THE
SPRINGHILLIAN
April 10, 2014
Volume 98 Issue 9
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Eye on the
STORIES FROM HOMECOMING | PG. 2 & 3
GREEN
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER? | PG. 9
By MjCONNELL Reporter
The SHC men’s golf team finished in second place this past Tuesday, April 8 playing some of their best golf all year. The Badgers were in the lead after the first day but ultimately fell into second behind Faulkner State and Union College. The team only lost by one stroke after losing an 11-stroke lead. On the first day of the tournament junior Jordan Portal and freshman Wesley Hunter led the pack shooting a 67 and 70 respectively. Seniors Phil Dugan and Spencer Lane shot an 81 and 77 in their final Spring Hill Invitational.
After playing a tournament at home the players appreciated the crowd support on their home turf. “It was good to be able to host a tournament and it as really nice to be able to have some of the kids come out and watch,” says Hunter. “That made it fun to play.” Portal also adds that they were “definitely more comfortable and confident” to be playing on the Spring Hill Golf Course. On the second day the team couldn’t close out a tough
See GOLF pg. 11
GUESS THAT INK! | PG. 12
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
THIS WEEK
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WEEKLY FORECAST Thursday - 72/57 - Sunny
Friday - 72/59 - Partly Cloudy
Saturday - 74/61 - Partly Cloudy
Sunday - 75/65 - Partly Cloudy
HILLIAN STAFF Editors: Matthew LaBorde Chelsea Wallace Advisor: Stuart Babington Photo Editor: Kiva Talty
Design Editor: Bre Vaughn Reporters: Jacquelyn SauneĂŠ Gaillard Teague Abby Massengale Sports: MJ Connell Eric Thomas
HILLIAN CONTACT The Hillian Newswire
April 10, 2014
EVENTS OF THE WEEK RHA and SHC Intramurals Present: The Kickball Kickback RHA and SHC Intramurals will be hosting a kickball tournament on April 26th, 2014 on Dorn Field. Sign-ups will be in the Cafeteria from April 7-17. Come out and enjoy food, prizes, and fun!
The Love of the Nightingale - Arlene Mitchell Theater Timberlake Wertenbaker tells a story of two sisters and a hideous crime - a story of war, desire, rape and enforced silence. This retelling of a Greek myth, retold before by Ovid and hidden in a lost play by Sophocles, uncovers a part of the human condition that is terrifyingly close. April 10, 11, 12, 13 at 8:00 pm. Admission: $10.00 Students: $5.00
AKA Week The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Pi Rho Chapter present AKA week! As a part of the week there will be a service table in the cafe all week collecting items to be donated to AIDS Alabama South. The events of the week are as follows: Monday: Name that 90s... trivia of clothes, movies, and television shows, and foods from the ‘90s. Event held in LeBlanc C at 7:08 p.m. Tuesday: Sister Act.... Peace Corps forum for those who may be interested joining held in LeBlanc A at 7:08 p.m.
@HillianNewswire Hillian Newswire hillian _ newswire Letters to the Editors newswire@shc.edu Read the Hillian Newswire online at newswire.shc.edu
Bundles for Babies Starting April 7, collection boxes will be in the cafeteria, Quinlan Hall and the mailroom for gently used/new baby clothes and receiving blankets. We are going to make Baby Bundles to send to a hospital in the Dominican Republic that we toured on a recent ISIP trip. We were told that most of the mothers do not have any clothes for their new babies. Please email Wanda Sullivan, wsullivan@shc.edu or Christie Alonso, cmalonso@mail.shc.edu with any questions. Help us help others!
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
NEWS
April 10, 2014
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Homecoming Celebrates Badgers Through Years By AbbyMASSENGALE Reporter
Despite the inclement weather of the past weekend, Spring Hill College excitedly welcomed its alumni from across the country back on campus for Homecoming on the Hill. There is a famous notion that there is always a “calming before the storm.” This could have not been any truer for the Homecoming weekend. The past week had arguably been the best week of weather thus far this semester. However, this pre-storm peace was short lived, abandoning the Hill just as some excited Badgers made their way here. Although the stormy weather was not ideal for a weekend as momentous as Homecoming on the Hill, there was another storm heading for Spring Hill: the alumni themselves. Spring Hill College saw an influx of alumni, both recent and older graduates, ready to catch up with one another, meet current students and see former professors. Homecoming on the Hill brought back many familiar faces, and some not so familiar. However, this did not stop the older alumni classes from reliving their col-
lege days while back on the hill. The Spring Hill community hosted many events, such as the women’s rugby team’s Prom Dress Rugby game, to welcome back the alumni in the best way Badgers know how: sporting events. There were multiple alumni versus current team games played throughout the day on Saturday. Both games brought current badgers and alums alike to watch a classic game of old school versus new school…literally. The men’s rugby team fell short to the alumni while the men’s soccer team defeated their alumni competitors. There was also a cookout, although junior Ginny Kosteck was not there to man the grill, which was another pleasant addition to the events taking place on both Library and Dorn Fields. Ingrid Torres, class of 2013, commented: “It feels great to be able to come back and see people I graduated with and those badgers that still go here whom I keep in touch with. Every event organized for the alumni was great and made me proud to be a Badger!”
