12.8.16

THE ’BIRD THE VIDETTE PRESENTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016 Vol. 129 / No. 30

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Tie up your year

Celebrate through timeless traditions DEB BETHEL Features Reporter | @thedebbethel

W

hether it is Michael Buble’s “White Christmas” on the car radio, the peppermint added to a cup of hot chocolate or the abundance of ugly sweaters, people have favorite ways of showing their holiday spirit.

Whether observing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other holidays, many look at the winter months as a time to be with family and to celebrate the end of the year.

Some choose to cozy up during the snowy days and enjoy classic holiday movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Elf,” “Eight Crazy Nights” or “Home Alone” adorned in fuzzy socks while sipping on some eggnog. Others are more inclined to enjoy the cold weather festivities outdoors by ice skating in the city, having snowball fights or going to the local tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree.

Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Michael Dougherty said symbols and traditions play an important role in culture and society.

“These symbols and traditions are special to us because they have been consistent symbols throughout our lives,” Dougherty said. “Without these symbols and traditions, the holidays would be any other day.”

He said these symbols and traditions also shape our ideas on holidays.

“If we referred to our Christmas trees as ‘lost opportunities to sequester carbon’ instead, or our Christmas lights as ‘unnecessary consumption of fossil fuels,’ then these things would produce very different feelings in us. So, we should embrace symbols and traditions, they help us make sense of our lives,” Dougherty said.

While many may only think of Christmas when imagining the winter holidays, Illinois State University’s diverse population celebrates in many different ways.

Stephanie Nold, a sophomore English education major, enjoys being around family and giving presents, but as a Buddhist she also celebrates the Winter Solstice.

“The Winter Solstice is just celebrating the start of the winter season,” Nold said. “There’s a lot of different things someone can do to celebrate. On the night of Dec. 21, I meditate, and the morning of Dec. 22, when the sun rises, I light candles, eat, drink and be merry.”

Another student who celebrates the holidays in a different way is sophomore geography major Yael Uziel, who celebrates Hanukkah. During the eight days of Hanukkah, many Jewish families light the menorah, eat traditional meals and sing prayers together to remember the story of Hanukkah. see TRADITIONS page 6 Senior speech pathology major Desiree Moretti decorates her Christmas tree for the holiday season.

Photograph Jenna Kadziulis | Vidette Photo Editor

COUNCIL DISCUSSES FUTURE OF PORTILLOS NEWS 3

ALL-GENDER BATHROOMS GOOD FOR ISU

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO MILWAUKEE

VIEWPOINT 4

SPORTS 7

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

STAFF LIST Editor in Chief

Ave Rio

News Editors

Ema Sasic Mary Cullen Features Editor

Morgan Kuniej

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Laura Rocco Joe Martuzzo Social Media Manager

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Business Adviser

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Details surface over new Portillo’s KATELYN PROVOW News Reporter | @katelynprovow

The Normal Town Council approved the redevelopment agreement between the Town of Normal and Bloomington Landmark Development, Inc. with the construction of Portillo’s Monday.

The restaurant is scheduled to open next summer, located off of North Veterans Parkway, where the Motel 6 currently resides. The chain will have dual drive-through lanes and plenty of off-street parking. This will be Portillo’s first downstate location.

According to a Pantagraph interview with Portillo’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Nick Scarpino, the building will be able to hold 200 people inside and 50 people on the outside patio.

“This is going to bring in a lot of new business,” council member R.C. McBride said. “This is going to pull people in and it’s going to be a destination; I don’t think there’s much question about that.”

Portillo’s also plans on applying for a liquor license at this location and selling beer on-tap. Out of the 37 Portillo’s locations in Illinois, 25 of them currently sell alcohol. Alcohol will only be permitted inside the restaurant and not on the patio or the drive thru. The chain intends on keeping its

THURSDAY

Anna Gallagher | Vidette Photographer

The new Portillo’s will replace the Motel 6 on Landmark Drive. family-friendly feel regardless of the beer.

According to the Portillo’s website, it holds an annual Oktoberfest starting Sept. 13 running throughout October, when beer is $1 off all day. This is only offered at participating locations, which are listed on the website.

The Town of Normal has been

patiently waiting the arrival of a Portillo’s for quite a long time. A Facebook page titled “Bring Portillo’s to Bloomington-Normal” made its first post on May 28, 2013. The page’s posts have more than 100 shares and 5,000 likes and followers.

“On a business-related trip to Wisconsin, on the way back, I was requested to pull over, stop and go

three miles off the highway to Portillos,” council member Kevin McCarthy said. “One person on the trip was from St. Louis, one was from Minneapolis and one was from Michigan and none of those folks are from Chicago, but all of those people were well aware of Portillo’s.”

With the new location being just over two miles away from campus, Illinois State University students cannot wait for the arrival.

“I’m super excited to have a Portillo’s open,” freshman Emily McGuire said. “I’m most excited for the chocolate cake shakes. They are amazing.”

City Manager Mark Peterson said it is estimated the restaurant will produce an average yearly sales volume of over $6 million and about $300,000 in sales taxes for the town.

“At the end of the day when you look at the numbers, for me at least, overall this is just a good deal,” council member Scott Preston said. “It’s a good deal for the taxpayers and it’s something that, in the long run, will bring in revenue to the town of Normal.”

The restaurant will hold regional appeal, receiving customers not only from Bloomington-Normal, but also people coming off highways 55 and 39.

