Spring 2014 Week 8

Page 1

Thursday, May 22, 2014

The Legacy of Michael Sam

Lauren’s Locales

The NFL’s first openly gay player

The best spots in the bay

Opinion, Page 6

Scene, see TSC online

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Family Rides for Terminal Illness

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Spring concert takes a chance and scores

Relatives of recent Santa Clara alumnus race to raise awareness Eduardo Cuevas

Associate Reporter In an attempt to find a cure for a rare neuromuscular disorder, the Rupel family will be competing in a 60-mile cycling event in honor of their son. Matt Rupel, now 23, graduated from Santa Clara in 2013. The Rupels who reside in Santa Clara are all recessive carriers of Friedreich’s ataxia, a genetically inherited disease that attacks the body’s nervous system and muscles. Matt Rupel was diagnosed with the condition in the eighth grade. The Rupel family plans to raise $10,000 as part of a 13-man team, which includes family friends. The event Ride Ataxia NorCal as a whole aims to raise $125,000 for research through donations from riders and outside spectators. While Matt Rupel’s father and sister, Bart and Katie, will be competing in the race, his mother, Brenda, will be following to assist the riders if problems arise. Both Bart and Brenda Rupel are Santa Clara alumni as well, having graduated in ‘85 and ‘86 respectively. The Rupels frequently cycle in events across the country to fundraise for a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia. As the event draws near, the family has been biking distances up to 60 miles in preparation for the race on May 31 in Davis, Calif. Matt Rupel is currently participating in a drug trial to treat his disease, as there is currently no definitive cure for Friedreich’s ataxia. Despite this fact, Rupel’s father, Bart, believes that fundraisers like Ride Ataxia NorCal do make a difference for individuals with the condition. “I’m pretty optimistic (that) within the next 10 years we will have a cure,” Bart said. Matt served as editor-in-chief of The Santa Clara from 2011 to 2013. He was recently hospitalized for respiratory problems while visiting family in El Paso, Texas, but was discharged on Tuesday. Although he will not participate, his father says Matt plans to attend for support. Bart Rupel believes that the event is beneficial for both researchers and families affected by Friedrich’s ataxia. “It helps the community stay motivated to see what we can do, and it helps connect the researchers to the families,” said Rupel. “Often times, companies involved in research (get to) see the families and see how determined we are.” Ride Ataxia Norcal is sponsored by the Friedrieich’s ataxia Research Alliance. Contact Eduardo Cuevas at ecuevas@scu.edu.

ashley cabrera — The Santa Clara

The Activities Programming Board brought 21-year-old Chance the Rapper to perform at the annual Spring Concert. The event was held yesterday at 8 p.m. in the Locatelli Student Activity Center. David Lyons, a sophomore Santa Clara student, opened the show. Over 750 tickets were sold at $20 each.

Club Instills Hope for Youth Disadvantaged families tour campus, seek new opportunities Nicolas Sonnenburg The Santa Clara

Inadequate educational facilities, the threat of violence on the streets and a lack of mentors are all problems that plague adolescents who live in impoverished neighborhoods. The possibility of attending a four-year university is often out of the question for these young people. Members of the Santa Clara community are trying to change this

Coming to an End Reflecting on Katie Le’s career Sports, Page 7

reality. MEChA-El Frente, the Multicultural Center’s Latino and Latina club, has been active in reaching out to children who live in inner city San Jose and other impoverished areas. Every November, the club hosts Raza Day in its efforts to connect with disadvantaged youths. MEChA invites hundreds of high school students from San Jose to Santa Clara. They have the chance to explore buildings, speak with Santa Clara students and gain insight into college life. “One of our pillars is education,” said Mayra Gonzalez, a member of MEChA. “Part of that is reaching out to elementary, middle and high schools to show students not only that Santa Clara is a place that exists, but that they can actually get here.” Parents of visiting students have a chance to speak with university admissions officers

and other parents who come from similar backgrounds. “Most of their questions are about financial aid,” said Gonzalez. “We just tell them our story and explain that Santa Clara is very generous. If you come from a low-income household, but have good grades in high school, it is possible to come here.” In addition to Raza Day, MEChA hosts five smaller campus tours throughout the year. On Friday, with the assistance of the club, the Ignatian Center’s outreach program Thriving Neighbors will be welcoming approximately 100 young students and 25 parents from Washington Open Elementary School in Santa Clara. Contact Nicolas Sonnenburg at nsonnenburg@scu.edu or call (408) 5544852. What’s Inside

News.................................. 1 – 3 Scene................................ 4 – 5 Opinion....................................6 Sports............................... 7 – 8


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