SHIELD MAGAZINE
T H E I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F R O C H E S T E R C O L L E G E
T H E I SSUE W I TH C O M M U N IT Y a special edition of Shield Magazine
A LETTER from the editor
FALLING BACK INTO LIFE For many people living in Michigan, autumn is their favorite season. And why shouldn’t it be? Leaves change color, Yates Cider Mill reopens and sweater weather begins. People flock to Starbucks like pilgrims seeking a pumpkin-spiced mecca. Autumn is a beautiful season. However, it also comes with a time limit. Brightly colored trees distract us from the shortening days and make us forget about the five-month-long deep frost that is to follow. We also return to school, fresh from summer, and have to readjust to our usual routines. The crush of the year begins again, and we prepare ourselves for exams, papers, holidays and futures. In the midst of this busy season, taking rest can be challenging. But autumn will be gone before we know it, replaced by winter’s snowy cover. So while we have these last nice, crisp autumn days, slow down and enjoy them. Notice the blazing sunsets, the fiery leaves. Snuggle up around a bonfire and drink hot cider. Your obligations will still be waiting for you afterward, sure, but don’t let special moments, this special season, slip away unnoticed. As we move through this autumn, Shield invites you to take pause with us. Mull over our stories, discuss them with friends. Enjoy. And, as a bonus, if you close your eyes and breathe deeply, you can even smell our pumpkin-spiced-scented pages.
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CONTENTS
S H I E L D // FALL ‘15
FEATURES 16 HOPE CENTER
How one org ani z at i on is br i ng i ng hop e to Pont i ac
BEYOND AVON 8 THE ISSUE WITH COMMUNITY Tr y resp e c t, not forc e d f r i e ndships
17 FROM THE DESK OF MR. PRESIDENT RC ’s stu de nt b o dy pre s i de nt re f l e c t s on t he j ob.
5 IMMIGRATION CRISIS Shou l d t he y st ay or shou l d t he y go ?
6 PUT THE GUNS DOWN Pu l l i ng t he t r i g ge r on g un cont rol
VIEWPOINTS 14 TREAT YO’SELF How to e at l o c a l ly w it hout bre a k i ng t he b an k
PA G E S D E S I G N E D B Y A M B E R J O S E P H
22 TRUE WARRIOR S am B er r y
S
shieldmedia.org The Shield Online @SHIELD_RC RCShieldtv shield_media shield@rc.edu
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C O NTRI BUTO RS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
NATALIE REDMOND
CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR
NICK SIMONIS
CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR
AMBER JOSEPH
CO-ASSISTANT EDITOR—DIGITAL MEDIA
DYLAN BOLE
CO-ASSISTANT EDITOR—DIGITAL MEDIA
ALYSSA YAKEY
SPORTS EDITOR ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
LINDSAY BASLOCK RACHEL MERVYN MILTON CRIBBS KAITLIN MILLIGAN
SENIOR WRITER
SHILOH COVELL
SENIOR WRITER
NICHOLAS O’NEIL
EVENTS COORDINATOR
MADISON KOLKE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MEG POLLOCK, GABBY WILSON
PUBLISHER, FOUNDER & ONLINE ADVISER LORA HUTSON PRINT ADVISER LIZ FULTON MULTIMEDIA ADVISER KAYCE MCCLURE
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PA G E D E S I G N E D B Y A M B E R
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS ASHLEIGH ANDERSON, A.J. WILLSON, CAROLINE HUEY, SHELBY KURSCHAT
Beyond Avon
I M M I G R AT I O N C R I S I S S H O U LD T H EY S TAY O R S H O U L D T H EY G O ?
PA G E D E S I G N E D B Y K A I T L I N M I L L I G A N
BY D Y L A N B O L E
The waves rock your boat. Your stomach grumbles. The people transporting you threaten your mother. Small lights pop out in the distance. Could that be where you are docking? These may be some of the thoughts going through immigrants’ minds as they make their way to Europe from the Middle East and Africa. However, these troubles are only the beginning of the many challenges they will encounter. The first account of people from the Middle East and Africa immigrating en masse to Europe was in 2011, when Tunisians arrived on Lampedusa, an island off of Italy’s Sicilian coast. Since 2011, Lampedusa has experienced an onrush of immigrants. As a result, a reception center was built to hold 250 to 300 people, but even this capacity cannot handle all the new people who arrive daily. Recently, Syrians have left for Europe in an attempt to escape the violence and brutality that has been prevalent in their country’s four-and-ahalf year civil war.
