THE Beyond Dr. Carrocci and more on Noreen

SpringHillian
The
Volume 85, Number 9
Mobile’s First Collegiate Newspaper
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006
Starbucks coming soon
to Spring Hill vicinity
Two Starbucks stores opening in the Spring Hill area offers
new options to students and community members, but could
mean competition for a locally owned coffee shop.
By Lindsey DeSeamus
Contributing Writer
Patrick Yursik/Photographer
Lambda Chi Alpha Vice-President of External Affairs Scott Becker, President Bob Smith and
Treasurer Jason Gristina presenting check to Sherrie Archer, representative of Bay Area Food Bank.
Fraternity raises over 15,000 pounds
of food toward hunger alleviation
By Heather Bozant
Contributing Writer
This year the Spring Hill chapter of the Lambda
Chi Alpha fraternity managed to raise 15,756 pounds
of food for the Bay Area Food Bank through their
Watermelon Bash earlier this semester. Also helping to
bring in this large amount of food were neighborhood
canned food drives and monetary donations from small
businesses. Lambda Chi Alpha’s Vice-President,
Scott Becker, said, “We couldn’t have done it without
the huge support of the Greek community here at
Spring Hill, as well as the Women’s Basketball Team
and the freshman girls who participated,” in response
to how their accomplishment was made possible.
According to Becker, this year’s Watermelon
Bash was the best event that the fraternity has put on
since its Spring Hill predecessors four years ago. He
continued on in saying that, “the best part was that it
was all to raise money for starving people here on the
Gulf Coast.” The Bay Area Food Bank’s goal is to
provide food to those starving in their 21 county service
area in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Lambda
Chi Alpha was able to provide over 10,000 meals to
these unfortunate people with their massive donation.
Shearie Archer, a worker from the Bay Area Food
Bank stated, “Lambda Chi stepped up to the plate and
is one of our largest college contributors…we love
our Lambda Chi brothers and all they’ve done for us.”
Since 2003, Archer reported that the SHC chapter
of Lambda Chi Alpha has raised approximately
$7,000, but was unable to disclose the exact
see Food Drive page 2
Sports
A new Starbucks is opening
in a new location on Old Shell
Road near McGregor as one of the
four new Starbucks coffee shops
currently being built within a
five-mile radius of the Spring Hill
campus. The others include one
off of Dauphin Street (near Atlanta
Bread Company), one in the Bel Air
Mall, and one on Government Street.
This Starbucks will have a
soft opening this Friday, Nov.
18; two weeks later will be the
official grand opening.
Their
hours will be from 6 a.m. until
11 p.m., except on Sundays,
when they will open at 7 a.m.
The question concerning most
people is, can locally owned Carpe
Diem, which is located right across
from Spring Hill’s Old Shell Road
entrance, survive when faced
Find out why the
members of Spring Hill’s
Rugby Club is in high spirits.
PAGE 12
Re a d a b o u t o n e c a m p u s
j o b t h a t s a ve s yo u m o n ey o n
yo u r S p r i n g H i l l e d u c a t i o n .
u
PAGE 5
Starbucks now just a short walk
away from Spring Hill College.
against Starbucks, the big business
corporation? The reactions from the
student body about the opening of
the new Starbucks have been mixed.
Senior Conor Gee said, I’m
happy Starbucks is here. I’ll
go there everyday. I’m used to
big business…It’s probably not
going to affect Carpe’s business.”
Senior Brady Bordelon disagreed,
saying, “I think Starbucks has
see Starbucks page 2
Beyond Dr. Carrocci
and more on Noreen
Patrick Yursik/Photographer
V.P. and Provost Dr. Noreen Carrocci meets with freshman advisee.
see Noreen page 4
Life & Culture
u
Patrick Yursik/Photographer
News
F i n d o u t w h a t ’s g o i n g
o n i n t h e c o u n t r i e s o f yo u r
f e l l ow i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t u d e n t s.
u
PAGE 3
News
Food Drive
from page 1
amount donated in pounds of food.
When asked how he felt about
what he and the fraternity have done
for the impoverished, Becker declared,
“The work that my fraternity brothers
and I have put into this has really
amazed me… the bonds between the
Greek organizations on campus are as
good as they have ever been, and the
food and money we raised through our
Watermelon Bash this year is excellent
evidence of this.” Lambda Chi Alpha has
also participated in other service projects
including Score-A-Cure sponsored by
Tri-Delta, Dance for Miracles sponsored
by Phi Mu, and Anchor Splash sponsored
by Delta Gamma, as well as Up ‘Til
Dawn and Habitat for Humanity. Such
participation has helped the fraternity
raise money for organizations including
Starbucks
from page 1
better customer service than
Carpe does. But I think they
will cripple Carpe’s business.”
Currently, Starbucks Corp.
is the world’s largest coffee shop
chain, currently with more than
12,000 stores, including 8,800
in the United States. They were
founded in 1971 by Gordon Baker,
Jerry Baldwin, and Ziv Siegl, in
Seattle. In 1992 the company
went public. They jumpstarted
their worldwide expansion in
2001, opening stores in European
countries and Japan. Starbucks was
one of the first national retailers
to offer high-speed wireless
Internet access at their locations.
The company announced last
month that they plan to expand
to 40,000 retail stores, which
will be evenly split between the
United States and the international
market. Starbucks offers brewed
Wednesday, November 15 , 2006 THE SPRINGHILLIAN
Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude’s
Children’s Hospital and Service for Sight.
Lambda Chi Alpha intends to
continue in their efforts to help the
community throughout spring semester
as well. Becker stated, “Our philanthropy
and community service has blossomed
this year, and we hope to continue doing
so in the upcoming semesters.” The
fraternity hopes to sponsor a trailer
for Camp Smile, participate in another
Habitat for Humanity’s build, and
maybe even participating in Adopting
a Highway. Confident that Lambda
Chi Alpha will continue in their service
efforts, Shearie Archer and the Bay Area
Food Bank said that they wish Lambda
Chi Alpha and Scott Becker the best of
luck in their endeavors and are extremely
grateful for all they have done for their
program. For more information on the
Bay Area Food Bank their Web site can
be visited at www.bayareafoodbank.org.
coffees, Frappuccinos®, and
Tazo® teas; they have also
added recently lunch items,
such as salads and sandwiches.
When asked about the
competition from Carpe Diem,
Jesse Thomas, the store manager
for the new Starbucks on Old Shell
Road stresses that, “Starbucks is
such a worldwide known brand.
They won’t affect us at all.”
Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea
was founded in Mobile in 1995.
Located in a 100-year old Victorian
style house with a wrap-around
porch, their target market includes
neighborhood family residents,
professors, and students from
the surrounding colleges. Their
coffee has been ranked the best
cup of coffee in Mobile, according
to Mobile Bay Monthly, for the
past 10 years. According to their
Web site, their espresso bar runs
nonstop, and a large selection
of specialty drinks, breakfast
and deli foods, and pastries are
SGA buzz
Submitted by Lindsey DeSeamus
This week, the Student Government
Association is sponsoring Fall Brawl.
It
will take place this Saturday on Dorn Field.
The Ultimate Frisbee team will play at 12
p.m., and the Rugby team will play at 2 p.m. The
Showstoppers and the Cheerleaders will also perform.
There will be a free iPod nano giveaway.
