FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2019 | THEFRANKLINNEWS.COM
GUIDING
LOCAL
CHANGE
How the Franklin city council affects life at Franklin College PG. 6
DEAN OF STUDENTS RETIRES MID-SEMESTER PG. 3
THE BIG LEAGUES PG. 14
NEWS
“THE Q: Who would you want to narrate your life?
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INBRIEF
COLLEGE WILL DEDICATE COMPLETED SCIENCE CENTER
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Ellis Hall | SUBMITTED PHOTO
DEAN OF STUDENTS ELLIS HALL RETIRES FROM COLLEGE Hall offically retired from his position Wednesday STAFF REPORT thefranklinstories@gmail.com
Dean of Students Ellis Hall retired from his position as vice president of student affairs and dean of students Wednesday. President Thomas Minar announced Hall’s retirement in an email to Franklin College students Monday. Hall has been an employee of the college since 2001. “He has skillfully overseen residence life, Greek life, student involvement, the student counseling center and the student health center,” Minar said in the email. “Under his student-focused leadership, more new programs and initiatives have been established than I have space to mention here.” Minar said these new initiatives included the college’s office of diversity and inclusion, student retention initiatives, gender-inclu-
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OUT ABOUT:
4/20 EASTER PET PARADE Visit downtown Greenwood for a parade featuring citizens’ furry friends. The free event benefits the Johnson County Animal Shelter and will also include a tricks show. When: 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Address: Westside Park, 820 W. Main St., Greenwood
sive housing and the annual fall trip with students to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada. “The establishment of our Center for Diversity and Inclusion in 2017 would not have been possible without his vision, unwavering commitment and extraordinary efforts – a legacy our students will benefit from for decades to come,” Minar said in the email. Hall announced in an email on April 5 that Associate Dean of Students Leah Howell will also depart from her position at the college on April 25. This was Howell’s first year at Franklin College. Hall said Howell accepted a new professional opportunity out of the area.
4/27 SCRAMBLED EGGS: ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT The adult Easter egg hunt in Edinburgh is back for the fifth yeat. Prizes range from “adult things” like a free oil change to candy and gag gifts. To register, call 812-526-6809. Cost: $5 When: 7 p.m. Where: Johnson County Park 2949 E. North St., Edinburgh
Franklin College will host an official ceremony open to the public to dedicate the completed science center on May 16. The construction team broke ground on the project in May 2017. Phase one was the construction of a 21,000 square-foot addition to Barnes Hall, and phase two was the renovation of the orginal structure, built in 1927 and first renovated in 1987. “The building design, complete with state-of-the-art spaces for project-based learning and research, is a cornerstone in our ‘learning-science by doing science’ curriculum,” President Thomas Minar said in a statement. The dedication starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Franklin College Science Center PI BETA PHI CELEBRATES 130 YEARS ON CAMPUS Pi Beta Phi Women’s Fraternity celebrated 130 years since the chapter’s founding at Franklin College, and to celebrate, the alumnae created an endowed award fund. The fund was established for the 125th anniversary, and a scholarship was awarded to two active members, junior Melissa Beetr and senior Brianna Hutton for the 130th celebration. The award is intended to be presented every year in the future. “It is a reminder of the gifts of our sorority,” alumna Jessica Mahoney said. “It allows us to continuously give back to the chapter and recognize those who are striving to live out the ideals of Pi Beta Phi.”
4/28 INDOOR BABY GOAT YOGA Studio YOU in Greenwood will host baby goat yoga. The goats are provided by Tagalong Farms. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/2oYTxtO. When: 2-3 p.m. Cost: $20 per adult Location: Studio YOU Yoga & Pilates 862 S. State Rd 135, Suite I, Greenwood What to bring: Yoga mat, water and camera/phone for selfies
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NATIONAL HONOR AWARDED TO MATH DEPARTMENT American Mathematical Society recognizes department’s achievement QUINN FITZGERALD elizabeth.fitzgerald@franklincollege.edu
The American Mathematical Society has awarded Franklin College’s mathematics and computing department with a prestigious honor for its exemplary work. Franklin College is the recipient of the 2019 Award for an Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department. Franklin College announced its achievement April 9 to students, faculty and alumni of the department as they gathered in the Branigin Room of the Napolitan Student Center for the big announcement. “It’s a remarkable testimony to the history of this college and the history of the study of mathematics at this college,” President Thomas Minar said. The American Mathematical Society, a national association of professional mathematicians committed to advancing research and scholarship, recognizes the department’s selection as a featured part of MathFest in 2016 and 2017. During this event, Franklin College faculty showcased their model for success in a mini-course, “Creating a Purposeful Student Learning Experience,” which granted them another spot on the program again this year.