Afghans are also fleeing from violence that was Taliban rebels initiated. Similarly, Eritreans are leaving their totalitarian government that violates their freedoms and forces its citizens to work for the government. Finally, high poverty levels and threats from terrorist groups have caused people to leave Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria and Pakistan. Lately, Greece has become a landing point for many Syrian and Afghan immigrants crossing from Turkey. Frontex reports that for the first months of 2015, there were approximately 132,240 illegal border crossings into Greece. These immigrants landed on the Greek islands of Samos, Lesvos, Kos and Chios, only two-anda-half miles from Turkey. To make the crossing, many used inflatable rubber boats, which can easily sink when packed with too many people. Yet, once immigrants land in Greece or Italy, many still have more stops before they reach Germany, Scandinavia or the United Kingdom. To get to those areas, immigrants must travel through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. The unexpected arrival of millions of people on these countries’ borders has led to animosity between immigrants and local police. For instance, at the Hungarian and Serbian border, the Hungarian police responded to immigrants’ arrivals with pepper spray, tear gas and water cannons. Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs labeled these immigrants as an “armed mob of illegal migrants,” which reveals the negative view many nations take toward such groups of struggling people. To immigrants seeking safety and security from war, this “welcome” was unexpected. “We fled wars and violence and did not expect such brutality and inhumane treatment in Europe,” Amir Hassan, an Iraqi immigrant, said. The rush of millions of people across borders has also caused some nations to build fences that prevent immigrants from entering their country. Hungary has built a barbed wire fence that stretches across its border with Serbia. Although S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 05
at some points the fence is only 10 feet tall, the hope is that it will help ensure all immigrants are registered before they enter Hungary. Macedonia has also considered building a fence to better deal with the millions of people passing through. Not surprisingly, these border securities still have not prevented immigrants from continuing their journeys into Europe. “[The fences do] not stop them. They have already taken so many risks. So they will take more risks,” Babar Baloch, a budget-based spokesman for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said. However, not all officials have taken an antiimmigrant stance. Germany’s leaders continue to stress the importance of respecting others, and they believe the construction of fences goes against this idea. “We must build a Europe where we protect
freedom and guarantee security, but there is no place for either fences or walls,” Michael Roth, German minister of state, said. As the crisis continues, governments of many European nations will need to consider their options for addressing the needs of immigrants. The people of Europe are either extending helping hands or expressing xenophobic attitudes toward immigrants seeking freedom, peace and security. These opposing choices are rooted in religion, nationalism and ethics: a wide range of emotions that need to be reflected on before action is taken. The decisions the politicians and citizens in these countries make will define how our global society views diversity and acceptance. The spotlight is on Europe. The political choices that are made during this immigration crisis will influence the world’s future. n
Put the Guns Down, America pulling the trigger on gun control Gun violence continues to make headlines in many news reports: from the Umpqua Community College shooting on Oct. 1, to two journalists in Virginia being shot by a former employee, to a professor shooting and killing another professor at Delta State University in Mississippi. Additionally, homicide statistics in 30 major cities across the country have seen an increase. These all-too-frequent deadly events demonstrate that it is time for the United States to seriously consider stricter gun laws and analyze the gun culture of its citizens. Shootings in urban communities tend to be over minor arguments. Though these events should not lead to violence, the availability of 06 // FALL
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guns and young peoples’ quick rush to judgment can cause the situation to escalate quickly. Even police officers are startled by the prevalence of gun violence. “Most remarkable is that individuals get so upset over things I or others may consider petty that they resort to this level of violence,” Capt. Mike Sack, a homicide commander in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, said. The unnecessary violence has provoked others to speak out and challenge the standards by which U.S. citizens can acquire deadly weapons. Andy Parker, father of one of the slain journalists in Virginia, pleaded to President Barack Obama to work with the media to explain why better gun control laws are crucial.
