Field of Dreams: Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance

By Samantha BorawSki

Co-Editor-in-Chief

March 15 marked the 14th Annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, which helps benefit members of the Saint Mary’s community. This year’s ben- eficiary was Jason Richter, who worked at Saint Mary’s University from 1998 to 2010 in Student Activities. He was among the group that originally created the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance in 2001.

Last summer, Richter was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is a blood disease that is cancer of the plasma cells. Richter has undergone 10 radiation sessions and recent bone and stem cell transplants. Jason is now in remission but is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Richter’s love for baseball was the inspiration behind the theme for this year, Field of Dreams.

“The dance went very well this year,” said Abbie Zuzek, the leader and head of the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance Committee this year. “I was very blessed with such a hard working committee that made the planning process for both the dance and the auction go smoothly.” The other part of the dance, the annual silent auction also helped raise money for the Richter family.

Chair of the silent auction, Hannah Friedrich said, “The silent auc- tion was a success! We had so many great items and so many people from the community came to bid on the items.”

The dance and silent auction combined this year raised more than $14,000. All the proceeds will help the Richter family with medical and travel expenses that have amounted due to treatment. “Jason was very deserving of the love and support that was shown to him that weekend, and it makes me proud to be a part of such a strong community like SMU, when I can see that support in action,” said Zuzek. 

The Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance began in 2001 in honor of Tate Rich- mond, the son of SMU staff member Nikki Richmond, who passed away last October. 

Zuzek said, “It was amazing to see all of the support that came from all around. The support was for both Nikki and Tate, as well as for Jason. All three of them have made huge differences and are so loved among this com- munity at Saint Mary’s.”

High school science fair brings young minds to SMU for presentations

by PAul scHMitt

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Full of an interest in science, 142 students from area middle and high schools participated in the Southeastern Minnesota, Western Wiscon- sin Regional Science and Engineering Fair held in Saint Mary’s Univer- sity’s Gostomski Fieldhouse on Friday, Feb. 28.

Boasting students from all age ranges and interests, the fair was judged by SMU science department students and faculty, as well as mem- bers of the local science and engineering contingent. Projects ranged from research of light pollution in area cities, to the most effective type of end- ing for a short story, to experimenting with the efficiency of geothermal heat pumps. Many of the projects had important real world consequence even for the local area, such as the research of Emerald Thompson-Jerec- zek, from Fountain City, WI, which was concerned with emissions from the Alma power plant in Wisconsin.

Awards were presented the same evening. Winning the fair and advancing to the International Science and Engineering Fair in San Fran- cisco, Calif., Winona Senior High School student Lucas Derbyshire’s proj- ect was titled “Optical Activity of Saccharides.” A variety of other awards from organizations such as the Air Force, the American Psychological As- sociation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were also given, and some students will advance to the Junior Science and Hu- manities Symposium to present the papers they wrote on their research. “For me, the science fair goes beyond the display board on the table,” said Derbyshire earlier that day. “It’s about the dedication and hard work that goes into it.”

All of the students at the fair showed exactly that dedication just in being there for the entire day, bombarded by questions from judges and spectators. As a classic hallmark of secondary education, the science fair continues to live strong.

Watt’s Up with the Solar Panel Initiative?

by enA MOAts

Cardinal Staff

As of February 21st, Saint Mary’s University Student Senate Legislative Affairs Committee has been granted permission from administration to begin fun- draising for solar panels on the Saint Mary’s campus. If anyone hasn’t got- ten the emails, seen the fundraising prog- ress poster, or heard by word of mouth about this exciting initiative already, it’s time to be- come enlightened on the solar panel subject.

Working to re- duce the university’s carbon footprint to serve as an example for the surrounding community, save energy and money to devote to other important projects, and involve students in hands on experiences with the panels and their impact on the environment, committee members, Conner Ellinghuysen, Reikel Biechler, Katie O’Leary, and Peter Hegland have made a goal to raise $20,000 by the end of the semester so that the panels can be installed over the course of the summer.

According to Ellinghuysen, this $60,000 proj- ect is being backed and partly funded by a group called the Minnesota Student Energy Project to acquire a 16.4 kW system with 40 panels. Each of these 16, 400 watts costs $3.19 to install.

That’s where students, alumni, friends, fam- ily, the Winona Community, and businesses come in: as of right now, the committee has raised $751. Ellinghuysen encour- ages help “by giving online on our givemn website, or drop of cash or check gifts to the busi- ness office under the Solar Panel Student Initiative. They can also visit our facebook page, like it, and invite others...Each gift will be recognized on our solar panel education board that will be put up to talk about the panels, and to thank all of the supporters and donors.” Hegland added that students can especially help by spreading the word via Twitter and Facebook about the “Give a Watt?” campaign. The following are websites to promote donation: http://givemn.razoo. com/story/Solar-Panel-Student-Initiative?referral_

code=share https://www.facebook.com/solarpanelsmu

Global issues: Awareness for Gaza

By mary norick

Cardinal Staff

How much do you know about Gaza? Could you locate it on a map? Gaza is part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories on the Mediterranean Sea. It’s not very big, slightly more than twice the size of Washington D.C., but has been subject to a lot of violent attacks in recent years. Do you re- member hearing about the “8 Days of Horror” in the news in 2012? That was located in Gaza. Gaza citizens were living in constant fear of Israeli attack for 8 days. Almost half of the deaths that resulted were innocent civilians. Gaza underwent loss of citizens as well as substantial structural damage. Gaza is also under a lot of restrictions as to what can be let in and out of the area. They have had a lot of issues especially with getting medical supplies after the “8 Days of Horror.” Citizens have been having issues as a result because they are unable to receive proper medical treatment. It is important to raise awareness for this and other areas that are living under the occupation of Israel. If you would like to find out more about Gaza and other Palestinian issues, please attend the LCT 375 Awareness Campaign on March 31st. The class will be presenting on different Palestinian Issues throughout the day in St. Mary’s Hall in order to raise awareness. Students will also be raising money for Bethlehem University, which is a fellow Lasallian institution lo- cated in Bethlehem, Palestine. It is important to learn about what is going on in Palestine and to do our part to help our fellow brothers and sisters by raising awareness.