Justin Gash, associate professor of mathematics, tears up during the announcement of the American Mathematical Society’s 2019 Award for an Exemplary Program or Acheivement in a Mathematics Department. HOPE SHRUM | PHOTO
Previous recipients of the award include UCLA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Williams College and University of Arizona. “To know that we’re recognized on that kind of level is awesome,” senior Justin Wheatley said. Chris Stevens, associate executive director for meetings and professional services for the
AMS, delivered the news on April 9. “I’ve been visiting [the college] today, and I’m really impressed by what the math department does, how engaged the students are, how interested they are both in their classes and their co-curricular options,” she said. Also during the event, Dan Callon, professor of mathematics, recognized a number of students, faculty and alumni who have won honors and distinctions or donated to the department. Upon reviewing the college’s mathematics and computing department, the American Mathematical Society noted six principles of the curriculum: research-based, all-inclusive goals and objectives, scaffolded developmental strands, engaging department culture, innovative curriculum, deliberate integration of co-curricular experiences, and comprehensive assessment. This is the second significant national recognition Franklin College has received this school year. The Association of College and University Educators selected the mathematics and psychology faculty for its national training program in November.
TWO FINALISTS COMPETE FOR DINING CONTRACT Sodexo, Parkhurst Dining in running after Sodexo’s contract ends LACEY WATT lacey.watt@franklincollege.edu
Franklin College’s food service provider, Sodexo, is one of two finalists in line to serve in the Napolitan Student Center beginning this fall after Sodexo’s current contract ends on June 30. The other finalist is Parkhurst Dining. Sodexo has served the Franklin College community for seven years. The college initially looked at 13 different providers and narrowed it down to the final two. The decision is predicted to be made toward the end of April or the beginning of May. Parkhurst Dining, the other finalist, is a regional contract dining company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has been in the contract dining business since 1996. Joe Hornett, Franklin College’s vice president for finance and chief financial officer,
and other members of the college looked for specific details in the proposals received from each firm – for example, what best benefits the students. “Both were different concepts than what we have now,” Hornett said. “Emphasis on fresh foods, sustainable sources, locally grown. They both proposed that.” Suzie Lachut, director of partnership development for Parkhurst Dining, has been working with the company for the last seven years. Lachut said the goal of the dining experience is for students to feel like the food looks, smells and tastes like it was made with love and care. “That’s what you get when you choose Parkhurst,” Lachut said. “You get fresh food from scratch, made with a lot of love. That’s
one of the huge differentiators.” But from both proposals, there has also been the idea of remodeling the dining area, specifically lowering the walls to provide a more open concept feel. Despite which company is chosen, employees with Sodexo may stay or leave. Parkhurst Dining will offer the current Sodexo employees positions that match the pay they receive now with any benefits, as well, Lachut said. Sodexo officials declined to comment on the service’s contract ending. As for the students, the price shouldn’t change. In the very beginning, Hornett said that moving forward, the college wants to make it a priority for the food to be as affordable as possible.
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IMMERSIVE TERM TRIPS SET, ONE CANCELED Canada trip canceled due to low interest, Japan, Costa Rica trips filled up LACEY WATT | STORY lacey.watt@franklincollege.edu
Every February, Franklin College’s Center for Exploration announces a list of new trips for the next immersive term, but one of the initial trips recently announced has been canceled due to lack of interest. In January 2020, 81 students will travel to different locations in and out of the United States, including London, Greece, Costa Rica, Japan and Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Japan is the most popular course, this being the second time the trip has been offered since 2018, said Jenny Cataldi, director of global education. The Canada course was canceled after only three students signed up, which Cataldi said was not enough for the course to proceed. Those students were able to find another course to partake in that had availability, like London. “There is a lot that goes into that number,” Cataldi said. “It depends on the cost of operating in the country.” Cataldi explained that the overall number is about where it should be. In an effort to increase the number of students interested in studying abroad, the college approved more courses this year than normal. That means
each course has a lower count of students, but the overall amount is the same as in previous years. Each course outside the country costs a total of $4,000, and the Disney World course costs $2,500, all of which will be made in payments beginning in May. Depending on where a course is can also affect the minimum required for a course, Cataldi said. The total cost includes any travel, hotels, food, accommodations and insurance, if necessary. Political ccience professor Allison Fetter-Harrott will take a group of 11 students to London in 2020, and this is not her first time. Fetter-Harrott had the opportunity to study abroad during her third year of law school, over a decade ago, so she has already experienced the city. Her husband, who is from London, will accompany her. “The city is our text,” Fetter-Harrott said. “It’s a truly global city. It has a diverse and vibrant culture, a history with lots of dimensions, and of course, we can’t ignore the connection to the popular culture like Harry Potter and The Beatles.” Fetter-Harrott, like other professors going
Freshman Olivia Eaker explores Montpellier, France, during January 2019. ABIGAIL LARKEN | PHOTO
on trips, has been emailing the students and setting up the calendar from the time they arrive to the time they leave. Itineraries with events and locations planned will be finalized later this fall. Applications to travel in 2020 are still accepted past the original March 15 deadline, but students will have to fill out a different paper in order to be approved. Applications are available in the Center for Exploration. The Costa Rica and Japan trips are at capacity. For more information, contact Cataldi via email at jcataldi@franklincollege.edu.
