THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Issue 7, Volume 123 Thursday, October 20, 2016
Student contests death of reef, calls for action page 2
Page Page #2 •• SECTION OPINIONS
Thursday, September 11, 2016 2014 Thursday, October 20,
The idealization of celebrity life Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
Celebrities are often elevated to a position of extreme prestige and status, but few stop to consider the fact that stars are regular people. Christina Fuleihan
EXECUTIVE STAFF Lauren Waymire Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Mariano Managing Editor Caroline Arrigoni Production Manager
CONTENT STAFF Raquel Leon Head Content Editor Amanda Grace Head Copy Editor
Barbara Padilla Minoska Hernandez Morgan McConnell Copy Editors Eric Hilton Kalli Joslin Section Editors Christina Fuleihan Staff Writer Kalli Joslin Nolan Brewer Web Editors
DESIGN DEPARTMENT Shaayann Khalid Head Designer Victoria Villavicencio Zoe Kim Maliha Qureshi Designer
BUSINESS & FACULTY Greg Golden
General Manager of Student Media
Dr. Bill Boles Faculty Advisor David Neitzel Business Manager Taylor McCormack Business Intern Jose Araneta Student Media Graduate Assistant
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Cover Art Designed By Caroline Arrigoni ‘16
Staff Writer
Celebrity. One may easily assume that, to a certain extent, we all wish to attain some degree of celebrity, whether that be in the form of glory, fame, or achievement. This desire is inherent in all of us. According to the media, celebrity status is to be eternally revered, regardless of the repercussions. Our society is one that places enormous attention and resources into maintaining the perception that celebrities are indeed special, singular, and exceptional. Star status is so extremely and universally esteemed that we often forget the famous were once, and still are, just like us. One cannot say that celebrity status is always unearned, but the sad truth of the matter is that it can most definitely be both bought or born into; the degree to which a person is in the public eye is in no way indicative of
their contributions to society. Fame isn’t always a gift, though thousands of hours are consumed following the status, the fashion, the everyday comings and goings of stars ranging from actor Johnny Depp to political candidate Donald Trump to Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge. While some of these celebrity personalities attempt to use their fame to bring attention to necessary causes, it seems that the failures and flaws of these individuals tend to be more publically acknowledged in the media. Society always seems so quick to judge public figures, but don’t all of us have the right to make mistakes without routinely being reminded of them? The first images that come to mind when one hears the word fame are synonymous with unrestrained and radical behaviors. Again and again, we find ourselves disappointed by the role models of our generation. And yet, by what right do we claim to experience disap-
pointment over the actions of strangers? One often justifies the lack of privacy afforded to those above a certain status by claiming that the wealth, recognition, and prominence gifted to these public figures requires the small sacrifice of discretion. Celebrity status necessitates the exchange of confidentiality for the hyper-critical judgments of the seven billion humans residing on earth at this very moment. “Fame is interesting. Celebs are supposed to love you guys while also knowing you’d make a meme of our dead bodies to get retweets,” tweeted Chrissy Teigen in response to the recent Kardashian robbery that occurred in Paris on Oct. 3. Fame is indeed interesting; we yearn for what we do not have and what is not readily available to us, which leads us to yearn for celebrity life. Society tends to either ignore or forget the possibility of stalkers, hateful comments, and constant, unsolicited publicity. It seems that
everyone to some extent seems forever ready to embark on their own individual quests for fame, while simultaneously exhibiting behavior—the posting of hateful comments, cyber-stalking—that make the appeal of celebrity life disappear. Upon analysis, the celebrity lifestyle is simply overrated. Whatever emotions we feel towards celebrities and whatever emotions are reciprocated by the famed figures themselves are meaningless. Why? Because we are all strangers. How can one harbor any sort of resentment or love towards a figure they have never spoken to or even come into direct contact with? We might be attracted or repulsed by the actions they commit, the words they say, and the causes they believe in. But we must also remember that we do not know these role models, these idols of our generation, any more than they know us, even though the media would like us to think otherwise.
