The Leader -- May 2, 2023 Issue

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Leader Reader,

I cannot believe that our time together is coming to an end; it seems like yesterday I was writing to you all in ELMHURSTOPOLOY, welcoming you to campus.

As we wrap up an amazing year, I want to thank you all for your support. This year, The Leader was able to take home a record amount of awards at ICPA, and we have made a big splash online with our new multimedia content. The Leader is only going to continue to thrive, and it’s bittersweet to part with you all right when it feels as though we are about to enter our prime. Continue to be on the lookout for the latest news from The Leader, whether it be online or in-print.

Being the Editor-in-Chief has taught me a lot about myself. It was not an easy road to make it to the end, but it was rewarding. I will look back at my college years and know that some of my happiest moments were spent working on The Leader.

For our last issue, we have tried to close some

ties that were started earlier this year, while still keeping you up-to-date on the latest news. Our seniors have put together memoirs reflecting on their college journey, so please make sure to read them all.

It’s hard to say goodbye. Between you and me, I never thought it would be a challenge to let go of the paper. I was ready to run out the door in August when I had my first mistake, but now, I’m holding onto this issue tight.

I am so excited to see what Adriana and her fearless team conquer next year. I will be cheering from the sidelines and I hope you all will too.

I do not know what’s next for me, but I know one thing is certain. My life has changed forever, and The Leader was pivotal in that change.

Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy reading this final issue!

‘Til we meet again, Ryan Windle (they/he) EIC 2022-2023

EDITORIAL BOARD

Ryan Windle (they/he)

Editor-in-Chief

Rachel Fratt (she/her)

Head Graphics Editor

Abbey Mark (she/her)

Head Social Me -

dia Graphics

Ilana Garnica (she/her)

Chief Copy Editor

Emmy Shaffer (she/her)

News Editor

Alyssa Kuehne (she/her)

Sports Editor

Adriana Briscoe (she/her)

Opinions Editor

Sarah Glees (she/her)

Multimedia Editor

STAFF

Nayrin Banuelos (she/her)

Staff Writer

Ericka Creek (she/her)

Staff Writer

Eve Hvarre (she/her)

Staff Writer

Gabriel E. Galindo (he/him)

Staff Write

Kay Loving (she/her)

Staff Copy Editor

Michael Nicholson

Staff Writer

Alyssa Padilla (she/her)

Staff Writer

Derek Thoms (he/him)

ABOUT US

The Leader is the student-run newspaper to the students, faculty, and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff and are not intended to represent those of the EU at large. No text, photos, or art can be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.

CONTACT US

General Inquires & Letters to Editor: theleadernewsec@gmail.com

ADVERTISE WITH US: theleaderadvertising@gmail.com

PHOTO BY Alyssa Kuehne (she/her)

THE LEADER STAFF ELECTS ADRIANA BRISCOE AS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

The Leader Report

Adriana Briscoe was elected by The Leader staff to serve as the Editor-in-Chief for the 20232024 school year during the April 25 meeting. Briscoe currently sits as The Leader’s opinions editor, a position that she has occupied since October 2023 after joining The Leader during the summer for their orientation issue.

Briscoe plans to continue to help grow The Leader Multimedia alongside Multimedia Editor Sarah Glees, and also wants to make the print and online versions of stories accessible for those to read.

“I would like to help expand The Leader’s social media presence and find more ways to streamline our print and multimedia work,” Briscoe said.

“I also want to help make the paper more accessible by recruiting more translators and making The Leader’s website more screen-reader friendly,” she continued.

Ryan Windle, current Editor-in-Chief and

graduating senior, always knew that Briscoe would eventually take over the position.

“When I heard from Eric about Adriana during the summer, I just had a feeling she was the one,” said Windle. “After meeting with her, she reminded me so much of how I was when I first started, eager and excited. From that day on, I kept my eyes on her.”

The Leader adviser Eric Lutz felt the same way as Windle after first meeting Briscoe and is excited to see what she brings to the position.

“Adriana is extremely talented and her leadership as a member of the editorial board has been a big part of the Leader’s success this year,” said Lutz. “I am looking forward to working with her and seeing how she continues to grow this publication.”

For Briscoe, being elected Editor-in-Chief was a chance for her to initiate change on campus.

