Housing: Where We’ll Be
International Banquet
Get Outdoors
PAGE 4
PAGE 14
PAGE 28
Volume 96 // Edition 6 // May 2016
Because when you’re studying for finals, there’s no time to be sick….
Shawn Mendes sings for the Engle Center: Engle Center Health Services
(717)691-6035 Student Health Portal
(https://messiah.studenthealthportal.com/)
Staffed with 5 RN’s and a Full time Nurse Practitioner, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
We provide: Urgent Care Physicals Sick visits Immunizations Travel visits Sutures EKG’s Allergy injections TB tests Prescription medicine Over the Counter medicine Self-care room Nutritionist Lab work Free prescription delivery After hours Nurse Practitioner Advice Line
•
• Open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm After hours nurse practitioner advice line 717-649-3153 • Schedule with online Student Health Portal
Live and Learn
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undergraduate courses Explore a new place, take that summer job you want, spend time with family and friends … and still earn college credit with flexible online courses that work around your schedule! PLUS, YOU’LL: • Save nearly 50 percent off fall/spring course costs. • Cover the same quality course material in eight weeks instead of 15. • Add more flexibility to your fall/spring schedules. • Learn from Messiah professors you know and trust. • Choose from 43 courses — many meet GenEd requirements.
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Courses run June 6-July 31, 2016 To learn more or to register, visit: messiah.edu/online
messiah.edu/online
see anew
Online | Flexible | Affordable
they learn? Who are they now as opposed to the person they were in September? And how did Messiah play a role in that change? volume 96 // edition 6 // may 2016
Swinging Bridge Magazine Staff
Student Director Assistant Student Director Editor-in-Chief Online Editor Student Life Editor Culture Editor Sports & Rec Editor Design Manager, SBM Design Manager, Clarion Design Assistants
Audio/Visual Manager Audio/Visual Assistants Business Manager Social Media Manager Web Manager
David Broomell Ashlyn Miller Maddie Crocenzi Alyssa Burd Rose Talbot Mimi Pedercini Willie Hope Jimmy Gibbons Raquelle Gonzalez Morgan Boucher Chalmers Port Noah Sneddon Lindsay Corriveau Becca Simon Ryan Emerick Josh Husmann Jessalyn Megerle Erin Zakin
Monday - Friday | 1pm - 5pm (717) 766-2511 ext. 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 FM, The Clarion yearbook, and The Swinging Bridge Magazine. The Swinging Bridge staff strives to publish quality student writing, photography, and design. To learn about job and volunteer opportunities, email thepulse@messiah.edu.
Letter from the
Editor
Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’re probably going home in 11 days. But before you get too excited, be warned: I am a journalism major, and I avoid math like I avoid my building’s couple-crazed lounges on non-visitation nights.
Amidst all the change, there are still exciting traditions going on at Messiah. The International Banquet, the election of a new SGA president and vice president and the senior art showcase are just a few of the events you’ll want to read about in this last issue of the magazine for the semester. It’s surreal to write those words: the last issue. Most days it feels like I’m living and breathing the Swinging Bridge Magazine. I’ve even dreamt about the magazine — mostly that I missed a deadline, or a page didn’t print, and it resulted in mass chaos. Thankfully that hasn’t come true in real life… yet.
Although I’m just as excited for summer as any other college student, it’s a little bittersweet. Every year presents its own set of blessings and challenges and this year at Messiah has been no exception for me. While it’s difficult for me to step away from a place that has transformed me in the past couple of months, I’m also excited to see what the summer will bring.
It’s been a great experience to serve the Messiah community in this capacity. It’s cool for me to watch it come together, time and time again. To see people’s passions spill out in meetings about ideas, come together as words on a page and finally end up in the hands of students, is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. Some days I want to pinch myself for having one of the coolest jobs in the world.
It’s also hard for me to come back to a campus without this year’s graduating seniors. We’re losing friends, possibly siblings and people who have played an important role in our time at Messiah. But through talking to seniors in this issue of the magazine, we’re giving you a look at their post-graduation plans and giving you a piece of their adventures to come.
Thanks for letting us learn with you, grow with you and experience all Messiah has to offer with you. We’re excited about this last issue and all the fantastic things the Swinging Bridge will do with your help next year. Now, take a study break, spend the rest of the dining dollars you may or may not have left on a cup of coffee and enjoy reading the rest of this magazine.
We also talked to first-year students, who after May 10 can officially say they’re sophomores. They survived construction, FYS, CCC and the long walk from Witmer to basically everywhere. What did
Maddie Crocenzi
Editor-in-Chief
Student Life By Sharlene Oong
HUMANS OF MESSIAH Brent O’Neill Senior Biblical and Religious Studies “My mom is my biggest influence. She is a single mother to me and my brother. She selflessly took care of us, even if that meant having to sacrifice a lot of things for herself and having to sacrifice things that would have made her happy. I think she has taught me how important it is to show love through actions like that.”
Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs & Adjunct Instructor of Spanish
Jodie Howard
“Messiah has a good work ethic. A lot of the faculty, the staff members and administrators on campus are very dedicated to the work, and it is not just talk; they really want students to succeed. Looking back when I was little, I grew up in a very Hispanic Pentecostal church. They had the mindset that you thought a certain way, you dressed a certain way, behaved a certain way. My husband and I are still a part of that church--it is not like it was when I was younger—and coming to Messiah helped me to understand what being a Christian was in its many facets.”
Senior Public Relations “I realized that over the years, I always expected so much of myself, whether that was education, leadership, friendship. Just allow yourself to make those mistakes; everything is a learning curve, and it should not be something you feel like you failed poorly on. You should not feel like you failed, just because you made mistakes.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS STUDENT LIFE
Dr. Neryamn R. Nieves
C U LT U R E
Sports & Rec
Page 4: Housing: Where We’ll Be
Page 14: International Banquet
Page 24: Lacrosse Culture
Page 6: Firsts and Lasts
Page 18: WYMHMLM
Page 25: Beach Sports
Page 8: Messiah Fashion
Page 19: Amnesty in America
Page 9: Lottie Life Hacks
Page 20: Senior Art Show
Page 26: A New Chapter for Women’s Volleyball
Page 10: Meet the President
Page 22: Why We Should CARe
Page 12: Grantham Gents
2 MAY 2016
Page 27: A Day in the Life of a Golfer Page 28: Get Outdoors
Student Life 1. Personal planner
Even if you’re the type of person who hates planning out your life, you should still consider investing in a planner to write down reminders, assignments and other important information. Sometimes you just can’t remember everything.
2. Hard drive
(EIGHT)
8
You never expect your laptop to crash and break, but it happens to the best of us. Invest in a 2TB or large storage hard drive so you’ll never lose your work. It’s also a good way to store information or transfer files quickly to another device.
3. Slow cooker
For those living in apartments, slow cookers are an easy way to make food when you don’t have a lot of time. All you need to do is throw a bunch of ingredients in a pot, and dinner’s ready by the time you get home. Plus, the internet is full of free recipes.
5. Electric kettle
Useful for so much more than making tea, you can use an electric kettle to heat water quickly for instant noodles, oatmeal, mac and cheese, hot chocolate and more. They also fit easily in a dorm room.
4. Clorox wipes
Things Every College Student Should Own When it comes time to leave for break, and you’re not quite sure what that sticky stuff on your dresser is, cleaning wipes will be your best friend. You can use them on almost every surface for a quick clean.
6. E-reader
Textbooks are incredibly expensive and can get really heavy when you’re carrying them around all day. The Amazon Kindle only costs $69, and eTextbooks are way cheaper than paper textbooks which will save you money (and back problems).
By ERIN ZAKIN
7. Noise-cancelling headphones
These may be pricier than your iPhone earbuds, but it’s worth the cost, especially when you don’t feel like walking to the library, and your roommates won’t turn down the TV.
8. First aid kit
If you’re in need of medical supplies, you can always stop by the Engle Center, but it’s also a good idea to have your own stock of Band-Aids for accidents that happen late at night when the Center is closed. Bonus: Stock up on Vitamin C for flu season and headache medicine.
