‘Canada nice’ not much different than ‘Minnesota nice’

By Keotta House

Cardinal Staff

Saint Mary’s University is like a quilt with many different patches binding the university together. If a person on the outside were looking, they would see a section on the quilt with many different flags representing the different nationalities of the international students. When many people think of the term “international student” they often look to other continents, but SMU houses international students from our northerly neighbors in Canada.

Many people who have never been to the “true north” may believe that the two countries are very different. However, according to Calgary, Alberta, native sophomore Greg Gardiner, there is not that much of a difference. 

“The difference between Canada and America is minimal, especially in Minnesota.  Minnesota nice and Canadian nice are pretty close to one another,” Gardiner said. “Except Canada might win by a slight amount. Minnesota should really just think about joining onto Canada as another province.”

Every culture has its own customs and traditions, and Gardiner said some of the most noticeable differences are holidays.

“Our Thanksgiving days are somewhat different,” he said. “Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in November. We, Canadians, celebrate it in October. Also we celebrate Boxing Day, which is basically the Black Friday of Canada, on Dec. 26.”

The hard transition has been nearly non-existent for Gardiner because, according to him, there really was no language barrier and SMU has been a very welcoming community. 

“Having a hockey team really helped me to feel welcome,” said Gardiner. “Coming into the school without knowing anybody was kind of scary, but when I was introduced to all the other international students, as well as having an entire hockey team, I managed to fit in pretty quickly.”

SMU students from Saudi Arabia experience cultural differences

By Allison Christensen

Cardinal Staff

Moving to college is typically a big step for everybody, especially if you are coming to Minnesota from Saudi Arabia. This is exactly what Mohammed Hadi and Anas Almowallad, two English as a Second Language (ESL) students did.  

Most people would agree that moving to college, usually hours from home, with new people and more responsibilities can be a stressful rite of passage. Imagine moving halfway across the world to go to college! Both students chose to come to the United States because of the high quality education and the opportunities that would arise in Saudi Arabia for English speakers.

Besides the language barrier, there were many other cultural differences that Hadi and Almowallad had to adjust to when they arrived in America. 

“Women can drive in the United States, but not in Saudi Arabia,” said Almowallad. “In Saudi Arabia, all people are Muslims; but, in the United States, there are many different religions.” 

Almowallad said another difference is that alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia, but not in the U.S.

“I enjoy having many friends from many countries. I also like seeing the change of seasons, especially winter,” said Hadi. “I have never seen snow before and in Saudi Arabia we don’t notice the leaves change color in the fall as much as we notice it here in the United States.”

Learning a second language has its pros and cons. “I like the way that the teachers here use technology to teach and the length of classes,” said Almowallad. 

Hadi said, “I don’t like getting a lot of homework, but I like the teachers and students here; they are friendly.”  

Almowallad and Hadi agree that studying in America has been a great experience thus far. 

Almowallad said, “There is nothing I hate about St. Mary’s. I can’t say if there is a specific experience that is my favorite, but the most obvious one is that everybody around the campus wants to help me learn the English language.”

Vietnamese student gets involved at SMU

By Mary Nordick

Cardinal Staff

Saint Mary’s has a great reputation of being a culturally diverse community that encourages all students to get involved with many different activities in order to get the full college experience.

“Saint Mary’s does [really] well recognizing culture,” said Minh Nguyen, sophomore resident assistant (RA) in Saint Benilde Hall. “My friends don’t look at me with different eyes; they just look at me as a friend.”

Nguyen is from Vietnam and has “felt very welcomed on campus. “I [think] that I really fit in because the people here are very accepting,” said Nguyen.

Nguyen is an example of a student who is involved in a variety of campus activities. In addition to being an RA, Nguyen is also a centennial student leader and a member of both the Saint Mary’s choir and The Oldie Moldies.

“It’s a balancing act between schoolwork, being an RA and other activities,” said Nguyen.  With a busy schedule, “I always make sure to find time for school and time for fun,” said Nguyen. 

Being an RA also requires Nguyen to be a leader and set an example. “I like to be pretty chill, relaxed and have fun with my residents,” said Nguyen. 

Battle of the Bands scheduled to take over the Page

By Anna Segner

Cardinal Staff

Five bands will be competing in the Battle of the Bands at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Page Theatre. 

