February 2016

February 12, 2016

Know Your Candidates 2016 P: 6 - 7 Do’s & Don’ts of Valentine’s Gifts P: 28 - 27 Superbowl Recap P: 42 - 43

Contents

Editorial Board

COMMENTARY

NEWS

Ashley Cady Editor-in-Chief

Letter from the Editor.................................. 3

Side by Side................................................ 30

ashleycady@stfrancis.edu

SAB Events................................................. 4

Confessions of an Almost Graduate............32

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Know Your Candidates................................6

Rants & Raves............................................ 33 Sarah Schoenrock

Headlines Around the World........................8

The Ryan Report......................................... 34

“Peaceful” Protests......................................10

Geek Culture: Hot or Not?...........................35

Hannah Tadey hannahtadey@stfrancis.edu Art Director

PR Specialist sarahschoenrock@stfrancis.edu

Kylie Mason PR Manager Entertainment Editor kyliemason@stfrancis.edu

USF SPOTLIGHT

ENTERTAINMENT

Katie Nork Photographer Special Section Editor

2016 Nominations....................................... 12

A Day in the Life..........................................36

katherinenork@stfrancis.edu

Julie Kitzer News Editor

#OscarsStillSoWhite....................................13

juliekitzer@stfrancis.edu

Patti Raspolich

140 Characters or Less............................... 14

Commentary Editor pattiraspolich@stfrancis.edu

Celebrities in Memoriam............................. 16

Brandon Newberry Sports Editor

Black History Month.................................... 18

brandonnewberry@stfrancis.edu

Abi Blome PR Specialist abigailblome@stfrancis.edu

SPORTS

SEASONAL

Staff Writers

USF Encounter’s Valentine’s Pins.............. 20

Athletic Q&A................................................ 3

History of Valentine’s Day........................... 22

Live Sporting Events....................................4

Valentine’s Day Massacre...........................23

Super Bowl 50 Recap..................................6

Heart Health Awareness Month.................. 24

8

Take Part with Alpha Phi.............................25

10

Do’s & Don’ts of Valentine’s Gifts............... 26 PSA: Your Vote Matters.............................. 28

Abi Blome Amber Shibley Andrew McDilda Antonio Rodriguez Ashley Montgomery Clarice Swanson Elijah Andersonn Jhane King Kelly Foreman Kacey Short Kamari Jordan Ryan Giachetti Samantha Launius Taylor Foote

Cover photos courtesy of businessinsider.com Back cover photos courtesy of independentsentinel.com, theatlantic.com, theskimm.com, isidewith.com and imgur.com

Thank you for picking up the first issue of this semester! Do you notice anything different? I sure hope so! We have printed the issue on glossy paper and cut off the white edges. All of this to make the Encounter more ascetically pleasing to you, our readers! We have also made HUGE changes to our online version so be sure to check us out at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu.

This issue’s special section is jammed packed. Be sure to read our articles about Valentine’s Day, heart health month and Black History month.

You can follow the Encounter on Facebook by searching “USF Encounter” and on Twitter @USFEncounter1.

Any questions, comments, concerns and ideas you have about this issue or future issues may be directed to any member of the Encounter staff at usfencounter@ gmail.com.

Best regards & happy reading,

Ashley Cady

Policies

From the top: Ashley Cady (Editor-in-Chief), Hannah Tadey (Assistant Editor), Sarah Schoenrock (Art Director & PR Specialist), Kylie Mason (PR Manager & Entertainment Editor), Katherine Nork (Photographer & Special Section Editor), Julie Kitzer (News Editor), Patti Raspolich (Commentary Editor), Brandon Newberry (Sports Editor) and Abi Blome (PR Specialist) Photos originally published by the Editors on their Facebook pages. All rights reserved.

The Encounter is published by the students of the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, IL 60435. The newspaper office is located in room S413C of Tower Hall. The Encounter phone number is (815) 740-3816.

As a member of USF campus media, the Encounter strives to produce a publication that stresses quality writing and design.

By reporting on issues which may be sensitive in nature, the Encounter aims to educate, inform and persuade students on topics which affect their lives on and off campus.

Editorial pages provide Encounter staff with opportunities to express thoughtful views on controversial topics.

Letters to the editor represent the opinion of the author and are not necessarily opinions of the Encounter staff.

Publication of letters to the editor is subject to space availability and management discretion. Letters to the editor are also subject to editing.

Letters to the editor or any other submissions may be dropped off at the Encounter office or e-mailed to encounter@stfrancis.edu.

The Encounter is printed by RICOH Services on the campus of the University of St. Francis.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 3

NEWS

Letter From the Editor

February:

•17: Comedy magician Ben Seidman Come out to the Abbey at 9:00 p.m. to see Comedy magician Ben Seidman.

From a residency in Vegas to performing all over the world, Ben’s comedy, true stories and slight-of-hand magic come together for a sensational performance.

•23: Pinterest Night Bring your friends to the Abbey at 9:00 p.m. for a night of crafts straight from everyone’s favorite DIY site, Pinterest. Being crafty isn’t necessary, just bring a willingness to try!

•26: Free Bowling Hang-out with all your friends and enjoy two free games of bowling at Town & Country Lanes on Jefferson Street. Bowling starts at 9:30 p.m.

March:

•2: Five-Minute Massages Come take a break from the stress of midterm exams and get a free five-minute massage! They will take place in the Uno Lounge from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and in the Fireside Lounge from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

•16: Comedian Jenny Zigrino Comedian Jenny Zigrino has been featured on a multitude of televised comedy competitions and comedy festivals. Her wit, keen observations, embarrassing anecdotes and honesty make her performance one to not miss.

Come out to the Abbey at 9:00 p.m.!

Like us on social media: Facebook: USF Student Activities Board Twitter: @StFrancisSAB

4

February 12th, 2016

Have you considered a career in Health Care Administration?

Health Care leaders, managers and administrators work in: hospitals, insurance companies, home health care providers, nursing care facilities, pharmaceutical companies, health departments, regulatory agencies, community-based agencies and more....

BBA Health Care Management

MS in Health Administration

BS in Health Care Leadership

MBA with Concentration

(degree completion)

in Health Administration

MS in Training & Development with Concentration in Health Administration

2015 College of Business & Health Administration Alumni Award: Laura Messineo

Laura Messineo serves as the System Manager TeleHealth Operations at Presence Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Leadership from the University of St. Francis in 2011 as well as a Master of Science in Health Administration in 2015. Messineo speaks nationally on a variety of topics and sits on various professional boards.

QUICK FACTS: MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE MANAGERS

Pay

Percentile

10%

25%

50%

75%

90%

Annual Wage

$55,890

$71,820

$92,810

$120,740

$161,150

Entry-Level Education

Bachelor’s And Master’s Degree

Growth Next 10 Years

23% (Much faster than average)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014.

Empowering YOU to Change the World!

LEARN MORE

Dr. Orlando Griego, COBHA Dean / ogriego@stfrancis.edu. / 815-740-3452 / stfrancis.edu/encountercobha

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 5

Know Your Candidates 2016 by: Abi Blome

Usually we use this space to update our readers on political issues, but with the primaries sneaking up on us we thought it would be a good idea to get familiar with our front-running 2016 presidential candidates. Mark your calendars: the Illinois Primary is Tuesday, March 15 and your vote matters!

DemoCrat

Democrats generally fall on the more liberal side of the scale, working especially towards the interest of minority groups. Democrats believe that the government should take an active role in many parts of general life, turning many privatized industries government-controlled to make them more accessible. Democrats promote community and social responsibility, and most are very aware of environmental concerns. Democrats generally favor a higher minimum wage and progressive taxing where those who make more money pay more.

