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TIME’S PERSON OF GRAD STUDENTS RALLY THE YEAR IS PERFECT AGAINST TAX REFORM

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Spirits bright

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017 Vol. 130 / No. 30

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Holiday traditions light up the season

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CRISTINA MEESENBURG | Features Reporter | @cristina_mees

he countdown has begun and the holidays are closely approaching. With only a few weeks until Santa comes, there are several ways to get in the spirit.

Some may say it is only acceptable to listen to Christmas music once a year, so might as well take full advantage of it. It is as easy as switching the station in the car to the holiday station and jamming out on the way to class or work.

It is hard to get in the spirit without at least a little holiday décor. It may be hard to drag a 10-foot tree through Watterson Towers, but there are other ways to spruce up a dorm or apartment. Add some lights, paper snowflakes and even a miniature tree to create a winter wonderland.

“My roommates and I got into the holiday

spirit by decorating our apartment together while listening to Christmas music,” Cait McCutchan, senior entrepreneurship and small business management major, said.

Students can also grab an oven mitt and pull out grandma’s favorite cookie recipe. Nothing quite screams the holidays like the wafting scent of freshly baked treats drifting through the apartment.

In addition, ask family and friends what is on their Christmas list and hit the mall.

Everyone loves a little Christmas shopping and treating the ones who mean the most to us.

However, buying someone a gift is not the only way to get in the spirit. People can do a kind deed to feel extra jolly. Shovel the neighbor’s driveway or volunteer at a local soup kitchen. After all, this is the season of giving.

Sophomore business administration major Alyssa Parson gets ready for the holidays by wrapping presents and hanging string lights.

Not only is it the time to start listening to holiday music, but it is also acceptable to binge watch ABC Family/Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas and other classics in front of the fire place while sipping a warm cup of hot cocoa.

There is no better way to get into the mindset of this holiday.

“Decorating the Christmas tree while watching a Christmas movie is how I get in the spirit for the holiday,” Nate Moran, senior marketing major said.

Finally, take a drive through the neighborhood and admire everyone’s twinkling lights.

Some houses get really into the spirit and actually do a light show for everyone to see and enjoy. Dozens of decorative figures light up the front yard at 1210 W. Hovey Ave. in Normal.

Let the countdown to Christmas begin.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALI RASPER VIDETTE PHOTOGRAPHER

PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE

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ANDREW DOUGHERTY Political Reporter | @addough

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raduate students, professors and local residents voiced their opposition to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate at the March Against the Tax Bill event Wednesday that began in front of Schroeder Hall.

Voice of Reason and Illinois State University graduate students organized the event which was co-sponsored by the ISU College Democrats and endorsed by the YWCA McLean County.

“We co-sponsored the rally today because this tax bill is bound to repeat history,” President of the College Democrats Billy Stripeik said.

“It’ll be bad for graduate students, it will add a trillion dollars in debt and wealth will not trickle down. This bill was hyper partisan and heavily influenced by corporate lobbyists.”

“What we’re trying to do is organize a graduate assistant union at Illinois State to represent the grad assistants that work there and the teaching body,” Ph.D. student in the Department of Biology and one of the event’s organizers Trevor Rickerd said.

“This event is about resisting the GOP tax bill,” Rickerd said. “The implications of the tax bill are huge on higher education and graduate students in general. So, while we’re here for a broad picture, we have our scope on graduate assistants,

graduate students and higher education in general.”

Those at the rally held signs reading “Don’t tax us out of grad school,” “Don’t cut education to give tax breaks to the rich” and “This tax is a scam.”

“I think it’s a good idea that students are trying to get the word out of how bad the GOP tax bill is and how it hurts students of Illinois State University,” Secretary of Governmental Relations Richard Greenfield said.

Those who attended the rally marched from the Quad to Rep. Rodney Davis’s office and continued at the Uptown Normal Circle, where additional speakers were present.

“I want to give a little bit of a perspective of the situation that we’re facing and why this tax bill really needs to be done away with, not just because of the students, but because of all of the stuff that goes with it,” retired ISU geography professor Paul Anderson said.

Some concerns of the marchers included wealthy individuals and corporations getting a majority of the tax cuts at the expense of working families who rely on social security, Medicare, Medicaid and public education.

Others expressed dismay that even as republicans have campaigned against a budget deficit, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has reported the Senate tax bill would add $1.414 trillion to the deficit by 2027.

“This is crazy what this bill will

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do,” Anderson said. “America is prosperous, the stock market is going through the roof but the money is going to a select few and not to the majority of the people. This is not the way we should be going, we should be moving in the opposite direction.”

