• Controversy surrounding Susan G. Komen foundation’s funding refusal leads to an outpouring of support for Planned Parenthood By Becky Doucette managing editor Performance arts share the stage In the first week of February, top executives at the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation cut ties with Planned Parenthood. According to Komen spokeswoman Leslie Aun, the foundation’s new policy prohibits funding any organization under formal investigation by a government body. Since Planned Parenthood is currently being investigated by Florida Republican Cliff Stearns to determine whether or not the group spent public money to fund abortions, it fell under this new policy. Consequentially, Planned Parenthood did not receive funding from the Susan G. Komen foundation. The decision to discontinue funding to Planned Parenthood caused uproar in the Komen organization and sent shock waves through the country. Despite the recommendation of Komen’s professional staff to continue to fund Planned Parenthood, the Komen board decided to cut the grants. The decision has led to staff turnover as well as anger as many argue the investigation leading to the defunding was politically Grants refused, reinstated By Zoua Pa Xiong and Rachel Armstrong See GRANTS pg. 2 ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER February 20, 2012 - VOLUME 79 ISSUE 9 Wheel This newspaper, like many other things, is recyclable. Online at thewheel-scu.tumblr.com Index: Opinion:2-3 features:4-7 health:7 sports:8 Now officially the “Department of Music and Theater” the new academic program offers more majors, minors and courses for St. Catherine University (SCU) students. “The merger of the two departments began almost four years ago. One goal of the restructuring was to make the study of •Music and theater department finalizes programs motivated. According to The Atlantic, “Sources with direct knowledge of the Komen decision- making process said recent policies were adopted specifically to cut funding to Planned Parenthood.” Some believe that the new policy was formed because of the new Vice President of Public Relations, Karen Handel. Handel, a former candidate for the Georgia Governor race in 2010, campaigned as an anti-abortion candidate and had targeted Planned Parenthood. Due to the controversy surrounding the decision, many supporters and donors backed down after the decision made by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Their decision created such a stir that 26 democratic senators wrote a letter with their signatures asking for the Komen Foundation to retract their decision. For first-year student Emily Hang, the Komen organization’s decision to pull funding means fewer options for women. “Where would people get help from if Planned Parenthood was not funded? There are more reasons besides sex for birth control but also for help in their periods. We should Two anonymous supporters of Planned Parenthood stand outside the Ford Parkway location to rally for the organization. Photo by Heather Kolnick. these disciplines more accessible to students,” Teresa Lyons Hegdahl, Assistant Professor and Director in Theater, said. “This required innovative thinking, research and one and a half years of work to create three new majors and be able to offer three minors.” This process led to the creation of music studies, music theater and music in the church majors. Additionally, SCU now offers a music minor and two theater minors: theater performance and theater studies. “The music studies major is a redesign of our previous music major, emphasizing a broader liberal focus; and the other two majors were designed with a similar focus, but specifically to capitalize on the already existing strengths in those areas on campus,” Patricia Connors, Music and Theater Department Chair, said. In addition to new majors and minors, students may also take a variety of new courses offered by the joint department. In music, some of these new courses include Music and Healing and Music in the Church. There are two courses that can also be cross-listed, making them more accessible to students: Women in Music and World Music. “These and other new courses represent a much broader spectrum of music study than what was previously available,” Kristie Tigges, Associate Professor of Music, said. “One of the unique things about our design is that a large number of the courses are open to all students, not just majors.” New courses in Theater include Voice in the Workplace, Media Performance and Directing: Event Production and Survey of Musical Theater. “The new courses provide a clearer link between the discipline of theater and its application to other disciplines,” Lyons Hegdahl said. “We are able to more directly support the growth and learning of a broader population of students, fostering a life-long appreciation of theater’s impact in our world.” Looking to the future, the Music Theater Department will also face other possible changes, such as inclusion of a world music ensemble and steel drum band. There is also the hope to collaborate with other outside resources, like musicians and professional theaters, and the expansion of the Children’s Hospital work that began last semester. These changes in the department also reflect SCU’s mission of leadership and excellence in students’ education. “One of our primary goals for these majors, as stated in our new joint department mission, is that we seek to develop the student’s ability to lead and influence through the study and practice of historical and contemporary music and theater traditions,” Connors said. Not only do the majors focus on gearing students towards excellence, but so do the courses that students in a variety of disciplines can take. “Additionally, our courses help students develop skills that strengthen their leadership capabilities and enhance their ability to truly influence,” Lyons Hegdahl said. Overall, the faculty of this department is excited and energized to the commitment of the new structure to better serve the students. “The faculty are committed to providing students the tools with which to excel as performers, teachers, church musicians, actors, directors and supporters and appreciators of the arts,” Tigges said. Becky can be reached at [email protected]. Leslie Ann Westergard Kruse-Scott, age 43, passed away on Feb. 12, 2012. Leslie was a resident of St. Paul and a security officer on St. Catherine University’s St. Paul campus. She is survived by her husband, Patrick Scott; sons, Joshua Kruse and Derrick Koch; parents, John Kruse, Jerome Gavin, and Margaret Young; many sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by mother, Annette Kruse. From the Wheel staff, our condolences go out to her family. She will be missed. In memory of Leslie Ann Westergard Kruse-Scott Photo courtesy of Facebook.