GRIZZLY GRAND PRIX
APRIL 26 | 3 P.M.
THE RACE
THE FESTIVAL
6 TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN:
- FREE FOOD - FREE T-SHIRTS - INFLATABLE ACTIVITIES - ZIPLINE - ORGANIZATION BOOTHS
- TRICYCLE RACE - BED RACE - INFLATABLE OBSTACLE COURSE
WHERE TO GO FESTIVAL: CLINE WOODS BEHIND HOOVER-CLINE HALL RACES: HAMILTON PARKING LOT
the
EYES EARS and
Franklin city council members and candidates reveal vision for Franklin community STORY | ERICA IRISH + QUINN FITZGERALD + SHELBY MULLIS DESIGN | SHELBY MULLIS PHOTOS | SUBMITTED BY CANDIDATES
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hile the ordinances, projects and visions of the Franklin City Council may seem distant from the lives of Franklin College students, long-time leaders and new faces in local government want to remind them of the many connections they share. “The city council is really the eyes and ears of the community,” said Bob Heuchan, 65, an at-large representative on the city council. Heuchan, a 1975 graduate of Franklin College, where he majored in business and economics to launch his storied career in banking and non-profit leadership, said it’s understandable that students don’t take the time to learn about city government. As a college student, he noted he knew nothing except the name of the mayor. But, he added, the opportunity is always there to unify and work together towards issues shared in the town, especially for the students who hope to enter government themselves. On May 7, candidates in the major parties — Democrat and Republican — will face a primary election in town. A series of independent candidates are also preparing for a longer battle in the November general election. The election is poised to alter how and what types of policies are created in the community, which could affect the lives within the Franklin College community. The Franklin made an attempt to interview all candidates who have publicly announced their run for city council. The candidates voiced their concerns with issues
currently affecting the city of Franklin, including environmental concerns at two Franklin elementary schools, 5G technology making its way to the city and the lack of female representation on the current city council. All candidates agree when it comes to serving the Franklin College community, they want to create a pathway for students to
stay in Franklin after graduation. City Council at-large representative Danny Richards said the city must keep up with what graduates want. “We’ve got to get better employment that meets their degree needs,” Richards said. “Franklin has grown by leaps and bounds. It’s exploding on all four edges, however, it still has a heart – a good nucleus downtown. It’s not a bad place to raise a family. I would do it all over again if I had the chance.” Editor’s Note: The following candidates were not available for comment: Donald Smith, Irene Nalley, Chris Rynerson, Daniel Blankenship.
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BOBHEUCHAN
STEVEBYERLY REPUBLICAN | AT-LARGE AGE: 66 OCCUPATION: Johnson Co. Sheriff’s Dept. WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Byerly said
he knows what it’s like to be a public servant, and he wants to do what he can to make the community a nice place to live, work and play.
REPUBLICAN | AT-LARGE
AGE: 65 OCCUPATION: Retired president and CEO, Mutual Savings Bank WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Heuchan was appointed to an empty spot on the council in 2017 by the Republican caucus after Steve Barnett was selected to replace former Mayor Joe McGuinness.
SHAWNTAYLOR
JOSHPRINE
REPUBLICAN | AT-LARGE
REPUBLICAN | DISTRICT 1
AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: VP of Sales, Pro Industries WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Taylor is running to be a voice for Franklin families. Taylor said Franklin is full of families who want good jobs, housing options, businesses, schools and more, which is why he wants to “keep Franklin... Franklin.”
AGE: 41 OCCUPATION: IT Operations Manager, Urology of Indiana, LLC WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Prine said it’s all about timing. This is his second run for the council, having attempted to fill a vacant role in 2018 through a private election, but an error in his voter registration update following his move to the city made him ineligible.
JUDYCOLEMAN
DREWEGGERS
REPUBLICAN | DISTRICT 3
AGE: 70 OCCUPATION: Retired registered nurse WHY SHE’S CAMPAIGNING: Coleman said she wants to help improve the city’s infrastructure, attract more businesses and jobs and support law enforcement and the educational system to fight the drug issue Franklin has.
REPUBLICAN | DISTRICT 3
AGE: 34 OCCUPATION: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Eggers wants to further work on enhancing outstanding services to the people while maintaining fiscal transparency and an atmosphere of being approachable for all.
INDEPENDENT
ERINDAVIS
AGE: 37 OCCUPATION: Crystal Graphics WHY SHE’S CAMPAIGNING: Following the 2016 presidential election, Davis and several other Franklin community members formed People for a Progressive Franklin, an organization devoted to advancing community engagement and awareness of city governance. Her work within the group inspired her to take the next step and run for her own seat.