“I decided to run for Editor-in-Chief because I felt it would be a good opportunity for me to learn, grow my leadership skills, and make an impact on the campus,” Briscoe said. “I feel incredibly grateful to have this opportunity, and

I can’t wait to begin this new journey.”

Briscoe formerly was the Editor-in-Chief at Harper College, and thanks that experience for shaping her into the writer that she is today.

“Serving as editor-in-chief of The Harbinger taught me to look at stories from both a big picture angle and a detail-oriented angle, and I believe having this flexibility will be beneficial as I step into this new editing role,” Briscoe said.

“I have never been so proud of Adriana,” said Windle. “I cannot wait to see what she does, and will be cheering her and her staff on.”

The orientation issue will be Briscoe’s first official issue with her new title, so Bluejays can keep their eyes peeled for the orientation issue to hit stands in August.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with the Leader staff and bringing our ideas to life,” Briscoe said. “I also look forward to recruiting new members these next few months, and I can’t wait to see all of the new talent that will join us next year.”

Newley elected EIC Adriana Briscoe and Ryan Windle pose for a photo on the Elmhurst University campus.

PHOTO BY Alyssa Kuehne (she/her)

A PINT FOR KIM CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS

Sarah Glees (she/her) Multimedia Editor

On Sat., May 13, A Pint For Kim, a national blood drive in honor of Kimberley Benedyk Sandford, will be held.

The A Pint For Kim grassroots movement was created by Kim’s family and friends including Elmhurst University’s Digital Media Professor Kristyn Jo Benedyk. In March 2020, just five days after Kim’s passing, the first blood drive event was held.

Kim was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and suffered from chemo-induced anemia, making blood donations crucial in her eightyear battle. This first event broke state records securing more than 500 pints of blood.

The event on May 13 will be held at Naperville North High School, a new location that’s close to Kim’s family, as this is where her two

sons attend.

“Having the drive at Naperville North High School is so special, knowing the boys are surrounded with this level of support, and we are so grateful for the staff and district for allowing us host it here,” said Kristyn Benedyk, Kim’s sister, and co-founder of A Pint For Kim. She continued, “We are so excited for this year’s event and to once again try to break our own state record and save even more lives.”

In addition to collecting pints of blood, this event will once again be a celebration of life. There will be live bands, food trucks, a supercar show, inflatables, games, face painting, raffles, and more.

Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged and can be made at www. apintforkim.com. Visit the website for more information.

BLUEJAY’S BOOK CLUB UNITES BOOK LOVERS

Emmy Shaffer (she/her) News Editor

Bluejay’s Book Club, one of Elmhurst University’s newest clubs, started so they could create a fun literary environment and build a community through their passion for reading.

“I’ve always been passionate about reading because I love exploring fictional worlds. This past year, I was fortunate enough to form friendships with other girls sharing my interests,” said club president Fariyal Khan.

“We collectively started Bluejay’s Book Club, intending to create a fun literary environment. We hope to build a meaningful community, connected through a common hobby of reading and discussing stories,” Khan continued.

The club started this semester and was excited to bring the campus community together and provide an environment where students can have an open discussion, and share their thoughts and opinions on different books.

Since the club began at the beginning of the

semester, they were only able to read and discuss one book, which was “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Starting next school year, the book club plans on having season themes as opposed to having a different theme each month.

“For example, we would collectively read one book during the fall season, one during the winter, and finally a third book during the spring semester, splitting up each season by themes reflective of three distinct genres,” said club vice president Saba Mohiuddin.

“In structuring the meetings, we plan to read the first half of the chosen novel during the beginning of a particular season, discuss characters, and opinions regarding the plot, and also propose theories for what we think the second half of the book would look like,” said Mohiuddin.

“During the second meeting, we plan to discuss the second half of the novel and reflect on our theories with some fun and engaging activities too,” She continued.

Along with book discussions, the club also held

fun activities for members to enjoy. Teaming up with the HR club, students made bracelets and bookmarks and socialized at an event during Valentines Day.

They are also looking forward to their Summer Book Swap event, where students bring a book and cover up the titles. They provide a short summary of the book and swap with other members to pick a new book to read and be open to exploring new genres.

Umiamah Syed, treasurer for Bluejay’s Book Club, has enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people and share her same passion for reading.