Transcript
• Controversy surrounding Susan G. Komen foundation’s funding refusal leads to an outpouring of support for Planned Parenthood
By Becky Doucettemanaging editor
Performance arts share the stage
In the first week of February, top executives at the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation cut ties with Planned Parenthood. According to Komen spokeswoman Leslie Aun, the foundation’s new policy prohibits funding any organization under formal investigation by a government body. Since Planned Parenthood is currently being investigated by Florida Republican Cliff Stearns to determine whether or not the group spent public money to fund abortions, it fell under this new policy.
Consequentially, Planned Parenthood did not receive funding from the Susan G. Komen foundation.
The decision to discontinue funding to Planned Parenthood caused uproar in the Komen organization and sent shock waves through the country. Despite the recommendation of Komen’s professional staff to continue to fund Planned Parenthood, the Komen board decided to cut the grants. The decision has led to staff turnover as well as anger as many argue the investigation leading to the defunding was politically
Grants refused, reinstated
By Zoua Pa Xiong and Rachel Armstrong
See GRANTS pg. 2
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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEWSPAPER February 20, 2012 - VOLUME 79 ISSUE 9
THE Wheel
This newspaper, like many other things, is recyclable.Online at thewheel-scu.tumblr.comIndex: Opinion:2-3 features:4-7 health:7 sports:8
Now officially the “Department of Music and Theater” the new academic program offers more majors, minors and courses for St. Catherine University (SCU) students.
“The merger of the two departments began almost four years ago. One goal of the restructuring was to make the study of
•Music and theater department finalizes programs
motivated. According to The Atlantic, “Sources with
direct knowledge of the Komen decision-making process said recent policies were adopted specifically to cut funding to Planned Parenthood.”
Some believe that the new policy was formed because of the new Vice President of Public Relations, Karen Handel. Handel, a former candidate for the Georgia Governor race in 2010, campaigned as an anti-abortion candidate and had targeted Planned Parenthood.
Due to the controversy surrounding the decision, many supporters and donors backed down after the decision made by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Their decision created such a stir that 26 democratic senators wrote a letter with their signatures asking for the Komen Foundation to retract their decision.
For first-year student Emily Hang, the Komen organization’s decision to pull funding means fewer options for women.
“Where would people get help from if Planned Parenthood was not funded? There are more reasons besides sex for birth control but also for help in their periods. We should Two anonymous supporters of Planned Parenthood stand outside the Ford Parkway
location to rally for the organization. Photo by Heather Kolnick.
these disciplines more accessible to students,” Teresa Lyons Hegdahl, Assistant Professor and Director in Theater, said. “This required innovative thinking, research and one and a half years of work to create three new majors and be able to offer three minors.”
This process led to the creation of music studies, music theater and music in the church majors. Additionally, SCU now offers a music minor and two theater minors: theater performance and theater studies.
“The music studies major is a redesign of our previous music major, emphasizing a broader liberal focus; and the other two majors were designed with a similar focus, but specifically to capitalize on the already existing strengths in those areas on campus,” Patricia
Connors, Music and Theater Department Chair, said.
In addition to new majors and minors, students may also take a variety of new courses offered by the joint department. In music, some of these new courses include Music and Healing and Music in the Church. There are two courses that can also be cross-listed, making them more accessible to students: Women in Music and World Music.
“These and other new courses represent a much broader spectrum of music study than what was previously available,” Kristie Tigges, Associate Professor of Music, said. “One of the unique things about our design is that a large number of the courses are open to all students, not just majors.”
New courses in Theater include Voice in the Workplace, Media Performance and Directing: Event Production and Survey of Musical Theater.
“The new courses provide a clearer link between the discipline of theater and its application to other disciplines,” Lyons Hegdahl said. “We are able to more directly support the growth and learning of a broader population of students, fostering a life-long appreciation of theater’s impact in our world.”
Looking to the future, the Music Theater Department will also face other possible changes, such as inclusion of a world music ensemble and steel drum band. There is also the hope to collaborate with other outside resources, like musicians and professional theaters, and the expansion of the Children’s Hospital work that began last semester.
These changes in the department also reflect SCU’s mission of leadership and excellence in students’ education.
“One of our primary goals for these majors, as stated in our new joint department mission, is that we seek to develop the student’s ability to lead and influence through the study and practice of historical and contemporary music and theater traditions,” Connors said.
Not only do the majors focus on gearing students towards excellence, but so do the courses that students in a variety of disciplines can take.
“Additionally, our courses help students develop skills that strengthen their leadership capabilities and enhance their ability to truly influence,” Lyons Hegdahl said.
Overall, the faculty of this department is excited and energized to the commitment of the new structure to better serve the students.
“The faculty are committed to providing students the tools with which to excel as performers, teachers, church musicians, actors, directors and supporters and appreciators of the arts,” Tigges said.
Leslie Ann Westergard Kruse-Scott, age 43, passed away on Feb. 12, 2012. Leslie was a resident of St. Paul and a security officer on St. Catherine University’s St. Paul campus.
She is survived by her husband, Patrick Scott; sons, Joshua Kruse and Derrick Koch; parents, John Kruse, Jerome Gavin, and Margaret Young; many sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by mother, Annette Kruse.
From the Wheel staff, our condolences go out to her family. She will be missed.
In memory of Leslie Ann Westergard Kruse-Scott
Photo courtesy of Facebook.
NEWS & OPINION2 | The Wheel February 20, 2012
GRANTS continued...
Last summer when massive heat waves left me praying for air conditioning to magically flood my apartment and the government shut down had us all in a state of shock, there was another event that exploded into our community.