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Student Life
Housing: Where We'll be BY Rose Talbot
A round the beginning of April every
year, the buzz starts to kick in, and I hear the same conversations passed around the classroom or in line at the Union: “So, where are you living next year?” For most students, the answers are pretty simple, with most underclassmen spread out across the dorm buildings, and upperclassmen typically either returning to the dorm life or snagging a spot in one of several apartment buildings. Unless you’re staying in the very same room as last year, chances are, there are changes coming.
Dream Dorms For those staying in dorms, space may be limited, but the options are endless. Check out these photos for some dorm-decorating inspiration from students around campus. Sophomores Sam Bernhardt, Carter Nininger and Josh Resh stacked their beds like puzzle pieces to create extra space and decorated the wall with posters and records to give the room a little flair. Their Mountain View home proves that no matter how small the space, you can find ways to really make it your own. Rachael Romain, Aubrey Corriveau and Kallan Booker, all sophomores, showcase their personality through their triple in Grantham basement. The hanging jars, draped sheets and lights strung along the walls make the room feel cozy and comfortable, and their stacked beds are a perfect use of space.
The Apartment Life If you landed an apartment, congrats: You’re moving on up! Apartment living comes with its own set of adjustments and struggles, but it’s a great way to gain a little independence, try your hand at cooking for yourself on a regular basis and host some great apartment hang-outs. It’s also a good in-between step to living
4 MAY 2016
Off-Campus Options in the “real world” - surrounded by the campus community, but taking on a little bit more responsibility (and privacy) than having a shared floor bathroom and a campus events worker clean your hallway. “There are a lot of great things about living in the apartments, but one thing that is challenging is that it isolates you and prevents you from having 'forced' contact with anyone other than your apartment mates,” advises Rhonda King, assistant director of Residence Life. “Learning to be intentional to spend time with people that don’t live with you is a skill you will use for the rest of your life.” After a year of living in Fry apartment building, I can attest that King’s advice hits the nail on the head. If you’re not intentional about making time with people, emerging from your apartment can feel like exiting a bat cave, as you look around campus and wonder who all these strange new people are. Another piece of advice for apartment or house living is to “schedule in time to make meals,” senior Jodie Howard says. “Without a meal plan, they’re no longer a social thing but just a necessity, and it becomes harder to make time to eat.”
If you’ve reached your Grantham limit and are signed up for some off-campus living, King says you’re one of 75 students approved for the upcoming school year. While the number may seem small, it's an increase from the original 50 students allotted to live off-campus last year. The number was raised because of a combination of factors, including the closing of Messiah’s Philly campus, the elimination of two special interest houses and a reduction in the number of study abroad students, meaning more students were staying on-campus than in previous years. Living off-campus while still a student can be a jarring process, as you may feel more isolated from the heartbeat of campus. “Before making the decision to move off-campus, I would talk to students who live off-campus already," King says. "I know some have felt really disconnected being off-campus because such a high percentage of students live on-campus and don’t make an effort to see their friends who live off-campus." King, reiterates that purpose really makes all the difference: “Be intentional to maintain your friendships. It’s a skill you’ll continue to use after college. That, and get renters insurance.”
Student Life If you’re interested in getting the city feel without having to spend time apartment-hunting or dealing with realtors, Messiah has a little-known treasure: the Harrisburg Institute, also known as the SaLT house (Serving and Learning Together).
Sophomores Sam Bernhardt, Carter Nininger and Josh Resh give their room a little flair.
This former warehouse is now Messiah’s Harrisburg home, housing 25 students as well as a classroom, lounge and office space. Because the residence is focused on service, students who live there participate in community engagement, usually in the form of outreach teams, and typically have the opportunity to pursue co-curricular engagements such as internships, student teaching, clinicals and similar projects. Messiah provides a free shuttle running seven times a day between campus and the Harrisburg Institute, making it a feasible option even for students who don’t have their own car. “I am a nursing student and have the ability to walk two blocks away to all of my clinical rotations where I have specifically been placed at Harrisburg Hospital," Darby Gallo, the community assistant for the SaLT house says. "I also have been able to enjoy finding new restaurants, coffee shops, study areas and outdoor trails.”
So,
"
Where are you living next year?"
Rachael Romain, Aubrey Corriveau and Kallan Booker, all sophomores, showcase their personality through their triple in Grantham basement. "I think people are fearful to live in the city because it seems like such a change of pace from campus life, but you get used to it, and it truly isn’t that much different," Gallo continues. "You are still able to do everything you would do on-campus, just in a more independent way!” Other students currently living at the SaLT house echo similar sentiments, saying that while it took some adjusting to living off-campus, they each highly recommend the experience. Hannah Miller, a senior, says she chose to live in the SaLT house partially because she was student teaching in the city and found that while living outside of Messiah’s “bubble” presented challenges, it was ultimately worth it. “I suggest signing up with people you know and who you'll enjoy spending time in the city with. Also, keep in mind that it does take some getting used to. So give it some time and give it a chance!” Miller says. “Being in a city environment was a nice change of pace and was a great reminder that there is more outside of Grantham, PA," says senior Sarah Adams, who lived in the SaLT house last fall. "It was especially beneficial because I
will be transitioning into 'real life' in a month or so after I graduate." As with any off-campus experience, it comes with its own set of challenges--such as the unpredictable nature of commuting. “Make sure you plan your time well,” senior Hannah Ruskan, who has lived in the SaLT house for the entire year advises. “If you don't have a car, you rely a lot on the shuttle schedule which can change or be canceled short notice. Always have a backup plan for how you'll navigate your class schedule.” Despite the distance from campus, senior Esther Miller points out that the location gives students easy walking distance access to the river, markets, coffee shops and libraries. “If any student has ever had the desire to have a change of atmosphere and feels claustrophobic on campus, they should definitely contact me, and I will convince them,” Miller says. No matter where you're living next year, make the most of your college experience and living situation by building relationships that will last a lifetime.
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Student Life
S T IRS
F
L
S T AS
By LEAH ROBINSON
College is a time of formation and identity change. The friends we make at Messiah will be ones that we will hopefully be friends with for life; and the experiences we have, both good and bad, are ones that we will always remember. Have you ever thought about the life-changing moments you have had since coming to college? Or the way your thoughts have developed over the years you’ve spent here? Below are in-depth interviews with two graduating seniors and two first-year students to compare their thoughts about their time at Messiah so far, whether it is still in the beginning stages or coming to a rapidly-approaching end.
Rukshani Perera is a senior mar-
keting major who has been involved in many clubs and activities over her time at Messiah. She is the President of ISA/MuKappa and the Student Program Manager of the Collaboratory.
What were the highlights of your year? I got to deepen friendships, investing in people. As I got a higher leadership position in the Collaboratory this year, I was able to invest and learn about many non-profit organizations in different ways and have a positive impact in the world too. By being more heavily involved in ISA/ MuKappa, I was also able to direct the organization’s large events with things like Banquet, which is attended by a lot of the Messiah community, and helps represent international student culture on campus.
6 MAY 2016
If you could have told yourself something at the beginning of the year what would it have been? Have better time management and don't stretch yourself too thin.
What plans and dreams do you have for the future? I really want to invest in my career and do some work that will have a positive social impact on the world. I really want to make sure I use my majors and minors so that I can explore different career options, and come to a place where I’m happy with my life and my job.
Ashley Burkett is a graduating senior
sociology and anthropology (SOAN) major, who also serves as SAB’s Dance Executive.
How did you grow spiritually? In the past four years, I have had quite the spiritual journey. There have been periods of incredible growth though my faith has been tested and tried, and I have been stretched in unthinkable ways as a Christian. Ultimately, however, I leave Messiah with a better understanding of my faith and my identity as a Christ follower.
What were the highlights of your year? I've been a part of several different organizations over the past four years, but one of the highlights has been my role on the Student Activities Board for the past two years. This year I was able to deeply
invest in some amazing individuals who have various roles related to the Board and serving the student body next year. Out of all of the incredible experiences my year has held, laughing and growing with them is definitely one of my biggest highlights! Not to brag, but us seniors also won the Powderpuff Championship this year during Homecoming, and that was a pretty great highlight.