Pro-Life speaker visits SMU

by WilsOn KubWAyO

Cardinal Staff

Over 30 students showed up with much enthusiasm to hear the Students For Life guest speaker, Michael Ottman on Tuesday, March 11. Ottman is a sophomore and a coordinator of campus ministry at Benedic- tine College.

He was born in South Korea, and was adopted by a family from Andover, Minnesota when he was just three months old. Ottman never had a chance to see his biological father or mother. “I was conceived by rape and I thought that God made me by accident,” Ottman said. When Ottman found out that he was conceived by rape, he felt hopeless, but he also real- ized that his mother had chosen life, giving him a chance to live when she could have had an abortion.

While growing up, there was nothing else Ottman wanted to do more than search for his mother in South Korea. This became a dream for Ottman, not only to see his mom, but to see his birthplace. He begged his parents to take him there and the long journey of searching for his biologi- cal mother began. When they arrived in South Korea, a Korean woman said something to Ottman in the native language, which Ottman does not speak, and she seemed disappointed that he did not understand.

“She thought of me as a stranger,” says Ottman. “I began to ask myself, ‘God, who am I? I don’t even seem to fit in with my own peo- ple!.’” Later, they heard a rumor that his biological mother did not want to see him, because, as they soon found out, he was conceived by rape. Ottman was already in pain, but this rumor was devastating. “I was really down, it definitely made me feel worthless” Ottman 

explained.

They left South Korea without ever meeting with his biological mother, and “even now, I don’t really know whether my mom exists or not,” said Ottman. But Ottman continued on to explain that he has learned how to deal with all these struggles, and said “I feel a lot of peace now, with all the struggles I had before and all the emotions, and anger.” When asked the question of what he wanted to get across to his audience, Ott- man responded, saying, “I really encourage people to respect life, because when one person is spared from abortion and gets to feel like a human be- ing, the gift of life is so much more than we can ever imagine. Appreciate life for what it is; you never know what it can bring.”

Milwaukee S.O.U.L Trip Helps Homeless Population

by enA MOAts

Cardinal Staff

As a part of the SOUL trip series over Saint Mary’s University’s spring break, a group of students traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to do what the organization name stands for-- Serving Others United in Love-- specifically serving the homeless population of the city. Krystal Souhrada, student leader of the Milwaukee trip, reported that the group spent three of their days working to prepare greenhouses for spring at an urban farm called Growing Power which focuses on sustain- ability and healthy living. The next two days, according to Souhrada, in- cluded cleaning, sorting clothes, and engaging with the homeless popu- lation at a center called Repairers of the Breach which works to serve the homeless’ needs. Evenings were spent at St. Benedict the Moor church with “the guests,” who consist of anyone in need of hot food, at a commu- nity meal that the church offers six days a week from Sunday to Friday. The church has seventy-five different sponsors that prepare the food and serve it each night.

Kiya Virgin, a sophomore at SMU, says this sharing of the meals every night was her favorite part of the trip. “It was really eye opening to see the large amount of diversity of the homeless population. I definitely didn’t anticipate meeting so many different people with so many differ- ent experiences. It was crazy to meet one of the guests on Monday, and

then have them remember my name on Friday even if I couldn’t remem- ber theirs.”

Souhrada summed up the SOUL trip and the moving feelings that went along with it by saying, “our group came up with the intention to see the truth in people and in their hearts, and I feel like this truly hap- pened for me and a lot of the other trip participants.”

Spring break in New Mexico: S.O.U.L trip

By Ena moatS

Cardinal Staff

The SOUL experience in New Mexico was different from the rest of the trips to various regions around the US in that the type of service was not as typical as it usually is. Considered more of a “justice pilgrimage,” the students along with Office of Campus Ministry Director, Chris McClead, traveled to the border of New Mexico for eight days to encounter firsthand the issues of immigration through a series of programs included in the itinerary that was set by the center in which participants stayed each night.

“The center we stayed at was really cool. It was called The Wom- en’s Intercultural Center, and it offered classes and programs to basically provide the minority community (mostly females but males as well) with services like GED acquirement and business and marketing skills. It also provided us with down time to get to know the culture,” said Ashley An- derson, a freshman who traveled to New Mexico.

According to McClead, the group was able to go on an exclusive tour with the US Border Patrol, hear about current concerns and events in a presentation given by the Undersecretariat of Foreign Relations of Mexi- co, and spend a night with host families along the US/Mexican border. This itinerary was set to provide many different perspectives and aspects of the issue of immigration from Mexico and Central America into the United States. From these perspectives came many different insights that reshaped group members views on immigration and brought new awareness to the issue.

McClead stated, “The most surprising experience I had was the compelling viewpoints provided by the US Border Patrol and corruption in Mexico. I entered the Border Patrol tour with a chip on my shoulder from previously held notions about the agency. After the tour, I was grate- ful for the commitment those men and women have to ensuring the safety of the border and societies who live near to the border. Many presenta- tions spoke about the need to eradicate corruption from the government of Mexico. I was not aware the Mexican government is seen has having close relations to powerful and dangerous cartels.”

Reflection: Montana S.O.U.L trip

by luKe Kubic

Cardinal Contributor

Over Spring Break, I went on the S.O.U.L. trip to Browning, Montana to work at the De La Salle School on the Blackfeet Indian reservation. At the school, our group worked with kids in grades 4-8, providing them with additional help in subjects that they were struggling with. At first, the kids were hesitant to open up to people that they had never met before, but they really opened up after the first day. It was a joy to get to know the kids, but it made it that much harder to say goodbye when it was time for us to leave.

When we were not working at the school, we were learning about the history of the Blackfeet or touring the city. We also got the opportu- nity to climb the Buffalo Jumps and snow-shoe through Glacier National Park. Along our three mile hike through the 31 inches of snow, our tour guides would stop periodically to teach us about the park and the animals that lived there.

Working at the school and hiking through Glacier National Park were both great experiences, but this trip would not have been the same if it hadn’t been for the group I was with. I hardly knew anyone on this trip beforehand, but now I consider everyone in our group to be a friend. Before this trip, I was skeptical about giving up my Spring Break. But after this experience, I’m 100% sure that I made the right decision! To anyone who is considering going on a S.O.U.L. trip: Do it! You won’t regret it!

