Volume 5, Issue 11

Check out The Current’s exclusive access to Pier 60’s Sugar Sands Festival on page 3.

Vol. 5, Issue 11 April 11, 2014

East Asia Initiative prepares for summer trips

By Hailey Escobar Web Editor

photo courtesy of Alex Zielinski Alum Lizzy Haag walks toward a glacier on a service trip to Iceland in 2012.

Service Learning responds to student injured on trip

By Malena Carollo and Ely Grinfeld Editor-in-Chief and Viewpoints Editor

This past spring break, the Office of Service Learning responded to the first major injury on a service trip in nearly 10 years when a student was severely injured on a trip to Iceland.

“Truly the moment that we found out,” Jessica Neander, Director of Career Planning and Applied Learning said, “I say we, [I mean] the minute that I found out -- I was on the phone with the dean [of students], with the direc-

tor of Service Learning, with our Director of Risk Assessment Lisa Mets, just trying to figure out everything that we needed to do.”

The student, who for privacy reasons is not named in this article, is currently at home being treated for the injuries.

Neander said the student is in high sprits, despite the ordeal.

There are currently no details about the specifics of the student’s injury. None of the participating students The Current reached out to, Service Learning Intern Laura Lea Rubino who led the trip or Director of Service Learning Ronald Porter would comment on the

specifics or the circumstances.

The trip to Iceland was one of 11 service trips offered by the Office of Service Learning. The 10 students participating in the weeklong trip worked on bridge deconstruction within the national park.

Like all spring break service trips, this one came with a degree of bodily risk, as described in safety protocols and waivers handed to each prospective participant. Prior to trips, Eckerd takes several measures to preempt any safety issues that could happen.

“We had several meetings with all the trip leaders to go over the safety protocol, as well as the waiver,” Ne-

ander said. “We even went as as far as priming leaders with scenarios.”

Rubino and Academic Service Learning Coordinator Amanda Foster led the safety training. This is the first year scenario training was implemented, in which the groups discussed potential problems and their advised solutions. Some of these scenarios included responding to semi-serious wounds and assessing possible sexual harassment.

EC-ERT, including EC-ERT Coordinator Jeremy Bernfeld, was present at these meetings to help facilitate the discussions and to better See Service, page 4

Red Cross blood donation policy discriminates against gays

By Amy Delano Staff Writer

Being gay is more accepted today in society than ever before. Thus far, 17 states have legalized same sex marriage. This is a major step in equality for the United States.

However, those who engage in same-sex practices still do not receive equal treatment in all settings.

According to The Huffington Post, there was a ban put in place in 1983 that made it so that men who had ever had sexual contact with other men were ineligible to donate blood. This was the decision of the FDA because officials began to recognize the risks of being exposed to AIDS via blood transfusions. The FDA argues that gay men are at “increased risk of certain transfusion transmissible infections (for example, AIDS).”

A male freshman at Eckerd, who we granted anonymity because of the personal nature of the disclosed Please Recycle

INDEX:

NEWS

Living on the sunny coast of Florida with its long beach fronts and Eckerd’s many trees, it’s not surprising to see students of all disciplines and backgrounds wanting to make a difference in the global environment issues.

“I think the solution to a lot of the global issues society faces today involves integrating ourselves and the environment,” Sophomore Andrea Martin said.

In the past, students have gone on spring break service trips and other study abroad opportunities to reach problem areas around the world. Now, thanks to funding from the Luce Foundation, a new, affordable opportunity has been created for students to face environmental issues half a world away. It is called the Asia and the Environment Initiative. The program offers students service trips to east Asia for $600 “The initial inspiration came when I found out about the grant opportunity from the Luce Foundation,” Professor of East Asian Humanities Andrew Chittick said.

“The grant [the Luce Initiative on Asian Studies & the Environment, or LIASE] was designed to bring together Asian Studies and Environmental Studies at small liberal arts colleges, and since Eckerd had strong programs in both, it seemed a natural fit.”

See ASIA page 3

VIEWPOINTS Letter from the Editor Editor-in-Chief Malena Carollo explains how The Current approached its cover story. page 6

ENTERTAINMENT Last South Beach Sessions Check out a photo spread of the year’s last South Beach Session.

page 12

THE QUICKIE Yellow Bike EMTs Learn how to fix a bike chain. page 14

HEALTH & FITNESS Build muscles by swimming Tired of the gym? Learn how to swim. graphic illustration by Alex Zielinski Men who have had sexual contact with another man, even once, are not allowed to donate blood.

information, decided to donate blood this past fall. As he filled out the necessary paperwork, he saw the question “From 1977 to the present, have you had sexual contact with another male, even once?”

1-4 VIEWPOINTS

This student truthfully answered this question -- yes. Because he had sexual contact with another male, he was not allowed to proceed with the donation process.

Those in the bus were not very

clear when explaining the reasoning behind his ineligibility to donate.

“I immediately googled what happened to me,” the source said, “and I immediately called

page 15

SPORTS Softball player excels Read about Sophomore Kara Oberer’s success on the field.

See Blood, page 3

5-8 ENTERTAINMENT 9-12 THE QUICKIE 13-14 HEALTH & FITNESS 15-16 SPORTS 17-20

page 17 The Current is a free, biweekly student newspaper produced at Eckerd College. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers.

2 News

the current

April 11, 2014

Editor-in-Chief Malena Carollo thecurrent@eckerd.edu Copy and Design Editor Mike Geibel News Editor Aaron Levy currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editors Sydney Cavero Teresa Young Viewpoints Editors Ely Grinfeld Shannon Vize currentviews@eckerd.edu Asst. Viewpoints Editor Gary Furrow Jr. Entertainment Editor Ian Lindsay currententertainment@eckerd.edu Asst. Entertainment Editor Hayden Johnson Quickie Editors Chelsea Duca Leah Bilski currentquickie@eckerd.edu Health & Fitness Editor Sabrina Lolo currenthealth@eckerd.edu Asst. Health & Fitness Editor Emma Cotton Sports Editor Mike Geibel currentsports@eckerd.edu Asst. Sports Editors Colin Casey Will Creager Dominick Cuppetilli

Golf team’s van emptied by thieves Thousands of dollars worth of equipment stolen from players, coach, forced to withdraw from tournament

By Sydney Cavero Asst. News Editor Members of Eckerd’s golf team fell victim to large-scale theft on the afternoon of March 31 while traveling to an away tournament in Miami Beach. Senior Greg Reilly said that Head Golf Coach Bill Buttner and the five players traveling had everything stolen from them, and estimates that the stolen items amount to $30,000 to $40,000. The team filed a police report, according to Reilly, but authorities have not informed them of any further information.

The team discovered the theft after they returned from a dinner on South Beach to an empty van, according to Reilly. Sophomore Johan Nordahl recounted his first reaction to WSVN news.

“I said, ‘Jeff, is my suitcase back there?’” Nordahl told WSVN. “And he said, ‘No, everything is gone.’”

Besides the effect the incident has had on the players’ academic and personal lives — they are missing laptops, textbooks, homework and the contents of their suitcases and duffle bags — the thieves also took items crucial to their athletic performance: their custom clubs.

Without their clubs, the team was unable to compete in the Buccaneer Invitational in Miami Beach and formally withdrew that Monday, according to the NBC-owned Golf Channel. Reilly said that this leaves only one tournament left on the schedule for the team to participate in before regionals.

Nordahl told the Golf Channel that he thought being unable to participate in the Buccaneer Invitational could hurt Eckerd’s chances of qualifying for regionals, noting that he felt especially bad for the team’s seniors.

According to Reilly and Senior Jeff Evenier, the athletics department is replacing the lost golf clubs as well as electronics like laptop computers.

“I am proud of the way our golf student athletes have responded to this difficult situation,” Director of Athletics Bob Fortosis said in an email. “They are an incredible group of guys. We are working hard to replace everything that was stolen.”

Reilly added that he believed that someone was tipped off to their location, since their van was locked and parked in broad daylight in a nicer part of the area.

It would be difficult, according to Reilly, for a stranger to know

Photo and Graphic Design Editor Alex Zielinski currentphoto@eckerd.edu

photos courtesy of Bill Buttner A crime scene unit official checks the van for finger prints.

Copy Editors Colin Casey Ely Grinfeld Web Editor Hailey Escobar Webmaster Vincent Lynch Social Media Coordinator Marissa Meleedy

photo courtesy of Greg Reilly The van in its parking spot in South Beach.

that there would be so much expensive equipment in the car.

“Needless to say there is no way to prepare the team for anything like this,” Coach Buttner said. “The event put a damper on the final two events of the season although you will see a closer team at conference this next week. We grew lots closer because of situation.”

Reilly is looking to the future

and hoping for the best as the team nears the end of their season.

“It sucks, what happened, and now we’re just trying to get ready for what is hopefully not our last game,” Reilly said. “At least we’re all all right.”

WSVN said that those with information about the burglary should contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Faculty Adviser K.C. Wolfe Director of Finances Hannah Zaremsky Director of PR/Advertising Sarah Richardson currentads@eckerd.edu Editorial Consultants Greg Reilly Rose Kraemer

The Current is a free biweekly student newspaper at Eckerd College.

Offices are located upstairs in Cobb at 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of EC students, staff, faculty and administration.

The Current welcomes letters to the editor. Submissions should be typed and not exceed 400 words.

Writers must include their full name, graduation year and contact number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and contact number. All submissions are subject to editing for the purposes of clarity, style or length. The Current holds the right to reject any letters deemed inappropriate. Letters can be sent via email to thecurrent@eckerd.edu with subject “Letter to the editor.” _______________________________ The Current will run full-length articles covering any arrests that present a clear danger to the community.

Charges that would be investigated under this policy include robberies, assaults, weapons charges or illicit drug manufacturing, such as methamphetamine. The Current will continue publishing a small police blotter for felony arrests, and misdemeanor charges against student government leaders, Residential Advisors and staff members of The Current. We learn of arrests through searching the police arrest database by entering Eckerd’s address, as well as from tips. Questions and comments can be emailed to thecurrent@eckerd.edu.

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the current

April 11, 2014

News 3

News Initiative to launch six-week environmental projects in Japan, China From EAST, page 1

photo by Colin Casey Many of the sand sculptures take inspiration from famous Hollywood movies.

Clearwater Beach hosts sand sculpture festival

By Gary Furrow Jr. Asst. Viewpoints Editor

Lights, camera and...sand?

Clearwater Beach will host the second annual Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival April 4 to 13. The festival includes many events that celebrate Clearwater Beach’s greatest commodity -- the sugar sand.

With its sand, Clearwater Beach is known for being a popular vacation destination and was voted “Best Place to Watch a Sunset” by USA Today and then “Best Family Beach” by the Travel Channel.

The festival features events like speed-sand demonstrations, sand sculpting clinics, a master sand sculpting competition, 10 nights of free movies on the beach, food and drink, fireworks and other festivities.

However, the star attraction is the 15,000 square-foot walkthrough tent of sand sculptures.

The theme this year is the “Beach Walk of Fame,” featuring sand sculptures inspired by some of Hollywood’s greatest films. Films ranging from “Anchorman,” to “Singing In The Rain” to the “Wizard of Oz” inspire sculptures.

“That’s kind of the beauty behind this event is that even if you came to the event last year, every year will be something [different],” Pier 60 Concessions owner and head festival organizer Lisa Chandler said. “We reinvent a whole new theme each year.”

The theme for this year’s fes-

tival was a collaboration between Lisa Chandler and her daughter Allie Chandler, a Pier 60 employee.

“It invites people of all ages to come out and view how the sand can come alive,” Allie Chandler said about the festival. “The details put into the sculpture are truly amazing.

You can see the pupils in the eyes and wrinkles in character’s faces.”

The idea for the festival first came about 10 years ago, after Lisa Chandler was handed a lookbook from artist Mark Mason of a walk-through sand sculpture festival in Cape Town, South Africa that he participated in. “I fell in love with the concept 10 years

ago,” Chandler said. “Of course at that time, I said we have to do this on Clearwater Beach.”

Much to her dismay, the event was not possible then because of the cost and lack of funding; however, the Chandlers never gave up on the idea. “It became my bucket list event,” Lisa Chandler said. Ten years later, Hollywood is dominating Clearwater Beach.

Some of these incredibly detailed sculptures of the stars are more than 6 feet tall. The people who make these towering masterpieces are artists from near and far who work for the local Sarasota-

based company Team Sandtasic.

“I could not pick a favorite of any of the pieces here” Sandtasic artist and Gulfport local Dean Arscott said about his and team members’ work. “I am impressed with it all.”

From its silver screen sculptures to the street performers and food, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival has something for everybody.

Tickets range from $4 to $8, but many other events are free besides the sculptures exhibit. The festival runs daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, discounts and a complete list of all events, visit www.Sugarsandfestival.com.

photo by Colin Casey Artist Dean Arscott works on a piece. Some sculptures take as long as two weeks to fully construct.

The program is spread over three years, taking two groups of six students and two professors to different Asian countries for five to six weeks over the summer.

The teams take time during spring semester in a course called Asian Environmental Issues to develop different projects for their fieldwork.

The trips go to countries such as China and Japan with a plan to go to Indonesia in 2015. The grant covers the majority of costs.

The program is overseen by a large group of professors from across the disciplines, particularly from Asian Studies and Environmental studies.

However, it was designed to be open for all students whether they are artists or scientists.