What was the biggest lesson you learned this year? I am constantly learning the lesson of God's plan and God's timing. This lesson was especially hard this year, and at the beginning of the fall semester, my life was headed in a completely different direction. It's a continuous process for me to learn to let go and let God.
If you could have told yourself something at the beginning of the year what would it have been? At the beginning of the year, I would have told myself not to sweat the small stuff too much. It's important to strive for your best in classes, but I think it's also so important to keep a balance. Stay healthy, give yourself time to sleep, eat and workout. I would have told myself to enjoy more of my fall semester with my friends because the people you care about are so very important. I actually think this is great advice to remember throughout all of college and not just senior year.
What professor made the biggest impact on you from your time at Messiah so far? I actually have two professors who have made a huge impact on my life. Dr. Valerie Lemmon and Dr. Kate Whiteley are both incredible mentors who have
Student Life opened up their time to me and assisted my growth at Messiah College.
What plans and dreams do you have for the future? If I can raise the financial support, I have accepted a position with the International Justice Mission in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India as a legal intern. I will leave in the fall and spend nearly a year abroad. As for everything else, I'm just going with it! After talking with these seniors and hearing about what they’ve learned during their time at Messiah, I spoke with two first-years to see what the past year has taught them, and what they’d do over again.
Natalie Moey is a first-year digi-
tal media major who came to Messiah from her home country of Malaysia.
How did you grow spiritually? College poses different and more difficult challenges compared to high school. These challenges really push me in my faith because I have to continue trusting in God despite tough situations.
What were the highlights of your year? Connecting with wonderful people and fun classes that are related to my passion.
What was the biggest lesson you learned this year? Learning about different cultures and backgrounds, and learning to adapt.
If you could have told yourself something at the beginning of the year what would it have been? Forget about nice clothes; pack snacks from home instead.
What professor made the biggest impact on you from your time at Messiah so far? This is hard to pick. There are so many helpful and great professors at Messiah that care about you as an individual. I would have to name my photography
professor, Don Forsythe. I didn’t have much confidence in my skills as a digital media major, but he gave me courage to pursue my passion. He’s really funny and brightens up the class. He’s also super chill and lets us voice our opinions. Lastly, I spoke with Amy Vorhauer, a first-year international business major, who shared the following insights with me:
What fears and anxieties did you have coming into Messiah this year? One of my biggest anxieties was worrying about the future beyond college. I definitely needed a plan in my life, and I worried that Messiah would equip me emotionally and relationally for a successful life, but I didn't want to be reduced to a narrow-minded, one-sided view of the world. I also had all your typical college anxieties, like the food, and getting sick, and roommates, and having enough money and doing well on tests.
How did you grow spiritually? I grew spiritually in that I was forced to make my own time in my life for God. In my high school life, there were expectations of my family regarding church on Sunday and prayers. Without that external influence, it became solely my decision and my responsibility. By finding the time to be with God, without being "forced," I gained a greater appreciation for my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
What were the highlights of your year? The highlight of my year would have to be going on the SAB Broadway trip to NYC! I also love meeting new people and interacting with them, but those have been so many small moments, and it's hard to pinpoint just one!
What was the biggest lesson you learned this year? The biggest lesson I've learned is that you have to accept God's plan. Be involved and be motivated, but I would have saved myself a lot of worrying, headache and anxiety if I had truly represented my requests to God. Because I am a naive college student, I had a selfish belief that giving it up to God was a sign of weakness. I've learned that it is a respect, a humility and a reverence to our Master Planner. God's got this!
If you could have told yourself something at the beginning of the year what would it have been? At the beginning of the year, I would have told myself, "Self, you are going to have to do laundry. You are not going to like it. Suck it up and actually do it for once because as much as you don't enjoy laundry, you are going to hate having no clothes to wear." I also would advise myself to stock up on food before breaks. Shorter Lottie hours are no joke.
What plans and dreams do you have for the future? I'm currently pursuing an International Business degree, and I love the blend of the business world with learning about the cultures and customs of diverse environments. I see myself in a workplace that focuses on person-to-person interaction, and in some small way, I hope to make the world a brighter place one person at a time. Beyond that, I'm not sure what plans God has in store for me. So if you know of any companies looking to hire in a few years… just kidding. But seriously, I'm looking to value the world and people around me and take away an appreciation from every circumstance.
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Student Life BY ALYSSA NAGEl AND KAITLYN WOLF
Messiah FASHION Just because finals week is looming, doesn’t mean your fashion has to suffer. Imitate these different looks worn by students across campus, as both comfortable and fashionable ways to end the semester looking your best.
Hope Blackford, a sopho-
more, shows us how to make a statement this spring with the perfect pop of color! Her yellow sweater and jeans help lighten up the overall look for the warmer weather. To layer the outfit, she is wearing a black lace shirt under her sweater. She finishes off this look by adding a small statement necklace with another pop of color, and a great pair of floral flats.
Seth Williams, a first year,
is also sporting a casual springtime look. Everyone loves their cozy flannels in the winter; here Seth transitions into spring by wearing a lightweight plaid shirt. Plaid shirts are perfect for any occasion and can look more formal when paired with khaki pants instead of jeans. Seth is wearing a dark wash pair of jeans, which pick up the blue in his shirt. To top off the outfit, he is wearing a light tan colored pair of TOMS that complement any outfit. TOMS are great for the spring because they are comfortable slip on shoes, and they support an awesome cause that helps people around the world!
CALEB MARTIN, a sophomore, GABBY KURTZ, a first-year, is styl-
ing a casual outfit that is perfect for either a social or academic setting. Spring can sometimes be chilly, so she is wearing a forest green sweater with a white flowy shirt underneath. Her cuffed jeans are another great shout-out for spring. To add to the look, Gabby is wearing simple gold jewelry and bright white Vans. These are basic pieces that can be worn with many different looks, so they’re much-needed additions to any wardrobe! Her white shoes and shirt brighten up the look and contrast her dark green sweater.
8 MAY 2016
demostrates how to rock a more formal look this spring. This outfit is perfect because it can be worn for almost any occasion. It’s the perfect look for class, church, an internship or simply hanging out with friends. Caleb is wearing a salmon colored button-up, which is a perfect color for the spring season. He is styling a darker pair of jeans along with his brown pair of dress boots. To tie this look together, Caleb is also sporting his brown-framed glasses.
Student Life
THANKSGIVING DINNER WRAP
FRUIT INFUSED WATER
BY ELIZABETH GUTMAN
For the last edition of Lottie Life Hacks, I wanted to “wrap up” the year with an entrée recipe inspired by the Food Network channel and a drink idea that is the perfect way to liven up your glass of water.
1
If you particularly like the traditional Thanksgiving dinner meal, then this wrap is made for you. It essentially starts out as a salad but is then transformed into a wrap.
Step 1: Grab a big plate and head over to the salad bar. Step 2: Combine spinach leaves, feta cheese, dried cranberries and almond slices.
Step 3: Add your choice of either olive oil or raspberry dressing.
Step 4: Toss the salad with a fork, so the dressing is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Head over to the sandwich bar with your salad, take a pita wrap and put it on a separate plate.
Safari Tours & Exotics
Step 6: Grab two or three slices of turkey and lay them out on the wrap.
Step 7: With a fork, transfer the tossed salad on top of the wrap and spread it around evenly.
Step 8: Roll up the wrap, cut it in half with a knife and enjoy!
2
There are many different fruits that can be added to your glass of water to create a springtime drink with added natural flavor.
Try using fruits like kiwi, blueberries, oranges, strawberries, watermelon, raspberries, cantaloupe, honeydew or pineapple. Cut the fruit into slices so the flavor becomes incorporated into the water, mix and drink!
laketobias.com
SBM 9
Student Life By Stephanie Bricker
Meet the President (and vice president)
Jake Edmunds and Julie Heisey pose for a campaign photo taken by Laura Correll ’17
Last month, Messiah students found a panel discussion with three candidate pairs plus the votes of 1,531 students equals a new president and vice president for the 2016-2017 school year. Meet Jake Edmunds and Julie Heisey, who won the Messiah SGA election with over 62 percent of the total votes.