Bernie Sanders: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

6

Long record of being for LGBT rights Strongly for separation of Church and State For voting days becoming national holidays to encourage

higher turnout Strong supporter of women’s reproductive rights For stricter background checks for gun purchases For expanding the Affordable Care Act For decriminalizing marijuana For prioritizing green energy and working against climate change Against foreign entanglement For creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants Against expanding the military For free higher education Against privatizing social security For raising minimum wage

February 12th, 2016

Hillary Clinton: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

For LGBT rights Strongly for separation of Church and State For easier accessibility to voter registration Strong supporter of women’s reproductive rights Strongly for gun control For expanding the Affordable Care Act For decriminalizing marijuana For prioritizing green energy and working against climate change For America being involved in foreign issues For creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants Against expanding the military For free community college Against privatizing social security For raising minimum wage

NEWS

Republican Republicans typically fall on the more conservative side of the scale. They believe that the federal government should stay out of many aspects of general life, with private businesses being the driving force behind the economy. Most Republicans believe in lower, flat tax and less government spending on social programs. Republicans are generally strong advocates for free market solutions for both environmental problems and the problems of poverty.

Ted Cruz:

Donald Trump:

Marco Rubio: • Strongly for second amendment

•

•

•

•

• • • • • • • • • •

Strongly for second amendment rights Strongly against expanding Affordable Care Act Strongly against homosexual marriage Strongly for keeping God in the political sphere Strongly against abortion Disagrees with human-involvement in climate change For lower minimums and mandatory sentencing for drugs Strongly for expanding the military For America being involved in foreign issues For demolishing department of education; strongly for homeschooling For deporting undocumented immigrants Against raising minimum wage

•

• • • • • • • • • •

Strongly for second amendment rights Against expanding Affordable Care Act Against homosexual marriage Strongly for keeping God in the political sphere Against abortion Disagrees with human-involvement in climate change For medical marijuana but against recreational use Strongly for expanding the military Against foreign entanglement For cutting the Department of Education Against citizenship for undocument -ed immigrants Against raising minimum wage

• • • • • • • • • •

rights Against expanding Affordable Care Act Strongly against homosexual marriage Strongly for keeping God in the political sphere Strongly against abortion Disagrees with human-involvement in climate change Indifferent on medical marijuana, but strongly against recreational use Strongly for expanding the military Strongly for America being involved in foreign issues For more scholarships for private schools, strongly for vocational institutions For legal status, but not citizenship, for children of undocumented immigrants For wage subsidies rather than raising minimum wage

Check out the online Encounter at usfencounter.stfrancis.edu for up-to-date coverage of the 2016 Presidential Race.

Remember, your vote matters. Will you use it?

Photos courtesy of thehealthcareblog.com, crooksandliars.com, amazonaws.com, gannett-cdn.com,

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 7

Headlines Around the World by: Hannah Tadey

LONDON, England –

“Donors pledge $10 billion-plus for Syria as Russian planes pound Aleppo” Donor countries have pledged over $10 billion for Syria at an international conference in London.

WASHINGTON, USA –

“Continental says five million vehicles have faulty air bags”

CALIFORNIA, USA –

“She’s a Barble Girl! Abby Wamback is officially a Barbie doll” The official Abby Wambach (US Women’s National Soccer Team former star) Barbie doll was unveiled at The Makers Conference.

Continental Automotive Systems has released information that it has potentially supplied over five million defective air bag control units to Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and other manufacturers.

NEW JERSEY, USA –

“Hijab-wearing athlete on track to make U.S. Olympic history” Thirty-year-old Ibtihaj Muhammad is the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympic Games in a hijab.”

LANZAROTE, Spain –

“Ghostly figures appear from the depths of the ocean” Hundreds of statues are being lowered underwater as part of Europe’s first underwater museum.

8

February 12th, 2016

NEWS

BERLIN, Germany –

“Germans are turning sour on Angela Merkel” Chancellor Merkel’s ratings are plummeting as she continues to leave the country’s borders open to refugees.

SEOUL, South Korea – BEIRUT, Lebanon –

“Israeli vulture detained in Lebanon on suspicion of espionage” Lebanese officials captured an Israeli vulture on suspicion of it being an ‘undercover’ spy.

Photo courtesy of wallconvert.com

“North Korea launches newest offensive: cigarette butts” As tensions rise between North and South Korea, the North has decided to send cigarette buttfilled balloons into the South.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 9

“Peaceful” Protest: Does it still Exist? by: Elijah Anderson

Protests have always been a way for citizens of a given area to show their government or their leaders that they are not OK with how something is being run or handled.

Protesting can be done peacefully or with acts of violence. However, this raises the question as to what peaceful protest really is.

By textbook definition, a peaceful protest, also known as nonviolent resistance or nonviolent action, is the act of expressing disapproval through a statement or action without the use of violence.

Eve, around 100 protesters went to Times Square to stage a “die-in.” The protesters simulated being dead in the streets in order to make a point of violence against the black community from cops and other law enforcement. Later that month, 23 Black Lives Matter protesters were arrested after chaining themselves to barrels and blocking sides of an interstate in Boston. One of the protestors claimed that this most recent action was a nonviolent direct action. However, there are some misunderstandings in her statement.

“She did not act out in rage, but instead remained seated until she was escorted off the bus by police.”

In 2015, there were many protests that took place in the United States alone and the biggest one that many people may remember is the Black Lives Matter movement, which still exists to this day. On New Year’s

10

February 12th, 2016

While there were no violent actions taken by the protesters, there was still the issue of them disrupting the flow of everyone else’s day by blocking off the interstate. When attempting to make

NEWS

a fully peaceful protest, there should be nothing that disrupts everyone else’s daily lives or cause issues in safety to the rest of the community. An example of this would be in April when violence broke out in downtown Baltimore during a protest when the protestors began throwing bottles at police and smashing cars. The protest began after a 25-year-old man died from injuries that he sustained during an arrest. The mayor pleaded for peaceful and respectful protests, but it was to no avail. It was after the acts of violence that police in riot gear clashed with those protestors and also arrested 12 of the individuals.

In history, there have been protests that have ended in people being gunned down by police in an act of defense and safety, and there have been protests to inform the general public. Some of the well-known peaceful protesters are Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was the main activist during the Civil Rights Movement and was one of the most powerful voices to speak out against segregation in America.

Photos courtesy of rt.com

His “I Have a Dream” speech is still quoted to this very day for its powerful message and acceptable language.

Rosa Parks also played a part in the Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on a public transit bus to a white individual. She did not act out in rage, but instead remained seated until she was escorted off the bus by police. However, even then, she did not resist. She just went quietly which incited more protesters to take up the charge against racism in America.

Peaceful protest is not something hard to comprehend or complete, but when attempting to protest for anything, two things should always be considered: the extent to which the group is willing to protest and the safety of everyone involved, including the law enforcement. They are not looking to harm people, but they also have a right to defend themselves, as does any person. These are thoughts to keep in mind as activism moves forward and try to protect everyone’s rights.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 11

Your 2016

Oscar Nominations by: Ashley Montgomery

The movie industry offered a variety of films for us to enjoy in 2015. From family favorites like Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” to action films such as “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and a remaking of the classic “Star Wars,” fans of many genres were more than pleased with what Hollywood produced this past year. However, despite the popularity of some of these films reflected in the box office statistics, this year’s Academy Award nominees include only a small handful of movies that each received many nominations.

Hollywood’s biggest prize, best picture, features eight movies this year – although the Academy Awards allow for 10 possible nominations. The films include “The Revenant,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “The Martian,” “Room,” “Spotlight,” “Brooklyn,” “Bridge of Spies” and “The Big Short.” Many of the past year’s most popular movies were overlooked, such as “Furious 7” and “Jurassic World.” Another shocker is the exclusion of nominating the new “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” as the original Star Wars was a best picture nominee in 1978 and won countless other awards.

While the most popular movies may have been overlooked, much attention was given to Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest film.

