2012 Issue 9

THE JOYS OF EARLY SPRING ARE UPON US Student Events holds Easter egg hunt for happy kids | Page 9

NEWS Graphic design students rock the ADDYs | Page 2 PERSPECTIVE Rape accusations make waves| Page 6

ttheSent Sentinel en inel ent LIFESTYLES NIC student touches lives in Nepal | Page 15

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE

MONDAY |APRIL 9, 2012

WWW.NIC SENTINEL .C OM

Volume 65 | Issue 9

CAMPUS

Interim VP assumes role at NIC Perez officially began position March 6 Christina Villagomez Staff Contributor

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See PEREZ | Page 4

Trickin’ it up Freestyle stunt riding group performs extreme wheelies in the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.

Sports Page 18

Ryan YellowJohn performs a hoop dance in the SUB last Wednesday. Amy Brandt/Sentinel

History comes full circle NIC celebrates American Indian Heritage Week April 2-6

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Kaye Thornbrugh  Asst. Features Editor

red and blue glow rose behind the stage, and an array of lights faded in like stars when the pipe music began— ethereal and dreamlike, floating through the auditorium like the music of another world. Members of the audience held their breaths, transfixed.

Bill Birdsong Miller was the man behind the pipes. Purple lights drifted over the three-time Grammy winner as he opened his show at NIC for the InterTribal show, part of American Indian Heritage Week, a celebration of culture and history April 2-6.

Organized by the American Indian Student Alliance, Heritage Week was designed to cultivate a sense of community, and to be a “sensory experience,” said Evanlene Melting Tallow, AISA adviser.

“We want to show all facets of the culture,” Melting Tallow said. “Historic, artistic, contemporary. It’s like you’re using all your senses this week.”

The events of Heritage Week, including a silent auction and InterTribal Food Feast, helped fund the Che’nshish Scholarship for enrolled tribal members and descendents attending NIC. The club took in about $1,500, Melting Tallow said. Since its inception in 2010, the scholarship fund has risen to around $35,000—money that will fulfill the meaning of “Che’nshish,” a Coeur d’Alene tribal expression meaning “to assist, provide for, and give to others.”

QUOTABLE

IC has a new interim vice president of instruction.

Jim Perez officially took over the position March 6.

Perez will be filling the role for six months, until after a new college president is selected to replace current president Priscilla Bell, and the search for a Jim new vice president Perez can of ficially begin.

“As much as I enjoy working, I was getting very comfortable with being retired,” Perez said, after confirming that he has no plans to seek a permanent position with NIC. A Spokane resident, with a long history of working as a college administrator, Perez served as college president of Spokane’s Institute for Extended Learning for five years. Before then he was the vice president for “I’m always student services at Shoreline Comvery much munity College impressed and was the associate dean of with the student developenergy ment services at Columbia Basin students Community Colexhibit lege. Perez also worked at Eastern in their Washington Unithirst for versity and Gonknowledge.” zaga University.

Since retiring, however, Perez JIM PEREZ has also filled in Interim vice president as interim vice president for several Spokane colleges. Despite being given several opportunities to take interim positions across the country, Perez has turned them down, preferring to stay local where he can be close to family.

It’s this impressive resume and close location that Perez believes led Bell, who he’s known since early in his career when the two were serving in the student services of separate colleges, to ask him to fill the job.

While Perez said there has been some challenge in learning the finer points of an Idaho education system that differs greatly from its Washington counterpart, and the expected awkwardness of jumping into a new position, he says that his co-workers have been nothing but extremely helpful.

A welcoming, helpful staff and an enthusiastic faculty that is “reflective of the quality education” at NIC are part of the reason Perez said the people on campus are his favorite part of the college.

Perez said he also appreciates the students.

“I’m always very much impressed with the energy

“ I am pretty sure Irish boxers eat roundhouse kicks every day with afternoon tea. ”

Perspectives Page 6

Marie Poirier kicked off the celebration Monday morning with storytelling, followed by a presentation on the history of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe from Quanah Matheson. The Shooting Star Dancers—a dance group comprised of children and teenagers—performed in the SUB. Artisans from around the region gave art demonstrations Tuesday including basket weaving with Jacque Rickard and contemporary handbags with Diane Bebonie.

Merle Big Bow, a Montana-based artist, demonstrated how to build a traditional rawhide drum.

“Treat it like a baby,” Big Bow advised his audience, as he carefully trimmed the rawhide along the drumhead, preparing to stitch it in place. “It represents the heartbeat of the people. Take care of it and put it in a place of honor.”

Valentina LaPier, whose artwork is in private collections and exhibitions throughout the world, led a demonstration of acrylics on canvas. LaPier said that she draws inspiration from historical Native

“I really believe, as a Blackfeet, that I have an obligation to express Blackfeet images,” LaPier said, while working on an expressionist portrait of a Native man.

Dancers from Tangled Roots Dance Studio in Spokane performed the hoop dance Wednesday In the hoop dance, a dancer uses up to 30 hoops to imitate animals—the spinning of an eagle in flight, the bounce of a rabbit, the graceful leaps of a deer.

“The hoop represents life, family, friendship and community,” said dancer Shanner Escalanti. “We try to give back to our community by sharing this dance.”

Later, Coeur d’Alene tribal member Norma Peone taught “stick game,” a traditional American Indian guessing game.

For Peone, teaching stick game was an emotional experience. Her younger sister reintroduced the game to their family about ten years ago—but since then,

Peone’s sister has passed away.

“It’s a little difficult for me today because of recent loss,” she said, twisting a turtle-shell rattle, a gift from her sister, between her hands. “But she was my baby sister, and she would’ve wanted us to do this.”

At a free craft workshop, families made dream catchers, choker necklaces, pony bead necklaces and Yakima Dolls. Later, they viewed a puppet show performed by AISA members Amanda

images.

WHERE TO START News..............................1

Games.........................13

Perspectives..................5

Lifestyles.....................14

A&E..............................8

Sports..........................17

Coast to Coast.......10 & 11

Back Page.....................20

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monday, APRIL 9, 2012

Funding concerns prompt Citylink route changes

Student Union Building stop may be taken off route, replaced with Hubbard, Mullan, Garden avenues Christina Villagomez Staff Contributor

The Citylink bus stop outside on College Drive may no longer receive service later this month. Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel

Budget projection falls short Spring semester revenue did not reach fall semester expectations Christina Villagomez Staff Contributor Due to enrollment leveling off, NIC has fallen just short of its projected budget this semester.

Spring tuition revenue fell short by $300,000 of projected estimates.

“We have a higher number of parttime students than full-time, and so that naturally changes the revenue picture for us, because we budget by headcount instead of FTE [full-time enrollment],” said Vice President for Resource Management Ron Dorn. “It was really just a switch from full-time to part-time, even though our numbers were up.”

Dorn also pointed to a decrease in out-of-state students as another contributing factor.

According to Dorn, the shortfall

isn’t cause for worry, however, due to a small surplus of money projected to be unused in other areas of the budget.

“We have the opportunity to reduce some of our expenditures to cover that, so it’s really not an issue for us,” Dorn said. “Most people really won’t notice any changes, because it won’t really affect us.”

While tuition drops are not a major issue this semester, they do stand as a sign of what Dorn calls “a major change in revenue streams.”

Despite a major decline in state funding, North Idaho College has managed to maintain a steady income by the large growths in enrollment.

Dorn cautions that if this growth continues to level off, or begins to drop as the economy bounces back, and if there is no increase in state

funding, the college may have to begin to look into raising tuition prices and property taxes.

However, Dorn said NIC would look to neither option as an immediate solution and would instead look to budget tightening and increased efficiency first in such events.

“One of our challenges is to try to read that crystal ball and try to determine when that drop [in enrollment] is going to happen, so that we don’t budget a higher tuition than we are going to get,” said Sarah Garcia, a controller at NIC who helps manage the business office and put the budget together.

Garcia pointed to past drops when NIC was needed to cut over $1 million from its budget. “You just kind of have to look at outside indicators and try to account for it appropriately.”

Citylink has proposed major changes to its urban routes.

The changes include eliminating Red Route A, adding more stops to the other routes, reduction of service hours to 10 p.m., shortening route times to an hour, reduction of paratransit services and eliminating certain stops all together, such as the stop on campus.

The eliminated “A” route will largely be absorbed by the “B” route.

Another casualty will be a few routes farther into Hayden.

Replacing the campus stop will be new stops on Hubbard Street and Mullan and Garden avenues.

“Our “Our challenge is to work to see if what, if anychallenge is thing, can be done to continto work to ue the route [stop],” Mark Browning, vice president see if what, for marketing and commuif anything, nications, said. “If it’s not can be done right here at the Student Union is there something to continue that can be done to get it the route closer? What would it cost, and how do we pay for it?” [stop].”

Browning indicated that the college has approached ASNIC with the MARK BROWNING idea of charging a small NIC VP of Marketing and student fee to help of fCommunications set the cost of coming onto the campus, but he said at this time they didn’t sound open to the idea.

The proposed changes, which will go into effect sometime in mid- to late-April, are the result of low ridership in certain areas and an unsustainable budget.

“In 2008, we added the ‘C’ route, and from there the costs just skyrocketed,” said Heather Keen, public relations director for the Coeur d’Alene tribe.

Citylink is made available through a federal grant of $500,000 that was to be matched by the Coeur d’Alene tribe. However, the system has gone over budget and, as a result, instead of just matching $500,000, the tribe has actually been paying around $1 million for the past three years.

“The tribe has been actually overmatching [the federal grant] significantly,” Browning said. “It’s unreasonable to expect them to continue to do that.”

According to Andrew Murphy, Citylink assistant transportation manager, the decision to eliminate the campus stop wasn’t just a budget matter.

“Part of the lost time element is within the FortGrounds complex because of the low speed limit that eats up the time,” Murphy said. “So if the bus makes a circuit, you have to look at every aspect of it to see if you can minimize that headway.”

By eliminating all stops on private property, Citylink is also limiting liability.

Murphy and Keen were both quick to note, however, that these changes are not set in stone.

“By reducing to this truncated route, it’s a stable financial block, and all the partners in the Citylink system can now contribute,” Murphy said. “We can build upon this foundation, and hopefully when things get a little better, and improve the overall service area.”

NIC graphic design students rule regional awards Spokane American Advertising Federation holds annual award ceremony, recognizes student work Jake Wright Martin Staff Contributor

red lights and candles on the tables.

There were some technical difficulties with the microphone cutting on and off, so some awards ended up IC’s Graphic Design stubeing yelled out, but the crowd didn’t dents took gold and silver seem to mind. On the contrary, the in the Spokane American room seemed to buzz with nervous enAdvertising Federation’s ergy as people waited for their or their ADDY awards. friends’ names to be called.

This event holds great significance When the event concluded, a in the advertising community because party bus, blasting hip-hop music and it provides students with the chance flashing with neon lights, picked up to get their name out to major compaparty-goers and ferried them to an nies, and it gives those companies a after-party being held at the A Club in place to find the best of the best. downtown Spokane.

Ashley Chaffin took Spokane is actually a sefirst in graphic design, “In the world cret hub for the advertising web design, and secindustry in the Northwest. of graphic ond in desktop publishCompanies such as AT&T, the design, ing this year at the state NFL and even the Grammies Business Professionals you’re going have locations in Spokane. of America competition.

Businesses pay attention to to keep The NIC design this event in order to scout team plans to continlearning.” out new, motivated individuals ue on to the national to join their conglomerations.

Business Profession“In order to graduate Phillipe Vale als of America comfrom this program, you have NIC Instructor petition in Chicago to have an internship and be to defend their title. an active member of some This year’s award ceremony was piece of the industry out there; actuheld in the Spokane Masonic Cen- ally get your feet wet,” said Anderas ter. Tickets were $55 each, and “busi- Barunlich, graphic design.

With this as a requirement for ness casual” attire, which ranged anywhere from jeans and collared shirts graduation, students are given a major to tuxedos, was expected. During leg up in the industry. Students that do the awards, the lights were dimmed well at the ADDYs are then recognized and the room was lit mainly by soft by major companies.

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“Those students are mingling with professionals that probably will hire them tomorrow,” said Phillipe Vale, graphic design instructor for NIC. NIC’s graphic design department has done such things as the poster for the drama club’s play “Third,” the NJCAA National Wrestling Tournament animation and logo, a local school logo for KTEC and regularly produces the ASNIC cover.

“In the world of graphic design, you’re going to keep learning,” Vale said. “Why? Because we use technology.”

The graphic design team recently moved from its old location on the main NIC campus, to a new, larger facility in the Riverbend Commerce Park in Post Falls. The new location is directly across the street from NIC’s Post Falls workforce training center.

This building features a movie-making room with one of the only built-in green screen systems around.

Students of the graphic design department are highly dedicated, sometimes staying at the office all night so as to be ready to present their work.

Some projects must be completed with only one or two days’ notice. For the students, building a strong portfolio is what will ultimately get them a job.

“That’s the kind of dedication that companies and places around here are looking for,” Chaffin said. “You really have to build up your portfolio.”

Ryan Maskell, graphic design, and Kayla Panton, graphic design, at the ADDYs. Courtesy of Phillipe Vale

DID YOU KNOW? Households that take public transportation and use one fewer car can save $9,900 per year.

www.nicsentinel.com

NEWS

the sentinel | 3

Tips for medical success Speaker presents suggestions to pre-med students Joyce Hargrove Copy Editor

This involves how students react to stress, multitasking, handling situations and problem solving. They also perform medical scenarios that must be acted upon.

NIC pre-med students learned ways to Baringa said she grew up on a sheep succeed in their chosen field at a March ranch in Cambridge, Idaho and explored 6 presentation sponsored by WWAMI various medical fields before becoming a (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana family physician in Plummer. and Idaho medical school cooperative).

“I had no idea what being a doctor Guest speaker Mary Baringa, assistant meant,” she said. “I’m here to say Grey’s dean for regional af fairs at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Anatomy is not what it’s about. TV medistarted off by saying, “I want to keep this cine is not reality.”

Idaho funds 20 new WWAMI medical casual tonight; I don’t students each year, with want to lecture you.” She students spending their added that one of the first year in Moscow, worst ways to learn is in their second year in a lecture hall, citing active Seattle and third and or problem-based learnfourth years at clinical The WWAMI Medical ing as a better alternative. sites throughout Idaho.

“Research experience Program is “committed Idaho had 20 seats is a good thing to have to helping prepare available in 1971, Barunder your belt,” Baringa inga said, and today said. “Job shadowing gives physicians for primary there are 20 seats. The you a good idea of what care practice, regardless figures don’t add up, people do and volunteershe said. Legislators of eventual subspeciality ing shows a willingness to are working to increase put others first.” selection, and to the number of slots Grades are not the increasing the number of available, thus keepwhole story, she said, noting students in Idaho ing that the medical prophysicians who choose the entire four years fession takes a look at the to practice in rural or by creating a residency whole applicant. If you’ve training opportunity in underserved areas.” gone the extra distance, Coeur d’Alene. that’s impor tant. Some“There is a tsunami one who can reflect is just coming, and we’re not as meaningful as someone prepared for it,” she with a long list of achievements, she said.

Things the medical profession looks for said. According to Baringa, Idaho is short on doctors and there is a huge need for include a passion for medicine, shadowing health professions. Idaho is one of the oldexperience, college course completion, acest physician workforces and ranks 49 in ademic excellence, research experiences, the nation of doctors per capita. good communication skills, compassion/ Make yourselves as competitive as posempathy, work experience, letters of recsible, she said, for by the year 2016 there ommendation, extracurricular activities, will be more qualified students than we services/volunteer work, leadership and have residencies for. maturity.

“We must stay current,” she said, warnAdmission requirements include one ing that the medical profession is always year of biology, one year of physics, one changing. Ninety percent of what we learn year of English, two years of chemistry, today is proven false in five years, she said. physician shadowing research and the She advised students who are serious Medical College Application Test (MCAT). about exploring the medical field to get in Additionally, an MMI (multiple miniinterview) is conducted, which Baringa de- contact with an advisor, “if it’s the only information you take home tonight.” scribed as the “speed dating of medicine.”

A Closer Look

|i 8

: Run for Pie on Pi Day

Gabe Green/Sentinel

Bob Vogeler, an NIC math instructor, raced 3.14 miles in honor of March 14, or Pi Day. Pie was sold at the event for $1 a slice. Proceeds benefited United Way, a leadership and support organization found in more than 40 countries.

