The Sandspur Volume 122 Issue 12

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Issue 12, Volume 122 Thursday, December 3, 2015

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Page NEWS Page #2 •• SECTION FEATURES

Established in 1894 with the following editorial:

EXECUTIVE STAFF Micah Bradley Editor-in-Chief Lauren Waymire Managing Editor Stephanie Garcia Production Manager

CONTENT STAFF

Alexandra Mariano Head Copy Editor Esteban Meneses Barbara Padilla Amanda Hughes Copy Editors Eric Hilton Minoska Hernandez Section Editor Danielle Del Pico Staff Writer Nolan Brewer Kalli Joslin Web Assistants

DESIGN DEPARTMENT Shaayann Khalid Head Designer Carmen Cheng Masha Protopopova Zoe Kim Designers Natalie Hayes Photographer

BUSINESS & FACULTY Greg Golden

Thursday, September Thursday, December11, 3, 2014 2015

Combating hunger in the nation’s capitol “Hunger and Homelessness at the Heart,” a new Winter Break Intersession Immersion, will travel to Washington, D.C., to address the issues of poverty and housing. Danielle del Pico

The Center for Leadership & Community Engagement hosts Immersion: Citizens Take Action, a program that takes participants beyond the campus community to engage in projects in diverse locations. Coming up is the Winter Break Intersession Immersion called “Hunger and Homelessness at the Heart,” taking place January 4–9 2016. This Immersion focuses on exploring urban poverty in Washington, D.C., This is an entirely new program, much like the “Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki: A Place to Learn . . . A Place to Remember” Immersion that took place November 13–15 in the Everglades National Park, the result of a partnership with the Seminole tribe of Florida to explore Native American heritage and culture. The focus of the Center for Leadership & Community En-

Dr. Bill Boles

Professor of English

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Business Manager

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ing as this is an election year, I am very excited to spend some time in the nation’s capital and to learn about one of the biggest issues facing individuals in D.C.” Participants will be attending a Hunger & Homelessness Simulation at the Capital Area Food Bank—where they will serve lunch—and the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Hunger Panel, serve dinner at Central Union Mission, and prepare food with Food & Friends, an organization devoted to providing men, women, and children suffering from HIV/AIDS and cancer with meal and grocery deliveries. On the last day, students will be serving breakfast at Thrive D.C., an organization that works to prevent and end homelessness. In between volunteering sessions, participants will also be visiting national memorials and Smithsonian Museums.

November 14–22 also marks National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, bringing awareness to these causes with the aim to eradicate them in the future. Some statistics on homelessness and hunger: According to a Point in Time fact sheet from the D.C. Government site, in 2015 7,298 individuals experienced homelessness including those who were unsheltered, in emergency shelters, and in transitional housing. 8 percent of those individuals reported a chronic health problem, 13 percent reported a physical disability, 10 percent reported having served in the United States Armed Forces, and 1 in 5 homeless adults surveyed had histories of substance abuse or mental illness. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2014 the official poverty rate was 14.8 percent. There were 46.7 million people in poverty.

Aftermath of the Paris terror attacks

General Manager of Student Media

Adam Belsky

Staff Writer

gagement this year was the celebration of culture and heritage months. Spring 2016 boasts the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration during the week of January 18–23. “Hunger and Homelessness at the Heart” will take participants into the nation’s capital, heightening an awareness of homelessness and urban hunger prevalent there. According to the application for this Immersion, participants will discover city history and culture, housing issues, mental and public health challenges, institutional inequalities, and social marginalization. Mike McFadden, Graduate Assistant for Leadership Development, reflected upon going into this brand new experience. He said, “This is a huge issue in the Central Florida community as well, so I am looking forward to getting more involved with this impact area when we return to campus. Especially see-

France and the rest of the world continue to feel the political and social effects from the terror attacks on November 13. Christina Fuleihan

girl.

