The
Springhillian February 16, 2017
Volume 104 Issue 2 ∙ Ad Majorem Del Gloriam
RES LIFE CHANGES STUDENT LIVING
Kerri Ebanks | Reporter
Students can expect to see improvements made in the near future in Residence Life’s housing process. In an email sent Feb. 14 from the Office of Residence Life, they shared they will offer an option for students to “buyout” the extra empty bed in their room. This will eliminate the chance of a student being assigned to an empty bed in a resident’s room. This new system will begin this semester, Spring 2017. Students interested in buying out their room must first make sure they are eligible. In the past, students were only able to reside in a single room or obtain a double room by pure luck. In a Res Life document it says, “Residents in traditional living situations may submit a request to move to an open room on a first come first serve basis.” This means that if a resident does not make the cut, they will be put on a waitlist. However, this does not mean that they will have a lot of rooms available because Res Life will “reserve some vacant doubles for emergency situations in each building.” The Office of Res Life plans to start fresh by reshaping the on-campus living experience, with renovations and programming for example. This past year, Res Life was operated by a staff of four, who were all new to SHC. They were led by the Interim Director of Residence Life, Joy Morris, who proceeded Pete Rivera. The staff transformation gave students the opportunity to voice more concerns, helping Res Life cater more to the needs of students. Another plan is sprucing up residence halls to improve the living environment for students, as well as help campus living feel more secure and at home. Assistant Director of Res Life, Amanda Thompson says she is looking forward to renovating O’Leary Hall because it “has the pod feeling,
Fairway Apartments are for full-time seniors. | Photo:Spring Hill College like Skips Hall.” Thompson added they plan to make changes to the common room area by adding furniture and repainting walls. The Living Learning Communities were designed to give students the opportunity to live in the same pod as those sharing similar interests. However, after much consideration, the Res Life staff made an executive decision to suspend and reevaluate the program. Thompson says this will give them the chance to recreate a more successful program than those used in past years. Students can expect the LLC program to be reinstated
Fall 2018. Thompson also shared that her main goal is to make housing selection “as smooth as possible.” Last year, a number of students were frustrated with the housing process, and having to select living arrangements during finals. Since the on-campus student experience is the main focus Res Life, changes were made to the upcoming housing process. Instead of making selections online, students will meet in-person with Res Life and be guided through the entire process.
IN WITH THE NEW, OUT WITH THE OLD
Sydney Clark | Reporter
A new freshmen class is gearing up for the fall arrival at Spring Hill College! With the spring semester nearly halfway over and Spring Break right around the corner, current seniors don’t have much time until graduation in May. However, several students are excited to welcome the incoming students. Senior Dominique Howard explains why she is pumped for incoming students to come to the Hill, “Freshmen remind me of all the excitement life has to offer. They come in with all these dreams and ambitions, all brighteyed and bushy-tailed. It’s refreshing.” The new freshman class getting ready to come on campus is bittersweet for this anonymous student who said, “I’m very excited to welcome the baby badgers to the Hill! I remember being super excited to begin my journey on the Hill back when I was in their shoes. Spring Hill is such a special and unique place, and I will miss it dearly when I walk down the Avenue of the Oaks next spring!” Kendrick Dunklin, the Director of Admissions at SHC, provides some background information and updates about the soon-to-be Badgers.
Dunklin says that it is “still early for [Admissions] right now in recruitment to make any hard projections, but the focus is to recruit academically talented students that can retain and graduate from [SHC].” Dunklin also mentioned that the Admissions team has seen “an increase in applications from [African-American] and Hispanic students, but it is not due to any change in strategy. We remain dedicated to recruiting students [who] are ready to be challenged academically, socially and spiritually.” Spring Hill College Badger Connection intern sophomore Hannah Martin said, “I love seeing the transition of confidence from Badger Connection to when school starts back. I also love seeing the new faces around campus and creating friendships that will last a lifetime!” Dunklin talked about Scholarship Day, which is one of
the biggest events of the year that prospective students come to. “It was a huge success, and we are excited to contact and announce the recipients of the Spring Hill Scholar Awards.” This year, the full-ride award went to five students. The next Badger Day open house is coming up next week on Monday, Feb. 20. Dunklin said that the Admissions team is “expecting about 75 prospective students and their families.” The biggest event of the year for Admissions, Welcome to the Hill, is right around the corner on April 8. Dunklin said, “It’s an accepted student event, and it’s the beginning of their experience as a Spring Hill College student. Current SHC students, be sure to welcome these brand new Badgers on campus because they may be on the Hill this fall!
