Issue 8 by The Current

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

Vol. 4, Issue 8—Feb. 15, 2013

Dragonboat makes maiden voyage

Viewpoints

Boy Scouts vote delayed The Boy Scouts of America once again delay their vote to include LGBT members in the organization. page 9

Entertainment

Lonely and loving it Find yourself alone among the sappy Valentine’s of this Hallmark holiday? Get clued in to fun things to do without a lover on the 14th. page 13

The Quickie

Club spotlight Tennis club provides students with fun, exercise and outlet for stress relief while looking for new members. page 17

Health & Fitness

Homemade facial treatment Check out page 19 for some household items that can improve dry skin, acne scars and complexion. page 19

Sports

EC finishes third in regatta Eckerd sailing started off the spring season with a third place finish in the Bay just off campus Feb. 9-10. page 24

photo by Bill Stickley

Members of the Eckerd College Search and Rescue team, along with members of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College, joined students at the Wallace Boathouse Feb. 8 to celebrate the Chinese New Year and launch the completed project. See page 6 for more images from the ceremonies.

Students travel to D.C. for second round of pipeline protests By Taylor Glaws Quickie Editor More than 100 Eckerd College students plan to join thousands of other activists from around the country Feb. 17 in Washington, D.C., to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. Again. The protest, known as the Forward on Climate Rally, is anticipated to be the largest ever on climate

change. This is the second year in a row that students will participate in the EC to DC movement, which is made up of members of the Sustainability Club, as well as other environmentally conscious students. While the movement is not officially a club and does not have a president, it is led by a group of students including Alexandra Hogan, Lauren Horning and Junior

By Aaron Levy Asst. News Editor

Please Recycle

INDEX:

News 2-8

involved. At a senate meeting Feb. 10, Horning, Hogan and Calder detailed the finances of the trip when requesting the contribution of funds from the ECOS budget. They met with the Executive Council the prior week after a request to ICV directed them to ECOS. They explained to the senators that the expected rental and gas cost for each of the 10 vans would be

$700, totaling $7,000. Lodging was offered at two separate churches in the D.C. area, with the first extending an offer for 30 students to stay for free and the second requesting $5 from each person staying there. A total lodging expenditure of up to $500 was expected. The funds acquired See EC to DC, page 5

Familial ties found between students, faculty as Eckerd keeps it in the family

Seminole mayor teaches at EC Eckerd’s well rounded staff continues to grow and draw new, experienced personalities to teach new courses. The newest addition: Professor Leslie Waters, adjunct professor of political science. Soon to be sworn in as mayor of Seminole, Fla., Waters has served as vice mayor and currently holds the position of interim mayor. “I like Professor Waters,” says Sophomore Ryan Wheeler, “I think she’s pretty intense but brings a lot of real world experience.” Waters grew up and lived in Eckerd’s backyard of Gulfport where she attended Boca Ciega High School. She attended St. Petersburg Junior College, now Saint Petersburg College, before going on to graduate from Florida State University with a B.S. in English and speech education and a Master of Science in counseling and student personnel. Before politics, Waters had a long career with Allstate Insurance Company, working in human resources, corporate relations and government relations management. After 29 years, she decided to run for the Florida House of Representatives, where she eventually became speaker pro tempore. “It was an

Julia Calder. After students traveled to the nation’s capital in 2012 to participate in the first protest, the single largest group to attend at 250 strong, student support for a second trip was easily found. Funding for the cost of van rentals, gasoline and lodging was gathered from a variety of sources, with much coming from friends and families of those

By Mike Geibel Sports Editor

courtesy of Leslie Waters Mayor Leslie Waters.

honor and privilege to serve the citizens of House District 51 and the over 19 million Floridians,” Waters said in an email interview. Waters says she has vast experience in both local and state government, the two components of her class at Eckerd called “Urban Politics and Government,” a class she described as “one of her favorites.” After leaving the Florida House in 2006, Waters ran for a seat on the Seminole City Council where she has served since. Her experience tops off EC’s strong political science collegium. She describes her course as “a perfect addition to an already terrific political science curriculum offered at Eckerd See WATERS, page 6

Viewpoints 9-12

Entertainment 13-16

community as closelyknit as Eckerd’s is a large draw for potential students. Another draw that can often be overlooked is the family connection shared by many of the students. It seems that a higher-than-average percentage of Eckerd students have siblings or parents who attended the school. There are several sets of siblings on campus who are evidence of this phenomenon. Senior Colby Hause is close to her younger sister, Sophomore Julia. The two are the driving force behind the field hockey club on campus and often hang out in their spare time. They share friends in the Eckerd community along with interests and extracurricular activities. “It’s interesting because we will bicker and get on each other’s nerves at home, as most siblings do, but at school I can’t imagine not

getting along with her,” said Colby. She also discussed how the dynamic of the sisters is very positive, but not overwhelming. “Both of us being here has only made Eckerd an even more special place to me. We definitely both have our own lives and identities here, but we spend a lot of time together and are always there to support each other unconditionally.” This is the final year that the sisters will share the Eckerd experience because Colby is set to graduate this spring. Another interesting set of sibling students are the Gardner sisters. Two alums and two current students share this sibling connection. The older of the current students, Junior Allison, feels that she got the best experience of the family, having spent time at Eckerd with all three of her sisters for at least one year of her college career. “Being able to share my college experience with my sisters has been nothing

The Quickie 17-18 Health & Fitness 19-20 Sports 21-24

short of invaluable. There’s something special about going through it together, having someone you can trust, someone who will absolutely never steer you wrong. When it comes down to it, sorority sisters have nothing on us. There’s just nothing like the real thing,” she said. The two current Gardner students also work in Campus Activities together. The sisters’ banter during these work times shows a strong connection. The two can often be found collaborating to finish crossword puzzles or schoolwork in the Campus Activities office when not busy as office assistants. “We help one another study. We spend most of our time together laughing at our own hilarious jokes. Whenever I can give her advice or help her out, I remember how [older siblings] Anna and Abby treated me and I take it as a chance to pay it forward,” said See FAMILY, page 6

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

Feb. 15, 2013

LET’S BE BRIEF By Kelly Coston & Aaron Levy Asst. News Editors

Global

National

Reuters

Criminal investigations have been launched in Britain after horsemeat was found in products labeled as beef at several major English retailers including Burger King and supermarket firm Tesco. Large amounts of horse meat were also found in French-made Findus “Beef Lasagne” which may have contained no beef at all. English Prime Minister David Cameron called the incident “a shocking story” and “completely unacceptable.” Initial investigations revealed the meat is likely to have originated from Romania, although a Dutch and Cypriot trader had also been involved. Prime Minister Cameron explained the food posed no health risks. “There is no reason to believe that any frozen food currently on sale is unsafe or a danger to health,” he said.

Southern California authorities have offered a sum of $1 million for information leading to the capture of 33 year-old Christopher Dorner, the ex-officer suspected of murdering three people, including a police officer, last week. In addition to responding to tips, police are protecting dozens of families believed to be possible next targets for Dorner, who is believed to be attacking those he holds responsible for his falling out with the LAPD five years ago. “This is an act, make no mistake about it, of domestic terrorism,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, who refused to comment on whether the reward would be offered should Dorner be found dead or alive. Dorner’s burnt out car was found with weapons inside it near Big Bear, California last week. He is believed to be hiding in The San Bernandino Mountains.

Horse meat scandal shocks British, French

Benedict XVI becomes first pope to resign since 1415 A.D.

AP Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI resigned from the papacy, an action no Pope has taken in more than 1000 years since Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415 to resolve a dispute, known as the Great Western Schism. The conclave will move immediately to find the next Pope before Easter, avoiding the 9 days of mourning that traditionally accompanies the death of a Pope. In a few latin words, the Pope told his cardinal colleagues his “strength of mind and body” had diminished too much to continue holding the position. Not even his closest aides knew of his decision in advance. Benedict became the oldest Pope elected in 300 years at the age of 78. Several incidents have overshadowed his papacy, including a worldwide clerical sex abuse scandal. Possible successors include Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, and Cardinal Schoenborn, archbishop of Vienna.

New general takes control of U.S. / NATO forces in Afghanistan

AP Marine General Joseph Dunford took control of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan Feb. 10, succeeding General John Allen, who has been nominated to lead NATO forces in Europe. Allen steps down from the position following a Pentagon investigation of questionable email exchanges with the Florida woman linked to the ClA General Petraeus sex scandal. It is likely that Dunford will oversee the final stretch of the war in Afghanistan, and help organize the withdrawal of forces scheduled to occur during the next 23 months. He will also help Afghanistan facilitate their next Presidential election in 2014.

Still no sign of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

$1 million offered for information on murderous ex-LAPD officer

Tornado tears through Mississippi, injures at least 60

AP A tornado tore through three counties in southern Mississippi Feb. 11, causing significant damage in at least 3 counties and injuring at least 60 people. Experts described the twister as an EF3 category tornado that caused a path of destruction 75 miles long. While most tornados travel only a few miles, this storm cell was moving faster than usual with wind speeds reaching 145 mph in Hattiesburg. As of Monday, the storm had not been reported as causing fatalities. Due to factors like the University of Southern Mississippi being emptier than usual for Mardi Gras, businesses being closed on Sunday and advanced warning systems, no lives were lost.

Nemo dumps three feet of snow on northeast coast AP

Winter Storm Nemo dumped up to 3 feet of snow in some parts of New England and New York this past weekend, causing as many as 650,000 homes and businesses to be without power. While some power had been restored and roads plowed by Monday morning, most schools remained closed. The storm is being blamed for at least 15 deaths in Canada and the U.S., and more are expected as temperatures rise and roofs with accumulated snow start to collapse. Two people died Feb. 9 from fumes in running cars, believed to have been caused by snow-clogged tailpipes. Most airports and transit services resumed normal service Monday, with no more than brief delays expected.

AP Two months ago, President Chavez of Venezuela boarded a plane bound for Cuba to undergo his fourth cancer related surgery. Since then, Chavez has not been seen or spoken publicly, which leads many in the South American county to believe that he is in poor health, possibly pointing to the need for a new President. While specific government officials have supposedly visited a stable Chavez in Cuba, feelings are not so optimistic in Venezuela, where the president used to make TV appearances nearly every day. “The transition has also begun in people’s heads,” said Venezuelan sociologist Tulio Hernandez, “Sometimes, there are mistakes among government spokespeople, who start to speak of Chavez in the past tense.” If the 58 year-old president was to fall victim to illness or become unable to serve, a new presidential election would take place within 30 days.

Bacon lovers flock to Iowa for Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival

Local

Campus

Police chief increases police presence in downtown St. Pete

Kappa adds new skate ramps

Thousands traveled to Iowa’s capital city of Des Moines Feb. 9 for the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, an event co-founder Brooks Reynolds described as a “bacon fellowship” and the largest bacon showcase in the world. Over 10,000 lbs of bacon were consumed at the annual festival, where the meat was prepared in unusual ways like bacon-flavored cupcakes, bacon gelato and bacon gumbo. Urbandale, Iowa resident Mike Vogel said a widespread love of the savory pork was responsible for about 8,000 tickets to the festival selling out in three minutes. Festival events included lectures on bacon, eating competitions and a bacon queen pageant.

baynews9.com

Downtown St. Pete has become such a popular destination on the weekend that Police Chief Chuck Harmon is assigning officers longer shifts Wednesday through Saturdays, from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Extending the shifts will save the city around $13,000 a month and 300 hours in overtime. Chief Harmon told the city council this temporary change could become permanent.

Woman shot at Gasparilla night parade baynews9.com

A 23-year-old woman was hit in the leg by a stray bullet during the Gasparilla Knight Parade in Ybor City Feb. 9, according to Tampa police. Police said that after the event, an altercation occurred between two groups in the crowded area of 16th Street and East 7th Avenue. A gun was fired and a stray bullet struck Camile Prince in the back of the upper left thigh, police said. She was transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. No suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made.

400 people to lose their jobs after pier demolition tbo.com

The May 31 demolition of the St. Pete pier will force 400 people out of a job. The Pier’s small retail stores are still searching for vacant retail lots in other areas of the city as only four months remain in the pier’s life span. Business owners say no other location in Pinellas County can match the pier, with its views of both Tampa Bay and the St. Pete skyline, which sees approximately 800,000 visitors per year. Everyone from property management staff to valet parking attendants will be thrown back into the job market come May.

BP grants money to Pinellas County stpete.patch.com

BP is set to give Pinellas County $500,000 to help recover from the 2010 oil spill. The grant money will be used to help fuel the county’s tourism and seafood industries. According to county documents, “While tourism has rebounded in the two years since the ‘Deepwater Horizon’ oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, the local seafood industry has not. Despite repeated statements from scientists that Gulf of Mexico seafood is safe to eat, the perception still persists that Gulf seafood is tainted.”

photo by Caroline Campbell Students test out the new skate ramps in the Kappa courtyard.

Eckerd College Dolphin Project helps students as well eckerd.edu

The Eckerd College Dolphin Project is made up of a student team that conducts population surveys of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) during the summer months. The project objectives are to train students in the processes of field research, literature review, scientific writing and analytical thinking of dolphin populations; information that can be used to help conserve the population. The project has been working to better understand the dolphin population dynamics and ecology in Tampa Bay since it began in 1993.

Sixth annual surreal film competition eckerd.edu

The Eckerd Visual Arts program, the Office of the Dean of Students and the Salvador Dalí Museum announced the Sixth Annual Surreal Film Competition, which is open to students and alumni. The competition will be a part of Eckerd’s celebration of Surreal Week, scheduled for March 2 - 9. Entry forms are available through the Eckerd College website.

Shakespeare exhibition takes over Cobb Gallery

eckerd.edu

Ruth Pettis, Eckerd alumna and local calligrapher, has an exhibit of the complete writings of all of William Shakespeare’s sonnets in an art exhibition. “Full Many a Glorious Morning Have I Seen... 154 Sonnets of Shakespeare, 10 Years of Calligraphy by Ruth Pettis ‘78” will be on display in Cobb Gallery until March 15. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

the current

Feb. 15, 2013

NEWS Tarzan travels the world By Hailey Escobar Asst. News Editor

Though he is only 20, Sophomore Mickey Mittermeier has traveled from Madagascar to Antarctica. He has come across many people, including everything from remote indigenous people in South America, Africa and Asia, to famous personalities like Harrison Ford and Adrian Peterson. He’s seen species of animals that are now extinct in the wild. However, when he’s at Eckerd College, he can be seen freeclimbing the trees of Slater Woods, almost as if he were his inspiration, Tarzan. Those at Eckerd quickly took notice of Mittermeier’s love of travel. “From his first week in Autumn Term, Mickey showed he had the spirit of a globe trekker,” his Autumn Term Professor Mary Meyer McAleese said. “He has a deep passion for exploring other parts of the world in order to get to know the terrain, the people, and their cultural traditions and respect for other cultures.” As of January, Mittermeier has traveled to 67 different countries. His latest country was Turkey which he visited while studying abroad over Winter Term with the Sacred Byzantium course. Mittermeier has traveled all of his life, having taken his first trip when he was just two

Mickey hangin’ out at the Tarzan Centennial.

years old to Australia and Indonesia. Traveling is in his DNA. His father is the president of Conservation International, one of the largest NGOs in the world, and his mother is currently a photographer for National Geographic. Of all of the places that Mittermeier has been, he can’t pick just one as his favorite. “I would have to say that it’s a tie probably between Madagascar, Seychelles--an island chain off the coast of Madagascar, Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Disney World,” he says. His passion doesn’t only lie in travel. Mittermeier is also passionate about what he calls “natural athletics” or MovNat. Those who have seen Mittermeier hanging out in the trees have seen a part of MovNat, a form of fitness that puts an emphasis on exercising in a natural environment. Both of Mittermeier’s passions stem from the inspiration of “Tarzan and the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs. “The reason that I travel and do everything I do is because of the influence that my dad had from reading the Tarzan books and, by reading them, it not only led us on some crazy adventures, but it also inspired me to understand the human body in a way that isn’t really understood by many. When you see Tarzan, you see this person who grew up in the

Mickey and his dad enjoy the African scenery.

rainforest, grew up in the jungle and as a result, he’s just strong, powerful and clever; everything as a result of being in a natural environment.” His love for the character also led him to the Tarzan Centennial last summer in Tanzana, Calif. During his time at the convention, he was interviewed by two different documentaries that were there. One was a German documentary that was covering the Tarzan story and asked Mittermeier about his influences and tree climbing. The second was with Lisa Maria Salb, granddaughter of Johnny Weissmuller, who Mittermeier called “arguably the best Tarzan in the history of cinema.” Despite having traveled to so many places, there are still many more places Mittermeier wishes to see. Some of the locations include more of West Africa, more of Southeast Asia, the South Pacific Islands and various tree climbing cultures that he has yet to visit. “[Mittermeier] has a deep passion for exploring other parts of the world in order to get to know the terrain, the people and their cultural traditions. Eckerd is the perfect college for him. I am sure he will continue to develop this passion for traveling and his respect for other cultures,” Meyer McAleese said. By the looks of it, Mittermeier isn’t going to stop circling the world anytime soon.

photos courtesy of Mickey Mittermeier Mickey playing with lemurs in Madagascar, Africa.

Environmental film festival line-up:

All films are shown in Miller Auditorium, free of charge

Feb. 15, 7 p.m. “The Elusive Wild” The Hunter A man in search of an extinct animal finds himself in the middle of a conflict.

Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Feb. 17, 3 p.m. “Images of Climate Change” “Eco-Movements” Chasing Ice A Fierce Green Fire- The A photographer sets out Battle for a Living Planet to document and observe A collection of firsthand the impact climate change stories about the envihas on the environment. rontmental movement.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

INSIDE NEWS Student tattoos

Family ties

ECOS Senators

Blast from the past

By Rhemy Brezin ECOS President Calling all Zeta residents: ECOS will be conducting a campaign to elect a new senator for your complex. The Student Senate is designed to bring ECOS to your front door. Each dorm complex elects a senator to represent its needs and identity to the Senate. Senators are responsible for passing legislation, organizing events, overseeing the distribution of ECOS funds and holding a check on the Executive Council of ECOS. This senator will be in office until September 2013. Senate is headed by Executive Vice President Eliza van Dissel and meets once a week for about an hour. This year alone, they have supported a Welcome Back party at the GO Pavillion, the Halloween party in Slater’s Woods, the Keystone pipeline protest, EC Smoke Free initiative push and pocket ashtrays, the Beta expression board, Zeta lounge dishes, West Lodge T-shirts, pool cues and overall lounge improvements, campfire with potential students on South Beach, bike/longboard forum, Iota meditation room furnishings and a variety of complex bonding events, including the Omega Cookout, Gamma/Alpha pancakes and an off-campus cookout. Campaigning is from Feb. 11-14. Voting begins at 8 a.m., Feb. 15, on ECWeb. To vote, login to ECWeb and scroll down to “Elections and Surveys,” then select “Senate Elections” and cast your vote. This is your chance to have your voice heard within the Zeta Complex so get out there and get informed. What will your new senator do for you? We in ECOS are excited to find out.

