Issue 2_The SpringHillian Spring 2012

The

Springhillian

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam | February 2, 2012 | Volume 94 Issue 2

Rebuilding hope in a broken community

By KatelynGARDNER Co-Editor

Spring Hill students joined with South Alabama students on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. to participate in Mobile’s Habitat for Humanity.

Students helped paint, build and restore houses for African refugees. During the day, Spring Hill and South Alabama students helped rebuild a broken community. The students were able to get on the roof of a house and participate in the construction process.

While some students painted, other students were able to cut and measure wood pieces that would be used to build the house.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that, with the help of volunteers, helps rebuild houses for those who are displaced by disasters. According to habitat.org, this organization is an “ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live.” see HOPE on page 3

InsideSPORTS

Pats vs.

G-Men

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InsideLIFESTYLES

Mickey Mouse wants you!

| 12

InsideNEWS

InsideOPINION

Gingrich vs. Press: Private or Public?

|6

Sun reveals sunken cart

|5

THIS WEEK |

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2/2/12

Meet and Greet with ACE Community Thursday, 5:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Come learn more about the ACE program! The Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) is a post-graduation service program through the University of Notre Dame where you serve two years in a Catholic school while earning a Master’s Degree in education.

The Mobile ACE community will be here to answer questions and talk about their experience of serving with ACE. Bring your dinner to Student Center room 210 to learn more about the program and how you can become an ACE teacher after graduation.

Contact Colleen Lee at cflee@shc.edu for more information

2/2/12

Engaging the Next Generation

Hillianstaff EDITOR(s) AllisonPATRICK KatelynGARDNER ADVISOR StuartBABINGTON

NEWS editor CoraALLEN LIFESTYLE reporter(s) AliciaCANDELA BrandyJONES SPORTS editor MattLaBORDE SPORTS reporter KieferGINGLES CARTOONIST EfrenFLORES

HillianCONTACT The SpringHillian a: 4000 Dauphin Street c/o The SpringHillian Mobile, AL 36608 e: hillian@stumail.shc.edu p: 251.380.3850 f. 251.460.2185

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Nick Smith rebuilds the community with Aislinn Shevlin’s help as they participate in Habitat for Humanity last Saturday Jan. 28. The Habitat for Humanity event helped build houses for African refugees during a Saturday afternoon.

Photo by KatelynGardner

Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m.

Join Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood who is partnering with Mobile United/ Leadership Mobile, Mobile Area chamber of Commerce, Mobile Arts Council, Mobile Museum of Art, Spring Hill College, Legacy 166, The City of Mobile, HandsOn South Alabama, The University of South Alabama, and the Mobile Area Youth Professional Association, to present Engaging the Next Generation: A showcase of community organizations. The event is free and open to the public.

2/4/12

Baseball Opens Season Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Badger Baseball opens the 2012 season with a three game series on historic Stan Galle Field versus Trevecca Nazarene University this weekend beginning with a single game on Friday at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

2/6/12

Tornado Relief Donations Being Accepted for Student’s Family During the recent severe weather in northern Alabama, the family home of one of our students was demolished by a tornado. As a Spring Hill College community, we would like to assist the family in some way. Campus Ministry will be accepting donations until Monday, Feb. 6.

We will forward this collection to the family so that they may purchase clothing and other necessities as they begin to rebuild their home and lives. Checks may be made payable to Campus Ministry and sent to the Campus Ministry office. Your prayers and donations will be greatly appreciated.

2/5/12 - 2/9/12 Busy Persons Retreat

Starting Sunday, Feb. 5, and ending Thursday, Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m to 12 p.m., Campus Ministry Take a little time for your spirituality. Campus Ministry will once again offer the Busy Persons Retreat on campus. The retreat will be held from February 5-9. Planned around your busy schedule, you are asked to commit to 30 minutes of personal prayer and 30 minutes with a spiritual director. In the evenings there is a 30-minute prayer service with the other retreatants that you are asked to attend.

2/10/12

Preview Guide Applications Do you love Spring Hill College? Are you a spirited Badger? Each year, the Office of Student Affairs selects a group of mature and dedicated undergraduate leaders to assist with implementing orientation programs during the summer and fall. Preview Guides help new students who are making the transition from their previous environment to our community. This is a great way to get involved, meet new friends and make a difference! Applications are due Feb. 10, 2012. Go online to apply.

February 2, 2012 HOPE continued from pg 1

The houses are affordable to low-income families around the world and are sustainable as well as energy efficient.

The houses that the students were building belonged to a family of 13 African refugees from Tanzania, who reside in a six bedroom house. According to the construction director, the community can speak 11 different languages and students who were at the Habitat site were able to hear songs sung in Swahili during their choir practice.

Sophomore, Elizabeth Neal, said it was her first time participating in Habitat for Humanity.

“I thought I’d try it out,” said Neal who was excited to experience something new.

3 Q&A with student body President Jordan Biggers

Freshman, Tamara Yeldell, said she has been trying to sign up for Habitat for Humanity, but has never had the opportunity to participate. Yeldell stated that she was glad to be able to finally contribute and provide community service.

Freshman, Alice Lavado, said that she “loves the feeling you get after helping out.” In addition, Beth Nakanishi mentioned that helping out is a great way to give back to the community.

Habitat welcomes volunteers who are willing to use their time to profit those in need of assistance.

For more information, go to www. Jordan Biggers poses for a photo habitat.org or contact Colleen By BrandyJONES Lee. For any further information by CoraALLEN News Editor on Habitat for Humanity projects Q: Is SGA planning anything visit Campus Ministry. for this semester that you’re excited about?

A: There are a couple different things that I’m looking forward to, mostly these public forums that we have coming up. The first is with the new Chief Information Officer Dr. Margaret Massey. She will give a presentation and an-

by students as well as administration. We also wanted the organization to place emphasis on transparency.

Q: Do you think you’ve reached those goals?