“The Revenant,” an American frontier revenge film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, drew in 12 nominations – more than any other film this year. Not only is it up for best picture; DiCaprio has been honored with a nomination as best leading actor, as well as Tom Hardy for best supporting actor in his villainous role. Director Alejandro Inarritu was also honored with a nomination for best director. Additional nominations in more technical categories include cinematography, sound mixing, costume design and makeup styling, for which DiCaprio praised in his Golden Globe acceptance speech last month. Many actors and actresses have been buzzing about DiCaprio’s Oscar nomination, and in an interview with Mail Online, actress Kate Winslet reported, “I’ve seen how hard he worked and I think his performance is extraordinary. You can feel it in the air and I think this is going to be Leo’s year.”

In addition to “The Revenant,” a few other movies grabbed multiple nominations, such as “Mad Max: Fury Road, “which won attention in ten categories. Most of its nominations came from technical areas such as film editing, costume design, and makeup and hair styling. “The Martian” follows with seven nominations, and we can’t forget to mention that “Inside Out” is up for best animated feature film. Other big nominations such as leading actor include: Matt Damon, Michael

12

February 12th, 2016

Fassbender, Eddie Redmayne and Bryan Cranston. Best leading actress nominees are Jennifer Lawrence, Brie Larson, Charlotte Rampling, Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blanchett.

Whether your favorite film was nominated or not, be sure to tune in to the 88th Annual Academy Awards on February 28. After all, like Kate said, this could be Leo’s year!

The Revenant

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Maritan Photos courtesy of collider.com, mediaite.com and foxmovies.com

by: Jhane King On January 14, 2016, history repeated itself when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced an all-Caucasian lineup for the 2016 Oscar nominations for the second straight year.

Again outrage by the academy’s failure to nominate the non-white actors caused the infamous hashtag #OscarStillSoWhite to flood social media yet again. #OscarStillSoWhite surfaced social media sites last year when the academy’s lack of diversity amongst the 2015 Oscar nominees created controversy. Many viewers and celebrities took their frustration to social media by using the hashtag and questioning the ethical stance of the academy; many felt that the academy was accused of engaging in racial and gender bias.

The backlash from the hashtags last year was so huge that the Oscar telecast received the lowest ranking it has ever received in the last six years according to April Reign, creator of #OscarStillSoWhite.

For instance, Jada Pinckett-Smith chose to attack solely the academy as she stated, “At the Oscars...people of color are always welcomed to give out awards...even entertain. But we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments.”

On THEother hand, Spike Lee decided to voice his frustration with the industry as he stated, “I see it, the Academy Awards is not where the ‘real’ battle is.

It’s in the Executive Office of the Hollywood Studios and TV and Cable Networks.”

Entertainment

Hollywood’s Disputing Sequel: The #OscarStillSoWhite Hashtag

Celebrity Mark Ruffalo addressed the issue of race in America. He stated, “The Oscar Ban movement reflects a larger discussion about racism in the criminal justice system.”

The reason in which the Oscar nominations for the second year announced an all-White lineup is debatable, but there is no doubt that change needs to come as viewers are frustrated!

Spike Lee

History may be repeating itself again as many celebrities such as such as Jada Pinkett-Smith, Will Smith, Spike Lee, Mark Ruffalo, Tyrese Gibson and Snoop Dogg are actively supporting boycotting the awards. These celebrities expressed their frustrations differently on Twitter as some chose to solely attack the movie industry, while others either attacked the academy or the issue of race in America. However, all their comments echoed the same underlying message: that the academy needs to service their viewers by accurately reflecting the diverse and different perspectives of the worldwide audience.

Photos courtesy of ew.com and twitter.com

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 13

140OR LESS CHARACTERS by: Kamari Jordan

@KamariSays

#VALENTINESDAY: #Bae: This could be someone you are in a committed relationship with, someone you are getting to know or someone you are crushing on. #CuffingSeason: The time period where you search for and acquire a bae for winter cuddling, Valentine’s Day and the holiday season.

14

February 12th, 2016

#IBF: (Internet Boyfriend) Not really dating and probably have never met, that doesn’t mean you can’t stalk him on social media and dream.

#BLACKHISTORYMONTH:

Entertainment

#SingleLife: This hashtag means you are either bitter or content with the fact that you are not in a relationship.

#MyBlackIsBeautiful: The celebration of the diversity of black women striving to define and promote a new standard of black beauty. #BlackConsciousness: This is the state of being aware of one’s “blackness” by accepting and embracing it. #Melanin: Seeing the beauty in African American or dark features. #BlackHair: Making others aware of the different colors, textures, lengths, etc. of black hair. #TeamNatural: When a woman of color decides to wear her hair in its natural state to either celebrate herself and culture or to have healthier hair. usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 15

Celebrities in Memoriam by: Clarice Swanson

David Bowie

With his innovative and outgoing style, David Bowie can be recognized as an extreme influence on modern pop music.

His professional music career began at the age of 16 with the release of his first single “Space Oddity.” Bowie was an icon in the pop music industry for nearly fifty years, with his last album, “Blackstar,” being released two days before his death. His ambitious and odd style and appearances distinguished him from many other artists of his time, and remain to this day part of his legacy. Bowie was also recognized in the film industry, starring in popular cult films such as “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” “The Hunger” and “Labyrinth.” David Bowie died from cancer at the age of 69 on January 10, 2016.

Alan Rickman

An amazing actor and an even more amazing man, Alan Rickman can be accredited as one of the most iconic actors of the past two decades. With over 65 film credits, Alan Rickman can be best recognized for his work in “Die Hard,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Love Actually,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and above all, as Severus Snape in the film adaptations of the “Harry Potter” series. His achievements include a 1991 BAFTA Award, 1996 Golden Globe, 2009 Scream Award and 2011 People’s Choice Award. His fellow actors and actresses often commented on the generous spirit Rickman had, as well as the extensive amount of wisdom that one could gain from simply watching or listening to him. Alan Rickman passed away from pancreatic cancer on January 14, 2016 at the age of 69.

Lemmy Kilminster

Also known as rock singer “Lemmy,” Lemmy Kilminster is best known as the front man of the rock band Motorhead.

His career as a rock musician spanned five decades. Lemmy was part of many different rock groups throughout his career, including The Rainmakers, The Motown Sect, Hawkwind and finally Motorhead from 1975 up until his death. The band’s final performance occurred on December 11, 2015.

The rockstar’s live-fast and rock hard lifestyle still identifies him today as of the leading legends of the rock and roll industry. Lemmy died on December. 28, 2015 just after his 70th birthday, due to prostate cancer and congestive heart failure.

16

February 12th, 2016

Natalie Cole

Entertainment

In Memory of Those That We Lost

Best known as an influential American singer and songwriter, Natalie Cole can best be recognized as an R&B icon. Best known for her chart toppers “This Will Be,” “Inseperable” and “Our Love,” Cole’s smooth and powerful voice brought her fame throughout the late 20th century. Her success includes multiple Grammy Awards and over 30 million records sold worldwide. She is also the daughter of famous Jazz pianist and singer Nat King Cole. Natalie passed away on December 31, 2015 at the age of 65 from congestive heart failure.

Brian Bedford

A British acting icon, Brian Bedford leaves behind a fruitful legacy in the world of stage productions and voice acting. Recognized mainly as a Shakespearean actor, Bedford’s stage credits include “The Tempest,” “As You Like It,” “Measure for Measure” and “The School for Wives.”

His few film credits include “Grand Prix” and the voice of Robin Hood in the Disney adaptation of “Robin Hood.”

His achievements include an Outer Circle Critic’s Award and a Drama Desk Award. Bedford died at the age of 80 from cancer on January 13, 2016.

