The Arbiter 4.16.19 Vol. 31 Issue 29

April 16, 2019

Vol. 31 Issue 29

I N D EP EN D ENT

S T UDENT

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BO IS E

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IN CASES OF EMERGENCY EMERGENCY FUNDS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP STUDENTS FACING FINANCIAL INSECURITY. IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, REQUESTS FOR THE FUNDS TO MORE THAN DOUBLED PG 10 NEWS

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The Ethos Symposium comes back this month with eight student speakers

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OPINION PDF textbooks could be a better option for the environment and students’ bank accounts arbiteronline.com

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CULTURE Students speak about their life-changing experiences with music festivals @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Mane Line dance team takes fourth in hip hop and seventh in jazz at national competition

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Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free.

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Arbiter staff David Collie and Taylor Rico-Pekerol meet a new friend on Bronco Day. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

ON THE COVER: Over the past five years, the number of students using emergency funds from the Office of the Dean of Students has more than doubled. Cover by Maddie Ceglecki and Taylor Humby.

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NEWS

APRIL 16, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

IDAHO DEAL FORUM WELCOMES ALL STUDENTS

All student welcome to the pitching event, must bring resume Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n April 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Idaho Deal Forum will be held for the third year at Boise State in the Imagination Lab above Skaggs hall.

The event is a collaboration with Boise State’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) and Venture Capital and will have four live pitches to investors. Students will be able to sign up for free online and watch these 10-minute proposals.

Anyone can submit their request to pitch but a team of interns from the COBE Funding Accelerator program aid in the process of choosing who is nominated to pitch to active investors from Utah and Idaho’s Angel and Venture Capital. Ultimately, Venture Capital makes the final decision.

The COBE Funding Accelerator program is an internship open to all majors that gives students experience in entrepreneurship ventures.

John Williamson is the executive in residence for COBE and leads the COBE Funding Accelerator program.

“Within the context of the internship, it’s a little bit of a different experience. You don’t work for a company, you work with a series of entrepreneurs who are doing very innovative, creative, potentially world-changing things,” Williamson said.

Kelsey Breen, a first-year master’s student in business administration, is a part of the COBE Funding Accelerator program and has worked on the Idaho Deal Forum along with her other team members in the internship program.

“The people pitching are like us, interns aren’t the ones pitching. But we help those teams by coaching them up to be able to do that event. So students coming to watch will be knowing that we helped these teams get to that point,” Breen said.

Students will make connections that will help them in the future to possibly receive jobs after graduation through the internship.

Graham Hill is a junior computer science major who interns for the Funding Accelerator

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Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter

program.

“It’s fun and it’s playful because a lot of the mentors, they’re there volunteering their time.

So, they enjoy the optimism and excitement that entrepreneurs bring to the table,” Hill said.

The presenters have 10 minutes to pitch to a panel of investors and afterwards the panel will give their feedback and advice for the entrepreneur.

“Ten minutes is a window of opportunity that’s very critical for two reasons. Number one, most investors, it’s worth their time to give anybody about 10 minutes,” Williamson said. “The other reason that most investors are willing to give anybody 10 minutes is it’s just long enough that they can pretty much figure out if they’re being hoodwinked by the entrepreneur.”

Hill also works alongside Breen and Bonnie Warren, an undeclared graduate student, through the internship program.

“You’re making real decisions and giving real advice to these companies. And that’s really rewarding to know that you are also making a difference while learning how to communicate and building a network for yourself,” Breen said.

By applying and working as interns, they have met new people and been able to grow their experience. One aspect of the Deal Forum event that is unique to students is they must submit their resume when they register either online or in person.

The event is free to students and before the pitches begin, Bill Humbert a mentor and recruiter will be speaking on the importance of internships and how it can help students land a job after college.

“Several of the entrepreneurs that have gone through (the program) since I’ve been a part of it, are now returning as mentors,” Warren said. “So, there’s also not only what the entrepreneurs get from the organization, the process, but they’re also giving back to the process as well.”

NEWS

CITY AIMS TO MAKE BOISE KIND

“Boise Kind” is a new program introduced to encourage kind acts across the city Scott Herrick | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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oise likes to think of itself as a kind place. The city has created programs to make Boise among the most “livable” cities in the country, and Boise ends up on many top10 lists every year for having very positive traits. Yet the mayor’s office thinks more can be done.

Mayor Dave Bieter has introduced a new program to highlight the kind acts Boise residents do for one another. The program, called Boise Kind, was officially launched at Treefort Music Festival and will run at least through the rest of the year, with events scheduled for the summer.

The program works by asking residents to submit the kind acts they see other people commit to the Boise Kind website.

So far, over 250 acts have been submitted. The criteria for what counts as a kind act is not clearly defined, and subsequently is not restrictive. Any act done by a community member who took advantage of an “opportunity to be caring and generous” would qualify. All submissions are semi-anonymous, as the website only displays the first name of the submitter.

The submitted acts are often simple things, and several happened on the Boise State campus. For instance, a submitter named Tracy wrote about her experience at a Boise State basketball game.

“My 7-year-old son and I were approaching the ticket office to buy our tickets for a BSU basketball game when

a woman asked us if we would like to use her two tickets. I asked her how much she was asking and she said they were free to us and that they were really great seats — and they were! She could have let these tickets go un-

used but her act of kindness in finding two people who would appreciate them added to a great day for my son and me.”

Another submitter, named Deanna, wrote about her experience with the Boise State passport office.

“We received amazing customer service at Boise State’s passport office this morn-

ing. We were very early for our appointment, and the lady who helped us didn’t make us wait. It was a small thing, but her helpful attitude made a big impact on our day. We left smiling and grateful to be part of Boise’s com-

“Boise Kind” is an initiative that encourages random acts of kindness.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter

munity.”

The program has an impressive list of community sponsors from numerous sectors. The program’s partner list includes big businesses like Micron and Idaho Power, small businesses such as the Boise Co-op and Rediscovered Books, healthcare organizations like Blue Cross and Saint Alphonsus, charities such as the Children’s Home Society of Idaho and the Idaho Foodbank, nonprofits such as the Speedy Foundation and the Idaho Conservation League, as well as educational groups such as the Boise School District, College of Western Idaho, University of Idaho and Boise State University.

“We elected to participate because the goal of the program is to help ensure Boise is a welcoming, inclusive community for all, a goal that the University supports,” Alicia Shier Estey, Boise State chief of staff, wrote.

While the program has been introduced by the City, it’s day-to-day operations will be overseen by a local project management and public relations firm called Spark Strategic Solutions. According to reporting first done by the Boise Guardian, the City of Boise signed a contract with Spark to operate the program for $80,000 per year. Half of that cost will be paid through the Mayor’s office, and the other half will come from the city’s fund for Community Engagement.

