The Wooster Voice

The Wooster Voice VOL. CXXX, ISSUE X

A STUDENT PUBLICATION SINCE 1883

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2010

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

— Oprah Winfrey

Helen Murray Free ’45 receives two national awards Grainne Carlin News Editor Many students, professors, and alumni from The College of Wooster have been recognized for outstanding achievement in their academic fields, and the most recent notable alum is Helen Murray Free class of 1945.

Free is considered to be a pioneering chemist and recently received two prestigious awards: the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) 66th National Historic Chemical Landmark designation.

The awards were presented to Free to recognize her work for the development of Clinistix, a breakthrough invention in the world of healthcare. Free worked to invent the first dip-and-read diagnostic test strips for monitoring glucose in urine. Free and her late husband, Alfred, developed the diagnostic strips in 1956. Today, Clinistix provides a faster and more convenient way for diabetics to test their glucose levels. Clinistix is a fairly simple, commercially available product that includes a plastic strip and impregnated paper tip. When dipped in urine, the strips provide almost instantaneous qualitative and quantitative detection of glucose that is present by changing color. The person using the strip will be able

to tell the concentration of glucose levels in their body based on the intensity of the blue-green color the strip turns. The color is darker if more glucose is present because the strips adapt to the amount of peroxide, and hence, glucose in the urine sample.

Researchers built upon the couple’s invention and developed a strip that provides multiple tests.

The progress made on the Free’s research and findings has now provided professionals in the healthcare field with a tool to help detect disease in patients. This innovation in addition to other tools used for people with diabetes and kidney disease will significantly improve patients’ way of life.

Dr. Amburgey-Peters, Chair of the Department of Chemistry said, “Quite simply, Helen M. Free is an amazing scientist and an amazing person. Her energy and enthusiasm rival that of a 20-year-old but her knowledge and wisdom rival the top scientists and citizens of the past 80 years.”

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (formerly known as the National Medal of Technology) is an extremely prestigious national award. This award is the highest honor for technological achievement and recognizes those who have made critical innovations to America’s competitiveness and quality of life. The medal was es-

tablished by the Stevenson-Wylder Technology Innovation Act of 1980 and first awarded in 1985. The name of the medal changed in 2007 to recognize technology as well as innovation.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the medal is awarded every year to individuals, teams of up to four members, companies or divisions of companies, “for their outstanding contributions to the Nation’s economic, environmental and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technological products, processes and concepts; technological innovation; and development of the Nation’s technological manpower.”

President Barack Obama praised recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. According to the press released published by the College, Obama stated, “The extraordinary accomplishments of these scientists, engineers, and inventors are a testament to American industry and ingenuity,” he said. “Their achievements have redrawn the frontiers of human knowledge while enhancing American prosperity, and it is my tremendous pleasure to honor them for their important contributions.”’

The ACS National Historic Landmark designation is administed by the ACS Office of Public Affairs.

The designation recognizes semi-

Helen Murray Free ’45, has been honored with two presitigious national awards for her work in Chemistry and signifcant advancements in healthcare (Photo courtesy of OPI). nal achievements in the history of chemical and science and technology. The process to receive this designation is somewhat lengthy. Nominees for the designation are chosen

by ACS local sections, divisions, or committees. The candidates are then reviewed by the National Historical Chemical Landmarks committee, and finally the winner must

be approved by the ACS Board of Directors. The recipient recieves a commemorative plaque and booklet written by the Office of Public Affairs. The designation is designed to catalyze a local outreach program and focus public attention on the landmark.

Helen’s honors add her to the long list of Wooster’s notable alumni.

Activism rises on college campuses to end hate groups

have they all come from?

The most controversial hate group that is receiving media attention right now is the Westboro Baptist Church.

This church, which is based out of Kansas, has recently taken its message on the road to college campuses around the country in order to instill their main belief to faculty, students and the community-the message that “God hates fags.”

This past week, the controversial group staged a protest at The

George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The group, which strongly supports the anti-gay movement around the United States, was there in order to spread their belief that homosexuality is to blame for the deaths of American soldiers.

This event was met with distinct opposition from students who, in response to the visit from the church, created a protest that was given national media attention. Seniors Charlie Rybak, Jesse Rose, and Tyler Fish-

bone created the “Gay for Today” rally in order to amass a group of students to show their distaste for the visiting group. The students created an $8 dollar t-shirt proclaiming the message “I’m Gay for Today” in order to draw support from the community and raise awareness that this type of hateful message is not tolerated. “We wanted to send a message that when people came to our campus and tried to spread hateful, vile messages that tried to single people out for being who they are, they weren’t just attacking those people, they were attacking all of us,” said Rybak, who is also a Student Association senator.

The group also had the backing of the largest LGBT group on campus in order to help rally support for this cause. The proceeds collected from the costs of the shirt were split between the Transcend Hate fundraiser and the It Gets Better project, an organization that aims to educate LGBT youth that life gets better after coming out.

The Westboro Baptist Church was again met with protest from other college students around the country, this time at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY,. According to the college’s student newspaper, The Spectator, the community and students rallied together to create signs and support the members of Rainbow Alliance, the campus’s LGBT group for the anticipated arrival of the WBC demonstrators this past week. Although the WBC never made an appearance at the campus that evening, precautions such as barriers were put in place to assure the safety of students and the

VIEWPOINTS

FEATURES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Three seniors at The George Washington University worked together to create tshirts sporting the message “I’m Gay for Today” in opposition to the Westboro Baptist Church demonstration that occured on their campus (Photo courtesy of Jesse Rose).

Laney Austin News Editor The recent addition of the location of hate groups across the country on the walls of Lowry Pit this past week has shown the Wooster campus that as protected as it may seem in this small town, ignorance and racism still are clearly apparent in society.

These hate groups range from Holocaust deniers to Ku Klux Klan hot spots, prompting the message: where

INDEX News Viewpoints Features Arts & Entertainment Sports

MEMBER

2010-2011

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demonstrators. Regardless of the fact that the group did not show up, the college said that their promotion of freedom of expression would have meant that they would have been peacefully allowed to protest, as long as no violence occurred.

Where does the future lie for this group? Given the recent increase in student opposition and organization of protests counteracting their messages, the WBC will most likely fade into the background as another hate group that spread its messages to the wrong types of people. Protesting at college campuses, where there is usually a LGBT-sponsored group, has led this organization to face many problems. Will these cease the efforts of the church? Certainly not.

According to the Westboro Baptist Church’s website, www.godhatesfags. com, the organization has plans to continuing protesting at college campuses, churches and funeral homes where gay soldiers killed in combat are having services. The website provides locations, times and reasons as to why people need to attend these protests to the public, along with a slew of other racial attacks on the Jewish population.

The silver lining to this incredibly unfortunate reality is that people are taking a stand against this group.

Emulating people like the seniors at George Washington brings the campus and community together to oppose something that is only spreading the message of hate. As statistics have indicated of the board in Lowry, there is no more room for this kind of hatred in America.

SPORTS

Features Editor Elle Bloom gives her viewpoint on why we need to change the current parking policy in order to deal with overcrowing in lots. See page 3.

Usman Gul writes about the Global Social Entrepreneurship Program and why participating in it benefits the future. Turn to page 3.

Features Editor Elle Bloom writes about the success of a program house’s ties to Cornerstone Elementary. See page 4 for the story.

Gina Christo previews the upcoming fall dance concert and what is in store for this year. For the full story, see page 6.

Sports Editor Travis Marmon provides a preview of the Fighting Scots basketball teams. See page 7 to read the story.

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News Voice

friday, November 19

BITE-SIZE NEWS

section editors: Laney Austin Grainne Carlin

Three missing in Mt. Vernon kidnapping

CAMPUS

Game Club’s budget approved for $200 Last week Campus Council approved a budget of $200 for the recently founded Game Club. The Game Club meets on Friday evenings to play board games with one another. Most of the board games played at Game Club are games of strategy and problem solving. The budget will allow the club to buy new board games as well as advertise in order to expand club membership.

LOCAL

70 -year-old woman robbed by a clown Jacqueline Cutright of Akron, Ohio was robbed as she was sitting on the toilet. According to AOL News, 22-year-old Cory Buckley broke into Cutright’s basement window and ransacked the house.

Buckley, who dressed as a clown as a disguise for this robbery, demanded Oxycontin and cash. He stole $28 in cash and $1000 in costume jewelry and escaped in Cutright’s 1991 Ford Escort. The police found Buckley a block away from the house and immediately took him into custody.

NATIONAL

Arizona votes in favor of Prop. 107 Arizona voters have approved the medical marijuana law, CNN reported Monday. The vote made Arizona the 15th state to pass a medical marijuana law since 1996.

The law allows patients with debilitating medical conditions to use cannabis if they have a recommendation from their physician. In the same article by CNN, Rob Kampia, the executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project said “Voters in Arizona have sided with science and compassion while dealing yet another blow to our nation’s cruel and irrational prohibition on marijuana.”

Kody Maynard, Stephanie Sprang, and Tina Hermann are still missing. The three along with 13-year old Sarah Maynard were thought to be abducted from their home by suspect Matthew J. Hoffman (Photo courtesy AP).