Illustrator

On Friday, November 27, French President François Hollande held a national memorial service outside of Les Invalides in tribute to the 130 victims of the Paris massacres that occurred two weeks prior. 2,600 people, including wounded survivors and the families of victims, were in attendance. In response to the six coordinated attacks that occurred across Paris on November 13, President Hollande said that France will get through the tragedy with strength and not fear. However, some chose not to attend the ceremony in an attempt to protest the French policy that allowed such a tragedy to ensue. Among the boycotters not in attendance was the father of the youngest victim, Lola Ouzounian, a 17-year-old school-

Still, the tragedy has generally brought new unity to the French people as many Parisians hung flags from their homes this Friday to commiserate with the nation or draped the tricolored flag across their shoulders as they paid homage to victims at the sites of the massacres. The misfortune that has befallen France has had widespread influences. Even the local Winter Park community has been affected. During the Vigil for Peace in Knowles Chapel at Rollins on November 16 in homage of the victims of the Paris and Beirut bombings, students and faculty discussed issues concerning the peace and global citizenship and read aloud avowals of peace from various religious texts. Thankfully, students from The University of Central Florida and Rollins studying abroad

in France were reported to be safe; although, several students who had been considering study abroad programs to France within the next year are now debating whether it will be safe to go. Despite this, the programs for next semester are not cancelled. After all, an attack against the French business district was only narrowly avoided when French police caught the suspects just hours before the next assumed suicide bombing. In the direct aftermath of the bombings, some students reported they were purposely avoiding large crowded areas such as malls and movie theaters. Various political repercussions have followed. Belgium is currently on high alert as two suspects are yet to be found. France continues air strikes against the Islamic State in Syria, now urging Britain to join the fight. Russia is also looking to

strengthen its war against terror. Meanwhile, the question of granting asylum to Syrian refugees has become an increasingly looming and volatile issue on our continent. Canada will not accept single male refugees, and while President Barack Obama is advocating for the admittance of 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. next year, there has been heavy opposition after the November 13 tragedy. This opposition comes mainly from GOP governors, including Florida Governor Rick Scott. Under the current policy, 425 Syrian refugees are assumedly scheduled to be sent to Florida. While the whole world mourned alongside France and Lebanon for the victims of suicide bombings that occurred two weeks ago, tensions are increasing. Many are now wondering, “What next?”


Page 3 • OPINIONS

Thursday, December 3, 2015

To divest or not to divest? Student analyzes some of the issues that may arise if Rollins chooses to divest its endowment from the top 200 fossil fuel companies. ing climate change is necessary to achieve such a result. The divestment campaign, which relies on demonizing the fossil fuel industry and forcing individuals and institutions to take sides, is likely to further entrench partisan divides and make consensus less attainable. Massachusetts Institute of Technology President L. Rafael Reif stated as much in the University’s 2015 Climate Plan of Action. “Combatting climate change will require intense collaboration across the research community, industry, and government. Divestment would interfere with our ability to collaborate and to convene opposing groups to drive progress, at what may be a historic tipping point.” A movement that engages fossil fuel producers as part of the solution, while recognizing the variety of options for dealing with climate change, though not as bold and immediately satisfying as a divestment pledge, is far more likely to achieve the worthy and necessary goal of halting climate change.

Fast Facts: Divestment is considered to be more of a political and moral strategy rather than an economic one. Fossil fuel corporations have enough fuel reserves to produce 2,230 gigatonnes of carbon, more than the Earth can recover from. Many college presidents believe that divestment interferes with their institution’s ability to collaborate on the issue of climate change. Currently, 54 institutions have divested in full or in part from fossil fuels.