Each of the five bands will play a set of four songs, mostly cover songs, with at least one original song. The judges panel will include four SMU faculty members and four students. The bands are competing for cash prizes: $550 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. The winner of the competition also gets an automatic spot to perform at the centennial student celebration.  

This year, Student Activities Committee (SAC) is taking the battle to the Page Theatre. The new venue for the competition will bring a new light to the performance. Mike Miller, SAC member in lead on making Battle of the Bands possible, said, “The venue will be more formal, but in a good way, because if you want to be an active crowd you can, but you can also sit and watch.” 

The Page Theatre will offer “a better production and better sound qualities” for the performance, said Director of Student Activities Lance Thompson. The first Battle of the Bands competition was in the spring of 2002, which was Thompson’s freshman year at Saint Mary’s.  

On the new venue for the battle, Thompson said, “I think it will bring a lot more respect to the show, and we are hoping for more diverse group trying out to get the battle built up again in the future.”

Since this is the first time for the Battle of the Bands to take place at the Page Theatre, there will be SAC members in security shirts available to answer questions and make sure everything goes smoothly. “We are very appreciative that the performance center is allowing SAC to use their facilities” (Thompson).

Miller said, “The bands are all talented, with a wide variety. There’s acoustic to rock to punk to a jazzy blues sound.” 

The first band on the stage will be Jake Bruce and Petey Brown’s band Pseudo Sonic Motion, which will be playing punk pop music. The second band on stage will be the punk band, FNL Delivery Service, with Doug Leonard and Clinton Nienhaus. Third to take the stage will be John Fitzpatrick and Josh Carlson’s System of a Down cover band. The fourth band will be Trevor Woggon and Charlie Keyes’ classic rock band, Half & Half. Last to take stage will be the Ryan Weis and Tim Ellis’ band, Plaza Kings, with their pop ballads. 

“There will be a nice variety of music and the opportunity to see peers in a different setting,” said Miller.

Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. for the 7 p.m. performance.  There is noc ost to attend the event.

The Hornheads to perform at SMU

By Josh Carlson

Cardinal Staff

Most recognized for their tour with Prince and the New Power Generation, the Hornheads are much more than a talented group of horn players; they have performed over two million concerts in over 20 countries and, on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m., they will be performing at the Page Theatre.

In addition to Prince, the Hornheads have also been featured on national and international artists’ albums such as Carmen Electra and the Jonas Brothers. They have performed with artists such as Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart and Lenny Kravitz, along with several others, as show players. 

The members of the group consist of trombonist Michael Nelson, trumpeters Steve Strand and Dave Jensen and saxophonists Kenni Holmen and Kathy Jensen. 

When performing as an ensemble they bring a distinguishing finesse to their jazz and funk music. Q Magazine reviewed the Hornheads while they worked with Prince. “The row of horns punching with a staccato precision beyond the grasp of science or Synclaiver,” said Q Magazine. 

Movie Review: ‘V/H/S’ rates a 6.0

By Petey Brown

Arts & Entertainment Editor

Looking for a movie on Netflix Instant Queue that will scare, entertain and confuse you? Well look no farther than the found footage film, V/H/S. 

V/H/S is based around the style of a found footage film, where the movie takes place from the first person perspective of a video camera.  Such famous films that also do this are Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield.  The plot is based around a group of misfits who film themselves causing havoc and crime for money.  They receive a new job from an unknown group and are asked to acquire a rare VHS tape.  Though, the story doesn’t really begin until they find the tape.

The film consists of six found footage videos that the misfits find in an abandoned house.  The films do not really fit together that well, which can be confusing while watching.  Each film is about 15 minutes long and follows a new set of characters.  

The short films were enjoyable because the stories were interesting and not long enough to get boring.  The films each had different stories as well, so the movie did not feel repetitive. However, the movie seemed random at times.  Each different film was interesting in itself, but it did not help the film progress at all. 

The film was enjoyable, but there was hardly a story involved besides the six random movies.  It gets a six out of ten stars, which was also common from most of the movie’s reviews. 

If you want a horror movie with some cool gory scenes, suspense and no plot, then V/H/S is your movie. It is worth a one-time watch with some friends to help cure a boring night. Check it out if you have Netflix Instant Queue on a computer or a video game system.