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NEWS
The
Springhillian
SHC MEDIA TEAM SPRINGHILLIAN EDITOR: Mariah Weinand WEB EDITOR: Kelly Dolph ADVISORS: Stuart Babington Johnny Stevens ADVERTISING/ SOCIAL MEDIA: Madie Seuzeneau ART DIRECTOR: Erin Bryars TV PRODUCER: Tom Burcham IV VIDEO EDITOR: Hayden Pritchard REPORTERS: Sydney Clark Marian Cook Travis Cummings Kerri Ebanks Christian Jordan Jack Morrissey Brandon Myers Camryn Nethken
February 16, 2017
SGA SETS ELECTION DATES Camryn Nethken | Reporter
As Spring Hill’s 2017 class gets ready for graduation, it is time for a new student government to be elected at Spring Hill. The filing period began on Feb. 2 and ended on Feb. 12. During this time Spring Hill students who wanted to be involved in their student government were asked to send in intent to run forms for the presidential and senatorial elections. In order to campaign for the election, the students would first have to attend the information meetings hosted by the current members of SGA. According to Attorney General Elisabeth Daigle, around 10 students have already filed to run for both the presidential and senatorial election. As the filing period ends, the potential candidates are promoted to the qualifying period. The presidential campaign period began on Feb. 15. Daigle discussed the many different ways that people have campaigned during past elections. “In the past—for campaigning methods—some think that endorsements are successful,” she said. Different organizations on campus such as Greek life and Campus Programming Board, are known to endorse the potential candidates that they want to be elected. Daigle also said that “making personal contacts in the Caf…People have also made videos of what they want to do” are
all previous ways in which past candidates have campaigned. Some have even gotten those studying political and public interests to become their campaign managers. “Getting your friends into it all is really fun, and it could be exciting for the campus to really be involved,” said Daigle. There will be a presidential debate on Feb. 21. Elections begin the day after the debate, and the results are scheduled to be announced on February 24. When asked about his favorite part about SGA is, Student President Joseph Crapanzano said, “It’s a lot of hard work , but being able to make a tangible change is an incredible thing. For that I am incredibly grateful to serve this school with my fellow 22 members of Student Government.” This year’s election will be different than past years. If a person runs for president and does not win, that
person could also run for a senate seat if an intent to run form is filled out. The elections in the past have been the same day. The campaign period for the senatorial election begins March 6 after the students arrive back from Mardi Gras break. There are four senate seats available for each class. Out of the four seats chosen, the senator with the highest votes will be chosen as president. Current Vice-President John Michael Rogers said, “I instituted the delegate system, issuing a senator to every organization on campus, which has been intended to make SGA a true democratic governing body.” The general election for the Senate will be held March 9. The results will be announced March 10. “I wish we had another year to see more of our projects through,” Rogers said. “We still have a lot of fuel left in the tank.”
President Joseph Crapenzano and Vice President John Michael Rogers exit their positions strongly to finish up their senior year. | Photo: Kelly Dolph
BADGER BUS IS BACK
Kerri Ebanks | Reporter
Thirsty Thursday is a favorite pastime for some Spring Hill students. Since it was first commissioned, the Badger Bus has been a safe and free way for students to travel downtown on Thursday nights. The Badger Bus began servicing students in fall 2014. Spring Hill College contracted an affordable agreement with Gulf Coast Tours (GCT). Due to the bus’ popularity with the student body, the Office of Student Affairs added an additional bus to accommodate students. In the fall Semester of 2016, Gulf Coast Tours informed Student Affairs that police escorts were needed for both buses to ensure the safety of students and drivers. The college and bus company decided to terminate their two-year standing contract. The abrupt end of this partnership left the college with little time to find a similar solution. As reported previously, by SHC Student Media, within two weeks the Student Government Association and Department
shcstudentmedia
of Students Affairs approached the Athletics Department to utilize their travel bus when it is parked on campus. Vice President of Student Affairs Rosalie Carpenter decided to use the Athletic Dept. bus in replacement since it was already on campus and says that using the transportation that the school already owns is more cost effective. While this 23 passenger bus does not carry as many as GCT once did, it will still depart and return on campus at the same time. The Student Government Association wants students to take advantage of other safe opportunities when the Badger Bus is not available. Ellie Seiter, Secretary of Campus Life says that they “have voiced their concerns to the administration, so it’s really up to what can be done.” Seiter says that having fun and being safe should be the student body’s main concern as SGA tries to schedule access to the Badger Bus. Students like Zach Hahn and Joshua Montgomery (seniors) have attended Spring Hill since the Dark Ages of searching
newswire.shc.edu
SHC Student Media
for personal transportation to downtown Mobile on Thursday nights, but they are excited to hear the Badger Bus is making its return again. Both students expressed their frustration with Uber as their main source of safe transportation. Montgomery shared that “[he] walked 10 minutes across campus because his Uber driver was lost due to undistinguished street signs on campus.” On the other hand, Hahn said that his problem has more to do with the cost of taking an uber. Hahn says that it is hard to be a “baller on a budget” when he has to pay $40 for a 15-minute uber ride just to hang out downtown. Well badgers, your worrying days are over! The Badger Bus is back in action. Dates this semester that the bus will be running include: Feb. 23, March 9, March 30, April 6 and April 20.