René Angélil

Although famous in his own right, Rene Angelil is best known as husband and manager of Canadian pop icon Celine Dion. His professional career included being the front man of 1960’s pop rock band “Les Baronets,” until 1972, when he took on his best known role of manager for major artists. His management career included managing Quebec superstars Rene Simard and Ginette Reno, until he shifted his career to focus his management on Celine Dion. He continued management for Celine’s career until 2014 when he was forced to step down to deal with severe health issues. Rene Angelil died at age 73 of cancer on January 14, 2016.

Photos courtesy of cloudfront.net, theodysseyonline.com, tunecollective.com, consequenceofsound.net, guim.co.uk and lpcdn.ca

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 17

Did you know? Facts on:

Black History Month by: Patti Raspolich Every February, Americans honor the achievements that Black Americans have contributed to the history of the United States. The month-long celebration was originally chosen to coincide with the birthdays of two significant figures in black history, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Listed below are significant events that have helped to shape American history: 1. On February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed, giving African Americans the right to vote.

2. In 1909, The National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded to “ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality … and eliminate race-based discrimination.”

3. In February of 1923, the first all-black professional basketball team was formed. The New York Renaissance, also known as the ‘Harlem Rens’ “served as catalysts for social equality,” according to nba.com.

4. Black History Month, originally called Negro History Week, was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson was a historian, scholar and educator. He was also the second African American to graduate from Harvard University.

5. Negro History Week became Black History Month in 1976 when President Gerald Ford asked the public “to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans,” according to the International Association of Human Rights Agency.

6. Halle Berry was the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Monster’s Ball.

As we celebrate Black History this month, we should remember all the people and events that reflect the heritage of African Americans and their impact on American culture every month.

18

February 12th, 2016

Photos courtesy of untappedcities.com and celebbeat.com

The New & Improved Online USF Encounter!

View articles available online only!

Updates every week!

Submit your own stories!

Flip through previous print issues!

Never miss out on an issue from the past! http://www.usfencounter.stfrancis.edu/ usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 19

s ’ r e t n u o c n E s n USF i P y a D s ’ e n i t n e l Va Nork e i t a by : K

20

February 12th, 2016

SPECIAL SECTION SEASONAL ome? h t a s se pin ccount! e h t y to tr est a Want our Pinter ter n ter/ Follow USF Encou /usfencoun @ st.com e r e t n ww.pi w / / : s http Photos courtesy of pinterest.com

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 21

The History of Saint Valentine’s Day by: Abigail Blome

Saint Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and everyone is rushing to find a friend or special someone with which to spend the day. But, why is this holiday celebrated and what is it about? And why do some people refer to it as Saint Valentine’s Day? The history behind this holiday actually begins in the Catholic Church with a martyr named Valentine. There were actually several martyrs named Valentine, but the two most commonly associated with the holiday are Saint Valentine of Rome and Saint Valentine of Terni. What’s a martyr? A martyr is someone who has died for their faith because of persecution. In fact, every Saint Valentine on record has been martyred. (Side note: Don’t name your kids Valentine.) As Roman Catholic tradition goes, any person who is martyred for the Catholic faith is immediately canonized, which is a fancy word for being officially recognized as a saint.

saint’s birthday, right? That’s when we celebrate things like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, after all. Well, that’s close, but incorrect. For most saints, their feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of their death. That’s not true for all of them of course, because people die all the time. If a saint already died that day and was given that feast day, the next saint with that death-day had to get moved over a few days. Can’t have the feast days getting crowded, or it turns into something reminiscent of one of those big family birthday parties; the ones where everyone gathers to sing “Happy Birthday” and tries to fit all five-plus names into the song, but no one says them in the same order so it turns into a big mess.

Of course, since it is unsure who the “real” Saint Valentine was, there’s no guarantee any of them actually died on February 14, so don’t feel too weird about it.

Sadly, much of the history has been lost and warped over time and become little more than legend. One legend says that Saint Valentine was a priest in the fifth century who married couples in secret after the Roman Emperor outlawed marriage for men of fighting age, because single men make better soldiers. Of course, when in Rome, if you don’t do as the Romans do, you get your head chopped off. So once Emperor Claudius II found out about the secret nuptials, he had to have Valentine put to death.

Another legend claims that Valentine was a merciful Catholic man of the late second century who helped captives escape Roman prisons, where they were tortured and starved. In this case, the love surrounding the story is not actually romantic, but instead compassionate. Of course, other versions of this legend include Valentine falling in love with a jailer’s daughter, to whom he allegedly wrote the first “Valentine’s” letter. According to this version of the story, the letter was written shortly before his death and signed, “From your Valentine.” Does this mean that when people are asked to be someone’s Valentine, they’re actually asking them for a tragic Shakespearian-esque love story where one or both parties die? Possibly. Proceed with caution.

Saint Valentine’s Day is actually celebrated in the Catholic religion as the Feast of Saint Valentine. A “feast day” is a special day of the year where the Church recognizes a saint for their life and good works. Another good example of a Catholic feast day celebrated by the general populace is Saint Patrick’s Day, but that’s a story for next month’s publication. So the Feast of Saint Valentine is just another religious holiday that was adopted by the rest of the world, like Christmas or Easter.

So what decides when these feast days are celebrated?

The first thought that may come to mind is probably the

22

February 12th, 2016

Photo courtesy of designbydustin.com

Massacre

SEASONAL

TBT: Valentine’s Day

by: Samantha Launius

1929 Reenactment With Valentine’s Day soon approaching, men and women of all ages glisten over the holiday with chocolates and love letters. However, February 14, 1929 was anything but a cheery and loving day for two rival gangs in the streets of the City of Chicago. This day is forever memorialized by being called the Valentine’s Day Massacre.

During this time, Chicago was a lawless city where violence was constant and prohibition was threatening many. Gangs ruled the streets and fought for their power through bootlegging, the act of making and trading illegal alcohol. These fights were settled through gun wars and blood. Al Capone was the chief gangster known to take out his opponents by murdering them.

On the North Side of Chicago, the Valentine’s Day Massacre took place in a garage, supposedly between Al Capone’s men and seven men who were affiliated with the Irish gangster, George Moran. Moran had been a notorious enemy of Capone’s for years.

On this gruesome day, Al Capone’s men dressed up as policemen and started their plan of murdering Moran’s men. They invaded the garage where Moran’s bootlegging business was known to operate. Capone’s men enPhoto courtesy of trbimg.com

tered the garage as policemen to act as if they were arresting Moran’s men.

The reason why this day is called a massacre is because Moran’s seven men were lined up against a wall, facing away from their enemies. Executions of this nature are preplanned mass killings. Capone’s men shot 70 rounds of ammunition at the seven men against the wall. On average that was ten bullets per man.

When real police officers arrived on the scene one of Moran’s men was barely alive. They pressed him for information but he did not give any facts that this was committed

by Capone.

Even if the murders of these seven men were never officially tied to Capone, many believe that he was responsible for the murders. The coincidences and known hatred between the two groups of gangs made the accusations clear. Despite all this, Capone denied all accusations and said that he was in Florida at the time of the murders.

After all this time, the Valentine’s Day Massacre has never been formally brought to trial and no one was ever convicted for the bloody and gruesome execution of seven men.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 23

February:

Heart Health Awareness Month by: Ashley Montgomery

The month of February recognizes many holidays in America, such as Valentine’s Day and National Love Your Pet Day. While most people are thinking about candy hearts and sappy Valentine’s cards, something less talked about is the fact that February is also Heart Health Awareness month. February was first declared as American Heart Month in 1964

by President Lyndon B. Johnson and was recently brought to attention again by President Obama in 2012. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease is responsible for one out of every three deaths and is the number one killer of American men and women.

This year, the AHA has a few different campaigns to get people involved and raise awareness about heart health.

“Go Red for Women” reports that heart disease kills approximately one woman every 80 seconds. However, over 80% of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. Since the AHA launched the campaign in 2004, “Go Red for Women” has saved over 670,000 lives.