The first trips of the Initiative will travel to Eckerd’s sister city Takamatsu, Japan and also Beijing and Hong Kong for the China group.

“Right now they have all begun to do research projects in advance of the field experience; at least one student from each team is also working on web design and one on digital video editing, so that they can document their trip,” Chittick said.

“Another student from each team is working on a carbon offset project for the team.”

During an information meeting for the 2015 trips, Chittick also mentioned that he hoped these trips would open new doors for future study abroad trips around the world.

On April 9, submissions will close for next year’s trip when students will be able to go to Xiamen, China or Indonesia to explore Java and Bali.

Plans have not officially been made for the 2016 trip, which will be the last year of the grant program.

Students are required to have taken an environmental, science or statistics course as well as a year of language unless they plan to go on the Indonesia trip where the language will be taught on site.

The program is open to all students. Juniors who will be graduating the following year are encouraged to apply as well.

For more information, see Chittick in his office, Miller 104.

R e d C ro s s b l o o d d o n a t i o n p o l i c y d i s c r i m i n a t e s a g a i n s t g a y s , a n g e r s s t u d e n t s From BLOOD, page 1

my sister and was very upset.”

This is not the first time this has happened, and thousands of healthy males are unable to donate blood because of this lifetime ban.

“The FDA uses multiple layers of safeguards to ensure blood safety by screening all blood donors based on risk factors and signs of infection,” CEO of the PR firm Witeck Communications and openly gay male Bob Witeck said. Witeck believes an updated policy is needed.

According to NBC news, “Gay men make up roughly

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half of the patients living with HIV in the United States.”

“Men who have sex with men are unfortunately at a higher risk of contracting the disease [AIDS],” said Freshman Tommy Wright, “so the simplest way to prevent people from getting infected blood donations is to ban anyone in that category.”

Many say that this lifetime ban should be replaced with a policy preventing blood donations if one has had gay sex in the past 12 months.

Countries like Australia, Brazil and Japan have similar policies. Some say that screenings should focus

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

on general high-risk behaviors by both heterosexuals and homosexuals, which would make it easier to donate for those in monogamous and safe sex relationships.

“I think that it is silly to ban all men who have had sexual contact with other men when there are simple ways to make giving blood a bit more inclusive to the gay male population,” Wright said.

“A question on the survey could be added, such as, ‘have you been tested for HIV/AIDS in the last... (amount of time)?’ Many men may still be unable to give blood

but it would no longer prevent all gay men from giving blood.”

Activists have even organized “National Gay Blood Drives” in which gay men have their blood tested to prove that it’s safe and then try to donate in order to defy the ban. The FDA has stated that the ban will only be lifted if evidence suggests there is no risk for transfusion recipients. LifeSiteNews.com talks about Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and how it is used for all blood donation testing. NAT is used to find 8 different diseases: HTLV, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, West Nile

virus, Syphilis, and Chagas disease. The ban was implemented before this testing even existed.

According to the American Red Cross, there are about 41,000 demands for donated blood each day in the U.S. Although about 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate, less than 10 percent actually does each year.

But these statistics don’t affect who is permitted to donate.

“The magnitude of the blood supply isn’t a decisive factor in the debate,” Executive Scientific Officer with the American Red Cross Susan Stramer said.

4 News

the current

April 11, 2014

Service Learning responds to student injury, cont.

From ICELAND, page 1

decide on appropriate responses.

In addition to safety training, all trip members are provided with insurance prior to departure. This insurance included Frontier Medex general insurance and EIAA, insurance through the college used to ensure students can receive medical attention worldwide. During the safety training meetings, the insurance information of both Frontier Medex and EIAA was passed out on keychain accessories, and all the students received one.

For this particular trip, extra coordination was required to make sure the nature reserve at which students would be volunteering was safe. According to Neander, the college found out there was a chance of serious volcanic activity on the

island, which would have caused the trip to be canceled because of concerns for a return flight. Neander coordinated with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and volcanologists to assess the risk, and it was deemed safe for students to go.

The day before all service trips were set to depart, all the trip participants were notified by voicemail of the volcanic activity Neander investigated and that she had spoken to USGS of the potential risks. The students were asked to confirm if they acknowledged these added risks, as well as the general risks. All the students confirmed and wished to continue with going on the trip.

The group began their service work when they landed in Iceland on the morning of March 23. The group, originally scheduled to fly out March 21, arrived late after hav-

ing flight issues and had to catch a connecting flight at JFK terminal.

The majority of the group returned to the U.S. the following Saturday.

As soon as the incident in Iceland happened on Friday, Neander was up coordinating until about 3:15 a.m. the following Monday morning. Coordination included contacting parents, establishing a timeline of events, contacting the insurance company and contacting the group in Chicago that assists Eckerd with international travel. She also worked with members of Congress and officials in Washington, D.C. to get permission to expedite passports for the student’s parents if they wished to fly out, though they did not.

A medical escort was hired to provide medical care on the plane ride back, and Eckerd made an ap-

pointment with a specialist the day the student arrived home.

Neander said Eckerd responded in the most thorough manner possible, and will respond to future incidents in the same way per the established protocols.

While reporting, The Current reached out to seven of the 10 students on the trip, the staff coordinator Rubino, and Porter for comment. Five of the students refused to comment for the story, and one did not respond to emails. One student said that he would not comment because he had been instructed not to give any information out about the event, though he would not say who instructed him on the matter.

ECOS President Brady O’Donnell, one of the Iceland trip participants, sent an email to The Current on behalf of the

members of the trip and initially refused to comment on the situation. O’Donnell cited the student’s privacy as his chief concern.

He again refused to answer questions regarding the incident on a second attempt to gain context for the situation.

“I am not answering the posed questions because I am respecting the wishes of the involved student and their family to not have this article be published,” O’Donnell wrote in an email.

When asked if he instructed trip members not to speak with The Current or others on the matter in a list of questions via email, O’Donnell refused to comment.

Assistant News Editor Teresa Young contributed to reporting.

Mr. Triton: guys put themselves on display for charity

photo by Spencer Yaffe Senior Greg Reilly’s rendition of “Say Something” for the talent portion of his performance.

photo by Spencer Yaffe Junior Dominick Cuppetilli displays his evening wear.

photo by Spencer Yaffe For the talent portion of his performance, Sophomore James Patterson (center) attempted to put as many cheetos as possible into his beard before eating them.

photo by Spencer Yaffe Senior Mike Geibel played the “Minute Waltz” for the talent portion of his performance.

photo by Spencer Yaffe For his talent, Junior Tom Houpt ate as many hotdogs as possible while carving a watermelon.

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the current

Viewpoints 5

April 11, 2014

Viewpoints Puerto Rico trip sustains life through nature

By Shannon Vize Viewpoints Editor

I was lucky enough to spend spring break this year in Puerto Rico on a service trip to Plenitud, an organic farm that educates on the importance of sustainability and permaculture. Plenitud is also the home of Nathan Mosby’s memorial garden, Nate was my best friend, a Plenitud volunteer and an Eckerd student who died abruptly two years.

This was my first service trip through Eckerd, and it was incredible. The Office of Service Learning and the dedicated student leaders do an immense amount of work planning and organizing these trips. As Eckerd students, we are lucky to have passionate faculty and students presenting us with an opportunity to give back during a time when most students our age are busy partying.

The trip I took to Puerto Rico was centered around spiritual environmental work. We worked throughout the organic farm to help develop our understanding of sustainability and permaculture. While

also interweaving the spiritual aspect by keeping Nate’s spirit and life alive and flourishing in his garden.

Located in Las Marias, Puerto Rico, Plenitud is home to a caring staff who are deeply passionate about permaculture and their responsibility to sustaining and nurturing the environment. The group and I spent a week at the farm and were joined by a fellow service group from the University of San Diego. Together, we worked on various chores and service projects throughout the farm, like watering, planting and harvesting, breaking up the soil, clearing out invasive or overpopulated plant life and working hard on swale, a man-made landform designed to manage water run-off and increased rainfall better.

Everyone on the trip got to experience an incredible week of camping, sleeping in hammocks under the stars and showering in the scenic (although cold) outdoor showers. The staff led morning yoga sessions before the sun came up and workshops throughout the week, deepening our understanding of yoga, permaculture and the medicinal proper-

ties of herbs grown on the farm.

As one of Nate’s best friends, it was especially rewarding going on this service trip, since one of the main goals of the trip was to cultivate and develop his memorial garden even more. Many of Nate’s closest friends were also on the trip. We spent several days working exclusively in his garden adding a pond, hauling river rocks to line the pond and clearing out and planting in various plant beds.

We were able to plant titonia, banana trees and garlic, among many other vegetables and plants.

We also added the letters and cards from friends and family of Nate to the soil in the garden so their loving words and memories will help nurture plant and animal life, which felt rewarding and really brought home the idea of sustaining his life and spirit through nature.

It was healing and inspiring to be in the same place Nate had volunteered at two years ago. The Plenitud staff members who met and working with him remembered him well and told us stories about his time on the farm and his incred-

ible spirit that stayed with them and continues to inspire them. We reflected on the idea that Nate’s life acted as a thread, connecting us together so that we could meet.

Nate’s choice to spend his summers and breaks dedicated to service work, like the week he spent at Plenitud, has given his family and friends a chance to understand him and ourselves even more by visiting these places and giving back as well.

The alternate spring break trips that are offered here at Eckerd are an amazing opportunity. It allowed me to reconnect with my best friend Nate and come to understand why service was such a major role in his life. The trip also educated me immensely about the importance of sustainability, permaculture and giving back to the environment and planet that give us life.

I would highly encourage every student at Eckerd to consider applying and spending their breaks doing something meaningful and memorable while serving the environment, other people or organizations and charities in need.

photo by Shannon Vize Nate Mosby’s plaque is joined by rocks painted with handprints from all EC particpants.

The plaque includes a quote that reads, “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

courtesy of Shannon Vize Service paticipants admiring their hard work in the garden by the end of the week.

photo by Shannon Vize Seniors Grant Bemis and Brad Samuels with the pond they worked to create.

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photo by Shannon Vize Senior Mary Gillam and Junior Lauren Cregeen digging overflow basins.

INSIDE VIEWPOINTS PerspECtives

page 6

MBFGC

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Letter to my freshman self page 7

Bettie Page brought back to life as social experiment

By Hailey Escobar Web Editor

Bettie Page is the iconic pin-up model of the 1950s with wavy black hair, blunt bangs and sparkling blue eyes. Even if you don’t recognize her name, you’d probably recognize her figure or face. She was a sex icon, much like Marilyn Monroe was or how burlesque performer and model Dita Von Teese is today.

More than anything she was also known for being comfortable with herself and wearing things because she felt good in them. “I never kept up with the fashions. I believed in wearing what I thought looked good on me,” she’s quoted saying.

My fascination with Page and her glamourous image began a few weeks ago, while I was working at Teavana in International Mall. I knew that a new Bettie Page clothing store had moved in downstairs a few months before, but I had yet to get a close look at the clothes that were inspired by the icon. It was on this day, however, that I spied a woman across the mall dressed in a gorgeous red ‘50s dress, drawing the eye of just about everyone she passed. She looked so happy and confident.

This woman got me wondering about the effect that Page and icons like her were able to inspire.

Normally, I would think that being sexy would involve some risque lingerie or revealing clothes, at least that’s what I get from nearly every Victoria’s Secret commercial. However, rather than wearing things because they were popular, or because they happened to look what others define as sexy, Page wore clothes that she liked and felt sexy in. She wore it for herself.

This form of sexual independence inspired me to attempt an experiment. A few weeks after seeing the woman in the red dress, I went to the Bettie Page store myself and after trying on a dozen dresses, with the help store manager Amanda Hawthorne and one of her sales associates, I found myself buying the same exact dress.

For two separate days after buying the dress, I dressed myself up with the style of 50s women with the curled, pinned up hair and ruby red lips. Standing tall in my heels, I proceeded to channel See FEMINISTA, page 8

6 Viewpoints

April 11, 2014

Letter from the editor MBFGC: Dear Readers,

Several community members and sources have voiced concern about our article on the Iceland spring break service trip. Occasionally when we publish an article that is met with controversy, we publish an accompanying letter from the Editor-in-Chief to clarify our approach to the article and to explain the value we think it has to the community. For this issue, I’d like to explain why we’ve published the article on a student’s injury on the spring break service trip to Iceland.

We consider it newsworthy if a student is significantly injured on a school-sponsored trip since it is a rare occurrence. We believe that students have the right to be informed when something goes seriously wrong, regardless of whether the incident was within anyone’s control. Because of the extent of

the student’s injuries sustained on the Iceland trip, we believed it was necessary to cover the event.

You’ll note that this isn’t our only coverage of the service trips -- we also have an article in our Viewpoints section about a positive experience one of our writers had on a trip to Puerto Rico.

What we didn’t think was necessary was including the student’s name in the article. We understand the trauma and distress this has caused the student and their family. Beyond a basic gauge for the extent of their injuries, we didn’t feel that providing their name added any additional value to the story, especially since the student said they would prefer not to speak with us for the article.

On a larger scale, we believe this article’s value is greater than the narrative of one student. All students who participate in spring

break trips, especially abroad, are at risk for injury. We felt this was an appropriate time to facilitate a discussion on how the school normally responds to injuries on trips, what safety precautions are taken prior to and during trips and how this incident will or will not affect future safety precautions.