Crescent to Host Student Showcase
is happening during the Arts Alive festival here in Mobile. With so many
By EricTHOMAS Reporter The Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile will host a ing festival showseveral the films of Spring Hill digital production video students. The Crescent Theater is hosting a showcase on Saturday, April 12, during “Arts Alive” weekend. The theater will be showing several films, and many Spring Hill students’ films will be included. Just a few of these students are junior Mike Short, senior Marcianne White, junior Germain McCarthy and senior Ryan Kampen. The idea to organize and show the student films belongs
This past week leading up to Homecoming on the Hill and the weekend itself were a busy time for the Alumni Office. The Alumni Office hosted multiple events in order to welcome back the Spring Photo courtesy of HalletDUNN Hill alumni. “best weekend on campus.” There is Junior Megan St. Germain, special something special to be said about an events intern for the Alumni Office, alumni weekend where everyone, stated: “From the five year to the 50 both current students and graduates, year classes, alumni participated and can come together and share stories attended many different events on amongst one another. It has been said campus throughout the weekend…it before, and was definitely reiterated was truly a fabulous experience.” this past weekend, that the sense of Overall, Badgers old and new felt community Spring Hill possesses is that Homecoming on the Hill was the irreplaceable.
to junior Demi Jordan, who is currently serving as the intern for the Crescent Theater. “As the intern for the Crescent Theater, I was given freedom over coming up with the idea for the student film showcase. I wanted to do it because there are so many talented students that deserve to have their films shown beyond the walls of our campus,” Jordan says. Jordan also spoke about the potential that this brings to the students and their films. “I’m excited that the showcase
people coming to town, it’s a perfect time to show off our local talent,” says Jordan. The students who are preparing to present their films are also extremely excited about this opportunity to expand their skills while also being acknowledged for all their hard work. White is extremely excited for her work to be showcased. White says, “This is a great opportunity for my fellow filmmakers and me to show our films. It is very exciting to have our films on a big screen. This is just one step closer to my dream!” The weekend’s showcase promises a great variety of films. Short, who only recently started making movies, decided to differentiate his work from those of his peers by creating a documentary to contrast to the other more story-based films. When asked how he felt
about having his film shown on the big screen, Short stated, “I think it’s a very exciting opportunity. I’ve only been making movies for about a year now and this is probably the best video I’ve done so far.” Because his format differs from that of the other students’ films, Short is excited to see how his film stands up in comparison. “It’s going to be interesting to see how my movie, as a documentary, is going to be compared to the work of other students, which will most likely be more narrative. My film is more of a hybrid between a documentary and an interview,” says Short. Junior Diego Juncadella, who is the main subject of Short’s film, discussed his feelings about being a part of the film experience. “I was very excited to be chosen as the subject of Mike’s documentary and was very pleased with how it came out. His use of the green screen and other technology really matched what I needed to tell the story,” Juncadella shares. Sophomore Nick Smeltz is also participating in the weekend showcasing, and he anticipates the audience reaction to his work. “I think the greatest part is seeing everyone’s reaction and talking to them afterwards and getting feedback from the audience.”
Digital video production faculty member Ryan Noble believes that this showcase is important for the students’ futures in videography. “The student showcase is really exciting for our program because we have a lot of students participating, a lot of student work will be showcased. That’s really important for our students because then they get to put on their resume exactly what work was shown and where, so it does gives them some cache as far as student work,” Noble says. In addition, the Crescent Theater showcase creates positive PR for Spring Hill itself. Noble says, “It gives recognition both to the college and to the digital video production department to showcase what our students do and how they learn and that they can make films, videos, can do a variety of media projects here at school and that it’s showcased in a professional environment.” With Badgers dominating the title list of the Crescent Theater festival, the SHC digital video production program distinguishes itself as a serious contender in the landscape of local art. The showcase takes place on April 12 from 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., making it the perfect Saturday getaway.