Reflection: St. Louis S.O.U.L trip

by nicKy becHer

Cardinal Contributor

This past spring break I was fortunate to take part in a SOUL trip to St. Louis with an outstanding group of people. We got to know each other very well on the trip, thanks in part to the fact that our living quarters contained one bathroom for 19 people, and we shared many fun and exciting experiences.

Throughout the week we worked on one house in North St. Louis that was part of a program called the Solomon Project. The idea of this project is to renovate abandon houses and turn them into safe homes. Everyone enjoyed working on the house and seeing the progress we were making, but a highlight of the trip for many of us was the time we spent with a woman named Toni. Toni and her family currently live in a Solomon Project house and were generous enough to visit and share their story of difficulties and triumphs. Each of us took away different things from their story, but I think I can safely say that Toni and her family made an impression on all of us.

On another evening, after working on the house, we visited Christian Brothers College High School. We met some faculty and students who showed us around their beautiful school. It was nice to spend time with other students who are dedicated to fol- lowing La Salle’s mission.

Urinetown:The Musical

by enA MOAts

Cardinal Staff

This year’s student production of Greg Kotis’ Urinetown: The Musical recently opened on the Page Theater stage on Thursday, March 20 and ran through Sunday, March 23rd, bringing in a full audience each night. The show came to life on the stage through the work of director Gary Diomandes, Judy Myers as musical director, and choreographer Christine Martin, along with over 35 students in both the cast and behind the scenes.

Since the beginning of semester, the Page Theater stage has been slowly transformed into the Gotham-like, futuristic city of Urinetown by the cast and crew of this musical comedy that satirically comments on themes of capitalism, the legal system, bureaucracy, environmental sus- tainability, greed, and of course, love. The sets, constructed by Tamara L. Honesty plus assistants, lights designed by John Goblirsch, and sound run by Charlotte Deranek all contribute to the destitute setting of the city where a water-shortage has devastated the citizens who also have to survive the monopolizing company called “Urine Good Company” that controls the water supply and enforces an oppressive tax upon the only public toilets available in the town.

From this oppression rises the hero Bobby Strong played by Gabriel Verges who leads the troubled citizens to freedom from the company and its leader Caldwell B. Cladwell who was played by SMU freshman Zach Hillman. Along the way to freedom, Bobby meets and falls in love with Cladwell’s daughter, Hope Cladwell (Katie Sapper).

Actors in the show say they really worked on character development especially in this particular show where interactions with each other were essential both on stage and off, while Goblirsch played with over 200 light cues, and set crews built an entire city out of styrofoam. The students spent four hours a day for six days a week since the beginning of second semester in rehearsals, working to create Urinetown.

Because of the characters, sharp satire, musical spoofs, and memorable music in its own right, the show was one that Diomandes and Myers had “been wanting to tackle for some time now.” Surely the laughs and applause from the audience for this production were worth the wait.

ArtsAlive! LLC broadens freshman experience

by JAKOb JeHn

Cardinal Staff

Located in St. Edward’s Hall, four Living Learning Communities (LLC’s) coexist. The goal of these communities is to bring together people of similar interests and allow them to live in a space where their inter- ests in art, sports, being well in body and mind, and global religion can flourish and be influenced by the Lasallian tradition. These interests are fulfilled by activities coordinated by the Hall Director and the Resident Assistants in charge of a certain LLC.

Sydney Rudquist, a graphic design major, stated, “I really enjoy my experience, and my favorite thing was when we made Halloween cos- tumes. I liked everyone being there, and I felt like every member was at that activity.”

Michelle Cullen, the Hall Director of St. Edward’s Hall, coordi- nates all the activities. However, just because she makes and approves the activities, that doesn’t mean she does not attend them. “I really liked the ceramics day,” Michelle commented. “It was a good opportunity to utilize the ceramics room in basement of Joe’s] that they have never been in be- fore. It was a unique, out-of-class experience.”

Theatre major Jake Muzzarelli commented, “My experience has been very positive. It has allowed me to meet others who have similar in- terests, and I have really enjoyed seeing other art forms that I didn’t know much about.” Jake also explained how attending the improv group Second City earlier this year was his favorite activity because it gave him a “career goal.”

Darvell Jones had a similar response, and said “I’m really enjoying it. I really like how [the LLC’s] are mixed together and living together.” Darvell’s favorite activity that he attended was the Caravan du Nord’s con- cert series featuring the bands Southwire, Night Moves, and local mu- sician Mike Munson. “It was different, not what I expected, but a good experience as a whole.”

Book Review: “Two Boys Kissing”

by JAKOb JeHn

Told from the perspective of thousands of souls stuck in limbo that are forced to dwell amongst the living, unseen, unheard, and unfelt, this chapter-less book narrates the events of four different stories going on at the same time in the perspective of a third person omniscient narrator. Ex’s Craig and Harry are attempting to break the world record for lon- gest kiss. There’s nothing between them anymore, but this kiss ruffles the settled emotions they have about each other. 

Ryan and Avery both have colorful hair, and they also have just started seeing each other. However, a secret of Avery’s, a secret out of his control, could possibly ruin this blossoming relationship. 

Peter and Neil are a couple and have been for a little bit now. Peter’s family accepts their relationship wholeheartedly, however, Neil’s family doesn’t know what to make of it. 

Cooper is a boy who is barely holding on. He stopped feeling a while ago. This book is absolutely phenomenal and is written beautifully. What struck me as most compelling about the novel was that the narrator, or should I say narrators, refer to themselves as “We:” a collectivistic group of thousands of souls telling you a story. Their experience with death gives them wisdom beyond the comprehension of the living body, each para- graph they read is a life lesson, a plead for you to live not with fear, but love.

Levithan’s quick read is definitely a good read.

Men’s baseball season preview

By: ricHArd PAlerMO

Cardinal Staff

The Cardinals have been in game day mindset ever since returning from the spring break trip to Arizona. The trip did not turn out as hoped. Tough competition and long innings contributed to a 3-7 result. “The Ari- zona trip is a good learning experience for our team, both on the field and off,” head coach Nick Winecke said, now entering his sixth season. “From playing tough competition, we learn our strong points and our breaking points.”