Our goal is not to point a finger at anyone or cast a negative light on Service Learning. We believe that students have a right to know when something goes wrong and to know that the college will respond appropriately, and we tailor our reporting to that effect.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at thecurrent@eckerd.edu.

Sincerely, Malena Carollo Editor-in-Chief

PerspECtives How did you spend your spring break?

“I went to the Dominican Republic on a spring break service trip. We taught kids English and it was very fun.”

- Cher Smith, sophomore

“I did a landlocked cruise of Florida and my boyfriend and I went to Orlando, Cape Canaveral, Miami, and the [Florida] Keys then made our way back to St. Pete. I’m not going to be living in Florida after I graduate so I wanted to do the all-encompassing tour of Florida before I left.”

- Taylor Greene, senior

“I went down to the [Florida] Keys and did some camping down there. It was a good time.”

- Karl Lindberg, junior

Pride within reason

By Colin Casey Copy Editor Every June, the LGBT community gathers to remember their troubled history. It is a period of reflection, and learning, on the mistakes of the past. A dream where each person is looked at equally regardless of sexual preference. The sounds you hear during the festivals however, are usually the alarm clock rudely awakening the community to reality.

Pride festivals are, well, a point of pride for the community. But, they routinely suffer from the very problems the LGBT are rumored to cause. Now I do not want to come off as a bigot, homophobe, self-hating whatever you want to call me, but I think Pride may be broken.

Take for example, the marketing of the event. On photo gallery sites of the organizing groups of both the Dallas and Chicago Prides, images of scantily clad performers make up a quarter of the sites’ galleries from the 2013 Pride Festivals. Aside from the fact that indecent exposure usually warants a police ticket there’s a more fundamental problem here.

Take the Dallas example. Opponents of gay rights usually argue that the LGBT are a morally corrupt group. Considering, that until last year, LGBT rights were a state-by-state ballot measure issue, you would imagine pro-LGBT groups would have a tighter control over what is marketed in such battleground states.

How does marketing an event with sex appeal, one that is supposed to be about remembering your history, promote the cause of ultimate equality? Unlike most, I was introduced to the LGBT community in 2004 when I attended a NASCAR race in Sonoma. Funny thing about the race in Sonoma, it so happens to fall the same week as San Francisco’s Pride celebration.

So aside from arguably the most awkward introduction since Marilyn Monroe met Jackie Kennedy, what else is wrong? I hate to be a spoil sport but to me it is the parade itself. Based on the way it has been marketed by local cities it has become a cash cow for local businesses and less about remembrance. Miami Beach’s Pride website includes links to hotels with special Pride

the current

weekend rates as well as a rental car company with similar discounts.

The problem is that in most Pride weeks, the parade is only a small part of it. During the weeks leading up to the parade, Chicago Pride has put together a series of book readings, lectures and dinner discussions based upon the history of the LGBT movement. This puts the focus squarely on the history and remembering a past plagued by violence, fear and death. Naturally an educational Pride will not work.

The parade draws more attention so that is all that really matters right?

I hate to keep mentioning Chicago but it has a lesson in this. Often times, the mirror image of the Pride parade in Boystown is the South Side Irish Parade in March. At face value, the parade is a drunken mess, meandering through a neighborhood as Irish heritage is celebrated or desecrated depending on who you ask. Yet there’s so much more that receives as much attention.

There are fundraising dinners for local charities before and after the parade. An Irish film festival runs annually at the same time in a local theater. And yes, even the LGBT community comes down to support as everyone from the North or the West Side joins in.

But here is where the divide is.

An Irish parade has certain stereotypes about it. Saint Patrick will appear in some ridiculous form, probably on stilts or roller blades.

Irish dancers will make an appearance. Leprechauns will dance around, offensively to some. But the kicker is that everything about the parade celebrates Irish culture.

When Pride parades are formed what is the overall intent? The marketing seems to show that the parade is solely about same-sex appeal. Most people only know about the parade so they assume that the parade is the sole reason for Pride when it simply isn’t. If more emphasis was to be put on aspects related to the community’s turbulent history that it came from, perhaps support for LGBT rights would not be such a divided issue.

So now, based on what we know of Irish culture in parade form, where is the culture in Pride?

Based upon the idea that Pride celebrates the history and future of the LGBT movement, why exactly does it seem like a parade of every criticism social conservatives use to corner the community?

Maybe it’s just me, but it’s time to refocus the idea of Pride away from sexual appeal and back on history before it disappears for good.

“I went to Gainesville for a few days, then went home for the rest of it and ate a lot of food.”

- Esther Ou, sophomore

courtesy of @jesusjarrieta’s Instagram A scantily clad float at the Chicago Pride Parade diverting attention from equality.

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the current

Viewpoints 7

April 12, 2014

Letter to my freshman self

By Ely Grinfeld Viewpoints Editor

I feel strange enough for talking to my present self, but talking to my past “me” surely takes my neuroticism to a whole new level. To you, my baby self, I want to extend my hand and let you know how precious you are.

Having left high school, you wanted to start fresh and show the world all the potential you had. Florida was far from your chilly northern home, but the distance made all the difference, and college seemed like a time of fresh beginnings and faces. It was.

Even today, college continually graces my life with cool opportunities and nuanced people. But during all of it, you have to keep your chin up. Confidence is key, and as our Pop likes to say, “When you smile, the world smiles with you.”

Some people say the years between 18 and 21 are the most transformative in almost any life, and in our little Eckerd bubble, it’s especially true. Remember all the people who were bright-eyed and full of hopes and aspirations in your Western Heritage class? A lot of those people have moved on,

maybe to other schools, to other states or on their personal journeys of self-fulfilment. The people that you grew comfortable with left you and you were stranded.

Don’t let that fear cripple or intimidate you, because the value of any relationship is not in how long it lasts, but how deeply it impacted your life. Always walk around with a smile and people will be receptive to the warmth you exude.

Because, my baby self, you are so full of light and hope, that the world seems like a realm of total possibility. Your heart is a network.

The people you meet are there to accept a little piece of you, and that makes you vulnerable. But that vulnerability also makes you lovable, and open to new friendships.

There will be times when you will doubt yourself, and whether you are really making an impact on the world around you. Don’t let those feelings get to you.

Everyone has their own way of living, some bloom later than others, and some have to weather some disappointment before they figure out their true purpose. Just know that you are only in a competition with yourself, and the only direction to go is up.

But most importantly, get yourself out of your room and join some clubs. The Current is pretty sweet, and you’ll make some great friends in the grueling hours spent late at night copyediting and laying out pages. The sensation of spending time with those who share your interests is near inexplicable. Also, put some more time in the gym.

You’ll be in constant spring break weather for a good four years so you will want to have a tight beach bod.

But then again, true beauty is on the inside, right? Eh, who am I kidding.

Anyway, I have to cut this letter short before I get too weepy and the Lord knows I’m an ugly crier.

Always remember to be happy and healthy, and give people some heaven and hell. Life is too short to not connect with those who make you happy, but it’s also too short to not let people have exactly what you think of them. Get it, girl.

political issues

Faculty

From, Ely If you’re interested in writing a letter to your freshman self for The Current please email: currentviews@eckerd.edu

Brazil on dark road with World Cup

By Colin Casey Copy Editor & Asst. Sports Editor

It was a warm winter evening in Cape Town, South Africa as I walked the central street from my hotel in the harbor to the Green Point Stadium. Built for the 2010 World Cup, the stadium sits vacant and empty today except for a few ticket stubs from the international friendly three days earlier. I sat alone on a bench outside the stadium’s North Gate waiting at a bus stop as people departed the city centre for the day. Every once in a while, a few miss edthe bus and we ended up talking.

We found ourselves discussing everything from China’s economic interests to the World Cup, right where I wanted the conversation to go. My secondary motive for picking South Africe for Winter Term was to learn about the World Cup. The opinions I hear are nearly unanimous; had they known the true cost of the World Cup compared to recent worker uprisings, security and education the locals would have fought back. All I can think of is how odd it is to have such a beautiful stadium with no one to play in it.

The local teams have all declined leases favoring their more intimate traditional grounds. The national team rarely plays here; its most recent game was in March 2013. Why bother having it at all?

But what if infrastructure needed to be built at once? That is the case in Brazil, as the South American superpower gears up to host this summer’s World Cup. The project required new stadiums in six Brazilian cities and extensive renovations to the remaining six venues scheduled for use.

Such buildings are called “white elephants” They are a large problem for the community but no one understands what to do with them.

With any major international tournament, white elephants are produced. The best example are the remnants of the 2004 Olympic Village in Athens, Greece stand-

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#Amusing Musings Here is where we immortalize the funniest quotes from EC students and faculty. No names, no shame.

Follow us on twitter: @TheECCurrent

Psychology Professor Why are you all wearing clothes if it’s nice out? #BasicPsych

photo by Colin Casey The Green Point Stadium in Cape Town South, Africa held eight matches during the World Cup. It now sits vacant.

ing as a monument to the very spectacle that crippled the Balkan nation into its current debt crisis.

World class sporting events were once deemed the playthings of global superpowers. Then something unusual happened. Beijing, China was awarded the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

What followed was an odd string of announcements of World Cups awarded to South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar as well as Olympics to be held in Greece, Brazil, and South Korea. Suddenly, the world’s games were no longer for the largest Western nations.

These events are seen at their inception as a way to instill national pride and domestic reform. Excellent examples of this can be found in the U.S., hosting of both the 1994 World Cup and 1996 Summer Olympics. Atlanta, GA saw a modernization project to Hartfield-Jackson Airport, and World Cup host cities such as Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX saw improved transportation

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and infrastructure near their stadia.

The case with each U.S. event was simple, the stadia already existed and the infrastructure often only needed improvement, but not the creation of a brand new one.

In total, Brazil has spent $3.47 billion U.S. on stadiums alone for this World Cup. In contrast, previous World Cup host South Africa spent a total of $3 billion U.S. staging the entire two month spectacle.

Brazillians have taken notice as well. Money set aside for domestic projects including rail lines, airport improvements and education reform suddenly became a slush fund to finish stadiums. Protests erupted during last year’s Confederations Cup. What is the point of staging a tournament if the country as a whole falls to pieces in the process?

The most concerning thing is the utter lack of interest by Brazilian club teams in moving into the new stadia. The most glaring example is the Arena Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil deep in the Ama-

zon. To date, no professional squad has expressed interest in the stadium and the Mayor of Manaus has openly discussed alternative uses.

Part of any small nation’s major event is to create an enduring legacy.

Billions are invested in infrastructure projects which will hopefully last. Often, education funding withers as the nation willingly freefalls into debt. This is all in the name of a brief spectacle that in reality is a one way pass to a beautiful oblivion.

Brazil’s ticket has been stamped for this route, billions of its taxpayer funds disappeared into rarely used stadiums. With the world watching in June, it may prove difficult not to analyze how this could impact Brazil’s path toward becoming a power.

Then again the second a Brazilian scores, the country will be swept into a momentary delirium. Unfortunately, the drug of sport cannot numb the lasting national pain when it cannot support its people.

Communication Professor Let’s make an assumption of consent: he doesn’t care. #Misandry

Biology Professor Can I say nice rack to students? Will that get me fired? #TestTubeRack

Literature Professor There’s always one person that likes to hear themselves talk.

It’s like intellectual masturbation. #GradSchool

8 Viewpoints

the current

April 11, 2014

Commencement speaker critiques Miss. governor’s actions

By Ely Grinfeld Viewpoints Editor Melisa Harris Perry spoke out against Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (R) on April 6 for his signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a law saying that the state cannot infringe on a person’s right to practice religion. Perry, the commencement speaker for Eckerd’s Class of 2014, addressed Bryant in a live segment and echoed her concerns for the law’s real world effect: that it would give business owners the right to actively discriminate against LGBT customers.

Perry, in her direct message to Bryant, acknowledges how much religious freedom and LGBTbullying are conflated. “What you did was to make it even easier than it already was to discriminate against LGBT Mississippians, to

deny them services available to everyone else.” Mississippi is also one of 29 U.S. states that still does not extend legislation to provide for marriage equality, nor does it have laws that protect LGBT individuals from job discrimination.

Mississippi is not the first state to attempt this legislation, as Arizona recently attempted to pass a similar law before Arizona governor Jan Brewer vetoed it. After vetoing the piece, Brewer commented on the nature of the bill and how she saw it. “I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd,” Brewer said in a public statement. She followed up by clarifying her position on the values part of the decision. “Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value. So is non-discrimination.”

Perry also noted how the rhetoric in the Mississippi version of the

Arizona bill is even more vague, and includes a clause to religious freedom that allows people to not act in a manner that makes them compromise their religious beliefs. What this translates to is legislative justification for not serving a person who identifies as LGBT, as it would force people into a religious double-bind.

I applaud Perry’s sharp attack on Gov. Bryant in that the closer the U.S. comes to marriage equality, some states have decided to act in a completely reactionary manner. Moreover, the reactionary legislation and its proponents have skewed discourse about these laws and force them into a dichotomy: religious people either get to practice their religious freedom or they are denied by the “overly sensitive” LGBT groups. This is faulty and denies any room for looking at the broader historical context of LGBT

erasure in the public, and makes it seem as if religious individuals are the true victims in this scenario.

What angers me most is how invisible the discussion of the ethics surrounding business practices are.