A: We are getting there. I know that the students haven’t heard much from us, but that doesn’t mean that we are inactive. We are currently working on a SGA website that will include records of meetings among other things.

That should be up and running by the end of the semester. We are also working on a new constitution.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge to meeting these goals?

A: The biggest challenge has been getting people to jump on board and volunteer. We have a vision, but not everyone can see it.

Q: What is something that is out of your power that you would change if you could?

“I want students to be able to trust SGA, and believe that it is a serious organization that will work for them and produce change.”

Photo by KatelynGARDNER

Danielle Phillips paints the habitat home

swer questions about what she has done so far this semester and what she is planning on doing. She is really doing a great job of catching SHC up to speed. Another public forum we are having is with Public Safety Director Todd Warren where students can ask him questions about the new Campus Police Force. Last but not least I’m definitely looking forward to the flashback party.

Q: What was your main goal when you got elected?

A: My main goal was to give structure to SGA. I wanted to create a partnership between the separate branches of SGA so that the organization would remain strong even after I’m gone. I wanted the organization to be taken seriously

I think that the administration has been counterproductive in its zeal to establish order. They come across as sort of declaring marshal law. I think that they could practice more scrutiny in the judicial hearings.

Q: What is the legacy that you would like to leave after you’re gone?

A: I kind of said this at the civility forum, but I want the students to be able to use SGA as a sort of middle man when they have problems. No one should be scared of punishment when voicing their opinion. I want students to be able to trust SGA, and believe that it is a serious organization that will work for them and produce change.

| NEWS Science Olympiad competition to be held March 3 Five high schools and eight middle schools will send teams to the Regional Science Olympiad at Spring Hill College on Saturday, March 3. Designed like the traditional Olympics, students participate in competitions in science and math. A series of 23 events, in both the middle and high school divisions, involves disciplines such as biology, astronomy, chemistry, engineering and ecology, to name a few.

At the high school level (grades 9-12) teams from the following schools will participate:: Bayside Academy Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School St. James School (Montgomery) Trinity Presbyterian School (Montgomery) UMS-Wright Preparatory School Middle school teams are: Bay Minette Middle School, Brewton Middle School, Marion Academy, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Cottage Hill Christian Academy, UMS-Wright Preparatory School, Trinity Presbyterian School (Montgomery), and W.S. Neal Middle School (Brewton) Each team has approximately 15 members and a coach. Registration of teams begins at 7 a.m. and the competition concludes at 3:45 p.m. More than 400 students and parents are expected to attend the event. Chevron Products Company, Coca-Cola, and the Mobile Section of the American Chemical Society are co-sponsoring the tournament. Faculty members and students from SHC, University of Mobile, and the University of South Alabama, as well as members of the scientific community will serve as judges of the competition.

For more information on the Science Olympiad at Spring Hill College, contact Dr. Carolyn Simmons at (251) 380-3073 or email csimmons@shc.edu.

NEWS |

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February 2, 2012

Upperclassmen have National Society of Leadership and the option of learning Success offers a new chapter at SHC communities next year

by BrandyJONES Lifestyle Reporter

By AliciaCANDELA Lifestyles Reporter

Learning Communities first began with the incoming freshman class of 2010. and now, Residence Life wants to give upperclassmen a chance to experience what it’s like to live in a learning community.

The learning communities, also known as “Skip’s Communities,” will take place during the 2012-2013 academic year and will be part of the housing selection in February and March. Residence life received positive results regarding the learning communities and survey results showed that upperclassmen would like to have learning communities in Skip’s Place. Sophomore Emily Hill offered her opinion about learning communities in Skip’s saying, “I think if learning communities are established in Skip’s next year, they should be more

thought out and organized. Then, the learning communities might be more beneficial to residents.”

Hill also shared her experience working with learning communities in Viragh Hall, saying “I didn’t find the program to be very successful. We had several group activities, but overall the learning community did not meet my expectations.”

The guidelines for the “Skip’s Communities” are similar to the learning communities in Viragh.

Each pod will have a theme or an interest and students who share that interest will live together.

There must be 12 members in each pod and there will different programs in which the communities will participate. The “Skip’s Communities” will be a housing option for the upcoming housing selection and it will be interesting to see how many upperclassmen decide to join these communities.

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2 MOBILE AREA LOCATIONS 3725 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608 7869 Cottage Hill Rd., Mobile, AL 36695

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tation session and listen to at least three of the six live celebThe society offers several rity speakers. Students are then membership benefits such as placed on a leadership training access to over $100,000 scholteam to help work on leadership arships and awards available exgoals. clusively to their members. They The broadcast celebrity provide seminars on job interspeakers include Alten Brown, view skills. The society offers who hosts “Iron Chef ” on the several opportuniFood Network, and ties for leadership Robert Kiyosaki, aupositions both local thor of “Rich Dad, and national. It also Poor Dad.” Accordprovides exclusive ing to Dexter-Wildiscounts, worth son, if you watch hundreds of dollars, the live broadcast on products such as you can text in questextbooks, computtions and possibly ers, and car insurget them read by the ance. host of the conferIn 2001, the ence over the air. society was founded Post induction

by Gary Tuerack to members are given focus on the mahonor cords to wear jority of students, on graduation and which have great access to the Society’s leadership qualities, online job bank that but may be lacking includes employers the 4.0 grade point seeking to hire soaverage. There is a ciety members. Post minimum require-induction members ment of a 2.5 GPA also receive a letter to join the society. of future recommenAccording to the dation to turn into photo by BrandyJONES Spring Hill College The NSL&S poster hanging around campus employers and adchapter representative, Elizabeth why they feel that they would ben- mission offices. According to the Dexter-Wilson, they are not foefit from the Society to the faculty Society, 80 percent of the memcused on the GPA, because how member,” said Dexter-Wilson. bers are successful in landing a someone is put together is more Any student, freshman to senior, job in their chosen field directly important: “The best candidate can join the Society. Membership out of college. “The more you is someone who is goal oriented to the society is lifetime. There is put into it, the more you get out and wants to step outside their a one-time fee of $85 to join the of it,” said Dexter-Wilson. Accomfort zone. It is someone who cording to her, if you put forth Society. wants to build themselves up Once students join, they are your best, a Society member will professionally.” inducted into the society as a have a definite advantage in the How do you sign up? The pending member. Pending mem- job market. Contact Elizabeth National Society of Leadership bers have to take a series of steps. Dexter-Wilson for more inforand Success is nomination only.

