April 15th, 2021 edition of the Lorian

Salary ranking based on major

Class of 2021 Page 8

April 15, 2021 — Vol. 99, Issue 13

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Life beyond Loras

Center for Experiential Learning as a resource for life after Loras

Traveling while Black

by DALTON OBERFOELL guest writer

When students are weighing out their plans for school, not many take notice of some of the various offices that the school presents to them.

While the Center for Experiential Learning Office (CEL) may not be the top reason for students choosing Loras College, it certainty is one of the most beneficial offices on campus. CEL and its dedicated staff members go above and beyond to help Loras students gain experience beyond the classroom in photo by JON QUINN the form of internships, San Jose pool sits under a night sky full of stars. The building is attached right next to Graber study abroad, resume where several intramural events take place. Not as many events were held this year due to the b u i l d i n g , m o c k on-going pandemic. interviews, and various ever made. Learning how to live and adapt possible if not the experiences I have had career forums. CEL’s reach goes far beyond in a different part of the world was massively the privilege of experiencing through the the hills of Loras and the bluffs of Dubuque. beneficial for my personal growth. Not only CEL office.

It extends across the United States and even that, but academically immersive by being While I could talk about my experiences across oceans, connecting current students able to learn from completely different all day long they are only one part of CEL. with opportunities all over the world and perspectives. It also wasn’t awful living CEL provides Loras students with so much country. next to a beach and communing with what opportunity it is hard to fit it all into one It is in my personal opinion that the CEL seemed to be every single colorful bird in piece of writing. Even beyond what CEL can office is one of the most valuable resources existence. Nevertheless, my time in Australia offer it is staffed by some of the nicest people that students can access. Speaking through exposed me to so many people from all over on campus. People who take the time to get experience I was able to travel to the other the world and forced me far outside of my to know you and take an interest in your life side of the planet to study in a different comfort zone. Because of the many skills and future plans after Loras. While many country. With the help of the CEL office I and experiences that I developed and had students may only get a glimpse of what was able to identify a program and school through my study abroad experience I will is offered by the office when visiting, the to attend in Sydney, Australia. Having the be pursuing my master’s degree entirely Center for Experiential Learning deserves a opportunity to live aboard for a semester abroad. None of which would have been exploration by every single student. was one of the best decisions that I have

Vaccination efforts intensify Vaccine efforts expand to 16-yearolds and older

by JON QUINN executive editor

The vaccination efforts in Dubuque County continue to be more aggressive than the spread of COVID-19. A total of about 28,000 people have been vaccinated.

This is almost 30 percent of the county’s population. The CDC and Dr. Anthony Fauci claim that in order to reach heard immunity, at least 70 percent of the population has to be vaccinated. This means that Dubuque county has about another 40 percent of the population in order to reach heard immunity.

Another 14,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine in Dubuque County. These recent vaccination efforts come as the 14-day positivity average has increased to almost six percent. Most medical experts believe that the main

driving force behind the spread is the more contagious variant of COVID-19, B.1.1.7. This variant was first discovered in the United Kingdom and is believed to be more easily spread than the original strain according to epidemiologic and modeling data. The total deaths in Dubuque County to COVID-19 is just over 200.

There is about an average of 10 new cases of COVID-19 a day in Dubuque County.

There is a total of about 530 active cases.

On campus, Loras College has stayed in a relatively good standing with the virus, keeping cases to a minimal and allowing many students to continue as normal on a day-to-day basis.

Iowa now is allowing anyone 16-years-old and older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Appointments are available at MercyOne (Peosta), UnityPoint, and WalMar t (Dubuque). The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was halted April 13th due to six women between the ages 18-45 developing blood clots. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has

already been administered to almost seven million individuals.

A similar problem has occurred with the AstraZeneca vaccine which has not yet been approved in the United States. The AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved in Europe by the European Union. The vaccine now lists blood clots as a possible side effect however medical officials claim it is still safe to use.

Insightful considerations when booking your next stay in an AirBnB

by MARION EDWARDS staff writer

Imagine finding yourself in your car broken down. One: in the middle of nowhere, two: with nothing but a cell phone with no signal, and three: all of this occurring ‘while being Black’.

The dangers of ‘traveling while Black’ is the unfortunate reality Black people have come to live with in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic, in many ways, exposed several issues in America, of them being strained race relations. As people try to go back to a sense of ‘normalcy,’ minority populations continue to take extra precautions while traveling. Here are some different tips on how to save money and stay safe when ‘traveling while Black’: Traveling with a group: One of the first and most important things to do when traveling is to notify someone that you’re going to be traveling or having a travel buddy. When traveling, having someone to ‘watch your back’ can often save your life.

As it is important to watch out for yourself, having someone to help you throughout can make a huge difference.

‘Traveling while Black’ may mean that being pulled over by law enforcement may occur. Keeping your hands present on the dashboard and answering the officer’s questions as clearly as possible can mean the difference between life and death in 2021.

Research your destination: Knowing when and where you’re traveling to is a very important step. Understanding possible living spaces, cultural life, customs, and events happening can possibly save your life. Kendra Pierson, a family designated travel researcher discusses that ‘traveling while Black’ means research is the most vital step.

“I rely very heavily on the recommendations of friends and Black travel bloggers. I know that my friends are going to share the honest truth based upon their experiences. I love my friends who are non-Black family travel bloggers but we’re not always going to have the same experience” said Pierson in her article about tips for ‘traveling while Black’.

Being aware of the racial history and current events within the area you’re visiting can help you properly prepare for avoiding certain stopping areas, or even a possible destination change.

Look for Recommendations and Referral Codes: ‘Traveling while Black’ may also mean that certain places may not be the most welcoming or safest for yourself or family. continued on Page 2

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Loras College salary score by majors Competitive salaries among graduating seniors

by HARRIET SIEGRIST staff writer

Have you ever wondered what the median salary and debt of your major is?

Or how your potential future salary and

debt compares to other majors at Loras College? Thanks to a study performed by Gradreports.com, there is an answer to these questions. Using program-specific median alumni earnings and comparing them to median alumni earnings of the same programs across all schools, gradreports. com is able to calculate a salary score for

each Bachelor’s degrees, as well as the average employment rate, median debt, and median salary.

The Salary Score that is presented in the chart below is calculated using the median alumni earnings in the year after graduation.

The Employment Rate represents the percentage of students that begin working

within the year after graduating, and does not include those students who are continuing their education. To see where your major lands, check out the chart below or visit gradreports.com/rankings/lorascollege.

Traveling continued continued from Page 1

“S e arch t he dest inat ion’s website and marketing materials for images of multicultural families. It demonstrates a commitment to welcoming a diverse group of visitors….Stick with popular tourist destinations; they are more likely to draw large, multicultural crowds. That means local residents are more likely to be exposed to people of color…Ask friends who have visited and research reviews by families like yours” said Pierson.

Understanding the welcoming nature of the place you’re visiting can mean the difference between a good and bad trip.

One of the best parts about traveling is being able to do it nearly for free. One of the suggestions includes finding referral codes.

“If you have friends who enjoy traveling, ask them about a referral code. When you are booking your trip, you can enter this code and get a discount after creating a new account” said Kristina Byas in an article about avoiding racism while traveling.

Many companies offer the opportunity to use referral codes to get discounted items for

lodging and transportation.

Negotiate with the host: When staying at an Airbnb or any other new place, being communicative of the intentions of the amount of people staying, how long, and what restrictions there may be allow the host to be more open to negotiating lodging pricing. To ensure a reasonable lodging price and to avoid discriminatory practices by the host, communication is key. In being able to have some control over how much money you spend on housing while on vacation, it also allows people a safe space to stay.

“Airbnb and other rental platforms allow hosts to set the price for their homes. This means that you can negotiate the cost of lodging with potential hosts.

To ensure t heir home is booked and they make money, hosts may drop the price…” said Byas.

Use flexible dates and filters: As much as traveling at a certain time of the year is great, finding the most affordable and safe times to travel are crucial for a safe trip.

Planning a trip in advance allows for any small, key details such as how much money, food, gas, and lodging will be allows for you to be prepared. ‘Traveling while Black’ can also mean that traveling at night is not the safest option, as there can be more weariness and cause for more high tensioned police practices during that time.

“For example, if we have to pass through a destination with a reputation for violence against Blacks or an area where residents and businesses proudly display the Confederate flag, we wouldn’t drive at night. We’re afraid that if we break down at night we may not be helped by passersby who would see my husband as a threat” said Pierson.

Prepare for the worst: In terms of currency, driving through different toll roads, rest stops to get snacks and gas, and even places to eat can add up. Instead of having a lot of money in your wallet, using a travel credit card may be a safer option especially while traveling through unfamiliar places. Be prepared to have a paper map, technology may not always be the best guide when there is no internet.

Lastly, preparing the vehicle you’re traveling in with spare tires, snacks, water, and other vital travel essentials can help avoid unneeded stops.

Many of the tips described may apply to anyone traveling but these are specifically important for Black people or any person of color to acknowledge. As the world is changing and attempting to embrace all cultures and races, there is still much to be done and much to be concerned about. May we see a day where the color of our skin does not obstruct us from the opportunities and experiences of life we are rightful to enjoy.

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April 15, 2021

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Tensions The Lorian Staff: Famous quotes on the border

A look into the handling of the Biden administration

by CONOR KELLY opinion editor

Border security was a key component of Trump’s administration, much to the chagrin of many immigration activists, as the former president took firm stances that were controversial in their application.

As the ne w administration takes control, the security and humanitarian concerns that plagued the previous president remain unsolved. All the while, the Biden administration is faced with the challenges of making a broken migration system work without being associated with his controversial predecessor. However, with the recent rise in migrants, that goal seems even more difficult to achieve.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that at least 170,000 migrants were taken into custody by border officials last month, a rise of 70 percent compared to detainee numbers in February. One of the more concerning sources of migrants lies in unaccompanied minors, with 18,700 of these children being taken into custody in the previous month. However, migration is rising across the board, as the number of families attempting to enter the United States has also increased, totaling 53,000 migrants compared to 19,250 migrants in the previous month.

The numbers are similar to that of migration numbers in 2019, in which the Trump administration struggled to adequately provide care to these migrants as they waited for their cases to be processed. Biden is now faced with a similar problem, keeping some of his predecessor’s policies. Under Biden, title 42, a provision that allowed border agents to turn away migrants without hearing their reason for seeking asylum has been left in place. And though President Biden has opposed keeping children separated and promised smooth transitions in migrant processing, numerous problems remain.

In Donna, Texas, one holding facility is holding 16 times its recommended capacity, and detention centers that are meant to hold people for a maximum of three days are holding them over the maximum amount of time, some being held as long as 15 days. Biden has pushed back against criticism, arguing that these increases are seasonal.

How e v e r, c r it i c s of t h e B i d e n administration, such as GOP Rep. Michael McCaul, have pushed back, saying: “They have created this crisis of children coming,” and “The traffickers are smart, that “cartels are smart. They know our laws, policies. And this started right after the election. In the last two months, we’ve seen a real surge.”