America has always prided itself as the land of opportunity, where the value of a person lies in how much they are willing to work, regardless of their identities. Bryant’s signing of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and even the law’s name itself implies that the gradual acceptance toward an egalitarian society somehow harms religious individuals from expressing themselves, where, in reality, we are introducing religious ethics into a domain where it never belonged. If a store owner is so abhorred by a person of a different walk of life, he or she has no place in the business world or anything that has to do with people.

On the bright side, we can view these harsh, reactionary laws as signs that we truly are making progress with LGBT rights, otherwise, the religious demographic would not feel the need to strongly defend their religious freedom. Moreover, people are growing increasingly aware that religious freedom does not extend to forcing values on people that don’t follow them.

Serving LGBT customers does not mean you aren’t following your religion. If anything, it is the opposite.

We need only look to Corinthians 13:1-13 on how to view this conundrum: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.... Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”

Feminista continued From FEMINISTA, page 5 Page’s spirit into every aspect of my life from going to the grocery store to going to work or school.

Despite the fact that it took me around an hour longer to get ready in the morning, I noticed that I actually felt sexy and confident. I wasn’t worried about having everyone’s attention drawn to me or having guys approaching me left and right.

I felt comfortable in my own skin and felt beautiful for my own sake.

I realized that being sexy wasn’t something that you channel for other people, to attract attention and a night of fun. It’s something that you do for yourself.

“There’s nothing wrong when women ‘dress sexy’ for themselves,” Freshman Amanda Brophy said.

“The issue comes when those clothing choices are seen as an invitation to critique as though those choices

are being made for men. Men don’t dress for women, so why should we be expected to dress for men?”

Going into the experiment, I expected more reactions from people around me. I received compliments from nearly every person I interacted with, even it was just in passing. They were nice, but they weren’t the reactions I anticipated.

Yet, wearing the dress and the red lipstick, I definitely felt “The Bettie Effect” in another way. None of those compliments could compete with the way I ended up seeing myself as I waited for my curls to set one morning. As I looked at my reflection, I thought that I actually looked gorgeous and sexy for once.

I believe that this feeling was really what Page’s glowing smiles were all about. She felt beautiful and loved her body.

Now, thanks to her, so do I.

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Thanksgiving Fall Finals Spring Semester Begins Spring Break Spring Finals

Thanksgiving s Fall Final November 28-29 Spring Semester Begins December 9-12 Spring Breaks January 28 Spring Final March 22-30

May 12-15

courtesy of Hailey Escobar The writer striking a pose in one of the Bettie Page dresses.

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the current

Entertainment 9

April 11, 2013

Entertainment “Captain America 2: Winter Soldier” surprises audience

By Colin Casey Copy Editor Based on last year’s overall disappointing summer movie season, I had limited hopes for the coming season. Little did I know that the most recent blockbuster would change the way I looked at a series.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is the latest popcorn flick from Marvel Studios. The film stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford. Best described as a political thriller, Winter Soldier seems a far cry from the warfantasy period film directed

by Joe Johnson in 2011.

The story centers around Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division (SHIELD) as it continues the story left off from 2012’s blockbuster “The Avengers.”

The

promotional photos

film opens with an awkward comedy scene introducing Evans as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. The unusual comedy comes from discussing his experiences with another war veteran sharing experiences despite being more than 70 years his junior.

From there the plot picks up and the audience is introduced to Natasha Romanoff, played by Johansson, as she is hack-

i n g d a t a from a rescued SHIELD ship. Rogers is very apprehensive about the implications of this information as he was not briefed on the mission.

The story then shifts to the political aspects and ramifications of SHIELD itself as Director Nick Fury,

played by Jackson, briefs Rogers on SHIELD’s latest preventative weaponry.

This second Captain America film has taken the bit of other superhero films of the recent renaissance. Political co m m e n t a r y has become nearly an essential part of the growing story. Initially made famous by Christopher Nolan’s cell phone tracking system plot device in 2008’s “The Dark Knight” modern superhero films have tried to engage in political commentary with all the ham-fisted grace of an alcoholic entering the Tour de France.

Surprisingly, this is where the movie shines; political commentary.

The dichotomy between Jackson and Redford, who plays the head of an international council that oversees SHIELD, is outstanding. Redford channels his years of playing government characters into a cutthroat political realist.

He seems like a character ripped

from the pages of a Tom Clancy novel, more than a comic book.

Action sequences are tight and realistic, apart from the climactic ending battle. Computer generated imagery also appears sparingly used until the final battle. The ending borders on farcical, yet the rest

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Instead, while the the character stories hold similarities to their classic counterparts, they are their own personalities entirely. Instead of a glass slipper, Cinder loses a cyborg foot a little too small. Scarlett falls for Wolfe, a street fighter with a big secret. Rapunzel is actually a hacker named Cress who has been stuck on a satellite for years.

I also found it refreshing to see how well rounded each character

“It seemed like ever y time I turned the page, there was another twist in the stor y that could change ever ything.”

— Haliley Escobar

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Fashion Under the Sun

page 12

South Beach Sessions

page 12

“Alien Ride” promotes Skrillex’s new album

By Ian Lindsay Entertainment Editor

In the EDM trinity of fans, artists and promoters, the latter is what brings the formers together.

Without all the hype and production that promoters put into live electronic shows like “Ultra TV” or PK Sound, the momentum of the EDM scene would have dissolved

promotional photo

the film is grounded enough to ignore the issues. The best sequence in the film is a series of practical effects utilized in a car chase about 15 minutes in.

The effects are a distinct departure from the typical Marvel movie. Most of this has to do with the directors Anthony and Joe Russo. The two directors seemed an odd choice for a superhero film See CAPTAIN, page 15

By: Hailey Escobar Web Editor

All of these stories are linked together in one big adventure to bring down the evil Queen Levana before she can take over Earth with her schemes. It seemed like every time I turned the page, there was another twist in the story that could change everything.

What I enjoyed about this series is that it wasn’t the classic fairy tale with some special twist like many other spin-offs have been.

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o f

Marissa Meyer’s young adult series strikes Cracking open the pages of Marissa Meyer’s first book “Cinder,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. After reading my fair share of disappointing young adult novels, I was a little hesitant about this story that basically involved a cyborg Cinderella.

However, my ideas on the series quickly changed as I finished the three current books of the series in less than a week: “Cinder,” “Scarlett” and “Cress.” I was really impressed by with Meyer’s series.

“Cinder” sets the stage for the series, following a young cyborg mechanic named after the title, Cinder, who lives in the the futuristic New Beijing. In this new world, a plague is running rampant through the population and the wicked Lunar queen is trying to wage war on Earth. That’s seems to be the least of Cinder’s problems as she lives under the thumb of her wicked stepmother, with a little android as her best friend.

Everything changes for her when Prince Kai comes to visit her booth one day, opening up a destiny that she never knew existed.

From the beginning of the series, we are given glimpses of almost all of the main characters of the series: Cress, Winter, Captain Thorne, Queen Levena and even Scarlett in a special glimpse of the second book “Scarlett” which is included in the paperback version of “Cinder.”

INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT As Told By a Ginger

promotional photos Screenshots of “Alien Ride” app.

back to underground warehouse raves, instead of the mainstream attention the music has received.

Of all the stunts pulled off in the electronic music industry, the “Most interesting Antics Award” must go to Grammy winning Sonny Moore, better known by his stage name, Skrillex. On Moore’s “Mothership Tour” he was dressed in a suit with motion-mapping technology

all photo’s promotional Cover illustrations for Meyer’s Series.

was within the story. While there was romance for just about every main character, they also had a lot more to their stories that allowed them to stand on their own.

Overall, I would suggest this book to those who not only like a good young adult novel series or a love of fairy tales, but also to readers who love strong characters and a good science fiction thriller. Be warned, however, that you’ll have about a year to catch up on the first three installments before the final book “Winter” comes out some time next year.

promotional photos Screenshots of “Alien Ride” app.

that projected a real-time image on the screen behind him that harmonized with his movement. Everytime Moore jumped, or clapped his hands, the cartoonized figure behind him did the same. The effect was more than memorable.

Over the past four years, Moore dropped an avalanche of EPs, LPs and singles, but a full studio album See RECESS, page 15

10 Entertainment

the current

April 11, 2014

ECKERD EVENTS

To have your event added to the calendar, email currententertainment@eckerd.edu.

FRIDAY

11

Day of Silence 11 a.m.

Annual Spring Wellness Fair 4 p.m.

Festival of Cultures 9 p.m.

Drag Show

SATURDAY

12

Explore Eckerd 10 a.m.

Saturday Morning Market 1 p.m.

Men’s Rugby Blatz Bowl 3 p.m.

Splash Bash 8 p.m.

Bull S%# Ballet 9 p.m.

Take Your Clothes Off

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19

3 p.m.

Bigger, Gayer, Water Balloon Fight 8 p.m.

Burn the Closet Bonfire 9 p.m.

Another Man’s Trash 10 p.m.

Saturday Cinema

Good Friday 2 p.m.

Slam and Jam

SUNDAY

13

Explore Eckerd 10 a.m.

Work Place at the Garden 1 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse Game 1 p.m.

Wal Mart Shopping Shuttle 7 p.m.

Homeless Dine and Discuss 8 p.m.

Pride Bonfire and Movie

20

Easter 10 p.m.

Work Place at the Garden

MONDAY

TUESDAY

15

14

Explore Eckerd

6 p.m.

Vigil for Sexual Assault

11 am.

Big Gay Parachute and Tie Dye

8 p.m.

Tans Talk-0’s

7 p.m.

What is Feminism?

21

1 p.m.

Wal Mart Shopping Shuttle

22

Game of Thrones season 4 is on and the North will never forget.

GWAR’s lead singer, David Brockie died.

Fantastic Four to be rebooted, the bad memories of the old ones will be gone.

Stephen Colbert’s satirical tweet taken out of context.

Skidmore College offering a sociology course this summer on the evolution of Miley Cyrus.

It’s been about 20 years since Kurt Cobain died.

1 p.m.

LGBT in the Media

12:30 p.m.

Room Draw Omega, Nu, Single 5:30 p.m.

4 p.m. CPS Speed Roomating Modern Day Slavery in 8 p.m.

Florida’s Fields Open Mic Night 9 p.m.

Geoff Keith

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23

6 p.m.

Panel Disccusion: Drugs, Alcohol, on Health and Society and culture

Noon Earthfest 12:30 p.m.

Room Draw

7:30 p.m.

Ale Tasting

5:30 p.m.

Pizza with the President

6 p.m.

Oxfam America Hunger Banquet

7:00 p.m.

LGBT in the Media

3 p.m.

EC Color Dash

THURSDAY

17

16

8 p.m.

Munchies and a Movie

7 p.m.

Sex Toys for Girls and Boys

1 p.m.

Men’s Lacrosse Game

WEDNESDAY

7 p.m.

Mayhem Poets 8 p.m.

Karaoke 9:30 p.m.

EC Tritones Spring Showcase

The St. Pete Sampler Local fun and fine dining

Sometimes the best side order to a meal is live music.

Check out these local restaurants to add tunage to your night out.

A. C. B.

Bryan Cranston to pen memoir.

The movie “Noah” is out in theaters.

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4 stars $$ Beer and Wine Only

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the current

April. 11, 2013

Entertainment 11

Skrillex releases his first full studio album titled “Recess” From RECESS, page 13

Fride Pinch: website offers recipe suggestions

By Gary Furrow Jr Asst. Viewpoints Editor When some college students open their mini fridge, they usually find just beer.

However, when other college students, usually ones off the meal plan, open their fridge they might find an odd mixture of leftover foods.

These arbitrary ingrediants could stump even the best chef ’s mind. What can one make with pickles, leftover chicken, raviolis and bananas, besides a “Fear Factor” challenge?

This ginger guru would not have any cost-effective ideas either, but thank the stars we live in the 21st century and with that comes the internet.

Many websites have come up with ways to fix this chilling fridge ispromotional photo sue but most sites either Bacon and egg avacado bowls. say “error” or give a weird common ingredients found in a college mini concoction when users put in an interest- fridge and see what recipe the site gives us. I ing array of ingredients. However, I found put into the generator for ingredients: beer, one that worked better than the other bacon, avocado, bread and cheese. The site competitors, http://myfridgefood.com/. generated the recipe for Grilled Cheese Rolls.

Now, I feared that a website like this would Ingredients: only produce an odd science experiment, but Bread to my surprise, it gives a user some gourmet Cheese options. All ideas are original or classics with Cooked bacon a twist. All meals are made with stuff one Directions: owns or requires cheap easy ingredients one Cut the crust off the bread. flatten bread could “borrow” from their friends. Sounds with a rolling pin then top with a slice of like a certain column in this newspaperr, cheese. Roll the cheese and bacon up in the right? The website even tells the user how bread then cook in a pan with melted butter many carbohydrates, calories and servings over medium heat, until cheese is melted. that the recipes make. One can even filter This is a nice spin on the classic the results for only health conscience recipes. but now let’s try to make a health opThis edition of “As Told by a Ginger” would tion with the same ingredients. The site not be complete with out a recipe, so this generated the under 400 calories recicolumn is going to demonstrate that http:// pe for Bacon and Egg Avocado Bowls. myfridgefood.com/ works. So let’s take some Ingredients:

Grilled cheese rolls.

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1 large avocado 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 2 eggs Cheese Directions: Cut the avocado in half. Scoop out the avocado so the hole matches the size of your eggs to prevent spillage. Crack an egg into each half of the avocado, resting the edge of the avocado on the side of the cookie sheet to help keep the avocado steady.