How we can still save the Great Barrier Reef Despite recent claims to the contrary, the Great Barrier Reef is not dead yet. Measures can still be taken to prevent the loss of this natural wonder. Ellie Rushing
Writer
Last week, Outside Magazine published an article stating that the Great Barrier Reef had died, and it went viral like no other. “The Great Barrier Reef of Australia passed away in 2016 after a long illness. It was 25 million years old,” read the article. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram alike spread the news like wildfire, with many people taking the article at face value. Social media users have continued to grieve for what they thought humanity had done to this historical ocean monument. The article expert opinions, further causing exaggeration to be spread and society to be partially uninformed. Like many coral reefs around the world, the Great Barrier Reef is in serious trouble, but it is not completely dead— yet. As the world’s largest coral reef system, it covers more than 300,000 square kilometers and
consists of more than 3,000 reefs, 600 islands, and 300 coral cays. Coral reefs are home to some of the most biodiverse environments, living through symbiotic relationships with small zooxanthellae amongst the coral polyps. Through photosynthesis, the zooxanthellae provide the coral reefs with energy, but they are extremely sensitive to changes in salinity, temperature, and sunlight availability, which humans have become experts at tampering with. Rising global temperatures cause the corals to eject the zooxanthellae that provide them with nutrients, resulting in what is known as coral bleaching. Healthy corals range in colors from pinks and oranges to purples and blues, but once they have died and undergone bleaching, they turn white and brown. Reef fish and other organisms abandon the bleached areas, leaving behind a depressing, cemetery-like sight for divers and scientists.
Detrimental habits have taken their toll on coral reefs, with 93% of the Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching; however, there is still time to make a change. Outside’s article stated, “No one knows if a serious effort could have saved the reef, but it is clear that no such effort was made.” By convincing the public that the reef is already hopelessly dead, society will continue their negative activities assuming no more efforts can be made to save the reef. But there is still hope: we can help the reef recover. In fact, large sections of the southern half of the reef were able to bounce back from the 2016 bleaching. The message being sent about the situation should explain what humanity can do to save beautiful places like the GBR, not accept its death and completely give up. There is nothing more incredible than immersing your body into a sea of butterfly fish who accept you into their school,
making you feel a part of something bigger. The numbers of colors within a coral reef is overwhelming; from the orange and black stripes on a clownfish passing by your mask to the shimmering surrounding waters as the sun breaks through the surface, every color compliments the other. If we continue to diminish their lifespans at the current rate, the next generation will be lucky to see the last dying scraps of these calcium structures. Now that humanity has proven to care for the reef through their grievances towards its obituary, they have no excuse but to recognize their consequences and make a change. Ride your bike more, carpool places, and take public transportation; vehicles are the number one cause of carbon dioxide emission into the Earth’s atmosphere. By making a small change in your everyday lifestyle, you may end up prolonging the lives of our Earth’s most natural beauties, like the Great Barrier Reef.
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Page 3 • FEATURES
R-Compass fair encourages engagement in majors, neighborhoods Rollins’ annual R-Compass fair introduced freshmen and upperclassmen to the various majors and neighborhoods offered at Rollins. Rebecca Candage
Web Copy Editor
Rollins’s annual R-Compass Fair was a hit with freshmen and upperclassmen alike. The gym was bustling with students exploring their options and Tommy the Tar taking selfies with students. Free candy and infectious smiles were not the only upside for this event; it also presented vital information about choosing majors, minors, and answered a myriad of questions about the neighborhoods that students may still have. The new neighborhood system, going on its third year, is a creative way of accumulating arts, humanities, social sciences, and science credits while focusing on a central theme that interests the student. One might say that this system is the closest we’ll ever get to being sorted into Hogwarts houses. In addition to the five neighborhood courses that students take, they are also required to fulfill four different competencies in foreign language, writing, mathematical thinking, and health and wellness. The four neighborhoods were represented at tables in the center: Mysteries and Marvels, which focuses on answering intriguing questions; Identities, Mirrors, and Windows, which analyzes the factors that shape
our identities; Innovate, Create, Elevate, which broadens student’s creativity; and When Cultures Collide, which explores human behavior and the many cultures that surround us. “The goal of neighborhoods is to teach on each core subject in relation to the neighborhood and in the real world,” says Nicole Villafuerte ’19. Rollins firstyear students must choose their neighborhood by Friday, October 21, through the survey found on Foxlink. Several departments showcased their work for students, including paintings inspired by Rollins from the Art History department and a disappearing beaker and shock machine from the Physics department. Students were thus able to interact with their potential major and minor choices in a more handson way. In addition to major and minor information, representatives for Community Engagement, Internships, and Study Abroad opportunities were also available to answer questions. The R-Compass initiative began as part of the College’s reaccreditation process for the 2015-2025 time period. The aim is to help students succeed not only during their time here as students but to also ready them for their lives post-graduation in terms of career tools, training, and resources.
