Issue 5 Spring 2014

THE

SPRINGHILLIAN

March 13, 2014

WHAT’S INSIDE:

HOPE IN THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY | PG. 3

WE KNOW WHERE YOU SLEEP! | PG 8

GOLF SET TO BEGIN | PG 10

Volume 98 Issue 5

U N C O N T E S T E D ?

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Photo illustration Photography: Kiva Talty Graphic Designer: Bre Vaughn

By MatthewLABORDE Editor-in-Chief

Next week, junior Ricardo Pita runs to retain his spot as President of the Student Government Association for the 2014-2015 school year. Junior Matthew Keller will join as Pita’s selection for Vice President.

Pita’s administration was instrumental in the recent repair and replacement of the Old Shell security gate. “We fought for it, and we got the gate back online,” he said, “and we are continuing to advocate for stricter I.D checks.” The SGA, under the guidance of Pita and current Vice President Mary Catherine McKinley, hosted the first “Purple for a Purpose” 5k color run to be held annually, which benefitted the American Cancer Society.

Earlier this year, efforts were made to reach out to seniors who lost their

chance to obtain housing in the condemned apartment building, Langan Hall.

The SGA continues to closely follow the progress being made on the building, and Pita is hopeful that Langan will be fully operational for the fall semester.

The filing period to run for SGA president and vice president opened on Tuesday. As of now, Pita and Keller will be running uncontested. In 2013, Pita and McKinley’s entry into the executive branch of student government also went unopposed. According to Pita, however, “This year, should we run unopposed, it would mainly be a referendum of what we have accomplished. It would certainly mean something different than it did last year.”

The possibility of yet another uncontested election raises questions of apathy

SEE FROM THE COVER PAGE 3

THE SPRINGHILLIAN

THIS WEEK

2

WEEKLY FORECAST Thursday - 59/37 - Sunny

Friday - 65/53 - Mostly Sunny

Saturday - 68/56- Few Showers

Sunday - 68/50 - Few Showers

HILLIAN STAFF Editors: Matthew LaBorde Chelsea Wallace Advisor: Stuart Babington Photo Editor: Kiva Talty

Design Editor: Bre Vaughn Reporters: Jacquelyn Saunée Gaillard Teague Abby Massengale Sports: MJ Connell Eric Thomas

HILLIAN CONTACT The Hillian Newswire @HillianNewswire Hillian Newswire hillian _ newswire Letters to the Editors newswire@shc.edu Read the Hillian Newswire online at newswire.shc.edu

March 13, 2014

EVENTS OF THE WEEK SHC Best Dance Crew You and your friends can make a crew and sign up to compete in SHC Best Dance Crew for one of three Grand Prizes! The crews must complete and showcase their routines on Tuesday, March 18, at 9 p.m. in Byrne Hall in order to participate. If the crew is unable to attend then they must notify the RHA in before March 18. All music is due on March 18. Any music submitted must be the clean version.

Food For Thought: Learn How to Cook Chicken Tortilla Soup

The event is held by Center for Student Involvement and Aramark.

Registration ($8) is required for this event and space is limited to 24 participants. Please sign up and pay for this program in the Center for Student Involvement, second floor of the Student Center, by March 14.

Jesuit Heritage Lecture John W. Padberg, S.J., an internationally recognized scholar and author, will present “Those Naughty Jesuits: The Suppression and Restoration of the Society of Jesus.” The event will take place Tuesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Walk to Cure MS MS Walk starts at 10 a.m. on March 15. If you are interested, the cost is $10 for your T-shirt and you may register at the Student Center Information Desk. Walk to create a world free of Multiple Sclerosis. For more information, contact swilliams@shc.edu.

Editor’s note: Last week, we wrote an article about the new television production class. If you want to learn how you can fit these classes into your schedule, or how you can utilize the equipment, contact Sharee Broussard at sbroussard@shc.edu. We are sorry for not including that information.

THE SPRINGHILLIAN

NEWS

March 13, 2014

FROM THE

COVER

By MattLABORDE Editor-in-Chief

of students toward their government, concerns of which Pita is well aware. “There is definitely something to be said about a lack of trust from the student body,” said Pita, who explained that the SGA has been partially “gutted” of its powers over the last few years. “There is a very valid concern for the ability of a student government to fight for its student’s rights with any real purpose.”

The idea that the student government has

3 lost some of its power is arguable, considering their track record and involvement. Pita attributes the success of this year to the hard work of his staff members: “I am very proud of our past, and confident in our future as an organization. We have worked hard to empower student government to effectively fight for our students.”

See Ricardo’s plans for next year and hear personal accounts of running in unopposed elections at newswire.shc.edu.

Hope in the Fight for LGBT+ Equality

By ChelseaWALLACE Assistant Editor With the veto of the recent Arizona anti-gay bill and the overturning of a Texas gay marriage ban on Feb. 26, the issue of equality for same-sex couples has received some positive news within the movement.

Sophomores Milton Hickson and Jeremy Buckner, co-presidents of the SHC P.R.I.D.E organization (which stands for “Protecting and Respecting Individuality, Diversity, and Equality”), believe that such laws inhibit societal and personal growth. They also see hope in the overturning of the laws.

