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Letters from the Editors
Claudia
We’re nearing exam week, Hope College! While that means we are all busy studying for, writing, and working on assorted finals, this also means that Thanksgiving break is right around the corner! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m as stressed as the rest of you. Papers loom on the horizon, presentations haunt my dreams, and let’s just say there are one or two tests that I most certainly have not begun studying for. However, over the past years, I have been learning that joy only comes with intentionality, and so I’ve decided that this year, I want to lean into the cheesy Thanksgiving spirit. Of course I’m grateful for all of the normal things. Family, friends, academics, home, food, and generally good health are all things that come up time and time again during this time of the year. However, I’ve been looking for smaller things that bring me joy. Things like the little birds that fly in and out of the bushes on campus, the chattering of the black squirrels as they chase each other around campus, and the feeling of making it to an early morning class on time are all things that help me get out of bed in the morning. Throughout the day, I find myself becoming more aware of my gratitude for the plethora of water fountains on
campus, the smiles and greetings from friends and strangers as I walk from class to class, and the freeing feeling of getting out of a final class or meeting for the day. All of these little things normally bring a smile to my face and then disappear from my mind. However, this November, I’m trying to be better about allowing myself to fully feel gratitude for these small instances of joy. I believe that holding on to them will help me to alleviate some of my stress and perhaps be able to help others do the same.
As Thanksgiving comes around the corner, I hope you can take some time to allow yourself to feel that same joy and gratitude for the pieces of our world that bring you joy. I hope that you are given the opportunity to find rest from the chaos of college and that you can forget about finals, if only for a little while. Additionally, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration! May you be surrounded by people who love you, may you eat until you’re stuffed, and may you seize that joy with both hands and keep hold of it for as long as possible. Happy Thanksgiving, Hope College.
Madeline
In the dusky November morning, my front porch was illuminated by the headlights of my friend’s orange Toyota Corolla. As I reached out to open the door handle, my arm felt like taffy being pulled – coated in layers of warmth, not sugar, and topped with my bulky winter coat. After managing to open the door, a blast of heat warmed my face as I buckled into the passenger seat, tucking my towel beside me. As we drove down the winding road, “Don’t Stop Believin’” blasted from the speakers, its sound waves competing with the heat radiating from the car. We turned into a narrow entrance and pulled into a small parking lot next to the sign that read, “Beach Entrance This Way.” As my friend twisted the keys from the ignition, I soaked in the last moments of warmth before switching my socks and tennis shoes for Birkenstock sandals. I looked between the car and the lake ahead of us, giddily smiling as we stepped out and onto the sandy path. The exposed skin beneath my sandal straps sent chills through my body. We set down our towels and started peeling off layers of warmth until we were left in only our winter hats and swimsuits. The sand, reminiscent of summer, burned our feet – but this time, it had a crystalized sharpness rather than a fried scorch.
“Three, two, one,” my friend and I shouted as we ran from the shore and into the water. Gripping each other’s hands, we sat down just as a wave crashed over us, sending us instinctively back toward the car. With our odd assortment of items – beach towels, mittens, and more – in hand, we ran toward the car, exclaiming through our shivering breaths, “Happy Buffalo Week!”
Last week, I declared “Buffalo Week” – a national holiday yet to be officially recognized. What is this newly invented holiday, you ask? It centers around the icebreaker “High, Low, and Buffalo,” where participants share the highs, lows, and buffaloes (i.e. the funny or unexpected moments) of their week. To me, the most intriguing part of the game is hearing the buffaloes – the quirky, awkward, and out-of-
the-ordinary moments.
As I played the game with my friend, we erupted in laughter, recounting our own awkward and funny moments of the week. Amid the giggles, I thought: What if each day could be filled with a buffalo? What if, instead of avoiding those awkward moments, we embraced them?
Inspired by this buffalo mindset, my friend and I embarked on a week of planned buffaloes. From conquering sunrise polar plunges to experimenting with strange flavor combinations to belting out karaoke to coloring in coffee shops, and everything in between – each day brought a new buffalo. I invited my family to join, and soon our text group chat was filled with messages of their buffaloes. While we began the week out of fun and lightheartedness, I discovered something deeper. I realized how differently each person perceives the world, with what may seem like a buffalo to one person being a normal occurrence to another. Yet in every situation, there was a shared sense of stepping outside our comfort zones.
Scrolling through the messages, filled with buffalo emojis, I imagined my family members encountering these silly situations and laughed along with them. At the end of the week, I reflected on each day with gratitude, remembering the new places I discovered, the new people I interacted with, and the things I learned about myself.
At the Anchor, we strive to cultivate this same spirit of learning and gratitude. As a team, we are dedicated to reflecting the distinct parts of the Hope College community that together form its fabric. By doing so, we aim to foster learning for students, faculty, and community members. With over 135 years of journalism, the Anchor is proud to continue the legacy of sharing the story of Hope College. We are grateful to discover, convey, and embrace the moments that define her generations – marked by highs, lows, and, most especially, buffaloes.
ClaudiaHwang
A sunrise lights the sky over 9th Street
Letter from the Editors CAMPUS
Meet & Greek: Saying hello to sisterhood
Ava Seuffert Staff Writer
Are you hopingto meet new people? Looking for fun activities to do?
