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Going bald for a cause Students raise money for cancer by donating locks of hair during Sunday’s St. Baldrick’s event TIFFANY MORRISON News Reporter | @MorrisonTiffany
The Old Main Room in the Bone Student Center was filled with encouragement and support for children of cancer as people raised money for St. Baldrick’s. From noon to 3 p.m., students and community members gathered to participate in Illinois State University’s second annual St. Baldrick’s event. Participants and friends watched as, one by one, each individual shaved or cut their hair to support the cause. “I did it last year and I personally know a few individuals who suffer from cancer, so being able to help in any way I can is such an honor,” Co-organizer Randon Recker said. Individuals who did not donate hair,could donate in other ways, like contributing to the raffle or by purchasing one of the T-shirts. Lead organizer Emilee Baldwin, who has contributed to the organization for six years now, introduced this event to ISU’s campus.
Tiffany Morrison | Staff Photographer
Marketing major Mark Kijowski was among one of the participants to get his head shaved at St. Baldrick’s.
Baldwin’s first time shaving her head was her freshman year, during which she raised $3,500 for St. Baldrick’s. After that, she shaved again her junior year and most recently last year, at the first event at ISU. “I was never really attached to my hair and I knew this was an amazing way to give back, and I know some people don’t even get the opportunity to have that attachment to their hair, so it’s a blessing to be able to provide them with something meaningful,” Baldwin said. “It gives them encouragement to push forward, showing them that they are not in this alone.” The hair donated from the event goes to Children With Hair Loss, an organization that make wigs for kids at a cheaper, more affordable price. This year, the event had multiple RSOs who had helped out the cause, as well as participation from the club volleyball team and performances from the Improv Mafia. see BALDRICK’S page 5
Greek Life dances, profits Make-A-Wish Left: The men of Pi Kappa Phi pose at the end of their Usher mashup dance. Top-Right: Zeta Tau Alpha won first place for its Michael Jackson tribute performance. Bottom-Right: Sorority Chi Omega organized and open up the 41st annual March Madness event. Photos by Avery Rainwater Staff Photographer
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PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
STAFF LIST Editor in Chief
Ave Rio
News Editors
Ema Sasic Mary Cullen Features Editor
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
Sasic named editor of The Vidette; Higgs to lead Advertising Department
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Ema Sasic has been named editor in chief and Jonathan Higgs has been named advertising sales manager of The Vidette for the 2017-2018 school year. The Vidette Publication Board announced its decisions following its meeting Thursday evening. Both will officially assume their positions at the end of the current semester. Sasic is a junior journalism major from Schaumburg. She said she “couldn’t be more excited” to be named The Vidette’s top editor. “Over the past three years, I have filled various positions and have Ema Sasic learned and grown since day one. I can’t
wait to be this paper’s leader, to work with a group of talented individuals from all ends and reach new heights together,” Sasic said. Sasic joined the newspaper staff as a freshman and worked as a news reporter, and she was later named senior reporter, which is the ranking reporter on each content staff. She has also served as a columnist and editorial writer on The Vidette Editorial Board. This year she has served as one of two news editors, along with Mary Cullen. They manage a Ave Rio team of 10 reporters for the news pages of The Vidette and its website Videtteonline. com. Last week Sasic was named the winner of two prestigious journalism
scholarships within the School of Communication, the Harry and Jo Thiel Red Line Scholarship and the Iola Stoops Juarez Endowed Journalism Scholarship, an award she also won in 2016. She is a graduate of Fremd High School in Palatine. Sasic will succeed outgoing editor Ave Rio, who graduates in May. Higgs is a sophomore marketing major from Aurora. He has served as an account sales executive for The Vidette’s Advertising Department since last August. In that role, he Jonathan meets with an assortHiggs ment of advertising clients on a regular basis as well as prospects new advertising client relationships. Prior to his sales position, Higgs was a member of The Vidette’s
Marketing Team. In his new role, he will supervise The Vidette’s entire sales team. Higgs is an active member of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, and has been involved in a host of activities with that organization. He has also been involved in the Illinois State University Pep Band. He is an Eagle Scout and is a graduate of Marmion Academy in Kevin Rizzo Aurora. Higgs will succeed advertising sales manager Kevin Rizzo, who graduates in May. The Vidette publishes a newspaper on Mondays and Thursdays during the school year and maintains its website and mobile device application seven days a week.
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Illinois State University President Larry Dietz appointed Daniel Stephens as vice president for the Division of Finance and Planning over Spring Break. Stephens will replace Greg Alt, who will retire after serving the University for 27 years, the last three as vice president for Finance and Planning. Stephens’ term will go into effect April 3. He said he is excited to work to make sure ISU remains successful. “It is an honor to be selected to serve as the vice president for Finance and Daniel Stephens Planning,” Stephens said. “I am excited to partner with President Dietz and the senior leadership team along with the faculty, staff and students across the entire university community to continue to grow ISU’s first class reputation as Illinois’ first public university.”