Anthony Dominguez Senior Staff Writer Officials from the Knox County Sheriff ’s Department are continuing their search to find a missing woman, her 10-year-old son and a family friend in Mount Vernon, Ohio. 32-year-old Tina Herrmann, her 10-year-old son Kody Maynard and her 41-yearold friend, Stephanie Sprang, all went missing more than five days ago, and although authorities remain optimistic while continuing the search, the consensus that the three may not be found is beginning to cross minds within the Sheriff ’s Department. In a statement released by the Knox County Sheriff ’s Department, Mount Vernon Sheriff David Barber stated, “We have to be realistic about the possibility that these

folks are dead.”

The three, along with 13-yearold Sarah Maynard, were thought to be abducted from their home sometime last Wednesday. The kidnapping suspect is Matthew J. Hoffman. In an early Sunday morning raid involving the S.W.A.T. team, authorities were fortunate to find Maynard, who was bound and gagged inside the basement of Hoffman’s home. Sarah was released from the hospital Monday, after being evaluated and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

According to CNN, Barber stated, “Sarah is with family and is doing well,” He said. “She is a very brave little girl.”

Barber would not say how authorities learned that the girl was inside Hoffman’s home. However, Barber did comment, “We were hopeful that we would find more

than one, but our information was most definitely that Sarah was going to be in that house,” reported Central Ohio’s TV 10 News.

Unfortunately, Barber also explained that the blood found in Hoffmann’s home coupled with the length of time the three have been missing makes the situation more serious.

According to TV 10 News, Barber called the amount of blood “unusual.” “It is obvious that someone was injured in the house,” he said.

Hoffman faces kidnapping charges and is not cooperating with the investigation, Barber said.

Police said they do not believe Hoffman was working with an accomplice. Barber stated it was not a home invasion, but rather that “either they knew Hoffman or Hoffman made himself known to them,” according to CNN. In 2001, Hoffman was sentenced

WORLD

Political crisis worsens in Italy Four members of Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s cabinet have resigned. The New York Times reported that losing these four members will deepen Italy’s political crisis and is expected to bring down the government in a matter of weeks as well as lead to early elections.

Conflict began within the government in July when Gianfranco Fini, co-founder with Berlusconi of the center-right People of Liberty Party, left the party. Gianfranco accused the Prime Minister of running an antidemocratic party. Earlier this month, Fini announced that the trouble was beyond repair and threatened to remove his four ministers from the cabinet if Berlusconi did not resign.

Whales suffer from sunburn in Mexico According to CNN, whales in Mexico’s Gulf of California are showing signs of sunburns. Scientists from UK’s Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Mexico’s Interdisciplinary Marine Science Center collected skin samples from multiple blue whales, fin whales and sperm whales. The samples revealed blisters and changes in skin pigmentation. According to the article, ultraviolet levels in the Gulf of California remain generally very high throughout the year, but these sunburns are a new trend and the scientists’ findings are reported to be very significant.

-Bites compiled by Grainne Carlin

While we strive to achieve excellence every week, we, too, sometimes fall short. Please send your corrections to Voice@wooster.edu

Last Sunday, 13-year old Sarah Maynard was found by the police bound and gagged inside the suspect’s home in Mt. Vernon, Ohio (Photo courtesy AP).

to eight years in prison after being convicted of setting fire to a Steamboat Springs, Colo. condominium complex. The fire caused $2 million in damage. Investigators said that in 2000 he used 10 gallons of gasoline to commit the arson.

No one has seen or heard from the two missing women or child since last Wednesday when Hermann failed to report to work at a Dairy Queen in Mount Vernon.

The next day, both of Hermann’s children were absent from school.

Herrmann failed to report to work at a Dairy Queen in Mount Vernon on Wednesday. A deputy went to her home twice in Howard, about nine miles east of Mount Vernon, and saw her pickup there. No one answered the door, though lights were on in the home. A Dairy Queen manager went into the home on Thursday and found blood inside. Herrmann’s truck was found Thursday night near Kenyon College in Gambier.

Hoffman’s neighbor Donna Davis said that he moved into the five-bedroom home about a year ago, the same home where Sarah Maynard was found last Sunday.

They said that he lived alone and had a history of strange behavior that made them uncomfortable.

Davis described, “He was a weirdo,” reported CNN. “If you look back here in the tree, there’s a hammock where he would sit and watch people. He’s just different.”

Hoffman was expected to be in court on Monday.

Student Government Association restores pianos around campus The Student Government Association (SGA) is continuing to work hard to improve our campus.

After SGA donated a generous amount of money, five pianos located in several dorms across campus were tuned this week and put back into working order for student use. After noticing many of the beautiful, but out of tune, baby-grand pianos just sitting in dorms and not being used, the SGA Senators spoke with other students to see if this was an endeavor worth pursuing. Once the SGA discovered that numerous students wanted to utilize the instruments, the Senators contacted Residence Life to see what could be done to repair the pianos.

After being informed of SGA’s intentions, Christie Kracker, Director of Residence Life said, “I think this would be a great service to the students. We have wanted to do maintenance of the pianos but with so much to upgrade in the halls they have been lower on our priority list the past few years.”

The project has already received positive feedback. “We have already heard so many comments from students about how wonderful it is to have music playing in their dorms,” said Josh Koch ’12, Secretary of Special Services. “I think this is a testament to what SGA can provide when students speak up.”

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Voice

Viewpoints

The Wooster Voice The College of Wooster’s Student Newspaper Since 1883 Published Weekly on Fridays

Editors in Chief Madelyn Halstead Margaret Donnelly

Editorial Board Emily Ryan, Managing Editor Laney Austin, News Editor Elle Bloom, Features Editor Grainne Carlin, News Editor Lee McKinstry, Features Editor Hannah Diorio-Toth, Viewpoints Editor Mike Haggerty, Sports Editor Kris Fronzak, Viewpoints Editor Travis Marmon, Sports Editor George Myatt, A&E Editor Graham Zimmerman, Sports Editor Emily Timmermann, A&E Editor Linda Kuster, Photo Editor Aleksandra Tsbulskaya, Photo Editor Kevin Carpenter, Business Manager Scott Kugel, Staff Photographer Brenna Fujimoto, Business Staff Mara Bartlett, Staff Photographer Kay Sowers, Web Editor Marnie Zoldessy, Staff Photographer Ben Christ, Senior Staff Writer Taylor Keegan, Senior Photographer Usman Gul, Senior Staff Writer John McGovern, Chief Copy Editor Emily Tarr, Senior Staff Writer Elliot Flautt, Production Assistant Lisa Hazleton, Senior Staff Writer Maria Dawaher, Production Assistant Anthony Dominguez, Senior Staff Writer All materials published herein are property of The Wooster Voice and cannot be reproduced without written consent of the editors. The Voice can be contacted by mail at C-3187, The College of Wooster, Wooster OH 44691 or by phone at (330) 263-2598.

Email can be sent to the editor at voice@wooster.edu.

Advantages of GSE The Independent Study Program admittedly provides Wooster students with an edge over other job applicants; however, the I.S. Program is, for the most part, theoretical and involves little field work Usman Gul for students of most majors (with the exception of recipients of Copeland funding). I.S. does not provide students with hands-on experiences in live work place settings which can only be attained through internships — and guess what? Wooster’s small size does not meet the threshold for firms to conduct on-campus recruitment for jobs or internships. The Global Social Entrepreneurship Program (GSE) at Wooster provides students with an outstanding handson experience in a range of problemsolving skills in an international environment. Previous participation in study-abroad programs or research enhances your application for Local or Global Social Entrepreneurship; however, there are no explicit prerequisites and course requirements to apply for GSE. From an employer’s perspective, participation and successful completion of the GSE Program signals not only your strong commitment to professionalism but also your flexibility to work in an environment as different as India, which is an opportunity provided by this program. This is precisely the type of experience that stands out in all sorts of job applications — from law firms to management consulting firms. The most significant advantage that GSE holds over all other

types of internships is simply that it is universally valuable. It shows to the employer that you paid for an internship experience, traveled across continents and stepped out of your comfort zone for over a month solely for the purpose of learning in a practical setting. This is exactly the type of qualities many employers are searching for in job applicants.

For those who share my belief that education should not be taken as a means to an end; rather, it should be an end in itself ­— it makes perfect sense to combine the dual learning experience of problem-solving and a rich cultural exchange. India is host to many rich and enlightening cultures of the world that date back to the Middle Ages. Thus, participation in the GSE Program primarily focuses on problem-solving in different settings but it also inevitably results in a rich cultural exchange.

Most importantly, participation in the GSE Program gives you credits worth two courses. For graduate school and job applications, an internship worth two credits on your transcript carries an implicit message that the College recognizes that the internship was intensive in terms of learning. Considering how much the program enhances your chances of securing a well-paying job right after graduation, or how it neatly shapes your graduate school applications, I think the cost of participating is well worth what you get out of it. I have applied for the Local Social Entrepreneurship program, which is the first step towards GSE, and I am determined to make the most of this excellent opportunity that is available to us here at Wooster.

...participation in the GSE Program primarily focuses on problem-solving in various different settings but it also inevitably results in a rich cultural exchange.

