PAGE 6 * THE STERLING KANSAS BULLETIN * THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
The offical student-run newspaper of Sterling College
Volume 115 issue 11
Four qualify for AFA national tournament By PATRICK WRIGHT Staff Writer Marking the sixth straight that Sterling College has had students qualify for nationals in forensics, Juniors Alex Lawhon–Bush, Courtney Hensley, Freshman Brandon Hoesli, and Senior Jessica Brayton qualified for Nationals in Forensics this week. Brayton led the team with qualifications in four events including extemporaneous speaking while Lawhon-Bush qualified in three events, Hensley in two events, and Hoesli in one. The four have been competing in the AFA or American Forensics Association and after a year of intense work have met the requirements to qualify at the National level. The AFA is the biggest forensics organization in collegiate forensics because there are no divisions. Schools of all sizes compete in the tournaments and there are no restrictions on who can or cannot compete, which makes the
THISWEEK Today. Softball vs. University of Dallas @ 2 p.m. Friday. Last day to remove incompletes from fall semester Softball vs. McPherson @ 2 p.m. Baseball @ Doane College, 3 p.m. Spring break begins! Resident halls close @ 5 p.m. Saturday. Track @ McPherson Invitational, 10 p.m. Baseball @ Doane College, 3 p.m. Sunday. Selection Sunday @ 5 p.m., CBS Monday. Golf @ Panhandle State Invitational, 8 a.m. Baseball @ Ozark Christian College, 2 p.m. Tuesday. Golf @ Panhandle State Invitational, 8 a.m. Softball @ Kansas State University, 3 p.m.
NEWSBITES
Jessica Brayton and Nolan Chaney to represent SC at NPTE
Senior Jessica Brayton and Junior Nolan Chaney will compete at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence after receiving a second round bid for the tournament which will take place March 17th through 19th in Bellingham, Washington. The tournament will be hosted at Western Washington University. The dynamic duo will be the first Sterling College team to compete at the NPTE in over 5 years. Brayton and Chaney, currently ranked 33rd in the nation overall, will go on to compete the following week at the National Parliamentary Debate Association’s annual national tournament held at the same location. Sterling will be bringing five teams to the NPDA championship.
achievement that much more impressive. The Forensics team here at Sterling is led by Ken Troyer and he is excited to see his students make their way to such a high placing in the nation. “It’s exciting to see hard work pay off,” Troyer said. The way that one qualifies for Nationals in the AFA is fairly simple. One must simply consistently perform well. In most cases, if a student consistently places first, second or third in tournaments at the lower levels, they can earn qualification for Nationals. This means that the four did well at not just one tournament, but at many tournaments throughout the year. The four consistently placed at tournaments and beat competitors from all over the state and from schools as small as Sterling College to state schools like Kansas State University. To be able to compete at the national level means that these are some of the best competitors that the state of
Kansas has to offer. This is a feat not easily accomplished, but the effort put forth by the college students has paid off for them. The two were very excited in their qualification. “It’s a good feeling,” Lawhon-Bush said. “I’m qualified in my favorite event, so it feels really good. Extemporaneous Speaking is a tough event so I feel pretty accomplished.” The four prepared well and they have earned their placing in their respective events. Troyer was extremely proud of his students and believes that if students keep their focus on their task and do not mess around, that they can achieve great things. “Here, we’re a team, but it’s nice to see an individual’s hard work pay off for them,” Troyer said. Lawhon-Bush, Hensley, Hoesli and Brayton are examples to all students that even if you are on a team, if you put for the effort to excel
Junior Alex Lawhon-Bush (seen left preparing for a debate) was one of 4 on the debate and forensics team to qualify for AFA nationals. Photo Courtesy of Ken Troyer and reach for high goals, then erything that they can to excel you can reach those goals. in extracurriculars and acaStudents should strive to live demics. with this mindset and do ev-
Chorale and Singers headed to So Cal for Spring Break By NATHAN EHRESMAN Staff Writer The options for Spring Break entertainment are practically endless, but if you are in choir at Sterling College your plans have already been made: choir tour. On Thursday, the Sterling College Chorale and Highland Singers will load onto the bus and begin the long journey toward the west coast. Between the two choirs and a musical theatre group, the choir has a full set list of around 20 songs prepared. At each stop along the way they will tailor the concert to fit the time and setting they encounter. California is the ultimate destination of this year’s tour. “I am looking forward to it,” freshman Ryan Bretches said, “It is a great time to bond. Plus, who doesn’t want to go to California over Spring Break?” But with the glamour of California over Spring Break comes the adventures of the choir from a small school. The 35-40 singers will be staying with host families where possible, but they will also be spending a night in a hotel, sleeping on the floor in a church, and maybe even sleeping on the bus as it drives through the American countryside. These experiences, however rough they
may be on the surface, lend themselves well to bonding amongst the choir members. “We spend a lot of time together,” Senior bass Nathan West said. “Through devotionals that we do, that can draw the choir closer together and get to know each other on a more personal level.” The focal point of this year’s tour is Norco, CA. The choir director at Norco High School is a proud Sterling College alumnus and directs a lot of students toward the middle of Kansas. This year’s choir tour will be a homecoming for several members of the choir as they get to go back to their roots. The choir will perform several times there as a bit of a “thank you” for sending so many talented vocalists our way. Despite the fun times singing and watching movies on the bus, some may not call this tour a “break.” The choir will be making 14 stops to put on shows in just 10 short days. All of this work, however is essential in both drawing future students to Sterling as well as sharing the gospel. “I think it’s a really great recruiting tool for kids,” West said. “It shows how well our music department is here at Sterling College and it also shows what we’re all about as far as ministry goes. It lets people know what our true mission is and we want to show glory to God through all that we do.”