One step is to attend an orien- mation.

But there are ways to get nominated. “Well technically students are nominated. But if they haven’t been nominated and they would like to join then they can go up to a faculty member and ask them to nominate the student. Students would want to be sure to specify

Residence Life is happy to announce we have filled our vacant Area Coordinator position. Starting Feb. 1, Cassy Greig will join Residence Life and serve as the Area Coordinator of Walsh/Fairway’s. please help us in welcoming her to our community! Cassy is joining us from Beloit College in Wisconsin.

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February 2, 2012

| NEWS

80by20 takes on high drop out rates Romney wins Florida primary

By MattLaBORDE Sports Editor

In a battle against high dropout rates throughout public schools in Mobile County, the Mobile Area Education Foundation has created a plan which will strive to fix this issue.

The eight-year plan, known as the 80by20 Initiative, strives to raise the graduation rate from 55 percent to 80 percent in Mobile public schools by the year 2020.

Mobile’s lack-luster public school system is not only affecting the graduation rate but it is also affecting the community as a whole. Companies coming to Mobile are hiring technical specialists from overseas because of the lack of “workforce development” which starts in the early education systems.

According to Dr. Kathleen Orange, Director of the Foley Center at Spring Hill, “We are at a point in our economy where every decent job will require some additional training.”

Mobile’s tremendous concentration of poverty and lack of family support is a determining factor in young students’ decisions to drop out of school. “Children in poverty do not have the same verbal stimulation as middle class children do,” stated Orange, “even kids with potential aren’t receiving the encouragement and attention that they need.”

As part of 80by20, a new initiative (also developed by MAEF) called the “Yes We Can Initiative” has been created to raise awareness among the community about the prevailing problem of education in Mobile County.

The Yes We Can Initiative is currently holding over 130 “Community Conversations” that are designed to get feedback from people of this area as well as the surrounding areas about what they want our public schools to look like. These conversations will be going on through the end of February and are held at local busi-

nesses, churches, schools and civic groups throughout the county.

According to 80by20 Coordinator Jennifer Edwards, using the response data compiled after Community Conversations will be the “foundation for MAEF’s work over the next eight years.”

The Yes We Can Initiative has been playing a vital role in Mobile County since 2001, where Mitt Romney courtesy mittromney.com Mobile’s five lowest performing By CoraALLEN schools were completely trans- News Editor Mitt Romney won Florformed and had dramatic increases in yearly progress and student ida’s Primary on Tuesday all but guaranteeing him the Reachievements.

Seeking geographic and de- publican Presidential bid. Just mographic diversity is important 30 minutes after the last poll to Edwards as they move forward closed Romney declared in a with the 80by20 plan. “We’d like “great victory,” as he addressed to encourage Spring Hill students his supporters. Despite forto host conversations of their own mer Speaker of the House through student organizations, in Newt Gingrich’s best efforts classrooms or with a small group in Florida for the past 10 days Romney pulled out ahead. The of friends.”

Students who wish to get in- campaigns got ugly in Florida volved can email 80by20@maef. with both candidates pouring funds into negative personal atnet. tack ads that some think may

hurt the eventual candidate in the race against President Barack Obama. According to CNN, the Romney campaign and political action committees (PACs) supporting him greatly outspent Gingrich on television ads. Most analysts agree that it was the debates, not the ads that gave Romney the boost he needed to take down Gingrich.

Exit polls show that Romney did lose to Gingrich among voters who consider themselves to be “very conservative,” but ran very strongly among female voters getting 51 percent to Gingrich’s 29 percent.

The win gives Romney all 50 of Florida’s convention delegates, but more importantly momentum as the candidates enter the final stretch.

It doesn’t appear that Gingrich will be giving up any time soon.

The next month leading up to March 6, or Super Tuesday, will include relentless campaigning. likely to be messy, from both competitors.

SHC golf cart discovered at bottom of pond

By BrandyJONES Lifestyle Reporter

Public Safety found a golf cart sunken in the pond located on the Spring Hill College golf course on Jan. 21 around 1:45 a.m.

The stolen golf cart belonged to Rev. Marvin Kitten, S.J., whose vehicle was taken from Skip’s Place and driven into the pond on Spring Hill’s golf course.

According to Todd Warren, Director of Public Safety and Security, the golf cart was stolen early Saturday morning. Warren said that Public Safety has some persons of interest for the crime and that the report has been sent to Student Affairs to investigate.

“I went to my apartment in Viragh Hall and I parked the golf cart in front of the door, as I always do, and then Saturday morning as I opened the door to

jump in the cart to the go to the nity like this,” said Warren when community for breakfast, it wasn’t asked about finding it.

The golf cart is a Spring Hill there,” stated Kitten. He said that the cart had to be started without College golf cart that was assigned the keys because he had them with to Kitten.

The cart was brought back him in his apartment. According to Kitten, when he called security to the Jesuit Community House about the missing cart, he was across from Skip’s place. Kittold that the cart was found in a lake and was now parked at Plant Operations.

The golf cart was reported to Public Safety by a witness who saw it being driven away from the Skip’s Viragh Complex. After searching for it, Public Safety officials found the cart the next morning when the sun came up.

“Property crimes in general are hard to solve, but we live in a small community, we know each other, so it is hardPhoto by BrandyJones er to hide in a small commu-

Rev. Kitten’s vandalized cart after the incident.

ten also said that he didn’t know anything about the incident other than it was found.