The Division of Finance and Planning provides a wide range of services and information to the campus. It is responsible for ensuring the university’s long-term financial viability, maintaining efficient use of resources, and more. Dietz said Stephens “has an extensive financial background in higher education as well as corporate finance.” “His values and leadership align with [ISU’s] Educating Illinois mission, and he will play an integral part in helping the University continue its path to success during these financially turbulent times,” Dietz said in a statement. Stephens most recently served as the associate vice chancellor of finance for the University of North Texas System in Dallas. He held senior leadership responsibility for accounting, financial reporting, student financial services, payroll, accounting systems, taxes and more.
Stephens beat out San Jose State University in California’s Chief Financial Officer Josee Larochelle and Vice President for Business Affairs for Columbia College in Chicago Michelle Gates for the position. Open forums were held Feb. 27 through March 1 for campus community members to learn more about each candidate. Dietz thanked the search committee for their dedication and hard work, and for its efforts in planning the candidates’ open forums and meetings with shared governance groups. He also thanked Alt for his several years serving ISU. “Greg has done an amazing job of working with the campus community throughout his tenure at ISU,” Dietz said. “I would like to express my gratitude for his contributions in making ISU strong and stable.” see VP page 3 COUPON
The Vidette The Vidette is published Monday and Thursday every week, except for final examinations, holidays, and semester breaks. The Summer Vidette is published every other week. Students are responsible for the content of the Vidette. The views presented do not necessarily represent, in whole or part, those of the Illinois State University administration, faculty, and students. The Vidette is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Illinois College Press Association. Subscriptions are available by mail to anywhere in the United States for $150 per calendar year. © The Vidette 2017 University & Locust / Campus Box 0890 / Normal, IL 61761–0890
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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
BRMM takes Best Overall Band in Ireland Over Spring Break, the ISU marching band competed in parades and visited Dublin, Galway KEVIN SCHWALLER Senior News Reporter | @kevschwa
Illinois State University’s Big Red Marching Machine (BRMM) traveled to Ireland to participate in multiple performances and competitions over Spring Break. On St. Patrick’s Day, the 175 BRMM members performed in the Lord Mayor of Dublin’s 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which included floats and 11 other bands from several countries. The BRMM was named Best Overall Band. The band also performed in the 47th Limerick International Marching Band Competition. Again, it was named Best Overall Band and won the Kenneally Jewellers Perpetual Trophy against 16 bands competing. The BRMM left March 14 and returned the 21. The band consists of musicians from every department of the university, not just music majors. Drumline section leader Christian Raether said winning the award for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was “incredible.” “The entire parade was amazing,” he said. “At one point during the festival it seemed like everyone in the crowd was singing along with us. We put so much work into what we do so winning this award was validation of all of our time and efforts. It was incredible.” Drumline section leader Lauren Bobarsky said BRMM Director and Instructional
Submitted by Christian Raether
The Big Red Marching Machine was named the Best Overall Band in both the Lord Mayor of Dublin’s 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the 47th Limerick International Marching Band Competition. Assistant Professor Gavin Smith applied for the band to go to Ireland last year. “Performing in Ireland at the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the other performances was a great opportunity for the band and the ISU School of Music,” Bobarsky said.
The band went shopping and visited a handful of tourist attractions during its free time. “We went shopping in downtown Galway and Dublin, visited the Cliffs of Moher, visited the Guinness Factory in Dublin, visited Bunratty Castle and much more,” Bobarsky
said. “The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful and breathtaking.” Raether said his favorite memory was being able to explore Dublin. “We went to a bar at night and listened to some live music and watched some Irish dancing,” Raether said. “We were able to experience St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, which is amazing.” Raether also said it was fun to experience a different culture. “It’s very easy to stay in your comfort zone,” Raether said. “Seeing how other people live allows more personal growth and creates a more open mind. For example, when walking around in Dublin, no one was on their phone, everyone was dressed nice, and no one was in a rush.” “There weren’t any lines you had to stand behind at train stations when trains came, there’s a river in Galway that is kind of dangerous but there aren’t any fences to ensure safety,” Raether said. “The country really trusts its people.” Bobarsky also expressed her excitement about going across the world. “It’s beautiful to see how different and similar people can be in a different continent,” Bobarsky said. “Although there were many cultural differences between the people in Ireland and the people in the United States, it was cool to see that people are people no matter where they are in the world.”