“Graduate assistants are taking classes but they’re also teaching and

are performing work at the university, so they are actually workers,” Rickerd said. “We still work on contracts, we still work as teaching functions at the university.”

Another rally will be held from 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. Tuesday outside the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Photos by Natalie Stuckslager | Vidette Photo Editor

ABOVE: Removal of Milner Plaza’s canopy began this week, revealing a view of the sky not seen since its installment 17 years ago.

Bye, bye canopy STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ News Editor | @StephanieRoddd

In July of 2016, the Illinois State University Board of Trustees approved a $3.48 million project aimed at addressing Milner Library’s water leakage problem.

Installed in 2000, the $1 million tentlike canopy, which was added to drive water away from the first floor, was slated

LEFT: Students walk past the tent after its covering was taken off.

Iconic tent-like structures installed in 2000 come down as part of Bone renovation

to be removed to help mitigate the issue.

“The main purpose of the project is to repair the water infiltration that has been ongoing for many years that goes into the first floor of Milner,” Becky Franz, library facility project director, said back in 2016.

“That space is currently a closed off space only accessible for staff. The intent is to make repairs so that it can be an open space for campus patrons, students

and faculty.”

The canopy proved to be a semi-permanent solution to the library’s water leakage problem.

“The whole concept of that canopy structure was to channel it into drains and have it flow,” David Gill, director of facilities planning and construction said after the plans were initially approved.

“It’s an inverted funnel and it drains it

down into the drains, but it has not been completely successful. The removal of the canopy is part of the structural repair. It has not been a successful solution, so that’s why it’ll be going away,” Franz explained.

“A new design will be created for that space and the structure of the plaza, which is actually a roof for the first floor space.”

Higher education institutions express concerns about GOP tax bill ANDREW DOUGHTERY Political Reporter | @addough

The Republican-passed tax reform bill has not been finalized yet, but administrators at Illinois State University have expressed concern about some of the provisions that would have a negative impact on students that attend higher education institutions.

Due to a provision in the tax bill that would affect refinancing of tax-exempt bonds and other types of debt, ISU is pushing to complete its planned refinancing of debt for the Cardinal Court project before the end of the year.

If the project is not completed, a change in the current law would cost ISU several million dollars.

The most controversial provision that have administrators concerned is that graduate students who receive tuition waivers, stipends or other reductions would see them become taxable income.

The provision also eliminates tax deductions for student loan interests.

“This is something we’ve been watching for some time and when the House tax bill passed, that was something we were looking pretty closely at and concerned us,” Director of Media Relations Eric Jome said.

“After the House version came out, ISU leadership, President Dietz and other leaders of the universit y, including leaders from other colleges and higher education advocacy groups were in contact with members of Congress to voice our concerns about the potential impacts,” he said.

“Increased taxes on tuition waivers is something we’re continuing to monitor,” he added.

“Our voice as a university combined with other universities are being heard in Congress.”

Jome continued to state that ISU hopes those potential negative impacts will be changed in the reconciliation bill between the two different versions passed

Olivier Douliery | Abaca Press/TNS

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) announced last month he opposes the tax bill and will try to work with other state officials on a revision. by the House and Senate.

If the bill does pass, ISU will put together information on what provisions of the law affect students so that the information can be communicated to students.

ISU’s Graduate School program emailed its grad students in November urging them to contact Congress to express their concerns about the changes.

“We are monitoring this situation closely and will do whatever we can to change the bill,” director of ISU’s Grad School Amy Hurd said.

Jome said it is important to discuss the issues the bill could cause students.

“Unless congressmen respond to the concerns of higher education institutions, the best thing we can do is basically communicate as well as we can on what the potential impacts would be so that students understand and can make informed decisions,” Jome said.

At the university level, ISU is attempting to expand scholarship opportunities that tie in with the Redbirds Rising campaign.

Redbirds Rising is a $150 million comprehensive fundraising

campaign that began in September which seeks to increase the money the university has available to give in scholarships to students.

“Redbirds Rising approaches fundraising from a variety of angles and perspectives, placing student life and academic success as the main focus,” ISU’s Student Government Association’s Speaker of the Assembly Billy Stripeik said.

“So far, we’ve raised $108 million toward that goal with funding coming from alumni, individuals and others who have a great affinity for ISU and want to give back,” Jome said.

“We’re trying to lend our voice to the advocacy against some of these things that have a potential negative impact on our students,” he added.

“We’ll do our best to keep graduate students and other students informed.”

Jome continued by saying ISU ultimately does not have control of the final outcome and that understanding those impacts and communicating to students is what the university plans on continuing to do.

