Swinging Bridge Magazine: September 2016

One Year Down: Rob’s Kabobs PAGE 10

Presidential Candidate Profiles

Along the PCT with Benton Mitchell

PAGE 18

PAGE 22

Volume 97 // Edition 1 // Sept 2016

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volume 97 // edition 1 // sept 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 Assistant Audio/Visual Manager Audio/Visual Assistants Business Manager Social Media Manager Web Manager

Ashlyn Miller Bree Whitelock Maddie Crocenzi Alyssa Burd Stephanie Bricker Mimi Pedercini Willie Hope Jimmy Gibbons Kerri Denton Chalmers Port Austen Bower Becca Simon Ryan Emerick Dan Husmann Raquelle Gonzalez 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 I have mixed emotions about September. I love the changing season, sweatshirt weather and fall-flavored lattes. I don’t love how my schedule fills up during September and continues to stay busy until May. As I sit here writing this letter, I’m also registering for a 5k, writing down numerous dates and times in my planner, writing three other articles and trying to respond to texts that I’ve helplessly forgotten about.

On top of all that I’m fighting a cold because the busier I seem to get the more my body intuitively shuts down and goes into pure survival mode.

However, amidst my highlighted, scratched-out and chaotic schedule, I’m more excited than ever before to be back at Messiah. September is a great time to be back on campus – every single tree looks like something out of a fairytale and the Breeches somehow take on a whole new level of serenity. Arguably the best part about September is spending the month with friends, professors and colleagues; catching up on the past three months of absence.

The September issue of the magazine is a lot like that. It’s a catching up period. A time to see what people did over the summer and what happened on Messiah’s campus and all over the world. It’s also a great time to look forward and see what different sports teams are up to and the truly amazing things classmates are planning on doing this semester.

One of those stories is on the cover, and if you’re not interested in reading anything else in this magazine, I urge you to at least read that one. Benton Mitchell backpacked the entire Pacific Crest Trail over the summer – from California to Canada – with nothing besides the supplies in his backpack. Or you can read about Rob’s Kabobs – everyone’s favorite kabob makers, t-shirt wearers and overall movement – and what they’re up to this coming school year.

At the end of the day, September will always be the best month to be back at Messiah.

It’s also the best time to pick up this magazine and get plugged into campus life again. Like all of you, I can’t wait to see what the rest of this semester holds. Let’s look back at where we’ve come, but most of all continue to look forward at all the great things to come.

Maddie Crocenzi

Editor-in-Chief

SBM // 1

table of contents: Student Life

Culture

Sports and Rec

4. Campus Closet 5. A Different Kind of Student 6. College Through the Eyes of a FirstGeneration Student 7. Lottie Life Hacks 8. Junior Jitters 9. Beginning of the End 10. Rob’s Kabobs

12. Pokemon Go On Campus 14. Why We Should Care: Nashville Housing Crisis 16. WYMHMLM 18. Decision 2016: Candidate Profiles

22. Along the PCT with Benton Mitchell 26. Sports Center Update 27. Life after Jared 28. Redefining the Student Athlete

in this issue

on the web

Professor Thank Yous

Res Life College Hacks

New P-Safety Office

Breaking the Bank as a Bridesmaid

New Winding Hill Facility

Homecoming Preview

visit us online at pulse.messiah.edu to read more 2 // SEPT 2016

Student Life

31 Things to Do in

By Erin Zakin

Carve a pumpkin

Save the seeds from your pumpkin and roast them

Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Go to SAB’s Fall Fest

Eat candy corn (or any Halloween themed candy)

Travel through a corn maze

Watch Freeform’s “13 Days of Halloween” special

Decorate your dorm room/ apartment for fall

Go apple picking at Paulus Orchard

Attend a soccer game

Haunted ghost tours in Gettysburg

Enjoy Fall Break!

Hershey Park in the Dark

Go camping

Field of Screams in Lancaster

Try a caramelcovered apple

Start a dorm version of “You’ve Been Boo’d”

Halloween Park in York Haven

Hike in the fall foliage

Collect Flannel leaves from Friday every the hike and Friday press them

Participate

Drink hot cider

Drink a pumpkin spice latte (#PSL)

in Messiah Homecoming events

Attend the October Coffeehouse

Paint a pumpkin in Lottie

Listen to the “Ultimate Halloween Playlist” on Spotify

Visit a haunted house

Stay out late and stargaze

Eat a pumpkinflavored dessert (pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, etc)

Host a scary movie night

OCTOBER SBM // 3

Student Life

Campus Closet

By Bree Whitelock

dapper in denim

Braedyn Gallagher and Josh Resh Beginning of school vibes got ya feeling blue? These fellow classmates show how to easily incorporate a laid-back denim approach to lighten the load of a stressful week.

1

Whether you want to look a little more put together or simply want an outfit to get you through a chaotic day, denim provides an array of options for whichever mood you’re in.

2

Summerly Merson

Starting with a classic approach to denim, sophomore Braedyn Gallagher and junior Josh Resh demonstrate how to pull off an easy-going jeans and tee look. People frequently shy away from pairing sneakers with their denim, but in this scenario it gives a major kick to each outfit.

moment. Pairing easily with sandals and minimal jewelry, Crocenzi’s look will quickly become the outfit you run to when you have to be somewhere in a hurry.

I think you’ll agree that almost every guy can find a pair of khaki shorts among the mayhem of their closets, and senior Austin Burbank has done the job of showing you how to switch up your khaki and t-shirt look. Pairing a denim-colored, button down shirt with khaki shorts provides a fashionable feel with little stress.

Denim is an easy fashion essential that any college student can afford to show off. How will you put your own twist on a denim look?

Ripped and looser fitting denim assists in the edgy appeal of the outfit, helping it go easily from class to Lottie dining attire.

In a different, but comparably low-key standout look, junior Summerly Merson makes the pairing of comfortable and cute look seamless. Using denim as the focal point of an outfit can prove a tricky task, but Merson accents it with calm colors allowing each piece to balance out. Overall I’d give this look an 11/10.

Maddie Crocenzi

4 // SEPT 2016

Dressing things up a notch, junior Maddie Crocenzi shows Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s 2001 American Music Awards denim debut how it’s really done. A denim dress should be any girl’s staple go-to piece in their closet at the

Austin Burbank

Student Life

A Different Kind of Student:

Two Nontraditional Students and Life at Messiah by ???

By Caila Prestidge

Nontraditional students are a small and often overlooked portion of Messiah’s campus.

To gain a look at their triumphs, hardships and lives at Messiah, I sat down with two nontraditional students to discuss what the college experience has been like for them.

Lori Nowaczyk. A wife, a mother, a student and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Her journey of education has been different than the average college student here at Messiah, but is incredibly beautiful in its path and lessons learned.

Marrying young, Lori went from high school to motherhood early and was able to find good jobs without higher education.

Because her husband was in the Air Force, she had to be ready to move every three years or so. From Georgia to Iceland, the traveling was an experience to be sure, but also difficult because she could not take her support group from Michigan with her. It wasn’t until about six moves later that her husband retired and they settled in Pennsylvania.

Lori began to think about starting college after losing her mother in the summer of 2013. She realized how short life is, and began to question if her own was being lived out with purpose. By the fall of 2014, she had enrolled full-time into Messiah’s Music program as a classical guitarist.

“Our purpose of living is to serve God,” Nowaczyk explains, and her love for music and need for change led her to Messiah. After graduation, she hopes to use her gift of playing classical guitar to minister to those in Hospice Care, along with poem and psalm readings.

However, her decision isn’t without hardships. Lori commutes an hour from her current home to Messiah and still has responsibilities waiting for her when she returns. She finds it difficult to seek out study partners, and it can be hard not to feel alone when tackling homework outside of the class.

Despite this, she finds support from resources both on and off campus. “I couldn’t do this without my husband and his support,” Nowaczyk explains. “And without God, I would never have made it here.”

That support has contributed to many accolades. In 2015, Lori won the Dr. Dorothy Gish leadership award and was one of the top four nominees for an interview to receive the Dr. Wittlinger Award in the spring of 2016. She was also a 1996 Olympic Torch Bearer and has run at least ten marathons in her lifetime. She now jokes that she puts the effort she had spent in preparing for a marathon into her homework.

Myron Bidinger. Though he is by definition a “nontraditional student,” his approach to college and natural talent for making connections has made his transition into the Messiah community a smooth one.