ISU student wins first place in screenwriting ALEX CAMPBELL News Reporter | @alex_campbell98
VP continued from page 2
came before her and had recently died,” Brutton said about the movie. Being a fan of television production, Illinois State University students Brutton drew inspiration from one of are no strangers to winning awards. her current favorites, “Black Mirror.” They are also no strangers to workIt gave her the idea of “putting science ing in Hollywood in television and fiction elements in a world still very movies. similar to our own.” Perhaps none, however, have been Although she received a prestigious as decorated as Jessi Brutton. award, Brutton is just getting started. Brutton is working toward a Mass Pursuing screenwriting is Brutton’s Media major with a focus in TV prodream and she is looking to write for duction. She recently won first place television or movies. Even being a for the Student Scriptwriting Feature television show staff writer is appealCategory presented by the Broadcast ing to Brutton, so long as she is able Education Association Festival of to tell stories. Media Arts. She has dreamed about writing for The festival is highly competitive a living since she was in high school. and takes submissions from all over Now her dreams do not seem so far Monica Mendoza | Vidette Senior Photographer away. the nation. Brutton’s first version of her Jessi Brutton received the award for first place in the feature-length Student “I’ve been planning other things for award-winning script was drafted in Scriptwriting Feature Category for her original screenplay, “Just Like Her.” myself, mostly just in the event that professor John McHale’s COM 351: screenwriting doesn’t work out, but mass media writing class, (he) knew she had a speAdvanced Writing for Mass Media. this award has really helped solidify the fact I’m cial gift for crafting moving drama.” The class first became an option in 2008 and on the right path,” she said. The script that Brutton wrote is entitled “Just was the first time in Illinois State history that stuThis does not surprise Professor McHale one bit. Like Her.” It is an inter-genre piece that follows a dents had the “opportunity to write full-length “I hope that she pursues dramatic writing and high school student who excels academically and is drama for course credit,” McHale said. teaching concepts and skills to others. Jessi would from a well-off family in a southern state. Professor McHale submitted Brutton’s script and be a successful writer in Hollywood if she decides “[She] struggles to come to terms with her idenadmitted that “as soon as (he) saw her first piece to make the short-term sacrifices necessary to tity after discovering she is an artificial intelligence of a draft of dramatic writing in (their) advanced build a career,” McHale said. unit created to replace the version of herself that
Stephens held senior financial leadership roles with the University of Idaho and Jacksonville University in Florida before working in Texas, serving as university controller and treasurer at both institutions. He also served as Chief Financial Officer at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. Stephens spent 15 years in audit, financial and accounting roles for multiple pr ivate corporations before working in higher education. He has an MBA in finance from the University of North Florida. “ISU has an exceptional academic, athletic and student success reputation across all of its programs that is consistently identified as top tier, not only within the State of Illinois and the Midwest region, but also recognized nationally,” Stephens said. Kevin Schwaller is a senior news reporter for The Vidette and can be reached at kschwal@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @kevschwa.
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PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
Investigation on Trump’s ties with Russia needed
A
fter a week that saw the sitting director of the FBI confirm his organization is investigating the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russia, a bombshell report detailing former campaign manager Paul Manafort’s ties to a Russian oligarch and extremely bizarre conduct by members of the House Intelligence Committee one thing is clearer than ever: an independent commission must be established to investigate Trump’s ties with Russia. While the establishment of such a commission is extremely unlikely given the lack of Republican support, or incentive, for such an investigation, the preponderance of odd ties between the adversarial nation and those closest to the president has pushed the issue into a realm where partisan politics must take a back seat. Unfortunately, in the bizarre world of today’s Washington D.C., Republicans may not come to grips with such a fact until irreparable damage has been done to its party’s credibility. This could be seen in the conduct of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, who
drew backlash from his fellow committee members after holding a press conference that seemed like an attempt to distract from the damning report on Manafort that had been released earlier that day. Following the bizarre antics by Nunes, Republican Senator John McCain voiced his support for the establishment of an independent commission. He expressed his
concern that Congress is unable to conduct a proper investigation given the highly polarized politics involved. Now it is understandable that Republicans are hesitant to support a large-scale investigation of their own party’s newly elected president, but history will be a tough judge should information eventually come out showing that Trump or his team did commit
any crimes. For a party that was thought to be floundering less than a year ago, such a revelation could be a death blow if it were to emerge. Assuming that the party doesn’t have anything to hide, voicing support for such an investigation would also be a smart move on the part of Trump’s administration. Imagine the political victory that could be had if such an
Editorial Cartoon by Ashley Brown | Vidette Editorial Cartoonist
investigation were to turn up no information regarding illegal or inappropriate conduct after the repeated statements by Democrats that they believe crimes could have been committed. Of course, this won’t happen. The reality seems to be that we are bound to wait for the results of an FBI investigation that could take years to complete. Such an investigation is likely unbiased and safe from any nefarious meddling on the part of Trump or partisan politics, however there is no absolute certainty. While the American people are losing now due to partisan politics blocking the establishment of a much needed independent investigation, Republicans stand to take the most damage should history look back and see them having indirectly aided in a coverup that would make Watergate look like a minor scandal. America is strongest when it has two strong parties that can work together in tough circumstances, it is high time that Republicans use their control of the government to get us back on such a track. An independent investigation of the Trump campaign would be a great place to start.
Editorial written by TOM HEAGNEY, 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.