The sophomore class is hosting a Penny War
outside of the cafeteria all this week. Pennies count
as positive points, anything larger counts as negative
points. Classes should place pennies in their own
jugs, and larger coinage in the jugs of the other classes.
For more information about SGA events, read the
minutes online at: www.shc.edu/sga
2
Plant Operations will remove trash
cans to control raccoon population
By Sydney Fagen
Contributing Writer
After last week’s coverage
of the increasing raccoon
population,
the
National
Management
Resources
Corporation, or Plant Operations
decided to take action. Director
of Plant Operations Bill
Bensinger said, “The problem
is under control.” Contrary
to rumor, Plant Operations is
not exterminating the animals.
“We’re
eliminating
food
sources,” noted Bensinger.
After meeting with the Housing
Department, Plant Operations
also available all day. They are
open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Carpe Diem owner Tomi Sue
responded to the new Starbucks in a
statement: “This type of comparable
competition is good…competition
keeps you on your toes and focused
on doing what you do the best that
you can do it…don’t get caught
up in what the other guy is doing.
“Any big chain is always a
bit of a thorn in an independent
business owner’s side because
of their need to put so many
in such a small demographic
area. Many of our customers are
‘grab the coffee and run,’ and
(Starbucks’) drive thru (sic) stores
will accomplish that,” Sue said.
Associate
professor
of
management, Stuart Langdon
asserted, “Starbucks is a formidable
opponent in the coffee war…on
the other hand, Carpe Diem has
a local base that’s very loyal.”
Sharee Broussard, an instructor
in the Communication Arts
Public Safety Reports
Compiled by James B. Crosby
Director of Public Safety and Security
On Nov. 6, at approximately 8:55 a.m., a student left his
bicycle at the Quinlan Hall bicycle rack. He did not lock
it. Upon returning to the location at approximately 11 a.m.,
he found that someone had removed his bicycle. It is a
gray Roadmaster with blue and black lettering. The words
“Ground Assault” are on the fork at the front of the bicycle.
On Nov. 8, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a student reported
that someone had cut the left rear tire on her vehicle. The
vehicle was parked on Portier Lane across from O’Leary
Hall. Ice cream was also found on the hood of the
vehicle. The student advised that the incident occurred on
Nov. 6.
decided that removing outdoor
garbage cans near Viragh
Hall would be a humane way
of dealing with the problem.
Bensinger hopes that
moving the cans will be a
success and that other actions
will not be necessary. “They
should move to another food
source,” Bensinger speculated.
He also advises students to
stop leaving food out for
the stray cats on campus
as it “attracts raccoons.”
Senior Alisha Lacour,
who lives in the Fairway
Apartments which is currently
without garbage cans, said, “I
think a great solution would
be to have trash cans with lids
on them. That way students
will have benefits of having
trash cans near them, but won’t
have to worry about raccoons.”
Some
students
on
campus feel this action was
unnecessary. Freshman Susi
West does not feel threatened
by the presence of the
raccoons. “I love the animals
at Spring Hill,” explained
West, “I don’t think they’re
a threat. If you don’t bother
them they won’t bother you.”
Patrick Yursik/Photographer
Carpe Diem coffee shop across from the Old Shell gate.
department at Spring Hill, agreed,
“Starbucks biggest competitors
are local businesses with a lot of
character. Local coffee shops do
well against them…and Carpe
Diem is established, it’s local…I
feel they will coexist peacefully.”
News
Adoption
advocate to News representing
3
The SpringHillian Wednesday, November 15, 2006
lecture after break
Ms. Sally Baffour, internationally noted advocate of adoption as
the ethical alternative to abortion, will speak at Spring Hill College
on Tuesday evening, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gautrelet Room.
Her lecture, entitled “An African Woman’s Spiritual Journey” will be
sponsored by Alpha Sigma Nu as part of its celebration of the selection and
induction of 27 new student members for the 2006-2007 academic year.
Ms. Baffour was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and
currently resides in London. She is the niece of the acclaimed poet,
Maya Angelou. Ms. Baffour is a tireless and dedicated advocate of
fostering and adoption, especially of minority children, and, through
her Thank-U Foundation, has initiated adoption and fostering
programs in Ghana and also on the Caribbean island of Grenada. She
moderates her own talk show on local television in London where
she resides. She is also the adoptive parent of two teenaged children.
In describing her own experience, Ms. Baffour says, “There are
thousands of children waiting for homes and black children in particular need
black parents. It’s not easy, but I can’t imagine anything more rewarding.”
Submitted by Reverend Michael Williams, SJ
Corrections for last week’s SpringHillian issue:
The fall formal will not have a band as stated in Audrey Beukenkamp’s
“SOA protest and Fall Formal an (un)avoidable conflict,” but will have
a Disc Jockey. Doug Bruce will be the official DJ. Bruce said he will be
playing Top 40 (Pop/Rap/dance), classic favorites and taking requests
all night, and what he won’t be doing, is “functioning like an iPod” -- he
will be mixing songs “beat-to-beat.” Any special requests should be
directed to [email protected].
international students
Belize: A nationwide poll
indicates a massive rejection of
the ruling party in power, as well
as a significant disapproval of the
opposition party. However, people
are willing to vote for a third party.
(www.channel5belize.com)
Croatia: On Wednesday Croatia’s
Euro 2008 Group E qualified with
Israel in Tel Aviv. Israel who is
unbeaten in their last 13 qualifying
matches
in
the
European
championship and world cup,
are equal in points with Croatia.
(guardianunlimited.com)
Ecuador: In Taracoa, Ecuador
natives are suing Chevron
Corporation claiming that the
United States oil company never
properly cleaned up toxic pollution
in the Amazon jungle. Chevron
has denied the allegations,
saying
Texaco
followed
Ecuadorian environmental laws.
(www.int.com)
El
Salvador:
Amnesty
International is encouraging people
across the United Kingdom to send
a message of solidarity to William
Hernandez, a gay activist in El
Salvador who has received death
threats which apparently intended
to deter him from campaigning his
annual Greetings card campaign.
(www.pinknews.co.uk)
Honduras: On Nov. 9 it was
reported that more than 300
officials and employees of the
18 Honduran customs points
accused of corruption and other
irregularities will be dismissed
at the end of 2006. They lost
credibility after a few scandals.
(Prensa Latina)
Malaysia: Yesterday, Malaysia’s
former premier Mahathir Mohamad
left the hospital after suffering
a mild heart attack last week.
(ABC news online)
Nicaragua: The Panama Canal
will be expanded to accommodate
the growing size and number
of ships traveling the globe.
Nicaragua in particular has
announced its own plan for an
interoceanic canal, which planners
said will be the worlds largest.
(www.csmonito.com)
New Zealand: Yesterday, New
Zealand’s
Maritime
Safety
Authority issued a warning to
shipping off shore after detecting
an iceberg over 650 feet long
and 164 feet high floating 43
miles off the Otago Peninsula
and heading towards the coast.
(monstersandcritics.com)
South Korea: Hundreds of Korean
scientists are working on a solution
towards nursing home care for the
elderly. They plan on releasing a
robot that will work as a maid and
a nurse in 2013. They will be able
to set the table and wash dishes
for the elderly. They will be able
to send for help if an emergency
occurs. (www.seniorscopie.com)
LIFE&
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The SpringHillian
4
CULTURE
Huzzah! I won a free*
laptop to spread rumors!