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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Recycling needs ‘push for town initiative’ Environmental organizations across campus strive to encourage student awareness Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of a two-part series exploring recycling at student realty companies in Normal.

KEVIN SCHWALLER News Reporter | @kevschwa

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he Town of Normal’s recycling system works, but members from different environmental organizations at Illinois State University are concerned about the dangers of not recycling.

With drop boxes located in various locations around Normal, offcampus students have to travel to recycle. Each drop box is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has different compartments for glass and plastic, cardboard and paper.

Research Professor of Environmental Health Thomas Bierma said he believes the system works, but it can be inconvenient.

“I’m not sure how many people who live in apartments know about [Normal’s recycling system], first of all, and secondly, actually do it,” Bierma said. “And certainly if you don’t have a car and go grocery shopping by bus or by bike, it can be a little challenging hauling your recyclables around with you.”

Since Normal only offers onsite recycling pickup for singlefamily homes, landlords have to decide if they want to provide a recycling service at apartment buildings.

Currently, there is a petition generated through iPetition to provide off-campus recycling to student apartments. However, Bierma said apartment recycling is too costly for

Vidette Archive

While providing recycling to tenants is costly, organizations and professors warn against not helping the planet. landlords to consider it.

“If you look at garbage disposal and recycling, roughly two-thirds of the cost is the cost of the truck going to get it. So if you have one bin for garbage, and one truck has to go get it, and you had a second bin for recycling, you’re doubling your costs,” he said. “It’s difficult to convince landlords that it’s worth that cost, and they’re going to have to pass that on to the residents.”

Office of Sustainability Director Missy Nergard said the McLean County landfill is almost full.

“Our local landfill is near capac-

ity. Once that is closed, there’s no extra space,” Nergard said. “So then our transportation costs are going to increase because we’ll have to go to whoever gets the bid for the university’s garbage. The longer we can divert from putting things in the landfill, the longer the landfill will last and our costs will stay low.”

Bierma explained the harm in not recycling.

“Imagine a plastic bottle. How do they make that plastic? They had to get petroleum. Crude oil is the way they make most plastic. You’re drilling for it, and there’s a lot of

environmental harm in drilling for oil. Then you have to transport that oil,” he said. “There’s environmental pollution happening from refineries. All that pollution happens just to make the plastic in the bottle. You go buy a beverage, you drink it, then what? If you throw it out, we’ve got to go back and drill more oil, transport it, refine it and make the plastic. If you recycle it, it gets turned back into plastic bottles.”

Nergard said the Office of Sustainability tries to offer solutions to working with the recycling system.

“Tupperware, or reusable containers or the water bottle filling stations all over campus. We try to reduce the amount of landfill inputs, no matter if you live on or off campus,” Nergard said. “The other thing is to be really conscientious about what you are buying. Every purchase we make is a decision, and it’s an important decision, as trivial as it may seem at the time.”

Senior and former Secretary for Student Environmental Action Coalition Jim Gass said the organization has worked with the Town of Normal and Ecology Action Center to get recycling services at apartments.

“NextGen Climate and Student Environmental Action Coalition have been petitioning on the ISU Quad to change the waste collection policies for realty companies operating in the Town of Normal,” Gass said. “[Executive Director of Ecology Action Center] Michael Brown has participated in meetings with the Town of Normal in which they discussed mandating recycling bins for apartment buildings in the town’s new waste management plan, but as of October nothing new has transpired there.”

Nergard is optimistic that if students are passionate enough about getting recycling in apartments, there could be a change.

“The cost, the convenience, it just doesn’t work. Students can push for systemic change,” she said. “If enough students really want to see recycling, if apartment managers get enough feedback from willing students and their client base is insistent enough, then those changes happen. You can do that apartment by apartment, or really push for a town initiative.”

“If enough students really want to see recycling, if apartment managers get enough feedback from willing students and their client base is insistent enough, then those changes happen.”

Missy Nergard

Office of Sustainability Director

All-gender restrooms make way to campus Stalls open to all can be found in the Bone Student Center and Watterson Towers MALLORY LOVINGS News Reporter | @MalloryLovings

Illinois State University is continuing to f lush segregation down the drain as it makes minor renovations for a big cause.

All-gender restrooms have been making its way to campus for over a year now.

“In the last year or so there have been more [bathrooms] moved to all-gender restrooms, and I have to give a lot of credit to President Dietz and his commitment to diversity and our value of diversity here on campus,” Chief of Staff Jay Groves said.

Currently, there are all-gender restrooms in the Alumni Center, Hovey Hall, Linkins Dining Center, Rachel Cooper Hall, Bone Student Center, Redbird Arena, Schroeder Hall and Watterson Towers.

To convert the restrooms to all-gender ones, the required renovations were minimal.

“Part of the conversion for the all-gender restrooms was to make sure we had locks on all of the doors and appropriate

signage so no one would be caught off guard,” Groves said.

Senior business administration major Xavier Rodela said he thinks this is a big step in the right direction for inclusion, but he is concerned about those who will take advantage of the new restrooms.

“Some people are just weirdos like that,” Rodela said. “So yeah, sadly there will be issues sometimes because not everyone thinks the same way.”

However, Groves is optimistic that any inappropriate actions or privacy issues will be minimal just because they did make the effort to add the additional locks on the restrooms.

ISU plans on adding more all-gender restrooms around campus, though the plans are not set in stone yet.

