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The observer | Friday, april 9, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
By LEXI KILCOIN
scene Writer
This past easter may have been filled with unknowns, depending on if, how and where you celebrate it. but one thing no one was expecting was a gospel eP released by Justin bieber.
The “boyfriend” singer posted a cryptic Instagram post on easter, sending fans into a frenzy. Admittedly, I found the album while on my own search for new christian music, and let me tell you, I literally dropped my jaw and let out the most exaggerated gasp ever. While I’ve never been a belieber — and I mean I really don’t like his music — I do enjoy the vibe (and message) of “Freedom.”
“Freedom” consists of six songs, each with their own unique tone thanks to a variety of featured artists such as Tori Kelly and chandler moore. It opens with “Freedom,” which starts off sounding like drake’s “one dance” with a fun, reggae tone. It transitions into a unique sounding refrain — “Freedom, don’t it feel good?” — leading into a bridge sung by beam. “Freedom” is a great way to start off the album and introduces us to its overarching message of freedom through Jesus.
“All she Wrote” has an r&b vibe with a “Give it all to God,” finding-purpose-in-life kind of message, while “Where You Go I Follow” reminds me of a more “traditional” christian song — like one we might hear from hillsong United — with a direct devotion to Jesus as bieber repeats, “There’s nobody like you, Jesus.” my favorite songs on the eP are “We’re In This Together” and “Where do I Fit In.” “We’re in This Together” reminds me of nF’s songs — one of my favorite artists — with anecdotal lyrics and a soft rap style. The song even references the pandemic (which sounds so weird in a song but alas, it’s our reality) and I appreciated its relevance to the current state of the world. The outro is my favorite part of “We’re In This Together” because bieber speaks to us in prayer form, which is very unique not only for him, but for many christian songs in general.
“Where do I Fit In” is definitely my favorite song on the entire eP. It features Tori Kelly, chandler moore and Judah smith. It’s a very gentle and peaceful song. I’m told by my friends that I like to listen to sad music, and while this isn’t a sad song, it definitely fits the vibe of driving with your windows down on a summer night with no worry in the world except for your next turn. chandler moore ends the song beautifully as he takes over with a “God-like” voice and encourages us that “It’ll be alright.”
The album ends with “Afraid to say,” which wakes us up from the calmness of “Where do I Fit In” with its abrupt transition to of a strumming guitar. Its message is a perfect way to end this album, with bieber asking crucial questions like, “can’t there be room for maturity?” and “do we got the room to make mistakes?” It reminded me of his duet with shawn mendes in “monster”, which holds a similar message. overall, “Freedom” seems to be a new beginning for bieber, as he is “freed” from his past self and blossoms into a higher level of maturity. I personally beliebe (sorry, I had to) that anyone can find value in this eP and the message that is layered underneath beautiful shifts in music and a variety of voices, all of which tie each song together in perfect harmony.
Contact Lexi Kilcoin akilcoin01@saintmarys.edu
Justin Bieber
Label: Def Jam Recordings Favorite Tracks: “We’re In This Together, Where Do I Fit In” If you like: NF, Kanye West (Jesus Is King), Lecrae
By CLAIRE RAFFORD
senior scene Writer
before I even knew how to read, beverly cleary’s stories were an important part of my life. one of my earliest memories is of my mom reading me, “ramona the Pest,” before bed. night after night, I begged for “just one more chapter,” not wanting to abandon the world of Klickitat street. Years later, once I could finally read, unencumbered by the limits of my parents’ time, I tore through the ramona books, then the rest of cleary’s body of work. her novels quickly became my favorites, and I returned to them again and again. While I can credit any number of books and authors for my passion for reading (and the english degree I’ll hopefully be receiving in may), cleary is the one who inspired me to love books the way I do today. cleary, who died march 25 at the age of 104, managed to capture childhood in a way that is funny, yet moving; specific, yet timeless. she was inspired to write children’s books while she was working as a children’s librarian, when a young boy asked if she could find a book about kids “just like us.” cleary decided to do just that, and built a legacy doing so. her gift for capturing the humorous and tender sides of sisterhood, friendship and community is why she is hailed as one of the most important and accomplished authors of the 20th century.