The Innovation Hub strives for social change Rollins Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub seeks to inspire students to create innovative solutions to improve our local and global communities. Madeline Spies
Writer
Rollins has always generated a commitment to excellence. This school has created an environment in which students strive to achieve academic success. It has fostered a study abroad program in numerous countries for students to learn about different cultures and civilizations. It has also allowed for students and faculty to create partnerships to create change in hopes of creating a difference in the world. The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub (The Innovation Hub) was established so students might have a space to brainstorm their ideas about social change. There are many clubs and causes students can get involved in on campus. EcoRollins is a group that raises awareness about environmental issues. The campus’ recycling and bicycle program is a direct result of students coming together to make Rollins a greater ally to the environment. The Ashoka U Changemaker Campus network has nationally recognized Rollins’ commitment to social entrepreneurship and innovation. Only 36 colleges nationwide have received this recognition. Rollins joined the network in Sept. 2012, becoming
the first college to receive this accolade in Florida. Rollins is now part of a league of schools that endlessly searches for ways to solve issues in the global community. It can take as long as two years to become a changemaker campus. In June 2015, Rollins began to apply for renewal of its changemaker campus status, and in Sept. 2016, the collage presented its renewal plan to a panel in Washington, D.C., evidencing the encouragement Rollins gives students to actively pursue a better world. The renewal was granted and Rollins retained its status as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus. The Ashoka U network expands opportunities for so many students. According to Liz Cvercko, a Marketing and Communications graduate assistant for the Innovation Hub, “The Hub has access to innovative conferences, internships, organization leaders, and over 3,000 Ashoka fellows worldwide.” The Ashoka U network also gives Rollins professors opportunities to partner with other like-minded colleagues to discuss course information and attend faculty summits and conferences. Look out for the upcoming Hult competition in November. It is the world’s largest student competition, which awards $1
million to a deserving student group to help fund their idea for solving some challenge facing the global community. If teams advance past the regional finals, they are then invited to the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, in which President Bill Clinton hosts the Hult Prize Global Finals. Student groups will present their project to a panel of world-class global leaders, who will select a winner. The Innovation Hub opens doors beyond Rollins. There are numerous grants, mentorship programs and fellowships to foster social change. There are socially-minded summer and international programs where students can gain experience in innovation. Students can work towards careers where they will make a positive difference in the world. If you have the smallest idea of how to improve our society and environment, Rollins will rally behind it and support you through its realization. You can follow the Innovation Hub on: Facebook: The Innovation Hub – Rollins College Twitter: @RInnovationHub Instagram: theinnovationhub Blog: https://rollinsinnovationhub.wordpress.com/
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Page Page #2 NEWS 4 •• SECTION FEATURES
Thursday, September 11, 2014 Thursday, October 20, 2016
Lucy Cross “Coming Out” workshop starts crucial conversation Sarah Castro ‘17 and Dr. Kathryn Norsworthy led the first of a series of discussions about coming out as LGBT+ in today’s society. JoJo Peloquin
Writer
On the night of Monday Oct. 3, Sarah Castro and Dr. Kathryn Norsworthy facilitated a “Coming Out to Family” workshop through the Lucy Cross Center. Castro is a senior that does not work directly for Lucy Cross, but was interested in facilitating a workshop based on her own experiences. She believes that it is important to create a safe space for queer students to share their thoughts about coming out. Castro took her convictions
to Dr. Kathryn Norsworthy, who is a professor through the Rollins Graduate Counseling Program. The two worked with Lucy Cross to design and introduce the workshop. The idea behind the workshop was to expose and prepare attendees for different methods of coming out: what could happen, what to plan for, and “the fall-out” after making the decision to come out. Dr. Norsworthy and Castro are both members of the LGBTQ+ community, and so after brainstorming and recalling different personal experi-
ences, they settled on the idea of holding a workshop in place of a traditional, one-time meeting. Castro said that she and Dr. Norsworthy wanted the biggest takeaway from these series of workshops to be that students should have “confidence in them[selves], and that they know their personal situations and what is best for them.” The first workshop was built upon this faith in and understanding of one’s self when taking into consideration the personalities and attitudes of different family members. A strong sense of self
is incredibly helpful in protecting self-esteem in the long run, because some coming out stories end differently than one would hope. Castro and Dr. Norsworthy began the meeting with an introduction of what the term “coming out” means to the LGBTQ+ community. During the discussion, I questioned society when discussing “coming out”—this term implies that there is still darkness around being queer. For some of us, coming out is not feasible due to threats of being disowned, losing financial stabil-
ity, and being ostracized. Before coming out, there is a constant fear of outing ourselves or those around us outing us. Coming out is a personal process of acceptance. Once that is completed, evaluating family situations will usually be the next step, and then slowly easing into fully coming out if the time is right. Castro and Dr. Norsworthy invite anyone that has been struggling with their sexual identity. This workshop is a safe space to voice concerns, opinions, and help this community become stronger than ever.