PA G E S D E S I G N E D B Y K A I T L I N M I L L I G A N
BY D Y L A N B O L E
The killing of a family member inspired Parker’s plea, but on a national level, even presidential candidates are speaking on this issue. Hillary Clinton visited Charleston, S.C., where a mass shooting at the Emmanuel African Methodist Church killed nine people. “I know that we can have common sense gun reforms that keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and the violently unstable while respecting responsible gun owners,” Clinton said. This debate intensifies as mass shootings and homicides continue to occur. Our country notoriously distinguishes itself from the rest of the world with its prevalent mass shootings and the civilian settings in which they occur. According to a study by Adam Lankford, associate professor for criminal justice at the University of Alabama, the U.S. makes up only 5% of the world population but accounts for 31% of the world’s public mass shootings. Additionally, most mass shootings in the U.S. occur at schools or businesses, while internationally, mass shootings tend to occur at army bases. U.S. citizens also own the most guns in the world, with an estimated 270 to 310 million firearms circulating throughout the nation. This statistic may reveal why, in more than half of the mass shooting cases, the shooter had more than one firearm. The prevalence of guns in American society and the government’s refusal to pass stricter gun laws allow these mass shootings to occur time and again. When is the right time to pass stricter gun laws? After more students are killed while trying to obtain an education? After more men and women working to support themselves and their families are shot while on the job? After more citizens practicing their religion are gunned down at church?
Generally, after other nations experience mass shootings, stricter gun laws are passed. For instance, Australia had four mass shootings between 1987 and 1996. After these violent events, the Australian parliament quickly passed stricter gun laws. As a result, the only public mass shootings it has encountered since were terrorist attacks. In Canada, a person who wishes to buy a firearm has to go through mandatory licensing. This license has to come with a third party reference, a required training course and a rigorous background check, focusing on criminal and mental history. These strict measures help to ensure guns do not end up in the hands of people whose mental health history shows signs of future gun violence. Historically, American culture has permitted gun ownership because of the Second Amendment, but a new stance needs to be taken against guns in the United States. The Second Amendment states, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, should not be infringed.” This amendment was ratified in December 1791, in response to the British invading the United States and the view that states should have the opportunity to form militias if the federal government becomes tyrannical. In current American society, however, we do not have the same fears of invasion and the current federal government has its own checks and balances that prevent a dictator from ruling. The circumstances under which the Second Amendment was created are different than the conditions of 21st century American life. The United States needs to rethink its stance on this important issue and be wary of keeping outdated policies. We must learn from the many shootings throughout recent years and end the culture of violence that lenient gun ownership laws have encouraged.
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 07
Âť VIEWPOIN T S
the try issue with community: Respect, Not Forced Friendships BY N A T A L I E R E D M O N D 08 // FALL
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“C
* COMMUNITY: noun
A unified body of individuals: as an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location.
ommunity” is a phrase that is heard frequently at Rochester College. The New Student Orientation theme for the past two years has been “Journey into Community.” Campus Ministry calls the student population to become a “Christ-centered community.” But what, exactly, does community look like at RC? And how well do these goals get actualized? I came to RC under fairly typical circumstances: straight from a high school at which I’d felt nerdy and misplaced. I never had many friends there, so I was excited by the prospect of attending a small school where I could find a community. So I jumped into the RC community by trying to include myself in everything. During my first couple years, my involvement ranged from a cappella chorus to the honors program to the ACE lab and beyond. I realized early on in my junior year that my pace wasn’t sustainable. I was exhausted, and I was burning out. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t do everything. By trying to immerse myself in RC’s community, I had ended up drowning in overcommitment. Lately, RC’s administration and student government have been encouraging students to form community through cross-involvement. In addition to maintaining our own schedules—of
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 09
the breakdown traditional students
46% male 54% female 36% resident 64% commuter 16% athletes 84% non-athletes 10 // FALL
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work, school, friends, family and extracurricular activities—students involved in on-campus organizations have also been asked to make an extra effort to support each other’s work. Particularly, in the latest attempt to bridge that ever-present student/athlete divide, social groups are encouraged to adopt a sports team, cheer for them at games and cook dinners for them after practices. I like student athletes. When I have had time to go to games, I’ve been impressed by the players and proud of our school. And when those efforts are returned, when I run into athletes at Shield meetings or theatre productions, I’m happy to see them and grateful for their involvement. But I’m tired of being asked by administration to overextend myself in order to “build more community.” Take it from a chronic overcommitter: the answer to a stronger community is not for any of us to stretch ourselves thinner through goodwill gestures. Community does not come from begrudgingly joining another activity or showing up to an event that you wouldn’t have otherwise freely attended. That support is meaningless if you have no affection for those you are supporting. As much as coaches, administrators and student government might like to see a stronger RC community, they can’t forcibly build one. They can’t create bonds between individuals who might not naturally click. And you know what? That’s OK.
