sophomore Paul Maurice ignited MCLA’s comeback in the second half with three straight three-point shots, but Salem’s Bryan Ortiz answered with two of his own, keeping Salem at a lead of 16. MCLA however did not give up, they embarked on a 9-0 run to get back into the game making the score 58-49 with under eight minutes to play.

MCLA came back strong and would get within three points in the final minutes but were forced to foul. Salem’s Hamed Akanni sank two vital free-throws with 32 seconds left, then Andrew White stole the inbounds pass. After another set of Viking free-throws, the lead moved up to seven with 25 seconds left to play. MCLA would drain another three

to get within four and then got a steal. However, after another set of free-throws on Salem’s end MCLA came out with a loss.

“I’m sure the whole team felt like the season was a let down. We were suppose to win it all in our eyes. We did not play well enough to get the job done,” junior Todd Hunt said. “Next year, I expect better from us, which has to happen.”

This game marked the final contest in the careers of MCLA seniors Ramon Viches, John Jones, Tyshawn McGee, James Hunter and Rashard Taylor.

“Next year we have to take care of business and that starts soon. Offseason starts now,” Barbosa said.

After a heartbreaking battle, the top-seeded Salem State Vikings defeated MCLA 82-76 at the Mass. State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament Semifinal on Thursday Feb. 27. The men put up a good fight, coming back early in the second half, however could not fully recover from the deficit. The Vikings move on to Saturday’s championship game where they will host Bridgewater State.

MCLA wraps up its season 9-17.

“We played hard but to me this season was a disappointment and didn’t live up to expectations,” junior Anthony Barbosa said.

Paul Maurice led MCLA with 20 points including five three-pointers.

Jeremic Bennett added 14 points off the bench while Ramon Viches scored 12. John Jones scored 9 points, but did pull down 12 rebounds.

Salem came out strong as the first half ended, holding a 3430 lead. Salem continued to triumph going on a 12-0 Viking run over the opening five minutes to open up a 46-30 lead.

The hosts would lead by as many as 19 points on two different occasions before MCLA finally started to come back after comPhoto by Richard LaRocque/The Beacon mitting some Junior point guard Ruben DelRosario calls for the ball. DelRosario is set to be a key contributor for next season. costly turnovers.

MCLA to host Special Olympics event

By Jesse Collings Sports Editor

MCLA will be hosting a Special Olympics T.R.A.I.N. event on Sunday, April 6. The event will be held in the Amsler Campus Center, and is being presented by the Student Athlete Advisory Committe.

T.R.A.I.N., which stands for Testing Recreational Activities and and Improving Nutrition, is a program that aims to bring the value of nutrition and fitness to Special Olympic participants.

Each participant will be paired with a MCLA student-athlete and will go through a series of educational and physical stations on a circuit at their own pace.

The educational stations will focus on nutiriton and building a balanced place. Participants will learn about food groups, the function of each food group and will practice building balanced plates.

The physical stations will be working on building seven basic

athletic skills; aerobic endurance, balance, coordination, flexibility, power, strength, and speed/agility. The station results will be used to help each athlete discover their strongest skills, which skills to improve, and additional Special Olympics sports to try.

T.R.A.I.N. is open to all people with disabilities, regardless of age and wheelchair participants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Each station will be modified to suit each participants needs.

Registration for the event begins on April 6 from 9:15-9:45 a.m. The event will then take place from 10 a.m. to noon and will include lunch.

The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Participation is on a first-come-first-served basis, as space is limited to 35 participants.

Online registration is now open and available at http://athletics. mcla.edu/information/SAAC/ TRAIN_2014. For more information see MCLA’s atheltics page or contact Assitant to Athletics Director Kaylyn Smith.

9

Scores February 27, 2014 Men’s Basketball MASCAC Semi-Final Salem St. 82, MCLA 76

Schedules March 7 Softball Olivet vs MCLA @ Fort Myers, Florida.

9 a.m.

MCLA vs Newbury @ Fort Myers, Florida 11 a.m.

Baseball East Mennonite vs MCLA @ Auburndale, Florida 2:30 p.m.

March 8 Baseball Becker vs MCLA @ Auberndale, Florida 9 a.m.

Becker vs MCLA @ Auburndale Florida 10:30 a.m.

Softball Dominican vs MCLA @ Fort Myers, Florida 1 p.m.

MCLA vs Elms @ Fort Myers, Florida 3 p.m.