There are different reports of what happened June 5 2011, but we do know that late that
MISSION STATEMENTThe Wheel aspires to reflect the diversity and unique atmosphere that comprises St. Catherine Uni-versity. We strive to provide an inclusive newspaper primarily for the students and by the stu-dents. The Wheel promotes the vision of empowering women to lead and influence as well as an understanding of the university community inside and outside of the gates. As a staff we aim to meet the highest journalistic stan-dards and stand in accordance with the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and policies of prior restraint. The Wheel is not a pub-lic relations vehicle for any SCU individual, group, department or for the college as a whole. We welcome feedback and encour-age an open discourse. The Wheel is supported by student funds and is distributed free of charge.
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITYWHEELSTAFF
Volume 79, issue 9
Social justice column: The wait for justice By Chey Bryantguest columnist
black females had an imprisonment rate three times more than white females, and black males had an imprisonment rate that was almost seven times higher than white males; sometimes, as in McDonald’s case, for crimes they didn’t commit. Action needs to be taken to bring light to the intersections of racism, transphobia and injustice in our American criminal justice system, and people in our community are working to do just that. However, there are small actions that we can all take as citizens to help support McDonald and the greater dismantling of racism and transphobia in our community.
To keep up with information about McDonald’s case, visit supportcece.wordpress.com , “like” the “FreeCece Mcdonald Facebook” page or follow the “FreeCeCe Mcdonald” twitter (@Free_CeCe).
These social media sites will let followers know about updates and action that can be taken as well as information about fundraisers, events and letter-writing nights to support McDonald and her case. Folks can call Michael Freeman’s office (the prosecutor in McDonald’s case) at 612-348-5540, or email his office at [email protected] at any time to let him know that you are a supporter of Mcdonald’s case; that you are concerned about the injustice being done in her arrest and her case, and demand that the charges against her be dropped.
This injustice is happening in our own backyards, where we all live and work. Help our community by helping McDonald. Help facilitate justice.
night, CeCe McDonald was walking to the grocery store with some of her friends (who were all young, black and either queer or allied), when they passed a local bar. There, a group standing outside began yelling racial and transphobic insults at McDonald and her friends. McDonald approached the group to tell them that she and her friends would not
stand for those kinds of hateful slurs when one woman from the group smashed her drink glass into McDonald’s face. Her skin was penetrated so deeply that her salivary gland was torn. A fight broke out between the two groups and resulted in the death of one of the bar-goers, Dean Schmitz.
Now, McDonald, the only person who was arrested that night while she was suffering from a serious face laceration, is sitting in jail facing false charges of second degree murder. McDonald is also an African-American transgender woman, and joins the thousands of trans* (transgender), queer and people of color imprisoned every year, many due to circumstances similar to McDonald’s.
McDonald is 23 years old, and before she was put in jail she was studying fashion at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC). She was and still is a role model, leader and friend to the people in her community and her family. Now supporters are gathering to make her injustice known to our government. The community is working to make sure that McDonald is given real justice and working to get the charges against her dropped.
Local organizations, such as the Trans Youth Support Network, and many community members from the Twin Cities have come together to support McDonald and her family. They have been raising money, visiting her on a regular basis and making her case widely known around the country and the world.
It needs to be understood that McDonald’s case is not uncommon. Queer people and people of color are incarcerated at consistently higher rates than other groups of people in our communities. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics 2010 report on prisoners,
not just look at Planned Parenthood as an abortion facility.”
Three days after the announcement that they would pull funding, the Komen Foundation formally apologized for their decision and re-instated the Planned Parenthood grants.
Interestingly, the Komen grants to Planned Parenthood have only been spent on cancer detection services, not abortion or contraception.
For Cecilia Moline, a sophomore at SCU, this point is crucial.
“Considering only like three percent of Planned Parenthood funds are actually used towards abortion and it’s a much higher proportion that’s used towards breast cancer screenings, you’re really just depriving a lot of women of health or that precaution,” Moline said.
According to CBS, Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood said, “We were very shocked and very surprised that they decided to pull funding from our health centers because we’re a very significant provider of breast exams to women.”
Although some Planned Parenthood facilities are funded by the Komen foundation, not all receive direct funding. Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota (PPMNS), is not a direct recipient of funding from the Komen foundation.
For Jennifer O. Aulwes of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, the decision made by the Komen foundation to cut funding had surprisingly positive repurcussions for their facility, located in St. Paul.
“We were affected by [Komen’s] decision that the outpouring support from the community for Planned Parenthood and the work we do was felt at our affiliate,” said Aulwes.
PPMNS provides “about 15,000 clinical breast exams each year in our region” Aulwes said. “Ninety-five percent of PPMNS’ services are basic preventative health care services, including life-saving cancer screenings, birth control and family planning, pap tests, STD prevention and treatment, and sexual health information and education.”
For Aulwes, the over-emphasis on abortion is problematic, as it draws necessary attention away from the other services PPMNS provides women.
“PPMNS stands firm in the belief that politics should never interfere with women’s access to health care.”
Parenthood’s annual report for 2009-2010, their 840 health centers provided:
• Contraception to 2.2 million patients
• Over 1.1 million pregnancy tests
• 770,000 Pap tests• Nearly 750,000 breast
exams• More than 4 million tests
for STDs, including HIV• Care for over 3 million
patients
To read the annua l report or learn more about Planned Parenthood, visit their website at www.plannedparenthood.org.
Police officers stand in front of the Planned Parenthood on Ford Parkway while a rally and protest happen outside. Photo by Heather Kolnick.