A new rule change now applies for all conference doubleheader games this season. Game one will remain a seven inning game while game two will be nine innings. “I like this rule, it changes the dynamic of play both offensively and defensively” Winecke said.

Impressing the doubters was freshman outfielder from Roseville, MN, Ben Buerkle or ‘Berkdale’ as known by the team. Hitting .407 on the trip, Buerkle leads the team in runs batted in with nine. “Even though we didn’t play that well, it was a great opportunity to bond with my team- mates.” Buerkle said. “We learned what we need to improve before confer- ence starts.”

Speaking of conference, the Cardinals finished 10-10 (19-15 over- all) in the MIAC last season. This was good for fourth in the MIAC and the Cardinals earned their second consecutive playoff berth. Weather permit- ting; the Cardinals will begin MIAC play against St. Thomas at home on March 29th.

Looking at the pitchers, not one of the 14 pitchers, starter or reliev- er, is a senior. Full of potential and fearlessness can describe this pitching staff. “We have an unorthodox group,” assistant coach Pat Jacobson said of his staff. “This season brings a lot of opportunities for guys to step up and this group has the character to understand their role.” Receiving the grief and complaints from the pitchers are the catchers. After the loss of senior catcher Kyle Service, a battle began between Tommy Merkelis, Jon Schlemmer, and Tyler Lursen. Senior catcher Schlemmer, playing with 2 more years of eligibility, started the majority of the games in AZ. Senior tommy Merkelis, who is a great leader and does not include quitting in his vocabulary, will see some action behind the plate this year, and Sophomore Tyler ‘Whitey’ Lursen looks to show his defensive strengths.

Moving up to the infield one will quickly see where the core of the leadership derives. The infield hosts a senior at each position with a strong emphasis on defense. Kevin Gannon, Zach Wolfe, Taylor Thelemann, and Paul LaNasa make up the senior infielders. “The senior guys are a good group, we have been together a while and I will miss them dearly.” LaNasa said. “I will even miss having to listen to Tommy’s NASCAR rants.” The outfield is a mix of the lot. With players from all grades bringing an impact, this group has the potential for an amazing hitting performance.

Stephen Scatassa, ace of the pitching staff and middle infielder, commented on the season ahead: “We have a lot of guys who know how to get the job done, but we also have a lot of young guys. This year will be about learning from experience and putting ourselves in a position to win every game.”

Column: The climate of Division 1 student athletes

By: kEotta houSE

Sports Editor

Just as the seasons are changing from winter to spring, the cli- mates of the NCAA are changing before our very eyes and could be changed forever in the next few months.

Since the 1950s the NCAA has coined the term student athletes. Originally the term was created to prevent student athletes from receiv- ing workmen’s compensation for injuries they receive while playing or performing that sport.

In recent years many of these players have come under extreme scrutiny for taking free clothes, free tattoos, free cars, selling their au- tograph, and selling their pictures and jerseys. Players are not allowed to make a profit off of their names or their likeness because if they do receive any kind of compensation they are no longer student athletes.

This notion of student athletes, specifically Division 1 football players, not being employees is not sitting well with many people.

Kaine Colter of the Northwestern University Wildcats football program has taken his university to court along with the College Athletes Union to get this union recognized by the university. Colter, along with the union, argues that the football players basically puts in thousands of hours in the football program for traveling, playing games, studying film, and even training camp over the summer. 

According to Sports Illustrated Magazine, Colter told the court room, training camp in the summer the athletes usually work between 50 and 60 hours a week. He also told the court that the team is not allowed to take summer classes because they conflict with the camp.

“There’s just no way around football, in fact we were only ad- mitted into Northwestern University to play football and we probably wouldn’t be here otherwise” said Colter to the courtroom, according to Sports Illustrated Magazine.

This argument about the status of the role of Division 1 athletes at colleges picks up more and more steam each year. Ed O’Bannon, who is a former UCLA basketball star, filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Division 1 football and men’s basketball players. This lawsuit challenges the NCAA’s usage of current and former student athletes’ likeness and names to make a profit. O’Bannon claimed he as well as several athletes are featured in EA Sports NCAA video games while in school and long after leaving their universities. Many pundits believe O’Bannon will win his lawsuit which is a step in the right direction for cases like Colter’s.

Not everyone is for the idea of compensating players for their work on the field. Many argue that these athletes receive a “free educa- tion” and others argue these athletes receive free exposure. Some argue that both sports are male sports and because of title IX, you have to pay women athletes as well. The problem is that while a football team could make $40 million dollars, a women’s soccer team might make a couple thousand dollars. Also some critics fear that many college teams could start suing the schools to get paid and this long, winding, and slippery slope will be unleashed on the NCAA.

One thing is for sure: no matter how hard the NCAA closes their eyes and hopes these lawsuits and these talks of player compensation go away, the truth of the matter is simple--they won’t. These debates are go- ing to be here until the organization takes off their blinders and start finding a solution.

What do you think of these lawsuits and talks of compensating Division 1 football and men’s basketball players? Like us on Facebook and tell us what you think and your comments could make the next issue of The Cardinal.

Women’s basketball: Scores NCAA tourney

By kEotta houSE

Sports Editor

From the start of the 2013-2014 season until the end, the SMU Women’s Basketball team captivated the entire SMU community as they made their journey all the way to the con- ference championship and beyond.

The lady Cardinals finished the season with a record tying 24-4 season, and a berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament. To a packed gym the Cardinals defeated Bethel University to get the to the conference champi- onship game against the St. Thomas Tommies.

“Unfortunately, we lost the Champion- ship game but never once lost hope,” said junior forward Octavia Brown. “We continued to hope and pray that we would get a bid into the national tournament and fortunately because we had such an outstanding regular season, we were able to get a bid into the tournament which was incredible,” she added.

The ladies dropped the game against the Tommies, however they made it to the big tournament where the ultimately loss to the UW-Oshkosh Titans with a score of 71-61.

The Cardinals may not have won a na- tional championship, but they were able to win the admiration and support of many students, faculty, staff, and the Winona community.

“Watching these women play their hearts out night after night has inspired me to do better in my own personal life,” said junior

Andrew Lee. “I am extremely hopeful for next season and that we will continue to raise the bar,” said Brown.