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VIDETTE EDITORIAL

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Rethink that Salvation Army donation

I

t’s the holiday season, which means most storefronts have bell ringers collecting for the Salvation Army. But this may not be the best “charity” to be donating to.

The Salvation Army is not a charitable, nonprofit Christian organization. Only about 82 percent of donations actually go toward its charity work, but the rest goes toward whatever the Salvation Army does with it, whether it be paying its employees or funding antigay propaganda. The Salvation Army has a long, international history of actively being homophobic and pushing political agendas that target those who are LGBT+.

The organization has also historically refused to employ LGBT+ people and has had major tantrums when it is legally forced to. In 1998, it declined a contract with San Francisco, causing some places, such as retirement homes, to lose their services because of San Francisco’s policy that city contractors must provide equal spousal benefits to both samesex partners, as well as opposite-sex partners of employees.

Then 2004 saw the organization threatening to close all of its services — kitchens, shelters, coat drives, etc. — in New York

City because of a similar ordinance. New York City folded under the pressure, though, because of how much the city needed the Salvation Army’s assistance. This was an obvious power play.

The Salvation Army knows how much power it holds and will use it any way it sees fit to spread its Evangelical message, and it has yet to back down from its stance.

Do not be distressed about wanting to donate. There are other organizations that one can give to this holiday season, and ones that are not for-profit or endorse hateful rhetoric.

The Baby Fold here in town offers a variety of services that are beneficial to children and families. While it is a Christian organization as well, it does not have this same history of controversy and outright hate. Donate

money, school supplies or help fulfil Christmas wish lists this year.

Places that could use both material and fiscal donations are food banks. Most only see canned food donations, but donating money can help keep their doors opens. While food donations are always welcome, and sometimes needed, paying the bills is a necessity that won’t go away. Center for Hope, Home Sweet Home and Midwest Foodbank are just a few.

Not all organizations with religious roots should be steered away from, but ones with questionable motives should be. Local churches regularly raise money that go toward different benefactors.

It is doubtful that the vast majority of people who donate to the Salvation Army know all this. But being conscientious of where one donates money and where that money ultimately ends up is important to remember.

While it may be easy to drop in some change at various bell ringer stops, seriously think it through. Focus on donating directly to places that need the money and resources: food banks, nonprofit charities, shelters and food kitchens.

Editorial Cartoon by Lee Walls | Vidette Editorial Cartoonist

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by KAYLA JANE JEFFERS, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the University.

Power of 2017’s ‘Silence Breakers’ MY VIEW KEVIN SCHWALLER | Columnist

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he “Silence Breakers,” the people who have spoken out against sexual harassment and sexual assault, have been named Time‘s 2017 Person of the Year.

Among those included in the cover story are #MeToo creator Tarana Burke, Rose McGowan, Alyssa Milano, Taylor Swift and Terry Crews.

“This moment is borne of a very real and potent sense of unrest,” Time reports. “Yet it doesn’t have a leader, or a single, unifying tenet.”

The story features just a handful of the thousands of people that came forward this year with their stories about sexual harassment in a wave that has swept the country and has knocked abusers from their positions of power.

The “Silence Breakers” went head-

on and caused a shift in power across the United States with what seems like case after case of sexual assault from powerful men in the workplace.

Power seems to be the theme of the issue. NBC’s Matt Lauer, movie producer Harvey Weinstein and prominent elected officials all held positions of authority that were used to silence those they sexually assaulted.

“In 2017 women stood up and said #MeToo,” Milano wrote on Twitter Wednesday morning. “We overcame our fears to #BreakTheSilence. Technology and social media connected us all. We can’t turn away from each other’s pain. We are connected to it.

We are connected to each other. We are connected.”

It seems like almost every powerful male in the public eye that has been accused of sexual assault has been reprimanded – except for the President of the United States.

Speaking of Donald Trump, the news of Time’s 2017 Person of the Year comes after President Donald Trump posted that he passed on the honor in November.

“Time Magazine called to say that

I was PROBABLY going to be named ‘Man (Person) of the Year’ like last year, but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot,” Trump tweeted.

The magazine disputed the account, noting the president is “incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year.”

But don’t worry, Trump, you did end up making it into the story. However, not in the way you probably wanted to.

Trump and his infamous “Access Hollywood” tape are discussed in the piece, and he is mentioned as both a harasser and a motivation for victims to speak out. It is also mentioned that approximately 20 women have come forward with sexual assault accusations against the president.

Ouch.

Time’s “Silence Breakers” themselves are a reminder that power has long been concentrated in the hands of men. According to The Washington Post, in 66 of 89 years, the winner of the title has been a man. Four times, the winner has been a woman.

National correspondent for Time Charlotte Alter pointed out on Twit-

ter that this year’s entire “Person of the Year” project was tackled only by women.