Try joining a sorority! As the spring semester approaches, it’s nearly time to rush! Rush is a two-and-ahalf week period where students discover what each sorority represents and their involvement in the Hope community. Meet and Greek was a great opportunity to interact with active members from all six local sororities at Hope College, including Alpha Gamma Phi, Alpha Phi Zeta (Alethean), Delta Phi, Kappa Beta Phi (Dorian), Sigma Iota Beta and Sigma Sigma. Each booth had
three active members who shared their experiences from rushing and what being in a sorority has meant to them, along with pictures of their organization’s events and boards full of their values. Many active members across the sororities shared that they hadn’t planned on joining a sorority, but decided to attend the mandatory meeting and Round Robin, along with a few rush events with friends. Along the way, they found sisterhood. Many shared that the decision to join a particular sorority was easy as they were all able to find a community that felt like home. Even after a
long day of classes and work, they looked forward to these events. Despite being a time-consuming process, rushing builds life-long friendships and experiences that will never be forgotten. Every sorority has a philanthropy a type of charity work where people promote community values through volunterism. Kappa Beta Phi members shared they often go to Compassionate Hearts - an organization in Zeeland with the mission statement “... to build inclusive relationships in Christ for families and individuals living with mild to moderate disabilities.” Lately, Alpha Gamma Phi has been collecting plastic bottles to raise money, while other organizations have been seen holding bake sales throughout the semester. Another philanthropic event each
sorority participates in is Dance Marathon: a year-long fundraiser that raises money for the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital. Each sorority supports a child by raising money to pay for medical bills and spending time getting to know their child. Greek life at Hope exemplifies the mission of being involved in bettering the Holland community by showing care. While the organizations can’t give any specifics about the rush period yet, they have expressed their excitement to meet everyone. Every active member at Meet and Greek was welcoming and willing to share their experiences with Greek life. Positive energy filled Martha Miller’s rotunda as they all spoke about their sisterhood.
Members of Alpha Gamma Phi with their promotional material @agphi.hope on Instagram
Members of Kappa Beta Phi with their promotional material
@doriankbphi on Instagram
Sigma Iota Beta promotional table
on Instagram
Letter from the Editors CAMPUS
Supporting much more than a trivial cause: Trivia Night with SAC & DM
Ava Seuffert Staff Writer
This past Friday, Hope College’s Student Activity Committee (SAC) presented a trivia night to help raise money for DM: a year-long fundraiser to support Helen Devos Children’s Hospital. Teams worked together to gain the most points in two rounds of 25 questions, after which a final question was posed where they could wager all or nothing in hopes of climbing the leaderboard. Eight teams competed for the ultimate prize: a toy cleaning set, as the winners “swept up the competition.”
Lance Pellow, an admissions representitive here at Hope, acted as emcee for the night, bringing both punny references and eclectic outfits - including some red crocs. He brought one hint to each team when asked. Questions came from a wide array of categories, including sports, commercial jingles, Disney, movies, literature and geography.
However, the hints weren’t particularly helpful as they were Hint (the beverage), not a hint (a clue). In reflecting on Pellow’s role in the event, SAC marketing director, Alli Houston (’25) said, “He seemd overjoyed with every part of it. He even said at one point that if he wasn’t an admissions rep that his dream job is a game show host. He deserves the most credit for how fun it turned out being. He brought elaborate props and made people wear glasses, floaties and even a massive chicken head with jokes and puns to coincide with each prop. He seemed to have the time of his life hosting, and I am so happy we were able to bring him this opportunity to live his game show host dreams even if only in a small way.”
As the questions came, one team reigned supreme throughout the entire night: Get Skooled. Other teams slowly lagged behind, while one team: The Penguins of Madagascar, needed some floaties (literally). Props played a big part in trivia night as Get Skooled continuously passed
around a medicine ball to “Keep them grounded,” according to Pellow. A bright yellow chicken head was passed around to those feeling a little too cocky, making for some funny images. Glasses were also a big hit as they went from team to team as points rose and dropped. Some teams avoided the props at all costs - staying safely in the middle, while others aimed to get as many props as possible. The end of the game left The Penguins of Madagascar team with floaties, glasses and a chicken head. The best part: Pellow didn’t want the items back, so teams could take everything home (except the chicken head, as Pellow’s kids think that it’s hilarious).
Groans were heard throughout the BSC when it came time to identify commercial jingles, including, but not limited to, Geico, Mentos, Wendy’s, Febreeze and Old Spice. For ten points per question, teams continued making guess after guess in the second round. Finally, the last question arose. Each team was given the opportunity to wager any amount of their points. Some played it safe, betting only 30 or so points, while others bet it all. The question was a test of some good old-fashioned Midwestern knowledge. Each team was asked the seemingly impossible question of naming the five Great Lakes in order of their surface area. Some teams quickly stumbled, losing everything, while
others soared. Get Skooled definitely attended school diligently as they won it all! They were followed closely by The Quizzly Bears and The Dream Team. The three top places each chose a gift basket filled with snacks and other goodies as their prize.
Seemingly everyone had a good time as students were invested in the questions. One of the SAC co-directors of events, Nicky Brunick (’26) said, “This is one of my favorite SAC events! It was such a fun team bonding experince to work as a SAC team in creating the event for students. This is definitely an event that we would love to see grow in future years.”
Many students seemed to be eager to share in the charitable notion of the event in hopes of raising as much funds for Dance Marathon efforts as possible. Isabelle VanAntwerpen (’25), the SAC director of campus engagement, praised the event by saying, “Being a part of both SAC and Dance Marathon, I loved seeing the Hope College community connect across organizations! It brought me a lot of joy to see so many people smiling, laughing and trivia-ing it up while benefitting Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.”
Knowing that trivia can help children in need while providing a space for community, allows for students to spend a Friday evening in reciprocity. That’s the true prize!