Undoubtedly, cleary’s most popular works are the books centered around the eclectic, ever-hilarious Klickitat street, which follow an ensemble cast of characters, including henry huggins and his dog ribsy, beezus Quimby and her imaginative, mischievous younger sister ramona and a whole neighborhood of friends in suburban Portland. Two series, one which centers henry and one which centers ramona, endure the test of time, despite the old-fashioned language and references. While cleary’s books capture a very specific experience — white, middle class families living in suburbia — there’s a universality to all of them, one that transcends dated references or language. Perhaps a different series would have been lost in its era, but cleary’s characters, with their engaging, endearing personalities, stand the test of time and remain literary friends to book lovers over 60 years later. cleary’s books do something that is both rare and beautiful — they validate the little joys of daily life alongside the struggles. henry huggins’ desire to buy a new bicycle gets an entire book in, “henry and beezus.” In contrast, “dear mr. henshaw,” an epistolary novel where a young boy corresponds with his favorite author, addresses divorce, family struggles and bullying. nothing is too small, too insignificant to matter to cleary’s characters or readers — but she also doesn’t water down the trials of life. Instead, the two exist in tandem, laughter and tears together, because children are resilient enough to handle these realities.
The stories we love become part of us, and in many ways, cleary’s characters reside in my memory like a dear friend, her stories entwined with my own memories as tenderly and intimately as family vacations and birthday parties. While I always related more to sensible older sister beezus, I always wanted to be as carefree and imaginative as ramona. I’ve never once squirted out an entire tube of toothpaste, like ramona did, but hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about it while I’m brushing my teeth. When I was younger, I begged for a pair of shiny red rain boots just like ramona’s — my parents said no, because it was impractical to buy rain boots in Arizona — so I made do with my grubby sneakers. both now and then, cleary’s stories inspired me to let my imagination run wild, ideas bleeding beyond the pages of her novels and into my life. beverly cleary once said, “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.” In doing just that, she showed the world that there’s a little bit of ramona in every one of us, inspiring us to find the joy in stomping in puddles and riding bikes with streamers whipping in the wind. by writing stories for “ordinary children,” cleary sparked a passion for reading that has lasted through generations, and her books will live on in the memories of those who have read and loved them.
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sudoku | ThE MEPhAM grOuP
Happy Birthday: Mull over your objective, and strategize how best to reach your target. Refuse to let others interfere. Taking charge will be your best option this year if you want to change and live life your way. Don’t let anger set in when action is required. Let your success be your calling card. Your numbers are 7, 13, 18, 22, 30, 38, 45. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t be fooled by someone’s actions. Go directly to the source if you want to get the facts. You have more options than you think. Trust in your ability and judgment. Don’t limit what you can do. Speak up on your behalf. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Have patience. Offer an articulate explanation to ensure everyone understands what you are up against and how others can help. Choose your words carefully and maintain moderation moving forward. Don’t take a risk when dealing with health, investments or personal matters. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Mixed emotions will confuse you. Listen carefully, and discuss what’s expected of you before you take action. Making the right move will help you gain the support and respect of your friends and colleagues. A proposal will capture your attention. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put greater emphasis on creativity and doing things your way. Give others the freedom to do as they please, and you’ll avoid interference. A financial matter will come with limitations. Think twice before you get involved in a joint venture. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pay attention to what others need, and consider what you can offer. Your generosity can lead to trouble if you go overboard. Someone will take advantage of you if you are too accommodating. Choose personal gain over bailing out someone else. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll come up with a pretty good idea. Bring about a change that will encourage a better lifestyle. It’s up to you to make adjustments that offer greater freedom, less stress and a better future. Take better care of your health. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Refuse to let anyone push you in a direction you don’t want to go. Set your sights on what’s attainable, and channel your energy into bringing about positive change. Share your plans with someone you love and build a brighter future. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Use your imagination, and you’ll come up with an innovative plan that will improve the way you live and your relationship with someone special. Do the work yourself and stick to a strict budget to avoid financial stress. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Focus on self-improvement. Someone will create emotional confusion. Be careful not to jump to conclusions or take sides in a situation with lots of variables. Ask questions, and refuse to let anyone interfere in your personal affairs. Truth matters. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Look for a unique way to use your skills. Expand your knowledge. Incorporate new skills into your resume, but don’t pretend that you can do something you can’t. Being honest about your capabilities will lead to a better position. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You may desire change, but don’t let anyone fool you into thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Look inward and choose self-improvement projects. Improve your relationship with someone special. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Let your emotions, imagination and personal needs lead to positive change. Follow your heart and dreams, and connect with people who share your interests and concerns. Don’t waste time arguing with people heading in a different direction. Birthday Baby: You are enthusiastic, outspoken and persistent. You are genuine and playful.