Buckner says, “Continually denying same-sex bans will encourage similar actions throughout the country. Additionally, seeing conservative states, like Texas, being more open to same-sex relationships really paves the way for progress throughout the country.”

Hickson agrees, saying that the advanced connectivity of so many through the internet has helped create a more accepting society. “It’s nearly impossible to claim social isolation or being cut off from different perspectives and view,” Hickson states. “We’re moving forward, and this change is a sign of things to come.”

As the country watches these bills die, many Spring Hill students may be wondering about the state of samesex and marriage equality in Alabama.

According to a WashingtonPost.com article, many citizens are criticizing the hypocrisy that led American leaders to chastise Russian

anti-gay legislation while similar laws are, in fact, on the books in certain states.

Alabama, for one, has a code that says that if sex education is taught in schools, it must emphasize “that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state,” despite the fact that neither homosexuality nor consensual, private sexual activity are actually illegal.

“Teach a child that something is wrong, and they will believe it is so,” Hickson says. “Simply put, such a law teaches us to put judgment before understanding, to condemn before asking questions or examining the possibilities of something different.”

However, though this code still exists, Buckner says that in his personal experience, he has never seen it enacted.

As an Alabama native, he says that he was never taught that homosexuality was illegal or even unacceptable. He says, “The interesting thing is that although there are still many discriminatory laws on the books in Alabama, the ‘discrimination fad’ is dying out: more and more people are being accepting of differences of all kinds, and discriminatory laws are not being enforced.”

An article on AL.com discusses a proposed bill in Alabama called HB139 that seeks to modernize and correct the aforementioned code. Author Foster Noone says, “HB139 is…correcting false information. It is incorrect to say that ‘homosexual conduct’ is a crime in the state of Alabama. The deci-

Photo: Pat Shannahan, The Arizona Republic Protesters, including Christopher Bullock, center, celebrate after hearing that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was going to veto the controversial SB 1062.

sion of the 2003 Supreme Court case, Lawrence v. Texas, overrides all laws of that nature in the United States. LGBT [lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender] identities are not crimes, and students should not be taught that their existence is invalid and shameful.”

Noone goes further to discuss the negative implications of such codified laws on schoolchildren. Noone says, “All students deserve the chance to learn in an environment free of institutionally sponsored bullying. When this kind of language exists in law, it not only requires something hurtful and inaccurate to be taught, but it opens up the doors to greater discrimination in the classroom.”

Here on the Hill, both Hickson and Buckner seem to agree that the people on campus are generally supportive of those within the LGBT+ community.

Buckner says, “Many members of the LGBT+ community at Spring Hill have expressed that they feel comfortable, even relieved, and some have even come out about their sexuality simply because of how comfortable they have felt at Spring Hill.”

Though Hickson says he has encountered some negativity, he believes that overall, Badgers are accepting. “Personally, I would argue that SHC is a

relatively progressive place regarding the LGBT+ community,” he says. “More often than not, people are rather accepting.”

When asked how they personally believed the country would change in the next five to seven years, both of the P.R.I.D.E. leaders say that change will come, but it will take some time.

Buckner says, “Although progress has been momentous within these past couple of years, there is too much of a solid discriminatory framework in place for our society to change so quickly. It will take time, and I think that it will be much better in seven years, but it certainly won’t be complete.”

Hickson agrees and states, “Change will come, and I know that. But it will take time, and five to seven years will not be enough. And, sadly, it will take even longer before the LGBT+ community is accepted in Alabama.”

In the end, the recent victories for those within the LGBT+ community do mark a change in the tides. “Recognizing the unconstitutionality of these proposed bills in an important step in… recognizing the civil rights of human beings in this country,” Buckner states.

Hickson says, “Slow or fast, things are changing, and in truth, I believe it’s for the better.”

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THE SPRINGHILLIAN

SHC’s Burke Library to Host Holocaust Exhibit

By KivaTALTY Photo Editor On March 28, Spring Hill College will be opening “Hélène Berr, A Stolen Life,” an exhibit based on the journal written by a young French Jewish woman during World War II. The exhibit will be placed in the Barter Room of the Burke Memorial Library and will be open until Aug. 10.

At the age of 21, Berr began her journal while studying English literature at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Her future was cut short when the Vichy Government laws were enacted and the Nazis came up with their extermination plan.

The exhibit, which focuses on the Occupation and the persecution of French Jews, follows her steps through Paris and the daily experience of the ever-changing sentiments of hope and despair. “We hope to offer visitors from all over the world a rare glimpse into this brave young woman’s life before it was cut short by her deportation to Auschwitz in 1944,” says Margaret Massey, chief information officer at Spring Hill College.

Berr’s account is both unique and exceptional in that it witnesses a Jewish life outside of Nazi Germany. The exhibit is supported by photographs, archives, films and interactive animations, all of which reveal the daily lives of French Jews during the Occupation and the torment in which they had to live.

“We’re so pleased that Spring Hill College has been given the rare opportunity to showcase such an important international exhibit,” says Massey. “By sharing Hélène Berr’s personal diary and family artifacts through the ‘Stolen Life’ Memorial, we honor those who suffered from the harsh realities of the Vichy regime and remember those who died in Europe and in France during the Holocaust.”