Myron is an English with ESL Certification major and wants to find a job abroad in either the Philippines or China

to help those who are learning English.

This major lines up with a test he took that evaluated both spiritual gifts and natural strengths. Myron’s result showed strengths in communication and the spiritual gift of ministry and serving others.

As he has explored these areas, Myron feels the journey has been rewarding but is quick to point out it’s not finished.

Like Lori, commuting is perhaps the biggest inconvenience that Myron has faced. His philosophy in regards to tackling college is that of appreciation and self-motivation. He realizes it doesn’t do him any good to wish things were different, and only he is responsible for the choices he makes or does not make.

Myron’s family has supported his decision to continue his education here at Messiah, as well as his choice in major.

“They don’t tell me what to do, but I still value their opinion,” he explains.

Now, Myron wants others to understand college is not the time or place where you have to have everything figured out. It’s a time to discover - make connections in different programs, reach out beyond your major and take the opportunity to experience different subjects and beliefs that you may not have encountered before.

For Myron, one of those opportunities came while spending three months in Namibia, Africa. He says a highlight of his time in Namibia was witnessing the people’s nonmaterialistic thinking and focus on social interaction and family ties, rather than work.

That line of thought fits perfectly with the lives of these two students. While they juggle families, commuting, work and school their continued focus is on God and the unique opportunity to study at Messiah College.

SBM // 5

Student Life

College

Through the Eyes of a First-Generation Student

Valerie Bell

Kelli Reinbold

Stephanie Bricker

they definitely didn’t know how to fill out a FAFSA. I felt like I was learning to ride a bike again, but this time, my parents couldn’t hold onto the back of the seat.

generation student. Reinbold says she has always wanted to attend college.

By Stephanie Bricker From taking first steps to potty training to riding a bicycle for the first time, parents play a significant role in a child’s life when they learn something new. When the unknown of kindergarten scares a child to tears, a parent’s consoling is sometimes the only remedy. Children crave the assurance of their parents to know that everything will be okay.

I was no exception. As a shy child, I relied on my mom or dad’s past experience to know that I wasn’t getting myself into something terribly horrifying. This system worked for elementary, middle school and even high school. They encouraged me to join band and play sports because they had been there, and they understood the opportunities coming my way. After high school, though, that system reached its full potential. My parents had never been to college. What seemed like such a minor discrepancy in my parent’s lives soon became a major hurdle in my entire college journey.

I am a first-generation college student.

My parents knew just as much about college as I did. They didn’t know what to pack for my dorm; they didn’t know how to select first semester classes and

6 // SEPT 2016

I’m not the only Messiah student who experienced this very same dilemma. Valerie Bell, a sophomore journalism major, also is the first in her family to attend college.

“I have always wanted to attend college,” Bell says. “I never felt challenged in school and wanted to further my education because I always enjoyed learning and going to classes.”

Like many first generations, though, Bell had hurdles to deal with in the college process including the FAFSA and even understanding the general college experience. Since she didn’t have parents to lean on, she says, “I just winged it.”

But also like many first-generation students, Bell’s family has extreme pride in her trailblazing: “My family is extremely proud of me and happy that I am in college. It feels really good to have all of their support.”

Kelli Reinbold is a sophomore peace and conflict studies major and also a first

“My mom kept telling me to go to college so I could get out of my small town and do something big with my life,” Reinbold says.

She, however, did have her best friend’s mom to help her through things like the FAFSA. “Both [my best friend and I] were first-generation students so both of our moms were basically just partnered up on that.”

Reinbold tells a similar story to Bell as her family is always interested to know what she is studying. She says, “I have support from my family in all aspects, and they’re all so excited to see where I go after this.”

Unlike Bell and Reinbold, junior computer science major Dan Sztobryn had quite a different experience in deciding to go to college.

“My parents were both immigrants from Poland,” Sztobryn explains. “When they moved to America, they could not speak any English. Having to learn a brand new language and raise kids did not allow them to further their education beyond high school. The first one in my family

Student Life to attend and graduate college was my older brother. So when he did graduate, it made me realize that I could attend and graduate college as well if I worked hard.”

He adds that his brother was often a source of advice for college-related questions since he had some experience. Sztobryn also looked for some answers online and attended informative events for upcoming college students.

“Although my parents never went to college,” Sztobryn adds, “they are very supportive of me furthering my education.”

Bell and Sztobryn also give tips for other first-generation college students who may be facing an unknown world. Bell says, “It can seem scary and you can feel alone, but there are plenty of resources and help you can access. Just because your parents or siblings didn’t attend college doesn’t mean that you aren’t capable of achieving great things.”

Reinbold echoes that message saying, “Find others who have sent children through college or who are in the same situation as you are and work together to get through it. There are a ton of people out there who are rooting for you and are willing to help; you just have to go find them.”

Sztobryn closes, assuring first generation students that, “College is a stressful thing, whether you are a first-gen student or not. Parents will provide a strong support system for you, whether they went to college or not.”

Learning all about college on your own can be extremely challenging and frightening, but the experience is worth it.

Although your parents might not be able to be your first source for information anymore, you can always find someone willing to help you through the process.

If you happen to meet another student at Messiah who is the first in their family to attend college, I encourage you to listen to their unique motivation for branching out into this “foreign” world of college.

By Elizabeth Gutman As current students know, and as first-years are beginning to discover, Lottie plays an important part here at Messiah as our main dining hall on campus. Students often browse over what Lottie has to offer, and some may ask, “What else is there to eat today?” As National Nutrition Month Coordinator on SNAC’s (Student Nutrition Awareness Club) Executive Board, I have just the solution for that question.

“Lottie Life Hacks” is here to provide you with breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas that you can create on your own when you’re searching for that “something else.”

Bagel Fruit Pizzas Step 1. Grab a bagel of your choice and toast it lightly.

Step 2. Spread an even amount of cream cheese on both halves on the bagel.

Step 3. Add some honey, located near the tea and coffee, on top of the cream cheese.

Step 4. Grab any fruit of your choice. I used raspberries, blueberries and grapes, which I found near the yogurt bar.

Step 5. Cut up the fruit if necessary, place it on both bagel halves and enjoy!

Tip: Add chia seeds or granola for an extra crunch!

SBM // 7

Student Life

Junior Jitters

By Sarah Beairsto

You’ve probably heard of the Freshman 15, the Sophomore Slump and even Senioritis - but have you ever thought about what juniors have?

It’s not just a breezy, laid back, no problems year for juniors. On the other hand, junior year usually means enduring the hardest classes, the stress of making those “adulting” steps and the realization that college is halfway done.

Now you can see what juniors have to say about their “Junior Jitters” and how they’re handling the new year.

Although there’s only been one month of school, juniors are already feeling the stress of the year. “Even hearing the word junior year makes me tired,” says Katrina Chan, international business major. Chan explains how she first thought junior year would be easier now that the dreaded sophomore slump is gone, and the adrenaline is rushing. However, during junior year “more balls have been thrown into the juggling act.” She says junior year has been “at the same time, tiring, but also a new adventure.”

Amanda Good, a psychology major, has also felt the rush of junior year: “I kind of can’t believe it’s here already, time flies.” She’s already run into old professors she had who echo the phrase, “Wow, I can’t believe you’re a junior already.”

While still trying to decide exactly what she wants to do with her psychology degree after graduation, Good says she is keeping calm through the craziness that is decision making.

Throughout junior year, many courses seem to hit a higher peak of difficulty.

Good’s main concern is keeping up with her school work, good grades and time with friends. “It’s hard to focus on that when your focus is college, which means your classes, not so much the people you live with or the people around you. You’re kind of just in your own little world.”

A part of that small world is preparing for a looming graduation date. Chan, for

8 // SEPT 2016

one, is realizing that graduation is coming quickly, and these next two years need to prepare her for that. “Things are going to start getting really real, very soon. You are transitioning into more of an adult kind of stage, and the classes you take and the things you are doing are supposed to prepare you to get out into the ‘real world.’”

Current senior and family and consumer sciences education major, Annette Kolb can relate to such fears during her junior year. “My junior year was really busy; a lot more than anticipated. I took on way more than I should have, and yet somehow managed to get through.”

Katrina Chan, ‘18

While Kolb’s work and extracurricular activities made her stress levels a little too much to handle, she says she wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. “I did too much, but loved everything I did,” Kolb explains.

Junior year was also stressful for senior public relations major Jenn Sanchez, but in a different kind of way. “The first half came in with a brand new major, new job. (I was) juggling both not knowing what to do or where to go.

