Women’s Soccer wins fifth ARC Title in six years
Learn how self-care can be as simple as writing a letter to oneself
Page 8
Page 3
October 28th, 2021 — Vol. 100, Issue 3
Inside the struggles of Afghani refugees With the Taliban’s overthrow of the Afghani government, thousands of refugees have been displaced to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin left because they felt forced to flee from the Taliban. Some people were forced to leave their families if they wanted to get to safety in America. Although we pride ourselves on Ever since the militant and fundamentalist Taliban being The Greatest Country in the World, for most people took over the country, there have been a surge of people that title belongs to their home and the country where their desperately fleeing Afghanistan. Roughly thirteen thousand families are, where their lives are. It is always a tragedy when of them, nearly half of whom are children, are currently at people are forced to flee their homes. the Wisconsin U.S. Army base called Fort Currently, the refugees at Fort McCoy are McCoy. At first glance, life at Fort McCoy learning English; they will soon resettle into is surprisingly good, considering that the community. This is later than was initially families with children are living on a foreign planned, because of a measles outbreak in military base. There are two mayors, police, mid-September. When resettling, many community meetings, mosques, classrooms, prefer to live by family, if they have any in the laundry buildings, and a cafeteria. country, or otherwise in established Afghan According to Loras College’s Professor communities. However, it’s unlikely that all Fett, the LaCrosse Catholic Charities have of them will get their wishes granted. Loras set up six activity centers, which include students are ethical and responsible young two sewing centers for women, two adults, and many reading this will surely “mommy and me”-type centers, and two want to do what they can to help our new English language learning centers. There is neighbors. The Catholic Charities are helping even a much lower crime rate than would the refugees, and their website has a list of be expected for a community of that size. donations it is accepting at https://cclse. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes org/afghanistan-refugee-assistance/ and apparent just how difficult civilian life on a they are also accepting monetary donations. military base truly is. Everyone down to Students who want to get more involved the littlest child is living in barracks, sixty are encouraged to sign up for Professor refugees to a house. The refugees initially Fett’s J-term class, Global Social Work with had to wait in lines for hours for meager Refugees, which will include volunteering at amounts of food, and many didn’t receive photo by BARBARA DAVIDSON/POOL PHOTO VIA AP Fort McCoy. The class will pair a weeklong new clothes for more than ten days after U.S. Military Police walk past Afghan refugees at the Village at the Ft. McCoy seminar working with experts in the field arriving. There have been vicious and U.S. Army base on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 in Ft. McCoy, Wis. of working with refugees, as well as Afghan untrue rumors about the refugees that culture and religion, with two weeks of work spread throughout the local town, Sparta, which actually devastating. Many never wanted to leave Afghanistan; they with the refugees in Fort McCoy. has fewer residents than Fort McCoy. This is not to say that everything is terrible, of course; love their country, with all their hearts and souls, and only by KATHERINE WALSH guest writer
many refugees are grateful to have been able to come to the US, and some are looking forward to the opportunities their new country will provide them. By immigrating to America, some are fulfilling a lifelong dream of moving to the States. However, even if the conditions at Fort McCoy were luxurious, for many people the situation would still be
Not seeking attention, but recognition
In part one of the series, you met Jordan Doe (a pseudonym), a transgender Loras College student who has chosen to remain in the closet. In this part, you will meet an open and out student whose sexual identity is not quite as controversial, but every bit as misunderstood. For those who are under the impression that a lack of sex or romance would make a person very grumpy, they haven’t met Lillian Feltes. A Loras College junior, majoring in history, Feltes identifies herself as asexual. Whatever you see as the opposite of grumpy – that’s what you will see in Feltes. “Asexual is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or a low interest in sexual activity,” according to the website Web MD. “Some people consider asexuality to be their sexual orientation, and others describe it as an absence of sexual orientation.” Feltes also identifies as aromantic. Web MD defines aromantic as, “… people [who] have little or no romantic attraction to others.” As noted above, while asexuality may not be as much of a hot button issue as many others in the LGBTQ+ identity range, that does not mean it is any less misunderstood. “A lot of people are boggled by the idea of not being sexually attracted to someone,” Feltes said. “It’s kind of like it’s hard for me to understand sexual attraction … it’s hard
for them to understand how I don’t have that.” Aromantic is another identity that Feltes said is confusing to a lot of people. She said that, although both (asexual and aromantic) can be present in the same person, they are not the same thing. While Feltes said she has not seen any of what she believes is overt discrimination over her identity, she said that a lot of people question the validity of those who identify as aromantic. She said this is difficult because it is, in essence, people telling her that she is simply not the person who she knows that she is. “For me, when someone discounts what I say, it feels like – because it’s a part of me – someone is rejecting who I am as a person,” Feltes said. “Someone is rejecting a conclusion that I have come to about myself – it’s almost as if [they are] telling me they know more about me than I do.” Someone is The rejection from others rejecting a often manifests itself in conclusion that disappointment, Feltes I have come to explained. That is, she is often about myselftold that she will be wasting it’s almost as if her life if she doesn’t find the traditional partner with kids they are telling and the “white-picket-fence” me they know type of lifestyle. more about “A lot of people see life as me than I do incomplete without love … Lillian Feltes this idea that romantic love Student at Loras College is the end all be all of love,” Feltes said. “We still love
‘‘
,,
people, we just love them very differently. Just like you love your mom and you love your best friend very differently.” Those are some of the downsides that come with identifying as asexual and aromantic. But, Feltes notes, there are plenty of upsides. “I never have to get involved in boy drama – I don’t care,” Feltes said. “For me it’s empowering to know that this is who I am. Nobody else has to like me [because] as long as I can live with myself that’s all that matters.”
Like most people, Feltes feels the strong human desire for touch and affection, she just satisfies that need a little differently than most. “I am someone that is really affectionate with [my] friends … and my family,” Feltes said. “I’m a hugger … people ask me for a hug all the time because my friends know that’s who I am.” Feltes, who realized her identity at age 16, said there definitely was a time she felt alone. But not because she lacked a romantic or sexual partner. “There are lots of representations [of sexuality] in the media,” Feltes said. “If I would have seen someone like me when I was younger then I think it would have clicked. It would have made me feel less alone.”