NEWS & OPINIONFebruary 20, 2012 The Wheel | 3
Editorial:‘Like’ it or notBy Becky Doucettemanaging editor
By Alexa Chihos
News in brief• Updates on headlines from around town and
If you are a student here with a Facebook account, you probably already know where I am going with this. Last week, I logged on to Facebook after my Tuesday night class, and was invited to “like” a page. The page was called “St. Kate’s Memes.”
A “meme” can be broken down into two parts. There is a backdrop picture that represents a group of individuals; for example, there is “socially awkward penguin.” There is text over the picture, which is thought of in that mindset. So, for example, socially awkward penguin would say, “Tells a joke…no one laughs” or “Runs out of things to say to someone…looks at cell phone.” For those who have been in a socially awkward situation, or have experienced these events specifically, they can relate and, hopefully, laugh knowing others can relate as well.
By 10:30 p.m. on that same Tuesday, there were approximately 50 other Facebook users who had “liked” the page. The memes on “St. Kate’s Memes” pertain specifically to St. Catherine University (SCU) students, calling attention to what we struggle with as a campus, as well as when we are being hypocrites. One of the memes has the “first world problems woman” (a close up of a young woman in tears) with the text, “The cupcakes here…are too big.” I can relate to this meme because I have had times where I wanted a cupcake, but felt I needed to share it with someone. I am amused to know that I am not the only one who has experienced this “first world problem.”
Another has a photo of a young woman with the following text: “I hate St. Thomas’…dating a Tommie.” This meme is hilarious because we have a rivalry with St. Thomas students and yet we are involved with them on personal levels.
By Wednesday morning the page had reached approximately 200 likes, and was now present on Tumblr, another social networking site. As fun as the memes had been for some students, it has also been a place for criticism both in what the memes have been stating and what the memes were portraying.
One of the memes that has provoked discussion online is the picture of a white male in a suit with the text, “Promoting female leadership…administrators are men.” On Facebook this has been liked by students and “shared” for others to see.
On Tumblr, a user took some time to look
around the globe
Pro-Ramen By Wesley Pivec
One minute intervals can improve health:
Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario recently conducted a study that focused on how little exercise humans need in order to gain health and fitness. The study consisted of a group of sedentary, but generally healthy, middle-aged women and men as well as a group of middle-aged and older people who had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. The researchers designed the study so that the two groups of participants would exercise exclusively with intervals on a stationary exercise bike, which resulted in an improvement in insulin sensitivity, blood sugar regulation, and lowering the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Therapy apps may make psychological help accessible anytime, anywhere:
Within the past few years, researchers have been developing and testing simple programs, similar to video games, which are targeted to help alleviate common symptoms of anxiety or depression. Recent results of these programs have been successful enough that researchers and investigators have been making these programs available through smartphones, which has the ability to reach people who lack the means or interest to engage with traditional methods of therapy. Results of studies conducted with children and adults indicated that the programs had reduced the number of symptoms and symptom severity.
at the meme carefully. On her blog, she states that this is not only a false statement, but an ignorant one. “…implying that having a man in a leadership position at our school is not promoting leadership among women is just ignorant.” As an optimist, my opinion is that these memes are bringing out how students viewtheir school, and allows these conversations to occur. The memes bring
up further questions such as, “why do these students have this view?” and “should we have some sort of programming around this discussion?”
Another place for criticism is about this newspaper. The picture is of an excited professor with the text, “Student newspaper…only read by profs.” This is a concern that
our Wheel editorial staff has had, because the feedback we hear most of the time are coming from our professors and faculty. Our reader retention among students is unknown, and we are under the impression that students are not picking up the paper. Once this meme was online; however, students liked the meme and a student had even commented, “I read the heck out of that paper!”
This meme is beneficial, though critical, because it allows the current 373 Facebook users who like the page to see that our student newspaper needs more student readers who also give us feedback on how we are doing as a source of campus news. This also informs our staff that maybe we need to focus more on reader outreach.
Criticism comes in all shapes and sizes, and the memes provide a way for bringing out conversations, or just a fun way for us to laugh at our own personal hypocrisies. I now leave you with my favorite St. Kate’s Meme
that makes me laugh because of the sheer exaggeration brought out by the “psychotic wolf” picture. “Are you dead in the shower?”
Two of the many memes currently on the St. Kate’s Facebook page. The wolf (above) is Becky’s favorite, though the one to the right is pretty good too. Photos courtesy of St.Kate’s Memes.
FEATURES4 | The Wheel February 20, 2012
Film review:
By Rachel Armstrongnews editor
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Set in the late 1920s and early 1930s in Hollywood, a silent film star named George Valentin (played by the absolutely dashing Jean Dujardin) is living large until sound is incorporated into films and he can’t make the leap to “talkies.” He spirals adorably, then frustratingly, and is saved by the unwavering love of a bright young woman.
It’s classic cinema, folks.
“The Artist” is a French, black and white, silent film. So naturally, I felt very suave and sophisticated just having seen it. The fact that I was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt and spilled Pepsi on myself is beside the point.
Leaving the film, I felt excited to have been part of the audience, because the film drew from and connected me to the history of silent cinema, the transition to the “talkies.”
Writer and Director Michel Hazanavicius uses the silence creatively throughout the film, interrupting it with sound only rarely. When Hazanavicius does choose to use sound it is intentional, making the effect on the audience, straining for words, powerful.