Jake Edmunds ’17: Student Body President-to-be During his time at Messiah, upcoming senior Jake Edmunds has participated in many activities, including Residence Life. As an RA for the past two years, Jake has been heavily involved in the lives of Messiah students. He has also served as an Ambassador for the Admissions Office, giving him the opportunity to meet prospective students—the future of Messiah College. Edmunds says he met Julie, next year’s vice president, as physical running partners, making their campaign slogan as “running mates” more than just a fun pun. So what inspires an RA and Messiah Ambassador to run for student body president with his real-life running mate? Edmunds says it started with conversations with students involved in similar activities as him. This transitioned into relationships and conversations with current SGA members who served this past year. SGA’s process of implementing change at Messiah inspired Jake to run for president himself.
10 MAY 2016
He hopes to base the changes he and Julie make off of these conversations, to keep the student body a priority. Jake encourages students to visit his office anytime and tell him what SGA can be doing better, or what they appreciate about current events on campus. “I genuinely want to build relationships with people from all over campus. Improving our world is a team effort, so please do not hesitate to contact any one of us in SGA next year if you have something you’d like to discuss,” Jake says.
Julie Heisey ’17: Student Body Vice President-to-be Julie Heisey, also an upcoming senior is involved in several student organizations that play a key role in her life at Messiah. Julie has been a member of the Track and Field team for two years and, like Jake has served as an RA for two years. Julie also has strong connections to the Collaboratory, an initiative she wants to improve and expand in the next year.
Like Jake, Julie credits much of her decision to run for SGA vice president to the encouragement of her friends. It all started when Jake asked Julie to run with him this time for office rather than on the track. Julie’s former roommate and 2014-2015 SGA Vice President Abbie Daley said that the vice presidency position offers opportunities beyond just a job description. Daley explained that a position with SGA would help Julie understand the legislative process and help her be a better advocate for those living in poverty, as Julie hopes to work as an Economic Development graduate. All of these factors changed Julie’s question of “What does a vice president even do?” to “I’ll be your next vice president!” Julie has a passion for helping students come together across disciplines to form practical solutions, making their majors useful even before they leave college. “I would love it if I met new student peers every week, simply because people want to share what they’re doing here or have an idea to contribute,” Julie says. Ultimately, both Jake and Julie strive to involve the students at Messiah in all of their endeavors, so if you see them around campus, get to know them as soon as possible. If you’re interested in learning more about the future leadership of Messiah students, you can also like “Messiah College Student Government Association” on Facebook.
Student Life
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Student Life
Meet The Grantham Gents BY LEAH ROBINSON
Ever wondered who the boys of the Barbershop Quartet, the Grantham Gents are? Who are their musical inspirations? How did this incredibly talented group find each other? If you’ve ever had these questions, I interviewed two of the highly talented members, sophomore James Isley, and junior Michael Hardenberg. While Juniors Douglas Beach and Brandon Straley are also in the Granthan Gents, they were too busy singing to be actively involved in this article.
WHO FORMED THE GROUP? Michael: Doug and our original baritone Jared Lynch are both long-time lovers of barbershop, and when they met at Messiah, they decided to form a quartet. Brandon and I lived on the same floor as Doug, so he asked us if we were interested and we both said yes. The quartet was formed. James joined us last year when Jared didn’t come back to Messiah.
How long has the group been going? Michael: The Grantham Gents came together two and a half years ago during Doug, Brandon, and my freshman year. James: When he was a freshman. It actually formed with a different baritone in the beginning. I joined the group my freshman year (last year) when the original baritone dropped out.
What is your funniest memory together? James: When Doug tried to tell an old joke that his grandfather used to tell, and he switched the punch line and the setup! The joke made no sense and the reaction from the audience was priceless.
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What is the best memory you guys have had? Michael: One favorite experience? I would say my favorite day singing with these goofballs was the day Doug’s Uncle Rick and Aunt Sue came to coach us for a whole Saturday.
Where does your group practice and perform? Michael: We started off performing some short, simple arrangements with a joke or two at two coffeehouses on campus and people seemed to really like us. It didn’t take long before we were being asked to perform for a whole host of occasions. We’ve had our own half hour set in South Side for SAB’s First Friday. We’ve performed at alumni, donor and employee banquets. We were evening entertainment for the Pennsylvania High School Regional Choir one night last year. We even performed at Doug’s uncle’s wedding! I think one of the reasons that people have enjoyed seeing us perform so much is because barbershop is a fun and exciting musical performance style with an incredible American history, but it isn’t performed much anymore. At least not as part of our popular culture. What seems like a blast from the past is really something new and fresh for most of the audience we perform for. James: We practice wherever we can, but mostly in the High Center somewhere. We perform at a few events on campus, but we have also done some shows for local nursing homes.
Student Life Who is your inspiration musically?
Anything else you would like to add?
Michael: Doug’s aunt and uncle are really well known in the barbershop community, and it was incredibly generous of them to share their time and wisdom with us for a considerable family discount. It was a ton of singing, something like five hours! But Doug’s aunt and uncle were able to bring the songs we were working on to a whole new level. The harmonies were all so tight, and the four of us were singing with abandon.
Michael: It’s been a ton of fun over the past two years, and we’ve got some fun tunes coming up for the spring concert in April as well. I would say it’s been an especially interesting ride for me because I had never sung barbershop before coming to Messiah. There has definitely been a bit of a learning curve; I will say that, but I have really enjoyed singing with these guys, learning about this unique style of ensemble singing and getting to know a small part of the barbershop community. The people who sing barbershop are so unbelievably passionate about what they do. They’re a crazy bunch, but their shared love for this art form bonds them together into this really tight-knit family that I’ve been so lucky to get a glimpse of. They are as committed to musical excellence as any other group of musicians you’ll find, but they also operate under the conviction that every single person can sing (and should!) which makes them a really welcoming group of people. I’m so thankful for everything I’ve been fortunate enough to experience thanks to this quartet.
James: Doug’s grandfather was in a quartet for years, and they developed a pretty solid comedy routine full of corny jokes and gags. We take most of our jokes and gags from Doug’s memories of his grandfather.
Who is the jokester in the group? James: Our jokester is 100% Doug. He tells all the jokes in the quartet.
What are your plans for the future?
Michael: Making great music. There’s no other feeling like it. James: Our plans for the future as of now are to keep rehearsing and sing our set at the Men’s Ensemble concert in the spring.
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Culture
by madeline crocenzi
the international banquet: fostering relationships across borders One world, one night. Those were the words written on two large screens in Hitchcock to celebrate the International Banquet on April 9. As 504 guests made their way to tables around the gym, they were greeted by flags; flags from Ireland, Syria, Ecuador, Thailand, Uganda and more.
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Culture
As
an annual celebration of a diverse array of cultures, the International Banquet has become an important night for much of the Messiah community. It’s a time for faculty, international students, the general student population and the surrounding community to remember the places they come from, the places they’ve visited and the people they know and love that seem to live worlds away.
“It’s a celebration of culture here on campus,” explains Assistant Director of International Student Programs Hope Newcomer. “It’s really a time when our international student population gets to show off our cultures and where we come from.” Newcomer herself is familiar with the International Banquet. As a missionary kid who spent a considerable portion of her life in Zimbabwe, Newcomer attended the International Banquet during her own time as a student at Messiah. She pulls out pictures from around ten years ago, of her and her friends cooking food for the banquet, wearing cultural attire. She still has photos of particular dance performances.
Those 504 tickets sold out in a mere day, making this year’s International Banquet the most highly attended one yet. A large number of attendees represent the international students studying at Messiah. Messiah students come from about 37 different U.S. states and 28 countries. Additionally, 2.4 percent of the student body is made up of international students from countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Ethiopia and more. For example, sophomore Lydia Ernvik is Swedish but lived in Thailand for eight years before coming to Messiah.