2
M ind
October 28, 2021 The Lorian
and
Study focus by CARLY BOENS staff writer
As the semester progresses, it can become more difficult to maintain focus and motivation regarding school. Longterm papers and projects seem to pile up after midterms through the rest of the semester, making the amount of coursework difficult to juggle. In addition, content from classes usually becomes more complicated as the semester advances, requiring more time and effort to learn. These factors can make the second half of the semester extremely difficult, but there are ways to manage these struggles. One of the best ways to stay on top of classes as finals approach is to review course content throughout the semester. Distributed studying, or spreading out reviewing over long periods, is known to be one of the most effective study methods. Rereading important sections of your textbook, notes, class PowerPoints, or other materials ensures that when it comes time to take an exam, there will already be a level of familiarity with the content. Not only does reviewing throughout the semester help keep information fresh, but it will also help reveal any weak points or struggles with topics learned throughout the class. Being aware of difficulties early will lessen the crunch time of trying to learn class material right before finals. Another way to make the latter half of the semester less overwhelming is to break large projects up into small, manageable tasks. Rather than sitting down and writing a long paper all at once, it can be beneficial to start early work on it over time. Start by deciding on the topic, for example. Then advance to finding sources, collecting information,
and outlining. By completing these small steps, the actual act of writing the paper will become much less overwhelming. Similarly, projects that extend throughout the majority of the semester are best done the way they’re meant to be: during the entirety of the semester. By working on them regularly and at similar intervals, the process will become less all-consuming and rushed at the end of the semester. Lastly, as finals approach, one of the best ways to study is to do so actively. For most people, reading alone isn’t enough to learn and remember content. Active studying helps engage the material in new ways that make it easier to remember in the long run. Self-quizzing is a helpful method to study. By asking oneself to remember what was learned, one confirms that they understand what is being studied. Flashcards are a common way to do this. Additionally, teaching someone else difficult concepts can be a great way to solidify them while also revealing any weak points that need more review. Overall, with healthy study and homework habits, an overwhelming semester can become at least a little more manageable. It’s never too late to engage in new study habits or to let go of old ones that are no longer beneficial. Developing a personalized study plan will make one’s role as a student much easier and lead to feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction at the end of a long semester. Staying focused can be difficult, but taking care of oneself while also consistently and methodically working towards academic goals can help maintain motivation.
S oul
It’s tea-time by AVERY WICKERSHAM executive copy editor
The weather is cooling down to a series of brisk 50-degree days, so an influx of warm drinks is coming. Students will attend classes, study sessions, and friend dates with a warm drink in hand. For some, coffee is the go-to; for others, coffee is too strong, they can’t drink caffeine, or they just don’t like the taste. Herbal teas are a great substitution, and many of them have added benefits to help everyone through their busy days. Peppermint tea—Love the strong, minty smell of peppermint? Peppermint tea has always been a stomach-soother: the mint properties help cure stomachaches and nausea. Peppermint is usually a strong scent overall, but the tea specifically can also help relieve tension headaches and migraines, improve energy, and even fight bacterial infections (Healthline). Try a cup of hot peppermint tea before class to start the day right. Lemon tea—A tangy boost of citrus is welcome any time of the day. Lemon tea, which can be easily homemade or found at the store, is chock-full of goodness. Lemon tea can help detox the body, improve digestion, and even provide skin health by combatting acne and other blemishes (netmeds. com). With a little bit of honey, this is a great drink during a particularly cold day. Green tea—While green tea is a very popular iced drink, it’s also just as good warm. Green tea has been used for centuries and is associated with many health benefits. These include: reducing stress, reducing inflammation, and even preventing chronic fatigue (Medical News). Be careful when picking up green tea bags, however, because some brands have caffeine and others don’t. Hibiscus tea—For those who prefer sweeter teas to earthy teas, hibiscus tea is a great choice. This tea in particular holds many antioxidants, can help fight bacteria, may help lower blood sugar, and has a lot of flavor (Healthline). This tea is very popular and can be sweetened even more if need be. Chamomile tea—If school work is too stressful, brew a steaming cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile reduces inflammation, helps promote relaxation, and even treats cold symptoms (Medical News). Be careful with this tea, though: one cup can put a student straight to sleep. There are many more teas that would be beneficial to student health. This is only a mere list. Any of these teas can be sweetened with a little bit of honey, which is also a natural anti-bacterial. Want stronger tea? Try steeping two tea bags at a time. As always, everyone needs to pay attention to their water temperature. It’s very easy to burn one’s lips, mouth, and throat with tea that is too hot. That being said, fall and winter are a great chance to explore the tea aisle at the local grocery store to find the best tea. Grab a cute mug, some honey, tea bags, and have a good time steeping any of the mentioned teas—or, find a different one!
M ind
and
S oul
Crystals: A pocketful of luck by AVERY WICKERSHAM executive copy editior
Crystals have a long history of use. They’re not just to study or observe; there are so many other uses that civilizations have introduced: protection, health, luck, and even clairvoyance. Like other beliefs, crystals are meant to be used with a purpose. In Ancient Egypt, “lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, emerald, and clear quartz were used in jewelry as well as grave amulets, while grounded lead ore and malachite were used as eye shadow” (Holistic Healing Therapy). Both lapis lazuli and turquoise are shades of blue, but lapis is a very deep blue. Carnelian is more of an orange, while emerald is green. The colors of each of these crystals are so vibrant, similar to the beliefs of the Egyptians in the crystals. Many of the other ancient civilizations, like India and Greece, had crystals that they used within their belief practices as well. As one can see, crystals have a strong tie to spirituality. Spirituality centers around a deep sense of the self, and many people who believe in the use of crystals are also in tune with their chakras. Chakras are seven spiritual zones in the body, from the crown of the head to the base of the spine, and are associated with different body, mind, and spirit connections. According to Love and Light: “By placing crystals on the chakra centers, the healing vibrations given off by the stone will correct any imbalances within the chakra.”