Treading new waters was insane.”

Looking back, Sanchez has one piece of advice she would have given to her junior self: “Don’t be so excited to be a senior yet, enjoy your junior year… relish in the fact you’re halfway there! Be proud of yourself and work, do stuff because you enjoy it, do something that makes college yours.

Because in the end, it’s not them with the degree, job or experience, it’s you.”

Amanda Good ‘18

Annette Kolb, ‘17

Kolb also offers some advice for her junior self: “Take it one day at a time, everything’s going to work out okay. Take more time for God, genuinely. Just asking Him to be part of my day, to give me peace in different situations and joy in spite of the stress.”

So take a deep breathe juniors, and get rid of those jitters. This is an exciting time! Have peace in yourself, trust that it’s all going to be okay and do it with the help of friends and God.

Jenn Sanchez, ‘17

Student Life

The Beginning of the End.

By Sharlene Oong Valuable. Unexpected. Interim.

Faithful. These are the different descriptions of the past three years at Messiah by a few of the senior students this fall.

Senior year carries a different meaning for each student. The students who are about to graduate, may see this as the final year to look back at the last three years and appreciate them. Those who are friends with seniors might start working on farewells, and the college’s administration will start planning events to celebrate the seniors’ departure. A whole new world awaits for the undergraduates to explore, as they will become “freshman” once again, with plans of entering graduate school or a new job.

Senior students look forward to the upcoming year, whether it be for checking off their bucket list, becoming involved with particular organizations on campus or having the last hurrah with their #squadgoals. Abigail Roth, an international business major, looks forward to having more time to focus on friendships thanks to a lighter academic load.

“I have more time to focus on what I am doing after classes, as I will have less classes this semester,” she explains.

On the other hand, there are students who are eager for new roles this school year. Hannah McLaughlin, a psychology major, is excited about her new job with World Christian Fellowship (WCF) as Salt and Light Chapel Coordinator this fall.

“I am excited for the job I do, as we have a lot of faculty support, and a lot of connection with student ministries,” she says.

Students may also reminisce on Messiah traditions they are accustomed to, may it be a Messiah-run event or a special routine

they have with their friends. Rukshani Perera, Messiah alumna ‘16, recalls the routine of life at Messiah. “I miss the midnight Sheetz runs and the random 2 a.m. singing parties at the Rafiki House. I miss hanging out with friends and doing homework with them, and the random deep conversations you get to have with people,” she says.

Perera’s story shows shared living space, experience and major can draw people closer together, making them feel like a community - another key aspect of Messiah.

Hannah McLaughlin ‘17

Now that her time is winding down, McLaughlin describes her appreciation for the unique bond that Messiah owns. “After you take CCC, the ‘C’ word becomes a bad word. But I think that the Messiah community is really unique,” Mclaughlin says.

Ultimately, an array of emotions come to mind when one mentions senior year. Roth wants to make the most of her last semester, as she will be graduating in December.

Rukshani Perera, ‘16 “I feel pretty good about it, yet I may not see these people much longer,” she says.

On the other hand, there are students who are excited about the real world experience. Yacoub Seyni, a computer science major, can’t wait to be an adult, and to begin “adulting.”

“I want to be an adult because life is not just about college,” he says. “The experience has been great. It’s time.”

College is quite the journey, especially when the journey is spent at Messiah. For those who have yet to graduate, remember to make the most of what we have at Messiah, while we still have it. There is joy in the simple things that happen every day, which we will miss, but also memories we never want to forget.

Yacoub Seyni, ‘17

SBM // 9

Student Life

One Year Down Won the Fight

By Bree Whitelock

Each semester students depart Messiah’s campus to embark on what they hope to be a life-changing study abroad experience, but how often do you get to share in the fruits, or in this case the foods, of an individual’s reentry into Messiah’s campus life?

This past academic year you may have become familiar with the phrase “Rob’s Kabobs” as it was either chanted or chattered about from fellow students.

What began as an introduction in Rwanda, during founder and senior engineering major Michael Pasti’s fall 2014 study abroad, has become a campus recognized and campus scrutinized organization. The idea to sell kabobs started shortly after Pasti learned to craft kabobs from an avid, amateur chef and Rwandan pastor named Rob.

10 // SEPT 2016

Pasti noted the excitement his housemates in Rwanda shared as they connected over grilling and perfecting kabob recipes. He wanted to bring that culture to Messiah’s campus.

In the fall of 2015, Pasti laid the groundwork for his kabob business by diving right into creating a market for their product as he set up a grill on a cardboard box near the perimeter of Shoemaker field. Eager and excited, Pasti would walk through the crowds of spectators selling kabobs for a mere dollar.

Photos by Philip Rodo “I think people liked it because it was fun,” expresses Pasti. “Even parents and kids started buying regularly at games.”

Although not all of campus shared in his excitement, as Pasti remembers hearing someone yelling from the stands, “no one wants your kabobs!” the first time he sold.

As the idea for Rob’s Kabobs grew into a reality, Pasti brought senior engineering major Anders Laub alongside him as a business partner. Laub not only enjoyed the kabobs, but he also had a taste for learning the process of grilling and selling.

The two inspire each other to continue the dream of the company even when the nature of hardship pushes its way in.

Messiah College’s policies soon caught up with Pasti and Laub’s business venture, and they were asked to cease the selling of kabobs on campus. This came shortly after promotions were sent out for kabob room delivery during the Super Bowl. But where there’s a passion there’s a way, as proved true for Rob’s Kabobs.

Student Life During the spring 2016, semester Pasti met regularly with administrators to pitch new ideas on how he could potentially sell kabobs legally on campus. He offered up the idea to give kabobs out for free with the option of a donation. When that idea was crossed out, he asked the homeowner behind the soccer field to grill and sell from her house, to which she said yes, but Pasti soon realized that would also go against school policy.

Taking a week to brainstorm, Pasti and Laub decided to look into the potential of selling kabobs off-campus.

With the help of a campus friend and assistant youth pastor at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church, Kyle Abel, Rob’s Kabobs began selling kabobs to kids at Sunday night youth group.

“McBIC has always been heavily invested in the local community,” says Abel. “I wanted to continue that type of partnership by inviting my friends at Rob’s Kabobs to serve their food at McBIC. The youth group needed people to help make food, and Rob’s Kabobs wanted more exposure for their business, so we helped each other out by working together.”

The second time they sold there, “the kids got so hyped,” says Pasti. “The kids were all chanting ‘Rob’s Kabobs.’” Pasti also notes that “the most kids ever came to youth group that night,” making it a “blast to show up, grill and talk with the kids.”

While they weren’t able to sell at the soccer games during this time, they enjoyed having an outlet to keep them going until they’d hopefully be able to start again.

As the spring 2016 semester progressed, Pasti became worried the name for Rob’s Kabobs would begin to die on campus.

With this, he pursued his vision to host a concert involving Rob’s Kabobs. In May 2016, Rob’s Kabobs, alongside the band titled Wildcards, hosted a cookout on Mellinger lawn giving away free kabobs while bringing the Messiah campus community together.

“We grilled around 200 kabobs, served 200 people and enjoyed great music,” explains Pasti. “We were happy Rob’s could

“ We grilled around 200 kabobs, served 200 people and enjoyed great music

” survive while bringing people together through this small idea of selling kabobs.”

cook and serve great food to our students and campus guests.”

Shortly after the concert, Pasti, along with the men’s lacrosse team, joined Kim Phipps for an end of the year team dinner at Orchard Hill. Pasti remembers expressing his interest to Phipps in wanting to sell kabobs on campus.

Phipps encouraged Pasti to partner with Dining Services to sell Rob’s Kabobs.

The idea for Rob’s Kabobs “was formed around trying something and just going for it,” explains Pasti. “We want people to be able to see something they want to do and go for it even if there’s the potential of messing up the first time. The first kabobs we made were horrible, but we had to start somewhere. We hope to inspire people to embrace failure and try new things.”

After one meeting with Director of Dining Services Mark Wirtz, Rob’s Kabobs and Dining Services began laying the groundwork in building a partnership.

“Michael Pasti and Anders Laub are both extremely dedicated and committed to this venture! We had a unique opportunity to form a partnership that meets the strict policy guidelines for Messiah College, the PA Department of Agriculture licensing laws and all required food safety standards,” says Wirtz.

Wirtz explains his reasoning for the partnership as a way, “to further support the mission of Messiah College by providing this professional opportunity for learning within our industry.