“I saw that the cart really was dirty and you could tell that it had been in water, quite deep apparently. I have been driving it ever since, but it does make a sort of grinding noise and I suspect that there is some sort of sand or rubble in the axle,” said Kitten. Plant Ops picked up the cart on Tuesday morning, Jan. 31, and brought it to their location where they continue to work on it.

“Because this stuff could be dangerous for the axles. And so they are going to take off the wheels and clean them.

And hopefully that will put it back in prime condition,” said Kitten. According to Kitten, just shortly before the

incident there had been over $500 worth of batteries in the cart and new tires were recently put on the back.

“I have arthritis problems so I use the cart to drive back and forth between Viragh and the campus center as well as around campus, also when I go to the chapel. During the day it is used by students who work for Sharon Williams and students who do work study for us, delivering stuff to Solidarity Chapel, and when she needs to go to Stewartfield to set up chairs. So it is used by a lot of people,” said Kitten. Kitten said that he doesn’t know who did it or what the punishment is.

According to Warren the incident will be handled by the college, there are persons of interest, and the case is still open.

OPINION |

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February 2, 2012

Newt versus CNN smackdown

By CoraALLEN News Editor

Recently, in a South Carolina debate, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich lashed out at the CNN debate moderator.

When the moderator asked Newt a question about his relationship with his ex-wife and whether or not he ever asked her to be in an “open” relationship with him, things got ugly. Newt is a notoriously fierce speaker and was able to dance around the question and make the moderator look like an idiot in the process.

Newt got applause from the audience during his rant, but I wonder how many people would like to know the answer to that question? I certainly would. This got me to thinking; does personal information have a place in politics?

Some people say that information like whether or not Newt asked his ex-wife for an open relationship is irrelevant.

I say that is ridiculous. While I think religion is an irrelevant factor, I think morality is very relevant to finding a good candidate. However, opening the debate with that question is undoubtedly inappropriate and there is a better time and place for it to be asked. These candidates should be scrutinized and have their pasts picked apart.

After all, they are running for President of the United States.

If they can’t take the heat, then they should learn a lesson from Herman Cain, and get out of the kitchen. As we all can

remember from the Bill Clinton/ Monica Lewinsky scandal, public scrutiny doesn’t end with inauguration. Even if we are now able to look past former President Clinton’s promiscuity twelve years later, think about all the time that was wasted in its dealing. The President of the United States (and Congress for that matter) should not be spending his valuable time at hearings discussing other explicit things that he shouldn’t have time to be doing. Being President is not just about making decisions or being a strong leader, it’s about being a role model for our country.

In the course of his rant, Newt brought up his daughters, who he said requested the question to be omitted. I find this to be disgusting. It is obvious that Newt is using his girls to alleviate some of the pressure on him and to avoid tough questions. Sure, maybe his girls did ask that, but I

doubt that it was without some coaching. There is no doubt in my mind that it must be tough for the children of politicians to see mudslinging ads, or to see a photo of their father with some mistress plastered across magazines, but it isn’t fair to blame the media. It is hard not to feel sorry for Newt’s daughters, but let’s not forget who is putting them in the limelight in the first place. It isn’t the news media that continuously forces Newt back into politics even after embarrassing public falls from grace. It also wasn’t the news media that cheated on these little girls’ mother with a much younger woman. It is very unfortunate that there are these innocent victims during the “weeding out” process for candidates, but should we stop looking at the morality of the individuals who may run our country because of it?

American news media are obviously not perfect.

Sensationalism, fear mongering and bias run rampant in the industry, but journalists should not be criticized for asking tough questions and putting politicians on the spot.

I would never want to be subjected to the public scrutiny that the candidates and other politicians around the country face. Surely I have some dirt to be found just as they do.

I am also not trying to place judgment, everyone can and does make mistakes. All I am saying is that if you are choosing to run for a public office, especially President of the United States, don’t expect to keep any secrets. Everyone has flaws and has done something that they regret, but it is up to the voters to decide whether or not they are able to look past the flaws of the potential head of state; and they won’t be able to do so if the media stops asking tough questions.

Sorry...New Orleanians and Mobilians

By AllisonPATRICK Co-Editor

With the Carnival season just around the corner, the bickering between Mobile, Ala. and New Orleans, La. begins as well: an argument about where the Mardi Gras season actually originated in the United States.

As a Louisiana native and growing up in a huge Mardi Gras family, I have always believed that Mardi Gras originated in New Orleans. I did not even know that Mobile, Ala. celebrated this tradition until I attended Spring Hill College.

When January and February roll around, I always argue with others about this topic; keeping the tradition in my state as if I am fighting for a national football title for Louisiana. So let’s set the record straight!

The Mardi Gras season was established long before Iberville and Bienville stepped foot on the New World. This phenomenon of a holiday, Mardi Gras, began as a “circus like” festival, “Lupercalia,” for the

ancient Romans in the Second Century. The festival celebrated many years ago is very similar to what we celebrate today. In the Medieval times this festival was celebrated to induct new knights and hold feasts in their honor. These knights would ride through the country rewarding the countrymen with cake (this is thought to be the beginning of King Cake,) coins (doubloons) and other knickknacks. In other countries, the people would prepare for the Lenten season by eating all the meat they had in their homes.

According to history.com “Many historians believe that the first American Mardi Gras took place on Mar. 3, 1699, when the French explorers

Iberville and Bienville landed in what is now Louisiana, just south of the holiday’s future epicenter: New Orleans.” Iberville named the west bank of the Mississippi River, sixty miles south of New Orleans “Point du Mardi Gras” and the rest was history.

On the other hand, Mobile believes that this celebration should not be considered as the first because the city of New Orleans did not exist. New Orleans was founded in 1718.

Mobile’s first Mardi Gras recorded celebration was in 1704.

Gulfport, Miss. is also trying to get in on the action. They are claiming to be the first site of Mardi Gras in the United States. According to nola.com

“If you take the famous Ship Island excursion ride, you’ll find an article from a local newspaper on the wall that claims that Ship Island was the REAL Mardi Gras Island referred to by the explorer.”