Jumble | DAvID hOyT AND JEff kNurEk
WOrk ArEA
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“I feel like every team we’ve played has been a top 20-type team,” he said. “I’m proud of the way we’ve played; we’ve overcome a lot to this point. We’ll continue to have to deal with some adversity I’m sure, but I’m proud of the way we go on the road.”
Georgia Tech has also been a good road team to this point, sporting a 7-2 road record while just 7-8 on their home field. The Yellow Jackets have three players with more than 30 hits on the season, led by freshman catcher Kevin Parada with 39. Freshman infielder drew compton and junior infielder Luke Waddell also have more than 30 hits for Georgia Tech, and the trio of Parada, compton and Waddell each have five home runs — top records on the team. The Yellow Jackets also have an ace in redshirt junior pitcher Andy Archer, who has an erA of just 1.86. notre dame continues to be led by the quartet of senior outfielder ryan cole, junior infielder carter Putz, senior infielder Jared miller and senior infielder niko Kavadas, all of whom are hitting over .300 this season. Kavadas leads the Irish with a whopping 11 home runs and 28 rbIs. Graduate student pitcher John michael bertrand, who already has one complete game to his name this season, has already pitched a teamhigh 41 innings for notre dame, with an erA of 3.07. Graduate student pitcher Joe sheridan will also likely take the mound for the Irish at some point this weekend.
The homestand over the next few weeks will be critical for notre dame as they look to intensify their pursuit of a trip to the college World series. When asked about the possibility of being one of the eight teams to make it to omaha, coach Jarrett was candid about how his team approaches this goal.
“You know, we do [talk about omaha],” Jarrett said. “everybody has this discussion year-round, and I try not to harp on it because that’s the last thing that’s going to happen. If you don’t care of business in the game Friday, your chances of omaha go down. so if that’s your focus, I think you’re looking way too far down the road to really be good.” baseball America, a renowned baseball magazine, has projected notre dame as one of the teams that has the chance to claim a berth in the college World series, and they will look to solidify this position in the coming weeks on their home field. Following Friday night’s 5 p.m. start, the Irish and the Yellow Jackets will play on saturday at 2 p.m. and sunday at 1 p.m. Games are open to a limited number of students or can be viewed on Acc network extra.extra.
Observer Staff Report
While notre dame’s defense has a few more questions than they entered 2020 with, the Fighting Irish are bolstered by a pair of their top defenders returning at defensive tackle, making the position one of the strongest on that side of the ball.
Last year, notre dame boasted an elite run defense, as they particularly showcased their abilities in regular season clashes against clemson and north carolina, holding well-regarded nFL draft prospects Travis etienne and Javonte Williams to a combined 56 yards on 29 carries. Their strong linebacker room and edge pressure was a massive contributing factor to this success, with the Irish’s own top draft prospects Jeremiah owusu-Koramoah and Ade ogundeji terrorizing opposing offensive lines.
This year, look for notre dame’s success to be centered on their strong foundation at defensive tackle, where fifth-years Kurt hinish and myron TagovailoaAmosa will make their presence felt. Throw in hybrid defensive end/defensive tackle sophomore rylie mills (previewed here in our defensive end breakdown), a bevy of other players who have produced in limited minutes over the course of their notre dame careers, plus one dynamic recruit, and notre dame is shaping up to be a force at defensive tackle in 2021.
2021 depth Chart
Fifth-year Kurt hinish, fifth-year myron TagovailoaAmosa, senior Jayson Ademilola, junior Jacob Lacey, junior howard cross, sophomore rylie mills, sophomore Aidan Keanaaina, freshman Gabriel rubio.