The winning team, Get Skooled, and their prize basket Alli Houston
The Quizzly Bears posing with their second place prize
Alli Houston
The Dream Team as the third place winners
Alli Houston
Hope defeats Calvin in first ever rivalry game - now
that’s a ‘Dutch-down!’
Aaron Van Genderen Guest Writer
On Nov. 9, Eagles Stadium at the campus of Grand Rapids Christian High School marked the grounds for the first ever football game between Hope College and their longtime rival, Calvin University. General admission tickets for the event sold out online in less than three hours, and Calvin, currently in their first season of intercollegiate football, was looking to use their home field advantage to fight through to a win in front of more than 4,200 fans. Hope, however, came to play, and etched their name into the history books by commanding their way to a victory over the Knights, 38-7. The Calvin Knights came out of the gate strong, marching the football down the field in their opening drive while operating in a no huddle offense, only to cap it off with a missed 37 yard field goal. Following this, the Hope defense rendered Calvin almost inoperable, holding them scoreless over the first three quarters of the game while scoring five touchdowns in the first half alone. Hope passed for 242 yards and rushed for an astounding 327 yards over the course of the game, lending
“I think the beauty of it is that it’s competition at its best. It’s not hate or animosity, but fierce competition...”
credibility to their current Division III ranking of third in the nation for total offense. There were also 29 first downs throughout all four quarters, almost doubling Calvin’s 16.
For Hope Athletic Director Tim Schoonveld, this game means more than just a tick in the win column this season. While he started as a freshman basketball player at Calvin, Schoonveld transferred to Hope as a sophomore and hasn’t looked back since. After graduating from Hope in ’96, he joined the staff at Hope College in July of 2009, and became the first full time athletic director for the College in 2019. Throughout his time working with Hope athletics, he’s had a front row seat to observe the Hope v. Calvin rivalry as it has evolved over the years.
“I think the beauty of it is that it’s competition at its best. It’s not hate or animosity, but fierce competition,” he says of the rivalry. “It’s special when you see the stuff out there that’s turned into competition gone wrong and see that here it’s
really good people at two really good institutions who love their place and want to beat each other down competitively.”
When it comes to his memories of the rivalry, Athletic Director Schoonveld says he experienced some of the same types of things that Hope students still do today. “To have students wait in line with limited tickets brings back old memories of when we used to play basketball in the civic center and that’s what they had to do; very limited number of tickets for students and it was a hot ticket to get.”
In terms of the football rivalry specifically, Schoonveld has hope for the future of the Calvin program. “It’s a good school, doing good things, they’ll continue to get competitive, and I think that will only kind of enhance the rivalry.” On the results of the first ever matchup, he only has congratulations to give. “We were obviously pleased- love our team, Coach Stuursma and the guys are doing a great job- we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Calvin fell in their next game to Albion, 21-41, while Hope remained undefeated in the regular season, going 10-0 and 7-0 in conference play. They will begin their playoff run at home against Aurora University on Nov. 30. Be sure to attend the team’s next game to cheer on your fellow flying Dutchmen -- you won’t want to miss out on their undutchable season!
“...here it’s really good people at two really good institutions who love their place and want to beat each other down competitively.”
Hope running back runs away from Calvin defender
Steven M. Herppich
Head coach Peter Stuursma intensely watches the game on the sideline
Steven M. Herppich
Hope football players hold up trophy after win versus Calvin
Tom Renner
North Korea joins Russia in war against Ukraine
Kelsey VanLangevelde Staff Writer
On Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) confirmed that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea, sent approximately 10,000 of their troops to Russia for training, likely to enter the war against Ukraine on the Russian side within the coming weeks. The Pentagon confirmed that some North Korean troops have already advanced towards the Kursk border, which is a Ukrainian-occupied Russian region locked in a stalemate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there has already been conflict between Ukrainian forces and the Russian-North Korean forces, which has resulted in soldier casualties. North Korea has also confirmed similarly. However, Russia has yet to confirm any such news.
This news is historic as this is the first time that the DPRK has launched a foreign military intervention. Many news sources and DPRK investigators believe that the country’s apprehension to send troops abroad is due to the concern that the troops will pick up foreign ideas and beliefs that contradict the DPRK’s social and political philosophy. This fear has proven to be sensible and grounded as a military coup attempted to take control of the country in 1992, led by DPRK military officers that had been educated in Russia.
The division of soldiers sent to the border is around 50,000 strong, including the North Korean soldiers. Russia did not have to pull any soldiers away from the Eastern front, which is where the main war has been occuring. In June of 2024, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jung Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a mutual defense deal between the two countries, promising military aid from the other was attacked. Putin recent-
ly ratified the agreement, bringing it into action. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui visited Russia on Nov. 4 to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During this meeting, Son Hui stated that North Korea’s support was ensured “for the just fight of Russia’s military and people to defend their country’s sovereign rights and security interests” in Ukraine.
Historically, the DPRK and Russia have strong ties to one another. The Soviet Union was the main supporter of the communist Northern forces during the Korean War, aiding the fight against the American-backed Southern forces of Korea. In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed by the forces involved, splitting the Korean peninsula into two separate nations known as North Korea and South Korea. However, this agreement was only meant to
be a temporary ceasefire until official peace agreements could be made. Therefore, North and South Korea are technically still at war with one another, a sentiment rooted in DPRK ideology.
After the technical end of the war, the Soviet Union heavily invested resources and commerce into the DPRK, turning it into a relatively prosperous country in its early years. Meanwhile, the South took a long time to recover from the war, eventually creating a strong capitalist system modeled after and with the help of the United States. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, it lost much of its power and suffered a severe economic depression, which meant that much of the cheap and free resources sent to North Korea could no longer be provided. This resulted in a severe depression in North Korea, causing the infamous famine in which many died, the estimated
number ranging from 225,000 North Koreans to over three million, depending on the source. However, since Russia’s rise back to power, North Korea has remained a relatively close ally with them as well as China.