She represented Sweden at the banquet, proudly carrying the Swedish flag while adorned in traditional dress. She says she chose Messiah because of its strong international student programming. “It was difficult because I’d never been to the U.S. before, but Messiah has such a good international program, like international orientation and everything, and friendship families, so that definitely helped me,” she says. One such organization helping students is ISA/MuKappa. ISA stands for International Student Association, and the Greek letters MuKappa designate Missionary Kids. The organization is made up of approximately 300 students and seeks to help international, missionary and transcultural students adjust to living in the U.S.
“To me it is truly a very colorful memory of times I’ve gotten together with friends and just loved the fact that we’re from all around the world, but for that night we’re together in little Grantham, PA,” Newcomer says. “It’s wonderful, and on a broader note a lot of those friendships that I celebrated at International Banquet, even ten years after Banquet they’re my good friends.” Newcomer says planning this year’s International Banquet was a dream come true. In the weeks before the banquet, she was sending messages to her friends now living in four different countries excitedly telling them the banquet was coming up. When Newcomer and her friends attended the International Banquet, it was held in the Grantham Church at the entrance to campus. Since then, it’s grown into a highly anticipated event that the space in Hitchcock can barely contain. “I’m sure when it was over at Grantham we couldn’t have more than 250 (people). This year we sold 504 tickets,” Newcomer says.
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Culture “I like how the international student office accepts its students and tries to create a small home for us here”
They included a Middle Eastern lullaby, African dance, a Bangla folk song, and a traditional Thai blessing dance among others. Just like the food, Newcomer says she tries to have performances that “represent the diversity of our international students.”
ISA/MuKappa has eight different cabinet members, with Newcomer serving as the cabinet’s advisor. One of the cabinet’s biggest tasks is to plan the International Banquet each April. Newcomer says one aspect of the planning involves ticket costs and determining the overall budget for the banquet. “We provide a meal, and we rent tables and all of that,” she says. “ISA/MuKappa also has the option of using the proceeds for other ISA/Mukappa events. We also have the option of donating some to a charity.” This year a portion of the proceeds were donated to CURE International, a non-profit organization operating hospitals and programs in 30 different countries. Part of these proceeds were donated by the African Student Union, another student-run international organization on campus. Beyond their charitable giving, Newcomer wants students to know that ISA/ MuKappa isn’t just a group of international students. “We’ve got American kids who just love other cultures,” she says.
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Many international students say the students in ISA/MuKappa and the various international programs all helped make their transition to the U.S. much smoother. “I like how the international student office accepts its students and tries to create a small home for us here,” says senior Loza Sahilu, who is from Ethiopia. “The food is the only thing I miss from home.” The food was one distinctive aspect of this year’s International Banquet. The main dishes included vegetarian Pad Thai, Indian chicken curry, African beef stew and sweet plantains. Amos Chew, a junior from Malaysia, says international students’ collective love of food is one thing everyone should know about them. “We’re loud,” Chew says with a laugh. “We love our food. If you meet any international student, ask them what’s their favorite food back home, and you will strike a conversation right there.” Other students enjoyed the various performances of the night. There were about 40 students involved in nine different acts.
Senior Kafui Dzaka, originally from Ghana, says of his favorite part of the night, “It has to be the finales; the last piece that goes on. But also the African dances, I was in a few of those. I love those.” This year’s surprise finale dance featured a familiar face: Kevin Villegas, the director of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs. “Performing with Kevin was an honor,” says Chew. “We had to practice and perfect our dance first before we can actually ask Kevin to come over. And once he came over we had to teach him. He did it so well and his solo, where we gave him the solo, he was like, ‘I’m just gonna kill it.’ And he did it.”
Culture “I like the fact that we can get together, talk to each other, look at each other’s eyes and smile.”
Amidst the unique performances, one very valuable part of the night was the chance to interact with so many beautiful cultures. In a world of terrorist attacks, devastating news reports and widespread fear that has gripped the hearts of many, the International Banquet exists as a ray of light. Intermixed around a crowded gym, people caught a glimpse of individuals from countries around the world mingling, eating, laughing and proudly representing their home countries. “I like the fact that we can get together, talk to each other, look at each other’s eyes and smile,” says Mahelet Kassa, a sophomore from Ethiopia. “I think that’s beautiful.” The beauty doesn’t have to stop there. Although the International Banquet proclaims itself as one world, one night, every day is a chance to appreciate the diversity of cultures and stories surrounding us. “We came from different countries, so we have our own culture, we have our own identity, so I believe that we have a lot to offer if you wanted to learn. It
would be good experience for people who live in the United States,” Kassa says.
speak, so just remember to make that overture to reach out and get to know someone.”
Interacting with international students is valuable to both them and students native to the United States. Newcomer stresses that international students are at Messiah because of their desire to experience life in the U.S., and they don’t get that experience if U.S. students don’t reach out.
Building relationships take time, and while it can be easy to become discouraged due to language and cultural barriers, the rewards far outweigh the effort.
“If Malaysians are only talking to Malaysians, they’re not really studying abroad,” Newcomer says. “Truly international relationships are a tremendous benefit to everyone all around.” Those relationships aren’t formed out of thin air. It takes intentionality on the part of U.S. students to reach out to international students and welcome them to this country. “Just remember to reach out and make the first move to get to know someone,” Newcomer suggests. “Often I think it’s left to internationals to be the one to reach out and say ‘hi, what’s your name?’ But they’re here, and we’re on our home ground so to
“I wanted to mix with the community, the American community, and it was hard at first because of language barriers and all that,” Chew says. “But it takes time I guess. It takes months. And it takes you going out of your comfort zone, and once you’ve passed your comfort zone, you’re good.” The International Banquet is just one opportunity to get out of your comfort zone. One “hello” can be the start of a friendship that crosses land masses, oceans and perceived cultural barriers. During the struggles and violence of this world, we can’t forget the value of loving our neighbors both at home and abroad. Let’s all start to learn the value of relationships across borders as we seek to build a better world.
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Culture
18 MAY 2016
{what you may have missed last month}
BY MEGAN HESS
W YMHMLM
#FOMO
When the cafe where Louisa Clarke works goes out of business, she takes a job caring for a suicidal paraplegic, who helps her find self-discovery and love. A touching, joyful, tragic novel well-deserving of its place on the New York Times best seller list, Me Before You has a film adaptation coming out early this summer. Starring Hunger Games’ Sam Claflin and two Game of Thrones cast members - Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister) and Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen)- the Me Before You film comes to theaters June 3.
Nintendo’s first mobile app, Miitomo, is basically simplified “Tomodachi Life” crossed with Facebook. Users create a Mii and earn coins by answering questions their Mii asks them, adding friends and answering their Mii’s questions, or commenting on friends’ posts. Spend coins by buying clothes and accessories directly from the Miitomo shop, or use them to play “Miitomo Drop,” a pinball-style game with the chance to win exclusive themed clothing.
“Miss Representation” documentarian Jennifer Siebel Newsom explores toxic masculinity and its effect on American boys in her latest film project - which just made its Netflix debut in April. A perfect bookend to “Miss Representation,” - “The Mask You Live In” sparks great discussion and a better understanding of American society - both past and present.
The Cats came back! They couldn’t stay away. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical rendering of T.S. Elliot’s poetry collection, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, broke Broadway records, holding the record as the longest-running show in Broadway history until another Lloyd Webber hit, The Phantom of the Opera, took its place. (It currently stands at #4 on the list of longest- running productions.) After some time away from the Theater District, it returns late this summer. Previews begin in July, with an official opening in early August. Cats won seven Tony Awards during its first run; only time will tell if the revival will do as well.