Contact ECOS President Rhemy Brezin at ecospres@eckerd.edu

Feb. 18, 7 p.m. “Spiritual Ecology” Samsara A collection of images from all over the world showcasing connections between all ways of life.

Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Feb. 21, 7 p.m. “Eco-Horror” “Silenced by Corporations” “What We Eat” “Real Eco-Horrors” In Organic We Trust The Bay Big Boys Gone Bananas Poisoned Waters A film that explores the A real life horror stoA documentary about the The dangers and condibanana industry and the meaning of the term ‘or- tinos of America’s great ry about the pollupower of corportations in it. ganic’ and if it is just waterways are explored. tion in Chesapeake Bay. used as a marketing tool.

News 3

Feb. 23, 7 p.m. “Rare Humanity” Contact A group of women in a desert in Australia are filmed encountering white people for the very first time.

4 News

the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Marked for life: Tattoo trends and tips for those going under the needle By Myriah Wagner Contributing Writer This is not about the everyday ink you’ll find on papers from your professors. This is about the ink you’ll find on your fellow students — maybe even on your professors. Getting a tattoo is a big deal. If you are willing to pay the money to get a tattoo, it is advisable to spend the time thinking about something that you are not going to regret later in your life. Many students get their first tattoo after they turn 18, or during their years in college. Getting a tattoo is not something to be taken lightly. This is a decision that you need to make on your own and for yourself, because it is your body. Sophomore Kevin Peterson is open-minded to the concept of tattoos. “If they look cool and you like them it’s a good thing, but when people get stupid things they’ll clearly regret, it’s a really bad idea,” he said. Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and have been looked at in many different ways. Over the years tattoos have been linked to a lot of negative feedback due to many violent crimes and promiscuous men and women who happen to have tattoos. For this reason, it can be harder to get a job with visible tattoos. Tattoos may be acceptable around friends and family, but consider the future; do not forget to think about how a tattoo will affect you when looking for a sustainable and permanent job. Tattoos have been seen in the workplace as unprofessional and disrespectful. Some in the younger generations feel that the workplace will begin becoming more open to the idea of tattooed employees. “I think they are definitely becoming more accepted as our generation becomes more and more intrigued by them,” said Freshman Nicholas Hildebrandt. There are many people in this world who do not want to get a tattoo. It is important to not feel pressured into getting one. “I think tattoos can be meaningful and can be a great way to express yourself, but I have seen too many regretted tattoos. There are less permanent ways to express yourself or to get across a certain message than putting ink on your body,” said Freshman Riley Huff. Not only is it important to think about what you want to get as a tattoo, but also where you want it placed on your body. “[Tattoos] are becoming more and more acceptable these days. If they’re covered by clothes your employers don’t even have to know,” said Peterson. Tattoos have always been seen as a cultural thing from ancient times where getting a tattoo was seen as a prize for a courageous or very important event that a person went through. Many people today use tattoos to tell stories to remind themselves of events that were important, inspiring and influential to their way of living. Un d e r s t a n d i n g your art piece is just as important as where it is placed on your body. Many people have chosen to get tattoos of their favorite quote or word. Sometimes the word isn’t in their native language, and they later find photo by Myriah Wagner out the translation Kevin Peterson’s right torso tattoo. was not what they

had intended. This is a mistake that occurs frequently with English speakers choosing Asian characters. When you have gotten to the stage where you have thought about whether you want a tattoo, what design you want, and where you want it placed on your body, the time has come for you to run a background check. It’s advisable to do a little bit of research in order to determine a good tattoo shop and artist. A good place to start is by asking people you know who have tattoos, where they got their tattoo done and if the experience was a good one. Next, go online and do a little digging on the artists and the shop where that artist works. Sophomore Madeline Schley shared what she looked for when getting her tattoos. “I would look at the artist’s portfolios and then, based on what the image is and what style I want, I would pick the best artist for the job,” said Schley. Once you have found a tattoo shop and have met an artist, don’t hesitate to insist on seeing their sterilization equipment and sealed gear. You can also ask the artist if you can observe them while they work on a tattoo for another person. Now, the design, location, shop and artist have all been selected. All you need to do is pick a date and a time. It’s in your best interest to make an appointment for your first tattoo. This allows time to plan and prepare your mind to go through the pain that comes with getting a tattoo and the exhaustion you feel afterward. Bringing a friend can help you stay distracted and calm, like Junior Dana Schletter did. “When I got my first tattoo, I brought a friend to distract me and it didn’t hurt at all,” Schletter said. “But when I got my second tattoo, the friends I brought were just watching the artist and it was so much more painful than my first time.” Now that you have been through all the major steps and the painful process of getting a tattoo, you can relax. Every tattoo shop will give you a different set of care instructions for the healing process. Something they will all agree with is leave it alone. Do not pick, soak, poke or otherwise irritate a healing tattoo. A fresh tattoo is an open wound and needs to be treated as such. When you mess with it before a new layer of skin has had the chance to grow and protect the ink, the tattoo becomes more susceptible to infection and fading. Tattoos can be artistic, visual, highly personal statements about your inner life. They can let people know who you are without speaking a word. It can take a lot to commit to and adore something as permanent as a tattoo. There are many other ways to non-verbally express yourself without it being permanent. Piercing different places on your body, coloring or cutting your hair and changing clothes you wear all send a temporary message, but tattoos are just about as “forever” as it gets. With careful planning, this self expression should add an individual flair to your physique for the rest of your life.

photo by Myriah Wagner Ricky Allen Wilson’s Blink 182 shoulder tattoo.

photo by Myriah Wagner Madeline Schley’s foot tattoo.

photo by Myriah Wagner Sarah Catherine Kerr’s wrist tattoo.

photo by Alex Zileinski Cait Duffy’s left torso tattoo.

Campus Safety brings in local reinforcements

By Hailey Escobar Asst. News Editor

As the students of Eckerd were on their way home for winter break, Campus Safety explored each dorm on campus for locked windows and lofted beds. Every year, Campus Safety conducts these room checks to make sure that students are safe and following regulations during the school year. When a student doesn’t follow these rules, they will be greeted with a note from campus safety upon their return stating that the student now owes a fine or that a restricted item was confiscated. This year’s inspection was even more thorough than last year due to the addition of the fire marshall. Coordinator of Community Standards Lori Meehan stated, “The inspection by the fire marshall resulted in Campus Safety Officers entering all rooms twice, as opposed to once, which resulted in more thorough overall checks of the residence

halls.” Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Adam Colby explained that Fire Marshall inspections are supposed to be yearly, in hopes of catching anything that campus safety may have missed or overlooked. Due to communication issues, last year’s inspection was skipped, making this is the first inspection in two years. Campus Safety did see changes concerning certain violations around campus. According to Colby and Meehan, there was a decrease in lofted beds, including beds stacked on desks, dressers and even on top of one another to create bunk beds. While this decrease was optimistic, Colby still hoped to see lower numbers of other violations. “You know what I would like to see decrease? Candles, and the reason for it is it’s an open flame,” he said. He suggested that instead, students use Glade products, reed diffusers or electric candles that don’t involve a flame. There was also an increase in the use of extension cords.

Colby worries that because of the increase of technology, the number of high wattage equipment going into cheap cords. This could possibly cause the cords to overheat and become a fire hazard in a cramped dorm. Meehan hopes that students understand that Campus Safety wants to get them into trouble. “Most of all, I would want students to know that they are written up or have items confiscated not because we do not want them to have these items, but because we want to keep the residence halls safe,” she stated. “Commonly violated policies are easy to avoid and there are alternatives to pursue that could easily result in less write-ups or confiscations.” Now that the room checks have passed, many items lie waiting to be retrieved by their owners. Colby recommends that all students who had items confiscated should pick up their belongings in the Community Standards office. Meehan has made it clear that students with confiscated items will receive emails soon and that the Student Community Standards Board is currently hearing all winter room check cases.

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the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Students from Eckerd prepare to protest Keystone XL Pipeline in Washington, D.C.

Sept. 2008

TransCanada submits application to US State Department for 1,700 mile Keystone XL Pipeline

April 2010

DoS releases a draft of its Environmental IMpact Statement (EIS), stating the pipeline will have “limited adverse environmental impacts during both construction and operation.”

Oct. 2010

Former Secretary of state Hillary Clinton says, “we are inclined” to approve the project.

Jan. 2011

TransCanada agrees to 57 safety measures created by the State Department and Hazardous Materials Saftey Administration

July 2011

House passes the North American-Made Energy Security Act, requiring President Obama to make a decision regarding the Keystone XL pipeline by Nov. 1, 2011

Nov. 2011

President Obama delays the project due to environmental concerns in Nebraska. Says no decision will be made before 2012 election.

Jan. 2012

Obama denys Keystone XL pipeline permit, requiring more environmtenal examination before resubmitting.

Feb. 2012

TransCanada announces the beginning of construction on the OK to TX portion of the pipeline, as it does not require presidential approval.

April 2012

TransCanada proposes alternate route through Kansas.

Jan. 2013

Governor of Nebraska approves new route.

up to this point were a combination of $30 deposits from students, $50 deposits from non-students, a $21 fundraising total and donations from family, friends and clubs, including $2,000 from the Sierra Club. The donations from clubs created a stir among the senators. While some supported the concept of clubs supporting a cause, others were concerned that the members of the club aren’t being accurately represented. “This has never been done before, or Hardisty if it has, it hasn’t been done by multiple clubs,” said O’Donnell. “The issue becomes [whether supporting the cause] is representative of all the club’s members.” The senate voted to approve a contribution of $500 to the trip. Steele City Patoka Environmentalists around the country have made various arguments against the construction Cushing of the pipeline, which would extend from oil sands in Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Some are Port concerned about the damage to the environment Arthur Houston that may result from the oil sands extraction process, which is more difficult and less energy efficient than Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline extraction from other sources. Others are concerned Existing Keystone Pipeline about habitat destruction and land degradation along the pipeline; the project was delayed last year after citizens in Nebraska demanded that it be rerouted around important aquifers reports the New York Times. More fear that the pipeline will feed the country’s dependency on fossil fuels, and inhibit the development of cleaner energy sources. Yet some see the pipeline as an opportunity to get people excited about protesting against the use of fossil fuels in general. As Daniel Yergin, author of cumulative impact to GDP over next “The Prize” and Chairman of Information Handling 25 years Services (IHS) told the New York Times, “the pipeline is a convenient device for fighting a larger = 500 jobs battle.” This attitude is an important aspect of the EC to DC movement. “Our hope is that...through this Keystone pipeline, we can get kids excited about fighting against fossil fuels,” said Junior Julia Calder, “ and then we can do other events on campus and off campus.” Calder went on to say that “we should practice what we preach,” claiming that a move away from fossil fuels is particularly important to Eckerd, where students like to think of themselves as attending an environmentally sustainable school. While environmentalist arguments against the pipeline seem strong in the face of recent weather disasters like Superstorm Sandy and last year’s record setting drought, some are not convinced. Freshman Brian Jenkins feels that the economic benefits of the pipeline offset the environmental costs. “There is strong evidence to suggest that the pipeline will have a strong positive impact on unemployment and U.S energy independence,” said Jenkins. In his testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, Daniel Yergin expanded on the geopolitical benefits of the development of North American energy sources, such as natural gas and oil sands. “It is sobering to consider that, without this increase in oil output...the sanctions on Iranian oil exports might well have failed,” said Yergin in an interview with IHS, referring to the sanctions that have been a key leveraging tool in nuclear negotiations with Iran. While many environmentalists are optimistic in light of the president’s comments in his inaugural address, the case for the pipeline is clearly compelling to many Americans, but especially those at Eckerd graphic by Carver Lee College.

359 2,916 BILLION

JOBS

OBAMA WILL MAKE DECISION

-2013

News

EC to DC from front page

Sources: http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/19/timeline-keystones-three-years-in-limbo/ http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41668.pdf http://keystone-pipeline-petition.com/about-the-keystone-pipeline/ http://www.energyxxi.org/sites/default/files/filetool/Economic%20Impacts%20of%20Staged%20Development%20-%20Final%20June%202011.pdf

OH OH

Science HO

“They are going to clone the woolly mammoth.” I get my word in on the Omega balcony where my buzzed friends and I shout science topics at one another. “I’ve been saying it since the 90s.” Granted, I was no older than ten in the 1990s, but my unshaken belief that mankind will clone the woolly mammoth has survived into the new millennium. I still treasure my slide of “Woolly Mammoth hair” that I bought at a rock show and to this day I occasionally plead to the sky, “Whoever you are up there, please let these be real.” My hopes are not that far fetched. Prima-

By Norris Comer Staff Writer

O O

learn responsibly

drunk on

O OH

ry cultures like the Dolgans of Siberia have found frozen mammoth carcasses into the modern age and I’ve heard of stories, unconfirmed by my research, of lost travelers on the tundra eating such carcasses in desperate times. It was long believed that the mammoths were giant burrowing mole creatures that only surfaced to die (#awesome). The majority of woolly mammoths are thought to have gone extinct around 10,000 years ago due to climate change, human hunting, or a combination of the two. Cloning the mammoth depends on many things. One must first acquire soft tissue samples from a specimen. Next the nuclei from the tissue cells of the mammoth need to be

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extracted intact and inserted into the viable egg of a modern elephant. Finally, the egg must be implanted into a surrogate female elephant that’ll carry the egg to term. Dr. Akira Iritani is spearheading the most recent mammoth cloning initiative and even claimed in 2011 that his team would clone the mammoth within five years. Experts such as cellular biologists, paleophysiologists, and elephant reproductive specialists have belabored the point that each link in this chain to a mammoth is its own miracle. The science of cloning is still in its infancy and Iritani’s optimism is mostly due to a new technique that cloned mice from frozen tissue. The general consensus of the scientific community is that we still need a few more breakthroughs. But it doesn’t appear to be a question of if but when. Think of a world with mammoths: mammoths in zoos, the luxurious mammoth wool coats, the mammoth ivory piano keys, and the delicious mammoth burgers. What about mammoth cheese? Will we have armored SWAT mammoths sniffing down drugs at airports? Now I take a step back. What are we do-

ing? Sometimes our progress seems so much like a child with a magnifying glass. Will we use the glass to look at the ants or to burn them? What we do with the first fluffy little fella will define the nature of our human curiosity. How will Dr. Frankenstein treat his creation in real life? Personally? I believe that the scientific knowledge gained while on the journey to clone the mammoth is sure to be enlightening. I also hope I get to see free roaming woolly mammoths in the Gates of the Arctic National Park someday instead of reading about how they are kept in underground research facilities, not unlike the moles the Dolgans thought they were. Police Blotter

Benjamin Wolf Sturmer, 20, was arrested Jan. 26 and charged with one misdemeanor of trespassing, and one felony count of grand theft motor vehicle, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s report. Sturmer was released Feb. 5 on a cash bond.

6 News

Feb. 15, 2013

Family connections tie EC together Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Tomaselli thecurrent@eckerd.edu Managing Editor Jeralyn Darling News Editor Cait Duffy currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editors Aaron Levy Kelly Coston Political Consultant Ethan Packey Viewpoints Editors Ely Grinfeld Alex Roberts currentviews@eckerd.edu Entertainment Editor Ian Lindsay currententertainment@eckerd.edu Asst. Entertainment Editor Hayden Johnson

FAMILY, from front cover

Allison. A likely contender for the title of most connections to Eckerd College has to be the Rubino family. After his parents met years ago while both attending Eckerd College, Will Rubino (‘11) graduated and spent a year as the ECOS intern working in Campus Activities. Laura Lea Rubino, Will’s younger sister, is currently a senior at the school and will be the fourth graduate of Eckerd in the immediate family. She enjoys the way the college has brought the family together through

The Quickie Editors Hailey Escobar Taylor Glaws currentquickie@eckerd.edu Health & Fitness Editor Caroline Campbell currenthealth@eckerd.edu Asst. Health & Fitness Editor Lizzy Brophy Sports Editor Mike Geibel currentsports@eckerd.edu Asst. Sports Editors Colin Casey Will Creager Dominick Cuppetilli Graphic Design Editor Carver Elliot Lee Photo Editor Alex Zielinski currentphoto@eckerd.edu Asst. Photo Editor Dominick Cuppetilli Web Editor Greg Reilly Asst. Web Editors Hailey Escobar Web Master Vincent Lynch Faculty Adviser Tracy Crow Director of Finances Kevin Boyd Director of PR/Advertising Arielle Burger currentads@eckerd.edu

courtesy of Laura Lee Rubino Laura Lee Rubino and her brother Will.

experiences and memories. “It feels pretty special to know that my entire family has gone to Eckerd,” she said, “and sometimes I realize how crazy it is that my parents sat in the same classrooms and lived in the same dorms as me only thirty years ago. We have even had some of the same professors.” William and Leah, the Rubino parents who met at Eckerd on the first day of their autumn term, are involved with the Parent Council and the Board of Trustees. Their children said the two dated through all four years at Eckerd and recently celebrated 29 years of marriage. The Rubino family is far from the only case of the family connection spanning multiple generations. It’s not uncommon for parents’ weekend on campus to be a mini alumni weekend. As Padraic Fitzgerald (‘12) explains, “My mom wanted me to check out Eckerd after I had looked at other bigger state schools like UCF and Alabama and didn’t feel a connection. I checked out EC and immediately felt a positive connection and the rest is history.” Fitzgerald’s mother is also a graduate of Eckerd College. He went on to say he gets a little bit of an added connection to his mother because of their shared experiences that he might not have gotten elsewhere. He also enjoys

telling his mother stories about his time at Eckerd. “Sounds like classic EC,” Fitzgerald said his mom says. Interestingly enough, one of Fitzgerald’s Omega suitemates last year, Michael Nunnely, (‘12) also has a younger brother at Eckerd. Davis Nunnely joined the men’s rugby team this year. Many of Davis’s new teammates were already close friends with Michael. Faculty and staff are also included in the family connection. Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Life James Annarelli and son, Junior Josh Annarelli, are a high profile family tie within the Eckerd community because of Dean Annarelli’s position and popularity among students, as well as Josh’s role as ECOS senator representing the commuter students. Economics Professor Peter Hammerschmidt has had two children choose Eckerd for their higher education path. Senior Christine and alum Eric (‘11) have both shared time on the campus with their father. Whatever the relationship, or the reasons for attending, it is clear that Eckerd has a very strong family base in its community. The values of the school contribute to a sense of belonging as well. For those students who are lucky enough to have a parent or sibling who have graduated from Eckerd,

the current

courtesy of Dean Annarelli A young Dean Annarelli with son Josh.

there can be a type of guidance given based on the older graduate’s experiences at the school. With Eckerd’s student body coming from such diverse areas of the country, near and far, students who come into freshman year with a family member already at Eckerd have not only their first and closest friend, but also a built-in support system. The family connection at Eckerd will continue to be strong and will help set Eckerd apart in its value and character building roots.