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Immigration history should be reminder for kindness MY VIEW EMA SASIC | Columnist
N
o matter where you come from or who you are, decisions from the current administration affect you one way or another. Legislature is being signed and discussed on an almost daily basis that makes people of all backgrounds fearful of this country’s future. Immigration has been targeted, lawmakers have tried to repeal the current health care bill and women’s health is always a topic not far from discussion. Among all the groups we have in our country, one has to wonder how immigrants must feel through all of this. Although specific countries and one reli-
gion have been the focus of an immigration ban, all can come together and feel fear and uncertainty during this time. I’ve shared my immigration story plenty of times through my columns, but I’ve never actually expressed how I feel about the immigration ban. When so many people are denied entry into a county that signifies hope and peace for them, it’s difficult to not think about what could have happened to my family if we were met with a similar fate. When it was known my parents and I had to leave our life behind in Germany and immigrate to the United States, they weren’t sure how it was all going to turn out. They were certain the three of us were going to take up permanent residence in Germany. It was a country that made them feel safe and secure in their futures even though so much uncertainty was taking place back home in former Yugoslavia. However, the German government enacted an order, somewhat similar to what President
Donald Trump has in place, forcing Bosnian refugees out of the country toward the end of the 1990s. When my parents were so set on spending the rest of their lives in a country they grew to love, this news was absolutely devastating. At that point, we had limited options on where we could live. Wherever we did end up, we would be alone in a foreign place where language and finances would be the biggest challenges to conquer. Even though all seemed lost at the time, the United States, led by President Bill Clinton, ended up being the location we chose in the end. Once this country extended a helping hand and allowed us to pursue a better life, endless opportunities were available, including ones that would guide me to college. This is a reality Muslim immigrants can only wish for. Our lives were challenging for a number of years because we were so far away from home and alone, but it was better than returning to a country that was in the
REDBIRD RUMBLE or FUMBLE Redbird Rumble: To Illinois Senator Dick Durbin who spoke
to about 500 local citizens Friday at a town hall meeting in Bloomington. According to a report by WGLT, he answered questions about health care, education, Supreme Court, immigration, the environment and Russia and U.S. affairs.
midst of a war and genocide. The people of the banned Muslimmajority countries know this to be true as well. They look to the United States as their beacon of hope, but it is not giving them the lifeline they need. I can’t imagine what life would have been like if my parents and I were met with the same fate as these refugees. If the United States had a similar “ban” like Germany during the 1990s, who knows if we would have anything like the life we have now. Some countries are more accepting and willing to provide services to immigrants to help them transition to their new lives — others are not. If we weren’t lucky to be in a giving country like the United States, I can’t begin to imagine how things would have turned out for us. As someone who is reminded constantly how lucky I am to be where I am, it is heartbreaking and unbelievable to see refugees turned away from a better future. Security is important, there is no denying that, but saying no to millions of people isn’t a fair
way to go about protecting all of us. I know the United States was in a different place in 1997 than it is today, but when people are willing to go through one of the hardest journeys they’ll ever face just to find shelter and peace, grouping them all as one dangerous unit is a big mistake from the current administration. I hope these refugees can make a journey similar to the one my parents and I made 20 years ago. Helping people in trying times, especially when there are endless resources available in one country, can absolutely save lives, and the United States needs to extend the same kindness to all like it has done for decades. Ema Sasic is a junior journalism major and news editor and columnist for The Vidette. Any questions or comments regarding her column can be sent to vidette_esasic@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @ema_sasic.
Compiled by The Vidette Editorial Board
Redbird Rumble: To the House of Representatives for voting against the GOP health care bill on Friday. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan did not get the 216 votes he needed to pass the bill through the House.
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
Bike sharing program rolls into Normal DYLAN STEVENS News Reporter | @Dkstevens12
continued from page 1
“We learned from last year how to get the word out on social media, like Facebook, and by email. We have had an enormous amount of positive feedback and contribution from the community this time around,” Baldwin said. Josey Stoneburner, a Paul Mitchell student, was one of the participants who made the big decision to shave her head. “I had been wanting to for years, but living in Normal I just never made the trip out to the city to do it. When it came to ISU, I couldn’t
wait to contribute to advocate and give back to kids,” Stoneburner said. Arianne Floody, a student at ISU, raised the most money for this year’s event with a total of $870 and was awarded with a medal. Last year, the fundraiser raised almost $5,000, and this year it surpassed its goal of $7,000. “It’s such a beautiful thing, donating your hair, especially for the women. Most girls hide behind their hair when they aren’t feeling quite themselves, but when you don’t have that safety net you have to be you, every single day. It’s incredible,” Baldwin said.
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Start planning your summer now at harpercollege.edu/summer 7
riding, they won’t want to stop.” With regards to the Zagster service as a whole, it recently completed a survey of its riders in which 92 percent of all respondents (a pool of 3,500 riders) said Zagster was a good investment by the local government. Terbush was glad to point out the universal value and importance of bike sharing and expects to see the same result as Bike Share 309 keeps rolling in Normal. Terbush also wanted to commend the Town of Normal for joining the already growing population that wants to use bikes rather than cars.
FRI. THURS. WED. TUES. MON.