PA G E S A N D P H O T O S B Y N I C K S I M O N I S
RC’s student population doesn’t need to be constantly reminded that there are divisions on campus. We know this. We see them. But most of these divisions are normal. Those who train together on a team will end up close. Those who pledge a social club have signed up for a group identity. Some exclusivity is to be expected. Furthermore, we are not always going to have the time to attend each other’s events. But we can devote ourselves to the activities in which we’re already mired, and we can respect the work that others are doing. In an all-campus survey Shield sent out about community, many respondents complained that the school feels “cliquey.” To some extent, this accusation is true because the school is small. We all know each other well enough to at least identify who belongs to which group, who is seen with which friends. But finding a group of friends and forming a meaningful connection with them isn’t cliquey. RC aims to develop true friendships, and people aren’t going to forgo nurturing those friendships in a valiant effort to meet and befriend the entire school. (To put this into religious terms, even Jesus had 12 favored apostles.) RC only feels cliquey when these groups— those naturally forming, inevitable groups—do not respect each other. Whether one group looks down upon another by making holier-than-thou judgments or by snickering during chapel, the damage is the same. Administrators can’t fix this issue. No amount of campus-wide events will bring together those who don’t want to meet each other. No amount of lecturing on the virtues of community will help sow seeds of it. Despite immersing myself in RC life, I still feel deeply isolated sometimes, particularly in the moments that have been labeled as “community building.” I know I’m not alone in feeling this way: feeling frustrated and wondering “What more can I do? How could I ever do enough?”
“We can respect those around us for who they are, without either judging them or trying to force a friendship.” I feel isolated when I feel overly pressured to reach out to another as A Representative Of A Group, instead of as a friend. We, as students, are not community-building ambassadors. We are individuals. And individuals will have their differences and their disagreements. RC will never be a rose-colored community where everyone loves everyone else and we sing “Kumbaya” and find peace. But we can respect the work that those around us are doing, even if we don’t always have time to pause our own work to cheer them on. We can respect those around us for who they are, without either judging them or trying to force a friendship. “God made us then whispered, ‘Think symphony, not solo.’ Individually capable, collectively unbelievable,” Bob Goff, author of “Love Does”, said. Some of that symphony might come with voices of opposition. But what would music be without countermelody? In order to create community at RC, we don’t need to individually befriend every person. We don’t need to do away with divisions and pretend that we are all the same, or even pretend that we all like each other. We just need to make room for each other.
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 11
PA G E A N D P H O T O B Y A M B E R J O S E P H
#
ALWAYS FIND TIME FOR THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY TO BE ALIVE.
THE FEED Kaitlin Milligan
@KaitlinMilligan
In case you’re wondering what narcissism is, over half my time on Twitter is spent reading through my old tweets. #EgoLikeKanye
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Maria Zito
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Being constantly hungry and in college is an awful combination.
« Peigh-Z
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@hey_its_peighh
Netflix and chill? How bout buy me McDonalds and leave me alone
« Dustin McMillan
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@dustmcmillan
What if the “fruit of the vine” actually refers to coffee beans and we’ve been doing it wrong all this time? #CommunionReflections
« Gage Bolton
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Update in life: eating my feelings away in pizza.
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I like eating alone so I can stuff my face and be a wild animal without people judging.