“The Artist” demands attention from its audience. It doesn’t break its own rules (except very rarely, and, I would argue, to its credit). In true silent film form, the actors are unnecessarily expressive, charming the audience with bright smiles and overdone gestures. Their performances are aided by the silence: we love to look at them, we want to see what they’ll do next. We accept the affected gestures and the film’s now cliche tropes because of the form. It is a reminder of where we came from, of how film can be. Any dialogue is printed periodically on inter-title cards, and the film is backed by a sweeping orchestral soundtrack. Made me feel quite cultured and dapper, really.
After the film, Sarah Wente, Ashley Skwiera and I sat down to further discuss. Here’s a piece of our over-caffeinated conversation:
Ashley: I saw the preview for it and was like, “There is no way I’m going to go to this.”
Rachel: I was afraid I was going to be bored during the movie. I was like, “Oh God, it’s a silent movie, what did I get myself into; what did I agree to review?”
Sarah: It really did something different though. Nowadays you see so many of the same things. People want to make use of CGI and these big explosions and epic fight scenes, so it isn’t very often where you get a film that goes back to “okay let’s rely on [the] facial expressions of our actors.”
R: ...and rely on lighting, just the black and white.
S: Yeah, or the camera angle or the smaller technical aspects to a film.
A: It made you pay attention more since you couldn’t hear it - you had to actually watch it.
R: You really did. We don’t have responsi-bilities as audience members anymore; we just go and stare at the screen. This film forces you to be present and to engage.
Do you think it will win the Oscar?
S: I do. I think it was very well done over-all in terms of technical aspects, and the actors with the silent component worked well together. It was a really good effect.
A: I want to see it again so I can reanalyze everything.
Simply put, this film is charming, the spirit of old Hollywood, and something you should really take the time to go see. Spoilers: there’s also a cute dog.
Characters George Valentin and Peppy Miller dance together in “The Artist,” an Oscar nominee for Best Picture. Photo courtesy of the Weinstein Company.
OSCARS
2012
St. Catherine University students were polled in the cafeteria and asked to vote for best motion picture and best actress out of the Academy Award nominees.
The Academy Awards will be televised Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Right: Film stills from some of this years nominees for Best Picture. All photos from 84th Academy Awards® Nominations Announcement Press Kit Images. Photos courtesy of Touchstone/DavidAppleby (Warhorse), Fox Searchlight (The Descendents), Warner Bros./François Duhamel (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close), Touchstone/Dale Robinette (The Help), Sony Pictures Classics (Midnight in Paris), and Fox Searchlight (The Tree of Life), respectively.
Poll and graphics by Heather Kolnick.
February 20, 2012 FEATURES The Wheel | 5
xxx
xxx
Warhorse
The Descendents
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Midnight in Paris
The Tree of Life
Album:What Are You So
Scared Of?Rating:
Tracklist: 1- Eject, Eject, Eject! 2- Breaking & Entering 3- Starlight 4- Sure As Hell 5- Let It Land 6- Fake It 7- Listening 8- Reason to Sing 9- Safe & Sound 10- Thank You & Goodnight 11- Amelia12- In The First Place13- To Die For14- What Are You So Scared Of?
Release Date:February 14
Website:tonightaliveofficial.com
✮✮✮ 1/2 out of five
By Alexa Chihoseditor-in-chief
Album Review:Tonight Alive
The modern music industry has undergone a substantial transformation in the way bands promote their upcoming release. Many modern bands are taking the opportunity to stream their new album in its entirety on popular music sites, such as altpress.com, or on their own websites. This is a tactic that Australian band Tonight Alive has utilized for their debut full length album, “What Are You So Scared Of?” This album was streamed online at MTV’s Buzzworthy Blog one week before its official United States release date, catching the eyes of those as young as, or younger than, 19 year-old front woman Jenna McDougall.
“What Are You So Scared Of?” is the first full length from Tonight Alive as the band previously released two EPs, “All Shapes and Disguises” and “Consider This” after forming in Sydney in 2008. Anyone who embarks on the journey of listening to a band’s first full length will reminisce on how young a band really is when they first start out in the music industry. This is the case with “What Are You So Scared Of?” as Tonight Alive pushes their musical compositions a step further than their EPs, but does not turn up their lyrical output to match the intensity of the music.
Evident in songs like “Let it Land,” “To Die For” and “Thank You & Goodnight” is the familiarity of lyrics that resonates those of other bands in the genre. In “To Die For” there is a lack of complexity in what McDougall sings of when she croons “She is dressed to kill and he is to die for/She knows he would kill just to hold her on the dance floor/So do we dare to take this dance/cause I’m willing to take the chance/And tonight could be the night baby/Just take my hand I swear we’ll make it right.”
However, “Amelia” is the track that lyrically takes the cake on “What Are You So Scared Of?” There is a true sense of emotion that flows from McDougall’s voice that seems to be missing on the rest of the album, especially when she bellows “And it just doesn’t seem right, was it really your time?/Are we dreaming?/ We’ll never let go of you/Wish you were here, but it’s becoming clear, that Earth’s just not the place for an angel like you/And now we, must let you move forward/Our love lies with you/Our souls fly with you, Amelia.”
Guitarists Whakaio Taahi and Jake Hardy are able to show off a full range of guitar styles throughout “What Are You So Scared Of?” by effortlessly transitioning between pop-punk riffs to ostentatious melodies on tracks “Starlight” and “Fake It.” Matt Best brings intensity on drums to every track on the album, easily the instrument that stands out the most in every song with a complexity evocative of Zac Farro’s percussion contribution on old Paramore records, “All We Know is Falling” and “brand new eyes.”