For 60 years, Berr’s account only

existed as a painful family heirloom. In 2002, Berr’s niece Mariette Job decided to give the manuscript to the Mémorial de la Shoah, the largest informational center in Europe on the subject of the Holocaust in France. The museum offers guided tours, public programs, permanent and special exhibitions.

Among other activities, the Mémorial helps to create a better understanding of the history of the tragic genocide brought upon the Jews through individual and shared accounts.

The names of 76,000 Jewish men, women and children deported between 1942 and 1944 are engraved in the Wall of Names at the Mémorial, while the Wall of Righteous pays tribute to those who risked their lives to save fellow Jews from persecution.

Berr’s heirloom, of which there are reproductions in the Mémorial, was published by Tallandier in January of 2008 and became an instant and immense success.

“We are thrilled to be hosting such a significant Jewish history exhibit…that reflects global humanity issues important to all,” said Gentry Holbert, the director of Library and Information Resource Services at Spring Hill College. “This exhibit feeds into our Jesuit mission of maintaining an informed dialogue with the world’s cultures and religions while providing our students and community with active learning and involvement activities concerning social justice and the dignity of all human lives.”

The exhibit will be hosted in the Barter Room of the Burke Memorial Library on March 28 and remain open until Aug. 10. During the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., students, staff and the public will have the chance to discover “Hélène Berr, A Stolen Life.”

“This exhibit feeds into our Jesuit mission of maintaining an informed dialogue with the world’s cultures and religions...”

March 13, 2014

Alpha Sigma Nu Week Sunday, March 16 - Thursday, March 20

Sunday:

Alpha Sigma Nu Mass 9 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Chapel

Monday: Evening with the Jesuits 8-9 p.m. in McKinney’s

Tuesday: Jesuit Heritage Lecture 7:30 p.m. in Gautrelet

Thursday: The Last Lecture - Dr. Bordas 7:30 p.m. in Gautrelet

Alpha Sigma Nu members will be selling t-shirts ($10) and buttons ($1) reading “ I heart Jesuits,” and all proceeds go to helping El Cercado, Dominican Republic get clean water. Alpha Sigma Nu will be tabling in the caf through the entire week.

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March 13, 2014

Fourteen Artists to Watch for 2014

By BreVAUGHN Design Editor The musicians on this list might not be the talk of the party yet, but they are bound to do big things this year.

Here is a list of seven artists who are making waves through the internet and on the music charts that you need to hear about.

Martin Garrix

makes EDM (electronic dance music) that’ll make you “want to dress up like a glam chipmunk and party til you collapse,” according to Rolling Stone. If you like Calvin Harris or Tiesto then you’ll love Martin Garrix. The 17-year-old Dutch DJ recently scored a massive European hit, “Animals,” that soon made its way to the U.S. “Animals” occupied American Hot 100 for 17 weeks with its throbbing trance that’ll have you bouncing around in the club…or car.

Ty Dolla $ign

is a 28-year-old with narcotic beats and numbed vocals who tells stories of flirtation. Before he wrote hits for artists like “Young, Wild & Free” for Wiz Khalifa, Tyrone Griffin emerged from L.A.’ s underground music scene. His song “Paranoid” is now a club anthem and leads the “ratchet” movement — meaning that a person is out of hand, or someone who is real, cool, flashy or ghetto. Ty’s EP “Beach House” stuns in its throbbing electro-pop beat and bluntly honest vocals. “I try not to sugarcoat the [music] - how you feel is all in the words to the song,” Ty commented to Rolling Stone.

Reignwolf is an unhinged electric blues

one-man band that sort of sounds like the Black Keys and the White Stripes. This Canadian wildman has been enchanting summer festival crowds with his acrobatic moves and crowd surfing. He is not that popular with only one iTunes single, but he is making a name for himself by opening for the Pixies and Black Sabbath.

Lucy Hale

(yes, “The Pretty Little Liars” star) is gaining attention for her newly discovered talent of music. Hale grew up listening to both country music and Disney princess songs, which influenced her style of music, according to Rolling Stone. She has a style that closely resembles Sugarland or Dixie Chicks. Her single “You Sound Good to Me” is hopping into country music’s Top 30 and sold over 40,000 downloads in its first week.

Banks

is the new up-and-coming R&B star. Jillian Banks-- known onstage as simply Banks-- brings to mind the smoky vocals of Lana Del Rey. She has the dark, heavy feel to her music, but warm and catchy vocals. Her songs like “This Is What It Feels Like” and “Waiting Game” have already hit over a million listens on Soundcloud.

Iggy Azalea

is an MC with a nononsense rap style. The 23-year-old Australian has a liking for dirty talk and provocative music videos, which helped her move quickly into Internet fame. 2013 proved to be a monumental year for Azalea and included her opening for Beyonce, and she shows no sign of slowing down. Her much anticipated LP, “The New Classic,” is schedule to be released this April.

The 1975

is a four-piece pop-rock band from Manchester making a splash in the U.S. with their new hit “Chocolate.” Their debut album landed at No. 1 in the U.K., and they opened for The Rolling Stones in 2013.

This band is the perfect blend of dance rock and pop that proves that good pop music can be played with a guitar and good rock can have pop appeal.