Last year was extremely successful for the organization due to the fact that celebrities, politicians and over 300 news anchors wore red on “National Wear Red Day.” Over 550 landmarks coast-to-coast were lit red to raise awareness as well.

In addition to wearing red, there are multiple ways to get in-

24

February 12th, 2016

volved this year such as “Go Red Makeover” events, national Twitter chats and “Go Red for Women” luncheons across the country. Another way to get involved with heart health awareness includes the AHA’s “One Brave Idea” contest.

The AHA launched a contest called “One Brave Idea” in association with Verily and AstraZeneca in which they are looking for a visionary leader with a brave idea to end heart disease. The winner of this contest will win $75,000,000 and receive guidance, mentorship and substantial resources from leaders from the AHA to work on a five-plus year project to put an end to heart disease. Anyone can enter, whether they are a physician, scientist or student, and the award is open to everyone regardless of age, country of residence or professional background. All entries are due February 14, 2016. To find out more, log on to OneBraveIdea.com.

While heart disease is something that affects a large amount of people, it can be prevented by raising awareness and understanding the risk factors of it. By maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and avoiding smoking, you can help to protect your heart. This February, don’t forget to maintain a healthy lifestyle and wear red. To stay updated on the latest heart health news and campaigns, find out more at Heart.org.

Photo courtesy of pacific.edu

by: Kacey Short Would you believe it if I told you that heart disease is the number-one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year? That amounts to approximately one woman every minute! Sadly, this statistic is true. Fortunately, the Alpha Phi Foundation is dedicated to educating women all over the world about heart health and raising awareness.

SEASONAL

Take Heart, Take Part with Alpha Phi The Alpha Phi Foundation was established in 1956 and was dedicated specifically to awarding grants for scholarship and cardiac aid. According to alphaphifoundation. org, the Foundation’s Philanthropic Focus is women’s heart health: “Through its annual Heart to Heart Grant, the Foundation helps fund research and educational programs that support the improvement of women’s heart health.”

In order to raise money for these grants, Alpha Phi chapters all over the U.S. and Canada fundraise tirelessly year-round to donate to this important cause. The main event for most chapters is the Red Dress Gala (RDG).

The RDG is an enormous event held usually in February or March, and typically consists of a large dinner, silent auction and live entertainment. All proceeds go towards the Alpha Phi Foundation.

USF’s very own Alpha Phi chapter also does its part in raising money for this great cause: whether it be donating $18.72 to the foundation and representing the Clara’s Circle shirt, or even in just paying our dues. We hope to hold even more philanthropic events in the very near future!

The Alpha Phi Foundation makes a huge difference in the lives of millions of women each year. Alpha Phi is more than just a sorority— it is an organization that positively affects all the lives that it touches through the education and research of women’s heart health.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 25

26

February 12th, 2016

SEASONAL usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 27

PSA: Your Vote Matters! by: Taylor Foote

28

February 12th, 2016

To understand whether or not your vote matters, you have to understand how the Electoral College works.

Think of the presidential election as more of a state election than a national one in regards to your vote. In the long run, the popular vote of everyone in the country doesn’t mean anything. What matters is who received the most votes in a given state. That state has the same number of electors that they have members in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state gets two senators and a number of representatives proportional to the population of their state. That means at the very least, a state will have three electors, like Alaska.

Illinois, having two senators and 18 representatives, has 20 electors in the Electoral College. So when you vote, you’re not voting for a candidate, but the electors for your state. Each candidate will have a slate of electors associated with them who in turn will go on to give a candidate their votes. Most states are “winner-takeall” states, in which the candidate that wins the popular election in that state receives all the electoral vote.

Each candidate will receive the Electoral College votes from the states in which they won the popular election.

But not all states are considered equally in the presidential election. So theoretically, a candidate would have more to gain from winning the popular vote in Illinois than it would in Alaska. However, in practice, nobody cares about Illinois and Alaska. Illinois is considered a blue state and Alaska is considered a red state, which means that the people of Illinois will vote for a Democratic candidate while the people of Alaska will vote for a Republican candidate more often than not. Most of a political campaign’s attention will be towards states that have a very close amount of Democrat and Republican voters, since a few votes in those states could mean the difference between winning and losing elections. These are your swing states, like Ohio and Florida. Most of us were alive when Florida decided the 2000 election. Sim-

Photo courtesy of swwrookery.com

ply put, the Electoral College is the reason a lot of Americans feel like their vote doesn’t matter. Many an Illinoisan Republican has cast their vote for their candidate, only to watch as their state’s votes went to the other person. Not only that, but a person’s vote counts for more or less depending on which state they live in. An individual’s vote in Alaska goes farther toward electing their candidate than a vote in Illinois simply because there are less individuals. So if our votes matter so little, what’s the point?

Twelve-point-eighty-seven million people lived in Illinois in 2012. About 7.5 million of those people were registered to vote, roughly 60% of the population. Of that 60% of the population, only 70% of them voted. Based on the state of Illinois’ estimates of voting age population, 53% of those eligible to vote did so in the 2012 elections. A little less than half of eligible voters didn’t vote. So Illinois might be a blue state, but that’s only 53% of the population making that decision. Who can say what would happen if that other 47% of the population decided to cast their ballots?

The fact remains that 40% of eligible voters in the United States don’t contribute to elections, so we’ll never know.

Voting isn’t compulsory in the United States. No one can make an American vote, an ironic twist on our freedom of choice. But if you refuse to vote because you feel like your vote doesn’t matter in the grand scheme, you might want to re-evaluate that. If everyone that felt their votes didn’t matter actually went to the polls and cast their ballot, they might feel differently. We might see a very different political landscape in America if everyone voted.

SEASONAL

Just about 319 million people live in the United States today. In 2012, that number was a bit lower, sitting at 314 million people. Bipartisan Policy lists 216 million of those people as having been eligible voters in the 2012 election. Of those 216 million voters, 126 million of them voted. 93 million abstained. In the United States, voting is an individual responsibility. There’s no compulsory registration or voting holiday; an individual needs to go register themselves to vote, and then do so. Nearly forty percent of Americans don’t. Many people don’t vote because they feel like their vote “doesn’t matter.”

With the way voting in America functions, a lot of people don’t feel like their ballot will hold any sway in an election. But are they right? Does your vote even matter?

The philosopher Blaise Pascal made an argument about religion, commonly referred to as Pascal’s Wager. The Wager stated that there are two possibilities: that God is real, and that God is not. Humans bet with their lives on one or the other. If a person lives as if God is real, and he is, they will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven. If a person lives as if God is not real, and he is, they will be punished with eternal life in hell. However in either case, if God is not real, the result is the same: death. So, Pascal argued, a rational person would live as if God exists since they had nothing to lose if he didn’t. Voting in the United States works the same way. If you don’t vote, and your vote doesn’t matter, then nothing will happen. The same thing would happen if you do vote, since your vote doesn’t matter. However if you vote, and your vote does matter, then that vote could make a difference. Then we can decide that if you don’t vote, and your vote does matter, you have no chance of making any kind of difference.

Therefore, a rational person would vote because they have little to lose and everything to gain by doing so.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 29

Side by Side:

Concealed Carry

Pro Concealed Carry In November, my relative woke up at 2:00 a.m. to someone trying to enter his home. A drunk man had wandered down the street and was trying to enter the wrong house. No matter how much my relative shouted through the window that the man was mistaken and needed to go, he kept banging on the door. As he called 9-1-1, my relative brought out a pistol he owns just in case. Luckily, the police arrived and there was no need to use force. Nonetheless, he was glad to have had a firearm just in case.

by: Antonio Rodriguez

Ultimately, we need a more rational dialogue that brings both sides closer to our common goal of being safer. Before bashing guns as a whole I suggest you learn as much as possible, take a basic pistol class, and explore what can be a safe hobby and a meaningful way to protect yourself and your loved ones. I do not own a fire extinguisher because I want a fire, I own it just in case. The same is true of firearms.