Frau Annette Klein advocates for refugee acceptance German Consul General Frau Annette Klein visited Rollins to speak about immigration and refugee acceptance before her work begins at the consulate office in Miami, FL. Maura Leaden
Writer
Before Hurricane Matthew touched down and sent hundreds of students running home for an extended Fall Break, a group of Tars settled in on the cozy couches of Ward Hall’s fourth-floor common area to await the arrival of Frau Annette Klein. Frau Klein is a Consul General for the Federal Republic of Germany, and she was invited by Professor Nancy Decker and Professor Martina Vidovic to speak on the current immigrant situation and refugee crisis in Germany. These topics corresponded nicely with Dr. Decker’s RCC course, Economics of Migration. Frau Klein is the Consul General for the German Consulate General in Miami, FL. The Consulate General that she is in charge of is part of a chain of offices that act as additional support for the German Embassy located in Washington D.C. They are designed to cover various geographical areas. The Miami office covers Florida, Puerto Rico, and the American Virgin Islands; Rollins was honored to be her first stop in Florida before she even began her new position
in Miami. Frau Klein spoke mostly on the migrant and refugee situation in Germany, offering information primarily on the refugees. Her presentation included the benefits and difficulties of life through the refugee’s perspective alongside the more prolific national perspective. The difference between the two types of immigrants are that refugees are forced to flee their homelands due to war or persecution, while migrants voluntarily leave because living conditions are not easy. She worked to familiarize students with the refugee’s plight by sharing a bit about what life was like for those who found safety in Germany. First, the refugees flee to Europe and must ask for asylum. As heartbreaking as it is, some may be
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turned away. However, for those who do stay, a new challenge awaits. They must first adjust to reality as they realize that the common notion of Germany being a nation of abundant wealth is false. Next, it is important for refugees to get back to a stable life. They learn German so that they can get jobs, but this is more difficult for some than others. For some, the process is slow because they are traumatized from their experience abroad. But for those who are learning, they will accept any job that they can get, even if it is just to learn the language. Many will later switch to better jobs once they have established themselves. Germany is grateful and proud to say that the refugees
The crime rates among refugees are lower than Germany’s average.
are very cooperative and often willing to take any job offered. Furthermore, although refugees are thought to be dangerous due to stigmas of violence and dependency, Frau Klein explained that anti-refugee sentiments are simply unfounded. Most stories casting immigrants in a negative light originate from migrants rather than refugees. The crime rates among refugees, including Syrians and people from Iraq, are lower than Germany’s average. If there is any crime among refugees, it is typically as petty as riding a bus without paying for the ticket or taking an apple because the thief is starving. Most incredibly hardworking refugees and migrants alike do their part in breaking the stigma of dependency. Germany’s belief in providing a sanctuary for immigrants of all kinds to reestablish themselves is reinforced by immigrants’ positive influence on the economy and welfare of Germany. Twenty percent of new businesses are created by immigrants, and German population is also strengthened by immigration due to their low birthrate. This new information leaves us with a new respect and sense
of responsibility regarding the refugee crisis globally and in the United States. Further challenges and calls for support are going to be placed on our governments. The refugee crisis in Syria had been predicted, but very few paid attention or prepared for the flood of refugees. Similar predictions are currently made for the the situation in Sudan. Frau Klein prompted students with a question that she says every government and person alike should be asking themselves: What will you do about it? To give a bit of perspective on how many refugees the United States is accepting—or rather not accepting—Germany is roughly the same size as the state of Montana. Despite this lack of land, they have accepted many more refugees than the United States. When I asked Dr. Decker and Dr. Vidovic what they thought our responsibilities as students were from this point forward, they stressed the importance of being open-minded and reading about the world. Germany is an excellent example of compassion and ethical responsibility, and we are thankful that Frau Klein came to Rollins to share some of her insights with us.