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THE SPRINGHILLIAN
Sex Trafficking,Growing Problem By ChelseaWALLACE Assistant Editor Current Alabama laws regarding human trafficking do little to help victims, and humanitarians and citizens alike have been calling for change. Alabama law defines human trafficking as “engaging in labor or sexual servitude of another person.” Colloquially, human or sex trafficking refers to the coercion or abduction of victims with the intention of selling them to clients for sexual use. While girls and women are the main targets of trafficking, there have been numerous young boys also abducted in recent years. Mona Price, a representative of the Emerald Coast Humanity Outreach (ECHO) in Destin, Florida, recently spoke at the University of South Alabama - Baldwin County campus about the perils of human trafficking throughout the country and specifically in Alabama. Price says, “You may think of overseas trafficking and that it’s not happening here, but it is. The demand is so high. It is our responsibility [to fight this]. These are our kids getting hurt.” The Polaris Project, an organization devoted to studying human trafficking and the laws that govern it throughout the United States, tracks the development and comprehensiveness of laws regarding trafficking. As of 2013, nearly twothirds of states have Tier I legislation both to catch traffickers and aid victims, the highest possible by the Polaris Project standards. Alabama has remained in Tier II since 2011, mainly because of a lack of laws to aid victims. Price has an explanation: society’s view of prostitution. Oftentimes, when police break up trafficking rings, the victims do not go to shelters - they go to jail with prostitution charges. Even minors as young as 15 years old have been imprisoned for “prostitution.” “We as a society must redefine ‘prostitutes’ as ‘child victims,’” Price says. “They may not be tied to something, but someone is watching. They are bound - you just don’t see it.” While such punishment may seem counterintuitive, a representative of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers an
explanation. A case director at the National Center Staca Shehan says, “If they aren’t placed in a juvenile detention facility,
at events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl, a 2011 study may prove otherwise. The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women reports that “despite massive media attention…there is no empirical evidence that trafficking for prostitution increases around large sporting events,” as quoted by the New York Times. Whether or not trafficking increases at or around these events, police forces and humanitarians seize the opportunity to publicize the problem in the hopes of finding and rescuing victims. An advertisement sponsored by the End It anti-trafficking movement that circulated on social media depicted several girls in various stages of neglect, abuse and undress in a see-through semitruck driving through Atlanta, Georgia, before the Final Four on April 13, 2013. Pedestrians and passers-by witnessed these girls, all with looks of hopelessness and fear on their faces, pass by with the phrase, “Every year women are trafficked to major sporting events to be sold as slaves” written on the side of the truck. What can be done to help victims of trafficking? Price says something as simple as donating items to a shelter can mean the world to a survivor. She says, “A lot of what shelters need is clothes, shampoo and conditioner, everyday things… [Donating] shows that society cares about them, that we see them, and we care for them.” Additionally, Price encourages anyone who feels they may have a friend or family member being trafficked, or even just sees a stranger who appears to be abused, to call police or put a tip into the National Human Trafficking Hotline. “Multiple people have been rescued from everyday people noticing odd things and just calling,” Price says. The National Human Trafficking hotline is 1-888373-7888. For more information about sex trafficking in America, visit PolarisProject.org or DestinECHO.org.
“You may think of overseas trafficking and that it’s not happening here, but it is.” ~ Mona Price the child could run back to the prostitution scenario.” Police try to avoid this by charging the victims, even minors, with prostitution and putting them in jail. However, Price says this is only a temporary solution. “Sometimes, the pimp will be there waiting when the girls are released,” she says. “In that case, they don’t have a chance.” While Alabama passed an anti-human trafficking law in 2010, called HB432, it focuses mainly on charging traffickers and somewhat on monetary restitution for the victim with no mention of keeping victims out of jail. Even worse are the cases in which victims voluntarily return to their traffickers. Price cites Stockhold Syndrome, a mental brainwashing disorder in which a hostage or victim becomes emotionally attached to his or her abuser, often as a result of fear and extensive abuse. Though there are currently no laws to aid victims or redefine the idea of “prostitution,” Alabama hosts two of the country’s five shelters specifically meant for human trafficking victims: the Wellhouse in Birgminham and Hope Haven in Baldwin County. In fact, a survivor of human trafficking founded the Wellhouse in 2011. The Washington Post reports that at only 15 years old, Tajuan McCarty was forced into prostitution by her thenboyfriend as a way for him to earn money. After escaping trafficking, McCarty instituted the first 24-hour, immediate care for victims of prostitution and sex trafficking. One major facet of the human trafficking issue revolves around major sporting events. While many trafficking activists tout that trafficking surges
April 10, 2014
Scholarship Donors, Recipients Reunite By AndyCUFF Contributor Homecoming on the Hill had many memorable moments, but the reunion between former scholarship creators and recipients on the Hill took the cake. The Miller-LeJeune Scholarship Program was established by Clark and Eleanor Akers in 1977. The couple created the program, named for their mother’s maiden names, after their son had attended Spring Hill as a reaction to the positive impact it had on their family. From 1977 to 1980, the Akers awarded four students a complete full-ride to Spring Hill, selecting them for their academics, leadership and service. Sadly the Miller-LeJeune Scholarship Program ended in 1980, but it was not in vain. The MillerLeJeune scholars have proved to be some of the most successful alumni Spring Hill has seen. They range from lawyers, professors, doctors and even a cofounder of a university in Bulgaria. Some of the Miller-LeJeune scholars kept in contact with the Akers family throughout the years with the thought of a reunion always in the back of their minds. Those hopes turned into a reality for the 2014 Homecoming on the Hill. One of the recipients planned the reunion with the Office of Advancement, and reunited the Akers family and the MillerLeJeune scholars on Saturday, April 5 in the Lucey Administration Center Rotunda. The group gathered and shared dinner for the first time in over 30 years. Bart Kendrick, a Miller-LeJeune Scholarship recipient and a National Alumni Board member was enthusiastic about the evening. “This reunion dinner was one of the most moving moments I have experienced at Spring Hill. It brought together the Akers and my classmates after a thirty or so year ‘gap’ and was like being reunited with long lost family,” he said. But this reunion had much more than chats of the good-ole-days. Prior to the event, the MillerLeJeune scholars gathered together to begin a new form of the Miller-LeJeune program. The recipients all pitched in, and surprised the Akers family with the announcement at the end of the night. The family and recipients all agreed the reunion was full of emotion, positivity and hope. Because of this reunion dinner, a few select freshmen will now be awarded the Clark and Eleanor Akers Endowed Scholarship. The MillerLeJeune scholars founded this new scholarship through the Office of Advancement. This new endowment will last permanently and will benefit Spring Hill College students as long as the institution is open. Not only will these future scholars hold a relationship with the Akers family, but the previous Miller-LeJeune scholars will now have an integral role in the hopeful success for the future badgers. Senior Kearney Cole, a current advancement intern, detailed the excitement. “I’ve been working for the Phonathon in the Advancement Office for four years, and it wasn’t until this year that I got to see relationships between donors and their recipients firsthand,” claimed Cole. “It’s a special relationship that we constantly talk about when we call for donations, so to see it all happen in person was truly amazing and solidified my intent to donate after graduation.”