Mary Baringa, assistant dean for regional affairs at the University of Washington School of Medicine, tells what the medical community looks for. Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel

Looking for candidates ASNIC office-seekers discuss their plans, ideas

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n April 13, ASNIC will be holding spring elections.

NIC students will elect eight new senators, as well as a new vice president and president.

There are currently 15 candidates running.

For senate: Clinton Marsters, Andy Hughes, Joshua Brands, Gustave Lester, Angel Hartz, Duncan Menzies, Christopher Deane, Justin Blakley, Michelle Mori.

For vice president: Joey Pena, Sarah Greene.

For president: Elora King, Aimee Clark, Julie Salinas.

While all the candidates have a different campaign focus, the most common themes heard from them wer e communication and unity.

The majority of the candidates expressed a desire to build stronger communication ties between ASNIC and the student body, and raise awareness about campus clubs, student events and resources.

Each of the presidential candidates has their own ideas of how they would use their position to attempt to create change.

King, for example, wants to use positivity to make changes.

Clark wants to use her experience as a non-traditional student to bring a different perspective to the office, and Salinas is running because she feels she would make a great leader.

To qualify, all candidates had to have

a 2.5 GPA and, if elected, senators are required to take 12 credits, while the president and vice president are required to take eight.

Senator duties include: belonging to a minimum of three campus committees, working with campus clubs, constructing projects that address student concerns, and voting on business brought before the ASNIC board and developing an annual budget to be brought before the board of trustees.

The president’s duties include: calling special sessions of the board in the case of unforeseen concerns or situations, nominating senators to work on ASNIC or college-related committees, serving as a representative to the board of trustees, creating a committee of board members in the event of a vacant senate seat to appoint a replacement, keeping the ASNIC adviser updated and informed about all things pertinent to ASNIC, establishing the dates for the ASNIC board to meet and presiding over all ASNIC meetings and sessions.

The vice president’s duties include: assuming all the duties of the president in the president’s absence, attending all ASNIC Executive board meetings, appointing a senator to be the Intra-Club Council (ICC) chair and assuming all the duties of the ICC chair in the chair’s absence.

Once elected, all new ASNIC members will officially assume their positions after the induction ceremony on April 24.

Students will have five days to vote.

News

4 | the sentinel

Monday, APRIL 9, 2012

Phi Theta Kappa honor society elects new officers

Delta Kappa Chapter swears in newest members at induction ceremony, President Priscilla Bell speaks Joyce Hargrove & Tala Wood Copy Editor; News Editor The new Phi Theta Kappa officers were announced March 14.

The winners are as follows: President Blake Williams, Vice President Shelley Colhoff, Secretary Vanesa Braun, Scholarship Coordinator Mariah Chavez and Public Relations Officer Duncan Menzies.

Williams said his interest in Phi Theta Kappa was deeply rooted in his eagerness to help others as well as his search for scholarly knowledge. He felt that in order to become a successful team, members must be able to work cohesively as a group.

“They need a leader to guide them and not boss them, for without a team you would just be a leader with nothing to lead,” he said.

“I am very excited to serve as your Delta Kappa President but I am even more excited to become friends with each and every one of you,” he said.

Colhoff described herself as a “hard

worker” and a “go-getter.” She said she looked forward to experiencing the behindthe-scenes of what she has only been a part of as a member.

“I am willing to put in the time and effor t to make Phi Theta Kappa activities and meetings the place ever yone will want to be,” she said.

Braun said, “Teamwork is all about communication and compromise. Without these two aspects, no project would ever be completed.”

Fur ther mor e, she said she is willing to devote all the time necessar y to attend meetings and participate in events.

Chavez describes herself as “helpful” and “honest” and said she enjoys par ticipating in group projects.

“My personal philosophy is that if everyone is clear about their responsibilities… many people can accomplish what one per-

New computer policy Protocol on email, Internet, privacy change Christina Villagomez Staff Contributor NIC is in the process of updating its computer policy.

The policy, which has now been divided into two separate policies, an email policy and a rules of use and privacy policy, is expected to be passed by the board of trustees at their next meeting.

All together, the policies received 10 key updates. The rules of acceptable use and privacy had the following updates: updated language, with current terminology being used, Internet bandwidth is now labeled as a “shared source,” the importance of password protection is now noted, communications references have now been moved to a separate email policy, and access is now defined separately as either being student or employee for enforcement purposes.

According to Steve Ruppel, director of information technology, and author of the re-writes, this last point is an important one to note.

“When the policy was written in the ‘90s, we did not have student email, so when we revised the policy, we had to think about it in terms of, ‘We’re not just talking to staff or employees, we’re talking about all email system users that we provide.’ We’re talking to students as well,” Ruppel said. “When the procedure was written and the enforcement policy as procedure was written, what we did was point—if the policy wasn’t adhered to by students, they go to the student code of conduct to have that reviewed.”

According to Ruppel, this makes it simpler, with employees answering to

>PEREZ

from page 1 students exhibit in their thirst for knowledge,” Perez said. “Coming here I get rejuvenated by that. I love seeing that. I love working on a college campus.”

A desire to help students, particularly under-represented populations, was Perez’s primary motivation for initially specializing in community college systems.

The youngest of the nine children in a family of migrant workers, Perez was the first to attend college.

“I realized there were many individuals like me, who need opportunities to access and complete college,” Perez said.

NIC, with a large number of nontraditional students and several outreach centers in rural areas, is a perfect fit for him, according to Perez.

their bosses individually for policy violations.

The email policy also received five updates: it now notes that email systems are provided for official communications, and are an official resource, people are now allowed to redirect emails from their NIC accounts to their private accounts, and with limited liability for the college, added “non-allowed” uses, as defined by Idaho statutes and policies, stated that emails are “non-record copies” to clarify that the college is not keeping archives of emails, and emphasizing their use as a communication tool only, removed references to rules of acceptable use and privacy.

All updated policies were crosschecked by lawyers to ensure that none violated federal policies such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and that they were sound and legal.

Two faculty members, Joe Jacoby and Carl Curtis, had concerns over possible privacy issues involving information technology personnel doing system monitoring, concerns over what information technology personnel are monitoring, and how often the policy will be updated.

Ruppel explained that information technology personnel do not screen content, just the hardware, and it does so to keep an eye on safety, reliability, cost effectiveness and performance.

He also said the policy is not projected to have to be updated again in the near future.

The revision process began over a year ago, when NIC President Priscilla Bell charged Ruppel with modernizing the policy, which had been created in 1996, and last updated in 1999.

“They [non-traditional students] just need support, they just need an opportunity. That’s why I like community colleges. They have an open door policy,” Perez said. “Colleges like NIC are meeting that need, and it’s very rewarding to be a part of that process.”

During the early portion of his career, Perez was heavily involved in growing Eastern Washington University’s Chicano Education Program from its origin as a club into a program, something he considers one of his proudest accomplishments.

He has also been involved with TRIO, a student support service, for many years.

During his time here, he said he hopes to volunteer some of his free time to the campus’ own Latino Club.

“I’d like to get to know them [the members] and their program, see where they’re at, and see if I can help in any way,” Perez said.

son could not,” she said.

Menzies said he loves helping people achieve their heart-felt passions and would offer new ideas for Phi Theta Kappa.

“Teamwork for me is humility,” he said.

NIC President Priscilla Bell spoke at the local Delta Kappa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa induction of its new members for the fall 2012 semester, and swearing in of its new officers March 21 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

“Phi Theta Kappa is really an outstanding student organization,” Bell said. “The PTK members are the best of the best.”

Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1910 as a society called Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. In 1918, it was organized into a new honorary society, and the new name Phi Theta Kappa was applied. PTK became the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.

Conquer math anxiety Joyce Hargrove Copy Editor

“The more organized, the smoother it goes,” he said. Topsy-turvy is not good, he warned. Become more, not less, organized. Klassen summed up some skills Last month’s seminar entitled “The used in six easy steps.

End of Math Anxiety & Ensuring Math “Don’t let yourself down until you’re Success” taught NIC students better coping mechanisms with difficulties they face finished; you will be surprised. I could not believe how much five minutes saves,” he in math classes. said.

NIC math instructor John Klassen said, “Don’t ever think you can’t do it; you “A little anxiety is good; are a genius just as it gets us going.” But he much as anyone else,” warned that we must he said. Your whole atembrace anxiety and titude changes once you turn it into something realize you’re responpositive. “If you treat sible for your learning.

Klassen’s six steps: it that way, you’ll see Listening is a skill that 1. Preview next section things look different.” can be improved, he His checklist for before next class said. If you don’t have math success began any questions, you’re 2.

In class, listen intently with a simple formula probably too busy taking 3. Make a one-page designed for getting a notes. positive grade. First, cal“We want you to pass outline at the beginning culate the average score sometimes more than of each chapter needed on remaining you do,” Klassen said. tests to achieve the de4. Do all homework Connie Urban, 44, sosired grade. Second, cial worker for hospice, assignments on time subtract the total points Torrance, CA, asked for 5. Use chapter review at to date. Third, subtract recommendations for the total points of reteachers that stray from end of each chapter to maining assignments, the book. Klassen adtest yourself after every excluding tests. Fourth, vised asking for a list of divide by the numhomework assignment steps and paying special ber of tests remaining. attention to how prob6. Test yourself with a Klassen, who has lems are solved. timed chapter test the taught at NIC for 17 NIC psychology inyears, admitted his first structor and wife of John day before year of college was a Klassen, Kristina Klas“disaster.” He said he sen, was on hand to give failed everything, and some tips to struggling out of “sheer panic” did whatever it took students. Practice testing, she said. It’s a to pass courses. skill and can only happen if you practice.

A Closer Look

CAMPUS SECURITY LOG 5

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Briefs One-card Security System NIC moves one step closer to a fully integrated One Card security system that will integrate student ID cards with building access on campus. Soon, a student’s identification card will also act as an entrance card to every building on campus.

Currently, multiple entrance security systems, software and interfaces control the buildings that control the security and access of people on campus. The goal of One Card integration is to choose one set of hardware and programming to use on all buildings around NIC. A software change also opens up the potential for integration of key campus elements such as locks, alarms and light systems on NIC’s grounds. Total integra-

“As admirable as we know academic excellence is, and as much as all our Phi Theta Kappa students strive to achieve that… it has to be paired with other things,” Bell said.

She went on to discuss service, one of the pillars of Phi Theta Kappa. She quoted Muhammed Ali, who said “Service to others is the payment we make for your space here on earth.”

“One of the most important tenets of Phi Theta Kappa is service,” Bell said. “That’s one of the things that this chapter has so excelled in doing.”

Bell equated service with benevolence.

“It’s benevolence that makes us human.

It binds us to one another,” she said.

She encouraged the new Phi Theta Kappa members to continue to serve even beyond their time in the society.

“Volunteer as often as you can, because it stretches your soul and strengthens your heart, and a healthy and fit heart and soul to match that intellect that we know our students have because they have demonstrated it through Phi Theta Kappa membership.”

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tion of these functions is not, though, the prime focus of installing corresponding security systems to all the buildings on campus.

Rather, “integration of One Card surrounds people,” the primary goal being to regulate who goes where around campus.

The debate now rests on how to proceed with choosing the products that will control each aspect of the One Card system. A variety of different options have been set before NIC, a decision on the final systems to be decided shortly.

ASNIC Resignation ASNIC President Chloe Van Zandt resigned from her position April 6 and withdrew from the ASNIC vice president race.

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March 3: A non-student driving a Jeep Cherokee on the beach was noticed by security. The license plate number was reported to the police, and the Jeep was stopped and the driver questioned.

2

March 8: A female non-student was being disruptive in the Student Union basement area. She was escorted from the building.

3

March 8: A moving vehicle struck a parked vehicle in a minor accident on Rosenberry Drive. The owner of the parked vehicle was contacted.

4

March 11: NIC Security was called to the gym for a verbal disagreement between an NIC athletics coach and a student athlete.

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March 18: Vandalism in the form of graffiti was found on campus buildings in the vicinity of River Ave and Military Drive. An NIC-owned EZ-GO golf cart was also tipped on its side, resulting in minor damage.

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March 19: An ambulance was called to the Student Union Building for a male non-student who reported a medical issue.

Perspective tip? Story idea?

Contact Devin Heilman

-- dlheilman@students.nic.edu

PAGE 5

Perspectives MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2012

WWW.NICSENTINEL.COM

EDITORIAL

Those poor politicians

Hoping you find your happy place

E

RAPE Accusations should not be taken lightly

Ladies, stop calling it

First off, this situation is the very said no or asked for the guy to North Idaho College, we need definition of cognitive dissonance. stop. to talk about rape. We need to talk This gal cannot stand having op“Well no, I didn’t say no…” says about when rape is and when rape posing opinions of the sex she just Girl Number One. isn’t. We need to talk about what a Girl Number T wo inquires had, so she’ll call it rape and send jerk move it is to commit rape. We a man to jail to feel need to talk about what a jerk move whether or not Numbetter about herself. ber One resisted the it is to accuse someone of rape.

I fail to see what sort sex or was passed out Moreover, we need to talk about of selfish, ignorant on a couch somewhere. how everyone needs take a bite of person would be will“Well no... but, I was reality and swallow. ing to ruin someone’s raped! I didn’t want to Girls, just because you didn’t entire life and reputahave sex last night at want to have sex doesn’t mean that tion over a simple case all! I just got drunk and you were raped. Let me repeat. So of, “I got too drunk had sex with that guy, you didn’t want to have sex. That’s and banged a guy I but he was really gross.” a bummer. But was this sex you Sarah Munds didn’t want to have So it was rape because didn’t really want in fact an act of Asst. News Editor sex with.” If you want your impaired judgment rape? No. There are conditions. to feel better about led you to sleep with There are exceptions. There are yourself, ladies, go to someone physically unatrules.

Let me fabricate an extensive tractive? The logic is undeniable. confession or do some community But it does not end service. Don’t abuse the legal sysmetaphor to illustrate there. One of the best tem and someone else by creating what I’m saying. You “Was a situations I’ve actual- a legal three-ring circus as chicken didn’t want to eat chocstruggle ly witnessed escape a soup for your wounded psyche. olate cake because you So now, let’s go over a very weren’t feeling good. involved or female’s lips yet goes something like this: detailed, specific set of rules that A friend cut you a slice did you put define whether or not you have “I got raped,” says and gave you a fork. the ethical right to call the cops Girl Number One. You ate the cake. What on some on some poor shmuck who just Girl Number Two didn’t happen in this lingerie, lay banged you. asks when this hapsituation? Your friend down and Did you say no? Did you say pened. definitely did not tie you stop? Did you say, “I’d really prefer “A year ago. I think to a radiator and force spread your not to have sex with you and I will my ex-boyfriend raped a whole pan of chocolegs?” slam a heavy rape charge on you me when we were datlate cake down your ing,” says Girl Number if you go past second base?” If not, throat while you cried then it’s not rape. Oh, you did say One. and begged to be freed. these things, but just really quietly?

Girl Number Two inquires, Let’s look at a small snippet of skeptically, whether or not Number Well, any decent guy would probadialogue between Girl Number bly stop if he heard a quiet, “please One resisted the sex or was passed One, who apparently “got raped,” stop, sir.” If you didn’t want to get out on a couch somewhere. and Girl Number Two, who is the “raped,” though, you should have “Well no… I just didn’t want to “rape victim’s” best friend. said it louder. have sex. I think I’m going to press “I got raped,” says Girl Number Was a struggle involved or did charges.”

One. you put on some lingerie, lay down Girl Number Two comments Girl Number Two asks if she and spread your legs? In order for that this happened a year ago. said no or told the guy to stop. me to consider slapping your sex “Well yeah, but I just realized “Well no, I didn’t say no…” says with the rape label, you’d better that it was rape now,” says Girl Girl Number One. have been screaming “help” at the Number One. Girl Number Two inquires top of your lungs while desperately Right. Are any of these situawhether or not Number One regrasping toward the door. Or you’d tions rape? Hell no. Calling these sisted the sex or was passed out on better be in a back alley. situations rape is complete and a couch somewhere.