Usman Gul is a Senior Staff Writer for the Voice. He can be reached for comment at UGul13@wooster.edu.

Friday, November 19

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Wooster should resolve parking issues It’s no secret that Wooster’s first-year class is, to say the least, huge. In addition, it seems that a large number of these first-years have brought their cars to campus. Any senior (and the few Elle Bloom juniors) living in Armington or Stevenson, as well as any upper-classmen living in Kenarden, Andrews or Douglass, can most certainly attest to the reoccurring difficulty of finding a parking spot within a reasonable distance from their dorms. According to Security’s records, there are currently 647 parking passes registered to students for North and South lot parking, and although this seems a small number compared to our student population, somehow parking is still an issue. Security was unable to confirm the number of parking spots each class had purchased.

Students who live near the firstyear corner of campus most likely experience more difficulty with parking close to their dorm as opposed to the residents of Holden or Luce Halls. I do understand the importance of keeping first-year students closer together and think it is a positive aspect, but that does not mean their cars need to be close to them as well. Once Bissman became a first-year dorm, all the first-year students who live there now also park their cars behind Bissman, Stevenson, Armington, Andrews or Kenarden.

Now, of course we live on a small campus and at any state school living in Armington and parking somewhere as far as Luce could be considered close. Nevertheless, this is Wooster and when I live in Armington and have to park behind Bornhuetter because there is nothing available in any other lot, I confess I get annoyed. As it is getting darker earlier and another Wooster winter is on its way, my issues with parking only grow. While Wooster is a very safe campus, having to

walk alone in the dark is never my favorite thing to do. After paying $175 for my parking pass (which I realize is a small expense compared to other schools) I would at least like to be able to park on the same side of the street as my dorm.

Some schools have tried to come up with solutions to this problem.

In my hometown of Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan, first-years simply are not allowed to have cars. Yet at Miami University of Ohio, some first-years, depending on how far away their hometown is from campus, are allowed to have cars. Still, I do not find either of these options to be suited for Wooster because, let’s be honest, Wooster is in the middle of nowhere and if we couldn’t leave every once in a while, we would all go insane.

As a senior, I do not feel that it is asking too much to be able to park in or close to my dorm’s parking lot. College, just like high school, serves as a rite of passage that you begin as a first-year and eventually complete as a senior (or fifth-year senior) who has earned the right to “be on top” and have special privileges such as an I.S. carrel, first pick of rooms and first-pick for classes. By giving seniors priority even in rooming and class selection, the College is clearly rewarding each step their students take towards graduation by giving them more privileges and recognizing a student’s rising status as they complete each school year.

I suggest that parking should

It’s no secret that The College of Wooster’s claim to fame is the Senior Independent Study Program. Wooster has tried to make this process slightly less painful by Hannah Diorio-Toth providing us with carrels in the library which seniors become more than familiar with throughout the year. By spending a significant amount of time at my carrel already this year, I have some ideas for improvement to optimize the study environment: Swipe Access: There is a reason seniors get I.S. carrels in the library: to work on I.S.. Carrels are not for first-years to work on FYS homework — go to the Mac Lab. If the College installed swipe access to sit at our carrels, no one would have

to worry about someone sitting in their space or stealing their stuff.

And, if a senior lost their C.O.W. Card, it would be one more reason to procrastinate doing their I.S. Mini Fridge: It is getting closer and closer to the end of first semester and the seniors are slowly beginning to lose their minds as we spend pretty much every waking moment in the library. Walking to Mom’s for a study break may seem refreshing now, but by January this isn’t even going to be an option. If the College provided mini fridges at the carrels, there would be less of a chance that we will pass out from malnutrition.

And, we really don’t have time for a trip to the Wellness Center.

Complimentary Six Pack of Beer for the Mini Fridge: It would make the Friday and Saturday nights spent at our carrels more tolerable. Just tack this onto next year’s tuition.

Space Heater: While this may

be one of the next steps. I am in no way saying we should move all first-year cars to some remote area of campus that no one even knew existed. However, I do believe that limiting where first-years can park, particularly concerning first-years who reside close to upper-classmen dorms, should become a consideration for next year’s parking especially if Admissions is expecting another large class in the future.

A possible solution could be to number each parking space and assign a permit to each student to ensure that they are able to park in the same spot. Wooster already lets seniors buy their parking permits first and this could be handled similarly to class selection — people have certain times and days to buy their pass and pick their parking spot in proximity to their dorm. Wooster could also make a small fortune with parking tickets this way for those who ignore the parking permits.

With all my complaints and suggestions, the College has made vast improvements with the anticipation of a larger class such as more dining options and professors letting more students into introductory classes which are clearly much more important than how far I have to walk in the snow. Still, I do believe that parking is one more aspect that the College will need to address in the near future.

Elle Bloom is a Features Editor for the Voice. He can be reached for comment at EBloom11@wooster.edu.

The Voice welcomes letters to the editors!

Letters cannot exceed 350 words in length and must be received by the Voice by 5 p.m. on the Monday before Friday publication.

All letters must observe standard spelling and grammatical rules and include contact information. The Voice reserves the right to proofread and withhold letters. Please send letters via e-mail to HDiorio-toth11@wooster.edu and hkfronzak@gmail.com.

Simple improvements for carrels

be a potential fire hazard considering the large amount of flammable material in the library, this would be a welcomed improvement to the carrel. I was disappointed to find out that despite its appearance, our light is not a heat lamp. And, my Snuggie is taking up too much space in my cabinet.

Fold Out Bed: I’ve heard plenty of seniors say “I might as well sleep at my carrel.” Well, what if we actually could? In my opinion, it would increase productivity. No more wasting time walking from your room to the library. The library is your room! Plus, there might be an added benefit of learning by osmosis from sleeping near so many books.

Coffee Maker: Well, duh.

Hannah Diorio-Toth is a Viewpoints Editor for the Voice. She can be reached for comment at HDiorio-Toth11@wooster.edu.

Staff cartoonist Andrew Holmes can be reached at AHolmes13@wooster.edu.

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friday, November 19

Features Voice

section editors: elle bloom lee mcKinstry

Wooster wants to continue Cornerstone program house Elle Bloom Features Editor Program houses at Wooster have been a tradition since the 1970s. Students residing in houses must be involved in a type of service project in order to regularly volunteer, educate or involve themselves within the College or the Wooster community. Over the years, many of these programs have served to positively bridge the gap between The College and Wooster community in a way that gives back to each party. One of these programs is carried out by the residents of Bryan House, who are engaged in a reading enrichment program at Cornerstone Elementary School to promote reading abilities among its students. For the past two years, the students involved in Cornerstone’s program have demonstrated a successful and dedicated group of young men who are more than committed to the program.

The students involved, co-founder and former student coordinator, Kurt Brown ’11, co-founder and former student coordinator Jake Dinkelaker ’11, curretn student coordinator Nathan Laslow ’11, Josh Kime ’11, Eric Keyes ’11, Jeremy Petit ’11, Matt Carlson ’11 and Mike Redick ’11 all regularly volunteer about two hours of their time each week to Cornerstone’s students and teachers. During this time, the mentors visit various classrooms and engage in different activities with students in areas their teacher deems necessary in either one-on-one or in small groups.

The main goals of the program,

Above, Kurt Brown reads to students from Mrs. Beichler’s first grade class at Cornerstone Elementary (Photo by Elle Bloom). according to their original proposal for a program house, “are to provide a program that will help young readers to gain a better knowledge of the English language, and [to] provide more exposure to the language in its written and oral form” fostered through constant interaction with

Above, Matt Carlson engages in the “Smart Cookie Program” and listens to a student read to him (Photo by Elle Bloom).

students. Another important goal of the Wooster students was to serve as role models for “some of the older students who are coming of age…and to dispel their notions of reading as ‘not cool,’” but rather as something fun and enjoyable in addition to being a necessary tool for success in everyday life. A benefit that Wooster’s students hoped they, as well as Cornerstone’s students and teachers, would appreciate would be a development of personal relationships with each other throughout the duration of the program and perhaps beyond it.

First grade teacher Heidi Gant spoke of the outstanding level of commitment these men have demonstrated throughout the semester and described their attendance as “amazing.”

“Often, our volunteers will start out strong and then fizzle out after a couple months,” she said. However, she also noted that the men of Bryan House, (which houses mostly current and former athletes), despite the fact that many of them are also leaders of varsity sports teams. Over the past two years, Gant says she has experienced no problems with the program.

The support Bryan House offers Cornerstone’s students comes in many different forms. In terms of literacy, the “Smart Cookie Program” is a way for the student to be rewarded

for engaging in reading to their mentor in return for a cookie or a healthy snack. For this, students will sit outside the classroom with their mentor and have one-on-one time to read or get help with reading. This offers in-school practice to further develop their reading skills. Mentors will also help a student who has fallen behind due to lack of attendance or simply needs extra help with the material.

Similarly, students who are ahead of their classmates will also receive accelerated help to prevent boredom and further enhance their reading skills. While the original goal of the program was to provide help in literacy, mentors will also offer their help in math or other subjects a student is having trouble with, providing an array of assistance where teachers need the extra help.