@SHC_MEDIA
shcmedia@shc.edu
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OPINION
Volume 104 Issue 2
IS THE TECH LIFE THE BEST LIFE? Travis Cummings | Reporter
I’ve been dying to know what life would be like if social media didn’t exist or the constant evolution of every Apple product known to man wasn’t a thing. What would it be like if we were in the same boat as we were just 20-30 years ago when it comes to technology? Technological resources have made a tremendous turn but it is often debated whether it is for the better or for the worst. Society seems to be more stressed because of the changes, actually. Back then, the tools were used to primarily make life easier. Now, they are used for entertainment and as portals for getting messages across. It takes nothing to hop on Youtube from any device and watch a concert without actually being there. Or, hopping on Twitter and finding out the gender of your friend’s new
baby that’s on the way. Although these things can be exciting, it steals the moment. For most people, their days are usually bombarded by updates morning, afternoon and night, for 24 hours, 365 days a year. They never get a break because of how instantaneous technology and the digital movement are. Some people may argue that by being susceptible to social media or to digital media in general, they are always well-informed while using the latest gadget. Right after they are informed, their emotions take over and they think about that one post or that one comment for the rest of the day. I am surely guilty of it. This year’s elections made this very evident for a lot of us. There is also the unproductivity that comes with technology use. If your focus or career does not directly require the use of technology or social media, it is probably the case that
you are being distracted by it. When we explore the pros and cons of having the fast-growing technology, we are faced with whether to participate in the conglomeration or not. Unfortunately, we are conditioned to think that the latest and greatest are the best. However, we have seen that there are several glitches that come along with devices that are fresh off the market. Take Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 exploding in consumers pockets, or iPhone 6 bending when it first was introduced. Social media apps, when updated so soon begin to crash causing problems for consumers across the board. There have been trials and errors when it comes to solving the problem of being so dependent on these platforms and objects we use day to day. People try fasting techniques, not updating their devices for years or banning them from their homes
Pictured: Travis Cummings, senior reporter. completely. All of these things work but normally last for a season, if that. I certainly miss the days of not always having to check my phone or not always having to update something for it to be effective in my life. There has to be some type of way that we can fight the urge but I’m afraid that it might never be possible. I’ll go update the 30 available updates I have patiently waiting in the App Store now.
SPRING HILL BECOMES A SECOND HOME
Camryn Nethken | Reporter
One thing I have noticed when I first came to college is that people believe that going home is taboo. I have been told that “college is supposed to be about getting out and experiencing life.” I like to think that it is possible to encounter new things while also missing home. I miss home. I am not embarrassed to admit that. There are so many people who are scared to admit they miss home because they see it as a form of backtracking. I miss seeing the trees around my house change colors throughout the seasons. I miss knowing the shortcuts around town. I miss pulling into my driveway and having my dog greet me at my front door. I miss walking to my grandparent’s house everyday. I miss getting to bother my mother in her office at work. I miss spending hours in the grocery store because it is necessary to talk to everyone that you know. All these things may be different for everyone. People have experienced different home lives. However, I find that one thing remains the same and that is family. This does not necessarily mean immediate family. It could include friends, teachers, or even team members. No matter where a person is, they always become close to others to form their own sense of family. A place becomes a home when special memories are made with loved ones. Because of the people I have met at college, I know that I can find a home no matter where life takes me.