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April 10, 2014
Technology and Responsibility From controversial apps to internet abuse, what’s causing a stir on the Hill?
By ChelseaWALLACE Assistant Editor My Facebook feed is flooded with links to stories about stupid people. Numerous articles and news stories detail how individuals admit to crimes via Facebook statuses, resulting in arrests. A recent article at Vocativ.com detailed how Reddit is the new forum for stupidity. One Reddit user asked the question, “What’s the most illegal thing you’ve ever done?” The question, marked as NSFW (not safe for work) and welcomed “throwaway” or dummy accounts, brought out many confessions, big and small. Vocativ reports that while many confessions were minor or even joking, such as pulling the tags off of a mattress or visiting Disney.com without a
By MattLABORDE Editor-in-Chief In issue four of the SpringHillian this year, our reporter Abby Massengale wrote a very informative feature piece about an incident at a local high school that revolved around the misuse of a Smartphone app called “Yik Yak.” In that article, she quoted junior Scout Kirkikis, who expressed a reasonable concern: “I can’t even begin to think about what would happen if that app made its way
parent’s permission, some users have admitted to much nastier crimes, some without even creating those “throwaways.” One Redditor admitted to both raping a woman and molesting a child. Another, to smuggling heroin into the country from Mexico. While these may seem too extreme to be true, that they must be some off-color, ill-intentioned jokes, the posters both insist that they are telling the truth. According to Vocativ, “In the past few years, police have bagged a variety of criminals who, because they’re sloppy or cocky or both, decided to blurt out their crimes on Twitter or Facebook.” Our generation is uniquely placed in history: we are the pioneers of the technological age. We possess more access to the world than any generation previously. We understand technology - past, present and future - better and more thoroughly. We utilize the internet and other digital platforms in far more ways, from keeping in touch with friends and family across the country to finding jobs to even everyday shopping. Yet, our generation, so advantageously placed in the digital age, also wastes that potential on a regular basis. People bully, perpetuate false information, unwittingly incriminate themselves onto campus. That’s that last thing this campus needs.” Sorry Scout, but Yik Yak is here and it’s not a pretty sight. Yik Yak is basically Twitter without account names, so imagine a “news feed” of opinionated messages that are completely anonymous. Through this app, our students are being personally victimized and Greek organizations are being defamed. Women are being called sluts. Men are being called sluts. Everybody is being called a slut. I encourage students to refrain from downloading the app. Chances are, you or a friend could have been mentioned on the gossip feed and you may be inclined to respond out of anger, which will only worsen the problem and will add fuel to the Yik Yak fire. To even download the app would be akin to participating in the same immature behavior exhibited by high school students. At little old Spring Hill, the proximity of students sometimes suffocates us to a point of inexplicable frustration that causes us to act childish. We often call ourselves “Spring Hill High,” and we somehow
and sell others for profit. Now, don’t get me wrong. I fully believe in the importance of free speech and the dangers of censorship. I swear I do. And I’m absolutely not bashing Reddit, my favorite way to waste time. My worry lies with this seeming ignorance of how the web works more than with what the posts say. The Constitution promises that no person shall be forced to bear witness against himself in a trial or court of law; yet, through no fault of the justice or governing officials, that’s exactly what these people are doing by mistreating and misunderstanding the web this extremely. People post blogs or statuses about things that normally would remain unsaid. Even when profiles bear one’s name and image, the anonymity of the internet draws so many into its arms and, like too much alcohol, coerces many into statements that will later be regretted. Some may remember the Yik Yak shooting threats that caused Mobile middle schools to close for a day earlier this semester. At the end of February, the Mobile District Attorney’s office arrested a 14-yearold and a 16-year-old in connection to the threats, according to AL.com. Threats made under the cloak of namelessness came back to haunt these students; despite how many times we seem to hear it, they still didn’t understand that nothing on the forget that we belong to an institution of higher learning. An institution that requires more of us than our high school required of us, an institution that has a mission statement that we often forget exists. In the article that Abby wrote a while back, she detailed an event that took place on McGill-Toolen’s campus where an anonymous user posted this message: “School shooting tomorrow at McGill.” It was the catalyst that sparked a crisis on the high school’s campus and shell shocked the entire community. What happened to that “anonymous” user? He got caught and will spend three years in juvenile detention. The developers of Yik Yak helped officials by releasing the user’s cell phone information, which was then tracked to a home address. Think about that the next time you sit alone, behind the closed doors of your secluded dorm room, behind some veil of anonymity that doesn’t even exist. This cloak of apparent anonymity gives users a free pass to ramp up the intensity of their cruel messages and allows for students to participate
internet is anonymous and nothing can be permanently deleted once it makes its way to the world wide web. “But Chelsea,” some may say, “not everyone acts this way. There is good on the internet, too.” And that is correct. Websites devoted to spreading awareness of diseases or social justice problems work to correct social ills. Microfinancing sites allow privileged individuals to lend money to those without the same blessings. Even sites dedicated to sharing happy experiences or helping others through emotional times become rays of shining sun in the dark oblivion that is quickly becoming the modern internet. Even with the positivity throughout, the stupidity that I encounter on a regular basis through the internet disheartens me. We have a responsibility to make the world better than it was when we entered it, and we are also the ones best positioned to carry out that responsibility. Yet, every day, people choose to hurt rather than help. So, think about your choices. Are you bullying via social media? Are you being truthful about yourself and others? Are you treating others with respect? No action should impede the dignity of another human being: one day, I hope to see a world where that dream is lived out in reality.