The only downfall to this record is the lack of lyrical intricacy that is evident on a majority of the songs albeit a few exceptions. Overall, this album is a breath of fresh air and Tonight Alive’s brand of youthful energy awakens an immense desire for summer in the listener. While the “What Are You So Scared Of?” is more than calculated pop-punk, this compilation proves that Tonight Alive is a band to keep on the musical radar as they continue to tour this spring with Go Radio and all summer on the Vans Warped Tour.
Fearless Records calls this Sydney, Australia band a “feisty fivesome ... ready to attack the U.S. with their irrepressible, female-fronted power pop-punk. Lead by Jenna McDougall, their 19 year old ingenue-with-attitude, Tonight Alive has already taken their native scene by storm, developing a rabid young fanbase enthralled by the band’s ebullient, fist-pumping anthemery, arena-sized hooks and high-voltage live performances.” Photo courtesy of Fearless Records.
FEATURES6 | The Wheel February 20, 2012
By Ashley Skwiera
Dressed to impress• Annual event raises awarness for heart disease
The Wheel: How did the event start?
Marie: It was within the Medical Interest Group.
Kristina: This is going to be the 3rd annual. I believe it was Marissa Donatelle, she wanted to do something with the America Heart Association and February is heart health month.
TW: What will students expect?
K: The fashion show is one of the big highlights, especially since we partner with the fashion club. They make, design and donate the dresses for students to model and then auction off. We are also having an acoustic guitarist. We’ll have little booths where [Students can get] blood pressure [and] blood glucose level tests.
M: It’s going to be more than a fashion show this year. There’s going to be more heart health things. Mark Blegen is speaking.
There’s the silent auction and there’s going to be PowerPoints with information and I think it’s going to be more of a cocktail hour, mingling, information booths, there’s going to be the nutrition booth about healthy eating- how to incorporate it into your foods, exercise, how to stay active for your heart. We’re trying to make it more about the heart, but [also] keep the fashion show because that’s a really important part too.
TW: How long does the planning process take? When did you start planning for this event?
K: Marie and I talked about it in May.
M: We really couldn’t do anything until the school year began and then we started with a bang.
J: It just continually keeps going faster and faster, more things to do.
K: We have a lot of great donations this year. Tons of gift cards for restaurants, grocery stores.
J: Coffee. Lots of coffee. Starbucks donated ten bags of coffee.
M: We’re selling T-shirts at the event.
TW: How many people are you expecting to be at the event?
K: We’re hoping between 100-150. I believe
The annual “Little Red Dress” event will be this Saturday, Feb. 25 starting at 7 p.m. in the Ballroom. This semi-formal night will hold various activities such as the popular fashion show to raise money towards the American Heart Association. The Wheel had the opportunity to sit down with three of the student organizers to discuss the process of holding a benefit show:
Marie Nordahl, JuniorKristina Poss, SophomoreJulia Johnson, First Year
there were about 80 last year. M: But years before that there were a little
over a hundred. We’re hoping for more. If
cause you feel that’s what they get asked all the time, but we had six of us going out. That really separates the load so everybody asked a little bit.
J: I noticed people were really excited to donate. Especially around here because they know St. Kate’s. I went down to Highland so they all know exactly where St. Kate’s is. A lot of people are employed at these businesses that go to St. Kate’s. At Menchie’s the worker I talked to went to St. Kate’s so they were willing to help and donate.
TW: How does this connect back to St. Kate’s?
K: Heart disease is the number one killer of women so at a school that focuses on
too. And even some groups are donating baskets to the silent auction. The Commuter Club is pooling together, creating an auction basket. What else has been fun?
J: Making posters and designing things, like the poster in the atrium.
M: It’s been lots of emailing but it’s been worth it. We really have great group members that have been doing a lot. Cara Shaffer in the Student Center for Activities (SCA) office has been fantastic. Points in the right direction.
TW: If someone was thinking about going to Little Red Dress, what would you tell them?
J: It’s going to be a fun opportunity for people to get together and dress up and see an acoustic guitarist. There is so many activities packed into one night.
M: Even if you just want to come for the music and munch on some snacks and catch up with your girlfriends, it’s still a fun way to dress up and learn about heart health, hear the speaker, listen to music, go to some of the booths. And it all goes to a great cause. All proceeds from T-shirts go to the American Heart Association [as well as] 75 percent of ticket sales.
K: And all the silent auction, dresses, everything.
J: That’s another thing too, people will buy the dresses so you can help the fashion club and the aspiring designer by buying their dress so that’s a cool aspect too.
TW: The dresses in the fashion show?
M: [They] are all auctioned,. They donate them which is really great, so donate for those dresses because a lot of hard work got put into those dresses. The only thing that doesn’t go to them is a little of the ticket sales to pay for the event. Student Senate has donated a lot of money, [too].
M: Tickets are $3 for students and $5 general admittance.
TW: How much money was raised in past years?
M: I want to say like $1500 and we’re really hoping for more.
TW: What do you think will be the highlight of the event?
M: I don’t know everyone’s been talking big about Mark Blegen everyone keeps saying he’s a really good speaker. I’m excited to see what the clubs come up with for their booths.
As a part of the Amy Marie Sears Memorial Visiting Artist Series, St. Catherine University (SCU) will be hosting artist Chakaia Booker. Booker, a sculptor who lives and works in New York, will create a collaborative and interactive sculpture project for members of the SCU community to contribute to.