This news has been causing much concern for the international community, especially South Korea. They fear the possibility of Russia providing military aid to be used against South Korea. Until recently, the hope for reunification of the Korean peninsula had been a cornerstone of North Korean ideology. However, in January of this year, Kim Jung Un asserted that he views the nations as two separate entities, unable to reunite peacefully. He did not speak on the possibility of gaining Southern territory through conflict.
South Korea has hinted at providing military support to Ukraine, having only provided humanitarian aid in the past. Many theories concerning the implications of these alliances have emerged, such as the possibility that Ukraine can provide North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea from which they can gain information.
While current U.S. President Joe Biden has acted as a firm ally to Ukraine through public, economic and technological support, President-elect Donald Trump has said that he will end the war between Russia and Ukraine “within a day” once he is inaugurated for the second time, though he has not provided details as to how. Russia is open to considering any proposals made by Donald Trump, according to Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Ryabkov also stated that Moscow and Washington D.C. have been exchanging messages concerning Ukraine and the war, although he did not clarify if he was referring to the current Biden Administration or the incoming Trump Administration. The Trump Administration has also stated that they have been in discussion with
President Vladimir Putin and Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un at state reception Reuters
President-elect Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in New York City in Sep. 2024
continued from pg. 7
President Zelenskyy. Trump and Zelenskyy met in person in New York City in September of this year. To prepare for his second term, Trump met with President Biden on Nov. 13 to discuss the situation in Ukraine as well as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Many nation leaders and international organizations have called for a ceasefire, which would allow for Russia to offi-
cially own the Ukrainian territory that it currently holds, which is close to twenty percent of prewar Ukraine. Other groups have decided to stay relatively neutral, such as the United Nations, which has provided humanitarian aid. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has acted similarly, but they have not provided any resources to aid combat because of Russia’s nucle ar arms collection.
Hope College Assistant Professor of Sociology and Director
of the Peace and Justice Minor Dr. Roger Baumann offered to share his perspective with the Hope community. He agreed that the “financial cost of the war to American taxpayers is important” but he stated that,
“from a peace and justice perspective [...] the human cost of the war deserves much more attention.”
Dr. Baumann pointed out that the reality of the war is that “in nearly three years, relatively little territory has actually changed hands, but the overall number of casualties is likely nearly one million and the number of civilian casualties (in the tens of thousands) represents a level not experienced in Europe since World War II.” He also mentioned the looming threat of nuclear war, which has become even more prevalent with the news of North Korea allying itself with Russia.
Dr. Baumann summarized his thoughts with his beliefs :
“[...] from a humanitarian perspective, there are no winners... a diplomatic solution is urgently needed to stem the tide of death and destruction that is already certain to affect the region for generations to come.”
The rise of book banning across communities
Kelsey VanLangevelde Staff Writer
In 2023 alone, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom found that there had been 1,247 attempts to censor books and other resources in libraries across America, which was a 65% increase from 2022. A total of 4,240 books were targeted, many of which contain LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC stories and experiences. From July 2021 to June 2022, PEN America recorded 1,648 book titles having been affected by book bans in American schools. Of these 1,648 books, 674 of these books (41%) “explicitly address LGBTQ+ themes or have protagonists or prominent secondary characters who are LGBTQ+.” In this same study, 659 of these books (40%) contain
main or prominent characters of color and 338 (21%) directly address race issues and racism.
Many of these banned books also comment on American and global society, whether that be historical books like “Maus” by Art Spiegelman and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, or speculative, dystopian fiction novels like “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury. These book bannings originate from two primary places: parents and legislation. Oftentimes, they work hand in hand. Topics in literature such as critical race theory and the LGBTQIA+ community have evoked political interference. States such as Oklahoma, Iowa and Tennessee currently have legislation that limits continued on pg. 9
President Vladmir Putin and Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Getty Images
that have been under debate for being banned ABC News
Image of books with the word ‘BANNED’ across its pages ilovelibraries website / American Library Association
continued from pg. 8
prohibits discussion of race in the classroom. For example, Florida is known for their ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill that prohibits discussion of gender and gender identity in the classroom. In 2022, Patmos Library in Jamestown, MI was defunded after they refused to get rid of LGBTQIA+ books. In fact, the community of the town voted on it.
Some have argued that most of the banned books discussing stories of marginalized and oppressed groups within the United States could be a coincidence or that such themes are not appropriate for school-age children. However, PEN America estimates that at least 40% of a study of 1,109 banned books are connected to “proposed or enacted legislation” and/or to political pressure exerted by state officials or elected lawmakers to restrict the teaching or presence of certain books or concepts.”
The issue with the book bannings is that many people see them as an infringement of the First Amendment, which gives Americans the right to receive and spread information and ideas. This is why banning books in publicly funded libraries and schools is even more controversial as no private institution or individual has authority over it.
Some organizations and institutions have decided to combat book banning in very important ways. Pop-
“The issue with the book bannings is that many people see them as an infringement of the First Amendment, which gives Americans the right to receive and spread information and ideas.”
ular bookseller, Barnes and Noble, has a list of banned books available for purchase on their website that is accompanied by a statement of importance. The American Library Association holds an annual ‘Banned Books Week’ that includes discussions from authors, activists, academics and political/institutional community members.