Last week, Bike Share 309, a startup bike rental service, was officially instated in the Town of Normal. Zagster, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing bike share company in the country, is providing the service. This makes the Town of Normal unique in having the opportunity to join those other systems. The main goal of Bike Share 309 is to provide more transportation options for residents, to create economic development activity from visitors using the bikes to get around town and to enhance the quality of life. It is also a great alternative to driving a car and having to pay for expenses such as gas. Mercy Davison, town planner for Normal, was excited to see such a community-building program start up in her town. She believes it will make a great contribution to Normal and hopes to see many people utilizing it. “We have already done so much to become a more bike-friendly place, including our designation as a ‘Bicycle Friendly Community’ in 2014 by the League of American Bicyclists,” Davison said. “The bike share program is just one more step in the right direction.” Davison also highlighted why a program like Bike Share 309 is necessary in the community. “Many people love to ride around Normal, especially on the Constitution Trail. However, for visitors to our Uptown hotels and to ISU, there haven’t been bike rentals available,” she said. “There are also people in town who’d love to ride a bike, but don’t own one for a variety of reasons. We hope Bike Share 309 meets all of these people’s needs.” Currently, there are 45 bicycles and two adult tricycles that are available. The latter offers greater physical equity in bike sharing by opening the program to those who are unable to ride standard bikes. Jon Terbush, communications manager at Zagster, was joyful to see his company add another town to the bike share community. He reported already seeing a growing number of rides and rider enrollments on the bikes. He encourages everyone around town to try out the new service. “Normal is a great place for bike sharing to take off, and the positive response we’re seeing at the outset is a great sign the program will thrive going forward,” Terbush said. “Once folks start
BALDRICK’S
“For w a r d-t h i n k i ng c it ie s everywhere are implementing bike shares to address their current transportation needs and to adapt to a tectonic shift in transportation preferences,” he said. “Bike sharing is a powerful tool to address those two demands in the form of a sustainable, convenient, affordable and fun mode of travel.” Dylan Stevens is a news reporter for The Vidette and can be reached at dkstev1@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @Dkstevens12.
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By Morton J. Mendelson Down 1 Harvest bundle 2 Grammar class subject 3 Legal defense mechanism? 4 Advantages 5 Shortstop’s asset 6 Green soup veggie 7 Thoroughly absorb 8 Jeans fabric 9 Dreaming phase 10 Kitchenware brand 11 Frightened exclamation 12 University fund-raising target 13 A smaller amount of 19 Quartet assigned to bases 21 Mai __ 25 Plumber’s challenge 26 Dracula’s title 27 Avid about 30 Skater Lipinski 31 Nabisco cracker 32 “Wait, there’s more ... ”
PLEASE VISIT VIDETTEONLINE. COM TO SEE THE ANSWERS TO THIS PUZZLE 33 Miles away 34 Traveled by bike 35 Abbey titles 37 Princess’ headpiece 40 Oscar winner Jannings 41 Roundabout, as a route 43 Offend slightly 46 Entertainer who often got tied up in his work? 49 Part of DOE: Abbr. 51 Historic period
52 Many top-rated TV shows of the late ’50s/early ’60s 54 Gordon __, “Wall Street” antagonist 55 James Joyce work 56 Weather, in poems 57 Permit 58 Tit for tat, e.g. 59 “The Godfather” novelist Mario 60 Teeny colonizers 64 Agnus __ 65 Zip, in soccer 66 Wino’s woe
Features
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
Avery Rainwater | Staff Photographer
Left: Delta Delta Delta danced to a mashup of the Black Eyed Peas. Top: Lauren Gross spoke of her experiences through Make-A-Wish, receiving a standing ovation.
March Madness makes legendary moves DEBORAH BETHEL Features Editor | @thedebbethel
A sold-out crowd came together Saturday to Braden Auditorium for a night of philanthropy and fun for Chi Omega’s 41st annual March Madness. Since its start in 1976, the inter-fraternal dance competition has raised over $230,000 for Chi Omega’s national philanthropy, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. ISU’s Greek community comes together every year with choreographed dances matching that year’s theme. For this year’s theme of “Legends,” students danced to a wide range of classics — from Aerosmith and Queen to Miley Cyrus and Rihanna. March Madness is typically the most anticipated event in Greek
life, albeit one that requires the most time and effort. “March Madness is the one thing that really bonds us over the course of the entire school year; we really look forward to it,” junior marketing major and Delta Zeta member Brittany Charnot said. With each year’s profits averaging around $30,000 and growing every year, the dance competition raises enough money to grant at least six wishes annually. Maybe the most moving moment of the night is when a wish recipient takes the stage to share his or her story; Saturday, Bement High School senior Lauren Gross shared hers. On December 23, 2015, Gross was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Instead of spending her junior year focused on the ACT, prom and col-
lege searching, she spent much of it in hospitals for surgeries, blood tests and radiation. Despite her circumstances, she remained positive and cheerful as ever; her charisma was easy to see while she was onstage sharing her experiences. Exactly a year after her diagnosis, Gross was granted her wish — meeting the Chicago Blackhawks and attending a game. Wearing her Kane jersey, she gave a heartwarming and hilarious narrative of meeting her favorite players and even having lunch with Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews. “It was amazing — oh my gosh. Even now just thinking about it, wow,” she said, getting a laugh from the auditorium. Seeing Gross’s pure happiness through sharing her Blackhawks
experience was a perfect example of the joy and wonderful opportunities that Make-A-Wish brings to kids who are going through difficult situations. Chairwoman of March Madness Teddi Govedarica noted that as one of the best reasons to be involved in the event, “We do it for all of the kids (who) still have wishes to make and who are still waiting for their wishes to be granted,” she said. “It’s such an amazing organization. We’re really honored to be able to represent an organization like this.” After a night full of our generation’s legendary dance moves — dabbing, whipping and bernieing— along with plenty of hair flips and impressive stunts, Delta Chi and Zeta Tau Alpha won first place
with their performances to Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson, respectively. Overall, the Greek community and all attending got what they came for — to help grant wishes to those who deserve it most. The 2016 March Madness brought in $43,000 in profits, and this year’s philanthropy event is estimated to have brought in around $50,000; the total amount raised will be announced within the week. “I cannot thank organizations like Make-A-Wish and others who do events like this enough,” Gross said. “It means the world to me.”