Another important form of support Bryan House successfully offers to Cornerstone students are positive male role models or “big brother” figures. While Wooster’s students serve as role models inside the classroom, Gant expressed that even outside the classroom Cornerstone’s students can learn from their mentors. By going to lunch, the mentors can demonstrate appropriate table manners as well as suitable conversation. These skills may appear simple or obvious, but are valuable life skills to learn.

Similarly, in recess, students are able to learn the rules of games better as Gant said they often make up their own rules daily, learn to share and, again, learn appropriate behavior when interacting with other students.

Though there are many other programs worth continuing and featuring, such as the women of Lewis House who are training a guide dog and the men of Hider House who tutor fifth and sixth graders through the Ohio Reads/Lincoln Way Tutor Program, both programs involve seniors as well as juniors. Thus, these programs are able to continue the tradition of their program. Bryan House, however, is comprised only of seniors and does not have this option and are therefore reaching out to Wooster’s students in the hopes of being able to continue their program with Cornerstone Elementary School.

Brown noted that “the school teachers and administrators [at Cornerstone], as well as the program members, have voiced concerns regarding the program’s continuation, as many teachers feel it has measurably improved many of the students’ abilities in the classroom.” However, without another group to take over the program, the mentoring relationship between the College and Cornerstone could end on graduation day.

Although the program thus far has only had the involvement of men, Brown and Gant feel it important to ensure the program’s continuation regardless of gender, as they believe both men and women can be positive role models and mentors for Cornerstone’s students.

Similarly, faculty advisor of the program, Professor of Education Don Drouhard, praises the work these men have done and the positive impact they have made at Cornerstone. He hopes “that the program will continue and that the upcoming groups will be as dedicated as this group has been” and is sure that if someone is genuinely interested in the education of children that his program will be rewarding.

If interested in continuing this program as a group or individually, please contact either Kurt Brown (KBrown11@wooster.edu) or Don Drouhard (DDrouhard@wooster. edu) for more information.

If you are involved in a program house that you feel is important to this campus but might end when you and your housemates graduate and would like the Voice to feature you, please contact Elle Bloom at EBloom11@wooster.edu

Campus couples take the plunge into marital commitment Emily Tarr Senior Staff Writer In the Wooster whirlwind of classes, exams, extracurricular activities and Independent Study, it seems that there isn’t really time for any other type of obligation. Yet, some Wooster students have found time to make the ultimate commitment: engagement and marriage.

While many people would assume that making such a big commitment at a young age would be difficult, students Leah Inglis ’11, Ned Weakland ’12, and Liz Lloyd ’11 (nee Kaplan) reveal that when you’re in love, taking the extra step is definitely worthwhile.

Inglis and Weakland have been engaged since June 6, 2009. They had been dating for about a year prior to their engagement. Their wedding is set for July 21, 2012, not long after Weakland will graduate from Wooster. Both said that their families were supportive of their decision to become engaged, especially since the couple decided to wait to marry until after both had finished school. Friends have been supportive of the couple’s engagement as well, although Weakland admits that sometimes he receives a bit of goodnatured teasing from his fraternity brothers.

The couple also revealed a surprising benefit of becoming engaged while in college: practicing living together. Though each has their own room, the couple is able to spend a

great deal of time together learning about each other’s living habits.

Inglis said, “I think that we’re getting a lot of the kinks out of the way, which most people don’t have a chance to do until they move in together.”

When asked why they chose to become engaged now instead of waiting until after both had graduated, the couple expressed that they knew that they wanted to be with each other, and that they wanted to share this feeling with others.

“We knew what we wanted. We knew that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with each other…relationships are so tawdry anymore. You see so many people cheating on each other… That’s not what I’m about; if I wanted to have a relationship like that I wouldn’t be in a relationship. This is something I wanted to do,” said Weakland.

“We knew we wanted to be with each other, and we wanted to make it a public commitment,” said Inglis.

Liz Lloyd (neé Kaplan) has been married since June 12, 2009 to her high school sweetheart, Eric Lloyd, who is three years her senior. The couple had been dating for six years when they got married. Her husband proposed several days after Christmas in 2007, during Liz’s senior year of high school and while he was finishing culinary school.

Both of their families were supportive of the couple’s decision to get engaged, although Liz’s mother made

her promise that she would finish two years of college before they married.

When Liz came to college, her fiancée followed her to Wooster, working as a chef at the South Market Bistro and has since relocated to a position at an Akron restuarant. The couple bought a house within walking distance of campus several months after their wedding.

Overall, Liz said that the campus community has been supportive of her marriage. While she says that students who do not know her can find her situation strange, her friends have been very encouraging and admire her fairy tale, high school sweetheart story. Because she is so academically focused and successful, professors are sometimes surprised to discover that she is married with an adult life complete with full time job and mortgage payments.

Although there have been some challenges that arose as a result of her marriage, including having to renegotiate her financial aid and having to give up the field hockey team in order to work, Liz said that the sacrifices were well worth it.

“There’s a few things that I realized.

When you make choices in college, like getting married, you’re going to lose a few things, but you’re going to gain a lot,” she said.

Liz explained why she got married in college, stating, “The time was right.

This was the perfect time to get out and get started. I had moved out of my mom’s house. I was done living at

Ned Weakland ’12 proposes to Leah Inglis ’ 11 (Photo courtesy Leah Inglis). home…I was working and I had created my own life. It was just time to take that extra step towards me and Eric becoming a family.”

After she graduates, Liz hopes to find a teaching job, and she sees children, as well as graduate school,

within the next several years.

Though it may surprise some, these students have revealed that committed relationships really can work on campus.

As Inglis said, “It’s nice to rely on someone…It’s your other half.”

The Wooster Voice

Friday, November 19, 2010 Poverty Dinner examines class differences Elliot Flautt Production Assistant

to drink, symbolizing inadequate water sanitation through out the world.

Further, people in the low income group were made to sit on the floor during the dinner reinforcing the divide between the low and middle and high income groups.

One of two annual events that GEN holds each academic year on

Milstein, and we felt starting off the week with an event centered around poverty awareness in the world was perfect, especially so close to the Thanksgiving holiday.” Milstein thanked all those in attendance and applauded their ability to remain such good sports during the entirety of the dinner. “We never expected such a high turnout for the event (about

prices of basic foodstuffs are the most at risk for price fluctuations when disaster hits in the developing world: the people who rely on The Global Engagement Netstandardization of food prices the work kicked off International most are the most risk when disasEducation Week on Monday night ter hits.” with the Thanksgiving Poverty Davis, having attended a similar Awareness Dinner in Kittredge style Poverty Awareness dinner beDining Hall. fore, knew what he was in for but The event was publicized to the was still dismayed at having drawn student body as a chance a low income card. He to enjoy not one but two went on to say that “the Thanksgiving style dinfeeling of disappointners, in addition to the ment was authentic one offered in Lowry when I was “born” as Dining Hall on ThursMiguel, a worker toiling day, Nov 18. In actuality, 14 hours per day and still however, not all students being barely able to feed were fortunate enough to myself...all while in full partake in the Thanksview of people eating giving meal being served. hearty portions of turGuests in attendance key in the high income were randomly assigned section.” a role at the door, either Milstein was incredlow, middle or high inibly satisfied with the come, and were divided event overall and the into these sections for reception on the part of the remainder of the students was generally dinner. The low income positive, albeit that 85 group, which comprised percent of the attendees of almost 85 percent of were served rice when the guests in attendance, they believed they would proportionally reprebe served a Thanksgivsented the inequitable ing Dinner. distribution of wealth Next semester, GEN in the world today. The Above, students help themselves to rice provided for the dinner (Photo by Seungryong Riew). will be hosting their third remainder of the guests were assigned either a middle or campus, the Thanksgiving Pover- 90 people of the 150 that signed annual GEN Spring Summit focushigh income role, representing 10 ty Awareness Dinner was meant to up) and everything went together ing on agricultural sustainability, food security and environmental percent and five percent of those “raise awareness about global pov- seamlessly,” Milstein said. erty in a way that would interact The dinner featured two presen- responsibility with speakers comattending respectively.

Those in the high income group with students on a personal level tations: one by Professor James ing in from around the country to were served a full three course and would leave a lasting impact Warner, of the Department of present on various issues. dinner consisting of an appetizer and provoke thought amongst the Economics, on Food Expenditures If you would like more information of salad, main course of turkey, student body,” according to Naomi by Income Level in Botswana and stuffing and vegetables followed Milstein ’12, Chair of GEN. “We the other by Bilal Paracha, on the on how to attend the summit or how to by pumpkin pie for dessert. Those wanted to tie the event into Inter- Flood Relief in Pakistan. William become involved with GEN please feel in the low income group were national Education Week because Davis ’13 remarked how Warner’s free to contact Naomi Milstein, nmilonly served a meal of rice and wa- we feel that poverty is a pressing presentation highlighted “the sim- stein12@wooster.edu, with your quester dyed yellow with food coloring issue of global importance,” said ple but enlightening truth that the tions and/or comments.

Abroad Insight: Labor strikes break out in Paris Kipaya Kapiga Voice Staff For a few weeks in October of this semester, I woke up to find trash burning at the end of my street, a tram and bus system running on a schedule entirely at the whim of the drivers, whole buildings and classrooms barricaded at the local university and almost daily protests staged in the city center.