DANNYRICHARDS REPUBLICAN | AT-LARGE
AGE: 64 OCCUPATION: Johnson Co. Sherriff’s Deputy WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Richards, a lifelong Johnson Co. resident, has helped elect several people into office, and said he thought it was his turn to step up and serve the community he’s grown to love.
ANNEMCGUINNESS REPUBLICAN | DISTRICT 2
AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: Litigation Chief, Indiana State Department of Health WHY SHE’S CAMPAIGNING: McGuinness announced her candidacy on her Facebook campaign page in 2018. She explained she felt motivated to run for the seat in her district after its former councilperson, Richard Wertz, decided to retire.
KENAUSTIN REPUBLICAN | DISTRICT 4
AGE: 55 OCCUPATION: Industrial Sales, Garcor Supply Co. WHY HE’S CAMPAIGNING: Austin currently serves as president of the city council, one part of his 15-year career on the council. A Franklin native, Austin said he works in city government to continue to advance his home city, where his parents and daughter also live.
THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT: Daniel Blankenship | District 1 Donald Smith | District 3 Irene Nalley | District 5 Chris Rynerson | District 5
FINDING A CURE
Team of students work to cure cancer STORY | VICTORIA RATLIFF PHOTO | QUINN FITZGERALD DESIGN | EMILY HALES
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team of seven students and one teacher is attempting to cure a disease that impacts more than 1.7 million people every year. Juniors Jade Harris and Chelsey Arvin are just two Franklin College students who are working to find a cure for cancer. They were both introduced to the project by Dr. Waqar Rizvi, a chemistry and physics professor. Rizvi, who worked on the project for his doctorate degree, decided to involve students on campus. Harris, a chemistry major, and Arvin, who is majoring in biology with a Pre-Med track, said they were immediately interested when they heard about the project. “I feel like this takes it from a whole new angle,” Arvin said. “It’s more exciting than intimidating.” The drug that the team is creating is a theragnostic, which acquires diagnostic images and delivers a therapeutic dose of medicine. They hope that when injected into the body, the cancerous cells will hold onto the drug, and non-cancerous cells will flush the drug out, leaving only cancerous cells with the drug. When held under light, the drug will react and glow, showing exactly where the cancerous cells are. When treatment for the cancer occurs, doctors can target the specific areas infected with cancer, instead of having to not only kill off cancerous cells but also healthy cells. Arvin said the team is targeting skin and breast cancer cells, because these cells have certain receptors. Harris and Arvin met when they were lab partners during their freshman-year biology course and have been roommates ever since. Rizvi didn’t advertise the project too much, but he wanted students who were interested to
come to him. Arvin and Harris jumped on the opportunity to join the team. Rather than being intimidated by the project, they were excited at the chance to work on research, combined with both the chemistry and biology departments. It’s also something that extends beyond the classroom, impacting a large amount of people every day. “When I heard that there was an opportunity to start actually making drugs and testing them on campus, an immediate interest was sparked for me,” Harris said. Because the field is fairly young, the students said they recognize the multitude of opportunities in the area, both for success and failure. “There’s a lot of opportunities for mistakes as well,” Harris said. “It should work as planned, but realistically we will just have to see what’s going on.” They know that to others, the project might seem daunting. However, each time they enter the lab, they always change their approach and never stick to one way of thinking or researching. “If you stick to one path and one protocol, then you might get stuck and lost and lose the hope of finding what you’re trying to look for,” Arvin said. Other students involved include sophomores Emily Dalton and Jordan Johnson, junior Thomas Witham, and seniors Trey Floyd and Dakota Busch. Arvin and Harris said they hope current and future Franklin College students can continue to work on the drug with Rizvi and the other students on the team after they graduate in 2020.