History department fills vacancy with Florida native By BEN WRIGHT Staff Writer Every year at Sterling College comes with new faces and one such face next year will be newly hired history professor, Dr. Daniel T. Julich. “I felt as if God was calling me to a small Christian Liberal Arts College,” Julich said. He continued to talk about how when he noticed the opening here, he knew that it was for him. “I was drawn to the approach to education, ” Julich said and added that he was excited and looking forward to coming. Last month, Dr. Julich made a trip out to Kansas to visit the campus and he seemed to really like the feel of Sterling. “It was really inviting and there was a lot of open space,” Julich said. I also asked the new addition to the Sterling College family about what he would bring to the school. The main part of his teaching philosophy seemed to be that he is interested in not only pursuing knowledge, but also more importantly, wisdom. This, he
Dr. Daniel T. Julich poses with his family. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Daniel Julich said, is really illustrated by his favorite biblical verse, which is Proverbs 2: 3-5. These philosophies will find their ways into the classes that he will be leading in the fall. He mentioned that he plans on teaching World Civilizations 1 and 2, which can also count as general education credits. Also, he plans on teaching a class on the History of the Classical Age. These were the only ones that he was sure of at this point, but he sounded really interested in teaching about the history
of science if given an opportunity. Julich comes to Sterling with some really impressive credentials . He got his Bachelors of Science and Mathematics from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 1996. After that, he got his Masters of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Wheaton College in 2000. Finally, he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in History from the University of Florida in 2008. The title of his dissertation is “Pascal, Devout Savant: Science, Religion, and the Learned Community in Seventeenth-Century Paris.” All things considered, we will be lucky to be adding this new professor in the fall of 2012 to the Sterling College faculty. Currently, he lives in Florida at the United States Department of Teaching American History Grant, but he will be moving to Kansas in July with his wife, Sarah. Coming along with them are the couple’s four kids: Olivia, Cecily, Benjamin, and Levi. Be sure to make him feel welcome on campus.