All of this culminates in a tension that will likely boil into more partisan conflict but with increased efforts to improve the immigration system, neither the Biden administration nor future administrations will view immigration in the same way ever again.

ROSE GOTTSCHALK

JON QUINN

AVERY WICKERSHAM

Assistant executive copy editor

Assistant executive editor

“Bop it”

“Let me drive”

“Did they actually re-read their work?!”

CONOR KELLY

CAMERON ARVIDSON

KEEGAN GODWIN

Opinion editor

Assistant editor

“When do we get paid?”

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!”

KEVIN KESSEL Sports editor

“Sheeeeeesh”

MARY FELLERS Features editor

“EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG TODAY!”

Executive copy editor

Executive Editor

“Conor, you’re a senior right?”

CALASANDRA SPRAY Mind & Soul Editor

“If it makes you happy, it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else.”

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Apr. 15, 2021

America and China: A historical perspective

by DEVYN SHEA staff writer

The first interactions between the young American nation and the then long-standing Qing Empire, were not very pleasant interactions to say the least. For the past few hundred years there has been a difficult relationship.

In the early 19th century, a couple decades after the United State’s start, the Americans had been smuggling Indian opium into the Chinese Empire. Soon after getting into the opium trade, a Chinese woman was killed by an Italian sailor on an American ship in the Terranova Affair. The sailor was later executed. The opium trade, however, continued to soar. The British, at the time, were the main proponents of the trade.

Opium trade in the Qing Empire was illegal, so technically the British and Americans were committing crimes by selling Persian and Indian opium to people inside the Qing Empire. The British claimed that doing this was just free trade. The Chinese, angered by the British, went to war with them in the First Opium War. While the war was going on, the U.S. carried on with trade in place of the British. The British won the war in the early 1840s and signed a treaty expanding trade with the Qing Empire. Shortly after, the U.S. signed a similar trade deal with the Qing Empire, which started the first official diplomatic relations with the two nations.

Starting in 1847, Chinese immigrants started coming to America to work in mines and on the railroads. In 1858, the Chinese were wary of a potential attack from the British and French. They soon signed a treaty with the two nations, as well as America. The treaty legalized the opium trade in the Qing Empire. More treaties and agreements would be made and as time went on Chinese students started studying in the U.S. as well. In 1875, the U.S. Congress passed the Page Act, most notably barring

Chinese laborers from coming to the country. The Qing Empire stopped sending students to study in the U.S. in the early 1880s due to a growing Anti-Chinese sentiment.

In 1885, the anti-Chinese sentiment grew to a full force. The Chinese Expulsion Act banned Chinese immigration for ten years. The Western part of America became a hot spot for Chinese attacks. In one incident in Wyoming, twenty-eight Chinese miners were killed.

This caused a chain reaction of attacks against Chinese all across the region. In 1892, the banning of Chinese was extended for an additional ten years and ChineseAmericans were stripped of many of their rights and were at risk of deportation. The restrictions amongst Chinese-Americans expanded again in the early 1900s and transformed their communities in America into ghettos. Due to the restrictions of Chinese coming to America, for many Chinese in the Qing Empire, an antiAmerican sentiment started to grow. For both sides it seemed to die down throughout the 1910s.

After the fall of the Qing Empire and the rise of the new Republic of China, America kept good relations with the new nation. The U.S. gave them advice when Japan was advocating for control of Chinese land after defeating a German colony in the region during World War I. China was hoping to gain control of the former German colony, but Japan instead ended up with control after the war. Many in China were disappointed in Woodrow Wilson’s lack of commitment for uniting pieces of China. In 1924, more exclusions against Chinese immigrants were enacted, with minor exceptions such as students. In the 1930s, the U.S. government gave funds to China to help development projects in their rural areas and help keep the Nationalist government in control. When the U.S. was bombed at Pearl Harbor, they quickly joined the side of China in WWII and became good allies with them in

Stop the prejudice

by CONOR KELLY opinion editor

In these trying times, there has been a steady amount of vitriol and prejudice, with many people looking for someone to blame for our current plight. That has been the case for many Americans throughout history, and in our time, the current scapegoat seems to be Asian-Americans.

If we turn a blind eye to the prejudice that is taking hold of our community, we will be complicit in all of the violence that will follow it as well as all the violence that has already occurred.

Though numerous groups of people have been targeted based on their race, Asian Americans have borne the brunt of the hatred as it relates to COVID-19.

Whether it was legitimized by former President Trump’s obscene comments like “Kung flu” or not, the fact of the matter is that violence against AsianAmericans has increased. Between March 2020 and February of 2021, there were 3,800 reported hate crimes against Asian Americans, which skyrocketed from where they were in 2019, rising by 150 percent into 2020. Women, already targeted in crime, have been targeted even more so, representing 68 percent of the reporting victims. Asian women were 2.3 times more likely than their male counterparts to report being the victim of a hate crime.

This hatred is largely the result of xenophobia against Asian Americans due to COVID-19. Indeed, the trend of Anti-Asian bigotry has spread rapidly throughout the world, with political parties and leaders in numerous governments using that hatred as a

weapon. The fact that this is happening worldwide is not grounds to turn a blind eye. If anything, it is the reason for us to act. In the face of such violence and hatred surging across the world, Americans—both in government and in everyday life—must show that such hatred will not be tolerated. Americans must push back against the rhetoric that creates this hatred.

Already, Asian Americans have called out the prejudice that they have endured. Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim posted screenshots of the racist messages she has received on her Instagram, including a post calling her a “dumb Asian b*tch.” Others have decided to show their loyalty to America through public displays of defiance.

At a West Chester Township meeting, Chairman Lee Wong yanked off his shirt to reveal his wounds from his years of military service, saying “This is sustained through my service in the U.S. military…Now, is this patriot enough?”

If a man who has served his country has to prove his loyalty again just to satiate the prejudices of people who have never served then our country has failed.

Already the Biden administration is making plans to address the rising attacks, but relying on the federal government is not enough. Local leaders and common people must act now. If this violent prejudice is to end, it will end when the people demand its end.

We are responsible for what happens next.

fighting the Japanese. A few years later, Chinese were allowed back into the U.S. for the first time in over half a century.

The Republic of China would transform into the People’s Republic of China after Mao Zedong and the communists won the Chinese Civil War. The U.S. would get into combat against the Chinese in the early 1950s due to both countries’ involvement in the Korean War. Anti-Chinese sentiment started to gain traction in the 1950s, but a lot of it was quelled when LBJ and Congress retracted many of the remaining discriminatory laws against Chinese-American citizens and potential Chinese immigrants. Relations amongst the Chinese and Americans generally improved over the course of the next few decades. The People’s Republic of China had joined the United Nations and the U.S. acknowledged the PRC’s legitimacy over the Republic of China located in Taiwan. Sanctions against China in 1989, however, halted relations. The sanctions came after the Tiananmen Square Massacre that presumably killed hundreds to thousands of Chinese citizens in China.

In recent months an anti-Chinese sentiment has reborn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ChineseAmericans have been the base of many violent attacks in America due to a false affiliation between them and the origin of the Coronavirus in Wuhan, China. As for the government of China, many have called for sanctions to be brought up against the nation due to their treatment of the Uyghur people. There has been a long and dark history of prejudice against Chinese immigrants and Americans throughout the past two hundred years.

After the 1960s, the attitude toward the Chinese improved, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, prejudice toward Chinese-Americans and immigrants has started back up again. Will the attitude towards these peoples improve or will we transition to another dark age of prejudice against them?

An editor’s farewell

by CONOR KELLY opinion editor

This is not an article I thought I would write, especially not so soon, and yet my time with The Lorian is coming to an end. After this week, my time as the editor of The Lorian will be over, and so too shall my time as one of its commentators. These four years have been a blessing to me, and I hope that I did the paper and my colleagues justice.

With this final farewell, I know that I am leaving this wondrous publication in good hands, especially the opinion section, which will now be run by Devyn Shea.

issue more than they otherwise would have, something that I strived to do for the rest of my time with The Lorian.

As an editor, I tried to give my fellow writers the same experience, doing all that I could to help them put their best foot forward. To me, the opinion section was meant to allow students to argue their positions freely and openly, in the best way possible, and I did my best to ensure that it stayed a decent and open place for people to speak freely and honestly. As I leave the paper, I can’t help but look back and feel a sense of pride in the paper’s development and I look forward to seeing what it becomes in my absence.

I would like to thank Kelsey Lansing, Jon Quinn, Keegan Godwin, and the new editor of the paper, Devyn Shea, for their wonderful contributions to the paper and for their help in developing my work. I wouldn’t be the writer I am if it were not for them.

If someone had told me four years ago that I would be writing in a college newspaper, I would’ve laughed at them; I never thought I could write, much less edit. Yet, with time and the encouragement of my fellow Lorian editors, I developed a voice of my own, one that I used to argue for what I thought was right. My first article, which argued in favor of medical marijuana, was the first time I ever took on a controversial issue without fear. I thought, I still do think, that I helped others understand the complexity of the

Thank you all for the opportunity to reach such an audience and for treating me with such kindness. I will never forget it.

We here at the Lorian would like to thank Conor for his dedication and hardwork for the past four years. We wish you nothing but the best moving forward.

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The Beatles are overrated

by SARAH CLAUS staff writer

The Beatles are massively considered the best rock band of all time, but as more and more movements are being made in the music industry, does this claim still stand true? The world could be split into two distinct categories: those who worship the Beatles, and those who don’t.

I unquestionably fall into the second category, as why else would I be writing about it?

I grew up on a steady diet of classic and hard rock and still listen to it avidly to this day. My opinion on the Beatles could very well be influenced by my dad’s infatuation with 80’s hairbands, such as Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, but I find myself swapping out the hard rock for (relatively) calmer classic rock from the 60’s and 70’s, such as the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac. Even with my growing obsession for 60’s and 70’s rock, I still find myself omitting the Beatles from my playlists, and generally skipping the eight songs of theirs I do have. And for as much as a legendary band as the rest of the world makes the Beatles out to be, shouldn’t I, a self-titled classic rock enthusiast (or aficionado, if you will), be as in love with their music as I am with Billy Joel’s? But yet, I find the Beatles music to be rather bland with a couple of exceptions in the form of “Come Together,” “Day Tripper,” and “Here Comes The Sun,” leading me to the conclusion that the Beatles are overrated.

Not bad, or influential, just overrated (save your eyerolls for the end, please).

For those who may not know, or just don’t care, the Beatles were an English rock band, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, that managed to stay together from 1960 to 1970. In those ten years, the band released 13 studio albums, becoming

the best-selling music act of all time, and managed to set the record for the most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (20 songs). While still together as a band, the Beatles were pioneers in the music industry, revolutionizing many aspects of it, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. They are considered the most influential band of all time (Wikepedia). Since the band parted ways in 1970, all four members have gone on to pursue solo careers, and I will admit that I do listen to a good portion of George Harrison’s and Paul McCartney’s solo music (including Wings), and thoroughly enjoy it. But as a band, there are many reasons as to why they are overrated.