March 9 Baseball MCLA vs Rhode Island College @ Auburndale , Florida 9:30 a.m.

Softball MCLA vs Edgewood @ Fort Myers, Florida 1 p.m.

MCLA vs Rockford @ Fort Myers, Florida 3 p.m.

March 11 Softball MCLA vs Eastern Nazerne @ Fort Myers, Florida 9 a.m MCLA vs St. Joseph’s @ Fort Myers, Florida 7 p.m.

Baseball MCLA vs SUNY-Canton @ Auburndale, Florida 1 p.m.

MCLA vs SUNY-Canton @ Auburndale, Florida 3:30 p.m.

10

Opinion

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Beacon.MCLA.edu

The Beacon

“What are your plans for spring break?”

“I’m going home and will spend time with my parents and cat, and probably sleep.”

“I am going to York, England, London, England, and Edinborough, Scotland.”

–Sarah Lieneck, 2014

–Rhea Werner, 2015

The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed free to the College community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department and from ad revenues.

Contact information: News desk number: 413-662-5535 Business number: 413-662-5404 E-mail: Beacon@mcla.edu Web site: beacon.mcla.edu Office: Mark Hopkins Hall, room 111 Mission Statement The Beacon strives to provide timely and accurate news of campus and local events.

“I’ll be working and hanging out with family and friends.”

“I’m going to Ireland and England.”

– Dani Sylvester, 2015

– Bruce Somes, 2015

Editorials Policy Unsigned editorials that appear on these pages reflect the views of The Beacon’s editorial board.

Signed columns and commentaries that appear on these pages reflect the views of the writers.

Letters Policy The Beacon welcomes Letters to the Editor. Deadline is noon on Mondays for that week’s newspaper.

Letters should be kept to 500 words or less and are subject to editing for grammar and content. The Beacon will not publish anonymous or libelous letters.

“I’m going to Hawaii for the travel course to learn about native Hawaiians and equality and going to the beach.”

“I’m probably going to the University of Vermont to snowboard.”

– Patrick Connors, 2015

-Justina Jordano, 2015

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Editorial Board

Photos compiled by Andrew Ricketts

In my humble opinion...

Non-violence

By Nicholas Arena Editor-in-Chief

With tensions rising between Russia and the Ukraine, the civil war in Syria and the continued United States involvement in the Middle East, war is just another part of our everyday lives we have a tendency to ignore. Death tolls drone out of television sets and radios like white noise to the ever-increasing apathy our society holds toward death and destruction.

The sentiment of non-violence in today’s world can seem almost archaic in this age of constant violence in real life and in the media.

I am not one to argue violent video games and movies make serial killers. I find that claim to be a bit absurd, but there is no denying we are growing densensitized to this level of violence.

As a nation, we usually can’t even try to make peace without being violent. While the discussion with Russia about the Ukraine is currently diplomatic, the United States has never been one to shy away from threatening another country with force for the sake of “peace” or “democracy.”

Maybe we should try using all of this power and influence to actually promote a more pacifistic solution. We could take a play out of Bertrand Russell’s book when he presented the idea of dismantling a country’s armed forces entirely in order to achieve peace.

I am far too realistic to think any country, let alone the United States, would just drop their guns sit complacently. According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation website, in 2012, the US spent more than the next 10 highest defense budgets combined at 682 billion dollars.

But why can’t we be role models? We don’t have to drop everything completely, just spend less, search for more peaceful solutions to global issues, maybe just be nice for a change rather than bullying every other nation senseless.

Think of all of the schools we could build, all of the health care coverage we could provide, and all of the homeless people would could provide shelter to with some of the defense budget diverted elsewhere. Taking baby steps in the right direction might just do something like help solve these crises, and even prevent new ones from happening in the future.

“I’m a lot of fun at parties, I swear!”

Mind your business

By Jess Gamari Managing Editor

Having a room at the top of the stairs, I can confirm there’s nothing more frustrating than climbing all the stairs to realize I have no idea what I needed to do once I got to the top. Was it something I needed to find? How could I have forgotten in such a short span of time?

This phenomenon is called “event boundary,” and it happens to almost every one of us.

Psychology professor Gabriel Radvansky from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana has spent 20 years studying this phenomenon. He suggests that it is the physical passing through doorways which causes these memory lapses.

“Entering or exiting through a doorway serves as an ‘event boundary’ in the mind, which separates episodes of activity and

Editor-in-Chief Nick Arena

files them away,” Radvansky said in his publication in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.