I have made many memories at Spring Hill College. I plan to make many more throughout the next couple years to last a lifetime. I was never able to call Spring Hill my home freshman year because I was closed off to the idea of replacing my definition of home. However, when I go back to my hometown, I catch myself constantly calling Spring Hill “home.” This is because I have finally made the memories that have had an impact on my life. Despite how closed off I was, the students at Spring Hill showed me that I could have many places that I could consider to be home. I learned this through my friends on the dance team, Tri Delta, and just the Spring Hill community in general. I was able to loosen my hold on my hometown in order to allow my college home in. When I go back to Louisiana, I miss turning into the gates of Spring Hill College and seeing the beauty of the school. I miss how the faculty and staff are always wanting to put a smile on your face. I miss living so close to the beach. I miss spending hours in the Caf because you know just about everyone who walks in. I never miss the speed bumps. Missing home is never a bad thing. Sometimes life puts so much on a person’s plate. This causes them to become stressed to the point where they just want to go to their most comforting place. One thing I do know is that change will always occur, not only in the place a person resides but where they also call home. It is hard
Pictured: Camryn Nethken, junior reporter. to miss all the special moments that are happening back home. Luckily, I am able to have two homes instead of one because of my choice to come to Spring Hill College.
EDITORIAL POLICY
The SpringHillian is published five times each semester from September to May. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students, but are the views of the individual columnists.
SUBMISSIONS
The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 300 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original writings should be mailed or delivered to: Student-editor, The SpringHillian, Communication Arts, Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608. Submissions may also be sent as emailed attachments to: shcmedia@email. shc.edu.
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The
Springhillian
AROUND THE HILL
February 16, 2017
D N U O R A
L L I H E TH s t o h s p a n s in
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Spring H
ill’s 2017
Mardi
Volume 104 Issue 2
AROUND THE HILL
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Photo by: Syd ney Clark Hannah Mart in, Ariella Jose ph, Ashliegh T Hannah Vines ownsend, and take a snap w ith President Puto.
Photo by: Camryn Nethken Kayleigh Harrison and Caroline Robertson get some studying done in Einsteins.
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Want your photos featured on Around the Hill? Email them to us at: shcstudentmedia@gmail.com
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The
Springhillian
LIFESTYLE
February 16, 2017
SHC SHAPING TOMORROW AT DEBUT TEDx EVENT Jay Howen | Reporter One of the Student Government Association’s most anticipated events of the semester is just around the corner. The SGA organized TEDx talk will be held in the Arlene Mitchell Theatre on Friday, Feb. 17 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and is the first event of its kind to occur on Spring Hill’s campus. Badgers will be listening to eight live speakers including three faculty members, three students, and two professional speakers; there are to be prizes and giveaways at the event as well. An additional three speakers are to be included virtually via Internet streaming. The event itself is limited to 100 seats; tickets start at $10 for Spring Hill students and faculty and are $15 for outsiders. These tickets may be purchased in the student center until Thursday, Feb. 16. Due to the limited seating,
TEDxSpring HillCollege speakers (left to right): Senior Dana Wilder, Sophomore Julie Dobbs, and Dr. Jamie Franco-Zamudio. | Photos: TEDxSpringHillCollege Facebook Page Badgers can also catch a live stream of the event in the student center where a viewing party will be held. Each talk is limited to eighteen minutes and will relate to the theme of “Shaping Tomorrow.” The theme coincides with the college’s mission to create leaders and build a better future for the world. Self growth is a fundamental part of the collegiate experience. Spring Hill senior Dana Wilder will be advocating for students to find their inner confidence and motivate them to be the best they can be. Wilder states, “We often set ourselves up for failure and we can counteract that by looking at certain aspects of our lives that inhibit our growth
as individuals.” Another student speaker, sophomore Julie Dobbs, calls for acceptance. Her speech will be on the re-entry of convicted felons into civil society and eliminating the negative stigma often attached to these people. Dobbs said, “I presented the idea to do the TEDx talk to my professor [Dr. Demetrius Semien] and he said ‘This is an opportunity for us to present everything we’ve been working on for the past year and a half and present it to the people’.” Dr. Semien will also be delivering a TEDx talk on that topic himself. Associate professor of psychology, Dr. Jamie Franco-Zamudio leaped at the opportunity to speak at the
event. She will be addressing issues of social justice and communicating differences via social media tactfully. “I’m really proud to be at Spring Hill and I’m really proud of the mission of the college. I feel like they chose a topic that resonates with the mission and I feel like it is so intertwined with who we are. How could I not do it?” Franco-Zamudio said excitedly. Badgers interested in “Shaping Tomorrow” should head to the student center before Feb. 16 to buy their tickets for the event. A live viewing party in student center will be hosted during the talk as well from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Feb. 17. The talk will also be on SHC cable channel 16.1 for viewing anywhere on campus.