There is a blatant exception to utter horse s---. Sure, you didn’t “Well no... but, I was raped! I this rule that falls under the “too want sex. Bummer. But you didn’t really didn’t want to have sex with drunk, passed out, drugged, date say no, struggle, or even look like him.” raped” category. If you weren’t conyou weren’t having fun. But the There is a logical leap here, but scious, it was rape. No questions very nature of being a weak, helpI’m going suspend my judgment of asked. less female with doe eyes and a it temporarily to provide you with How long did it take you to reheart-breaking story will land your another common conversation port this rape? I understand that unwanted partner in jail for years. had amongst those suffering from often, rape victims are hesitant to If he’s lucky enough to get out of “rape.” Behold! Another conversashare their experiences out of fear, your legal hoopla without conviction between the same Girl One confusion or embarrassment. But tion, you’ve still have caused him and Girl Two. a year? And then it just “dawned on hundreds of hours and dollars and “I got raped,” says Girl Number you” that it might have been rape? heartache.

One. What issues do I have with this? Please.

Girl Number Two asks if she

veryone needs to have a happy place.

Those happy places are examined in the film “Happy,” a documentary that explores mankind’s capacity and ability to find happiness in any situation.

The main focus of “Happy” is the science of happiness and how it is created. Man has long been fascinated with what makes him depressed and mentally ill, but this film discusses how the trend has changed to center on what makes man happy and lifts his spirits.

I watched this film in Annie McKinlay’s intercultural communications class and I found it to be captivating as well as a bit of an eye opener. My heart strings were also strummed a few times.

The main thing I felt while watching “Happy” was that people don’t allow themselves to be as happy as they can be. We strive to make money, which we believe will bring happiness, however all it does is enable us to buy more stuff, and stuff does not equal happiness.

What I found to be truly compelling is that even those in the direst and most impoverished of situations can be as happy as wealthy Americans. Happier, really, because they have family unity and love, where Americans are too damn independent to let themselves be loved.

This is a generalization, of course. Everyone has a different range and level of happiness. Research on the subject reveals that our outlooks and good feelings are balanced by neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which are increased when we experience those things that bring us joy.

One aspect of generating good neurotransmitters is known as “flow,” a mental state we enter when See HAPPINESS | Page 7

theSentinel Awards

Associated Press Five-Star All-American Newspaper National Pacemaker and Newspaper of the Year Three-Time Robert F. Kennedy Award-Winner Society of Professional Journalists National First-Place General Excellence Award National Hall of Fame National Society of Professional Journalists First-Place Online Idaho Press Club General Excellence Award

Editorial Board Devin Heilman Managing Editor Tala Wood News Editor Noura AlfadlAndreasson A&E Editor Eric Rivera Sports Editor Michael Paquin Lifestyles Editor Ethan Schlussler Photo Editor Jantzen Hunsaker Webmaster Joyce Hargrove Copy Editor Eric Pezley Business Manager Geoff Carr Adviser

Contributors Amy Brandt

Kyle Breitenberg Garrett Cabeza Benaiah Cheevers Nick Dimico Katie Eppenstein Anastasia Gal Micah Gimlin Gabriel Green Jake Wright Martin Sarah Munds Julie Salinas Josh Sloniker Angel Tesch Kaye Thornbrugh Christina Villagomez Josh Weeks

Letters to the Editor Policy

T

he Sentinel welcomes letters to the Editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 300 words, sign them legibly and provide a home phone number in order to verify authenticity. Some letters may not be printed because of space limitations, or because they: 1) are similar to a number of letters already

received on the same subject; 2) are possibly libelous; or 3) are illegible. The Sentinel reserves the right to edit letters. Letters may be mailed to the paper, e-mailed, faxed or brought to Room 203 of the Siebert Building. The Sentinel’s address is 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814.

DID YOU KNOW? Leporiphobia is an abnormal and often debilitating fear of the Easter Bunny or evil rabbits.

6 | the sentinel

PERSPECTIVES

Monday, April 9, 2012

NEESON VS. NORRIS NEESON

Mess with Liam Neeson and you just might get your neck broken.

L

tip of the Neesonberg, mind you. The big iam Neeson has established an exLN also has family values to which all can ceptional history in popular media aspire. He once infiltrated an international around the world. He has wielded slave-trading ring to rescue his only daughlight sabers in defense of the galaxy ter, leaving all who opposed him completeand led an army of ninjas plunging an entire ly annihilated. He did not wish to uncover city into chaos. He has won 10 awards for a bigger meaning, or take down the leadbeing an accomplished actor and has been er of a crime organization; he sought only nominated nearly 20 times beyond that. His to recover his loved one and he succeedfilmography encompasses 86 films included. Also, he did this by himself, and not ing classics such as “Schindler’s List” and with a group of army buddies like Chuck “Star Wars.” It is his diverse skillset and Norris, some of which may still be alive villain-destroying if Norris wasn’t worried about getting his awesomeness that proves the point that hair dir ty in the South American jungle.

Let’s take a moment to look at Chuck’s Liam Neeson is far list of awards. Hold on I know I can find superior to Chuck one… oh here we go: a bunch of BMI music Norris in every way awards for “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Good imaginable.

Chuck Nor ris’ job buddy, I can see why you’re so popular r oundhouse kick with those who don flannel jackets and cowh a s b e e n h e a r d boy hats. Norris’ filmography weighs in at 38 around the world. titles. Call me a critic, but I just don’t think Josh Weeks Guest Contributor He will forever be Delta Force really needed 37 sequels. Again, immortalized in the Neeson’s opulence reigns supreme.

The many sides of Neeson can be viewed annuals of fame as not only having a great beard, but possess- and approved by anyone. He has cast lightning bolts down as Zeus and puning the ability to feed off of the ished over-privileged adults in sweet milk of God’s tears, or “Even after sadistic ways. He has been an antiwhatever. I will always respect hero, a criminal, wolf-killer and allthe real-life ability of Chuck doing all around badass. Even after doing for being Karate Champion this, you all this, you would pay him to read and physical fitness advocate, your favorite book just to hear it especially at his age of 114. would pay spoken in his awe-inspiring voice Norris will forever live in him to read that commands every synapse of our hearts as the spearhead of many jokes and the wielder of your favorite your attention. Oh, and he trained Batman, too. infinite awesome abilities, but book just Now some argue that it’s what about those of us who to hear it Chuck Norris’ real-life rounddon’t play “World of Warcraft?” house kicking abilities that make Who are we suppose to look up spoken in him the toughest old man around. to in these modern times? Fear his aweFor one, Liam Neeson, trainer of not, media junkies, a true charinspiring Jedi Knights and Dark Knights, acter and role-model has been is plenty old, being born in 1952. around for more than a decade voice that As far as physical prowess goes, in full force, and it is time he commands Neeson used to be an armaturestarts reaping the acclaim he boxer in Ireland. I am pretty sure deserves. Enter: Liam Neeson. every Irish boxers eat roundhouse kicks Neeson has played many synapse every day with afternoon tea. roles in cinema that go far beof your It is time to let go of clichés yond that of the over-exaggerated Chuck Norris. Sure Chuck attention.” and tired jokes. Norris has been given plenty of due. Let us ring in has a black belt and uses it to a true and deserving champion, defend a small Texas town on one who actually gets screen time. cable television, but that does not hold the same clout as say, I don’t know, Let us herald the new king of action: Liam training Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is just the Neeson.

Liam Neeson is 60. Chuck Norris is 72. Both men have been involved in more than 100 films and other media projects. Norris is a martial arts master; Neeson was a pro boxer.

C

NORRIS

of stealth. Wolves howl and give away huck Norris is a god among their location before prancing around men. I feel like I don’t have to their prey. Ninjas don’t mess around. say much more than that, but Neither does Chuck Norris. for those of you who do not OK, I will give Neeson some credit recognize the Norris authority, I shall of baddasser y. enlighten you.

First of all, beneath his manly beard He has really is not a chin, but another fist. His become a pheEarth-shattering roundhouse kick is nomenon in the globally renowned, as are his cancer- last 15 years curing tears. He is the reason E.T. went or so, and his home. The man exhales at the speed m o v i e s h a v e of sound and can sneeze with both of d o n e f a i r l y his eyes open. He created the platypus well. I have to by roundhouse kicking a duck into a admit, if I was beaver. The flu is searching for a vac- in a dark alley Devin Heilman cine to prevent a Chuck Norris out- w i t h N e e s o n Managing Editor break. Ghosts tell Chuck Norris stories and thugs atat summer camp. He can cut through a tacked us, I’d hot knife with butter. Chuck Norris can feel pretty safe. slam a revolving door. The boogeyman Now, if we were in a dark alley and Chuck Norris attacked, I’d checks under his bed at feel bad for Neeson. But night for Chuck Norris.

“He Nor ris wouldn’t attack us The list is endless. created the because he’s a good guy.

The man is unstoppaplatypus by I’ve heard some whispers ble. Plus, you have to be a badass to be on roundhouse of Neeson matching Norris’ supremacy, such lines as, the Hallmark Chankicking a “Chuck Norris is only Walknel AND be a spokeser, Texas Ranger because man for Total Gym. duck into a Liam Neeson MADE him I don’t know when beaver.” go to the audition,” “when the random Chuck Chuck Norris misbehaves, Norris worship began, Liam Neeson gives him a but it is certainly warranted. He just turned 72 in March time out” or that Neeson is more powand I’m pretty sure he could kick any erful because he trained Obi-Wan Kenyoung man’s ass. He is a Professional obi or Batman. Just for the record, ObiWorld Middleweight Karate Champi- Wan was played by Ewan McGregor, on, a black belt, Jim “Lone Wolf” Mc- who is a rather dainty man also known Quade, Walker, Texas Ranger and a for his role in “I Love You, Philip Morgood guy that just takes out the bad ris,” in which he was Jim Carrey’s boyguys. The testosterone in my femi- friend. You’d never find Chuck Norris nine figure is bolstered just know- in that role. Maybe Neeson should star ing that he’s going to be in “The Ex- in, “I Love You, Chuck Norris.” Also, pendables 2” with Sly Stallone and the Christian Bale as Batman doesn’t hide other action stars I grew up adoring. the fact that he was a junkie in “The Fighter.” I love Bale and McGregor, So this Liam Neeson fellow seems but they, too will never match the to be climbing the tough guy ladmanly ranks of Norris. der pretty quickly… but I don’t think Will Neeson ever surpass Norris? punching wolves is as tough as taking Maybe…if he becomes a black belt and out an entire black ninja clan. Ninjas earns 700 championship titles for awecarry sharp katanas and fling deadly someness.

Chinese stars while under the cover

The world contains so many people because Chuck Norris allows them to live.

www.nicsentinel.com

PERSPECTIVES

Raging on rude roadsters Don’t be a stinker, please use your blinker

M

ost drivers travel down the road, read and abide by the road signs, flip their turn signals on when it is appropriate and eventually arrive at their desired destination.

But a handful of drivers decide they are above the law and break the rules of the road.

I am specifically fed up with drivers who fail to use their turn signals.

Remember that black lever on the left side of the steering column? To turn left, simply push the lever down.

To turn right, pull the lever up.

A Closer Look Reports from the New York State Police show that not using turn signals is one of the highest-ranking factors as a primary cause of accidents.

It comes in at No. 3, behind other unsafe driving habits such as speeding (No. 1) and unsafe or too-frequent lane changing (No. 2).

Turning the car blinker on is not vent other drivers like me to slow down only common courtesy that lets others all of a sudden. They make the driver behind them stop on a dime know the driver is going when they determine they to take a left, right or want to take a sudden right or change lanes. Flipping the left without turning on their lever up or down is a law if a driver’s intention is to blinker. change direction or lanes.

According to www.carinTo the drivers who surancelist.com, New York do not always use their State Police reports indicate turn signals: Please start that behind speeding and to do so. It is ver y anunsafe or too-frequent lane noying and can potenchanging, not using turn sigGarrett Cabeza tially be dangerous. nals is the biggest factor that Staff Contributor causes accidents.

I don’t know why drivers choose not to I would say most people use their tur n signals. do use their turn signals, but But I think there could be a few some switch them on too late. This is reasons. just as frustrating and dangerous as not One of them might be laziness. using a turn signal.

Drivers underestimate the turn signal Using turn signals is a simple and decide it is not necessary to use means of communication on the road. when they turn.

It tells drivers in front of the turning Selfishness might be another reavehicle and behind the turning vehicle son for not using turn signals. Some that it is going to change direction. people think they are number one in Without turn signals, the road enthe world and that it revolves around vironment is chaotic and can cause car their wants and needs. crashes, injuries and deaths that can Some drivers simply forget to use easily be prevented. their blinkers, which is fine. Everybody The turn signal lever in cars is there makes mistakes. Just try to keep them for a reason, so use it when turning off to a bare minimum. a road or changing lanes.

One of the reasons I become angry Otherwise, drivers could expect when drivers do not use their turn sigsome hefty lawyer fees, tickets, injunals is because I know all they have to ries, death or maybe a sign of fury from do is flip the lever up or down to prethe driver in the rearview mirror.

Message in a bottle Devin Heilman Managing Editor  The comfiest couches, by far, are upstairs in the Hedlund Building.

They’re big, soft and quite delightful.

And they’re not too gross to sleep on.  A man and a dog were seen a few blocks from school getting their daily exercise. The dog was exercising, anyway. The man held the dog’s leash and coasted on his skateboard as the dog ran quickly down the street.  A glass bottle floated along the waters of the NIC beach Saturday evening. It was confirmed that no message (and unfortunately no booze) were contained within the object.  When Sentinel adviser Geoff Carr’s ancestors immigrated to the United States, they shortened their family name. It may have been “Vehhicle” before the switch. Or possibly “Auttomobile.”  Mother Nature once again cannot make up her mind as to whether it is spring or still winter. Last Wednesday’s mini-blizzard was testimony to that indecisiveness.  If you look closely at the top left corner of the front page, you will spy a cutout of the Easter Bunny holding a rather upset child. Sure, wee ones are naturally afraid of Santa Claus and oversized rabbits, but doesn’t it look like that baby is trying to escape the grasp of a hungry Easter Bunny?  An “anti joke” or “anti humor” is a kind of humor that uses the lack of a punch line as its punch line. The comedy lies in the anticlimax, which in itself is funny because a person is expecting a real punch line. Example: “Knock knock. Who’s there? To. To who? To

>HAPPINESS from page 5

we are in time with the universe and everything is moving in rhythm. This means being engrossed in a productive activity or immersing oneself so fully into something that stress melts away and self consciousness disappears. Flow can happen anywhere, like at work or school or when we are just hanging out with our loved ones.

I bring this to your attention because it is my sole wish to be happy in my life, and I wish that for you, too. We need to re-

the sentinel |7

CAMPUS VOICES

If you could change anything about NIC, what would it be?

Kacey Brunner ■ 19, mathematics, Cd’A

“I think they should make the parking spots with meters that they have in front of the gym into regular parking spots for students.”

Garryn Croff ■ 27, computer science, Post Falls

“First and foremost, I would want to change the prices of the food in the Market Grill. The prices for parking should be lowered, as well, since there are fewer parking spaces available with the amount of increase in attendance. I think that teachers, especially in the math department, should be screened for their ability to teach well.”

Derek Williams ■ 21, RRM, Post Falls

“We should bring back Feel Good Friday to go along with Way to Go Wednesday.”

Brandon Roy ■ 17, gen. studies, Cd’A

If only those velociraptors would just finish the new IT area, already.

whom.” Takes a bit of a dry sense of humor to appreciate.  When someone asks you how you’re feeling, be sure to reply, “Well, with my hands, of course.”  Another example of anti humor: A dyslexic man walks into a bra.  I heard Madonna and Cher got in a big fight and are no longer on a first-name basis...  Check out the article in the entertainment section about the new zombie shoot. It’s supposed to be a killer review.

member that money and success don’t maximize happiness… it’s the simpler, sweeter things in life that do. But will we ever allow ourselves to stop working long enough to enjoy our lives and embrace those little things? Can we take the time to let our flow, well, flow? That’s up to each individual. I know I try to do that, and when I do, I definitely feel better.

This is my last issue as managing editor of the Sentinel. It has been an amazing part of my life, a place that I have found my flow for three years. In parting from it, I want nothing more than

 Supposedly, the sons of the Beatles will be cutting a song together in the near future. I’m sure they realize they may need some HELP filling their fathers’ shoes and they might be in for a hard day’s night. Oh well, I’ll just let it be for now. Goo goo g’joob.  A hard-boiled egg in the morning sure is hard to beat.  He who laughs, lasts.  The worst part about mental notes is that the ink fades so quickly.  “Do stars clean themselves with meteor showers?” -- George Carlin

you, the reader, to know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading our publication and investing your precious time into us. I also want you to be the happiest person you can be, whatever that means to you.