For example, the heart chakra is the fourth chakra up from the base of the spine. The heart chakra can become blocked or unbalanced by emotional distress or illness (Rocky Mountain Oils). Green aventurine, rose quartz, and emeralds are recommended for healing because of the color vibration (Love and Light). Emeralds and green aventurine both boast a rich green shade, which correlates with the green color representing the heart chakra. Dubuque has its very own crystal center: The Center of I Am. It is located off Dodge and Cedar Cross Road, and the store boasts a large collection of crystals. In fact, the whole back wall is completely filled with more crystals than can ever be imagined. If interested, go to the back, right-hand side of the store to find little mystery bags of crystals. This is a good way to get started, as the bag runs for $6.50. Some individual crystals in the store range from $2-$15 and some of them are even more expensive. For college students on a budget, the mystery bag is a good way to start. Crystals are going to reflect the energy given to them, but they are also a nice thing to keep in one’s pocket like a worry stone. Do a little research, check out The Center of I Am, and see what crystals are appealing!
The Lorian October. 28, 2021
Plant therapy by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind and soul editor
Moving is always a big change, but it is particularly so when it is into a dorm room. Oftentimes, dorms are college students’ first time living away from home. For those who have had other apartments, dorms can be jarring due to their cramped quarters and having to share a living space. Plants can help alleviate the shoebox feel of a dorm and give it a more “homey” vibe. Indoor plants can lift the mood of a room through their unique ability to take in excess carbon and promote the flow of oxygen, which is good for studying. In addition, plants can be bright pops of color that can make a room feel cheerier and bring life into a base environment. To increase this effect, one can buy or paint a nice bright pot for the plant. Due to busy college schedules and limited window space, the following plants are low-maintenance and are perfect for dorm rooms: Sansevieria is a plant native to the drier regions of Africa, so it does not require a ton of watering. Once every few weeks is enough to keep this sun loving-plant alive. That said, it does require a fair amount of light so make sure it has a prime sun location in your dorm. Luckily, it grows upwards instead of sprawling out so it makes a great plant for small spaces. Its leaves have an irregular banding reminiscent of the skin of a reptile, earning it the nickname “snake-plant.” As a bonus, the name is fun to say. Succulents are the perfect set-andforget plants. These plants also require full sun because, like the Sansevieria, they originate in drier climates. Because of this, they also need very little water. Their leaves store water like cacti so they can easily be watered once every other month and be fine. Unlike cacti, though, their leaves are often soft and plush. Plus, they are incredibly aesthetic and come in a variety of colors.
Aloe is an ideal dorm room companion because of its multifunctionality. It serves as a beautiful decor piece that can be dressed up by putting it in a pot painted like a pineapple. The spindly leaves of aloe sit upright and will look like the crown of the pineapple. If one accidentally gets burned teaching themselves to cook in the dorm kitchen or while out on a sunny day, the aloe’s leaves can be sliced open and the sap within applied to soothe the burnt skin. Lastly, aloe likes to multiply, and if nurtured, will produce pups or baby aloe plants that can be transplanted into new pots and make for inexpensive gifts. Like the other plants, this one also requires very little watering. Once every three to four weeks is enough to keep aloe healthy. Pothos can be a good plant for the dorm room if one wants something that sprawls a little more. Its marbled white-and-green leaves are a beauty, and its quick-growing vines will amaze friends and have them believing their friend has a green thumb. Commonly called the cubicle plant, this indoor plant can survive in indirect light and only needs to be watered every few weeks. ZZ Plant is a good option for the dorm if one doesn’t want a plant that will take up prime window space. This plant’s small, waxy leaves are ovular in shape and grow upwards. Its rhizome roots store water and make this plant dry-tolerant on top of its ability to survive in a low-light environment. If one prefers a plant that requires more light, a mirror can be placed across from the window to provide more light. Additionally, if once a month watering is still too much to remember with busy schedules, one can always invest in a watering globe, which will keep plants hydrated and requires fewer fill-ups. I hope these tips help to make becoming proud plant owners an easier affair. Happy planting!
Letters to the self by ARJA KUMAR staff writer
When one is feeling stuck, troubled, or confused, it is sometimes difficult to know what to do. We often might not understand why we are feeling a certain way or why we are thinking certain things. One healthy way of alleviating tension is by doing a kind of self-reflection or self-therapy. Writing a letter to oneself is a good way to figure out what is going on in life, what are the feelings and thoughts, or what the aggravators are. Writing letters was a very popular thing to do for centuries. Not only was it a popular method of communication, but it also helped people to connect with themselves. Sitting down and taking a pen to paper, one physically and mentally engages themselves in a sort of catharsis. The physical act of writing connects both the brain and the body and helps one to release emotions and thoughts that might have been plaguing them. When one ‘writes something out,’ one makes the mind tangible. This is good for the mind because it is then able to stop ruminating abstractly and instead, have greater peace of mind. The contemplation that comes with writing a letter also helps one to actively understand their feelings, work them out, and come to a solution. When we write to ourselves, we can sort through problems and things that productively need work. Usually, we solve most issues in our head or go to another person to talk things out. This may not always be the best choice because it can still confuse us and make us lack true clarity. Most popularly these days, we quickly text someone about our problem and they reply with a one-liner or chunky paragraph, trying to vaguely understand or give us advice. By taking the first step to try to understand and tackle a problem oneself, one gets to the heart of the problem more easily and quickly. Letter-writing is also a purifying exercise that helps the mind think from multiple different perspectives. We examine ourselves and explore options in a way that we cannot do with others or simply
3
just up in our headspace. In the end, writing a letter may even give us a great sense of accomplishment and help us become more independent thinkers. Writing a letter to oneself can, most importantly, be comforting. Writing a letter to oneself is like talking to oneself. It is thus very beneficial for the mind because it gets one to open up to oneself and know oneself more. Light a candle, play some cozy music, sip some hot tea, and stare out a window while writing it. It can be a ritual one does every Friday to help cleanse the mind from the week. Writing a letter to oneself does not have to be hard. One can write whatever one thinks or feels, even if it is total nonsense. Just go off. Rant. Ramble. Say gibberish. Give the freedom to complain, ache, or express excitement about something. Even scribble, doodle, or draw if need be. The page is a blank, safe space. It is a listening ear, a mirror. Letter-writing is hence a great way to deepen the relationship with oneself. Talk to oneself like it’s a good friend or someone trustworthy. Talking to oneself is just as important, if not more, as talking to others. One can even write a special letter to oneself, addressing it to be opened in the future. The letter may reflect growth as a person, an exploration of dreams and goals, say positive affirmations, or just express appreciation and gratitude for the journey so far in life. Looking back at old letters may be transformative and can even help one discover oneself in a new way. With these previous letters, one can either keep the letters in a safe place, trash or burn them, or bury them in a secretive place. What one wants to do to them is totally up to the person at hand. There is no limit to the benefits of writing a letter to oneself. It does wonders for the mind, as the act of writing thoughts out of one’s head and onto paper can better one’s life by giving one more clarity, peace, and self-awareness. By writing to oneself, one lets their thoughts and feelings flow naturally, discovering truths about oneself in the process. Try writing a letter to yourself one day, and you might be surprised what you will find.