Top with bacon crumbs and place in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until eggs are cooked to your likings.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

I was thoroughly impressed with this website and as well as the unique recipes it created, a college students dream cookpromotional photo ing tool. I would give myfridgefood.com two gingerly thumbs up.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

album did not grace his discography until the release of “Recess” on March 14.

But Moore can’t just release an album, play shows or do interviews to promote himself.

Instead, the artist did something no one else in the industry has done. Moore made an App. On March 8, Moore’s facebook updated saying, “GO to www.skrillex.com right now and play with my little alien..N download this free app! But hurry! he’s lonely and needs somebody to chill w!”

The app itself resembles “Space Invader,” in that users tilt their phone to move the spaceship away from asteroids flying down the screen and can also tap the screen to shoot. The real motivation behind playing the app is the “Secret Folder” icon that appears on the game menu. Rumors circulated over forums and redditors were able to crack the timestamps figuring out that the folder contained 11 tracks linked to iTunes which are the tracks for Moore’s new album “Recess.”

On the March 10, at 11 p.m. the first song released through the app. That night, a new song released via the “Alien Ride” every half hour until 4 a.m. Each song had its own symbol and visualizations, and you could even listen to the album while playing the game.

The album is a hybrid of electronic music genres, which is a refreshing change of tempo when compared to past releases. In the past Skrillex has worked with figures like members of The Doors and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, but his new album is a tour of electronic heavyhitters. Featured on the album are Alvin Risk, Diplo, Kill the Noise and Chance the Rapper.

The first song, “All is Fair in Love and Brostep featuring Ragga Twins” pays homage to Moore’s roots in EDM as a banger. Fast paced wobble bass mashed with reggae vocals provided by the Ragga Twins. Also typical of Moore’s sound is the sample intro which is a Carl Sagan-esque speech on the power of

promotional photo Screenshot from “Alien Ride” app.

promotional photo Screenshot from “Alien Ride” app.

rockets. Very fitting for Moore’s celestial style.

The next track that stands out is “Dirty Vibe” featuring Diplo, G-Dragon and CL. Unlike “All is Fair in Love and Brostep,” this track ignores the stock dubstep sounds which made Moore famous. Diplo’s influence is strong throughout the track as the song could be classified more as an electro-trap song than dubstep. The energy is still there without the womps.

My personal favorite of the album is titled, “ Doompy Poomp.” The song is a goofy mix of rhapsody that listens like cartoon characters doing drugs at a luau. The intro is a chopped screwed indecipherable vocalization which streams into an upbeat glitch of sound. The song is reminiscent of 16-bit video game soundtracks. I like it because I’ve never heard anything quite like it before; it’s obscure and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Ragga Bomb,” the first single off “Recess,” is everything one would expect from a Skrillex studio album. Reggae samples which put the dub in dubstep and wobble bass blaring through the 4 and half-minute song. Nothing exciting.

At this point in his career, it almost feels like Moore is forced to include tracks like “Ragga Bomb” to appease his fans. His side projects like Dog Blood (Skrillex and Boys Noize) and Jack U (Skrillex and Diplo) suggest that Moore is interested in branching out from the “Skrillex” sound that he created. This album also represents that change.

As electronic music expands, the lines between genres are continuing to blur, and the best artists like Moore are the ones doing the blurring. “Recess,” has a little bit to offer for everyone. From the dubstep bangers like “Ragga Bomb,” to catchy pop oriented electro tracks like “Ease my Mind,” this album is going to be a staple in the club D.J.s arsenal.

Sequel in “Captain America” series breaks boxoffice records for this year’s top grossing movie From CAPTAIN, page 13

an odd choice for a superhero film as the best movie in their filmography was 2007’s flop “You, me, and Dupree.” Yet the two channeled their recent years of working on television situation comedies such as “Arrested Development” and “Community” into a well staged movie. Often the framing is simple, there are no epic zooming or tracking shots from Zach Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” or the “look at me and how cool this is” shots of Joss Whedon’s “The Aveng-

ers.” The understated framing showcases a new kind of dynamic for a Marvel film.

But what makes “Winter Soldier” so unique is how different it is from previous Marvel titles. The political dynamic sets up a plot that is far more interesting than the original “Captain America” in 2011. The first film felt like more of a set up for “The Avengers.”

In contrast, “Winter Soldier” functions just as well as a stand alone movie. Such a distinction is rare in big budget sequel films. Overall, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” may be the best film Marvel has released since “The Avengers” and has certainly set up next summer’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron”

12 Entertainment

the current

April 11, 2014

Style under the sun: Spring Ball fashion guide

By Shannon Vize Viewpoints Editor & Fashion Columnist The school year is rapidly winding down, which means Palmetto Production’s Springtopia is upon us. This week’s column is dedicated to finding the perfect outfit for Spring Ball.

The theme this year is Dappers and Flappers, which I view as more of a theme for the decorations than a description of how you should dress. So if the roaring 20’s is your thing, and dressing up like Daisy from “The Great Gatsby” is right up your alley, then go for it by all means.

But if you’re not planning on coordinating with the theme like myself, then the following tips are for you.

First off, this isn’t prom so if you don’t have a date or a fancy, floor length gown, don’t worry.

I would prefer if everyone had neither. Think of Spring Ball

as more of a formal that other schools with Greek life have.

With that being said, have some fun with your outfit. Use Spring Ball as an excuse to switch up your “everyday” or “going out” outfit into something more sophisticated, funky, sexy or fun. Ladies, I recommend shorter dresses since it will be hot, and you don’t want to have to worry about your dress dragging or being stepped on all night.

Experiment with colors and color schemes. A little black dress is always chic, but try pairing it with colorful accessories or turquoise shoes to give it your own flare. Try on different styles of dresses: halter, spaghetti strap, strapless, skater, A-line, maxi, midi, a dress with interesting cutouts—the options are endless. You might surprise yourself by finding a style that works for your body shape that you never would have considered before. If dresses aren’t your thing then turn

to a cute skirt and tank combination or pick out a cool, vintage jumpsuit.

Another major style choice for women attending Spring Ball is what shoes to wear. Personally, I’m not a fan of the towering, stiletto heels. If you can’t walk down the sidewalk gracefully in them or you can barely walk at all, then ditch them for something more comfortable, but just as cute. Beauty and style do not need to correlate pain. No one looks good falling down from ridiculously high heels before the drinking has even begun.

Instead, give some other shoe styles a chance. Sandals are always a comfortable, affordable and stylish option. Have fun with them by grabbing some gladiators that lace halfway up your calves or a neon colored pair. My preferred shoe style option for Spring Ball is combat boots. It makes any outfit instantly edgier. Even if you think you can’t pull off boots

with a dress, give them a try. You might be surprised to find you can.

For the gentlemen, keep your options open. The most common style among male students for Spring Ball is either a suit or tux rental or a combination of dress shoes, pants, shirt and tie. I think getting a tux or suit is a little above and beyond, but no one ever looks bad being over dressed.

If renting out something fancy isn’t in your budget, or your idea of a good time, then get creative. Pull out whatever dress shoes, shirts or pants you might have and try on the different combinations. If you don’t have any, then hit up Goodwill for some vintage dress clothes that will most definitely be unique.

Stand out from the crowd by adding a cool, patterned bow tie or by tie dying a white dress shirt.

But remember these are just style tips. Spring Ball is a fun dance where we have an excuse to dress

up a little fancier than usual and have fun dancing at Jannus with all our friends. So don’t take your outfit or yourself too seriously.

Whatever you feel best in is most likely what will look best on you.

Promotional photo Urban Outffiter model displays a little black dress option for Spring Ball.

This year’s final South Beach Sessions photos

photo by Lia Nydes

← Junior David Steren, also known as DRopKick,

played with new project DropKick live which features both live percussion and saxophone.

photo by Lia Nyrdes Students pose in between dancing at the final South Beach Sessions of the year. photo by Lia Nydes Students pose with artists, Fractal and Bassdread.

← photo by Lia

Nydes

←

Headliner, Fractal, spins dubstep and electro music at South Beach including his hits , “Duality” and Krwellla- Play Hard (Fractal Remix).”

photo by Lia Nydes Headlining artists all pose together after the show.

photo by Lia Nydes promotional photo

Senior Joe Whalen spins under the stage name Bonesaw.

photo by LIa Nydes

Electronic artist Bassdread played second during the South Beach Sessions party.

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the current

April 11, 2014

The quickie

The Quickie 13

There’s always enough time for a quickie

Around the World Across 1 Type of pine tree 6 Shining 11 Snacked 14 Joint in a bird’s wing 15 Marsupial bear 16 Indicates “yes” 17 Started 18 Synthetic resin 19 Uneven cut 20 One billion years 22 Female abbreviated 23 Model 24 Beg 27 Volume abbreviated 29 Popular health food store 31 Relax (two words) 34 Roman numeral three 35 Command 36 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 38 National Basketball Association 41 Warmth 42 Carnivals 43 Stop 44 Noah’s _____ 45 Spanish for “meat” 46 Unmentionable 47 French “yes” 48 Martial arts technique 50 Professor X’s nemesis 54 Ocean 55 Goodbye 56 Island 57 Attila the ____ 59 Greenwich Mean Time 61 Unreturned serve in tennis 62 Opposite of before 64 Used to get wrinkles out of clothes (plural) 68 First day of the week 69 Eckerd Sirens 70 Country in South Asia 71 It is 72 Genetic identical 73 Cope (two words)

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Down 1 Scientist’s office 2 India Pale _____.

3 Small carpet 4 Hint 5 ______ College in SE Indiana 6 Also known as 7 Country Club sport 8 Large body of freshwater 9 Summer and Winter international games 10 Compact bundle 11 Type of pear 12 Propose a _____ 13 Corners 21 Not 23 Luau dish 24 Hawaiian “hello” 25 More tender 26 Film company 28 _____ eclipse 30 Tear 32 To place 33 Brush and canvas art medium 37 Regions 38 Wealthy man 39 Wispy 40 Repent 42 Loyal 43 Owned 45 Remind 46 Grouping 47 Single 49 Cask of beer 50 Big southern Florida city 51 Neck scarf 52 Long valley 53 Expenditure 58 Compass point 60 Tall, woody plant 62 Bow 63 Seed bread 65 Choose 68 Seize 67 Sneaky

crossword by Chelsea Duca and Leah Bilski

EMPOWER Club

By Chelsea Duca Quickie Editor

The EMPOWER club is a group on campus that aims to generate awareness about the challenges facing students with disabilities.

By reaching out through service, students hope to make a difference both within the Eckerd community and in the Tampa Bay area.

“The EMPOWER Club is an inclusive community of students who support and advocate for students with disabilities at Eckerd College,” Junior Rachel Beck said.

“The club empowers students with disabilities through encouraging self-advocacy techniques and creating a network of peer mentors.”

Beck, who is the club chair, and her co-officer, Senior Jessica Kruger, started the club in September of 2013 with the club’s adviser, Lori Makin-Byrd, Assistant Director of Outreach Services and Health Promotion.

“Jess and I are both passionate about serving those with disabilities,” Beck said. “While Eckerd provides free counseling on campus, there was no peer-to-peer support group for students with disabilities at Eckerd, so we decided

to start the club.” and Counseling Outside of the Support Services club, Beck volStaff at Eckerd, unteers at Gulfled the discusport Elementary sion about disSchool in St. Peabilities at Ecktersburg with fifth erd, as well as the graders in the meaning of disspecial education abilities in educaprogram. Kruger tion in general. is a certified ther“We strive apeutic horseback to raise awareriding instrucness about issues tor through the facing students Professional Aswith disabilities,” sociation of TherBeck said. “We apeutic Horsealso provide a manship (PATH) support group In te r n a t i o n a l , that meets once and she works courtesy of Junior Rachel Beck a month, so that with the Sarasota EMPOWER members attend an epilepsy first aid training session. students with Manatee Assoany sort of menciation for Riding Therapy, which North American Riding for the tal or physical disability can find a is commonly referred to as SMART. Handicapped Association and a supportive community on-campus.

According to their website, PATH International Premier Ac- We wish to serve our community.”

Beck said that about 20 different smartriders.org, SMART is a credited Center. On March 1, EMnot-for-profit organization that POWER attended a training ses- people have attended events hosted was founded by Betsey London- sion with SMART to learn about by EMPOWER throughout the Fish of Greenwood Riding Acad- epilepsy and first aid procedures year, but the club has a steady mememy in the late 1980s. The or- for someone who has had a seizure. bership of about 10 students. One of To raise awareness on campus those students is Junior Sarah Fox. ganization provides both private “Well my friends Rachel Beck and group therapeutic horse- last semester, EMPOWER and the back riding lessons for children Office of Service-Learning hosted and Jess Kruger started the club, and adults with special needs. what Beck called “a very popu- and I have always been interested in The center, which is located lar Dine and Discuss.” Dr. Scott advocating for individuals with disin Bradenton, is a member of the Strader, Director of the Disability abilities,” Fox said. “In high school,

I had a job at my synagogue, which was helping children with disabilities learn Hebrew prayers, so it has always been something I enjoy doing. I also was born with a club foot, so technically I have a disability as well, but I don’t really view it as that.”

Fox’s involvement with EMPOWER has provided her with several opportunities to learn more about disabilities and to help others who might be struggling with them.

“I have gained a lot of information about the education system when it comes to having a disability like autism,” Fox said. “...