Events related to the Boise Kind program will be held this summer, but the details of those events have yet to be confirmed.

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NEWS

2019 ETHOS SYMPOSIUM: BETTER TOGETHER Student organization creates a platform for big ideas Celina Van Hyning | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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or Kelly Myers and students Sophia Falslev and Savannah Willits, student voices are critical in the development of revolutionary ideas. These three women have spent countless hours creating a platform in which students can share their ideas and implement change at Boise State. Thanks to their dedication, eight students will be given the opportunity to educate their audience through interactive presentations.

On April 22, Boise State will host the fourth annual Ethos Symposium.

Conducted by the Ethos Project, students will give presentations on a wide variety of topics and will encourage audience members to initiate change in the community.

Falslev, a junior pre-medical psychology major, and Willits, a senior urban studies and community development double major, are co-directors of the Ethos Project. They spend the majority of their free time working to make the Ethos Symposium an unforgettable experience. While most of their work is done behind the scenes, Myers, the faculty advisor of Ethos, said that the symposium would not be possible if it was not for the hard work and dedication from the directors.

“I first heard about the Ethos Project during freshman orientation where they described it as a student organization about creating real change and advocacy work in the community,” Falslev said. “I immediately thought ‘I could get behind something like that.’”

Falslev said that co-directing this program has taught her that having passion is extremely important, and it is never too early to start creating This year’s Ethos Symposium speakers. change and making a difference right Photo courtesy of Myershere, right now.

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“There’s a common misconception that there are certain steps you have to take before you can make a path for yourself in the world,” Falslev said. “ There aren’t any set rules or boundaries, you can jump in now. Find that thing that you can’t shut up about, then go out there and see it through.”

The History of Ethos Myers teaches in the English Department at Boise State. In 2015, a routine argument class decided that a larger platform for student ideas was needed.

Myers said that her students wanted to create a platform that would position undergrads as changemakers.

Myers said that after spring 2015, her English class took the initiative to build a platform for student voices. Four years later, the event continues to be a breeding ground for revolutionary ideas.

“Everyone that gives an Ethos presentation has a project of some kind,” Myers said. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be completed right now. It could be in the works, and then the symposium is an opportunity to try to bring more people in.”

2019 Symposium On April 22, eight people will take center stage to present their ideas to the public. The thing that will make this year different from previous years is each presenter’s theme of working together.

Ryann Banks will be the keynote speaker of the evening. Following the opening presentation, Janice Witherspoon and Andrew Castro will give their presentation on Students Against Misogynistic Establishments (SAME). Nathaniel Hardy will invite audience members to join him in his presentation on Black Student Association featuring Blaze!

Bordeaux. Taylor Foerster and Darren Henry will follow with the Boise Cre-

ative Commune presentation. Finally, Zach Hill, Nick Kostovny, Ryann Banks and Josh Avraham will close the evening with Beyond the Major Catalysts.

“This year is all about collaboration.

And again, we didn’t plan it,” Myers said.

“Most of our speakers will co-present, and in all cases they’ve got a team. This doesn’t happen in isolation, this kind of work happens together.”

Olivia Thomas, a junior computer science and GIMM double major, will be presenting at the Ethos Symposium for the first time. As part of a project with NASA, Thomas is designing a headset that astronauts will wear as they’re working in space.

“I’m going to be talking about the NASA suits project which is something that I’m working on through the student challenge that NASA put out,” Thomas said. “I’m going to talk about my journey with getting into coding, the whole creative process and what it means to me.”

While Thomas is the only one giving the presentation, she is working on this project with about 10 other students in the NASA program. She hopes that her presentation will inspire people to double down and reflect on why they work on what they do.

“You get so busy that you don’t really reflect on why you’re doing what you’re doing,” Thomas said. “I really want my project to be more than just a cool techno moment, I want to let people know that whatever they’re doing, they don’t have to know exactly what they’re doing, but they do have to start somewhere.”

NEWS

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PART OF MULTICULTURAL GREEK LIFE Boise State’s Greek life is evolving to include more diverse students Emma Freitas | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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reek life at Boise State is small compared to other colleges, however, it is evolving to include students with diverse cultural backgrounds and form collective identities to represent their needs. While there are few multicultural Greek life organizations at Boise State, they hope to gain new membership as population rapidly expands on campus.

Maritza Sanchez, vice president of Lambda Theta Alpha (LTA), describes the unique challenges small sororities have when it comes to recruiting new members.

According to Sanchez, there is simply more curb appeal for a larger sorority because they already have a foundation to start on.

“I think we’re smaller because Boise State just isn’t as diverse, and a lot of people like traditional Greek life,” Sanchez said. “There’s three of us active. It’s three girls versus 100 girls recruiting.”

“I think we’re smaller because Boise State just isn’t as diverse, and a lot of people like traditional Greek life. There’s three of us active. It’s three girls versus 100 girls recruiting.”

Maritza Sanchez, vice president of Lambda Theta Alpha On top of having such limited numbers, multicultural Greek life has been given a bad name for not falling under what traditional fraternities and sororities stand for. Juan Leon, president of Lambda Sigma Beta (LSB), recognizes that multicultural

Lambda Sigma Beta is one of only five multicultural Greek organizations on campus.

Greek life isn’t the best fit for everyone, but there are still benefits to being a part of a small fraternity.

“I think that people predominantly are going to choose more traditional fraternities because of the size of them. I think it’s good that we’re small because it gives us more of that opportunity to meet all our members and actually get to know them at a personal level,” Leon said. “I think I found myself in multicultural because I wanted to get more in touch with my multicultural roots because I never really had that sense of culture when I was growing up. I really wanted to connect with people that had that background like me.”

Sergio Calderon, treasurer of LSB emphasizes that multicultural fraternities do not necessarily represent just one group.

“People view us as a Hispanic fraternity, which is the least of what we are. There’s no fraternity that is more diverse than LSB,” Calderon said.

There’s a false narrative that multicultural Greek chapters only cater to specific cultures, and both LTA and LSB both clarified that they are more than willing to accept people of all backgrounds, as well

as work with traditional chapters towards common goals.

“We want people to know that just because we’re multicultural doesn’t mean we aren’t open to collaborate with traditional Greek life,” Sanchez said. “I think there’s a bad perception about being multicultural and why we aren’t traditional. They may think we don’t want anything to do with them, but it’s hard when they try to reach out to us sometimes and since we are so small it’s hard to do.”

Sergio Sarmiento, a first year member of LSB mentioned that in a multicultural fraternity, he was able to interact with other students in groups that the university often doesn’t showcase.

“It’s just interesting getting to meet people that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to meet. The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and people that are a part of that are successful because they have a support system, for example. I wanted to be more invested in the groups like that around me,” Sarmiento said.