One very prevalent reason to not think the world of the Beatles is that their music is rather boring if it’s not the kind of music you’re into. The Beatles were definitely influential in making rock what it is today, but so many rock bands and artists have released such good music since then, it’s difficult for most anyone to prefer the placid melody of “Let It Be” over Elton John’s “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time).” The Beatles may have been the first to incorporate classical music in with traditional pop, but they certainly are not the best to do it. Just like with new innovations of anything, the first is revolutionary, but then others will eventually come along and do it better.

That’s the nature of competitive industries like the music industry.

Advocates for the Beatles argue that they are able to transcend musical genres.

Yet, many artists and bands are able to transcend genres also, not just the Beatles (I see your Beatles, and raise you Steely Dan, Queen, No Doubt, Blackbear, and Lizzo). I could give a long list of other artists and bands who have transcended genres, as well as countless playlists of rock music I would prefer over the Beatles.

Surpassing genres is now what seems a common practice in the music industry today, everyone striving to create a new sound the public will want to play on repeat in the car at full volume. The Beatles do deserve credit for being one of the first to transcend music genres (as I would argue Elvis Presley is the first), but we’re kidding ourselves if we keep believing the notion they are the only ones to do it or are even the best at it.

Another reason the Beatles are overrated is that the lot of them all hated each other, and were proper jerks (especially John Lennon, but that’s another opinion for another time). It’s what ultimately led them to break up after all, and I don’t see the appeal in idolizing a group of four guys who couldn’t stand each other. Humans are creatures of sentimentality, and there’s certainly a lack of sentimentality when you hate the other members of your band.

I think all the hype about the Beatles is ultimately what ruined them for me.

The first couple of times I went to listen to their music, I had such high hopes in that I would be impressed and blown away with their music as I was with the Cars, Sweet, and Derek & the Dominoes.

All the buildup and worship surrounding the Beatles has put their music on a pedestal, and unfortunately, their music doesn’t quite make it pedestal worthy in today’s music industry. I think I would have rather enjoyed the Beatles had the hype surrounding them not raised my expectations so high. The Beatles are a good band, but have become so overrated they are no longer able to live up to the hype. So, until the Beatles are lodged into obscurity, catch me skipping the Beatles to listen to the likes of the Who, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Heart.

A cartoon for adults How Avatar: The Last Airbender resonates better with Gen Z due to themes of politics and human rights

by AVERY WICKERSHAM executive copy editor

There are certain shows that impact and resonate with children, even as they move into adulthood. One such popular show that many children from 19982003 watched was “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” From a quick glance, this show looks like a goofy, entertaining show for children. If one sits down and really watches it, though, they’ll find that “Avatar: The Last Airbender” or ATLA for short, is so much more.

ATLA’s premise surrounds a world in which some members can bend four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. The “avatar” is a special person who can bend all four elements, and is a symbol of balance. The main group of characters range from ages 12 to 16 with all variances of bending and skill. While they can be serious and lethal, they are also goofy, hormonal, and temperamental children. Over the three seasons of the show, each character goes through their own transformation by the series finale.

Many themes are highlighted in the series, including sexism, genocide, imperialism, and even redemption.

These themes are harder for children to recognize, but teenagers and adults can see the effects of imperialism as one nation ravages and invades the other nations: taking prisoners, taking resources, and

stereotypes, even against her own brother and grandfather. This show is teaching girls to fight back and to fight for what they believe is right, even if it goes against the norm.

In a broader look at the writing, the overall pacing and layering of the show gets better with every episode. There are so many little details that connect families, heroes, and villains all together. Heroes and villains’ paths cross many times throughout the series, each at different checkpoints and maturity levels.

The viewer is able to watch these characters grow up in their own, way but also learn how to find their own way photo from EARNTHIS.NET and form their own opinions about each other, which often meant forgiveness (even when causing lasting harm on other nations. it seems impossible). Everyone can always One nation is violently decimated as a use a lesson in forgiveness, no matter the result of imperialism and the hunger for age. power, and the lasting effects of genocide Ultimately, “Avatar: The Last Airbender are seen on the sole survivor. teaches many good lessons for children Women are required to take on specific and adults alike. With the resurgence of roles, especially as their husbands and the show, many more people have been sons are shipped off to fight against the able to enjoy the fantastic writing, the imperialistic rule, though many fight lovable characters, and all of the other back against these gender norms. One aspects ATLA fans love, aspects that make of the main characters, in fact, makes the show so unique. it her job to push back against gender

April 15, 2021

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EDITORIAL STAFF EDITORIAL STAFF executive editor: KEEGAN GODWIN assistant executive editor: JON QUINN executive copy editor : AVERY WICKERSHAM assistant copy editor: ROSE GOTTSCHALK sports editor: KEVIN KESSEL features editor: MARY FELLERS opinion editor: CONOR KELLY mind and soul editor: CALASANDRA SPRAY assistant editor: CAMERON ARVIDSON

ABOUT US Circulation: The Lorian is published on a weekly basis, with exceptions of holiday breaks, examination periods and January Term. The newspaper is available in all main academic buildings and residence halls across campus on Thursdays during the afternoon/evening.

Editorial Policy: The Lorian is the official student-led, award-winning newspaper of Loras College. The opinions expressed in The Lorian are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the students, faculty or administration.

The Lorian reserves the right to edit submissions for taste, length and grammar.

CONTACT US On campus: 259 Hoffmann Hall 675 Loras Boulevard Dubuque, IA Phone: 563-588-7954 Mailing address: 1450 Alta Vista Street Box #243 Dubuque, IA 52001 On the web: Email: lorian@loras.edu www.myduhawk.com/thelorian www.issuu.com/thelorian Facebook: facebook.com/thelorian Twitter: @TheLorianLC

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do you have an opinion on something and want to write a “letter to the editor?”

Do you have more questions about an article you read? Corrections or clarifications? A differing opinion about an issue brought up that you want to be heard?

We want your input.

In every published Lorian, all members of the Loras community are encouraged to write a letter to the editor. We encourage differing opinions, so take the time, and speak your mind.

To submit a letter to the editor, please email lorian@loras.edu. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length and include the name and article you are referencing. *Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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11 shows to watch over break

not catch up and know everything there is to know before the series comes out?

Shrek 2 (and the first while you’re at it)

by ROSE GOTTSCHALK

This one is such a classic, and it’s always great watching these shows and seeing the adult jokes you missed the first time around.

assistant copy editor

The Queen’s Gambit

Based on a book of the same name, this show is worth something. Anya Taylor-Joy has won multiple awards for her portrayal of Beth Harmon, really hyping this show up.

Supernatural

The main characters are really attractive. Why not drool over these characters as they kick demon butt and bring humor to it as well?

The Trial of Chicago 7

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

A great show that has already been tackling some major issues happening in the world. It adds some great aspects to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and has some humor us moments. The series comes to a close April 23, but expectations are already high.

The L ast A irbender

Nominated for an Oscar, this show is worth the watch. Learn more about a peaceful protest gone wrong.

The Prodigal Son

The storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire series. If you enjoy crime, serial killers, and solving murders, this is your show.

Outer Banks

Outer Banks supports a lot of underdog characters with troubled backstories, giving the audience members something to root for. Not

only that, but there are sticky love triangles that create a lot of tension within the series.

Always a classic, and since it’s on Netflix, it’s so easy to give it a re-watch.

Read the article by Avery Wickersham this week to learn more on why it’s so great.

The Crown

In honor of Prince Philip’s recent passing, why not give this a watch and learn about some of Britain’s past? It’s also an Emmy-winning show, which means it’s of good quality. iCarly

Since there’s a sequel series in the making, why

Bridgerton

This just got renewed for its third and fourth season on Netflix, so it has to be good. A story about romance, drama, and family, this period piece is interesting to anyone who enjoys period dramas.

Rose Samurai: Part Four

Vaccines? Look at the science.

by KEEGAN GODWIN executive editor *this piece is purely satirical. This piece does not reflect the views or beliefs of anyone on the Lorian staff*

As the “pandemic” rages on throughout our nation, the government’s push for these so-called vaccines intensifies.

Despite claims for conspiracy groups like Pfizer, Moderna, the United States government, and the CDC, these vaccines are not safe for public use.

According to Randy (43, anti-government) on Facebook.com, getting the vaccine is equivalent to “putting that piss-water Busch Lite straight into your blood.” With his extensive research into the SARS-CoV-2 disease, which includes eight years of studying at the prestigious ITT Tech, it is difficult to refute that argument. To further support Randy’s claims, Karen (51, proud anti-vax mother of 3… now 2) commented under his post arguing “The government is KILLING US WITH THESE VACCINES. It’s all a hoax made up by the Clinton’s and George Soros to control the population! #TRUMP2024.”

We met with Karen to follow up on her claim, but she was unable to make a statement as she spent 45 minutes yelling at the 16-year-old waiter who did not put a lemon in her water.

With two legitimate sources both claiming the vaccine is unsafe, it is time we start rethinking our stance on coronavirus.

the room, and Flavian sighed with a tinge of sadness. He truly did regret ending a life in so vicious a way, but this was a war, his war, and in war, there are casualties on all sides involved.

by JOSH VOGT staff writer

The elf silently raised his hands, turning his head to find Flavian’s Evo Surefire SMG trained on his back. He seemed to spend a moment thinking, weighing his options as his forehead began to bead with sweat. He took a gamble and began dashing left and out of the alley towards the building. The second he even flinched, Flavian’s finger tapped the trigger and the gun fired. If the man had been a little slower, he’d have lost his life, but because of his mad dash for the door, he instead had his hand blown off at the wrist. Flavian did not like to be messy and preferred to give criminals quick, clean deaths. He was not a cruel sadistic monster, he only wanted to clean up the streets. If he were to let them get to the courts, to jail, they’d only be out a few months later, or there’d be a miss-trial or some other corrupt way of saying they don’t care about keeping the streets safe.

Flavian followed after him hastily, carefully like he was trained, leveling the gun as he turned the corner only to find the man already slipping into the front doorway. Cursing, he followed after the man into the building, shutting the door behind him quickly before turning to face his fleeing enemy. The man was scrambling to open the door on the other side of the small space with his slippery, blood-soaked hands as tears streamed down his cheeks, and it made Flavian quite sad to see him so in pain. It should have been quick, painful for but a moment. The best thing he could do for this city would be to ensure that man never recovered to sell more drugs, never ruined any more lives.

Turning around in utter defeat, the man cried, “Please, I can give you all of the drugs for free! You don’t need to do this!”

“There is no better way, no higher path! It does not work!” Flavian spat, aiming the gun at the man for the last time before he unloaded on him.

Flavian emptied half of the clip on the man before he stopped, panting from his short fit of rage. He did not like having to do things like that, but if he didn’t, then he was not sure there would be somebody else that would. The body fell to the floor, hardly recognizable in the dim light of

He opened the door to the next room, looking to the right down the hallway that appeared before him. A split second was all he had in warning as a machine yelled something incoherent. Suddenly, small bursts shook the wall to his left and there was a burning sensation in his left arm as something tore through just below his shoulder. He leaped backward before he could even get a glimpse more than a flash of metal barrels jutting from some strange base. It had to be some kind of motion sensor automatic gun that had fired at him.