About once a month we have a meeting for people who are looking for extra support in their lives. It brings the group members closer, and I have made a few new friends from EMPOWER.” According to Beck, the EMPOWER Club meets on a bimonthly basis. The meetings are normally on Wednesday nights in the Student Lounge. There is one meeting for the disabilities support group and another meeting that is open to all members for event planning and discussion. For more information about the club or to find out the exact meeting time for each month, email rlbeck@eckerd.edu.

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the current

April 11, 2014

The Quickie 14

Bike EMTs work hard to keep Eckerd moving

By Leah Bilski Quickie Editor Eckerd’s Yellow Bike Program started in the Spring of 2004 as a sustainability initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emission from vehicles by promoting emissionfree travel around campus. Nearly a decade after the launch of the program, the yellow bikes have been recognized by several environmental organizations, the most notable being the National Wildlife Federation in 2005.

Unfortunately, the once thriving Yellow Bike Program has started to lose momentum over the past two years. At the start of the academic school year, roughly 100 yellow bikes were released

by Campus Activities, but an increase in bike theft and damages has diminished that number to around 40. With fewer bikes on campus it can be difficult to limit the wear that each individual bike receives. Some initiatives have been made to reduce theft, the most familiar being the introduction of tracking systems in the bikes, but theft is still on the rise even now.

Taking the brunt of these complications are the Yellow Bike EMTs, a team of roughly six students who spend their two hour shifts running around campus repairing “injured” bikes.

“We work hard to keep the chains on and keep the handle-

Yellow bike in James Center pond.

bars tight, but it’s hard to stay on top of things,” Junior Michelle Naumova said. “There are only six of us versus the 1,800 students on campus so it’s a lot of work.”

Although the team is equipped to repair the majority of bike issues that they encounter, sometimes resources fall short for the team.

Replacing bike parts that have been

severely broken is expensive and with so many bikes to repair upkeep has become even more costly.

“We run out of basic bike parts pretty often,” former bike EMT Jon Walters said. “We try to take innertubes, seats, and chains off of other bikes that don’t work and put them on bikes that can be fixed but we usually end up running out of parts.”

shifts. The number of bikes taken in for repair is often much higher than the bikes that can be re-released.

“There are things that we can fix, but there are a lot of things we don’t have resources or experience to fix,” Sophomore Alexa Iorillo said. “We usually send the really bad bikes, bikes that have been run over by cars or thrown into the water, to ABC to get them professionally repaired.”

Although the EMTs have trouble keeping up with the “injured” bikes, the team really just wants some more respect for the bikes they work so hard to keep going.

“A lot of people mistreat bikes because the person before them mistreated the bike, so why should they be different?” Walters said.

“We need to change that mindset.”

The Yellow Bike Program has transformed Eckerd into a more mobile and eco-friendly campus and it is a unique feature that many other college campuses lack.

An appreciation for this program courtesy of Campus Safety blog seems to be waning as more bikes are seen around campus flipped Most repairs can be done fairly upside down, but it is the wish of easily by the EMTs, but recently, many a bike EMT to reclaim the rethe bike damages have become spect the yellow bikes used to have. more severe and repairing the “These bikes are almost like a bikes has gotten more intensive. A gift to everyone at Eckerd,” Naudecline in respect for yellow bikes mova said. “We’re this big comhas become more prevalent and the munity at Eckerd and these are our Yellow Bike EMTs often find them- bikes to take care of. We should selves with more work than they treat them as our own, because can cover during their two-hour really they belong to all of us.”

How to repair a Yellow Bike chain Step 1: Make sure that the chain is not tangled in any part of the bike.

Step 2: Hook the chain over the smaller gear in the back, lining the grooves up with the teeth.

Step 3: Lay the other end of the chain on top of the larger gear in front, once again lining up the chain’s grooves with the gear.

Step 4: Make sure the kickstand is up, then lift the back wheel off the ground and rotate the pedal until the chain locks back into place.

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the current

April 11, 2014

Health & Fitness 15

Health & fitness Build muscles through various swim strokes

By Emma Cotton Assistant Health & Fitness Editor

If you’ve recently found yourself in the gym on a beautiful sunny day, staring longingly out the windows while lifting weights, or wishing you had a form of exercise that doesn’t make you feel exposed in front of all of the other chiseled gym-goers, it may be time for you to switch to swimming.

Swimming has many benefits over land sports. It’s easier on your joints than running.

It works muscles throughout your entire body at once, whereas lifting weights only allows you to concentrate on one specific area.

Like the gym, you can build a workout that is entirely your own, but have the privacy of a single lane. Instead of watching all of the people running faster or lifting more, all you can see is the water through your goggles.

The cool temperature of the pool is a noteworthy alternative to the potentially dangerous Florida sun; the chance of a swimmer overheating is far less likely than that of a runner. Many consider swimming to be fun, and some even find the rhythm and rushing water to be meditative.

To get the most out of swimming laps, it is important to understand each different stroke and the respective benefits to your muscles. Most strokes employ a wide range of muscle groups, but some are used more than others in driving the body forward.

The four most common strokes are freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Freestyle is the fastest stroke and is used for both endurance training and sprinting. While performing freestyle, a swimmer progresses through the water on his or her stomach with his or her nose pointed toward the bottom of the pool.

For this stroke to be most effective the body must be completely parallel with the level of the water, the legs must be straight during the flutter kick, which will work the

glutes. Each arm must alternatively extend as far forward as possible. The lower fibers of the trapezius, in the middle of the back, and the serratus muscle near the top of the rib cage, help to accomplish this.

Then, push down hard against the water on the stroke back towards the body. This works your deltoids as well as the latissimus dorsi muscles, which are spread across your upper back and are what give swimmers their stereotypical V-shape, as they are used in every stroke. You also use your core in stabilizing your spine, hips, and upper-body.

Backstroke can be almost as fast as freestyle and be photo by Alex Zielinski used for endurance train- Swimming is an excellent full body workout. ing as a slightly less strenuswimmer’s head never being submerged. With ous alternative due to the swimmer’s ability correct form, breaststroke works out muscles to breathe constantly. The most important just as much as backstroke and freestyle. point for an effective backstroke form is that Here, the arms start extended out in the stomach must be on the very surface of front in a streamline position, one hand on the water, and the head will rest far back top of the other, and the head is facing toenough so that the nose is pointed straight up wards the bottom of the pool. The arms are into the air and the ears are just submerged. simultaneously pulled back toward the chest, It is also important for the legs to be palms facing out, but do not pass the point of straight during flutter kick in order to prop- the shoulders. Here, you are using the latiserly utilize the glutes, quads and hamstrings. simus dorsi muscles in your back as well as The hands come out of the water with the the pectorals to push against the force of the thumb facing up, and as the swimmer reaches water. Then, the arms are brought in toward back, the hand switches so that the pinky the chest, pushing the head up to breathe.

The legs kick out, each with their own enters the water first. The strong scoop back towards the body propels you forward and circular frog-like motion. This step uses your works the latissimus dorsi muscles as well as glutes and quads. When the hands shoot forthe pectorals in your chest. Here you are also ward as the head submerges, you are working working the biceps and triceps in your arms. the deltoids, chest, and triceps. It is a diffiBreaststroke is commonly performed in- cult rhythm to master, but a worthwhile one. correctly as a lackadaisical stroke, with the

See SWIMMING, page 20

Sex on the Beach

By Alana Brillo Staff Writer

The saying goes that you are what you eat. The foods you eat can not only determine health, but a person’s sex drive as well. Aphrodisiacs are foods that supposedly stimulate sexual desire. These foods arouse because they have psychoactive properties, boost your energy, are psychologically suggestive or can even increase blood flow to the genitals.

Here are a few aphrodisiacs to try if you’re looking to spice up your love life.

Hot chiles contain Capsaicin, a chemical especially common in fiery peppers. Capsaicin increases circulation in order to get the blood pumping, stimulating nerve endings so that you’ll feel more aroused.

Asparagus has Vitamin E and folic acid is believed to boost the histamine production necessary for the ability of both men and women to reach orgasm.

According to AlterNet.org, asparagus has been a well-known aphrodisiac for centuries. A 17th century English herbalist wrote how asparagus “stirs up lust in a man and woman.” In 19th century France, the grooms were served three courses of these greens at their prenuptial dinners.

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Bananas produce potassium, a vital nutrient when it comes to muscle strength. This means that during an orgasm, the contractions will be more intense according to Cosmopolitan Magazine. Bananas also contain the bromeliad enzyme, which increases male libido.

Commonly hailed as the ruler of all aphrodisiacs, chocolate contains lots of chemicals that significantly increase the pleasure and desire for sex.

Cocoa delivers the chemical phenyethylamine (PEA), a stimulant that releases dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain and peaks during orgasm. This chemical induces feelings of excitement, attraction and euphoria.

Tryptophan is another important chemical of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known to promote relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Oysters are perhaps the most redundant aphrodisiacs but these shellfish really do work wonders.

According to Cosmopolitan, these shellfish are overflowing with zinc, a mineral that speeds up the production of testosterone, which is linked to having a higher sex drive.

Basil can add flavor to both your food and your love life. The aroma itself is known to have an aphrodisiac effect and us-

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From the iPod of Ian Lindsay

Boost your cardio with this running workout

By Rebecca Kass Staff Writer ing this sweet basil in a pasta sauce will get the heart pumping.

Watermelons contains citrulline, a phytonutrient that spikes up the amount of nitric oxide in your body, causing the blood vessels to relax and speed up circulation. This means that it’ll take less time for you to get aroused.

Almonds have been considered fertility symbols since ancient times.

According to poets and scribes, the mere aroma is said to arouse passion in women. However, scientists have found that almonds contain high doses of vitamin E, magnesium and fiber which increases stamina.

Like almonds, figs have also had a reputation as an arousing stimulant for thousands of years.

An open fig is believed to emulate the female sex organs and contains high levels of iron and potassium.

Last but not least is honey. This sweet and sticky substance is full of boron, a trace mineral that helps the body use and metabolize the female sex hormone estrogen. Boron is also believed to enhance testosterone levels in the blood, which is responsible for sex drive and orgasms in both men and women.

Honey also contains B vitamins that are needed for testosterone.

There is no cardio workout that torches calories and boosts heart rate like running. But getting into the habit of anything for too long can slow results.

The same workout that had you out of breath last week becomes easier: as fitness increases, less progress is achieved in speed, raising heart rate, strengthening muscles and burning calories. In other words, you plateau.

When it comes to working out, the key is to keep the body guessing. By running intervals of different speeds and lengths, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Faster heart rate speeds the breath and pulse, increases alertness, speeds the firing response of muscles and increased metabolic rate means more stored sugars are burned for fuel.

With that in mind, choose a workout below and take it to a track, a field or crank it out on a treadmill. Sprint intervals are interspersed with rests--which can be taken at a walk or a slow jog-for a total distance of two, three or four miles. Note that distances are listed in meters: a half lap of the track is 200 meters or one-eighth of a mile. One lap is 400 meters or one-fourth of a mile. Two laps equals 800 meters or half a mile.

Two Miles: Start off with a

400 meter warm up. Then run two 100 meters fast with a 100 meter rest after each. Run 200 meters fast with a 200 meter rest. Run 400 meters fast with a 400 meter rest. Then drop back down to running 200 meters fast with a 200 meters rest after. Finally, run two 100 meters with a 100 meter rest after each. Finish with a 400 meter cooldown.

Three Miles: Begin with an 800 meter warm up. Start off running two 100 meters fast with a 100 meter rest after each. After that, run two 200 meters fast with a 200 meter rest in between each.

Increase the distance to running 400 meters fast with a 400 meter rest in between. Decrease to running two 200 meters fast with a 200 meter rest in between. Finally, run two 100 meters fast with a 100 meter rest after each. Finish with an 800 meter cooldown.

Four Miles: Warm up with a 1,200 meter jog. Once you’re warm, run two 100 meters fast with a 100 meter rest after each.

After that, increase the distance to 200 meters fast with a 200 meter rest in between each. Then run two 400 meters fast with a 400 meter rest after each. Once those are completed, return to running two 200 meters with a 200 meter rest between each. Finally, run two 100 meters fast with a 100 meter rest after each. Finish with a 1,200 meter cooldown.

16 Health & Fitness

the current

April 11, 2014

Cookbook provides recipes using natural ingredients

By Emma Cotton Assistant Health & Fitness Editor Heidi Swanson’s cookbook, Super Natural Every Day gives a comprehensive insight into cooking simply, healthily, and naturally.

Inspired by her San Franciscan roots, Swanson focuses on maintaining wholesomeness in the ingredients that she uses, from wholewheat pastry flour, to rock sugar, to dried beans. She is vegetarian, and she attempts to keep a simple and wallet-friendly regimen that permeates into her recipes.

Swanson finds her ingredients mainly at local farmers’ markets and independent grocery stores in San Francisco, but with a bit of extra hunting, most of the items she uses can be found at Publix, the Saturday Morning Market, or one of the various health food stores in St. Pete, such as Rollin’ Oats.

The recipes vary from light, easy fruit salads for breakfast filled with apples, raspberries, grapes, figs, and peaches, to a hearty broccoli gribiche for lunch filled with roasted potatoes, red wine vinegar, capers and mustard.

Other great recipes include stuffed tomatoes with couscous, harissa, basil, shallots and a light, thai-inspired summer squash soup full of red thai curry and tofu croutons.