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TO BE FEATURED IN THE FEED, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SHIELD_RC S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 13
TREAT YO’SELF
TUESDAY
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EAT LOCALLY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK BY G A B B Y W I L S O N
Finding good meal options in college can be challenging. Busy schedules make cooking a full meal difficult. Commuters are often away from home during mealtimes. Likewise, those living on campus may feel restricted to either eating cafeteria food or fighting with neighbors for time to cook in the communal kitchen. Though dining out in the Rochester area can be expensive, some local eateries offer great discounts that can be easier on your wallet. Every so often it’s nice to treat yourself: after all, you have been working hard this semester! Save yourself a swipe at the cafeteria and check out some cheap meal options, all of which are right down Rochester Road. A warning, though: with so many options to try, you may not break your bank, but you just might break your belt.
Georgio’s
DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER
Pizza is the go-to staple meal for college kids; rarely do you meet someone who says they hate pizza. (And never should you like someone who hates pizza!) Located just as you hit Main Street in downtown Rochester, Georgio’s Pizza & Pasta can save you some dough on Tuesdays when slices of cheese pizza are only $1 for those with a student ID. For the true Georgio’s fan, the restaurant also offers a spaghetti deal: $3 pasta on Wednesday night. This means back-to-back Georgio’s discount nights. Go ahead and indulge; no judgment here.
ROJO
CORNER OF ROCHESTER ROAD & TIENKEN
Bar Louie
PA G E D E S I G N E D B Y A S H L E I G H A N D E R S O N
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PHOTOS BY NICK SIMONIS
DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER
If you like the food at Rojo Mexican Bistro, then you’ll like it even more on Tuesdays. Rojo offers a weekly “Taco Tuesday” deal where you can rack up your tab with $1 tacos. If you’re a commuter who usually buys Tuesday night dinner in the cafeteria, think of how many tacos you can buy with that cash instead! Chips and salsa are also included on Taco Tuesday for no extra charge with the purchase of a soft drink. At Rojo, Mexican food is much better than you get on your desperate midnight Taco Bell runs. The tacos are fantastic, and considering the price, this deal cannot be beat!
Just a bit furthur down Rochester Road, there is another restaurant that’s hip to the Tuesday trend. Bar Louie is a bar and grill restaurant that serves $1 burgers on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to close. For $1, you can choose your type of burger, and for a small additional fee per topping, you can design the perfect sandwich for yourself. This is great for mixing things up and trying something new every week!
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» F EATU RE S
spreading hope in pontiac
H
ave you ever met someone with an amputated appendage due to frostbite? Has anyone ever shared with you what it’s like to go to bed hungry night after night? People with these stories and more can be found a mere 10 minutes down the road. I know because I’ve met them while volunteering with HOPE, a non-profit organization in Pontiac that provides shelter and food for homeless adults. HOPE Hospitality and Warming Center was born out of the tragic story of a man in Pontiac who froze to death due to inadequate shelter and clothing during the late ‘90s. Although the organization continues to assist hundreds of people each year, it can certainly be a challenge to meet the daily needs of so many. With winter fast approaching, the homeless of Pontiac will be hit the hardest. Due to financial restriction, HOPE is unable to stay open continuously unless the temperature is dangerously high or low. This means that at 7 a.m., HOPE’s 60 overnight guests must leave the shelter to roam the cold city. Most homeless people spend 10-12 hours per day walking in order to keep warm. They are accustomed to 16 // FALL
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spending the better part of the winter in a cold and wet state, and frostbite and its horrific complications are familiar situations. Operations at HOPE rely largely on volunteers and donations. On an average evening, at least six to eight volunteers are needed to assist the few staff members who are tasked with serving a dinner of mostly donated goods to approximately 70 people. Unsurprisingly, there is a constant need for donations of food, clothing and one’s time, and every donation can help. Coats, gloves, scarves, hats, waterproof boots, socks and backpacks are crucial to help people get through the winter. Donations of socks, underwear and T-shirts are welcome year-round, and sizes XL and up are usually requested. Toiletries are always needed as well.
If you are interested in the work HOPE is doing: call 248-499-7345 or visit: www.hopewarmingpontiac.org.
PA G E D E S I G N E D B Y A M B E R J O S E P H \ \ P H O T O S V I A U N S P L A S H . C O M
BY M E G P O L L O C K
FROM THE DESK OF MR.