“This was conceived, reported and written by women. It was factchecked by women,” Alter wrote.

“The video was shot and edited by women. The layout and photo spread were designed by women.”

Power has long been a tool men have utilized dangerously. Some of those men have taken advantage of that power to abuse or harass women without any consequences. Time has not only acknowledged the influence of movements like #MeToo, but the toxicity of abusive men and how they are getting what they deserve.

While 2017 has been rough for a lot of us, the “Silence Breakers” have ignited a glimmer of hope for the future. There has been a clear shift in dynamic because of these silence breakers. No longer will sexual assault be tolerated.

Kevin Schwaller is a senior journalism major and news editor and columnist for The Vidette. He can be reached at vidette_kschwal@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @kevschwa.

REGGIE IN THE NEST SAMANTHA MCINTYRE Vidette Cartoonist

EDITORIAL BOARD EMA SASIC Editor-in-Chief @ema_sasic KEVIN SCHWALLER News Editor @kevschwa KAYLA JANE JEFFERS

Columnist @KJJeffers ALEX GOUGH Columnist @jalexgough KAMARA TURNER Columnist | @kvmara

The future of grad assistants at ISU

MY VIEW ELISE WEST | Guest Columnist

A

s is the case for many of you, the proposed Republican tax bill would blow a hole in my family’s budget and make it extremely difficult for me to remain at ISU. I’m a non-traditional student and mother of three, and this bill would reclassify my $3,890 in-state graduate assistant tuition waiver as “income,” increasing my tax liability. Many graduate students, like me, take education seriously, yet do not have the financial safety net to absorb this cost.

At the federal level, our Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) voted to raise taxes on stipends. At the state level, regressive higher education budgetary priorities have compelled my department to grant 10 hour assistantships over 20 hours, effectively cutting our already meager stipends in half for some of the incoming cohort in sociology and anthropology. It’s clear we don’t have enough of a voice in our teaching and research conditions.

Believe it or not, graduate stipends were created over 100 years ago during a time when notions of democratizing access to higher education mattered. Today, we’ve already seen enough detrimental changes in the quality of higher education as competition for state funding has pressured faculty to heighten their focus on releasing a higher quantity of research publications. The result is less time for teaching and mentoring undergraduates and more pressure than ever on graduate students to pick up the slack in these areas.

The GOP tax bill is estimated to affect 145,000 graduate assistants nationally. To ensure that ISU graduate programs are accessible for the long term, we need to at least gain a seat at the table. We have the power, as a collective voice, to raise stipends and standards on campus and to gain the respect of our elected representatives.

Let’s be good stewards of our graduate programs by increasing accessibility for our kids’ generation. We can do this by calling on our Congressional representatives like Davis to ensure they stand with us in opposing this proposed tax increase on graduate assistants.

Let’s join together, sign up for our union and democratize higher education.

Elise West is a graduate assistant for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Any questions or comments concerning her guest column can be sent to edwest@ ilstu.edu.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

CIRA tree honors servicemen Airport’s annual tradition celebrates fallen soldiers MASON MCCOY Senior News Reporter | @Real_McCoy18

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his holiday season, members of the public — f lying or not — have the opportunity to visit and admire the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor, erected last Tuesday in the Central Illinois Regional Airport’s (CIRA) main terminal.

The tree has been placed before security, near baggage claim, so that all members of the public might see it.

“Hosting the tree in our terminal provides a space for the tree to be viewed during a high traffic time of year and reminds others of the sacrifice of those that are honored and their families,” CIR A deputy director of marketing Fran Strebing said.

The tree comes in response to a similar tree, put up in Springfield last year, that sought to recognize servicemembers from across the nation.

The Tree of Honor is set to honor servicemembers from 33 states, with 155 ornaments being displayed in all. All of these ornaments have been made by the family of Sgt. Anthony Maddox, a Normal native who gave his life serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army.

The presentation of the Tree of Honor has been made possible through the work of America’s Gold Star Families and the Sgt. Anthony Maddox Memorial.

“The Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor is a way for the America’s Gold Star families that choose to participate to honor and remember their loved ones that have died during their military service,” Strebing said.

A dedication was held on the Tuesday the tree went up,

Photos by Ema Sasic | Editor in Chief

ABOVE: Ornaments are added to the Fallen Heroes Tree.

ABOVE RIGHT: Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) speaks at the event held for the tree. with Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) in attendance.

“We just hope that in some small way, this brings comfort knowing that we remember them,” America’s Gold Star Families President Patti Smith said. “Not just the hero, but the families too.”