Page 5 • FEATURES
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Photographer Joel Sartore promotes animal rights activism National Geographic photographer and endangered species advocate Joel Sartore visited Rollins to discuss his ‘Photo Ark’ project and raise awareness. Ellie Rushing
Writer
Earth is currently experiencing the worst rate of species extinction since the loss of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. The extinction of animals is a natural phenomenon relative to the theory of natural selection, but it is meant to occur at a “natural background rate” of around 5 species per year. However, scientists have predicted that we are currently losing species at a rate 1,000 to 10,000 times the background rate. Nature’s destiny appears to be quite dismal, with nearly 30 to 50 percent of all species being endangered by the middle of this current century. Joel Sartore is a photographer, author, endangered species advocate, and National Geographic fellow who is using his camera lens to send a powerful message through the project he calls “The Photo Ark.” The Photo Ark is an ambitious project committed to documenting every species of animal currently in captivity—aiming to inspire the world to not only care about these animals but also protect them for generations to come. To this day, Sartore has visited 40 countries and has captured photos of 6,000 species,
only half of the number he hopes to reach in his quest to create a legendary archive on global biodiversity. “No matter its size, each animal is treated with the same amount of affection and respect. The results are portraits that are not just stunningly beautiful, but also intimate and moving,” said the project’s founder. This 25-year project has the potential to change the mindsets of a lot of people; hopefully, when presented with Sartore’s revolutionary work, society will begin to recognize the true beauty of our world’s organisms. Rollins was lucky enough to host Mr. Sartore on Oct. 14 in Knowles Chapel, where the community and student body learned about this extinction crisis first-hand from the man who hopes to inspire millions. His photos were even projected onto the front of the chapel after the presentation. The image of a highly endangered Golden Snub-nosed monkey plastered on the front of a Rollins building amidst a foggy sky and a full moon was truly something for the books. Throughout the evening, Sartore peppered his presentation with personal anecdotes. Although he began with a comedic
introduction on his background and family, the atmosphere was drastically changed when he informed the crowd on his wife’s diagnosis of breast cancer just ten years ago. Although this was devastatingly difficult for his family at the time, Sartore was struck with the reality that life is short and the people we care about can be taken from us extremely easily. This diagnosis sparked the initial impetus of the Photo Ark in his mind— that the animals within our world can and are being taken from their environment far too soon, all because of human activity. Sartore’s wife, Kathy, pushed through chemo and radiation therapy, beating cancer and remaining a stable supporter in Joel’s life. As her health improved,
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Sartore was able to travel to nearby zoos, capturing their animals on black and white backgrounds. These solid backgrounds make the animal stand out—viewers have no choice but to simply recognize the detailed beauty in each inhuman creature. The first animal Sartore chose to photograph was a naked mole rat, an animal whose importance is completely unreco g n i z e d by society. However, these animals are essential to the future of medicine, because they are immune to cancer and and the sensation of pain from injury or inflammation. If these simple breakthroughs exist in naked mole rats, imagine what exists in the heart of the Amazon Rain Forest. Society loves to focus on the classic megafauna—elephants,
The results are portraits that are not just stunningly beautiful, but also intimate and moving.
tigers, polar bears. These species are lucky enough to be seen as big, loveable, and too adorable to ignore when on the brink of extinction. However, Sartore’s project aims to push people to open their hearts up to the smaller, unknown, “less attractive” species that are critically endangered. Sartore’s typical subjects include amphibians, reptiles, birds, and rodents that struggle to gain recognition as being highly important to the success of many ecosystems and their biodiversity levels. Together, we must see each animal as an equal contributor to society. The Florida Panther going extinct should be more detrimental than your iPhone 7 shattering. Today, only 75 red wolves are still alive. Only 250 Philippine crocodiles remain. Four Northern White Rhinoceroses are alive and well, but zero Columbia Basin Pygmy rabbits currently roam our Earth. As the numbers of species continue to dwindle, we must make a change in our living habits and recognize the negative impact we humans have on our surrounding brothers and sisters who deserve life just as much as we do. There is still time to save many of these endangered species, but we must start acting now.