Check out the related photo gallery online at videtteonline.com
Stuffing stomachs: Behind the scenes of ISU’s dining halls EMILY GRIFFITH Features Reporter | @emilygriffy
Watterson Towers averages 900 servings, while Linkins averages over 500 servings. To put that amount in perspective, While some meals may be similar, it’s a servings require 100 pounds of pasta, 36 guarantee that the day-to-day in any food gallons of milk and 78 pounds of cheese. business is going to change often, espeNewly appointed Marketing Coordicially when it involves feeding the hungry nator Sarah Schalgetter said, “From a students of Illinois State University. newbie looking in, from the behind the As they’re enjoying their mac ‘n’ cheese scenes that I’ve gotten to see, I saw that and Asiago pork chops, some students they really focus on quality. A lot of their may not consider all the effort that goes food is made from scratch. They start into providing their meals each day. A from the beginning and that’s where the team from Event Management, Dining quality comes in.” and Hospitality gave an exclusive behind While some of the food at the dining the scenes to put students’ meals into centers is bought from mass producperspective: ers, they also recognize the importance There is a total of 85 staff members, in of local farmers and incorporate their addition to four chefs and eight adproduce. ministrative staff members, that make In addition to classic menu items such food services possible for ISU’s dining as chicken, burgers, pizza and pasta, program. the dining centers also try to include On a typical day, these 97 employees healthier choices for students. Recently, will feed between 7,000 to 8,000 stuit has created a Vegetarian Advisory dents at Watterson Towers and between Board to better meet the needs of diners 2,800 to 3,000 students at The Marketwho are vegetarian, vegan or looking for place at Linkins. These numbers exclude healthier options. the other three venues Event Manage“Hopefully you’ll always see our staff Monica Mendoza | Senior Photographer ment, Dining and Hospitality cook for as ISU dining center staff prepare food for 11,000 students daily, putting in much more research and work stakes a lot of pride in what they do here. than some may expect. well. You can ask anybody who works here — “We’re cooking breakfast all mornwe’re here for the students,” Weddle said. how many they expect people will take of each ordering of produce. Once the food is deliving long, from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m.,” Linkins Weddle added that the dining center does menu item. Although many things can affect ered, the staff then begins to prepare menu Food Service Unit Chef Jim Wall said. “But in more for students than filling their empty the door count, such as the weather or an selections according to the recipes developed. the meantime, we’re getting our home-style stomachs. In addition, they employ students athletic event, the chefs use historical data to “It’s a well-choreographed dance,” Horton line and bar line cooked, and we’re cooking and offer a variety of internships and scholarmake their counts more precise. said. “We have a lot of different people and a University High School’s, Metcalf’s and child ships. “It’s not a perfect science; it’s an art mixed lot of different moving parts. And it doesn’t care’s food. So, that’s almost five different “We get to take it to a whole other level. This with science,” Horton said. stop, even for the weekends. It’s planning — venues.” is teaching outside of the classroom,” Weddle For example, with bananas being the most that’s the biggest part.” How do a limited number of staff members said. popular food item, the dining center will order The number of servings per meal depends provide food for thousands of ISU students Wall expressed that the students mean 2,200 pounds of bananas each week — a total on the popularity of the item. For example, each day? so much more to the staff than just another of 9,000 bananas. In addition, there are 750 Assistant Director of Marketplace at Linkins “Overall, we have a seven-day week operamouth to feed. “I have a son that goes here, pounds of strawberries, 1,800 pounds of letAllan Weddle estimated that for breaded tion, so we’re generally looking a couple of so I feel like everybody out there is the same tuce and 800 pounds of broccoli ordered each chicken, the dining center will average about days out at what we need to do,” Executive age as my son,” Wall said. “And there’s a lot of week. 13,000 servings at Watterson and 625 servings Chef Matt Horton said. staff back there who are in the same situation From those numbers, the dining center will at Linkins. Horton elaborated that the chefs put in and they feel that same desire to make this the then use a software program to assist with the Another popular item is mac ‘n’ cheese. counts — or their predictions — each week for best experience for them.”