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well-intentioned they may be. Agreeing to use the college’s endowment as a tool for promoting political change sets a dangerous precedent. The college can and should use its influence to benefit society. The way it does that is through educating and empowering its students and faculty to pursue meaningful research, careers, and civic engagement, not manipulating its financial resources to make a moral statement. 3. Divestment campaigns rely on public shaming and exacerbation of political divisions—tactics unlikely to foster the broad consensus necessary to address climate change. Frank Wolak, an economist and Stanford University’s Director of the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development, along with many of the world’s preeminent environmentalists, argues that the best method to address climate change is by establishing “a stable, predictable price on carbon.” Political consensus and public goodwill toward combat-

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that its goals are not economic. Writer The RCSI website states: “Divestment isn’t primarily an economic After a 2012 Rolling Stone strategy, but a moral and politieditorial by noted environmen- cal one.” talist Bill McKibben calls for I agree. If the goals are to institutions to divest their hold- condemn and shame a particular ings in fossil fuel companies, industry in the hopes of weakdivestment movements have ening its political clout, it seems been sweeping college campuses that these goals can be achieved across the country. without collective economic acFollowing high-profile cam- tion. The example of South Afripaigns at Harvard, Stanford, and ca proves that. MIT, the Rollins Coalition for 2. Manipulation of financial Sustainable Investment (RCSI) resources to make a political emerged this fall, calling for the statement runs counter to the Board of Trustees to divest the core academic mission of an edcollege’s endowment from the ucational institution. top 200 fossil fuel companies (as RCSI points out the college’s measured by energy reserves) stated commitment to “global and co-mingled citizenship” and funds. “environmental Though stewardship” as well-intenreasons to ditioned, RCSI’s vest. calls for diI disagree. Combatting vestment are These values are ultimately misbest achieved climate guided. when the instichange will Here are the tution makes three key readecisions based require intense sons why I think on its academthat Rollins Colic imperatives. collaboration lege ought not Rollins is funacross the to divest: damentally an 1. The eviacademic instiresearch dence indicates tution with the community, that divestment responsibility is unlikely to to manage its industry, and make a signififunds in the way cant economic that best progovernment. or political imvides ongoing Divestment pact. resources to its The 1980s would interfere students, faculanti-Apartheid ty, and alumni. with our ability movement—of In an official which Rollins statement from to collaborate was a part— 2013, Harvard and to convene University Presiis often cited as a successDrew Faust opposing groups dent ful divestment said it best in her campaign. Un- to drive progress, rejection of fossil fortunately, divestment: at what may be fuel the evidence “Conceiving of is not so clear. a historic tipping the endowment A 1999 study not as an ecopoint. conducted by nomic resource, economists at but as a tool to the Universiinject the Unity of Michigan versity into the and UCLA political process concludes that or as a lever to economic acexert economic tions had little discernible effect pressure for social purposes, can in South Africa and that inter- entail serious risks to the indenational condemnation, diplo- pendence of the academic entermatic, and social pressures were prise.” more likely responsible for endDecisions on where to invest ing apartheid. ought to be based primarily on Indeed, many of the most ar- fiscal prudence, not social and dent divestment activists admit political objectives—however

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Alex Peterson


Page 2 •• SECTION NEWS Page #4 FEATURES

Thursday, September Thursday, December11, 3, 2014 2015

Photo by Scott Cook

McAllaster becomes Interim Academic Affairs VP Micah Bradley

Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Craig McAllaster, last year’s interim president at Rollins College, has taken on the role of Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. He is also teaching two courses this year for doctoral students, including one on leadership. Before serving as Interim President and Interim VP of Academic Affairs and Provost, McAl-

laster was dean of the Crummer School of Business for 14 years. After President Lewis Duncan stepped down, McAllaster was tapped to take the position for an interim year until a permanent replacement was found in new President Grant Cornwell. He is pleased with Cornwell’s presidency so far. “I’m very happy. . . He is very receptive to ideas and thoughts, and that’s good,” said McAllaster.