4
Oct. 28, 2021
F eatures
The Lorian
Voices of Dubuque: Featuring Douglas Hoekzema, aka HOXXOH, & Amanda Valdes
F eatures
Dagger: part III by SARWAN MOGHAMIS staff writer
by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind & soul editor
Picking up where we left off on our journey to learn about the Voices of Dubuque murals, we will be looking at two artists who started in Miami: Douglas Hoekzema, aka HOXXOH, and Amanda Valdes. As human beings, I believe we can all relate to the pull of time. We have watches attached to our wrists that track every movement, every heartbeat, every second. Classes are marked by the minute and so are our jobs. We are told that we should get an hour of exercise every day and eight hours of sleep every night. But what is time? Time is an arbitrary construct that mankind invented and has maintained to document our existence: minute by minute. The ebb and flow of time are assessed and chopped into segments that can be marked down and recorded. Muralist HOXXOH centers his art on this very theme. His works are reminiscent of the ’70s with their bold colors and trippy vibes. At the age of 15, HOXXOH began spray painting but he never planned on it being a full-time career. Life had different plans in store for him, though. After graduating from architecture school in 2008, HOXXOH was unable to find employment and began taking painting commissions. Despite his years of spray painting, it was during this period that he developed his marking technique that is his signature in his works. Even though spray painting became his full-time job, HOOXOH still uses his architecture degree. Knowing what comprises a building allows him to incorporate the structures into his murals. In addition, formal schooling gave him the skills to pitch his works and a strong work ethic. Today, HOXXOH is based in Miami, Florida, an hour away from his hometown of Boca Raton. He got his start in Miami with a graffiti crew and feels right at home in the growing art scene of the city.
photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY
Pictured above is HOXXOH’s first work entitled “Poral,” which is located at 1555 Central Avenue.
Dubuque is home to two of his works. One located on 1555 Central Ave is in the same nook as Corbon’s John Coltrane mural. This vibrant 59’ x 27’ piece made me think of Alice’s rabbit hole to Wonderland. Energetic oranges and blues draw you into the fabric of time, or possibly to another universe. You can see how his trademark oscillating pattern is a vivid image of time’s natural push and pull. It makes you wonder why everyone is running around, trying to please a clock when time itself is a beautiful vortex that no man can document.
I’ve never been to such a strange land. I see men out of armor and women out of corsets, showing their knees without a care in the world. Drunken young adults are walking the streets, acting as if they were royalty. Men and women in uniforms with weapons who call themselves “police.” There are strange magic mirrors with elder men and scaly women telling uncivilized beings what they can and cannot do. Royalty has taken a new form and I find it disgusting. Even worse, I find myself wearing the most outrageous clothing. A
two-piece dress, with the lower half down to my knees and the top half up to my chest. My arms and legs are not covered, nor are my feet as they are in ripped shoes with plastic straps. My hair, my beautiful hair, is now messy and short. A metal object on my shirt reads “DIANA.” I close my eyes and open them. Suddenly I’m in this disgusting cave-like fortress. Lights are flashing. Loud sounds vibrate from boxed machines. I see other women dressed similar to me, but with different words on their metal objects. I see myself holding a round plate with glasses filled with drinks. I’m surrounded by men with smoking sticks in their mouths. Their wardrobes consist of black layers and thin pieces of rope tied around their necks. I watch as they lay their gorilla hands on the bottoms of the women. I can’t imagine what I’d do
Bryce Taylor’s hot takes by MARK MEDERSON faculty advisor
The Lorian
if a man treated me with such disgust… “UNHAND ME!!!!” I shout once feeling a tug on my very own bottom. I strike the man down with my arm. He falls to the side, but he smiles. He releases toxic laughter as if I was being playful. I have never been so disgusted in my entire life.
Oct. 28, 2021
small items on top and drawers. A piece of metal on the box reads “Governor Dimitri Simmons.” I look up and a tall man with white skin clad in a similar wardrobe as those beasts from my previous setting stands behind the dresser-like object. “What do you think, Daughter?” says the white-skinned man. “Where have you taken me?” I asked.
I close my eyes and then open them again. I find myself outside under the dark and rainy sky. I’m drowned by the rain, which is okay, given my hatred towards these garments. I hear thunder and spot lightening. These are the surroundings I’m familiar with.
“Never mind where. The real question is: now that you are here, what are you going to do?” A large glass window shows the horrors of this land. I look out it and close my eyes.
“What did I tell you?”
“I will burn it all,” I confess.
Now I find myself in a shiny room. There’s a large wooden dresser-like object with
“Then perhaps it’s time to reveal my plans,” says Dimitri with an evil grin.
4. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE QUALITIES YOU SAW IN YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT? Made material relevant, talked about the big picture/ethics, and cared about student opinions
DEGREE/COLLEGES YOU ATTENDED (ASSOCIATE, BACHELOR’S, MASTER’S, DOCTORAL)
5. WHAT SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT YOU COMFORT DURING THE WORST PART OF THE PANDEMIC (E.G., CERTAIN FOODS, MEDIA CONSUMPTION, A NEW PET)?