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
Softball stays atop MVC with pair of wins at Wichita State MIKE MARRA Senior Sports Reporter | @MikeMarraILSTU
In a battle of Missouri Valley Conference unbeatens, Illinois State (15-13) took two of three games over Wichita State (17-12) this weekend. The Redbirds swept Saturday’s doubleheader from the Shockers before dropping Sunday’s series finale. “To win the series over, Wichita is definitely a great accomplishment. It was kind of like two different teams,
two different days. Yesterday [Saturday] was our day; today [Sunday] was their day,” head coach Melinda Fischer said. On Saturday, Illinois State never trailed, beating Wichita State 5-3 and 8-3. Sarah Finck won her 10th game of the season in game one, while Shannon Felde earned the win in game two. Riley Strandgard recorded four hits while driving in four RBI in the doubleheader. Sunday’s finale was all Shockers, as the Redbirds dropped the game, 11-3, in a shortened game due to run-rule.
The Shockers went up 5-0 in the second inning and never looked back. Despite the loss, Strandgard was able to belt her third home run of the season. In the circle for the Redbirds, Finck took the loss after pitching two innings, while Felde finished the final two innings in relief for Illinois State. The Redbirds are back in action Wednesday at Illinois, which will conclude a 29-game road trip to open the season.
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HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (03/20/17). Partnerships grow this year. Discipline provides educational accomplishments. Changing directions with a team project this August inspires new levels of fun and romance. A profitable year blesses your family, starting in October. The next few years after December favor your career. It’s all for love and family. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Tday is a 9 — You’re coming into your own, with the Sun in your sign. Achieve
personal objectives. You’re in your element this month. Professional opportunities arise today and tomorrow. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 6 — Peaceful meditation and introspection provide great ideas and clarity of purpose this month under the Aries Sun. Complete old projects and plan what’s next. Launch later. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Manage shared finances today and tomorrow. Get into a fourweek social phase, with the Sun in Aries. Spend time with people who share your interests. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Reach a new professional
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level this month, with the Sun in Aries. Collaborate with your partner today and tomorrow. Avoid conflicts between love and money. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Begin a travel and expansion phase. Indulge your curiosity this month, with the Sun in Aries. Nurture your health today and tomorrow; slow to avoid accidents. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Partnership grows with the Sun in Aries. It’s a good month for financial planning. Invest for long-term growth. Collaboration can get especially romantic today and tomorrow.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Home and family take priority today and tomorrow. Partnerships grow stronger this month, with the Sun in Aries. Collaborate with someone you love.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Follow a personal dream today and tomorrow. Focus on home improvement this month, with the Sun in Aries. Provide upgrades in beauty and functionality.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Get your message out over the next two days. Your physical health and vitality grows under the Aries Sun. Energize your work and exercise this month.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Concentrate on your studies and travels over the next month, with the Sun in Aries. Explore your curiosity. Make plans over the next two days.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Today and tomorrow get profitable. You’re lucky in love and play this month, with the Sun in Aries. Someone finds your energy attractive. Deepen a romance.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — It’s easier to make money, with the Sun in Aries. Make hay while the sun shines. Teamwork gets the job done today and tomorrow.
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
Football is back
Football begins practice with question marks
MY VIEW MIKE MARRA | Sports Reporter | @MikeMarraILSTU
A
Emma Horath | Senior Photographer
Illinois State football had its first spring practice Saturday at Redbird Arena. ISU will host its annual spring game April 22. BETH GEISTLINGER Sports Editor | @beth_geist
The rain held off just long enough to let Redbird football kick off its spring practices Saturday. “(Spring practice) is really important for a lot of reasons,” coach Brock Spack said. “It’s kind of how we establish who we are.” Spring practices are key for players and coaches alike, as coaches try out new line combinations and players start to get more comfortable in those new lines. “There’s some experimenting a little bit with little tweaks in the offseason we make, and the schemes and all that,” Spack said. “You see what you like and what you don’t like and tweak it
even more after the summer and after spring ball. It’s important for everybody. I think we get a lot out of it from a lot of angles.” Illinois State will have a brand new offensive line, as tackles Dan Pawlak and Ryan Gelber, guards Cameron Lee and Kyle Avaloy and center Mark Spelman graduated. The coaching staff will try out new combinations during the offseason as players compete for starting spots. “Coming in, I knew (Spelman) was going to be the starter and then the next years would be my years to kind of shine,” freshman offensive lineman Garrett Hirsch said. “The whole point of spring ball is to show that I am able to start on our first game.”
Junior offensive lineman Tyler Brown saw progress during practice for the offensive line. “Spring practice is one of the most important parts of the year,” Brown said. “Now with the whole senior line gone, it’s a rebuilding time for the offensive line. I think who we have right now — I think we have a good line going, and I see a lot of positive strides going.” Brown, who redshirted his freshman year, is ready to show the coaches that he is prepared for a starting spot on the roster. “It’s been four years now, sitting on the sidelines,” Brown said. “Now, it feels like it’s my time to come and prove it and show them that I’ve earned this spot for the four years I’ve been here.”