in the commonly ignored epidemic of cyber-bullying. Also, what happens on the app doesn’t stay on the app. Think about the students who get harassed after being talked about on Yik Yak. Or, think about a female student who is terrified to walk around because she knows dozens of students are spreading rumors about her. Again, what happens on Yik Yak doesn’t stay on Yik Yak. My guess is that a small number of students are the ones perpetuating the hurtful messages, and that these posts are not reflective of our entire community. This is the exact reason I believe we can eradicate this issue by the end of the week. That means one day after this issue comes out. Professors, students, and Greekaffiliated student leaders are all taking a stand against the use of the application. I echo their plea, and I encourage the student body to continue treating one another with dignity and respect.
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
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LIFESTYLE ADVERTISEMENT
April 10, 2014
Photo courtesy of HalletDUNN Photo courtesy of BethanyELI
#AROUND
Do you THE want your photo to be HILL in The Springhillian? Are you doing something on campus that you want students and staff to see? Use the hashtag #aroundthehill on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to let us know what fellow Badgers are doing on campus. Your photo could be in the next issue of The Springhillian! Photo Jabulani Thompson
Photo courtesy of HalletDUNN
Photo by KivaTALTY TOP LEFT: SHC’s Women’s Rugby team celebrates the end of their season with a Prom Dress rugby scrimmage. TOP RIGHT: Members of Spring Hill College’s Class of ‘69 reunite at Bay Fest. ABOVE TOP CENTER: Dana Wilder, Maggie Vache and Gabriella Del Gandio enjoy Chemistry Club’s Crawfish Boil this past Saturday. ABOVE BOTTOM CENTER: Meeri Kangas receives a high-five from Admissions Counselor Jim Love after her speech at the President’s Society reception. RIGHT: Lambda Chi Alpha set up a portable tailgating grill to charbroil oysters during Alumni Weekend.
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FEATURE Food, Culture, and ITALY An overseas update from contributing writer - JuliaARENSTAM -
People ask a lot of questions when you tell them you’re studying in Bologna. The most annoying one is, “Why there? You don’t speak Italian...” However, I have come to learn that Bologna is one of the greatest places to be if you’re a student, or even just a young wandering soul. The city of Bologna is largely populated by students. Housing the oldest university in Europe, you are never without something to do in this city. The Italians are crazy, but we have come to love them and completely embrace their culture. It is basically a unanimous decision that we all love it here. Spring Hill student Meg Geraci said, “I absolutely I love it here. I would do it again or stay longer.” Living here for just a few short months makes us realize what it would mean to move to a foreign country. “I would move out of America if everyone else’s economy wasn’t so much worse than ours,” said Geraci. Not only are open-container laws non-existent (much to the pleasure of the “typical” Spring Hill student), but wine flows like water. You can be walking to class on a Tuesday afternoon and see students sitting in a piazza sipping on beer or wine with their lunch. So we hear the word “Italy,” and our stomachs scream for pizza, pasta, and of course, gelato. Not only can you walk down any street and find a massive slice of pizza for 2€, you can go to a pizzeria and order a whole one for under 6€, wherein you are expected to eat the entire thing, all of it… for one person. You think you would be full after something like that, but then there is this fantastic gelato place right around the corner. You’d be kidding yourself if you said you didn’t want some, no matter what the thermometer says. Jose Scheuren learns how to make pasta during his semester in And most importantly is the Italy. pasta. I never knew there were so many kinds of pasta. They have a different name for each size, varying in as close as a centimeter difference. They take their pasta very seriously. As delicious as the food is, and as beautiful as this city is, this trip also teaches us a lot about ourselves. “Going to Ireland taught me a lot because I gained a new sense of self. It forced me to feel comfortable with myself and made me realize I can do things by myself, and I can love doing them,” said Geraci. You come here thinking you have a good sense of direction, and then you get plopped in a place with no phone service, no wifi, and you don’t speak the language. Try and find your way home. I dare you. Despite all of that, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything because it has taught me so many life skills, like if you get lost in a small Italian town, just breathe. You will find your way back and you will be late, but it is Italy. So who cares?