Noreen
from page 1
Vice President and Provost of Spring Hill College Dr. Noreen Carrocci,
well known for her esteemed position in academic affairs, shares stories of
her life outside the realm of the Spring Hill bubble.
All the women attended Miami University
of Ohio together and graduated in 1975. The
photo was taken the last time Carrocci saw
Her piercing eyes have probably locked the group, at their shared 50th birthday party
on yours at least once during your years at three years ago. “There we all are, Jewish,
Spring Hill. She may be small in frame, how- Italian, and Protestant girls,” laughing like
ever her presence is felt as soon as she walks she would if all of them were in the room at
in a room. She is known campus wide for her some inside joke between them.
persistence to push her students farther, to
Dr. Carrocci and her husband always go
make them the best they can be, however her to Jazz Fest in New Orleans each year, and
softer quirky side is not as well known. She have been since 1992 when she worked at
is Dr. Noreen Carrocci, Spring Hill’s vice- Tulane University. She is an avid lover of the
president and provost.
Blues; her favorite is Marcia Ball. She loves
Her days start at 5:30 a.m., working out the beach, but because of hurricanes Ivan
on a treadmill at home or with a trainer in and Katrina, she has had a hard time getting
the Arthur R. Outlaw Center. A long day of there. “I love sitting in the sun,” she says,
meetings, lectures, decisions, and impact- rubbing her crossed arms with her hands, “I
ing keeps her on campus as late as 6:30 p.m. do it for me; I just zone out.” For ThanksDepending on whether her husband, Bob, giving, she and her husband travel to Mina consultant who travels most of the week, nesota to visit friends and family and then
is home that night they will usually go out spend Christmas with her family in Ohio.
to dinner at some of their favorite Mobile The couple loves to travel and takes a trip for
restaurants, like the Pillars, the Bakery, and two weeks every summer. This past summer,
Café 615. “We love Carrabba’s,” she says, an abundance of new faculty and changes at
pondering as her eyes shift towards the ceil- Spring Hill kept her too busy to take a trip,
ing, “We always carbut in the past Carry out from there.”
rocci and her hus“I don’t take myself too
On the rare occasions
band have been to
she does cook, she
seriously,” rolling her eyes, Italy three times, as
makes Italian. But on
well as England and
“I don’t see myself as my
Sundays, she and her
Holland. This sumposition. I’m just Noreen.”
husband have a ritumer, the pair will
al. “We always make
be joining a friend
barbeque,” she says
who Carrocci met
laughing jovially, “It’s a tradition.”
during a workshop in Oregon years back for
Dr. Carrocci has many “traditions” out- the friend’s 60th birthday party on a river
side of her campus life. When we sit in her boat tour on the Seine River from Paris to
office, a cozy room with large windows Normandy, France. “She’s a wild woman
reaching up to the top of the high ceilings who throws big parties for herself,” Carrocci
and soft, antique-looking furniture, it’s easy said.
to feel like one is sitting in her living room.
“I still feel young,” Carrocci says most
On the walls hang her many achievements matter-of-fact-like, “I still have plenty of
and degrees. On top of a high file cabinet things to learn.” She measures her life in acleft of her desk, surrounded by Tigger dolls, ademic years. “I look at years as ’03 to ’04
is a certain memento she makes sure to show not 2004,” and she exclaims brightly “every
me. It’s a normal picture frame holding a year is interesting.” She loves her job and
photograph with eight women standing with how it lets her do different things everyday.
their arms around each other, like Rockettes. “I love being a pain in the butt to a group
“These are my girlfriends from college,” of freshmen every year,” smiling kindly as
she comes and sits right beside me, finger- she details her role as a freshman advisor.
ing each face as she explains each one’s life She got an email recently from a past student
story. “This one used to work for Apple, now of hers at St. Louis University that has just
she has a Ph.D., this one works for the U.N. gotten tenure as a professor. “I was so proud
and lives in Geneva, this one is the M.D. of of her. She was one of my first students at
the group and she lives in the Australian Out- SLU.”
back, this one is the Bohemian of the group
When asked what her secret is to it all,
(the art major), this one is the Director of Carrocci said, “I don’t take myself too seriLibraries at Ithaca University, and this one ously,” rolling her eyes, “I don’t see myself
she’s a middle school teacher with a Ph.D.” as my position. I’m just Noreen.”
By Rae McConville
Assistant Editor
By Sara Miller
Life and Culture Editor
Rumors are such joyous things. In this past week alone, I
learned that campus administrators were planning to exterminate the cats, a potential rapist was on the loose, and that I had
already won a free* set of patio furniture. Thankfully, none of
those rumors had any truth to them whatsoever; I don’t even
own a patio, and the styles they were offering were quite ugly.
I’m not planning my life by these things, but there are some
who do, and that frightens me. There are real people with real
lives and real feelings that can be hurt by these false stories
spread by people living in “Rumor World” who know nothing
about what is actually going on in the real world.
Of course, it can be difficult to determine what is true and
what is false in the world of human communication. Here are
a few guidelines that I believe the average person should follow:
1. If the story seems to be on the borderline between
believability and outlandishness, it’s probably a rumor
(Unless someone says a spiritual octopus grants you great
strength if you rub it all over your body; that’s true).
2. If no friend of the victim has any idea about the
event when they should be the ones giving first person accounts, it’s probably a rumor (A person does not count as a
friend of the victim if they have never been seen sitting at
the same table or even talking to the victim before).
3. If there is a chain of people between you and the supposed witness, it’s probably a rumor.
4. If the story came from someone overhearing some
other people talking, you can be 99.9 percent certain that
it’s a rumor.
I thought these rules came from common sense gleaned
from four years of high school, but since rumors still get
spread around campus, it is clear that this is not the case. No
one person can stop the rumors from gaining their sway over
the campus population; all that I can do is ask you to please,
think about the victims of these rumors, and think of how
you’d want people to think of you. I doubt that anyone other
than Borat wants their years of college to be remembrances of
being called a rapist. Besides, there are other ways to use your
creativity with stories; the Motley is always looking for works
of creative fiction. Just don’t use names of real people; that’s
libel, and no one wants to go to jail.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to fill out information for
my free* laptop.
*For the low cost of selling my soul to pop-up ads and spam e-mails. Oh, and
I’ll be forced to listen to a marathon of William Shatner and Kevin Federline
songs due to the identity thieves sending 500 copies of each CD to my dorm.
5
The SpringHillian Wednesday, November 15, 2006
LIFE &
CULTURE
Dialing for dollars: a night spent in the phonathon playhouse
ably wouldn’t donate to the school after he graduates.
“Yes sir…sir are you a business teacher? My grandfather taught me…”
Veteran caller Drew Jones is trying his best to solicit a donation. He’s been on
the phone for about 10 minutes now. His conversation finally ends. He doesn’t
Many students aren’t paying the full ride for their attendance at Spring Hill
get a pledge even after a lengthy conversation about what the called alumnus
College. In fact, there are students here who, without a scholarship, couldn’t
had achieved with his SHC degree. Although his call was not successful in
in their wildest imaginations be enrolled in this private institution where turespects to helping to achieve tonight’s goal, Jones says he doesn’t mind those
ition is over $10,000 each semester as compared to a state school like the Unikinds of calls. “I was trying to build rapport because he’s a past donor, and we
versity of South Alabama that charges tuition fees of less than $3,000.
have to respect that.”