McAllaster joked that Presi- formed to find a new provost. In dent Grant Cornwell talked him particular, McAllaster is trying into the Interim VP of Academ- to organize all of the data analytic Affairs and Provost position ics needed to do the job properly. by asking over and over and by “My biggest goal for this taking him and his wife out to year is to make sure that when dinner. the new pro“I think he vost comes in stopped count. . . everything ing how many will be neat orMcAllaster times I turned derly, you can it down,” just pick up joked that Presijoked McAland run with dent Grant Corn- it,” he said. laster. “It’s not a job I would Though well talked him solicit or ever his current job go for.” into the Interim VP focuses on deM c A l tails and analof Academic Aflaster said that ysis, the job of it is probably fairs and Provost interim preshelpful for the ident focused position by asking on the bigger new president to have on staff over and over and picture. His someone who goal of orgaby taking him and nizing things has done the top job before. for his succeshis wife out to He described sor is somethe position thing he has dinner. as being “the had in mind right hand perfor both interson of the presim jobs. ident,” with W h e n his main function this year being asked which interim job he ento help “provide this transitional joyed more, he laughed and said, leadership.” “It was more fun being the presIn his time as interim, McAl- ident.” laster’s goal is to get everything As Interim President, he organized for the next person handled campus-wide issues who takes the position—a search and spent time on different parts committee is currently being of the campus instead of just an-

alyzing things in his office. “The most fun I had was interacting with students,” said McAllaster. He said there is nothing he would change from his interim year as president; however, he admits that part of that might be because he knew that he only had the office for a year. “It was fun, but I think part of the reason it was fun was that there was a beginning and an end, and I had very definitive goals and the goals were things that were doable within the year.” His goals included reducing spending in the Cornell Initiative Funds, fixing the budget deficit issues, making sure re-accreditation went smoothly, reintegrating the business programs, and increasing communication and trust with faculty. “I think we accomplished all of those,” he said. “It’s nice to get in a job that’s that big and be able to see those things get done within a year.” After this year, McAllaster gets a yearlong sabbatical. He has not taken one yet despite serving at Rollins for 16 years. During his sabbatical, he wants to write a book (potentially on his one year presidency) and articles. He hopes to return to the Crummer classroom to teach.


Page 5 •FEATURES

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Photos by Scott Cook

Hult Prize promotes global citizenship Christina Fuleihan

Illustrator

The 2016 Global Hult Prize Challenge this year was to “build a sustainable, scalable, and fast-growing social enterprise that doubles the income of 10 million people residing in crowded urban spaces.” Each year social entrepreneurs from colleges across the world compete in school-wide, regional, and international competitions for the chance to pitch their startup business proposals to Bill Clinton and win $1,000,000 toward launching their own business. Mark Angelo II ‘18, one of the competitors at this year’s Hult Prize at Rollins, perfectly

described the initiative: “If the mind can conceive, the body will achieve.” On November 20, in the Bush Auditorium, Rollins held its school-wide Hult Prize competition. The Innovation Hub announced that eight teams had signed up to compete this year compared to the previous year’s four entrants. This upward trend demonstrates an increased awareness of the global community and Rollins’ mission of global citizenship. During the competition, teams of three and four had eight minutes to pitch their proposal to a panel of judges that consisted of the CEO of SheO, the CEO of Deux Mains, and other suc-

cessful entrepreneurs; each pitch was followed by a four-minute Q&A session. There were several creative business proposals. The eBundu platform would offer individuals in urban slums the opportunity to purchase cheap wholesale items from online and local retailers. Also, Box Creations presented a business proposal to recycle shipping containers into luxury homes—profit obtained from the sale of these homes would fund box houses for the poor. The winner, Team Rollins Urban Community Farm— Stephanie Murphy ’17, Ciara Nowak ’17, and Jamie Wadovick ’16— will be moving onto the re-

gional finals held in March. The group became interested in the Hult Prize through their “Strategies for Changemakers” course, where they first created a business model for Green Spot. Green Spot is a nonprofit/ profit business hybrid that simultaneously serves as an urban community garden and composting facility. It hopes to incorporate farming techniques that maximize use of available space and create a source of income for the community. Natasha Gaye ’17, who attended the event as an audience member, said, “Having the option to think of the world’s problems that involve over population, pollution, and socioeco-

nomic classes and how we can effect them in a positive way, holds great weight. I am proud to be a part of this event and to be able to surround myself with such aware individuals and to call them my peers.” The judges of the Hult Prize at Rollins competition concluded, “It’s so inspiring to see the creative thinking of students at Rollins college.” All the teams that presented will have the chance to apply to the Regional Finals, and applications are still open—if you have recently thought of a business proposal that tackles urbanization and poverty in urban slums, you are also encouraged to apply through Hultprize.org.