Most institutions of higher education, whether public or private, welcome books of all topics. Hope
College itself does not have any restricted books based on the stories contained in them, as expressed within their ‘Library Bill of Rights,’ which had been developed by the American Library Association. This statement highlights the responsibility of libraries not only to refuse partaking in the censorship of books and materials, but to also challenge it when suggested or requested.
However, this is an issue that continues to occur throughout America, more and more each year. In April of 2024, PEN America reported that 4,000 instances had already occurred in the first half of the school year, which was more than the entire year of 2023. This is an issue that affects nearly every single state and has no plans of stopping any time soon.
“Hope College itself does not have any restricted books based on the story contained in them, as expressed within their ‘Library Bill of Rights,’ which had been developed by the American Library Association. ”
Illustration of possible banned books
Jane Mount, PBS
The Art Department’s Juried Art Show
Carmen Thomas Staff Writer
The DePree Art Center and Gallery is not hard to miss with its unique red entryway. This building is home to many of Hope College’s art classrooms that cover all sorts of creative aspects of the art world. The DePree Center also hosts different showcases each semester to commemorate the work of local artists. Back in Oct., the Art Gallery displayed “As We Dwell in the Fold,” a collection of works by Andrea Canepa. The display consisted of multiple textile pieces that the viewers could touch, wear and interact with. The Art Department has been hard at work preparing for their next showcase, this one a Hope tradition. On Nov. 14, Hope’s annual Juried Student Show officially opened in the DePree Art Gallery. Not only is it open to the public, the show also provides a pleasant visual experience, especially for art lovers.
For those who do not know, the Juried Student Show is an annual fall semester showcase that allows students to submit their artwork to the Art Department for the incredible opportunity to have it showcased in the DePree Art Gallery. One does not have to be an art major nor involved in the Art Program in order to submit a project, therefore providing all students from across Hope’s campus with the eligibility to participate in the exhibit. This year, a total of 74 students submitted their artwork for
approval. There were 186 pieces of artwork submitted, which consisted of photographs, paintings and even collages made from various items. Of the 186 pieces of artwork, 26 were selected for the exhibit.
Every year, a guest juror is selected by the Art Department to judge and determine the artwork that will be displayed in the DePree Gallery. The juror is also required to give a talk on the day of the gallery opening where they reveal their top three choices for the exhibit. The guest juror for the 2024 showcase is Michele Bosak, a Midwest-based designer and curator who is the Exhibitions Director at the Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD). Bosak has more than 15 years of experience in the art world, especially with contemporary art and design. She is the creator of the Standard Project Space, which is a pop-up gallery that supports and showcases local artists from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as an art consultant for the Fieldwork Collab–a community of art consultants who provide support and guidance to struggling artists.
The DePree Art Center and Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, but will be closed Nov. 27-29 due to the upcoming Thanksgiving break. If you have the opportunity, come to the DePree Art Center and admire the different pieces of the students’ artwork. The Juried Student Show will end on Dec. 5th, so make sure to check out the amazing work of Hope’s talented students while you can!
Artwork from the Juried Art Show
Nico Kazlauskas
Artwork from the Juried Art Show
Artwork from the Juried Art Show
Nico Kazlauskas Nico Kazlauskas
Celebrate the holidays with the Holland Theatre
Madi Barrett Staff Writer
If you are in the mood for a festive holiday show, you’re in luck! Holland Community Theatre is putting on a production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” HCT started in 1960, originally performing at the Holland High School’s Performing Arts Center. Eventually, the name morphed into Holland Civic Theatre. As time went on, the community theater needed a place to call home, therefore the building at 50 West 9th Street was purchased. A group of eager volunteers transformed the former Grace Episcopal Church into a theatrical performance space. In 2019, they changed the name back to The Holland Community Theatre, as a way to further connect the theater with the Holland community.
HCT currently has three main stage performances in its season: the fall, winter and spring shows. In addition, it presents three family-oriented productions: a holiday show, a children’s show and a show cast with teens. Alongside these six productions, it offers various activities, including workshops, new play presentations, dinner meetings and membership parties. The Holland Community Theatre building is also available as a rental if you are looking for an event space. Its mission statement, which can be found on its website, states “To encourage theater arts through education, training, and experience in the production of living theater for the recreation and entertainment of the citizens of the community which supports it.”
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” was written by Barbara Robinson. Robinson wrote several popular children’s books, including “My Brother Louis Measures Worms,” “The Best School Year Ever,” “The Best Halloween Ever” and the bestselling novel “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” which was first published in 1972. This book was made into a classic movie which the play is based on. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is produced annually in theaters all over the world.
The plot of this comedic Christmas classic follows a couple strug-
gling to put on a church Christmas pageant, who are faced with casting the Herdmans, notorious for being the most awful kids in history. The show is filled with mayhem and fun as the Herdmans collide head on with the story of Christmas. However, in a twisted turn of events, as these six juvenile siblings try to rewrite the story of Christmas, they end up teaching the community the true meaning of Christmas. This famous comedy features plenty of great roles for children and adults, a few fanfavorite Christmas Carols and lots of laughs. The show will be performed on Nov. 29-30, Dec. 5-7 and
12-14 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 1, 7, 8 and 14 at 2 p.m.
If you enjoy “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” the Holland Community Theatre has many other productions planned for 2025. In February, “An Inspector Calls,” written by J.B. Priestley will hit the stage. This drama starts when a mysterious inspector interrogates a wealthy family about their involvement in the tragic death of a young woman. As secrets unravel, the inspector causes the audience to question morality and social responsibility. In Apr., the theater will put on a production of “Every Little Crook & Nanny,” by Pat Cook. This show features a retired nanny and her friends inadvertently getting entangled in a mobster’s heist plan. This comedy brings laughter and heartwarming moments as the elderly protagonists continue to outsmart the crooks.