“Due to funding constraints and space limitations, it is not possible to place all-gender facilities in every building on campus,” Debra Smitley, senior associate vice president for planning, finance and facilities, said. “However, it is the intent [of ISU] to put all-gender facilities in any new buildings constructed and to include provisions for such in major rehabilitation projects.”

Smitley and Groves said feedback has been extremely positive so far and the restrooms have had just as much traffic as anticipated.

Rodela and other students believe this is

Ali Rasper | Vidette Photographer

ISU plans to add more all-gender restrooms across campus in the future. a great change to add to campus and that ISU will only keep progressing as the years go on.

“I feel it will bring more diversity to campus because you are embracing the students who are transgender,” junior elementary education major Daniel Jackson said. “And for a while, this campus has been very open with its policies, and this is another step to making our campus much more diverse.”

While All-gender restrooms are replacing some of the male and female facilities, ISU will be retaining a fair amount of all male and all female restrooms to accommodate everyone.

Mallory Lovings is a news reporter for The Vidette and can be reached at mloving@ ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter @MalloryLovings.

Viewpoint

PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE

VIDETTE EDITORIAL

All-gender bathrooms signal millennial advancement

I

llinois State University’s most recent attempt at diversification, the addition of all-gender bathroom facilities, is a brilliant step forward for more than just the campus and its community.

The addition of all-gender bathrooms has been a topic heavily gaining traction this year, specifically with the Target boycott that began in April.

Since Target announced its plan to introduce all-gender bathrooms, its earnings have suffered significantly and an official boycott was announced by previous customers.

The company responded to these protests by creating an additional bathroom for any customer in need of privacy.

This restroom would also be catered to parents of small children of opposite gender

or people with discomfort in a bathroom alongside a transgender person.

Opponents of the renovation stated fears of potential sexual predators taking advantage of these all-gender locations to victimize women and children. In fact, a pledge stating to stop shopping at Target was signed by more than 1.4 million people in an attempt for the company to reverse the decision.

How encouraging is it that Illinois State has been able to take on the same task of renovations without a known blip of student protest?

For a topic of such heated debate in the public sphere, it is heartwarming to see that young generations have the ability to accept these changes as not only okay, but progressive.

In an interview with The Vidette, an ISU student was

quoted stating that they feel this change “will bring more diversity to campus because you are embracing the students who are transgender.”

With the current renovations underway, the majority of transitions will occur in women’s restrooms across campus.

Not once did someone imply discomfort with the change. Though, the university has prepared for this reaction as well by ensuring that there will remain bathrooms on campus serving as the traditional male or female facilities.

As a generation that receives a lot of grief about what we do “wrong” in the eyes of our elders, this is an interesting turn of the tables that we should be proud of.

We, the future leaders of the world, advocate for giving up some of our self-

comfort in an attempt to make those around us more comfortable in their own skins.

We no longer show the trends of the selfish generation we have been labeled as and strive to push for equality for all of our friends and neighbors, regardless of sexual orientation, race, religion and more.

Hopefully, this acceptance for progressive acts carries on past the halls of ISU and ripples into all areas of life, not just in regards to the transgender community.

Unlike those 1.4 million Target boycotters, students at ISU are proud to take part in such an encouraging transition not only for us, but for the world. We are joining the conversation of a topic much bigger than ourselves, and it is a promising step forward.

Editorial Cartoon by Jeremy Burcenski | Vidette Art Director Editorial written by MARY CULLEN, 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.

Enjoy time with family this holiday season MY VIEW TOM HEAGNEY | Columnist

T

hrough more than three years of college, I’ve found that winter break typically elicits a handful of different emotions.

First and foremost is relief.

After a grueling two, or in this year’s case, three, weeks of frantic scrambling to lock in grades, nothing seems more appealing than doing nothing.

Once that final assignment is done and the final exam has been taken, rushing back to my apartment and immediately deleting my schedule from my phone is a pastime. Typically this honeymoon of doing nothing lasts for the rest of the time I’m at school, however after a few days of fun it’s time to head home, and that’s when things begin to change.

The next emotion is boredom.

Usually setting in after about a day or two back home in my

parents’ basement, the feeling is removed by the realization that I now have time for a lot of menial activities that I was too busy to enjoy back at school. Video games, Netflix and browsing Reddit for GIFs of cats typically helps for another five days or so. That all said, once the boredom really catches up, there’s no escaping it.

At this point, for me at least, things start to get less enjoyable. Frustration, irritation, cabin fever and a longing to be back at school take what is supposed to be a relaxing experience and turn it on its head. While the excitement of Christmas and New Year’s do inch closer with each passing day, it’s easy to begin questioning why I didn’t just stay at school longer. The best part?

Even if I did, I’d likely be feeling the same way.

Right about now is when the nostalgia begins to set in. As I ask myself incessantly why it doesn’t “feel” like Christmas this year, I always arrive at the simple answer of “just being old now.”

The feeling of age is accentuated greatly by catching

up with high school friends, who by this point have also hit a critical point of boredom and have emerged from their parents’ homes to socialize as well. Reliving the glory days, while nowhere near the fun synonymous with being at Illinois State University, typically manages to make the remaining weeks at home tolerable.

Much like it begins, break typically ends with a feeling of overwhelming relief. Heading back to school brings things to do, people to see and excitement on a daily basis. That is, of course, until syllabus week ends and reality sets back in.