Mayor of Seminole teaches at Eckerd, inspires students WATERS, from front page

student population. From Eckerd College Homeless Outreach (ECHO) to the EC to DC protest group, Triton students aren’t content with just sitting around. Waters explained that her course will include internships, field trips and guest speakers that are sure to make it a completely unique experience. “We will be discussing jobs and careers in politics and government,” said Waters. “Good government requires good citizenship and interest in the political process that

has made our American democracy the envy of countries worldwide.” Waters understands that “good government” is essential, and students “need to volunteer in the political process, and build a network of connections” to get involved with policy making. As an international democracy consultant, Waters has worked over the past 9 years in countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Egypt and many others to help enhance democracy. Her knowledge and perspective on international politics is sure to make for a dynamic classroom

experience. “Professor Waters is extremely enthusiastic,” said Senior Devon Williams. “Her experience in the legislature helps make this class feel like a capstone course and launchpad for people interested in this kind of work. She is very hands on and puts the material into real time, real world applications.” So far, Waters seems to be happy with Eckerd, saying her impression of students is “very positive” and that everyone has been “very friendly and supportive.”

Dragonboat launched in honor of Chinese year of the snake 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.

photos by Bill Stickley (Above, right) Members of EC-SAR prep the boat during a test launch before the ceremony. (Below) EC=SAR members paddling the Dragonboat during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

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the current

Feb. 15, 2013

News

Mid-year check-in with your ECOS senators By Aaron Levy Asst. News Editor Our ECOS Campus Senators have been hard at work this year improving their dormitories and helping to forge close-knit communities within each complex. Here’s a brief look at their accomplishments and the goals they are continually working toward. The original goals were either a part of their platform listed in The Current or created shortly after being elected to the position.

Beta

Senator Alek Matthiessen set out with the goal to make the Beta common room a more comfortable, homie space with posters and tapestries.

Durkin also has plans to change the Omega Yard Sale to a more community oriented, open event with a barbecue and Goodwill services on hand to collect unwanted goods.

Epsilon

Senator Isaac Henderson wanted to hold a housekeeper appreciation event, improve recycling, add some hammocks and build a fire pit.

Status

Isaac has successfully added hammocks outside Dalton House as well as providing new pool cues and equipment. He is still working toward a party for the Epsilon housekeeping staff.

Status

Matthiesen has acquired new pool cues and ping pong equipment for the Beta common room and put up several posters. A new expression board was completed before the end of fall semester. New bulletin boards have recently arrived for Beta, a project Matthiesen extended to the other traditional dorms with the exception of the two recently renovated complexes, Zeta and Delta.

Omega

Senator Brenna Durkin wanted to organize complex cookouts and pool parties and encourage her fellow Omega students to be vocal about changes they wanted to see, such as the current laundry system.

Status

Although changes to the laundry system are unlikely for this school year, as early as next year we could see new laundry machines that accept credit cards in addition to change.

Senator Kyler Thomann started the year with intentions to make Kappa Kitchen bigger and better, promote unity and cut down on the cigarette butt problem.

Status

The 2012-2013 school year has seen some of the most fun and productive Kappa Kitchen events to date. Thomann still wants to improve the complex›s common room, specifically the counter tops and oven.

Alpha

Senator Henry Ashworth’s goal for Alpha Complex was to improve the common room, specifically by acquiring a ping pong table and encouraging people to hang out there. Ashworth has secured funds for a ping pong table. Look for it in the Alpha common

dorm toward the end of fall semester, and Patterson hopes to host similar events this spring.

Senator Hank Broege’s goals for Nu were to install water fountains, instill a better sense of community and get students more involved with community service.

Status

Architectural and topographical issues have kept the water fountain project from being successfully executed. However, Broege has a housekeeper appreciation lunch planned for Feb. 22 in the Spoonbill Room, with another to be hosted at Nu sometime in March.

Iota

Senator Katherine Pace’s goals were to get more people from Iota to interact.

Status

Pace succeeded in creating the Tokonoma Room, a communal space for meditation and hanging out. Her R.A. is even using it for dorm events. She plans to make more common space for communal bonding.

West Lodge Delta

Kappa

Status

room later this semester.

Senator Tim Farrell’s goal for Delta was to acquire pots, pans and other dishware for the common room kitchen.

Status

Farrell is still working to improve the Delta common room so his residents can depend on it for their food equally or more than the cafeteria.

Gamma

Senator James Patterson›s goal was to make the Gamma common room a boost toward being a more communal space, as well as hosting events at the complex to promote unity.

Status

Patterson hopes to improve the Gamma common room soon through the addition of a student-painted mural. A string of successful holiday parties and events were hosted at the

Senator Haven Allard’s goal for West Lodge’s first year as an Eckerd residential student dorm was to build a West Lodge Identity as it’s own distinct dorm, separate from Sigma.

Status

Allard succeeded in getting the school to fund and print new West Lodge T-shirts, and he didn’t even have to use his own budget. West Lodge has become more united as a complex.

Commuter

Senators Josh Annarelli and Henry Palmer set out this academic year with the goals of encouraging those living off-campus to stay involved with the Eckerd community, as well as creating a stronger commuter community.

Status

Annarelli and Palmer hosted a barbeque at their home before finals week and hope to host more events in the near future.

Senate reconvenes for spring semester, discusses expenditures, improvements By Cait Duffy News Editor The spring semester has begun as the Eckerd College Organization of Students (ECOS) Senate met for its first and second meetings of the semester Feb. 3 and 10. The senate approved various expenditures totaling $2,200 during the two meetings, as well as discussed a new early spring budget allocation for clubs and the addition of a new Zeta senator. The Feb. 8 meeting saw all of the on-campus dorms represented while Commuter Senator Josh Annarelli was absent. Vice President of Financial Affairs Brady O’Donnell began the meeting with a request to approve new members of the financial affairs committee. The new addition of a fifth member was motioned for approval by Omega Senator Brenna Durkin and seconded by Gamma Senator James Patterson. It was passed unanimously. Vice President of Academic Affairs Erin Stringer followed O’Donnell with another request for approval of a new member in the academic affairs committee. The request was motioned for approval by Beta Senator Alek Matthiesen, seconded by Commuter Senator Henry Palmer and also unanimously approved. Talk turned next to the senate’s financial state heading into the new semester. With a remaining budget of $7,116.02, the senate was left with more than half the original $12,000 budget. Chief of Staff Langdon Perry Evans prompted the conversation with a request for $500 to go toward the ECOS Discount Card program. “We would like to see Senate become a branch for passing these cards

out. A contribution of $500 toward the cards shows your interest and support in the program,” Evans told the group. The cards cost a total of $3,700 for an order of 1,500, just under $2.50 each. An additional 300 cards were received for free due to the size of the order. The total amount was originally taken from President Rhemy Brezin’s budget, which is where the requested $500 would be added. If approved, Vice President Eliza Van Dissel was willing to match the senate’s contribution from her own budget. Before voting on the expenditure, the Senate requested to hear the second expenditure request of the meeting. Van Dissel proceeded to discuss her proposal to begin a program at the gym that would capture energy from the ellipticals and feed it back into the campus power supply. The total cost of the system, called ReRev, is $6,900. Van Dissel will be covering $5,000 from her own budget, and requested the remaining $1,900. She explained that the proposed project, part of her original platform when running for her office, has received positive feedback from students thus far. “This is for the students, by the students to improve [campus] overall,” Van Dissel argued. After a closed meeting discussion, the senate voted to approve the request made by Evans and to table Van Dissel’s request for discussion until the next meeting. The meeting ended with discussion of plans for the annual Valentine’s Day dinner, as well as complaints senators had heard from students concerning requests for metal utensils in the cafeteria, more lounge chairs by the pool and a request for a quarter machine to be reinstalled in the pub.

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Feb. 10 missed only Sigma Senator Ashley Sargo. Discussed at the meeting were the contribution of funds to the EC to DC venture, the completion of the ReRev vote, approval of the new budget allocation and individual dorm projects. Called to order at 6:07, O’Donnell again kicked off the meeting with a presentation of the new spring allocation budgets. The new allocation was created after Associate Dean of Students for Campus Activities Fred Sabota and O’Donnell discussed the issue of new clubs being unable to access more funding after the fall allocation. The proposed budgets had been posted outside of the Pub and ECOS office around 6 p.m. Feb. 6, meeting the required 48 hours of public display before requesting senate approval. Though nothing written in the ECOS constitution requires senate approval of any budget allocations outside of fall and end of spring, the same protocol was followed. Patterson motioned to approve the budget requests, Palmer seconded the request and it was unanimously approved. Representatives for the “EC to DC” movement next addressed senate with another request for funding. As many as 115 Eckerd students and 15 other individuals plan to drive to Washington, D.C. to participate in a protest against the Keystone XL Pipeline for the second time. A total of 10 vans, each seating 15 individuals, will be driven up the coast by participants, which is anticipated to cost approximately $7,000. Two churches in the area have offered to house students, the first offering space for 30 students for free, the second asking $5 per

student with as much space as needed to house the rest for a total cost of $370. Though some are expected to stay with friends or family in the area, it is encouraged that students stay together during the trip. After adding basic figures up in her head, Junior Lauren Horning concluded that there was a remaining $999 yet to be acquired and requested a contribution of $500-$700, or up to the full amount from the senate. At this point, the trips organizers had gathered financial support from clubs on campus, friends, family and fundraising, as well as $2,000 from the Sierra Club. Van Dissel said that there is discussion among the executive council about the addition of a new amendment to the ECOS constitution. The amendment would prevent clubs from being able to donate more than $100 to any unrelated cause, event or organization. “That money is not bettering the club,” said Van Dissel, “which is why [financial affairs] gave them the money in the first place.” Before a vote on the matter passed, routine business was discussed, including the finalization of plans for the Valentine’s Day dinner at the cafe. West Lodge Senator Haven Allard relayed frustration over the process of ordering an ice sculpture for the cafeteria. The total for food at the dinner was capped at $2,000 from the Vice President’s budget. Matthiesen proceeded to discuss the arrival of new bulletin boards for each of the traditional dorms except for Zeta and Delta, as their common rooms were recently renovated and attaching the boards may prove difficult. Patterson discussed ideas for improving the

energy in Gamma’s common room. “[Students living in the dorm] are displeased with the homeliness of Gamma,” he reported. A mural in the common room was presented as a possible remedy by Kappa Senator Kyler Thomann. Alpha Senator Henry Ashworth requested access to use his full $200 budget to purchase a ping pong table for the complex’s common room. Though events were hosted at the dorm last semester, Ashworth had not used any of his $100 budget for the semester. The request was motioned for approval by Matthiesen, seconded by Patterson and passed unanimously. As with the previous meeting, the senators next discussed concerns voiced to them by students about the need for more equipment in the gym, such as jump ropes and yoga mats, a bag dispenser by Kappa field to provide dog owners with a method of cleaning up animal waste and the recurring question of why there are plastic cups and utensils in the cafeteria. The meeting concluded with a final discussion of Van Dissel’s requested funds for the ReRev program. Van Dissel had received an additional $500 from Financial Affairs toward the cost since the previous meeting, bringing the needed amount down to $1,400 and her request to a $500 minimum. In a closed meeting, the senate voted unanimously to contribute $1,000 toward the project. Bringing the remaining budget down to $4,916.02 for the semester, a vote on the contribution of $500 to the EC to DC project was approved with one vote of nay by Patterson. He felt the senate should have been willing to contribute more.

8 News

the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Blast from the past

By Laura Blasi Long Gone Triton

mitment. Resident Advisors will also be posting copies throughout dorm complexes “Down with Dorm Damin an effort to familiarize stuage! Down with Destructive dents with its content and to Drunks!” This common camremind them of its imporpus cry was issued by Mark tance. Its presence within Smith, Dean of Students, at the dorms might also help the opening of Autumn Term. decrease the amount of dorm This precept came amply supdamage, which can sometimes ported by the Shared Combe attributed to accident, but mitment, a collection of ideals can also be the result of maestablished by the students, for licious intent. Graffiti, for the students. example, is not an accident. In a recent conversation Often it is hard to avoid acwith Smith, he detailed the cidents, however, and it is imorigins and development of the portant to remember the age Shared Commitment, as well of the dorm does contribute as the impact it will have upon greatly to its condition. the reduction in the amount Damage that is not due of dorm destruction occurring to accidental mishap may be each year. greatly reduced by inhibitThe Share Commitment was ing destructive drunks. The originally formulated by a comShared Commitment’s role is mittee of approximately fourto provide a form of respect teen students, Chaplin David for others, a drinking control, Cozad and Smith. Together, which may induce a damthe group assembled various age control. The responsibilvalues, condensing them into ity of “…respecting the rights a simple document. Before a and property and others and final doctrine could be agreed their environment” is a manupon, the committee pinpointdate outlined in the Comed the behaviors that were the mitment. One out of seven most predictable, the ugliest of the abuses of the ideals in violations of those cumulative the Shared Commitment is values. listed as: “Disruptive IntoxiSmith felt it was those discation.” Dorm damage is not photo by Tina Alligood, long gone Triton tinct violations that needed always the result of intoxicaA painted mural on the pump house that now stands between Omega and Gamma. to be confronted by students tion, but it is also a consequence collectively standing up and sized, “You have to be responsible for as a basis for character or behavioral of supposed desire to keep up an defending themselves, as well as their the behavior of others. recommendations. Personal recom- “image” in the eyes of peers, a reaction rights, on campus. It is not unreasonThe students who composed the mendations, from teachers, etc., have described by Smith as, “macho masturable to insist upon the right to sleep at committee did not want a statement always been devalued since the Buck- bation.” 4 a.m., or the right to sit on a lounge issued by the Administration telling ley Amendment was passed allowing As of now, the cost of their damage, couch. This commitment provided them how to live their lives. They didn’t students to read any references before if it can’t be traced to a particular ofa way for people to stand up against those wrongs, and have a written state- want the shared Commitment to be they are submitted to a higher author- fender, is absorbed into everyone’s bill. an honor system for fellow students to ity. The Shared Commitment will not only ment to support their beliefs. Smith also explained the Shared play a role in repressing such a behavior, Persons who don’t identify with these obey. Instead, they wanted to create a Commitment’s incorporation into stu- it will also function as a tool by which ideals, or those who lose that compre- message for the new students. In actuality, this doctrine serves dent life. As of last year, student court every student will be free to enjoy his or hension of the Shared Commitment when they drink, are exceptions. “It’s many purposes. Primarily, it is used began to base their decision upon the her rights on campus this year and for not enough to live by it,” Smith empha- for prospective students. It also serves ideals outlined in the Shared Com- the many years to follow.

Student’s diverse background embodies Eckerd spirit By Bobby Taggart Contributing Writer

When you look around this campus, diversity may not exactly jump at you, but our culture thrives on diversity in life experiences and different worldviews, complemented by international students and students with families from varying backgrounds. One student in particular who stands out is Sophomore Andre (Andy) Tabassi. Born in Rockville, Md., the 20-year-old transferred from Sunway University in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. He’s also a practicing Muslim. Tabassi has lived all over the U.S. and even in the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia-his father is an electrical engineer for YTL Communications there. “I’ve lived in over six states including Maryland, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and now Florida,” Tabassi said. “I hated moving around at first, but I learned that life teaches you to adjust to things that are out of your control. It also teaches you that adapting to change is better than holding things that you think can’t change.” The culture within the Tabassi family is diverse, to say the least. His father, a native of Iran, is Muslim while his mother, originally from Paraguay, is Catholic. “This makes me Persian and Spanish, so I guess you can say I’m Perpish,” Tabassi said with a slight chuckle. Tabassi started practicing seriously at a young age after a ceramist gave him and his brothers a talk about how important practicing the Islamic religion was. “I started practicing when I was young, but became serious about it when I started studying in Malaysia, which was roughly about a year and a half ago,” Tabassi said. He had a few people encourage him along the

way. “It was a combination of friends, and Shuaib, the ceramist from Spain, who had also converted to Islam.” Tabassi’s two brothers, Christopher, 18, and Nicholas, 22, are also practicing Muslims. Tabassi prays five times daily beginning with the first prayer, the Fajr prayer. He starts around 5:30 a.m., and it usually takes him about an hour. At noon, he does Dhuhr prayers that last about 15 to 20 minutes. The Asr prayer is done at midday and takes about an hour to complete and then the Maghrib prayers are done at sunset and take just as long as the Dhuhr prayer, 15 or 20 minutes. The last prayer, the Isha’a prayer, can take an hour or longer according to Tabassi. Those that practice Islam fear Waswassil,“the whispers of Satan.” “Every day is a constant struggle to suppress Waswassil. In these situations, this belief is trying to force him to forget Zikir and attempting to avoid my Muslim duties,” said Tabassi. Zikir is the remembrance of Allah. If he has a test the next day and he’s getting ready for his night time prayer, the Waswassil (disguised as his conscious) will tell him to delay his prayers and study as long as he needs to. “When I go to bed late, the Waswassil will tell me to snooze my alarm at 5:30 a.m., therefore trying to force me to wake up later and skip my prayer,” said Tabassi. Tabassi has his own fear when it comes to practicing Islam. “My fear is that I’m weak. By not praying or having zikr, the more and more I’ll be disconnected from God’s compassion, and will be more enveloped in the materialistic illusion fantasy that Satan has displayed for me to make mistakes on,” said Tabassi. “We’ve all done something spur of the moment that we sometimes regret doing. God’s compassion and gift to us helps us to self reflect and analyze ourselves to determine which paths

we have chosen, or the ones that we are about to take,” Tabassi says. For someone who prefers peace and quiet for certain parts of the day, he wasn’t put in the quietest dorm on campus. As a Kappa resident, you would think he might have a hard time practicing with the constant noise, but Tabassi is disciplined, especially when it comes to religion. Distractions never get in the way of his prayers. Tabassi says he would prefer to practice at a mosque, but his lack of transportation forces him to practice on campus. “There are always distractions, I live in Kappa. I just really have to focus hard on what I’m saying because usually the music is so loud,” said Tabassi. A fellow dorm mate, and also a sophomore transfer student, Nick Klabunde, respects Tabassi’s dedication. “At first, I was taken back because I hadn’t met someone so devoted to his or her religion before like Andy, but I also have developed a great amount of respect for his practice. All his religious practice shows something about his character. When he sets his sight on his something, he’s willing to follow through with it to the best of his ability,” said Klabunde. “Since we’ve been hanging out with Andy since August, we’re at the point where we know when to leave the room.” Tabassi plans to graduate in two and a half years with a major in political science and minors in Arabic and history. “I’m hoping to be a diplomat or do policy making in the Middle East,” he said. Though his prayer routines aren’t something people see regularly at Eckerd, Tabassi says his frequent prayers are average for a practicing Muslim. “Most Muslims in the Middle East pray as much as I do, maybe more. I just happen to be the only one here who practices religiously,” said Tabassi.

photos courtesy of Andy Tabassi Tabassi practicing his daily prayers.

