Swinging Bridge Magazine: December 2018

THE

SWINGING B R I DG E THE PULSE MAGAZINE

ETHAN'S STORY

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E T H A N VA N BOCHOVEN

10

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

DECEMBER 2018

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THE

SWINGING B R I DG E VOLU M E 1 0 3

EDITION 9

STUDENT DIRECTOR DAKOTA VAUGHN

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

DEC. 2018

ASST. STUDENT DIRECTOR AMBER CLEMENS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MEGAN BOMBA

ART DIRECTOR GRACE DEMMER

ONLINE EDITOR MADDIE CONLEY

DESIGN ASSISTANTS ELI FORD

STUDENT LIFE EDITOR MAEGAN NEGRON

NATALIE MOEY CULTURE EDITOR CHARMAINE LIM

MEGAN SPORY

SPORTS & REC EDITOR LILLIAN KASHISHIAN

AUDIO & VISUAL MANAGER KAI YUEN LEONG WEB MANAGER KELLY WEBBER

AUDIO & VISUAL ASSISTANTS BUSINESS MANAGER OLIVIA CRAWFORD LAKE BENDER JOSH YODER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER MARISA HARRIS

Monday - Friday | 1pm - 5pm 717-691-6081 1 COLLEGE AVENUE SUITE 3058 MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055

(Downstairs South Wing of the Larsen Student Union) The Swinging Bridge Magazine is published through The Pulse: Messiah College Media Hub, run by students. The Pulse consists of Pulse Radio, The Clarion yearbook, and The Swinging Bridge Magazine. The Swinging Bridge staff strives to publish quality student writing, photography, and design.

O

ne of my favorite professors has this saying: “You must celebrate your last ta-dah before you start your next to-do.” (Shoutout to Dr. Nance McCown!)

This is a great lesson that everyone should practice. In this high-tempo world we live in, we rarely take the time to reflect on our accomplishments for more than a minute. We quickly move on to the next task, failing to recognize that we were able to create, submit or present something amazing. It becomes just another check on the to-do list.

This semester has brought highs and lows for all of us. Heck, I took on managing a magazine.

While there were a few snags along the way, I choose to celebrate that this is the third issue of the semester— and dare I say the best one yet.

We’re reflecting on the semester within this issue, and there’s plenty of which to be proud.

As we finish up this fall semester, I want to challenge each and every one of you to take the time to reflect on all that was accomplished in these four months. Whether you met your goals in classes or other activities, you can always find something to celebrate.

Enjoy reading my ta-dah!

Race me to the back cover,

Megan Bomba Editor-In-Chief

To learn about job and volunteer opportunities, email thepulse@messiah.edu.

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TABLE

OF

STUDENT LIFE

CULTURE

6 CAMPUS CLOSET NOVEMBER WEAR

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CULTURAL CALENDAR

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8

SPORTS & REC

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THE COMEBACK KID HUNTER ZONDORY

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FROM FIRST YEAR TO GRADUATION

2018

A YEAR WORTH REMEMBERING

SENIOR ATHLETE REFLECTION

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24

30

ETHAN'S STORY

ETHAN VAN BOCHOVEN

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HOLIDAY TRADITIONS CHILDHOOD & NOW

18 MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER

2018

THE MEANING OF MASCULINITY

NEW YEAR NEW ME

linguist

global traveler

teacher

Dr. Seaman, who has taught English to non-native speakers around the world, has developed a vast network. By pursuing an M.A. in TESOL at Wheaton, you benefit from the department’s global connections to schools, universities, and agencies for internships and placements after graduation.

Dr. Alan Seaman Director of TESOL Professor of Intercultural Studies

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

BY HALEY MONG

W

orshipping God happens in ways that coordinate with our daily living. It is important to have set-apart quiet time with God and helpful to include prayer into the boring parts of our daily routine. Worshipping God shows our obedience to His constant calling over us and helps clear our minds so that we can focus on the things above.

We typically think of worship as prayer, singing and reading the Bible, and these are all good things, but worship is a continual heart practice. We can worship God merely by thinking of His goodness, surrendering our burdens and worries to Him, seeking Him in nature and people, aligning our senses, emotions, and mindset with His truth and sharing the gospel.

Psalm 63:1 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

wheaton.edu/GradTESOL

Here, David articulates his constant need for the Lord as well as his obedience in finding Him in the good and hard times.

We are created for Him and through Him for the purpose of worshipping our God. “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise,” says Isaiah 43:21.

We are formed and called to pursue God and worship Him continually and we must show the same obedience as David saying to God,

“I earnestly seek you.”

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STUDENT LIFE

CAMPUS NAT E BAU M Senior communication major Nate Baum is loving the fall weather, which he declares as his favorite season. As he gets dressed each morning, his outfit directly reflects his mood.

“Honestly, there’s not really a system to it. It just depends on the day and how I’m feeling that morning. I think my clothes tend to reflect how I’m feeling on any particular day,” Baum explains.

The majority of his outfit was thrift finds or trades from years ago. He is a big fan of retro clothing, and he looks for out-of-the-ordinary pieces from Community Aid. “My go-to pieces are probably the YES hoodie shirt and the patterned pants in the picture taken. The YES hoodie is one of my favorite thrift finds ever, and I got the patterned pants in a trade with a friend,” Baum adds about his outfit.

Baum pulls inspiration from many parts of his life for his style.

“It’s a mixture of retro, sports fan, thrifty, 80s/90s, HipHop, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Kramer from Seinfeld, Ugandan, outdoors/hiking clothing, etc... To sum it up accurately, my style encompasses who I am, and who I am is kind of a little bit of everything. My clothing style is a combination and reflection of my life experiences, the people I’ve gotten to know over the years, places I’ve been, and the passions I’ve had.”

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CLOSET

STUDENT LIFE

BY MEGAN BOMBA

JUSTINE SA NPHILLIPO Junior studio art major Justine Sanphillipo’s style is oneof-a-kind. At an early age, Sanphillipo modeled her fashion after the black and white movies she watched, and her mother recreated the pieces from patterns found at antique stores. Eventually, Sanphillipo and her mother turned it into a business.

“I’ve always loved the clothing from movies from the 30’s and 40’s, and I always wanted to wear them… I design them and pick the fabric, and my mom makes them,” Sanphillipo explains about the process.