Kurt Hinish
hinish elected to use his covId-year of eligibility, returning for a fifth season with the Irish, and he’ll be a veteran leader on the interior defensive line. hinish was an All-Acc honorable mention last season, and while he won’t be able to improve upon that honor given notre dame’s return to independence, he will look to improve his statistical output as one of the Irish’s top defensive returners. In his senior season, hinish posted a career-high 19 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in 12 games, bringing his career totals to 55 tackles and 14.5 TFL in 50 career games. A fringe draft prospect, almost certainly a day Three selection if picked at all, hinish has elected to push off his professional career for another season and will line up at nose guard once more for the Irish.
Myron Tagovailoa-amosa
Another fifth-year, Tagovailoa-Amosa is really only playing in his fourth full season, after missing much of his sophomore campaign with a broken foot. he posted 17 tackles — six for loss — as a key contributor on the defensive line last season, and he should be back in full force for 2021. Tagovailoa-Amosa is a ball magnet on defense, with three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble over his past two seasons, including a near touchdown return against virginia in 2019. he also gets to the quarterback on occasion, recording 2.5 sacks and a pair of Qb hits in the season. With less established talent on the edge, look for Tagovailoa-Amosa to be a bigger factor for the Irish in the pass-rush, while also tag-teaming with hinish to strengthen notre dame’s customary stingy defense.
Other Key players
The Irish won’t have to solely rely on hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa, as they have a few other returning role players, along with some promising up-andcoming talent. senior Jayson Ademilola has appeared in 28 games over three seasons, although only five in this past campaign. Ademilola has not ever been much of a pass-rushing threat, with only 0.5 career sacks, but he does have 5.5 tackles for loss to his name, along with three Qb hits. Ademilola’s role in the upcoming spring game will be one to watch for whether brian Kelly expects him to compete for a starting role, or at least key snaps off the bench.
Junior Jacob Lacey is another potential contributor, after appearing in 18 games over his first two seasons with the Irish. After 13 tackles in 10 games as a freshman, Lacey was less impactful in his sophomore season, posting just four tackles in eight games. he recorded zero sacks or Qb hits, and has just 2.5 TFL for his career. however, Lacey has an opportunity to move higher on the depth chart this season, but he’ll need to showcase more than he has recently to garner significant playing time.
Keanaaina and cross have combined for just two career games, so the expectations are not particularly high for production there. but again, with a new defensive coordinator and a series of losses on that side of the ball, there’s opportunity for increased snaps, so they’ll be among the players to keep an eye on in the spring game as well.
Then there’s the new guy on the block: Gabriel rubio. rubio was the fifth-best recruit in notre dame’s 2021 class, and one of just two additions to the defensive line. A top-10 prospect at dT, rubio checks in as a fourstar, 6’5, 305-pound beast that could be an immediate impact player as a freshman. At just 17 years old, rubio already looks smooth as a pass-rusher on film, and his violent play style makes him an intriguing addition to the Irish line. With a blend of talent and technique, rubio is an exciting name to watch, and Irish fans may get a chance to watch him at the spring game, as the missouri product enrolled early at notre dame.
position Grades
Emily deFazio — associate Sports Editor
While we have strong talent returning in hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa, the fact that we added only two recruits to the defensive side of the ball this cycle does not give much hope for an influx of new talent to bolster the position, or the defensive line in general. That being said, the hire of marcus Freeman — who will undoubtedly be a breath of fresh air in the development of the defense — and the amount of experience in this position could prove to be a leg-up for the team. I think time will tell whether that leg will simply be one to stand on, or one that allows the program to push off towards bigger and better things. regardless, the defensive tackle position should be one that remains relatively solid throughout the season.
Grade: a-
aidan Thomas — Sports Writer
overall, I anticipate this being a bit of a top-heavy position group for notre dame. I don’t doubt the abilities and production of hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa, but who’s stepping up behind them? my money is on rubio to be a big name down the stretch for the Irish, but I’m honestly not used to relying on freshman to be big contributors. The questionable depth at the position keeps this from being an A grade, but should notre dame find some key role players to fill the gaps around hinish and mTA, then this could be the strongest defensive position group for the Irish. For now, I’ll give them a cautiously optimistic b+.
Grade: B+