Quarter Sale gives back to community via thrift

By Paul Schmitt

Cardinal Staff

The Winona Volunteer Services’ (WVS) Clothes Shop held its monthly Quarter Sale on Jan. 25 with every item in the store priced at only 25 cents. 

The sale, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 25 of every month, offers reduced prices that benefit WVS in quite a few ways. 

“To have a monthly sale that reduces our inventory is helpful because we do get quite a bit of items in,” said Sandra Burke, executive director of WVS and SMU class of ’81 graduate. “The sale also helps boost our income, because we can gain anywhere from $700 to $900 in that day.”  

Such a raise in income is crucial to a non-profit organization like WVS.  All the money made  from the Quarter Sale and from day-to-day sales goes right back into the operating expenses. “We not only run a food shelf program, but we’ve got client education programs, we run the home-delivered meals program and other emergency assistance,” Burke said. 

With prices so low, the sale also acts as a marketing piece for the organization.  “With the competition we have, it helps us attract customers that may not have known about us,” Burke said.

Burke encourages students to shop at The Clothes Shop for inexpensive clothing, as well as donate extra or unused apparel. “We appreciate the folks who reuse and re-wear these items,” she said.

For many, these prices mean a new wardrobe.  SMU junior Samantha Casillas said she “loves that there are always new items in stock even if they are old.”

Among her favorite finds is what she describes as a “Dr. Mutter sweater.”

The Clothes Shop is located at 416 E. Second St., Winona, Minn.  More information is available at WinonaVS.org.

Movie Review: Tarentino strikes gold with ‘Django’

By Brian L. Thomas

Cardinal Staff

Much of America’s past dating back to the 19^th century has left some deep wounds in the hearts of many citizens. When addressing the sensitive and controversial issue of slavery in America, most would rather avoid the topic in fear of being offensive or politically incorrect. 

Director Quentin Tarentino (Pulp Fiction) overcomes this fear for all American moviegoers by tackling the issue of slavery in America with his latest film, Django Unchained, starring Jamie Foxx, Christopher Waltz and Leonardo Dicaprio. 

Django, the main character, is played by Foxx with incredible intensity and bravado. After being freed from slavery, he joins Dr. Schultz (played by Waltz) on a fantastical and heroic adventure of bounty hunting. Written and produced by Tarentino, the film does not make an attempt to skirt around the cultural problems of the time period as both Django and Dr. Schultz encounter the viscous racism of the 19^th century South. 

What truly contibutes to the film’s success is Tarentino’s ability to humor audiences with ironic and often sarcastic situations. He does not attempt to dumb down the cultural and ethical issues of slavery. In fact, he does the exact opposite, which permits audiences to see the clear absurdity and feel comfortable. 

With explosive performances from Foxx, Waltz and Dicaprio, Django Unchained just might be the best movie of the year. 

Fireside hosts a mix of performances

By Petey Brown

Arts & Entertainment Editor

The sisters of the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) selected acts for the acoustic/coffee shop show called Fireside, which will take have two sets on Feb. 8 and 9 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the Common Room.

“There are many more and different types of people interested this year than any other year in being a part of the show,” said Fireside Co-Chair and SAI sister Jessica Ingvalson.

The auditions took place Jan. 25-26 in the Phi Mu Alpha room in the Toner basement. Prospective performances were judged 

by five students and two SMU faculty mem-

bers.  Each show will have 12 acts per set.  

“The acts that tried out involved a lot more people than the normal two to three people acts,” said SAI sister Kalinn Bangasser.  “Some acts that tried out had five or more people, which was very cool to see.” 

The tradition of pie being served at intermission will continue, offering audience members French silk and apple pie.  

“French silk is always the crowd favorite,” Bangasser said.  “The pie makes our show unique and different from other shows on campus. Fireside is dessert and a show.” 

The 15 student members of the women’s fraternity SAI and two faculty advisers will put on the ninth annual Fireside with the help of the men’s fraternity Phi Mu Alpha.

“The show has been getting better every year,” Ingvalson said.  “Come out for a great night of music and pie.”

Preshow tickets will go on sale Feb. 4-8 in the Toner Center at the bottom of the cafeteria stairs during the lunch and dinner meal hours. Tickets cost $6 before the show and $7 at the door.  