Culture
AMNESTY IN AMERICA A Look at IMMIGRATION POLICY
BY Daulton Leonard
As the presidential candidate debates take over the media, there has been a strong conversation surrounding the issue of immigration and amnesty. Candidates have been asked a multitude of questions regarding their policy
on immigrants coming to America. Some want to build walls, but others want to build bridges. No matter what side of the issue you find yourself on, there is one way to help provide influence for your views: vote. Amnesty is a huge
CLINTON (D): “I strongly support the president’s executive actions. I hope the Supreme Court upholds them. I’m against the kind of inhumane treatment that is now being visited upon families, waking them up in the middle of the night, rounding them up. We should be deporting criminals, not hard working immigrant families who do the very best they can and often are keeping economies going in many places in our country. I’m a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform. Have been ever since I was in the Senate. I was one of the original sponsors of the DREAM Act. I voted for comprehensive immigration reform in 2007. And as president I would expend enormous energy, literally call every member of Congress that I thought I could persuade. Hopefully after the 2016 election, some of the Republicans will come to their senses and realize we are not going to deport 11 or 12 million people in this country. And they will work with me to get comprehensive immigration reform.”
cadndidate quotes from ballotpedia.org
TRUMP (R): At the fifth GOP primary debate on December 15, 2015, Trump discussed his position on immigration: “I have a very hardline position, we have a country or we don’t have a country. People that have come into our country illegally, they have to go. They have to come back in through a legal process. I want a strong border. I do want a wall. Walls do work, you just have to speak to the folks in Israel. Walls work if they’re properly constructed. I know how to build, believe me, I know how to build. I feel a very, very strong bind, and really I’m bound to this country, we either have a border or we don’t. People can come into the country, we welcome people to come but they have to come in legally.”
issue, and each candidate has a different philosophy on what will be done regarding the issue. America’s future hangs in the balance for not only this issue, but for a multitude of others as well. Your vote could be the deciding factor.
CRUZ (R): On January 28, 2016, Cruz talked about stopping illegal immigration: “Listen, we can solve immigration. We just heard an argument back and forth that we can’t solve immigration. I have a detailed immigration plan that is on my website, tedcruz.org. It was designed with Iowa’s own Congressman Steve King and Jeff Sessions, and... we have the tools in federal law to do this now. We can build the fence. We can triple the border patrol. We can end sanctuary cities by cutting off... funding to them. We can end welfare for those here illegally. And what is missing is the political will, because too many Democrats and, sadly, too many Republicans don’t want to solve this problem. If I am elected president... we will secure the border...and we will end the illegal immigration.”
SANDERS (D): Sanders released a statement on January 19, 2016, applauding the U.S. Supreme Court for deciding to review the constitutionality of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. “The president did exactly the right thing when he took action to protect Dreamers and the parents of children who are citizens or legal permanent residents. I am confident the president has the legal authority to take this bold action. Clearly the best form of action is for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform to put undocumented people on a path toward citizenship. But if Congress fails to act, as president I would uphold and expand the president’s action,” Sanders said.
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Culture
SENIOR ART SHOW BY MIMI PEDERCINI
Graphic Design
Three Dimensional
Hannah Busenitz Andrea Faus Chrissy Hoffman Quan Nguyen
Emma Rimi Julia DeNardo Alissa King
20 MAY 2016
Culture Two Dimensional
Graphic Design
Dalvin Byron Madi Vander Ark John Menkis Sami Kroon
Carly Groff Victoria Jennings Morgan Boucher April Nguyen
Graphic Design
Three Dimensional
Emilie Steinwachs Brianna Jewell Nate Solberg
Andres Gutierrez Amaris Wilkins Hannah Kim
Gathered in Climenhaga, senior artists displayed some of their finest work in a beautiful gallery on March 19. After long hours and late nights in the studio, splattered in paint, clay, welding metals and more, all pieces were showcased in the 2016 Annual Exhibition Senior Show. From two-dimensional to digital art, unique pieces were created with profound messages representing the seniors collectively their maturity as individuals and as artists during their time at Messiah College. SBM 21
Culture
Why Should We CARe About By Caitlinn Curry
The Rape Epidemic in the Central African Re public
IN
a culture that is mercilessly barraged with headlines and information, it is an unfortunate and yet an all too common occurrence for certain stories to simply slip through the cracks. Maybe it’s because they are just too sad, maybe it’s because people are too guilty to acknowledge the injustice in the world when they “can’t do anything about it,” or maybe it’s because we live in a nation that has taught its people that they are their own god and the things that don’t directly affect them don’t matter. In any case, there are so many global happenings we tend to be unaware of and ignore when we really should care.
“Caring for distant social others is an important spiritual practice,” Jennell Paris, professor of anthropology says. “It reminds us that, as children of God, all people of the earth are connected. Sexual violence is a powerful reminder to practice the Golden Rule, to extend to others the compassion and concern that we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.” The Central African Republic (CAR), ravaged by war and torn at its limbs from the repercussions of violence, has a story not many are familiar with. After a long bout with an unstable past and declaration of independence, along with disunity between different religious groups, CAR officially broke out in civil war in 2012.
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“Maybe it’s because people are too guilty to acknowledge the injustice in the world when they ‘can’t do anything about it.’”
Culture
Monthly
Devotional By Lindsey Longoria By January of 2014, the United Nations Security Council had authorized a peacekeeping coalition of 12,000 troops to head into the Central African Republic in hopes of bringing about a ceasefire to the unsteady nation. By September, the UN had formally implemented a program called the African Union Peacekeeping Mission. Nonetheless, the war only escalated. War crimes, illegal weapons transports, ethnic cleansing, mass displacement due to raids, mass killings and rape by local militia – all these horrors became part of the CAR’s daily routine. This epidemic took an unforeseen twist – within the past few months, advocacy groups have released horrifying numbers and testimonies of girls and women being raped and sexually assaulted by UN International Peacekeepers. This abuse deemed a “cancer” by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, has recently come further into the light with the appearance of “Peacekeeper babies:” the children born to the girls who have been raped by the very people sent to protect them.
“The UN is supposed to represent the welfare of all human beings, so obviously, in this case, they’re doing things that are damaging to a people group, and that’s not what the UN should represent,” says Ashlyn Miller, a junior journalism major. Junior peace and conflict studies major Madison Neimer affirms both Paris’ and Miller’s concerns on the issue. “We must care because people matter! If we are to support peacekeeping efforts, we must support the individual from all aspects of oppression and destruction,” Neimer says. “No one deserves to live in a place that is so broken, that not only international aid is necessary, but that same aid is an additional abuser.” But you know what? The worst part about it all is this is still happening, and no one seems to know. And if we don’t know, then how can we care?
If you’ve ever seen me with my sleeves rolled up or jeans cuffed (which is always, due to my short limbs), you know I have tattoos. The script running down my right forearm relays the prophet Jeremiah’s words to the exiles in Babylon. It reads, “build houses, plant gardens.” This charge met the Israelites as they yearned for God to reveal His faithfulness and promise we so often quote on graduation cards, Jeremiah 29:11. They wanted to live in this promise and forget everything else. They desired a fulfilling transition full of immediate gratification. Who wouldn’t, after so many trials? Instead, God through Jeremiah says, “You’re gonna be here awhile. So settle in; get rooted; build and plant. Seek prosperity for the place you’re in right now.”
GOD’S LIFE
GIVING
OPPORTUNITIES As we move into the summer, full of packing suitcases, vacation planning and for some of us, graduation, I want to encourage you not only to look for God’s promise of hope for the future, but for the ways you can settle into God’s life-giving purposes here and now. As Christ’s ambassadors, we have the opportunity and responsibility to acknowledge God’s intimate presence, and embody that presence in the kingdom at hand.