There are quite a few artists out there who are making ripples in the music world. Thanks to magazines such as Time, SPIN and Rolling Stone, these artists are getting the attention they deserve.

There are more cool artists besides the seven listed here, so be on the lookout for these other talented musicians: Hot Since 82 Holychild Schoolboy Q Lo-Fang John Newman Pearls Negras Wild Cub

THE SPRINGHILLIAN

6

LIFESTYLE

March 13, 2014

“Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

B Photo courtesy of alejandraTOVAR

B B

Photo courtesy of bridgetOSWALD

Photo by kivaTALTY

Photo by kivaTALTY ABOVE LEFT: Bridget Oswald celebrates Mardi Gras from above the crowd with the help of Michael Anderson.

ABOVE TOP: Former and current Badgers throw what they know at the parades.

ABOVE CENTER: Beads are collected on house fences just outside the parades.

ABOVE: Floats of Endymion pass by fellow Badgers.

LEFT: Devin Sheehy, Trent Hayes, Hannah McIntyre, MJ Connell, Seamus Link and Jack Flaherty pose for a photo while walking the parade route.

Photo courtesy of lennseyHANCHEY

S

“I traveled to Belize City, Belize to assist a family in building a house. In just a few short days, we were able to not only complete their home, but also make deep connections with the family as they shared their story with us. Completing the house was an accomplishment, but we did more than just manual labor. We were able to give the family hope, and nothing is more empowering than that. That’s what makes these ISIP trips; we are able to change the lives of the people we meet and at the same time discover the best version of ourselves.”

-Molly Cowley

Pictured in Belize City: Rhonda Shirazi, Amber Bowie, Lauren Luckie, Jenna Berthelson, Bekah Kisiah, Vicky Repp, Nick Smith, Arianne Stallings, Melin Portillo, Dr. Stephen Wilson, Molly Cowley, Hand in Hand Ministry Building Coordinators, Volunteers, and Margarita and her family.

“I spent this Spring Break in El Cercado, Dominican Republic learning about the basic Christian communities there and all the progress they are making in their communities. It was amazing to see the Gospel in action and meet the wonderful people of the Dominican Republic.”

-Lizzy Fahey

_ INternational [ SerVice _ Immersion [ Program

Pictured in Dominican Republic: Mackenzie Hollis, Stefany Carty, Carson Westerfield, Rachel McMullen, Mackenzie Harms, Billy Kavula, Wanda Sullivan, Liz Neal, Maddie LaForge, Claire Stewart, Andy Cuff and Lizzy Fahey.

“We went to Managua, Nicaragua to help a family build part of their home. We built cinder block walls reinforced with rebar. Our mission was to build a relationship with the family and boy did we ever. “For best we live, when least we live” There are no better words to describe the Pictured in Jamaica: Lindsay Hughes, Laury Rowland, Diana Weidle, Kathleen Harmon, Kearney Cole, Alyssa Tawil, people we met in Nicaragua. Despite Ananya Mahajan, Ryan Cosse, Kyle Quinlan, Leah McDonald, Sarah Sherrington, Michelle Perez, and Rachel Younce. heartbreaking circumstances they were so full of life. They greeted us with open hearts and they will always remain within ours. Nunca te olvidare.”

-Marie Booth

X h:h:h: “Traveling to Punta Gorda, Belize to work with St. Peter Claver Catholic Church is a life changing experience. Working with a group of individuals to make a small difference and to immerse ourselves into another culture created a deeper understanding of the world around us and instilled in us a greater sense of solidarity with the people of Belize.”

-Michael Kernahan

PIctured in Nicaragua: Olga, Jake Files, Cree Pettaway, Ermelinda, Chris Hughes, Mary Catherine McKinley, Anna DeWine, Chandler Cobb, Colleen Lee, Claire Sheils, Marie Booth, Christie Alonzo, Engwis, and Katie Setton.

“Our group spent time and became great friends with the physically and mentally disabled children of Mustard Seed Communities in Montego Bay, Jamaica. To say the very least, the trip humbled and inspired each and everyone of us. Each child survives with the help of the caregivers, the volunteers, and most importantly each other. It is impossible to explain the lessons we learned and the perspective we gained while serving and living alongside the 35 children of Blessed Assurance.Through their perseverance, faith, and smiles, the children taught and gave us more than we could ever give them, and for that we will be forever indebted to them. In my opinion, this debt that the “privileged” volunteers owe is the true essence of service.”

-Michelle Perez

S Pictured in Belize: Molly Schladenhauffen, Cole Enmon, Katherine Abalos, Madeleine Ackles, Shelly Husband, Jacquelyn Saunée, Alicia Candela, Alex Mestre, Michael Kernahan.

FEATURE

8

March 13, 2014

I Know Where You Sleep

By JacquelynSAUNEE Reporter We’ve all heard the infamous roommate “horror stories.” Roommates who barge in at four in the morning and turn on all the lights.

Roommates who automatically assume that living together means being together at all times. Maybe you’ve even heard about the psychotic, obsessive roommate who eventually attempts to kill her roommate like in the movie “The Roommate”…. Or maybe not.