On a minimally diverse campus, there aren’t always many options for students who are looking to connect in a back-

Photo courtesy of Juan Leon ground specifically fueled by culture.

Students ought to feel safe in whatever environment or people they surround themselves with.

“I just felt that there are certain groups you interact with and feel welcome, and you connect with because there’s similarities. Culture is important to me, and because there isn’t a lot diversity on campus, I felt like it’s a safe place for me,” Sanchez said.

Students of all backgrounds are highly encouraged to join any form of Greek life, whether it be traditional or multicultural, but to keep in mind that there are opportunities in both. Greek life stereotypes still run rampant, but if you’re looking for something different, according to Leon, you can find that in a multicultural chapter.

“I decided to be a part of a multicultural because of that support system, and that was the biggest reason that drew me into it, and that’s what I want to show to other people,” Leon said.

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OPINION APRIL 16, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

IF YOU’RE A FEMINIST, DON’T VOTE FOR HARRIS OR WARREN

Simply being a woman is not a qualifier for being president Emma Freitas | Staff Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Kamala Harris, presidential candidate

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urface-level feminism, the absolute bare basics, comes down to agreeing that men and women are equal. Intersectional feminism, by definition, is a few different things. It means that you recognize the privileges of your race, religion, gender, sexuality, etc. and understand how other groups are marginalized for being a minority. In essence, it’s doing your very best to know that being white, straight, wealthy, or religious has its unspoken perks in society.

Senators and presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are the prime examples of who not to vote for if you are attempting to maintain feminist values. Voting for them because you want to see the first female president in office is not how the electorate should work.

Senators and presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris have certainly failed to recognize certain privileges. Harris promoted legislation as the California attorney general to fine parents of students who were “chronically truant,” claiming that dropping out of high school is a prerequisite to being more likely to being incarcerated in the future.

The school to prison pipeline is a real issue, however Harris fails to recognize that this had the potential to disproportionately hurt minorities. It’s hard to see why trying to prevent students from flowing through the prison pipeline by threatening their parents with jail time is an effective system, rather than taking truancy case by case to fix individual problems. She also resisted legislation requiring police officers to wear body cameras, a policy among the most critical fights against police brutality.

Warren last year tried to claim Native American heritage by taking a DNA test, but never was a registered tribe member.

The fact that she has tried to use her supposed Cherokee ancestry to gain some sort of political advantage brownie points is inappropriate and will haunt her forever.

Warren claimed ancestry as far back as a voter registration card in 1986, and it’s hard to know now if it made a difference in her career. According to The Boston Globe, Warren was not interested in applying for minority student group programs at Rutgers Law School in 1973, but in 1986 registered as a minority law professor.

Bottom line is that Warren claimed Native American heritage when it was convenient and wanted to stand out. What has she done for Native Americans in the time that she’s served as a professor or a senator?

The pasts of some of the popular democratic candidates are just part of the problem. Identity politics is problematic and doesn’t contribute to any change. Not voting for Harris or Warren exclusively because you don’t want a female president is sexist. Voting for them exclusively because you do want the first female president is caving to identity politics. Neither do any good and if you claim to be a feminist and still participate in these identity politics, then you are a part of the problem. Needless to say, the presidential race is still early and there’s a lot of time for the candidates to debate their platforms.

Don’t vote for a candidate just because she is a woman. Vote for her because you believe in her politics.

HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

OPINION

WHAT PRICE ARE YOU PAYING FOR TEXTBOOKS?

Not only are physical books expensive, they’re also bad for the environment

Taylor Fennel | Guest Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ollege students spend around $1,200 a year on textbooks or $600 a semester. In the end of the four plus years that students spend at a university, this cost adds up.

Although it may seem just another cost in the costly education system that the United States has, it is also a cost that can easily be cut down. Textbooks should be offered to students online to lower the cost of the textbook, but also make the textbook interactive, easier to use, and even help save the environment.

While I was in high school, I received free used textbooks that I would use for the year and then turn them back in to the school at the end of the school year. College does not offer this benefit and expects college students like myself and everyone around me to buy their own textbooks. According to Brian Evans from Foothill College, Evans surveyed 253 students where roughly half of them were using a print textbook while the other half were using an online textbook.

The comparison of the two textbooks was that the printed version was $86.63, while the online textbook was $24.76. By using online textbooks, college students can save two thirds of their money by viewing the text on their computer, tablet, or smartphone without experiencing the heavy cost of using a textbook for just one semester.

Last year in my Business 101 class, I was required to buy an interactive access code that allowed me to interact with my textbook. It was the first time using the program for my professor but led to success as her average midterm test grades increased by 7%. The interactive textbook highlighted key parts of the text that were important for me to know and as I read, I answered questions on the information I was reading to allow me to better understand the information. Through this online interactive textbook, I was able to spend less money on the physical textbook and get the benefit of experiencing an interactive textbook that improved my understanding of the information.

Physical textbooks’ information is not

accessed through a computer, tablet, or smartphone but through a flip of the page.

Million of tons of paper are used each year to print textbooks for students to use, but thousands of papers are thrown away to litter our planet. In A Research Study on Textbook Recycling in America by Laura S. Hickey and Kristy M. Jones, they concluded that “approximately 640,000 tons are discarded into the landfill. Books comprise roughly 0.4 percent of total municipal solid waste generation.” By allowing college students to access online textbooks, the waste caused by printed textbooks can be cut down substantially. With the new day and age of technology, textbooks should follow the trend and go digital.

PDF textbooks are a great way for college students to access the information they need wherever they are. An online textbook can be used to read, interact, and even quickly look up certain key words easily without having to flip to the index for the correct page number. Students who want to hold a physical paper in their hand can print the entire PDF version or certain chapters. The PDF version of a textbook has that luxury of staying completely digital but also be able to be access through print with still a lower price. PDF textbooks are beneficial in so many ways and can benefit the users with the need to a physical copy.

Online textbooks are a need through the growing twenty-first century. The cost of college is very expensive and having access to a textbook at a substantially lower price can save college students thousands of dollars. Online textbooks are on the path of improving students’ knowledge through interaction with the book and accessibility to the book everywhere they go. By purchasing online textbooks, we are saving money and the environment one day at a time.

Taylor Fennel is a freshman from San Diego, California. She is majoring in general business, and is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. She works on campus for the event operations in the Student Union Building.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter ARPIL 16, 2019

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F E AT U R E

requests for emergency funds increase over a five - year period , requests for emergency funds have more than doubled TAYLOR RICO-PEKEROL | NEWS REPORTER | NEWS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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orking two day jobs and a night janitorial job her junior year, Esperansa Gomez, a senior social work major, lives with her mother as a low-income student. Along with her three jobs, Gomez is a full-time student.