April 10, 2014
Service forLife Story by JacquelynSAUNEE
A popular program fo those interested in serving after college, especially for students coming from a Jesuit school such as Spring Hill, is the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Jesuit Volunteers serve for one or two years while living in community and serving at each of their respective placement sites, which are decided through an intensive matching process. Through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Stewart will be serving in Houston, Texas as a Pro Bono Asylum Coordinator for YMCA International Services. Senior Lindsey Frechou, who has also committed to a year of service with JVC, explains her decision to apply to the program: “It was always one of those opportunities that I thought would be really impactful and moving, but I would never actually end up going for. However, senior year came around and the possibility of experiencing a whole year of service while living with a community of others dedicated to simplicity and spirituality just seemed like something I was being called to and an Ministry, this campus offers opportunity I couldn’t pass an abundance of opportuni- up.” Frechou will be serving in ties to serve. Washington D.C. as a counSenior Claire Stewart selor at a crisis pregnancy shares about her service experiences while at Spring center and maternity home. Becca Van Galder, class Hill: “I have been involved of 2013, has spent the past in Spring Hill’s ESL proyear serving with JVC and gram, and volunteered at Little Sisters of the Poor for recently decided to commit to a second year of serthe past four years. I have vice. “I decided to apply for also done service projects with the Homeless Count of a second year because I feel Mobile, Habitat for Human- like I have more exploring to do- the four values of JVC ity, and Ronald McDonald (social justice, spirituality, House.” Stewart is one of the many community, and simple living) work together in such badgers that are at home beautiful ways and I can’t serving others. As a result, several seniors have decided to pursue service post-gradSee CONTINUED pg. 9 uation. Spring Hill College’s motto reads: “Forming leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice, and service for life.” This phrase is included in nearly every speech given to the student body and printed on nearly every brochure handed out to prospective students. One of the pillars of this motto is service. From the Foley Community Service Center to Greek organizations’ philanthropic efforts, to service through Campus
“The life that is changed can be yours or the person that is allowing your presence within their life.” -Claire Stewart
April 10, 2014 CONTINUED from page 8 wait to see what all of that looks like in a new setting with new people,” Van Galder explains. The various opportunities for post-graduation service are numerous and span beyond the opportunities provided by JVC. Senior Michael Kernahan recently began the application process for a year of service at Friends of Jesus, a self-sustainable Catholic orphanage in Honduras that caters to abused, abandoned, or underprivileged children. Kernahan explains his decision: “My second immersion trip planted a little seed in my mind about potentially spending more time serving in an international setting. The more I thought about it, the more I started to realize that I am being called to use my talents to give back to the global community. I realized that I have my whole life ahead of me, and I have absolutely no reason not to take time now to make a small impact on the people we share this world with.” Van Galder encourages students to consider this alternative route to post-graduation plans. She says,
THE SPRINGHILLIAN “This year has been so full of challenges but I’ve met some incredible people and gotten to experience living with a completely new perspective. It’s not at all what I expected it to be like, but totally worth it!” But why is it worth it? Why give up time during the week to serve at an elderly assistance facility or homeless shelter? And why commit to an entire year, or even two, of service? Stewart believes that service is important because through service, lives are changed. “You never forget the faces you meet while doing acts of charity because it is through these acts, no matter how small, that a life is changed in some way. The life that is changed can be yours or the person that is allowing your presence within their life,” she shares. “Service for life” is a phrase that students at Spring Hill College do not take lightly. From serving on campus, to around the community, to around the country and even in the international community, badgers are committing their lives to service.