I hope you can indulge in as much flow as your life allows.

May the joy of the world be yours, and may you easily find your happy place.

Cheers,

Devin Heilman Managing Editor

“I think they should put in speakers in the basement of the SUB to provide a music outlet for people playing pool and pingpong. A lot of the people don’t watch the TVs so why not have music?”

Tara Gunderson ■ 22, criminal justice, Twin Falls

“I would like for the financial aid committee to be more prompt in meeting with students when students make their schedules or schedule a meeting because a whole semester could go by and students might not be able to get back into school for a while.”

Benaiah Cheevers Staff Contributor

■

Ethan Schlussler Photo Editor

8 | the sentinel

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Monday, April 9, 2012

COMMENTARY

Free from Facebook folly Deactivating Facebook: refreshing like vacation

NOURA A.A. ■ A&E Editor Facebook is one of the largest websites in the world. There are more Facebook members than the entire population of the United States. Half of the users sign in on a daily basis. Can you think of a more global activity? Or a more addictive one? You can refuse to join Facebook, but you can’t avoid Facebook.

Although Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) is not an official medical diagnosis, it is considered by many psychologists across the U.S. as a new mental disorder. There are actual programs and places that are devoted to curing Internet addictions. How do you know if you have a Facebook addiction? If it interferes with the basic pillars of life, such as eating, sleeping, working and interacting.

I personally don’t skip meals or lose sleep over Facebook, but I will say, it is one hell of a distraction. That’s why, a few weeks ago, I decided to do what I’ve never done before. I deactivated my Facebook account.

It is now April, one month left until the end of the semester. Mingled along with feelings of anticipation for summer, are growing feelings of dread, as I am faced with the endless amounts of final exams, papers and presentations. I deactivated my account practical and “If there’s for symbolic reasons no ice – like a plaque that says, “Time to get cream in ass in gear.” the fridge, yourNow that I’ve you won’t been able to live a Facebook free get fat.” life, I’ve gained some perspective one how useful the site really is, and how much of an impact it actually had on my life.

The pros of not having a Facebook account were immediately apparent. Free time? I think I’ll do some homework.

Can’t sleep? Maybe I’ll read a book. Lonely? I think I’ll go hangout with some flesh and blood people. Bored and in class? I might actually pay attention.

All of the empty moments in life that I used to fill with mindless Facebook socializing are now filled with more productive activities. These little moments have added up, and I actually feel more focused and accomplished.

If there is no ice cream in the freezer, you wont get fat. It’s the same kind of logic. My mind feels noticeably leaner.

It’s taken longer, but the cons of not having a Facebook have also become apparent. As frivolous as Facebook can be, there are some truly useful aspects to the site.

I’m now reminded of how tedious it is to keep in touch with loved ones in different countries. It’s been a while since I had to calculate the cost of long distance phone calls and time differences. Sure, there are other means of communication, such as regular-old email, or even video chat sites like Skype, but to me, Facebook is still the easiest way to keep in touch long distance. Facebook provides photos, videos, status updates, comments and everything else you need to see how a person is doing without actually having to ask them.

It’s also been a sorely missed journalism tool, as it’s easy to contact a person, organization or band through the site.

All in all, deactivating my account has simplified and, so far, improved my life.

I’m no longer tempted by people, places and parties that could be. I’m living my life locally and in the present, surrounding myself with people who have my phone number and take the time to call.

In May, after school is over, I will probably reactivate my account, but until then, I will live my life in a new kind of peace.

To deactivate your Facebook, just go to your account setup and press deactivate. Facebook will maintain all of your information, friends and photos until you decide to reactivate.

Noura A.A. is an editor for The Sentinel. Her opinions are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sentinel. Respond to this column online at nicsentinel.com.

Nathan Lee, 10, one of the eight National Young Artist competition winners, earns a standing ovation for his performance of Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 27” at the National Young Artist and Coeur d’Alene Symphony concert. Katelyn Eppenstein/Sentinel

Young musicians conquer classics Winners of National Young Artist competition perform with Cd’A Symphony Noura A.A.  A&E Editor

N

early every seat of Schuler Auditorium was filled Saturday evening, March 10, during the National Young Artist competition celebration concert. The eight winners of the competition dressed in their finest tuxes and gowns to perform their winning pieces with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s competition attracted 140 entrants from across the country and Canada, providing a plethora of phenomenal talent.

Coeur d’Alene Symphony conductor David Demand began the evening by thanking the sponsors for their assistance in paying for prizes and travel expenses associated with the competition. Demand built up audience suspense as he described the exceptional talent that was to grace the stage.

The first musician to perform was pianist Nathan Lee, 10, Wash., who won second place in the High School Piano Division. According to Demand, a special allowance was made for Lee in the high school division since he is only 10-yearsold. Lee’s small, tuxedoed body was nearly obscured by the grand piano, but that did not stop him from earning a standing ova-

tion for his playful movement of Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 27.”

“It just doesn’t get any better than that,” Demand said.

The next performer was bassoonist Benjamin Roidel-Ward, 19, Wash., who won first place in the Winds, Brass & Percussion College Division. He played the dynamic piece, “Andante e Rondo Ongarese” by Von Weber.

“Amazing,” Demand said. “I don’t know how his fingers move so fast.”

Next was mezzo soprano Kristin Choi, 24, Calif., who won first place in the College Vocal Division. Choi sang Bellini’s “Se Romeo t’uccise un fliglio” from the Italian opera “Romeo and Juliet.” She also sang Thomas’s “Me voivi dans son boudoir” from the French opera. Although both roles were originally meant for men, Choi still delivered a heart-felt and con-

vincing performance in her mauve, silken gown.

The last winner to perform before the 10-minute intermission was Taiwanese born pianist Fan-ya Lin, 22, Utah, who placed first in the College Piano Division. Lin’s dark, turbulent movement of Prokofiev’s “Paino Concerto No. 3” was made even more impressive by the powerful accompaniment of the orchestra and her dramatic, sparkling, black gown.

“The little kid was super, super good,” said Emily Ingle, 19, music, Spirit Lake. “It was crazy. And the piece of the one lady that was really into it - the one in the sparkly black dress. That was really cool. She was really animated and it sounded really awesome.”

After intermission Jasmine Weiss, 14, Utah, who won first in the High School Piano Division, took to the stage. Her performance of Saint Saens’s “Piano Concerto No. 4” was as brilliant and royal as her baby-blue gown.

Seasoned string bassist Nicholas Villalobos, 24, Ariz.,

See SYMPHONY | Page 12

The Static Tones compete for popularity Coeur d’Alene indie-rock band needs votes to join Warped Tour, Seattle venue Anastasia Gal Staff Contributor The Static Tones entered a “Global Battle of the Bands” contest to compete for a chance to perform at the 2012 Warped Tour, a music festival that brings together extreme sports and music of different genres, from hip-hop to hardcore.

The Static Tones are struggling to win a chance to perform on one of the Warped Tour stops at their home venue in Seattle.

Fans can vote online for each venue. Four bands out of 100 will be selected to perform for each date of the tour.

The Static Tones’ official Facebook page calls for the fans and friends to support the band in the voting process. The voting began March 5 and will last until the middle of July, when the panel of industry professionals review and select bands, according to the official site of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands.

At the present moment, the band finds its place in the top 50 among all genres for the Seattle venue. Guitarist Chris Dehlbom said he was surprised his band has been doing so well. He confessed that he registered the band just to put the name in and get a wider-than-local recognition.

“I’m really curious to see what’s going to come out of that,” Dehlbom said.

It looks like the band is destined to move further than just gathering people at local Coeur d’Alene shows, which it has done successfully for about a year. Dehlbom said the band is “somewhere in between metal and soft rock.” Vocalist Josh Nelson uses his lyrics to propose needed changes in the society, often using vivid phrases and grotesque metaphors.

“Usually we don’t promote ignorance of any sort,” Dehlbom said. “We don’t like people judging people for no reason. We like people to be open when they judge.

Coeur d’Alene rock band The Static Tones needs votes to join Warped Tour. Left to right: Ian Nelson, Chris Dehlbom, Josh Nelson and Ronnie Ross. Steven Sturges/Courtesy

We have songs about moral decay. We have songs about people being fake for profit.”

The four young men in their 20s form The Static Tones: Josh Nelson (vocals/ guitar), Ian Nelson (bass), Chris Dehlbom (guitar) and Ronnie Ross (drums). Nelson and Ross are current NIC students, while Dehlbom used to attend. Dehlbom said the band works hard to combine music, study and jobs, but the result is worth it.

Having played together for only about a year, the bands is already planning on releasing their first full-length album, which will include 11 songs. The musicians will start working on it this April and promise a quality result, though no release date has been announced.

“It’s just going to be whenever it’s done,” Dehlbom said. “We want it to be a really, really good sounding album. So it could be two months, it could be two days.

I don’t know.”

Right now they are working on the last two songs for their album and gaining more popularity in their native area. They played at The Grail in Post Falls on March 31, and they are planning a short tour through the Northwest and California this summer.

Dehlbom claimed 2012 is a big year for the band, during which they are going “to make something career wise.”

To support the band in their quest to play at the Warped Tour visit: http://bit.ly/GT5hQT.

www.nicsentinel.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

the sentinel | 9

Student Events member Megan Larson, 19, business, stands before eager children in front of the SUB Easter egg hunting area on Wednesday. Gabe Green/Sentinel

Children of all ages partake in free Easter activities Student Events organizes egg hunt, treats, crafts, photos with Easter Bunny throughout the SUB Anastasia Gal  Staff Contributor

C

olorful Easter eggs, sparkles, baskets, bunnies, cookies, organizers dressed in bunny ears and, above all, excited kids flooded the hall of NIC’s Edminster Student Union Building Wednesday.

ASNIC Student Events held the Easter Egg Hunt, an annual but unusual event for the committee.

Student Events member Hailey McDaniel, 20, environmental science, Wallou, Idaho, said the Easter egg hunt aims at creating an atmosphere where children can participate. She said the Easter egg hunt fosters social development for the kids.

“The little ones get introduced to other kids,” said former NIC student Jonathan Shirts, 31, who brought his 3-year-old, Mackenzie, to the festivities.

Though the snowy weather conditions forced Student Events to hold the event inside, the Easter egg hunt still managed to gather about 120 visitors. McDaniel said the attendance grew by 30 to 40 people compared to the previous year.

“It was a smashing success,” said Stu-

dent Events member Andrew Charles, 20, public relations, Moscow.

Student Events provided the kids with gift bags, sweet snacks, photos with the Easter Bunny and the excitement of an Easter egg hunt. Kids were divided into three age groups: 0-3, 4-7 and 8-13.

McDaniel said the biggest challenge was scheduling the event the week after spring break because it made it difficult to market. Social media, word of mouth, fliers around campus and day cares helped reach the target audiences.

“My friend who goes to NIC told me about it,” said Meriah Lavigne, mother of 3-year-old egg-hunter Sophie. “And I also saw a post on Facebook.”

The fun started in the Driftwood Bay Room. A sign reading, “Caution! Some candies contain peanuts” marked the entrance

into the room. Almost no vacant place moved the red stripes barring the Easter egg hunting area. Anticipation and excitecould be found at the numerous tables in ment reached its climax. Kids, accompanied the room, as kids and their parents helped by the parents, burst in to storm the eggs. themselves to Easter treats or worked on “It was as hectic as the last year,” McEaster coloring pages.

Daniel said. “Everything went The center of attention and very quick.” excitement was the Easter “I feel so The kids swiped the eggs up Bunny. The Easter Bunny waved his paws, waggled his long ears blessed. It’s in a couple minutes.

Gradually, the crowd and smiled for the camera, placthinned as the visitors left the so much ing kid after kid onto his lap. A building. Student Events memline started from the entrance to fun working bers gathered in the Driftwood the opposite door to take a picBay Room where it all started. with kids.” The organizers, still wearing ture with the Easter Bunny.

The youngest age group bunny ears, shared smiles. retreated to the Windy Bay “ [It is] one of my favorite MEGAN LARSON Room, which glistened with Easevents,” McDaniels said, “beStudent Events ter eggs scattered amid comfy cause it includes children.” chairs and sofas. Shortly after, She said the Easter egg the 4-7 age group set off for the Half Round hunt went beyond expectations.

“I feel so blessed,” said Student Events Bay Room and the 8-13 age group headed for the lounge area upstairs, which was member Megan Larson, 19, business, Metaline Falls, Wash. “It is so much fun working filled with the same treats. with kids.”

Representatives of Student Events re-

REVIEW

Prop. 8 play, same-sex marriage, big-name actors ‘8’ features Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Bacon

In Los Angeles, the one-night producfederal court fight against Proposition 8.

Relying largely on transcripts from court tion of the play “8,” written by Dustin Lance proceedings, “8” introduces viewers to Black, made the lack of facts and the phethe couples who challenged the California nomenal acting shine through the courtinitiative, the attorneys who argued their room, with many Hollywood icons playing case and a bumbling witness who spoke out the parts.

The intriguing actors, George Clooney, against them It was previously reported that the writBrad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, er had teamed with director Rob Jane L ynch, Kevin Bacon and Reiner to make it into a film, but more, kept ever yone interested the project turned into a reading in the March 3 performance of event with an all-star cast.

Black’s “8.”

The performance that night Califor nia’s Proposition 8 was at the Wilshire Ebell The(Ballot title: Eliminates Rights atre in Los Angeles where the of Same-Sex Couples to Marr y.

Initiative Constitutional Amendreal-life couples in the case, ment; called California Marriage Sandy Stier (Jamie Lee Curtis) Protection Act by proponents) and Kris Perry (Christine Lahti), Nick Dimico was a ballot proposition and conand Jeff Zarillo (Matt Bomer) Staff Contributor stitutional amendment and Paul Katami (Matthew Morwhich passed in the November rison), and the attorneys David 2008 California state elections.

Boies (George Clooney) and The measure added a new provision, Sec- Theodore B. Olson (Martin Sheen) were in tion 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the the audience on that night.

California Constitution, which provides that The lights were dim within a courtroom “only marriage between a man and a woman setting, with spot lights on two “8” signs on the back wall. There were two flags on both is valid or recognized in California.” sides of the stand, one was an American flag Last month, the Ninth Circuit Court of and the other was a California state flag.

Appeals upheld an earlier judge’s decision Real news footage starts about a minute that found California’s proposed amendinto the play with a campaign commercial ment banning same-sex marriage unconstiabout how if voters say “YES” to Prop 8, the tutional. children in California schools won’t have to Black wrote a script titled “8” revolvlearn about gay rights. ing around the trials over the controversial When the lights came on, each of the Proposition 8. It was all part of the West cast members walked out onto the stage.

Coast premiere of “8,” a play about the 2010

Applause and cheers from the audience filled the theater with excitement.

With scripts in each of their hands, each actor began by standing, as Judge Walker (Brad Pitt) came to the podium and started the trial.

One couple has two children together; the other wants to start a family.

A witness testifying in favor of the samesex marriage ban said under oath that marriage equality was best for couples, kids and the country.

Throughout the performance the real words from the California state courtroom was shocking to hear. People were stunned that so many could be so idiotic when it came to something like marriage.

The prosecutor Bois cross examined Blankenhorn. When questions were asked to Blankenhorn, he could not answer.

“Let me try to make the question as

simple as I can,” said Bois. “Have any of the scholars that you have said you relied on said in words or in substance, okay; this permitting same-sex marriage will cause a reduction in heterosexual marriage?”

“That’s ‘yes,’ ‘no, or ‘I don’t know,’” Bois said.

“I know the answer,” said Blankenhorn. “I cannot answer you accurately if the only words I’m allowed to choose from is ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

I can give you my answer very briefly in one sentence.”

Throughout the production each of the cast members fully represented what happened in that California courtroom. They made it clear that the defendant’s of the Proposition 8 didn’t know what they were talking about nor did they know how to state why same sex marriage was such a horrible right.

The play ends with persecuting attorney (Martin Sheen) discussing how they will keep fighting for the rights of marriage equality.

To watch the play you can find footage of the entire reading on the American Equal Right’s YouTube website or at www.8theplay.com.

NEW YORK CITY AND SEATTLE CONVENTION TRIPS

10 | the sentinel

Monday, April 9, 2012 | 11

Competing coast to coast Sentinel staff members attend journalism conventions in Seattle, New York City SEATTLE Michael Paquin Lifestyles Editor This spring break, students from NIC’s Publication Club and the Sentinel took a trip to the Pacific Northwest to participate in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Region 10 media convention. While we were there we got to experience a lot of what Seattle and Tacoma have to offer and learn a couple of things too.