PRESIDENT BY N I C H O L A S O ’ N E I L
PA G E A N D P H O T O S B Y A M B E R J O S E P H
“W
hat has it been like to be student body president so far?” is a question I have been asked numerous times. I enjoy answering it every time. Being the student body president has brought opportunities: not just for myself, but for people who have ideas for our school. However, being student body president also comes with challenges, particularly challenges tied to growing into this position. I haven’t always felt qualified to take on the role of student body president. But biblical history, too, is full of people who haven’t been “qualified” for the roles for which God needed them.
God used Moses even though he was a murderer. He also wasn’t a natural leader; he spoke with a stutter, yet God chose him to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. David is remembered as a great king, even though he was an adulterer. Paul used to kill Christians for a living, until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and was saved. Despite their “flaws,” God helped these unlikely men do amazing work for the kingdom. Initially, when Dean Candace Cain sent an email asking for candidates to run for student body president, I emailed her back and asked to look at the application. A week later, a friend asked me if I was applying for the position and told me I would be a good fit. I wasn’t sure how that person found out I was considering running, but I said I wasn’t applying. I laughed and doubted myself at the suggestion that I would. Later on that day, other people asked me about my application and encouraged me to apply. So, I prayed about it. By the end of the day, I asked Dean Cain if it was too late to apply. Applications were due at midnight, and I still needed two recommendation letters and a petition with 60 signatures. Fortunately, I was allowed to apply, and I suddenly found myself in a position I hadn’t seriously considered. God must have had a different plan though. I am glad I didn’t give up on running, and I am excited to see how I am going to learn and grow from this experience. Our freshman class is a unique group of people, bursting with ideas that will benefit RC for years to come. We have sophomores and juniors who feel they have found home here at RC. And our seniors will start changing the world next year. I am proud to lead this community, and I look forward to sharing more about SG’s work in future issues of Shield.
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 17
MO R SEL S TUNES
RHODES / Wis he s RHODES is an artist who has certainly made his rounds, supporting Sam Smith, London Grammar, Rufus Wainwright and everyone in between. Following the release of four EPs, RHODES has now debuted his minimalistic album entitled “Wishes�.
(Singer/ S ong w r iter ) - If you li k e : Van c e Joy
TWENTY ON E PILOTS / bl ur ry face Nearly impossible to place within a single genre, Twenty One Pilots continue to wow on their third studio album to date. Bordering between experimentation and hit-making, the duo dabble in pop and reggae sounds, swift ukelele tempos and cunning lyrics to create yet another standout album full of unexpected turns. (S ch izoi d Pop ) - If you li k e : Par am ore
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N U G G E TS OF E N TE R TAIN MENT GO ODNESS
O H W O N D E R / o h wo nd e r “Oh Wonder” is the debut album of pop duo Oh Wonder. Released independantly in September, the collection shows off the group’s vocal harmonies layered over notes of warm synth pop sounds. Similar in style to fellow artists Troye Sivan and Broods, Oh Wonder’s first album serves as a praise-worthy flagship effort.
(A lter nat ive) - If you li k e : Bro o d s
B E N R E C T O R / br a nd ne w Ben Rector’s “Brand New” is a treat for the ears and a hug for the soul. Rector’s storytelling shines like never before in his seventh studio album. Honest, catchy and profound lyrics lead the way to discovering Rector’s wit and charm as a songwriter. Each track resonates in a way that is bound to leave the listener feeling something brand new. (Singer-S ong w r iter ) - If you li k e : D re w Hol c omb & T h e Nei g hb or s
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 19
»
MOR SELS
THE REEL DEAL
THE MAR TI A N Fantasy/Science Fiction During a fierce storm on a manned mission to Mars, astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. (IMDb) St ar r i ng : Matt D am on
THE INTER N Comedy 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site founded and run by Jules Ostin. (IMDb) St ar r i ng : Rob er t D e Ni ro, An n e Hat h aw ay
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N U G G E TS OF E N TE R TAIN MENT GO ODNESS
READS
IF YOU F EEL TOO MUC H by : Jami e Tworkow sk i “If You Feel Too Much” is a celebration of hope, wonder and what it means to be human. From personal stories of struggling on days most people celebrate to offering words of strength and encouragement in moments of loss, the essays in this book invite readers to recognize it’s OK to admit one’s pain and ask for help. (Barnes & Noble)