So, each city makes a rather good case. In my heart, Mardi Gras is found in the city of New Orleans. All the fanfare, tourists, and the great splendor the city boasts about is something to be seen if you have never traveled to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. It is truly a once in a lifetime adventure, and it’s a place where I can truly find the spirit of Mardi Gras! Still, Mardi Gras is not found in any of these cities.

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February 2, 2012

| OPINION Letter to the editor To whom it may concern,

In Our World Today

By KatelynGARDNER Co-Editor

Currently the world is experiencing a shortage in available jobs and employment opportunities. Even though we may have diplomas, it doesn’t mean we have available jobs.

In today’s world, experience matters and that says a lot.

To survive in this harsh economy, individuals may begin looking to the government for assistance. In order to provide for their families or themselves, some people rely

on Medicaid. For those of you who are unaware, Medicaid is a program that provides medical assistance to low-income families and individuals as well as those who lack the resources to receive medical assistance.

According to medicaid. alabama.gov, “In Fiscal Year 2010, more than 1 million Alabama citizens qualified for Medicaid benefits through a variety of programs for children, families and pregnant women as well as for elderly and or disabled people.”

A new bill has surfaced that will require drug testing for individuals who receive this medical assistance if it is passed. This proposed law, enlisted as Senate Bill 26, was pre-filed by Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Montgomery, Ala. As a previous recipient of medical assistance, I feel that people who rely on Medicaid should have nothing to hide. If there is a correlation between

drug users and people who receive medical assistance, then the proposed bill will hopefully change this statistic.

However, if individuals are forced to pay for the tests that will be required, I have some reservations. While I feel that knowing who the federal government is assisting is crucial, there should not be an expense to the individual receiving the medical assistance. On the other hand, if the government paid for the tests, would that take away from the amount of financial assistance granted or would there be higher taxes enforced?

Overall, I believe the decisions made will change the healthcare system for the better.

Of course, there are people who will always abuse Medicaid in order to fulfill a personal need.

But while some may “use” the federal money as a handout to facilitate a lifestyle of ease and comfort, there are others who rely on the funds for survival.

I object to the tanning salon advertisement in this Jan. 26 issue of the newspaper. Male college students are already barraged with enough things of this nature in various forms, and for our own newspaper to be contributing to those numerous temptations is totally unacceptable to me.

I insist that no such advertisements as this one be printed in The SpringHillian again; if I see this ad again I will take this to higher authorities, and if this kind of thing persists, I will advocate for the termination of the newspaper program.

With respect, but also great displeasure, Will Lynn

SUBMISSIONS

The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editors and section editors. Submission should be no more than 300 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original articles should be mailed or delivered to: Student Editor Communication Arts Spring Hill College 4000 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36608

EDITORIAL POLICY

The SpringHillian is published weekly from September to May, except during examination periods and vactions. The views expressed within do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the veiws of the faculty, administration, staff or students, but are the views of the individual columnists.

Life on the Hill

LIFE STYLE |

Top photos by KeliMAZZA Bottom right photo by BrandyJONES

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February 2, 2012

Top Left: Senior James Burke works at the Information Desk in order to better serve the students. The Information Desk is located in the Student Center where Spring Hill students are able to spend time working, studying and relaxing. The sideshow marquee behind Burke is a form of advertisement for upcoming events and public service announcements.

Top Right: Seniors Hannah Zimmerman and Nic Manuel enjoy Tuesday’s common hour by dining in the Cafeteria during lunch. Spring Hill’s Dining Hall provides students with the opportunity to socialize and relax while enjoying the new treats provided by Aramark Dining.

Bottom Left: Junior Miasha Jones studies at Java City during her break.

Java City has become a place where students can indulge in coffee, deserts, sushi and even energy drinks. The atmosphere of Java City allows Spring Hill students the opportunity to work on group projects or study for classes.

February 2, 2012

9

| LIFE STYLE

Badger Brawl spirit shines Top Right: The Ballin’ Badgers support the basketball team during last week’s Badger Brawl Event. The Ballin’ Badgers support the team by making posters and cheering on the basketball teams.

Bottom Right: Students cheer on basketball player No. 14, Jake Theen in their poster “Jake Theen for President” during the Badger Brawl game last Thursday.

Bottom Left: Junior Amelie St. Romain and freshman Kelsey Johnson pose with the Badger mascot during the Badger Brawl basketball game.

Photos by KatelynGardner

LIFE STYLE |

TOP SIX

90’s

songs of the

As college students of the 21st century, most of us have been raised on music from the 90’s. According to top20090s.blogspot. com some of the top hits when we were kids include the following songs with record breaking artists that topped the charts.

1 2 3 4 5 6

ALANIS MORISSETTE

“You Oughta Know”

LISA LOEB

“Stay (I Missed You)”

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS

“Birdhouse In Your Sou”

DEEE-LITE

“Groove Is In the Heart”

NIRVANA

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

SMASHING PUMPKINS “Mayonaise”

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February 2, 2012

Procrastination at its best

By Mz.KNOWITALL Advice Columnist

Dear Mz. KnowItAll, Recently I have been trying to do school work, but I always seem to end up on facebook instead. Whether I’m in my dorm on my laptop, or in the library, I always end up creepin’. It’s like I’ll be doing homework one minute and the next I’m on picture 270 of some random girl from high school’s photos. It’s like I black out or something.

I’m not getting anything done, what should I do?

-Procrastionaton Nation

Dear Procrastionation Nation, You are addicted to facebook. You need to purge yourself.

You should delete your account and the app on your phone.

Switch your homepage to something else. Try not to surround yourself by others who are using. If quitting cold turkey isn’t possible for you, there are also

for a few hours or so. There is no way to turn the block off, so you either have to do your work or something else that isn’t facebook, Another option you could try is utilizing actual self control. Realize that spending five minutes “creepin” on someone you haven’t seen in years are five

“Realizing that spending five minutes ‘creepin’ on someone you haven’t seen in years are five minutes you will never get back.” applications that will not allow you on certain sites for an allotted amount of time. The SelfControl app is a great one and it will allow you to block facebook

minutes you will never get back.