During the dedication, a U.S. Army serviceman from Bloomington, Sgt. Joshua Rodgers, was honored for his ultimate sacrifice during a joint mission with Afghan forces earlier this April.

“We have received very positive feedback from the

general public and our employees about the tree and our decision to host it in our terminal building,” Strebing said. “Particularly since our community lost a Sgt. Josh Rodgers.”

The tree will remain on display until Jan. 2 at the CIRA. Mason McCoy is a senior news reporter for The Vidette. He can be reached at mmccoy@ilstu.edu Follow him on Twitter at @Real_McCoy18

Illinois Innocence Project gets federal grant SARAH ATEN News Reporter | @sarahmaten

The Illinois Innocence Project, a coalition on the University of Illinois Springfield campus, recently received a grant of $641,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Illinois Innocence Project started in 2001 and works on using DNA evidence and investigations to exonerate those who have been wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois jails.

“Our main thing is to continue to exonerate those who deserve to be exonerated,” John Hanlon, legal and executive director of the Illinois Innocence Project said.

Hanlon wants to educate the campus and community on the legal system and unlawful convictions, as well as sticking to the mission statement.

Eyewitness misidentification played a role in 70-75 percent of cases in which DNA evidence exonerated someone, according to Hanlon.

Hanlon attributes eyewitness misidentification as a large problem.

“The University of Illinois Springfield’s Innocence Project plays an important role in righting wrongs that have occurred in our justice system,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said in a press release.

The Illinois Innocence Project applied and received $641,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice. Hanlon said that the money has been allocated tightly already.

DNA testing will take up $200,000 of the grant, which is an integral part of the Illinois Innocent Project.

Hanlon says that DNA has the ability to absolve a person of guilt, or identify them as guilty.

“This new federal grant not only meets a critical need in the state of Illinois but also provides important opportunities for our students,” University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan J. Koch said in a press release.

Through the grant, select undergraduate students from the University of Illinois Springfield will be hired to work for the Illinois Innocence Project.

“Present and future students will continue to have opportunities to learn about injustices in the criminal justice system through education and practice in ways that other universities cannot provide,” Koch said.

Hanlon wants the money to be used in support and continuation of the Project’s mission.

“We want to slowly be able to grow our capabilities,” Hanlon said.

Travel and expenses related to the cases will also use up funding from the grant.

The U.S. Department of Justice Bloodsworth Grant is part of the money given to the Illinois Innocence Project. In 1993, Kirk Bloodsworth became the first exoneration in a death penalty case using DNA evidence.

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Features

PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

utstanding

teacher Miller-Ott recognized for dedication

RACHEL SCHOLLMEIER Features Reporter | @r_schollmeier

W

ith 15 years of teaching under her belt, communication professor Aimee Miller-Ott, Ph.D. has a genuine passion for her subject material and a drive to share that knowledge with her students.

As the days of college pass, some students are lucky enough to have that rare professor who stands out among the rest by going above and beyond the call of teaching. These professors leave a lasting and inspiring impact on their students to reach new heights.

That said, Miller-Ott is the type of professor students remember long after their years at college have ended due to the authenticity, integrity and enthusiasm she brings to the classroom.

Miller-Ott was recently awarded with the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award.

The commitment and dedication she shows to the fields of teaching and communication is evidenced through her response when asked what she felt was the most rewarding part about teaching.

“I would say the most rewarding part is knowing or thinking that I impacted someone’s life positively. As a college student, not knowing what I Monica Mendoza | Photo Editor wanted to do for a career, I remember Professor Amiee Miller-Ott, Ph.D. is a communication professor who specializes in interpersonal communication, family communication and comtelling a friend of mine, ‘I just need to munication research methods. Because of her dedication to her students inside and outside the field, Miller-Ott has been awarded with College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award. have a job where I’m helping people,’” Miller-Ott said.

Overall, Miller-Ott constantly strives ly about student’s personal understandings Miller-Ott provides a plethora of opportry to give them opportunities to show that to be the best professor she can be and help of the material and passing her knowledge tunities and resources for students to reach they can rise to the challenge and complete her students in every way possible. on to her students. their full potential. She teaches in a way so the work successfully.”

One can imagine a classroom in which Danny Gee, a senior public relations that students are engaged with the course With the dedication and passion Millerthe professor simply reads straight from the major currently enrolled in her family work, leading to a deeper understanding Ott has shown toward teaching and her PowerPoint as the students go through the communication course said, “Dr. Millernot only on a personal level, but also in subject material, the College of Arts and motions until class is dismissed, perhaps Ott has been one of the most outstanding ways that can be applied in their futures.

Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award is retaining enough information to pass the instructors I have had the opportunity to She said, “I try to push the students to be well deserved. class but never really caring about the learn from in my collegiate career. She has the best they can be, in all content courses “I can’t even put into words how rewardsubject. the unique ability to both effectively teach I teach. From doing full research studing and what a unique opportunity it is to This dull repetitiveness is never somenew course concepts to her students, but ies in COM 297, to conducting qualitative know that even maybe just in a small way, thing one would encounter in Miller-Ott’s also talk to you as if you’ve been friends for research in family communication, to being that I impacted a student’s personal or classroom. On the contrary, she cares deep. years.” a part of a research team in grad classes, I professional life.”

“She has the unique ability to both effectively teach new course concepts to her students, but also talk to you as if you’ve been friends for years.”

- Danny Gee, senior public relations major

Winchester combines passion for family, food to pursue teaching STUART STALTER Senior Features Reporter | @VidetteStuS

Junior family and consumer sciences education major Aly Winchester from Ottawa hopes to bring daily life skills to the classroom. She hopes productive classwork leads to productive household management for her students.

Upon graduation from the culinary arts program, as well as the hospitality and tourism management program at Joliet Junior College, Winchester noticed students lacking self-sufficiency. She chose her curmajor to help them.

STUDENT rent “I have seen so many people PROFILE lacking basic life skills,” Winchester said. “With this degree, I will be able to help students gain the skills they need to survive everyday life without the help of takeout food and calling their family daily.”

Winchester transferred to Illinois State University this fall for the university’s rich education reputation. She enjoys being near home. Additionally, not many universities offer

Winchester’s major.

Family and consumer sciences has a reputation among students for being an easy major due to laxed grading and simpler subject matter. Taking 18 credit hours, Winchester notes that all majors have challenges.

“There are many hoops to jump through to complete the teacher portion of my program,” Winchester said. “Coursework may not be the most grueling of all majors, but college is challenging no matter what major you choose.”

Winchester’s prior culinary studies mitigates challenges. Upon graduating from ISU, she will be qualified to teach culinary arts or foods classes.

With that knowledge, Winchester shared the best meal for unskilled students who want to cook.

“Start with something simple, such as making seasoned, baked chicken breast with roasted

veggies and real mashed potatoes,” Winchester suggested.

“Simple ingredients can make great meals if cooked properly.”

Winchester’s favorite dish to prepare and eat is pasta carbonara. After spending a summer with a host family in Italy a few years ago, she still craves it. Preparing pasta carbonara never fails to impress.

Regarding family, Winchester notes that respect is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with parents through adulthood.

“The older I get, the closer I become with my parents,” Winchester said. “I think the key is to remember that parents are people too, and they have had similar experiences to the experiences I am having now at my age.”

Combining her passion for family and culinary studies, Winchester hopes to student teach by the spring 2019 semester.

She hopes teaching takes her to California to start a career.

That said, Winchester’s dream job is less stationary than daily classrooms.

“My dream job would be being paid to travel, eat and relax, preferably while spending time with people from the places I was traveling to truly immerse myself in the culture,” Winchester said.

Wherever travels lead, she will enjoy the journey.

“Sometimes life takes you on crazy paths along the way, but you’ll always end up where you’re supposed to be,” she says.

STUART STALTER is a Features Reporter for The Vidette. He can be contacted at sstalt1@ Junior family and consumer sciences education major Aly ilstu.edu Follow him on Twitter Winchester transferred from Joliet Junior College for ISU’s rich at @VidetteStuS education.

Samantha Brinkman

THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Redbirds ready to regroup JON BARLAS Sports Reporter | @janveselybarlas

Hall of Fame infielder Rogers Hornsby once said, “People ask me what I do in the winter when there is no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do.

I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

Within the timeless sport that designed “The House that Ruth Built” lies a concept. A concept forever labeling baseball as America’s pastime.

Throughout history, baseball evokes undisputed pride, providing a constant sense of comfort and familiarity.

Baseball brings people together to cherish something more than a game, but a rich history celebrating the legends of the past.

As the autumn leaves crinkle, the Redbirds strive to forget their recent past, focusing only on their future.

Illinois State Baseball appears to turn over a new leaf, disregarding the unforgiving tribulation of last season. Posting a 16-40 record in 2017, the ’Birds begin winter workouts with their eyes set on one goal: redemption. They are hungry to restore their presence in the Valley, in effort to show they do not tolerate being pushed around.

In his ninth season on the Redbird coaching staff, Bo Durkac emanates the baseball life.

Along with his illustrious playing career, Durkac started coaching at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he helped the 49ers achieve the astounding overall record of 232-153-1 over the course of the 2003-09 seasons. He arrived to ISU as an assistant coach in 2010, overseeing a team that won a share of the MVC regular season title as well as their first MVC Tournament championship since 1994.