Sanphillipo wears many of the pieces made by her mother, including the ones she dons in the photo. Other pieces are either found at antique shops and flea markets or were handed down by family members.

As she gets dressed in the morning, Sanphillipo picks whatever she is feeling, regardless of the weather.

“I kind of base it on how I feel; I just look at the patterns and see what looks appealing that day,” Sanphillipo says. She continues, “I guess [my style] would be vintage flair. I have a lot of vintage pieces at home, but I keep them at home to preserve them in case of getting paint or wearing them down from my backpack.”

If you are interested in getting clothing made by the Sanphillipos, check out Wilma’s Past on Etsy!

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STUDENT LIFE

FROM FIRST YEAR

t o GRADU

M

ost Messiah students can remember move in day—the newness, the dorms, the bustling and unboxing of all of the absolutely necessary items to decorate the room. The excitement of meeting a new roommate was enough to make anyone feel ready to move out, but the candle light ceremony was enough for us to never want to leave home. In a blink of an eye, four years have passed and suddenly you’re shopping for real dishes instead of instant Cup O’ Noodles.

For senior Christina Edmunds, or C.J. as many fondly call her, reflecting on memories over the past years has allowed her to create a timeline of who she was versus who she is today. Edmunds opened up about where her experience at Messiah began. So, what had the biggest impact during her freshman year?

“Definitely My RA. Her name was Molly and she was super energetic, and welcoming and made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. I remember my transition to Messiah and having her was important to have someone to talk to.

I also remember the girls I lived with. They were great people. I was blessed with a really great friend group.”

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STUDENT LIFE

ATION

BY MAEGAN NEGRON

When reflecting on one of the most impactful moments in her college career, Edmunds recalled, “It was like a three hour version of Powerhouse. I don’t remember what it was called, but it involved singing and workshops. I went with my group of friends, and this event allowed us to grow closer. The worship and workshop allowed for my friends and I to open up about personal issues and personal wellbeing and I could feel us getting closer as friends. As a result, we are still close till this day.”

Messiah represents change in many ways. For Edmunds, her view of not only leadership but salvation was greatly impacted in her time being a Resident Assistant sophomore and junior year.

While discussing faith and leadership Edmunds began to recall a time during her role as an RA in a first year dorm, “There have been a lot of little moments that have shown me what I need to work on. Junior year, one of my residents decided she wanted to do a prayer night. It was always on a night where I was busy. She always invited me and one night I decided to go. It was the first time I experienced communal prayer differently. I walked away challenged and encouraged. I walked away thinking ‘you can do this.’”

Questioning your purpose is something most if not all Messiah students have struggled with at some point in the fouryear journey. Choosing majors is one of the most daunting tasks. The idea that choosing a field determines your future is overwhelming to say the least. Edmunds was very real about her decision to choose business and why she continues to pursue that field today.

CHRISTINA AND HER RESIDENTS AT A FLOOR EVENT

Edmunds explained, “I enjoy business, but I picked my major because I knew I could probably get a job in it. I don’t feel a strong connection but I do enjoy certain aspects of business. Like when I took public relations classes and I loved it. I love how companies works. I love the human aspect of it. I like learning about why some business are successful and other aren’t.”

Edmunds is motivated by passion and practicality. She not only chose to focus on working on her grades but on herself as well. As a previous homeschooler, Edmunds expressed her desire to graduate a more relational person with genuine interest in others and others in her.

“I wanted to become better relationally and I think a lot of that has to do with Residence Life. They teach you a lot about how to form relationships. I definitely know that I have areas of improvement, but I feel as though I achieved the beginning of my goal,” says Edmunds.

Life after Messiah is hopeful for Edmunds and as she leaves a more developed person the ones coming in after have an experience of a lifetime to expect here at Messiah. Looking back on this year alone be encouraged, from here on out, to form genuine relationships, get involved and love what you do. You can do this.

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STUDENT LIFE

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DECEMBER

2018

STUDENT LIFE

Ethan’s STORY REFLECTIONS ON A LIFE WELL LIVED AND WELL LOVED

BY MADELINE SPIVEY

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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STUDENT LIFE

“A JOYFUL AND INTENTIONAL MAN OF GOD.”

“THE BRILLIANT FLOWER YOU DON’T SEE UNTIL YOU’VE LOOKED PAST THE BRIGHT ONES. BUT IT’S ALWAYS THERE AND YOU ALWAYS NOTICE IT, BUT YOU NEVER REALIZE HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS.”

“VIBRANTLY ALIVE…JOYFUL… A LOT OF GUSTO.”

“THE MOST ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF JESUS I’VE EVER SEEN IN A PERSON.”

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T

hese are just a few of the ways friends of Ethan Van Bochoven described him in recent interviews.

While loss is something we must all inevitably deal with, the passing of a young person often seems more difficult to process. On Friday, October 12, Ethan was involved in a fatally tragic, multi-car collision on Interstate 83. The driver responsible for his death, and the death of two others, was under the influence at the time of the incident, according to newspaper accounts. No one expected to come back from fall break to find that a beloved member of Messiah’s community was no longer there.

Ethan was a senior music major, and was involved in Messiah’s worship community, Powerhouse, and the Messiah College Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he was the manager of the men’s lacrosse team for two years. He was clearly well invested on campus and, in turn, had numerous meaningful connections.

Many who knew him were willing to share memories of Ethan in an attempt to pay tribute to this young man who left a lasting impact on his friends and others in the college community. His beaming smile seemed to be his signature, along with his unapologetic greetings.

STUDENT LIFE

Ethan was, well, just Ethan, according to those who knew him best. Dr. Douglas Curry, the campus worship pastor, reflected on Ethan’s contribution to various worship outlets across Messiah, “He wasn’t present one way in rehearsal, and then suddenly magnanimously present in a different way in worship,” Dr. Curry explained. “He was Ethan. He was just himself. I don’t think he was concerned about being anything else. I can learn from that.”

As Dr. Curry looks ahead to the Baccalaureate service during Commencement week, he acknowledges how deeply Ethan will be missed: “I’m thinking about that now, in advance of that, I’m hearing songs of the community that should sound a certain way with his musical and person influence, and I can’t hear them the same way.”

Curry explains, “I can’t replace that; I won’t replace that, but I will find a way to honor it.”