“Target lost, ceasing fire,” came the same voice after he was back out of view.

Flavian was alarmed, and the pain of his wound was not yet affecting him, so he ignored it for now. He thought about the turret and how he would be able to face that with his limited armaments and abilities. Accidentally, he threw his hands to the side in exasperation. One crossed briefly into the other room, causing the machine to fire soon after, absolutely destroying the wood paneling and revealing the inside of the wall, dusty and full of rats.

“Target acquired, invalid RFID, opening fire,” it began. “Target lost, ammunition at 70%.”

Ammunition, he had not thought about the ammunition at all, and suddenly a wonderfully childish idea occurred to him. He reached his hand out once more, almost immediately retracting it for fear of it being shot right off of his wrist as his recent victim’s had. He listened for the machine, and it answered, this time having expended another 15% of its ammunition on the wall, which was good news for Flavian. He smiled to himself at how silly and obvious of a solution this was. He repeated the process until the turret began to repeat a single phrase.

“Ammunition, empty, please reload,” over and over again.

Flavian made it out of that hellscape on a technical difficulty that he would never forget, and he knew at that moment that someone was watching over his crusade, that he was on the right path.

F eatures

Beauty and the Pirate Part 2

by SARWAN MOGHAMIS staff writer

A demon finds Red Beard, Miranda, Smitty, and Marie. Red Beard pulls out his sword, but the demon insists that he is not a threat. The demon’s name is Don. Don claims that he’s the only demon with a heart who was banished by Gretchen, the original Demon Sorcerer.

He warns that Cinderella has become the new Demon Sorcerer.

At the same time as Don’s arrival, Red Beard spots the Silver Dragon sailing their way. Miranda wants to return to the kingdom and stop Cinderella. Red Beard wants to forget the whole thing and continue freely sailing the seas.

The two argue but stand by their positions at the end. Miranda goes with Don back to the kingdom while Red Beard returns to his ship with Smitty and Marie.

The Lorian

April 15, 2021

On their arrival, Red Beard rushes to the dungeon while Marie and Don fight off the demons. Red Beard kicks down the dungeon bars and rushes to Miranda. Miranda’s skin is pale and her eyes are dark. Her face is serious and shows no sense of emotion.

Red Beard bends over and touches his lips against hers. Her skin and eyes immediately return to their natural colors. She looks at Red Beard with joy.

The two share another passionate kiss.

The duo rushes out of the dungeon to face Cinderella. Cinderella, using the power of the enchanted rose, turns her staff into a sword made of incredibly strong metal and flames that rise from the tip. Red Beard and Miranda pull out their swords as well. Their blades sling against Cinderella’s. The slinging of swords goes back and forth.

The duo finally gains enough strength to force Cinderella’s sword out of her hand. They then force their swords through Cinderella’s stomach, killing her at long last. Miranda takes the staff and sends all the demons back underground.

Once arriving at the kingdom, Miranda and Don are stopped by four demons.

Miranda is taken to Cinderella while Don runs away. Cinderella offers Miranda a deal; Miranda must agree to drink poison wine or Cinderella will kill Red Beard. The wine wouldn’t kill Miranda; it would curse her with immortality.

Once again, the kingdom is safe and back to normal. Miranda is made queen again and marries Red Beard. Marie and Don become their new advisors.

Miranda agrees to the deal and drinks the wine. After drinking it, she is locked away in the dungeon. What Cinderella had not mentioned was that if Miranda’s true love kisses her, the curse would be transferred to him.

“SIMULATION TERMINATED,” says a robotic voice.

Don catches up to Red Beard’s ship. He tells him what Cinderella has done.

Red Beard doesn’t even take a second to consider his options. He tells Marie that his first wish is to immediately return to the kingdom. He gives his ship to Smitty, and then he, Marie, and Don are all transported to the kingdom in seconds.

Disney Easter Egg Final

by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind and soul editor

While many of the Disney films have been linked together in this series, including “Aladdin,” “Moana,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Frozen,” “Tangled,” “Princess and the Frog,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cinderella,” “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “Up,” “Coco,” “The Incredibles,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Beauty and The Beast,” “Hercules,” and “The Lion King,” there are many more films and connections that I won’t be able to discuss as this is the wrap-up article of the Disney series. I want to discuss the films that clearly are not a part of the shared Disney universe theory.

For a quick snapshot of Easter eggs that I haven’t had proper time to discuss but are still fun to find, try having your own Easter egg hunt this summer looking for these: the sugar rush candy from “Wreck it Ralph” in “Frozen”; “The Jungle Book” poster in “Meet The Robinsons”; Pongo from “101 Dalmations” in “Oliver and Company”; Jock from “Lady and the Tramp” in “The Lion King”; Little Brother from “Mulan” in “Tarzan”; the tea set from “Beauty and the Beast” in “Tarzan”; HeiHei from “Moana” in “Raya and the Last Dragon”; Dumbo in “Lilo and Stitch”; Mulan’s poster in “Lilo and Stitch”; Maximus and Vladimer from “Tangled” along with Tiny T-Rex from “Meet The Robinsons” in “Wreck it Ralph”; Pinocchio’s appearance in “Tangled”; and Hans from “Frozen” in “Big Hero Six,” (hint: he appears twice).

Now, these films simply couldn’t inhabit the same universe: “Cars” and “Zootopia.” Since these films rely on the prospect that cars and animals, respectively, inhibit the same role humans do in the rest of the Disney universe, a conundrum is created. Now, these films could occupy an advanced era wherein the human race becomes extinct and due to artificial intelligence technology, the cars have become human; or an advanced era where humans have become extinct and animals have evolved in order to become human. However, both of these scenarios seem unlikely as their plot lines seem to be inhabiting the same time continuum of other films, as indicated by the setting, cameos, and Easter eggs. A more likely occurrence that can include both films is that the Disney universe is actually a multiverse in which the universes are aware of each other.

This theory is supported in “Cars” in several ways. First off, all of the tires in “Cars” are Lightyear tires, a nod to Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story.”

Now, this could have happened if “Cars” took place millions of years in the future; however, the train in “Toy Story 3” bears the number 95 along with Lightning McQueen’s coloring, suggesting that “Toy Story” is as aware of “Cars” as “Cars” is of “Toy Story.” Some might argue for the future theory

Red Beard and Miranda, filled with so much joy and love, live happily ever after…

Red Beard wakes up on a bed under a monitor. It is 2019. Red Beard, dressed in a suit with a prosthetic hand replacing his hook and the curse of immortality inside him, sits up with teary eyes. With his fortune, he created the simulation to be with Miranda again.

Fairy tales are fiction; reality is the real Demon Sorcerer for Red Beard.

by stating that Lightning McQueen could have watched these old shows and chose to match his number and colors to this obscure train. However, there’s a boy entering the playroom in “Toy Story 3” who wears a Lightning McQueen shirt, definitively setting the two films in the same time frame.

Also in “Toy Story,” the Pizza Planet truck that Woody and Buzz climb into is stopped at a Dinoco gas station. Lightning McQueen is attempting to get sponsored by Dinoco, again suggesting the universes are aware of each other. The last awareness check branches out from “Toy Story” and instead features “Coco.” In “Cars 3,” one of the drivers is dreaming of his home in Santa Cecilia, which happens to be the city where “Coco” takes place.

This shows that the universes are parallel, as they have similar layouts and destinations but are not actually the same, as “Coco” doesn’t feature talking cars. For some real enjoyment, at the end of “Cars,” the characters visit a drive-in theater where they view the storylines we’ve come to know and love in the Disney universe such as: “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” and “Monsters Inc.” The level of awareness in this end credit scene is phenomenal.

The multiverse theory continues in “Zootopia.” The biggest clue that this is a separate universe is the bootlegged DVDs sold by Duke Weaslton.

Films such as “Wrangled,” “Wreck-It Rhino,” “Pig Hero 6,” “Meowana,” and “Floatzen 2,” are shown on the screen when Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are seeking information for their case. For these films to exist in the “Zootopia” universe, they would have to occupy the same time frame as their counterpart stories. If the advanced era theory holds, the occupants of “Zootopia” would inevitably have been bored by these films, as they would have been old and out of date. If they were old stories, there would be no market for them as bootlegged DVDs. This suggests that the DVDs were a hot commodity and thus still occupying the present and not a future era. A cute take of the films being relevant inside the “Zootopia” universe, two young elephant girls are dressed as Anna and Elsa outside the fishtown market in the film. Placing them in the same spatial location can be done through Chief Bogo. While he appears to be a workaholic, he does take some time off as he has a picture on his calendar of San Francisco, the location of “Big Hero Six,” in his office. Since San Francisco also exists in “Zootopia,” the universes share a similar spatial layout. Lastly, Genie’s lamp appears in “Zootopia” behind Yax the Yak at the naturalists club. Since “Aladdin” and “Zootopia” don’t occupy the same universe, I would have to assume it is a replica, much like what many people in our universe create. However, what if it really was Genie’s lamp and the Disney multiverse was crossable?

While the Disney universe seems a little too far away sometimes, a screen separating us from the magic, it’s not that unreachable.

Following the Disney multiverse theory, we are occupying the same space and time as some of our favorite stories, the fabric of space dimensions separating us from them. This can seem impossible, and we’ll probably never reach the other side… But at least you can believe that they are out there, and that’s more magic than having them only exist in your imagination. Perhaps the creators of Disney can see into the multiverse with their third eye and that’s why we know about them at all.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2021 graduates

Graduates’ names are followed by major(s) and hometown. Master’s Degree graduates were not included due to lack of resources. Bachelor’s Degrees follow:

2021 Commencement Schedule Friday, April 23, 2021 Commencement practice for seniors and graduate students at 9:45am. Location TBD. Saturday, April 24th, Commencement Day Fair weather plan: Baccalaureate mass at 10am.

Church of the Nativity, 1225 Alta Vista Street, Dubuque, IA. Church doors open at 9:30am.

Instructions for faculty and students attending mass: Graduates and faculty will go directly to Nativity where ushers will direct you to proper seating area. Graduates and their guests are encouraged to sit together but we ask that there be six feet between family units. Graduates should wear caps and gowns for mass. Masks are required in the church.

Commencement Ceremony, 1:30 p.m., Rock Bowl Stadium.

Doors open for guests at 12:30 p.m. Faculty and students gather

outside Graber Center in full commencement apparel by 1:00 p.m. Graduates will receive five tickets to be used by family and friends at the Rock Bowl location.

Masks will be required, and seating will be socially distanced.

Inclement Weather Plan: Flexibility is Key! Should weather prevent us from celebrating outdoors in the Rock Bowl, we will implement one of two inclement weather plans.

Families should be prepared for the possibility of either and make plans accordingly. Note that Plan 2 below will move Commencement to the morning. As the date draws closer and weather forecasts become more reliable, more information will be provided.