The project, titled “Repurposing,” will run from Feb. 20 – 23 in the 2nd floor gallery of the Visual Arts Building. The artist asks that participants bring everyday, common items that they are willing to discard but have some sort of emotional quality. These items will be “repurposed” and put together using various forms of fastening to produce a sculpture that is colorful, textured, and full of emotion. The installation will end two to three hours before 7 p.m. on Feb. 23, when a lecture by Booker will take place.
Photos courtesy of Chakaia Booker.
Visiting artist: Chakaia Booker
more come and it’s overcrowded it’s great. Another thing we’re having is a photo area because it’s a semi-formal event it’s an excuses for especially people on campus to get dressed up, go to something that’s a benefit and get a picture taken with your friends. So we tried to get a “Step and Repeat” from the American Heart Association but we couldn’t because we’re not associated with the national, we’re associated with the state level, so we’re going to make one! So you know you can get your photo taken with your friends, get your blood pressure checked, you blood glucose level checked, get recipes [and] make a heart pledge bracelet.
J: That one’s for the Medical Interest Group booth and so you’ll make a little bracelet and then when the charm falls off your wish comes true. Associated with that we’re going to do a “I pledge to make smarter eating choices” or “exercise more to help my heart.”
M: So it’s like everybody makes a pledge to themselves. It’s just a little thread so when the thread breaks it’s suppose to be your pledge.
TW: How did you personally get involved?
K: We were voted chairs last May.
M: When voting came up [in Medical Interest Group] Kristina and I were both like “we’ll do it, we both like planning stuff.” And we were voted in. I don’t think I sought it out, [but] I’m excited.
TW: Has it been a positive experience?
M: Yes. I’m really astounded by how helpful people are. Our committee, they have been doing so much. It’s so hard to go out to a community and ask people to donate
women doing better and changing the world why don’t we grab something that will make such
a difference in women’s lives if we’re able to stop it because heart disease
is preventable.
TW: What has been your favorite part of the planning
process?
K: Honestly it has been really fun. I really like it. I really like working with Marie and the committee.
M : I l i k e t h e collaboration of all the groups wanting to get involved too.
K : B a c k t o t h e connection to St. Kate’s too, we’re involved with the Fashion Club and the Nutrition Club, Exercise and Sport
Science and Public Health so it’s kinda
b r i n g i n g s o m e o f t h o s e t o g e t h e r too.
M: The d i f ferent
clubs together to work together towards something. Even though we’re
the organizers we still want other people to be involved
The Little Red Dress fashion show is an annual benefit for the American Heart As-sociation put on by St. Kate’s Medical Interest Group (MIG). Icon courtesy of SCU Medical Interest Group (MIG).
FEATURES & HEALTHFebruary 20, 2012 The Wheel | 7
Submitted by the Wheel Staff
• Wheel staff shares how to live through a Minnesota winter (or lack thereof)
SAD got you down?
While winter has been exceedingly chaotic, we may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to the chilly blues, or maybe because we never really experienced the crunch of snow under our boots. With that said, here are some ways to combat SAD and some other related stresses happening at this time of the year, courtesy of the Wheel editorial staff.
Coming from an all-women’s college to a
Machismo society (male-dominated) here in
the Dominican Republic is overwhelming and
frustrating at times. Women walking alone
(especially at night) are taking a huge risk;
women do the majority of the cooking and
tend to the children; women are routinely
cat-called on the streets with comments such
as “princessa” and “preciosa”; women serve as
housekeepers that tidy up the places where
families live. It is not my intention to speak
poorly of the wonderful country in which I
currently reside but instead to expose some
of the differences I have noticed in gender
roles. Granted, women here can and do work
outside the home and have many rights
such as the right to vote and to own land.
Nonetheless, I still feel a sense of inferiority
as a female in everyday life.
Well, maybe the situation for women here has
progressed more than I give it credit. Recently,
I visited a museum for the Mirabal Sisters—the
women (yes, females) that initiated the demise
of the brutal Trujillo dictatorial regime in 1961.
A brief historical summary (and great way
for me to review what I have been learning
in my socioeconomic and political processes
class): Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina was
the leader of the Dominican Republic from
1930 to 1961. Minerva Mirabal, a bright
Dominican lady who grew up working on
a farm in the country, realized the atrocities
that were occurring under his rule and acted.
That’s right—a woman played the pivotal
role in the opposition. How she actually
managed to do this in a country dominated
by males, I have no idea. Two of her three
sisters joined her along with growing numbers
of community members in spreading the
truth. For their opposition efforts, these
three sisters were assassinated on November
Thoughts from abroad: ‘Princessa! Preciosa!’ By Anna Hayesinternational columnist
The graves of three of the Mirabal sisters and one of their husbands reside on the grounds of the Mirabal Museum in the Dominican Republic. These women were ac-tively involved in political opposition to Dominican leader Trujillo, a cause for which they lost their lives. Photo courtesy of Anna Hayes.
Alexa Chihos (editor-in-chief): Winter has surprisingly been quite pleasant for me this year as I am rather fond of the lack of snow in my environmental landscape. However, the cold and cloudy days that have been plentiful this season managed to work their way into my mood. To combat this response, I always listen to upbeat August Burns Red songs like “Poor Millionaire,” “Back Burner” and “White Washed” at relatively high volumes so I am left feeling more energized than downtrodden.