Whether worshipping on Messiah’s stage or practicing his beloved violin in his room, Ethan’s passion for music went beyond his own ability to play. His roommate Brandon Baumer recalls how Ethan influenced him musically. “I started learning how to play guitar and ukulele this year, and the way [Ethan] was constantly encouraging

me, and even though I was playing at such a low level, he could just play along and make me feel like, ‘I can do music.’ He found joy not only in playing music himself, but he was just so encouraging and loving in helping me to play music.”

Many who were interviewed mentioned Ethan’s outstanding musical abilities, along with his flair for bluegrass-styled music and the unique sound he was able to produce.

“Ethan was a joy to be around,” recalls Priscilla Paino, who often served in the worship community with him.

“He was absolutely amazing at improvising on the violin. He brought a whole other element to music when he would play in Powerhouse. It came so naturally and exposed his heart for worship,” adding, “He laid it all out, always seeming very confident and wanting to bring joy, excellence, and fun into every situation.”

“We all knew he had Christ…we didn’t just connect [that] he was also a great violinist,” quipped fellow music major, Josh Song. “There are a lot of great violinists in the world…but Ethan was more than that.”

E T HA N ( C EN T ER ) WI T H HI S F AMI LY

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STUDENT LIFE

Kris Tanquist also recalled experiencing Ethan’s kind spirit and intentionality. Tanquist, another of Ethan’s roommates, stated, “He would ask good questions; he asked questions that weren’t fun to answer, and sometimes those people are the most annoying and the best, but he never made it annoying.”

Many were, and continue to be, inspired by Ethan’s genuine living. “I think Ethan taught me how to love unconditionally, and really have an open mind to what other people were saying or doing,” said Eric Faught, another of Ethan’s roommates. “He taught me that love is an action and that people see we’re Christians and we have a walk of faith by our actions and not our words.”

According to Danny Baker, a fellow member of worship community and Powerhouse, “Ethan’s life, and the God that he served, and the love that he showed was authentic, it was real.” Ethan was not only committed to loving life to the fullest, but in doing so for the glory of Christ.

“Just from his character, I don’t think he would want us to mourn him,” Tanquist said. “He would want us to enjoy the days that we have and want us to live them to the fullest, and not like YOLO, but the other side of “you only live once,” make it right, life is short, do it right.”

Reflecting upon the ways Ethan influenced those around him, Dr. Curry encapsulated what many had to say about Ethan’s way of life, a lesson to all: “Be present in the moment, don’t overwhelm yourself with concern about the moment or the next thing to come, but be present with people, be present with the artistry that God has given… it’s meant to be shared, shared together in community.”

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2018

man of God

It was not just those that lived with Ethan who saw something special in the New Jersey native. Timothy Dixon, Ethan’s music advisor, said, “He was a really great model of really being concerned and caring about people around him, [in]a lot of little ways, from the way he would say “hello,’ it was clear that he meant it. He was a great model for proactive love in the world.”

joyful

Ethan was deliberate in the time he spent with friends and one of his apartment-mates, Baumer, was one of the recipients of such care. “He was always intentional about the time he had with people,” Baumer explained. “He was busy with his music schedule, but if he ever had five minutes with you, he always had the opportunity to get to know you, he would always make sure to ask not just how you’re doing, but what things he could be praying for…like get deeper in how you’re doing than just surface level.” Baumer had known Ethan since they met during their freshman year.

STUDENT LIFE

HOLIDAY

TRADITIONS childhood & now

BY NATALIE VERMUELEN The crisp chill of the air and bare branches of trees whisper that the seasons might be changing to something colder. Though the coming of winter may equate to the semester’s culmination in finals, it also signifies something a bit more joyful—the Christmas season. Colorful lights adorning the branches of evergreen trees, the scent of warm cookies filling the house, and the sound of cheerful carols drifting through the air begin to appear as people start feeling the mood of celebration. However, all festivities might not fit into this cookie-cutter mold.

From childhood to adulthood, Christmas is a time to be joyful, and each Messiah student has his or her own special traditions that make this holiday feel like home.

For sophomore Lydia Pebly, Christmas traditions on her farm in Kennett Square, Pa. are comfortable and full of family.

Thanks to her mom, Christmas music begins playing the day after Thanksgiving, as well as the decorating of the house.

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Every year, her family takes a trip to get its Christmas tree. Pebly, her three younger siblings and her parents all pile into their car to drive to a couple’s home with an extra lot for growing trees. With homemade tomato soup in hand to give to the tree-growing hosts, the Peblys begin the search for their tree.

“My siblings and I will play hide-and-seek and tag in the trees,” Pebly explains. “My mom is super picky so it always takes us forever, but usually we end up coming back to one at the beginning.”

Once home, they decorate the tree with white lights, ribbons, and a collection of antique ornaments including some from Russia from where Pebly’s little sister is adopted. Beneath the tree, Pebly’s mom piles gifts wrapped in brown butcher paper with homemade name tags, tied with color-coded ribbons.

Christmas tradition has also been a constant in the life of junior Helen Kahler.

Even despite growing up in a military fam-

ily that required constant moving. Whether in South Korea, Texas, Japan or Ohio, the Kahlers also begin decorating their home the day after Thanksgiving. The past few years, they have included two trees: one from the States and one from Korea.

The Kahlers bake as part of their holiday traditions. Even though she admits that cookies are a typical tradition, it was special for Kahler as a kid.

“We could eat cookies at not-normal times, you know, like during the morning—something wild,” she adds.

STUDENT LIFE The Kahler Christmas would not be complete without homemade gingerbread houses for which her mom would plan measurements and bake with Kahler and her two siblings. They each got to choose a design and then decorate their houses together.

“I liked to design the house based on the house we were living in at the time,” Kahler explains.

Although many of her traditions look the same, the focus has shifted a bit for Kahler.

Today, Christmas is more about being with food, family, and fellowship.

Food and family are just as important for junior Jireh Bagyendera, who celebrates Christmas at home in Uganda. Each year, Christmas festivities begin when Bagyendera, his younger sister and their parents make the seven-hour road trip to visit his grandparents in the country. First stop: his dad’s house in Kabale, which means “the land of many hills.”

“It’s the closest you can get to Heaven on Earth, I’m pretty sure,” Bagyendera says.