“I feel like being part of this book club creates a sense of community on campus,” said Syed, “It provides a space for individuals to come together and share their love of literature and their thoughts and opinions on different books. It can also provide a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY Kristin Jo Benedyk

Kimberley Benedyk Standford with her sons.

RALPH YARL SHOOTING CONTINUES OUTRAGE

Eve Hvarre (she/her) Staff Writer

On April 13, sixteen-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot in Kansas City, Missouri, after accidentally going to the wrong house.

The African American teen was tasked with picking up his siblings that night, but mixed up the street addresses and mistakenly approached eighty-four-year-old Andrew Lester’s home.

On “CBS Mornings,” Cleo Nagbe, Yarl’s mother said, “He got a couple of bullets in his body, instead of a couple of twins coming up, out and giving him a hug.”

Yarl claims to have rung the doorbell and waited a while before Lester opened the door and shot him. Yarl was shot once in the head and once in the arm.

Lester believed that someone was trying to break into his home and stated that he, “saw a black male approximately 6 feet tall pulling on the exterior storm door handle,” according to police.

However, Yarl stands at only five feet, eight inches and claims that he did not reach for the door, according to the probable cause statement involving the case. Lester stated that he did not exchange any words with Yarl before shooting at him through a locked glass door. Police responded and arrived before 10 p.m. and found Yarl wounded on the street after going to neighbors for help. Yarl was hospitalized and was released only a few days later, and still has a long recovery to make mentally and physically, according to his family. His recovery and survival are described as a “miracle,” as the boy took a shot to the head. From CNN, Shuan King, spokesperson for the family and activist wrote in a post saying that, “He’s home and looks great. Ralph is a WALKING MIRACLE with a head of steel.”

“Had the bullet hit his head a fraction of an inch in any other direction he would probably be dead right now,” The post continued. Fundraisers, like GoFundMe, have raised over 3 million dollars so far in efforts to pay for medical bills and other fees for the Yarl family, as people across the country respond to the event.

Controversy with Lester following the event have sparked much conversation with Missouri and its laws. Lester was taken into custody, but was released less than two hours later, as more investigated work needed to be done at that time.

Lester pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault in the first degree and armed criminal action. He is out on a $200,000 bond but is due back in court on June 1.

The state of Missouri has “Stand Your Ground” laws, which means that the law allows residents to respond to threats and force without fear of prosecution in places the person has a right to be, like in their home.

However, the “self-defense protection” laws, are being brought into question following the

night of April 13, and a shooting a few miles away on April 15, where twenty-year-old Kaylin Gillis was killed after pulling into a wrong driveway looking for a friend’s house. Many protests and media stands have sparked up throughout the country following these events as people continue to argue gun safety and racial discrimination.

KSN-TV reported on the protests.

Urban Leauge CEO Gwen Grant said, “We believe that this was a race and hate-motivated crime, and we want the federal government, the FBI, to conduct a hate crime investigation.”

Questions on how much race came into play involving the events with Yarl are still in the air as investigations continue and more details are revealed.

ADAM KINZINGER ADVOCATES FOR DEMOCRACY AS THE COUNTRY BECOMES MORE POLARIZED

Ericka Creek (she/her) Staff Writer

Elmhurst University invited Adam Kinzinger, former six-term GOP Congressman from Illinois, to talk at the Rudolf G. Schade Lecture on History, Ethics, and Law on Thurs., April 20.

In a conversation with Shia Kapos, a POLITICO reporter, Kinzinger discussed his experience and observation of the political divide that continues to threaten American democracy. Kinzinger also attended a panel with students before his scheduled lecture.

At the Rudolf G. Schade Lecture on History, Ethics, and Law, Kinzinger and Kapos were greeted with a large crowd of both students and members of the Elmhurst Community.

While discussing the serious and sometimes heavy moments of Kinzinger’s career in politics and the U.S Air Force, Kinzinger used comedy and optimism to keep the conversation light and entertaining.

The former congressman spoke openly about

why he became a politician, why he joined the Republican party, and his experience during the Capitol Riots on Jan. 6, 2021.

During the conversation, Kinzinger defended his choice to join the Jan. 6 committee, noting, “I know my son will read about this one day and I know he will not be ashamed of his last name.”

At both the student discussion and the lecture, Kinzinger discussed how the Republican party changed into a party he no longer felt that he belonged in.