Surviving finals week Sianna Boschetti

Writer

Finals week is rapidly approaching on the Rollins campus. For some that means the end of the semester and the start of winter break. For others that means weighty exams, giant papers, and grade-determining presentations all boiling down to stress. We have all heard the horror stories of finals week, but how is Rollins preparing for the last week of the semester? “Homework, studying, and food,” said Luis Guerrero ’18. He is attempting to stave off all-nighters through steadily reviewing up until his tests. “It’s stressful, but I’m studying as

much as I can, and I feel secure.” Studying frequently is the optimal technique, but when homework is piling up, many struggle with maintaining those study habits. Procrastination can quickly become the downfall of even the most dedicated student, especially during finals week. Under the right amount of stress, Facebook, videogames, email, and anything else can start to feel like logical reason to put off writing that paper or studying those biology flash cards. “You need to know when to take a study break, and you need to know how long that study break should be,” Cassidy Padal ’18 advised. “That’s where

I struggle.” Developing personalized study techniques or rituals tends to help maintain motivation and ward off procrastination throughout the week, as Nia Morgan ’17 suggested. “Whenever I am done studying for an hour, I treat myself with a nice snack like fro-yo or chocolate. It’s a great incentive.” The class of 2019 is also gearing up for their first experience with finals as college students. Alexis MacMahon ’19 is already getting organized for the last week of her first semester. “I’m prepared to be sitting in the library for the next week,” she said, ready to employ her goto study method: to divide and

conquer material. “I’m probably going to review my notes from class and maybe see if anyone from my classes would be willing to do a study session.” Once procrastination has surrendered to studying, and once studying has led to finals, the semester will finally be over. Winter break will have begun, and students will receive a well-deserved rest. For seniors, however, this semester’s end is more significant than just another set of final exams and the dawn of winter break. “It’s weird. It doesn’t feel any different from the end of any other fall semester, but it’s different knowing it’s your last winter break,” Madi Cannini ’16

said. “I’m not thinking as much about finals as I am about what is going to happen next semester—and after that. It’s weird.” For all students, regardless of year, finals week is the last stop before a month of schoolfree relaxation. Sometime soon that last exam will end, along with all the stress, and that ball of anxiety settled so tightly in our stomachs will dissolve into butterflies fluttering at the excitement of going home for the holidays. For now, we will be in the library, alternating between typing out an eight-page paper and flipping through flashcards, preparing ourselves to cross the finish line.


Page 6 • FEATURES

Thursday, December 3, 2015

New psych program: hands-on and values-driven Beginning this fall, Rollins’ new Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science graduate training program teaches students new skills and values. This article was written by the “Law, Ethics, and Behaviorism” class taught by Dr. Michelle Williams. The class is a first-semester course in the Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science graduate program. Many students seem inherently drawn to the study of psychology. Gaining a deeper understanding of why people behave the way they do really is fascinating. The specific area within psychology that promotes an understanding of behavior as primarily influenced by environmental factors is applied behavior analysis, or ABA. More specifically, behavior analysts are scientists who focus on changing their clients’ environments, including how others respond to their behavior. In doing

so, Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) adhere to a stringent ethical and professional code of conduct. Beginning this fall, Rollins College began offering graduate training in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science (ABACS) in the Department of Health Professions. “Working with special-needs students provides a level of fulfillment, job satisfaction, and success, knowing that you are changing their quality of life one step at a time,” said ABACS graduate student Christina Greco. “ABA is amazing and I’ve seen it work first hand: teaching children to talk, get their needs and wants met, and acquire new skills. Every day is a different adventure, filled with excitement, challenge, and overall motivation to continue working hard. Watching the children