The partnership entails Michael and Anders joining the Dining Services team, as so many students do each year, to prepare,

From conceptualization to now, Pasti said he’d stop grilling and selling kabobs when it wasn’t fun, but the passion hasn’t burnt out yet.

The hope for the future of Rob’s Kabobs includes having more events, helping others host events and pursuing the possibility of making Rob’s a fixture at Messiah even after Pasti and Laub graduate this coming year.

Look out for Rob’s Kabobs being sold at home games throughout the soccer season.

SBM // 11

Culture

Gotta Catch’em All Pokemon Go on Campus

By Myriam Pedercini

90s

nostalgia has swept the globe with the summer release of the Niantic INC. App, Pokémon Go. The beloved animation - created by Satoshi Tajiri - has taken on a new dimension through the free download for iOS and Android devices. At Messiah College, students can be seen frantically tapping their screens as they try to catch the different Pokémon popping up around campus.

Pokémon has evolved through the years from the Game Boy video game to trading cards and finally to our smartphones.

The app takes our world and virtualizes Pokémon to appear at various locations.

Create your avatar, use your poke balls to catch Pokémon, battle at gyms and more.

“I thought it was hilarious. It was everything I ever wanted,” says senior engineering major Alex Roth on the news of the app being released.

As the news spread through social media and word of mouth, more and more devoted fans anticipated the arrival of the world of Pokémon right in their pocket.

12 // SEPT 2016

“I had been following the news articles for a while and then one day they released it, so I immediately downloaded the game,” says Madi Keaton, a junior environmental science major.

“I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was. To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause…”

This was the instinct of thousands of people around the world.

“I was an avid player as a child; my two older brothers were obsessed and because of them, I was really into Pokémon,” senior social work major Brooke Heilman recalls. “I had binders full of Pokémon cards with the plastic sleeves for each one. I played the games and watched every single episode.”

Many players grew up loving the original game and series. Enthusiasts can share Heilman’s memories in collecting the cards and playing their edition of choice on Game Boy. Roth and his senior engineering roommate Greg Talamo, both share the love

of the game since childhood and downloaded the app during the summer.

“My boss downloaded it before me and said ‘Alex, you need to get this,’ so I and a couple of other guys downloaded it. It was a bonding experience over our childhoods,” says Roth.

Once downloaded, it’s difficult not to become an avid player.

“For the first two weeks I was very obsessed and spent way too many hours catching Pokémon,” says Keaton.

Heilman also was excited. “When it was coming out I was excited about it, so I downloaded immediately. I played intensely for a week straight around Messiah since I was working on campus [during the summer],” shares Heilman. “…I will travel across the land, searching far and wide. Each Pokémon to understand the power that’s inside…”

The extent people will go to for some Pokémon is sometimes unbelievable. In

Culture

Central Park, Manhattan there was a stampede of people to catch Vaporeon (a water Pokémon). Masses of people join in the hunt for Pokémon, no matter where they may be.

“I was asked to drive around Harrisburg to catch Pokémon,” Lebo says. “People are just on their phones a lot more, but it’s also cool because people will talk to others that they might necessarily talk to.”

“One weekend I and one of my friends spent the entire day [day and night] catching Pokémon,” Keaton shares. “It was fun. We were in the car, and I would use both our phones to catch as he would drive away to the next poke stop.”

“…You teach me, and I’ll teach you, Pokémon, gotta catch ‘em all…”

The various poke stops on campus encourage people to be active and explore campus or go to different landmarks. Even those who are not playing Pokémon join in on the hunt.

“I’m interested to see if it’s just a phase for the next six months,” speculates Lebo.

Senior christian ministries major Evan Lebo is roommates with both Talamo and Roth and joined them on their Pokémon adventure.

For some, the game lost its hype. After complications with the app crashing and causing accidents, the game lost its magic.

Keaton, for one, lost some of her fascination after a few weeks. “After that, I realized I have to pay attention to my summer job and have a life outside of Pokémon and deleted it. I realized that I was spending far too many hours of my day playing it.”

Others still find the enjoyment in catching Pokémon and the community, which comes with it.

“You immediately have hundreds of thousands of new friends. Everybody is so much happier,” says Talamo. “I’m excited to see how it gets better and how it affects a lot of things. I’ve already had two lectures with Pokémon Go as examples. In my programming class, we talked about algorithms we would write to design Pokémon Go. We all had to think about why they were efficient.”

No matter how long the craze for the app lasts, the love of Pokémon will remain a part of our generation as the quest continues to catch ‘em all.

SBM // 13

Culture

Why We Should Care About:

The Housing Crisis in Nashville, TN

Photo provided by Caitlinn Betteridge

By Caitlinn Betteridge

O

ften, when we think of Nashville, we are overcome by stereotypes: neon country dreams and budding artists, hot chicken, incredible Mexican cuisine, waitresses that call you “y’all” and a beautifully lit walking bridge glistening under the stare of the Batman building. Nashville, Tennessee is a great place, rich in its own culture, filled with diversity, overflowing with people.

And Nashville is great, but there is an unseen subculture in the heart of the city: a large community of refugees and people who are homeless, roaming the streets and crashing in hotels. After spending the summer resettling refugees, I came to a very deep, dark conclusion: there is a crisis regarding affordable housing in the city of Nashville.

14 // SEPT 2016

“Finding an affordable, safe place in Nashville is difficult due to millions of people moving in daily, not only to pursue their dreams of entering the music industry but also because of the refugee crisis,” senior public relations major Kelly Gordon says, who recently spent time living in Nashville.

According to a 2014 homeless count from Nashville.gov, there was a rough count of 2,301 people considered to be homeless in the city. According to World Relief records, there were nearly 60,000 refugees in the city in 2012.

This struggle of finding housing was exemplified to me every day. On my way to work, I would pass at least fifteen people who were homeless in a span of five blocks. Many of my refugee friends were living in hotels for up to

two months because there were simply no apartments for them to live in.

There are other problems for the city’s homeless beyond housing. It was more obvious, written all over the streets, the infrastructure and the lack of public transport.

“Nashville is a rapidly growing city that lacks the infrastructure for such a population,” senior international business major Austin Burbank, who spent both a semester and the summer in Nashville, shares. “The traffic is awful and affordable housing is incredibly hard to find- especially for students or people looking to stay in Nashville on a short-term basis.”

Open Table Nashville, one of the city’s precious ministries dealing with homelessness, states, “We cannot end homelessness if we do not stop people from falling into

Culture “Finding an affordable, safe place in Nashville is difficult due to millions of people moving in daily, not only to pursue their dreams of entering the music industry but also because of the refugee crisis,” - Kelly Gordon

“Nashville is a rapidly growing city that lacks the infrastructure for such a population” - Austin Burbank

it, and that requires affordable housing.

Nashville is facing an affordable housing crisis; people whose families have been here for generations are being driven from the city, and not infrequently to the street.”

Interestingly enough, the Tennessean reports that according to the quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors, “Nashville-area home prices rose at a faster clip than the nation in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 5.7 percent decline in affordability.”

So why should we care? It wasn’t that long ago I was holding a sweet Thai friend of mine, Aree, in my arms as she sobbed that she came to the United States to escape the persecution of Syria, to be able to provide for her children and there was nowhere for them to live. She could not be a mom. Her husband was

hurting; he had been shot by snipers in Syria only to live in a hotel in Nashville.

My tears soaked her hijab as I wept with her. I found that I cared, a lot, and I came to passionately believe that everyone else should care, too.

Nashville is a hub, not just of the United States, but globally. It is rich in its southern culture and rich in other cultures, too.

It is a city filled with people, people who are human, people who are people. People who all deserve the opportunity to flourish, who all command the human right to have shelter and safety. Whether they are homeless veterans, Muslim mothers or the starving artist living in the garage next door.

He’s right: this crisis in Nashville of a lack of affordable housing concerns all of us because every homeless person, whatever that looks like, are our brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters who live right next door.

And if Christ calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to receive the least of these and give them water, then we need to always be eager to practice hospitality.

I guess that means we should care about the housing crisis in Nashville too, and the thousands of people it affects.

Photos provided by Kelly Gordon and Austin Burbank

My husband Luke put it the most sweetly and simply: “we should care because these are our brothers and sisters.”

SBM // 15

Culture

When I learned that my study abroad program to Thailand was canceled for the fall of 2016, I was devastated. I had always dreamed of studying abroad in a new place so unfamiliar to me that I would have to fully immerse myself into the culture.