During the beginning of her junior year, Gomez’s car broke down, she was late on a power bill, and had to purchase her textbooks. Overwhelmed, she turned to the Office of the Dean of Students, which offers an emergency fund of up to $400 to students.

The student emergency funds are

grants that students can apply for once during their academic career at Boise State.

These funds provide financial support to students who are in time-sensitive emergency situations that require financial assistance.

Started in 2014 by the president of Associated Students of Boise State (ASBSU), the funds are intended to alleviate stress for students so they can focus on their academics. As the program moves into its fifth year, more and more students are turning to emergency funds to help with financial insecurity.

For the

2014-2015 school year, 29 students were approved for emergency funds. For the 2015-2016 school year, 40 students were approved. For the 2016-2017 school year 49 students were approved, and for the 2017-2018 school year 50 students were approved.

As of April 3, the number for applications has doubled since the previous school year. So far, the 2018-2019 school year has had 99 students apply: eight applications are pending, 22 students were denied, and 69 applications have been accepted.

According to Shannon Anderson, a first-

year graduate

student studying social work, the increase in funds requests may be due to the increase in exposure. The influx in exposure is partly due to word of mouth, fliers, and different events promoting the funds.

“We’ve had more exposure and due to that –– and also word of mouth –– a lot of students who come in hear from other students who have gotten funds,” Anderson said.

The Dean of Students office worked with different student events to increase the awareness of the funds. They also found that people applying were there because their friends or people they knew had used the emergency funds.

“The need for the funds has always been there but perhaps because students did not know about it, they could not utilize (the funds),” Anderson said.

In order to receive the funds, a student must fill out a request form and explain why and what they need the funds for and then they will meet with either Anna Moreshead, the assistant dean of students, or Anderson. Anderson has been interning for the Dean of Students office since October 2018 and aids Moreshead in the interviewing

process.

“The value that even a social worker and train can bring to this conversations,” Moreshead said. “We want students to leave here feeling like somebody cares about them, not only as a student but as a person.”

Summer Starr is a freshman pre-business major and recently underwent a financial emergency regarding her tuition. Starr had to take out a loan due to her emergency

F E AT U R E situation and went to Student Financial Services for help.

Although the funds are receiving more applicants, some students, like Starr, are still unaware of the help available to them.

“They (the financial office) didn’t tell me about this emergency plan. But I’m not even sure it could be applicable to me,” Starr said. “Recently, I heard about it from friends. They told me to apply for it and the financial office did not tell me about that.”

The donations are from a foundation created by the University Advancement Office, which receives funds from private community members, parents of Boise State students, fundraising, or grants from the state.

Along with providing financial support, Moreshead or Anderson will point students in the right direction to aid them in other issues they may be facing.

“One of the steps of getting emergency funds is coming in and talking to myself or Anna. Usually during that period, we will problem solve with a student around other things going on in their lives,” Anderson said. “If it seems like they’re really having a hard time, we will usually follow up with one-on-one student support.”

In the Dean of Students office, they offer other assistance to students such as a food pantry, a relaxation room, and supporting students in any way they can.

“When I went to apply for the emergency fund, they gave me the max, which was $400. Anna also told me about emergency meal swipes, so they provided 10 free meal swipes that can be added to my student ID,” Gomez said.

A student’s eligibility to receive the funds is based on whether they meet the requirements of being a student enrolled in six credits or more, have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and are able to provide documentation of need.

“Having to be in a position where you decide to accept or deny someone, that is really bizarre as well,” Anderson said.

“Being in that position of like, ‘is this an emergency or not for you?’ So just being

able to fall back on that eligibility piece has been really helpful.”

The applicant must also have an eligible reason to receive the funds such as medical, dental, housing, rent, books, groceries and other situations that can be found on the Dean of Students website.

According to Moreshead and Anderson, there were 60 requests for housing, 41 for food, 38 for utilities, 38 for transportation, 31 for books and academic materials, 15 for health care and six for child care for the 2018-2019 school year.

“Being able to help students get out of really financially dire situations, to get to a more stable place where they can finish school, and being able to kind of mitigate that process and help them through it is really awesome,” Anderson said.

Collin Peterson is the operation support coordinator for the Dean of Students office and aids in making sure the students receive their funds in a timely manner. The overall process takes between two days to one week depending on when the applicant can meet with Anderson or Moreshead for an interview.

“Everybody who’s involved in it (the process) understands that it’s an emergency, they’ve come to us because it’s an emergency. We want to do as much as we can do the best of our ability to get them the help they need as quickly as possible,” Peterson said.

Once the applicant is accepted, the process is fairly quick with an email being sent to the financial office and the money either being direct-deposited or given in a check to the applicant.

“I was still able to purchase my textbooks and I finally got my car fixed. I was able to be at peace with my bills and it was very helpful,” Gomez said. “Take it seriously, don’t take it for granted, appreciate it, and ask for help when you need it.”

2014 / 15 2015 / 16 2016 / 17 2017 / 18 2018 / 19

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

As of April 3, for the 2018-2019 school year 99 people applied, 8 pending, 22 rejected, and 69 approved.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDS FOR? Students can request funds for housing, utilities, transportation, food, health care, child care, books/academic materials, or other circumstances. According to the numbers, there were 60 requests for housing, 41 for food, 38 for utilities, 38 for transportation, 31 for books/academic materials, 15 for health care, and 6 for child care.

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C U LT U R E APRIL 16, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

HOW MUSIC FESTIVALS CHANGE STUDENTS’ LIVES

Between sound waves and illicit drugs, music festivals can give a new world perspective Alex Rodal Cubillas | Staff Writer | cultures@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Isabel Everett | The Arbiter

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very generation has a fundamental element that embodies the essence of youth of a given time period. From the emergence of dance halls in the 1940s – which became a thrilling way for jive bombers to show off their moves, attracting a mate – to the mullet-rockin’, scrunchy-wearing moonwalkers of the 80s.

Fast forward to the 2010s, and those living witness the revolution of music festivals across the nation. Boise State marketing student Lia Crumpton said she attended Coachella – one of the biggest music festivals in the United States, averaging an attendance of 250,000 – in Indio, California. in the spring of 2018, and her experience after attending the festival was life-altering.

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“When I came back to school, I just had a different point of view on life,” Crumpton said. “I would wake up at like 7 a.m. and get stuff done, which really helped for finals week.”

Crumpton, who regularly attends festivals from a professional standpoint as a photographer, expressed that it is interesting seeing the shows from a sober perspective, because when people are rolling they seem happier, enjoying the music while being more affectionate and kind to one another.

“Life just seemed so much prettier to me,” Crumpton said.