“Buy your tickets early because we sold out last year and you don’t want to miss out on a great show,” said Bangasser.  

Music Review: The Lumineers, a rising folk-rock band

By Skylar Finkelstein

Cardinal Staff

An American folk rock band, The Lumineers, recently gained popularity since December 2012 with their depute of their first single “Ho Hey.” 

The band is made up of three members: main vocalist and guitarist Wesley Schultz, drummer Jeremiah Fraites and Neyla Pekarek is on cello and does vocals as well. The band is based in Denver, Colo.  The Lumineers independently self-titled album was released through Daultone Records, which gives them more artistic freedom. 

The Lumineers song “Ho Hey” became a hit instantly across America, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. “Ho Hey” reached number one on the “U.S. Hot AC” airplay chart and number two on the “U.S. Top 40 Hits” aired on Kiss FM radio stations with Ryan Seacrest. 

The band also ranked high on the alternative charts reaching number one as well. Also, on Spotify, The Lumineers song “Ho Hey” was the most played song. All concerts were sold out immediately after tickets went on sale. 

The Lumineers have had a lot of success so far and seem to be at the very peak of their career. This suggests they are in for a bright future and will be reaching number one a lot morezz.

Fourth annual Multicultural Show to have a week celebration

By Mitch Lawler

Cardinal Staff

The fourth annual Multicultural Show will be held in the Toner Center cafeteria on Friday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. with performances by the World Drum Ensemble, the Jazz Workshop Combo and many more.

Previously known as the International Showcase, this year’s Mutlicultural Show will be featured as part of an entire week dedicated to multiculturalism.

Throughout the week, SMU’s International Center in the Heights building will be hosting an open house from 4-6 p.m.  On Tuesday, Jan. 12, an all-female a cappella group named “Traces” will be performing in the cafeteria at 8 p.m.   Also on that day students will be giving various presentations on different cultures.

Then on Thursday, Feb. 14, a group of first grade students from the Adams Spanish Immersion School will be performing a dance in the cafeteria during dinner from 4-5 p.m. All events during the week lead up to the Multicultural Show, according to Student Activities Director Lance Thompson. 

“It is not required to audition,” said Thompson. “If someone wants to perform, they would just need to show up for rehearsals.”

The performances originated five years ago when international students sought to share their culture with SMU.  Since the first stage was set up for several students to perform, the show has become increasingly popular.

In addition to watching peers perform and share their culture, audience members will also be offered free food at the show, including churros.

Fearless: SMU alum participates in Crashed Ice

By Samantha Borawski

Sports Editor

Traveling at speeds close to 40 mph along a 1,280-foot length track, approximately 200 athletes competed in this year’s Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship Event in St. Paul, Minn., from Jan. 24-26. 

Crashed Ice is an ice cross downhill or extreme downhill skating competition that is internationally known. It originated in Sweden in 2001; since then, it has grown into a well- known event, especially with part of the championships taking place in the Twin Cities. 

The sport requires athletes to compete at four different locations. This year’s locations are Niagara Falls, Canada; St. Paul, Minn.; Quebec City, Canada; and Lausanne, Switzerland. At each race, competitors earn points that are totaled together with only four athletes competing in the final title race.

One of the athletes hoping to reach the final four is former Saint Mary’s University hockey player and alum David Gross. How does one decide to compete in an event like Crashed Ice? 

“After watching the event last year—and the athletes flying down the course at extreme speeds, I knew it was something I wanted to do,” said Gross in an interview with SMU Sports Information Director Donny Nadeau. Gross was amongst 400 other competitors and needed to be in the top 60 to advance to the competition in St. Paul. Racers received two runs; the best time is counted to be in the top qualifiers, with only top times moving on to the actual event. Gross advanced last January and has since been training for the course. This year’s track in St. Paul consists of a three-story tall starting hill, jumps, banked turns and an “ice wall”. 

Having years of hockey experience and playing for SMU for four years is definitely a bonus. “I think playing collegiate hockey will certainly work in my favor,” said Gross.

Gross had his work cut out for him, competing against the best of the U.S. as well as internationally. The top three competitors so far in the competition are: Kyle Croxall from Canada, who is also 2012 World Championship winner; Cameron Naasz of the United States; and Kilian Braun of Switzerland.