I was just a freshman in college when I started considering Thailand, so it was much too early to apply if I wanted to go as a junior. Not surprisingly, sophomore year rolled around quickly, and I sent in my application as soon as possible. One morning, while I lay in bed too tired to get up, and too early to think about all that I had to complete that day, I checked my cell phone and to my surprise, I received an email explaining that I had been accepted to study in Thailand for the fall of 2016.

Little did I know, a month later I would receive another email explaining that the program was canceled with no clear explanation. I soon found out that there had not been enough people signed up to go, and therefore the program was called off.

My faith kept me grounded, and I realized for the first time in my life that I couldn’t control everything, and God’s plan is so much better and greater than the plan I ever envisioned for myself. Although my present plans had failed, I wasn’t completely lost, and I was incredibly thankful to pursue the opportunity to study abroad in the spring of 2017 with the help from the Intercultural Office.

This experience has taught me to push aside my expectations, and to let go of my “perfect” plan by allowing God to take over, and welcome all that has yet to be discovered.

As for this semester, I will be a junior, and I hope to embrace all that comes and to live each day in the present moment. I hope to be studying in Thailand or Lithuania this spring if all goes as planned according to God’s will.

Overall, I couldn’t have done this without the help and support from the Intercultural Office as they guided me through this process and didn’t give up on me. Not once did I feel alone trying to make the big decisions. My family and friends also played a role in supporting and encouraging me to pursue a semester abroad. Nothing is certain, and that’s the beauty of life. Every moment is a slice of time and change can spring up in unexpected ways. All I have to do is say “yes” and let go of my plans to experience all that God has for me here and abroad.

16 // SEPT 2016

September

By Abby Noll

w Y M H M L M (what you may have missed last month)

Found, But Not Lost: The story of a student planning to study abroad

By Megan Hess

Culture

no mo’ no#fomo mo’ #fomo

Platinum Hits, Jason Derulo The king of slinky-sexy mainstream pop jams released his first greatest hits album in late July. It’s a cocky move for a singer who hasn’t even hit 30 yet, but, with as many hit singles as he’s had in the last five years, the time is now. Platinum Hits’ biggest highlight isn’t the classic crowd-pleasers from Talk Dirty (“Trumpets,” “Wiggle,” “Talk Dirty”) or his self-titled debut (“Whatcha Say,” “Ridin’ Solo,” and the vastly underrated “In My Head”), but a brand-new single penned by Katy Perry’s favorite hitmaker, Bonnie McKee, entitled “Kiss the Sky.” Platinum Hits has only one major flaw: its release date. If it had dropped a month earlier; “Kiss the Sky” would be the guaranteed front-runner for song of the summer, instead of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

Indignation (Schamus, 2016)

It’s a little surprising that Indignation, one of Philip Roth’s most recent - and slimmest - books got a movie before some of his more recognized novels - Goodbye Columbus, Portnoy’s Complaint or even American Pastoral, which won him his first and only Pulitzer so far, for example.

(The film version of Pastoral - starring Ewan McGregor and Dakota Fanning as Swede and Merry Levov, respectively - premieres in October). Despite its source material’s position in the Roth pantheon, the film adaptation of Indignation charmed critics. Logan Lerman is well-suited to his protagonist role, and his performance in Indignation cements him as an actor to watch carefully in the next few years (if you haven’t already been doing so since Perks of Being a Wallflower (Chbosky, 2012)).

He’s kind of the inverse Miles Teller, who went from indies like The Spectacular Now (Ponsoldt, 2013) through a rough patch of disposable dystopian dramas before circling back around to low-budget again and delivering one of the best performances of the year in Whiplash (Chazelle, 2014). I see no reason why Indignation won’t be left out of Oscar nominations come awards season; it could lead to a first Best Actor Academy Award for Lerman.

You Will Know Me, Megan Abbott With You Will Know Me, Abbott returns to what she does best: teenagers with bite.

If watching the Final Five decimate the competition during the Olympics in Rio made you want to be a gymnast, You Will Know Me will talk you out of buying that first leotard. Just as she did with cheer in Dare Me, Abbott exposes the seedy underbelly of the sport with her taut, crisp, prose and well-rendered characters.

It’s easily one of the best books of her career, right up there with the aforementioned Dare Me and The End of Everything. Gillian Flynn might be hot right now (and for good reason), but Abbott is equally as talented as Flynn. Hopefully, someday they can share the spotlight.

Media provided by Amazon.com

SBM // 17

Culture

Decision 2016

Candidate Profiles

By Mike Scinto

democrats Although one might (validly) question her choice of email servers, Hillary Clinton is nevertheless the most qualified candidate—by quantity and importance of political experience—in the 2016 presidential race. As a graduate of Yale Law School, she worked as a social advocate in Arkansas.

Later, as First Lady of the United States, she spearheaded a campaign to establish the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which supplies health insurance to children and families who do not qualify for Medicaid. In 2000, she was elected Senator of New York State, and in 2008 became President Obama’s Secretary of State.

Now, as the Democratic nominee, many see her as the logical choice for voters looking to extend the policies of the Obama era — or maintain a liberal public policy agenda. Despite challenges of “flip-flopping,” Clinton has a relatively solid track record when it comes to her positions on many social and economic issues. Her views have reliably fallen in line with positions held by the Democratic National Committee.

In fact, according to a New York Times analysis, she and her erstwhile primary challenger Bernie Sanders voted alike 93% of the time while in the Senate together.

Bernie Sanders, who is sometimes blamed for Clinton’s low favorability ratings, has said himself that Clinton is

18 // SEPT 2016

the future of the Democratic ideology in America. In an Op-Ed for the LA Times, Sanders wrote: “In these difficult times, we need a president who will bring our nation together, not someone who will divide us by race or religion … on virtually every issue facing this country and the needs of working families, Clinton’s positions are far superior to Trump’s.”

Sanders’s lukewarm endorsement, though an endorsement nonetheless, is indicative of the general attitude towards Clinton among liberal voters. Although the latest RealClearPolitics Average has her leading by 3 points, her favorability ratings are quite low: 41% favorable to 55% unfavorable. Many, it seems, are voting purely out of loyalty to the ideology she represents, rather than enthusiasm for her individual presidency.

Still, for liberal-leaning independents and policy-focused Democrats, Clinton is likely preferable to her opponents.

Though she may have a morally dubious past, her experience and commitment to the mainstream liberal agenda are difficult to deny. And domestic policy is not the only relevant factor: her reputation abroad and the respect she commands as an established stateswoman and dignitary makes her a worthy candidate for the position of Commander in Chief.

Culture

republicans

The candidate on everyone’s mind is Donald Trump. He has been a figure in popular culture since the 1980s, but his political ascendancy this election was both sudden and surprising. A businessman who made his billions in real estate, Trump’s politically incorrect, devilmay-care approach to the traditionally stuffy realm of presidential politics has attracted many would-be voters, who feel isolated from political status-quo.

So far, this method has been successful: after an early slog through the Republican primaries, Trump managed to force the majority of his opponents out of the race, eventually carrying the last several states uncontested. Though his brash and brazen attitude left many Republicans bitter, he has nonetheless managed to consolidate power around himself and his unique brand of boisterous populism.

Donald Trump has certainly raised many an eyebrow with his unconventional ideas on immigration and foreign policy.

Whether or not this unconventionality is a positive or negative depends on the individual’s ideological leanings. Taking a strong stance against illegal immigration, Trump has suggested building a wall along the border with Mexico and expressed interest in a deportation program similar to President Eisenhower’s Operation Wetback. Furthermore, he has repeatedly drawn criticism for proposing an immigration ban on Muslims.

In foreign policy, Trump has shown open disdain for NATO, commenting in a Washington Post interview that it was

“costing [America] a fortune” and hinting at its irrelevance as an institution.

He praised the Brexit as well, calling it “the will of the people” and likening the sentiment behind Britain’s EU exit to America’s immigration woes.

His bent is certainly anti-globalist, but he does not err towards complete isolationism. In an interview with Fox News, he explained that he was “all for free trade,” with the caveat that it was “fair.”

That means, according to him, stopping companies from moving overseas and disenfranchising domestic workers. And, like many Republicans, he favors a strong military and international presence.

Indeed, aside from several of his more noteworthy views (like those mentioned above), Donald Trump’s platform is fairly unremarkable for a GOP candidate.