For me, this case perfectly illustrates why the right to bear arms is fundamental. We should always rely on the police when possible. Keep in mind, though, that response times can vary from several minutes in urban areas to much longer in a rural setting. If there is an imminent danger, a firearm grants you the ability to eliminate it through threat or action at home or elsewhere. As the person who walks my dog at night, I feel I am safer being armed. A gun is a tool: a neutral piece of metal and plastic parts. It can be used to attack OR to defend.

Much of the current discussion of firearms revolves around regulations and background checks. Regulation is fine, we just need the right kind of regulation. If you are not required to show proficiency or pass a class I believe that untrained gun owners will be more likely to harm themselves or others either accidentally or because they are “trigger-happy” and ready to draw a gun for any reason. Cars are complex machines and we need licenses to operate them – it is only logical that the same be true for guns. Additionally, we should take as much time as necessary to verify someone’s background to screen out criminals and unstable people who simply should not have access to guns.

A Springfield XD Mod 2.0 in 9mm.

Finally, if our goal is to reduce crimes and deaths that involve guns, then sensible gun laws should punish criminals rather than law abiding gun owners. Straw purchases are a large part of the problem. A straw purchase occurs when someone with a clean criminal record buys a gun for a criminal. If we were to make the sentence a mandatory thirty-years-to-life in prison, I think it could go a long way towards curtailing the flow of guns to criminals.

The XD side by side with a Beretta 92FS in 9mm.

30

February 12th, 2016

Today, many people who are pro-gun and support concealed carry argue that it is a fundamental right as an American. Gun enthusiasts often believe that carrying a gun is a necessity in this day and age in order to protect oneself. Given the amount of terrorism and mass shootings that are going on in the world, it’s understandable that people would feel a need to protect themselves. However, I do not feel that people need to be armed at all times to ensure their safety. Fighting guns with more guns will not make U.S. citizens safer, it just allows for more opportunities for accidents and violence.

Ten thousand Americans are shot and killed each year. In an investigation of FBI and other federal government data, the non-profit Violence Policy Center says that Americans are far more likely to injure themselves or others when handling a weapon. The study shows that in 2012, only 259 “justifiable homicides” involving private citizens were reported, compared to 8,342 criminal homicides that were committed with a gun.

Untrained citizens carrying concealed weapons only furthers the risk for the general public. According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, “members of the public who carry guns risk escalating everyday disagreements into public shootouts, especially in places where disputes frequently occur—in bars, at sporting events, or in traffic.”

For instance, on January 13, 2014, a retired police officer with a legally concealed handgun shot and killed another man during an argument over text messaging in a movie theater. If that man did not have concealed carry, the confrontation would have ended in a disagreement, not a homicide. Carrying concealed guns simply increases the chances of a trivial confrontation escalating into violence.

I don’t think anyone is in disagreement with the fact that background checks for those that own guns needs to be a more thorough process. It’s necessary in order to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and those with serious mental health issues. However, even with these background checks many gun carriers do not have the proper training to react properly in a situation that may require a gun.

by: Julie Kitzer

shooting a gun. A police officer who spoke with ABC News said that the skill is lost after one month of not using it. The vast majority of people who have concealed carry likely do not have crisis training or the frequent training to maintain accuracy.

If the U.S. is looking to cut down on gun violence, fighting guns with more guns is not the answer. When it comes to gun control, the U.S. appears to be very lax in comparison to the rest of the world. Countries that do not allow for concealed carry have shown positive results and lower reports of gun-related deaths. For example, Australia has shown positive results after taking gun control measures in 1996.

Commentary

Anti Concealed Carry

On April 28, 1996, a gunman opened fire on tourists in a seaside resort in Tasmania. The shooting killed 35 people and wounded 23. This was the worst mass murder in Australia’s history. Less than two weeks later Australia’s government did something astonishing: they worked with state and local governments to enact gun control measures. There was a buy back of 600,000 semi automatic shotguns and rifles or about one-fifth of all firearms in Australia. The new laws banned private sales and required gun owners to present a “genuine reason” for needing each weapon at the time of purchase; self-defense did not count as a reason. In result, the country saw their death rate lower by more than half since the new laws were enforced in 1996. Australia has just 1.4 firearm homicides per million compared to the U.S. with 29.7 per million homicides by firearm each year.

While it is clear that guns are not going away anytime soon, arming more people with guns is not the way to cut down on violence and keep American’s safe.

The goal of concealed carry is for self-protection. However, I think we should consider the abilities of average person that does not have crisis training. In a situation where using a gun is necessary such as break ins, muggings or mass shooting, our chances of playing hero are very slim. People cannot react as they normally would while under stress. Stress effects us on many levels: our fine motor skills deteriorate; your mind elevates into fight or flight mode. These reactions undermine decision-making skills and accuracy. Police officers have to train and retrain over months in order to maintain accuracy when Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 31

t s o Alm Confessions of an ^College Grad Here I am, my last semester of college. The semester of job searching, building a portfolio and saving money.

Somewhere in all of that I have to find time to create lasting memories with my friends and still concentrate on actually passing classes so I can graduate. How am I supposed to do all of that when there is one huge question hanging over my head: “What am I going to do when I graduate?” It doesn’t help when everyone I know is offering their own advice or opinion on what will be good for me. It seems like no one understands what I want or why I want it. Is it really so bad to keep my dreams alive? After a couple weeks of job searching it sure is not easy. All the things that people have been telling me for years are swirling around in my head and I am beginning to wonder, are they right?

In May, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Advertising/Public Relations/Journalism. I have dreams of moving out to California and working in the Entertainment industry. I would love to be an anchor or interview celebrities on the red carpet. I understand that it is a difficult industry to get into, but I have to try right? One of my favorite quotes is, “Live the life that people write novels about,” which I used in my

32

February 12th, 2016

commentary last semester. How am I supposed to do that when I have no money or experience to even start my life!? Sometimes I wish we would be taught more basic skills even starting in grade school through college. Things like how to save money, how to get job and overall just how to be an adult.

I guess that is what I get for thinking my dreams are going to come true right after college. Some would say I was naïve and that I still am for thinking I could get into an industry like that. However, dreaming is the only thing that gets me through the day. Knowing that one day I could be interviewing my favorite celebrities and even end up being famous myself one day.

Overall, I think all my years of dreaming have been worth it; they have made me who I am today.

Keep your dreams alive and be patient<3 ~Ashley

Guest layout artist: Ashley Cady

Raves Hey friends. If you don’t know me, my name is Hannah and I’m the “wakes up five minutes before she has to leave so she wears a sweatshirt and messy bun every day and arrives with her Dunkin iced coffee no matter what the temperature is outside” typical girl. I’ll be the first to admit it. So with that being said, it’s obvious that I have this need to rant about things I’m currently hating or need to rave about things I’m currently obsessing. Welcome to Rants and Raves. Grab you iced coffee, sit back and enjoy.

Today’s rant features none other than the infamous Olivia from “The Bachelor.”

Let’s start with this: why? Just. Why? Who even are you?

Let’s start from the beginning. Olivia Whatever-Her-LastName-Is is a 23-year-old woman from Texas who QUIT HER FULL TIME JOB OF BEING A NEWS ANCHOR in order to be on “The Bachelor” because she ~*knows*~ she’s going to marry Ben (the bachelor). So Olivia has been messed up from the start.

Olivia, I have just a few things to say to you: • Please. Shut. Your. Mouth. Figuratively and literally.

• Your First Impression Rose doesn’t mean JACK anymore. First impressions are important, but they aren’t everything. Let. It. Go. • If you don’t learn to have some patience, I’m literally going to scream at you. You’re a-n-n-o-y-i-n-g-g-g-g-g-g.