Now this is where I’d like to make a brief, albeit important point. Notice that, not once during my thoughts, was family or taking time to enjoy my time alone mentioned. Now I’m fully aware that I can’t speak for everybody, but I’m a pretty average dude and I feel like most can at least relate pretty well with my prior thoughts.

Why do we ignore the true purpose of being given a month at home?

No matter how often you do or do not notice, your parents likely look forward to winter

break as one of the highlights of their year. After spending 18 years nurturing and supporting you, the opportunity to have you back in their daily lives, no matter how short the period, means a great deal to them.

While it may be relatively easy to have some adolescent annoyances bubble up, it’s important to not sequester yourself in your room too often.

Sure, going home may be a mixed bag. You might be bored to death in your basement alone, or you may be so busy trying to catch up with old friends that you feel as stressed as you did at school. Regardless, make a conscious effort to spend substantial time with your parents and other family members while back. It may not be as fast-paced or exciting as time with your friends or what you’re used to, but your parents are only getting older and the number of weeks you have left at home are definitely numbered.

Tom Heagney is a news reporter and columnist for The Vidette.

He can be reached at vidette_ tmheagn@.ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @TomHeagney.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

GUEST COLUMN

You can’t judge a book by its cover Hadia Alahmari | Guest Columnist

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h y has the headscarf become a phobia for many people in the United States of America? I am a Muslim woman and I wear a headscarf, and I also have good friends from the U.S. and from other countries.

We are in the 21st century; we are supposed to have a high degree of thinking and respect for freedom. In addition, we should not judge people by their outer appearance. The headscarf the woman is wearing does not make her dangerous or bad. In fact, I like to wear a headscarf because it is a symbol of my religion and my culture. Besides, I respect other religions and cultures, and I would never judge any person based on his or her religious and cultural background or outer appearance.

Previously, I had some experiences when I wore a headscarf; some of them were positive, while others negative. For example, in 2012 I came to the U.S. with my family for summer vacation. It was the first time that we had been in this country, and we had made positive assumptions about the American people.

The first day we were in New York City. It was a beautiful day, but when we were walking in Times Square, we saw a woman look at us and say negative words. She said, “Why did you come to America? Get out and go back to your country.”

She surprised us, Hadia Alahmari is especially since this day a student in the was the first day for us in English Language the U.S. But after awhile, Institute at Illinois another woman came to State University. She us and said “I am sorry is from Saudi Arabia — she does not realize and has been in the what she says. Maybe United States for two she is drunk; be sure to years. She plans to know that she does not get her doctorate in represent everyone in Special Education at America.”

ISU. Any questions At the end, my brother regarding her column said, “Actually she does can be sent to not represent everyone yalamee@ilstu.edu. in the USA. I have been here for four years, and I have not encountered any racism.” Thus, we must remember the proverb: “ You cannot judge a book by its cover.”

Now I have been in the U.S. for almost two years, and I had another positive experience in 2015 when I came to the U.S. to complete my education.

I had been living with my host mom for seven months. She is an American, and she respects me as a Muslim person and accepts my headscarf.

When a man came to her house, she said, “Hadia, if you would like to leave your room, you should wear your headscarf because my friend is coming in five minutes. He is a man.”

Although she moved to Seattle, I am still in contact with her, and I will never forget her personality.

I love her because she is very respectful.

Also, I study in English Language Institute with my friends who wear headscarves like me, and our teachers respect us because they accept different cultures. We feel comfortable when we talk to them.

When we feel homesick, we find our teachers around us to help us to make our daily lives better and overcome difficulties that we face. Not only that, but I have American neighbors. They are friendly, and I have a good relationship with them.

They know I am Muslim, and they still visit me in my house and help me when I face any difficulties.

However, in 2016 everything changed; I do not know why or how. But every day I hear a bad story about people who are afraid of women who wear headscarves. In fact, personally, I have not faced anyone who is against me. But I read and watched the news about some people who deliberately harassed a woman who wore a headscarf, and then they recorded her reaction on social media to make fun of her.

Now this situation is worse than before. I do not think that the people who posted the video of the woman were afraid, but rather they disregarded the feelings of others. It is very painful not only for this woman or other women who face this same racism, but for all Muslim women around the world.

We must accept the reality that not all American people have the same racial thinking. In light of that, most liberal institutions encourage diversity found in people’s appearances, believing that each individual is free to represent his or her culture or values. Therefore, we should accept the fact that humans have different ways in which they are comfortable and confident in what they want to wear.

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Holiday shopping can be hectic and expensive. Even so, college students can get gifts for everyone on their list without blowing the bank.

Buy crafts Although getting the supplies might cost some money, the items can go far. Buying a few paints and props can provide multiple friends and family members with gifts at a low price.

“A lot of my friends are living in apartments, so I like to think of making something decorative that they can put up or keep in their apartment and look at everyday,” senior dance education major and business administration minor Katelyn Reyes said.

“It can be a painted canvas, a no-sew blanket or a painted wine glass.”

Reyes said the savior for finding do-it-yourself crafts is Pinterest, and not only do the gifts turn out great, they are also more personalized and sentimental and come more from the heart.

Establish a budget Financial aid counselor Shawn Rigsby said the number-one adjustment someone can make while shopping on a budget is not to overspend.

He said to set a limit and have the will to not bypass that limit.