PUTO, FR. DOLL SPEAK FOR ALPHA SIGMA NU WEEK Stuart Babington | Advisor
Alpha Sigma Nu Week has been scheduled for March 5-10, beginning with the traditional Alpha Sigma Nu Mass at 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 5. This week also includes two major lectures designed to be of great interest to students, according to Fr. Mike Williams, advisor of the organization. Dr. Christopher Puto, president of Spring Hill College, will deliver the annual “Last Lecture” on Monday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. in The Gautrelet Room. Then, on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m., internationally acclaimed Jesuit photojournalist Fr. Donald Doll, S.J., will deliver the “Jesuit Heritage Lecture.” The week will also include a social gathering with SHC’s Jesuit Community on Wednesday evening, March 8, in McKinney’s At The Hill, within the Student Center. Dr. Puto’s March 6th speech will continue a long tradition. The Last Lecture concept originated with a popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The professor had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was forced by his illness to give up teaching. He decided to give his “last lecture” to his students, speaking about his life, his values, and experiences in an honest and open way, coupled with the final advice about life he wished to share. The Last Lecture concept has gone viral and is a popular fixture on campuses nationwide, with respected professors being asked by students to open and speak honestly about their lives and beliefs. Students often see professors in just a classroom setting, and don’t have the chance to get to know them more deeply as real human beings like themselves, with hopes, dreams, successes and failures, Williams said. Fr. Doll, in his March 7 lecture, has had a long distinguished career as a photojournalist. He’s been
the recipient of numerous national and international awards, including the prestigious Kodak Crystal Eagle Award for Impact in Photojournalism at National Press Club in Washington for his many years of work with Native Americans. He also received The International Understanding Through Photography Award from The Photographic Society of America, as well as Nebraska’s Artist of the Year Award. Fr. Doll’s photographs have been featured in National Geographic magazine, as well as numerous other publications. He has published two acclaimed photographic books on North Americans: “Vision Quest: Men and Women and Sacred Sites of the Sioux Nation” and “Crying for a Vision.” His latest publication is “A Call to Vision: A Jesuit’s Perspective on the World.” A professor emeritus of journalism and a holder of the Charles and Mary Heider Endowed Jesuit Chair at Creighton University in Nebraska, Fr. Doll seeks to demonstrate how the medium of photography can raise awareness of social justice issues and promote a vision of God’s kingdom of peace, compassion and understanding. “I can’t help but photograph from the life of faith that I’ve grown into as a priest,” he said. “Jesuits have a mission – Faith doing Justice. I photograph to tell the stories of people who have no voice.” Alpha Sigma Nu recognizes those students who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty, and service. The only honor society permitted to bear the name Jesuit, Alpha Sigma Nu invites its members to a lifetime pursuit of intellectual development, deepening Ignatian spirituality, service to others, and a commitment to the core principles of Jesuit education.
Dr. Puto (left) will deliver the “Last Lecture” March 6, and Fr. Doll (right) will deliver the “Jesuit Heritage Lecture” March 7, during Alpha Sigma Nu Week.