Commentary

&

Rants

by: Hannah Tadey

• Your talent show was… I can’t finish this sentence. No. Never again.

• Speaking of which, I was happy to see you have that little panic attack. It was great.

• I don’t understand why you’re still on the show. I actually question Ben’s sanity at this point.

• Ben isn’t sending you signals. Stop over-analyzing. He literally squeezes every other girls’ hand, uses other girls’ legs to “push off the couch” and, let’s not forget, kisses all the other girls. You are NOT special!

• I hope you know there’s a Twitter account called “Olivia’s Mouth” and it’s the one celebrity account I follow on Twitter.

• You better start applying for a job soon. I’m currently LOL-ing at your life decisions.

• Did I mention you need to cLoSe YoUr DaMn MoUtH? I know you’re going to be on the show until the end because you add so much drama. But Ben, come on! If you actually pick her (or even give her another rose while on a group date) I’m just going to faint. Let’s start a new trend: instead of “Bye Felicia,” let’s start saying “Bye Olivia” ‘cause girl you gotta GO! ~Rant over.~

*Disclaimer: This article was written before the February 8 episode aired.

Until Next Time, XOXO Gossip Girl (HT) usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 33

The Ryan Report: Florida Man by: Ryan Giachetti

Okay everyone: it’s officially winter time, do you know what that means? It means that Florida Man is now freezing his hind quarters off. Yes, it has been MUCH warmer this winter than in previous years, but if I’m being completely honest, I really don’t care. I come from the land of palm trees and sand, not icy roads and snow.

Now that’s not to say winter is all bad. Living in Florida for my whole life sheltered me from the fun of snowboarding, the bliss of ice skating and the childish joy of sledding. I always told myself that I wanted to get away from my comfort zone when I shipped off for college, and the mixture of Illinois and Wisconsin (I transferred to USF my sophomore year) have not disappointed. I have managed to do a lot of great things in my time here such as experience Chicago, Milwaukee, winters and the UP (Upper Peninsula).

The Midwest is the strangest place to me: it will be 20 degrees outside and y’all will have the heat on 75 degrees!

What in the world are you thinking??? I wear one t-shirt, one hoodie, one jacket, one coat, a blanket and a comforter just to cross the street! Then I walk into any building in Illinois and the heat is blasting, there’s no middle ground, it’s as if my only two options in the winter are to either freeze to death or die of a heat stroke! Get it together guys. I can go on about the Midwest and its overuse of the heat for days.

34

February 12th, 2016

Florida Man is always looking forward to spring break. It’s the first real opportunity to enjoy warm weather again, because let’s be honest, warm weather is amazing. As a Florida resident here are some helpful Spring Break tips for any of those looking to make their way to the Sunshine State for their break: • • • •

The east coast has better beaches, but most of the party sites are on the west coast.

Orlando (my hometown) is right in the middle of the state, giving access to both coasts. Ideal for the Disney lover and those willing to take on being a tourist.

Miami is great if you know where to go, just be careful.

Panama City Beach says that they don’t want spring breakers, but believe me, it’s still a happening place.

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t matter where you go, any Spring Break in Florida is gonna be the best Spring Break of your life.

I went home for winter break and I’m already going through WWW, also known as “warm weather withdrawals.” In the meantime, I’ll be ice skating, snowboarding and sledding in my spare time, just please turn the heat down a little.

Photo courtesy of outsidethebeltway.com and huffpost.com

hot or not?

by: Kylie Mason

There are always new fads and trends happening in the “nerd culture” world, and I am here to try out these trends and let my readers know if they are truly worth all the hype they are receiving. For my first ever “Nerd Culture: Hot or Not?” I will be discussing the extremely popular Pop! Vinyl dolls.

Pop! dolls were created by the company Funko and are sold at numerous stores such as Walmart, Hot Topic, GameStop and Barnes and Noble. The price per doll can range anywhere from $9 to $18, but GameStop and Hot Topic usually have some good sales on their Pop! Vinyl collections. Funko has numerous collections including Pop! Disney, Pop! Anime, Pop! Games, Pop! Sports, Pop! Star Wars, Pop! Marvel, Pop! Movies and more.

Within these are smaller collections such as specific television shows (The Big Bang Theory, Adventure Time, Breaking Bad, etc.) and specific movies (The Breakfast Club, Despicable Me, Frozen, etc.)

The question at hand here is “are these adorable dolls worth the

Photo courtesy of ytimg.com

price?” The answer to that question is “YES!” I will be completely honest, I used to think these dolls were cute but never thought they were worth the money. That is until the Harry Potter collection came out, and I had to have them despite my previous feelings towards the trend.

I have collected Harry, Hermione, Ronald, Lord Voldemort and Hagrid, and I love each and every single one of them. The detail put into the different characters is immaculate; especially the fact that they made Hagrid a 6” figure compared to the normal 3 ¾” figure. My personal recommendation on these Pop! Vinyl dolls is that they are hot; however, they may not be for everyone.

If you are not one for collecting, this nerd culture trend may not be for you. Collecting them all makes it even more fun in my opinion!

Commentary

Nerd culture:

If you already have your own collection of Pop! Vinyls, feel free to share a picture of your collection by e-mailing usfencounter@ gmail.com and your collection may just be featured in a future Nerd Culture: Hot or Not article!

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 35

A Day in the Life...

“Sodexo” Scott Miller

by: Amber Shibley

We all know the outstanding workers that help us out every day and feed us the delicious food that we enjoy here at St. Francis. Among these workers is the wonderful Scott! He is a great person, and is definitely someone that you should take the time to get to know. Next time you see Scott working, feel free to say “Hey!” and start a conversation with him.

How long have you worked for USF? I’ve been at St. Francis for six years.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The students would be first, of course. You guys are always so positive even when heavily stressed with school and life. Second would be the creativity when I’m cooking for the theme station or dinner, and the food is a strong third!

What exactly does your job entail?

You name it. I come in at 3 p.m. and have two hours to prep and cook something for the theme station. Sometimes I work the Snack Shop while doing so. After dinner, I clean the kitchen then head to Bernie’s Pub and do whatever is needed there; cook, cashier or run food and everything in between. I also work catering when needed and work the Bistro over summer and winter breaks.

What is your favorite memory while working at USF? My favorite memory is when we catered a three-day event for the Sisters called Jubilee and after the last dinner we had served them, the sisters sang a blessing over us. It was a very beautiful song of praise. My daughters Nicole, Diane and Nancy were among the many of us that had helped that long weekend. It made all of the hard work worth it for sure.

What is one thing that everyone should know about you?

I’m also in the field of social work. I am a certified recovery specialist for substance abuse and addiction. I currently reside and manage a recovery home for Stepping Stones.

What is your favorite food item to eat on campus?

My favorite food would have to be Chef Dan’s Caribbean Jerk Chicken. Good stuff!!

What are your favorite and least favorite foods to make and why?

The food I like to make the most would be anything you guys like. I love when you come back for more. Except for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You guys eat way too many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

36

February 12th, 2016

What is your favorite food in general?

Anything on the grill, because I love cooking outside: steaks, burgers, dogs, you name it.

What is your favorite song to jam to when working in the kitchen?

You guys know this one: 70s, 80s rock and heavy metal. If I have to pick just one it would be Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good.”

Do you prefer working in the Cafeteria or the Pub and why?

I truly like both. I love that I can work both and not be in one place for the whole shift.

What do you do when you’re not busy being awesome at USF? When I’m not tending to recovery home issues, I’m a gamer, as a lot of you know. In the summer time, I live at Route 66 and Chicagoland Speedway. Nicole and I like to go out to eat and shop. We also love the city of Chicago when we get up the energy and cash to go.

Do you have a favorite day of the week to work?

Sunday, even though it is a long day: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but it’s quiet. We have a lot of prep work but it gets me in the groove for Monday.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 37

Athletic Q&A: Krystal Garritson Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf 38

February 12th, 2016

by: Ashley Cady

How long have you been playing golf?