“Use credit cards only when necessary and only when you can pay off the debt quickly,” Rigsby said.

One way to avoid setting too small a limit for shopping is to save throughout the year. By setting aside some spending money for the holidays each month, even a bare minimum of $20 can help out more than shoppers might think.

Holiday shoppers buy gifts with plastic CLAIRE WEINZIERL News Reporter | @ClaireWeinzierl

A

recent survey performed by COUNTRY Financial shows that most consumers in Illinois this year will do their holiday shopping using credit cards.

According to a story by WJBC, COUNTRY’s Manager of Financial Security Joe Buhrmann said this is a good sign.

“At least the general economic outlook is still looking pretty favorable, so I think that’s why people are leaning more heavily on plastic,” Buhrmann said, according to WJBC. In the survey, about 52 percent of survey respondents plan to buy holiday gifts using credit cards, and less than 1 percent are writing checks.

Pan Atkinson is the University of Illinois consumer economics educator in the Livingston, McLean and Woodford counties. She said consumers tend to use credit cards because of their convenience at checkout lanes, being that they are quick and easy to use. Some people use reward cards that help maximize the rewards they get back after purchasing merchandise, which is an additional benefit to using a credit card.

Atkinson also said many cards have an additional warranty protection on the items purchased and can offer protection when purchasing merchandise online.

However, she said that most people use the cards as “extra money,” meaning they do not have enough money for what they want to buy and are planning on paying for it at a later time.

Some downsides to credit cards are paying more than initially anticipated due to interest rates, which is typically fairly high, Atkinson said.

Another downside is spending money that a consumer may not have and studies have also shown that consumers spend more with a card.

Atkinson said there is no emotional attachment

Make a list Both Rigsby and Reyes believe that making a list of items people want is helpful. Not only can it help shoppers stay on track with the items that they want to get, but it can also help them better prepare by researching items to see exactly how much money is needed.

“I make two lists,” Reyes said.

“One for my family and one for my friends.”

She said she finds it easier to do that and then ask herself what that person would like that is relatively inexpensive. It is easier to remember the people you are shopping for after writing them down, and it also helps remind shoppers they are only getting that one gift for the specific person. compiled by MALLORY LOVINGS

FRI. THURS. WED. TUES. MON.

Survival guide to shopping on a college budget

Ali Rasper | Vidette Photographer

Illinois residents will do most of their holiday shopping with credit cards this year, according to a recent COUNTRY Financial survey. to plastic like there is when you have to hand over the cash in your pocket.

Atkinson also said the best method of shopping for consumers is with cash.

“It has a self-limiting factor and discourages impulse shopping because you think about what you can’t buy if you spend more on this item,” Atkinson said.

Some tips for shopping this holiday season include making a list of what gift you want to buy for each specific person, checking comparisons through online shopping and looking for sales at different locations. Atkinson reminds consumers of shipping costs and said that if you are looking at a heavy item that a gift card may be a better idea.

“People forget about all the other expenses that go into the holidays, higher electric bills because of decorations, clothes for parties and pictures, travel expenses and food or gifts for office and other parties,” Atkinson said. “This year keep all your receipts, add them up and divide by 12. This

is how much you need to save every month to have Christmas paid for next year.”

College students often have low incomes. However, this does not deter them from buying gifts for their families and friends.

“I try to use cash during the holiday season to pay for presents because then I can budget exactly how much I want to spend and I can’t go over my limit as easily as I could swiping a card,” sophomore at Heartland Community College Sylvie McManaman said.

“I usually use my debit card when I go shopping for gifts because I can look at the transactions on my banking app and see how much I’ve spent on each person. I don’t always have cash on me, so it’s more convenient for me to use a card to pay for my purchases,” junior DePaul University student Rachel Perry said.

Atkinson also said that if you can make something people really like to give that as a gift.

Making gifts for your friends and family is more affordable and much more memorable.

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Features

PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

ISU chief accountant to retire

Mary Kentzler worked with more than numbers during her career HANNAH ROSEMURGY Features Reporter | @hanrosey_

TRADITIONS continued from page 1

“The biggest thing for my family is to retell the story of Hanukkah and to have a very joyous and thankful dinner,” Uziel said. “It’s a very special moment when we light the menorah every night because it feels like a very holy moment.”

There are many ways to spend the holiday season in a bright and merry way. Ugly Christmas sweater parties are held throughout the whole month of December, and having a gift exchange among friends before break is a great way to spend time together and celebrate the semester’s end.

The holiday season can also be thought of as the season of giving, but not just through exchanging presents with loved ones. Paying it forward has become more well-known through viral videos and even organizations that pay for others’ groceries, shovel snow off of driveways and other random acts of kindness. Volunteering at local food pantries, donating canned goods to food drives or donating warm clothes to homeless shelters are additional beneficial ways to give this holiday season.

Christmas lights, gingerbread houses and cozying up next to the fireplace can warm any Grinch’s heart during the holiday season. Whether or not it is a white Christmas, with these traditions there are endless activities for everyone to enjoy this holiday season and seasons to come.

“The whole lesson that I’ve learned in my life is perseverance,” Mary Kentzler, chief accountant in the Illinois State University comptroller’s office said. “You have to persevere in everything you want to do and where you want to go — even if you don’t know where you want to go.”

Mary Kentzler has been working at Illinois State University for over 25 years and will retire at the end of the semester. With several grandchildren and children needing support, Kentzler has chosen to retire this year.