As soon as they arrive on the 23rd, they are greeted with hugs from his dad’s seven brothers and their families. They are also met with lots and lots of food: rice, chicken, pork, beef, broth, tea, and a dish called matoke made of mashed and steamed green bananas. There’s always loud conversation to fill the home as everyone eats their meal together.

While the family sings, the door to the house is left open.

“You’ve got a bunch of random people from the neighborhood walking in because it’s a Ugandan thing— hospitality,” he says. “Anyone comes in, you offer them food, [and] they talk, share their story, how their life is doing. It’s a night that never ends.”

After a few days of family in Kabale, Bagyendera and his family head over to his mom’s home of Rukungiri.

For Bagyendera, Christmas is not just one day, but a season: “23rd [of December] to the first of January, that’s my zone, that’s my happiest time of the year,” he says.

According to Bagyendera, Christmas in America cannot compare to Christmas in Uganda. He discovered this his freshman year at Messiah when he spent the holiday with a Ugandan family in the United States, which paled in comparison to the yearly traditions celebrated at home. America is overstuffed with decoration, shopping, and gifts. “[At] Christmas, Jesus is the gift,” he says.

Whether the holiday season involves hunting for trees, making gingerbread houses that look like home, or climbing through the hills of Uganda, Christmas is a time of tradition reminiscent of childhood that brings families together to celebrate this season of joy.

After dinner, they all pile into the living room, filling couches and chairs and any open space for a time of music.

“My grandma likes to worship, so we have worship in Rukiga, which is the language spoken in Kabale,” he explains.

The room is soon filled with the sound of drums and singing as the family joins together in catchy Christmas hymns. Bagyendera’s favorite is “Omwana Akazarirwa,” which means “a child is born.”

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STUDENT LIFE

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

BY CHARMAINE LIM

C

18

hange can be scary, but it can also be a beautiful opportunity. At a time when we’re looking toward a new year, it’s common for each of us to reflect on the changes we’ve gone through and the ones we’re expecting. Like many of us, Messiah College is also expecting a change in the future.

Conversation with some board members and committees surrounding the change began over five years ago. Initially, it was focused on broadening the reach for international student recruitment but later considered the number of academic schools and range of programs that Messiah offered.

Recently, President Kim Phipps announced that Messiah College will transition to Messiah University by July 1, 2020. To some, it may have come as a surprise, but the transition has come out of an active plan over the past two years to determine if this is the best decision for the school.

“It’s a full two years of consistent study, but probably five years of thinking about it and having different conversations,” Phipps said.

DECEMBER

2018

STUDENT LIFE

With four academic schools – Arts; Humanities; Business, Education and Social Sciences; and Science, Engineering and Health – at the undergraduate level, Messiah has been operating at the level of a university for several years. The addition of the graduate program eight years ago has also informally changed the status of Messiah. Recently, Messiah also added its first doctorate program in nursing, and is preparing to add physical therapy to the doctorate program as well.

“We knew that in order to continue to offer really strong undergraduate programs, we needed to consider developing graduate [programs],” Phipps said. “I also think that as Christians, we’re called to be in every corner and every sector of society, so it made sense as a Christian college to add that.”

“We’re already operating as a university, so now the name will match what we’re doing,” Todd Abbott, student body president, said.

Over the past two years, Phipps has worked with a task force consisting of campus administration, staff, faculty and student representatives to research the best way for Messiah to make this transition, both in timing and in the manner of breaking the news. Focus groups were conducted among current students and alumni. In addition, a recommendation was brought before the Board of Trustees, and several meetings occurred between Phipps and the community of college senate, the college council and the Student Senate.

“We really want to take the time to do it well,” Phipps said. “I really want to use it as an opportunity to tell our story, that we really have become a university. The breadth of programs that we have, the thriving international student population – we want that to grow.”

The careful effort in planning paid off on October 19, 2018 when the Board of Trustees approved the decision to transition Messiah College to Messiah University.

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STUDENT LIFE tion during Homecoming 2020, and a media group tasked with telling the story of the transition.

To address concerns that students might be wary or scared of the transition, Abbott said, “Nothing is becoming different besides the title, which more accurately reflects the status of the great things that our institution is doing. What convinced me was realizing that we did go through the different phases that changed over time. It’s not that we were Messiah College for a hundred years and we’re throwing that away. We’ve evolved over time and this is just the final step in going through that process.”

“I stopped for a moment and looked out at them and I said, ‘I want you to realize that this is a historic moment. There were people who started the college and there were visionary people in the 20s who took it to Messiah Bible College and later Messiah College, and the decision we made today is a historic one,’” Phipps said.

Phipps said that a full communication plan will be given to students and the campus in regard to specific information about the changes that come with transitioning to Messiah University.

Conversations with presidents of other universities who made the same change encouraged Phipps to take her time with this transition, as those who made more immediate changes expressed a regret that they did not take the chance to tell the story of the institution. In taking the next year and a half to make the transition, Phipps is placing an emphasis on the journey that Messiah has gone through over the past 109 years and the story that will continue to unfold for the institution and its members.

“I think it’s an exciting show of how far we’ve come in the 109 years we’ve been here,” Abbott said. “We started as the Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home, to Messiah Bible College, to Messiah College, and now we’ve finally self-actualized as Messiah University. I think it’s been 109 years in the making, and I’m glad that we get to be a part of this historic change.”

Another one of the goals with this transition is for Messiah to be able to gain a wider international presence and increase the chances for international students to apply. Not only will the university title make it clearer that Messiah is an institution for higher education, it also makes it easier for international students to find Messiah during the college application process.

In many countries outside of America, college is associated with high school or secondary school, rather than higher education.

It’s often understood to be a vocational program that students can go to instead of a university. However, in the United States, college is often synonymous with university. The biggest difference is in the range of undergraduate programs offered and how many schools are within its system.

“It’s a better expression of who we are as an institution,” Phipps said. “And I think what I love about Messiah’s story is that Messiah was founded as a Christ-centered institution and that has never changed. But what changed over the years is the opportunity to educate women and men for all kinds of disciplines.”

To help make the process smoother for everyone, Phipps plans to put together an implementation team. The team will consist of a member of the Student Government Association, a group to work on marketing and branding, a group to manage operations and logistics such as changing banners, a group to organize a celebra-

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“I think what I’m most excited about is getting the appropriate recognition for the excellence and the breadth of educational programming and the Christian commitment that exists here at Messiah College,” Phipps said. “I think this is an opportunity, in making this change, to tell that story well.”