Inevitably, living in the confines of a dorm room with someone else, a stranger or even a best friend, will lead to some issues.

According to the Huffington Post, the following are the most common roommate problems that college students today experience: 1. “Messy.” Whether you are the neat freak or the slob in your roommate relationship, this issue tends to be a contentious one. Having dirty clothes and garbage sprawled across half the room, or the entire room, may not be deemed acceptable by an orderly person living on the other side of the room.

2. “Loud.” Playing music too loud, constantly talking on the phone, consistently having a few too many friends over at once all fall under this category.

3. “Thieving.” Thieving can cover a broad range of issues from actually stealing someone’s prized possessions, whether that constitutes money or new snacks, to casually borrowing things without permission.

4. “Too friendly.” Some people make the assumption that roommate is synonymous with constant companion. Even just trying to get studying done can be nearly impossible in this case.

5. “Mean.” Well, I think that about covers it. When living with someone else, common courtesies are

expected to be followed, but some roommates don’t seem to receive that memo.

This list seems overwhelming and discouraging for all us who still believe in love… or “roomie love” at least. The silver lining in this seemingly doomed situation is that you have control over your own destinyyou choose your roommate.

But how does one even begin to pick who to live with for the next year?

The simplest, and most comfortable, option seems to be to room with someone you already consider a close friend. Friends naturally spend a significant amount of time together, so living with one is often not much of a stretch.

Further, friends know you and all your habits. A friend will accept you when you decide to not shower for three days or to never wear pants to bed again.

Therefore, rooming with a good friend seems to be the most logical and natural for many people.

However, many people openly admit to being wary of rooming with a close friend for fear of tight living quarters causing a rift in the friendship.

Instead, some people opt to room with someone they have never met before. This situation typically takes place freshman year and tends to elicit two extreme results: either you become inseparable and choose to live together for the next three years or you spend your entire year daydreaming about a future roommate.

Freshman Gabrielle Smith says, “I was about to get a random roommate, but I called my admissions counselor first and she suggested that I look up my current roommate because she thought we would get along. We messaged each

other on Facebook and immediately decided to be roommates. Now, I couldn’t imagine living with anyone else. It’s been perfect, and we’re living together next year.” Clearly, some roommate matches are made in heaven.

Still, a middle ground between rooming with one’s other half and a complete stranger exists. Some people purposefully choose to room with someone that they know they are able to simply “live well” with. Sophomore Alex Mestre explains his roommate situation, “We are not necessarily best friends who spend all our time together. However, we share many values, keep a clean room, and get along.

He has been a great roommate.”

To avoid all potential roommate drama, some students take the one-man wolf pack path and live in a single.

“I like having a single because I get time to myself, but I can also knock on a door and have friends right there. So I get the best of both worlds” says sophomore Katie Simoneaux.

If you do choose to cohabitate a room, the common denominator for living peacefully is communication. According to a psychology expert in the Huffington Post, “My best advice for living with a roommate can be summed up in this, communicate: Communicate rules, boundaries, and expectations.”

Living in a small box with another human being is bound to cause some conflict at times, but the majority of these conflicts

The chatty versus the studious: a classic roommate duel. Walsh roomies May Murphy Adams and Kalle Allison illustrate some roommate struggles.

Photo by KivaTALTY and JacquelynSAUNEE

can be avoided through communication. It is important to communicate and set some expectations, especially from the beginning of the year.

As the beloved housing season approaches, make

sure you think twice before filling out your roommate request. Don’t get stuck in the middle of a “horror story,” like the ones sent in by some of your fellow students…

OUR FAVORITE ROOMIE HORROR STORIES “My freshman year I met a girl on Facebook and we decided to be roommates. Things went well for a while until one night all hell broke loose. It was fairly early on a week night and her bed was lofted up on top of her desk and she was a tiny person so when she was up there you couldn’t see her. Well, a few of us walked into my room and one of the boys hopped up on her bed and accidentally sat on her head. I tell you that to tell you what happened next: she and her grandma came and moved her out of our room while I was in class. I came back to find my face ripped out of all the pictures on our door and TACKS IN MY BED. She claimed it was her grandmother but we all decided it was her. She also only showered once a week when she went to her grandma’s house.... She was a crazy person.

- Alumni Kate Phelan

1.

“My freshman year roommate, who no longer goes here, used to Skype her boyfriend every night until all hours of the morning and refused to turn the lights off to do so. Pretty uncomfortable living experience.”

- Senior Taryn Nash

2.

March 13, 2014

Java City Barista Beloved on the Hill

By EricTHOMAS Reporter

Stephanie Welch makes students feel at ease.

Photo by EricTHOMAS Morning classes: most of us have had them, and if you have, then you understand that getting up at the crack of dawn can be a real pain.

But the fact of the matter is we have to take them. So how do 600 college students cope with classes that start at 7:45? One way is by visiting Java City and Stephanie Welch, one of the workers who operates the coffee shop from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Coffee is one of the more coveted luxuries at Spring Hill. You’d be pretty hard-pressed to go anywhere on campus and not find students enjoying a nice caramel macchiato or a cinnamon roll latte. While there are several students that make the trip to Carpe Diem, many students are perfectly happy to make the walk across campus to Java City, the on-campus coffee shop.