There are plenty of other, more productive and less mind numbing things that you could be spending your time doing.

American Idol vs. X Factor

By AliciaCANDELA Lifestyle Reporter

“American Idol” and the “X Factor” are both singing competition shows, yet they have noticeable differences. “American Idol” is the most well-known singing competition across America. Many famous stars today like Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, and Carrie Underwood all got their start on “American Idol.” In fact, many of today’s superstars didn’t even make it to the end of the competition.

“American Idol” faced an obstacle when it lost its most famous judge: Simon Cowell. Many fans questioned if the show would still be a success after losing both Cowell and Paula Abdul.

Even though Simon and Paula left the show, it continues to thrive as fans tune in to watch

the always entertaining Cowell replacement, Steven Tyler.

The “X Factor” is one of the newest shows that competes with American Idol. Junior, Michael Bellinger, says “I am a big fan of both shows and it’s not like I favor one over the other because they both are different shows.” Bellinger explained the difference between “American Idol” and the “X Factor” is that in the “X Factor” there are big groups and four judges, while in “American Idol,” there are three judges and only soloists. In the “X Factor,” the judges act as mentors to the contestants, but are competing against the other judges in the competition. The one thing that both shows have in common is that they are both discovering new talents across America, and at the end of each

season, a new celebrity emerges.

“The good thing about these shows is they are on at different times. ‘American Idol’ is starting now and the ‘X Factor’ is usually in the fall,” said Bellinger. Since the shows come on at different times during the year, there is not as much competition. Regardless, Bellinger says “there’s always going to be a competition between the two shows, I think what is going to happen is the ‘X Factor’ is going to continue at its normal pace and ‘American Idol’ is going to stay on the same level. It is not going to move anywhere else.” It’s possible that one day the “X Factor” will become more popular and “American Idol” will fade out but it will never be forgotten.

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February 2, 2012

Follow us on Twitter and tell us what you think.

| LIFE STYLE

APPLICATION of the

Scramble with Friends Trying to find a new game to play during your spare time?

Try Scramble with Friends.

Scramble with Friends is like a word search but with a timer. I assure you that once you download it, you will be addicted. The object of the game is to find as many words as you can before the clock runs out. Find words diagonally, backwards, and forwards.

Just like Words with Friends, this game allows you to play against random opponents and challenge people on Facebook.

To play this game, drag your finger across letters to try and spell out a word. The trick here is that each letter can only be used once in a word and the letters must

@springhillian

WEEK

be touching. Strive to make long words because that is where you will earn the most points.

There are three rounds in each game, which are under a time limit. After three rounds you gain coins to use for the next game. This game makes you think of words at the top of your head and forces you to race to beat the clock.

Here’s a hint, when playing this game, think that you are working with a word search. Do this and you will be sure to get the most points. I recommend this game for those who are interested in word games, it will definitely be a challenge and it will be up to you to accept the challenge.

Photo by AliciaCANDELA

The screenshot displays a game of Scramble with Friends in progress.

FREASHMEAT verses

1 2 3

Veterans

Who’s the hotter quarterback, Eli Manning or Tom Brady?

THORPE: “Tom Brady- he’s simply beautiful, I thoroughly enjoy the jaw structure, actually..”

McDUFF: “Not really into the jaw structure of Brady, I like my men with rounder jaws...”

Boxing match- Sarah Palin vs. Hillary Clinton or Kim Kardashian vs. Paris Hilton?

THORPE: “Palin vs Clinton, and Clinton would win because she’s a Democrat.”

McDUFF: “Palin vs. Clinton, because I care to watch real people rather then cheap celebrities.”

FRESHMAN EmilyTHORPE

Which female intramural team will win it all this season?

THORPE: “T-R-I D-E-L-T-A” McDUFF: “TEAM SEAMONKEYS”

SENIOR KateMcDUFF

LIFE STYLE|

12

February 2, 2012

Magical opportunity Soft serve now

By Brandy JONES Lifestyle Reporter

Disney offers paid internship program for college students.

As you pass through the many hallways and lobbies on the Spring Hill College campus you might notice purple fliers posted on bulletin boards in the various buildings. Fliers that sport the tale-tale image of Cinderella’s castle and the iconic image of Mickey Mouse’s silhouette. The fliers announce Disney’s college program.

What is the college program? It is a program sponsored

by Disney that is held at the Walt Disney World Resort. It lasts anywhere from three to six months. According to http:// cp.disneycareers.com/en/ about-college-program, the program is a paying program but also provides transportation to and from work as well as transportation to some area stores.

Some of the benefits of working for Disney in the program are discounts at select Walt Disney World resorts, dining merchandise and recreation locations. Another benefit of working for Disney is free theme park admission for friends and family.

Disney holds a graduation ceremony for their College Program graduates complete with free food and Mickey ears with tassel and a Disney College Program diploma.

Applicants to the program must be enrolled in classes at a college, posses unrestricted work authorization and be 18 years or older. According to the website one to four bed-

Photo by BrandyJONES

The internship sponsored by Disney is advertised in fliers around campus.

room apartments are available and will be assigned on checkin day. The apartments are assigned by gender and whether or not you are 21 years of age or under. The apartments are

fully furnished and have high speed internet access. Disney has a strict no drinking under the age of 21 policy. According to Sarah Dunham, a two time program graduate, they will fire you for drinking under age. “The College Program is an experience like no other. I learned so many skills that have prepared me for work outside of college. It teaches you how to talk to people, how to engage them in the experience,” Dunham said about her experience on the College Program.

“When I went to a job interview after the College Program one of the first questions they asked was about Disney. They really wanted to know what it was like to work for Disney.