However, the team is not only just losing seniors, they are also losing 2 of the team’s lead- ers in the reigning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Court- ney Euerle, and go-to 3-point shooter Darcey Rice.

“I am sad that we will lose of the best people on the planet but I know without a doubt that you will go far in life in whatever you pur- sue, we love you both,” said Brown

Column: The Media Needs a Makeover

by AllisOn cHristensen

Cardinal Staff

Eating disorders are on the rise and although studies have shown that they are mental illnesses, not a lifestyle choice, external factors can still have an effect on people who have or are more likely to develop an eating disorder.

We construct our body image, our image of how we perceive ourselves or how we believe others perceive us, based on what we see around us. We compare our body types to the body type that is currently considered “at- tractive” or “ideal” by the media. Today, that body type is tall, skinny, and only naturally possessed by 5% of American women. Pressured to be lean and muscular, male body image dissatisfaction has risen to 43%.

The media can’t be blamed for directly causing eating disorders—there isn’t enough research to support that claim. But we can’t deny that it has an effect on people, especially young people who may not know about the misleading magic of Photoshop.

This photo was put on Target’s website to advertise a Junior’s swimsuit. Besides the fact that her left arm is grossly elongated and her left hip is ac- tually missing a chunk, even her crotch has been practically removed. This is not naturally occurring in anyone. So why tell girls in their early teens that this is how they should look in their swimsuits?

This age group is particularly affected by the media. According to An- orexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape. After a sparking controversy, the image was taken off Target’s site.

Maybe the photo editor responsible for this dangerously misleading advertisement was just trying to create the body type that is so popular today, unaware of the potential negative effects on the body image and self esteem of young girls.

So what’s Lady Gaga’s excuse? During her performance at SXSW, Gaga arranged for Millie Brown, a vomit painter, to force herself to throw up on her on stage. The pop singer has had a history of struggle with bulimia and anorexia since the age of 15. Now recovered, she, of all people, should understand how triggering it can be for someone struggling with an eating disorder to see that glamorized in the media.

A “trigger” is something that could cause a person to engage in un- healthy behavior, such as cutting, restricting calories, or throwing up.

Although undeniably part of the problem, media has the potential to be part of the solution. We are exposed to hundreds of media messages every day. Everywhere you look or listen, there is advertising: TV, radio, the In- ternet, newspapers, magazines, billboards, taxis, buses. If you can print on it or buy ad space on it—someone’s advertising on it.

If we replaced even half of the negative body image messages out there with positive ones, I believe that would make a tremendous difference on people’s body images. If we could compare ourselves to some average-sized people in the media, we wouldn’t have to construct our sense of beauty around a highly-Photoshopped, underweight model. And what a relief that would be!

We are beautiful without the media’s latest diet fads, retouching soft- ware, and cosmetic surgery. Let’s give the media a makeover for once—we don’t need them!

Students attend diversity conference

By Samantha Borawski

Co-Editor-in-Chief

On Jan. 24-26, 2014, Saint Mary’s University students attended the Power in Diversity and Leadership Conference. St. Cloud State University and the school’s office of Multiculturalism and Inclusion host the conference. The conference helps develop personal growth and leadership for students of color and underrepresented students through workshops, keynote speakers, and programs. SMU has attended three out of the five years since the inception of the conference.

“This conference offers a powerful and unique opportunity for students who do attend a predominantly Caucasian institution, to experience a variety of cultures, activities, and ideas to bring back to their respective campuses” said senior Keotta House. 

The theme this year of the conference was: “Today’s Vision: Tomorrow’s Reality.”  There were a variety of keynote speakers ranging in ethnicity, race, and sexuality, including Laverne Cox, the star of the hit Netflix TV show “Orange is the New Black.” 

“I liked the keynote speakers because they were powerful and had experiences that related to everyone” said junior Mae Yang. “A message I took away from the speakers was that you have to know yourself before you can lead.” 

Sophomore Taylor Lehmann expressed the same sentiments that everyone is a leader. Her favorite part was seeing different cultures come together during the conference.

Senior Miles Dunna quoted a phrase that Laverne Cox said at the conference, “I am not one thing and neither are you.” 

This was also Keotta’s favorite lesson from this year’s conference. “Do not let people put you into one layer. Be who you are and all of your layers.”

Cardinal Corner hits record sales for a good cause

By Samantha Borawski

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Last semester the Cardinal Corner broke record sales when it broke even and made over $2,300, which was donated to the First- Generation Initiative at Saint Mary’s. The Cardinal Corner is an on campus store that is student run and located in the basement of the Toner Center next to the Barnes and Noble Campus Bookstore. Every semester there are new products designed and sold by the Department of Business’s entrepreneurship class, in order for students to gain hands on experience into what it is like to own and operate a small business.  Currently Professor Michael Ratajczyk is in his second semester of teaching the class. 

Some of the products that were available last semester included the red, white, and black winter hats that everyone was wearing by the end of the semester, the Pass, Shoot, Cure pink breast cancer awareness shirts, Saint Mary’s tote bags and mini footballs, and red Saint Mary’s College t-shirts.  

Sam Kleese, a junior entrepreneurship major that was a part of the Saint Mary’s College t-shirt group said overall positive things about her experience. “I learned that you really need to communicate with your 

group members and advertise not only your product but all the other groups’ products and those from previous semesters.”

Junior Luke Kubic, who was a member of the Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts said, “The best part of the experience was working in an actual business and getting used to handling real money. Overall, we sold 80 percent of the shirts we had, which translated to over $1,000 in sales. Our group is proud and feels we were pretty successful.” The group with the most products sold was the winter hat group, which had a turnover rate of 10.4. 

Group member and senior, Jen Tobroxen, said in response to determining hats for their product, “Our team took a tour of Excel Imaging and saw the hat in the product sample room. We talked about it, looked at some prices, and asked a few people if they would be interested in it at the price we wanted to sell it for. Finally, we decided to go for it.”

This semester current students in the entrepreneurship class are excited to have the opportunity to be just as successful.  The class is in the early stages of developing product ideas and learning the ins and outs of how to run the Cardinal Corner successfully. 