1. All-Day Rain In case of all-day rain, graduates will convene in the Athletic &

Wellness Center (AWC) for the graduation ceremony. Seating in the AWC will be limited to just the graduates and the staff needed to conduct the ceremony. Seating for a maximum of two guests per graduate will be available in multiple on-campus locations where they may view the livestreamed ceremony. Due to space constraints and in the interest of maintaining safe social distancing, only two guests will be permitted if we must resort to an indoor ceremony. If one or both of these two guests will need an accessible seating location, please reach out to colleen.fitzpatrick@loras.edu prior to March 24, 2021. A livestream link will also be provided in advance of the ceremony for those guests unable to join us on campus. Knowing how important this day is for families, we will utilize the all-day rain plan only if absolutely necessary.

2. Fair Weather in the Morning,

Rain in the Afternoon Should the morning weather forecast be more favorable for an outdoor event than the afternoon forecast, the Commencement ceremony will be moved to the morning, and the Baccalaureate mass will be moved to the afternoon. The Commencement ceremony will be held in the Rock Bowl, and Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated at Nativity Church. By moving the Commencement ceremony to the morning, graduates will be permitted to have up to five guests in attendance at the outdoor event.

Additional details can be found at loras.edu/commencement.

Please refer to this web page periodically, as the page will be updated with Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass information as needed.