Not a state funded college like South,
On the other hand, just two cubicles
Spring Hill has to get on its knees and beg
down from Jones, Garcia is on the ball with
for donations to make a private education
his conversation. After a short chat about
affordable for its students.
the cold weather and how his hometown,
Between the hours of six to nine from
Miami, doesn’t get too cold, Garcia begins
Monday to Thursday, hiding out in a small
reading the begging script. “…in addition
basement beneath the old Byrne library, is a
to helping with scholarships…the fund is
group of student workers who do just that.
used to update technologies and resources
It’s a quarter to six, and the callers are
on campus…” After explaining why the
skipping into the Phonathon playhouse staalumnus should donate, he makes his ask
tioned in the basement beneath the posh
for $176 to “commemorate 176 years of
and luxurious Development Office. It’s a
Spring Hill.” It’s all on the script, and it
completely different world down there; the
works.
interior decorators have tried their best to
The woman on the other end of the line
create a fun and competitive atmosphere for
is willing to pledge – only, she wants to
the callers despite the intruding sound of
send a check in the mail, but Mario pulls
every flush made from the toilet above the
his other learned strategy and returns to the
basement.
script. He tells her that the college encourThe walls have been painted a chalky
ages pledges to be made with a credit card
deep sea blue. Bright green and orange neon
as it saves the college postal fees. He has
instructional fliers are taped in plain view
won her over. But before he calls Favret to
onto every caller ’s cubicle while colorful
verify the pledge, he asks the woman if she
informative posters with messages meant
works for a matching gift company. She
to sink into the callers’ heads, have been
does, and Garcia gets double the amount
placed all around for everyone to see. “Evhe asked for.
erybody is a Donor! Some just haven’t re- Patrick Yursik/ Photographer
“It was mainly because she knew it
alized it yet!” screams one poster. Another Student Phonathon workers attempt to earn donations for the benefit
would save Spring Hill, so that’s why she
yells, “Every call is a money call!”
of students in need of financial aid and to make an extra buck or two. gave on a credit card,” he explains. “She
Baseball player Mario Garcia, a new
was really happy about giving.” Garcia is
caller for the semester, is sitting around the main center table sorting through
grinning from ear to ear. When a caller gets a pledge, it’s one for the team, and
pledge cards. He’s got a cup of soda beside him and a big bowl of candy and
he’s glad to blast a hole into The Destroyers.
chocolates propped in front of him. The job isn’t your average job. Either the
But of course, a credit card pledge is a sure pledge. A promised check may
candy and sugary pop is provided to the workers to keep them jilted throughnever make it to the mail.
out the night, or they’re a means of bribery to keep the callers from leaving.
As for matching gifts, Gough calls it “free money.”
Gracie Guevarra, a second semester, caller walks over to the table, digs into
“We try to make sure they ask for matching gifts.” Gough explains that
the bowl, picks the treat of her choice and makes her way back to her desigsome companies like Shell, for example, match a pledge two to one. “We don’t
nated cubby hole.
have a lot of those, but it’s great,” he says.
The team leader is ready to make his address for tonight’s calling to the
Meanwhile another veteran caller, Adam Ganucheau, is upset. While he
laid back candy and chip munching students. This is the first year heading
was verifying contact information with the person on the other line, she told
Phonathon at Spring Hill for Jarrod Gough. The young assistant director of
him “Spring Hill has a problem for wanting to verify information.” The conannual programs, whose office is located on the floor just above the basement,
versation was dead at this point. Verifying information is only the first part of
is decked out in jeans, a white buttoned shirt and a corduroy dark brown jacket
the script. Ganucheau knew he wasn’t going to get a pledge out of this call.
complemented with a tie. Just his attire shows his seemingly well qualified
Overall, Gauncheau is a successful caller. Gough said that Ganucheau
position to work along with the young college students while at the same time
doesn’t really follow the script, and he doesn’t even need to. But the junior
retaining some professionalism.
journalism and theology double major wasn’t always this good.
“Last night we did really well. We raised over $6,000 which was great,”
“I was so nervous,” says Ganucheau describing his first night at PhonaGough says. The callers appear to be proud of their work and listen intently
thon. However, after he got that one pledge, he was “excited.” “We’re all befor tonight’s mission. “Our goal for tonight will be…” Jarrod punches in some
ing productive,” says Ganucheau, “especially for me being on scholarship; I
numbers on a calculator on his desk; he notes that with fewer callers available
know I’m helping my own education.”
tonight, “it’ll be an even $5,000.”
Others like the job simply because they get paid. The callers are paid $6 an
He continues to explain the rules of tonight’s game. The callers have been
hour while the supervisors like Favert are paid $6.50. A new caller, freshman
divided into two teams: The Destroyers and The Speed Dialers. Junior Amanda
Asheley Grier, is a little shy, wearing a gray hoodie over her head. She says
Favret, who has been promoted from a first-time caller to a supervisor this
she works at Phonathon because she “needs the money.” However, Grier said
semester, draws two ‘battleships’ on a white board that hangs on the wall near
it’s an encouraging feeling after receiving a pledge.
the leaders’ head ‘office.’ “How many circles do we want?” she asks Jarrod.
Before their 15 minute break, The Speed Dialers were in bad shape. Gar“25,” he responds. “Perfect,” Favret says.
cia’s seven received pledges blew several holes into the Speed Dialer ’s ship.
One of the callers looks at Amanda and suggests, “Why don’t you change
He was able to solicit $810 in less than one hour.
the color?” “Anthony – just call people,” she snaps back, jokingly.
After the break, the Speed Dialers will try to improve their sweet talking
Anthony Lopez has been working at Phonathon for three semesters now. He
so they can sink The Destroyers.
says he likes it here. “You learn a lot about money and how much it is needed,”
he says. If it weren’t for his experience with Phonathon, Lopez says he prob-
By Jolie Pollard
Editor in Chief
LIFE &
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The SpringHillian
CULTURE
6
Facing social awkwardness
By Matt Blythe
Columnist
It’s been my experience that most people who consider themselves shy or introverted tend to wish that they weren’t shy or introverted. Conversely, I don’t think I’ve never heard anyone wish
they were less outgoing—although I admit that someone, somewhere
probably has voiced this desire even if it seems sort of a strange
thing to wish for—because it’s an extroverted world. As a self-conscious, younger young man—resentful that not everyone was as shy
as I was—I was inclined to believe that the reason I was so socially
inept was because so many people were stupid, and that the happy
popular people were really only happy and popular because they
hadn’t read enough Dostoevsky or something. I am now inclined
to believe that this was a really pretentious and arrogant way to
think, and have long since disavowed all knowledge of my old self.
It’s probably not a coincidence that my newfound respect for the
whole diversity of humanity—with all of its strengths and weaknesses—coincides pretty handily with my becoming significantly
less socially inept.
Still, I’m not a particularly outgoing person. And, like many
not-outgoing people in a society where it’s hard to find a really
good reason to be that way, I’m often assaulted with the overwhelming, irrational desire to go out and “meet people.” I don’t usually
know what exactly I hope to accomplish by this, but that voice is
always in my head. I have always looked at meeting new people the
same way I look at flossing: a mostly-unpleasant-yet-necessary-forhealth-and-prosperity action, something I’d really rather not have
to bother with, but which I am able to pull off if I make a special
effort. It’s not something that comes easily to me. But I recognize
that a percentage of those whom I encounter during these episodes
of temporary (in?)sanity will somehow make the transition from
“Some guy/girl I met one time” to “BFF!!!!!!” This is enough to
keep me going despite how uncomfortable these things can be, and
despite the fact that I have no idea how this transition occurs.