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Sports & Rec
Embrace the Culture:
The Strong Leadership of Men’s Lacrosse by Willie Hope The hardest part of being a member of any team is fitting into the system— whether it’s with your coworkers, or on a team with 38 other guys. Coach Atsen Bulus has tried to get his players to do just that in his first two seasons as the men’s head lacrosse coach. Though the culture existed before they got here, Bulus and assistant coach Andrew Johnson wanted to add structure to it. “We want our guys to live a championship lifestyle,” Bulus says. Prior to Messiah, Bulus was an assistant at NCAA Tournament regular Ohio Wesleyan. “Messiah lacrosse is a brotherhood, and that’s something that excites recruits,” Johnson adds. “I think it’s been made stronger over time since Coach Bulus came in.” Johnson walked on at Messiah and played all four years. He also coached for Messiah prior to Bulus arriving, and Bulus brought him back on his staff. Bulus explains the three parts of the championship lifestyle he wants his players to live: relationships, academics, and lacrosse. A popular quality of programs at Messiah is making players better people through Christ, and the lacrosse program is no exception to that. “The goal is to mentor guys to be the best men they can be so they can be prepared for life and Christ has set the ultimate standard for living—a championship standard,” Johnson says. Using Christ as the example, Bulus wants his players to have a championship lifestyle off the field as well. “We ask our guys to give 100% effort in everything they do, so when we ask them to on the field, it’s not something new to them,” Bulus says. That championship lifestyle means players must give everything they’ve got in their classes, and in their relationships with others and God. Addition-
24 MAY 2016
ally, rather than grading their players based on performance, Bulus and his coaching staff grade them based on the effort they give in their classes. But Bulus wouldn’t ask his players to do anything that he wouldn’t. “He earns a lot of respect from the guys on the team because he doesn’t just talk,” senior attackman Tyler Goglio explains. “A lot of guys on the team live that lifestyle because coach Bulus lives it.” “It would be easy for me to sleep in and let my wife do it. A win for me is getting up and cooking for my kids and getting my kids off to school,” Bulus says as he offers a great example of putting the championship lifestyle into practice. “He’s not all about the talking. He makes you want to work hard too,” senior defender Kyle Margosian adds. The whole program lifestyle led to two different team mantras. The first is “Do Work”, a mantra that Bulus brought to the program in his first year and is a prime example of his lifestyle. The second motto, “Gritty, not Pretty”, came this year. “Christian players are seen as soft. We want to hit people hard and then help them up with the love of Christ,” Bulus says, explaining the reasoning for the motto. “Games aren’t going to be pretty, but it’s not about being pretty; it’s about winning,” Margosian adds. Margosian and his other senior teammates have had three different head coaches at Messiah—a rough transition for any player. “Sophomore year was a tough year. We lacked senior leadership, and that put the pressure on us underclassmen to carry the culture right way,” Goglio says. The team had an interim head coach their sophomore year. However, Go-
Senior Attackman, Tyler Goglio glio explains that it rallied the team together because they didn’t have a coach to rely on, and it made them better leaders as upperclassmen now. Now, contrary to most collegiate athletic programs in the country, it’s about servant leadership, and it starts with the captains and upperclassmen. For instance, Bulus has his recruits stay with the upperclassmen. “Coach wants recruits to stay with upperclassmen because upperclassmen have had the most impact on the culture,” Margosian says. Bulus also takes his captains and upperclassmen’s opinions about recruits into serious consideration. “If they think that a recruit isn’t right for the program, then they let me know,” Bulus says. In addition, the seniors on the team cooked for the freshman over spring break, something that is a part of the seniors having an open door for the freshmen. “If you want to lead, you need to be able to serve,” Goglio states. “It makes the freshmen want to serve others their senior year.” A lot about the program and culture is about being selfless. “We go hard for the people next to us, not ourselves. If everyone has that same mentality, then that’s gritty,” Bulus says.
Sports on the Beach
Sports & Rec Eric Weaver
by Valerie Bell “Messiah lacrosse is a brotherhood, and it excites recruits,” Johnson adds. The reputation of the lacrosse players makes the culture even more important. A month ago, Fantastic Lies, a 30 for 30 on the Duke lacrosse team came out. This scandal occurred when Margosian first started to play lacrosse. “It slapped a huge image, a bad name on lacrosse. Parents were questioning if they wanted their children to play lacrosse,” Margosian recalled. That same image still holds true today as lacrosse players are often seen as partiers and drinkers. “We do have a bad rep because we’re loud and we travel in a herd. Some people take that as us saying we’re better than other people,” Goglio says. “We’re not going to be able to change people’s opinion, but we want to be men of God, and we can’t let that define us.” Coach Bulus, his staff, and the players have all helped to establish the culture. It’s a part of the program, and though it’s still in process, it is constantly growing on andoff the field. “Our goal is to mentor guys to be the best men they can be so they can be prepared for life,” Johnson concludes. The program can only go up from here.
Head Coach, Atsen Bulus
Most people go to the beach over the summer to relax, but some students at Messiah have a different perspective. Many students create memories at the beach by staying active and playing some sports in the sand. “You can’t go to the beach without playing volleyball,” Eric Weaver, a libero on the Men’s Club Volleyball team says. One of Weaver’s favorite traditions includes going to the Outer Banks with his family and friends and playing some volleyball while he’s there. “It’s the only sport that is better on the beach,” Weaver says. “You can dive more. It is a lot more fun.” While enjoying a summer vacation, his family went to the beach with their close friends; the family of Matt Hess, a sophomore guard on the Men’s Basketball team. “Matt Hess and his family were down with us,” Weaver says. “He got badly burnt while we were at the beach. It was really funny; he played volleyball in long sleeves, pants and tall socks. He was fully clothed, diving on the beach.” It goes to show that even a bad case of sunburn doesn’t stop fellow Falcons’ love of sports. Even strange looks from strangers didn’t stop Michael Caswell from working on explosion and acceleration during an early morning beach workout.
During his 7 a.m. beach workouts, Caswell did stability hops, agility, sprints and runs up sand dunes and hills. “One random guy was even trying to encourage me,” Caswell says. “He was saying ‘good work, kid,’ and giving other encouragements.” Other students love playing sports on the beach, even if they aren’t collegiate athletes, such as sophomore Anna Copp. Copp usually engages in a game of beach volleyball or badminton, which one time resulted in an embarrassing encounter with a stranger. “I once hit someone with the ball,” Copp says. “I was attempting to serve, and I really suck at serving. I messed up horribly and when I served, I hit someone I didn’t know in the back of the head. Then I had to go and awkwardly ask for the ball.” Summer starts in just a little over a month, giving students an opportunity to create more memorable moments on the beach, playing the sports they love, with the ones they love. Michael Caswell
“Everyone would look at me confused when I would do my workouts in the morning,” Caswell explains. “Some people were surprised, wondering why I was doing what I was doing. Some people would watch because they were curious.”
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Sports & Rec
a new chapter for messiah: women’s volleyball By Ashlyn miller Sometimes the best way to find a place to live and work is to try something completely out of your comfort zone. For Holly Motheral, Messiah’s new women’s volleyball coach, her experience at Taylor University is where she learned to build relationships with players, coaches and others on campus. But over time, she found the wide open spaces of Indiana weren’t her speed. “It was a very small town,” Motheral says. “I was driving an hour to church. I really wanted to be in an area where I could get easily connected without making that commute. I knew this area had a lot more available in that respect.” Originally from Canada, Motheral notes that from this area, she is seven hours from home, which she describes as “not too bad” compared to a drive from Indiana. Relationships are also important for Motheral, and she developed the mentorship side of her philosophy while at Taylor, which was her first head coaching position after serving previously as an assistant coach at Montreat College in North Carolina. “In my previous experience as an assistant, I had those relationships with the players, but it wasn’t on a daily basis. I also learned more about the game from a technical standpoint, and how to prepare for matches and big opponents, and what it take to be a successful coach,” Motheral says. Motheral excelled in her playing career at Houghton College in New York, where she was a two-time All-American Mideast Conference player as an outside hitter. Many of her teammates and friends she met along her four-year journey gave her the initial introduction to Messiah. “A lot of my friends and former teammates are from Pennsylvania, specifically this area,” Motheral says. “I had always known of Messiah as a solid Christian college with great academics and great athletics.”