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Photo courtesy of BeccaVANGALDER
So, What Are You Doing This Summer? By GailliardTEAGUE Reporter
This is the age-old question college students must endure countless times as the three-and-a-half month long break approaches. For some (like me), the question results in inconvenient masses of stress, comparable to the reaction that occurs when asked “if you could pick three things to bring with you on a desert island, what would they be?” Herman and his summer camp kids at Whippoorwill summer camp in Fernvale, Tennessee throw up their Badger claws. This ultimately unavoidable angst is brought on by the pressure to ple were employed, or were actively “I get to work at the happiest place make the most out of the long break, seeking jobs, in the summer of 2013. on earth.” Devereaux explains that which, for most of us, will only ocWith such a large percentage, while working as a waitress at Blizcur a few more times in life (if you you can’t help but wonder: where zard Beach in Disney World, she was weren’t feelin’ the pressure before, I are all these people being employed? able to prepare herself for the future. hope you’re feelin’ it now). What is the best way to make mon“I like the Disney Company because Summer vacation presents ey? And is getting a job or internship they help prepare you for the profescountless opportunities for students, the best way to spend my summer? sional world. They are very focused but many can’t help but be tempted US News reports the benefits of on guest services.” to do absolutely nothing, catch up on getting summer jobs and internships, On the opposite end of the sleep, or just …do absolutely nothing. which include developing and buildspectrum, communication arts However, as mentioned above, three ing skills, gaining valuable contacts, major Nicole Pembroke will spend and a half months of break only oclearning about the world of work, her summer working for a Chicago cur a few times in life, so shouldn’t obtaining references for future job wedding planning company, Big we make the most of it? opportunities and so on. City Bride. “I manage social media, Many students interpret “makAt Sprill, the variety of summer website development, blog postings ing the most of it” as devoting their jobs amongst the students is extenand small projects,” she shares. “The break to fattening their wallet or getsive. From nannying to internships most important thing for me in any ting a head start in their professional to camp counseling, Spring Hill internship or job is gaining a new future. mentor and someone to look up to According to the Bureau of Labor students have done it all. Senior Meg Devereaux shares, and learn from. The people I have Statistics, 60.5 percent of young peo-
met through my internships have taught me things about communications I could have never learned in the classroom.” Seeking not only earnings but also work experience, students prove the value of spending your summer time wisely. Elementary education major Andrew Herman discusses how his summer job as a camp counselor has been an asset to his professional future. “I’ve been a camp counselor for five years and have been faced with many challenges that prepare me for a ‘real world job’.” Herman proves, however, that making money and gaining real world experience don’t have to be boring. Herman explains how this experience of having fun with kids, in a responsible but creative way, will help prepare him for his future as a teacher. He says, “I get to be adventurous and excited at camp. The kids think I am, like, cooler than Katy Perry because I am their counselor.” Summers are a cherished time for college students. The world is your oyster for a few months, and the pressure is real. Take the time to consider what the best way is for you to spend your time, and whether that is actually doing absolutely nothing, or being Katy Perry to little children, don’t waste it.
SPORTS
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Badger Softball Team Dominates Home Field By MjCONNELL Reporter
After another weekend of dominant softball from the Badgers, the team improved to 10-0 when playing at home. The Badgers most recently played Faulkner University on April 5 and swept the Lady Eagles in two games with the scores of 2-1 and 6-0. With this SSAC game into the books, the SHC softball team also improves their conference record to 8-2. When it comes to playing at home the ladies love when they get to play in front of their friends and family. Sophomore Carolina Sagrera had a fantastic day in front of the home crowd riddled with her acquaintances striking out 27 Lady Eagles throughout the two games. “I love to play at home because my whole family can come and see me play, and so it’s like that extra confidence boost that you have people in the stands cheering for you,” says Sagrera. Sophomore Taylor Lahasky also adds that the presence of her family gives her some extra motivation. “It feels great to play at home because my family comes and I feel like I do better when I have people behind me supporting me,” says Lahasky. The right fielder had two RBIs with one in each game. Coach Allison SellersCook is very happy that her
team is undefeated on their own turf. “It definitely feels good [to be undefeated at home], I think for the remainder of the season that needs to be our goal, to finish the season undefeated at home,” says Cook. The seventh-ranked SHC softball team has had a very successful season currently holding second place in the conference and a 23-6 overall record. Playing well at home has certainly helped the girls out since they have a record of 4-4 when playing in the opponents’ house. “We play pretty far away when we’re away and rarely have any support besides some parents that may come, so to have the friend support at home gets me fired up to play,” says Lahasky. Even though the team sits at the seventh spot nationally, the Badgers started the season off as the secondranked team in the nation. Despite falling off a little bit, the ladies are not letting it get in the way of their championship chances. “It’s really annoying we dropped to seventh,” says Sagrera, “but we did have a few slip ups, and we lost a few games, but it definitely motivates us to play harder.” Coach Cook has confidence in her team and isn’t worried about their position at the moment. “I think all that matters is winning when
it comes to the conference tournament,” says Cook. “I told the girls we weren’t going to focus on rankings anymore and that we are going to focus on winning.” Lahasky also believes her team can come out on top in conference and make a strong push for the national championship. “We’re behind AUM in the rankings for conference but if we play like we’re capable of playing we’ll jump ahead of them before the end of the season,” adds Lahasky. The Badgers face two big conference match ups this week playing against rivals University of Mobile on April 8 and Southern Wesleyan on Friday, April 11. With the strong support they have been getting from their friends and family on campus, the Badgers should have another impressive outing. “It feels really cool to be undefeated at home,” says Sagrera. “That’s when all of our friends can come out and see us, so it’s really important for us to give everyone on campus to have something to cheer for and have pride in.” Keep up the great support for your SHC Badger’s softball and show your faces in the stands. The ladies continue their push for a second appearance in the national title when the games this weekend begin at 2 p.m. at Murray Field.
Upcoming Games April 11 |
2 p.m.
| Softball vs Southern Wesleyan University
April 16 |
6 p.m.
|
Baseball vs West Alabama
visit SHCBadgers.com for more game info.