See, looking back on my life, I have a hard time figuring out
how I came to know the people I know today. It’s like magic to
me, poof and suddenly I’ve made a lifelong friend without even
realizing what was happening. Like a drive-by shooting, totally
out of the freaking aether—except, you know, a happy thing. What
that means is, no matter how many individuals I am introduced to, I
can’t help but feel self-conscious when meeting people. My anxiety
level never goes down because it’s like I have to re-learn everything
I’ve ever known about human interaction each time I shake someone’s hand for the first time. It feels like the only thing I’ve gotten
better at is how to fake nonchalance better, to not be so obviously
uncomfortable in social situations.
Now, I don’t want this all to sound like I don’t value the bonds
I share with the people I call friends, because that’s the opposite
of the truth. Since I have absolutely no idea how the bonds even
came to be, I’m inclined to treasure them that much more for their
miraculous existence.
I find people most inexplicable. And it’s hard to tell whether
this is because I’ve just not had enough experience with human
interaction to really know what’s going on—I only have like 90
friends on Facebook, it’s like I’m a shut-in or something—or if I
just am not gifted with the sort of intelligence that would illuminate
the workings of the human heart and make sense of “what people
do all day.”
Then again, another thing I’ve learned is that very few people—
if even that many—really have any clue what’s going on most of
the time.
Sara Miller/ Life and Culture Editor
A member of the Spring Hill College cat community briefly emerges from the shadows to
pose for the camera on Thursday, Nov. 9.
T h e ‘ Ho r r o r’s c o p e s
Aries (3/21-4/19)
A crowd of people will all mistake you
for a store employee this week. Have fun
by making up random, nonsensical sales
events and watching them run toward the
area of the supposed sale. Just disappear
before they can return to kill you.
Taurus (4/20-5/20)
Your Thanksgiving parade will be delayed
this week after Batman steals all of the
balloons. However, he will return them
when he realizes that they don’t contain
poisonous gas.
Gemini (5/21-6/21)
Depending on your political party, the recent elections may be a cause of thanks or
of regret at the dinner table this Thanksgiving. If nothing else, be thankful that
when the inevitable scandals start showing up, you can say you didn’t vote for the
people involved.
Cancer (6/22-7/22)
Libra (9/23-10/22)
Your sense of time will be distorted this
week as you enter a random store and see
Christmas decorations. Simply resort to
saying “Happy Holidays;” it’s politically
correct, and you won’t appear as confused
as you are.
Scorpio (10/23-11/21)
Your relatives will have a strange urge to
draw turkeys dressed up as pilgrims and
Native Americans. Gently tell them that
this is like drawing your family dressed
up as Hannibal Lecter, and you have no
desire to be drawn wearing that wierd face
mask.
Sagittarius (11/22-12/21)
The good news: you will be invited on
a hunting trip to gain the satisfaction of
killing your own turkey. The bad news:
you will be hunting with Dick Cheney.
Capricorn (12/22-1/19)
Some strange people dressed in black will
approach you this week, begging for food.
Once you teach them how to grow corn,
they’ll be your friends forever. Just don’t
let them steal your house and land.
After realizing you cannot cook, you attempt to call a turkey hotline for help in
preparing your Thanksgiving meal. Unfortunately, this only gets you put on hold for
over an hour. Just eat out, or get yourself
invited to another family’s dinner.
You find yourself drooling over the hard,
juicy object before you; you want to put
your mouth all over it. Just ask grandma
to put the turkey leg on your plate, and for
gosh sakes, get your mind out of the gutter
before she sends you to the kid’s table.
Benjamin Franklin’s ghost appears this
week, lamenting the consumption of his
ideal national bird. Don’t try to explain
that the eagle is the national bird, or he’ll
tie you to a kite string during a thunderstorm.
Leo (7/23-8/22)
Virgo (8/23-9/22)
The stars suggest many things this week,
but you easily ignore their talk of Scientology and random diet fads as you gather
with your family to eat turkey, stuffing,
mashed potatoes, and everything that is
fun about the holiday season.
Aquarius (1/20-2/18)
Pisces (2/19-3/20)
You waste hours of your life this week trying to figure out why someone would invent the cornucopia. Who cares about the
Greek legend you learned from Wikipedia;
a wicker horn just isn’t practical for storing food.
7
LIFE &
The SpringHillian Wednesday, November 15, 2006
CULTURE
An ‘arrae’ of style: rain gear SHC and philantrepreneurs
By Rae McConville
Fashion Columnist/Assistant Editor
Rain is a way of life here in Mobile, and because of this I have to check
weather.com every night before I go to bed. The one day I don’t check, I get
stuck in the Communication Arts building because rain is pelting down so hard
and quick, there is no way I will make it back to New Hall alive. Or, more importantly, that my shoes will make it out alive.
This disastrous scenario gets me thinking: I need cute rain gear (both when
I know it’s coming and especially when I don’t) ASAP! Though rain gear often thoughts of rubbery-schoolgirl numbers rather than grown up chic, I have
found options for both ladies and men that will protect us from a downpour and
make us look delightful.
Up first is an umbrella. It rains frequently and unexpectedly in Mobile, so
if a pocket umbrella hasn’t made it into your school tote, it’s about time one
does. For those of you whose tote is Vera Bradley, or if you are just a fan,
you can have a matching pocket umbrella, $30 at Three Stitches and The Ivy
Cottage both on Old Shell Road. Another great option is Totes’ Super Dome
umbrella, which folds to the size of a pocket umbrella but opens to golf size
(enough to cover two people).
Next, we need a cozy and waterproof coat. My
coat of choice is a cashmere/wool blend plaid trench
from Burberry, $1475 at burberry.com. Little fashion
fact for you: Burberry of London is the original creator of the trench coat. Because I am not a famous
fashion magazine editor yet, I will have to stay dry
in a much cheaper and not cashmere option, the MB
DB Casual Trench, $40 from Target. Target is full of
great options for coats including another like Burberry-classic, the quilted topcoat. Target’s version for
$40 is much less than the $375 of the original. The
Exhilaration Moto Jacket, $30 adds edge even when
it’s sunny out. For when the rain strikes unexpectedly, try Cabela’s Packable Nylon Rain Parka, $40-45
on their Web site cabelas.com. The jackets come in a
slue of colors and are made for men and women.
Galoshes are key to staying dry and also solve the burberry.com
shoes making it to see another wear problem. There Staying warm and dry
are tons of options out there from short to tall, and as
is no problem in this
colorful or plain as you want. I love the Web site diwool
blend trench from
aneslittlelambs.com, which carries many top brands
Burberry,
sold online at
and has boots in polka dot, stripes, plaid, and even a
pair that looks like a cow. This season’s animal print burberry.com.
trend can even be left out in the rain in Tamara Henrique’s fleece lined leopard lovelies, $90. Also, talk about real “boots,” Jeffrey Campbell’s got a pair of rose and skull rubber cowboy boots, $60. Guys,
Sperry offers many water-resistant boots, however the Figawi Rubber Boot
stands out with a sort of space age look and large Sperry logo on the side, $60
at sperrytopsider.com.