Georgia Tech; Bachelor’s USC; Doctoral
Civilization VI, a switch game. Really passed the time during quarantine.
BIRTHPLACE
6. WHAT, IF ANYTHING, ARE YOU CURRENTLY BINGE WATCHING? OR, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOW THAT YOU BINGE WATCHED?
Dallas, Texas
Finishing Bachelor in Paradise this weekend. Pulling for Joe and Serena. No spoilers! Favorite all-time was Westworld, but only season 1.
CITY WHERE YOU LIVED THE LONGEST Alpharetta, Georgia
7. DID CAROL BASKIN (TIGER KING) KILL HER HUSBAND? 1. WHAT DO YOU TEACH?
Killed her husband. Whacked him.
Principles of Biology and Microbiology
His other work is located at 1090 White Street. photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY Done in the same color scheme, this mural is Pictured above is HOXXOH’s second mural entitled “Portal,” which can be differentiated by its back-to-back loops. Due to the found at 1090 White Street in downtown Dubuque. reverse pendulums right next to each other, I was reminded of Coraline’s tunnel to her other mother’s house. This mural is particularly fun to visit because of its location in a no-parking zone, making it perfect to snap some photos for Instagram. Both paintings are aptly named “Portal.” Perhaps examining his works will allow everyone to adopt a better appreciation of time as we begin preparing for finals. Dubuque is home to a mural from another Miami-based artist. Amanda Valdes is a Miami native who put on her first solo exhibition at the age of 18 and went on to study at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. She currently bounces between her home in Florida and Portland Oregon, taking her dog, Ema, with her. Valdes’s work features waifish, doll-like women as the main subject to raise awareness of feminine identity. The women depicted are macabre sirens with heavily lashed, doe-like eyes and provocative poses. The 91’ x 15’ mural located on the side of Capri College at 398 Main St., Dubuque, features one of her dolls. Sporting a tan and pink complexion, this sensual woman is posed with an arched back and her bubble butt high in the air. Her hair is perfectly styled, and she dawns a skimpy bralette top and butt-hugging panties. Flowers native to Dubuque line a sheer white scarf wrapped around her neck. She is shown cutting her scarf with hair shears. Sidelined at the tail of the mural is a bee.
8. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FAST-FOOD MEAL? Popeye’s chicken sandwich
2. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE TOPIC THAT YOU TEACH?
9. DOES PINEAPPLE BELONG ON PIZZA? WHY/WHY NOT?
It teaches you how the world around us works and it gets at the big questions like where we came from
Yes, because it’s the best topping 10. BEER OR WINE? WHY?
3. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A STUDENT WHO IS TAKING ONE OF YOUR CLASSES FOR THE FIRST TIME? I can talk all day but I prefer to listen. Bring your ideas and questions!
I study yeast so this is a tough one… wine because of the history and the intensity of the craft. We’ve been making wine for at least 9,000 years!
Bryce Taylor comic by JAKE HEELEIN
A bee symbolizes community, brightness, and personal power. Bees harvest pollen from flowers in order to create honey. By painting a bee with all of the native flora, Valdes’s work suggests the power, community, and vibrancy of women. Her work proposes that women are not dolls but powerful people with voices of their own. photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY
It has been an inspiration to see these wonderful This mural (pictured above) is Amanda Valdes’s take on feminine identity. The works of art in our city. Stay tuned for more mural measures 91’ x 15’ and is located on the side of Capri College at 398 Main about the murals of Dubuque. Street.
5
O pinion
The Lorian October. 28, 2021
Cam’s Billboard Review
THE
by CAMERON ARVIDSON news editor
Over the last few weeks, Toronto artist Drake has cemented another chapter of what seems to be a tradition for the rapper. Since the Sept. 3 release of his newest album, “Certified Lover Boy,” the album has stayed in the top five on the Billboard200, currently in its fourth week at number one out of six weeks on the chart. Adding to his chart dominance for over the past decade, Drake also sits at number one on the Artist100 chart and has a single in the top five on the Hot100. “Certified Lover Boy” also marked Drake’s 10th number one album, tying him with Eminem, Kanye West, and Elvis Presley for most number one albums all-time. The Beatles, who Drake surpassed with the most top ten singles of all time, hold photo by PEOPLE MAGAZINE the record for most number-one albums Drake recently celebrated his 35th birthday. Seen here in a cowboy costume, his birthday party was ‘Narcos’ themed that featured many big name celebrities. with 19. Pushing to number one on the Hot100 number one in 2007. The combination of spots with Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow. was Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry the ever-controversial Kanye West with On the Billboard200, Don Toliver’s “Life Baby” after spending twelve weeks on the more recently controversial Lil Nas of a DON” debuted at number two, his the chart. It’s the first week the single X has not surprisingly captured people’s second career album to chart in the top has reached the number one spot, after attention, making it more of a surprise ten. Along with his number two debut, debuting at number two back in July. that it didn’t go number one earlier. his track off the album with Travis Scott, Interestingly enough, Lil Nas X teamed The Hot100 top five has had little mix“Flocky Flocky,” debuted at number 53 up with Kanye West and Take A Daytrip up over the last few weeks, with Drake, on the Hot100. The Weeknd’s “After as the co-producers of the song. When Future, and Young Thug’s “Way 2 Sexy” Hours” reentered the charts at the 23 spot, it hit number one, Kanye West broke the swapping places with Ed Sheeran’s “Bad notching the albums 77th week on the record for producing the most numberHabits” at five and four, respectively. chart. The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to one hip-hop singles on the Hot100. It was Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” spent another Die” reentered the charts as well at 100. also West’s first number one as a producer week in the three spot, while The Kid The album came out in 1994 and peaked since his mega-hit “Stronger” went Laroi and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” swapped at number 15 on Sept. 30, 1994.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”: A halloween or christmas movie? by ZAEBIAN MACHANDE staff writer
Every year, when the wonderful season of autumn rolls in, there’s a sudden societal shift to which we all fall victim. As soon as the leaves start changing colors and the radar says the weather is going to change by about 20 degrees throughout the day, we all know the time has come to whip out our cardigans, start ordering pumpkin-
flavored drinks at every coffee shop we go to, and create our list of Halloween themed movies to watch in preparation for the holiday. However, with this final task, we find ourselves faced with an extreme moral dilemma. One of the most controversial, yet holiday-appropriate, films on everyone’s “To-Watch List” is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” But wait—is this movie a Halloween or a Christmas movie? When is the appropriate time to watch this iconic piece of animated cinema? Say no more, I’m here to tell you. Why do we watch movies centered around different holidays? Because it’s fun! Holidaythemed movies help put us right in the mood for whatever holiday is approaching. There are a plethora of classic familyfriendly films to put anyone in the mood to have a great holiday, including but not limited to “A Christmas Story,” “The Muppets Christmas Carol,” “Groundhog Day,” and “Midsommar.” Now, from a legit scientific perspective, let’s analyze the holidays displayed in the film in question: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” photo by IMDB