After we reached Seattle on Wednesday and loaded out of the van to check into the hotel, we took a short breather. The pass had been not as clear as we’d hoped but everyone was fine. The next morning we hit the city and headed to Seattle’s Pike Street Market to run the usual gambit down there.

Personally, I make it a point get a Piroshky, a Russian pastry with meat, when I get to Seattle, but that’s just me. We had a long day lined up.

The Experience Music Project located in the avant-garde looking building at the base of the Space Needle was the next place we visited. We explored exhibits devoted to the band Nirvana (fitting), Horror Movies and the film “Avatar.” To anyone ever visiting Seattle, I would definitely recommend checking this place out and seeing the massive guitar tree statue in the center of the building, which is comprised of hundreds of guitars.

While we were in Seattle, the Seattle Times was kind enough to open their doors for us for us to give us a tour of the of their new offices and advice about pursuing a

career in journalism in the 21st century and how the industry is transforming. Their advice about how a newspaper can successfully adapt to a rapidly shifting market has proven invaluable and we intend to implement their suggestions as soon as possible for a more dynamic paper. We also visited the WSU campus and were amazed by their newspaper staff room (you have to see it to believe it). The second floor of the WSU library is equally as amazing; there’s a room that looks like it belongs at Hogwarts.

Finally on Saturday it was time to head to Tacoma to attend the convention. This year the convention was held at Pacific Lutheran University, which has a beautiful campus. After attending multiple sessions that taught us valuable skills like résumé building and how to properly cover a protest, we assembled for lunch and the awards ceremony. I’m proud to say that we won a dozen awards, including overall best in show for community colleges, which makes us finalists for the national SPJ award. We also won first-place awards in feature and news writing, as well as news and sports photography.

I’m extremely proud of our writers and photographers for their hard work this past year and I’m glad they’re receiving the recognition they deserve from a nationally recognized organization like the Society of Professional Journalists. I know that they’ll be continuing this tradition of excellence next semester and the journalism program at NIC will always be synonymous with exceptional reporting.

NEW YORK

Gabe Green, Nick Dimico, Julie Salinas, Benaiah Cheevers, Devin Heilman and Sarah Munds kick it in Times Square. The group explored Manhatten in sunny, 70-degree weather the last day in the Big Apple. Gabe Green/Sentinel

Sarah Munds Asst. News Editor

Nick Dimico, Amy Brandt, Jake Wright Martin, Christina Villagomez, instructor Geoff Carr, Benaiah Cheevers, Jantzen Hunsaker and Katie Eppenstein pose outside the Seattle Times prior to a group tour that included an editorial meeting. Nils Rosdahl/Old Man Sentinel

Sentinel staff hit New York City hard at NYC12, an annual college newspaper and publication convention and competition. But the Sentinel bunch didn’t just go for the journalist-y tidbits of knowledge and epic trophy that accompanies a big win. The seductive call of the big city fogged the minds of Sentinel youth once more.

The staffers, in a dream-like daze prompted by New York’s hypnotic commands, had no other choice but to board planes and head east for five days of nerdy, grammar-infused bliss.

The date: St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The weather: perfect. The gang: Devin Heilman, Nick Dimico, Gabe Green, Julie Salinas, Benaiah Cheevers, Sarah Munds and trusty adviser Geoff Carr. Although the group was smaller than prior years, the spirit of Sentinel adventure was not dampened. They ventured forth into the excitement and rush of New York City, the town painted green with St. Paddy’s Day delight.

“I love globe trotting with my Sentinel companions. The bonds we create on these trips will stay with me forever,” said managing editor Devin Heilman. “We learn so much from every convention. It’s all about making our paper better and becoming the best journalists we can be.

It’s a great learning experience and an adventure every step of the way.”

NYC12 offered sessions from how to create a dynamite broadcast piece to how to write satirical news. The importance of social media in modern journalism was pounded into each Sentinel kid’s head during every single minute of NYC12. Don’t have a Twitter account? Dimico, arts and entertainment writer, found himself chastised by an entire LGBT roundtable for not being active on Twitter. He signed up for an account later that night.

Amongst the spoils and bounty of winnings from the convention included a snazzy second place for the Sentinel in its division. Green, as-

sistant photo editor, won second place in the convention’s photograph competition. He won a nifty bad of convention swag as well as a $50 prize.

Outside the convention, the Sentinel gang spent every moment exploring the city like children in a room full of jungle gym equipment.

All eyes locked upwards at the lights and color of Times Square, billboards so bright the nighttime seemed like day. From Wall Street to China Town and back to Soho, the bunch burned at least a metric ton of calories walking the length of Manhattan approximately 4,000 times.

“Arriving in the heart of New York City, Times Square, straight from the airport was amazing! Our hotel was right in the middle of Times Square,” said Benaiah Cheevers, sports contributor. “Going to Central Park, the John Lennon Memorial, Broadway, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, Trinity Church and Battery Park to look at the Statue of Liberty made it truly a fantastic trip.”

Time was spent in pizza shops hunting the best slice in town. Hours were spent meandering around the city looking for a good place to settle down and have dinner. Thai food. Sushi. Tofu cooked to perfection over a bed of rice that was harvested in heaven. Pizza piled high with deliciousness and cooked right in front of drooling mouths. Sentinel kids ate well during the trip to the Big Apple.

But the food, nor the sights, nor the constant sales assaults from wanna-be rappers pushing their new album are what truly made this Sentinel outing unique. Before New York, each of the six was simply a lost soul without companionship. During New York, the group formed bonds of friendship and camaraderie that will last a lifetime. Or at least until the semester ends.

“What I enjoyed most was being able to bond with everyone. I knew a couple of people, but I felt like during our trip we all bonded and it made me feel more a part of the Sentinel,” said Salinas, lifestyles contributor.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

12 | the sentinel

COMMENTARY

Monday, APRIL 9, 2012

REVIEW

Gossip guy goodies XOXO Tasty tidbits: celebrity gossip, news

NICK DIMICO. ■ Staff Contributor

Oops… Zac Efron drops a condom: On Feb.19 Zac Efron caused great controversy when he pulled his hands out of his pants pockets and accidentally dropped a condom on the red carpet premier for Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax.” Unfortunately for the 24-year-old star, just a few days later, he was scheduled to hit the talk-show circuit to promote the animated flick, which, in these gossip-filled times, meant constant questions about the embarrassing moment.

Justin Bieber turns 18: Overnight sensation Justin Bieber turned 18 years old March 1 and received a big surprise from his long-time manager Scooter Braun. During a visit to “The Ellen DeGeneres show,” the now-technically-an-adult pop star was presented with a coveted, environmentally friendly, albeit pricy (around $100,000) Fisker Karma (expensive car) to call his own.

Miley Cyrus clears up rumors about engagement: Since stepping out on the town on March 24, rumors have been flying about “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus getting engaged to on-again, off-again boyfriend and “Hunger Games” star Liam Hemsworth. Cyrus was spotted with a sizable rock on her finger, generating talk of whether or not they were taking the next step in their lives. Cyrus cleared up all the rumors on March 26 with a Twitter post stating: “I’m not engaged. I’ve worn this same ring on this finger since November! People just wanna find something to (talk) about! It’s a topaz people!”

“Jersey Shore” looking for new cast: 495 Productions has announced that they are looking for new cast members.

Replacements are sought for the shows two biggest breakout stars: Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, who announced that she has a mini-meatball in the oven (pregnant), and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, who recently checked in and out of rehab.

Hillar y Duf f welcomes a healthy baby boy:

Staff contributor Kyle Breitenberg simulates the zombie hunt at Shoot House in downtown Coeur d’Alene, where shooters can fire ‘simulation’ ammunition at live targets in a 3,000 sq. foot building. Gabe Green/Sentinel

Zombie Apocalypse practice, live targets Staff contributor spends day cookin’ undead fools, honing his killer instinct Kyle Breitenberg Staff Contributor

I

magine a dark, cramped room, a techno-beat bumping in your bones. The only light in the room comes from the neon objects all around you.

You might be picturing a rave, or perhaps a house party gone to the wild side, but this is not what I am alluding to; no, this room has no friend of yours in it, and definitely no dancing… though you might find your feet moving quite fast.

Coeur d’Alene is home to a large population of game-hunters, gun enthusiasts, and well, guns. The area is packed with shooting ranges, and has countless acres of forested land for hunting, but only one place for a civilian to practice against another human being.

Shoot House, located on 403 N. 2nd St., is a business that allows customers to make their way through a 3,000 sq. ft. building which has been divided up into a dozen rooms and hallways. Each corner presents reactive targets and live human zombies. Shooters are armed with a special gun constructed to fire only “simunition” rounds, an advanced round which leaves a water soluble paint marking where the target is hit.

“Usually you don’t feel it,” said Dylan Lunsford, 16, Lake City High School.

“Like if you’re shot in the chest or the head, you don’t feel it at all, but you feel it sometimes in the arm because there’s not very much padding, and the hands.”

Lunsford is one of three “zombies” who work at Shoot House, in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

“We have high standard safety equipment,” said Eric Johnson, owner and manager of Shoot House. “[It’s] designed for taking these sort of rounds.”

Johnson is an NRA certified instructor in Pistol, Personal Protection in the Home, and Range Safety Officer, as well as a Safety Officer with IDPA (International Pistol Association).

Simunition ammo shoots at an average of 198 m/second. Paintball guns generally shoot at 91 m/second. It is not considered lethal, but there are regulations to help avoid unnecessary injury.

The rounds were originally used only for military and law-enforcement training, but became available to civilians about one-and-a-half years ago. Johnson said he jumped on the chance to be one of the first places to offer it in Coeur d’Alene.

“Simunitions training is valuable in that it’s realistic training,” Johnson said.

“We train in close quarters, kind of like a

A Closer Look Simunation ammo shoots at an average of 198 m/second. Paintball guns generally shoot at 91 m/second. Rounds were originally used only for military and law enforcement training, but recently became available to civilians.

house. For force-on-force training, it actually gives you an opportunity to shoot at a live opponent, instead of paper. When you’re shooting at something with eyes, it makes a big difference.”

Sessions are available for the zombie hunts on Saturdays from noon-6 p.m. During the week, Shoot House offers classes on countering home invasions and handgun skills. Specific classes are substantial to qualify for an Idaho Concealed Weapons License. Shoot House also holds what they call “man-hunts” and “fugitive hunts.” These are a “hunts” offer groups the chance to strap on protective gear and hunt each other.

March 20, Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie became proud parents to a 7-pound, 6-ounce baby boy. The 24-year-old announced her big news over Twitter on March 22.

The Chaz Bono dating show: Chaz Bono, Cher’s transsexual daughter, could soon be starring in a dating show of his very own said the executive producers of “Becoming Chaz,” last years OWN, documentar y about Bono’s transition from a woman to man. Bono split from fiancée Jennifer Elia last December.

Amanda Bynes arrested for DUI: After colliding with a police car early Friday morning, Amanda Bynes was arrested for driving under the influence, police confirmed to People Magazine.

Bachelor drama: “The Bachelor” was filled with drama as Courtney Robertson cried about her recent breakup with Ben Flajnik. The two not-so-much lovers put on quite the show on the night of March 12, during the show’s “After the Final Rose” special, as they stated they are getting engaged again and admitting they were still in love.

That’s all until next time…you know you dig me!

XOXO Gossip Guy Nick Dimico. is a staff contributor for The Sentinel. His opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sentinel. Respond to this column online at nicsentinel.com.

>SYMPHONY from page 8

performed next. Villalobos won first place in the College Strings Division. He performed his own arrangement of Bottesini’s “Concerto No. 2.” Demand said it was the first time for a string bassist to win in the College String Division.

Joann Martinson, N.C., who won first place in the Professional Vocal Division, delivered two lively performances.

During Bernstein’s “Glitter and Be Gay” Martinson used props, such as a diamond

bracelet, and placed a tiara on the head of concertmaster Phil Baldwin.

She was queen of the stage in her black and white, form fitting silk gown as she performed Mozart’s “Queen of the Night.” Demand said the category for professional singers was created because most singers don’t reach their peak until 30-40 years old and there aren’t many competitions for that age.

Last, but not least, was violinist Nicole Wald, 15, Oreg., who won first place in the High School Strings Division. Wald is a 15-year-old freshman at Boise State. Saturday morning she won a competition at

Boise and then flew back the evening for the NIC concert. In her shimmering red gown, she performed Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto.”

The show ran for approximately two hours. After the show there was a meet and greet in room 102 in Boswell Hall, where guests and performers could mingle with each other.

The Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra will have another performance in the Schuler Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. April 28. Tickets are on sale at the Symphony office, Great Harvest Bread Company and Burts Music.

GAMES

www.nicsentinel.com

the sentinel | 13

Crossword

crossword courtesy of www.mirroreyes.com, provider of free daily printable crossword puzzles.

ACROSS

1. Plateau 5. Eyebrow shape 9. Plate 13. Chooses 14. Merchandise 16. Doing nothing 17. Dribble 18. Habituate 19. Char 20. Stitched 22. Disparage 24. Diva’s solo 26. Rental agreement 27. Whitish edible root 30. Dung beetle 33. Savior 35. Parental brother 37. Fury 38. Aquatic mammals 41. Bird call 42. Cheapskate 45. Arduous 48. Ancient ascetic 51. Gleam 52. Adolescents

54. Retain 55. Deceiver 59. Preserves 62. City in Peru 63. Challenger 65. Violent disturbance 66. Utilized 67. Range 68. Beige 69. Feudal worker 70. At one time (archaic) 71. Accomplishment

DOWN

1. Nonvascular plant 2. Type of sword 3. Flight attendant 4. Bad-mouth 5. Reverence 6. South African monetary unit 7. Barbarous 8. Shingles 9. Distinguish 10. Bright thought 11. Thin strip

12. Not there 15. A pinnacle of ice 21. Eat 23. Brother of Jacob 25. Goals 27. Dainty 28. Eagle’s nest 29. P 31. Assistant 32. Hold responsible 34. Rodent 36. Pitcher 39. Captain’s journal 40. A lustrous fabric 43. A dais 44. Bobbin 46. Untruths 47. Besmirched 49. Approaches 50. Inveigle 53. Enjoy 55. Hint 56. Snake sound 57. Ends a prayer 58. Short sleeps 60. Ripped 61. An upright in a wall 64. Permit

April 9 in history 193 – Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans).

475 – Byzantine Emperor Basiliscus issues a circular letter (Enkyklikon) to the bishops of his empire, supporting the Monophysite christological position.

491 AD -- Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno died at an approximate age of 65.

585 BC – Emperor Jimmu, first Emperor of Japan, died.

715 -- Constantine ends his reign as Catholic Pope.

1241 – Battle of Liegnitz: Mongol forces defeat the Polish and German armies.

1413 – Henry V is crowned King of England.

1770 -- Captain James Cook discovers Botany Bay (Australia).

1865 -- At Appomattox, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders his 28,000 troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the American Civil War. 1912 -- Titanic leaves Queenstown, Ireland, for New York.

1945 – The United States Atomic Energy Commission is formed.

1968 – Funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr. 1987 – Jesse McCartney, American actor and singer was born.

1989 -- Mike Tyson strikes a parking attendant when asked to move his car.

2006 – Billy Hitchcock, American baseball player, coach, and official (b. 1916) died.

April 9 -- is the Day of the Finnish Language (Finland).

Lifestyles tip? Story idea?

Contact Michael Paquin

-- Paqman_@yahoo.com

VE I T A N R E ALT

PAGE 14

Lifestyles WWW.NICSENTINEL.COM

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2012

COMMENTARY

Catering to greedy, unethical Why is a poor role model a frontrunner?

Michael Paquin ■ Lifestyles Editor I don’t mind that Mitt Romney’s rich.

There, I said it. Doesn’t bother me at all. I think it’s a pointless argument to attack how much he’s worth, yet the media just won’t let it go. Here’s some breaking news. All of our recent presidents have been rich.

Rather than attacking his net worth, people should really be talking about how he made his fortune in the first place. That’s both relevant to his character and useful information in regards to speculating about what his economic policies might look like.

So, without further ado, here’s Mitt’s method for making the mad money.

In 1984, Romney started a spin-off of the private equity firm Bain & Company called Bain Capital. Bain Capital makes its money by attracting investors to buy a subject company and after acquiring it, reorganizes the management structure and charges the subject company a fee for the service. This is standard practice for private equity firms, but a couple of issues in the business strategies of Bain Capital have raised some eyebrows.