“I am mostly excited to learn how to manage a small business because I would like to open my own one day. I think being able to work in the Cardinal Corner will give me the necessary experience I need for the future,” says junior, graphic design major Audrey Ferris who is a student in the current class. 

Another current student, Courtney Euerle said she too is excited to see the inner workings of a small business. “I am excited for the opportunity to see the details of what it takes to make a small business survive over the long run,” Euerle states. 

The Cardinal Corner opens this semester on February 10. Times of operation are yet to be determined.

A Trip to the Holy Land: A Reflection

By Theresa LaValla

Cardinal Contributor

      Over Christmas break I was privileged to travel with six other St. Mary’s University students, Brendon Dolan, Ellen Bergler, and students from Lewis University to the Holy Land. For ten days, we were given the opportunity to not only experience a growth in our own Christian faith but to also develop a greater appreciation and understanding for the other two Abrahamic faiths (Islam and Judaism). 

Just mere days after Christmas, we found ourselves exploring the streets of Bethlehem and visiting sites such as the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Fields where the Bible says God first entered our world as an infant.

While in Bethlehem, we teamed up with our sister school, Bethlehem University, some of its faculty, and a handful of the students. We traveled together in areas of Palestine and were given a more personal look at the social injustices occurring in the area. 

We met with Palestinian women working with Catholic Relief Services to run their own businesses in hopes of providing for their families. We walked among the cluttered, crowded alleys of a refugee camp.  We drove through checkpoints in the Wall to reach certain sites, and as Americans on a tour guided bus, we were able to come and go between Israel and Palestine very easily. Our Palestinian friends, however, had to wake up hours earlier to cross through the checkpoints on foot, meeting us on the other side, with the constant uncertainty of whether they would be permitted to travel or not.

This was not the only instance in which we were allowed opportunities over the Bethlehem students. At one point, we had to leave our friends in the streets outside a temple because they were not allowed to enter, and there were Israeli soldiers stationed outside who would stop them if they tried. There was a pit in my stomach as we walked away from our friends. I didn’t feel privileged, I felt that I was being given more worth over another human being, and it made me feel sick and uneasy. It was difficult to see a land so revered for its religious significance to, not one, but three religions, in such contention.

In Jerusalem, we truly experienced the three faiths. We walked the way of Christ as we traveled the Stations of the Cross, ending on Calvary and reflecting on the suffering he endured in the crucifixion. We visited Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust museum, prayed at the Western Wall, and witnessed the joyous processions of young boys experiencing their bar mitzvahs. We woke early two different mornings in order to see the Dome of the Rock, and while we were there, we observed countless Muslims praying toward Mecca. It was such an incredible opportunity to witness such important places and practices of each religion.

From Jerusalem, we traveled north to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee where Christ began his ministries. We all enjoyed a beautiful boat tour in the waters where he called his first disciples and celebrated mass where he multiplied the fish and loaves of bread. We read the Beatitudes on the mount where they were first preached and passed through Cana where Christ performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. We even ran into some St. Mary’s University graduates who were also staying at our guesthouse! Before we knew it, our ten days had come to an end, and we were making our long trek back across the Atlantic. 

As I reflect on our pilgrimage, I continue to think how appropriate it was for us to end in the area of Galilee and Christ’s ministries. For as pilgrims and disciples of our Lord, we are called to continue spreading the teachings and word of Christ. It is our turn to take what we have learned over in Israel and Palestine and bring it back to the United States, to campus, and educate others, to spread the message of love and bring about the end to injustices in our world.

Trip to Cuba brings samba vibe to SMU jazz

By Madeline Puppe

Cardinal Staff

Over winter break, from Dec. 15 to 21, music faculty Eric Heukeshoven and John Paulson were two of 22 musicians and composers sponsored by the American Composers Forum to travel to Cuba. The purpose of the trip was to make contact with Cuban artists in the hope of making opportunities for future collaborations, as well as to learn more about Cuban music culture and Cuban history. 

While in Cuba, Heukeshoven had the opportunity to see a rehearsal for the National Philharmonic Orchestra, and a rehearsal for the National Ballet. There were a lot of opportunities to see local music as well. Heukeshoven noted, “They are a very ethnically diverse culture and it shows in the music.” Heukeshoven was able to explore this culture by attending many workshops and listening to premier musicians and other experts lecture on Cuban percussion, culture and religion. 

As the director of the Jazz Ensemble and Combos on campus, he plans to use the information that he learned in Cuba to bring a deeper dimension to the spring concert. “I know a little more now,” said Heukeshoven. He says the concert “is my way of giving back.” The spring Jazz Ensemble concert “A Night in Havana” will be April 4, at 7:30pm in the Page Theatre. The concert will feature music directly from Cuban composers and will show aspects of Heukeshoven’s trip. 

SMU students March for Life in D.C.

By Mary Nordick 

Cardinal Staff 

The March for Life, an event that takes place every year on the anniversary of landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade,  took place on Jan. 22 across the United States as thousands of people flocked to their respective state capitals in hopes of raising awareness of the pro-life cause.  

A number of Saint Mary’s University students bundled up on the cold January day and went to Washington, D.C. to do their part in raising awareness. SMU student Lauren Salonek said “the March for Life was an amazing opportunity to come together with over 500,000 people to stand up for the dignity of life. It was absolutely freezing this year, but was worth it. The trip showed me how many inspiring people there are in this country who want to share their stories and stand up for the Pro-Life movement.” 

among those of shared belief. SMU senior Alex Davis said “the March for Life was commonly referred to as an ‘anti-abortion protest’ in the newspapers and news networks. But the March cannot be compartmentalized simply as a protest. The march was centered on the sheer joy and respect for all human life, and that we are all called to affirm the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.”

Citizens from all over Minnesota came to speak their beliefs and come together as a community. The demonstration was meant to be peaceful in nature but still be forceful enough to bring attention to the cause, and peaceful chants and signs helped people convey their beliefs, their voices acting as an instrument to draw attention to the issues at hand. Students were able to go to the capital and march among citizens as well as fellow students. The March is also meant to serve as a means to make friends 

S.O.U.L. takes SMU students to India

By Kaeli Todd

Cardinal Staff

A group of Saint Mary’s students and faculty traveled to Madurai, India over winter break to volunteer as a part of the Serving Others United in Love (S.O.U.L.) Program. The group stayed and worked at an orphanage called Boys’ Village, which is run by the Christian Brothers in Southern India, according to SMU student Joe Graphenteen.