Despite the dreary weather and even though the season is still many months away, the players were excited to be on the field. “It’s definitely a rush [to be practicing],” defensive back Davontae Harris said. “I’ve been waiting weeks and weeks and months to come back here and come play.” Overall, the team is glad to be back and is using this time to prepare for the next season, where they hope to advance in the playoffs. “It’s been a long offseason,” junior quarterback Jake Kolbe said. “Our season last year ended a little shorter than we wanted it to, so we’ve been working for a while now. It was good to get out here finally.”
Women’s rugby hopes to continue momentum BETH GEISTLINGER Sports Editor | @beth_geist
“They definitely impressed and surprised me every single game,” Illinois State women’s rugby club coach Zoe Babowice said. ISU women’s rugby went undefeated in the regular season and finished its fall season in Cincinnati for the National tournament, where they fell to Davenport, a funded team which won the championship for two consecutive years. “It was a strange season, because we started out with a lot of new players and we lost a lot of […] our vets,” sophomore Shannon Stevens said. “They were important pieces of our game, so we had to go in and rework everything and see where we were going to put the new rookies.” When preparing for the season, the team had no idea just how sucPhoto courtesy of Zoe Babowice cessful the season would be. The team is comprised of over 50 per- Illinois State women’s rugby team went undefeated in the regular fall season. The team now is in spring play. cent rookies. Babowice said. “Our whole strategy, our game used to the game and the girls and reading […] “Going in, I thought we had a good chance,” play. It was kind of nice to have a lot of new body language and reading the other team.” Stevens said. “NIU had just left our confer- girls, since most people don’t know what The team is now in the spring season, which ence, and they’re our hardest competition. rugby is coming in. We could just start from includes non-competitive tournaments. But overall, I never thought we’d go as far as scratch.” “I think every spring, because (the season) we went.” Babowice will be leaving after this season, is non-competitive, it’s always, especially at ISU’s previous coach left before the season, so the team hopes to carry the same momen- the club-level, about recruitment and more leaving ISU in need of a coach. Luckily, previ- tum, even if the team is left without a coach so retention,” Babowice said. ous ISU player Babowice stepped up to fill the and a team of mostly rookies. The team will host the seventh annual Pack role. Her new coaching methods were much “I feel like it’s just going to be another the Pitch Pink April 29. This is a tournament different than her predecessor’s. adjustment,” junior Grace Lee said. “This is that raises money for the Normal Cancer Soci“Coming in, we kind of changed everything,” still my first season, so I’m just trying to get ety. The event raised $1,000 in 2016.
fter two spring practices, Illinois State football is in full swing for the 2017 season. Coach Brock Spack’s squad finished 6-6 last season, squeaking into the FCS Playoffs’ last spot available. Last season, the Redbirds started off 2-0, including their first win over a Big Ten opponent in program history when they defeated Northwestern, 9-7, on a last-second Sean Slattery field goal. From there, the Redbirds went on a downward spiral, losing five games in a row, before closing out the season 4-1, making the playoffs and subsequently losing to Central Arkansas in the first round. This season, expect second-year starting quarterback Jake Kolbe to lead Illinois State to the FCS Playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Kolbe’s sophomore campaign is one to build off for his future here at ISU. Kolbe started 11 of the 12 games last season, appearing in all 12. Kolbe threw 22 touchdowns, good enough for second in the MVFC and fourth on the all-time ISU list. The gunslinger is joined by returning offensive starters James Robinson and Christian Gibbs, who are both integral parts of Illinois State’s aspiring success. Still, the offensive line is lacking for the offense. Kolbe and company will not see much success if there is no offense line blocking at the line of scrimmage. “(The offensive line) just (have to) come out here every day and work, and they did that today. If they can keep doing that the rest of spring, they’ll be good. They just (have to) listen to what coach Clark is saying and get after it because they’re talented kids, they just (have to) learn,” Kolbe said. With 13 spring practices remaining, the offensive line will attract the most attention from the coaching staff. Chad Kanugh started the last six games and appears to be one of the only near-locks for one of the starting line positions. Donavin O’Day and Drew Himmelman took reps with the first-string offense at the tackle positions on Saturday, but Spack has said that ISU has sought out transfer tackles who bring more experience to the table. The offense will only go as far as the line blocks for them, which is questionable as of right now. The other uncertainty is the linebacker position on defense. Right now, the Redbirds are trying to fill three linebacker positions after last year’s core graduated. “We have about three good guys at linebacker — we moved some guys around. Again we are very comfortable there because we were able to redshirt guys and move a couple guys around,” coach Spack said of his linebacker predicament. “I think we’re (going to) be pretty good.” Outside of the linebackers, this Illinois State defense is going to be dangerous and experienced. Headed by Davontae Harris, Alec Kocour and Dalton Keene, this Redbird defense will need to make stops earlier in games this season. Illinois State will find its way into the playoffs — it is just a matter of how long it takes the team to shake the growing pains of plugging new pieces into critical positions of a football team.