He admits to problems in healthcare but opposes the Affordable Care Act. He wishes to loosen increasing firearm restrictions and wants to shutter superfluous government programs. He supports tightening welfare requirements—such as implementing short-term-only SNAP benefits and rolling back Social Security, and objects to excessive federal meddling in environmental issues.

Most criticisms leveled at Trump come from his refusal to backpedal on certain hot-button issues. During the GOP debate last January, Trump stood by his Muslim ban, saying, “Look, we have to stop with political correctness. We have to get down to creating a country that’s not going to

have the kind of problems that we’ve had with people flying planes into the World Trade Centers … with all the problems all over the world. … We have to find out what’s going on.” His campaign website still lists “Compelling Mexico to Pay for the Wall” as a major campaign objective.

But these things and his propensity for bucking the trends of the Republican establishment are part of his appeal.

Donald Trump is a political outsider, no doubt. He may be a billionaire, but he is not part of the nation’s political elite.

This allows him an air of relatability, especially when compared to Hillary Clinton—a poster child for establishment politics. By refusing to conform to social norms, by eschewing the cool and calculating air of an experienced politician and speaking in terms deemed “politically incorrect,” he voices the concerns of many Americans who feel voiceless.

As of early September, Donald Trump is closing the gap between Hillary, and he is within 3 points of her in national polling. Still, his unfavorability ratings are high—nearly 56% percent unfavorable, on average—and he must appeal to more than his loyal base to win the presidency.

As the Republican nominee, Donald Trump is, though unorthodox, still a standard-bearer for conservative values. His success come November is dependent entirely upon his demeanor, and how eloquently—or ineloquently—he presents them.

But wait... there are more options.

Read on to find out about the Green and Libertarian Party candidates.

SBM // 19

Culture

greens

Bernie Sanders may have endorsed Hillary Clinton, but his grassroots, anti-establishment campaign is not dead. Indeed, it lives on in Jill Stein. The current Green Party candidate has been actively courting Sanders’ disenfranchised base since late in the summer. Stein is, in a way, the opposite of Clinton: a political outsider who has never held a major public office. A physician by trade, Stein has been active in social advocacy since the early 2000s, and a minor player in presidential politics since the 2012 election.

Her platform is a continuation of Sanders’s. Fiercely dedicated to progressive values, she shuns corporate power and finances her campaign through individual donations. She favors government intervention in the economy—harkening back to New Deal Era public projects—and is a vocal advocate of strong and sustainable environmental policy. Furthermore, she is critical of the influence of Wall Street and big money donations on politics. In foreign policy, Stein favors a pseudo-isolationist approach, advocating a harshly

slashed military budget, criticizing U.S. global hegemony, and vocally denouncing its actions in Iraq, Syria and Libya.

Like Sanders, Stein finds establishment politics anathema. She sees both parties as two sides of the same coin, representing the interests of the rich and powerful rather than the general citizenry. During the 2012 race, she referred to Obama as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” and implied that he was no different from Mitt Romney. She has expressed a similar view on Clinton, saying: “The answer to neofascism is stopping neoliberalism. Putting another Clinton in the White House will fan the flames of this right-wing extremism.”

Overall, in the wake of Sanders’s defection to the Clinton camp, his former supporters have gravitated towards Stein’s campaign.

According to RealClearPolitics, she is currently polling at around 3%. Her progressive ideas and commitment to transparent, people-focused politics make her a worthy successor to Bernie’s radical revolution.

“[Stein] is currently polling at around 3%.

Her progressive ideas and commitment to transparent, people-focused politics make her a worthy successor to Bernie’s radical revolution.”

20 // SEPT 2016

Culture

“Currently polling at 8%, with high favorability among millennials and moderates, Johnson has emerged from the primary season as this election’s most noteworthy third-party candidate.” an, is the conservative answer to Jill Stein.

After Clinton, Johnson has the most extensive political resume: once a businessman and construction magnate, he was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1995, and served until 2003. In 2012, he ran as a candidate for the Libertarian Party but ended his campaign with only 1% of the vote.

Ideologically, he occupies an interesting position—one that may speak to many disenfranchised moderates. Libertarians are fiscal conservatives but social liberals, supporting widespread economic deregulation while also advocating complete freedom of civil rights and liberties.

Johnson, like his party, holds many ideas that might seem odd to traditional conservatives. In a 2013 article for The Guardian, Johnson called on Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to push for national legalization of marijuana. He has supported same-sex marriage since 2011 and is also personally pro-choice—though he believes abortion should be a measure decided on a state-by-state basis.

Other beliefs might isolate him from some hardline liberals, such as his opposition to gun control, his desire to deregulate the economy and healthcare industries, and his support of charter schools and private prisons. But these are all products of his fundamental belief in the values of a limited government. For Johnson and the libertarians, the free market is the ultimate

indicator, gatekeeper and regulator—it possesses the power to protect the American people from unscrupulous business practices, and (by allowing competition of both product and idea) can deliver them the best possible variation of anything from education to food quality.

libertarians

Gary Johnson, running as a libertari-

Johnson is a strong supporter of civil rights and has earned high praise from the American Civil Liberties Union for his ardent and unwavering opposition to discrimination, censorship and government overreach. In fact, one of Johnson’s greatest strengths is his ideological stability. Since he last ran as a Libertarian candidate four years ago, he has not flipped on any of his major campaign goals. In a 2012 speech to the ACLU, Johnson outlined his then-platform, remarkably similar to the one he runs on today: “I support gay marriage equality. I support repealing the PATRIOT Act … I think we should end the practices of torture. Period.” He went on to declare his opposition of “detainment without being charged,” and pledged to keep government regulation out of the internet.

Currently polling at 8%, with high favorability among millennials and moderates, Johnson has emerged from the primary season as this election’s most noteworthy third-party candidate. As an increasingly relevant alternative voting option, at a time when liberals and conservatives alike are fed up with their respective candidates, Gary Johnson is poised to run a very successful 2016 campaign.

SBM // 21

Sports & Rec

Along the PCT with Benton Mitchell

By Myriam Pedercini

“How many miles can I go on my feet?” is a question senior adventure education major Benton Mitchell asks himself often. In his quest to find just how far he can go, Mitchell hiked 2,650 miles this summer from Campo, California to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

22 // sept 2016

He

has always enjoyed the outdoors, but it wasn’t until the eleventh grade when he fell in love with hiking. His first trip was opposite of any ideal excursion weather - pouring rain, flood warnings and what once was a path becoming a river.

“I remember being like, ‘this is awesome!’ and that was history.

Every day from eleventh grade until my first year in college I was out hiking,” says Mitchell.

Sports & Rec

Preparation In 2012, Mitchell took time off from college and hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) from the second week of March to mid-July. He completed the trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine, in 106 hiking days and covered about 2,200 miles.

“There’s nothing like your first long hike,” says Mitchell. The experience along the AT fueled his desire to venture along the West Coast. By the time he was out of the wilderness, Mitchell had already created a list on his phone of gear for the PCT. “I joked with my mom that when I graduate college, I would hike the PCT. It would be my graduation gift,” says Mitchell. When Mitchell couldn’t graduate in May and

realized he would return as a “super senior” this semester, he saw it as an opportunity to take the summer and hike the PCT before graduation and the search for a job.

“For the AT there was preparation,” Mitchell says. “For the PCT, I read a couple of books and asked friends for gear and advice, but just kind of went off and did it.”

On the Trail Mitchell began the trek at the Southern Monument in Campo, California, touching the wall between the United States and Mexico. He traveled through the desert, alpines and snow covered mountains.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful trail,” shares Mitchell who traveled through remarkable yet tough terrain and weather conditions.

Once, a forest fire broke out in Northern California, where Mitchell and his companions had passed through not too long ago. From further up the trail, he could see the smoke rising and made the wise decision to keep moving. Mitchell’s safety is always a concern of his parents who have gotten used to his adventures and learning to be okay with not seeing him for months on end.

“During my time on the AT they used to always call, wanting to know how I was, and it’s always a little nerve racking for them. On the PCT, I would call them and say ‘hey we just got caught in a huge snowstorm, or there was a forest fire’ and they’d say, ‘Oh, well you’re okay right? Cool,’” laughs Mitchell.

“I read a couple of books and asked friends for gear and advice, but just kind of went off and did it.”

SBM // 23

Sports & Rec Two instances along the trail Mitchell found himself in the High Sierras where he was in high elevation going through the mountain’s pass. The whole valley below him was engulfed in a cloud and as he descended it began to snow then pouring rain. Head down and very cold, Mitchell trekked onward.