Finally, for when it gets really cold and rainy, a light cap, scarf, and gloves
are always nice to have in the closet. Ladylike leather driving gloves are a big
trend for this fall, and I personally will be picking up the Isaac Mizrahi Quilted
Leather ones, $23 at, where else, Target. Gap also has designed a hat, scarf,
gloves combo in many different themes calling them “cozy accessory sets” on
gap.com.
Winter is soon upon us, and so then is Christmas. For my last column of the
semester (in two weeks), I will be counting down the things we should want
fashion wise for Christmas. I am eager to hear what’s on your wish list, so if
you see me, make sure to let me know!
By Doug Bruce
Columnist
When I grow up, I want to be a
Philantrepreneur.
Say that three
times fast. Rather, act it out. By
the time you finish sounding that
word out, you will have figured out
that while “Philantrepreneur” isn’t
the most common word on the street
today, it is an increasingly common
title. Before you run away in fear
of a homework assignment, allow
me for a moment to explain how a
Philantrepreneur, or an excessively
successful businessperson who uses
their abundant profits for the good
of the world, affects you. Yes, you
and Bill Gates have something in
common (besides being stuck with a
virus-ridden PC).
At Spring Hill College, we are
constantly reminded of the purpose
of our higher education--to use our
knowledge to better the community
and the world beyond it. That’s what
these elite individuals have been doing. They have used the tools at their
disposal to make a difference. I personally find that inspiring. My point
is that what we are all doing, even if
just on a level of roommate relations
or in a campus organization, should
have the same philanthropic spirit
as billionaires investing in new fuel
sources and polio vaccines. We have
to use our gifts and talents to serve
ourselves, but then, more importantly, the great issues. And for the
record, we are not snobs, we are not
better than others, but we insure that
that humor on those t-shirts will become a reality if we begin to believe
that we won’t make a difference.
LIFE &
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The SpringHillian
CULTURE
8
‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’: acting, cast praised
By Elizabeth Farren
Contributing Writer
denstern. The two characters set
the foundation perfectly for the
play. Without one or the other the
This past weekend, the Spring Hill theplay would not hold its energy and
ater department performed “Rosencrantz
laughter. When one has time and
and Guildenstern are Dead,” a play by Tom
patience enough to be able to focus
Stoppard.
For two hours, the audience
on one main character per perforbecame submerged into a different world,
mance, you can see how well-acted
forgetting that classmates and friends were
both parts were played. Freshmen
acting in this world.
“Rosencrantz and
Nocito and Stoves did excellent
Guildenstern are Dead” is a play about two
jobs at very challenging roles; they
friends from William Shakespeare’s “Hamtook us into a world were we forgot
let” as they try to figure out the reason for
the projects, papers, and tests due
Hamlet’s depression following the death
this week. They submerged into a
of his father.
world of laughter and comedic draFreshman Amelia Johnson said, “I
ma.
thought the acting was amazing! I was
With the help of The Player
especially impressed with the two main
(freshman Paul Schwartz), the aucharacters; that is a really difficult role
dience was presented with one of
with all the word-play, but it was really
the more serious subjects in the
amazing.” The play was so well-performed
play, death. Schwartz’s character
that even those of us that ended up going Courtesy of Communication Arts department
presented death as an action-based
more than once (like the avid art lover who Guildenstern (Jared Stoves) and Rosencrantz (Ryan Nocito) exchange words
idea more than a philosophical idea,
goes four times…me) were never bored; and philosophies with The Player (Paul Schwartz) in the Spring Hill theatrical
the viewpoint that Guildenstern rewe knew what to look or listen for, and department’s performance of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” The
verts to before his own death.
therefore often got an even better laugh.
The play was brilliantly cast
play was performed at the Arlene Mitchell Theatre Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
One eye catcher was the troop of Tragediacross
the board. Each actor had
and Sunday nights.
ans. Those that found themselves looking
their individual way of taking the
in their direction even if only for a second,
audience into the world of Rosenoften laughed for minutes later and even into the night upon leaving the Mitch- crantz and Guildenstern, a world of questions where answers cannot be reell Theater. I am pretty sure that no one will forget the long-winded make-out membered and where confusion is the primary residence.
session between Alfred and another Tragedian any time soon. I would not
The play was directed by Dr. Stephen F. Campbell, S.J., associate professor
doubt that some laughed so hard as to have tears come from their eyes. My and department chair of Fine and Performing Arts. The play was beautifully
roommate, Heather Bozant, and I found ourselves hard pressed to not burst out directed especially because of the style of the Mitchell Theater, a black box
laughing. We figured it would not be nice to interrupt the play with hysterical style theater where the audience surrounds the stage from three sides. There
laughter.
is not a single moment in the play where one side of the audience felt left out
When asked about the play, Bozant said, “The play was a phenomenal work or unaware of the characters reactions or facial expressions.
of art, with great interplay between dialogues as well as characters. The actors
I tip my hat to every person that had a hand in the production of Tom
did one of the best jobs I have seen in a portrayal of Stoppard’s work.”
Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” Every person, includOne of the wonderful aspects of Stoppard’s play is how beautifully Ros- ing lighting, sound, crews, and the actors themselves, did a wonderful job
encrantz and Guildenstern complement each other. It helps that they were whisking the audience into the world of theater and art. Thank you for all your
both well-cast with Ryan Nocito as Rosencrantz and Jared Stoves and as Guil- hard work.
C a l e n d a r
Date
Details
o f
Time
E v e n t s
Location
Wednesday, Nov. 15
CPB Meeting
5:15 p.m.
Grill Room
Thursday, Nov. 16
Special Guest Speaker
7 p.m.
Mobile Public Library
West Regional Branch
(5555 Grelot Road)
Thursday, Nov. 16
Rimes Lecture
7:30 p.m.
Byrne Memorial Hall
Friday, Nov. 17
Continental Breakfast
8:15 a.m.
Gautrelet Room
Friday, Nov. 17 through
Sunday, Nov. 19
all day
Columbus, GA
Friday, Nov. 17
Ignatian Family Teach-in/ SOA
trip
Fall Formal
buses leave at 8:30 and 8:45
Meet at Campus Center
Saturday, Nov. 18
Fall Brawl
noon
Dorn Field
Barbara Robinson, author of The Best
Christmas Pageant Ever
Reception and book signing to
follow.
Dr. Susan Rees of U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
To welcome high school seniors and
their familes for Select Visit Day
Tickets are $7
Opinions&
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The SpringHillian
9
Editorials
SpringHillian Note from the editor: Origin, no place in today’s Thanksgiving
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Mobile’s First
Collegiate Newspaper
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (251) 380-3850
or 380-3840
FAX: (251) 460-2185
Editor in Chief
Jolie Pollard
jlpollard@ stumail.shc.edu
News Editor
Kerrie McNamara
[email protected]
Life & Culture Editor
Sara Miller
smmiller@ stumail.shc.edu
Sports Editor
Katelyn Olewinski
[email protected]
Photographer/Assistant Editor
Patrick Yursik
[email protected]
Assistant Editor/
Student Reaction Editor
Alicia Brauer
[email protected]
Assistant Editor/
Fashion Columnist
Rae McConville
[email protected]
Advertising Manager/
Editor Emeritus
Lindsay Mott
[email protected]
Advisor
Stuart Babington
sbabington@ stumail.shc.edu
Publisher
Rankin Publishing
7401 Spencer Rd
Irvington, Al 36544
off: (251) 824-3162
FAX: (251) 824-2854
By Jolie Pollard
Editor in Chief
Next week, the campus will be
a ghost town. Most of the Spring
Hill community will be spending
time with their families gnawing
on turkey legs while they take a
break now and then to attempt
their final papers, and many will
be out shopping like the stores
will disappear. Not being from the
United States, I’ve been trying to
grasp the meaning and learning the
history behind the North American
Thanksgiving holidays, and I
owe it to myself especially since
well, perhaps you’d be surprised
to know that Thanksgiving
is not too alien to foreigners.