Kinzinger noted that he felt “very politically homeless” because his ideals do not match those of either of the predominant parties in the United States.

Kinzinger not only was one of ten Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump, but one of two Republicans on the select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

When discussing Trump’s impact on the polarization of the country, Kinzinger said, “When a leader stands up, this is what Hitler did too, and speaks the dark parts of your heart back

to you, that gives that darkness permission to overtake you.”

Kinzinger noted that Donald Trump and other far-right politicians are responsible for the Capitol Riots because of the conspiracies and misinformation they have spread.

Jared Szaltis, a junior that attended the lecture, spoke about their experience at the lecture.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for campus to hear from a recent congressperson. Even as someone who disagrees with him on many issues, I feel that he is helping push the issue that we as Americans need to stand together against the deepening divide and radicalism that is taking root in our federal government,” said Szaltis.

Recently, Kinzinger joined CNN as a senior commentator and has created a new political action committee (PAC) called Country First. This PAC empowers and gives resources to those who choose country over party and want to protect democracy by running for office in the United States.

PHOTO POVIDED BY Javier Gloria Adam Kinzinger sits and answers student questions in the President’s private dining room.

HOW IDENTITIES IMPACT THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: THE HISPANIC AND LATINX EXPERIENCE

Ericka Creek (she/her) Staff Writer

“The Hispanic and Latino population at Elmhurst University has grown significantly in the past few years. As the school continues to diversify, it is important to understand the extra barriers minorities face.

While the school has expanded to become a Hispanic serving institution (HSI), many students are still facing a lack of resources and support. Hispanic and Latino culture is widely known for their close knit families, love of dancing, and amazing food. The Hispanic and Latino communities continue to struggle with both ethnic and racial barriers both at school and in society. However, the pride of family, community, and culture connects both communities and creates a sense of comfort for all.

Ericka Creek: Hispanic and Latino/Latina are commonly used interchangeably, which do you identify with more?

Vincent Cascio: “I think it depends on the context or the situation. Personally, I do not mind Hispanic or Latinx. I know that can be controversial for some in the community, but to me it relates to the queer community. I am open to either Hispanic, Latino,

Latinx, Latine.”

Javier Gloria: “I can be grouped in either category. I also use them interchangeably since they both apply to me.”

Stephanie Melchor: “I think I identify with both. Not everyone who is Hispanic, is Latina and vice versa. I do not mind, because I identify as Hispanic and Latina.”

Miguel Luna: “Latino.”

EC: Are you a first generation student?

Cascio:” I was not. I was second generation. I am one of a handful of cousins and aunts and uncles with degrees. I am one of three to have a masters degree in my family.”

Gloria: “Yes, I am. My brother and I are the first generation. My sister dropped out of her first semester of college. Essentially, it was me leading my family, leading my brother as an example of post-high school. Being first generation means a lot to me since my parents never even completed high school.”

Melchor: “I think so. My dad went to college, but in Mexico.”

Luna: “Yes, I am.”

EC: How does being Hispanic/Latino impact

your identity or everyday life?

Cascio: “I grew up in places that were predominantly white. I grew up in the city, south side Bridgeport, but then my parents moved us up to the Northwest suburbs where it was predominantly white.

I was one of few minorities in the school system so it was always brought to my attention that I was different. I certainly have a darker skin tone so I often was called something different sometimes because to others I look more ‘racially ambiguous.’

It was always a reminder growing up that I was different. Some of it was okay, but there were also situations where it was negative.

Sometimes I had to have conversations with peers about how the stereotypes they believed are harmful to the Mexican-American community. People would ask why my family was so close or why I had so many family members… It is with me everyday whether I want it or not, someone will always tell me that I am different.”

Gloria: “there are some good sides and bad sides. I am Mexican so I’m Latino and Hispanic, that means I get to represent a minority, especially here on campus.

Being able to represent my culture with me coming

continued on page 8

Javier Gloria Sophomore Political Science/Urban Studies Major

Stephanie Melchor Senior Spanish Major

Vincent (Vinny) Cascio Associate Director of Student Equity and Inclusion

Miguel Luna Junior Computer Science/Math Major

from a low-income household as well and hopefully getting to help my parents as well. I feel like I have to do more to be able to be heard.

A white person does not have to do much, because they are statistically more connected. They also have more resources, I have to go the extra mile for everything I do to be seen and heard.”