OPINION
EDITORIAL | BRIDGING THE GAP ON TEACHER PAY Indiana teacher pay issue requires extended discussion, attention Indiana’s teacher pay debate warrants attention and action by local and state leaders. These leaders must be willing to listen to and respect educators. THE FRANKLIN EDITORIAL BOARD
In one way or another, teachers have shaped all lives in the American educational system. From the teacher who first painstakingly taught his or her kindergarten class how to sound out words on cardboard books; to the middle school science teacher who spent hours prepping immersive labs; and to the high school English teacher who saw their seniors cross the graduation stage after a career defined by highs and lows, educators drive student success. While most would agree that this relationship is real and essential to developing the next capable and innovative generation, a growing number of questions surrounding the treatment of teachers are cropping up in schools and organizations around the state. Whether spurred by a series of teacher walk-outs in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and other states, or by reports demonstrating abominable teacher pay rates compared to the national average, it’s clear the fight is intensifying – perhaps most so when Indiana teachers took to their state government in March in a massive weekend rally. The Indiana State Teachers Association,
commonly identified as ISTA, a leading organization providing advocacy and policy designed to advance teacher pay and associated right, mobilized educators and school administrators from all backgrounds for the event, formally called the “Red for Ed” rally. “Hoosier teacher salaries are last within our region,” ISTA cites on its 2019 legislative agenda as its explanation for its recent political activities. “We need action and funding that leads to competitive salaries within a reasonable amount of time.” Many reports corroborate this perspective by the ISTA. One of the most extensive included a study conducted by the groups Stand for Children Indiana and Teach Plus Indiana, two nonprofit organizations pushing for high quality education for all children. The study, based on a 2018 survey of more than 400 Indiana teachers, discovered that $658.1 million in direct aid from state government is needed to raise Indiana’s average teacher salary of $50,218 to the regional median salary of $59,445. Additionally, the study concluded there are severe consequences to inaction. A key finding included the realization that, while teachers are not initially motivated by pay, low salaries play a lead role in their decision to leave the profession. Further, the report noted a 60 percent drop in individuals enrolling in teacher preparation programs at Indiana colleges and universities. Even then, a separate analysis by daily
HOW INDIANA’ S TEACHER SALARIES COMPARE
SOUTH DAKOTA $42,668
INDIANA $50,554
OHIO $57,00
NEW YORK $79,637
Indiana ranks No. 33 of 51 states, including Washington D.C. for the highest average teacher salary in 2016-17. Salary data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics. SOURCE | BUSINESS INSIDER
newspaper The Indianapolis Star shows large disparities in pay across Indiana school districts. Teachers working at Hamilton Southeastern Schools, for example, report the highest average pay of Indiana’s 287 school districts ($64,983). Medora Schools in Medora, Indiana, reported the lowest average at just over $37,000. For Indiana state government leaders, these findings and personal stories from teachers have dominated discussions surrounding the creation of the state’s next two-year budget, a plan Indiana lawmakers are required to complete in the next week. While the most recent budget, presented by Senate Republicans on April 11, does revise the budget plan to provide more money to schools and teacher pockets, many say it still isn’t enough. Republican leaders across the Statehouse, who plan to provide more than half of the $34.6 billion state budget to teacher pay initiatives, say they don’t want to mandate a teacher pay increase to encourage local control, though they have made a commitment to easing unease in the education system. “I hope they don’t walk out,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb in a discussion with the press in March. “We’re not walking out on them. We’re walking to them.” But their colleagues on the other side of the aisle disagree. “It’s sort of blaming the victim,” said Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, an Anderson Democrat. “We’ve taken a lot of action as a state to divert money from public schools…and now we’re going to say, well, it’s your fault for not spending the money in the correct way.” At Franklin College, where more than 208 students have graduated with degrees in secondary education since 2009, this reality also faces many alumni and graduates-to-be. This evident frustration among current teachers should serve as a wake-up call for all citizens but, most important, it should strike a chord with the next class of teachers. The solution to this nuanced obstacle is just as complex, but it requires immediate attention and investment by governmental leaders, professional development programs in the higher education community and future teachers themselves. Most important, before our leaders can drive sustainable and reliable solutions, they must be willing to listen to and respect the educators.
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REALITY CHECK | A LOOK AT THE FLAWED SYSTEM College admissions bribery case shows how wrecked school system is “For every student admitted through fraud, an honest and genuinely talented student was rejected.” CAROLINA Those were the PUGA MENDOZA words of the U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling regarding the college admissions bribery scandal unveiled in March – an illegal act orchestrated by famous actors and business leaders. Kate Coffman, vice president and dean of admissions for Franklin College, said the system is flawed at a local level, too. After spending years looking through students’ admissions files, she has observed cheating herself and said she is surprised administrations in other schools didn’t catch up sooner. “I’m very disappointed by the scandal, but I’m also not surprised,” Coffman said. “Admission has gotten a lot of high stakes in a lot of colleges and people have become very brand conscious across the world, whether it’s their makeup, their shoes, and college is no different.” Like many other students, my senior
year of high school was spent in search of a college that would fit all my needs. My main obstacles were testing and tuition. As someone from a different country, the SAT was rather challenging in the English portion, and tuition rates were incredibly high for international students. According to the Boston Globe, 50 people have been charged with participating in the scandal, which includes wrongdoing on all fronts, from parents to coaches and test administrators. These people willingly chose to take these students into a college where other, less privileged students who worked their entire lives up to admission were pushed away. I’ve seen kids from parents of immigrants who started from nothing and built their way to the top. Let’s take U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, who, according to Business Insider, started off working as a bartender and waitress in order to support her mother’s income and eventually to fund her education at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. People recognize her hard work; they see that Ocasio built her way up with what she had and not with privileges that more people in politics have. This all reveals a broken system for the
unprivileged. We have college students falling into thousands of dollars in debt to continue an education that society expects them to get. According to Bloomberg, student loan borrowing increased by 157 percent over the last 11 years, creating a whopping $1.5 trillion in debt. The students of the privileged parents who cheat the system are taking away opportunities from those who are actually trying. The students who got admitted through lies and dirty money are the ones who won’t know what to do in the future. My parents always tell me that we aren’t rich or poor. We don’t have everything in the world, but we have enough to get going. They say that a parent should not leave their child money, land or riches, but instead teach them to stand with their self. If a young adult doesn’t know how to value that trait – how to be their own person – they will find life hard once the money runs out. That’s what my parents taught me, and I’m confident that I’ll be fine. But what did the kids involved in the college scandal learn? I believe it’s this: Money can get you anywhere, but it will eventually run out.