On this Thursday in November,
many families and eateries in
Belize, particularly among the
Belizean Creole ethnic group,
serve up a platter of American
Thanksgiving
inspired
food,
which usually includes: baked
turkey, ham, stuffing, rice and
beans (red kidney beans cooked
with coconut milk white rice)
and potato salad with cranberry
jelly served on the side. Kind of
weird huh? I’ve always thought
so, but I’ve never complained.
Although I think it is a little
silly, I suppose I shut my mouth
because I enjoy my “turkey dinner”
too much. Preparing the dinner is
expensive, but my selfish little self
would never stop my father from
scouring his wallet to satisfy my
tummy. So I’ve just learned to
tolerate it as another convenient
effect of cultural globalization.
After all, many of us celebrate
Halloween and Valentine’s Day;
we tell our children stories of
Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy,
and the Easter Bunny -- each
and every single one dependent
on my parents’ bank accounts.
If I was completely ignorant
of its historical origin, and I
was forced to answer what this
celebration entails based on mere
observations, this is probably
what I would come up with:
American Thanksgiving is a
holiday celebrated in November
where people eat baked turkey
and pumpkin desserts with their
families. If they can’t cook it
themselves, many restaurants
offer an entire family size take
out dinner from prices as low as
$39.99. Celebrators are willing
to spend hundreds of dollars on
gas money and airplane tickets
to visit their families, sometimes
as an obligation or because they
genuinely miss them and often
times, experience flight delays
due to the heavily congested air
traffic. The celebration is finalized
on the day following Thanksgiving
called Black Friday where money
is further spent on mad shopping
rituals. Shoppers are lured by
cheap deals on laptops, lingerie,
and many other goodies, many
of which they don’t really need.
Thanksgiving celebrators tend to
break diets and gain a few pounds,
but are blessed by countless articles
on how to get around that problem
from clever beauty and fitness
magazines. Vegetarians are usually
catered for with the option of tofu
turkey while the homeless and poor
are sometimes lucky enough to
have a dinner due to selfless efforts
from shelters, church groups, and
soup kitchens across the country.
But hold on a second.
Something’s
missing
here…
shouldn’t pilgrims and Native
Americans have a place in here
somewhere? Something about
giving thanks to God for food or
really to the Native Americans
for
food…Abraham
Lincoln
establishing the day as a holiday?
Perhaps these old tales don’t
have a place in today’s United
States anymore. Thanksgiving
has evolved from harvesting
corn to ordering it as a side from
Piccadilly’s. With the possibility of
the future inflation in the economy
Raccoon lover sees no justification
in killing diseased campus animals
Dear Editor:
As a student of Spring Hill, I have had the
luxury of enjoying and sharing this beautiful
campus with others for three years. I love to walk
past our elaborately designed landscapes and often,
I like to think of how much more beautiful this
campus is than the monotony of suburbs or cities.
Our campus is designed to have a flourishing
mixture of natural beauty that is contrasted with
the elegant architecture of our buildings. To
remove either aspect of our well-blended visual
concoction would be a great detriment to Spring Hill.
That being said I would like to address some of
the students concerns about cats and raccoons. While
I am aware that some people may not enjoy having
these animals around, I personally do. I have always
loved animals and nature, and as a student here I
love seeing the cats and raccoons around campus.
The idea that we should begin euthanizing these
see Raccoon Lover page 10
The
SpringHillian
The SpringHillian needs an EDITOR IN CHIEF for the Spring 2007 semester.
If interested, submit a cover letter along with a resume to:
Communication Arts Division Secretary Dottie Hempfleng by November 30.
for this generation, I suppose it’s
worth looking at the holiday as a
time where today’s youth can give
thanks to their parents for working
their butts off to afford providing
them with a turkey meal and
thanking corporate America for a
break in the high prices, at least
just for that one day. After all, 20
years from now, if they don’t stay
competitive in the job market,
they just might have a lot less to
be thankful for. Who knows?
They might be giving their kids
baked chicken on Thanksgiving.
10
The SpringHillian Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Cats rule, dogs drool says reader
Dear Editor:
As I read the SpringHillian
from front to back, I noticed a
letter to the editor from student
Mel Gerrets titled, “Cats and
raccoons a health hazard.” Now,
Mr. Gerrets and I can completely
agree on the raccoons; seeing a
nocturnal creature out during the
day is a serious problem, but a
problem that is easily solved. What
Gerrets and I disagree on is the
lovability of the cats of Spring Hill.
I could easily take up my
entire letter pointing out logical
errors in his argument, such as
noting that there are no “diseased
albinos,” or any albino cats
running around Spring Hill. But,
since our nation is divided into two
groups, dog lovers and cat lovers,
it is only fair that in this issue of
the SpringHillian, we have a letter
that praises cats and derides dogs
in the way that Mel Gerrets’ letter
praises dogs at the expense of cats.
Personally, I hate dogs.*
They’re evil (I know this from
seeing all those movies with
the junkyard dogs mercilessly
attacking people who enter their
territory); they bark; they bite;
Raccoon lover
from page 1
innocent creatures makes me angry.
Just because an animal species
has the possibility of disease
doesn’t mean they are significantly
dangerous to us (if you think it
does, then why don’t we just start
knocking off all animal species we
could possibly get a disease from
-- humans included?). No, I think
instead that it is just small-minded
people who get their jollies off
on the pain of a creature weaker
than themselves. If their want for
violence is actually founded on an
illogical fear of nature I am sure
that there is a psychologist willing
to address those personal issues.
I have never heard of a raccoon
they pee on my grandmother’s car
and poop on her lawn, and they lie
around all day doing absolutely
nothing except breeding more
dogs, barking at anything that
moves, and spreading disease.
I’ve always been a cat person,
and I used to enjoy watching my
cat entertain herself by watching
the stupid stray dogs run through
the neighborhood and chase
their own tails. The ancient
Egyptians were right, cats are gods
compared to the dogs. However,
there are a lot of people who like
dogs and should be respected.
In all seriousness, the
accusations that Mr. Gerrets
makes about the Spring Hill cats
are worth noting, especially since
stray cats anywhere else could in
fact be diseased. But the majority
of Spring Hill cats have been
captured and spayed or neutered; I
don’t have an itemized copy of the
vet bill, but wouldn’t it be smart
to vaccinate them at the same
time? Even if this hasn’t happened
yet, it’s not that difficult to find
and catch them for vaccinations.
All someone has to do is put out
a little bit of cat food for them in
a humane trap; I know of at least
or cat attack that didn’t begin with
a person attempting to interact
with the animal or trying to remove
the animal from its environment.
So please just leave the animals
“...if you think it does,
then why don’t we
just start knocking off
all animal species we
could possibly get a
disease from -- humans
included?”