Sarah Wente (layout designer): I really like snow, so what’s probably made me saddest this winter is the lack thereof. But though I enjoy the cold and darkness that winter always brings, without snow, it just isn’t the same. I find that natural sunlight really helps to keep me in a pleasant mood, so I always keep the blinds open in the dorm room to let as much sunlight in as possible. I don’t turn on the room lights until I absolutely need to. I also try to get as much sleep as possible, as this helps stabilize my moods and fight off the depression of gray, snowless days.
Becky Doucette (managing editor): As winter continues in a confused manner, I know I’ve succumbed to sadness in such a chaotic season. However, what has helped me the most is actually overdressing for the weather. This way when I enter the warmth, I am pleasantly surprised because the weather has exceeded my expectations! As I shed a layer or two of my blizzard outfit, I feel as though winter is fleeting.
Rachel Armstrong (news editor): One of the only things that got me on a plane back to snowy Minn. from a country named after the equator was the promise of knee-deep snow and all the heavy winter silence that goes along with it. I was sorely disappointed returning to soggy brown grass and patches of ice. Since we can’t look forward to the usual lunch tray sledding or snowperson building that would get our hearts pumping and frozen blood flowing during normal Minn. winters, I’ve been taking advantage of the warm weather and ice-free sidewalks to get outside. Exercise releases endorphins which make me
(and everyone) generally happier. Plus the sun, though weak, is always helpful.
Anne Moe (sections editor): The limited hours of daylight of the season can be such a downer, and like many people I am affected by the winter weather. Caffeine and staying busy are the two things that keep me from getting the winter blues. Classes, work, volunteering and friends have kept me so busy that I haven’t had time to think about the gray skies and chilly temperatures.
Heather Kolnick (photo editor): When I moved to Minnesota, all of my friends and family from sunny California (1) thought I was insane, and (2) were waiting for me to complain about the snow and the cold. So, whenever I get upset about the weather, my coping strategy is to call my dad and shout, “It’s 3 degrees outside and I FEEL FANTASTIC!” During the wintertime, I hibernate in the land of denial.
Your favorite tunes (whatever genre they may be) can help ward off seasonal depression.
Bundle up, then shed layers. You’ll trick yourself into thinking spring is coming, even though it might not be around for a while yet.
SPORTS8 | The Wheel February 20, 2012
Anything but net
In collegiate athletics, it’s all about the numbers. The number of injured and new players affects the number of wins and losses, and those numbers can affect the mentality of the team if the negative effect of the loses outweighs the collective love of playing the game. For the St. Catherine University (SCU) basketball team, the numbers were simply not in their favor this season. After beginning the season with a win, the wildcats went on to lose the next 22 games.
Becoming a team was a challenge for the wildcats. Many of the older and more experienced players left the team after last season, and only five upperclassmen remained. First years needed to step up to the plate without the advantage of watching their older peers. Injuries also factored into the steep learning curve as one player was unable to compete for the entire season, and four more players were unable to compete for a combined total of 18 games.
“I would compare the youth on our team to a student coming to college for a chemistry major and having to start out with a Junior and Senior curriculum,” Head Coach Gary Rufsvold said. “You learn how to be a team in many ways, one way is to observe older experienced players and with the injuries we often would start four freshmen.”
One student, whose injuries prevented her from playing this season, had a unique perspective of observation. She was able to watch the team come together and grow in a way that many others are not able to do.
“Everyone on the team brought a talent and personality that was beneficial to the team. Although our stats may not show that this year, we are definitely improving, and will come back stronger next year,” Madison Pertler, a junior student, said.
By Anne Moesections editor
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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GET INVOLVED!
If you have an idea for publication, suggestion for future issues, or an interest in writing, please attend!
Meetings are held in the Student Organization Center of the Coeur de Catherine at 5 p.m.
February 24, 2012 -6:30 p.m. Tennis vs. University of St. Thomas at Fridley Lifetime Fitness -7:30 p.m. Hockey vs. St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN-Track & Field at the St. Olaf Open in Northfield, MN
February 25, 2012 -2:00 p.m. Hockey vs. St. Olaf College at St. Paul Academy Drake Arena -6:30 p.m. Tennis vs. Macalester College at the U of M Baseline
March 2, 2012 -9:00 a.m. Softball vs. University of Dallas at the Rosemount Dome -Track & Field MIAC Championships
March 3, 2012 -3:00 p.m. Tennis vs. St. Olaf College at the U of M Baseline -Track & Field MIAC Championships
After a difficult season, basketball team hopes for a rebound next year
Even without many wins to their name, there is still a sense of humor and lightheartedness held by the wildcats. The positivity and goal for future improvement show players’ dedication to the sport that many of them have been playing for more than ten years. They are not afraid of poking fun at themselves.
“I wish we’d figured out the way to make the ball go through the hoop more often. That’s how you win games in basketball, right?” Sarah Mong, a first year student, said.
At the end of the season, there is only so much that can be done in hopes of winning, but that does not mean that hard work and dedication have been thrown under the bus in the meantime.
“It becomes more about playing our best and doing what we know we can do. At this point in the season it is about going out and working hard and knowing we did everything we could that game,” Molly Peterson, an assistant coach who played basketball for SCU from 2007 to 2010, said.
Even after a season filled with injuries and struggle, there is still a positive attitude shared by the team with hope that next season will bring more success. Often, it is the darkest right before dawn, and the team hopes that their darkness will end with the season.
“Sometimes you need to change even if in the short run you go backwards and things get worse. Change and risk are what you need. This season has been hard, but I believe it has laid the ground work for a future,” Rufsvold said. “No one knows how hard a season like this is unless you have experienced it yourself.”