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Viewpoints

Feb. 15, 2013

Viewpoints INSIDE VIEWPOINTS

Here we go again: EC to DC, Keystone pipeline raises concerns

First Times

Guns and Grass

opportunity were hailed as the core values. Possibly the biggest question in one’s head upon reading this is, “How did the educational system allow this to happen?” The Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program started off well, aiming to improve the overall educational quality of students in the state. Georgia is ranked 47th out of all the states in graduation rate, and one-third of these high schools are considered “dropout factories,” according to the Southern Education. Dropout factory is an educational piece of jargon that means that 60 percent or less of the senior class entered as freshmen. The term connotes that there is a cyclical element in the inability to graduate, and that these schools simply have no choice but to take in students who are reattempting to finish school, which brings the overall quality of the schools down. Standardized test averages have also steadily decreased in Georgia, prompting the need to mobilize a state-level educational initiative. It seems the road to hell was paved with good intentions. The investigation into the barbaric antiLGBT policies came as a result of Georgian legislators asking for more vouchers for the tax program and people who responded with skepticism. Georgia is not the first to have a tax scholarship program. Programs like these originated in Arizona in 1997 and became popular throughout the south.

When the Boy Scouts delayed their decision to allow LGBT members into the organization Feb. 6, CNN joked about the Scout motto, “be prepared,” to comment on the apparent lack of preparation shown in the committee’s decision-making process. I watched this broadcast slightly dumbstruck. I truly love the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization, but I have been torn about the ban for the last several years since attaining the highest rank of Eagle Scout. The program taught me values and skills that I continue to use, and it introduced me to colleagues from my old Boy Scout troop I keep in touch with today. The problem is, I’m a self-admitting liberal, and I still have to answer questions when people see my Eagle Scout ring—questions ignoring what project I developed for the award or how long I have been in Scouting. Instead I am asked questions of how I can support a hate group. BSA is not a hate group. Often, people point at major cases such as the scout who was denied his Eagle award for being gay in California in 2009 or the infamous Dale vs. BSA Supreme Court case where the court ruled 5 to 4 that the BSA could legally not allow LGBT members. The truth is far more complex than one organization allowing such action. BSA was originally patterned after the structure of the military, as a way to teach young men valued skill sets they need later in life. There is even a famous military advertisement for war bonds that depicts a Boy Scout in full uniform handing Lady Liberty a sword to defend the nation. Though the military recently allowed open access for all LGBT members into its ranks, BSA is behind because of one sentence in its code. Duty to God is one of the primary tenants of the BSA oath and taken quite literally by some people involved in the movement. Unlike the military, BSA requires local organizations to sponsor troops to better serve the community. Houses of worship charter more than 75 percent of local troops. One of the most prominent supporters is the Mormon Church. When the statement on why the decision to lift the ban was delayed, BSA headquarters in Irving, Texas, revealed that a list of 33 Councils had written in petitioning for the decision to be delayed. At press time, the only Area Council to publicly reveal itself on the list was Utah’s Great Salt Lake Council who published their original letter to the BSA on their website—citing their relationship with the Mormon Church as their justification. To better grasp the opinion of those affected by the ban, I decided to contact the people who have been most affected by BSA: Eagle Scouts. Eckerd has no shortage of Eagles and this is where I began my pursuit of an answer. The first Eagle I contacted was Senior Ian McKenzie. McKenzie has been involved in Scouting for most of his life, earning not only his Eagle Rank but also membership to the Order of the Arrow, BSA’s “secret” society. He has also been involved in trying to lift the ban on LGBT members. “I know a lot of men who are gay who have received their Eagle Scout ranks, simply because their leaders looked

see TAX, page 10

see BSA, page 10

courtesy of Wikicommons This year’s commencement speaker Bill McKibben (at microphone) at Stop the Keystone XL Rally, 2011.

down to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma. The Keystone XL pipeline would add 1,700 miles of new pipe to connect the backed-up refineries in Cushing, Okla. to refineries on the gulf coast of Texas. The pipeline would also connect Alberta to Steele City, Neb. Jan. 18, President Obama formally rejected the permit to build the pipeline connecting Hardisty to Steele City for environmental reasons. The proposed route had the pipeline crossing over important aquifers that were threatened by leaks. Obama said that TransCanada could reapply for the permits after finding an alternate route through Nebraska. Obama’s endorsement for starting con-

struction on the southern half of the pipeline, connecting Oklahoma and Texas, and a new route that’s been approved by the Nebraskan governor are signs that this pipeline extension is going to happen. It’s sad, but we need to accept that we live in a gas-guzzling culture. The State Department estimates that the pipeline construction could create as many as 6,000 jobs, and that’s not including the jobs that would be created to maintain the lines and increase production in the refining process. If Obama rejects the permits again, Canada is already making plans for alternative opsee PIPELINE, page 11

Taxpayers’ dollars in Georgia are allocated to schools with anti-LGBT codes

With each passing day, I find myself more grateful to have attended Eckerd College. The warm weather, atmosphere and social climate create a place where students want to contribute back to the school. The safe spaces offered have made me feel comfortable in expressing myself. Heck, if I didn’t feel so comfortable with my place at Eckerd, I certainly wouldn’t be writing for the school paper. That is why I was so taken aback when I learned that the state of Georgia had been using taxpayers’ dollars to support schools with anti-LGBT policies. Since 2008, a Georgian taxpayer program called the Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program, Inc., has collected more than $170 million and given them to at least 115 private schools with anti-LGBT policies, according to the Southern Education Foundation. Funds from the tax program are given to the schools who then distribute them as scholarships to students in need. These policies include silencing LGBT on-campus groups, preventing the creation of LGBT caucuses and, in extreme cases, the expulsion or refusal of LGBT-identifying students. I knew this couldn’t be right, though further research confirmed my dark suspicions. One of the schools funded in the program

Eckerd number one beach

By Colin Casey Asst. Sports Editor

Tax credit program should not fund homophobic schools By Ely Grinfeld Viewpoints Editor

Boy Scouts of America delay vote on LGBT inclusion

By Carver Lee Graphics Editor ast year, I wrote an op-ed about the EC trip to DC to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. I took issue with the trip, not the protest. To protest something that would provide our country with more oil, we were using a significant amount of it. To protest a project that could potentially increase greenhouse gases significantly, we were making our own extensive contribution by driving more than a dozen 15-passenger vans and chartered buses. I even calculated all these figures using MPG and CO2 estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It all just seemed a bit too hypocritical for me. But then, Obama rejected the permits and it felt great to know that Eckerd had contributed to an important cause, so I accepted that the means justified the end. However, upon hearing that another road trip was being planned for the upcoming protest, I wanted to gather up my friends and protest the protest. Don’t get me wrong. I recycle, I ride my bike to school and the grocery store instead of driving and I believe in global warming, but I also do my research before planning a trip that seems to hurt the cause I’m fighting against. First of all, the Keystone pipeline already exists. It is a 2,149-mile line, owned and operated by TransCanada. It then transports crude oil from the Alberta Tar Sands in Hardisty, across the Canadian-American border,

has under 500 students. It has a clear message on what it hopes its student body is. “Each student of the school shall be of the highest moral character and be obedient to all Biblical principles, including, but not limited to, prohibitions against fornication, drug use, alcohol use, pornography and homosexuality…” The school reserves the right to dismiss any student with or without cause.” That is definite moral high ground. In other Georgian schools, you don’t even have to be gay to be expelled. Apparently, the disease of gayness is also spread and is interpreted through “immoral acts,” which they proceeded to define in handbooks. What’s worse is that these schools are also being supported with more than just money. Two of the seven associations in Georgia that accredit these same private schools have similar anti-LGBT policies, based on the views of their local congregations. In other words, there are educational institutions in Georgia, known to be anti-LGBT, that deem whether a school in Georgia meets necessary educational criteria. Stories like this hit very close to home. I know that I would certainly be affected if Eckerd, God forbid, had policies similar to Augusta Christian. The urgency in stories like this is that we find that anti-LGBT sentiments are occurring in our schools, the places where critical thought, open-mindedness and equal

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10 Viewpoints

the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Georgia’s tax credit program creates heated political discourse

First Times Going global without leaving the bubble By Jeralyn Darling Managing Editor Recently, I submitted several forms to the registrar. This is not my first time in the registrar’s office, nor will it be the last, but it was the first time I’ve had to submit an appeal of any sort. I am appealing for a global perspective, which, to me, is astounding. How is it possible that in my almost four years at Eckerd, one of the most globally aware campuses in the United States, I have not taken one class that has been deemed “global?” I have never traveled abroad, true, but I make a point to seek out every friend who does and listen intently to his or her stories. I have heard tales of Argentina, India, Spain, Ecuador, Morocco, Italy, France, New Zealand, Peru, Malawi, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Thailand, Cambodia... need I go on? I cherish my friends’ memories and dream of the days I’ll have enough time to do some travelling of my own. Unfortunately, I have two minors, two majors and a newspaper to run, so studying abroad was out of the question. But I know that’s not the only way to obtain a global perspective. My very first class at Eckerd, an Autumn Term class called “Communicating Across Cultures,” should be proof enough that I have a passion for global cultures. I have read literature from all over the globe for my literature minor and studied a plethora of societies, including native tribes that most people have never even heard of, for my sociology major. The class I am appealing for is “Time and Temporal Systems,” a sociology class in which we explore how different cultures view time, days, months and years. This is, in fact, a global course, but I have to appeal for it to be included in the global perspective simply because I am taking the class as an independent study instead of in a classroom. I’m not upset I have to appeal. I’d just like to know why, in all of my years at Eckerd, I haven’t done anything that could be considered “global.”

from TAX, page 9

However, these programs consistently garnered criticism for using taxpayer dollars into “neo-vouchers” that essentially supported schools with certain political or religious stances. Though the intention was to help students who needed to pay for a good education, the unfortunate result is that schools with harmful policies toward LGBT-identifying students obtained more money. Though none of the families of the affected students have spoken out in Georgia, there has been a lot of heated dialogue in the political realm. State Representative Stacey Abrams spoke out about the hypocrisy created from having a policy that includes LGBT students yet hosts a taxpayer program that pays schools that are against LGBT individuals. “We are circumventing our own public policy with public money,” said Abrams. “In our public schools, we do not disallow a child from attending on the basis of their sexual orientation.” She also commented on the lack of transparency due to the nature of the state protection on the tax payer program. “If this were to be happening at any public school,” she said, “the lawsuit would be great and the settlement extraordinary.” Yet, the power of the Georgia Tax Credit Scholarship Program cannot be denied. Fans of the program note that funds go to many

different schools with many different missions, increasing the school choice in Georgia. Moreover, the funds have been substantial enough to allow students into schools where it would have otherwise not been possible, in some cases reducing a $13,000 tuition to $4,000 in religious schools like Providence. The core of this controversy is whether the amount of money and opportunity is worth the incredible amount of hate propagated in these backward school policies. I firmly believe that the funds are not worth it. Money talks. Money has always talked and it speaks volumes louder in this age than it has in any age. Money is the one thing that keeps anti-LGBT politicians and organizations afloat, that spew hateful messages and condemn other people for just being themselves. Money allows the Westboro Baptist Church to buy the picket signs on which they paint one of their many colorful catchphrases, “God Hates Fags.” What hurts the most is that these effects are happening underneath everyone’s noses. Under the guise of helping students, money has been allocated by an organization to schools who constantly go against the aims of Georgian educational reform. These schools are not opening doors and they are not creating opportunities. They are actively denying students an education based on who they

are, whom they love and how they were born. Recently, Eckerd opted to put on hold an Athletics scholarship from alumnus Tony Menendez. Menendez works as a franchise operator for the St. Pete Beach Chick-fil-A. Though I’m sure Menendez has no malice toward LGBT-identifying persons, it is very hard to disassociate his store from its CEO’s affirmation of only acknowledging the traditional family unit and the negative effects that statement had on LGBT-identifying individuals. It would send out a bad message on Eckerd’s part to accept money from an institution that actively supports politicians with the aim to deny rights to the LGBT community. Education is the keystone to a progressive and healthy society. Without it, future generations are left incapable of defining themselves, defining their goals, and working to create a better future. We cannot exist in a world where we keep pushing anti-LGBT sentiments and expect it to not have any weight. These are real people that are being told that they are born in “sin” and these are real people, with real hopes, emotions, dreams and aspirations, with real pain and real doubt, just like you and me. Georgia’s Department of Education’s motto is “Making education work for all Georgians.” Hopefully, something can be done with this program so that claim can become a reality.

BSA members voice concerns on the LGBT-inclusion vote from BSA, page 9

the other way and accepted them for who they are,” said McKenzie. However, he has also seen the dark side to Scouting, noting that he knew many scouts who were run out of scouting for being LGBT. For this reason Ian favors lifting the ban. My next contact was Freshman Kevin Thielen. Thielen earned his Eagle Rank and is still involved in BSA, although not as much as he once was. Thielen agreed with the prospect of lifting the ban, believing that Scouting would go against its own morals if they did not. Based on his experience at BSA leadership meetings, he argued a central theme has always been valuing diversity. Thielen went on to address another argument against LGBT members, that they would threaten straight Scouts in some way. “Throughout my day to day dealings at both Eckerd and in the ‘real world,’ I have never felt threatened by someone based on whether they were a member of the LGBT community or not,” he said. Thielen, like McKenzie, favors lifting the ban. My final questions were posed to Junior

PerspECtives

“Valentine’s Day sophomore year, I got a call from my roommate Dottie (on right) being like, ‘Hi, I’m going to the emergency room. I have this very, very sharp pain thing in my appendix region.’ So we spent seven hours in the emergency room... turned out to be kidney stones.” - Brenna Durkin, senior

Steven Fong who earned his Eagle rank with his home troop in New York and is currently studying abroad for the semester. Unlike the others I interviewed, Fong was much more cautious on the subject, noting its controversial nature in relation to the history of BSA. Fong also noted that recently there seems to have been a bit of a culture change where certain aspects of the movement are not taken seriously. “I do not think that homosexuals are bad,” he said, “but it could possibly inhibit the learning and process of some Scouts who may be affected by this.” Fong then recounted an experience from his time at the National Jamboree in 2005. Allegedly, two Scouts engaged in sexual intercourse in the showers as a way of showing how the combination of immaturity to the Movement and the actions of a small percentage of LGBT individuals can alter views. Despite this, he maintained that should the policy change, he would accept those changes. Personally, being a Scout has changed my life for the better and has done so for many others throughout the last hundred years. My grandfather was one of the first American

Boy Scouts, and one of the first to receive the Eagle Rank in 1919. My uncle received his Eagle Rank in his youth as well, and I fulfilled the so-called Casey legacy in 2008 with my Eagle Scout rank. My love of BSA runs deep—I still have my uniform (now converted to a leader’s), my camp shirts still get worn, my Eagle medal sits next to my grandfather’s at home and my old troop’s final award of excellence hangs in my dorm room. To me, BSA has always meant an assistance in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It›s the reason I still work with the BSA Movement, the reason I support local troops and the reason that, if I ever have a son, he will be a Boy Scout. Scouting is not just policy, or words in an oath, or a long lived American pastime. It is a way of life, one that should be open to all young men regardless of sexual orientation. That is why in May, when the National Council convenes, I will voice my support for ending the LGBT ban. Because as the camp song goes, “I’m glad that I’m a Boy Scout, there’s nothing I’d rather be.”

What was your absolute worst Valentine’s Day? Be honest.

“Every day of my life is like a bad Valentine’s Day because I’m always alone.” - Josh Keeler, junior

“When I was really young... I think I was in eighth grade... I broke up with my boyfriend on Valentine’s Day.” - Genna Aiello, sophomore

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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

RT: Good question. RT: It creates a shroud of mystery. Literature Professor Odysseus comes home, giantslaughter.

Feb. 15, 2013

Viewpoints 11

South Beach takes EC to number one By Caroline Campbell Health & Fitness Editor

Though California, Hawaii and other coastal states boast collegiate settings in typical vacation spots, Eckerd College on the beautiful Gulf Coast stands above the rest, according to About.com. About.com ranked Eckerd the number one college for beach lovers in the United States. Many of the other 13 listed top beach colleges sat in locations surrounded by beaches, but Eckerd is one of the few with its very own. When asked about Eckerd’s ranking, Junior Stephen Langford wasn’t surprised. “I could definitely believe it. I probably haven’t even seen many of them [other beach colleges] but this one has done quite well by me so far,” said Langford. “There’s nothing better than being out at the beach with friends after a long week or even a day of classes.” I don’t know how the majority of the stu-

dent body feels about South Beach, but I gather it is the final selling point that allured current students. I have heard critiques of the beach from both an aesthetic perspective and an environmental standpoint. The sea wall both inhibits natural erosion and therefore sea life movement, but it is the only thing keeping the campus dry. My winter term class, Literature and the Beach, taught by Daniel Spoth, addressed the beach’s appeal but also the contradictory nature of manipulating the beach so people can visit. Idealized by popular culture, the beach has always been a place of serene escape and perfection, or at least perceived to be as such. I grew up in Clearwater, about 30 minutes north of St. Petersburg. I would like to think that growing up by the beach would tire me of this so-called paradise, but it hasn’t. That’s why I chose to attend Eckerd and why I am not shocked that we are the number one

beach lover’s college. Junior Jeanine O’Connell also grew up in Clearwater and has the same attraction to Eckerd’s campus as I do. “Being a local has spoiled me when it comes to beaches, but Eckerd’s beach is great,” said O’Connell. “I think Eckerd is a perfect fit for someone who loves the beach. Its soft white sand accompanied by the water and sunshine allow students to go from studying in the library to lounging in a hammock in a matter of steps. The perfect beach day is just yards away from your dorm room,” she said. Growing up near the coast not only breeds a certain attitude of a person, but it also attracts like-minded characters to its coastal shores. The student body at Eckerd mirrors the relaxed nature that comes with the beach life. Weather permitting, I don’t think Eckerd’s beach or its ranking as the top college for beach lovers is going anywhere.