Welch has been working with the college as a member of the staff for the past nine years and has become a very familiar and welcoming face on campus.

As with most jobs, there is a bit of a learning curve when you first begin working, and the same applied for Welch. When asked about the difficulties that she had when first starting out here at Java City, Welch stated, “The hardest drink for me to make was the caramel macchiato, which is one of the reasons why it’s my favorite drink to make now. Some people like it really sweet while others like it to be really strong. It’s the drink I make the most,” Welch says.

Welch always goes out of her way to make those that enter Java feel

THE SPRINGHILLIAN

9

Lent: A Season of Transformation

By GaillardTEAGUE Reporter We humans love to upgrade. We possess an unquenchable desire to be more appreciated, educated, stylish, healthy, et cetera. And it is not just an egotistic attempt to be envied by all our Facebook friends. Self-improvement is an innate part of our humanity. Consciously or not, we all long to become the perfect beings our Creator intended us to be. “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” according to Matthew 28:17.

However, improvement is undeniably difficult – take the apartments for instance (too soon?). Finding a balance between classes, homework, hygiene, social life, and hydration is enough of a struggle. Luckily for us Catholics, the season of Lent offers a concrete opportunity to re-prioritize our lives and really strive to become better, holier versions of ourselves.

Most Catholics see Lent as that notso-exciting time of year where you hear the phrase “fish fry” 14 times a week and you are obliged to give up something you really like, or for the hardcore Catholics, something you kind of like (for instance, the time in fifth grade I gave up marshmallows).

Fish fries and fasting are not inappropriate things to associate with Lent, for as the Venerable Fulton Sheen states, “Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are good reminders that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain to a perfect

welcome. It doesn’t matter if someone isn’t a frequent visitor of the coffee shop: she always tries to make all students feel welcome. Senior Emily Flanders spoke about her experiences with Stephanie and the coffee shop. Flanders says, “She will talk to anyone. You always leave Java City feeling better than when you walked in.”

Welch is also a family person in addition to her capabilities as a barista extraordinaire. Not only does she work on campus and go to school, she also has a husband and child at home.

As a student herself, Welch understands the pressure that having multiple tests and projects can put on a student, so she is very understanding of students who study in Java. Flanders says, “My favorite thing about Stephanie is the care she has for others. Last Spring I was taking a challenging math class and some classmates and I would study in Java before it opened. Ms. Stephanie would always wish us luck and give us a minor pep talk before the test.”

Welch also talked about her experi-

life, all truth and undying ecstatic love - which is the definition of God. In pursuing that goal we find happiness.”

However, as Sheen says, the purpose of life is to attain a perfect life, which for all of us, requires more than just a temporary fast: it requires a conversion of heart. Pope Francis speaks of this Lenten conversion, stating that “Conversion can’t be reduced to exterior forms or vague resolutions, but involves and transforms one’s entire existence, starting with the center of the person, the conscience.”

In other words, don’t make your Lent about merely giving up trivial pleasures: make it about transforming your conscience.

So, how can we college Catholics transform our conscience, as Pope Francis says? Matthew Baugh, a Jesuit scholastic, tells us that there are many things on our very own Hill that we can do to assist this transformation God so desperately desires of us. “People usually associate fasting with Lent, but there are two other Lenten practices we tend to forget about.”

The first of these forgotten Lenten practices is almsgiving. “One practical way to practice almsgiving is to take the money you would have spent on entertainment during one or more weekends (a movie ticket or a couple of drinks) and give that to an organization that serves the poor,” Baugh states. “Even better, you can do some

ences here on the Hill and how she manages the workload of being a worker and student. Welch says, “I go by a daily schedule, seven days a week.

I try to make sure everything is evened out throughout the week beforehand. I don’t do well at the last minute. I also learned how to manage time from the students here at Spring Hill.”

The love for Welch and the care that she shows to those who enter Java City is shared by sophomore Alisa Keegan, who is a very frequent customer and visits the shop almost every day. When asked about whether she preferred Java or Carpe Diem, Keegan was quick to respond, “Java City, definitely. I like all of Stephanie’s drinks, but my favorites are the Javalanches.”

Keegan also voiced her pleasure at how friendly Stephanie is in addition to making the coffee that so many students enjoy on a regular basis. Keegan says, “I always feel welcome when I go. Stephanie always has a smile on her face and is quick to say hello and ask about your day.”

additional direct service to the poor yourself.”

Baugh also speaks of the value of spending extra time in prayer. Baugh elaborates, “A lot of folks like to go to daily Mass one or more times during the week. You can also set aside 10 minutes of your day to go to the chapel and simply be in the Lord’s presence. “ With technology, it’s easier than ever to have a moment of individual prayer. “If you download an app like iBreviary that has the Mass readings of the day, you could read through those first and then see where the Lord takes you,” Baugh explains.

I get it: incorporating these things into our hardly-having-time-to-hydrate schedules seems almost impossible. Therefore, make this Lent about making time for what is most important and striving for conversion.

Two thousand years ago, Christ spent 40 days in the desert strengthening His flesh to resist temptation and preparing His heart and body for the most excruciating sacrifice the world has ever known. It is in gratitude and remembrance of those 40 days that Catholics take this season of Lent to prepare, strengthen and transform our own hearts and bodies.