April 10, 2014
April 10, 2014
SHC Tennis Team Places Second in Invitational By MjCONNELL Reporter After a great outing by the team overall, Spring Hill’s men’s tennis team walked away with second place at the Stillman Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Badgers tennis squad beat every college that attended the event expect for the host, Stillman College. The other schools that attended include Tugaloo College, Albany State, and Lane College. After a great outing by beating the other teams with scores of 5-0, the men unfortunately were handed a 5-1 loss from Stillman. Even though the Badgers did not walk out victorious, the team is still happy with their results. Senior JP Espinosa was very pleased with his teammates and their performances. “I think our overall outcome is a great success,” says Espinosa. Sophomore Lee Leavitt also had nothing but positive things to say about the squad. “We all played really well and it was a good time to hang out with everybody. Everybody played well so that’s all you can ask for,” says Leavitt. Along with a successful tournament run, Leavitt was also glad to have attended this tournament with his teammates. “The best part was getting to hang out with all the guys,” says Leavitt. “JP is a senior this year so he won’t be back and who knows if John Asmar is either… it was just great to hang out in the final weeks of the season playing the sport we all love.” After a season in which the Badgers posted some pretty solid numbers, the team looks to finish strong even though they didn’t qualify for Nationals. “As the season comes to a close, we have a big match up against Belhaven this weekend, so that’s gonna be fun. We’re just trying to go out with a bang and maybe get an upset against them,” says Leavitt. SHC men’s tennis finishes up their season playing against Belhaven College this weekend on Friday from April 11 through 12. The match will take place at the Mobile Tennis Center and begin at 4 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday.
11
THE SPRINGHILLIAN
GOLF Continued from Cover By MjCONNELL Reporter tournament as Faulkner State and Union College fought hard to reach the top of the ranks. Portal shot a 76, Hunter finished with a 74, Dugan a 77 and Lane a 74. Unfortunately, Lane was not in the top five starters and they couldn’t use his score to secure first place. “The team’s performance was some of the best all year the first day,” says Portal. “Second day wasn’t bad but not good enough to be where we want to be, which is Nationals.” The team looks to shake the monkey off their backs as they prepare for the SSAC Championship Tournament which takes place from April 13 through 16.
TOP: Wesley Hunter lines up his ball for a put. LEFT: Jordan Portal prepares to take a shot. Photos by KivaTALTY
HILL YEAH!
12
April 10, 2014
I
My
got it because of my grandma, Rosa. She was basically my mother after my own mother passed away when I was three, and after my grandma passed away, I got this in her memory. And partly because I was 18, this was the first thing that popped into my head when I thought of what I could do legally at 18.”
SESSED with the show Friends; it’s our lives, it’s embarrassing. There’s an episode where two characters, Phoebe and Rachel, go to get tattoos. Phoebe wants a big blue lily flower but chickens out right after they touch her with the needle. But Rachel sticks with it and ends up getting a heart. She shows it off when they’re back at the apartment, and Phoebe gets jealous. She shows everyone her dot and says it was totally intentional, and it’s a view of the earth from a ‘great great distance.’ So, my brother and I got the world tattooed on our shoulders last summer.”
I
got it when I was 15 on spring break in Gulf Shores. I had to convince the tattoo artist that I left my ID at home and that he should document it as my mom getting a second tattoo since she got one at the same time because I was underage. He didn’t want to get fired if the regulators came through and saw that he was giving me an undocumented tattoo. Once my mom’s tattoo was finished, I went back and got mine. My tattoo is French for mother, and I got it because my mom is my best friend and I love her with all my heart, and now I can be reminded of her every time I look at my wrist.”
My
Identify theirInk
I
got this tattoo this past weekend with a few of my sorority sisters who got different tattoos. My tattoo is representative of a stepping stone in my battle with depression and it serves as a daily reminder that I am “enough.” The E in my tattoo is the symbol for namaste, which basically embodies mututal love and respect for everyone you meet.”
Using the photo and story background of each tattoo, can you identify which Badgers own which ink?
This
tattoo is my favorite because I traded an artist a hand-knit hat for the ink. It says “vivre,” which is French for “live.” The semicolon represents my support for the Semicolon Project, a nonprofit that is designed to raise awareness about self-injury and suicide. It reminds me every day that when I have a bad day, it’s just a semicolon in the sentence of my life.”
dad is a pilot and
my family loves to go flying. I got my name because my parents thought the sky was beautiful. My earliest memory is in the back of our plane looking at the sunset. My dad always told me my opportunities were limitless. Therefore, the sky is limitless. It’s in Italian because my family is Italian.”
shark is my favorite animal. I’m part Native American and it’s also my spirit animal. I even went diving with them before. I got this because they sybolize strength, focus, independence, fearlessness, protection, power, balance, authority, instinct, effectiveness and energy. And also because sharks are awesome.”
I
started it when I was a senior in high school and finished it after my freshman year of college. I love magnolia flowers from living in New Orleans for seven years. I originally wanted white magnolias but the artist told me to get a colored magnolia so it wouldn’t fade, so we found pink ones ,and I went with those. I got it to stand for growth in every step of my life, hence why the flower is on my foot.”
From top left going clockwise: Jasmine Brackett, Alyssa Tawil, Lexi McGruder, Kathryn Jakuback, Megan Davis, Scott Davis, Skye Athey and Kalle Allison. Photos courtesy of contestants and Kiva Talty.
The
brother and I are OB-