SENIOR FAREWELL | AN ATYPICAL JOURNEY
Web editor, advertising manager explain why ‘you don’t plan life, you live it’ Mathematics. Education. Business. How does working on the school newspaper have any connection to MATT THOMAS these majors at all? As two extremely busy people on campus, we always try to push the envelope and add even more to our overflowing plates. This is where The Franklin came in. TARA RICKE We both jumped into this publication without having any journalism experience whatsoever, but that is what makes being a part of this team so unique. It is not just a secluded group. Executive Editor Shelby Mullis has made sure of that. She has
brought journalism majors and non-journalism majors alike together to create a diverse but unified team. For me, Matt, I’ve been on The Franklin staff for three of the four years of my college career, and every year, I’ve been able to try something new – a challenge, but an exciting journey nonetheless. I started out as a photographer my sophomore year, a task that I had some previous experience with, but never for a real publication. Writing opinion columns was added to my to-do list by the end of that year, and this gave me an opportunity to voice my thoughts on matters important and relevant to this campus of 1,000 students. For the next two years, I served on the editor team as advertising manager and web editor, respectively. Because of The Franklin, I was able to serve as a leader in a corner of campus that I would not have even thought about when I started my freshman year in the fall of 2015.
For me, Tara, I have been on staff for one year as advertising manager. Being Shelby’s roommate for two years was what ultimately brought this job to my attention. My love for marketing is what made me interview for and accept the position. I wanted to help The Franklin while at the same time help businesses market themselves to a college newspaper. I had been an avid reader of The Franklin before being on staff, and I am so thankful to have been welcomed with open arms to be able to see and contribute to what’s behind the scenes of such a powerful, student-run news source. If The Franklin and Franklin College taught us anything, it’s to not be afraid to wander outside of your comfort zone and do something you’re not familiar with. In the wise words of The Maine’s John O’Callaghan, remember this: “You don’t plan life, you live it. You don’t take love, you give it. You can’t change what is written, so when fate cries, you listen.”
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TO DO | SUSTAINABILITY AND CREATIVITY
Local candle shop showcases wide selection of art and candles Established in 2003, Middle Davids Artisan Candles specializes in candles, locallymade artwork and fundraisers ARIANA LOVITT for students in Franklin. Owner Dan Catlin’s initial interest in candle making came from a mission to promote sustainability and student-support through a hobby he shared with his father. Catlin’s mother played a role, too. His mother was a teacher who ran field trips. Faced with the realization that some students may not be able to participate in trips due to costs, the candle fundraisers began to empower students to be involved. Now, several local groups have earned over $500,000 in fundraising since 2010, and many of these groups still participate in fundraising through Middle Davids on an annual basis. Sustainability and recyclability are also important aspects of the company. Everything from the boxes, jars, lids and wax are
sustainable and reusable, which further reduces landfill waste and encourages recycling within the community and local businesses. “If you think about it, in this process, it’s very easy to recycle,” said Tauria Catlin, Dan Catlin’s wife. Used candle jars and lids can even be returned to the store for a $2.50 discount on another purchase. Throughout the years, the community-focused business has cultivated a group of 50 local artists to display their works. Catlin estimates that of all the artwork sold in the store, 60 percent of it comes from Indiana artists, half of which are from Franklin. “The thing about my store is that everything in here is done by an artist who typically will customize things. This is all unique stuff, and [customers] feel good giving gifts coming from here,” Catlin said. The store recently started renting a building from the Franklin Department of Public Art at 100 S. Jackson St. As one of the longest-standing local businesses, Middle Davids has seen an array of changes within the local scene in just a decade. Despite its long-standing reputation and
Middle Davids Artisan Candles is known in the Franklin community for selling locally made candles and crafts. PEYTAN MILLS | PHOTO
production of unique candle scents, Middle Davids receives minimal traffic from Franklin students. Local festivals, such as Discover Downtown Franklin, bring customers to the downtown area briefly, but not permanently. “Obviously, there’s been more restaurants and more stores coming in, but we also have the Discover Downtown festival, and then the storeowners themselves have started to make some [festivals] of their own,” Catlin said. Middle Davids is located at 100 S. Jackson St. in Franklin. Franklin College students are eligible for 10 percent off any candle.