“One of the themes while being out there was trust. If a storm was coming in you just had to let go and know things will work out. I set this mentality that everything is temporary. This feeling of being cold and soaked was temporary because in a few days I’d be in town, dry,” says Mitchell.

Coming into town occurred somewhere between every four to seven or eight days. Once there, it was time for Mitchell to stock up on non-perishable foods. Out on the trail, Mitchell would have meals such as cheese and bagels, pop tarts and honey buns, rice and beans and always a Snickers bar.

the trail through various post offices he came by in the towns.

“I always had a problem with the post offices. My gear wouldn’t arrive on time, and I’d have to wait. Once, I just left without receiving my package and just continued up the path,” shares Mitchell.

Along the PCT, Mitchell encountered different companions who shared the trail with him. He met different hikers along the way who accompanied him mainly during meal times or to set up camp for the night. Out in the wilderness, people tend to go by trail names, nicknames that come unique to the different hikers. found himself getting too much in his “This one guy was named ‘Roadrunner.’ He head and suffering from boredom. His was always in front of us,” recalls Mitchell.

Other members of his hiking crew included remedy? Putting in his headphones and jamming out to some Bob Marley. names such as; Zucchini, 2% and Breeze.

Mitchell himself goes by the name of Rafiki, “I was just listening to my music meaning friend in Swahili. Together they called themselves the “Hot to Trot Crew,” a and focused on the path that later my friend 2% told me I hiked right saying they often used since they were all past a bear,” Mitchell recalls. eager hikers, ready to get back on the trail.

Water was also necessary to fill up on.

Mitchell carried around 12 pounds of water, Although Mitchell had companions especially in the desert and drank Gatowhom he met along the way, a large rade to compensate for the electrolytes he portion of his time was spent alone. was losing in the heat. Along the desert Each hiker sets their own pace and trail when town days were further apart, respects each other’s distance. there would be water caches supplied by “trail angels,” individuals who seek to “Everyone goes into their own mind to keep help hikers either through water or food themselves moving,” explains Mitchell. supply or even giving them rides to town.

Town was also time for gear. Mitchell would send himself gear along

Loneliness creeps in as hours go by without seeing someone. Mitchell often

“One of the themes while being out there was trust.

If a storm was coming in you just had to let go and know things will work out.”

24 // sept 2016

While hiking, Mitchell encountered four bears, raccoons in Yosemite who would come up to you and take your stuff, rattlesnakes he almost stepped on and the Mojave Green, a poisonous snake that would chase you along the trail if you came too close. Luckily for Mitchell, he never had that experience.

“When you’re out there, you’re not in your own element. There’s a huge

Sports & Rec

amount of respect for nature. When we encountered wildlife we just enjoyed watching it on the path and then just shooed it off to continue,” says Mitchell.

traveling along the West Coast on his own adventure - picked him up at the end of both of their summer adventures.

Leaving no trace is important; including leaving no garbage behind campsites, staying on the trail and even helping pick up litter. A hiking crew known as “The Pack It Out Crew” focuses on finding as much trash as they can and clear the landscape of any waste. Mitchell found himself helping them out and even carried out a 10-pound ax that was found.

After the PCT

Although the beauty of the wilderness is throughout the PCT, Mitchell says he really enjoys the desert. Its diversity and inhabitants such as the Joshua trees were part of Mitchell’s awe. He often found himself soaking in the views and reflecting on life in such a breathtaking setting.

“There was a lot of peace. If I’m in the moment that I’m in, God is there with me,” Mitchell says.

Once he reached the end of the trail in Canada, he came back down to Washington where his roommate, junior adventure education major Paul Smith – who was

Now being back in college is both strange and comfortable for Mitchell.

“It’s nice to eat real food again,” laughs Mitchell. “It’s been hard to get back into regular life, into a repetitive routine.

Every day felt purposeful on the trail.”

Mitchell cannot stay away from the trail for too long, though. He plans on hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), which runs from Mexico to Canada along the Rocky Mountains. This would earn him the Triple Crown, an informal yet wellearned titled of any hiker that completes the long distance hiking trails of the AT, PCT and the CDT. Mitchell is also drawn to the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand and may make that his next big adventure.

For now, Mitchell is simply content to finish school, eat real food and enjoy the simple luxuries that aren’t on the trail.

SBM // 25

Sports & Rec

Sports Center Update

By Alyssa Burd

M

ost people at Messiah have grown accustomed to the sounds of heavy machinery and constant hammering on our typically peaceful campus. Some may wonder, “Will it ever end?” Well, thanks to the construction completed over the summer, the building of the new sports center is right on schedule and even closer to completion.

“A lot of the work this summer focused on the structure that was related to the pool and the existing locker rooms,” says Vice President of Development, Kathie Shafer.

“That’s the biggest accomplishment. Otherwise, it’s just putting foundations in, putting walls up, putting lots of steel in place.”

As a result of the summer construction, the lane pool and remodeled lockers rooms are now reopened for use.

According to Shafer, the construction crews faced a few challenges throughout the building project, such as finding unknown piping as well as rock that wasn’t where they initially thought it to be. However, the challenges were not detrimental to the construction schedule as the shape of the building is set to be finished later this fall. Additionally, the completed sports center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2017.

26 // sept 2016

While construction continues to operate in full-swing, students and faculty alike are expected to conduct themselves appropriately to help move along the process as smoothly as possible.

“There is enough parking for everyone who has a parking permit,” Shafer notes. “Students who have chosen not to register their cars, if they become habitual, we will be towing this year.”

Shafer also adds, “On College Avenue where it’s one way, it’s driving only and no pedestrians—we are having students run through there and running actually into traffic. While it’s a challenge, we need students to run through campus in a different way and not through [construction].”

Although there are some challenges and restrictions for students while the building project continues, the result is expected to have a positive impact on the Messiah community.

“Naturally, this facility will provide our athletes with much-improved resources that will help them to continue to reach excellence in their performance,” says Student Body President, Jake Edmunds. “However, the sports center will also provide all students with a common gathering place for fitness and activity. It will be much easier and much more enjoyable to grab a few friends

Photos of construction in progress, and artists renderings of finished project Photos provided by Facility Services

and hit the weight room a few times a week than it ever has been before.”

“I encourage all my friends and classmates to anticipate the good that is coming and to remember the great things we have already,” Edmunds continues. “As the old adage reminds us: you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. While this egg is being cracked, why don’t we enjoy the omelets that we already have on our plate?”

For more updates on the new sports center, please visit the Facility Services website and remember that the best is yet to come!

Sports & Rec

Life after Jared:

hard and do the details, I believe the next two seasons could be the most successful seasons in team history,” Schatz says.

Cross country team looks toward new season

Even though the team graduated seven seniors, the roster is still filled with talent for this season. They welcomed six freshmen, in addition to nineteen returning members.

By Valerie Bell

“I’m always thankful for freshman each year to replace the graduates on the roster, and for the underclassmen to mature,” says Fogelsanger.

Jared Schatz’s greatness was not measured by the amount of records broken or first place wins he achieved but by his lasting impact on Messiah College’s cross country team.

Schatz graduated this past May as one of the best runners Messiah has had. As he continues his education in graduate school in Missouri, he is also continuing his passion for running. He coaches other athletes while furthering his education in exercise physiology.

While Schatz will be missed by his fellow teammates, Coach Fogelsanger is anticipating another successful season, even with the absence of Schatz and other outstanding athletes.

Last year the team graduated three of four top runners. Despite that loss, the team will be returning seniors Nate and Josh Pardoe, junior Kaleb Burch and sophomore Ben Schott; all in last year’s top seven runners.

“I feel that each athlete is gifted and for us, one person does not make a team,” Fogelsanger says. “That said, Jared certainly developed into a great national caliber runner while at Messiah. He and the other seniors, grew a lot, athletically and as men of God over their four years, and we will miss their leadership, but others will develop and step up.”

Although cross country is an individual sport, there is a team dynamic that takes place. The men continue to support and motivate each other with their walk with Christ.

“For us, it’s not about individual glory or even team glory. It’s about using

our running ability to glorify God,” sophomore Zach Lofties says.

That’s one reason the team will miss Schatz. During his time on the team, he exemplified the definition of a selfless leader.

“He was the most humble guy I’ve ever met because he never boasted and always would put the team before himself,” Lofties says.