A retirement reception will be held for Kentzler from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the Founders Suite of the Bone Student Center.

Kentzler’s office tells the story of more than just her work at ISU. Located in the top left of the room where she sits is a photograph of a woman in uniform. Kentzler enlisted in the Army right out of high school, where she served for five years.

Throughout her Army career, she was told she would not make top ranks because of the fact that she is a female.

“I was told I could never do that job because I was a female,” Kentzler said. “I graduated top of my class, but it didn’t matter.”

While serving in the Army, Kentzler met her now ex-husband and had three children with him.

“I divorced my husband who was physically and verbally abusive,” she said. “I had three little girls I had to take care of. I told myself ‘I have to get to school,’ so I went into accounting.”

The defiance did not stop there for Kentzler. When she enrolled in the program, her adviser warned her that she

Photo submitted by Mary Kentzler

Mary Kentzler has worked at ISU for 25 years, and will be retiring this year to be with family. would not be suitable for accounting and she should not

“You have to appreciate every moment. There have been times where I just stop and think to myself ‘Everything is absolutely perfect right now.’”

Mary Kentzler

ISU Chief Accountant

waste her time in the field.

“My adviser said to me ‘You’re the lady that walks around campus with the wagon and the kids. You’re never going to make it into accounting because you have kids,’” Kentzler said. “’I said to him ‘Well, what does that matter?’”

Kentzler disregarded her adviser’s comments, packed up her belongings and moved to Illinois State, but not before marrying her husband, Rick Kentzler, who is an architect at ISU. “He just sort of fit into my life, even with everything going on,” she said. “I told him that there was a reason why I didn’t marry him first, because then I would have thought everyone was like him, but now I know that they’re not and I don’t take him for granted.”

Kentzler said one of the reasons she chose to retire is because one of her grandchildren, Molly, has had numerous health complications all her life and is in and out of the hospital quite often. Doctors are still trying to figure out how to help her, but in the meantime, Kentzler knows she

needs to be with family during this time.

“You never know what life is going to bring you,” Kentzler said.

Throughout the various struggles that challenged Kentzler and her family, she has ultimately learned the importance of perseverance and enjoying life to the fullest.

“You have to appreciate every moment. There have been times where I just stop and think to myself ‘Everything is absolutely perfect right now,’” Kentzler said. “Remember that; remember how that feels.”

Hannah Rosemurgy is a Features reporter for The Vidette.

Contact her at hcrosem@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @hanrosey_

Honor Society brings opportunity for scholarships and connections after college ELLEN CELSKE Features Reporter | @ellencelske

etto, graduate assistant at ISU and the founding president of the chapter, said. “I am proud to say we collaborated with The Baby Fold in the The Honor Society has recently launched fall of 2015 and had a toy drive to benefit their a new chapter recognized by both Illinois Christmas Wish List.”

State University and the Honor Society’s Baietto said The Baby Fold displayed the toys national office. The program is a leading from the drive, along with others they received, honor society helping members maximize at the Festival of Trees that year. their potential in academics, leadership “After I graduated from my undergraduate and community service. Its benefits are program this past year, the chapter did not convaluable for college students, whether they tinue,” Baietto said. are seeking student connections, a commuThe Honor Society is back this year, and it nity, leadership opportunities, an internstresses how beneficial a membership can be for ship or a job. students by holding them accountable for their The benefits associated allow members grades, service in their community and comto connect with people to munication skills. A membership offers many help them achieve their opportunities to demonstrate leadership and gain real-world skill sets. to Know goals. Some of the benefits include multi-level scholar“Navigating through college and beyond can ships for different ranges of academic and be a difficult, transitory time for a student, but community achievement, exclusive disit doesn’t have to be. HonorSociety.org is there counts on health plans, dining, textbooks to ensure that members are safe, prioritizing and recreational activities; involvement their studies and have a close-knit community in local communities through university to reach out to,” the Honor Society website Shaun Johnson | Vidette Photographer states. chapters, various career tools and members trips. These trips allow members from The Honor Society at ISU gives students the chance to volunteer and make connections.

Its goal is to connect members to like-minded for life after college. around the nation to come together, netleaders and provide opportunities to help them work, have fun and create memories. grow and succeed. For further information about “The chapter was actually initiated and became an RSO the 2015-16 school year, however we only had about 20 what the Honor Society has to offer, visit its website at at ISU in 2015. We attempted to be an active RSO for members, and only three of us participated,” Jamey Baihonorsociety.org.

RSO

THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

FOOD

Continued from page 8

Photo by Kelly McNamara | Vidette Photo Editor

Frannie Corrigan corrals the ball during the second half of Illinois State’s 68-60 loss to the Panthers of UW-Milwaukee, ISU has now lost two-straight games

Panthers pounce on Redbirds late NICK DAMIANI Sports Reporter | @nGdamiani

The Illinois State women’s basketball team dropped its second straight game, losing to Wisconsin-Milwaukee 68-60 Wednesday night at Redbird Arena.

After a closely contested first half that saw the Redbirds exit with a one-point lead. The Panthers opened the second half on a 7-0 run.

The Redbirds clawed their way back on multiple occasions, even tying the score Barb Smith at 51 after Megan Talbot hit a corner three. After Talbot’s three the panthers broke the game open with a 13-0 run. The Redbirds would pull within six in the last minute, but the Panthers iced the game going 4-4 at the line in the last minute. Coach Barb Smith thought her team lost their composure in the second half.