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As an undergraduate physical education major, Motheral says she always knew she would choose a path which involved either coaching or teaching due to her love of sports and working with youth. Directly out of college, she applied for a graduate program to earn her Master’s in Higher Education and began to gain some coaching experience. “It’s always been a passion of mine. Growing up, I always worked summer camps, so coaching was a good fit for me,” Motheral says. Following the retirement of coach Judi Tobias at the end of the 2015 season, Motheral was immediately attracted to the position because of her connections in the area. After taking some time to pray about the decision and meet with those she considers her mentors, Motheral went forward with her decision to apply. Athletics Director Jack Cole, who was the chair of the search committee, says throughout the process Messiah was looking for a candidate who expressed all the values of the College and had a strong philosophy and communication skills with student-athletes. The search expanded beyond just the region around Messiah to take in candidates nationally. For Cole and the search committee, it was Motheral’s well-developed ideas in regards to the Christian values of the program which helped her stand out amongst numerous other applicants. “Her enthusiasm and genuine interest in the students really struck the search committee,” Cole says. “She is very enthusiastic in regards to making the transition from
Taylor to Messiah and looking forward to developing the women’s volleyball program further, but also being a part of the greater community outside the College.” Cole is also excited about the potential for innovation and what Motheral brings from her time working in Taylor’s program, which is considered one of the all-time winningest programs in NAIA history. “Sometimes it’s as simple as a new drill you do in practice—with any coaching change, you are talking about a change in perspective, an opportunity to bring in fresh ideas, which is generally an aspect the student-athletes look forward to,” Cole adds. Motheral is not wasting any time bringing in new ideas, as the team began non-traditional practices at the beginning of April and had a competition date versus Lebanon Valley College on April 9. During this time, Motheral started setting up goals for the season. On the court, she aims to win the MAC conference and wants to continue to make overcoming frequent postseason foe Stevenson a “top priority.” Off the court, Motheral stresses the importance of maintaining the strong family culture and incorporating spiritual growth, while mixing in some of her own strategies, which may be a little different. One such strategy team members have noticed is her ability to help them focus. “At the beginning of every practice we are to stand behind the end-line, and once we are prepared to practice, then we are allowed to cross the line,” Emily Zellers, a junior defensive specialist and libero says. “Preparing for practice can be done through letting go of any negative things that may have happened throughout the day or saying a short prayer.” Most of all, Motheral wants her players to be students of the game. “I want to make sure they are learning why we do what we do, and making sure everything has a purpose.” In just one week on-campus, Motheral is already making progress on her first goal to get to know the players. “Coach Motheral is very personable and easy to talk to, so it hasn’t been difficult to get to know her,” Zellers says. “She
Sports & Rec took time with each of us individually in order for her to get to know us and for us to get to know her.” For Motheral, her ability to reach out has led to new relationships of her own. She has spent time getting to know Tobias, who remains at Messiah in a full-time teaching role. “We probably talk every day,” Motheral says with a laugh. “She’s been very helpful with showing me administratively how things work, and I know if there are any questions I can go to her.” After spending time in different areas all over the country, it’s ultimately strong connections that make a place feel like home—which is one of the reasons Motheral is excited to jump into her new position at Messiah. “I am excited for seeing the development holistically in the players—from being able to see the student-athletes develop physically on the volleyball court and socially in their relationships, to spiritually growing close to the Lord and being vulnerable with each other.”
A Day in the Life of a golfer By Jordan Kirsch I first picked up a golf club at the age of one, and golf has been a part of my life ever since. Playing golf throughout the years has given me the opportunity to meet and get to know so many different people. I have made lifelong friends and business contacts that have been very helpful in pursuing my business career.
Ultimately God led me to Messiah College, and playing for Messiah has been especially satisfying for me. The relationships I’ve built with the guys and Coach Boone will last a lifetime. I attribute a lot of that to Coach Boone and the players he draws into the program as well as the emphasis he puts on all of our team bonding activities.
Our team practices Monday through Friday. We either hit the driving range or go to the course. After everyone is done with classes, we head out to work on our game for the upcoming match.
My faith is extremely important to me, and there is no better feeling than being surrounded by brothers in Christ competing for a common goal. Being a part of Messiah’s golf program continues to shape me as a person and strengthens my faith, which hopefully will have an impact on the other players we compete against. Leading by example is certainly one way others can be drawn to Christ, and at the end of the day, all we want is for others to follow Christ.
The days we have matches, we typically miss all of our classes for the day. We have to let our professors know when we will be out and schedule when we can make up our work. Most professors are very accommodating and understanding, but communication is very important. We arrive at the match about an hour before it starts, so we have time to hit the range and roll a few putts before we head out to our starting holes. Our matches are a shotgun format, which means there is a group on most of the holes, and we start at the same time. On average, we compete against 15 teams per match with five players from each team, which is about 75 players total in the tournament. Out of the five players that compete in the match from each team, you count four of the best five scores and add them together to get the team score. Our team goal is to shoot 300, which averages to everyone shooting a 75. Each tournament has a team winner and an individual winner. If we win the MAC, we have the opportunity to compete at the National Championship. We hope to achieve our goal of going to the National Championship for the third year in a row. It has been great to experience that for the past two years and be around that tough competition.
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Sports & Rec
Get outdoors: a simple solution to some of life’s problems By madeline crocenzi On a weekday in the middle of March, I hiked up a mountain in North Carolina. My day, just like my whole spring break, was pretty simple; wake up, get dressed, eat lots of calories, put on my pack and just walk.
on our bodies, minds and spirits. For example, outdoor play builds active and healthy bodies and raises levels of Vitamin D, which decreases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and bone problems.
That sounds almost foreign in today’s culture. While I can’t speak for all college kids, I can say that I felt out of touch with nature until I spent a week up close and personal with it.
Studies also suggest that outdoor time reduces ADHD symptoms, and schools with environmental education programs typically score higher on standardized tests in math, reading, writing and listening.
I’m not alone. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) says the average American child spends as little as a half hour of unstructured outdoor play time a day. That same child is spending more than seven hours a day staring at an electronic screen.
A national study in the American Journal of Public Health also found children’s stress levels fell within minutes of seeing green spaces. The research doesn’t lie; it’s possible that the solution to our stressed-out and unhealthy lives is literally outside our windows.
Senior adventure education major Jen Golden says our culture has changed the meaning of the world play. “It’s something that our culture pushes out of us almost,” she says. “We’re very work focused, time focused, and play doesn’t seem to be productive enough in terms of its use of time or energy or the productivity that comes out of it.” I’ve personally noticed the free time I spend outside drops dramatically while I’m at school. On a typical weekday, I probably spend a total of a half hour outside, most of which is spent walking to and from places. However, my summers are always happy and relatively stress-free, a fact I always chalk up to not trying to juggle 18 credits, work and fit in a social life. But does increased time outside also play a part? Apparently so. The NWF says unstructured outdoor play has positive effects
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“A lot of people don’t get to experience nature or appreciate it as much anymore,” Golden says. “Being able to go out and live in it reminds us it’s not some distant thing outside our window.” I can attest to experiencing nature while backpacking. Although backpacking isn’t necessarily “play,” there’s still something to be said about the benefits of spending more time outside while backpacking or hiking. Senior Rick Warden is used to both the challenges and rewards of being outside. Warden is an Eagle Scout, who says his favorite outdoor activity is snowshoe backpacking. He says even a short amount of time outside can create a world of difference. “I’ve found that even just that little bit can do wonders for your mental health. Getting outside regularly and hiking
or backpacking is what I mainly attribute to me being never stressed out.” The Huffington Post says spending time outdoors can increase attention spans and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50 percent. For those more interested in the physical side of things, one hour of backpacking can burn over 500 calories depending on the incline and how much you’re carrying. Plus, it’s a good workout that doesn’t put as much pressure on your joints as running on the track. Finally, backpacking or hiking makes you happier. It’s even being used as an additional form of therapy for people coping with severe depression. Changing your habits to include more time outside is simple. “Instead of doing your homework in the library, if it’s a nice day out, try doing homework outside. Or if you find yourself with a boring Saturday, just go for a walk, and you might find something you never knew was there,” Warden says. “Some of my best hikes were just going somewhere I never knew about and just exploring.” You’re capable of more than you know, and the outdoors is there to give you even more than you could imagine. So get up from that desk, take a walk and enjoy all the benefits of God’s beautiful creation.
Sports & Rec
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