CULTURE

C

Cultural Calendar

BY LEANNE TAN ultural events are not only a great way to celebrate cultural diversity, but also to foster friendship and understanding between people of different beliefs and ethnic backgrounds. Here you will find a list of some cultural events and festivals taking place in 2019.

JANUA RY

1-31 Jewish American Heritage Month An annual recognition of Jewish American achievements and contributions to U.S. history.

21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1-31 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month A full-month celebration of the culture, traditions and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the States.

An international day of remembrance designated to commemorate victims, survivors and rescuers in the Holocaust during World War II.

F EBRUA RY 1–28 Black History Month A month-long event dedicated to remembering and celebrating significant contributions of African Americans throughout the nation’s history.

5 Lunar New Year Widely celebrated in Asian countries such as Korea, Vietnam and China, the Lunar New Year is a time of family reunions, celebration and FOOD!

5 Cinco De Mayo Often mistaken in the U.S. for Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16), this holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s underdog victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

6- Ramadan Jun.4 A month of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur’an to Muhammad.

O CTO BER 9

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21 Holi Also known as the festival of colors, this Hindu spring festival signifies the changing of seasons and triumph of good over evil.

31 Cesar Chavez Day A federal holiday set aside to commemorate the life and achievements of Mexican-American farm worker Cesar Chavez who was a civil rights activist and labor leader.

A P RIL 19-27 Passover Celebrated by Jews to commemorate God’s faithfulness in delivering them from slavery in ancient Egypt.

21 Easter

19 Juneteenth An annual celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the U.S.

DECEMBER 16-24

Las Posadas A Mexican Christmas tradition commemorating the journey Joseph and Mary made in search of a safe place for Mary to give birth to the baby Jesus.

22-30

Hanukkah

J ULY 18 Mandela Day

12 Eid al-Adha Celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

National Native American Heritage Month A time to acknowledge important contributions of Native Americans and celebrate their diverse cultures and histories. Additionally, it is also a time to reflect on the challenges and injustices they face, and how they can be overcome.

A joyous celebration to mark the end of Ramadan.

AU GUST

Diwali

NOV EMBER 1-30

5 Eid Al-Fitr

Celebrated annually on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, this day serves to remember and honor Mandela’s efforts in fighting for peace, justice, democracy and reconciliation.

Yom Kippur Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. On this day, Jews commit themselves to fasting, prayer and repentance.

Widely known as the festival of lights, Diwali is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism. This festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.

J UNE M AR CH

National Hispanic Heritage Month This event serves to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans, as well as highlight their achievements and contributions to the nation.

MAY

20 World Religion Day A Baha’i inspired idea that emphasizes the similarities between religions in an effort to unify humanity.

27 UN Holocaust Memorial Day

SEP TEMBER 15Oct.15

A Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

26Jan.1

Kwanzaa A week-long celebration revolving around community, family and culture, aimed at helping African Americans connect with their African roots.

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CULTURE

A YEAR WORTH REMEMBERING

BY CELICA COOK

As 2018 quickly comes to a close, people start to break out their papers and pens to write down their resolutions for the coming year.

While striving to do well and accomplish your personal goals is a good and healthy practice, it is also good and healthy to recognize and be proud of the accomplishments you have already made in the past year.

Christiana Martin, a junior English major, spoke about some new and exciting experiences that 2018 had to offer her.

During a summer road trip from her hometown back to Messiah’s campus, she decided to face her fear of driving long distances alone and take to the road to visit a friend that was working on campus over the summer.

“I drove by myself, and it was scary because driving makes me very anxious, but I got up here, and we had a good time,” Martin said.

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Campus life had also shifted for Martin this year, from living in a dorm to living in a house – a change that she said has been an extremely helpful learning experience.

“Living in a house teaches you so much about yourself,” Martin said. “You really don’t know how little patience you have until you live in a house with people you’ve known and lived with before, but I think that is a really good thing because God is using it to sharpen my faith in Him, and just to sort of grow who I am.”

For Martin, 2018 was a year for trying out new things, facing and conquering old fears and testing her boundaries, which ultimately lead to further self-discovery and spiritual growth.

As for the time left in 2018, she is excited to see where else God is planning on leading her.

“There is just so much that I want to do,” Martin said. “But there’s so much that I don’t know whether or not God wants me to do, so I’m just looking forward to developing as a human in Christ.”

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For Kennedy O’Shea, a junior economics major, 2018 brought with it the promise of new adventures. Next spring, she takes flight to Oxford for a study-abroad program, and she finds that this past year has been influential in her decision to take her next semester to another country.

“I started getting really passionate about what I’m majoring in,” O’Shea said. “I found my circle within the economics majors, so that’s really cool.”

As she takes her studies to England next semester, she will take what she’s learned from this year and have further opportunities for growth and self-exploration as she works to find not only her place at Messiah, but in the world.

Johnny Thurber, a sophomore psychology major, found that 2018 presented him with some struggles that made it a more difficult year in his life, but he was able to find peace in the midst of it all and learn some valuable lessons along the way.

He found that even when life seemed difficult, listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and resting in the peace of God was not only uplifting for him, but for others who were facing difficulties as well, as he was able to be a positive influence on them.

“Each day brings its own opportunity to be a blessing to other people,” Thurber said. “We all have opportunities to be the body of Christ and be examples of Jesus, and each day I look forward to uplifting others.”

Though this was a year of trials for Thurber, he overcame them by digging deep into his faith and allowing God’s grace to pour out of him, and into others. For Thurber, it was still a year of incredible spiritual growth.

Senior public relations major Charmaine Tan spent her year working on some new projects that she feels added incredible value to her life. From getting her lifeguard certification to editing books for

various authors, Tan had many positive learning experiences this past year.

“I emailed a couple of authors whose books I read and said, ‘Hey, do you need someone to help you edit it?’” Tan said. “I don’t get paid or anything, but it’s cool because I get the books for free and I get to read them for free.”

As she prepares for graduation this December, Tan is thankful for these new experiences not only as a few great additions to her resumé, but as a beneficial addition to her 2018 experience.