I T’S N OT WHAT YOU TH IN K by : Je f fe rs on B e t h ke Jefferson Bethke says that “Christians have the greatest story ever told but we aren’t telling it.” Accordingly, Bethke tells that story anew, presenting God’s truths from the Old and New Testaments as the challenging and compelling story that it is: a grand narrative with God at the center. (Barnes & Noble)
CLICKS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF
via YouTube
SUNDAY
by : Wi l l D arby sh i re
by : C onnor Fr ant a
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G // 21
True Warrior Sam Berry
When Sam Berry was 6 years old, he watched the Red Wings with his dad. He focused on defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and was mesmerized. “Dad, he’s awesome!” Berry exclaimed. “I want to grow up and play just like him…. I want to be Nick Lidstrom!” By age 3, Berry began skating, and after persuading his parents, he began playing organized hockey in the 1st grade. Now a junior at Rochester College, Berry is also a defenseman on the RC Warrior ACHA Division I hockey team. “I had already been thinking about coming to RC, but then Coach Scott Cagnet called me up and asked if I’d want to play for our brand new team,” Berry said. Berry’s sister and brother in-law graduated from RC, so Berry was familiar with the college. He thought it would be a comfortable environment where he could get involved in everything he wanted to do, including singing, another one of his passions. Berry began pursuing singing seriously in 7th grade, and he participated in various competitions throughout high school. “My older sister Rachel is an amazing singer. I wanted to take choir in high school to be just like my sister because I looked up to her,” Berry said. Now, Berry participates in both RC’s A Cappella Chorus and the smaller, contemporary group Autumn. “People don’t expect a brute-like hockey player to also be a singer. It’s kind of fun to surprise people,” Berry said. 22 // FALL
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Off the ice, Berry is pursuing a degree in Christian ministry. He aspires to have a preaching career and plans on doing a preaching internship next semester. Berry’s Christian values are a big part of who he is. He leads team chapels, keeps prayer lists for his teammates and prays before every game. “This is something that players have come to expect. If, in the heat of the moment, the coaches forget, then the players remind us that Sammy hasn’t prayed yet,” Cagnet said. During games, when the going gets tough and tempers rise, Berry calms the squad. Even when he is on the bench, he always encourages his teammates. “I’m just a man, but I try to show the love of God to my teammates and opponents and try to treat them with respect,” Berry said. Hockey players are sometimes stereotyped as being mean and aggressive. But even though Berry is a hard-hitting player, he gets the job done with poise and discipline. “Even though I am a captain and older than Sam, I look up to him and hope that one day I can have his great attitude,” RC Hockey Captain Dakota Olvin said. Berry brings positivity to the team that helps bond them together. This year’s squad has a strong sense of family, unity and brotherhood. “This team is different. There’s something about it that sets it apart from any other team any of us have ever been on,” Berry said.
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At the beginning of the year, the team discussed their identity. They chose four qualities that would set them apart. They wanted to be the hardest working team on the ice, play with the most heart, be the most disciplined and be a family. At their new home rink, Suburban Ice Macomb, the Warriors will show off their skills and unity throughout their season. They will also battle their rival, Oakland University, in the Battle for the Jug competition. In the Warriors’ debut season, OU defeated RC in all five matchups. But last year, the Warriors stepped up and overpowered the OU Grizzlies to win the jug. This season, the Warriors will match up against OU again, and they intend to keep the jug at home where it belongs. “We went around the locker room and talked about our favorite hockey memories as an ice breaker for the new guys. Most of the returning players said that their best memory was of beating OU and winning the jug last year,” Berry said. This season will bring more competition and hype than ever before in RC hockey history. Both the Warriors and their fans are ready for another season on the ice. So how does the aggressive sport of hockey coincide with a strong Christian faith? “It manifests itself in hockey as sportsmanship and leadership on the team,” Berry said. Berry is a testament to how a Christian can excel in both his lifestyle and his sport. To find a person who is true to himself, his God and his team, look no further than Sam Berry.
“I try to show the love of God to my teammates and opponents and try to treat them with respect.”
The events we’ll remember the people we’ll never forget the stories we’ll retell
S H I E L D M E D I A . O R G