#OdysseySummary

Marine Science Professor So Bambi goes into the forest and dies. Who breaks Bambi down to continue life? #DecomposingLecture

Literature Professor My autumn term class is going to be all bombs and zombies. #AutumnTerm

Psychology Professor Homicide? That’s like...anger. #Emotions

Literature Professor Let’s talk about sodomy a little. #OffTopic

Communications Professor If you’re on broadcast media, don’t say ‘s--t’ in the afternoon. #DirtyMouth

Literature Professor I realize how horrible it is to write oral in big, bold letters on the board, but bear with me. #OralTraditions

photo by Caroline Campbell Students enjoy a regatta on Eckerd’s South Beach.

Student shares thoughts on protest from PIPELINE, page 9

tions. TransCanada’s competition, Enbridge, is already developing a project to move the oil in Alberta to the Pacific Coast, where it can then be shipped overseas for refinement in China. Whether or not we are the ones refining this oil, it will eventually hit the market. Now, President Obama is delaying his decision until he can find a way to please the environmentalists and help boost the economy. Regardless of all of this, some environmentalists are still against the pipeline expansion. That’s their right and though I disagree, I understand their cause. What I don’t understand is Eckerd’s cause. As of press time, transporting the approximate up to 115 students who have signed up (versus the 250 people that attended last

year), the school is renting ten buses, running at about $700 each. That’s $7,000 right there. Where is the money coming from? The trip is asking for donations from a variety of sources, including student clubs. In my opinion, every club was budgeted money by ECOS to be used for club-related activities, not donated at will to unrelated causes that were not included in their original budgets. An organizer of the trip commented on the ethics used to make the decision to protest the pipeline again. “We should practice what we preach, [especially when] all the opportunities are there for us.” Doesn’t this mean we should be reducing our CO2 as much as possible by not making long road trips in gas guzzling vehicles, and taking advantage of the power of the Internet and social media to make our voices heard?

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Feb. 15, 2013

Guns ‘n Grass: two love-hate

Current relationships Americans need to resolve reporter By Riley Huff mainstream marijuana becomes, the more the legisla- finds artist Contributing Writer tion begins to resemble the Twenty-First Amendment. A possible budding industry coming out Guns and grass, really, is of the cracks of illegality. Déjà vu hits the in Morocco anything more American historian with full force. than this pair? Since first However, many don’t take issue with this stepping foot in the new and think, like alcohol, this is the way legalworld, colonists used ization should be handled. “I understand wooden matchlock the essence of the argument [and]…I rifles to hunt for food. think there should still be an age limit,” They cultivated hemp says Sophomore Dean Slaoui. both for clothing and Yet marijuana is a different substance smoking. altogether, albeit one with much potenMany argue that the possession of tial for good. Not only are the effects both is justified in none other than unlike those of alcohol intoxication, the United States Constitution the drug has no known physiological in the Second and Tenth Amendaddictive qualities. ments. Still, the two have constantly The drug is even used medically to been scrutinized and debated over the treat everything from anxiety to mulpast few years. Everyone has a strong tiple sclerosis. Neither of these applies opinion about them. Now it’s time to decide to alcohol. where we stand as individuals and as a nation. In an ideal world, we would all see Of course, grouping them together does not the potential for good in both guns and imply the two are completely similar. While both cregrass. Firearms would be readily availate an escape of sorts for those who participate recreable for those with good mental health ationally, they hold different appeals. and extensive training. No AKs, bazooFreshman Molly Hurd seems to understand the kas or rocket launchers though. Enough nation’s fascination with firearms. “I like the kickback to kill a deer or any other large game. and it’s a satisfying experience,” she said. Smoking And we don’t need armed guards at marijuana, on the other hand, has typically been seen high schools. Just keep heavy artilas more laid-back. lery out of the common man’s hands. Rather, the issues surrounding each are far more Marijuana would be available for comparable than at first glimpse. Issues of gun conmedical purposes of all kinds. States trol have been put under the guise of racism by the mewould follow closely behind Colodia, like in the Trayvon Martin case. Or under the guise rado and Washington. An age limit of of a mental health treatment concern, as was the case 16 would not be strictly enforced for in the coverage of the theater shooting in Aurora, recreational use but a misdemeanor Colo. would be in order for younger users. George Zimmerman was accused of being bigParents and their children would be oted for shooting Martin a bit too willingly. James forced to confront the issue earlier. Holmes was accused of having poor mental In addition, elementary, middle and health gone untreated after killing and injurhigh school students would receive beting over fifty moviegoers at a local theater. Did ter education about marijuana anyone question their ability to use firearms and how to use it safely and in with good judgment? moderation. Why are we covering up the problem of gun What a world that would control when we have seen an increasing be. But everyone stands number of school shootings in the past somewhere differently five years? The regularity of such occuron the issues of gun rences is becoming unsettling, and it will control and marijuana become increasingly difficult to mask the legalization. And I issue with body counts on the rise. don’t aim to change Similarly, Congress often deals with marithose opinions. But let’s juana legislation is through the precedented treat these as unique issues. lens of prohibition repeals. States have to It’s the least we can do for graphic by Alex Zielinski obtain a federal license in order to sell. They our nation of gun-toting potrequire an age limit of 21 for use. The more heads.

By Malena Carollo Foreign Correspondent Morocco has long been portrayed as a place of mystery and magic. Its winding alleys and persuasive shopkeepers have inspired films such as “Aladdin” and “Casablanca,” while artists capture its distinct architecture. For street artist Paul “Don” Smith, inspiration for his recent art was found in one of Marrakech’s famous souks. Smith, a Brit from just outside London, has worked as a street artist for 25 years. Influenced by New York and Philadelphia street art, he taught himself at a young age how to work with spray paint, latching on to books like “Subway Art” by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant. “You create your own name and you express yourself,” Smith said. For his name, Smith created the tag “Don.” “It’s become part of me,” he said. “I’ve done endless bits of art with my name to prove to myself and to show people [what] I can do.” Smith’s latest efforts involve showing Moroccans what he can do. He and his sister ventured to Marrakech, where he became inspired by the many ornate patterns. He points to a stained glass lamp in the shop with a metal eyelet design, noting how the light projected through the cut-outs creates different levels of depth on surfaces. Currently fascinated by cut-outs, Smith hopes to integrate similar patterns into his designs with silhouettes. “Silhouette is one of the most powerful things,” Smith said, “bringing an idea right down to the simplest core. You can do a portrait of someone and cut the silhouette out, and say, ‘Oh my god, I know who that is’ and it’s just a black void basically.”

photo by Malena Carollo Artist’s insignia.

Smith has chosen easily-recognizable subjects for his art in the past, spraying celebrities from Jimmi Hendrix to Queen Elizabeth on urban surfaces. “He’s very clever in the way he puts things together,” Katie Smith, his sister who was traveling with him, said, “[with] the title of each piece and the meaning and how he puts an analogy in it in a visual way.” Unlike more elusive street artists, like fellow Brit Banksy, Smith isn’t shy about associating himself with his tagger name, wearing a large “Don” belt buckle under his sweatshirt. He’s even comfortable being photographed in the process. “For me I feel it’s about teaching, because I’ll move on and do something else, so I’m really happy to be photographed and [show] my technique,” he said. Photographers, Smith said, have a special symbiotic relationship with street artists. “With this technology now, it’s like a two way thing,” he said. “People take a picture of your work and they’ll put it up [online] because they’re proud of the picture that they’ve taken and the artist gets exposure that way.” Aside from using this exposure to make a living from his work, Smith hopes his work will positively impact viewers. “I think some people, when you’re a person or an individual who is down, it’s about lifting yourself up,” he said. “It’s about flight, you know, it’s about being on a higher ground.” One such work is his piece “Rainbow,” which he originally painted on Portobello Road in London. “It’s about effort, effort to make the world a better place,” he said. “I think that’s really important.” To check out Smith’s body of work, visit www.pauldonsmith.com.

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Feb. 15, 2013

Entertainment 13

ENTERTAINMENT Student re-lives skating glory days By Seth Ravid Staff Writer Rollerskating rinks are an often forgotten slice of Americana. My local rink used to be the place to go for young teens in my town and when it closed down, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of loss for the Saturday night sweat and dance funk that now seemed inevitably relegated to the scrapheap of history. Though the disco glory days of the late 1970s have passed them by, today’s rink owners are reinventing the model for a new generation. Family man Chris Maganias,50, of Tarpon Springs is keeping the local scene alive with his Astro Skate franchise. Starting with the rink his father built in Tarpon Springs in 1981, Maganias has spread his unique brand of late-night fun across the area, opening new rinks in Pinellas Park (2002) and Bradenton (2010). At 20, I don’t exactly fit Maganias’s target demographic at his Pinellas Park location’s Friday night “Teen Scene” session (7 to 10:30 p.m.). His website, astroskatingcenter.com, recommends the session for kids aged 10-14, and by the time I roll up at 6:30, there’s already a line of about 30 local middle-schoolers chomping at the bit. Many have been bussed in by Maganias’s very own charter fleet company, Astro Bus, which provides transportation for school field trips and keeps his rinks well stocked with young skaters. High-school Freshmen Michael and Grant,15, (not real names) of St. Petersburg’s Dixie M. Hollins High School stand apart from the younger crowd cued up at the door.

courtesy of Wikicommons

Grant tosses his long blonde hair as their conversation turns to Cheyenne (not real name), a classmate rumored to have recently lost her virginity on the Pinellas Trail. “You guys come here a lot?” I interject. Not much, Michael informs me, since he always gets into a fight when he comes here. I press for details and he doesn’t disappoint. “I beat the shit out of some kid in the parking lot and the cops came.” I can’t help but smile at his fresh face and his juvenile bravado. Michael and Grant are full of obviously embellished stories of high school sex and violence, but they’re not bad kids. They are exceedingly polite to me and to all the other skaters dodging and weaving around them. They tell me skaters here aren’t allowed to wear white tees, bandanas or any other clothing deemed “gang related.” Maganias works hard to keep his place family friendly. “We focus on little kids,”

he explains. “Little kids are loyal, man.” Maganias’s 7-year-old daughter, a precocious speed skater, is out there tearing up the rink on this Friday night, and Maganias’s business model is to ensure that his rinks are safe and appropriate for his daughter and everyone else’s, too. “How can I tell my kids not to skate but tell your kids, ‘come on in’?” he asks. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and I can feel the familiar anticipation building in me as I wait for my turn to relive the long summer nights of my youth. I’ve got my old skate bag slung over my shoulder and the $7 entrance fee in my pocket. I hope I can still keep my feet under me.

Just as I’m cramming my stuff into a 50-cent locker, my best friend arrives with our girlfriends in tow, and we lose ourselves in the thrill of speed and the folly of our stumbles and falls. Maganias’s elaborate light package provides a perfect atmosphere, with a stunning combination of blue and green lasers, disco balls, flashing wall decorations and even a fog machine. The music is mostly top 40 pop, which young Michael drowns out with a little My Chemical Romance on his iPod. The evening runs smoothly in the capable hands of Maganias’s high-school-aged staffers, who lead us through games like tag and see astro skate, page 16

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Lonely and loving it: Fun ways to spend Feb. 14 By Jennifer Lincoln Staff Writer As any typical single person dreading Valentine’s Day, you may be wondering the different ways you can spend it without maliciously glaring at the overly cute couples lining up around campus or ending up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning due to drinking your loneliness away. Lucky for you, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couple love. You can take your adoration of cats to a whole new level, and spend the day at a local animal shelter, petting and cuddling with the feisty fluffballs there. If your cat preference is a little bigger than the house-pet variety, the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo is an easy 30-40-minute drive, and they have tigers, which are slightly more awesome. If cats aren’t your prerogative (and now that’s really sad, because the socially accepted alternative to human love is cats), then don’t fear. There are a few more options you can choose. Since studies have come out recently claiming that chocolate stimulates our brains in the same way as love does, why not spend the day making truffles and chocolate dipped strawberries,

of course not sharing your morsels with anybody else. If you’re feeling especially cynical this year, why not hit up dirtyrottenflowers.com? The online company will send decaying, decapitated flowers to your ex including the inscription of your choosing (hey, sometimes you’re too bitter to be the bigger person and you just need to have the last word). Personally, after reading through the website, my favorite option is the “bad lay”

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which is a lei made of dead orchids. One can always take a page out of Jessica Biel’s book from 2010’s semi-comical “Valentine’s Day” and host an “anti Valentine’s Day” party, including a giant heart piñata guests take turns beating to death (if you are going to do this, there needs to be a wedding happening in the background, just like in the movie). It’s also perfectly acceptable to spend Valentine’s Day looking up all of Taylor Swift’s failed relation-

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ship attempts and laughing while you try to figure out which of her songs correlate to the different boys she’s dated. All of these things listed have a central “I refuse to celebrate Valentine’s Day because I’m single” theme, so I’ll also offer some ideas on activities to do that don’t make you look slightly pathetic (I said slightly because, let’s face it, it’s not actually pathetic unless you’re sitting in front of your computer in the pajamas you’ve been wearing for the last week throwing a box of chocolates at the screen while “Titanic” plays). Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never had the guts to go out solo and try it? Why not spend this day dedicated to love by loving yourself enough to step outside of your comfort zone and go skydiving, rock climbing or taking the first steps to getting your scuba license? You can show love for your community by strutting into service learning and finding out information on volunteering in downtown St. Petersburg for the day. Whatever you do on Valentine’s Day this year, just make sure you’re happy and doing something that you love, no matter what it is.

INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT LOTR game review

Tipsy Triton cocktails

Viral Video Update

Fashion update: hair

Ernest Cline’s first novel takes hipster reading to sci-fi level By Hayden Johnson Asst. Entertainment Editor It is the year 2044, and the planet is an even more overpopulated and polluted heap of garbage. YoungWade Watts is an orphan living in Oklahoma in a futuristic slum called the “stacks.” However, when he puts his gloves and virtual reality helmet on, he becomes Parzival, a half warrior, half-mage, hunter looking for the clues to find the keys that the game’s creator James Halliday left behind before he died all within the virtual world of OASIS. Like in many video games, hidden objects, usually called “Easter Eggs,” are left by developers. When Halliday passed, his competition started a whole culture called gunters (egg hunters) to look around for the keys. Wade, a typical gunter, trains himself by becoming knowledgeable on classic video games and 80s’ popculture (Halliday grew up during the 80s’ and was obsessed with the decade). However one cannot go looking for a multibillion dollar prize without making a few dangerous enemies. What really makes the virtual world of OASIS interesting is how many pop culture references there are to be found within it. There are not only references to 80s pop cultural icons such as Rush, Pac-Man and “Star Wars,” but there are also see ERNEST CLINE, page 15

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14 Entertainment

the current

Feb.15, 2013

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

4:30 p.m. Fitness with Professors

10 a.m. College Republicans

7 p.m. Environmental Film Festival

1 p.m. Men’s Rugby Game

9 p.m. Xclusive

7 p.m. Environmental Film Festival

1 p.m. Super Store Shopping Shuttle

Events

Feb. 15 - 28

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

7 p.m. Environmental Film Festival

7:30 p.m. Swing Dance Lessons

9 p.m. Opening Night Party

Family Weekend

4 p.m. Club Fair

7 p.m. Environmental Film Festival

1 p.m. Super Store Shuttle

7 p.m. Environmental Film Festival 9 p.m. Norman Magic

25 Shopping

7 p.m. CPS 7 p.m. CPS “Can technologies save us “From Scholar to State Representative” in time?”

28 7 p.m. CPS “The History of Hip Hop”

7:30 p.m. Swing Dance Lessons

10 p.m. 6 p.m. Blair Crimmins and the Oscar Night Hookers 11 p.m. Another Man’s Trash

To advertise your event with The Current, contact Current Entertainment at currententertainment@eckerd.edu

The St. Pete Sampler: Local Fun & Fine Dining Looking for a place to sit down and enjoy a nice tasty burger around the burg? Check out these local joints to escape the bubble and fulfill your ground beef cravings.

The Tipsy Triton: Cocktails & Mixed Drinks Scarlett O’Hara 2 ounces Southern Comfort Dash of lime juice 6 ounces cranberry juice Garnish with a lime wedge.

Top Anti-Valentine’s Day Cocktail: Valentine’s Day on the Rocks 1 ½ oz. Cherry vodka (We used Three-O Cherry Vodka) 4 oz. Ginger ale Splash of Grenadine 1 Cherry Preparation Mix ingredients a glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry.

Note: The beverages and recipes on this page are intended for consumption only by individuals who are 21 or older. The Current does not promote underage drinking. When combining alcoholic beverages with caffeinated beverages, it is important to be aware of the potential side-effects and limit your consumption accordingly. Drink responsibly, our friends.

photos courtesy of wikicommons

Preperation Pour the Southern Comfort, lime juice and cranberry juice into a shaker with ice, and shake well. Strain into a sour or Collins glass.