Brian Ong, a senior economics major, had a year full of fried Oreos, funnel cake and a lot of fun.

“I went to the drive-in for the first time and watched The Incredibles 2,” Ong said. “It was really fun. I tried deep fried Oreos for the first time. It was really nice. I loved it, and I tried funnel cake for the first time.”

In addition to his drive-in theater adventures, Ong had the opportunity to go to The Lights Fest in Harrisburg.

“It was really fun,” Ong said. “I went with a few friends, and it was really heart-warming and nice.”

As a senior graduating in December, Ong is thankful for the quality time he got to spend with his roommate this past summer.

“This summer I grew really close to him, and it was really fun,” Ong said. “He is someone that I would say is a really good friend right now.”

For some, 2018 was a year full of new and exciting experiences, and for others, it was a year filled with difficulties and hardship. Overall, it was still a year full of immense personal and spiritual growth through a combination of both positive and negative experiences, making 2018 truly a year to remember.

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CULTURE

THE MEANING OF MASCULINITY

BY CHARMAINE LIM

O

ver the past few years, society has begun to question what it means for men to act like men. In the age of men behaving badly and the rise of the #MeToo movement, it’s becoming more important to think about what role masculinity and manhood has in the influence of media and society.

In a TEDTalk in November 2017, actor Justin Baldoni spoke about why he’s done trying to be“man enough” to fit into the roles that society has cast him in. Baldoni poked fun at his onscreen roles playing shirtless, charismatic men in order to prove a point that in being a conventionally attractive man, he’s been tasked to embody a different kind of masculinity than what he sees in himself.

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Merriam-Webster defines masculinity as “having qualities appropriate to or usually associate with a man.” With that definition comes the question – what are the qualities that we associate with or think are appropriate for men?

One of the first things that might come to mind is sports. In our early years, we’re taught that boys play sports outside while girls play with toys inside. Boys are encouraged to try out for sports and to be athletic in P.E. classes at school. The athletic ones are showered with praise, reinforcement and popularity among peers and adults. On the other hand, less athletic boys are often criticized for having those skills and told that athleticism is the key to success in society.

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We’ve taught our boys to be masculine by having deep voices, visible muscles, dominant personalities and not showing emotion. We’ve raised them to believe that strength is about physical size, that emotions are feminine and weak and that having the loudest voice in the room is the height of being recognized.

“I’ve been pretending to be a man I’m not my entire life,” Baldoni said. “I’ve been pretending to be strong when I felt weak, confident when I felt insecure and tough when really, I was hurting.”

Somehow, in the process of teaching boys to be strong, we’ve managed to also teach them that qualities associated with femininity – sensitivity, nurturing, kindness – are things to be ashamed of. We use phrases like “Man up” and “Stop being such a girl” to push boys and men to ignore their feelings and emotions, to fit them into the mold of what we’ve been saying a man should be for generations.

“I can tell you right now that it is exhausting trying to be man enough for everyone all the time,” Baldoni said.

But why does this affect us now? Why is this the time to be thinking about what masculinity means?

We’ve all seen the stories of men who have taken advantage of women and brought pain into the community. These men are often in positions of power, and for years, the media has been brushing it off with the excuse that “boys will be boys.” The power and dominance that we’ve associated with masculinity has turned into something harmful and toxic to our community. In teaching our boys to be dominant and strong, we’ve also taught them that this form of masculinity gives them the right to take what they want without consideration of others.

Baldoni recalled the resentment he had toward his father during childhood for not teaching him to be a conventional man. He found it hard to be accepted among his peers because of the way he was raised. Baldoni wasn’t taught to use his hands or to fight, but to make sacrifices for his family and provide for them in every way possible.

Somehow, this made him weak.

Now, that’s not to say that traditional forms of masculinity always lead boys and men to be harmful and dangerous.

Society has benefitted from men playing these traditional roles for decades. But maybe it’s time to re-consider what it means to be masculine and start adding new qualities to the definition.

“See if you can use the same qualities that you feel make you a man to go deeper,” Baldoni said. “Your strength, your bravery, your toughness: Are you brave enough to be vulnerable? Are you strong enough to be sensitive? Are you confident enough to listen to the women in your life?”

The Bible has many examples of men whom we consider to be strong, who also embody characteristics that we typically associate with being feminine. David was a quiet, peaceful shepherd before being king, and he spent a lot of time writing poetry and crying. Isaac preferred staying at home with his mother than hunting. Jesus cried over the death of his friend. Yet we still see them as strong male figures of the Bible.

Why can’t a man be strong and still cry? Why can’t a boy be seen as masculine if he loves spending time with his mother? Why isn’t it acceptable for men to express their emotions publicly?

“Some of the ways that I’ve been practicing breaking free of this behavior are by creating experiences that force me to be vulnerable,” Baldoni said. “My display of vulnerability can, in some cases, give other men permission to do the same.”

As we spend these four years of college preparing for our future careers and building ourselves into the people we’ve always aspired to be, it’s important to also take the time to consider what we think masculinity means. This affects the expectations we have of our friends, brothers, boyfriends, athletes, male professors and ourselves.

“The resentment I had for my dad, I now realize had nothing to do with him and everything to do with me,” Baldoni said. “And my longing to be accepted, and to play a role that was never meant for me.”

It’s a challenge to both genders to change our perceptions of what masculinity means. What do we want to teach our brothers, our sons, our nephews about being a man?

In the closing lines of his TEDTalk, Baldoni said, “While my dad may have never taught me how to use my hands, he did teach me how to use my heart.”

It’s time for us to make more of the word “masculine” and bring a new definition into society. It starts here, at a time when we’re doing everything we can to discover who we are and what we want to be. Now is the time to have this conversation and change this perception, because if we don’t, who will?

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CULTURE SPORTS & REC

I

t only takes a second. A second to say hello, a second to smile, and a second for a life to be turned upside down.

Hunter Zondory was an eager college wrestler in his first year at Messiah College. In the afternoon of September 16, 2016, his life drastically changed.

to roll out of it,” says Harris.

“When he rolled, he rolled on his shoulder and neck area. As soon as he hit the mat, like people don’t just stop like that, especially in a live wrestling match. They keep moving, but he just stopped. He went from 100 to zero really quick.”