ISIP UPDATE Jay Howen | Reporter
Campus Ministry’s International Service Immersion Program, also known as “ISIP,” will send 46 students and 11 faculty and staff members to five countries during the Mardi Gras break. The group will be embarking on mission trips across five locations in four different countries: Belize City, Belize; Punta Gorda, Belize; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Mandeville, Jamaica; and Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. To help offset the costs of the trip, ISIP had scheduled its annual “Capture The Hill” fundraising event for February 12, but a rise in flu cases on the campus and other factors greatly reduced participation, causing the event to be canceled, said Colleen Lee, campus minister for service and retreats. The event will be rescheduled for a date following the mission trip, Lee said. The date will be announced in the coming weeks. Students can go to Campus Ministry’s office on the second floor of the Student Center to sign up and form a team of 10 for $100. Spectators are welcome to attend the event. Last year, $600 was raised at Capture the Hill, which went toward various projects such as building a house in Belize City, painting a school in Punta Gorda, working with teenage refugees from Haiti in the Dominican Republic and even helping disabled children in Jamaica.
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SPORTS
Volume 104 Issue 1
SHC TENNIS: GETTING BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS Marian Cook | Reporter Spring Hill’s women’s and men’s tennis have been practicing hard this season for their upcoming home and away games. So far, the overall record of the women’s team is 0-4 and the men’s is 0-3. The women’s team’s next home game is this Saturday (Feb. 18) against Tougaloo College at the University of Mobile tennis courts at 1 p.m. Their full schedule can be found on shcbadgers.com/schedule.aspx?path=wten. (period at end not included) The men’s team’s next home game is also at the same time, date and place against Tougaloo College. Their full schedule can be found on shcbadgers.com/schedule. aspx?path=mten. (period at end not included) In describing the strengths of the team, John Dotson (the head coach of the women’s and men’s tennis teams) said, “There’s not a lot of difference between our No. 4 player and our No. 8 or 9 player.” As to how the players make each other stronger, Dotson said the players are competitive during practice; therefore, “[he doesn’t] have any qualm about putting the last player on the roster into the lineup.” Further, Dotson mentioned both teams’ excitement for their upcoming conference roundup in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 23.
According to Dotson, both teams’ toughest competitor inside the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will be Mississippi College. Outside the conference, their biggest competitor will be Benedict College. Veteran players for the women’s team include senior Kate Sotolongo and sophomore Madison Artigues, and veteran players for the men’s team include senior Alejandro Hastings (No. 1 player)and junior Lars Bajohr (No. 2 player and No. 1 doubles player). As to Dotson’s goal for both teams, he said, “My goal is that they have a good quality student-athlete experience here at Spring Hill.”
Pictured: Men’s tennis team and coach. | Photo: Official Spring Hill College Athletics Website
Pictured: Women’s tennis team and coach. | Photo: Official Spring Hill College Athletics Website
BADGERS’ SPORTS SCHEDULE Madison Seuzeneau | Advertising/Social Media Leader
Badger Athletics stay busy this weekend with match ups in several different sports. Here is this upcoming sports schedule:
Saturday, February 18th
Men’s Rugby at Auburn University is CANCELLED Men’s Golf at Faulkner State Community College Elizabeth Kling Memorial (All Day) Men’s and Women’s Track at Embry-Riddle University (8:00 a.m.) Softball vs Kentucky State University (12:00 p.m.) at Murray Field Men’s and Women’s Tennis vs Tougaloo College (1:00 p.m.) Softball vs Kentucky State University (2:00 p.m.) at Murray Field Men’s and Women’s Basketball at Central State University (W 2:00 p.m. M 3:00 p.m.) Baseball vs Florida Tech (6:00 p.m.) at Stan Galle Field
Photo by: Camryn Nethken Annabel Yates and Randi Evans pictured watching Badger Baseball take on University of Alabama in Huntsville.
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The
Springhillian
HILL YEAH!