Though Gross had a huge hill to climb or actually skate down, he told Nadeau, “I’m going to approach this challenge the same way I approached every game I played at Saint Mary’s—fearless.”

Nadeau’s full interview with Gross is available at saintmaryssports.com.

Women’s hockey makes a difference

By Mary M. DeBartolo

Cardinal Staff

Saint Mary’s University’s women’s hockey team continues to dedicate their time to giving back to the community during a challenging season.

Not only does the women’s hockey team take strides competitively, but they also took strides with first-time skaters.  On Jan. 19, members of the women’s hockey team taught ninth-grade El Sol club members from Arcadia High School to lace up their skates and take their first strides.

“I really enjoyed helping the Arcadia students skate,” said junior goaltender Sarah Gustafson. “It was fun to share my passion for hockey with people who have never had the chance to even skate.”

The giving does not stop there. The women’s hockey team is hosting Pink the Rink during their Feb. 1 and 2 games against the College of Saint Benedict. The games are meant to raise awareness for breast cancer and collect donations to help fight cancer.

The team has partnered with Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) to collect donations and sell stars and moons in honor and memory of loved ones who have battled cancer.  The proceeds from chuck a puck wil also be donated to help fight cancer.

“Pink the Rink is important becase we are helping fight a serious issue that women face today,” said sophomore Breanna Peterson. “We are coming together and playing the sport we love while also making a difference.” 

The women’s hockey team will also be participating in the March 15 Relay for Life, an annual event hosted by CAC in honor of the cancer survivors and fighters. The women’s hockey team has participated in this event for over four year.

Freshman Sierra Dell enjoys being on a team that gives back. “We don’t realize how helpful and important the everyday things are to some people,” said Dell. “So it is important to give back more than only once in while.”

Nadeau is the busiest man at SMU

By Keotta House

Cardinal Staff 

If being the hardest-working man at Saint Mary’s University were a contest, Sports Information Director (SID) Donny Nadeau would take first place every year. Working nearly 10 hours a day, sometimes seven days a week, Nadeau is always on top of the ball when it comes to SMU athletics. 

Graduating from Saint Mary’s in 1985 with a degree in journalism, Nadeau spent 10 years in the newspaper business as a writer and editor before returning to work at his alma mater for the past 18 years. He incorporates his passion for sports with his passion for SMU in his drive to become one of the best SIDs around. 

“There is something about this school that I just love,” said Nadeau, noting that he met his wife of 28 years, Deedee, at Saint Mary’s and both of their children are SMU alums. “It’s an awesome place, and to be able to work here is pretty special.”

The hard work that Nadeau puts in could be regarded as even harder when you consider the medical challenges he faces each day of his life. 

But of course, Nadeau deals with it like a champ. 

“I don’t want people feeling sorry for me or treating any different,” he said. “There are people who are a lot worse off than me.”

Nadeau suffers from a degenerative eye disease called choroideremia. According to choroideremia.org, it is a rare disease that causes progressive loss of vision. The disease affects depth perception and color perception. It has no known cure and no pattern or plan of attack; at any moment, the person with the disease could lose their sight. 

“Why dwell on it? There’s really nothing I can do about it — it’s not life-threatening, and, more importantly, I still get to do my job,” said Nadeau. “That would be more devastating, if didn’t get to [be SID], because I love this job.”

For a career, Nadeau has the opportunity to write, promote, live and breathe sports. To him, that is the best job he could have ever imagined.

Must be a cool job if Nadeau has that much passion about it, right? The best advice Nadeau can give is to get experience. Before you go marching to the athletic department to demand an internship, Nadeau has one question. 

“What is it you want to get out of it?” he said. “There are so many aspects of the job, such as writing news stories, press releases, web responsibility, graphic design and photography.”

Nadeau isn’t retiring any day soon; but when he does, it’s a safe bet that his legacy at SMU is already cemented. 

“I would want people to know I was a hard worker. I was somebody who cared not only about my job, but about the athletic department, the students and the student-athletes,” he said. “I was someone who loved what they did.”

For anyone who is looking to be the next Donny Nadeau, he has one hope for you.

“I hope the person taking over for me has a very hard time,” he said with a laugh. “I think that would say I did things to the best of my ability.”