learn and grow is my favorite part,” she said about her experiences working in the field of ABA. Christina looks forward to earning her Master of Arts degree and becoming certified. The field of ABA attracts people from many different disciplines and has many applicable uses, although it is currently best known for being a scientifically viable treatment for autism. The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) reports that the majority of behavior analysts work with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and in education. Other areas of application include parent and caregiver training, behavioral pediatrics, public policy, child welfare, corrections and delinquency, dissemination of behavior analysis, organizational behavior

management, non-university research, gerontology, animal behavior and training, and sports. Many clinical psychologists also use interventions that are behavioral in nature. As behavior analysts expand their work into new areas, the field of ABA is growing rapidly. An analysis of the demand for BCBAs that was conducted this year by Burning Glass Technologies on behalf of the BACB found that job postings for behavior analysts more than doubled nation-wide between 2012 and 2014. The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science at Rollins College offers training for future behavior analysts in two rigorous tracks. Track A offers a two-year course of study while Track B takes three years to complete. All

classes are held in the evening at the Winter Park campus. The cohort-based program includes 62 credit hours, an intensive practicum totaling 750 hours, and completion of an empirically-based master’s thesis or capstone project. The required courses and practicum are intended to prepare graduates to take the certification exam that is administered by the BACB and/ or to go on to a doctoral program in clinical psychology or behavior analysis. The early decision deadline for Fall 2016 is March 1; the regular decision deadline is May 1. Applicants are required to provide official undergraduate transcripts, a current score from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), three professional or academic recommendation letters, a personal essay, and a current resume.

Winter With the Writers hosts authors and interns Five renowned writers have been welcomed by Rollins for the 2016 Winter With the Writers season and will work closely with several students. Minoska Hernandez

Section Editor

This year’s Winter With the Writers interns have finally been announced, along with National Book Awards authors who will be coming to Rollins College in February. The college has the opportunity to host these new writers because of its new partnership with the National Book Foundation. Two of those authors will be coming to work with the fourteen WWW student interns. Winter With the Writers is a literary arts festival sponsored by the English Department in which students have the opportunity to work closely with prestigious poets and storytellers. The National Book Foundation is an organization that brings together the American literary community in order to recognize excellent writing. On February 25 the college will welcome authors Sy Montgomery and Ross Gay. Mont-

gomery is a naturalist and nonfiction writer and Gay is a poet. Both authors will be giving master classes during Winter With the Writers as well as working closely with the interns on their own projects. Dr. Carol Frost, Rollins English professor and director of Winter With the Writers, explained some of the process in choosing the writers for this literary festival. “When choices are being made, WWW keeps in mind the program as a whole. I like for the festival to be wide-ranging and balanced and to offer surprises. The two writers also seemed to complement each other—both writing from the natural world: Sy Montgomery a naturalist and nonfiction writer and Ross Gay a poet.” Both of these authors have much to offer as well as many great works that the interns will be exploring. There are 14 new interns for the Winter With the Writers 2016

season and they are looking forward to all this literary festival has to offer. “As an English major and a writer, I hope that it will improve my analytical skills during discussion . . . [and] cause me to think on my toes and outside the box. Trying to find a genre that can become my niche while I am still learning so many new ideas and forms as student has been daunting,” said Nia Morgan ’17, one of the WWW interns. Morgan stated that the most difficult part of the WWW internship process was choosing one of her own pieces of writing to turn in. “It is very difficult to capture yourself in one piece of writing, considering you grow each and every time, but I settled on a poem because I feel that I am my truest in my poetry.” She, like the other interns, is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this experience and cannot wait for the new season to begin.