After flipping through the colorful pages of photographed meals and snacks, one arrives at a drinks section. Most of the

beverages only require two or three ingredients, and they range from cucumber coolers with honey and fresh lime, to rose geranium prosecco, to iced ginger tea.

They are simple to make, relatively cheap depending on where you choose to buy ingredients, and equally refreshing.

There’s also Swanson’s “Treats” section which includes cookies, cakes, tarts and puddings that call for whole grain flours, fresh fruits, and natural cane sugar. She even has a section devoted to accompaniments, which she describes as sauces, drizzles, and toppings that add “flavor-packed flair” to her dish. Here she details how to make condiments such as mustard, blackberry-maple photo by Emma Cotton compote, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes and more that you can Heidi Swanson’s super natural every day cookbook. make in bulk to keep in your They carry nutrition into otherwise Redfridge for weeks.

Bull infused late-night studying. Swanson Super Natural Every Day is a great book also creates meals that lend themselves easily to keep on the bookshelf to add variety to vegetarians and gluten-free diets. to the sometimes-repetitive tastes of any This book can be bought from a list of college campus. The recipes are quick and locations found at Heidi Swanson’s website, simple. You can make them between your as well as ordered online from Amazon, fourth class of the day and club meetings.

Borders, or Barnes & Noble.

Herbal remedies: a good alternative to prescription drugs

By Nicole Zavala Staff Writer While people in the U.S. are becoming increasingly familiar with prescription drugs, countries all over the globe already have a large focus on herbal remedies for their health, some which have used them for centuries before the creation of prescription drugs. According to the World Health Organization, up to 80 percent of people worldwide count on the use of plants for medicinal purposes.

Prescription drugs contain unnatural and synthetic compounds. These compounds change the chemistry in the brain and usually end up tricking the body from relaying certain messages to other parts of the body.

While they may also have herbal compounds, herbal supplements only contain natural substances. Using specifically plants, herbal remedies are meant to regulate bodily functions and don’t cause dependence like some prescription drugs do.

While the U.S. doesn’t have a large focus on herbal supplements, some people are becoming more willing and active with them because of the hefty prices prescription drugs carry. As more research is put into this field, more is being learned about how parts of certain plants are able to affect the human body.

There are different herbs that have several effects on one’s health. Making sure to get supplements from reliable providers that are honest with their product is important.

Countries in Europe such as Germany regulate their herbal products. However, according to the FDA, the U.S. government doesn’t regulate herbal remedies. Because of this, ingredients that aren’t listed on the label may be present, which could be dangerous to people with certain allergies.

The U.S. Pharmacopeia, also known as USP, is an independent organization dedi-

cated to the standardization of certain drugs and the health of Americans. You can find a USP seal on selected supplements that have been reviewed for quality and ingredients among other things.

An herb often used are the flowers of the echinacea. Studies linked to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have shown that echinacea may help the immune system when it’s under attack by illnesses like the common cold.

Since students are in such close quarters in college, echinacea can help shorten those unpleasant occurrences when one is sick. It helps lower the length of time one is sick and assists with the weakening of symptoms of certain infections such as yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

Those with autoimmune disorders and allergies may need to avoid the use of Echinacea to avoid undesirable reactions. Caffeine and medications involving metabolic changes or the liver should not be taken with this herbal medicine. Because there are several methods of taking echinacea, the dosage depends on the method used.

Brahmi is a plant that’s been used in traditional Indian medicine and according to webmd.com, studies have shown it helps with improving memory and increasing blood flow to the brain. Students may find this herb helpful during school when exams are coming up or increased amounts of concentration are needed. Unfortunately, some side effects include increased bowel movements and fatigue. However, it’s best used short-term and any dose higher than 300 mg at a time doesn’t show any increased difference.

Hemp seed oil is another herbal supplement that has diet benefits because of the content of omega fatty acids normally found in fish. According to naturalnews.com, the use of fish for their oils is not sustainable and hemp is a great alternative that has the arms are extended

in front of the body in a Swimming makes for an streamline position. The dive down slightly, excellent full body workout hands creating a ripple in which From SWIMMING, page 19

Butterfly: Butterfly is a stroke for advanced swimmers, and is used mainly for fitness and racing. When mastered, it is an excellent core strengthener, but it takes a lot of power. If you have never tried swimming butterfly before, it is easiest to start with the kick.

What makes this kick different is that the legs move together as one in a movement similar to that of a dolphin. To begin,

the entire body follows.

The head follows the hands downward, and the hips flex back and forth as the legs kick together. This is a very strong workout for glutes and hamstrings. To breathe, use the same technique as described for breaststroke. When executed correctly, you will feel the burn in your abdominal muscles.

If you’re looking to try the complete butterfly stroke, add arms to the kick by pushing down hard directly below your chest in

fewer pollutants like mercury usually taint the oil. Considering Eckerd is a school that takes sustainability seriously, students who are on a vegetarian or pescatarian diet should try hemp seed oil supplements if getting the right balance of omega fatty acids is important to them.

Also, because the body doesn’t need to convert the specific acids into something it can use, hemp seed oil has better quality omega fatty acids than fish. Taken regularly, hemp seed oil has been shown to increase attention span in children, help reduce the risk of cancer and assist pregnant women with postpartum depression. In addition, there have been no dangers found with taking large doses hemp seed oil.

Several kinds of experts are available for anyone who wants to look into herbal remedies, such as herbalists and naturopathic physicians. According to the University of Maryland’s Medical Center, naturopathic physicians have interdisciplinary degrees that focus on how natural medicines can help people find their body’s equilibrium.

Students should consider using herbal remedies as an alternative to other forms of medicine. Especially because herbal remedies are directly from the Earth, it’d be using what has already been growing in the ground instead of ingesting materials created in laboratories. If you’re attempting to wean yourself off of a certain prescription or if you’d like to see if specific herbs work for your mentality, these remedies are a great place to start.

Even though herbal supplements can be a great alternative to prescription drugs, it’s still important to talk to your healthcare provider to make sure it doesn’t interfere with other medications you’re taking or negatively affect your lifestyle. It’s critical to do sufficient research when considering the kinds of herbal remedies you’d like to add to your life. a keyhole shape. Bring your arms up out of the water on either side of you, then propel yourself forward into the water by thrusting your arms together in front of you again and diving forward. Here, you are mainly working your deltoid and trapezius muscles. This motion should initiate the full body ripple that precedes the kick, and also works the abs and core.

Learning these strokes is a great way to improve cardio and to strengthen various muscles throughout the body. In time, it will become evident that the most efficient and fastest way to swim the stroke is also the easiest and most natural way for your body to move through the water. Thus, swimming becomes much easier with practice.

Meals with Midge: Curried Lentil Arugula Salad

By MJ Harford Staff Writer A salad like this is perfect for our warmer weather. It’s light, refreshing, yet it has substantial ingredients that will keep you full throughout the day. One of these ingredients is lentils. Lentils are one of my favorite protein sources because they’re a breeze to make, last a week in the fridge, and are naturally flavorful.

Lentils can add that extra oomph to a salad to make it filling and nutritious enough to sustain you all day. Arugula is a naturally energizing green that holds a large vitamin and mineral content. A serving provides similar iron amounts as spinach and it facilitates calcium absorption. The avocado provides a dose of healthy fats that also support the sensation of fullness.

The dressing incorporates yellow curry powder, so if you don’t happen to have that a simple mix of lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic would do the trick.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup dry lentils 2 to 4 cups arugula 1 diced avocado 1/2 diced yellow pepper 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion 1 inch grated garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon madras curry powder 1/4 cup olive oil 3 tablespoons lime juice

Directions: 1. Cook the lentils according to the package.

2. Prepare the dressing by whisking together all the ingredients.

3. Strain any excess water from the lentils. Pour dressing over the lentils and let marinate for around 10 minutes.

4. Combine all ingredients together. *Makes 2 medium size salads

Each issue I’ll be sharing an allergen friendly recipe that is easy, nutritious, and delicious. If you make any of them tag me in your instagram photos (@ midgesmoments) with the hashtag #mealswithmidge. If you have any requests, like converting a classic recipe to its healthier version or particular kind of meal for a particular allergy, send me an email (mjharfor@eckerd.edu).

photo by MJ Harford Curried lentil arugula salad.

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the current

April 11, 2014

Sports 17

Sports Richard CruzSanchez works way up rotation

By Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor

photo by Spencer Yaffe Sophomore Outfielder Kara Oberer steps up to the plate.

Tough Shortstop Kara Oberer fights through pain, stars on diamond

By Mike Geibel Sports Editor When Eckerd softball shortstop, Sophomore Kara Oberer, turned to throw the ball to first base during a practice at the beginning of this season, it was a routine play she had made dozens of times before that day. What she didn’t expect was that the play could put her playing career in jeopardy.

Oberer’s arm collided with a base runner’s helmet just above the wrist. “I thought I broke it at first,” said Oberer. “I couldn’t move it and it hurt a lot.”

After visiting a doctor and learning there was no break, Oberer said she got scared. “Sometimes, a break is better than a tear, because it heals faster and doesn’t need surgery,” she said. The diagnosis from doctors was severe nerve damage that leaves Oberer with numbness from the middle of her forearm down to her fingers on the bottom side of her hand. She also cannot extend her pinky and ring fingers on her throwing hand.

Oberer has been forced to learn to adapt to her new grip but says she feels her throwing hand

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is stronger now. “At first, it was a challenge, but I overcame it and learned to hold the ball in a way that works with my hand,” she said.

Her powerful swing, which placed her as the leader of the team and the conference in home runs, has not been negatively affected by the injury. Oberer and Transfer Junior Erin Dixson are tied for the team lead with six home runs apiece so far this season. “My batting is still fine, because I can still grip the bat. I just can’t extend my two fingers,” said Oberer.

Nerve damage isn’t the only injury that has haunted Oberer this year. In a recent game this spring, Oberer fouled a ball off the handle of her bat which struck her in the face on her mouth and nose.

Oberer tried to continue the atbat, but said the umpire told her she had to leave the game. “I didn’t even know I was bleeding until the ump told me to leave and people started freaking out,” Oberer said.

She tried to tell everyone she was fine, but the words came out mumbled through the swelling and the blood. She couldn’t eat until the swelling went down, and couldn’t laugh without hurting her lip.

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Her mouth healed but Oberer still refuses to wear a facemask.

“I know it’s supposed to protect my face, but you can’t play scared,” she said. “And I feel like I can’t see the ball as well, anyway.”

Those are just the recent injuries. Oberer was also told by her doctor that she has a series of cysts under her trapezius muscle in her shoulder that are inoperable without lifting up the muscle. Her team affectionately calls it her “shoulder tumor” and Oberer says she’s had it for years. “It’s just kinda there.

It comes from playing softball and using my shoulder a lot. People get them all over, mine just happens to be in my shoulder,” she said.

Whatever injuries have popped up, Oberer has faced them head on and continued to succeed in softball. She takes all of the setbacks in stride and pays little mind to the fear of another injury. “It’s been an unlucky year for injuries,” she said.

Already this year she has helped her team break the single-season Eckerd record in wins and earned their first Sunshine State Conference sweep in team history. It has been a banner year for Eckerd softball and Oberer has been a major part of this year’s successes.

Throughout his four years at Eckerd, Senior Richard Cruz-Sanchez has developed into a reliable starter at the top of the Triton’s rotation.

Cruz-Sanchez, who was born in Houston and moved to Frederick, Md. in sixth grade, started playing baseball when he was five. He was mainly a middle infielder, but then started pitching as well at the age of 10. His favorite player growing up was Nomar Garciaparra, a shortstop mostly known for his time with the Boston Red Sox. “Growing up I was a middle infielder mainly,” Cruz-Sanchez said. “Pitching was pretty much second till college, in high school it was a close second. So growing up I watched him and tried being like him. Loved his approach to the game. I wore batting gloves because I saw he did all that stuff with his gloves before his at-bats but I didn’t do that.”

Baseball was a passion for CruzSanchez from an early age, and he realized relatively early that he had a shot of moving on to college ball. “[Playing college baseball] was always a dream of mine but I probably realized I could in eighth or ninth grade,” he said.

Cruz-Sanchez, who is majoring in economics, had a successful high school career at Urbana High School, earning first-team All-Conference and getting selected to the Maryland All-Star Game. Although he also looked at Lafayette, University of North Carolina Asheville and Moravian, he ultimately chose Eckerd for the weather, the high academic standards and because it’s in the Sunshine State Conference, arguably the most competitive Division II conference in the country. His favorite memories at Eckerd include running down the bus for his first road trip and spearfishing with his friend Alfredo.

Although he was named to the Sunshine State Conference Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll during his freshman year, his transition to college on the mound was not as fluid. He finished the year with a 1-0 record in eight appearances, including one start, but had an 11.32 ERA in 10.1 innings of work.

Those poor results didn’t stop Cruz-Sanchez, however, as he worked hard and moved his way up the depth charts. He became one of

the team’s aces last season, when he had a 4.94 ERA in 51 innings of work, and led the team with four victories.

Head Coach Bill Mathews lauds his work ethic.

“Richard Cruz-Sanchez is truly an example of what hard work can do for an athlete at this level,” he said. “Every fall, upon his return, the coaches would see a young man who had committed himself to getting better. He’s worked hard to be our Friday night starter and he deserves every inning that he gets this spring.”

His teammates have also picked up on his hard work.