For years now, industry analysts have condemned Bain Capital’s utilization of obscure tax loops to attract foreign investors. One such loop is the usage of Cayman Islands accounts, which provide a tax haven for foreign investors that wish to circumvent the American tax codes when doing business in the States. Bain Capital helps them achieve this by setting up proxy companies on the islands the transaction is completed through. This scheme successfully avoids American tax regulations regarding investments in its companies. To imagine that a candidate for the presidency of the United States helped a company organize one of these is strange to say the least. Rebecca J. Wilkins, who is with an advocacy group called “Citizens for Tax Justice,” estimates the U.S. government loses about $100 billion every year due to companies making similar tax haven maneuvers.

Understandably, Bain Capital is extremely secretive regarding its usage of off shore accounts. Romney hasn’t been able to enjoy the same luxury. When the story of his tropical assets broke, a spokesman for his campaign told media outlets that Romney pays as much taxes in the islands as he would if he kept this money stateside. One’s then left wondering why a man like Romney, who clearly knows what he’s doing, has these accounts in the first place.

Bain Capital’s track record of the success of the companies it absorbs isn’t stellar either. According to a study conducted by the Wall Street Journal, 22 percent of companies held by Bain Capital file bankruptcy in the first eight years of the acquisition, largely due to the exorbitant fees it charges them.

Though the corporate reorganization strategies Bain Capital mandates vary in success, the chunk it takes for directing them often proves to be a death sentence for its overwhelmed holdings.

It’s nothing but vulture capitalism at its finest.

Taking these characteristics into account, it’s clear what the nation can expect from Romney. Lenient federal regulation for bloated companies and tax cuts for the wealthy will take priority in Romney’s agenda.

Michael Paquin is an editor for The Sentinel.

His opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sentinel. Respond to this column online at nicsentinel.com.

Max Leu (center), 21, Moscow, lip syncs a song as part of his performance as “Roxanna Hardplace” in the SUB March 14.

“Roxanna Hardplace” took home the title of best drag queen that night. Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel

Nick Dimico Staff Contributor Students screamed with excitement in the Lake Coeur d’Alene room on Wednesday, March 14 for the drag show put on by the NIC Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).

Host James Majesty, GSA vice president, 18, art and activism major, kept 10 queens and one king in line as they danced and sang for the cause of hunger as they collected cans of food at the front door.

“It was hard to plan because it’s an event that is a lot of work yet you can’t have too many people planning it or else it becomes too crazy,” Majesty said.

He went on to explain that organizing the drag show ow has been difficult due to possible venues already being in use by ASNIC during the desired dates.

“We did lose a lot of queens in the process who wanted to perform because change the date we had to ch so much, so were lucky to have the ones we got,” Majesty said.

GSA attracted their “straight” audience 22, theater. “People always say that we are going to die in hell and that we are sinin different ways. ners, and we’re not. We are beautiful the “The majority of all drag queens are way we are.” straight men,” said Majesty. “Most aren’t More than 100 cans were collected. gay because it’s a job and you make They will be given to a local food bank money from it, but how we attract the that the club will decide at their next straight community is letting them know meeting. that no matter what you are, you are al“Everyone is so supportive here,” Majways welcome at the GSA.” “After the ‘Footsteps’ presentation we esty said. “We raised over three hundred wanted to show that we do live happy dollars in profit that will go back to the lives,” Majesty said. “We go on; live our GSA account for future events and creatlives and we like to show that it’s ok to be ing a safe place for students.”

The turnout was lower then what the strong and proud while being who you club would have liked, are,” Majesthey were still ty explained “We just want people to be but happy about it. about the mo“I feel the more t i v e b e h i n d who they are and that’s part activities we have, the putting on the of what the drag show is all more presence we drag show. about.” will get and people “We began will start getting used the planning to us and coming to by suggestDANNI BAIN more activities,” Majing the idea,” GSA president and Drag King “Dan” esty said.

Majesty said.

There were a few “So then during the three-month process we got the bugs that the club wants to work out.

“In general it was one of the best queens together and figured out what we shows I have ever been too,” Bain said. needed to do for set up.”

“There are some minor things that we still For judging the queen’s performance need to work on, but I feel that we get a all the queens, there were three students great job.” that crowned the best queen and best For more information about the GSA king. Queen “Roxanna Hardplace” and or how to get involved visit them at their King “Dan” were announced as the best meeting which are on Thursday’s at 12:30 performers of the night. p.m. in the Powderhorn Bay Room in the “We just want people to be who they lower level of the SUB or contact ASNIC are and that’s part of what the drag show for further information. is about,” said Danni Bain, GSA president,

ASL comics leave NIC in stitches Signing performers share childhood experiences, insights into deaf culture Michael Paquin Lifestyles Editor The students of NIC and members of Coeur d’Alene’s deaf community got a chance to see the comic side of sign language and deaf culture when NIC hosted the acts of American Sign Language comedians Keith Wann and Windell “Wink” Smith Jr. More than 100 people attended the show on March 10 in the S.U.B. Both Wann and Wink were Children Of Deaf Adults, or CODAs, and subsequently had the unique experience of having nondeaf friends but learning ASL and growing up in households that exclusively spoke in sign language.

The comedic duo took turns sharing stories about growing up through signs while the other voiced the translation for the hearing members of the audience.

Wink, who opened the show, related the shock of his initial exposure to life outside his parents’ house.

“I never felt comfortable in the hearing world,” he explained.

When his mother took him to school for the first time, he was upset when he didn’t see any of the children using sign language. But after a short while, a teacher pulled him aside to so he could show the other students some examples of sign language. Since that time he’s held many positions in the ASL field that have included teaching and interpreting.

“With American Sign Language, you

can become the surrogate. You can show the characteristics of anything. [That’s] something you can do with ASL. You can not do that with English,” he said.

To demonstrate his point, Wink then proceeded to represent a cat by mimicking one’s mannerisms in a way that more expressively reminded the viewer of a cat than it’s English word.

Following Wink’s act, Wann took the stage and poked fun at ASL students as well as well as people in Idaho who don’t use ASL to sign like they do in California.

According to Wann, the signs used in Idaho are not as conceptually accurate as they could be, meaning they don’t look like what they’re representing. Other bits included the differences in body language between hearing and deaf people, as well as Wann’s mischievous childhood, during which his deaf mother taught him to dance but forgot to tell him that dancing is done to the rhythm of a song.

Finally at the end of the show, Wann had two ASL students come to the stage and act out the behavior of a dog to show students the impact that visual communication can have when compared to simple auditory communication.

“It was hysterical. I was crying [because] I was laughing so hard,” said Kayla Hitchcock, 27, communications, Hayden.

Wann noted the positive energy of the crowd. “It was a great reaction. I think it was a great crowd. Great support we’ve been getting. Good energy.”

Wink amuses audiences with jokes about signing. Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel

Wann and Wink launched the first ASL talk radio show out of Clearwater, Fla. The show, “Keith Wann: Cultural Bridges” has had guests that have included ASL community members, teachers, and performing artists. The ASL version of every show is available the next day for the deaf viewers to watch.

DID YOU KNOW? The concept of Father’s Day was conceived by Spokane resident Senora Dodd in 1909.

www.nicsentinel.com

LIFESTYLES

the sentinel | 15

Local student returns from three-month volunteer trip with stories, wisdom Kaye Thornbrugh Assistant Lifestyles Editor It was nighttime in Nepal, and Melaina Bell was walking home from an orphanage when a man on a bicycle rode up to her. Nervous, she ignored him— after all, Bell said, she was a white girl, walking alone at night in Nepal.

Then the man on the bike pedaled up behind her, shouting obscenities. Bell pulled Melaina out her cell phone and Bell dialed a friend, but nobody answered. The man on the bike was undeterred. He swerved in front of her abruptly, bumping into her.

“Leave me alone!” Bell screamed.

“What’s wrong with you?”

By then, Bell was close to the house where she was staying. As she ran to the house and ducked inside, her friend finally picked up the phone. Bell could see the man, still on the bicycle, riding around in front of the house. She darted upstairs and locked the door.

“I was freaked out and shaking in

my bed for the next hour,” recalled Bell, 19, social work, Post Falls. “What did he want from me? What would he have done? I had felt so safe up until then. I’d gotten so comfortable, and suddenly this guy breaks my bubble of Nepali innocence.”

That brush with danger came near the end of Bell’s volunteer trip to Nepal.

She spent Nov. 29, 2011 to Feb. 20, 2012 in Nepal, working in orphanages and traveling.

“I was trying to find a way to travel and do something meaningful,” Bell said. “I’d always been really into helping children. I had done a lot of things about child slavery in developing countries, and so I wanted to see what I was supporting, what I felt so strongly about.”

Bell was placed in two cities in Nepal.

The first was Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Kathmandu was once divided into kingdoms, Bell said, but now teeters on the edge of democracy. Her second placement was in Pokhara, a smaller city with more tourists and hippies, Bell said.

While volunteering in the orphanages, Bell said she fell into a routine. In the morning, she woke up, drank her tea, and walked the children to the orphanage—a mile-long walk at her first placement, and a five-minute stroll at the sec-

ond. During her three months in Nepal, Bell said she ate dal bhat, a sort of lentil soup, almost exclusively.

Bell and her partner, an Australian named Eliza, had time to explore while the children were in school. They roamed Kathmandu, hanging around in coffee shops with Internet connections or going motorbike riding with friends. Back at the orphanage, Bell said she played games with the children and helped them with their English.

“I came in thinking I would feel bad for these orphans, and that I was just going to be really sad,” Bell said. “After a while, I realized that I wasn’t sad for them. They’re so smart, and they speak two different languages. They’re wellfed. They’re happy. Everyone there is so happy, even though, by our standards, what they’re going through is so treacherous.”

Some parts of Nepal actually resembled downtown Coeur d’Alene, Bell said, complete with a lake and mountains—but without pine trees, and with countless monasteries and temples. And, of course, the mountains were the Himalayas.

Kathmandu is steeped in culture and history, Bell said. She marveled at and the prayer flags at Boudhanath, one of the largest “stupas” (mound-like struc-

tures containing Buddhist relics) in Nepal. In Durbar Square, Bell witnessed the Kumari Devi, a young girl worshipped as a living goddess. When touring Bhaktapur, Bell saw Nepali people drying their laundry on buildings constructed as early as the twelfth century.

“It was so bizarre to see people living in this city that I was paying to see,” Bell said.

On one occasion, Bell rode an elephant through the jungle, the massive saddle in which she sat lurching with each step the elephant took. Because the scent of the elephant masked human scents, the other animals in the jungle didn’t run away; Bell spotted a baby rhinoceros, deer, peacocks, and a crocodile.

Her time in Nepal has given her a new perspective on American life, Bell said. In Nepal, there was no electricity for 16 hours of the day. Back in America, Bell said she was baffled that she could plug in her laptop and it would charge, or flip a light switch and it would turn on, regardless of the time of day.

“It was a weird concept to grasp that we’re not necessarily better even though we’re richer, seeing that you don’t’ have to have all that stuff to be happy,” Bell said. “Maybe we have too much.”

NIC prepares to switch from Angel to Blackboard Transition will be part of a statewide initiative for colleges to change learning programs Jake Wright Martin Staff Contributor Attention NIC students, the longtime tyranny of Angel online learning has almost come to an end. As of June 1, NIC will make the switch to Blackboard 9.1 Next Generation. No longer shall students have to fear multiple logins. No longer shall students have to wade through second-rate online interface. And no longer will system crashes and communication failures be accepted.

The state of Idaho issued an initiative for all in-state higher education institutions to move to Blackboard. With 90 percent of colleges in Idaho using the same program, teachers and students will be freed from the need to keep up with several different platforms if taking or teaching courses at multiple institutions. Some colleges are using as many as four online education systems at once.

Blackboard combines technology used in three separate eLearning platforms into one smoothly oiled and streamlined online experience.

“It’s taking the best from Blackboard Learn, from Web CT…and from Angel,

and putting those features together in one platform,” said Jamie Green, director of eLearning and outreach at NIC. Green asserted that the transition to Blackboard will be seamless. The program will allow the user to do the exact same things as with Angel but in a much smoother way. “Single sign on” has been achieved, this means that students will no longer have to sign on in multiple places to get into Blackboard.

Blackboards communication system will use student email addresses as the primary addresses for all class work. Instructors and student will be able to communicate directly instead of through a third party email, unless an individual instructor wishes to use a different form of communication.

Blackboard will offer an internal messaging system (BBIM) that will be integrated into classes, anyone who has a Blackboard account campus wide, as well as worldwide, can use this messaging system.

“If you had friends who were taking classes at the U of I you would be able to instant message with them through this platform as well,” Green said.

Blackboard is fully mobile capable,

meaning that any student with a smartphone or a tablet can access their classes anywhere, just as easily as from a computer.

Green said NIC actually saves money by switching to Blackboard because the contract with Blackboard was a state-negotiated contract. All institutions wishing to switch to blackboard put their money together and essentially got a statewide package deal. In the end it would have cost NIC more to continue the old Angel contract than it did to upgrade our entire online system.

Preparing for the switch has taken time. During the last year NIC instructors have been moving old course content onto Blackboard to avoid having to rebuild years’ worth of class material. Instructors have to be trained to use Blackboard, and some departments have also had to upgrade to be ready for the new system.

The switch will take place in the summer when there is less activity on campus so as to cause as few headaches as possible among the students and staff. This also leaves time to weed out any unforeseen difficulties before the main student body enters the system in the fall. The IT de-

partment’s revamped room will allow IT to provide much faster help to counter any technical difficulties.

Student training for Blackboard starts this month. All students will have the opportunity to start online self-pay student training courses, to get a feel for the system before it goes online June 1. The eLearning and outreach department will be offering face to face orientation sessions for students as well.

Finding the Function

Local band makes mark with unique indie/alt sound Julie Salinas Staff Contributor The Function is a local Couer d’Alene band with a sound unlike any other.

With alumni and current NIC student members, this band is making a mark on the local music scene.

With a unique indie/alternative style and personalities to match, The Function is composed of four members: Kevin Carr (vocals, guitar), Robbie Frazer (drums), Kendall Sweet (guitar), and Keith Anderson (bass/backup vocals).

The band formed in August of 2011.

“This is an opportunity to be creative. For open minded people to create new things and that’s not easy to find,” said Sweet, 25, Flagstaff, Arizona.

“This is the first band that worked out.”

Playing music is hits each member differently.

“Music, it’s a moving thing in the universe to me. It’s something I’ve been devoted to,” said Anderson, 20, Bonners Ferr y, Idaho.

“It moves me in a deeper way that anything else,” said Sweet.

“L yrically, it’s an excuse to get out of my head. When they get on a page, it all makes sense. It helps me figure myself out” said Carr, 25, San Luis Obispo, California, Business.

“The day I started playing I knew it what was I was meant to do,” Frazer said. “It means ever ything because I can finally take what I have been working so hard at with multiple bands and express myself and help write songs.

My favorite

part is being able to play shows and record songs and share it with ever yone.”

The hardest part about being in the band is arranging schedules and doing the business sides of things.

“Ever ything comes down to time, and you have to make sacrifices,” Carr said. “It’s hard, but we all enjoy it. We’re all just artists and this garage is our canvas. We’re the median.”

Their band name, “The Function,” means something different to each member.

“It’s a dual product to me,” said Sweet. “A function is a pattern that creatures something. What is my function?

Why am I here?” said Sweet.

“I like band names that are one word that can mean anything, to

make people figure it out,” Anderson said.

With their first EP under their belt, Vessels, soon to be released, the guys have plans of touring.

“Holding us back is our CD, now that we have that, no plans to tour, but something we are thinking about,” Anderson said. “Maybe by the end of the summer.”

A full-length album isn’t a huge priority right now, though.

“We could knock out a full-length easily,” Carr said. “We want to make sure the songs sound good.”

With a couple of shows coming up in the next month, The Function wants their music to connect with the listener on a deeper level and that’s exactly what they plan to do.

LIFESTYLES

16 | the sentinel

COMMENTARY

Social proxemics observed Homework leads to interesting experience

Keeping the promise Club seeks to support, assist student veterans Kaye Thornbrugh Assistant Lifestyles Editor It’s about more than camaraderie.