Dr. Frost stated that when choosing interns, she looks “for passion and reliability. Writing talent helps, certainly, but an open mind and heart are essential. . . Empathetic imagination. . . A taste for nuance and a sense of humor.” The two National Book Awards authors coming to Rollins will bring plenty of insider knowledge, experience, and savvy to the table and help students grow in their academic skills. Montgomery has scriptwriting skills and 20 acclaimed books to his name, while Gay is the author of three poetry collections, an associate professor of poetry at Indiana University, and a professor in Drew University’s MFA program in poetry. Frost said of the pair of guests, “Montgomery will bring her passion for the wild, her excellently written prose, and a sense of humor. Besides, who doesn’t love an octopus? [Author’s note: Her NBA-nominated book is called The Soul of an Oc-

topus.] “Ross Gay will bring his enormous energy and, everywhere in his poems, a rich and nuanced sense of how, in a world of loss, to find solace in the natural spheres of orchard and garden. Both writers are personable, relatable, and they know about good writing.” Many other talented writers will be giving master classes as well, such as Antonio Skàrmeta, a Chilean novelist, screenwriter and diplomat; Philip F. Deaver, Rollins College English professor, author, and poet; Chase Twichell, the author of seven books for poetry and Irving Bacheller Professor of Creative Writing. Everyone is truly excited for this new Winter With the Writers season and ready to begin learning and getting to know the writers. “I am still freaking out over my acceptance,” said Morgan. “This is truly an experience I won’t ever forget.”


Page 7 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Fashion tips to express holiday spirit Celebrate the winter holidays with fun, warm outfits—including ugly sweaters—to show off your Christmas cheer. Lea Warren Columnist With the holidays just around the corner, those of us who are big winter fans are bursting with excitement. Of course, if the corporate world had its way, the winter holidays would have started in early September, but we have all done our best to hold out on the holiday madness at least until Thanksgiving rolled its way through—but now, here we are, right on the cusp of the long-awaited holiday season, and that may beg the question for fashion conscious holiday lovers: how can I express holiday spirit in my clothes? There are thousands of ways, of course. If you are the subtle type, just pick up a red or green sweater or something with a subdued snowflake pattern. You could also go for more hidden holiday decor such as ice-inspired earrings and other jewelry. Shoppers can pick up a pair of snowman earrings or a snowflake necklace at most stores this time of year. Stores like Target, Macy’s, and JCPenny all are

stocked with affordable holiday jewelry that shows a bit of spirit while staying sensibly simple. If you want to do your shopping a bit closer to campus, Alex and Ani, located just a short walk down Park Avenue, has rolled out a collection of holiday-themed jewelry for this season. Another fun way to sneak a bit of holiday spirit into your everyday ensemble is with holiday-themed socks. I personally have at least seven pairs of fuzzy Christmas-print socks, and I love them to death. You can hide them in your boots or under your favorite pair of jeans. If you are feeling daring, you can flaunt them. There are also a fair amount of spirited holiday sweaters that are not bright and attention grabbing, unlike the popular ugly holiday season sweaters. Some are much easier to pull off and do not draw too much attention. Most of these sport subdued blue, white, and gray color palettes depicting reindeer, snowflakes, Christmas trees, winter bells, and so on in a much more ready-to-wear manner. However, if—like me—you happen to be a bit more boister-

ous in your expression of holiday spirit, you could go for the full-on ugly Christmas sweater (my personal favorite). You can purchase an ugly sweater at almost any store this season. Even the Rice Family Bookstore is rolling out a line of holiday sweaters for the occasion. They have ugly sweaters and ugly sweater T-shirts, which retail from $26 to $54. The shirts and sweaters sport Rollins logos next to snowflakes and snowmen and can be purchased in-store or online.

In addition to sweaters, you can go for more obvious holiday accessories, like Santa hats, jingle bell earrings, poinsettia hair clips, shiny bows, Christmas light necklaces; the list goes on and on. One option, which is more appropriate for Florida, is to invest in some holiday t-shirts printed with pop culture icons like Snoopy wearing a Christmas hat, a decorated Christmas tree, or Jack the Pumpkin King in his Santa suit. The choices are endless. Personally, I have found ordering via

the internet is the best way to go when searching for such shirts. It makes the process much easier, and there are thousands more options online than in-store. Whether you will experience a tropical holiday season or will be fleeing north to where the true winter weather has hit, there are always ways to add a bit of spirit to your outfits. However you decide to express your cheer, wherever you may spend winter break, be sure to enjoy yourself and the holiday season!