“Recalling the decision or activity that was made in a different room is difficult because it has been compartmentalized.”

Humans have both short and long term memory. After a experiencing several short memories, these memories will then merge into a longer memory for future retrieval.

According to Radvansky’s study, as the brain recognizes new environments it takes a moment to consolidate information from the previous room and leaves out unimportant information.

Radvansky found that as an individual passes through a doorway or gateway, the brain sees it as a new environment and immediately performs this memory consolidation. The mind then switches to adapting into the new room, preparing us for proper behavior such as turning on a light, taking off a jacket or even the mission of closing the door quickly to keep the cat inside. This process is done as the mind’s attempt to keep the mind organized and compartmentalized by packaging a stream of memories. So although frustrating, your mind only means well.

Solutions? Try writing down what you’re looking for or announce what need before you leave. You may feel like a fool, but at least you won’t be wandering around aimlessly at the top of the stairs.

Sports Editor Jesse Collings

Managing Editor Jess Gamari Photography Editor

A&E Editor Shannen Adamites

Kayla Degnan Web Editor Michael Dahlroth

Copy Chief Avery Finnivan Advertising Manager Darcie Sosa

Senior News Editor Gabriel Kogel

Staff Staff Writers Kaleigh Anderson Rachel Fitterman

James Hunter Marc Latour Chunyu “Judy” Leng Kelsey Marini Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Alexander Moore Jenna O’Connor

Photographers Nathan Buchanan Richard LaRocque Amy Modesti Andrew Ricketts

Design Team

Shannen Adamites* Nick Arena* Jess Gamari* Raanan Sarid-Segal Nicole Ngoon Nick Swanson Copy Editors Yvonne Camacho Rominda DeBarros Nicole L’Etoile

Advisers

Jenifer Augur Gillian Jones Jim Niedbalski

*Holds more than one position

Online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Facebook.com/MCLABeacon Twitter.com/MCLA_Beacon

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Bigger than biceps

Be happy about being healthy

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Staff Writer

For some people, knowing about the benefits of exercise is common sense, but for others it’s not as simple. Exercising can have an impact on many aspects of a person’s life, such as sleeping and eating habits, mood changes, and communication with others. Even though exercising only comprises a small part of the day, the results it can have are long-lasting.

Sleeping can be a major problem for everyone, and especially for college students because of constantly hectic schedules, terrible eating patterns, and emotional stress. One simple cure for all of these problems is to exercise and eat a balanced diet.

Exercising for even just an hour a day has been proven to help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer at night.

Instead of stimulating your brain with technology, try having a nightly ritual so that your body has time to relax and get tired.

Your brain requires some time to wind down from the day’s chaos in order to settle into sleep mode.

The reason most people can’t fall asleep until an hour after they lay down is because of the actions that lead up to getting into bed. Exercising during the day will physically tire your body out more than usual and make going to sleep an easier process.

Opinion & Announcements Working out can lead to a boost in energy, along with mental awareness and positive moods.

Whenever I have an off day of eating junk food and no physical activity at all, I turn grumpy quickly and take my anger out on others.

Once I consume something that is out of my usual dietary boundaries, my body notifies me of my poor decisions directly through my feelings toward others. It also affects how I feel as a whole—foggy, lazy, and lethargic.

According to the certified personal trainers I work with, and from personal experiences, exercising stimulates several brain chemicals and also improves oxygen delivery to your heart. This helps the cardiovascular system work effectively, as well as improving your mood with the potential to improve confidence and self-esteem.

By engaging in physical activity on a regular basis, you can avoid possible dangerous health conditions, such as a stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, high cholesterol, and arthritis.

Your body is a direct reflection of what you eat and do, so it’s crucial to listen to it as much as possible. Food is fuel for your body, and filling it with bad options will only give you bad results. The best way to think about it is: eat to live and survive, don’t live to eat.

Ask yourself again, why wouldn’t you want to be happy about being healthy?

Exercise of the week: Plankclimber – Similar to mountain climbers, just in a plank position.

Begin on the floor in a push-up position on your elbows. For 30 seconds, remain in a plank while bringing your right knee up and close to your armpit and back down, (sort of like a frog jump) and then repeating on the other side for one repetition. Keep your abs in tight and your butt down; there should be a straight line from head to heels. This move targets the stabilization of your core and the obliques (love handles) as you bring your legs up and to the side of your body. Perform the exercise for 30 seconds, three times, or in between sets of another muscle exercise.