That’s what Joey Peña says about the NIC Veterans Club. It’s about veterans having a direct influence on the affairs that go on at NIC, and an avenue to voice their opinions—and it was only a matter of time before somebody made that possible.

“There are things that other colleges provide on behalf of the veteran, and we were seeing individually that they weren’t [being provided at NIC],” said Peña, 28, psychology/criminal justice, West Covina,

Calif. “And when we brought that before the school, they were in line with that.

They were just waiting for people to do something about it.”

So Peña took action, along with fellow veteran Gabriel Abrao. Peña is currently the president of the NIC Veterans Club, with Abrao as vice president.

“In our experience, the biggest problem that veterans have encountered is a lack of information,” said Abrao, 23, psychology, Oakland, Calif.

“They just don’t know what’s available to them, and our primary objective is to make sure they know what benefits they have available to them, and to ensure that

Jake Wright Martin ■ staff contributor A recent homework assignment gave me an interesting, random topic to branch out from my usual string of columns that mainly bitch about problems with this school or the world.

The concept of proxemics defined by dictionary.com as: “the study of the spatial requirements of humans and animals and the effects of population density on behavior, communication and social interaction.”

According to the laws of social proxemics, space sensitivity relative to humans, has a hierarchy as follows: public space 12-25 feet, social space 4-12 feet, personal space 1.5-4 feet, and intimate space roughly 10 inches and closer.

People refer to this most often as their personal bubble, or an area 1.5-4 feet around any given person.

When someone enters another person’s bubble so to speak, subconscious alarms go off in your head telling you that something is too close. My story will show how this works on a practical social level.

The specific in“...May it stance in question tickle your occurred a week mind and or so ago. While I was heading to become the dorms where food for I reside, I found myself crossing your the soccer pitch. thoughts.” I was walking at a steady pace and marveling at the effect of the open space as opposed to sidewalks. I made a mental assimilation of the soccer pitch with that of open sky, each person on the pitch representing a commercial jet flying at a specific altitude. Maybe this is simply the result of an over active imagination; however it led me to notice an otherwise easily overlooked event.

As I walked, I perceived the “flight paths” of the other people moving across the pitch. I realized after walking five or so yards onto the field that my path and speed where perfectly aligned so that if no change in course or speed occurred, I would collide with a young woman making her way in the direction of LeeKidlow hall.

Upon realization of this impending collision, I had an immediate and involuntary urge to alter my course several degrees to the left, so as to avoid colliding with the woman. However, a spark of interest overcame me and I decided to continue at my present velocity and heading. My initial curiosity came mainly from the fact that I wished to see how close I had guestimated our collision point, or if I had in fact been off by enough so that it wouldn’t occur at all.

The woman had not appeared to have noticed the immenence of running headlong into a complete stranger, but eventually she looked up. At this point we were roughly 15 yards from my supposed collision point and closing. This first brief millisecond of eye contact was like two aircraft identifying each other on radar as having entered common airspace. We continued to walk as we had before, but now with that awkward back-of-your-mind sense, that one of you is going to have to move for both to continue traveling.

Finally the effects of social proxemics fully kicked in; now at a distance of maybe 12 feet we both glanced at each other for a second time., the eye contact holding for even less time than the first.

And, once again, like aircraft communicating by radio, we both turned out of the way by several degrees, passing each other with about 5 feet clearance without a single word having been said.

This event wouldn’t have been remembered longer than five minutes by most people; however, due to my recent reading on proxemics, I found it interesting. If we had been walking on the sidewalk, I would imagine that a similar process would have occurred. I would guess that we would have gotten closer before moving due to the social acceptance that people will inevitably end up being closer together while using sidewalks.

Take what you will from this article, may it tickle your mind and become food for your thoughts.

Monday, APRIL 9, 2012

Clinton Blettner, 27, justice studies, Hanover, Penn., and Jimmy Pond, 20, business, Redwood City, Calif., play “Call of Duty.” Micah Gimlin/Sentinel

they take advantage of those benefits.”

Eastern Washington University plans to open a Military Service Center this summer to provide “critical services” for veterans on campus, including counseling on which classes to take to fulfill degree requirements and financial aid, to help veterans integrate back into civilian society.

Abrao said he would like to see such a center at NIC. “We need to bring NIC up to date with our veterans’ accommodations,” he said.

Peña described the club as a tool for veterans to use, including everything from understanding benefits to “nuts and bolts stuff” like navigating the campus.

“No need is too small,” Peña said.

The club hosted a Call of Duty tournament and raffle March 17. Abrao said the club made a 75 percent profit at the event, and will use the money to put on more events in the future.

Veteran Clinton Blettner played in the tournament. He said he supports the talk of setting up “safe zones” on campus for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other ideas for helping veterans on campus.

“This club is about helping veterans get a college degree,” said Blettner, 27, justice studies, Hanover, Penn. “Joe [Peña] and Gabe [Abrao] are the ones to do it.”

The community has embraced the club, Peña said.

“We’ve had nothing but a positive response,” he said. “I guess we’re blessed in that area.”

The biggest obstacle, Peña said, has been identifying the veterans on campus.

Only about 20 veterans are currently on the club’s roster—but there are around 200 veterans receiving benefits attending NIC, and Peña and Abrao don’t know who they are.

“Ten percent of the actual demographic are showing up to meetings and making decisions on behalf of everyone else,” Peña said. “I think it would behoove the rest of the demographic to start showing up so they can have a voice in it—and more importantly, so they can socialize with people of the same caliber of individuals as them.”

The Veterans Club meets Fridays at 4 p.m. in the Cottonwood Bay Room of the SUB. The Veterans Resource Fair will be April 18 from 3-7 p.m. in the SUB. Representatives from Vet Center Spokane, the Idaho Department of Labor, the Idaho Veterans Services Office, and more will be present to help veterans “explore the services available to them.”

Students discover worldly woes Exhibit highlights issues of social injustice, intolerance Kaye Thornbrugh Assistant Lifestyles Editor

T

hey stand in darkness—smothering, thick.

Tentatively, they edge forward, a crowd of strangers venturing into a makeshift maze.

The silence is punctuated by the strange, rumbling music of factory work.

The group gathers before a table heaped with clothes and shoes—the products of child labor—as a spotlight illuminates the images of three children. Their voices thin and flinching, they tell of beatings on the factory floor, of buildings that catch fire in the night. Heat lamps glow orange in the gloom, wheezing hot, dry air.

But this is only the first stage of the journey: Footsteps in Oppression, an interactive exhibit highlighting issues of social injustice put together by ASNIC and various NIC clubs, March 6-8.

Leaving the sweatshop behind, the group enters a room where they are surrounded by an array of homophobic slurs tacked to the walls, as well as photos of victims of hate crimes. A black banner covered in white handprints stands out: A name is inscribed on each print, and above them are the words “Transgender Day of Remembrance.” The lights dim, and a film plays: silent, grainy security-

>HERITAGE from page 1

Johnson and Millie Douglas, which told the legend of the origin of winter and the crow’s black feathers.

Bill Birdsong Miller took up his guitar, stage lights throwing his shadow across the auditorium. Between selections from his newest release, “Chronicles of Hope,”

camera footage of a gay bashing.

Then the watchers are ushered on, into the glaring lights of a polling place in Civil Rights-era Mobile, Alabama.

A glowering woman herds the watchers into separate lines—“white” and “colored”—as they prepare to vote, heckling the “colored” line all the while.

“You might get killed if you do this,” she growls. “Just because the government wants you here, doesn’t mean we do.”

Meanwhile, a “colored” voter hands in her ballot. The man at the ballot box accepts it—but the moment she’s gone, he crumples the paper and tosses it on the floor.

And then they turn another corner in the maze; heavy bags are pressed into their arms.

“These are your burdens,” a young woman intones. “When you commit suicide, this is the burden that you leave your family.”

One by one, the watchers drop their “burdens” in a heap, each landing with a solid thump as they symbolically commit suicide.

Another bend in the maze brings the watchers to a room papered in statistics: 12-14 is the average age at which girls first become victims of the child sex trade.

100,000-300,000 is the number of children sold for sex in the United States each year.

At last, the watchers emerge into the

Room of Hope, where they are given bright pieces of paper on which to write their thoughts. They stick the papers on a wall, a rainbow of reflections. “Keep your heart open, always,” reads one. Another simply says, “God help us.”

Di Carlan, social work, visiting from Lewis-Clark State College, said she was most affected by the exhibit showing the oppression of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

“Because I have so many friends [in the LGBT community], when I saw that banner about Day of Remembrance, it struck a chord,” she said.

“I have a number of people who are transgender who are dear friends of mine, and the idea that they could be killed simply because they’re not wearing clothing specific to the gender they were born into seems most cruel of all.,” she said.

Amanda Johnson experienced Footsteps in Oppression because, while she worked on the sweatshop exhibit put on by the American Indian Student Alliance, she had yet to see the rest of the exhibits.

“While putting together our exhibit, I involved my kids,” said Johnson, 28, social work, Coeur d’Alene. “They were part of the whole process, and I think that’s one of the big things I can take and give to my own children—being able to realize the importance of humbling yourself.”

and Leonard Cohen and Towns van Zant covers, Miller explained the personal meaning of his name, “Birdsong,” which he received as a young man.

“In my tribe, the bird represents the soul in flight,” Miller said. “The bird represents hope.”

Because he grew up in the “B.C. Period” (Before Casinos and Before Costner), Miller said he was hesitant to release his name into the world. The world was a

harsh place for American Indians, Miller said, and to be “Birdsong” was to be picked on.

Miller said he wouldn’t allow himself to be trapped by trauma. He chose to heal and forgive those who hurt him—including his father—and after that, his career came together.

“I kept my sacred name to myself, but I’m releasing it now,” Miller said. “I’m finally flying free.”

Sports

Sports tip? Story idea?

Contact Eric Rivera

-- earivera@students.nic.edu

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MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2012

COMMENTARY

Ex-NFL QB finds new pains Montana athlete’s pill addiction takes hold

Eric Rivera ■ Sports Editor NIC’s Jessica Lupinacci is called out on a close play at first base against the Big Bend Vikings of Moses Lake March 18. The Lady Cards heavily outscored the Vikings in both games forcing wins by the mercy rule. Eric Rivera/Sentinel

Lack of home field action Ladies 2-0 at home, traveling due to wet weather Garrett Cabeza Staff Contributor The Snow College Lady Badgers defeated the North Idaho College Lady Cardinals 3-1 and 9-5 Saturday and 9-3 and 4-2 Friday.

Earlier, the Salt Lake Community College Bruins, who are in first place in the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC), swept NIC March 23 and 24 in Salt Lake City.

The Lady Cardinals led three out of the four games, but the Lady Bruins overcame the deficits to win all four games.

Freshman Nicole Atkinson spent the most time in the pitcher’s circle due to freshman pitcher Emily Perlich’s back injury.

NIC then split with SWAC opponent College of Southern Nevada in Moses Lake, Wash., at Larson Playfield March 30 and 31.

Southern Nevada defeated NIC 8-7 in the first game but the Lady Cardinals responded with a 4-0 win in the second game to conclude the doubleheader the first day.

The next day NIC (17-30, 13-23 SWAC) beat Southern Nevada in the first game 3-2 but fell to the Lady Coyotes 10-7 in the final game.

The four-game series was played in Moses Lake due to poor field conditions at Memorial Field, the home field for the Lady Cardinals.

With cold weather present, the North Idaho College bats heated up when the Lady Cardinals took on Big Bend Community College of Moses Lake, Wash., March 18 in a nonconference doubleheader.

NIC defeated Big Bend 10-2 in the first game and 9-1 in the second at Memorial Field for their home opener. Both games ended early because the Lady Cardinals led by eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. If a team is leading by eight runs or more after the fifth inning or later, that team is declared the winner of the game.

Atkinson belted three home runs going four for six with eight runs batted in (RBIs) on the day.

“My main objective was to hit the sweet spot always and just go up there and not think of hitting a home run,” Atkinson said. “Just hit the ball hard always.

If it goes over, that’s my luck.”

Two of her home runs and six of her RBIs came in the second game. She also

earned a save in the second game pitching three innings and allowing one hit.

Seven Lady Cardinals had a batting average of .400 or better, including freshman catcher Shelby Carter, who hit .714 and drove in four runs. Freshman outfielder Ashlen Ayres went two for two at the plate with a walk in the first game.

Sophomore pitcher Jen Rosie pitched all five innings to pick up the win in the first game. She struck out a season-high 12 Lady Viking batters and allowed two runs.

“She struggled a little bit because she kept walking the lead-off batter and so we were like, ‘what’s going on?’” said head softball coach Don Don Williams. “When I saw the 12 strikeouts I was like, ‘wow that’s pretty dang good’ because if you were there I don’t think you would have thought that she had a great performance.”

The Lady Vikings led 2-0 after the top of the third inning before NIC scored 10 unanswered runs.

Freshman pitcher Danielle Hockett earned the win in the second game allowing one run.

Cardinal basketball ends at regionals

Men’s team fails to defeat defending champions in title game Stories by Benaiah Cheevers ■ Staff Contributor The North Idaho College men’s team lost a hard fought 58-52 battle to the defending national champions College of Southern Idaho Saturday, March 10 at the Region 18 Championship Game in Salt Lake City. The appearance in the championship game was the second in the last three years for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals led by eight points with just over 10 minutes left, but the depth of Southern Idaho eventually wore down the Cardinals in a game that went down to the wire before they had to foul. Keon Lewis and Antoine Hosley led the Cards and both were named to the All-Tournament team.

“We lost to the defending national champions and it never ends the way you want it to unless you win a national cham-

pionship,” said head coach Jared Phay.

“I felt like our guys achieved everything they could. We had a lot of injuries and went through a lot of adversity this year.”

The Cardinals had battled through the second round of the Region 18 tournament the day before defeating host Salt Lake 81-76. The Cardinals rallied behind Keon Lewis and his 21 points followed by Antoine Hosley’s 19 points in that game.

The Cardinals concluded their season with a 24-8 overall record. The Cardinals have now won 20 plus games four straight years and have been ranked in the top 10 in the country for the past three seasons.

The Cardinals look forward to next season with several members returning including All-Conference players Michael Middle-

brooks and Keon Lewis, as well as honorable mention All-Conference Kaj Sherman.

Petar Joksimovic, a 6-foot-5 sophomore has accepted a scholarship offer from Coach Brandon Rinta to play at LewisClark State College (LCSC) next year.

Joksimovic is originally from Serbia, but has become a U.S. citizen and has lived in Coeur d’Alene for the past eight years. He plans to move his wife and son to Lewiston as well and will be joining former Cardinal Nick Fromm on the LCSC roster.

Coach Phay said that Edrico McGregor, a 6-foot-8 sophomore from Nassau, Bahamas, has been deciding among several schools to sign with but will most likely choose either Idaho State, Montana State or Texas-San Antonio.

National championship dreams end early for Lady Cardinals The Lady Cardinals ended their season Friday, March 9 in Salt Lake City.

NIC was the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season champions and had their hopes for a fourth straight trip to the national tournament foiled by the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Bruins, who defeated the Cardinals 66-61 at SLCC. Sophomore Korina Baker scored 21 points, contributed four steals and had three assists. Sophomore Julia Salmio was strong on the boards leading all rebounders with 11.

Snow College went on to defeat SLCC in the championship game 60-57. After the tournament, NIC sophomore Korina Baker was named to the Region 18 AllTournament team.

Other Region 18 Women’s All-Tournament team selections were Priscilla Santos of Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah, Sofia Hepworth of SLCC, Marissa Robbins of SLCC, Kelsi Wells of Snow College, and Erica Martinez of Snow College, who won Most Valuable Player.

Head coach Chris Carlson was named

Region 18 women’s basketball Coach of the Year. NIC also had two First Team All-Region women’s basketball selections in Baker and Salmio. Katie Buskey made Second Team All-Region.

The 2011-2012 Lady Cardinals, with only two sophomores and 10 freshmen, finished the season with a 23-6 overall record and won the SWAC regular season title.

For updates from NIC women’s basketball and inside access on where the players are going you can follow them on Twitter at @NICWBBALL.

Many avenues are available for a pro football player when they retire. Some might move on to the world of television and become anchors or commentators.

Others might move on to the role of coaching at either the college or professional level. Some might just leave the sport altogether surviving off of the bounty they raked in during their golden years. And then there are those who find themselves in a hole deeper than they can get out of.

Ryan Leaf, 35, of Great Falls, Mont., has found that hole. It came in the form of painkiller addiction.