Look at the Holland Community Theatre website for more information about getting tickets for upcoming shows, and descriptions of how to audition if you are interested in performing with fellow community members. Auditioning isn’t the only way to get involved, you can also check the website for details about donating or volunteering!
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How the Ready for Life Academy is bridging the gap for students with disabilities
Sadie Quackenbush Staff Writer
How do you get ready for life after college? For some, the typical postcollege duties may not sound so daunting: getting a job, moving out of your parents’ house and renting a place to live. However, for those with intellectual disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) these tasks can be harder to achieve. Ready for Life Academy (RFLA), a nonprofit that is partnered with Hope College, aims to help make this transition easier. RFLA equips adults who have intellectual disabilities or ASD with education in a path of the student’s choosing, social opportunities and independent living skills. Last week, the Anchor spoke with Ellie DiLeonardi, the Inclusive Communities Coordinator at RFLA, and with Ella O’Rourke (’25), a Hope RFLA senior. Through their shared dialogue, they discussed the goals of independent living, finding passion for an educational tract, securing internships and longterm employment and socializing with peers.
First, the Anchor asked DiLeonardi how RFLA prepares students for the college transition. She highlighted the difference between the high school system and higher education. “They’ll usually stay [in the high school system], they’ll live at home and there’s not a lot of college options,” she said. “A lot of schools don’t have accommodations.” DiLeonardi is right: as of 2021, only four percent of higher education institutions have programs that are specifically designed to accommodate individuals with intellectual disabilities or ASD, according to Duke University. One of the biggest hurdles for students with disabilities is entering independent living. “We’re hoping to prepare them to go out and live with roommates and live on their own,” DiLeonardi added.
RFLA requires students to take four transition classes, which includes Independent Living, Per-
sonal Finance, Relationship and Employment.
In addition to taking these classes, individuals choose a track of study to engage with. O’Rourke chose the Understanding and Helping Others path, which encompasses a variety of opportu-
“We’re hoping to prepare them to go out and live with roommates and live on their own.”
nities in the area of service work, advocacy and healthcare. “I love making people smile and laugh,” she said. Among Understanding and Helping Others is Business and Communication, Education and Children and Interdisciplinary.
“Another goal for the program is that the students have employable skills so they can get a job, get paid and make their own money,” DiLeonardo stated. “All of them are capable of having a career, making money . . . and having a successful life.”
RFLA staff help their students find internships on and off campus. O’Rourke told the Anchor about her current job position working at Poppy Peach, a boutique located on Eight Street. More students have testified to the success they’ve seen with landing internships, too. “The
best day all year was when I got my job placement at Hopcat. . .” one alumni from the program claimed.
When the Anchor asked O’Rourke about her favorite part of being on Hope’s campus, her answer was two-fold: Winter Fantasia and “Days Away.” Winter Fantasia is a classic Hope dance put on by the Student Activities Committee. “Days Away” is a RFLA-specific event that occurs the last day before the end of each semester. On a “Day Away,” RFLA students and staff get off campus and spend the day having fun in the Holland community. The program aims to help students cultivate a sense of belonging–which requires both socialization
“The program aims to help students cultivate a sense of belonging–which requires both socialization and inclusion.”
and inclusion. “We really wouldn’t be functioning if it weren’t for all the Hope students that volunteer and work with us” DiLeonardi noted. There are various volunteer positions that help foster valuable connections. “There are peer partners, and those are volunteers that are in the RFLA classroom, or in Hope classrooms,” she said.
In addition, there are social peers, who strive for friendship with RLFA students, such as those who attended a choir concert where Ryan Vandoeselaar, an RFLA senior, performed a solo.
For Hope students, DiLeonardi highlighted the importance of inclusion. “Ready for Life students are eager to make friends and meet new people,” she said. “The best way Hope students can spread awareness is to be welcoming and kind.” O’Rourke echoed
“The
best way Hope students can spread awareness is to be welcoming and kind.”
this statement; she emphasized how it is important to treat all students equally.
The Ready For Life Academy is making significant strides in supporting individuals with
intellectual disabilities and ASD as they navigate the challenges of life during and after college. Ultimately, programs like RFLA demonstrate that with the right support, all individuals– regardless of their challenges– can thrive and contribute to the world around them.
To learn more or apply to volunteer with RFLA, visit their website at: https://rflnetwork.org/.
Winter Fantasia Ella O’Rourke
Hope RFLA Group at Choir Concert
Ella O’Rourke
The Van Kley Museum: Where education meets animal care
Sadie Quackenbush Staff Writer
Have you ever walked into the Science Center and observed Lil’ Shawn the turtle, Garfunkle the guinea pig or the various goldfish on your way to class? Were you even aware that Hope College had an animal museum? It’s called the Van Kley Museum, and it houses much more than the animals you might see through the windows– there are actually around fifty animals total! It’s been at Hope ever since 1904 and has seen many revisions and habitat updates since. It continues to provide educational opportunities to Hope students and the Holland community through hosting engaging activities. When asked about her favorite part of working in the museum, Natalie Terry (’27), an animal care technician for Van Kley noted, “It’s just therapeutic to be around animals.”
Terry is a pre-veternarian major who is tasked with weighing the animals and deep cleaning mammal cages, among other responsibilities. For Nicole Larsen, the animal care specialist for Van Kley, her favorite part of her job is bringing the museum back to life. “Within the last year we have been working hard on improving all aspects of the museum and establishing new opportunities for Hope College and the Holland community,” she said. Through a joint interview, both Terry and Larsen shared the aim of the museum, as well as insights about the animals themselves and their hopes for the future.