SunRail to run Saturdays for Come Out With Pride Orlando While SunRail previously only operated on weekdays, officials have decided to run the train on Saturdays to accommodate high traffic for Come Out With Pride Orlando. Manny Rodriguez
Writer
On October 8th, SunRail announced that Saturday service would begin the next week during Come Out With Pride Orlando. Thousands of people were expected to attend the festivities downtown, and the previous weekday-only schedule was unfit to handle the traffic. David Porter, from a local blog, said he received a letter from Mayor Buddy Dyer declar-
ing that SunRail will run every Saturday from October through January. At a press conference that following Thursday, Dyer said the project would run for several months and added that the Saturday service would be coordinated to offer transportation for huge events, such as basketball games or upcoming concerts. He stressed that there would be flexibility with scheduled times depending on the event. In response to low weekly
rider figures, SunRail transportation officials have created the “Try The Train” campaign. Most Sunrail members or sponsors maintain that their number-one difficulty is increasing services. Now that the train operates on Saturdays, more people will be able to utilize SunRail and community transportation will improve for the better. The head of SunRail definitely knew that people wanted more travel options. Earlier on there was a petition for SunRail to operate on
Saturdays, and now petitioners have their wishes granted. Sponsors such as the Orlando Magic, Orlando Health, Florida Hospital, and the Downtown Development Board donated about $250,000 for the new Saturday program. Dyer says it takes around $20,000 to run the trains every Saturday. Teresa Jacobs, the Mayor of Orange County, called the project “exciting.” Many believe that the new Saturday schedule is going to be so successful that it will be im-
possible to end come February. Dyer stated that SunRail employees and affiliates are going to continue the momentum and keep SunRail service exceptional on Saturays. Be sure to support the community and try out the train— Rollins is minutes from the Winter Park station. Tickets are one-way and round trips run between $2 and $7.50 depending on how far you go. If you travel with SunRail, you’ll be on the right track.
Page 6 • A&E
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Netflix offers questionable international horror films Rebecca Candage ‘20 evaluates some of Netflix’s more unorthodox international and horror offerings this holiday season. Rebecca Candage
Web Copy Editor
With Hurricane Mathew and Fall Break behind us, and with Thanksgiving Break coming up, Netflix is on many Rollins students’ minds. Though the seasons do not bring drastic changes to the weather, most Floridians take the slightest drop in temperature as a sign to pull out the cozy hoodies and blankets from the bottoms of their drawers and backs of their closets. The perfect celerbration combination of the season: a warm drink and binge-watching session. However, if you get sick of the classics and wish for something new, it is best to steer clear from these movie mistakes.
With Rollins’ focus on Global Citizenship and Responsible Leadership, every Rollins student must fufill a foreign language requirement. Every foreign language student knows that international movies have become famous for their strange plotlines and occasionally horrendous acting. Enemies In-Law (2015) combines these characteristics with a lead actor that seems to be the model for every male anime character. This is established when his face is revealed to the audience with a slight hair flip as his female teacher stutters in disbelief and dramatic music plays out of nowhere. This continues for over ten seconds, but it might not even be the worst ten
seconds of the film. The boy’s father, shown through ridiculous acrobatic scenes no one his age should be able to do, is a thief while his mother is a forger; both are on the run from the police. This is, of course, established with ridiculous parkour stunts. The only people to credit with the four-star review are foolhardy teenagers swooning over him. Journey to the West (2013) also has a ridiculous premise of fighting and capturing evil pig and monkey-king demons who make even less sense than their unrealistic animation. Though it definitely does not succeed as an action adventure, the film could work as a comedy since the plot and acting are laughable at best. The start of Autumn has also
marked the beginning of Halloween scary movie marathons. Of course, when international films meet horror, strange things are created. This is the case for The Human Centipede (2009), which is more disgustingly strange than horrifying: after people’s legs are cut off, the stubs are sewn to the next person’s hands, creating a long chain. Though this is the grotesque imagery some want in a horror movie, the exposition and rising action is boring, stereotypical, and drawn out. As if that wasn’t enough, they decided to create two sequels as well. If international films do not satisfy your Halloween horror cravings, Netflix has American films to choose from. Be warned, though, because there are more
than a couple bad eggs to look out for. The Ouija Experiment (2011) is definitely one to stay away from, since the camera work is so jerky that it seems to have been recorded on a cell phone, probably by someone who has never used a cell phone before. The Curse of Sleeping Beauty (2016) also made the mistake of dragging on with very little talent to support the film, even if the plot was worth reading. Overall, be sure to take descriptions, ratings, and recommendations into account the next time Netflix calls to you, or you might regret it. The “Halloween Picks” tab is up and running and will continue to be throughout the rest of the spooky season.