Leaf’s football career has proven that there is talent located in the Northwest.

Born in 1976, he showed his true potential for the sport by leading his Montana high school to a state championship.

He chose to go to Washington State University and ended the school’s 67-year Rose Bowl drought. Though WSU lost that year, Leaf started catching the attention of NFL scouts across the country.

In the 1998 NFL Draft, Leaf was the first round, second pick and ended up on the San Diego Chargers after the Indianapolis Colts chose Peyton Manning as the overall first pick.

His rookie season showed promise early on for the Chargers as he won his first two games, but he bombed his third game and was benched for the season.

Injuries started to appear for Leaf at the start of the second season. It first came as a shoulder injury, then he subsequently injured his hands and wrist.

As his injuries proved that the NFL wasn’t going to work for him, Leaf went on to finish his education. After he landed a quarterback coaching job for Texas A&M, it was only a few years before his addiction came into the public view.

He resigned abruptly as allegations began to rise that he tried to solicit painkillers from a college player in 2008.

One year later and Leaf showed the public he was on a path of self-destruction.

When returning to the U.S. from rehab in Canada, he was arrested by customs on charges of burglary and possession of a controlled substance originating in Texas.

He was placed on 10 years of probation with hopes that he could clean up his life, and it looked promising until 10 days ago.

Leaf was first arrested March 30 for possession of oxycodone. After posting a $76,000 bond Saturday, he was rearrested Monday on charges of burglarizing a home and stealing prescription painkillers.

I don’t know what to be bugged about more with this news: the fact that a Northwest talent just wasted his life or the fact that his downward spiral started with drugs our government says a doctor can prescribe.

According to PainkillerAbuse.US, opiates are the most commonly abused drug, and the U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of painkillers using 71 percent of the world’s oxycodone and 99 percent of the world’s hydrocodone.

This abuse causes more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. Maybe the government should revisit its drug policy and rework the notion of what is truly an “illegal drug.” I imagine this idea is reflected by many across the country on many levels.

As for the hole that Leaf has found himself in, I don’t see an easy way out.

You just can’t teach common sense. It doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to know breaking into houses is wrong.

His athletic talent and status may still work out to his advantage, though. In the future, he just might be a first round pick to play quarterback in a friendly game of prison yard football.

Eric Rivera is an editor for The Sentinel. His opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Sentinel. Respond to this column online at nicsentinel.com.

DID YOU KNOW? Softball is the No. 1 participation team sport in the U.S. with more than 40 million players.

18 | the sentinel

SPORTs

Monday, APRIL 9, 2012

Canada lends some talent to NIC Garrett Cabeza Staff Contributor

video and when she came to NIC for a tryout in the fall of 2010.

Atkinson had gone through many pitching coaches that changed her mechanics Smashing home runs and keeping the before she arrived at NIC, so she had a difopponent’s runs off the scoreboard can be ficult time settling into good mechanics. a difficult task.

“We really felt like we could take her But freshman pitcher and designated to the next level getting some consistency hitter Nicole Atkinson, who is from Maple with her coaching,” Williams said.

Ridge, B.C., has sparked the Lady CarAtkinson said her go-to pitch is her dinals this season at the plate and in the drop inside or her changeup because her pitching circle. changeup has really improved.

“It’s a lotta hard work,” Atkinson said.

“I try not to think too much,” Atkinson “You come to this level and you gotta give said. “I just stay loose, feel confident about it your all or else why are you here?”

Head coach Don Don Williams said she my pitches, know that I can throw them, and just go out and focus on one has transitioned well from the batter at a time. I just take it from high school to the college level there and don’t get frazzled.” because of her work ethic.

Atkinson has struck out 40 “She adapts well because batters in 57.2 innings pitched she works hard and she’s very this season and her opponent coachable,” Williams said. “She batting average is .250 as of last wants to get better and she has Thursday. that drive. So that just makes When it comes to digging into it easy as a coach because you the batter’s box, Atkinson knows can work with that. She definitewhat to do.

Nicole ly puts the effort into whatever “A lot of the time, I like to go we ask of her.”

Atkinson for the first pitch cause usually Atkinson’s high school did it’s a strike,” Atkinson said. “But not have a softball program, so other than that if it’s not, I like to she played on a club softball team. It traveled into the United States as wait for my pitch. The pitches to hit are the far east as Texas and as far south as Las low pitches. It’s easier to drive it over the Vegas, so the players could showcase their fence.” talent in front of recruiters.

As of last Thursday, Atkinson has hit 14 Atkinson drew interest from a college home runs so far this season, which leads in Pittsburgh, New York and California, the team. She is also hitting .328 with 35 but ultimately chose NIC. RBIs, both marks ranking her in the top “When Don Don contacted me, she three on the team. made it very appealing to come down Atkinson credits her mom and her here,” Atkinson said. “I came down for a coaches for helping her become the softvisit and I loved it when I came down. I ball player that she is today. She said her just had to come here.” mom encourages her to stay strong and Williams liked Atkinson’s size and her coaches throughout her career have strength when she watched her recruiting helped her improve.

“We really felt like we could take her to the next level getting some consistency with her coaching.”

Nicole Atkinson eyes the fence for a home run like the Great Bambino. Whether at bat or pitching, she has been an asset for the Lady Cards. Courtesy Photo-Tamara Link/NIC Athletics

DON Don Williams head softball coach

Spokane-based motorcycle club takes freestyling to higher level Eric Rivera Sports Editor Motorcycle enthusiasts from many different generations showed up for the ninth annual Inland Empire Motorcycle Show and Sale March 9-11. The event featured Spokane-based motorcycle stunting group, the High Ridaz, showcasing the extreme side of riding on a two-wheeler.

The High Ridaz performed nine times over the weekend. Each performance was limited to a nine-minute routine of popping wheelies, riding wheelies no-handed, one wheel spinning tricks and balancing acts standing on the seat of the motorcycle.

Carbon dioxide sensors were the main reason the time was limited on each performance. If the sensors went off from the fumes, they would have had to close down the event for a day.

“I feel a little sorry for the crowd because they show up, sit around for a half an hour and we ride for nine minutes,” said High Ridaz founder Demian Petretti. “Usually after about nine minutes, we are just starting to find our groove out there. We call it right out of the box with no warm ups.”

The High Ridaz are a 12-man motorcycle stunting group founded by Demian Petretti and son Byron, who is also one of the stunt riders.

Pat Manzi, another rider for the group, and Byron have perfected a routine where they both pop wheelies and ride in circles around each other.

“We still hit each other,” Manzi said. “We have been riding together for more than four years, so we are pretty familiar with each other’s riding styles and tendencies.”

Manzi is 34-years-old and bears proof that someone doesn’t need to be riding all their life to be good at it. He didn’t even cruise the pavement on a motorcycle until he was 23.

Where some riders would go from rid-

Pat Manzi (front) and Byron Petretti wheelie their bikes as they prepare to pull off a stunt that involves circling one another in an area smaller than 10 feet in diameter. The High Ridaz have been stunting in Spokane since 2004. Eric Rivera/Sentinel

ing and motocross to stunting, Manzi did it in reverse and perfected stunting before he competed on dirt. He now pushes a new arena of stunting on ice which requires studded tires.

“I was actually watching a motocross video, and I had seen a short little 30-second [stunting] segment in the middle of it,” Manzi said. “I bought a bike, found these guys, found Demian, and it has been history ever since.”

With about 100 vendors and more than 11,000 participants over the three days, the Motorcycle Show and Sale brought in a variety of different people to experience the stunting group and the opportunity to check out some of the industr y’s newer and older motorcycle designs.

Steve Cody, a former radio broadcaster for Citadel Broadcasting, has been the host for the event since its inception back in 2004. He said that he enjoys seeing people come down to be part of the social event.

“One of the things [the event] calls attention to is all the good motorcyclists do,” Cody said. “The motorcycle community has the biggest heart out of any group I’ve seen.”

The Inland Empire Toyota Dealers, Monster energy drink, Budweiser and the Spokane Indian Tribes were all sponsors to the event.

Bikers Fighting Cancer and the Ride for Life groups were both present raising money for cancer patients spanning all ages. Cody said that he plans to continue the event next year.

A Closer Look Motorcycle stunt riding, or simply stuntriding, is a sport characterized by stunts involving acrobatic maneuvering of the motorcycle and sometimes the rider. Common maneuvers in stuntriding include wheelies, stoppies, and burnouts. Stunters are a controversial subculture of motorcycling.

SPORTS

www.nicsentinel.com

the sentinel | 19

National game-time review

| Sailing at Schweitzer Stomp Games 2012

Kentucky’s hype kept true to final game

I

Snowboarder Hayden Eaton, 16, Whitefish, Mont., pulls off an indy grab during his second run at the event held March 16-17. He took fourth place in the Men’s Board Open level. Kix Kamp, 14, Sandpoint, earned gold at that level. Eric Rivera/Sentinel

LETTERS OF INTENT SOCCER NIC head coach Ken Thompson has signed four players from around the Northwest to join the 2012 men’s soccer team.

Logan Tooley, 17, Boise, was signed as a left-footed forward. He scored 26 goals in his senior year at Mountain View High School.

Thompson said he has good speed for his size and is very athletic. He said he plays quick and simple.

John Ray, 18, Boise, was signed as a versatile forward. He is 6-foot-1 and can run a 40-yard dash in about four and a half seconds.

He scored 21 goals as a senior for Centennial High School. Thompson said he is very intelligent, a great leader, and good at picking up technical skills.

Andy Pybus, 18, Spokane, was signed as a center back. He is about 6-foot and played football and soccer for Mead High School.

Thompson said he is very strong, has solid speed, can be a versatile player and has good knowledge of the game.

Jimmy Chambers, 18, Helena, Mont., was signed as a left-footed left back. He is 5-foot11. Thompson said he was signed for being big, strong and fast, and he is a good attacker.

VOLLEYBALL Head coach Kandice Kelly has signed on two players for NIC’s 2012 team.

Tessa Sian, a 6-foot middle blocker from Huntley Project High School in Huntley, Mont., recently signed to play volleyball next year.

Sian is a three-year letter winner, two-time second team All-Conference honoree and has played a role in her high school team’s three state championships. She is third on the

school record list in blocking with 55 blocks in one season and 10th on the school record list with 17 kills in a match. She hit 0.295 last season and had 1.9 blocks a game.

In addition, she was also named to the AllConference first team for basketball in 2012.

Leeta Grap, a 6-foot middle hitter from Kamuela, Hawaii, has committed to play for the team in 2012. Grap met with coach Kelly at the Las Vegas Classic volleyball tournament before choosing to sign with the Cardinals.

Grap led her high school volleyball team to back-to-back Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) titles while also contributing to her soccer team that won three consecutive BIIF titles and state runner-up her senior year.

Grap was awarded Volleyball Player of the Year for the entire island her junior and senior year of high school volleyball.

Flags fly for football fanatics

Rec. Sports holds indoor tournament Benaiah Cheevers and Garrett Cabeza Staff Contributors Students competed in a fun-infused co-ed flag football tournament put on by NIC Rec. Sports April 3-4 at Christianson Gymnasium. Four teams played in the two-night event, but Team Live placed first, winning 42-36.

“Catching four consecutive touchdowns in one game was pretty cool, and, of course, winning the final game,” said Cody Mazzola, 21, Coeur d’Alene, Mathematics.

Kaj Sherman uses some fancy footwork learned from his basketball season.

Team Live, the team he played on, won the tournament. Eric Rivera/Sentinel

As with all Rec. Sports activities, participants were in high spirits.

“We should have this event more often each semester, indoor and outdoor,” said Jacob Bowmen, 19, Coeur d’Alene, Physical Therapy. “We were all here to just have a good time and I think that’s what we all did.”

One of the participants, Jared Allen, said it would have been better if the event was held outside as opposed to inside the gym.

“It was kind of frustrating because outside would have been a lot nicer,” Allen said. “You can throw the deep ball a lot better, move around and do a lot more stuff.”

The Montegues finished second in the tournament followed by Los Jugadores and the Swamp Donkeys.

As for future Rec. Sports activities, they are holding a whiffleball tournament at Christianson Gymnasium April 16-17.

Later in the month on April 25-27, a co-ed softball tournament will be held at McEuen Field located at the base of Tubbs Hill and east of the resort in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Sign-ups for this event are due April 23.

The dates for Rec. Sports paintball have been changed. It has been moved to April 27 and 30.

To round out the Rec. Sports events for the semester, ultimate frisbee will be played at McEuen Field at 4 p.m. May 1-3.

n a battle of talent versus toughness, talent won out as the University of Kentucky Wildcats captured their eighth national title against the University of Kansas Jayhawks 67-59 Monday, April 2 in New Orleans.

Kentucky dominated most of the game as Player of the Year Anthony Davis made his presence felt on defense.

The freshman grabbed 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals, but only finished with six points in the game.

Kentucky Garrett played outstanding team defense, esCabeza pecially in the first half as Kansas was unable to find their rhythm offensively.

When Kansas’ guards penetrated into the lane, their shot had a good chance to be swatted or altered by Davis.

Kentucky played unselfishly at the offensive end with four players scoring nine points or more in the game.

They shared the ball, found the open man and knocked down shots. Sophomore guard Doron Lamb led the Wildcats with 22 points.

The Wildcats only shot the ball well in the first half, though, going 53 percent from the field compared to 27 percent in the second half.

Kentucky led by 18 late in the first half but Kansas scored two buckets with one second remaining to cut the lead to 14 points at halftime.

Kansas cut further into the deficit in the second half after All-American forward Thomas Robinson’s dunk at about the 12-minute mark.

Lamb briefly stopped the momentum with consecutive three-pointers to increase their lead to 54-38.

The Jayhawks cut the score to five points after Elijah Johnson hit a clutch three and Robinson made two free throws with 1:37 left.

Kansas turned the ball over with 54.6 seconds remaining. They fouled Marquis Teague, who made both free throws on the one-and-one.

Taylor hit a floater to make it 65-59 with 39.8 seconds to go, but Lamb secured the win with a pair of late free throws.

Kansas showed a lot of heart and toughness in the second half. They fought hard until the buzzer sounded and probably had Kentucky fans on the edge of their seats in the final minutes after making a final run and cutting the Wildcats’ lead to single digits.

Kentucky (38-2) lacked aggressiveness in the second half and let Kansas (32-7) have a late rally. The Wildcats were outscored 32-26 in the second half.

The Jayhawks also did a good job of preventing Kentucky from sprinting up and down the court in transition and scoring easy baskets. It seemed like most of the game Kansas forced Kentucky into their half-court offense.

Even though the Wildcats’ offense is excellent in that particular area, the Jayhawks probably had a better chance of winning if they slowed Kentucky’s tempo, which I thought they did.

Taylor and Robinson improved their play in the second half as Robinson finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds, and Taylor had 19 points.

As expected by most college basketball analysts and fans around the country, Kentucky’s underclassmen, some of whom are expected to be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft when they decide to leave college, were too skilled and too overwhelming for the more experienced Kansas Jayhawks team.

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20 | the sentinel

CARDINAL CONNECTIONS

Monday, April 9, 2012

Different drums: Brandon Cavilee, 20, Brunswick, Ga., (second from left) and others enjoy some percussion during Michael Moonbear’s drum circle. Gabe Green/Sentinel

The Cardinal Connections symposium, “The Spark!

Connecting with Creativity,” took place March 12-14 all over campus. Enjoy some of these highlights from the events.

Pat Lippert discusses semiosis and genius during his presentation. Micah Gimlin/Sentinel

Cardinal Ca Co C rddid ini n al Connections C nnecttittioioi ns Connecting Campus and Community

Geoff Carr demonstrates the creative innovations of technological wizard Steve Jobs.

Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel

Christopher Sobkowiak, 22, Logan Rorabeck, 19, Shannon Schubert, 23, and Mercedes Amos, 18, use sidewalk chalk during a Moment of Creativity. Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel

Joe Jacoby explores John Lennon’s skillful song writing process for the Beatles and his solo career. Amy Brandt/Sentinel

Keynote speaker and author of “Blah, Blah, Blah,” Dan Roam shares his revolutionary insight about thinking outside the box and using pictures to solve problems. Amy Brandt/Sentinel

Bill Jhung moderates the Creative Business Panel Discussion during the March 12 seminar. Micah Gimlin/Sentinel

Katrina Uribe, Wesley Saunders and Gerard Mathes perform “Elelande,” composed by Uribe. Ethan Schlussler/Sentinel