While Crumpton’s sober work experience changed her worldview, the experience isn’t as simplistic for others. Music festivals have been criticized for their association

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with the use of illicit drugs, such as ecstasy, molly (MDMA), cocaine, LSD (acid), mushrooms and marijuana. Attendees of these festivals express that the use of these substances in correlation to the music creates a euphoria that enhances the experience.

A Boise State student, who wishes to remain anonymous and will be referred to as Robert Jenks, said the use of said substances at music festivals and EDM shows correlates with his transformative life outlook with partaking in these events.

Jenks said he attended his first music festival in 2014 at the age of 18, and was instantly entranced by the scene. Since that first experience, Jenks stated that he has not stopped, and has attended hundreds of shows and over 50 festivals in the last five years.

“What attracts me to that, is just that there (are) people from all walks of life, and everyone is just super accepted,” Jenks said.

“I’m not being judged for the way that I dress, or the way that I dance. We are all there for the same reason.”

Jenks said that, for the first two and a half years of attending music festivals he never touched drugs. In fact, he was the friend that would always advise his peers against it. However, he had a change of heart after attending a festival in 2017.

After being persuaded by his peers at the festival, Jenks decided to try molly for the first time. Following his experience, he saw his life differently. Jenks claimed that he finally understood why people would do these drugs, and was no longer judgmental of other people or preoccupied with worldly troubles.

“You’re with your friends, you’re doing your favorite thing in the world,” Jenks said. “There’s no place you’d rather be and nothing else matters.”

Jenks’ personal experience, however, isn’t the extent of the effects of these commonly used festival drugs. Brian Boesiger, assistant medical director at St. Alphonsus’s emergency department, stated that, when people use ecstasy or molly, it has amplified effects on serotonin receptors that create a euphoric effect and artificial sense of being closer to people.

“From the handful of cases I’ve seen personally, the reason people come in are because they have a seizure, and they are confused,” Boesiger said. “Obviously, that is pretty alarming to the person or to their friends, so that’s why they end up in the emergency department.”

Boesiger stated that ecstasy is a schedule one illegal drug and it is punishable by law to have it. He also said that no one should be taking it in the first place and frequent use can lead to addiction.

“I would say that, just like all other drugs, the only way to avoid those things from happening is to avoid the use in the first place,” Boesiger said.

This generational rite of passage for today’s youth has many parents and health professionals concerned, but it is not uncommon for festival hosts like Insomniac, who founded the annual world-wide event known as Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), to employ what is known as the Ground Control team, whose mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of those in attendance by providing water, ice packs and medical assistance to anyone who may need it. Although concerns will remain intact surrounding festivals and drug use, the profound emotional impacts that such festivals have on students, including those at Boise State, will continue to challenge the traditional stereotypes of festival-going.

C U LT U R E

INCOMING FRESHMAN SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON BRONCO DAY

Several students who visited shared their excitements and anxieties David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Incoming students traveled to Boise last weekend for Bronco Day.

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lthough the rain threatened to ruin things early for this year’s Bronco Day, the sun eventually came out and welcomed students from the Treasure Valley and beyond. Many of the bright, eager faces who stopped by The Arbiter’s table will be starting their college careers at Boise State in the fall, and shared their excitements and anxieties about their upcoming time at the university.

Andrew Anawalt, a senior coming from southern California, will begin next fall, majoring in applied math with a statistics emphasis. Anawalt also has a passion for sports and hopes to someday combine these two interests by working with sports statistics. Although somewhat nervous about meeting new people, Anawalt said he was most excited for Greek life, basketball and football games. Even though the rain hammered down during his campus visit, Anawalt was unphased.

“I’ve been enjoying (Bronco Day),” Anawalt said. “Yeah, it’s raining. It doesn’t

bother me. It would bother a lot of California kids from where I’m from because it’s always sunny, but this really doesn’t bother me.”

The next incoming student was Joe Chigbrow, a future journalism and media arts major. Coming from Boise High, the close distance was one reason Chigbrow picked Boise State. The biggest draw, though, was the school’s rising esports scene.

“The introduction of (the university’s) eSports scene really drew me in, because I’m really tied to ‘Rocket League,’” Chigbrow said. “With the eSports scene, it’s really cool to be around like-minded people and people who aren’t going to call you out for spending six hours on a game or something like that when you have free time.”

Though excited, Chigbrow expressed concern about the unstructured nature of college, especially in comparison to high school.

“Because there’s a lot more going on,

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter it seems a lot less structured than high school,” Chigbrow said. “There is less restriction, so there is less structure, which I don’t always do the best with. But I think for the most part, I’m fairly confident I know where I’m at.”

Another Treasure Valley local was Kate Gustafson. Coming from Rocky Mountain High School, Gustafson was slightly nervous about meeting new people and dealing with the big school, but was very excited for the university’s theater department, which she cited as her biggest reason for choosing Boise State.

“They have a really good theater department, and I know a lot of people that are already in the department that really like it,” Gustafson said.

Finally, coming from Puyallup, Washington. is future criminal justice major and creative writing minor, Joey Ancheta.

Ancheta explained that he was drawn to Boise State for its diversity of programs and opportunities.

“It had my major, which was criminal

justice, and I then could also do arts and stuff on top of it, so it just kind of worked perfectly,” Ancheta said. “No other school could really offer that.”

Another draw for Ancheta was the city of Boise itself.

“Plus Boise is just awesome, too,” Ancheta said. “It’s a lot different vibe than Seattle, which I like. I wanted to get out of that. (It) just grew too fast. You get here and it’s just like everything’s slowed down.”

Although slightly worried about getting a class schedule that was doable and enjoyable, Ancheta had few concerns, and was excited for the independence his college experience, and time away from Washington, would bring.

As the sun lifted over the closing Bronco Day festivities, the bright new group of incoming freshman went their separate ways. And despite the disparate qualities that brought them to Boise State, it will not be long before they start their college journey.

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C U LT U R E

SPRING BFA EXHIBIT SPOTLIGHTS STUDENTS

The display marks the end of several fine arts students’ college careers Thomas Metzger | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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here are various galleries and street art all over the City of Boise, and there is no shortage of artists at Boise State.

Many are in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program and, throughout April, their work will be on display in the Liberal Arts gallery and Hemingway Center at the spring 2019 BFA Exhibition.

At Boise State, students can pursue their passion for art and creativity through the Fine Arts program. Each semester, students in the program have opportunities to create and discover their voice as an artist, and are able to display their work in galleries across campus. With the new Center for Fine Arts building nearing completion, now is a great time to be an art student at Boise State.

“Each student is making a body of work based on their own interests,” said Kirsten Furlong, gallery director of the Visual Arts Center. “I just think it’s a really great time to study art right now. There’s so many different ways you can express creativity right now, and I think the new fine arts building will really change the art culture here on campus.”

There are 17 student artists participating in the BFA exhibit this semester. The art media that are present at the exhibition span from sculptures to paintings and drawings to photography, leaving something for most everyone to find interest in.