Regardless of last year’s hardship, the team strives to defy adversity, looking to not only compete but ultimately triumph over the Valley’s toughest contenders.

Ending 2017 on a high note by earning a trip to the MVC Tournament

title game, the ’Birds are poised to stay competitive in a division that has seemingly shown them no mercy.

With a majority of the pitching staff as well as almost every starting position player returning for the 2018 season, head coach Durkac stresses that development is the key for the team’s success moving forward.

“We were forced to reboot things and play a lot of young guys that weren’t quite ready to play a high level,” Durkac said. “I don’t want to say we are the Cubs or the Astros ... but we had to take a step backwards last year in order to move three or four steps forward this year.”

Durkac also asserts that the only way to get better is to just keep playing ball, even through the difficulties baseball undoubtedly presents every single season.

“Just play,” he said. “There’s no magic wand [and] there’s no formula.

You just have to put your players in positions to succeed and let them do their thing on the field.”

While NCAA regulated practices commence on Monday, optional workouts, individual training and lifting sessions provide the team with constant opportunities to hone their craft. Work ethic and aspiration separates those who succeed from those who just go through the motions.

“There has to be a certain amount of want. You have to want to be good,” Durkac added. “Assuming the talent is there, what separates guys who end up being really good are the guys that just live and die for baseball. It’s hard, it’s a big sacrifice to devote a huge chunk of your life to [baseball].

You can’t get by on talent alone at this level.”

With the addition of three transfer players eligible to play this season (Paul Turelli, Dalton Harvey and Justin Ward), recruitment plays a huge part in ISU’s storied program.

Players such as Paul DeJong exemplify the diligence and dedication it takes to be a successful and coachable player.

“If all student-athletes were like

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Photo Courtesy: Illinois State Athletics

Illinois State baseball coach Bo Durkac meets with his team at Duffy Bass Field last season. The Redbirds look to regroup from last season, where the team finished 16-40 and 2-18 in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Paul DeJong, I would never have a gray hair or a sleepless night,” Durkac said.

“Talent is far and away still important to have, but in baseball recruiting [it] is hugely important. We spend 365 days a year looking at players and sitting in the office talking about what our needs are,” Durkac continued. “[DeJong] walked in the door and redshirted his first year ... and by his fourth year he ended being a fourth round draft pick in the big leagues.”

With a fire lit underneath the belly of the ’Birds, revenge fuels their quest for redemption. When asked about his expectations for the upcoming season, Durkac emphasizes utilizing desire as a tool for greatness and is confident his team will be able to turn it all around in 2018.

“I think everyone is hungry,” Durkac said. “The guys that have been here for two or more years have had two really bad years … They know that our best days are ahead of us, but it’s not going to happen just by dreaming about it. We have to put in the work.”

The Redbirds kick off the 2018 season on Feb. 16, against nonconference opponent Arkansas State.

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Sports

PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 , 2017

’Birds fall at BYU

Despite impressive second half, Illinois State drops to Brigham Young, 80-68, in Utah NATE HEAD Sports Editor | @NateHead51

Sometimes in sports, it is about how you start.

Despite a strong finish, the Illinois State men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a disastrous first half, falling 80-68 to Brigham Young Wednesday night in Provo, Utah.

ISU head coach Dan Muller pointed to a sluggish start from his team — a recurring theme in Redbird losses this season.

“We were playing pretty hard and then they went on a huge run,” Muller said. “We were stuck in mud on the offensive end and that carried over to the defensive end, which should not happen.

We just didn’t play with the speed and edge that we have been practicing with or playing with a little bit better recently.”

Illinois State missed its first 15 attempts from long range and Brigham Young exploited holes in the Redbird defensive zone to jump out to a 28-7 lead.

T.J. Haws led the Brigham Young scoring attack with 20 points and Yoeli Childs and Elijah Bryant each added 17 of their own.

At halftime, the Cougars held a comfortable 39-17 lead over the Redbirds after making six 3-pointers and shooting 50 percent from the field while ISU shot just 23 percent.

“At halftime, we just talked about chipping away at the lead,” ISU forward Phil Fayne said. “Our offense wasn’t falling, so

we talked about trying to feed off our defense.”

Whatever was said, it worked.

The Redbirds looked nearly unrecognizable on the other side of the halftime buzzer, outscoring Brigham Young, 51-41, on a mirage of 3-pointers, as the team netted seven of its nine attempts in the second half.

Freshman Taylor Bruninga provided an unexpected spark for ISU, as the Mapleton native poured in a career-high 20 points on 7-of-10 Monica Mendoza | Photo Editor shooting, including five 3-pointers.