Melchor: “When I was younger, I felt like I was not American enough. I felt like having a good connection with Spanish was wrong. I worked at the airport over the summer before I got here and I saw everyone so proud of their language and culture. Seeing how proud and unashamed everyone is, made me more proud and unashamed. They made me feel like Spanish was a blessing, not negative. I felt I should major in Spanish to become more familiar.”

Luna: “We are in a pretty white neighborhood and the college was pretty white when I first got here. It has become more diverse. I feel a little uncomfortable here because I have less interactions with people of color here.

When I started to feel more uncomfortable was when I took my communications class. They really pushed the ideas of privilege and minority. It started to mess with me.

I had never thought about it until then, and it negatively affected me because I never thought of myself as a minority. It made me feel as if I stood out. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I am the only person of color around.”

EC: Do you think being Hispanic/Latino changes your college experience?

Cascio: “I think it plays a role. I was always reminded that I am coming into a space as a person who is different. I have always known that I was different and society made it known that I was different. It can certainly influence how you come into space. There are times when I am a little more closed off because I do not know the vibe. There are times when I see other people of color in the same space and know that I can bring my guard down, because I know they get it.

We have not all had the same experiences, but they are similar enough to know that we can relate and support one another. Going into predominantly white spaces and institutions can sometimes be uncomfortable and it is important to build a community of support around you.”

Gloria: “Particularly here at Elmhurst, there are not a lot of Hispanic teachers. It’s disappointing because I don’t have anyone to connect to. In

my specific degree, most of my professors are white. As for students, I don’t see a lot of minority students, even in the political science and urban studies fields.”

Melchor: “Most Hispanics do not have college experience and do not know what it entails. Most of my family, especially my mom’s side, did not go to college. They ask me why I am not working. The support system is a little different because we do not get the same support, resources, or knowledge.”

Luna: “For sure. Here, I am always thinking about how I am a minority. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I am the only person of color around.”

EC: How can the school better your experience as a Hispanic/Latino student?

Cascio: “Every institution struggles with this, this is not just an Elmhurst issue; however, as an institution we are working on investing in staff and faculty development, increasing our awareness of culturally responsive curriculum, and moving from Hispanic enrolling to Hispanic Serving. We need to understand and embrace those differences. I think it is important to have real conversations about how certain processes will impact other communities more than what we thought. I think right now, we have the opportunity to evaluate certain policies and procedures to see if they are actually helping our students, in particular, our students coming from underrepresented minority communities. If they are not helping, we need to change them. I think there were good intentions with certain policies and procedures put into place, but it was coming from a deficit mindset. Almost like white savior complex, rather than ensuring that students have easy access to resources so all students can be successful. The same thing goes for employees, we need to create a sense of belonging for staff through investing in professional development so everyone is getting the most out of their experience.”

Gloria: “I would like to see more representation in faculty. The only way that happens is in Spanish classes, but even some of the Spanish teachers are white. Since Elmhurst has been given an HSI grant, that could be used to attract more Hispanic students, especially low-income students. Being from Chicago and the high school I went to, and the resources I was given, I didn’t have to suffer as much as students from the south side of Chicago.”

Melchor: “I know there is La Promesa Azul that was just implemented. I think this will be a great resource because most Hispanics do not have access to everything. I know grants for Hispanics

are nice because they allow us to have paid internships, we all need internships but most of us need money more. I would like to see Elmhurst recognize that many of us live in the moment, and do not have the privilege of focusing on the future. Another thing is having more cultural events and food. Even when we walk into Founder’s Lounge, the music is always in English.”

Luna: “Maybe having more Hispanic teachers or more diversity in the faculty. Personally, I did not like the communications class because they pushed the ideas of how much of a minority you might be. My mentality is that you were given what you got, so you have to work with it.”

EC: Have you experienced anti-Hispanic/Latino discrimination on or around campus?

Cascio: “I have experienced microaggressions… like microaggressions about stereotypes or the misculturing of people like ‘aren’t you Puerto Rican ‘no I’m Mexican’ ‘oh but you are all the same right?’ A dismissal of culture and differences, kind of like an overgeneralization of who we are as a community.”