“After being teammates with him the past four years, I can honestly say that Dickie is a very hard worker, from the extra work and efforts he puts in to be the ace of the Eckerd Triton staff to being the casanova that he is off the field,” Senior Infielder A.J. Witkowski said.

Cruz-Sanchez, compares his pitching style to that of Roy Oswalt, as he achieves his success by mixing a variety of pitches. “I throw a fourseam/two-seam fastball, change up, cutter and curveball,” he said.

As one of the aces of the staff, Cruz-Sanchez has played a big part in the success of the team so far this season. After never finishing with a record better than 19-28 overall or picking up more than five conference wins in the last three seasons, the Tritons are already 20-13 this season, including 8-7 in SSC play.

Although his 5.44 ERA doesn’t jump off the page, his track record and experience have earned him his spot as the team’s number one starter, starting games against SSC opponents every Friday night. He is tied for the staff lead with eight starts, and has a solid 38/16 K/ BB ratio in 44.2 innings pitched.

Cruz-Sanchez’s contributions to the team go well beyond how he performs on the mound, however. He’s very well-liked by his teammates, and is great for the team’s chemistry.

“As a teammate, he’s a great guy to have around, as his sense of humor is infectious,” Mathews said.

“He keeps everyone loose and really shows it’s fun to be at the field everyday. I will miss him for sure.”

Although he’s unsure about what he’s going to do after graduating in May, one thing that is for sure is that with his work ethic and likeability, Cruz-Sanchez will find success in whatever he decides to pursue.

photo by Tyler Cribbs Senior Pitcher Richard Cruz-Sanchez (far right) focusing on game.

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the current

April 11, 2014

UPCOMING

SPORTS April 11

BASEBALL

6 p.m. v. University of Tampa

April 12

BASEBALL

Noon v. University of Tampa (DH)

SOFTBALL

2 p.m. v. Palm Beach Atlantic University (DH)

April 13

MEN’S and WOMEN’S GOLF All Day @ SSC Championship in Dade City

April 14

MEN’S and WOMEN’S GOLF

Sports Briefly Eckerd

World

Baseball Swept by Saint Leo

UConn NCAA National Champion

Eckerd baseball dropped a series to the Saint Leo Lions. The sweep culminated in a doubleheader loss Apr 5. The team will continue to press onward toward the postseason.

Coach Bill Matthews’ final homestand also approaches as he prepares to end his career as the Head Coach of the Baseball team. He is the all time wins leader in Eckerd history.

March Madness ended Apr 7 as University of Connecticut defeated University of Kentucky (60-54). Not many would have predicted the Huskies success as they were seeded seventh. Yet thanks to the strong coaching of Kevin Ollie the Huskies emerged thanks to Tournament Most Outstanding Player Shabazz Napier scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Not many fans’ brackets will agree with the champion, but the test of the NCAA Tournament has proven otherwise.

Sailing victorious at Ohio, fails to qualify for nationals Eckerd’s coed sailing team won the Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.

The team fought difficult weather conditions and plummeting temperatures. Eckerd also competed in SAISA Regionals in Charleston, SC. The Tritons were not able to secure one of the two berths to the national championship, finishing third overall.

Tennis beaten by Saint Leo Eckerd tennis fell to the Saint Leo Lions Apr 5 in straight sets. The men dropped their three match winning streak in their loss to the No. 4 Lions. Meanwhile the women were swept by the Lions in their regular season finale. Both teams will wait for seedings in the upcoming Sunshine State Conference Tournament.

Sri Lanka upsets India Sri Lanka won a squeaker in their first ever appearance in the Cricket Twenty20 World Championships. The Sri Lankans upset the favored India scoring 134 runs in less than 20 overs. India managed only 130 runs in their 20 overs. India has a storied history in cricket winning multiple titles in recent years.

Barcelona hit with Transfer Ban The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has hit reigning LA Liga champions Barcelona with a 14 month transfer ban. The club was caught illegally signing youth players outside of UEFA guidelines.

The club competes in the UEFA Champions League.

All Day @ SSC Championship in Dade City

4 p.m. @ Warner University

MEN’S and WOMEN’S GOLF

April 2 v. Webber International University L 7-1 March 30 v. Lynn University (DH) L 5-4, W 3-1 March 28 v. Lynn University L 5-1 March 26 v. Flagler College L 6-2

April 4 v. Saint Leo University W 2-1 (8 innings)

April 18

SOFTBALL

11 a.m. v. Barry University

April 4 @ Saint Leo University L 7-4

April 5 v. Saint Leo University (DH) W 6-3, W 5-2

All Day @ SSC Championship in Dade City

SOFTBALL

April 5 @ Saint Leo University (DH) L 11-3, L 1-0

Softball

April 15

April 18

Baseball

March 22 v. Rollins College (DH) W 10-2, W 4-1

BASEBALL

5 p.m. v. Barry University (DH)

SCORE BOARD

photo by Spencer Yaffe Senior Outfielder Mike Vavasis runs to first after putting the ball in play.

Winning Shots Send your fan photos to currentsports@eckerd.edu for a chance to be featured in upcoming issues of The Current.

(Senior Day)

April 2 v. Southeastern University (DH) W 4-3, L 4-3 (8 innings) March 30 @ No. 4 University of Tampa (DH) L 2-0, L 2-1 March 28 @ No. 4 University of Tampa L 3-0

BASEBALL

7 p.m. v. Palm Beach Atlantic University

March 26 @ Ave Maria University (DH) W 6-2, W 4-1

April 19

BASEBALL

March 22 @ Lynn University (DH) W 5-3, W 14-11

Noon v. Palm Beach Atlantic University (DH)

photo by Lia Nydes Men’s rugby team after their only home game of the season.

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the current

April 11, 2014

Sports 19

Good Vibes: Your action sports source

Huston wins Tampa Pro

By Dominick Cuppetilli Asst. Sports Editor Well, he’s finally done it. Nyjah Huston has won just about every other contest out there, and now he has finally taken first at the Tampa Pro. The annual skate competition is held right up the road at the Skate Park of Tampa, and is one of the top contests of the year.

Previous winners include Mike Vallely, Eric Koston, and the reigning champ from last year, Luan Oliveira.

Huston has skated in and reached the podium several times before, but this is his first time to win the contest. He would be competing against some of the best of the best all weekend to get there. Among many others, contestants included Manny Santiago, Chris Cole and Skater of the Year Ishod Wair, who all gave solid runs in their route to the finals.

Before the finals would go down though, Silver Trucks presented the best trick contest. All skaters in the contest participated in a rapid-fire contest on the main feature of the park. Shane O’Neill won with an impressive nollie 360 flip nose manual, nollie 360 flip out. Huston took second after winning the best trick last year, and Alex Carolino placed third.

The Tampa Pro wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for the atmosphere the venue provides. It is one of the few contests left where skaters really mix with the audience.

You won’t find too many areas off limits to the public, besides when Lil Wayne shows up with his entou-

rage of security. For the most part though, the contestants don’t have a problem chatting with you for a bit, no matter how big they are.

Sunday afternoon finally came around, and it was time for the 12 remaining skaters of the original 72 to hash it out for first. In the end, it was Huston’s consistency that won him the title. He skated well all weekend, and had already secured his first place position before his final run, allowing him to bust out a glory run just for the fun of it.

Behind Huston on the podium was Chaz Ortiz, who also had a weekend of top notch skating. Ortiz improved his standing from last year placing second instead of third as he did at last year’s contest.

Placing third on the podium was Alec Majerus. The last time Majerus skated at the Skate Park of Tampa was his winning run at the 2012 Tampa Am contest. This was the young skater’s first pro contest, and he surely pleased with a podium finish to start out his pro career.

In addition to the podium awards, two achievement awards were given out. The Skateboard Mag kept an eye out on social media for who fans considered to be their favorite of the contest, and gave out the Fan Favorite award to David Gonzalez. Fender guitars was another sponsor of the event, and gave out the Fender’s Finest award to Evan Smith, who always gives high-energy performances.

After the awards were given out, Champagne was popped and the party kept on going, marking another successful year at the Tampa Pro. Evan Smith doing a frontside feeble at Tampa Pro.

photo by Dominick Cuppetilli

photo by Dominick Cuppetilli Nyjah Huston in his qualifying run at the 2014 Tampa Pro. Consistent skating throughout the weekend allowed Huston to win the contest.

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the current

April 11, 2014

Sports

Lacing up the cleats for one last game

By Mike Geibel Sports Editor

photo by Spencer Yaffe Freshman Outfielder Caitlin Belber squares up the ball.

Softball earns historic win in SSC series sweep

By Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor The softball team is coming off of their biggest weekend in team history, as they swept Saint Leo University in a three-game series April 4 and 5.

Not only was this their first series sweep of a Sunshine State Conference opponent since the threegame series were implemented in 2004, but it improved their record to 22-19 overall, and 8-10 in SSC play.

With those 22 wins, the 2014 Tritons have officially passed the 2009 team for most wins in a single season.

“It’s the most gratifying feeling knowing that everything we’ve worked for this year is finally coming together,” Junior Pitcher Erin Dixson said. “We’ve always had the talent to win, it was just a matter of putting it together and becoming a team. This weekend we put every puzzle piece together and we produced an outcome that was true to our abilities.”

Eckerd, who went into the series having lost four of their last five games, took the first game 2-1 in extra innings. Junior Pitcher Amber Hay starred on the mound for the Tritons, allowing just one run in eight innings on the mound.

Her performance allowed the Tritons to stay in the close contest despite a slumping offense.

Dixson then delivered a walk-off capped off a three-run third inning homer in the bottom of the eighth rally with an RBI double and also inning to give Eckerd the win. It homered in the fifth inning. It was was her fifth homer of the season. her sixth homer on the season, tying The big win seemed to give the her with Dixson for the team lead.

The Tritons still have 12 more Tritons some confidence back, and their offense gained some momen- games left on their schedule tum. They won their two games the to try to build on their recordfollowing day by scores of 6-3 and 5-2. breaking win total. They reIn the first game, three big sume their SSC schedule with a home runs gave Dixson all the sup- three-game home series against port she needed to earn her 12th Barry University April 17 and 18. win of the season. In the first inning, Junior Catcher Sydney Dinelli gave the Tritons with a three-run homer, her third of the season.

They then extended their lead to 6-2 two innings later, on a solo shot by Sophomore Shortstop Kara Oberer and a two-run homer by Dixson. In the third and final game of the series, Hay picked up another complete game victory, this time holding the Lions to one earned run in seven innings.

The Tritons again scored early and often, as Senior Outfielder Chelsea Jeffares led off the bottom of the first photo by Spencer Yaffe with her second homer of the season. Oberer Junior Amber Hay getting ready to pitch.

It was the first time I had woken up nervous for a game in years.

It was only a friendly match, and had no bearing on our conference standing at all, but for me it was the biggest game I’d ever play.

For years, collegiate rugby has been a major part of my life. Since my first practice at Georgia Tech as a freshman until my senior year at Eckerd, the game of rugby has been a cornerstone to my experience that I could always rely on and has given me memories that will last forever.

And now, as I write this column, wearing the school colors and representing Eckerd College on the field has become a thing of the past. My career at the college level has ended.

April 5 was a hot day at Eckerd.

The sun beat down on the field and baked the grass until the ground was dry and warm to the touch. The fans came out in bathing suits and tank tops to soak up the rays while we prepared to play our first and only home match of the spring season.

I waited to enter the game until just after halftime. I substituted into the game immediately into a lineout. My stomach was in knots as I jogged to my position. I heard my friends cheering for me but it sounded muted, far away, like a television left on in the background of another activity. Nerves have never gotten to me, but on the field that day, they buzzed like a thousand bees inside my bones.

We won the lineout but the referee called it back, claiming the throw-in wasn’t straight down the middle. The nervous thoughts swirled in my head.

Miami’s ball.

I’m rattled. Why am I so nervous?

Reset.

Is this really my last game here?

Reposition.

I have to play well. Pressure’s on.

Wait.

Your friends are here.

And LIFT. Make a play. Do something.

The ball bounced off both jumpers’ hands and dropped just behind Miami’s players. One of their forwards scooped it up and charged into our defensive line. I realized I hadn’t moved at all since the lineout. The Miami player was tackled and I snapped back into the present.

Before I knew what was happening, I was in the ruck. Suddenly, the nerves were gone. I had gotten my first hit in and it had pushed everything else out of my head. It was no longer my last game, it was every individual second, right now, in the present.

One moment at a time ticked away and everything slowed down.

Get low and DRIVE. We pushed over the ruck and stole the ball back for our offense. The fans on the sidelines faded out of my view until all I saw was the game in front of me.

Miami had the ball again. What happened? It doesn’t matter, just play.

They were close to scoring, only five meters from the line. I took my place and waited for the next wave of attack. We fought them off for what seemed like hours.

I had my greatest tackle of the season on their scrumhalf, a punishing hit that drove him back almost 15 feet. I faintly heard the crowd cheer but I was back in the zone which I’ve been so comfortable in for the past several years.

I got into ruck after ruck for the rest of my time in the game. I touched the ball once, on a kickoff that I caught cleanly and immediately took into a tackle.

It wasn’t until after the final whistle, signalling a 25-19 victory for Eckerd, that it began to sink in.

I would never wear the blue jersey of Eckerd College Rugby Football Club again. I pulled everyone together and thanked them for sending me out on such a high note.

My teammates were the first group of friends I had at Eckerd, and they had put an exclamation point on the end of my career.

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