“There were buildings at Boys’ Village that needed to be painted so they could be rented out to people to make more money,” said Graphenteen. The group would spend about half of the day working and painting, and the other half was spent socializing and playing games with the boys who live at the orphanage. 

“The most common game we played there was soccer – those boys really love to play soccer,” said Graphenteen. “We also got to play some Indian games with them that were a lot of fun too.” 

“The boys also taught us their Tamil dancing moves,” said SMU student Miranda Halling. “We did a lot of dancing!”

Graphenteen said the volunteer experience didn’t change his view on volunteering, but reinforced it. “The reason I like to volunteer and travel on S.O.U.L. trips is because of the relationships you gain and seeing the smiles on the faces of the people you help,” he said. 

The group performed one act of service that brought smiles to a lot of faces – purchasing soccer uniforms for the boys of the orphanage..

“We purchased the jerseys as a Christmas present for the boys,” said Halling.

“I will never forget handing these jerseys out,” said Graphenteen. “There were about 60 kids, so each member of the trip got to hand out about 8 jerseys. We had all of the kids in a bunch right in front of us. They waited as we called each kid one-by-one to receive their jersey. The look of excitement in each of their eyes was an image that I will never forget.”

The students who went on the trip suggest that anyone who is interested in a S.O.U.L. trip apply to attend one.

“Time is running out to be able to travel the world,” said Graphenteen. “There is so much to see and so much to learn, and there is a lot you can learn from yourself when you step outside the box and take advantage of these trips while they are still here.”

For more information about S.O.U.L. trips, contact Campus Ministry. 

Art exhibit showcases faculty talent

By Ena Moats

Cardinal Staff

The Lillian Davis Hogan Art Gallery, located on the lower level of the Toner Center, now hosts a wide variety pieces created by Saint Mary’s own faculty including Preston Lawing, Matt Winkler, Rob McColl, Roderick Robertson, Lisa Truax, and Tony Calabrese.

Each artist has a collection of pieces displayed, some of which are cohesive and others of varying themes and mediums.  Lisa Truax commented, “The faculty show gives the opportunity to try different things and see how they’re going.”  Truax has several sculptures in the show made from different materials, including pottery from clay found in her own backyard.  All of her work, however, has a common idea of the contrast between nature and human development as explained in her artist’s statement. 

 The statements of each participant, which can be found in a folder beside the guest book at the front of the gallery, offer a new lens from which to view the art: the unique perspectives coming of the artists themselves.  A line from Rob McColl’s, “Past, present, future: all jockeying for attention with the gaze outward from the vortex,” gives insight into what his work is all about.  His painting, Annunciation: Kitchen 1990, and his mixed media piece, Annunciation 2014, created twenty four years apart, were contrived from this same idea of emergence.

Also in the gallery, the community can find iPhone photography snapshots by Rod Robertson, unaltered macro photography by Tony Calabrese, location-inspired compositions by Matt Winkler, and oil paintings based on a study abroad trip to Florence, Italy by Preston Lawing.

Senior theatre students show talent via original play

By Paul Schmitt

Co-Editor-in-Chief

The Page Theatre’s black box studio was transformed into a psychiatric ward recently for the showing of “He Who Fights With Monsters,” a play produced exclusively by Saint Mary’s University students.

Featuring senior Brian Pipal as a government inspector charged with evaluating the conditions of psychiatric wards across the country, the play focused on one hospital in particular, the director of which was performing illegal and unethical experiments on his patients.

After visiting with a couple patients and learning about their conditions, Pipal’s character comes to realize the issues inherent in treating the mentally ill and is faced with the dilemma of how to most effectively help the patients and stop the illicit experimentation.

For many of the students involved, such as playwright Alex Green, the play served as a senior project and the culmination of their studies in theatre. Due to this added importance, planning for the show began after the sophomore year of this year’s graduating class.

The involvement of so many people in the creative process did have drawbacks, however. “The initial idea was that our entire senior class would use the piece as a grad project, and so at the beginning I felt compelled to include everyone’s wishes in the script. While that made for some great characters to be studied, it also made the plot very disjointed and weak,” said Green. “In later drafts, after it was clear people wouldn’t be using the show for their projects, I was able to make adjustments in favor of a stronger storyline.”

Guiding the direction of the play, said director Lydia Munroe, was a quote from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: “He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.” Because Green stepped out of the creative process once his script was finished, Munroe was largely responsible for knowing Green’s intentions regarding the play, and said that she strove to “take that knowledge and apply to the show so that all of the elements he worked on would be present and clear.”

A notable aspect of the play was the ethical issue raised about mental health treatment, though Green said that “any issues raised dealing with faults of the mental health system were secondary, at least in my mind, to the crafting of engaging characters and an entertaining story.”

Regardless, the play saw great attendance at each of its three free showings, boasting a full house for both Friday and Saturday nights.

KSMR features local musician on-air

By Paul Schmitt

Co-Editor-in-Chief

In an effort to reinvigorate Saint Mary’s University’s campus radio station, local blues musician and 2003 SMU alumnus Mike Munson was brought into the studio on Jan. 15 for a live interview and performance.

Nick Novotny, a sophomore music industry major and host of his own show dubbed “Knarly Tunez,” contacted Munson in early December about coming into the studio the following semester as a way to add something new to the station lineup.

Guest artists have been featured on KSMR in the past, but Novotny said “fans can expect to see a lot more live music on my show. I’ve actually already got Craig Weatherhead of The Weathered Heads coming in on March 12 and I am working with Twin Cities’ artist Jake Ilika about coming in as well. And the nice thing about our studio is that fans on campus can come down to the Toner basement and watch it all happen.”

Though Munson has been playing music in the area since he graduated, his popularity has seen a spike in the past couple years with a standing gig every Sunday at Ed’s No-Name Bar in downtown Winona, and, most recently, the release of a self-titled album in early November. 

Munson said on the radio show that he thought his recording process was “kind of slow,” that “it felt good to take the time and feel like we did it right.” 