So take time this Lent to move beyond the marshmallows and the excuses and pursuit of the transformation we are all capable of.

With all the things she has to balance, it would make sense that there would be a lot of pressure on Welch, but she manages it all quite well, especially when it comes to her job here on the Hill.

Welch says, “I usually ask customers how their drink was, because I don’t like to fail and that’s how I perfect my drinks. I love working here and what I do. I try to make sure that everyone that comes through the doors of Java City has a great experience and leaves with a smile on their face.”

Coffee is very important to many students, and combined with the trials and tribulations that come with being a college student, it is reassuring to have someone like Stephanie as not only as someone who makes the coveted drink, but also as a friend.

SPORTS

10

March 13, 2014

NBA Teams Tanking: Is it a Real Problem?

Since last year’s NBA draft, many have assumed that teams would be vying for the ultimate prize in the number one pick in the following draft.

Ever since the name of Andrew Wiggins, a freshman at Kansas, committed to that university, scouts have been drooling over the draft class of 2014. With other names such as Kansas player Joel Embiid, Duke’s Jabari Parker, and Kentucky’s Julius Randle, there is an undeniable surplus in potential NBA superstars in this year’s draft. This draft can be compared to the 2008 draft class, which included superstars like Derrick Rose, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook.

Even though it is good for the NBA, and the sport itself, to have so many good players try to play professionally, there is one dark spot: tanking. Tanking, as described by NBAtanking. com, is “to make no effort to win a contest, to deliberately lose a game, match, etc.” This “epidemic,” as some have called it, has become very noticeable this year.

The first instance that took place last summer was when the Philadelphia 76ers traded away their all-star point guard and team leader, Jrue Holiday, and were immediately labeled as a team going “winless for Wiggins.” Another team that has been accused of tanking is the Boston Celtics. The Celtics traded away their two future Hall

By MjCONNELL of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Reporter Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets. The Utah Jazz were also thought to be ready for dropping games when they let team leaders Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson walk to a free agency.

Some may have their doubts about such a strategy, but an NBA team general manager, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed his scheme to tank to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. Unfortunately, this has become a problem for the league and they have already taken steps to prevent such acts by creating a lottery system for the first five picks of the draft. The lottery consists of the teams with the worst five records choosing randomly which pick out of the first five they will get. This is to give the worst teams a “fair” chance at getting the top pick and prevents teams competing for the worst record.

Even though this lottery method doesn’t guarantee the worst team will have the best pick, it still gives them a chance to get one in the top five. With a draft class stocked with talent like the one coming up in June, tanking for a good player won’t be that hard.

Even though the top target of the draft is Wiggins, who has also received the nickname “Maple Jordan” from his Canadian roots, the other players mentioned before are nothing short of spectacular.

While Wiggins is averaging 16.8 points per game along with 5.9 rebounds, Parker is actually averaging better stats with 19.2 and 9 respectively. Both players have been the talk of the NCAA in terms of draft prospects this year, and either could be a valuable asset to any team needing a scorer.

This is why teams have been tanking and it is honestly taking a lot away from the game. For example, there is a stark drop in dominance in terms of the league standings when comparing the two conferences. The Eastern Conference has two teams with 40plus victories in their potential playoff spots. Meanwhile, every team contending for a playoff spot (except two in the west) has at least 40 wins. Even the worst teams in the Western Conference have seven more wins than the bottom two in the East.

The bottom line is tanking is horrible for the NBA as a whole. The competition level drops off dramatically and if the tank fails and the pick is a bust, welcome to a long road full of miserable basketball and maybe a taste of mediocrity.

Photo courtesy of Jim Stennett

Badger’s Golf Tees off 2014 Season with High Hopes

By MjCONNELL Reporter It’s that time of the year again where the pings of golf balls are constantly heard all around campus.

Spring Hill’s men’s golf team has begun their spring season, and it looks to be a successful one. The Badgers had a rough start in their first tournament in February at the FSCC Spring Invitational in Fairhope, AL, going against some tough competition. However, the team hopes to move past that and make it to nationals.

Senior Phil Dugan thinks this year’s team has the golfers it needs to be a huge presence in the NAIA. “We have the capability and the talent, and things are going well,” says Dugan. “We have been dedicating a lot of time to our games and trying to be patient with the results.”

Fellow senior and teammate since freshman year Spencer Lane also thinks their efforts can land them a spot in nationals. “Sometimes we get afraid to let the work happen naturally and we get bad results… but I’m looking forward to this team doing work and hitting everything on point,” says Lane.

The freshmen on the team are excited about participating in their first season with SHC’s men’s golf. Grant Luisi says, “Our goal is definitely to make it to nationals. We had a rough start so far but I’m excited to see what we can do as the season goes on, we have a lot of potential.”

Another freshman, Wesley Hunter (who had the best score for the team last tournament) also says he is looking forward to his experience with the team.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with the team and having good times with them and the coaches.”

One thing junior Jordan Portal notes of this year’s squad is their strong camaraderie. “As a team, I’m really looking forward to building more chemistry on what is already one of the strongest bonded teams I’ve seen at Spring Hill,” says Portal. He also thinks they can make it to nationals, but stresses the importance of consistency.