This, I thought to myself on more than a few occasions, was not in the program description for my semester abroad in France.

The protests and riots are one reaction to the French government’s decision to rise the retirement age from 60 to 62. Protests continue even today, after the senate has already signed the bill. According to the directors at my abroad program, union leaders and demonstrators want to save face and are likely to continue the fight until President Sarkozy officially signs the bill, although everyone expects fewer and fewer people to attend.

The strikes have been effective in disrupting economic activity throughout the country. In Paris, a third of flights at Charles de Gaulle airport and half those at Orly were cancelled. A fifth of the country’s gas stations either ran short of fuel or ran completely out. Here in Nantes, France’s sixth largest city, the protests were no less disruptive.

A number of students who had been planning trips had to reschedule when their flights and trains were cancelled due to oil shortages.

Trash collection stopped throughout much of the city and has only just recently begun again. A recent hockey game between Nantes and Toulouse was cancelled because the team from Toulouse didn’t have enough gas to make the trip. Several classes at the local university have been cancelled, often because the professors are on strike.

Now that the bill has passed through the senate and only awaits Sarkozy’s signature, protests are slowing down across the nation, to the relief of many. “The reforms are necessary, you can’t have a

smaller and smaller young population supporting a larger and larger older population” said Xavier Bourrut Lacouture, whose family has been hosting me during my semester. “The rest of Europe has already passed similar laws; France is an exception in this.”

As the strikes wear down, some fear that government is learning the wrong message. People are frustrated because they do not think that the government has listened to them, said Raphaëlle Robin, a university student working with the study abroad program. Indeed, the measure was introduced and pushed through in a short amount of time considering the scope of the proposed reform and the high level of debate surrounding the issue.

Among the most puzzling aspects of the protests are the large number of students involved from both the university and high school level. “There are some who just want to get out of class and the protests are a great way to do that,” said Morgane Pocard, another French university student working with the exchange program. “Some of them actually think that because the retirement age is increasing, it will become more difficult for younger people to find jobs.”

In some areas, student protests became violent when riot police were sent in to break blockades.

According to a survey published by the Guardian, many students feel that Sarkozy has failed to take into account either the needs of younger people about to enter the workforce or the possibility of funding the pension system through cuts to other government expenditures.

Many local students have complained that not enough attention has been paid to alternative solutions to a widely-acknowledged problem with the pension system and indeed the lack of a coherent and sound alternative to the proposed change to the retirement age has proven to be something of an Achilles’ heel for protesters and unions opposing the bill.

The presence of student protest-

Above, a burned trashcan is just one example of the Paris strike’s aftermath (Photo by Kipaya Kapiga). ers makes the French government especially tense as it invokes memories of the May 1968 student-led protests that resulted in sometimes violent clashes between the police and protesters.

In 1968 began as a long series of student strikes at a number of universities and high schools in Paris quickly developed into a larger demonstration when de Gaulle’s administration made the decision to use police force to quell the strikes. Violence broke out in street battles with the police and a general strike by students and a large portion of the French workforce quickly followed.

De Gaulle quickly fled to Germany, where he dissolved the National Assembly and called for new parliamentary elections. When elections were held in June, de Gaulle’s party surfaced stronger. Although the protests proved to be political failures, they are credited with changing

social attitudes.

There a number of important distinctions to be made between the two protests. One of the most important distinctions is the economic context in which French citizens took to the streets. In 1968, protests unfolded against a backdrop of economic growth and progress. Today’s protests have been inspired in large part by the lingering effects of the global financial crisis. Ongoing rates of high unemployment have added potent fuel to the protests.

It is difficult not to draw comparisons with the United States and efforts to reform Social Security. The reaction of the French youth to pension reform has perhaps been misinformed, but at a time in which much of the world is only just beginning to emerge from a global financial crisis, their level of political engagement is somewhat inspiring, at least for this international student to see.

5 Greek Insight Every fall when rush season comes to an end I always think back to my first year at Wooster, the year I chose not to rush. So often it seems that I find myself talking to sophomores and juniors during rush season who seem uncertain if they will be accepted Mike into a group after finishing Haggerty their first year. I feel that I can speak for the entirety of the Greek community when I say that no one who is considering becoming a member of the Greek community should let their class year be a factor in their decision. During my time as a member of the Greek community I have seen seniors, juniors and sophomores rush and pledge, eventually becoming some of the most active members of their respective groups here on campus.

My first year I lived in the Holden Annex. I can honestly say that living in the Annex helped me develop friendships and gave me a feeling of security and family that made me feel like rushing was unnecessary. The following year, however, when I found myself on the third floor of Holden, halfway across the campus from many of my friends, I soon discovered that I no longer had the security of living in such a close-knit environment. It was during this time that I realized I wanted more out of my college experience.

I wanted to be part of a permanent social group, a brotherhood that would not move away to the other side of campus. I wanted a group that I could be a part of for the rest of my life.

When I began the rush process I was uncertain about being older than almost all of the other rushes. I often felt uncomfortable attending events with first-years and trying to make conversation with rushes that I didn’t know. Fortunately, the year I rushed there where several other sophomores rushing along with me. If this had not been the case, I most likely would not have completed the process and eventually would not have pledged. When I look back on my rush experience, it bothers me that this was the case. So, I say to all you first-years, sophomores, and even juniors out there, that if you find yourself searching for something next fall, do not let your class year interfere with the opportunity to become a member of Greek life here on campus.

Rushing is not about how old you are, it is about where you are in your life. The Greek community here at the College of Wooster is about finding families, finding support and finding yourself within a community, it is not about age. People often ask me if I regret not rushing first-year and quite frankly, I don’t. I wasn’t ready to rush during my first-year and I had a spectacular first-year experience without being a member of Greek life. However, I can also honestly say that rushing and pledging sophomore year was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

Mike Haggerty is a senior member of Xi Chi Psi and a Sports Editor for the Voice. He can be reached for comment at MHaggerty11@wooster.edu.

Interested in Writing for Features?

We’re looking to expand our coverage and include more creative works and essays by Wooster students.

If you have an excerpt from a creative Independent Study or an idea for a human interest story, please contact Elle Bloom or Lee McKinstry at EBloom11@wooster. edu and LMcKinstry13@ wooster.edu.

6

friday, November 19

Arts&Entertainment Voice

Dance company’s fall showcase opens Friday Gina Christo Staff Writer

This coming weekend, The College of Wooster Dance Company will put on its annual fall performance.

The dance pieces follow a contemporary trend and explore themes of time, space and movement.

The concert is looking to highlight not only the dancers and choreographers from its company, but

The poster of the “Stage Door: Fall Dance Concert”, which opens this Friday, Nov. 19. (Photo Courtesy of Dale Seeds)

also student lighting design and the space in which the dances are being performed.

The fall dance concert has been performed in many alternative spaces throughout the years. Alyssa Wilmot, director of the dance concert, visiting associate professor of dance and an alumnus, said there was even a time when the dance company performed the fall concert in a dorm.

Keeping in line with recent traditions, the company will again be performing in the round for this year’s concert. Unlike a proscenium arch stage in which the audience sits far away from the performers and only gets one perspective, the atmosphere of the round allows audience members to have a more intimate experience with each dance piece and forces dancers and choreographers to conceptualize for audiences on all sides.

Intended to be a way for audience members to delve deeper into the importance and understanding of dance and its creation, Wilmot encourages audience members to take into consideration that dance and movement are capable of communicating.

Many of the pieces performed this weekend will tell a story, act as an outlet for personal expression and emotion or act as a physical investigation of the elements of dance.

Where some of the pieces may have abstract meanings or concepts, forcing the audience to be insightful, others may be quite obvious allowing the viewer to re-

Film speaks to courage in action Asch Shade Staff Writer The word “courage” can be used in many forms, such as a counterpart for the word strength, bravery or fortitude. It could mean having the inner strength to go against the crowd or to shed some light on something commonly looked down upon in modern societies. Though there are many uses and functions of the word “courage,” there is a distinct difference between knowing what the word means, and going forth to be courageous in your life.

On Friday, Nov. 12 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, I watched the documentary “Out in Silence,” a perfect example of courage in action. The documentary was filmed by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, a gay couple who decided to post their marriage announcement in a newspaper in Oil City, Pa., where Wilson grew up, and filmed the town member’s reactions. Oil City is a place where rumors and intolerance of anything out of the ordinary circulate incessantly.

Growing up as an openly gay boy in this town would show just how cruel and harsh the town’s residences could be, so Wilson kept silent about his sexual orientation. As soon as he was able to leave the small town behind him, he did.

Years passed and the memory of being silent instead of opening up about who he truly was had continually eaten at Wilson’s mind. He final-

ly decided that it was time to end the silence by posting the announcement of his marriage to his partner, Hamer, in an Oil City newspaper. He expected negative comments from his actions, which he did receive. However, he did not expect to receive a letter from a concerned mother in Oil City, explaining how the town’s treatment of her openly gay son, CJ, was horrendous and uncalled for.