BEYOND THE BEAT | DEVELOPMENT AND CONFLICT The lessons of siblings working together in music, life When you share a common interest with someone you are so close with, you open some doors for bonding KARA SIMON and other doors for tough competition. However, when it comes to siblings, there is no standard because every situation varies. The relationships between siblings are situational and unique to each set. Chuckwalla is an Indianapolis-area band composed of Fletcher Neuman, Chase Neuman and Merrick Nichols. Members Fletcher and Chase are brothers, and Fletcher is the oldest of the pair. The boys of the band do not experience conflict among themselves. They say it’s the easy-going atmosphere and overall feeling of enjoyment of the music they create that guides their relationships. “It is really cool being in a band with my
brother,” Fletcher Neuman said. “He’s an amazing drummer, and I just show him a song one time and he plays it way better than I ever heard it in my head.” Similarly, music has heavily impacted my relationship with my own sister. My sister is not even a year older than me. I was born two days before her first birthday. That being said, I am no stranger to navigating life with a sibling, or even working against that sibling. Being so close in age to my sister is a blessing and a curse. Since we were kids, we both were involved with music. From performing for our parents’ video camera to singing in school choirs, we both loved to put on a show. I will never forget during my sophomore year of high school when my sister and I both auditioned for our high school’s show choir. In my heart I knew that I had practiced way more than she had. When I saw my sister’s name and not mine, I was devastated. But I had to be hap-
py for her. I couldn’t resent her, could I? She is my sister. She is talented. Still, l gave her the cold shoulder for a few days. What is the point of these stories? Science shows that the relationships siblings share is of a different caliber and warmth than any other type of relationship. There are several different factors that play into the relationships that siblings maintain with each other, such as age differences and gender composition. Research completed by The Psychologist, a publication in the United Kingdom, suggests that sibling relationships among individuals of the same gender reported the highest levels of closeness and similar interests. However, it has been found that siblings tend to compare and reflect on themselves in regard to each other. Especially with younger siblings, much of the development of the character of younger siblings’ forms upon the basis of what their older siblings do – whether that be learning what to do or even learning what not to do.
SPORTS
LANCE MARSHALL ACHIEVES 500TH CAREER WIN Baseball coach discusses best things about working at Franklin College TAYLOR WOOTEN | STORY taylor.wooten@franklincollege.edu
Head baseball coach Lance Marshall recently achieved 500 wins. Throughout his nearly 22 years at Franklin College, Marshall has made a definitive impact on athletes through his approachability and coaching style. To his players, Marshall has not only been a coach, but also a mentor. He reached win No. 500 on March 24 when the Grizzlies bested Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, 9-6. The game was aided by a
Head baseball coach Lance Marshall watches the game from the dugout. AJ PROHASKA | PHOTO
grand slam by sophomore Jordan Crouse. Marshall sees the accomplishment not just as a compliment to his coaching, but as a testament to the work ethic of the program. “Hopefully we’ve built a very competitive, quality program and have given guys the opportunity to come compete at a high level and, more importantly, obtain their degrees,” Marshall said. “I feel like if we’ve created an environment for that to be a successful combination, then we’ve probably accomplished what we want to accomplish.” He gave much of the credit for success to the players, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, sports information directors and Franklin College administration. “I feel very fortunate in a lot of ways,” Marshall said. As a coach, he has most enjoyed being around his team and watching them grow from young men to adults. “Ultimately, my favorite part of it is seeing the guys that have played here at their weddings and the births of their children, things of that nature, to see how much they’ve
grown with their time here,” Marshall said. “It’s not all about baseball.” Players can view Marshall as a friend as well as a coach, and the friendship is mutual. “He is not just a coach; anyone can come up to him and spark a conversation about whatever,” senior Aaron Leming said. “I love that about him.” Leming attributes his growth as a leader to his coach, who encouraged him to come out of his shell. “Coming to Franklin, I was not very talkative, but with Marshall coming up to me and needing me to be a leader, it has helped me change as a player,” said Leming. Much of Marshall’s success is accredited to his skillful recruitment of athletes. “He has an eye for talent and is successful in recruiting athletes that fit in well at Franklin College,” said senior Drew Naumovich. The goal when he began coaching in the fall of 1997 was to build up the team and recruit quality student-athletes, and now his current team has their eyes set on the conference championship.