A. Brewburger’s 4195 34th St S 33711 6 mins from campus Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. 3 ½ stars $$ Beer & Wine Only

B. The Burg Bar and Grill 1752 Central Ave 33713 10 mins from campus Mon. - Thu., Sun. 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. 4½ stars $$ Beer & Wine Only

C. El Cap Restaurant 3500 4th St N 33704 12 mins from campus Mon.- Sun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. 3 ½ stars $ Full Bar

D. The Chattaway 358 22nd Ave S 33705 9 mins from campus Mon. - Thu., Sun. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. 4 stars $ Beer & Wine Only

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the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Entertainment 15

We “wub” EDM By Lizzy Brophy Asst. Health & Fitness A widely circulated Youtube video entitled “Steve Angello—How to Fake Your Fans” shows the Swedish House Mafia D.J. seemingly mixing a set at a concert… but one of the mixers isn’t even plugged in. People were outraged to think that they were paying upward of $50 to see someone push play on a computer and then sit around. Angello later explained that the video showed a certain section of the show that included fireworks and pyrotechnics. The set had to be pre-mixed to time up with these elements. Electronic dance music’s (EDM) recent rise in commercial popularity has brought about several effects. Once reigning over the realm of small, grimy nightclubs, EDM artists now headline huge festivals and sell out amphitheaters. Following the growth in venue, the production has been amplified as well. Artists now use technical effects that can wow people from a distance. The music itself has gone mainstream as well. Skrillex and Kaskade are in the same playlists as Rihanna and Flo Rida. The result is a crowd that treats EDM like they treat pop music. They want to hear the hits, and they want predictabil-

ity. In an article for the Huffington Post, A-Trak explains that “we are in the middle of an arms race where every D.J. tries to out-do the next one with shock and awe. As the performance aspect becomes predominant, a paradigm shift is underway. Crowds used to come see D.J.s for a musical journey. Now they expect to hear specific songs and furthermore, they want to see a show.” Popular electronic artists are delivering just that. Rather than finding unique songs or remixes, artists are playing the hit singles over and over again. It was nearly impossible to attend a house show this summer without hearing Avicii’s “Levels.” “Coming Home” by Skylar Grey and “Save the World” by Swedish House Mafia were similarly overplayed. There is nothing wrong with these songs. They are popular for a reason: they’re catchy and fun. But they’re not the only songs out there. And just like every new Nicki Minaj song that comes out on the radio, their charm disappears when they’re played over and over again at every opportunity. Part of the problem may be that crowds respond best to these songs. They like to know the lyrics and sing along. They like to know

when the drop is coming. In other words, they want the experience of a traditional show. But a good EDM show doesn’t work like that. The attraction of an electronic concert doesn’t lie in the individual songs. It flows as a cohesive set. A good D.J. doesn’t merely walk on stage and play his or her songs exactly the same as on the release. That’s boring. Instead, they create mixes that can include anything from bootlegs of other electronic artists to remixes of different genres. It is collaboration between D.J.s and fans together embarking on a musical journey. For a few hours, the outside world disappears and it becomes all about that room. The people dancing their asses off around you, sweating, yelling and generally having a great time. It’s about the gradual build up before the drop that makes everyone go crazy. The unexpected remix that no one has heard. Many people say that electronic shows aren’t live because there are no actual instruments being played. EDM fans have always been able to respond that although it may not be “live” in the traditional sense, the overall experience is the important part. When D.J.s play the same songs over and over again, this argument can no longer be made. This lack of originality that has become the new norm cheapens a genre of music that has been working to gain respect for years. All is not lost for electronic music. There are still artists fighting to retain this creativity. It’s up to the fans to support these D.J.s and demand more from the genre. If we continue to spend exorbitant amounts of money to see artists just “press play,” that is what we will continue to get. Commercial popularity isn’t the real problem; it’s that EDM is allowing itself to be changed to fit the mold of popular music. We’re spiraling into a black hole of cheap music and laziness, and the only way out is to promotional photo start fighting back.

Hipsters love “Ready Player One” Ernest cline, from page 13

references from other decades, like the sixties, with an allusion to Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A great example of the references coming together is when Parzival arrives to a party in his flying DeLorean, drinks a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster and R2-D2 is the D.J. Although the many references may seem like candy for nerds, author Ernest Cline cleverly develops them together for an unparalleled experience for the reader. My biggest criticism is that the plot really holds no surprises. Once you start reading it, you kind of know who the good guys are, who the bad guys are and who’s going to fall in love with whom. On the plus side of this book, there are some really interesting ideas to be thrown around that would appeal for the Internet generation. In recent years, MMORPG’s (massive multiplayer online

role-playing games) have become very popular with releases such as World of Warcraft and other similar titles. Even addictions have become an issue with the rise of these immersive games. The first person perspective of the book definitely tells of an addiction to virtual reality from the addict himself. Another conflict that the Internet generation can clearly see in this book is with net neutrality. Throughout the book, there are companies and interest groups that want want OASIS to become “privatized and homogenized.” After logging out of the book, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, light read. Once the hunt for the egg starts, you’ll be hooked until the end. You’ll be thrown into a science fiction world thatwill have you grinning when you hear classic references as well as exposing you to movies, shows and music that you have never heard before. I would give Ready Player One three stars out of five.

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One MMO to rule them all By Connor McKenna Staff Writer Have the burning desire to journey along quests and adventures? Of course you do. Look no more. It’s called Lord of the Rings Online, or it’s slick abbreviation, LOTRO, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and Peter Jackson’s movies. This game was developed and produced by Turbine Inc. and is absolutely free. For those not familiar with MMORPG’s they are games in which you can create your own character based on various classes and attributes. Some of the most popular MMORPGs include World of Warcraft and GuildWars 2. What is unique about this video game genre is that unlike most games, many of the other characters that you interact with are players just like yourself. This idea has been transferred to fit the Lord of the Rings saga with it’s most recent film adaptation, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey being the latest film installment. I was excited to see this game’s recent release on Steam for both Mac and PC. This game took me around an hour to download on Steam, and another 2 hours to get going. This may be a good length of time for downloading an MMORPG, but leave your computer and let it rest; don’t play with the buttons. Even clicking language messed the system up and I struggled to get back on the downloading track. I began my journey with former Eckerd College student Gabriel Lennhoff , and together we formed a mighty fellowship. You get to choose from being an elf, man, hobbit or dwarf, being the main races of the “Lord of the

Rings.” Of course, we chose Hobbits and I earned my name Gigglefish, Gigglefish of the Fallohides. Together we entered Elendilmir, our server, and started attacking each other and testing the censor programs. Over time, we learned how to play with ease by experimenting and the help of a thorough tutorial. The game plays pretty smoothly and the controls are easy and fun. It is a well made game, especially for one that doesn’t cost anything, except for your time. As for the stories, this game is taking everything that 14-year old boys thought were cool in the “Lord of the Rings” and making it into a role-playing game, it’s fantastic. The quests are interesting but a little too involved with the original “Lord of the Rings” characters than I would have liked, but that’s what is to be expected from a game like this. The game has good gameplay feel. Although, the cheesiness was a part of the charm of this game for me, it’s what anyone would expect. This game is not necessarily original, but it is everything it could have been. Meaning to say that this game is not the best constructed video game out there, but is definitely impressive with what the developers had to work with. But most importantly this game is fun. This is a game you pick up and have a blast with some friends to form your own fellowship together. If you have a need for laughs and time on your hands, play this game. It’s worthwhile and something not to be taken too seriously but still is a game where you can enjoy yourself. There are also addons which you are able to play, although these cost money. To anyone wanting to get their LOTRO on, all are welcome in my fellowship and journey to finally defeat the shadow of the north.

16 Entertainment

the current Astro Skate locations offers nostalgia

Feb. 15, 2013

Dreads, dye jobs, wrap up EC students By Jennifer Lincoln Staff Writer If there’s one word to characterize Eckerd students, it’s “unique.” Eckerd students have a unique variety of past-times, hobbies, internships and personality traits. And our uniqueness doesn’t stop at our interests. It extends to all aspects of our lives, even our bodies... specifically, our hair. Hair is one of the easiest and most effective ways to display your personality or convictions, and hair around the Eckerd College campus takes on many shapes, colors, cuts and fashions. From the girls rocking “Skrillex” haircuts with half their hair buzzed and the other combed over, to the ever-popular ombre coloring where hair gradually grows lighter from the roots to the tips, to classic hippie dreadlocks, Eckerd College is a leader in unusual and interesting hair trends. While some students take the tamer route with their hair, choosing to dye their hair natural colors and getting common cuts, others go all out with Miley Cyrusesque crazy cuts and rainbow colors all over. It’s fitting that the hairstyles and hair colors of Eckerd College students reflect the immense diversity of the school. Many different ethnic groups, nationalities, and backgrounds are brought together in a giant melting pot where style influences are easily mimicked between peers. Hairstyles can bring a group of college students to-

Astro Skate, from page 13

gether through a night of making hair-wraps out of colored string, beads and shells, d r e a d l o c king friends’ hair, or putting in feathers as part of their hairaccessophotos by Alex Zielinski ries. HairMaya Carl (far left) flaunts her hair wraps, Kirstin Ruginski (bottom wraps might right) shows off her blue hair dye and Shannon Kelly (top right) with be one of the dreadlocks. most expressive ways to difficult to pinpoint the most popaccessorize your hair because you ular, because our student body is choose what colors go into the so diverse. While dreadlocks and wrap and you have the option of at- hair dye are very common, each taching whatever trinkets you want student creates their own twist on (shells, beads, charms, even minia- the style so that no two haircuts are ture clocks). the same, and there are many variaOften on campus one might hear tions. compliments directed at students I’ve seen loose dreadlocks, tight by their peers or even, on occa- dreadlocks, and occasionally “half ” sion, professors about their hair or dreadlocks. Students have dyed hair accessories being unique and their hair every color of the raininteresting. Eckerd College stu- bow, ranging from all-over dye to dents draw inspiration from others sectioning off the hair underneath. around them as well as celebrities The ombre color scheme is seen seen in the media, such as Anne on many different people, but the Hathaway with her pixie cut and shades of blonde and brunette are Johnny Depp’s manly facial hair different on everyone, and some and ever-changing hairstyle. people don’t use blonde and bruIn men, facial hair is growing nette at all, instead opting for hues more and more popular because it of more radical colors. Hair is so presents a “rugged” look, but clean- diverse at Eckerd that you can litshaven is also seen a lot around erally do whatever you want with campus. There are so many differ- it and fit right in, just like all other ent hairstyles on campus that it is aspects of life at Eckerd College.

charge as well as an uproarious soda-drinking competition at the snack bar. “Kids we hire are quality kids,” says Maganias, “you gotta have decent grades...” Maganias is well aware that his middle-school skaters look up to the older staff as role models and swoon over the beautiful girls who run the show. Young love will always be a part of the roller rink mystique. We leave sweaty, tired and a little scraped up, but deliriously happy; emotionally spent. It was just as I remembered, but I can’t quite put my finger on what

makes a night at the rollerblading rink so special for so many, whether it’s 1979 or 2012. The next morning, Maganias calls me for a quick phone interview and sums it up perfectly. “They might have family trouble, home trouble, whatever. But when they put on their skates....” It all melts away.

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Briefly entertaining: Local bars and shows New bar opens downtown Mike’s Tap and Tavern is coming to downtown St. Pete, next to Durty Nelly’s at 169 1st Ave. N. Mike’s will feature 40 taps that will be on consistent rotation, along with local brews, wine and a full liquor bar. Flat screens will cover the walls to cater to sports fans, and a corner band stage, lounge area, open floor plan and pizza served late into the night in hopes of attracting the night life crowd. Though an official date has not been set, Mike’s Tap and Tavern will open sometime near the end of February. Jam band Lotus is playing show Feb. 20 the electronic jam band Lotus will be playing the Ritz in Ybor. Ticket sales are $21.50. Dropkick Murphys show American ska-punk band the Dropkick Murphy hailing from the Mass. are playing Jannus Live March 3. Ticket sales are $34.50. What the f--k is Zoogma? Experimental electronic band is playing State Theater March 1 as part of their All Access Tour 2013. Ticket sales are $15.50.

Viral video update: Shooting hoops & melting ice

Uploaded by Joseph Ashby “Unbelievable Little Kid Does a Trick Shot Video” Feb. 3

Uploaded by carsandwater “Red Hot Nickel On Ice” Feb. 8

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The Quickie 17

Feb. 15, 2013

THE QUICKIE Across 1 Automobile 4 Tiny particles 9 Body of water 12 First letter of the Arabic alphabet 14 Jalopy 15 __ of Mexico (water body) 16 Dress decoration 17 Stadium 18 Ca. University 19 Men let go from slavery 21 Clean 23 Aurora 24 Ingest 25 Daddy 28 “I am the greatest.”- Muhammid ____ 31 Reserve Officers Training Corps. 34 Thoroughfare 36 Sphere 38 Color 40 Twofold 41 Organic compound 43 September (abbr.) 44 Lube 45 Mesh 46 Very, very tiny 48 __ vu 51 Pull 53 Secondhand 54 Highs 56 Computer makers 58 Become moldy 61 EC to DC Pipeline 66 Location 67 List of highly desired guests 69 Country in SE Asia 70 A public display of affection 71 Scrimmage 72 Prune 73 Eastern Standard Time 74 Gods 75 Welkin

Crossword by: Hailey Escobar

Down 1 Dogie 2 Like a wing 3 First African American woman appointed Secretry of State 4 “Remember the __” 5 Mother __ 6 Sign 7 After sun. 8 Chinese New Year 9 “no __ luck” 10 Women’s magazine 11 Far away 13 Toll 15 Zestfulness 20 Honey 22 Rowing device 25 Celtic priest 26 Dickens’ “__ of Two Cities” (2 wds.) 27 Eastern state 29 Beano 30 Anger 32 Tune 33 Shoots arrows to make people fall in love 34 Hubbub 35 Shekel 37 Lingerie 39 And so forth 42 Adjust 43 Distress call 47 “Calciums” antacid brand 49 Betrayer 50 Monkey 52 Author of “Night” 55 Religious teacher 57 Computer memory units 58 Build 59 Bulb flower 60 For fear that 61 Weight unit 62 What a nurse gives 63 Rowers needs 64 Corner 65 Spy 68 Headed

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Club Spotlight: Tennis Club By Taylor Glaws Quickie Editor To the outside observer, a tennis club practice might be mistaken for a group of friends playing tennis. The “relaxing and uncompetitve environment” described by Club President Yasmine Owen, a sophomore, belies the club’s status as a formally established organization. The club is open to interested students of all levels of experience. Practices begin with stretches and light rallies. After warm-ups, players pair off for singles games, or form groups of four people for doubles. Coach and Eckerd alumnus Shikha Singh joins the club members every Thursday to lead the club in drills, and give valuable tips and suggestions to individual players. Some players like Freshman Ilyana RoseDavila, who is returning to the sport after years of not playing, find the advice of the coach and other members extremely helpful. “Even though it’s been awhile since I played tennis, the tennis club has been really supportive and helped me to relearn a pastime that I thought I had lost completely.” The general atmosphere of the club is friendly and encouraging to new players, according to some members, like Freshman Brian Jenkins. “I get to hang out with my buddies and get great exercise,” said Jenkins. The tennis club also has a wide range of skill levels. Players with more experience seeking competitive games can play against each other and can even participate in intercollegiate tournaments. New players will always find a friendly and supportive environment, and can borrow a temporary racket if necessary.

The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8 p.m. at the tennis courts. Contact Yasmine Owen by email at ymowen@eckerd.edu for more information. The tennis club at the Champions Challenge tournament in November in Tampa.

photos courtesy of Yasmine Owen

The tennis club at Olive Garden after a tournament.

The tennis club at the courts for practice.

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18 The Quickie

Feb. 15, 2013

the current

courtesy of dailyinfographic.com

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the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Health & Fitness 19

HEALTH & FITNESS Eat your heart out: By Kate Astor Staff Writer They say chocolate can mend a broken heart, but many people may be surprised to learn that it actually can. According to Clevelandclinic.org, chocolate has been gaining a lot of media attention because of its potential benefits for cardiovascular health, and claims have been made that chocolate may be beneficial for our health. This website shows that regular chocolate eaters actually have lower blood pressures, lower levels of LDL cholesterol and a lower risk of heart disease. These positive results are directly related to the antioxidant like qualities of the cocoa bean. The cocoa bean is rich in flavonoids, which help protect plants from harmful toxins. 100 percent cacao is the healthiest because it is the least processed chocolate, but this type of chocolate is extremely bitter and works better when it is used in baked goods. When we consume these flavonoids, they

Skin care from the kitchen By Lizzy Brophy Asst. Health & Fitness Editor

Health benefits of chocolate

seem to have a similar effect and we gain this antioxidant power. The main type of flavonoids found in cocoa beans are called flavanols, and they influence our vascular health by improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure and making blood more able to clot. Before you go running out to 7-Eleven to buy a Reese’s Cup or a Twix, it is important to note that not all types of chocolate are healthy. Despite claims that dark chocolate is better for our health, it actually depends on how the chocolate is processed. When chocolate is processed, flavanols are lost. The more heavily processed, the less flavanols will be found in the final product. Most of the chocolate treats that we love to consume are highly processed. However, now that awareness of this knowledge is growing, manufacturers are looking for ways to preserve the flavanols in chocolate through the processing course. Although this is great news, there is still

apply on a clean, dry face and rinse off thoroughly. I also recommend applying a skinspecific moisturizer or raw virgin coconut oil afterward to keep your skin from getting dry. To remove dead skin: 1-2 tablespoons ground Quaker oats 1 teaspoon honey a few drops of water Mix and apply to face and neck. Let sit for 5 minutes and then gently rub in circular motion to exfoliate.

Throughout history, both men and women have sought miracle solutions for clear, vibrant skin. From ancient Egypt to Medieval Europe, people have sworn by various products as the key to their glowing complexions. For dry skin: These days, most people turn to drug stores 1/2 avocado or designer products that claim to address var1 tablespoon olive oil ious issues. Many of these products are expen- Mash together and apply to face. Let dry for sive, and nearly all contain an unpronounce- 15-20 minutes. able list of ingredients that may or may not deliver the desired results. To reduce acne scars: Luckily, people are rediscovering that 4 teaspoons lemon juice healthy skin doesn’t necessarily need the aid 3 teaspoons plain yogurt of obscure, expensive chemicals in order for it 4 tablespoons honey to look its best. 1 egg white For many problems, the best solutions can Mix until smooth and apply to face. Let sit for be found closer to your grocery store produce 15 minutes. section than the array of plastic bottles in a drugstore. For a glowing complexion: The first step in creating a personalized 3 tablespoons orange juice facial routine is identifying the needs of your 1/2 cup honey skin. For dry skin, avocado and ripe bananas Mix until smooth and apply to face. Leave on are a great place to start. Oily skin can benefit for half an hour. from tomatoes and egg whites. For acne prone individuals, strawberries contain salicylic acid to get rid of dead skin cells. Tea tree oil and raw honey also make great spot treatments for pimple reduction. Plain yogurt and pumpkin are softening ingredients, and can be used on any skin type.When exploring different products, it’s important to buy the best quality available. Organic, raw and unprocessed will generally produce better results. In addition, you should always spot-test any new ingredient on your wrist and check for signs of allergic reaction before applng it to your face. Even if you can safely consume a food, you may elicit a different reaction when placing it on your skin. To get you started, here are a few homemade photo by Lizzy Brophy masks to try. Make sure to Face mask ingredients.