Illustration by Lea Warren


Page 8 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Seniors’ “Semblance” inspires the audience Graduating art majors display their artistic talents in the Senior Art Exhibition. Angely Rivera

Writer

The Senior Art Exhibition, otherwise known as “Semblance,” exhibited beautiful works of arts by nine talented emerging artists. Ranging from installations, screen prints, drawings, paintings, and even an interactive piece, “Semblance” held spectacular and meaningful works. Each collection from each artist demonstrated the work, effort, and deep thought that was put into them, enabling viewers to genuinely connect to what these skilled artists were portraying through their art. Many subjects throughout the exhibition touched on emotions, methods of communica-

tion, different cultures, and true and perceived identity. Some works were done with very personal influences—which welcomed the viewer to connect with the art on a relatable level—while others were done with a unique engagement toward societal trends and/or issues. Two of the nine artists, Caroline Arrigoni ’16 and Danae Nunez ’16, demonstrated both culture and identity in their collections. Arrigoni’s inspiration came from her home country of Brazil. She incorporated her country’s colorful culture and current economic situation to “demonstrate another world where happiness and optimism are abundant,” said Arrigoni. Nunez, however, took more

of a political standpoint in her series. Inspired by her Mexican culture, she created a hard-hitting series focusing on stereotypical views made toward her culture in American society. Overall, the Senior Art Exhibition was an experience like no other. Credit is due to all of the artists who were not only responsible for their art but also in putting together the finest details of the exhibition—including the refreshments! I encourage those of you who did not make it to this exhibition to visit these talented seniors’ final exhibition toward the end of the spring, when their work will be displayed in the Cornell Fine Arts Museum.

Photo courtesy of Caroline Arrigoni

Boxing movie ‘Creed’ does not disappoint ‘Creed,’ directed by Ryan Coogler, is a new boxing film that puts the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, wanting more. Nicolas Nagaoka

Columnist

In this age of reboots and remakes, I am happy to say that Creed is not only one of the best reboots of a franchise, but it also surpasses the typical constraints of a reboot and goes beyond to become its own thing. Creed, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, and Phylicia Rashad, tells the story of a young Adonis Johnson (Jordan) as he tries to find himself through boxing, all while constantly being compared to his father, the legendary Apollo Creed. The characters in this film feel genuine. That is at the forefront for this film. Aside from the rivals that Adonis has to fight, the main cast feels warm and true, though sometimes a little cliché. Jordan as Adonis was a perfect casting call. Adonis constantly struggles through the film to find his identity and is given a reason to fight. I love the

idea that Adonis finds boxing as his passion not because of the violence and hatred but rather as a way to feel alive. Of course, no one could forget the old Italian stallion Rocky Balboa, who is once again played by Stallone. I really loved Stallone here even though most people know of his acting prowess; however, here he fits right in as an old and ageing Rocky who is done with boxing. I feel for Stallone in this film—he not only portrays a convincing older individual but also someone who was left bitter and lonely by the world. Speaking of the world, this story is similar to that of previous Rocky films, with the exception that Rocky and Adonis really share a strong bond. This is one of the strongest teacher-student bonds in the genre, and I absolutely love their dynamic: a much more believable and interesting relationship as opposed to the old Rocky films. This film is visually captivating with its shots of Philadelphia and fights within the

boxing ring. Philadelphia’s scenery really help to set the film’s time—that while this was Rocky’s town, it is now a different environment. A lot of shots were replicated from the original films, such as Rocky’s famous run up the stairs during his training montage. However, it is the fighting that take all the glory. These fights are brutal and up-close, giving off a visceral feeling. The punches are exemplified by an amazing sound design that boomed throughout the theater. Speaking of sound design, the movie is filled with little homages to the old Rocky theme without ever fully playing it. This serves to remind people what was so great about the past films. In my theater, the audience was not quiet about their emotions. Constant cheering and applause erupted during the final climactic fight. I felt transported to a time where Rocky had just been released and how people would have felt back then when Rocky fought his final fight.


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