And that helps, especially when you need a step up on your resume to stand out above all of the other applicants. Disney holds their employees to a higher standard and other employers know that.” According to Dunham the program is like a job, if you show up and party but do not work then like any employer they have the right to terminate you.

Applications for the College Program are online at disneycollegeprogram.com.

Advertise here Are you looking for a place to advertise for an upcoming event?

Is your business in need of a place for advertisments?

Contact the SpringHillian ad representative, Brendan Pechon at 985.951.9322 or send an e-mail expressing your interest to hillian@stumail.shc.edu.

available to all

By AliciaCANDELA

Photo by KeliMAZZA

Lifestyle Reporter

Freshmen Hannah Gasse and Emma Thompson enjoy soft serve ice cream during lunch on Tuesday.

Last week a new soft serve machine was opened to students. Ever since the installment of this new addition, there have been long lines of anxious students waiting to get this frozen treat. The soft serve machine has three flavor options: you can choose between vanilla, chocolate or swirl them both together.

After asking students how they feel about this new addition, the responses were diverse. Most students feel that it is a good thing to have, but on the other hand it is a bad thing because it will affect students’ diets.

Sophomore Harrison McNab expressed his opinion about the soft serve machine stating, “I think having the soft serve machine is a waste of time and money. I feel that this campus is not healthy enough and the soft serve machine will lead to obesity campus wide.”

Although most students are aware that the ice cream machine will make dieting difficult, they are excited that there is

something new in the Dining Hall. Junior Bre Bocage offered her opinion saying, “I think it’s really good that we have this, but they need to regularly check to make sure there is ice cream in it.” Sophomore Megan Farley said, “I think it’s fantastic but I think now someone should do statistics on everyone’s BMI.” Students have added there own twist of creativity to the desert option. For example, last Friday the machine was so popular that by dinner there was no more paper bowls. So some students like Josh Taylor, grabbed a paper cup and made a root beer float. “ If I have three root beer floats a day, then maybe Ill gain some weight,” Taylor stated jokingly.

As for now, Students continue to enjoy the soft serve machine everyday at lunch. The good thing about the machine is that it adds variety to an everyday meal in the Dining Hall.

13

February 2, 2012

THIS WEEK IN BADGER SPORTS Thursday, Feburary 2nd Women’s Basketball vs. William Carey @ Spring Hill College, 5:30 p.m Men’s Basketball vs. William Carey @ Spring Hill College, 7:30 p.m Friday, February 3rd Men’s baseball vs Trevecca Nazerene University @ SHC 3:00 p.m Saturday, February 4th Women’s Basketball vs. Loyola University (La.) @ Spring Hill College 2:00 p.m Baseball vs Trevecca University 11:00 a.m.

Men’s basketball vs. Loloya University @ SHC 4:00 p.m.

| SPORTS

BadgerFit Club helps students shape up

By KieferGINGLES Sports Reporter All students are encouraged to get on board with the BadgerFit Club this semester.

No, you don’t have to actually go through a signup process to become a member. Instead, all you need to do is start showing up at the Arthur R. Outlaw Center, also referred to as the REC center.

Whether it’s lifting weights in the gym, shooting basketball with your friends, having an intense match of racquetball or participating in fitness classes, the REC Center provides many avenues for exercise.

Springhill is now offering individual fitness training with Coordinator of Facilities and Intramurals, Angel Gray.

Sometimes, making a fitness commitment on your own can be difficult. This program is a great opportunity for someone who could use a motivator to give support and determination. The sessions are available for $15 for students, $20 for faculty or staff, and $25 for guests. The prices are per session, and you must sign up for either one month of sessions or one week of sessions.

Available timeslots for the sessions are the top of every hour, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. If a special timeslot is needed, arrangements can be made. For any further information or to signup, send an email to recreation@shc.edu.

The BadgerFit Club is attempting to further

motivate the students with the addition of “The BadgerFit Club Fitness Class Challenge.” Students participate in the challenge by attaining a punch card that will tally up his or her attendance to the fitness classes.

To receive a punch card, you should contact your favorite fitness instructor, or simply attend any of the fitness classes offered and you will get one on the first visit. Once a card has been attained, the instructors will keep track of every time a student attends a class. At the end of the semester, the top three participants will win prizes. “The BadgerFit Club is a great way for students to get active, and the beginning of the year is a great time to do it. We have free classes right here on campus, and you can come with your friends. Plus, with the new punch cards, there are benefits as well,” said Angel Gray.

In addition to these classes, the BadgerFit Club is looking for instructors for other classes. Angel Gray said that there have been multiple requests for a Kickboxing class, but there is no instructor for the class at the time. If anyone is interested in this position or could instruct a class of any other style, please contact the REC Center by sending an email to recreation@shc.edu or calling Angel Gray at (251) 380-4461.

BadgerFit Special Events occurring this semester include the following an Irish Dance Party on March 15t at 8 p.m., and Zumbathon on March 17 at 3 p.m.

The Fitness Class schedule for this semester is as follows: Monday: 8 p.m. - Zumba with Chrustie Tuesday: 12:30 p.m. - Abs and more with Angel 4 p.m. - Bootcamp with Lauren 7 p.m. - Modern Dance with Karen Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. - Circuit training with Angel 7 p.m. - Zumba with Chelsea

Thursday: 12:30 p.m. - Abs and more with Angel 4 p.m. - Modern Dance with Karen 7 p.m. - Bootcamp with Lauren 8 p.m. - Irish Dance with Meg Friday: 5 p.m. - Zumba with Christie or Chelsea

SPORTS |

14

February 2, 2012

Club Sports SPOTLIGHT Men’s volleyball team gets revamped

By MatthewLaBORDE Sports Editor

For a team that was founded only four years ago by two current Spring Hill College seniors, the Men’s Volleyball club is gaining in strength and popularity, and continues to grow as the New Year begins.

Seniors and captains Matt Jordan and Tom Wingbermuehle, both former high school volleyball players, hoped that one day they would build a competitive and talented team that has camaraderie similar to that of a fraternity.