-I’ve been playing golf for about 17 years. I started very young and still love to play today.

nament. They have a great mental game that I strive to have.

Is there a coach and/or teammate who inspired you throughout the years?

-Tom O’Connor inspired me to play since I was five years old. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, but I learned techniques and words of wisdom through him. He truly changed my life.

SPORTS

What is your major and why did you choose it? What do you want to do when you graduate?

-My major is Mathematics and minor in Finance. I chose it because I love numbers and analyzing them. I want to be a commercial banker when I graduate.

What do you like most about the game?

-The competition is what I love about the game. I like being able to go compete and play for fun. I love being able to go out on a summer afternoon before sunset and play some golf with family.

Do you think you will ever play again competitively after college?

-Yes, I plan to play in some USGA qualifiers and the Illinois Women’s Open.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

- The best advice I’ve ever been given was to keep playing because you love to. Don’t let the mental game get to you.

What is your best memory from playing?

-I have two memories. One of my best memories from playing was having a hole-in-one during a tournament.

The hole was 167 yards, par 3. Coach Scott Lunde was watching the whole time. It was just an adrenaline rush of excitement. Also, going to NAIA Nationals last spring was another great memory. I was in Savannah, Georgia competing against girls from all over the country. I qualified for the fourth day of the tournament, which was my goal.

Are there other things you are involved in on campus?

-I am involved in a lot, yet manage my time well. I am apart of Alpha Phi, the first sorority on campus. I am an Ambassador on campus and I work as the Mathematics Student worker. I love being involved at the university.

How has being a college athlete helped you grow as a person?

-For the last four years, college golf has helped me grow as a leader and has taught me to respect others and be patient. It has allowed me to make relationships with my teammates and coach.

Are there any professional golfers you look up to?

-I am a huge fan of Rory McIlory and Jordan Speith. Both have the talent to play and strive to win at every tour-

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 39

Live sporting events:

what are you payinG for? by: Andrew McDilda What are YOU paying for your live gaming events? Specifically, consider how much you are spending on those Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox or Bears tickets. What are you actually getting for the price you pay? Are those $50 standing room tickets at a Blackhawks game really worth it?

What about tickets to the 2015 World Series between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals? We can’t forget about a ticket to Super Bowl 50, which ranged anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000. Once you get there, what is it that you’ve actually paid for?

According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals-Mets 2015 World Series held the highest overall average ticket prices on record. Fans flooded Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City and Citi Field in New York to witness games for the 2015

40

February 12th, 2016

World Series. Unlike a Super Bowl, however, there are multiple games to be played in order to win a World Series. Average ticket prices for Game 3 and Game 4 of the 2015 World Series averaged $1,100. For only $1,539, Mets fans were able to purchase tickets to Game 5 of the series to watch their beloved Mets lose. For $1,539, those same Mets fans could opt for a sports package from their local cable provider, have their bill paid for two years in advance, AND throw a pretty kick-ass Game 5 party at home. In order to add insult to injury, ticket prices for Game 1 and Game 2 (which were played in Kansas City) averaged roughly $780 per ticket, while tickets at Citi Field for Game 3 and Game 4 were, as stated earlier, roughly $1,100 each. In other words, it’s expensive to be a losing team’s fan (Cubs…Bears…anyone?).

Tickets to this year’s Super Bowl were not any more af-

SPORTS

fordable either. According to the NFL, Super Bowl XLIX produced $500 million in economic impact for Arizona, the site of Super Bowl XLIX. While the economic impact does not reflect the income from ticket sales, it does reflect the money spent locally by the visitors at Super Bowl XLIX. In short, fans that went to Super Bowl XLIX spent $500 million throughout Super Bowl weekend, and that’s after paying for their tickets! To put that into perspective, if the same amount of money was spent on paying for student’s tuition, about 16,666 students could attend the University of St. Francis FREE for one year. For $500 million, 27.8 million people could become a monthly donor to the ASPCA and save literally millions of animals. $500 million could also pay for 10 student’s textbooks for one semester (just kidding). ;)

So we’ve talked about how much people may spend on their sporting events, but what do they actually get?

For a loyal fan of any sports team, whether they win or lose, they are paying for the atmosphere, the energy and the memories. To those fans, tickets to see their favorite team play ultimately becomes priceless. After all, everyone remembers the first baseball game they went to with their dad. The value of the price we pay for our sporting events is ultimately in the eyes of the beholder, and for some, watching the event on TV may be just as good as watching from the sideline or behind home plate.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 41

42

February 12th, 2016

by: Brandon Newberry From Lady Gaga’s breath-taking rendition of the National Anthem to the crowd-pleasing, feel-good halftime performance by Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, Super Bowl 50 was one to remember…unless you watched it for the football. With turnovers left and right, overthrown footballs and sloppy play all around, Super Bowl 50 was one of the most disappointing Super Bowls in recent memory.

The night started off perfect after Lady Gaga’s performance of the National Anthem set the stage. The coin flipped, the teams lined up and the ball was kicked.

What followed was 30 minutes of football played by two teams that didn’t look worthy of playing in the Super Bowl. Penalty flags flew. Receivers dropped easy throws. Defenders missed tackles. It was the type of football that made you beg for halftime to come.

And then it came. First, Coldplay took the stage to perform a few songs before being joined on stage

by Bruno Mars to perform “Uptown Funk.” Shortly after, Beyoncé made her grand entrance to the stage and joined both Coldplay and Bruno Mars to sing “Uptown Funk.” Finally, the three singers gathered together and sang Coldplay’s “Fix You” while a montage rolled across the screen showing clips from past Super Bowl performances. Prince. Michael Jackson.

Whitney Houston. Katy Perry. Missy Elliot. The Who. Stevie Wonder. Tom Petty. The list goes on and on.

It was exactly the type of tribute you would expect to see during Super Bowl 50. When Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars come together, it’s hard to wrong.

It was exactly the halftime show that everyone was hoping to see.

Much to the dismay of football fans everywhere, the second half picked up right where the first half left off.

Coming out of the half, the Broncos had a 13-7 lead over the Panthers, and they never looked back. In the second half, the Panthers committed two more

Photos courtesy of guidetravel.bi, washingtonpost.com and trbimg.com.

turnovers after Cam Newton fumbled and later threw an interception. For a quarterback who was named the MVP of the league on Saturday, he looked like anything but that on Sunday. The Broncos tacked on a field goal midway through the third quarter to make it a 16-7 game at the end of the 3rd.

SPORTS

Super Bowl 50 Recap The Panthers added a field goal of their own in the fourth quarter to make it a 16-10 game, but Denver answered right back with a touchdown of their own to make it 22-10. After opting to go for 2 instead of kicking the extra point, the Broncos converted and made it 24-10. Two disappointing drives by the Panthers later, the clock ran out and for the third time in franchise history, the Denver Broncos were Super Bowl Champions. Broncos’ linebacker Von Miller was named MVP of the Super Bowl after forcing a Cam Newton fumble that was recovered in the endzone for a Broncos touchdown.

At the end of the night, the Broncos were the Super Bowl Champions. Nothing anyone says or does will take that away from them. But ten years from now you’ll be hard pressed to find a fan outside of Denver or Carolina that will be able to tell you what happened in Super Bowl 50. The game was far from memorable and may have been the worst game of the postseason. But fans won’t forget Lady Gaga’s beautiful performance of the National Anthem perfectly timed with a flyover by the Blue Angels at the end. Fans won’t forget when Coldplay, Bruno Mars and Beyoncé all came together on stage to pay tribute to all past Super Bowl halftime acts. Because on the biggest night of the year for the NFL, the entertainment outshined the game. And much like the game, it wasn’t even close.he entertainment outshined the game. And much

like the game, it wasn’t even close.

usfencounter.stfrancis.edu 43