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the issue of the fat content in chocolate. In reality, it’s not a problem if you make your chocolate choices wisely. The fats in chocolate are mostly monounsaturated, or “healthy fats” that are also found in olive oils. Chocolate also has stearic acid in it. Although it is a saturated fat, it seems to have little effect on the raising or lowering of cholesterol levels. The true culprits of unhealthy fats in chocolate treats are the other things within the chocolate like wafers, marshmallows and caramel. Since there is no universally recommended serving size for how much chocolate to eat in order to yield these vascular health benefits, it is safe to say that a little chocolate here and there will not hurt. As long as the chocolate is not loaded with sugary additions, and it is relatively unprocessed, it is completely fine to eat about one ounce of chocolate a few times a week. So, chocolate lovers all over the world, eat your heart out.

JulieAnne’s Workout

Happiness Alexis Jordan

Thrift Shop Macklemore

And We Danced Macklemore

We Run the Night Havana Brown

Will I?

Ian Van Dahl

Bla Bla Bla

Gigi D’Agostino

It’s Working MGMT

Fancy Footwork Chromeo

I Just Came to Say Hello Martin Solveig et Dragonette

Come into my Dream Foggy

From the iPod of JulieAnne Howe

Sex on the Beach How to say “No.” By Cait Duffy News Editor It’s Friday night. The lights are low, the clock is inching closer and closer to morning, and your third drink is barely covering the ice. There’s a crowd at the bar, or the keg, or the kitchen counter, and there’s just enough swill in your cup left to last until the front of that line. You go stand next to someone you don’t know, or another new face joins the crowd behind you, and it starts. “Hey.” The person might say with a quick scan of your body. Or, “Come here often?” Maybe the person’s kind of cute, maybe there was a better pick up line or segue into a conversation that could have been used. But something’s off, something’s strange and you just aren’t interested. How do you go about letting them know? As with all situations in life, there are a variety of situations that this could happen. The circumstances may change, but it always seems to be difficult to simply say a firm “no.” There are a couple of ways that you can go about showing your non-interest. Some are more forward than others, and the right method completely depends on your comfort in the situation, but hopefully these tricks can help you find an easy way to disengage. It all begins with body language. Which directions are your shoulders and hips pointing? Keep your body facing outward toward the room or the crowd rather than turning to face them completely. This instantly sends a non-verbal message that you aren’t physically attracted. While it may seem flighty, keep your gaze occupied elsewhere. Completely ignoring someone who is trying to begin a conversation with you

is certainly rude, but that’s not to say you need to dedicate your complete attention to them. A polite smile and simple, oneworded answers while looking distracted sends another non-verbal message of disinterest without having to say anything If these physical signs aren’t enough to encourage an end to the flirting, your unwanted pursuer may require a tougher hand. It’s okay to decline an offer for a free drink. An easy “No, thank you,” will usually do the trick. If you don’t have a friend to come pull you away from the conversation the moment you need to leave, excuse yourself. Keep in mind that excusing yourself doesn’t mean you need an excuse. If you want to leave a conversation, that’s your right, and who has the right to question why? This is America in the 21st century, isn’t it? A basic line to use can simply be, “It was so nice to meet you. Have a great night.” Variations of that statement can work. A smile and a nod will cement your point, then begin walking away as you say your goodbye. In most cases, this should deter any person with common sense. But there are those nights and those people who have too much liquid courage, or simply cannot take a hint. Don’t be afraid to be firm, forward and strong at this point. Just tell the person that you aren’t interested. There’s no need to explain yourself to anybody that you don’t want to have your number. The key is remembering that the only person in charge of you, is you. It’s your night, your life and your decision. Saying “no” shouldn’t have to be difficult, but if someone just won’t take no for an answer, feel empowered enough to tell them to stick it up their you-know-what and get lost. Or something a little nicer.

20 Health & Fitness

the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Group tests drugs at music festivals By Ian Lindsay Entertainment Editor **The Current does not condone illegal drug use. From the time Jerry Garcia’s guitar riffs echoed over Woodstock, to the unforgiving bass drops from Skrillex’s amplifiers moving the crowd at Bonnaroo, people have loved going to music and arts festivals. Why not? It’s camping, art, music and for the more reckless, drugs. Ever since the inception of the underground culture of music festivals in the sixties, drug use has been part of the experience. With drugs also comes the danger of overdosing, fillers used to cut the drugs and people selling other harmful chemicals under false pretenses. However, since the summer of 2011, an initiative of festival goers who call themselves the “bunk police” have been attending different festivals on the circuit and will test your drugs for free. “I saw the bunk police for the first time this past year at Wakarusa. Seeing them around was a pleasant surprise, they made their mission statement clear up front and approached our campsite to hand out their flyer,” said Junior Kyler Thomann who has been attending festivals since his fresh-

man year of college. “I didn’t use their services, it definitely helped create a safer environment and culture of helping each other out,” said Thomann. Although no illegal drug is FDA approved, the bunk police aim to pass the knowledge of what festivalgoers are putting into their body. The bunk police street team walks around the campsites at festivals handing out flyers and using their test kits to test a drug sample. The bunk police flyers provide information on drugs in general from the effects of the drug to how illegal it is. They use a color coded system, which is printed on their flyers to figure out what kind of chemicals are present in the paper or powder. The color the test kit turns depends on what chemicals are in the drugs. MDMA turns from dark blue to black, while research chemicals or analogs like DOB, a psychedelic research chemical, turn yellow to green. The test kits also help illuminate how much filler is used to cut the drug. A popular drug with college kids these days has the street name “molly” and is supposedly pure MDMA. It comes in crystalline form. Naturally, since this drug is illegal, many have attempted to make substi-

tutes for it, which are known as bath salts. At first legal, these chemicals seem even more controversial because of the adverse side effects of using them. Using a test kit, a festival goer can observe how dark the colors of the test kit turn to ensure there are no unwanted chemicals. This is a handy tool for festival goers who decide to risk the chance of ingesting recreational drugs. The festival community gives a lot of support to the bunk police’s street team. “I think the bunk police are awesome,” said Senior Meredith Larmie. “Rather than sticking some random powder up

Campers at Suwannee music festival.

your nose, you can see the drug you’re truly getting, which is a lot safer than putting god knows into your system.” Tester kits and other supplies are available for sale on bunkpolice.org and chances are you will likely see their street team at the next festival you attend. Their basic test kits start at $20. Also, flyers are available for anyone to print off, as well as information about joining their street team. Taking illegal drugs is not a safe thing to do, but it is a present part of music festival culture, and at least that culture is attempting to make it as safe as possible.

courtesy of Spirit of Suwannee Facebook

Celebrate love safely on Valentine’s Day

By Megan Coy Director of Health Promotions

fice of Health Promotion and Counseling & Health Services.

Valentine’s Day, the day of love. We all show our love to different people in different ways, but in intimate, sexual relationships, there are several things you can do to show the one you love how much you really care about them.

2. Get tested. It is important to know your status to protect yourself and the one you love. Free HIV testing is offered monthly on campus, and you can be tested for other sexually transmitted infections at St. Anthony’s Primary Care in the Eckerd College Health Center. Just call them at 727-864-8326 to make an appointment. The dates for free rapid HIV testing on campus from Metro Wellness and Community Centers are Feb. 13, March 13, April 10 and May 8 from 2-4 p.m. at the mobile unit in Cobb loop. If you need information on how to talk to your partner and/or healthcare provider about getting tested, stop by the Office of Health Promotion in the Fitness Center, or check out GYTnow.org.

1. Use protection. This is about more than preventing pregnancy. It is about protecting yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs/STIs). For oral sex, use a flavored condom or dental dam. For vaginal or anal sex, use a condom. According to the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II: Eckerd College Executive Summary in Spring 2011, less than 60 percent of sexually active Eckerd students reported using a condom or other protective barrier within the last 30 days (mostly or always) for vaginal intercourse, less than 5 percent for oral sex and 30 percent for anal intercourse. Remember, condoms are available for free on campus from the Of-

3. Get vaccinated. While cancer rates overall are on a downward trend, cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV) are increasing, especially among men (Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer). HPV is the most com-

mon sexually transmitted infection, and there are often no symptoms. It can be transmitted through oral, anal and vaginal sex. These cancers can often be prevented with the HPV vaccine, sometimes referred to as the cervical cancer vaccine, which is recommended for all men and women ages 11 to 26. In spring 2011, only 56 percent of Eckerd students reported receiving vaccination against human papillomavirus (American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II: Eckerd College Executive Summary). You can make an appointment to get the HPV vaccine at St. Anthony’s Primary Care in the Eckerd College Health Center by calling 727-8648326, or talk to your primary care provider. The Office of Health Promotion is here to support your health and wellness, and you are always welcome to stop by our office in the Fitness Center. Also, be sure to complete the Eckerd College Student Health Survey from the American College Health Association that will be emailed to all residential students on Friday, March 1. We use the data from that survey to help us better understand the health needs of students and develop programs to address those needs.

Get out and get active on your next date By Rachel Beck Staff Writer Looking for original and adventurous date ideas? Try out these three ideas for both oncampus and off-campus dates that will be sure to create a memorable and romantic experience. 1.Surfing Surfing is a great date option for those who want to bond on the beach. Junior Mara Shingleton and her boyfriend, Eckerd alum Michael Shiva Best (‘12), go surfing together. Best, who lives in Sebastian, Fla., introduced Shingleton to surfing. “I’m a beginner, so I started about 5 months ago during the waves of Hurricane Isaac, but he’s (Shiva) been surfing for years,” said Shingleton. Shingleton and Best generally surf on the Atlantic Coast for the best waves. “I heard that some

recommends The Surf Shack and Lenny’s Surf Shop for surfing equipment rentals. Hayward notes that Cocoa Beach and Sebastian Inlet are good spots to catch waves on the Gulf Coast of Florida. “Surfing is a very emotional experience and when you are able to share it with a special person the barrels courtesy of Wikicommons/ Colton Cotton are better, the snaps are Rockwall climbers high five after reaching the top. more epic and the airs are even higher,” said Hayward. people occasionally try to surf on the Gulf Coast, but the waves 2. Rock Climbing there are usually pretty small and If surfing isn’t for you, try out there can be a lot of seaweed at rock climbing for an adventurtimes.” she said. “Mainly, surfing ous date idea. Senior Ian McKis a great time to spend hours on enzie goes to Vertical Ventures, the beach together working out, an indoor rock climbing gym getting a tan and having fun.” in Tampa, for good times with President of the Eckerd Surf friends or dates. McKenzie tried Club, Senior Mac Hayward, out Vertical Ventures as a fresh-

man. “I enjoy the outdoors, so I figured I would take girls to a place that kind of replicates what I like,” he said. “It’s not too tough, and is really a lot of fun regardless of how in shape you are.” Rock climbing is both good exercise and challenging. “The joy comes from being able to find a comfortable spot and observe your surroundings, whether you’re by yourself, with friends or with your date,” said McKenzie. 3. Waterfront activities If you want to stay on campus for your date, look no further than the Waterfront to provide exciting and interesting opportunities. Consider renting a kayak or paddleboard for a romantic afternoon. The Waterfront is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Whether you go surfing, rock climbing or explore the Waterfront, you’ll have a great time.

Cait’s Cookin’: Apple Chicken Sliders

By Cait Duffy News Editor Lunch is a special break for those in the academic world. Throughout primary education, children and teens count down the seconds until they can step away from the classroom and enjoy conversation over tater tots and bologna sandwiches. In college, it’s much the same, though a quick run to Subway or a pre-made sandwich from Triton’s Pub replaced, at least for myself, mom’s prepared concoctions. But what happens when all you want is a sandwich, and the crisply toasted submarine roll is likely to do more damage, rather than provide nourishment. Creativity. Similar to the more popular Paleo diet, where individuals swear off anything our primordial ancestors couldn’t gather themselves, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet calls for its followers to avoid consuming most all grains, starches, preservatives, fillers and improperly processed dairy goods. In the United States world of corporate food, this eliminates the majority of goods found in any grocery store or distributed by a chain brand. As a result, any easy sandwich ingredients are forbidden, but especially the bread that holds it all together. After experimenting with different methods of arrangement and substitutes, I was finally able to create myself a sandwich guaranteed to do no harm. Though the sandwiches themselves are tiny, one good-sized apple can produce 3-4, a perfect amount for a fully filling lunch. The natural sugars and proteins will provide healthy energy that should help any academic finish their afternoon courses off well. Ingredients: 1 large Red Delicious apple Brie cheese 1 chicken breast Lettuce or spinach leaves Olive oil Cinnamon Directions: 1. After rinsing the chicken breast, slice it into 1/4 inch wide strips, no more than 2 inches long. 2. Heat olive oil in a stovetop frying pan on medium-high heat. 3. Cook the chicken strips in the olive oil for approximately 5 minutes on each side, until cooked thoroughly. 4. Preheat toaster or convection oven to 400 degrees F. 5. Slice apple horizontally into 1/4 inch wide slices. Slice out the center of the slice to remove any bits of seeds or the core that you do not want to eat. 6. On a cooking sheet covered with aluminum foil, place the apple slices side by side. 7. Place cooked chicken strips and slices of brie on half of the apple slices, leaving the other half bare. 8. Place in oven and bake for 5 minutes or until cheese has fully melted. 9. Add lettuce or spinach to the brie and chicken, then place uncovered slices on top of the mix. 10. Sprinkle with cinnamon, and enjoy! Pro-tip: To save time cooking chicken myself, I purchase a cooked rotisserie chicken for the week. When I am cooking the chicken, jerk seasoning adds a fuller-bodied kick to the overall flavor of the sandwich.

photo by Cait Duffy Apple chicken sliders.

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the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Sports 21

SPORTS Eckerd sports spring into action Tritons swing, shoot, hit, tackle, sail to victory

INSIDE SPORTS Good Vibes

Triton of All Trades

Sailing

Back Cover

courtesy of Johan Wahlberg Johan Walhberg takes aim at the cup.

By Mike Geibel Sports Editor photo by Bill Stickley Taylor Bestry shoots a lay-up.

courtesy of Sabrina Lolo Sabrina Lolo and Kristen Schurr (15) meet at the pitching mound during a game last year.

photo by Morgan Engle Meagan Camp carries the ball toward the defense during the Sirens’ last home match of fall semester.

Eckerd spring sports have gotten off to a strong start. The last sports to get into their seasons were golf, tennis and sailing, but now all Eckerd sports are active on campus with home matches all over the schedule. As basketball starts to wind down their conference games with hopes for a bid to the national tournament, other sports are gearing up for the beginning of their own seasons with high hopes for this year. Baseball won three of its first four games, outscoring opponents 38-20 over that stretch. Softball began their season similarly going 3-1 in their first four games including a sweep of Ave Maria. The team then went on to a 3-3 record at the Eckerd College Invitational. Sailing kicked off the spring season taking third in the Eckerd-hosted SAISA regatta. The team looks ahead to the first spring with new coach Kevin Reali and a strong season on the water. Men’s golf opened the spring by shooting the second lowest team score in school history. Junior Jeff Evanier shot a bogey-free second round as the men posted a second round total of

283, a massive improvement from the 307 posted in the first round. Women’s golf has not yet started their first tournament but will compete at the 9th Annual Start 2 Finish Sports & More Classic Feb. 17 and 18 in Lake Wales, Fla. Tennis had their first day of matches against a tough Lynn University team ranked No. 3 on the men’s side and No. 4 on the women’s. The team was swept by Lynn but continues to work hard and compete in a very tough conference. Men’s rugby split their first two conference matches, beating FGCU 22-17 and then losing to UNF 20-5 in successive weeks. UNF finished ranked No. 4 in the nation last year and was the only team to beat the Eckerd men during the spring season including once in the USA Rugby South Championship. The Eckerd Sirens women’s rugby team have returned to the division in which they went undefeated during the regular season last year after testing the waters in Division I during the fall. The women lost their first match of the spring against FIU and are trying to find leadership after losing their coach to contract expiration. With so many sports playing so many games on campus this month, Eckerd fans have ample opportunity to cheer on their team and show the Triton spirit.

photo by Elizabeth Tomaselli Sailors take a break at Eckerd’s home regatta.

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photo by Bill Stickley Darien Mack (24) shoots a fade away jumper over a Rollins defender.

photo by Dominick Cuppetilli James Patrick runs at practice after laying down a bunt.

photo by Elizabeth Tomaselli Sophomore captain Rob Mabry leads the men’s rugby team through the victory tunnel after beating FGCU.

22 Sports

the current

Feb. 15, 2013

Eckerd Scoreboard Men’s Basketball

(EC) Mack 11 points, 13 rebounds (EC) Bodney 14 points, 3 rebounds

2/2 v. #19 Rollins College L 69-66 (OT) (EC) Mack 22 points, 9 rebounds (EC) Taylor 10 points, 9 rebounds

Women’s Basketball

2/6 @ Nova Southeastern University W 63-59 (EC) Mack 17 points, 7 rebounds (EC) Bodney 18 points, 3 rebounds 2/9 v. Florida Tech L 70-69

Friday

Softball v. Ave Maria University (DH) 5 p.m. Baseball v. Palm Beach Atlantic University 7 p.m.

2/2 v. Rollins College L 52-50 (EC) Bowlin 11 points, 5 rebounds (EC) Stauere 10 points, 9 rebounds 2/6 @ #20 Nova Southeastern University W 63-61 (EC) Charles 20 points, 6 rebounds (EC) Bestry 11 points, 3 assists

2/9 v. Florida Tech L 63-52 (EC) Charles 17 points, 9 rebounds (EC) Armstrong 13 points, 5 rebounds

Baseball 2/2 v. Warner University (DH) W 8-7, L 6-4 (EC G1) Abadal 3-5, 2 RBI, run (EC G1) Moreau 2-4, RBI, run, BB (EC G2) Dunham 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SH

(EC G2) Andrews 1-2, 2 runs, BB 2/6 v. Clearwater Christian College W 20-3 (EC) Hanson 4-4, 3 2B, 4 RBI, run (EC) Andrews 3-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 runs

Sunshine State Conference opponents in bold

2/9 @ Webber International University W 6-4 (EC) Hanson 2-4, HR, RBI, 2 runs (EC) Spinelle 2-2, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BBs

Sports Calendar

Saturday

Sunday

Baseball v. Palm Beach Atlantic University (DH) noon

Monday

Tuesday

Baseball v. Ave Maria University 7 p.m.

Thursday

Softball v. Warner University (DH) 5 p.m. Women’s and men’s basketball v. Florida Southern College 5:30/7:30 p.m.

Women’s and men’s basketball @ Barry University 5:30/7:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Baseball v. Florida Tech Baseball v. Florida Tech Softball v. Georgia 7 p.m. (DH) noon Southwestern State University (DH) 1 p.m. Women’s and men’s basketball v. Palm Beach Atlantic University 2/4 p.m.