features themes of both Halloween AND Christmas. With this information in mind, we can use the process of elimination to determine that, according to a United States calendar year, Halloween comes before Christmas every year, canceling out Christmas on a scale of anticipation. This leaves Halloween as a single variable, meaning this film is in fact appropriate to watch during spooky season while anticipating Halloween. “Oh, man! I’ve always been so strongly opinionated and certain that ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is a Christmas movie, not a Halloween movie!” To this, I say, “Fear not, young chap!” Since we’ve concluded that Christmas follows Halloween in terms of the American calendar year, it’s inevitable that following the celebration of Halloween, our innate human nature will immediately begin to feel the anticipation for Christmas. With that being said, we’ve also concluded that “The Nightmare Before Christmas” does indeed feature themes related to Christmas. Therefore, it will provide the holiday vibes we look for when anticipating the most wonderful time of the year. You can watch this film and reminisce over your wonderful Halloween season past and the Christmas celebration to come! So, there you have it. We’ve successfully analyzed data on this topic of controversy to draw this final conclusion: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is appropriate to watch in anticipation of Halloween AND Christmas. Watch it whenever you want; it’s a great movie! An important lesson to be learned from this study is this: don’t judge people whenever they choose to watch a movie weirdly centered around a specific time of year (unless they are watching a movie about Thanksgiving, then you can judge them). Happy Halloween/Christmas movie watching, everybody!
EDITORIAL STAFF executive editor: KEEGAN GODWIN executive copy editor : AVERY WICKERSHAM features editor: MARY FELLERS opinion editor: DEVYN SHEA sports editor: CAMERON ARVIDSON mind and soul editor: CALASANDRA SPRAY assistant copy editor: COLE RABEDEAUX assistant editor: EMERALD BARNES-SEGER
ABOUT US Circulation: The Lorian is published on a weekly basis, with exceptions of holiday breaks, examination periods and January Term. The newspaper is available in all main academic buildings and residence halls across campus on Thursdays during the afternoon/evening. Editorial Policy: The Lorian is the official student-led, award-winning newspaper of Loras College. The opinions expressed in The Lorian are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the students, faculty or administration. The Lorian reserves the right to edit submissions for taste, length and grammar.
CONTACT US On campus: 259 Hoffmann Hall 675 Loras Boulevard Dubuque, IA Phone: 563-588-7954 Mailing address: 1450 Alta Vista Street Box #243 Dubuque, IA 52001 On the web: Email: lorian@loras.edu www.myduhawk.com/thelorian www.issuu.com/thelorian Facebook: facebook.com/thelorian Twitter: @TheLorianLC
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do you have an opinion on something and want to write a “letter to the editor?” Do you have more questions about an article you read? Corrections or clarifications? A differing opinion about an issue brought up that you want to be heard? We want your input. In every published Lorian, all members of the Loras community are encouraged to write a letter to the editor. We encourage differing opinions, so take the time, and speak your mind. To submit a letter to the editor, please email lorian@loras.edu. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length and include the name and article you are referencing. *Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
6
7
October. 28, 2021 The Lorian
O pinion
Brad Cavanagh: An excellent choice for mayor by DEVYN SHEA opinion editor
This coming Tuesday, many parts of the nation will be casting their votes. Virginia and New Jersey have legislative and gubernatorial elections, while cities like Miami and New York will vote for mayor. Another city that votes this coming Tuesday is one right in our backyard… literally. Dubuque is going to the polls this Tuesday to vote for mayor and city council, among other things. Roy Buol is not seeking reelection as mayor, which will be the first time since 2005 he will not be a candidate for mayor. In the race to succeed him are two city council members: Dave Resnick (at-large) and Brad Cavanaugh (4th ward). Although I am not a voter in Dubuque or even Iowa, this election is strangely important to me. As a resident of Platteville, Wisconsin, many people like myself and my family commute every day for either school or work. Whoever is the mayor of Dubuque and what they do and say will have an indirect effect on people like myself who don’t even live in the same state. This compelled me to take a closer look at what’s going on in Dubuque politics. I, personally, used to be much more involved with the “on the ground” events of politics. Meaning, I used to go to rallies, conventions, meet and greets, parades, etc. I have done things with both Democrats and Republicans, from knocking on doors for Republicans in 2018 to voting for both parties in 2020 and 2021. I have met a wide range of people on the political spectrum, anywhere from the MyPillow guy, Mike Lindell, to President Joe Biden. I have met two governors of Wisconsin, whom I have a lot of respect for, who just happen to be a part of two different political parties. Since the start of 2020, however, I decided to stay away from politics and went from being in the mosh pit to just observing the action. The main reason I did this was because of our hyper-partisan politics. The politics that have neighbors at each others’ throats, the kinds of politics that enable hatred and incentivize ignorance. As a
poll worker in a couple of elections, one of which was 2020, I found it mind-boggling that our now former president had blamed his loss on voter fraud. He and his allies (such as Mike Lindell) pushed lies that the election was stolen from them without an ounce of evidence. I was quite taken aback by these accusations, but I didn’t think anyone would go along with it or even believe it. Then the vicious attack on our capitol on January 6th took place. After this, it became evident that our state of democracy is currently weak. Partisan politics and idolizing politicians who don’t have the people’s interests ahead of their own have put us in a dangerous setting. There is a way to change the current tide, however. It is by electing politicians, public servants if you will, who want to help the communities they live in. We must elect public servants who will not try to undermine our democracy, who will hold office with a sense of humility, who will advocate and fight for the people no matter what. Finally, we need public servants who seek to unite, even when it is so easy to divide. As a neighbor to Dubuque, an employee, and a student in the city, I find myself in an interesting position. The race for mayor of Dubuque is not just important to me as someone who lives in the area, who is employed in the city, and who goes to school in the city, but as someone who is an American citizen. This past May, I took a course called “The Working Poor.” It was taught by Brad Cavanagh. I was taking the class through Zoom, and after some time of being in class, I thought to myself: “I’ve never seen someone so empathetic and caring for those who are struggling so much.” Cavanagh cares so much as a social worker, as a professor, and as a member of the city council. Cavanagh deeply cares about those around him. I had the honor of talking to Cavanagh in person about politics and helping him knock on doors. It was so surprising that in a city of roughly 50,000 people or so, so many would
photo by TWITTER/BRAD CAVANAGH
know Cavanagh; many of which knew him personally or had a child who knew him. After being in Cavanagh’s class in May, I thought he would make an excellent mayor when he announced his candidacy in the early summer. As many in Dubuque and around the nation are losing faith in their government and democracy, I think Brad Cavanagh can help bring back that faith and trust that is so crucial. I believe Brad Cavanagh is the start of a new generation of public servants who will inspire and help their community, who will uphold our democracy, who will look out for our interests, and most importantly, who will unite us. Brad Cavanagh will be an excellent mayor of Dubuque!