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April 15, 2021

VANESSA ABURTO FLORES

YAJAIRA ARIZMENDI

LEONARDO BELLINGERI

HALEIGH BRIES

Kinesiology, BA

Finance, BA

Waukegan, IL

Business Analytics Finance, BA

Psychology Religious Studies Spanish, BA

Creston, IL

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Dubuque, IA

JACQUELYN ALBERTO

BAILEY BALDAUF

MARIA BELTRAN

Sport Management, BA

Social Work Criminal Justice, BA

Engineering, BS

Tinley Park, IL

Cicero, IL

Lena, IL

LAURA BRINEZ CAMACHO Business Administration Psychology, BA Bogota, Colombia

AUTUMN ALBRESKI

CELIA BALDERSTON

NATHALIA BERNAL LUGO

BO BURGMEIER

Elementry Education, BA

Psychology Music, BA

Business Administration International Studies Finance, BA

Sport Management, BA

Carol Stream, IL

Clarendon Hills, IL

Dubuque, IA

Bogota, Colombia

HADALYN ANDERSON

BRENT BARKLOW

DREW BLAZEKOVICH

JAYDEN BURKE

Kinesiology Spanish, BA

Sport Management, BA

Public Relations, BA

Philosophy, BA

Coal City, IL

Elma, IA

KIRSTIN APEL

NOAH BARNARD

LYDIA BREUNIG

KIERA CABRERA

Accounting, BA

Psychology, BA

Elementry Education, BA

Spanish Criminal Justice, BA

Pearl City, IL

West Liberty, IA

Dubuque, IA

Pekin, IL

Sauk City, WI

Waterloo, IA

JUSTIN APPEL

DALTON BAUER

History, BA

Sports Management, BA

JUAN JOSE ARIASMONDRAGON

ALEC BECKER

Thomson, IL

Galena, IL

Business Analytics, BA

Business Administration Business Analytics, BA

Pleasant Prairie, WI

JUAN DAVID ARISTIZABAL

ISABELLE BEHNKE

Cali, Colombia

Engineering, BS Cali, Colombia

Finance, BA Dubuque, IA

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JUAN CAICEDO OROZCO

BRENTON CHUMBLER

GARRETT CRUMP

Business Administration Business Analytics, BA

Business Adminstration Marketing, BA

Criminal Justice, BA Crystal Lake, IL

Santa Ana Pacueco, GTO, Mexico

DARBY CALLAHAN

SARAH CLAUS

DANIEL CURPHEY

AIDYN DODDS

Business Administration Marketing, BA

Economics, BA

Business Analytics, BA

Criminal Justice, BA

KEVIN CANNING

WILLIAM CONLON

THOMAS DAVIS

MADISON DOUBEK

Biology, BS

Finance, BA

Criminal Justice, BA

Criminal Justice Psychology, BA

Cali, Colombia

ANTONIO DIAZ Biological Research, BS

Winslow, IL

Rockford, IL

Cedar Rapids, IA

Columbia, Missouri

Cascade, IA

Roselle, IL

Dubuque, IA

Manly, IA

Lockport, IL

KATIE CARPENTER

LAUREN CORDES

LUKE DENSON

SHEA DREW

Mathematics Business Analytics, BS

Public Relations, BA

Kinesiology, BA

Criminal Justice, BA

KATHLEEN CELAREK

ALYSSA CORKERY

ELENA DENTON

MADELINE DRYER

English: Literature Business Administration, BA

Religious Studies Sociology, BA

Biology, BS

Neuroscience Psychology, BS

VANESSA CHAVEZ

TAYLAR CRIST

MONGLE DESTINE

AARON DVORAK

Kinesiology, BA

Biochemistry, BS

Philosophy, BA

Kinesiology, BA

Peosta, IA

Saint Charles, IL

Gurnee, IL

Kenosha, WI

Schaumburg, IL

Chicago, IL

Moline, IL

Dubuque, IA

Jesup, IA

Dubuque, IA

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

Stockton, IL

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CATHLEEN EDAHL

OLIVIA FLANAGAN

ANDREW GAINER

BRIANNA GOURLEY

Media Studies, BA

Politics International Studies, BA

Social Work Psychology, BA

Engineering, BS

AUSTIN ELLIS

BENJAMIN FOGARTY

ELIZABETH GANION

MEGAN GRONAU

Media Studies, BA

Psychology, BA

Public Relations Sociology, BA

Dubuque, IA

Winona, MN

Dubuque, IA

Algona, IA

Dubuque, IA

Urbandale, IA

Biology, BS Durango, IA

Sycamore, IL

ALEXIA GRUHN

RODRIGO ESPINO

AMELIA FOLEY

JENNA GEARHART

Social Work, BA

Spanish History, BA

Biological Research, BS

Elementary Education, BA

WALKER EVEN

HAYDEN FRANK

SEANNA GEBHARD

CHASE GUERDET

Kinesiology, BA

Carol Stream, IL

Psychology, BA

Media Studies, BA

Gilbertville, IA

Finance, BA

KRISTEN FANELLA

MADISON FRANKS

KAELYN GOTTSCHALK

JONATHAN GUZMAN

Psychology, BA

Psychology Neuroscience, BA

English: Creative Writing Psychology, BA

Beloit, WI

Coggon, IA

Freeport, IL

Evergreen Park, IL

Huntley, IL

Chicago, IL

DANIEL FELDHAKE

GIACHINO FREESE

Business Administration Philosophy, BA

Mathematics, BS

CARLY FISCHER

TYLER FROST

Kinesiology, BA

Neuroscience Psychology, BA

Dubuque, IA

Waverly, IA

Genoa-Kingston, IL

Toddville, IA

MOLLY FLANAGAN

ASHLEY FUNK

Psychology, BA

Elementary Education, BA

River Forest, IL

Elkader, IA

Galena, IL

Streamwood, IL

Dubuque, IA

Public Relations, BA Waukegan, IL

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KEVIN HANSON

AUDREY HINZ

KEGAN HUNTLEY

PAYNE JOHNSON

History, BA

Criminal Justice Social Work, BA

Engineering, BS

Computer Science, BS

CARTER HANSON

MADISON HOLERUD

HANNAH INSKO

ROBERT JOHNSON

Business Administration Marketing, BA

Neuroscience Psychology, BS

Biological Research, BS

Sustainability, BA

KATHRYN HAYNES

PATRICK HOLLANDER

MEGAN JACKSON

RILEY JUNGBLUT

Business Administration Marketing, BA

Computer Science Data Science, BS

Accounting, BA

Criminal Justice, BA

Dubuque, IA

Chicago, IL

JACOB HEIDENREICH

SHANE HOLSCLAW

BRYNN JACOBI

BLAKE KELLER

Religious Studies Spanish, BA

Spanish Business Administration, BA

Accounting, BA

Fort Dodge, IA

Plainfield, IL

Mathematics Secondary Education, BS

KATHERINE HENDERSON

KYLIE HOLUBAR

MICHAEL JOHLL

SHANIA KELLY

Sociology, BA

Biological Research, BS

Business Analytics, BA

Psychology Kinesiology, BA

Iowa City, IA

Dubuque, IA

Evansdale, IA

Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, IA

Huntley, IL

Winnebago, IL

Downers Grove, IL

Anamosa, IA

Solon, IA

Peosta, IA

Dubuque, IA

Toledo, IA

Roscoe, IL

Dubuque, IA

Decorah, IA

VALERIE HERBST

LEAH HOOD

Kinesiology, BA

Social Work, BA

ALAXANDRA HINCHMAN

JAKE HUDSON

Marketing Public Relations, BA

Criminal Justice, BA

JANICE HINES

TIGRIO HUERTA

Elementry Education, BA

Finance Business Administration, BA

Dubuque, IA

Oak Lawn, IL

Dubuque, IA

Marion, IA

Elkhorn, NE

Delavan, WI

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OLIVIA LAMPE

RICHARD LESKE

Elementry Education, BA

Public Relations, BA

Social Work, BA

Naperville, IL

New Vienna, IA

Cedar Rapids, IA

TAYLOR KELLY

COURTNEY KNIGHT

SARAH LANDERHOLM

SARAH LEWIS

Psychology, BA

History Biology Spanish, BA

English: Creative Writing English: Literature, BA

Marketing, BA

ANDREW KILBURG

BRIANNA KRAMER

KELLY LANGRECK

CORY LINDER

Media Studies, BA

Accounting, BA

Engineering, BS

Business Administration Marketing, BA

Politics History, BA

Mokena, IL

CATHERINE KLOSTERMANN

The Lorian

San Prairie, WI

Frankfort, IL

Rockton, IL

Wheaton, IL

Preston, IA

Dyersville, IA

Ossian, IA

Blanchardville, WI

PETER KILBURG

RACHEL KREIN

ANNA LANGRECK

KATHRYN LINDSAY

History Secondary Education, BA

Elementary Education, BA

Kinesiology, BA

Kinesiology, BA

ALEX KITZMANN

TIMOTHY LAGRANGE

KELSEY LANSING

ANNA LOES

Biology, BS

Computer Science Data Science, BS

Public Relations, BA

Criminal Justice Psychology, BA

Rockford, IL

Ossian, IA

Hometown, IL

Bellevue, IA

Bettendorf, IA

Winterset, IA

Dyersville, IA

Monticello, IA

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MEGHANN LONG

ALEX MARTENS

EMMA MCLAUGHLIN

COLLEEN MCSHEA

Mathematics Secondary Education, BS

Business Administration, BA

Elementary Education Spanish, BA

Psychology Spanish, BA

MASON LUX

RILEY MARTIN

CARLIN MCNULTY

MEGAN MEIER

Business Administration, BA

Accounting, BA

Elementary Education, BA

Kinesiology, BA

WAH WAH LWIN

SAMUEL MARTIN

Biology, BS

Politics Spanish, BA

Wyoming, IA

Dubuque, IA

Morton, IL

Chicago, IL

Rockford, IL

Oswego, IL

Cedar Rapids, IA

JOHN LYNCH

ANDRES MARTINEZ

Marketing, BA

Sport Management, BA

FRANCESCA MALKIN

SHANON MASINO

Biology, BS

Criminal Justice, BA

MARIA MALONEY

AMBER MATACZYNSKI

Spanish Business Administration, BA

Social Work Criminal Justice, BA

Elgin, IL

Westchester, IL

KRISTIN MANDERS

BRIAN MATY

Computer Science, BS

Kinesiology, BA

Denver, CO

Carol Stream, IL

Dubuque, IA

Berwyn, IL

Hometown, IL

Palos Heights, IL

MALYCKI MANON-SOSA

TODD MCDONOUGH

Politics Spanish International Studies, BA

Psychology Philosophy, BA

ALEXIS MANYPENNY

MEGAN MCELMEEL

Elementary Education, BA

Social Work, BA

Calamus, IA

Streator, IL

Dubuque, IA

Waterloo, IA

SAWYER MARQUARDT

CONNOR MCGARRY

Sport Management Finance, BA

Biochemistry, BS

ALEXIS MARTENS

ROWAN MCGOWEN

Business Administration, BA

Finance, BA

Merton, WI

Goose Lake, IA

Rockford, IL

Weaton, IL

Oak Lawn, IL

Lisle, IL

South Beloit, IL

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The Lorian

April 15, 2021

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HAYDEN MERKEL

JACOB NEIDEL

ANNA OLBERDING

TRAVIS PELTON

Philosophy Psychology, BA

Sports Management, BA

Biological Research, BS

Sports Management, BA

MORGAN MINEAR

NOAH NIEGO

COLE PERRENOUD

Media Studies, BA

Accounting, BA

CHRISTOPHER OMIECINSKI

Dekalb, IL

Dyersville, IA

Willowbrook, IL

Batesville, IN

Decorah, IA

La Grande, IL

Elementary Education, BA Oak Lawn, IL

Sports Management Business Administration, BA Farley, IA

SETH MOELLER

EVAN NIX

JENNY ORTIZ

JACQUELINE PETERSEN

Business Administration Marketing, BA

Business Administration, BA

Kinesiology, BA

Biological Research, BS

JACK MONGAN

MATTHEW NOONE

CONOR OTTING

CONNOR PIVNICKA

History, BA

Politics, BA

Accounting Finance, BA

Business Analytics, BA

Eldridge, IA

Franklin Parl, IL

Moticello, IA

Fulton, IL

Evergreen Park, IL

Mokena, IL

Woodstock, IL

Cascade, IA

ABBY MOORE

DALTON OBERFOELL

JACOB PEISER

SARAH PUGH

Elementary Education, BA

Politics International Studies, BA

Morton Grove, IL

Finance, BA

Biological Research Spanish, BS

Durand, IL

Brighton, CO

Emmetsburge, IA

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2021

JONATHAN QUINN

MARSHALL RICE

MCKENZIE ROWLEY

AUDREY SANDERS

Media Studies Public Relations, BA

Sport Management, BA

Criminal Justice Psychology, BA

Psychology, BA

TAYLOR RAUSCH

EMANUEL RIVERA

AARON RUFFNER

ABIGAIL SCHIELTZ

Elementary Education, BA

Spanish Sociology, BA

Engineering Business Analytics, BS

Marketing, BA

Skokie, IL

Algonquin, IL

MEREDITH RECKER

FRANCESCA ROCHE

JAKE RUGGLES

THOMAS SCHMITT

Elementary Education, BA

International Studies Politics, BA

Criminal Justice, BA

Accounting Business Analytics, BA

NASH REICKS

RYAN ROGERS

JONATHAN RUTAN

COURTNEY SCHNOOR

Accounting Finance, BA

Psychology, BA

Mathematics Secondary Education, BS

Elementary Education, BA

ALEXANDER RHOMBERG

ALEX ROWE

XAVIER SALEH

CONNOR SCHOEN

Business Analytics, BA

Public Relations, BA

Management Information Systems, BS

Media Studies, BA

Geneseo, IL

Warren, IL

Kenosha, WI

Harvard, IL

West Des Moines, IA

Wheaton, IL

Mchenry, IL

Postville, IA

May the people you meet bring you joy.

May the places you go enrich you.

And May the gear you carry never be a burden.

Congratulations Jon!

Holy Cross, IA

Moline, IL

Waterloo, IA

Waterloo, IA

Bloomington, IL

Camanche, IA

East Dubuque, IL

Lincolnwood, IL

Davenport, IA

De Pere, WI

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MEGAN SCHRAEGER

CATHERINE SENG

ELLEN SIEVERDING

SHAE SLAVEN

Religious Studies Social Work, BA

English: Literature Secondary Education, BA

Business Administration Finance, BA

Religious Studies, BA

MARISSA SCHROEDER

SARAH SHAFER

REBECCA SIMONIN

VANNIS SMITH

Kinesiology, BA

Kinesiology Spanish, BA

Business Administration, BA

Marketing, BA

SIMON SCHULER

RILEY SHEEHAN

ELAINNA SIMPSON

ALYSSA SMITH

Sport Management Business Administration, BA

Accounting, BA

Neuroscience Psychology, BS

Music Education Secondary Education, BA

HAILEY SCHULTZ

CORA SHEFCHIK

BRYCE SINN

MADELINE SMITH

History Sociology, BA

Elementary Education, BA

History Secondary Education, BA

Kinesiology, BA

KYLE SCHWENKER

HARRIET SIEGRIST

KYLE SIUTA

ELIZABETH SOER

Engineering, BS

Spanish Public Relations International Studies, BA

Accounting, BA

Marketing, BA

Johnston, IA

Bellevue, IA

Houston, TX

Chelsea, IA

Bellevue, IA

Maquoketa, IA

Clear Lake, IL

Ankeny, IA

Glen Ellyn, IL

Chenoa, IL

Winslow, IL

Green Bay, WI

Dubuque, IA

Maquoketa, IA

Savanna, IL

Peru, IL

Washington, IA

Council Bluffs, IA

Hickory Hills, IL

Dubuque, IA

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JOSEPH SOER

NICHOLAS STONE

COLTON STROHL

ALMA TAVARES

Computer Science, BS

Kinesiology, BA

Public Relations, BA

Psychology, BA

ALEXANDER SOUTHWOOD

CHRISTOPHER STRAUSER

ANNA SULENTIC

CODY TENTIS

Kinesiology, BA

Public Relations, BA

Social Work, BA

Biological Research, BS

East Dubuque, IL

Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, IA

Wheeling, IL

Bloomington, IL

Dubuque, IA

ANNIKA SUNLEAF Social Work Sociology, BA Dubuque, IA

GRACELYN SURMA Kinesiology, BA Waterloo, IA

PATRICK SUTTIE Kinesiology, BA Sparta, WI

Chicago, IL

Dubuque, IA

MADELINE TOMECEK Elementary Education, BA Dubuque, IA

KRYSTAL TRANEL Business Administration, BA Kieler, WI

JACK TRESSEL Neuroscience Psychology, BA East Dubuque, IL

RACHAEL SWIFT Elementary Education, BA

MICHELLE URIBE

Arlington Heights, IL

Criminal Justice, BA

DACODA TENTIS

BAILEY VANCE

Social Work, BA

Elementary Education, BA

COLE THOMPSON

CESAR VEGA

Engineering, BS

Social Work, BA

KAYLA TILKES

MARCOS VEGA

Neuroscience Psychology, BS

History International Studies, BA

THOMAS TISCHER

MATTHEW WADKOWSKI

History Politics, BA

Media Studies, BA

TIERNAN TALBOT

DANIELLE WALDBILLIG

Finance, BA

Business Administration Business Analytics, BA

Dubuque, IA

Minooka, IL

Evergreen Park, IL

Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, IA

Chicago, IL

Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, IA

Santee, CA

Ceiba, Puerto Rico

Dubuque, IA

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The Lorian

April 15, 2021

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LOGAN WEIST

AVERY WICKERSHAM

WILLIAM YOUNG

SARAH ZELLMANN

History, BA

English: Creative Writing, BA

Sport Management, BA

Chemistry Secondary Teaching, BS

Overland Park, KS

Broomfield, CO

Crystal, MN

Lindenhurst, IL

CORI WELCH

EMILY WIEZOREK

DIMITRIC YOUNG

Marketing Sport Management, BA

Elementary Education, BA

Business Administration Sports Management, BA

CATHERINE WELTZER

LUKAS WILKE

Accounting, BA

Computer Science Mathematics, BS

Dubuque, IA

Oswego, IL

Aurora, IL

Sterling, IL

Arllington Heights, IL

HEATHER WHAN

EMMA WOELFEL

English: Literature Secondary Education, BA

Computer Science Religious Studies, BS

ERIC WHEATON

MATTHEW WOLCH

Politics, BA

Social Work, BA

Aledo, IL

Dubuque, IA

Sussex, WI

Huntley, IL

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Tips with Trish: Superhero

by TRICIA BORELLI Director of the Counseling Center

Dear Trish, In this column by Tricia Borelli, director of Counseling Services, she answers questions from students about their emotional well-being while attending college. Send questions to: Ms. Borelli, Loras, Box 100, or e-mail tricia.borelli@loras.edu.

All names will be kept confidential.

In high school, I didn’t doubt myself. I excelled in sports and got really good grades without even trying. Life was easy. I admit, when I came to college I was kind of cocky. I’m pretty sure my confidence even annoyed people. That all changed after Organic Chem. Since then my confidence has really taken a hit. I’ve started doubting myself even beyond academics.

I know it’s normal for things to get harder in college but I’m worried about getting too “in my head”. I need some tips on changing my thinking and building my confidence, especially as it relates to my end of the semester exams.

Signed, Becoming a Doubter Trish says: It’s impressive that your confidence didn’t take the hit during Moser’s Gen Chem class freshman year. That is usually when I hear about this problem. And since you shouldn’t need me to give you the speech about college being harder than high school, let’s just get right to the confidence building.

First thing to do if you are already going to all of your classes, doing all of your

Soaking up the sun

by KELSEY LANSING staff writer

As we slowly come out of winter, learning the benefits the sun can have on people can prove to be rewarding. While some people may think soaking up a little vitamin D won’t do much, I beg to differ. The values of the affects the sun can have on the human body is remarkable and can range from helping skin to balancing hormones to easing mental illnesses. As spring pushes on read below for some benefits, tips and products to consider.

Growing up, I was always taught to be aware of the damage sun rays can have on our skin. But with a healthy amount of vitamin D in our system, one of the top benefits appears to be with our skin. After a long winter, being able to be outside in the sun can work some wonders. For those who suffer from things like eczema or acne, a little UV radiation acts as a treatment to heal those with these skin conditions. With that being said, it is important to keep in mind moderation, safety, and consulting with a dermatologist.

It is not all too surprising that skin is not the only part of the body that can benefit from a few minutes of sun each day. Another reason to catch some rays is to boost the production of serotonin, which is a hormone released from the brain. According to Healthline.com, this specific hormone is commonly associated with boosting a person’s mood and helping one feel more calm and focused. It is due to this that when people have limited sun exposure the production of serotonin can dip. As a result, those people are then more at risk to have seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Especially during the winter, it can be incredibly difficult for people to obtain a healthy amount of vitamin D through sunlight. With a little help from technology, trying to focus on getting

enough sun just got easier. There are two different types of artificial sunlight that have been on the rise, wake up lights and sun lamps. Both of these artificial lights can help with a variety of issues and mimics sunlight to help keep people on schedule and combat certain hormone deficiencies.