For some of the participating students, this is their first major exhibition. One piece in the program is from artist Emma Thompson, who is completing a bachelor’s in visual arts with an emphasis in photography. Her piece, titled “The Garden,” focuses on the subjective idea of beauty in our society.

“Like a typical millennial, I found the inspiration on social media. I started following Ashley Graham, and that kind of helped me with my self-image,” Thompson said. “It made me understand a little more about representation of beauty, especially in pop culture and in popular media. I picked a group of eight girls to show the range of

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beauty and their unique features. I feel that a lot of what I’ve done, especially in school, has been feminist art.”

Melissa S. Anderson, another artist in the program, takes inspiration from her experience with cancer. Her piece is titled “Journey to the Edge,” and takes viewers on a journey through her triumph over cancer in four stages.

“A lot of the pieces I’ve used included cardboard and wired mesh, and it documents the growth of the cancer cells,” Anderson said. “Even though it was a negative thing, I chose to look at the positives.”

Many of these students have learned valuable skills in their time at Boise State, and many of them have grown their understanding of the art world by working in different media.

“School has taught me a lot of different ways to make art,” Thompson said. “We have to take a bunch of art classes, and not just focus on our area of study. I can also apply something I’ve learned in painting and apply it to my photography.”

Anderson is excited to get started in the industry, transitioning from her current design role to one that is more focused around her subject of expertise.

“Currently, I’m a kitchen designer, but I’m looking to change my role as designer in the next four years, which will allow me more time to create art,” Anderson said. “I also plan on traveling more. I just purchased a 27-foot Airstream, and I want to maybe do some art pertaining to that.”

Anderson’s passion drives her to explore different media for her art, and embodies that every great artist has started out somewhere. By supporting local artists, community members are supporting them on their journey to being discovered, and exposing themselves to someone else’s perspective.

The spring BFA exhibition will be the last exhibition in these spaces before the new fine arts building is completed. It runs through April 26, and is free and open to the public during regular business hours.

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The exhibit is on display until April 26.

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

C U LT U R E

REVIEW: THE ACT

Hulu series is hard to swallow but worth the effort David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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f one’s typical response to the overwhelming stress of the closing semester is to dive down into the deep, deep hole of bingeable TV, Hulu’s new series, “The Act,” might be worth a watch.

Though dramatized, the show is based on the real events of Gypsy Rose Blanchard (Joey King), the show’s protagonist, and the events that led to the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard (Patricia Arquette) in 2015. This haunting reminder plays at the end of each episode, adding a unique weight to every action that happens on screen.

To the outside world, the mother-daughter duo are an inseparable pair, with Gypsy being completely dependent on her mother’s care due to her laundry list of allegedly chronic conditions. It becomes quickly apparent, however, that this loving family has dark secrets behind the brightpink walls of their home.

Dee Dee fabricated her daughter’s illnesses and is speculated to have had Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Dee Dee forced Gypsy to take unneeded medications, undergo unnecessary medical procedures and remain in a wheelchair despite being able to walk, all while benefiting from a number of charities because of the fake conditions.

This web of lies unfolds before viewers’ eyes as Arquette and King deliver gripping performances that give life to the story. Their initial relationship seems to be something out of a fairytale, but things get sinister as the audience follows Gypsy in her discovery of the nightmare she is really in. Viewers are made helpless as they watch Dee Dee’s manipulation of her daughter and the outside world.

This sickening journey is juxtaposed with the time following Dee Dee’s murder, as the Blanchards’ neighbors begin to piece things together. These glimpses into the future of the family also lend a greater helplessness — and possibly even a dark sense

of relief — as the audience knows from the beginning how things will end. With every wrong doing and manipulation that transpires, viewers are unable to do anything but sit and wait for the inevitable.

Despite this knowledge, however, the Blanchard story remains equal parts hard to watch and hard to stop watching. As the story progresses, Gypsy discovers lie after lie, and becomes increasingly aware of how different she is from other girls. Gypsy’s body image becomes an important theme of the show, as she realizes that the physical beauty she desperately wants is stripped away by her mother who prevents her by shaving her head, refusing to let her wear makeup and more. Although body image seems to take second place to other pieces of the story, the unusual circumstances grant a unique perspective on the topic that can be taken well beyond the show.

Within the show, however, this seems to be a central motivator for Gypsy, who begins attempting increasing acts of rebellion. But every glimpse of hope for this independence is swiftly crushed by her mother who, despite the charming, southern facade, is capable of an unsettling ruthlessness.

The result of these pieces is a twisted dynamic (with a few legal stumbles), played by talented actors and delivered through gripping storytelling, in which the audience observes helplessly. Dee Dee manipulates and abuses, and Gypsy becomes evermore cognizant of the fact that something is not right. Although the real Blanchard family is considering taking legal action against the creators of the show, the impact appears likely to live on beyond the screen. The show is by no means easy to watch, especially given the true events it is based on. But the compelling story is well-told, and it should have no problem swallowing the stress of looming finals.

JUST A THOUGHT Leah Remini had it right, and here’s why

Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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eyond the typical flaunting of wealth that comes from Hollywood’s most prestigious members, there is an underlying hush falling over the inner workings of the entertainment industry. A lack of transparency can lead to questions surrounding the integrity of those who work in the industry and, further than that, where the chain reaction of shade and elitism begins. For some, it could be studios, but for many, it’s the embodiment of their belief system.

Just last year, Allison Mack, an actress once known for her time on popular WB show “Smallville,” was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and forced labor in a group called Nxivm. The cult-like entity claims to focus on self-betterment and fulfillment but, in reality, women were being lured to its founder, Keith Raniere, who would brand them and force them to have sex with him. While this story is disturbing, the power trip isn’t an isolated one.

Leah Remini, known for her role in “The King of Queens,” released a memoir in 2015 detailing her experiences within the church

of Scientology, a secretive yet popular religion for many Hollywood elite. The book, and the later television show, received much attention, but her account of the church’s dealings are more than just entertainment; if her words were daunting enough to provoke a series of detrimental replies from the church, what else is hidden beneath the surface?

While it can certainly be argued that a spectrum of elitism in the entertainment industry exists, it is only escalated by devious acts of power that remain unchecked. Luckily, in the case of Scientology, Remini tried to set the record straight, but many others like Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Moss have still found themselves in the grasp of the religion. The reason, and the ultimate problem, is the lack of knowledge that common people have about the belief system, and there are few resources to alleviate the problem.

Rather than continuing to buy into celebrity claims of happiness and fulfillment through suspicious means, conduct self-research. If there isn’t enough information readily available to make a decision, recognize that Remini could be right. Elitism isn’t simply about money, but about the ability to remain the right to secrecy in the digital age while others look on in the face of resulted injustice. It’s time to move on from traditional “follower” mentalities and do some digging; regardless of what is found, fighting against silence is the first step to breaking down elitism — just a thought.