Is this the beginning-of-the-end for Biden’s presidency? Biden’s approval was sitting at 50%. Biden had won the state last year by ten percent (55%). Ralph Northam, the governor, had an approval in the mid 50s. These The 2021 elections are an indicator of what will happen approvals aren’t terrible for Terry McAuliffe to surf off in the next three years. It may seem strange, but politics of. Polling, however, is much more frightening for the is like a set of dominoes standing up in a line. When one McAuliffe campaign. Glenn Younkin has been masterfully falls the rest fall in a pattern or order. In 2017, Virginia and distancing himself from Trump and aligning McAuliffe New Jersey had races for governor and the state legislature. with unpopular democratic policies and unpopular This was supposed to be a test of Donald Trump’s democratic president. McAuliffe is sitting at roughly popularity and would be an indicator of how he would 48% with Younkin at 46% according to do in the midterms, while the midterms fivethirtyeight’s polling averages. themselves would be an indication of I believe, in light of everything, that how good Trump’s reelection chances McAuliffe will win. For starters, Biden were. The 2017 governor races were is not unpopular enough in the state. a colossal failure for republicans. In McAuliffe’s successor, the incumbent New Jersey, the then incumbent lt. governor, has a good approval rating. governor was running to succeed Chris McAuliffe himself used to be a popular Christie, the then highly unpopular governor and figure in Virginia politics. (15% approval according to politico) The state also has been trending incumbent republican governor. A democratic over the past decade and former Obama official Phil Murphy was republicans haven’t won a statewide the democratic candidate and had won election or a presidential race in the the election by double digits. state since roughly 2009. Younkin also Virginia was the one race the country has not reached 50% or more in a single had a laser focus on. Ed Gillespie, a poll; McAuliffe has reached over 50% former Bush official and RNC chair, in a few polls. The polling and the state was running against lt. Governor Ralph trends in Virginia leads me to believe Northam. Virginia had traditionally that McAuliffe will probably win. If been a swing state in 2008, 2012, and McAuliffe loses, however, this sets up the 2016. It had gone for George W. Bush red carpet for Trump’s potential return in in both his election and reelection by 2024. The only thing he would need next a comfortable margin, but the state photo by WASHINGTON POST is a successful midterm showing and had slowly evolved more democratic McAuliffe, Youngkin spar in first debate of Virginia’s governor’s race. a good showing will help his chances throughout the next decade. The in 2024. Next Tuesday will either be 2017 Virginia governor race had mansion. He left office with a good approval rating and a the beginning of the end for Joe Biden’s presidency or an both campaigns spending tens of millions of dollars. low disapproval rating. He is up against Glenn Younkin, indication that he and the democratic party aren’t going Realclearpolitics polling averages saw the race was close: a millionaire businessman who used to be CEO of The anywhere. I believe in the latter. 47% to 44% in favor of Northam and the democrats. On Carlyle Group. Currently President Biden has a national election day, the results were somewhat surprising. Ed approval rating in the low 40s. In Virginia, according to Gillespie received roughly what the polls had him at, he a Roanoke College poll conducted last month, President received 45% of the vote. Ralph Northam received 54% of by DEVYN SHEA opinion editor
the vote, much more than the polls had him at. Now the same elections are coming up, but under different circumstances. These elections will be the first step in indicating whether or not democrats will hold onto power in 2024. The race is currently neck and neck. Virginia has a one consecutive term limit for governor. If a governor wishes to run for another election they must wait four years. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe left office in 2018 and is now vying to return to the governor’s
8
October 28, 2021 The Lorian
S ports
Women’s Soccer claims 14th A-R-C title in program history put Loras up 6-0 at the half. Just three minutes into the second half, Jacobi scored her first assistant director of athletic communictions Oct. 23, 2021 - Celebrating their seniors on their home turf goal of the game before putting another in the back of the net on a Saturday afternoon, the No. 9 Loras College women’s soccer team corner kick where McDonnell centered the ball into the box where (15-0-1, 7-0-0 A-R-C) played host to the Buena Vista University Eriksen headed it to the feet of Jacobi to rifle into the net to bring Beavers (1-14, 0-7-0 A-R-C) where the Duhawks improved their the score to 8-0 after 50 minutes of play. win streak to 12 games with a commanding 12-0 victory over the Four minutes later, Olivia DeVriese intercepted a Buena Vista Beavers. The victory solidified the Duhawks’ reign as American clearance and shot a long ball from thirty yards out to put another Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Champions, marking their fourteenth goal on the board for the Duhawks and further extend the Loras title in program history and fifth in the last six years. lead to nine goals in the 54th minute. The Duhawks wasted no time putting goals on the board as Emily Freshman Lauren Riggle netted her second goal of the season in Pe r h a t s n o t c h e d the 67th minute as Rylee her fourth goal of Quillen connected with the season in the Kendall Wendt who put eighth minute of the a pass over to Riggle to game on a pass from tuck into the net to bring Payton McDonnell. the score to 10-0. Abby Eriksen scored In the 79th minute, her first goal of Abby Schafer had her the game just five tur n to s core on an m i nut e s l at e r on unassisted goal to mark another McDonnell her second of the season assist to give t he w h i l e s e n i or Br i g i d Duhawks a two Hecht, who spent her goal advantage early career as a goalie, played before Eriksen put up top and scored her another in the back first career goal on a of the net a minute