Fred Stone season opens with ‘Dying City’ The Fred Stone Theatre opens its Second Stage Series with ‘Dying City.’ Directed by Alliyah Corley ’17, the drama explores the effects of 9/11 and the Iraq War. Christina Fuleihan
Staff Writer
Dying City, the first of four Fred Stone Theatre productions at Rollins College this academic year, opened on Wednesday Oct. 19 and will run through this Saturday, Oct. 22. Fred Stone Theatre showings are free to all members of the community, Rollins and non-Rollins alike, and all are invited to attend. The other Fred Stone productions expected to run at Rollins this year are Constellations, God of Carnage, and Silent Sky. The Fred Stone Theatre houses student-produced Second Stage Series shows like Dying City. This means that, unlike the main stage season at the Annie Russell Theatre, the Fred’s shows are completely directed,
designed, and performed by Rollins students typically completing their senior capstone. Students might relate to Dying City because the story revolves around key events that have occurred in our lifetimes. The play is set around two different but directly related events: the hysteria that occurred following 9/11 and at the beginning of the Iraq War. The drama follows a young couple, Kelly and Craig, with the play alternating between Craig’s last night at home before shipping overseas and a year after Craig’s death when his brother suddenly shows up on Kelly’s door; these characters explore how different personalities cope with PTSD and other results of war. Alliyah Corley ‘17, the director and scene designer for this production, discusses how the
themes of the play have touched her and how they can relate to other students. “I have a lot of family members and friends who have served in the military, and I’ve always been worried about them getting PTSD and how their lives would change from that. “I don’t personally have experience with PTSD, but I do relate to other themes present in the play such as depression, unhealthy relationships, and dealing with loss.” Corley continued, “It’s definitely been a challenge to bring such heavy material to life with only two actors, but it turned out great and I can’t wait for people to see it. They can expect to see two student actors transform into characters completely unlike themselves and present ideas that will make you think.”
Page 7 • A&E
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Esteban Meneses
Writer
Rebecca Candage
Web Copy Editor
Outside the Fred Stone Theatre late last Wednesday night, an excited throng of Rollins students and supporters stood in anticipation of the humorous improvisation show “RIP Tag: Tar Wars.” We all grasped our labeled poker chips, which secure each audience member a seat for that night’s Rollins Impov Players (RIP) performance. There was a large turnout of well over fifty people for the second RIP Tag of the year. RIP performs, on average, about once a week, and each show is sponsored by a campus organization. This week’s performance was sponsored by Rollins sorority Non Compis Mentis, who supplied scrumptious cupcakes for patrons. Three teams—the Blue Moons, the Red Rovers, and Galactic green—faced off in an epic battle for the golden cham-
pionship cup. Other members of RIP worked behind the scenes as light booth operators, house managers, and point counters/ announcers. To begin the show, Players collided in warm-ups against opposing team members to determine which group would receive a coveted bonus point and the chance to play first. Dr. David Charles moderated. Galactic Green started out strong, winning the warm-up challenge. They were arguably the most ecstatic team in the round, and their enthusiasm paid off. Three judges were then randomly selected from the audience to award each team a score from one to five based on their performance in each round. Games included “New Choice” and one of Dr. Charles’ favorites, “Musical Eye Contact.” Scores were very close the first two rounds; it all came down to the last scenes. After three heated rounds, passersby were killed, girlfriends were pregnant,
and a haughty cow had spoken her mind. Though each team gave it their all, there could only be one winner. With over forty points and a nearly perfect score in their last game, the Blue Moons were named champions. This left Galactic Green and Red Rovers in honorable defeat, but I have a feeling they will be ready to stage a comeback at the next RIP Tag on Thursday, Oct. 27. AnneMarie Morrison ‘17, when asked if she enjoyed the show, gave a fitting response to an out-of-this-world RIP Tag: “It was astro-tastic!” Keep an eye out for sidewalk chalk messages and Facebook blasts, which seem to be RIP’s preferred method of communication, to stay up-to-date with performance themes and times. There are hardly better ways to spend your time. The next RIP performance, Variations on a Theme: DIMENSIONS, will be Friday, Oct. 21, at 1 pm.