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SPORTS & REC APRIL 16, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

ABBY SORENSEN EMBODIES SUCCESS IN AND OUT OF THE POOL Decorated swimmer and nursing student reflects on impressive collegiate run Skyler Moses | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sorensen was named the 2019 Mountain West Conference Swimmer of the Year.

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er collegiate swimming career may be over, but going forward, senior Abbey Sorensen will translate her success as a swimmer into the rest of her life.

Throughout her last four years at Boise State, Sorensen has embodied what it means to be a student-athlete. A two-time Mountain West conference champion and winner of countless individual titles and All-Mountain West honors, Sorensen has been incredibly successful in the pool, all while being in the nursing program.

Christine Mabile, first-year head coach of the women’s swimming and diving team, spoke volumes to Sorensen’s hard work in and out of the pool.

“Abbey works really hard. She has really high expectations of herself academically too, wanting to be a nurse, and she’s really passionate about everything she does. So that makes (her) fun to coach, but also sets

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a really good example for the rest of the program,” Mabile said. “She’s really tough, she’s a competitor (and) she wants to be the best that she can be in every area of her life.”

“...She’s really tough, she’s a competitor (and) she wants to be the best that she can be in every area of her life.”

Christine Mabile, head coach of women’s swimming and diving team

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Photo by Boise State Media Relations Ally Kleinsorgen, a fellow senior, swimmer and personal friend, spoke highly of Sorensen’s work ethic, personality and how she has been able to find success in her own methods.

“She cares way more (about everything) than I think she realizes she does, and she figures out what works for her and sticks to it, and is very faithful to her routines and what works best for her,” Kleinsorgen said.

“And I think that it’s worked the past four years for her and it’s going to continue to work for her in the future no matter what.”

Swimming involves a different dynamic than most team sports. Although the team has many members, the events are centered around individual winners. While it could be easy to focus on personal success, Kleinsorgen emphasized that Sorensen never put herself before the team. “(Abbey and I) watched each senior class come through before us and accomplish

big things. I know that we wanted to do that for our class and for our team, so the younger girls could have something to look up to and look forward to,” Kleinsorgen said. “I never really saw her as my competitor, it was always we were in it together to beat everyone else, so it was really nice to be able to accomplish that together.”

Sorensen has accomplished more than most athletes could dream of at Boise State, but she did not do it alone. She gives a majority of the credit to those around her.

“Honestly it means more than I can probably put into words. I think going into college, and kind of my whole life, swimming as a Division I collegiate athlete was kind of the dream,” Sorensen said.

“Just being able to do all that I’ve had the opportunity to has been more than I could ever ask for, and I’m super grateful for all the coaches and the teammates that have gotten me to that point.”

Like many athletes, Sorensen cited a previous failure as one of the biggest reasons for her success and desire to be the best that she can be. Specifically, losing the Mountain West Championship her freshman year and then coming back and winning the title handedly in her sophomore campaign.

Sorensen spoke very highly of her teammates and the bond that they formed during their years together, and she will miss the camaraderie of the team the most.

“More than anything going forward, I think I’ll miss the atmosphere of the team,” Sorenson said. “I think every single year I’ve been privileged to be a part of a team who all of the girls just mean so much to each other, and we’re not just teammates, we’re best friends outside of the pool.”

SPORTS & REC

FROM BOISE TO THE NFL

Former Broncos prepare to live out their dreams in the NFL Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ith the NFL draft coming up on April 25-27, former Boise State athletes are training hard mentally and physically to make one last impression on NFL teams and scouts.

With their future in football on the line, past Broncos, STUD Jabril Frazier and wide receivers AJ Richardson and Sean Modster, shared what they expect from the NFL and life after Boise State.

Life after Boise After graduation, students have plenty of choices to make, such as pursuing their career or continuing their education, or, in some cases, playing professional sports. No matter what, there will be change.

“I had to take on more responsibility for the success I wanted to achieve. That goes from setting goals that I planned to work out to everyday, creating relationships that positively impact my life as I go through this process and most of all, getting closer with God,” Modster said. “Life has become more of a routine for me that I like follow every day. I believe that what I am doing is going to get me ready for the opportunity that is soon to come.”

Frazier and Richardson felt an urge to grow up and were able to reflect on the opportunities Boise gave them.

“Boise State was a good place to go to school. It’s pretty easy to stay out of trouble there, if you don’t you’re gonna get in a lot of trouble and everyone’s gonna hear,” Richardson said. “Boise’s a good place to mature.”

Preparation for the NFL draft Frazier, Richardson and Modster got their final chance to perform in front of NFL scouts at Boise’s Pro Day on April 2. Frazier didn’t get the chance run the 40-yard dash because he was recovering from a twisted hamstring, but all three athletes were able to put up solid numbers in different areas.

“I feel great about my pro day. (I am) definitely more thankful than anything that I was able to put aside three months of my life to train my body to (be in) tip-top shape for pro day and see good times and numbers. It was a solid day,” Modster said. “Being able to be around my guys again was a great feeling and one I appreciate.”

Richardson, who ran an unofficial 4.58 in the 40, was pleased with his results and said he believes everyone else was pleased as well.

“I’ve been preparing a lot physically. I mean, if you get that call, you’re gonna start at mini-camp right away, and you have to be ready for that,” Richardson said.

Transitioning into a professional football player and waiting to see if a team will give you a shot comes with a lot of mental pressure, so it’s beneficial to prepare on the physical and mental side.

“This process is a lot to take in and to do every day. So, I believe if my mentality is right and I see progress in the simplest ways, I will go about my days and be productive with a purpose, I (will) get more and more confident,” Modster said.

“I wouldn’t mind going back home to the Rams in LA I’ve been talking a lot to the Packers. It’s almost like they are recruiting you, I mean you don’t know if they’re going to pick you, but just talking to them is cool,” Frazier said. “I can see myself playing for them, you know, the ‘cheese heads.’”

With only a few weeks to go, Richardson and Modster may have talked to teams as well, but they will be happy wherever they end up.

“I just want to be in it for any team, it doesn’t matter (who). It’ll be a blessing to play

for any one of these 32 teams,” Richardson said.

As for the transition from a college stage to a professional stage, the players know there will be some big changes, such as the speed of the game. But, they are ready for the task.

“My life will change drastically ...

Though I will definitely be watching Boise State football because I am part of a proud football alumni, I will always be a Bronco and will love supporting all my brothers,” Modster said.

Dreams to reality One thing these three athletes have in common is their long-time dream playing in the NFL. With this dream possibly becoming a reality soon, they have a lot to be excited about.