Even though Schatz isn’t running alongside his former teammates at Messiah, his legacy will always be a part of the team.

“Not being a part of the team this year is definitely a weird feeling,” Schatz says. “When you are a part of a team for so long you sometimes think that you will stay in that position forever.”

His teammates all had positive remarks to make about not only his gift of running but his positive leadership and impact. For Schatz, his feelings were mutual towards his former team.

“Talking about being a senior,” Schatz says, “When it was our time to leave, I knew that the team would be left in more than capable hands, and would have an exceptional amount of talent, far more than anything I could have ever hoped for as a runner.”

Fogelsanger agrees with Schatz about the ability of this year’s team. Fogelsanger hopes to provide a team atmosphere for each athlete to become more Christ-centered, team-enriched and self-motivated. Although Schatz will be missed, he continues to support his former team as they grow in the following areas.

The team will continue practicing and conditioning to the best of their abilities in hopes of achieving personal bests and records. Despite the outcome of the race, the team runs for the glory of God and supports each other every step of the way.

“There is more to running than the accolades and awards. The real joy comes from building others around you up and making them better. In all my years of running, seeing the joy and happiness in my teammate’s eyes far outreached anything that I ever did as an individual,” says Schatz.

Schatz’s one bit of advice for his team is to stay humble. He says what he accomplished during his time at Messiah couldn’t have been possible without the support of his family, coaches and teammates.

“The best advice I can give to my teammates is to never lose the drive and determination of being the best, but also never lose sight of the true reason why we do what we do, which is to glorify God, the one who gave runners their incredible talent,” Schatz says.

Although Schatz will be an unforgettable athlete, others can aspire to chase their dreams and accomplish great things too.

The close bond of the cross country team is admirable and uplifting, even for what people see as an “individual sport.”

Like Schatz says, “the team aspect of running is something that can never be replaced.”

“It has been very exciting to look at the first couple of meets this year and observe the team’s success. If they keep working

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Re-Defining the Student-Athlete

By Ashlyn Miller

A

tennis player who is a computer science major, a track captain who is about to start student teaching and a swimmer who is studying to become a physical education teacher—all are real student athletes at Messiah who are just as talented in the classroom as they are in competition.

Messiah athletes take their elite talent level on the playing field into the classroom.

The Falcons topped the MAC conference in both the winter and spring seasons last year with 271 total recognitions, including 26 academic all-MAC honorees. Messiah also had 8 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans during 2015-16, the most ever for the Falcons in a single academic year.

Here’s a look at how some of these honor roll students make distinctions in both the books and their sports equipment.

Kelly Hopkins, Women’s Tennis Major: Computer and Information Science Upstairs in the Union, down the hall past the SGA and club sports offices, tucked in a window seat—that’s where sophomore Kelly Hopkins goes when it’s time to get things done.

“Going from class to your other activities— which for me, is tennis and Black Student Union—and then not doing your work until 7 or 8 o’clock, it takes a lot of discipline to stay focused the entire time until you go to bed. The biggest thing is to find a safe space that you are most productive in.”

Hopkins says she learned quickly that having her bed in sight was too much of a temptation. She needed a place where she could stay deeply focused and power through her work. That’s where her Union study spot comes in.

“During the offseason, you can take your time more, but when you’re in season, you have focus in because there’s only a set number of hours you have to do your work.”

Good time management is Hopkins’ main strategy for success, but the support of her coaches is just as important. Coach Jon Arosell holds practice five times a week, but if the next day holds a big test for a student, he allows the athlete to forgo practice for the day to study. As long as athletes are up front about it rather than trying to miss practice secretly, Arosell finds a way to work around heavy course loads.

“Tennis is my main stress reliever at school,” Hopkins says. “(It lets me) get all of my energy and frustrations out.

Playing has gotten more difficult over the years with harder classes, but it’s not hard to handle with Coach supporting us.”

Dane Cornelius, Men’s Track and Field Major: Education Student teaching is synonymous with a crazy schedule for many seniors studying education, but Dane Cornelius isn’t phased. He jumped into college as a

A Record Breaking Timeline

by Willie Hope

As the fall athletic season kicks into high gear, The Swinging Bridge takes a look back at last year’s career and record-breaking performances: Messiah’s women’s swim team breaks Jane Underman (Women’s Volleyball) becomes the first player in Messiah history to win conference Player of the Year.

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Nikki Elsaesser wins the NSCAA Player of the Year -the fifth in program history.

Elsaesser’s career year ended with 77 points, a single-season program record.

eleven program records and six MAC records, en route to their third straight MAC championship. The Falcons totaled 832 points, a program record.

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21 December 2015

Jared Schatz finishes 85 out of 278 runners at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship, becoming the first Falcon to run in the event since 2010.

November 2015 28 // SEPT 2016

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Gillian Glackin powers the women’s basketball team to a MAC Commonwealth semifinal win over Stevenson. Glackin finished with a career high with 30 points and 23 rebounds in addition to five blocks.

February 2016

freshman running track and balancing two work-study jobs. Since then, he says it has only gotten easier to balance academic responsibilities and team commitments.

people,” he says. “It’s great to have those different groups to go to.”

“I tell a lot of prospective students not to count extracurriculars out because it actually helps me to manage my time and to separate things a little bit,” Cornelius explains. “I know where my time belongs throughout the day depending on what time it is.”

Swimming has been part of Cassie Cotton’s daily schedule for as long as she can remember—and definitely for all of her school-age years.

This year his schedule will require some minor adjustments once pre-season practices start in a few weeks. However, Cornelius says Messiah coaches are understanding and work with students’ schedules.

“I want to be around the team as much as I can, but sometimes I’ll get back (from student teaching) after practice starts. We have it set so I’ll be able to just jump in wherever they are and do my own thing to catch up,” says Cornelius.

Despite the learning curve he experienced freshman year in handling the commitment of a team with his school work, Cornelius says being intentional about his roles on campus has taught him some important lessons.

“I think I’ve definitely learned to be involved and be invested in different

The Messiah wrestling team finishes as National Runner-Ups, their highest finish in team history. Josh Thomson became the Falcons’ first four-time, All-American and Lucas Malmberg and Ben Swarr became the program’s third and fourth National Champions.

12 March 2016

Cassie Cotton, Women’s Swimming Major: Health and Physical Education

“I’ve been swimming since I was about three, so it’s always been drilled into me to set aside time to swim.”

That time is 4 - 6 p.m. during the week, and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Having a set schedule helps Cotton plan ahead and finish homework before she heads out to practice. If she runs into any trouble, she knows it will be easy to find a helping hand from a teammate.

“We have such varied majors that it’s not hard to find someone taking the same class or has had the class (in the past),” she says.

“Here, everyone’s there supporting you making sure you get it done. Coach (Luley) makes sure we keep our grades up.”

All of that support came to Cotton’s aid in just her first semester at Messiah. She was enrolled in an Anatomy and Physiology class, which Cotton says was, “the hardest class I had ever taken in life, let alone my first semester of college.”

May 2016

Women’s lacrosse player Stephanie Athens receives Second Team All-American honors, the 11th in Messiah history. Athens tallied a career high with 50 points during the year.

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She studied after practice with other freshman on the team who were taking the same class, and other teammates who had already taken the class pitched in with tips and old notes.

“There’s always someone to ask,” Cotton says. “It’s such a good, supportive environment. I had never had that (academic support) in other places or with past teams.”

Coach Luley also spends personal time with students making sure they are prepared academically. Cotton credits Luley with guiding her through a change in her major from athletic training to physical education just three weeks into her freshman year. Luley helped Cotton transfer credits and move into new classes so Cotton could make the transition as smooth as possible.

“That was a very overwhelming time for me, and I was always afraid I wasn’t making the right decision. I was three weeks in and didn’t know Coach all that well, but she changed my whole perspective and really helped me out.”

Despite balancing academics and challenging sports schedules, these student athletes prove that success can be found thanks to support from friends, coaches and mentors.

Tim Moses earned his sixth All-American honor in as many tries in the pole vault. Jared Schatz later finished sixth in the Steeplechase final for his first career All-American honor.

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The Falcons’ softball team advanced to the Softball World Series with their 44th win of the season, a program record. Messiah finished the season as the National Runner-Ups with 47 wins over the season.

With some brilliant individual and team performances last year, Messiah’s athletic programs are looking to add on even more this year.

For more information on Messiah athletics and records, check out gomessiah.com. Let’s go Falcons!

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