Current sophomore The Messiah College wrestling wrestler Matt Pangle team was holding their annual was one of the recruits recruiting weekend where a number practicing that day. His of recruits come to experience the dad was the first to notify team and college on an overnight Head Coach Bryan Brunk that B Y B R I A N S H E R M E Y E R something had happened. visit. Every year, the upperclassmen hold a captain’s practice to give the recruits a taste of what college wrestling is like. However, this practice “My first reaction was like ‘Eh, people get hurt, it’s took an unexpected turn. probably not a big deal,’” says Brunk. “It took a long time before the severity of things hit me because Zondory was wrestling the then junior wrestler, Hunter injuries like that don’t happen. I’m thinking there’s Harris, in a live go towards the end of practice. some sort of bruising or something. Everything is going to come back, that’s what I’m thinking.”

“I went to do a regular mat return like I had done thousands and thousands of times before, and he tried

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DECEMBER 2018

“I didn’t understand what happened. I didn’t understand how it could have happened because I’ve gone through that exact situation a thousand times,” says Harris, still in disbelief. “Nobody has ever gotten minorly injured, let alone injured like that.”

Zondory was air-lifted to Hershey Medical Center for immediate surgery. He was diagnosed with a break in his C5 vertebrae and was paralyzed from the chest down. The surgeons inserted seven screws, two metal rods, and a metal plate, which he will have for the rest of his life.

Although injured and unable to participate, Zondory was still a huge part of the team.

“When Hunter still couldn’t talk, couldn’t move anything from the chest down, he sent a video to the team encouraging them,” says Brunk.

Harris could not believe his optimism: “It was so uplifting to see he was still so optimistic. He can’t breathe or move on his own, and he can’t eat on his own, but still he’s so faithful and optimistic. Even though we were heartbroken about what happened, that was inspirational.”

Harris noted that the entire team went to see him at Hershey Med once, and then would go in smaller groups to “encourage him that even though he physically couldn’t be part of the team, that he was still a part of the team, and that we were always thinking about him and praying about him.”

It took Zondory two months before he was able to experience mobility. A few weeks later, he was able to walk with assistance. He was released from Hershey Med and went home for a few weeks prior to entering Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia.

“At Magee, the therapists focused on me being able to roll over on my own,” says Zondory. “They wanted to get me to my stomach or get to my back if I can. They had to work with what was there, and see if they could get anything firing again.”

While at Magee, a few of Zondory’s wrestling idols from the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center located at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia came to visit him. 86 kilogram World Team member Richard Perry and 65 kilogram wrestler BJ Futrell visited Zondory early on in his stay at Magee.

Recently, Zondory was able to return the favor to Perry.

Perry was severely injured during a training accident while at the World Team camp. In late September, Zondory and some his teammates visited Perry at Magee during the early stages of his recovery.

“I wanted to support him through his injury because he supported me through mine,” says Zondory.

Zondory has a deeper connection to Futrell than most people might realize. During Futrell’s senior year at the University of Illinois, he sustained a spinal injury.

Although not as severe as Zondory’s, Futrell was forced to sit out the rest of his season after undergoing surgery.

Futrell has in a way, taken Zondory under his wing.

“BJ Futrell gave me the medal from his first international tournament that he won,” says Zondory. “That’s sitting in my room right now.”

Fast forward two years later, and Zondory is back on campus. Most people would run from wrestling after it took all of their physical abilities. Not Hunter Zondory.

“Wrestling is in my blood,” says Zondory. “Even though it is a love hate relationship, I still care for it dearly.”

Coach Brunk made sure Zondory knew he was always welcome on the team, “The first thing I told Hunter is, ‘You will always have a spot on our roster. You will always be a part of our team. No matter what.’”

Harris remarked that, “The team is ecstatic to have him around. I think that shows who we are because most people on the team right now weren’t here when the accident happened. There’s still that welcoming atmosphere towards him. It just shows that Messiah wrestling is a family.”

Zondory now serves as a student assistant coach for the wrestling team, helping his teammates learn that any setback is an opportunity for growth.

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CULTURE SPORTS & REC

SENIOR ATHLETE REFLECTION

BY MEGAN BOMBA An athlete’s senior season is filled with a mix of emotions Each moment is realized as a “last”—last preseason training, last competition, last postseason run.

As their seasons come to close, the nostalgia grows. Luckily, Messiah’s fall sports have proven successful for another year, giving these seniors more time with their teams. A few shared their outlooks on the season so far.

ADAM BARLEY CROSS COUNTRY

Senior runner Adam Barley has enjoyed his final races as a Falcon. He found that being a senior came with increased responsibility, which he has fully embraced.

“Being a senior, much of the team looks up to you and comes to you for answers… by senior year, you know the in’s and out’s of the team and how everything works,” Barley explains.

He adds, “[I led] both by word-of-mouth and physically. This season, I ran a lot with a few of the freshman, and got to interact with them and offer them advice.”

Coming off of an injury, Barley continually improved with each race, ending with a best time in his last race. He hopes that his effort made an impact on his teammates and competitors.

“The outcome I would like to see is that I made an impact on the team and the people we competed with since we often pray with guys from other teams on their seasons and academics after we finish racing,” Barley explains.

Barley will miss the team he has trained with for four years.

“I will miss the team atmosphere you get from cross country.

Cross country [has] everyone competing at the same distance on the same course and the entire team trains together because of this,” Barley says.

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DAVID ALEJOS MEN’S SOCCER

For fellow senior soccer player David Alejos, it is the relationships he’s cultivated that he will miss most after graduation.

“Soccer is an easy answer. I’ll miss it a lot, but I’ll miss being with my friends the most because we’ve gotten so close to each other in these past four years. We’re used to being together all the time— at practice and living together,” Alejos explains.

His class also plays a part in his favorite memory: a spring break trip overseas.

“Those trips I’ve been able to realize how you just forget you’re a soccer team and you know each other because of chance. It feels like we’ve known each other for a long, long time,” says Alejos.

Similar to others, Alejos hopes to prolong his final season as a Falcon to the last possible minute. At the same time, he wants to look back with complete contentment.

“I would like to look back on the season and not have any regrets or any moments in which I think, ‘Oh I wish I would’ve done this differently,’ or I wish I would’ve given more,” Alejos adds.