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The Bach Festival Society’s 2016-2017 visiting artist series began on Sunday afternoon with a remarkable performance by Trio Solisti on campus at Tiedtke Concert Hall. Founded in 2011, the trio consists of Maria Bachmann, violin; Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello; and Fabio Bidini, piano. With thoughtful interpretations of classical and Romantic selections, Trio Solisti offered a healthy dose of emotion coupled with technical skill. The was the trio’s Winter Park debut was amazing to behold. A supreme grasp of Romantic-period expressivity suffused Chausson’s Trio in G minor, Op. 3, and Brahms’ Trio in B, Op. 8. The subjective qualities of the unspeakable were brought out palpably through the trio’s intense lyricism. Phrases were shaped with sensibility by all three members, which helped propell the implicit narrative of the music with coherence and poignancy. The objective abstractness of the music was dispelled through the trio’s incredible sense of drama and storytelling. Nineteenth-century French composer Ernest Chausson’s trio was a revelation; in her opening remarks, Bachmann shared that the piece has fallen into obscurity. A somber dirge-esque theme opened the piece, with a wailing vibrato from the violin. An abrupt tempo surge took the initial sobriety to a tempestuous mood, which was soon assuaged by calmer episodes. Broken chords from the piano provided skittish accompaniment to the melodic development from violin and cello. The trio’s interplay was lucid and flexible, with
Gothic-horror lyricism. For Haydn’s Trio in C major, the trio adjusted its dynamics to match the composer’s symmetrical structures. Bidini’s assertive pace relaxed for the Andante second movement, with the trio taking gradual decreases in tempo at the end of each cadence. Bachmann’s delicate staccato main theme phrasing was especially appreciated. But the up-tempo finale was the most attention-grabbing, with sudden stormy shifts in dynamics. The louder low-register unisons between violin and cello toward the end were most effective, though promptly offset by the piano’s perky ascending motif. The Brahms—the longest of the three selections in the program—was effusive yet sincere. The violin and cello unisons projected a rich sound. In the louder moments, though, the trio tended to give away their top loudness a bit too soon, making it hard to crescendo further up to the reaches of the more climactic moments. But then again, the lyrical section of the scherzo was superb in the dynamic balance between all three instruments. Assisting the much-needed resurrection of the Chausson, Trio Solisti recorded the piece for a recent Bridge Records release. After the performance, the members signed copies of the album in the lobby for purchasing patrons. The 2016-2017 season of the Bach Festival Society will continue this weekend with musical performances of Saint-Saëns and Puccini. The set will also include contemporary composer Paul Moravec’s Light Shall Lift Us, which is a response to the Pulse shootings in Orlando last June. For more details, visit bachfestivalflorida.org.
Three cosmic teams faced off in Rollins Improv Players’ second RIP Tag of the year.
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The first performance of Bach Festival Society’s 2016-2017 season was delivered by Trio Solisti, who covered several Romantic and classical pieces.
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Trio Solisti performs with heart, emotion
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Page 8 • SPORTS
Pictured above: Kathryn O’Brien ‘19. Courtesy of Jim Hogue Photos.
Game Statistics: Rollins vs Barry
Lady Tars Come Out On Top Women’s Soccer dominated Florida Southern 2-0 and continues to move up in national polls. Tamara Vuckovich
Writer
The Rollins Women’s Soccer team played against Florida Southern on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Rollins came out on top with a 2-0 win. The Tars scored very early in the game with a goal from Paxton Sickler ‘17, but they did not stop there. The Tars kept up their fast tempo and maintained pressure on Florida Southern. They followed up with a second goal in the twenty-sixth minute when Emma Bloom ‘17 followed up on a rebound from Kathryn O’Brien’s ‘19 shot to make it 2-0. Kathryn O’Brien assisted on both goals. Florida Southern came out with a sense of urgency during the second half, but it was not enough to bring them back into the game. Rollins outshot the Mocs 16-7. The Rollins defense held strong, mak-
ing this shutout the fourth shutout of the season. The match against Florida Southern was not the only way the Rollins Women’s Soccer team came out on top. The Tars also made a jump in the NSCAA National Poll, moving up to number eight. They are currently sitting at the top of the Sunshine State conference as well, completely undefeated. A spotlight has been focused on Paxton Sickler ‘17, one of the captains, who is now tied for the third spot with Lindsay Giblin ‘08 for all-time goals scored. Rollins was supposed to play Barry University on Saturday, Oct. 8, but due to Hurricane Matthew the match has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in Miami Shores. If you have not already, come and support the Tars as they take on Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. here at Barker Family Sta-
dium. Wednesday’s Senior Night will also be their last home game of the season.
Upcoming Matches 10/26: Palm Peach Atlantic @ Rollins, 7 pm 10/29: Barry @ Barry (Miami Shores), 6pm 11/01-11/06: Sunshine State Conference Tournament, location and time tbd 11/11-11/13: NCAA Division II South Region Tournament, location and time tbd
Courtesy of rollinssports.com