February 16, 2017
THROW ME SOMETHIN’, MISTER! Sydney Clark | Reporter
It is that time of year again! Floats, beads, and bands, oh my! Are you ready to let the good times roll and ring in Mardi Gras 2017? Mardi Gras was founded and established in Mobile, Alabama, and it is the oldest annual Carnival celebration and tradition in the United States. Mardi Gras probably would not be here today if Frenchman Nicholas Langlois did not introduce the celebration the year of 1703, 15 years before New Orleans was founded. Mobile was the first capital of French Louisiana, so the festival started as a French Catholic tradition, which is partly why there is such a prominent Catholic population in the city. Mobile’s Mardi Gras has developed into a widely-known, multi-week party for people of all cultures in the historic city. Spring Hill College sophomore Bleasin Roberts, a native of Mobile, looks forward to Mardi Gras in the city every year. “My absolute favorite part is the weekend before Fat Tuesday because that is when the best parades happen. All of the big, well-known bands in the city march in the parades, and parade-goers just have a great time dancing along and cheering,” said Roberts. She also explains how the Carnival season always bring back some nostalgia because she used to march with the Murphy High School band. “[Marching] was one of the highlights of my high school [career], but I still go to several of the parades and cheer for my alma mater,” said Roberts. What is Mardi Gras season in Mobile without MoonPies? Spring Hill College sophomore Anne Norris Eslava, also a Moblian native, provides some history behind the dessert’s influence in Mobile and said, ‘“My mom’s organization, the Maids of Mirth, was actually the first to throw the MoonPie in 1974. Over the next decade, they increased in popularity, and by 1985, my dad’s organization, the Conde Cavaliers, threw ‘one million MoonPies.’’’ Norris said that it was “a huge deal and really set the stage for the MoonPie’s importance and influence today in Mobile.” Norris’ father is currently a member of the Crew of Columbus, and she said he throws close to 1,000 MoonPies each parade. “He used to throw them by the box, and the people
ARTIST OF THE ISSUE
Comic by: Victoria Macia Victoria is a Studio Art/Graphic Design double major and a senior at Spring Hill College. She enjoys any kind of art, including comics, paintings, and poster design.
Mobilians love Mardi Gras parades. | Photo: Travis Cummings
would go crazy. Now, it’s against city law because the street sweepers can’t process the cardboard,” said Norris. Norris talked about one of her favorite MoonPie traditions gr owing up, “It was always fun to go with him after school and pick out the best flavors. Girl Scout thin mint was my favorite, but the flavor was sadly discontinued.” MoonPie lovers in Mobile, like Norris and her family, have something new to celebrate: the recent opening of the MoonPie General Store, which has MoonPie merchandise, gifts, old-time candies and more. “I heard they have a delicious breakfast and a great selection of Mardi Gras gifts. I’m very excited to go and visit,” said Norris. Before going to the parades and catching MoonPies starting this Friday Feb. 10th, be sure to check out the official 2017 Mobile Mardi Gras parade schedule below provided by Visit Mobile! Laizzez le bon temps rouler!
MOBILE MARDI GRAS PARADE SCHEDULE Thursday, February 16 6:30 p.m. - Order of Polka Dots (Mobile, Route A) Friday, February 17 6:30 p.m. - Order of Inca (Mobile, Route A) Saturday, February 18 2 p.m. - Mobile Mystics, Mobile Mystical Revelers, Mobile Mystical Friends (Mobile, Route A) 6:30 p.m. - Maids of Mirth, Buterfly Maidens, Krewe of Marry Mates (Mobile, Route A) Sunday, February 19 6:30 p.m. - Neptune’s Daughters, OOI (Mobile, Route A) Monday, February 20 (Presidents Day) 6:30 p.m. - Order of Venus, Order of Many Faces (Mobile, Route A) Tuesday, February 21 6:30 p.m. - Order of LaShe’s (Mobile, Route A) Thursday, February 23 6:30 p.m. - Mystic Stripers Society (Mobile, Route A) Friday, February 24 6:30 p.m. - Crewe of Columbus (Mobile, Route A) Saturday, February 25 Noon - Floral Parade, Knights of Mobile, Mobile Mystical Ladies, Order of Angels
(Mobile, Route A) 6 p.m. - Mystics of Time (Mobile, Route A) Sunday, February 26 (Joe Cain Day and Oscars) 2 p.m. - King Elexis I Motorcade (Mobile, Route E) 2:30 p.m. - Joe Cain Procession (Mobile, Route A) 5 p.m. - Le Krewe de Bienville (Mobile, Route A) Monday, February 27 (Lundi Gras) Noon - King Felix III, Floral parade (Mobile, Route A) 3 p.m. - MLK Business and Civic Organization, MLK Monday Mystics, Northside Merchants (Mobile, Route D) 7 p.m. - Infant Mystics, Order of Doves (Mobile, Route F) Tuesday, February 28 (Fat Tuesday) 10:30 a.m. - Order of Athena (Mobile, Route A) 12:30 p.m. - Knights of Revelry, King Felix III, Comic Cowboys (Mobile, Route A) 2 p.m. - MAMGA Mammoth Parade (Mobile, Route B) 6 p.m. - Order of Myths (Mobile, Route C)