Baseball v. Florida Memorial University 7 p.m.

Women’s and men’s basketball @ Saint Leo University 5:30/7:30 p.m.

Sports Briefly

Eckerd

National

Basketball teams continue SSC play

Paterno family issues statement

The Men’s basketball team suffered a last second loss against Florida Tech Feb. 9. The Panthers fell earlier in the season to the Tritons, and were looking to even the score. Down by two with seconds left to play, Florida Tech put up a shot and was fouled. After making the shot they came with a win over the Tritons, putting them at 6-5 in conference play. Senior women’s basketball guard Krystal Charles put up 17 points in the game against Florida Tech, putting her past the 750 points mark in her career. She also locked in nine rebounds on the night. Despite Charles’ efforts, the Tritons would fall to Florida Tech, making them 5-6 in conference.

The shock of the summer was former FBI Director Louis Freeh issuing a report on the Jerry Sandusky abuse case at Penn state University. Freeh’s findings defined a clear cover-up that included legendary football coach Joe Paterno. Feb. 10, the Paterno family issued a statement rebuffing the Freeh report’s claims as unfounded and speculative at best. The family’s own report targeted the Freeh report’s central evidence about the cover-up. The Penn state Nittany Lions ended the season with an 8-4 record, they are entering the second year of a four year bowl ban as result of the Sandusky findings.

Nigeria cruises at AFCON Eckerd rugby kicks off regular season In a tournament where the favorites went home The Eckerd men’s rugby team split their first two games, winning against FGCU 22-17 and losing to the UNF 20-5 in consecutive weeks. Both games were played on Kappa Field. The men’s team has to make up some ground in the points league in order to have a chance at a return trip to the south championship tournament. The Eckerd Sirens women’s rugby team also fell in their road game against Florida International University. The women traveled to Miami for the match but did so without a coach after their previous coach’s contract expired. The men’s rugby team plays again Feb. 16 against Ave Maria in their final home match of the conference season.

Tennis swept by Lynn in opener In their spring opening set of matches, the Tritons were defeated 9-0 by the number three ranked Lynn University. Lynn has two singles players ranked in the top 30 positions, with one at number 17 and the other at 28. Lynn also has a doubles team that sits at number 2. The combination of all these forces was just too much for the Tritons to handle. The Tritons will have another difficult contest when they face the No. 22 FSU at home Feb. 15.

early due to upsets, Nigeria reigns supreme at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. The central African nation defeated upstart Burkina Faso in the final last Sunday. The Super Eagles cruised over Burkina thanks to a 40th minute strike from Sunday Mba. Nigeria also boasts the tournament’s top goal scorer Emmanuel Emenike who clocked in with four goals in the low scoring tournament. This marks the third continental championship for Nigeria.

photo by Liz Tomaselli The Eckerd men’s rugby team warms up before a game. The men went 1-1 in their first two home games.

Winning Shots Submit your fan photos to currentsports@eckerd.edu for a chance to see them featured in future issues of The Current.

Blackhawks unbeaten in regulation In a shortened NHL season, anything can happen, but one team is proving the extraordinary exception. The Chicago Blackhawks have risen to the top of the NHL league standings and, at press time, have yet to lose a game in regulation. The team is paced by the resurgent point per game play of right wing Patrick Kane, who sits at second in the scoring race. Goalie Corey Crawford continues to answer critics to his play but when the team’s forward roster consists of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, and David Bolland as long as the offense clicks on all cylinders, the score will keep rising.

photo by Aliah Marzolf Sophomore forward Malcolm Brunner, Jr. elevates for a basket against Rollins College.

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the current

Feb 15, 2013

Sports 23

Good vibes: your action sports source By Dominick Cuppetilli Asst. Sports Editor

Sets on the beach with Eckerd tennis By Mike Geibel Sports Editor My father is a multiple time city tennis champion, my mom wears a lot of tennis bracelets, and I’m pretty sure my sister is aware that her cable package includes the Tennis Channel. With a pedigree like that, it would seem I was clearly destined to hold a raquet. It seems my home would be on the grass of Wimbledon’s center court or the DecoTurf of Arthur Ashe Stadium. On paper, I might have been destined to be the next Agassi. Unfortunately, on the court I never quite lived up to the hype. With below average lateral quickness, a serve that is just as likely to land in the parking lot as in the service box and a backhand that makes the neighborhood kids boo me off the court, it seems tennis wasn’t meant for me. My setbacks didn’t stop me from catching up with Madison Durley of the Eckerd tennis team to get a feel for the sport at the collegiate level. Durley competes for the Eckerd team in both singles and doubles play. He greatly enjoys the sport and the competition of playing against other schools. He explained to me that a doubles match with two good teams is one of the most fun athletic competitions to be involved in. “In college, everyone gets up to the net so fast that points only last ten or fifteen seconds sometimes,” he explained, “When you get two teams of good players, it is really fun, even if you don’t win.” I wouldn’t say that I have a temper, but as a kid I found it difficult to keep my composure when things started to go bad in a sport. It was fairly tame during teams sports, but in individual events like golf, I often got upset at myself. My dad used to threaten to make me sit in the car until he was done playing if I threw my club one more time after a bad shot. Much like golf, tennis is a game that demands control over one’s emotions. Durley explained that tennis is at least half mental, probably even more. He said, “Tennis is a game of inches, and if you have a lot on your mind, it can throw off your swing just a tiny bit and then the ball is over the fence and in the parking lot.” This is something that I never knew about tennis but as he explained it, the concept made a lot

more sense. Durley told me that even a millimeter change in the grip of a raquet can feel strange enough in his hand to cause a difference in his play. Part of the difficulty of tennis matches, according to Durley, is being able to overcome all of these slight changes and nuisances and continue to play at a consistent and successful level. According to Durley, it is difficult even for him sometimes to recover his emotional state after a bad shot, but he has been doing much better as he has gotten older. Durley won two doubles matches last year with partner Connor Ohlsen and hopes to perform well this year. As for me, after a few years of watching my father bring home plates and trophies from his own tennis exploits, it seems as though my dream of a Grand Slam victory is a lost cause. My best shot is a twohanded forehand that I can rocket down the line past a lot of people, even if it makes real tennis players laugh to see me swing the raquet like a baseball bat. For some reason, every backhand I hit ends up as a drop shot, barely floating over the net with about as much power as blowing bubbles on a summer day. The problem might be that I don’t practice the game enough. Durley estimated in his tennis career he has hit several hundred thousand balls. He said every match can have between 300 and 400 hits, and even more if the players are evenly matched and rallies last longer than a few hits. It’s no wonder the muscle memory is so ingrained in the players that one slight difference can throw off the rhythm and feeling of the shots they expect to hit. Another difficulty for playing tennis at Eckerd is the lack of scholarships available to the team. Durley explained that other schools in the conference have a minimum of four scholarships for their team, allowing them to recruit players from places like Germany and Spain to play for them. Eckerd does not offer scholarships for tennis and thus many of the best players in the state who are offered a full ride to play the game often end up leaving the area to compete. It still takes an incredible amount of skill to compete at the collegiate level in any sport. It’s something that I will never experience in the sport of tennis. Until I can control my serve enough to keep it between the lines, I think I’ll stick to rugby.

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Phil Soven, number one ranked wakeboarder in the world, has announced that he will be joining the CTRL team for the 2013 season after stating that he was leaving Liquid Force a few weeks ago. Soven, who has ridden for Liquid Force since the age of six, has chosen to switch to an up and coming company at age 23. According to an interview with Alliance Wake, Soven explained that the deal has been a long process, starting as just a friendly relationship that has moved into a new front man for an otherwise unknown brand. Soven told Alliance that the small, unknown facets of the company are what drew him in. “For one, the fact that it is a younger, smaller company. So rather than me jumping onto a big, major brand and trying to fit into their mold, I can go to CTRL and create a mold. We’ve got the opportunity to build something from the ground up.” Soven has “fit the mold” for the past 17 years, and it seems it is his time to start creating himself as what he wants to be in the sport. Although it is speculated that Soven will take part ownership in CTRL, he has not admitted this to any source yet. Cape Town South Africa hosted the 2013 Red Bull King of the Air competition. After an

eight-year break from the contest, Red Bull brought it back with 24 of the best kiteboard riders from around the world. With winds coming off the bay at up to 30 knots, riders were able to soar 50 feet in the air with the help of their kites. When scoring the athletes, judges looked mainly for the height the riders were getting, along with technical abilities performed. Jesse Richman of the U.S. took first place, followed by Nick Jacobsen of Denmark, and finishing up the podium was Sam Light from the U.K. according to the King of the Air website. Another Red Bull sponsored event recently passed was the Australia Cliff Diving Qualifiers. Over a series of eight jumps spread across a few days, 13 divers competed for five spots in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2013. Judgment of the jumps was based closely to how Olympic diving is scored. A small panel of judges scored each jump on a scale of one to ten. The top five divers with the highest combined scores at the end of the contest qualified for the World Series. The five divers who qualified were Matt Cowen from the UK, Anatoliy Shabotenko from the Ukraine, Blake Aldridge from the U.K., Michal Navratil from the Czech Republic and Jonathan Parades from Mexico, reports redbull.com. Just weeks past the Winter X Games, snowboarders had to be

prepared to compete in the Burton European Open. The competition was held in Laax Switzerland, Feb. 4-9. The Open held two events, men’s slopestyle and halfpipe with both men and women’s divisions. After getting the gold medal in Big Air at the Winter X Games, Horgmo Torstein also took the gold in the Slopestyle at the Burton European Open. Even though he won gold back to back at the Winter X Games in the event the past two years, Mark McMorris would drop to the silver position this time. Rounding off the podium with bronze was Sebastien Toutant. Each spot of the women’s halfpipe podium was filled by a rider from the US, and two from the podium at the Winter X Games Superpipe. Arielle Gold, who placed third at X Games, would place first in the event. Kelly Clark, like McMorris, took first in the event at X Games, but dropped to second here at the Open. And finally, Ellery Hollingsworth would take the number three spot. The up and coming 14-year old from Japan would have his time to shine at the end of the men’s halfpipe event. With no Shaun White to drop him to number two, Ayumu Hirano took the top spot at the Open. Taking second was Iouri Podladtchikov and in third was Scott Lago. Both the second and third place riders competed at winter X Games, but fell just short of the podium.

courtesy of Wikicommons/Jean-Pierre Bazard A contestant at a previous Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series event takes his place on the platform before a dive.

Eckerd softball looking for winning season By Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor The Eckerd College softball program has never had a lot of success as a team, but after a getting off to a fast start, the Tritons are looking to have their best season ever. “Our team goal for this season is to achieve a .500 winning percentage,” said head coach Josh Beauregard. “It would be the first time in the history of the softball program.” So far so good for the Tritons, who are off to a 6-4 start. They started off the season Feb. 2 by sweeping a double header at Ave Maria University by scores of 8-0 and 9-2. They were lead by Whitney Bernier and Kara Oberer, who earned Sunshine State Conference Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively. Bernier picked up the win in both contests, pitching a combined nine innings while allowing no runs on three hits, two walk and striking out two. Meanwhile, Oberer, a freshman shortstop, fueled the offense by going 5-7 with a double and three home runs while driving in seven runs and scoring four times. After that, Eckerd split a

double header at home against Southeastern University Feb. 5, winning the first game 7-3 but then losing the second one 3-1. Feb. 8-10 they hosted the Eckerd College Invitational, in Clearwater, playing two games all three days of the tournament. Eckerd started out well, beating Georgia College 6-5 before downing Colorado Christian College 7-5 in 11 innings. On the second day of the tournament, Eckerd lost their first game against No. 10 Columbus State University 12-1, but then bounced back nicely to defeat Palm Beach Atlantic University 4-2. Eckerd didn’t fare as well in the last day of the Invitational, falling to both Lindenwood University and Lynn University by scores of 12-4 and 5-4. According to Beauregard, “The keys to success for our team offensively will be to limit strike outs and get timely hits, pitching needs to limit walks, and defense needs to limit the mental mistakes.” He also says that the team must be able to overcome the struggles the program has had in the past to become the team he knows they can be. Look for breakout seasons from Bernier and Kristen Schurr. Bernier

has been the starting pitcher for Eckerd in five games so far, and has also come in as a relief pitcher in two additional games. She has a 4-2 record to go along with a 1.99 ERA, having allowed 11 earned runs in 38.2 innings pitched. Schurr, a senior third baseman, has started all 10 games and has picked up 10 hits in 29 at-bats for a .345 batting average. She has also doubled twice, walked three times and driven in nine runs while playing solid defense. The team also has a talented freshman class this season, led by Oberer and Kaycie Duncan. Oberer is 10-26, a .385 batting average, while leading the team with three home runs, nine walks and 10 RBI. Duncan, an outfielder, is 11-31, giving her a .355 batting average. She has also doubled twice, walked five times and picked up three RBI. Eckerd starts conference play March 1 and 2 with a three-game series at home against Florida Southern College. Look for the Tritons to stay competitive in games against tough Sunshine State Conference opponents, and hopefully pick up the program’s first winning season.

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

Sports

Feb. 15, 2013

Eckerd finishes third in home sailing regatta By Dominick Cuppetilli Asst. Sports Editor Eckerd hosted its first regatta of 2013 Feb. 9 and 10. The regatta brought in many schools from Florida and surrounding states. The Eckerd team would end the weekend with a third place spot out of 20 teams at its home race. The regatta was not intended to go on to a second day, but wind conditions along with some boat difficulties forced the sailors to wait until better conditions prevailed to complete the races. Sophomore crew member Sophie Abadia said, “Despite a few rough patches due to weather, the participants were able to push through and deliver.” Even with some minor hindrances for the competitors, the day was a nice one overall. With the races just off South Beach, and an EC rugby game going on at Kappa Field, sailors, students and parents could all enjoy the atmosphere of the beautiful day. Many spectators spent time between the beach where there was a clear vantage point for the sailing and

the edge of Kappa Field where the rugby game was being played. Some of the sailors even wandered over to catch a few minutes of rugby during their breaks from competition. One visiting UNF rugby player commented, "You got sailing and rugby all going on and a beach on campus, why would you ever leave?" Freshman skipper Tim Siemers said that Eckerd’s biggest competition of the day was the USF team. However, Eckerd held onto its third place position for the rest of the day and the weekend, pushing USF to fourth place. Siemers added that Junior skipper Solvig Sayre was having a solid day competing in the B division. Abadia also said, “Today’s events went well for Eckerd and many other teams.” With wind conditions better on the second day, the regatta was able to finish without further delay. The University of Florida finished first for the weekend, followed closely by College of Charleston. Eckerd maintained its third place spot and looks to keep moving up in the coming weeks. The sailing team competed in the waters off Eckerd's South Beach.

photo by Dominick Cuppetilli

Eckerd Sailing 2013 Spring Schedule Charleston Spring Open

Charleston, S.C.

2/16-2/17

Mendelblatt Spring Race

St. Petersburg, Fla.

2/16-2/17

Bob Bavier Team Race

Charleston, S.C.

2/23-2/24

The Old South

Gainesville, Fla.

2/23-2/24

Eckerd Intersectional

St. Petersburg, Fla.

3/2-3/3

Graham Hall Team Race

Annapolis, Md.

3/2-3/3

Alumni Regatta

St. Petersburg, Fla.

3/9

Truxton Umsted

Annapolis, Md.

3/16-3/17

MAISA/SAISA

Hampton, Va.

3/23-3/24

SAISA Coed Championship

Charleston, S.C.

4/6-4/7

SAISA Team Race Championship St. Petersburg, Fla.

4/13-4/14

Thompson Trophy

4/20-4/21

New London, Conn.

photo by Dominick Cuppetilli Freshmen Samantha Bell and Christina Powell enjoy the sun on Eckerd's South Beach while watching the regatta.

Banks brings willingness to learn and valuable experience to Eckerd sailing By Dominick Cuppetilli Asst. Sports Editor

The first thing head sailing coach Kevin Reali had to say about skipper Junior Walker Banks was, “He’s enthusiastic. He wants to do everything.” Reali said Banks is eager to do everything he can with sailing, both in and out of college. If you know a little about Banks, this statement will come as no surprise to you. A native to Newport Beach, Calif., Banks has been sailing all his life. “I was born and bred [to sail],” said Banks. The young sailor began his career sailing at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, where he continued to sail through high school. Banks was born into a sailing family. His father, Rex Banks, has the record for the third longest consecutive professional sailing career at 43, and his mother, Tara Dolan, also sailed professionally for two years. It seems that their son would be a natural at the sport, and he does prove to be one. In high school, Banks was a B division skipper, and captain of the team both his senior and junior years. Junior year, Banks and his team qualified for nationals. The experience continues to push Banks in his career at Eckerd. When the up and coming sailor wasn’t competing for his school, he was sailing

for the town’s Yacht Club as part of the Youth International Racing Circuit. Banks trained under Olympic coach, Mike Pinkney. He also traveled around the world, sailing in places like Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South Korea. With a decent amount of exposure in high school, Banks found himself being recruited by several major league sailing colleges such as Yale, Boston College and University of Miami. All fell short, though, to what Eckerd College could provide for him. “I chose Eckerd because it is a slightly smaller team and a great dynamic,” said Banks, “The coaching staff is in it for the kids improving in the sport.” When it came down to it Banks explained, “I could get more sailing time [at Eckerd].” This year, Banks’s sailing partner is Sophomore Amanda Smith. Smith has always been in the water, but began sailing just before coming to Eckerd. Smith’s first impression of her partner was that, “he’s a really good sailor, but he’s intimidating.” Since their first encounter, the two have learned to trust each other. “We know how to balance each other out now,” said Smith. “Every day is different [with Banks].” Banks’s junior year brought both a new sailing partner and a new head coach. Banks is very confident in what his coaches bring to the table. “Both Kevin Reali and

courtesy of eckerdtritons.com/Andy Meng Walker Banks (left) is an integral part of the Eckerd sailing team.

Zack Marks are phenomenal coaches. I believe they can carry the team to the top five [nationally ranked teams] in the next five years,” he says of the coaches. Reali had similar confidence in his sailor. “When we are working on new skills he always wants to make sure he gets it; he is always looking for feedback." Coach Reali also shared Banks’s enthusiasm about the year. He said that the goal is definitely to

make it to nationals. “It’s going to be a big season for us.” The coach jokingly ended by saying, the goal is to “work hard and prevent burn out, but I don’t know if you can do both.” Eckerd’s national ranking is very good and Banks and the rest of the team look to break into the top 20 in the coming semester. Banks believes that with the sailors and coaches at Eckerd, the team can accomplish even greater things.

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