First, sun lamps have been proven to aid those who suffer from SAD, depression, anxiety and so on. These artificial lights help your body create a natural mood-boosting hormone, serotonin. Apart from that, light therapy has also been known to help people with a variety of other health issues ranging from sleep disorders to dementia according to mayoclinic.org. If you are looking for an at home version, there are a lot of options in various different price ranges.

Moving on, one of the newer trends in artificial light comes in the form of wake up lights. These are essentially alarm clocks that slowly increase in brightness when it is time to wake up. In an article written by Samuel Tan, a lifestyle author, it lists the various benefits that wake up lights can have. Essentially, these are alarm clocks that gently and naturally wake the body and have proven to help with our bodies internal clock. Apart from that these lights also help regular our sleep cycles and as a result can lead to more restful sleep, more energy or productivity and feeling refreshed and happy.

There is no shortage to the benefits sunlight and vitamin D can have on our bodies, whether it be physical or mental. With that being said though, it is extremely important to keep safety precautions in mind, and consult with a healthcare professional.

homework, making good use of your professor’s office hours and going to SI sessions, is to acknowledge that school is challenging. You worked hard in those pre-requisite classes to get into Organic Chemistry so you are clearly capable. It’s supposed to be hard. Try not to compare your high school self or your Gen Chem self to the person who is taking the current class. And keep in mind that harder classes mean more effort and practice. When we spend more time learning we get to know something better which helps us gain more confidence. Get on it. You clearly have big plans for your future so power on.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though confidence is not a physical thing, we do know it when we see it. Think positive and practice a narrative that corresponds with that. Channel your inner self to be confident. Fake it ‘til you make it, so to speak. Visualize someone you know that exudes confidence. Think about how they look, how they speak, walk or move? Be that person.

If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, you may recall the scene (or scenes) where Dr. Amelia Shepherd, neurosurgeon, stands like a Superhero before going into the operating room to perform a major surgery on her mentor. The Super Hero pose is a high powered pose in which you stand tall, chin up, feet apart and hands on your hips. Power posing was first introduced by Amy Cuddy of Harvard University in 2010 when she declared that standing in a “high power” pose increases testosterone and decreases cortisol levels as well as giving the feeling of having more power and more confidence. (Fusion Rehab and Wellness, 2016) So according to some science, our posture influences our brains and our feelings.

So my best advice for you is to get out of your head, practice hard and stand tall.

Oh and good luck with that chemistry exam.

Signed, Trish

Manifestation

by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind and soul editor

What is something you want to obtain in life? A goal you want to achieve? Is one of your goals graduating? What’s your dream job after graduation?

Manifestation can help you get there.

Manifestation is “an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea”. Basically manifestation is turning an idea into a reality. This follows the law of attraction which states like attracts like. The key here is not in the thought process actually making something happen though.

Manifestation occurs because when you believe that you are capable of achieving something you’re more likely to put in the necessary work to achieve it. Instead of being a thought conjuring a reality it is a thought changing your mindset to create a reality.

There are several easy steps to manifesting your future. First, picturing what you want. If you have conflicting ideas of what you want then manifestation won’t work because you’re not sure exactly what you’re asking the universe for. Starting with a list is typically helpful in choosing a goal. Write down every one of your goals, pick a few that align with each other and focus on those or the other ideas will interfere and muddle your thoughts.

After you know what you want, you have to visualize achieving it. This could

be done through meditation or if you’re better able to visualize tangibly then make a vision board. Having this visualization will help because your mind will begin to believe that you can achieve it. Instead of being an abstract thought of something you would like to achieve you’ve now set the foundation to achieving it.

Then comes the work. As stated at the beginning of the article, manifestation won’t make something happen just because you think about it. However, generating positive emotions about your goal and creating affirmations that make achieving your goal seem achievable will help get you into the mindset to take steps in achieving your goal.

Each task that brings you closer to your goal will help cement your manifestation because your end goal is ever nearing.

This technique helps people to achieve what they desire by providing the passion and drive in everyday life that help us take steps in the direction of our goal.

For instance, if you’ve been manifesting that you will graduate and you can see the diploma in your hand with a cap on your head, then writing a paper seems a lot easier than if you only focus on the paper.

It’s not about the tasks it’s about where the tasks are taking us.

If you believe in yourself, good things will come.

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April 15, 2020

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To Rose Gottschalk

To All Lorian Graduating Staff

I have had the great pleasure of working with you the past year, and it has been some of the best times at the Lorian! When I first started working for the Lorian, you took me under your wing and mentored me, as well as became one of my best friends. I learned so much about my writing because of your instruction, and I’ve continued to learn about editing; from the meticulous hours of looking over articles in my bed to scrutinizing pages on InDesign in the office. I am so grateful to have worked with you. I will miss you after you graduate, but I know that our friendship will last—a friendship I never would have had without my experience at the Lorian. Good luck! You are destined for great things.

What you have done for this paper will never be forgotten. We would like to thank you all for your constant dedication and hard work.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, you proceeded forward with your choice to help the school paper. We wish you nothing but the best moving forward with the next chapter in your life.

Thank you all.

Lorian Staff

Sincerely, Avery Wickersham

To Jon Quinn

To Jon Quinn

Thank you for encouraging me to join the Lorian editing team. It is becasue of your dedication and insight that the our paper is what it is today. i have had such a great experience here and you have taught me so much in the past few years. Good luck in the future!

I would like to thank you for all the time and dedication you have put into the Lorian. All of your hard work has left a legacy here. The culture you brought to the paper truly changed everything for the better. I continue to look to you as a mentor and I wish you the best moving forward.

Mary Fellers

Keegan Godwin

To Jon and Rose Unfortunately, my first year as the Lorian advisor is your last (although, I think you can take that COVID-19 5th-year option!). Every time I hear someone old, like me, complain that “kids these days” are lazy and entitled, I cite the two of you as my argument against that. You both are not only extremely hard workers, but you are also truly young professionals. You pay attention to details which is what a newspaper editor needs to do. You made my job extremely easy. Beyond your work ethic, though, you are both simply fun people to work alongside. The only problem, all those who follow in your footsteps will be compared to the two of you, the gold standards. Congratulations! I will dearly miss both of you.

Mark Mederson

Finding the “your-fit”

by KELSEY LANSING staff writer

Taking initiative and taking control of your life to obtain a healthy lifestyle can be difficult.

The key is focusing on yourself and just finding what works for you. With those things in mind, moving forward with a healthy lifestyle can be a little bit easier.

Making little changes everyday can lead to forming habits, but they don’t form overnight, it takes time, patience and starting small.

Someone isn’t going to go from doing no exercise to running a marathon. Personally, I have started small with things like yoga in the mornings and walks with my dog at night. By starting small, with these things I am making my goals more feasible and will work up as I go.

Exercise for some is largely about the physical element, for me and others, exercising is a way to move your body and help your mental health. The best thing to

by KELSEY LANSING staff writer

Every school year, Loras College offers several opportunities for students to participate in a service or social justice trip whether it be over Thanksgiving Break, J-Term Break, or Spring Break. This year there has been a significant effort put in to make these trips more accessible to all Loras students.

Apart from fundraising, another change to the Service and Social Justice Trips was the name. These student trips are now called TREC TRIPS, the acronym TREC stands for Think, Reflect, Engage, and Connect. The goal of this change is

do is find the types of exercise that work for you and have a good variety. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are four categories of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. By doing a variety of these exercises, it not only reduces boredom, but it also helps reduce injury and improve one’s ability overall.

For a long time I thought exercise was going to the gym lifting weights or running a mile around a track or doing sit ups. I dreaded anything that resembled anything like exercise, but recently I have learned to love it. By knowing your limits and not feeling bad for being unable or uninterested in certain types of exercise, you can find what works for you. Find what you love and learn to love your body and it’s capabilities. Below are some of my favorite types of exercise and ways to get my body moving.

Biking was an unexpected one for me, but the more I learned about the benefits of biking, the more I was interested. In an article published by Healthline, they list

11 benefits of biking. These range from weight management to mental health impacts, but it also can improve your overall physical health. Biking can also help control blood pressure, decrease risk of a heart attack or stroke, and can overall be a healthy hobby. The key for me was finding the right bike, someone to ride with and recognizing the benefits. (Endurance and strength) A simple, but effective way to move your body is simply by walking or jogging. This may seem obvious, but simply moving your body in either of these ways can be extremely beneficial. With many people working from home or attending school online, getting out for a walk has not only physical benefits but also mental benefits.

In an article from NBC News, walking can alleviate things like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, risk of stroke, diabetes and heart disease. The list can go on and on, and for some people, like me, heavy workouts just don’t seem appealing. Seeing that walking can have just as many benefits is a good feeling. (Endurance and flexibil-

ity) Yoga is so much more than stretching and has such a large variety there is a little something for everyone. Almost every morning I try to do some variance of yoga to stretch my body and regain control.

With such a wide range of poses, yoga also has a wide range of benefits. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine yoga can help improve balance, relieve back pain, lead to better sleep and give you more energy.

(Strength, balance, and flexibility) The above exercises are just a few of my favorites, the key to putting yourself first is finding what works best for you. Apart from that I have found that following along to videos, having a buddy, or evening finding a podcast to listen to, has helped me reach my goals. Set goals you think are feasible and keep working your way up.

Just keep in mind that not everyone is suited for certain types of exercise and that’s okay. Focus on yourself and keep moving forward.

Take a chance on plants to demonstrate that these trips have the ability to be very formative to an individual. It also highlights that engaging in service and social justice is about meeting people where they are at and building human connection. The goal is that the students continue to serve those in need but also recognize the fact that they can learn so much from those that they serve.

TREC Trips are made with the whole idea that both parties benefit in growth and learning.

Through a fundraiser called Dining with Duhawks, lowering the costs of the TREC Trips came another step closer. After much effort from Loras students and staff, the outlook of a payment overall for students has decreased. The fundraiser that started

this fall included 11 faculty and staff members who had graciously offered to provide a home-cooked meal for a group of Duhawks. The lucky Duhawks were able to attend these dinners after bidding in a silent auction style process during the week of Nov. 11. With all the wonderful hosts and the students, staff, and faculty that did the bidding for these dinners, the total amount raised surpassed the goal with a grand total of $1,379!

As these new and positive changes take place, there is hope that TREC Trips will become a common experience in the four years that a student spends as a Duhawk.

These trips are great ways to meet others, connect with communities outside their own, and has proven to be a transformative

experience to all who get the opportunity.

As some of the leading figures of these TREC Trips, we want to encourage all students to participate on a TREC Trip at least once in the years spent as a Duhawk.

For an inside look at a TREC TRIP, visit MyDuhawk.com to read an article by Dr. Kevin Koch called “New Orleans coastal restoration service trip, January 2019”. This piece outlines his experience during the New Orleans TREC Trip in January 2019.