“Our toughest challenge definitely is to play consistent golf for a whole season,” states Portal.

Sophomore Cade Landeche has high expectations for his teammates as well. “Our goal is to win conference and things are pretty on point right now, but there’s always room to sharpen,” says Landeche.

The team just made some progress on these goals now at the Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational being played at the Oak Harbor Golf Club in New Orleans that took place on March 9 through 11.

The Badgers play their next tournament at the William Carey Invitational at the Canebreak Country Club in Hattiesburg on March 16 through 18.

In addition, the Badgers will host their own here at Spring Hill on April 6 through 8.

Look for the SHC Badgers to have a successful season and a chance to bring home some hardware. You can follow the team’s progress on www.shcbadgers.com.

March 13, 2014

11

THE SPRINGHILLIAN

Track Team Ready to Start with Power

By EricTHOMAS Reporter The Spring Hill College Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field teams are back for their second year of competition following an outstanding premier season last year and arelooking to build upon that success. Both the men’s and women’s teams have revamped their respective squads by bringing in multiple freshmen to provide depth for the teams.

Over the weekend of March 7 through 9, both teams had their first competition of the semester over this past weekend at Mississippi College. The women racked up 27 total points, finishing seventh out of the 13 teams that participated in the event, and 123 points behind eventual champions Rhodes College. The Badgers had eight different competitors partaking in nine different events. The top performance for the women was in the triple jump completion, with freshman Jennifer Medlock taking second place with a distance of 10.06 meters, freshman Christeen Madsen taking fifth place with 9.68 meters, and freshman Kourtney Jones claiming seventh place with 8.74 meters, according to SHC News.

Sophomore Anna Gable competed in the 5000 meter run this past meet and spoke about the meet and expectations for the team this year. Gable says, “We just started our meets last weekend and it was a great way start off the season. I would definitely say track is a lot different than the other sports and my experience here has been amazing.”

Gable also talked about how being on the track team has helped her in life. Gable says, “My experience with track here and working with Coach McVey has helped me in daily life also. It’s not just running. This experience is teaching me how to stick with things in life and never quit even when it’s hard.

I wouldn’t trade my experience with track for anything.”

The men also performed well in their meet, finishing sixth out of the 15 teams that participated in the event, finishing with a total of 34 points, 114 points behind eventual champion William Carey University. The best finish for the men came in the 800-meter run, where sophomore Jordan Travis took first place with a time of one minute, 54 seconds and 52 milliseconds.

The discus throw was also a

Photo courtesy of JimSTENNETT strong event for the men, with sophomore Justin Rooks claiming seventh place with a distance of 29.67 meters, freshman Travis Florence taking eighth place with a distance of 29.48 meters, and senior Harrison McNabb claiming tenth place with a distance of 27.99 meters.

Freshman Kent Cheramie, who participated in the javelin throw and the shot put, claiming ninth and tenth places respectively, also talked about his experiences on the team and what it’s been like being a part of the team as a first-year member. Cheramie says, “My experience is going great for my first year doing track at a collegiate level. I have learned so much from them and they push me to give everything I have.”

Cheramie also spoke about the team camaraderie and the support system that it provides

for him. “My teammates are also there to support through my successes and my failures and I thank them for that. I expect great things to happen this year, not only with me, but also with the team,” says Cheramie.

Senior Anna DeWine, who has run cross-country for her entire four years here at SHC and was also on the team last year, spoke about what stood out to her during the previous meet and about her experiences on the team.

“Running on the cross country and track teams has been one of the best parts of my college career. I think it has taught me more than any class could ever teach me.

I’ve learned discipline, faith and the importance of getting out of your comfort zone. I think it has helped me in all

areas of my life, and I’m convinced it is preparing me for my future.

Most importantly, though, my team has become my family,” says Dewine.

DeWine also talked about her experiences with Coach McVey and how he has influenced her. “Coach McVey has created this program totally from scratch -- solely out of his passion for the sport and his belief in all of us. He knows all the little things crucial to becoming a strong, healthy collegiate athlete -- nutrition, sleep, miles, injuries, workouts, mentality -- and that all of these little things add up and if you do them right -- they can make you the best you can be. That’s all he wants for us.”

Coach McVey also weighed in on how he believes the team has been progressing and his expectations for the team: “We’ve got a lot of new people with the program.

We have a lot more quality depth than we had a year ago.”

Coach McVey also discussed the first meet of the season and how the team performed. McVey says, “I think most performances were indicative of a first meet. Everyone was itching to get started and we all learned a lot. Everyone is taking what they learned from this last meet and putting it to good use.”

Overall, the team is looking to progress from the first meet of the season, and the team will have that chance at the next meet of the season, which will take place March 21 through 22 at Florida State University.

HILL YEAH!

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March 13, 2014

SGA STAFF: The Early Years 3.

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1. Astrid Torres 2. Mary Catherine McKinley 3. Ricardo Pita 4. Patrick Lemeka 5. Matthew Keller 6. Diego Juncadella 7. Taylor Hardenstein

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Graphic by BreVAUGHN List compiled by AbbyMASSENGALE

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