“We were taking bad shots and from there we started committing frustration fouls,” Smith

said.

The Redbirds continue to struggle protecting The Redbirds looked tough defensively the basketball after committing 25 turnovers throughout the night, forcing the Panthers Wednesday night, leading to 25 points for the into 16 turnovers. While holding the panthers Panthers. Coach Smith says the turnovers were to 11 points less than their season average. a result of the offenses lack of motion.

The duo of Taylor Stewart and Katrina Beck “When the offense gets stagnant it’s harder led the Redbird offense in the first half. to find our shots and we force things,” Stewart connected on a pair of triples Smith said. to give the Redbirds their first lead of Alexis Lindstrom led the scoring the night. Beck continued attacking the attack for the Panthers, netting 14 Panther defense as she finished a nifty points, including two three pointers. left handed layup to give the birds a one Three other UW-Milwaukee players point lead at the half. scored in double figures.

Stewart and Beck finished with 14 Both the Redbirds and Panthers’ points each to lead the Redbirds. The benches contributed, with both Taylor Stewart ’Birds received a large boost on both teams reserves combining for 31 ends of the f loor from junior Hannah points.

Green. Green had missed the team’s last ISU outscored the Panthers in the paint, three games due to injury. She finished with 28-22 while the visitors notched 15 second12 points and seven blocks, one short of the chance points. school record. Coach Smith sang high praises The Redbirds will look to get back on track on Green’s return.

Sunday when they host George Mason.

“She brings more confidence to our team, Check out the related more scoring and defense to our team and her photo gallery on coming back is huge for us,” Smith said. at videtteonline.com

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Happiness does not cost a thing.

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Hold yourself accountable for every move you make on this planet, considering you are your own individual. Honesty will always be the best policy. It just might not be clear at first.

Do not live on the behalf of others, you were born for a reason and have the right to live your life freely without backlash and criticism.

Following the 2016 NFL season, quarterback Robert Griffin III left a note hanging in his empty locker.

Griffin’s relationship with the team was diminishing and was likely moving on from the franchise. A poem drafted by Mother Teresa was scripted on a piece of paper which had the Washington logo printed in the background.

“People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered, forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives, be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies, succeed anyway.

If you are honest & sincere, people may deceive you, be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight, create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous, be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often forgotten, do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough, give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it’s between you and God, it was never between you and them anyway.”

Change is good, however core values should not be put in question due to the lack of compassion from certain people.

Do not ever give up. Tasks will be challenging, you may find yourself in a mentally weak position but always push toward the finish line.

You will regret not fulfilling the goal.

In the moment, the portrait may be you against the world. In the bigger picture, all of the pieces will fall into place and you will walk out a better person than you were before. Do not sweat the small stuff, nor take anything for granted; your life could change in the blink of an eye. Always work hard but occasionally make room for fun, often actually.

Take this advice with a grain of salt. Besides, I am just an average white kid from the suburbs anyway.

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Sports

PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Food for thought

MY VIEW Jason Klaer | Sports Columnist

Photo courtesy of ISU Athletics

Illinois State guard Keyshawn Evans attacks Tulsa’s Jaleel Wheeler. Evans finished with six points, three assists and three rebounds in 25 minutes.

CAN’T FINISH

Illinois State leads by 14 points in second half, but Redbird Hoops fall 70-68 to Tulsa, remain winless on road in 2016-17 RYAN KELLY Senior Reporter | @rkelly1122

Illinois State dropped its third straight road game to Tulsa Wednesday night by a score of 70-68. ISU falls to 4-3 on the season, all wins coming at home. Tulsa improves its record to 4-3.

ISU came out of the game slow in the first half and fell behind eight points and battled back to take a half time lead of 36-32 thanks to a long three-pointer from point guard Paris Lee to conclude the opening half.

The Redbirds scored 10 points off turnovers on the first half, on four steals. Lee and forward MiKyle McIntosh had eight points each in the first 20 minutes of play. Lee finished with a team, and game high 18 points and was 5/8 from three-point land, with six assists, McIntosh finished with 15 points.

ISU came storming out of the gate in the second half and blew the game open. The ‘Birds had a 14-point lead that slowly evaporated the remainder of the game. Tulsa finished the contest on a 13-3 run.

The first lead Tulsa had was with under three minutes left in the game. McIntosh quickly tied the game on the next possession with a left-handed hook shot in the lane. Setting up an exciting final minute of play.

The game was tied with 30 seconds left when ISU forward Phil Fayne was called for traveling. Head coach Dan Muller was not happy with the officials after the call.

Tulsa guard Sterling Taplin hit a go-ahead f loater in the lane with 11.3 after a nice spin move to create separation from Lee, the ISU defender. Muller received a technical foul after the basket was made. The Golden Hurricane then made the game 70-67 after making one of the free throws after the technical foul.

Tulsa then decided to foul twice and put the Redbirds on the line, not giving them a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer.

Lee made one-of-two, and a double lane violation gave the Redbirds the ball back with 3.5 seconds left. Hawkins air balled a last-second three-point attempt, and Tulsa escaped with a comeback win.

ISU was 12-of-28 (42.9 percent) from

3-point territory and 39 percent overall from the field. Tulsa was just 6-of-23 (26.1 percent) from 3 and shot 45.5 percent. The Redbirds lost the turnover battle, giving it away 13 times. Two of which came on the first two possessions of the game. Tulsa finished with nine.