Note: Shae Slaven and Sarah Mockler are the TREC Trips Coordinators. They can be reached through email at Shae.

Slaven@loras.edu and Sarah.Mockler@ loras.edu.

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The virtual recruits

by NATE KAISER Sports writer

The entire world was shocked by the COVID-19 pandemic as it took hold last spring. Members of the sports community were left wondering what the future of athletic competitions might look like. The NBA was the first domino to drop on March 11 of last year after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive. The next dominoes fell rapidly as collegiate and professional sports leagues were shut down.

While a lot of the sports we love have slowly returned with few to no fans in attendance, one thing that never really stopped was the wheel of college recruiting.

Throughout the course of the summer and fall, coaches have had to redesign, rebuild, and re approach the way they recruit future players. At the division three level, the coaches at Loras faced plenty of hurdles and roadblocks during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“None of the guys could come to campus because of the shutdowns,” head football coach Steve Helminiak said. “Every day was an unknown, especially as a coaching staff. We couldn’t be in the offices - we were forced off campus.”

With the lockdown starting in spring of last year, assistant wrestling coach Trevor Kittleson knew the normal summer recruiting would be impacted as well.

“Usually, we would start making a list [of juniors we really liked], and then bring in 20 of them- get them to come on visits,” said Kittleson.

For him, the most important part is being able to go out and actually spend time with the kids in-person. “We go to see them as much as we can, be in person at the tournaments, but not being able to do that was a big hurdle,” Kittleson said.

Basketball coaches knew their summer

recruiting mainstays would be affected as well. “We knew all AAU events we recruit at in the summer we re b e i ng c an c e l e d,” assistant basketball coach Gabe Miller said.

“Ever ything was going virtual, summer events that we rely on had never been streamed before, it had just never been in our realm of recruiting.”

Not only did it affect the prospect of going out and recr uiting, it also prevented athletes from having the chance to visit campus. Campus visits are a fundamental part of the marketing Loras has built to keep athletes choosing to put on a purple and gold photo by LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS uniform year after year.

The Duhawks wrestling team hoists the ARC Championship trophy. The team’s season was cut “ We h a d a p r o v e n short due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. method to recruit kids on social distanced intimate player panels screen. All of the coaches expressed how campus (and) we had a pretty high return and allow the recruits to learn about our important it will be to keep changing as rate once we got kids here,” said Coach program and the culture.” more technology allows for recruiting to Helminiak. Without the chance to meet with The recruiting process is the first step in become easier and easier. kids on campus, coach Helminiak knew the building relationships between coaches and With several fall sports playing shortened program had to find an alternative to the players. Miller emphasized how important spring seasons more Duhawks’ teams are large group in-person campus visit. it is to keep those relationships moving well competing now than in any spring semester “We put together a plan to change our after the recruit has visited campus. “We prior. Vaccines and warmer weather seem campus visits,” Helminiak said. “Compared had zoom calls with our guys and phone to be reducing the rates of infections in to other teams we may have 15-30 kids per calls,” Miller said. “We would have our most states making coaches and players visit, so we would do three smaller visits guys write letters, try to keep creating those hopeful about next fall. And while faculty per day just to be able to expose kids to the relationships.” and students have been, for the most part, program.”

The one positive about the shift to more successful at adapting to hybrid teaching The shift to be safer and socially distanced virtual recruiting was the chance to stay and testing methods, Loras coaches have forced all the coaches to adjust their regular in touch with recruits over Zoom and successfully adapted many of their methods recruiting process. “We want recruits Facetime. This allowed for the coaches and for recruiting potential players as well. around our guys as much as possible … to the players to keep their face-to-face time figure out if they are going to be a good fit,” more frequent, even if it was through a said coach Miller. “We had to implement

Baseball trots forward

Duhawks move to 12-8 on the season as the team looks to finish season on a high note

by CAMERON ARVIDSON assistant sports editor

As of April 13, the Duhawks baseball team stands with a 12-8 record overall, and a 9-7 record in American Rivers Conference play. Approaching the mid-point in the season, the Duhawks sit at a tie with Buena Vista University for third place in the ARC. With plenty of opportunity and a lot to prove, let’s take a look at how the team has gotten to this point and where they go from here.

Prior to conference play, the Duhawks p l ay e d b a c k - t o - b a c k w e e k e n d s i n Jacksonville, Illinois to get the season started. During their two trips in early March, the team took three games against Illinois College and dropped one to Augustana College. Over the four-game stint in Illinois, the team scored 30 runs while giving up 19. Overall, the Duhawks looked strong in their season debut, allowing them to bring that momentum into Conference play.

In their first Conference matchup of the year, the Duhawks absolutely torched Nebraska Wesleyan on their trip to Lincoln.

Their offense was led by Luke Fennelly, dubbed “The Kid” by his teammates, who earned himself honors as both the American Rivers Conference “Player of the Week” and “Male Athlete of the Week” for his four homeruns, seven RBI and .643 batting average in the series sweep of the Prairie Wolves. The Duhawks only had one game in the series where they did not score more than ten runs, proving that their offense will be their biggest driver going forward.

The team looked to bring this momentum into their following meeting against Buena Vista University, but fell short in the series going 1-3. During the series, Fennelly continued his offensive tear, which earned

of one-run ball in the Duhawks only win of the series.

With the future of their season uncertain, the Duhawks looked to regain their momentum in the first of two double-

plagued by errors and the offense was quiet compared to recent contests, which decided the game, resulting in a 4-3 victory for the Storm.

The bats woke up again for the Duhawks in game two of the series where the Duhawks emerged victorious by a score of 15-11. Luke Fennelly and Bill Luzzo lead the offense, combing for five hits, six RBI and five runs scored. Junior pitcher Owen Funke recorded the win, but it was an all-around team effort for the Duhawks to secure the second game. Coach Carl Tebon used four pitchers out of the bullpen and three players off the bench in order to scratch out the victory in an offensive battle.

Going forward, the Duhawks look to improve their record in the ARC, with tough series’ approaching in teams like Coe College and Luther College. In order to continue their winning ways, the Duhawks will need to continue their offensive tear that is being led by Luke Fennelly, Bill Luzzo, and Max Cullen. As a team, the Duhawks are hitting with a solid .321 team batting average, that will likely continue to prosper as the season goes forward. In order to solidify themselves as high-flyers in the conference, the team will need to improve photo by LORAS COLLEGE ATHLETICS upon their team ERA of 6.05, a struggle Junior pitcher Owen Funke delivers a pitch as he warms up under the lights. The for the team up to this point. With veteran Duhawks play Dominican on Thursday in a double-header. leadership on both sides of the ball, the Duhawks certainly have a chance to make him honors on D3Baseball.com’s team of the headers against Simpson College on April a statement this year, as they were projected week, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished 1. In game one, junior pitchers Curtis to finish in 8th place by ARC coaches prior by a Duhawk since 2017. Although the Lilienthal and Ethan Peters did their best to to the beginning of the season. series didn’t go their way, the team turned secure the victory, throwing three innings in a strong performance from sophomore each while only allowing one earned pitcher Matt Jeter, who threw seven innings run between the two. The defense was

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The Lorian

Apr. 15, 2021

23

Rollercoaster season

by EMILY PERHATS sports writer

The Loras Women’s soccer team has been on a crazy roller coaster ride this past year. The team was enjoying a high point with plans to go on a Costa Rica trip in August of 2020, but it was postponed due to COVID-19. The postponement was in June, with the plan to take it in August of 2021.

Costa Rica is a trip the team goes on every four years. This is so every athlete gets to attend once, but the seniors lost their only shot at this adventure.

“I was very upset and disappointed,” senior midfielder, Brynn Jacobi said. “I had been looking forward to going to Costa Rica since my freshman year and had heard so many great stories from those who have gone.”

Jacobi has decided to take the fifth-year option and will play another year. If the current COVID-19 trends continue, her hope is that she’ll get to go on the Costa Rica trip this August.

Not only was the C osta Rica trip postponed, the fall season was canceled. At that point, players and coaches in the soccer program were feeling that low point of the coaster ride.

“We were a go for the fall all throughout the summer,” Head Coach, Matt Pucci said, “The ARC (American Rivers Conference) was probably one of the last conferences to decide against a season.”

In addition to losing out on a fall season, many of the players said they lost their motivation to play. One thing that helped shortly after the season was postponed, the women’s program was granted approval to have practices and a weekly inner squad scrimmage.

The women’s team took the COVID-19 that rush.

Duhawk athletes have shown a great precaution measures seriously in the hope All athletes competing in sports this deal of perseverance and great attitudes they could keep everyone healthy, but they spring are required to be tested for throughout the roller coaster ride they have ended up with a few players who tested COVID-19 before each game. Jacobi said, all endured. positive. Throughout all of the positive “it’s a small price to pay in order to play this “After all we have been through, I believe results, quarantines, and waiting for results season.” this team has come out stronger and even to come back, coaches and players said they Jacobi, who is student teaching out of closer together as it is a very special group,” always had each other’s backs. state this semester, has been traveling back Pucci said. “We are incredibly proud of our The women had high hopes to compete and forth to make it for games. She has to team and especially the seniors – and we against other teams in a spring season. get rapid tested before each game in order thank them for all they have done for our As the spring drew closer, it was looking to take the field. program over the years.” more and more likely that the women’s soccer team was going to get to compete in at least eight games.

“We are so excited to b e able to play a conference schedule,” Pucci said. “We will have eight games and a scrimmage this spring.”

Those eight games are being crammed into only four weeks. The Duhawks are playing two games a week which results in some quick turn arounds between games. The roller coaster ride is on a high with women already taking home two wins in their conference play.

Jacobi said playing again feels amazing.

While she enjoyed to opportunity to practice and scrimmage, she says the feeling of game day photo by AJR PHOTOGRAPHY is completely different, and it’s been a long time The women’s soccer team celebrates and thanks their fans after a massive scoring outburst since the team last felt against Buena Vista University. The Duhawks broke out for nine goals with 32 shots on goal.

Duhawks season recaps

Men’s Sports

Baseball: 12-8 (9-7 Conf)* Basketball: 7-5 (4-3 Conf) Cross Country: 3 first place finishes (2nd in Conf)

Women’s Sports

Basketball: 6-7 (3-5 Conf) Cross Country: 2 first place finishes, (2nd in Conf) Golf: 1 individual first place finish*

Football: 2-0 (1-0 Conf)*

Lacrosse: 5-3 (2-1 Conf)*

Golf 7-5 (4-3 Conf)* Swimming & Diving: 2-2 (3rd in Conf)

Soccer: 5-0 (5-0 Conf)*

Tennis: 7-3 (2-0 Conf)* Track & Field: 5 first place finishes, 4 second place finishes*

Softball: 1-12 (1-8 Conf)* Swimming & Diving: 0-4 (4th in Conf) Tennis: 7-4 (4-3 Conf)*

Volleyball: 9-5 (8-4 Conf)

Track & Field: 4 first place finishes, 4 second place finishes

Wrestling: 6-4 (6-2 Conf)

Volleyball: 6-3 (5-3 Conf)

*: Team is still in season.

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Thanks for the memories!