Deciding to take action, Wilson and Hamer set out from their Washington, D.C. home and traveled to Oil City where they met and talked to CJ, who had done the one thing that Wilson himself had been apprehensive to do: to live as an openly gay boy in the town. Throughout the course of their documentary, Hamer and Wilson meet a variety of people, each with their own story to tell. One such person was Reverend Mark Micklos, a minister in the town who at first seemed quite opposed at how Hamer and Wilson have chosen to live their lives. But as the documentary continued, surprisingly he became more open and accepting to the gay lifestyle.

Even though they were met with opposition as they tried to get the local school board up-to-date with current issues on gay students, Wilson and CJ never gave in and continued to make Oil City a safe place for gay students. The documentary “Out in the Silence” is only about an hour in length. While short, it gives a lasting impression to anyone who sees it.

Its shows us the true meaning of courage and the encouragement to fight for what you believe in, no matter how hopeless it seems.

Most movies can only guess at the emotions, feelings and thoughts that circulate in peoples’ minds. Yet, this documentary not only gives us those emotions, but it shows them in a spectrum of real life events as well as giving an accurate description about just how harsh people can be to others who live their lives as openly gay. I encourage all to see this film; it truly resonated with me, and I’m sure it has the power to do the same for you. For more information about “Out in Silence,” please visit http://wpsu.org/ outinthesilence.You can also watch the full documentary for free at Hulu.com.

Asch Shade is an outside contributer for the Voice. He can be reached for comment at avengerof-darkness@hotmail.com

main more passive.

Also setting this year’s fall dance concert apart is the number of new choreographers. About two-thirds of the dance pieces were composed by students. Watching a first time choreographer can be an interesting experience, according to dance major Lindsay Phillips ’11, “the first few years a person choreographs their influences are very clear which I think this is the case with this concert.”

Audience members will be able to see the unique take on dance these new choreographers have and the risks they are willing to talk.

Phillips is looking forward to the reception of all the strong and diverse dancers within the company.

Many of the choreographers this year have chosen to dance in their own pieces, which she believes is something that can make a dance piece even stronger. “Regardless of their technique, choreographers tend to dance their own work best since it comes from their bodies and their minds,” Phillips commented.

The performance will take place on Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20 at 8:15 p.m. in Freelander Theater in the round.

You can look forward to seeing works by Phillips, Mara BartlettAsenjo ’11, Nana Boamah-Acheampong ’11, Maria Cox ’12, Adriana Maxton ’13, Ellie Lawrence ’11, Owen Renyolds ’11, Darius Dixon ’13, Aaron Yi ’12 and Cathy Trainor ’11. Also, Wilmot will be presenting a dance instillation.

Additional reporting for this article

by Madelyn Halstead.

UPCOMING ARTS EVENTS: College Campus “Stage Door: Fall Dance Concert” Nov. 19 – 20, 8:15 p.m., Freelander Theatre in the Round The College of Wooster presents the annual fall dance concert, in which new works premiere by 11 student choreographers. A dance instillation by Alyssa Lee Wilmot, visiting Assistant Professor of Dance will be included in the program as well.

This show is guaranteed to sell out, so visit the Freelander Box Office to reserve your ticket in advance or call 330-263-2241 for more information.

Common Grounds and The Goliard Open Mic Night Nov. 19, 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., Gable House Come and read your original writing at Common Grounds this Friday. Bring your original poetry, slam poetry, fiction, nonfiction or plays that you would like to share.

Patyak Music Recital Nov. 20, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Gault Recital Hall Lauren Patyak ’11 will be presenting a piano recital. The event is free and open to the general public, no tickets are required for admission.

Wooster Street Style

David Matthew Pierre ’11 isn’t always found in a stylish suit. But some days, he reasons, need a touch of class. Wooster Street Style caught up with Pierre near the Oak Grove to ask about his approach to fashion and his philosophy for acing a final.

1) Are you concerned with style?

I am not too concerned with style. I don’t think I follow a specific style, just my own personal preferences. I don’t really follow the stylish trends. I usually dress in something I will be comfortable in for the day. Every once in a while I like to look sharp and classy. I’d rather just dress nice rather than dressing “stylish.” Dressing up draws the attention of the ladies and I am a big fan of the ladies.

2) What influences what you’ll pull out of the closet in the morning?

David Matthew Pierre ’11 keeps a suit streamlined in a monochromatic jacket, tie, and slacks (Photo by Annie Peterson ’13).

Usually I’ll just throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or sweatshirt. If I am in a pretty good mood when I wake up, I will wear something nice. Wednesdays, though, are Formal Wednesdays. I make a point to wear at least a tie every Wednesday, and occasionally a suit. I like dressing up because it feels good to look this sharp. And you should dress for success, which is why I dress up for finals as well.

section editors: george myatt emily timmerman

THE SCENE In recent years, the movie and television industry has taken some large steps to represent and include a number of stories and identities of characters that are often forgotten or ignored in society. Yet, I notice that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters are frequently unrecognized or misrepresented in the George Myatt media. While it could be due to the blunt homophobic views of media executives preventing the development of LGBT characters in certain projects, this is not the case for the T.V. show “Glee.”

Last Tuesday, fans of the show were offered an intense focus on the only openly gay student Kurt (Chris Colfer) and how he faces discrimination and bullying on a daily basis in school. The episode, titled “Never Been Kissed,” opens with Kurt walking innocently through the school hallway and suddenly being pushed into a locker by a football player named Dave. He gives Kurt a glare of death, which clearly terrifies Kurt, with no one acknowledging what just happened.

When Kurt decides to spy on another glee club at Dalton Academy for sectionals, he poses as a prospective student and befriends Blaine, a singer in the all—boys glee club, the Warblers. Kurt watches the club perform “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry and appears to fall head over heals for Blaine, who sings lead. It was magical moment, signaling the start of possibly deeper relationship between two young openly gay men.

“Teenage Dream” is a powerful song that evokes the passion of love at first sight, which is what Kurt appears to experience. Though Blaine did not perform the song as a way to express his love for someone, his eye sight almost always focused on Kurt.

Blaine becomes a new source of encouragement for Kurt by telling him to stand up to the bully, giving Kurt more confidence and self-assurance.

Back at school, Dave pushes Kurt into the locker again, but instead of letting it pass him by, Kurt runs after him and confronts him in the locker room. He defiantly yells at Dave, “you can’t punch the gay out of me any more than I can punch the ignorance out of you.” The bully then kisses Kurt.

It was moment that shocked not only Kurt but also the fans and audience. What might have caused a bully like Dave to do something like that? What is clear is that Dave might be hiding something. He might be questioning his sexuality or trying to fight it by pushing it away as a weakness.

The answer might be revealed in a future episode. If you reconsider what happened, this is probably the first time a T.V. show featured a character standing up against homophobia and another possibly questioning his sexuality. It’s monumental because the media industry is notoriously known for being extremely homophobic and ignorant toward the LGBT community. With “Glee” and Kurt’s strong stance against bullying and harassment, it’s a sign that Hollywood is taking notice of one of many problems gay high school students encounter daily.

I only hope that Kurt continues to stand up for himself and develops a close and meaningful relationship with Blaine. He deserves a chance at love.

George Myatt is an Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Voice. He can be reached for comment at GMyatt11@ wooster.edu

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section editors: michael haggerty Graham Zimmerman Travis Marmon

Sports Voice

friday, November 19

7

Men’s and women’s basketball teams have high hopes Travis Marmon Sports Editor The Wooster men’s and women’s basketball teams are ready for another exciting season. The men’s team is coming off of an NCAA Div. III Sweet 16 appearance and a 25-6 season, in which they had a 15-1 record in NCAC play. The team is led by guard Ian Franks ’11, who won Great Lakes Player of the Year last season and has been named a first-team preseason All-American

by D3hoops.com. Franks is the only NCAC player to earn 2010 preseason All-America honors.

Franks is one of four seniors from last year’s team, along with guard Nathan Balch ’11, forward Kaleb Reed ’11, and forward/center Bryan Wickliffe ’11, a third-team All-Great Lakes Region player last year.

The only player not returning from the 2009-10 squad is Brandon Johnson ’10. The Scots should expect conference competition from Wabash College, Allegheny College and rival Wittenberg University, the only team to defeat Wooster in conference play.

However, with almost every player (including two All-Region players) returning, the Scots should expect

another run at not just the NCAC crown, but the NCAA Championship. Wooster opened its regular season on Wednesday against Cincinnati Christian University after press time, following an 86-50 exhibition loss to Div. I Ohio University. Their next game is tomorrow night in Timken Gymnasium against Bethany College at 8 p.m.

The Wooster women’s basketball team had a middling 2009-10 season, finishing 8-8 in conference play and 11-15 overall. The Scots graduated seven players from last season, including WBCA All-American and NCAC scoring leader Kym Wenz

‘10, so lone senior Taylor Keegan ’11 will have to lead a team with seven first-years, four juniors and only two returning starters.

Last year’s team was able to notch wins over top NCAC teams Wittenberg and Denison University, and as a result look promising this year.

They have a shot at the conference crown if they continue solid play.

The women opened their regular season on Monday with a loss to John Carroll University. The Blue Streaks went on a 16-3 run late in the first half and never looked back.

Scots’ forward Kristen Schwartz ’12 had a double-double, recording 13

points and 17 rebounds.