AJ Richardson, Sean Modster, Jabril Frazier Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter APRIL 16, 2019

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SPORTS & REC

MANE LINE REACHES FINALS AT CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS

The team took fourth in hip hop and seventh in jazz at the National Dance Association championship Tommy Drorbaugh | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Mane Line competed in Florida last week for the NDA Championship.

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ane Line dance team endured the sweltering Daytona, Florida humidity, with sweat dripping from their sweatshirt uniforms and black leggings. The moist heat starkly reminded them they were from Boise, Idaho, where it had been dry and cold for the past five months. Everything they had been training for the past several months had been leading up to this single moment. Every early morning practice, every fundraising campaign and the thousands of hours choreographing accumulated to this moment.

These were the circumstances for the Boise State Mane Line dance team last week at the National Dance Association Championship tournament. The tournament consisted of two categories, jazz and hip-hop, with each category having a preliminary and final round. Mane Line clinched fourth place in hip-hop and seventh place in jazz. For many collegiate dancers in the United States, getting to

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compete at the NDA championship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Boise State’s Mane Line has not competed in the NDA Championship since 1996. “(The championship) was a little nerve-wracking because it was unknown territory,” said senior captain Clesi Crochet. “We didn’t know where we were dancing, no one has ever been there (and) no one has ever been in that atmosphere.”

“(The championship) was a little nerve-wracking because it was unknown territory.”

Clesi Crochet, senior and captain of Mane Line

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Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter With so many unknowns, all that the team could do was prepare. After all, success occurs when opportunity meets preparation. Team members attributed their solid preparation to their head coach, Kassondra Landry. “(Kassondra) even looked up the floor dimensions and taped off the floor in our studio so we knew exactly how much space we had,” Crochet said.

This was the final tournament and competition for seniors Crochet and Madison Lapierre. Some of the seniors have been teammates and friends since they were freshmen, so sharing this experience with long time friends caused emotions to run high.

“I competed for 15 years on a stage and going into my last competition, (Clesi and I) were crying backstage soaking it all up,” Lapierre said. “It was nerve-wracking, but once you hit the stage nothing else matters.”

Getting to compete in the nation’s

largest dance championship put a big check mark on the seniors’ bucket list. The teammates said they can graduate knowing they accomplished something significant for the Spirit Squad program.

Leaving a tight-knit family can be a bittersweet feeling. However, the team culture that Crochet, Lapierre and the other seniors created can be passed onto the next generation of Mane Line dancers.

“In years past, it can be a relief to see the seniors go,” said junior captain Kayla Daughters. “(Crochet) and (Lapierre) have really set apart from past seniors, they said we’re done with the cliques, we’re done with the weird dynamic between freshmen, we just want to be a family.”

Daughters expressed how the family culture Crochet and Lapierre created played a huge role in the team’s success.

Mane Line’s season is year-round because they support virtually all Bronco Athletic Association teams’ games. With such a long season, not grabbing at each other’s throats is vital to the longevity of a team’s cohesiveness.

Competing at the NDA and reaching finals is the icing for seniors Crochet and Lapierre to put on their dance-career cakes.

An inevitable reality all senior collegiate athletes must face is the fact that they might not get to play another season. Both Crochet and Lapierre have been dancing for 15 years and are reluctantly ready to leave competition. But for Crochet, leaving the sideline isn’t the hardest part.

“The thing that is hardest for Madison and I is it’s like we’re losing a family,” Crochet said.

This tournament wraps up Mane Line’s season. Seniors are graduating and many students will be looking to compete in next year’s Mane Line team. Spirit Squad’s 2019-2020 auditions are April 26-28.

With high kicks and fly kicks, they’ll be ready for next year’s season.

OUR BEST GUESS The Arbiter aligns your stars.

ARIES, you don’t have all of your future

plans figured out yet, but this week may prove to be a transformational one. Whether you shadow someone in a job you’ve been considering or you discover your passion, you may just find yourself ready to take on a path you’ve never traveled before. Push forward and see what lies ahead!

LEO

JUL 23 - AUG 23

You’re feeling a little under the weather this week, Leo, which means it’s time for you to confide in those around you rather than bottling up the way you feel. Having a conversation with a friend about your problems is an effective way to feel better, and you’ll have a support system as a result.

ARIES

MARCH 20 - APR 20

TAURUS

VIRGO

APR 20 - MAY 21 It has been awhile since you read for fun, Taurus, but there are ways to incorporate the hobby into your work and school life. Pick up a memoir about something you’re interested in, like true crime, and use that to spark your motivation to finish the semester. Take some “you” time.

AUG 23 - SEPT 23 Financially, you’re thriving this week, Virgo. You’ve made great spending decisions, which may leave you with the desire to buy something grand to make up for lost time. Instead, use this week to plan a trip in the near future and get the most out of your hard-earned cash.

GEMINI

LIBRA

MAY 21 - JUN 21

You’ll be very high-energy this week, Gemini, so ensure you’re using it to the fullest extent. Push yourself to get any high-priority work done during the week, so the weekend is yours to fill with whatever activities have been off your radar throughout the busy month of April.

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

Someone close to you has accomplished something great this week, Libra, but don’t let your jealousy get the best of you. Put work into the things you’re passionate about and get excited for the success of your friends without damaging your relationship in the process.

CANCER

SCORPIO

JUN 21 - JULY 23 Meditation will be your friend during the rocky end of the semester, Cancer, because things may not go as smoothly as you’d like. Pick a few yoga classes at the Rec to get your mind off things, but do anticipate that things will get worse before they get better entirely.

BEST

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BEST

OCT 23 - NOV 21 Rumors will be circulating about you and your friend group this week, Scorpio, but don’t take the time to spread or diffuse them. Let the fire die down and accept the tendencies of others, and distract yourself with other obligations in the meantime.

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SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 22

Something you’ve applied or worked for is coming to fruition this week, Sagittarius, but try not to let the excitement blind you from the reality. Take the time in the coming days to make a plan for what’s coming next because, while spontaneity is fun, realism is important.

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 20

The creative juices are flowing, Capricorn, so it’s important that you channel them into something that matters. Fulfill your desire to make by creating something, whether it be a project or a paper, related to your passion. It will be time-consuming, but you’ll love the final project.

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 - FEB 18

Your impulsive and blunt nature sometimes get you into hot water, Aquarius, but this week will be a great time to control your urges and get something done. Make a schedule for the week that includes little flexibility, and you’ll be forced to add some structure into your daily routine.

PISCES

FEB 18 - MARCH 20

Your GPA isn’t where you’d like it to be, Pisces, but you don’t have to end with your grades in flames.

Take the remaining weeks of the semester to do some extra studying time, even using sites like Chegg and Quizlet, to pull those letters back to somewhere you’re proud of.

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