well-placed through ball later as Hannah from Kylie Hulsbrink to Schmitz connected secure the 12-0 lead and with Brynn Jacobi crown the Duhawks who put a ball into A-R-C Champions. photo from LORAS ATHLETICS the box for Eriksen to The Duhawks took For the fifth time in six years, the Loras Women’s Soccer team has won the put away. cont rol of t he game ARC Title, their fourteenth in program history. Everyone at the Lorian wishes In the 19th minute, them the best of luck moving forward. from the jump, firing off Libby Perry scored a total of 70 shots in the her first goal of the season as Ryleigh O’Brien connected a pass in game with 41 shots reaching net while holding the Beavers to just the attacking zone for Perry to put past Buena Vista keeper McKeely two shots total, none on goal. McDonell’s season-high three-assist Tjaden to widen the lead to 4-0. Erin Rieckens scored her fifth goal performance pulls her within 10 assists of tying the all-time career of the season in the 32nd minute to widen the Duhawks’ lead to five assists record, currently held by Michelle Wieser at 43 while Jacobi’s goals as Jaylen Cangas fed a through ball into the zone for Rieckens two goals see her still placed at fifth all-time in goals scored and to put past the keeper. Five minutes later, Bella Talbot found Caitlin sixth in career points. Farrell who scored her fifth goal of the season in the 38th minute to by NATHAN CAMERON
Men’s Cross Country explores new territory in Oregon Men’s Cross Country recently travelled to Oregon to compete at the Lewis and Clark Invitational. The team would go on to place fourth out of twenty-six teams by ALEXIS RIESBERG staff writer
The Loras men’s cross country team has been hitting new highs this season. In their recent trip to Oregon, the Duhawks finished fourth as a team against a variety of divisions, including division one programs. This was a very impressive finish, especially since they were missing their number one runner, sophomore, Ryan Harvey. The seniors knew what needed to be done for the team and looked strong doing it. Senior Wyatt Kelly, came in first for the Duhawks placing 22nd overall with a time of 24:43. This time ended up being the fourth fastest time in Loras history for the 8,000m race. Senior, Luke Guttormson, flew in next, landing a time of 24:51. Directly after Guttormson was senior photo from LORAS ATHLETICS Joey Schultz, racing a 24:52. Schultz’s time The women’s soccer team looks to go undefeated on the season for the first time was the eight fastest in Loras history. The against Coe College on October 26. seniors stole the spotlight in Oregon by biggest climbs a team has made in the Duhawks will compete at the American leading the team only six points behind national rankings this year. Rivers Conference Meet (A-R-C) at 11am. Carleton, ranked 15th in the nation before After the stellar performance from the They will come face to face with the dropping to 16th after the Duhawks crept Duhawks, they were able to enjoy Nike Wartburg Knights who are currently first in up on them.The men went into the race campus, Hayward Field, Pre’s Trail, the the nation for the first time in the season. ranked 25th in the nation, but after their Oregon Coast, and a well-deserved break Bringing back their number one runner outstanding performance, they soared from school. and all the momentum from Oregon, the to 18th in the nation. This was one of the This Saturday in Decorah, Iowa the Duhawks will be one to keep an eye on.
Coach’s Column
Chris Martin, Men’s Basketball by COACH CHRIS MARTIN head men’s basketball coach
We are just about two weeks from our first game and the team is ready! We are hoping and expecting for a big year from our program. After finishing third in the ARC a year ago, and returning all five starters, including three all-conference players, we are expecting another successful season. Seniors Rowan McGowen and Cole Navigato both decided early last season that they would return to have a full and proper last season together. Rowan has already scored 1,000 points, been a first team all-league player twice, and is the alltime leader of three pointers made here at Loras. Rowan is working part time at a bank in town and is a full time Graduate Student in our Applied Analytics Program. He is managing being a leader on and off the court, along with being a student and holding a job! Navigato is coming back to Loras for a second major in the business field after majoring in Sports Management the past four years. He is a first team all-league player and led the ARC in rebounds per game a year ago. Navigato is our vocal leader and lead by example attitude! Our program returns one other all conference player, sophomore Jake Healy! Healy is nursing an injury, but we are hoping for a return before conference play. In the off-season, the program has added a number of transfers and one that is poised to make a huge impact is Ali Sabet from Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL. Sabet was not highly recruited out of high school, but he has proven to be a prolific scorer at the college level. He averaged over 25 points per game last season as a combo guard at Oakton and we expect him to be a large part of our success this season The ARC has proven to be one of the best leagues in the country over the past five seasons. We know that if we are one of the best teams in our league, we are one of the best teams in the nation. The conference will be stacked again this year with many players from many top teams deciding to take their extra year of eligibility and return for one more season. This year, we anticipate the ARC being as deep and competitive as any year in recent history. As a program we want to give a shout out to our support staff, managers, student coaches, and analytics interns.  Andrew Kickel, Jon Kreidler, Luke Cunningham, Hunter Rickels, and Nick Reiter are the best in the business.  While their name never shows up in the stat column or score book, they are as important to our program as anyone.  The amount of time they serve the players and coaches is not seen by all, but it is felt by the staff and players and for that, THANK YOU!
If you would like to reccomend your coach/ coaches to write for the Lorian Coach’s Column, have them reach out to lorian@loras.edu for more information!