Women’s basketball has the hot shot

By Wilson Kubwayo

Cardinal Staff

Saint Mary’s University women’s basketball team continues to improve as it heads into the latter part of its season with a 15-3 overall record.  

The Cardinals started with a season-opening six-game winning streak. Now, as the team heads into second semester, they are at it again with a seven-game winning streak.  After an electrifying game against Saint Thomas University on Jan. 23, the Cardinals continued to dominate the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) competition.

“Last year, we played better than the year before. We are now halfway through the season and we are already doing better than last year,” said Jenna Freudenberg, assistant women’s basketball coach.

The Cardinals picked up momentum this year and senior Jessica Thone helped with that as she hit her 1,000 career point mark. Thone achieved this high honor during the Cardinals’ win against Hamline University on Jan. 21.

The Cardinals plan on carrying the momentum with them throughout the rest of the season.

“We need to simply play our style and our game and outwork our opponents and then the results will speak for themselves,” said sophomore Octavia Brown.

    

According to Brown, the women’s basketball team appreciates every single fan as well as the enthusiasm they bring to the team’s competitions.

Two proposed majors move through new curriculum approval process

By Regina Barbosa

News Editor

Two new majors are in the final stages of approval and could be offered at Saint Mary’s University as early as next year, according to Student Senate Vice President of Academic Affairs Serica Rowley.

A new major in the Business Department and another in the Math Department are being reviewed by the university’s administration, according to curriculum committee chair Dr. David Jackson. Although the majors are still in the approval process, he said one of the majors would focus on actuarial science and the other on finance.

“Part of who we are [as a university] is what we offer,” said Jackson. “These new majors would help students get to the career field they want to go into.”

The majors will be open to all students. Upperclassmen who wish to switch or add on one of the upcoming majors may have to put in an extra semester or year to meet requirements, according to Rowley.

But not all interested upperclassmen will stay longer to earn those degrees. Sean Pavelich is a junior majoring in accounting. “I’m really interested in the new finance major,” he said. “I just wish I had room in my schedule to take the classes before I graduate.”

If interest and need for a new major are found by a department, they start to define the expectations and desires of the new curriculum.  Then, according to Jackson, they make sure all of it fits into the mission of the university. He said the curriculum committee reviews a proposed major after the department approves it.

“It’s a process and the committee is just one step,” said Rowley.

Jackson said the curriculum committee makes sure that proposed majors are good for the university and its mission, that it is sustainable and that it meets the needs of both current and future students.

After being approved by the curriculum committee a proposed major moves onto the final approval step, which is the university administration, according to Jackson. The university’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Donna Aronson oversees this process.

After all final approvals are finished, a formal announcement will be made for these proposed majors to clarify and list the official course requirements.

Future Alumni give thanks with annual SMU-Giving

By Carissa Hahn

Copy Editor

The Saint Mary’s University Future Alumni Committee (FAC) held their third annual SMU-Giving event.

SMU-Giving was an event on Nov. 15 for undergraduate students with a theme similar to that of Thanksgiving. It was held on Give to the Max Day, a statewide event held to promote the importance of giving back to non-profit organizations.  

SMU-Giving was filled with activities such as a Madden football tournament, root beer pong, coupon finding contest, pizza party and a pie-eating contest, said Connie Budin, co-president of FAC. Budin said there were about 100 people at the event. 

“I believe this is a very important event for SMU students to come to for the simple reason that it educates on where a portion of the Saint Mary’s funding comes from,” said Budin. “Those who donate to SMU on Give to the Max Day are all SMU graduates from both Winona and Minneapolis campus, and I don’t think that information is shared enough with how much money is raised each year.” 

Jay Olson, co-president of FAC, said that SMU is in a separate “Higher Education” category in regards to Give to the Max day, which is held every November. 

“We had an updated total throughout the day to show students where Saint Mary’s stood in our category,” said Olson. “We wanted students to know that while we were here learning and going on with our day, there are people putting money forth to make it possible.”

Budin said that a lot of people stuck around to watch the last event, the pie-eating contest. “Even I got pied in the face afterwards,” exclaimed Budin.

FAC is always welcoming new members. Their next event will be the 2013 Polar Plunge, Olson said. 

New Cineclub provides opportunity to watch foreign-language films

By Megan Hafner

Cardinal Staff

A new movie club at Saint Mary’s University called Cineclub offers students, as well as SMU community members, the opportunity to view films created in either Latin America or Spain. 