TEAMS ADAPT TO WEATHER-RELATED ISSUES Athletes, coach discuss how they work around these obstacles HOPE SHRUM | STORY hope.shrum@franklincollege.edu
Spring in Indiana brings a number of weather-related challenges for spring athletes and their competition season. A majority of Franklin College’s spring athletic teams were set to begin their season in late February, but a cold, lingering winter pushed that start date back to March. Junior baseball player Quenton Wellington said the weather has affected him and his teammates both physically and mentally. “The wear and tear on your body is a little bit different, just going from different environments and temperature changes,” Wellington said. He said a lot of the members of the baseball team, including himself, have experienced issues with their arms having to play in the cold weather, making it more difficult to stretch and stay warm throughout the duration of an entire game. Senior tennis player Dean Elrod said cancellations and postponed matches have also
affected the men’s tennis team. “Having some of those early non-conference matches cancelled did not help us gain confidence going into the conference season,” Elrod said. “But we have gotten off to a strong start, so it does seem we came together at the right time.” Rain, snow and freezing temperatures didn’t only affect games and matches, though. Practices also had to be altered around the weather. Wellington said the baseball team practiced indoors at Powerhouse Baseball Training in Franklin before the season started, but once they were finally able to go outside, they had to practice on the football field because the baseball field wasn’t in the right condition. Wellington said mentality played into how they performed during these practices in different environments. “A lot of it’s just being prepared mentally, just knowing that we’re not going to be practicing on the field, but we still have to get our work done on the turf or indoors,”
Wellington said. Elrod said the tennis team also had to move several of its practices indoors due to the weather. “Some days we would do conditioning inside to try and improve our stamina, but it is not easy to simulate the stop and go of a match,” Elrod said. But the impact of severe winter weather doesn’t just occur on the field, diamond or court. When games and matches are postponed until later in the season, student-athletes are sometimes forced to miss class sessions during the week. Head softball coach Brad Jones said the hardest part about postponing games is when games are moved during the week, which affects his student-athletes’ schedules. “I’m more worried about what the players have to miss, class-wise,” Jones said. “It’s easy when they can get their schedules at the beginning of the year and let their professors know, ‘This is when I’ll be gone.’”
MA KI NG THE L
T
he venue is dark, except for the spotlights that shine on 26 women. Their white pompoms glow. The 2019-20 Colts cheerleaders are ready to perform their first routine as a new team. Among these 26 women, who come from all across the country, stands a Franklin College Grizzly. And in just four short weeks, senior Megan Laugle will trade her textbooks and Grizzly gear for pompoms and the Indianapolis Colts horseshoe. Laugle promised her cousin she would attend one of the Colts cheerleading prep classes, just to see what it was all about. One turned into two, which turned into all five classes and a master clinic. Laugle’s talent, combined with her spirit, earned her a spot on the roster. Laugle, of Whiteland, auditioned for a position on March 16. The Colts started with about 70 women, and by the end of the day, judges narrowed it down to 47 finalists. The next week was intense for the finalists with daily four-hour practices and lots of test-taking, including fitness, dance technique, and – yes – football knowledge. Midterms made the week even more stressful for Laugle, but she said she works best when she’s busy. “Being a student and being able to live out my dream is definitely a huge accomplishment,” Laugle said. The final showcase took place the following Sunday, March 24, and was open to the public. The women showed in groups of
three and performed routines they learned. Following the group performance, each finalist had to dance their own choreography individually. After the performances were complete, the cheer coach read off the number of each woman who made the team, including No. 14 Megan Laugle. After the team was announced, the new cheerleaders rushed to another room to change into their uniforms and perform for the first time together as an official team. Throughout the entire process, only a handful of people knew Laugle was chasing this opportunity, including her family and junior Jenna Spini. Spini said she kept Laugle motivated through the auditions and made sure she didn’t feel alone. It also meant a lot to Spini that Laugle chose to only tell her. “It really kind of showed how much our friendship actually means to each other that she could trust me with something so big like this,” Spini said. Laugle kept her journey a secret because she didn’t want to constantly answer questions about how the process was going, especially if she didn’t make the cut. She said she was able to truly focus on herself and her work since she kept her school life separate from the tryouts. Growing up, Laugle played several sports, but her heart was always on the dance floor. She said dance was an escape for her. “If I was feeling angry or upset or anything, dance was my way to go,” Laugle said
Her passion for the art even led her to help create a dance team at Whiteland Community High School. After high school, the National Dance Alliance hired Laugle to be an instructor at various dance camps across the country. She spent her first year of college at Miami University in Miami, Ohio, but she had to have surgery on her ankle that year, bringing her closer to home. When she moved home and started classes at Franklin her sophomore year, Laugle also coached the Clark Pleasant Middle School dance team. After coaching for the last three years, Laugle said she’s ready to be a performer again. “[One of the best things] is being able to … put the smiles back on other people’s faces, rather than giving a team the opportunity to do that,” Laugle said. But what Laugle said she loves most about being a member of the 2019-20 Colts Cheerleading team is the new chapter. She said the program is about who the women are not only on the team, but also outside of the team. Although they are called cheerleaders, Laugle said the Colts cheerleaders are more like dancers. “The whole idea is showing that there is more behind the uniform and the glitter,” Laugle said. “We are more athletic performers than we are just cheerleaders.”
BIG E LEAGUES Franklin College senior scores opportunity to cheer for Indianapolis Colts HOPE SHRUM | STORY, PHOTO, DESIGN
LAST LOOK ARIEL HALSTEAD, SENIOR
Halstead, member of Delta Delta Delta, draws the earth in chalk during a contest for Greek Week, an event in which sororities and fraternities raise money for a single philanthropy while competing in activities. “I love being able to work with the rest of the chapters on campus to work toward a common goal,” she said. HOPE SHRUM I COVER PHOTO QUINN FITZGERALD I BACK PHOTO