The team is growing in attraction, bringing in enthusiastic freshman that are ready to carry the torch next year, and according to Jordan, the new freshman “are really into it, and they always want to learn more.”

Admittedly, both Jordan and Wingbermuehle had their doubts about next years team: “to be honest, at the beginning of the year we were scared that the team might die out when we graduate,” said Jordan, “but we’re not worried membership, now we need guys with

more past experience on the court.”

The team will host a tournament in late February, which will feature Auburn University and Alabama University, and they are still hoping to get three more teams to come play.

Lacrosse Tentative Schedule SUNDAY MARCH 4, New Orleans Lacrosse Club @ Spring Hill, 2 p.m ...

SUNDAY MARCH 25, BATON ROUGE, 3 p.m SUNAY APRIL 15 PENSACOLA SUNDAY APR 29, NOLC 10 a.m., PENSACOLA 2 p.m

When asked if the club could ever turn into an official school team, Jordan answered: “I think so, because men’s volleyball is a growing sport in the NAIA, it’s just a matter of getting more teams involved.”

Photo by KeliMAZZA

Men’s vollyball team celebrates after a point. The team has been going strong for four years now.

Playing Lacrosse down South

By MatthewLaBORDE

Sports Editor

High schools and colleges in the South are becoming more involved with the sport of Lacrosse, and Spring Hill is following suit with the creation of a new and improved Lacrosse club.

The current team is coached by freshman Michael Anderson and John Zazulak, with help from senior Zach Keller with defensive coaching.

Enthusiasm for the team is great, with more studens showing interest every week. The team is comprised of about 20 players, all-coming from different Lacrosse experiences.

“I played in high school and I just missed the sport a lot

when I came here,” said Anderson, “and I met a lot of students who shared my same passion for the sport.”

The Lacrosse club is part of a Mobile County Men’s conference. Currently, eight games are scheduled for this semester, two of which will be played in the Mobile area.

Anderson hopes they can attract a following, “I think the team has the potential to have the same notoriety and support as the rugby and volleyball clubs.”

The team practices on Dorn Field Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 4:30 p.m.

If you’re a student who is interested in playing, contact Michael.J.Anderson@stumail.shc.edu.

15

February 2, 2012

| SPORTS

SUPERBOWL •X L V I• PREVIEW

New York Giants

New England Patriots

By MatthewLaBORDE Sports Editor

While the Patriots seek to avenge their 2008 loss, and while Eli Manning strives to be one of three active quarterbacks with two or more rings, Superbowl Sunday is setting up to be an epic match-up.

Although it is a rematch between the two teams, don’t look too much into it.

Now, in 2012, it seems as though the two teams are completely different. In 2008, people saw a Giants team take down an undefeated Patriots team. How did they do it? It’s simple: Manning played well, making only a few mistakes, the Giants defense applied steady pressure the whole game, and it was all capped off by a miracle drive with a miracle catch by David Tyree (“the Immaculate Reception”).

What happened to the Patriots? They simply underperformed, but still almost won. That goes to show you, the Patriots were the better team on paper, but just didn’t show up to play.

This year, the Giants are coming into this game looking like the stronger team.

The Patriots may be without their 6”6’, 265 pound weapon Rob Gronkowski, and the Patriots secondary will have trouble keeping up with the Giants wide-outs (Pa-

triots secondary is 29th in pass yards per attempt allowed).

The Patriots have a pass rush, but who knows if it makes any significant impact, considering the 49’ers scary defense knocked Eli down 12 times and sacked him six times and they still won.

Sophomore Liam Bave, native of White Planes, New York and devote Giants fan says, “The giants need to establish the run before they expect to pick apart the Patriots weak secondary.”

Still, Tom Brady has proven himself as one of the top three quarterbacks in the National Football League. It’s going to come down to what happens in the trenches. If the Giants defensive line can knock Brady around a few times, then the Pats will be in serious trouble.

Both the Patriots and the Giants running games will be a determining factor in the outcome.

“If the Giants front four can get to Brady then Eli should be the savage with Photo by MattLaBORDE Sophomores Liam Bave and Severin Chambers proudly represent their teams in hopes of a Superbowl victory the trophy,” says Bave, “Im excited for the game but more excited to scream in any patriots fans face that I can.”

Expert Picks

from the females of the

SpringHillian staff

AliciaCANDELA | AllisonPATRICK | KatelynGARDNER | BrandyJONES | CoraALLEN “Patriots because I love America”

“Eli’s mom is a Delta Gamma, so... yea”

“Hm.. Tom Brady is pretty cute...”

“Eli seems like a fun guy...”

“I could honestly care less..”

?

BADGER ZONE | On the Spot Freshman

BiancaWHITE

Sophomore

MattBOSARGE

Junior

Junior

“#colleglife”

#teamfrankocean

#betterthanblakegriffin

#friedchickentuesday

YourOpinion How do you feel about the police interference during the California Occupy Movement?

We’d love to hear it ....

Send in your “Letters to the Editor” at

hillian@stumail.shc.edu

4 7 6 4 7 2 5 1 2 1 8 9 7 2 6 1 9 9 7 4 5 2 6 4 8

It overstepped First Amendment rights It was neccessary Didn’t hear about it Join the new SpringHillian Facebook group and vote each week or tweet us @springhillian.

SurveySAYS . . .

How do feel about the vandalism on campus?

Junior Konstantin Wertelecki responded to The SpringHillian Facebook post stating: “I think one issue that seriously needs to be addressed is understanding the fine line between a practical joke and vandalism. Clearly, the responsibility to understand this concept has not been attained by all students. Furthermore, it’s upsetting to see that if the college takes action, the entire body of students must suffer by having a night a fun or a day of games restricted and regulated due to a small but clearly loud faction of irresponsibility.”

Codylowery

Got something to say?

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

AnnaDUPRE

February 2, 2012

SudokuPuzzle

What is your #hashtag?

16