“It was great to see [Bruninga Keyshawn Evans scored 14 points in Illinois State’s 80-68 loss to Brigham Young in Procome out of his recent shooting vo, Utah. The junior guard leads the team in scoring this season with 19.7 points a game. slump],” Muller said. “I thought he was the only guy on the team that Muller said he doesn’t consider ISU’s youth an excuse anymore. had a little fight in him and played well, he did both.”

“We have enough guys with experience, it’s becoming a lack Keyshawn Evans (14), Milik Yarbrough (13), Bruninga (20) of competitive character is what it is,” Muller said. When we’re and Fayne (19) combined to score 66 of Illinois State’s 68 points, up and things are going well, we compete, and when we get as Jerron Martin recorded a basket with less than a minute left down, sometimes we don’t.” in regulation.

Illinois State will return to action at 3 p.m. Saturday at RedWhile the Redbirds lack upperclassmen on their roster, so bird Arena to host Murray State. does Brigham Young, who only has one senior on its team.

ISU flocks north for showdown at Milwaukee NICK LANDI Sports Reporter | @nlandi1033

Natalie Stuckslager | Photo Editor

Katrina Beck is averaging 6.5 points per game this season and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Former Redbird Hawkins to miss remainder season at Boston College

MIKE MARRA Sports Editor | @MikeMarraILSTU

After decommitting and recommitting to Boston College over the summer, Redbird hoops transfer Deontae Hawkins found himself a home with the Eagles.

However, Hawkins will miss the remainder of the 2017-18 season after suffering a knee injury on Nov. 29 versus Nebraska.

“Teddy means so much to everyone in our program and he made a big impact in his time here,” Boston College coach Jim Christian said in a statement. “He brought maximum effort to every practice and game and was a positive influence on both our veterans and our younger players. His leadership on and off the court will be missed.”

Recently, everything has been clicking for Milwaukee. The Panthers enter Thursday’s game with a five-game winTrying to get its first road win of the ning streak after losing their first two season, Illinois State women’s basket- contests at the Preseason WNIT. Their ball (3-3) heads up north to Wisconsin latest win came on Sunday against for its next game on Thursday night Northwestern, a 66-57 victor y for against Milwaukee (5-2).

Milwaukee ISU is coming off a three-game home“Our team is just so determined stand where the team went 2-1, beating right now and really focused,” MilwauMissouri-Kansas City and Southern Illi- kee coach Kyle Rechlicz said after her nois Edwardsville before team’s win against Northlosing to Butler on Sunday. western. “The heart that Six games into the they are playing with is season, first year coach incredible. I really believe Kristen Gillespie’s zone that they just care about defense is paying off for one another and truly are the Redbirds. Illinois prepared every time they State ranks ninth in the step out on the court. nation in scoring defense That’s led by our upperby allowing 52.2 points classmen leaders. We’ve per game. got four seniors that “When we have won, it’s have sheer determination been our defense,” Gilevery time they step on the lespie said. “And that has court.”

Ali Rasper | Photographer to be our consistent. That Two players you can has to be our anchor; that Hannah Green during expect to score for the no matter what’s happen- Sunday’s loss to Butler at Panthers are seniors ing on the other end of Redbird Arena. Green had Steph Kostow icz and the f loor, we are going to three blocks in the game Jenny Lindner. Kostowicz and is among the national make it really challenging leads the team with 17.3 leaders. to score the ball for the ppg. Lindner, meanwhile, opponent.” ranks second on the team with 14.3 ppg.

One of the players leading the charge Should junior Simone Goods continue on defense is senior Hannah Green. to sit out due to her foot injury, the RedWith three blocks against Butler, Green birds will face another battle on the now averages 3.16 blocks per game, the boards. Milwaukee has gotten 12.3 more eighth best in the nation. rebounds per game than its opponents With 94 career blocks, Green only have. Kostowicz also leads the team in needs six more to reach 100. If she does, that category with 8.1 rpg. she will be ranked third all-time in ISU Tip-off for Thursday’s game is at 7 history for that category. p.m. at the Klotsche Center.

Hawkins was averaging 12.4 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game, being the team’s leading rebounder and third leading scorer this season.

The Dayton, Ohio, native was an integral part of the 2016-17 Missouri Valley Conference regular season champion Redbird team from a season ago, as he was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder averaging 14 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Former Illinois State Redbird Deontae Hawkins (23) will miss the remainder of the 2017-18 season at Boston College after suffering a knee injury on Nov. 29 in a game against Nebraska.

During his time at ISU, Hawkins was a key member of the 2016-2017 Missouri Valley Conference champions.

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