Alejos leaves this advice for underclassmen: “Just soak it all in because it goes by really fast. These are going to be some of the best years because you don’t have to worry about anything other than school.”

CULTURE SPORTS & REC

SARAH STRACHAN WOMEN’S SOCCER

For senior soccer player Sarah Strachan, her senior season has proven to be her favorite in her four years.

“This is my favorite team. There has always been really great chemistry on the team, but I’m just noticing it more this year,” Strachan says.

The team has experienced success and earned accolades under the leadership of Strachan’s class.

“My class has been trying to stress excellence because we’ve been successful, and we don’t want to get too comfortable.

We try really hard to never be casual in practice, and the play should be the same against any opponent,” Strachan tells of the work ethic implemented by her class.

Of course, Strachan and the women’s team are hoping to make it to the NCAA Championship this year, but they have chosen to take it one game at a time.

“We don’t talk about winning a national championship but just doing our best every single game. Every game is the most important game. We want to make the season last as long as we can,” she explains.

Strachan has experienced personal growth as a player, allowing her to be not only a leader but a guide for the underclassmen.

“I finally feel super comfortable on the field, which is cool to be in that position now. It allows me to mentor the freshman and sophomores on their play,” says Strachan.

Strachan encourages underclassmen to be intentional in relationships and enjoy the little moments with teammates:

KAYLOR ROSENBERRY FIELD HOCKEY

Senior field hockey player Kaylor Rosenberry acts as captain for the roster of 22. She describes her leadership as being centered around “composure and work-ethic,” as she hopes to be an example to the younger players.

When thinking about the field hockey team, Rosenberry is grateful for hardworking teammates who have contributed to the undefeated record.

“Our team this year gels in a way that you can only hope for, and you can’t teach that. This year’s team is younger than we have been used to in the past, but each and every player has so much talent to give,” says Rosenberry.

Rosenberry chose the program’s first National Championship as her favorite memory over the course of four years.

“There are a lot of memories from each of my seasons, but the obvious answer is the unbelievable opportunity to win the first National Championship. It was an honor and joy to be a part of the that team, and be able to accomplish that success for every player and team that came before us,” Rosenberry explains.

While another championship would be ideal, Rosenberry has a goal of the team reaching its potential by the end of the season.

“My goal has always been for this team to reach our full potential… I just hope that we can end the season knowing we were finally in full stride, hitting our peak at the right time, and did all we could,” she says.

“Something I haven’t done in the past is observing instead of constantly participating in things. I sat back and appreciated the team, and it was cool to see people just having fun. It made me appreciate the team even more.”

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CULTURE SPORTS & REC

BY LILLIAN KASHISHIAN 2018 flew by, and now it is hard to believe that 2019 is less than a month away.

Now, we can restart all of those resolutions we started and did not complete in 2018, because “new year, new me,” right? Well, not so fast…

With a new year, comes this idea of starting fresh.

You know, finally getting in shape or cutting sugar out of your diet. We have all been there. You start off great, then the semester starts, then you have homework, then all of a sudden it seems like there are only 12 hours in the day and your resolutions are quickly forgotten.

“I think for many of us, the start of a new year kind of triggers a desire to make specific types of commitments because it seems like a new starting point,” says Mindy Smith, Senior Lecturer of Applied Health Science. “I think the whole New Years resolutions is in some ways a tradition, but for some people the concept pushes them a little bit more to look ahead and consider some behavior changes or some lifestyle changes they may be interesting in making.”

New Years also allows our society to use the holiday as a marketing tool, so that people buy gym memberships or things like meal plans.

The marketing and comparison to other people can lead to individuals feeling inadequate when making resolutions.

“When I come at this from a faith perspective, I think it’s really interesting because if resolutions are driven by inadequacies, comparison, or lacking a sense of worth, I think we’re doomed from the start. I think God created us to experience joy and freedom within behavioral choices.”

“I think culturally whether it be TV shows or commercials, lots of what we see pushes us towards the idea of making resolutions,” says Fitness Director Kevin Ogden. “Culturally, it’s this idea of you just do it.”

Working in the fitness industry prior to coming to Messiah, Ogden says “New Years resolutions were huge. The gym industry lives on January and

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CULTURE SPORTS & REC

February. Then March and April come, and that’s a different story.”

Rather than looking at New Years resolutions as goals, we should look at them as commitments.

Even at the Fitness Center here at Messiah, there is an uptick in numbers in the first two months of year, then the numbers start to dwindle.

“There’s no problem in having big goals, that’s not wrong,” says Smith. “When I talk to students we really try to use the terminology of commitment instead of a goal or resolution because it feels more action oriented.”

“January and February are the months with the worst weather, but my assumption is, that there are definitely those resolutions that happen,” says Ogden.

Allowing resolutions to be commitments allows a more active progression and room to grow. By taking a commitment and breaking it down day by day or week by week, it allows for an individual to actually follow through.

“Any change you make or goal you set, you want to be able to commit to the long haul,” says Ogden.

The most common resolutions individuals make are fitness and nutrition goals. The problem with that is that people tend to make the goals impossible to reach.

“It is really easy to identify something big or you hear people say ‘well I’m going to start going to the gym five times a week or I’m going to lose 60 pounds,’” says Smith. “So, people make these really big sweeping goals, but then they become so big and so far from where they currently are, that within a short period of time the resolutions as goals can become really discouraging for people.”

The problem with having a weight loss goal, is that people forget that while they may lose fat, they also gain weight, so their weight may not show any difference on the scale.

“I think when it comes to resolutions, the first thing someone needs to ask themselves is why they’re setting a resolution,” says Smith. “Consider, why am I doing this? You have to have a really compelling reason and motivation.”

Once you figure out the why, then it is time to create manageable action steps.

“Determine things that are relevant,” says Smith.

“Maybe going to the gym five times a week isn’t realistic for me, but you know what, I think I could commit to starting with twice a week. Then we actually put that in our schedule, and it then become not only a resolution or a goal, but it becomes a planned part of life.”

So before the new year, try to do some selfreflecting. What’s your why?

“My biggest advice would be to never pick a weight goal,” says Ogden. You could start working out and start dieting, and the scale doesn’t move at all, but you gain muscle and lose fat. That change on the scale is zero, but your body, composition wise is a whole lot healthier. You’re in a good place wellness wise, but you give up because your only measure is using the scale.”

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