Both Larson and Terry detailed how an essential goal of Van Kley is to provide education. “The spring and summer is our busiest
time,” Larson noted. During these seasons, many local elementary schools visit the museum, and have the opportunity to see and learn about the different types of animals. Larson expanded on the different ways she sees students–especially children– react to the animals. “They have so much curiosity,” she told The Anchor. “The little kids [. . .] learn to have empathy for the creatures.”
Terry emphasized how through her job at Van Kley, she is able to gain experience and learn more about animal care. “I don’t know any other place where I can learn all these different things about the animals,” she said. Larson concurred: “For the students, it creates good jobs and also creates experience.”
It’s not just students interested in biology that have the opportunity to learn, however. Drawing classes come and visit the museum, too, giving these students the opportunity to sketch and observe live inspiration.
Another crucial value for Van Kley museum is prioritizing the safety of the animals. “A lot of our animals are rescue animals,” Larson told The Anchor. “A lot of them came from situations where they weren’t properly cared for.” None of Van Kley’s animals are used for experiments. Larson described them as “ambassadors of their species–” they represent their respective classifications. There are two mammals and two amphibians, plus various reptiles, invertebrates and aquatic animals. “They’re all fairly diverse,” Terry added. “There’s a lot of different parts that go into the daily care of the animals.” The interior of the
museum confirmed this statement– the habitats are intricate and fixed to the animals’ needs.
Bowser, the painted turtle, stays in a large tank where she has access to be fully submerged in the water, or crawl on a dry, rocky surface. Conversely, Beau the chinchilla has a taller enclosure and a swinging hammock– where he can stay hidden and comfortable. Gator the crested gecko has lots of foliage to cling onto. During this visit, the uniqueness of each animal was emphasized. Terry removed Gator from his enclosure, carefully maneuvered him onto the outside wall, and Gator began to climb vertically up the wall! While on this tour, Terry pointed out her favorite animal to take care of. “I love the bearded dragon,” she said.
In addition to the animals, the Van Kley Museum has various pieces of animal artifacts to be observed. When approaching Monty the ball python’s enclosure, Larson removed a snake shedding from the above cabinet that was over four feet long; she also displayed Octavia the tarantula’s exoskeleton.
Each animal has different dietary needs. To boost their sustainability, the museum has begun breeding their own insects, instead of having to make frequent purchases. They’ve also partnered with Hope’s greenhouse manager, Craig Elston, and have begun growing the food their herbivore residents eat. Larson asserted that continuing sustainability is a goal that Van Kley is working towards. “[I] hopefully see a
future of encouraging environmental awareness for people,” Larson said. She also stressed the importance of continuing education. “I really want to see it [the Van Kley Museum] continue to be an educational place– where we are able to teach people how to properly take care of animals and respect the natural world.” Terry added her hope for the future, too. “Education is the thing,” she reiterated. “So many people buy animals without knowing how to take care of them.” Both Larson and Terry explained that they want the museum to be a place where Hope students can be in the presence of animals without having to worry about caring for them. They suggest that instead of buying a pet– students could consider stopping by Van Kley.
“I think it’s important that we keep outreaching to students, I really hope that they know that they can come visit,” Larson concluded. The Van Kley museum is a prime example of an establishment that not only teaches protection of animals and the environment, but also practices it. Terry emphasized the welcoming nature of the museum: “Come in and learn; come in and look,” she said. Located at the A. Paul Schaap Science Center, room 1034, the Van Kley Museum invites visitors to ask questions, embrace curiosity and interact with their variety of animals in
Garfunkle the Guinea Pig J. Kindervater
Leopard Gecko J. Kindervater Bearded Dragon Nicole Larson
Even Nykerk: spirit, sisterhood & silliness
MJ Howes Guest Writer
How is it that a season lasting just four weeks can leave such a profound impact on its members? Having now witnessed Nykerk as both a playgirl and play coach, I feel EVEN more amazed at and grateful for its beauty. The spirit, sisterhood, and silliness of Nykerk are the key elements that bring this tradition to life each autumn.
Spirit
There is an energy embodied in the Nykerk season that rubs off on each participant.
I didn’t participate in Nykerk during my freshman year. I figured that it made no sense for an introvert who had never before performed on a stage to take part in this performance. When the season rolled around last year, however, I became determined to participate in a Hope tradition during my time in college. Auditioning for Even Year Play completely changed the trajectory of my college experience.
Early last season, I was afraid to fully embrace the crazy acting and big personality required to perform in Nykerk. There were often times when I would walk into our practice spaces completely worn out, seemingly unable to embody the energy and excitement needed to play my character.
But the magical thing about Nykerk was the way that it filled me up. I left each practice more joyful, passionate and committed than I was when I had entered. Through the encouragement of my sisters and formation from my coaches, I grew to embody the spirit of Nykerk. It shaped me into someone who is unafraid to be silly and fearlessly pursue what she is passionate about.
Sisterhood
The community formed by Nykerk is unlike any other I’ve found at, or outside of, Hope College.
With all that goes into practices, I would estimate that the playgirls spend at least 80 hours together during the
month leading up to Nykerk. With so much time spent in close proximity, an incredible community is formed.