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUCEMENT FALL REGISTRATION IS HAPPENING SOON! CHECK YOUR SELF-SERVICE BANNER ACCOUNT FOR ANY HOLDS BEFORE YOU REGISTER! The 2014-2015 MCLA Scholarship Brochure will be available soon.

Keep an eye on your FirstClass to be notified when it’s available! *** Scholarship Opportunity Superpower Scholarship Respond (200 words max): “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?”

Deadline March 31st, 2014 www.scholarshipexperts.clickmeter.com/ superpower/

Under the bodhi tree

Calming the mental waters

By Gabriel Kogel Senior News Editor

Out of the blue, a friend I haven’t spoken to in some time messaged me. It was one of those moments when you find yourself thinking about someone, and as if by some unknown force, they seem to manifest.

I told her I’ve been meditating a lot recently, and it’s helped me find inner peace. After inquiring as to my reasons for needing to said inner-peace, she asked if I had any advice on how she might also meditate.

Of course I had advice!

But, first I needed to know what her experience with meditation had been so far. She told me she’d read something about breathing techniques, but couldn’t focus.

Focusing on breathing allows harmony between where many of us spend a good deal of our time, in our overburdened noggins, and our body. Slow, deep breaths relax both mind and body, allowing us to access buried thoughts or feelings, without being overwhelmed by them.

I told her the thoughts and feelings are like waves, they wash over us, and we let them go. After practice, we begin to realize we’re not defined or confined by

the waves. Like oceans, we’re vast and interconnected.

An awareness of a deep truth takes shape in time. We begin to realize that what we’ve been working so hard to achieve, or resisting with all our might, is a product of our egos. As important as the ego-self seems, it can be tremendously freeing to let it go.

I asked my friend if her ego is constantly trying to change something about her life. Yes, she said, she’s always beating herself up. Sometimes, she makes herself ill because of all that negativity. She told me she feels stuck, as if things will never change.

Of course, anyone can relate to her experience. Often, the more we try to change things, the more we run in circles, repeating past mistakes that get us nowhere.

There’s no ‘weird trick’ to releasing the grip of our egos. It’s as simple as letting go, and accepting ourselves exactly as we are. The ironic thing is, when we accept ourselves as we truly are, without judgment or criticism, it frees us to change in an authentic way.

She told me her negative thoughts are worst when she’s trying to go to bed, and at those times they can become overwhelming. She pushes the thoughts away, but they always return.

I asked her to imagine the thoughts waves. Instead of pushing them away, lean into them, and feel their full force. Forgive the fear, the sadness, the anger, and allow them to wash over you.

By facing the repressed parts of our consciousness, we still the waters, so to speak, creating a more placid sea.

This technique may be too intense for trauma survivors.

In situations where excessively strong emotions arise, it may be more beneficial to seek the ear of a therapist or counselor. Namaste.

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Check it out!

Upcoming events on and off campus!

Today, March 6 International Women’s Day info Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11a.m. -2 p.m.

All Around the World Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.

The Write Stuff Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 3 -5 p.m.

Green Living Seminar Murdock Conference Reception 4:30- 6:30 p.m.

FSO Model Call Amsler Campus Center Racquetball Court 1 6- 7 p.m.

Tricks of the Trade: Creative Economy: Education & Training Gallery 51 6 p.m.

Friday, March 7 All Around the World Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 10 a.m. -7 p.m.

Spring Break Bus Trip to Boston March 7 to 16 Departure and return time 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 Saturday Night Chat Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 7 - 9 p.m.

Barrington Stage Company Performance and Reception Church Street Center Auditorium and Social Hall 7- 10 p.m.

Barrington Stage CompanyReception Church St. Center Founder’s 10- 11 p.m.

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Photo Essay

Thursday, March 6, 2014

InterGreek Council President Mike Vogt plays guitar as Chris Tate, president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, recites poetry.

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Seniors Phil McInerney and Keehan Saxton serenade the crowd with their rendition of “Let’s Duet” from the film Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Open Mic Night

Sponsored by InterGreek Council and Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Photos By Richard LaRocque

Senior Cory Flood performs an animated standup comedy routine.

Junior Jondavid Shetler plays ukulele, tambourine and drums while singing in his act.

At right, Junior Ryan Walters reads poetry by fellow Junior Cidney James. James, (not pictured) followed the act by reading poetry from Walters.