Student art show opens March 29th By BAY BAKER Staff Writer The college is hosting its First Annual Student Art Show. Art shows in the past have been centered on faculty or students of art; this competition, however, is open to anyone who would like to showcase his or her talent in media, painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, etc. The deadline for submissions is March 22 at 5 pm. Professors Daniel Swartz and David Harmon are the contacts for this event, and they will be taking submissions at the Art Center. Awards for art submissions include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The Student Art Show itself opens on March 29th from 3 pm to 5 pm. Kaitie Turner said the Art Show will be a great outlet for finding new talent on campus. It might also get some people acquainted with the art building. “Some people don’t even know [the art building] exists,” Turner said. “The competition gives art majors a chance to get their names out there.” Since it is inclusive of all majors, the competition will also allow less-known artists to spread their wings a little. “I think it’s opening up doors for people who aren’t necessarily banking on art for their career, but have a deep passion for it,” added Ashley McHenry, who is majoring in Elementary Education. “It will bring out the creative side of Sterling College campus.” McHenry herself is considering entering some of See Art, Page 7
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* THE STERLING KANSAS BULLETIN * THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 * PAGE 7
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Weekly Sports Wrap By KATIE MCGRATH Sports Editor In another great week for Sterling baseball, in a matter of three days the warriors won four out of their five games including two shut outs. Wednesday in Baseball, the Warriors beat York in the first game six to four but fell to York in the second game five to eight. Then Thursday, the Warriors shut out Nebraska Wesleyan four to zero. Friday, Nebraska Wesleyan tried again to beat the Warriors, but once more the Warriors put them in their place beating
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them by scores of four to one and two to zero, improving the Warriors record to twelve and two on the season. In the first game against Nebraska Wesleyan, Erelio Mesa pitched the first seven innings, striking out six batters and not allowing a single run. Sterling gained four runs off of six hits while giving up one error, in comparison to Nebraska Wesleyan’s tally of four errors. Although the Warriors trailed by one after Nebraska Wesleyan’s early lead, the Warriors stayed mentally tough and fought until the end. In the
second game Daniel Cloteaux lead the Warriors with his pitching, as he struck out nine batters, leading the Warriors to their fourth strikeout of the still young season. After a rough week in Softball the Lady Warriors record fell to three and ten. Although they shut out Central Christian twice, thirteen to zero and five to zero, and beat Dordt sixteen to eight, the momentum shifted as they fell to Bacone, Graceland University, and York. The team still remains confident because they are play-
ing tougher teams compared to the teams they will face in conference in several weeks time. “The games that we did win we were hitting well,” Sophomore Ashli Bell said. “And the games that we lost we would have won if we hit better and minimized our errors. Every team we have played we really could have beat.” The Lady Warrior Basketball team upset the Friends Falcons and then the Southwestern Moundbuilders to secure their trip to Sioux City, Iowa for the National Tournament. The
Lady Warriors beat Southwestern 62-61, an impressive upset considering the Lady Warriors had already lost to the Moundbuilders twice in the regular season. Leading the team for the Lady Warriors was Kelly Curtis with 17 points. Lori Dauer finished the night with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Kayla Eilert also pulled down 11 rebounds. The trip to Nationals is the sixth straight appearance for the Lady Warriors in Iowa, where the 8th seeded Sterling team will take on 1st seeded Concordia, Nebraska.
Art
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he Freshman
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By SAMANTHA DAVISON Cartoonist
What my professors think I do
What my parents think I do
What Society thinks I do
What I actually do
A reminder to remain positive pre-break letes stick together through hard times. Teamwork is making sure no one gets left behind. A player with a negative attitude is not thinking about his or her teammates. Concern for others entails being willing to put your whole heart into the task at hand without considering the momentary pain it might cause yourself. A team is not a team if each player is selfish. Every player must lose himself or herself for the sake of the team as a whole. He or she must squelch the negativity to which each of us is naturally drawn. The campus is the one thing each and every student has in common. It’s where each team convenes and where all students eat, practice, study, and learn. The attitude of the campus is established by the students who live here. Every complaint that is made, whether it be about the cafeteria food, the team workouts, the outcome of a game, or the difficulty of a course, slowly but surely seeps into the minds and hearts of everyone nearby. Do we even realize how much complaining slips out on a
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Editor-in-Chief.................................................................................Tim Luisi Assistant Editor.........................................................................Ryan Corwin Sports Editor..........................................................................Katie McGrath Staff Writers.............................................................................Patrick Wright Bay Baker Nathan Ehresman Jon Faulkner Ben Wright Cartoonist.........................................................................Samantha Davison Faculty Advisor........................................................................Felicia Squires
regard to the up-coming event will reap its benefits;; not only as it uncovers more passion for art, but also as it might give some students the chance to find within themselves a talent they didn’t know they had.
Talking Cinema With Tim
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Spring break 2012
By BAY BAKER Staff Writer Negativity is a cancer that kills the life of any group of people. It takes the very breath out of our dorms, our teams, our campus, and our city. Being negative smashes team spirit and crushes success. How can this sickness be terminated? It’s our choice -- as individuals, athletes, students, and citizens --- to change our attitudes for the betterment of our own lives and our relationships with those around us. Dorm life is a very important part of this campus. Negativity most influences those who live near us. In a dorm, we’re not a group;; we’re individuals. Those in our dorms almost become our family for the period of time we spend with them. How do we choose to treat those closest to us? Do we complain about problems in the dorms and cause divisions? Do we allow our attitudes to infect each other, or do we take steps to get to know and encourage each other? We all know that sports teams thrive on teamwork. Teamwork means that all ath-
her own works in the Show. Students are excited about the opportunity to be included in something in which many of them haven’t had much exposure. Overall, it appears that the positivity generated in
daily basis? Try taking one day and counting every negative thing you catch yourself saying, and you’ll know what I mean. Because Sterling College is such a vital part of this city, the attitude we put forth will affect the citizens far and wide. We, too, are citizens of Sterling, Kansas. Though perhaps the only connection many students have to Sterling is the education we receive here, much of that education is intertwined with the events that happen outside the campus borders, especially for those students who live off-campus;; therefore, how we choose to behave goes beyond ourselves. What we say and do has the potential to be either destructive or uplifting. What’s more is this: what we say and do does not just affect us as individuals;; it either brings down or lifts up those we call our friends. If we want to succeed we must forget ourselves and humbly submit to God so that His joy can take the place of our sinful attitudes... as individuals, athletes, students, and citizens.