His patience seems to have paid off in the form of attention from MPR’s The Current, who asked him to participate in last year’s Caravan du Nord tour, for which Munson played at SMU’s own Page Theater with Duluth-based band Southwire and the Twin Cities’ Night Moves. 

Beginning in March, Munson, accompanied by Ilika, will set off on a sixteen-stop, three-week tour out west before returning to Winona just in time for Midwest Music Fest.

Southern roots, Minnesota appeal: The Travelin’ McCourys visit the Page

By Ena Moats

Cardinal Staff

Bluegrass band The Travelin’ McCourys traveled all the way from Nashville, Tennessee to the Page Theater for the snowy Tuesday night of Jan. 21, bringing their fiddles, banjos, and foot-tapping beats along with them.  Despite the cold weather and slippery conditions, a full house greeted the group.

Band members Ronnie and Rob McCoury, sons of the iconic Del McCoury, carry on the tradition of bluegrass, a genre characterized by its complex playing of a variety of string instruments.  Bluegrass music includes a rapid tempo and twangy vocals, with acoustic instruments accompanying each other as each takes a turn with the melody. Ronnie on mandolin, Rob on banjo, Jason Carter playing fiddle, and upright bass player Alan Bartram stayed true to this style, while also making the sound their own.

“The Travelin’ McCourys have their heritage--their father, Del McCoury, is Nashville royalty.  They are now the next generation with the foundation of bluegrass and the ability to expand,” said General Manager of the Page Theatre Patrick Grace.

The Travelin’ McCourys will tour throughout the United States during the year, the Page Theater being one of their first stops.  With so much time spent together on the road and the stage, bassist Alan Bartram made clear that a good group dynamic is “very important.  The less tension on the stage, the better we play.”

The band members, along with Del McCoury, also make up the grammy nominated group The Del McCoury Band, recognized on Sunday, Jan. 26 at the 56th annual Grammy Awards for their album, The Streets of Baltimore.

Column: Hey, Beautiful, redefining beauty

By Allison Christensen

Cardinal Staff

My name is Allison Christensen and after three years of struggling with anorexia and calorie counting I am finally able to say: I am beautiful. 

The moment that defined the end of my struggle occurred during Blue Angel 2013. I was having fun with my friends and listening to all the awesome music when a thought struck me: “Who cares?” Who cares if my stomach isn’t perfectly flat or if my thighs don’t have a gap? 

For years I felt like everyone was scrutinizing my every flaw. But there’s so much more to care about: music, art, travel, school, work, relationships. Life is too short and too busy to be constantly worrying about how many calories are in this food, how many calories have I eaten today, what I look like, and “am I fat am I fat am I fat?” Who cares? Stop worrying about it. Embrace what makes you YOUnique. Do the things you enjoy and have fun! This is the best way to find your moment, the moment that turns your negative body image into a positive one. 

I want to help myself and others live a  happy and healthy life instead of going to dangerous lengths to achieve the impossible beauty standards defined by the media. In December, with the help of my excellent Principles of Marketing professor, Steve Bachler, I started a blog about positive body image. You can find it online at hey--beautiful.blogspot.com. I will be writing about body image issues here in the Cardinal every month, but if you want to read more (and see cool videos that I can’t put into print) please check it out and tell your friends! You will also find links to my Tumblr and Twitter there. 

Let’s write a new definition of beautiful: natural, comfortable, and healthy!

Movie Review: Disney’s “Frozen” warms hearts

By Elizabeth Hayes

Cardinal Staff

“Frozen,” which won Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes, hit the big screen on Nov. 27, 2013 and since then it’s been the comedy-adventure of the year.  

Disney has really outdone itself when it comes to this musical feature starring Kristen Bell as Princess Anna and Idina Menzel as Queen Elsa.  In the movie, the kingdom of Arendelle is trapped in an eternal winter and the only person who can bring back summer is Elsa, who runs away to isolate herself.  Because of this, Anna braves the perilous weather to not only save the kingdom itself but her sister, the Snow Queen, as well.  Along the way she teams up with a daring mountain man, Kristoff, and his trusty sidekick, Sven the reindeer, for an epic journey.  Encountering Olaf the humorous snowman, magical trolls, and enduring harsh winter conditions, Anna and Kristoff battle to free the kingdom from the icy spell and bring Elsa home.  

“Frozen” is unstoppable overall with a not-so-typical villain, awe-inspiring songs, and a relatable tale of two sisters that demonstrate feminine power. Personally, I debated on seeing it myself but after hearing such great things about “Frozen,” I decided upon watching it.  I had no regrets. Whether a child or adult, one will be blown away with this traditional and not-so-traditional Disney princess movie. 

One of the best features of “Frozen” is the soundtrack.  With actors and actresses with such charming voices and a delightful plot to match the upbeat songs, it’s no surprise that the soundtrack was so rewarding. This icy movie will warm the hearts of children and adults alike.   

Team building: Men’s basketball

By John Kaiser

Cardinal Staff

The Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team has struggled to find wins this season. This season can best be described as a rebuilding year: new coaching staff, young players, and not one senior on the roster. 

Wylie Ferron, a freshman, said that the team is competing and getting better every game, with hopes of winning conference games over the second half of the season. Ferron believes that the team will keep improving enough so that in two years, they will be competing for a playoff spot. 

Despite struggling to win games this season, Ferron said that there are some positives that can help the team in the future. Amongst them are the competitive spirit and strong defense style that the team plays.

“There is a lot of potential for the future,” says Ferron. For a team that has had many changes in the past year, it seems that this year could be deemed a rebuilding year. Perhaps the biggest change was bringing in new Head Coach Jamison Rusthoven and Assistant Coach Zach Malvik. Ferron described the coaching staff as “excellent.”

Ferron also noted that the team is rather small. Ferron said that this could pose a problem on the court. The best way to improve is for the players to lift and work on their game over the summer. 

The team has no seniors currently, and often that can be difficult to overcome. However, Ferron also mentioned that everybody brings different leadership skills to the team and that there is good chemistry amongst the players. 

With the team rebuilding and having a strong core of young players, this season has been a rebuilding process. How good the team will actualy be in the future remains unknown, but according to Ferron the future looks bright for the men’s basketball team.