In my time as a coach, I have been able to watch this community emerge for a new generation of playgirls. Each and every night, my co-coach Kelsie O’Neill (’26) and I would melt over the bond forming between our girls. Since Nykerk occurs during the first semester of college, it provides an incredible opportunity for freshmen to meet and connect. Their common experience of going through this secretive, high-intensity, silly experience brings them incredibly close. Watching the girls begin to compliment one another’s performance and spend time together outside of rehearsal filled us with so much joy.
This language of sisterhood is very on-brand for Nykerk. Even Year participants lovingly call the play/song coaches “moms” and the morale coaches “dads.”
But even broader than that, the theme of a tight-knit, family-like atmosphere reaches throughout the whole tradition. Members between sections and across years care for each other through constant encouragement, gifts and kind notes; demonstrating what is often referred to as “Nykerk Love.”
Silliness
There is a joy that
participants experience— rooted in the traditions that playgirls, song girls, orators, moralers and coaches engage in throughout the season.
The thing that distinguishes Nykerk is the silly, goofy nature of the tradition. On stage, the audience will immediately notice how untraditional the performance is. Nykerk Play, for example, is characterized by its exaggerated acting and big motions. Even Year Play, specifically, traditionally draws exaggerated expression lines on their faces and includes a “Whose Play?” scene that references Hope’s other Even vs Odd tradition: The Pull.
The silliness of Nykerk does not end on the stage, however.
Participants are always being thrown into crazy traditions during rehearsal nights. Although I cannot share what we do specifically (Nykerk is very secretive), I can say that our practices are always full of laughs. From chants and songs to wacky costumes and skits, rehearsals never fail to bring joy to all involved.
The spirit, sisterhood and silliness embodied by Nykerk is what makes it so special to the participants who take the stage each October. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to continue this tradition. Although the season just ended, I am already eagerly anticipating next year’s Nykerk kick-off. Even Year… let’s do this!
Even Year Nykerk Play Coaching Staff
Audrey Schena
Even Year Nykerk Playgirls pose at dress reharsal
Kelsie O’Neill
Speaking from the heart: Odd year Nykerk
Samantha Eriks Guest Writer
My Octobers at Hope College have been marked by many things: the slow and beautiful changing of the leaves, study sessions in the Pine Grove as classes get busier and time spent laughing with friends as we embrace the beauty of fall in Michigan. And yet, the thing that’s filled my calendar, camera roll and conversations most during the month of October is Nykerk. Sitting here now reflecting on my two years involved in this tradition, I’ve been slightly puzzled by this question: How do I begin to encapsulate a tradition that blends silliness, authenticity and vibrant community?
During the fall of my freshman year, I was lucky enough to get involved in Nykerk Oration– one of the three facets of the Nyerk competition. In a whirlwind month full of laughter, deep thinking and lots of writing, each Nykerk orator works with their two coaches to write and choreograph a speech surrounding a theme chosen by the oration coaches for that year. As the freshman orator for Odd Year, I spent a month thinking about big questions of identity within the theme “Conflicted Powers,” which proved to be a transformative experience. I came into the oration space with more questions than I had realized, yet I left with clarity on things I believed, a confidence to better articulate my ideas and coaches who I now call dear friends.
The month of late-night rehearsals, long writing sessions and inside jokes was indeed one full of authentic conversations as I spent time getting to know and be known by my incredible coaches–Megan Barta (‘25) and Ava Arendt (‘25). That being said, it was also one marked by silliness and vibrant community. The Odd Year community is full of traditions, and looking back, thanks to my involvement in Nykerk, I grew close to some of my best friends. We laughed at the apparent craziness of what we were about to do–them as song girls dressing up in the iconic “nun fits” and me preparing to
give a speech with choreographed motions unlike anything we’d ever seen. And yet, we leaned into the fun of all things Odd Year.
Now, sitting here at the conclusion of a second Nykerk season, I’m struck by how much I’ve come to love this silly, vibrant, authentic community. Getting to experience oration from a coaching perspective this semester meant more full days, fun rehearsals and fulfilling conversations. Working with Aleya Bierma (‘27) as she crafted beautiful words was such a gift, and I’m grateful to have spent another October with dear friends as we processed what it meant to be “At The Origin.”
Nykerk night – as always –proved to be so memorable. It truly was so exciting to hear the various groups perform and see what they’d been working on for the past month. That’s one thing I especially love about Nykerk. It’s a competition grounded in vibrant tradition, but competition isn’t the primary focus. While Even Year competes against Odd Year to win the Nykerk cup, in my experience, the tradition transcends the competition. Sitting at the Nykerk celebration, that’s what struck me the most. I was in a room full of people who care deeply about maintaining a tradition that promotes empowerment, authenticity and community.
Looking around at the senior coaches in the room–many of whom spent four years in the Nykerk space–I was impressed by their commitment to investing in the lives of others and moved by the impact they’ve left on Nykerk. As I watched the junior coaches deliver their thank-yous full of inside jokes to the freshmen they had coached, I was touched by their care and enthusiasm, as well as the freshmen’s evident joy for this tradition. But, for me, it was the moment when two of my close friends–the same ones who laughed with me our freshman year at the apparent craziness of what we were about to do–were
called to be song coaches for the class of 2029 that everything came full circle for me. It’s not uncommon to think that Nykerk is a little odd. And yet, I can’t imagine what my life at Hope College would look like without it. I know that a year from now, another October will come around and I’ll be met with another month full of all things Nykerk. And yet, I couldn’t be more grateful. Grateful for the ways it’s taught me more about myself. Grateful for the silliness and laughter it’s brought to my life. And, most importantly, grateful for the people it’s helped me get to know and come to love.
2-7 Orator, Alaya Bierma
Samantha Eriks
The 2-7 Oration Team David Pice