Taplin and forward Junior Etou led the Golden Hurricane in scoring with 15 points each. ISU finished the night with five blocks on defense, two coming from Fayne.

Another big story line from the game was the Redbirds attempted only 13 free-throws in the ballgame, and Tulsa attempted 24. ISU committed 21 fouls, Tulsa committed 14. Tony Wills fouled out of the game with just under three minutes in the game, and finished with 11 points and four rebounds.

ISU returns to action Saturday against UT Martin at Redbird Arena, which has been much more kind to the Redbirds this season than being away from home. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

The Paris Lee Effect: Redbirds led by MVC POW

MY VIEW JACK GORDON | Sports Columnist

A

fter leading the Redbirds to a pair of decisive home victories and earning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week honors, it is no secret that Paris Lee has begun the season in epic fashion.

Lee produced a dazzling stat line of 18.0 points, 8.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds in the week. Even more impressive is how much this fierce competitor has improved throughout his illustrious career at Illinois State.

Lee has incrementally gotten better with each season, while remaining healthy and starting in at least 30 games in each of his

three full seasons. In his freshman and sophomore campaigns, he was primarily known for his defensive contributions. In fact, during his sophomore season, he led the MVC in steals-per-game and set the single-season steals record for an ISU player. He was also awarded his first MVC AllDefensive Team recognition.

In his junior season, Lee began to take on more responsibilities while still maintaining his elite defensive status. These new responsibilities were centered around improving the offensive side of his game. He managed to set new career highs in each of the following offensive categories: points, rebounds, free throw percentage, minutes played and assists. If he keeps up this rate of improvement throughout this season and as he has done so far, he will certainly set new career highs in each one of these offensive categories.

Much of Lee’s improvement lies

within the immeasurable categories of leadership, playmaking and overall effect on teammates.

He always plays with ferocious intensity on both ends of the floor.

Standing only 5’11-feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, Lee physically cannot barrel his way to the basket like LeBron James. On the offensive end, he must rely on elusive ball-handling techniques to avoid his defender. His quickness and ability to crossover has allowed him to drive to the basket and score often. And since his left hand is his dominant hand, he gains a slight advantage because defenders are accustomed to the tendencies of a right-handed point guard. On the defensive end, his left-handedness serves him just as well. He steals the ball early and often at mid-court range, usually when the ball handler is changing direction of dribble. Lee is simply an absolute nightmare to his opponents because of his ability to swat the ball away from their

control. One uncertain dribble or step becomes an instant opportunity for Lee to force a turnover. It is just not very often a point guard can be as energetic and versatile as Lee. Lee has essentially improved nearly every statistical aspect of his game since his debut season, yet he provides more value to a basketball team than a traditional point guard. The role of the point guard is typically expected to contribute in the categories of assists, steals and free throw percentage.

Lee’s contributions go far beyond these measures. Most importantly, the effect he has had on his teammates is fueling the Redbirds to be a winning squad once again.

Jack Gordon is a junior music major and sports columnist at The Vidette. Email him at jgordon@ ilstu.edu Follow him on Twitter @ JackGordonMusic.

After 120 credit hours, five different housing locations and several hundred swipes into the dining center, my time at Illinois State University has come to an end. Our main priority when pursuing higher education comes down to transforming our interests into full-blown passions. Working hard in the classroom as well as extra-curricular activities is the main objective. However, considering I was not the only one in my major, I kindled relationships with colleagues through my involvement in different organizations.

From The Vidette to 103.3 WZND, countless individuals touched me in the utmost positive manner. As I mentioned before, the priority of college is an education, but the purpose of higher education is to grow socially as a human being.

In a world of temporary people, I can assure myself all of those I have rubbed shoulders with at ISU are permanent.

Venturing out of your comfort-level would be a step in the right direction.

Many of us do not like change, but how do we know until we try?

We trek through our journey always regretting the pasts and worrying about the road ahead.

How often do we actually live in the moment? Making a mountain out of a molehill, we try and convince ourselves somehow worrying will do us any good.

I am 22 years old. In four years I will look back at myself and think, “If only I knew back then what I know now.” This cycle will continue for the rest of my life, as I will always be learning, even after my final class at ISU. Bottom line, worrying is as effective as chewing gum to solve a math equation.

Another unseen power people are in control of is the ability to make choices. For the majority of our lives, we have the opportunity to dictate the direction of the arduous adventure, and it is called free will.

Contemplating situations can consume a significant amount in this precious life. Some parts are just going to be out of our control. As a typical sports fan would say, the ball will not be in your court. The actions will take place regardless and we have no say or leverage into the outcome.

Just because these events occur does not indicate our standing, adjusting to the situation is crucial and moving on is imperative.

We cannot all get what we want, odds are not always going to fall in our favor, but who cares? Embrace the good as much as the bad. Trials and tribulations lay ahead of us.

Our learning experience will not come from trying to pinpoint when they will happen, but reacting in the proper way and learning from mistakes will prevail.

Appreciate the journey to achieving a goal as much as the end result, and you will never be dissatisfied.

Understand people are not going to like you for whatever preconceived reason they create in their heads.

Your objective is to keep being yourself, not to worry about the ignorance of others.

Don’t suffocate due to the ignorance of others; be yourself no matter what the circumstances are.

See FOOD on page 7