However, the Scots shot only 30 percent from the field while allowing John Carroll to shoot 47.6 percent.

The Blue Streaks relied heavily on guard Emilee Ritchie, whose 21 points (including five three-pointers) led all scorers. While the Scots were only down 33-19, a 20-4 run during the second half led to a final score of 82-51.

The women will look to rebound from the loss tomorrow in the first game of the annual Nan Nichols Tournament against Thiel College.

The game will be played at 3 p.m. in Timken Gymnasium.

Wooster football looses to Wittenberg in season finale Ben Christ Senior Staff Writer It was a chance for redemption for the Scots. After what had been a difficult season, the Fighting Scots football team headed into Saturday’s game against Wittenberg University with an opportunity to not only hand their arch-rival its first loss of the season, but also a chance to enter into a three-way tie with Wittenberg and Wabash University for the North Coast Athletic Conference title. It was also a chance to make sure that this was the last game for both teams.

Even with a victory, Wooster was not going to be able to make the playoffs. However, if Wooster defeated Wittenberg, Wabash would be the team that would go on to the tournament, leaving Witt out in the cold after a near-undefeated season.

After the 55-7 beating that Wooster suffered at the hands of Wittenberg last year, the chance to make Witt start its offseason early added some fire to an already explosive rivalry.

In what was a close battle until the very end, the Scots fought with everything they had but ended up falling just short, losing 22-17.

Wooster struck first early in the first quarter, after the Scots’ defense forced the dynamic Wittenberg offense to punt on their first two possessions. Then, starting from their own 42 yard line, the Scots drove the ball 58 yards, capped off by a four-yard run by Robert Flagg ’12 to put the Scots up by seven. In the second quarter, Wittenberg would put up two field goals on their next

two possessions, but the Scots responded with one of their own to make the score 10-6 at halftime.

The Wooster defense played well in the first half, but in the second Wittenberg began to show why it was the ninth ranked team in the country. Wittenberg dominated the third quarter and spent nine minutes driving down the field. The drive ended in a field goal, but Witt was able to take up the rest of the third quarter to do it.

The fourth quarter began with a Wooster turnover, as quarterback Richard Barnes ’14 threw his first interception of the day. Six plays later, Wittenberg quarterback Ben Zoeller connected with wide receiver Josh Mckee on a 43-yard touchdown reception to put Wittenberg up 16-10.

But the Scots weren’t finished yet.

On the next drive, the Scots’ offense drove 50 yards in 11, capped by a third and 15 pass from Barnes to Cameron Daniels ’12. It was an emotional catch for Daniels, as he had missed the last few games due to knee problems and will have surgery during the offseason. The play put the Scots up 17-16 with seven minutes left.

The Scot defense showed its resilience by forcing a Wittenberg punt with six minutes left in the game.

The Scots converted a few plays until disaster struck. On a third and 11 Barnes’ pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and fell into the hands of a Wittenberg receiver. Four plays later, Zoeller ran it in himself from the four yard line to put the Tigers up 22-17. Seemingly shocked at the quick turn of events, the Wooster

The Fighting Scots’ quarterback Richard Barnes ’14 looks to complete a pass against the Wittenberg University Tigers in the Scots’ loss on Saturday (Photo by Scot Krugel). offense seemed discombobulated on their last drive. A trick play failed on first down, then an incomplete pass, Barnes was hurried on third down and on the Scot’s last offensive play of the game, Barnes was sacked to finish it.

Although it was a bitter loss for the Fighting Scots, it was an impressive game. On the offensive side, Barnes was 27-47 for 193 yards and one touchdown, but also threw three interceptions on the day. Flagg had

61 yards on 16 carries and 47 yards receiving. Mike Redick ’11 had four catches for 38 yards and also set the single season record for receptions with 69.

Wooster’s defense played very well, holding one of the better quarterbacks in D3 to under a 50 percent completion rate. Jeremy Petit ’11 had a big day, picking Zoeller off twice.

Girard Ogletree-Crawford ’13 had 11 tackles and Dan Terhune ’12 recorded the only sack for the Fighting Scots.

This was the last game of an up and down season for the Scots, but one that they can definitely grow upon. Many people predicted that the Scots would not be competitive this year, but they showed a lot of heart and were in almost every game they played.

The Scots should look to reload in the offseason, and if they continue to improve like they did this year this team could be competing for the NCAC season title outright.

EDITOR RESPONSE

TCU, Mountain West tougher than Boise State, WAC

Travis Marmon Sports Editor While I had hoped for my last column to spark some discussion of Boise State University’s place in the Bowl Championship Series, I did not expect the 800-plus word rant sent into the Voice last week by my fellow first-year Trevor Patch.

Patch had several problems with my column on all sorts of levels, so this week I’ll be using this space to defend myself.

Patch’s first argument was that I ignored the fact that non-conference scheduling happens years in advance. He is correct on this point; I did conveniently skip that aspect of college scheduling. However, Patch also claims that I said that Boise wasn’t doing anything about their weak schedule. This is blatantly false. I made it a point to mention that the Broncos are moving to the Mountain West Conference next year and that they are playing a three-game series with Michigan State University starting in 2012.

Patch then attempted to dissect my argument that the Mountain West is better than the Western Athletic Conference. In my last column, I said that San Diego State University and the Air Force Academy were good teams that made up the top of the conference. The only argument that Patch made about San Diego State was that the Aztecs are two years removed from a 2-10 season. I hate to be rude, but

Undefeated TCU looks to maintain the third spot in the BCS ranking this week (Photo courtesy AP). so what? The University of Texas is one season removed from being number two in the nation. Does that mean that this year’s bumbling 4-6 Longhorns squad is still the best of the Big 12? My point is this: The 2010 San Diego State team is nothing like the 2008 San Diego State team. This edition is coached by Brady Hoke, who in my opinion is one of the most underrated coaches in football. Hoke took Ball State University to a 12-1 season two years ago, and as soon as he left the entire program fell apart. The Aztecs are on pace for a nine-win season and have been ranked in the BCS top 25.

Patch also said that Air Force is “basically Georgia Tech University but not as good.” This logic is nonsensical. The only similarity between Air Force and Georgia Tech is that they both run the triple option.

Saying the teams are alike because of this is like saying that every team that runs the spread is the same. Air Force nearly beat Oklahoma University and have also been ranked this year. They are in no way a bad football team and I think they could beat Georgia Tech (who lost to 3-7 Kansas University) by 10. I was also accused of calling Brigham Young University a good team. I never

said that. I called BYU a traditional power, because that’s exactly what they are. The Cougars are way down this year after losing their best offensive players in Max Hall and Harvey Unga. But as always, BYU will reload, even if their schedule as an independent is vastly different from their Mountain West schedule.

Patch then said that Texas Christian University’s victory over the University of Utah only looked good because “Urban Meyer brought [Utah] to prominence.” To be fair, the response was written a day before TCU beat Utah 47-7, but my point remains the same. Urban Mey-

er hasn’t been the coach at Utah in six years. Just two seasons ago, they beat the University of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and finished number two in the nation under Kyle Whittingham. The Utes did not rise to number five this year because Urban Meyer won the Fiesta Bowl in 2004. I realize that TCU’s victory was downgraded on Saturday when Utah lost 28-3 to Notre Dame University, but when a team goes on the road to play the fifth-ranked team in the nation, who has won more than 20 games in a row in their stadium, and they win by 40, that team is for real. Boise State doesn’t have a win like that on their schedule.

Finally, Patch closed by saying that he disagreed that “the BCS system should make it so that it is legitimately impossible for Boise to make the national title game.” Again, this is putting words in my mouth.

I completely agree that Boise should not get screwed over by the system every year. In fact, I hate the BCS system and how many non-automatic qualifiers it denies. My point was not that Boise State deserves to be left out, it’s that they don’t have an argument to be in the championship game if the University of Oregon, Auburn University and TCU remain undefeated.

So readers, while we have no problem with reader responses (in fact, we encourage you to write to us, especially if you want to write for us), please make sure you look over what you are responding to a few times so you don’t misinterpret our points.

Friday, November 19, 2010

BY THE NUMBERS

15

35

Is the number of points Denny Hamlin leads four-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson heading into the final race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Series at Homestead -Miami Speedway.

Kevin Harvick also trails Hamlin by just 46 points. In the last three races at Homestead-Miami Speedway Hamlin has finished in the top five twice, including a win last year. However, both Harvick and Johnson have two top ten finishes in the last five years.

If Hamlin manages to a victory, he will put an end to the Johnson dynasty.

Is the number of points the Philadelphia Eagles posted on the Washington Redskins in the first 16 minutes of play on Monday night.

Philadelphia would go on to win 5928. Michael Vick threw four touchdown passes and ran for two more as the Eagles broke several Monday Night Football records. That includes the most points posted in the first quarter (28) and the most points scored in the first half (45). The Philadelphia Eagles 45 first half points were also the most scored on the Washington Redskins in their franchise history.

Men’s swimming struggles, women win Graham Zimmerman Sports Editor

So far this season, the Wooster men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have compiled drastically different records. Following its victory over Case Western Reserve University and Oberlin College at last weekend’s Veale Classic, the women’s squad has amassed an impressive 5-0 record. On the other end, the men’s squad has sunk to 0-5 after continued dual-match defeats.