The Stir is produced by Sterling College students and printed weekly in and by the Sterling Bulletin, Sterling, Kansas. We seek to serve the Sterling College community with news and information. We work toward goals of honesty and integrity while always seeking the truth. We also work with an understanding of service to a Christian community. Letters to the editor must be signed and legible. Letters are subject to editing for style and spelling and will be printed at the editors’ discretion. Letters should not be longer than 350 words. Letters must be received by 3 p.m. the Tuesday before the print date (Thursday). Opinions presented on the Opinion page do not necessarily represent the views of Sterling College. Address letters to The Stir, SC Box 8, 125 W. Cooper, Sterling, KS 67579.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, is an at times striking, but ultimately lifeless endeavor. Concerning himself with a pointless mystery instead of investing in the rich characters within the film’s chilly environs, director David Fincher, who mastered the art of the procedural with Zodiac and the serial killer film with Seven, seems to have lost his touch at both with this uninvolving and unnecessarily lengthy crime drama. The film begins with a completely unnecessary montage. Unlike the amazing opening credits of Seven or the brilliant and grimy Fight Club credits, this seems like something belonging in another film entirely. And yet, this beautiful and disturbing piece of work really is the perfect amalgam of what is to come: visually gorgeous, but completely empty and without any real feeling or purpose. Daniel Cragi’s Mikael Blomkvist is more a mouthpiece to move the mundane story than an actual personalit and the times where he is featured without Lisbeth Salander are yawn-inducing, much like the film itself. Indeed, this is one of the least thrilling thrillers that Hollywood has released in years and the fact that the mystery should have been solved within five minutes and that the criminal is so obvious to the audience shows the film to be stupid at best and downright offensive at worst. The ending too, is a problem, coming far after the mystery has been solved. Far too often going for cheap shocks and revolting thrills as opposed to any genuine sense of suspense, this is a film that seemingly could have been delivered by any regular Hollywood hack. This is a hollow film and one that drags it feet at almost every opportunity. While many of the directorial choices feel lazy, it can’t all be blamed on Fincher, as the source material feels equally culpable. This is a film that revels in the misery of its characters, especially that of Lisbeth. . In this adaptation especially, far too often the story will cut away just when
something potentially interesting seems ready to begin. Equally as frustrating is the use of Salander’s misery in an almost fetishistic way (be warned, spoilers are in this paragraph. Feel free to move on to the next one). It would have been easy to hint at what happens, instead of showing it in the complete graphic detail that it does. Indeed, a scene following the second rape, played up as comedy by the filmmakers, seems to let the viewers off the hook, suggesting that Salander was never in any real danger or pain. While sex can be used effectively in a film, this was one that used it for nothing more than a pornographic tool, hoping that an otherwise unremarkable film would at least have one sequence that would be remembered. Although a disappointment, the film isn’t a complete waste of time, harboring one of the year’s best performances in Rooney Mara’s turn as Lisbeth Salander. Projecting both vulnerability and fierce intensity, she steals every frame of the film she inhabits and makes you wish that more time were spent with her and less on the silly investigation surrounding her. Mara’s dedication, passion, and heart shine through in every moment of her performance, even if the directorial and authorial choices around her are not to the bar she has set for herself. Seemingly trying to replicate the atmosphere of gloom, hopelessness, and despair that Fincher honed to perfection with Seven, this is a film that unfortunately fails to live up to the promise of its predecessor. While it is worth seeing for Mara’s electric turn, the gorgeous cinematography, editing, and score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, ultimately this that may be forgotten entirely in a year’s time. Feeling completely pointless, unnecessary, and shallow, this is one of the worst things a film can be: not only a bad film, but also a complete squandering of tremendous potential. Initial rating: 5/10