This movie watching experience is unique because the movies are played in their country’s official language with English subtitles shown on the screen. Most of the films are in Spanish, but not all since most of Latin America includes Spanish-speaking countries. 

Dr. Kyle Black, SMU professor of Spanish who created Cineclub, said that “foreign films are a great way, especially for students studying Spanish, to hear the language being spoken and see what life can be like in another country 

without traveling there.” 

So far this year, Cineclub has watched films from Chile, Argentina, Spain and Brazil. Dr. Black also said that he “wants students to be able to view cultural films that lead away from the common Hollywood style and let students be able to appreciate the artistic side of the film industry.” 

Some of the films that will be shown next semester include Amador (2010), a Spanish film about a woman who cares for an elderly man and the secrets they share; Paraiso Travel (2008), which is about two young lovers traveling from Columbia to New York to gain a fortune; The Take (2004), a film about ceramic floors factory workers in Argentinian Patagonia; and a many other movies. 

Cineclub meets Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the World Room in SMU’s Hendrickson Building. 

Dr. Black hopes to further the development of Cineclub by showing films every other week. In the future, he said he hopes to show films with an immigration theme.

Dakota tribe member attends ‘Dakota 38’ screening

By Jesús Adrián Martínez

Cardinal Staff

The Intercultural Awareness Association (ICAA) at Saint Mary’s University invited Gus High Eagle, a member of the Dakota tribe, to share his experience and aspects of his culture with the SMU community at the screening of the film Dakota 38. 

The ICAA explores different cultures and shares them with the SMU community. During the event, High Eagle explained that he and many members of his tribe have been traveling to various regions in the U.S. to share their experience of trivialization as Native Americans in the U.S. 

On Dec. 26, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln conducted the largest execution in U.S history; the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, Minn.        

High Eagle said that Jim Miller, one of his fellow tribe members, felt that he had to pay a tribute to his ancestors who fought for their rights and were murdered in cold blood. Miller connected his dreams to his experience as a soldier in the war in Vietnam. Miller killed 38 men in the Vietnam War, which was the exact number of Dakota men who were executed in 1862. 

In 2008, Miller was compelled to round up a group of horse riders set out from Lower Brule, S.D., on a 16-day journey to Mankato, Minn. The journey was documented in the film Dakota 38. The 330 mile journey was said to be “a journey of recollection and reconciliation” as part of the 150th anniversary of what is now known as the 1862 Dakota Conflict. The film is an explicit depiction of the Dakota tribe’s culture, rituals and experience. 

Throughout the film, one sees a high sense of collaboration within the tribe as members make an effort to jounrey to Mankato, Minn., to pay tribute to their ancestors. On this journey, the Dakota tribe also collaborated with several tribes along the way and helped decrease the number of suicides of Native American in the United States due to their outcasting. 

High Eagle left the SMU community with strong words at the end of the movie screening. “It is not about brown skin or white skin,” he said. “It is about how we’re all human beings. We just want peace.”

Tea party raises funds for ‘The Nutcracker’

By Kelsey Hulbert

Feature Editor 

Over 200 people attended the seventh biennial Sugarplum Tea Party Fundraiser on Nov. 18 that raised funds for the Minnesota Conservatory for the Art’s (MCA) “The Nutcracker” production and scholarship fund. 

The tea party is MCA’s largest fundraiser. There were two place settings that featured a variety of finger food and specialty teas served by characters of “The Nutcracker.” Tickets were $18 for adults and $15 for children.  There was also a boutique selling a variety of homemade holiday gifts and crafts.    

The best part of the event, according to MAC’s Managing Director Joelle Harris, is seeing all of the little kids’ excitement at being able to see all the costumes and take pictures with their favorite characters.  “All of their faces lit up when they got to stand next to a fairy and touch their costume,” she said.  

The event is crucial for MCA and would not happen without the help of volunteers, said Harris. “Families and volunteers that step up to the plate really drive the event,” she said. 

Harris said the fundraiser helps to support and showcase the talent of their dancers and the community. Dance is an important part of being a well-rounded student because it teaches discipline and teamwork, she said.  “It creates a wonderful foundation for a future work ethic in a job setting,” said Harris.