Eighth-year head coach Rob Harrington had a suspicion that the men’s squad would need to overcome the loss of senior talent as well as strong conference opponents to remain competitive this season. “We have a lot of hopefuls, people who show a lot of potential,” Harrington said. “I don’t think you can count us out by any means. I think we can get to a similar position in the conference to where we were last year, but it will take a lot of work to get there.

We’re in a rebuilding process.”

Those hopefuls that Harrington mentioned returning from last year’s campaign are Brett Dawson ’11, Adel El-Adawy ’11, and Brendan Horgan ’11. El-Adawy hopes to overcome a shoulder injury and continue his strong performances in individual events. Joining the three seniors is defending North Coast Athletic Conference Diver of the Year, Luke Knezevic ’12.

Knezevic swept the conference titles last season on both the onemeter and three-meter platforms and hopes to continue his confer-

ence dominance in his senior campaign. At last weekend’s Veale Classic, the men’s squad fell handedly to Case Western Reserve (18057). However, they showed drastic signs of improvement the next day before slipping to John Carroll University (122-109).

Although Harrington may feel that the men’s squad will face a rebuilding season, he is very confident in the potential of the women to make a big splash in NCAC play with the hopes of garnering a spot in the NCAA tournament.

“Our big goal is getting back to top-three in the conference again and make some best times. As always, we would like to go to nationals. I think we have a better shot at [that],” Harrington noted.

The women’s undefeated record has been supplemented by continued critical performances by Kate Hunt ’13.

Following her being named NCAC Swimmer of the Week, Hunt went undefeated in the Veale Classic, posting victories in the 50yard freestyle (24.88), 100-yard freestyle (57.74), and 200-yard butterfly (2:14.94).

Other strong performances included Samira El-Adawy ’13, who finished first in both her races, with victories in the 400 IM (4:50.06) and 200 IM (2:15.76). Also contributing victories in individual events were Priscilla Haug ’12, Mariah McGovern ’14, Adriana Hoak ’14, and Kara Markham ’14.

Both squads hope to score a victory this Saturday, Nov. 20, as they travel to swim against Westminster College. The match starts at 1 p.m.

A SOUTHERN PERSPECTIVE

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series comes to a close

Well it’s that time of the year again You guessed it, the last race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is almost h e r e .

This season’s finale will be on of the most intense MIKE HAGGERTY races of the last decade as Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are both in position to overthrow Jimmie Johnson’s fouryear run as the Sprint NASCAR Cup Champion.

Many of you may be asking, why should I spend three hours of my Sunday watching a bunch of cars turn left? I could be watching Ben Roethlisburger or Tom Brady lead their teams to another victory on their way to a Super Bowl Championship.

To begin, this weekend could mark the end of one of the most dominant dynasties in sports history. Jimmie Johnson is the reining four time Sprint Cup Champion and in 2009 he became the only driver in the history of NASCAR to win the Sprint Cup Championship four times in a row. Currently, Denny Hamlin, driver of the number 11 FedEx car, leads the series by a very shaky 15 points. This slim lead means that every lap will

Wrecks like this one are a definite possibility in Sunday’s race as Jimmie Johnson looks to defend his Sprint Cup Championship (Photo courtesy AP). count going into the Ford 400 on Sunday at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

For those of you who may not have watched NASCAR in the past, I ask only that you take a few moments on Sunday and flip the channel, after all, when Roethlisberger makes a wrong turn he gets sacked, when Denny Hamlin makes a wrong turn, a bunch of cars explode. Lets be honest who doesn’t want to watch some cars explode? I mean, if people didn’t like exploding cars, “Mythbusters” would have been off

the air five years ago.

Now as much as I love to watch Big Ben get his bell rung, pun intended, this Sunday offers a chance to watch sports history in the making. Drivers this weekend are going to be looking to take the lead on every lap. I predict this level of intensity and competition is going to lead to some extremely aggressive driving which might just cause a season ending crash for one of the top contenders for the cup.

Now, I know many of you are still skeptical, perhaps you feel that NAS-

CAR isn’t even a sport. After all, you make a bunch of left turns on your way to Wal-Mart every day, right?

All I ask of any skeptics is this; just try it, for America. There is nothing more American than filling really fast cars with tons of expensive gasoline just to watch them drive in a circle.

Who knows, you might just find out why hundreds of thousands of people spend hundreads of millions of dollars just to watch those left turns.

8

FRIDAY CONVERSATION

Sports Editor Travis Marmon recently spoke to women’s basketball guard Keshia Butler ’12. The women finished 11-15 last season. This year, Butler and the other four returning starters look to improve on that. The Scots host the Nan Nichols tournament tomorrow and Sunday KESHIA BUTLER at Timken Gymnasium.

TM: The team graduated seven seniors last year. It now has seven freshman.

How are you and the other upperclassmen adapting to your new roles as leaders?

KB: Considering we only have five returning players, I felt like that was a struggle at first. But all five of us have taken a role of being big sisters to the freshmen. We’ve all adapted well and the freshmen have grown pretty fast considering they were thrown into playing time.

TM: What is going to be the key to success and improvement for this year’s team?

KB: Playing together as a team.

Trusting each other and communicating with each other.

TM: What are some aspects that the team is improving on this year?

KB: We have a closer bond. We all spend quite a bit of time together, even off the court. We don’t have one star, we’re all one group.

TM: What can the team do to compete with the top teams in the conference like Wittenberg University again?

KB: Focus on every game, playing together in every game. As soon as we learn to play together, we can be unstoppable in this conference.

TM: On Saturday, Wooster hosts the Nan Nichols Tournament. Do you think you will win the tourney in front of the home fans?

KB: Yes, I think we can. We have great potential to do that. I think it would be a booster to win these two games in front of our home fans and families that come in.

TM: How do you see the NCAC shaping up this year? Where do you think Wooster will finish?

KB: I feel it’s kind of the same [as last year]. A lot of the teams haven’t lost too many key players. I think we can be competitive in the top four of the conference, which is finishing better than last year. It’s going to be a rebuilding year, but we can still do well in conference.

TM: Is there one game on the schedule you are really looking forward to?

KB: Of course Wittenberg. I want to say Ohio Wesleyan [University] is another one that the team likes to focus on and get pumped up for.

TM: The men’s basketball team seems to be getting most of the attention after they went to the Sweet 16 last season. Do you think the women can turn some of that attention back to them?

KB: I would like to. It is hard competing with the guys, because they’ve always had good seasons. I’d like to see more people come out to the games and support us because we’re playing well. We have a new team, new head coach…it’s like a new start.

PICK ‘EM Pick ‘em returns with your favorite sports editors Graham Zimmerman, Travis Marmon and Mike Haggerty, who will pick winners for the NFL and NCAA matchups in the upcoming week.

Feel free to send us an e-mail at voice_sports@wooster.edu.

Graham (GZ) Mike (MH) Travis (TM) NFL Thursday, Nov. 18 (MH, GZ, TM) Chicago at Miami

Sunday, Nov. 21 Buffalo at Cincinnati (MH, TM, GZ) (TM) Detroit at Dallas (MH, GZ) (GZ)Washington at Tennessee (MH, TM) Arizona at Kansas City(MH,GZ,TM) (GZ,MH,TM) Green Bay at Min nesota Houston at NY Jets(GZ, MH, TM) (MH) Oakland at. Pittsburgh (TM, GZ) (MH, GZ, TM) Baltimore at Caro lina (TM, MH, GZ)Cleveland at Jack sonville

(MH, TM) Tampa Bay at San Francisco (GZ) Seattle at New Orleans (MH, TM, GZ) (GZ,MH,TM) Atlanta at St. Louis (MH) Indy at New England (GZ, TM) NY Giants at Philidelphia (GZ,TM,MH) Monday, Nov. 15 (MH) Denver at San Diego (TM, GZ) NCAA Div. 1 Thursday, Nov. 18 Georgia State at No.11 Alabama (GZ, MH, TM)

Friday, Nov. 19 Fresno State at No.4 Boise State(GZ,MH, TM) Saturday, Nov. 13 (TM, GZ) No. 7 Wisconsin at Michigan (MH) (TM, MH, GZ)No. 10 Oklahoma St. at Kansas Purdue at No. 12 Michigan State (GZ, TM, MH) Troy at No. 17 South Carolina (MH, GZ, TM) Mississippi at No. 5 LSU (MH, GZ, TM) (TM, GZ, MH)No.6 Stanford at Cal (TM) No. 9 Ohio St. at No. 20 Iowa

(MH, GZ) (GZ, MH, TM) No.16 Virginia Tech at No. 24 Miami New Mexico State at No.18 Ne vada (GZ,MH,TM) (GZ, MH, TM) No. 13 Arkansas at No. 21 Mississipi State (GZ, MH,TM) No. 15 Missouri at Iowa State (TM, MH) No. 8 Nebraska at No.19 Texas A&M (GZ) (TM, MH, GZ) No.14 Oklahoma at Baylor (MH, GZ, TM) No. 25 Florida State at Maryland (MH, GZ, TM) No.23 Utah at Sand Diego State