-- Kevin Sumrall
alone so that we can both live
harmoniously on this beautiful
campus. If however, you do feel the
two pudgy cats on campus that
would enter the cage for a bit of
food, and there are probably many
more who would do the same.
As for the claim that black cats
bring bad luck, I look to my blackand-white cat who has been my
faithful friend for 14 years, and I
have to realize that I’m cursed with
bad luck for my entire lifetime,
and many more lifetimes after
that if the Buddhists are correct. I
wasn’t aware of this curse before,
but now I have something to blame
any random bad thing on. Thank
you, Mr. Gerrets! Now I have a
perfect excuse to coast through life.
So Mr. Gerrets, who I’m sure
is a nice person, should try to take
some random stray dog off the street
home and see how long it takes
him to come down with rabies,
ringworm, or Lyme disease from
ticks. As for me, I’ll stick to the
cats, who are more prone to running
away than to slobbering all over
me and chewing my shoes to death.
* Actually, I’m only slightly
partial to cats. I don’t hate dogs at all,
so don’t kill me for this, dog lovers!
Opinions&
R eaction
Editorials
Student
“What are your plans
for Thanksgiving?”
“Getting fat off of turkey in the country.”
-Breon Baker ‘08
“Running a race, eating aplenty, and
giving thanks.”
-Anne Couvillon ‘08
- Anonymous
need to protect yourself from these
docile creatures keep this in mind:
I personally don’t tolerate
unnecessary cruelty to animals.
That means that if I ever were
to witness a student who hurt
one of these animals without
need of self-defense, that person
would quickly find a much
greater need for self-defense.
I hope this campus can learn
to live in harmony with all of the
interesting species that populate
our local area without being
controlled by an unnecessary
fear of our animal brethren.
“Going to Delaware.”
-Patrick Mika ‘08
“I’m going ice fishing in Quebec.”
-Sarah Engels ‘09
“Drinking margaritas on the beach in
Puerto Vallarta!”
-Matthew Carpenter ‘08
Kevin Sumrall
“I’m getting wild and crazy with my
friends in New Orleans.”
-Rachel Crum ‘07
Chris Hall / Cartoonist
(Hall also drew last week’s SOA/Fall Formal cartoon.)
Compiled by Alicia Brauer
Sports
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The SpringHillian
11
UPCOMING GAMES
TEAM
VB
DATE
Nov.17
OPPONENT
TBA
SITE
TBA
VB
WB
MB
Nov. 18
Nov. 21
Nov. 22
TBA
A.U.M.
Univ. of S. Mississippi
TBA
Montgomery, AL
Hattiesburg, MS
WB
WB
WB
Nov. 23
Nov. 24
Nov. 25
TBA
TBA
TBA
Lebanon, TN
Lebanon, TN
Lebanon, TN
MB
WB
WB
Nov. 27
Nov. 29
Dec. 02
Wesley College
Univ. of W. Florida
Delta State Univ.
SHC
Pensacola, FL
Cleveland, MS
KEY
MG - Men’s Golf
WG - Women’s Golf
MCC - Men’s Cross Counrty
WCC - Women’s Cross Country
MB - Men’s Basketball
VB - Volleyball
MS - Men’s Soccer
WS - Women’s Soccer
WB - Women’s Basketball
RECENT RESULTS
TEAM
WG
DATE
Nov. 13
OPPONENT
Unknown
OUTCOME
Unknown
MG
Nov. 13
Mobile
Unknown
WB
WG
MG
WG
MG
Nov. 12
Nov. 12
Nov. 12
Nov. 11
Nov. 11
U.S.A.
Unknown
Mobile
Unknown
Mobile
L: 44-56
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
VB
Nov. 11
Unknown
Unknown
VB
MB
Nov. 10
Nov. 09
Unknown
McNeese State
Unknown
L: 60-61
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Sean Simpson
Soccer
Courtesy of SHC
Lindsay Schmidt
Volleyball
Courtesy of SHC
Devin Austermann
Frisbee
Photo / Bernie Prat
GO BADGERS!
Lady Badgers fall to USA, 56-44
Courtesy of SHC
Athletic Website
MOBILE, Ala. -- The Spring Hill
women’s basketball fell to NCAA Division
I South Alabama Sunday afternoon, 5644, in exhibition game. Sophomore guard
Keisha Forbes led the Lady Badgers with
14 points, six rebounds and four assists,
while senior forward Catie Shields added
nine points. Senior guard Maria Rodriguez
posted also posted six rebounds and three
assist for Spring Hill. The Lady Jags were
led by Monique Jones with 17 points, and
Whitney Woodard noted a double-double
with 10 points and 11 rebounds. In the
second half, SHC held USA shooting to
just 37 percent, while shooting 42 percent
themselves. The Lady Badgers stepped up
their play in the second half, giving USA just
Courtesy of SHC website
During the 2005-2006 season, Keisha
Forbes played in 14 games, averages
2.7 points per game, and 1.5 rebounds
per game.
a two-point lead. The Lady Badgers will
travel to Montgomery, Ala., on Nov. 21
to take on the Auburn Montgomery Lady
Senators at 6 pm.
12
The SpringHillian Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Sports
SHC rugby team takes first victor y of the season
By Katelyn Olewinski
Sports Editor
The SHC rugby team
earned their first victory in
the Battleship Tournament in
downtown Mobile this past
weekend.
The team played a total
of three games over the
weekend. They lost their
first game to Florida State
University with a final score
of 5-16, but they managed
to shut out the team in the
second half.
They also lost their second
game against Jacksonville
State University with a final
score of 10-13. However,
the team was finally able to
earn a victory against Tulane
Medical on Sunday with a
final score of 17-10.
The game against Tulane
Medical was victorious on
several levels. Not only
did the team win, but two
members of the team scored
for their first time. Brendan
Kelly scored his first tri ever,
while Kevin Brown managed
to score his first 2 tri’s ever;
both men earned the title of
Zulu Warrior because of their
accomplishments.
According to sophomore
Ben Mackin, president of
the Rugby Club, the team is
looking forward to advancing
their record next semester.
“We practice every week
and do the best we can. We
always encourage anyone
interested to come and help
us out. Rugby is not just for
big guys. We welcome every
one of all shapes and sizes.”
The rugby team meets on
Mondays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays at Dorn Field at 4
p.m.
Mackin encourages any
one interested to contact him
or to show up at practice.
Although the rugby team
have had a bit of a rough start
with an overall record of 1-4
for the season, members of
the team are confident that
their record will improve
when the season continues
next semester.
Dominick Navarra / Contributing Photographer
The SHC squad gathers in the ruck during the loss
against Florida State University this weekend during
the Battleship Tournament in dowtown Mobile.
Snapshots of SHC athletes - Look at them go!
Dominick Navarra / Contributing Photographer
(Above) Gabriel Capote breaks through the FSU
lines and can only be brought down by a five
person ef for t.
Courtesy of SHC athletic website
(Above) Jeremy Price was the game’s leading
scorer with 23 points on Thursday night against
McNeese State University.
(Left) Members of the
tennis
team
gather
around Coach Hans for a
talk as they prepare for
their upcoming season in
the spring.
Dominick Navarra / Contributing Photographer
(Above) Making a run against FSU, Chad Cooley
treks down the field in the second game SHC played
in the tournament this past weekend.
Patrick Yursik / Photographer
(Above) Evan Davis goes
for a serve during tennis
practice.
Patrick Yursik / Photographer