Gloria: “This instance was not towards Hispanics specifically, but a professor made a comment about the relocation of a metal scrapyard from Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is made up of primarily rich white people. They wanted to move their facility to the Southeast side of Chicago, which is primarily Hispanic and Black. Many organizations around the south side rallied to protest the permit allowing the facility to move. The professor noted that it gave people jobs, but it was a capitalistic approach. Those living on the southeast side of Chicago already face a lot of pollution from the many companies already down there. Adding the metal scrapyard facility would be another example of environmental racism. I took offense to it, because they are already facing so many issues.”

Melchor: “ Yes, if I go into stores and people are wearing pro-Trump clothing. If you are associating with that, that is being hateful to everything he stands against. Personally, I mostly experience microaggression such as a Trump hate or being asked my nationality or ethnicity.”

Luna: “Not that I know of.”

EC: What is your favorite part of being Hispanic/ Latino?

Cascio: “Part of it is the rich culture I come from. For Mexicanos, we are collective as a community. Like most Latino communities. We are very family oriented. In general, we are always in constant communication. The level of support sometimes

is just so valuable. For me, it is a sense of pride in my background, having a better understanding of our history, and a better understanding of my own personal history and its indigenous roots. There are so many cool things about it; the music, the culture, the food.”

Gloria: “Not to brag, but the food. I went to Mexico recently and was obsessed with the food there. Mexican food is way more flavorful, there is a wide variety of dishes, and it is easy to make.”

Melchor: “Just being able to say I am Hispanic is something of pride now. It also brings connections, just being able to speak Spanish with someone creates a bigger connection. Not everything in English translates directly to Spanish. Having something else that identifies me, adds to me and brings me pride.”

Luna: “The culture! Specifically music and dancing. My siblings just went to Mexico and my little brother who never wanted to dance here went and was forced to dance. I like that because you are able

to move around and express yourself. You get to be a community. I feel like American culture lacks that. At least the dancing aspect.”

EC: Do you have a community on campus? If so, who makes up this community?

Cascio: “My community is made up of majority professionals of color, which are majority women. Which I appreciate. Since I got here in June, I have been connected with so many people from different areas, whether it’s different departments or cultures. The majority of my community is women of color or just women in general. They have taken me in and we share similar goals and values. There is my friend Adrianna from financial aid, Rejeska from grants, Karina who is our new project director, Dana from Academic Affairs, and of course Bruce King who is my direct supervisor. The ladies in our OSI suite have been incredible as well! It is a family of what I call ‘my little disruptors’’ because we all disrupt in a way that is intentional and positive for students.``

Gloria: “My primary community are the folks on SGA because they were some of the first friends on campus. Since I started here as a commuter, it was hard to meet people because I only came here for classes. I had a part-time job and had to take care of my family, so I could not take part in clubs outside of my availability. I also have some community with folks in the OSI office; Cheryl, Amanda, and Vinny.”

Melchor: “The Spanish department makes me feel very comfortable. It is like a little family because professors and students get along so well. Alpha Mu Gamma, most of the Spanish majors are in it. Professor Gomez is the head of the Spanish department and advisor for Alpha Mu Gamma. I never thought I would join this club, but I have made life-long friends.”

Luna: “My community is made up of friends, other computer science majors, the Learning Center. Even the staff at the Learning Center, we are like a big family.”

FACEBOOK META: HOW THIS CHANGE HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE BRANDS REPUATION AND IMAGE

Kay Loving (she/her)

Staff Copy Editor

In 2021, the company formerly called Facebook changed its name to Meta. Since then, Meta has garnered only controversy and loss. But how did this happen? How has this juggernaut of social media fallen so far? Let’s take a look at what went wrong with Facebook Meta. For starters, let’s look at the reason the company behind Facebook and Instagram changed their name: the Metaverse.

The Fall (of Meta)

According to DW, the Metaverse is, “A digital reality, akin to the World Wide Web, but combining aspects of social media, augmented reality, online gaming and cryptocurrencies to allow users to act and interact virtually.” Zuckerberg was ecstatic and poured billions into this project. However, the general public has been ambivalent at best. The Metaverse has become less popular as time passed, only about 200,00 initial 500,000 participants are using the site monthly as of late 2022.

The Layoffs

As a result of this failure, Meta has been hemorrhaging money since 2022, a trend that will most likely continue here in 2023.

In Nov. 2022, Zuckerberg laid off about 11,000 employees. Only a few days ago Zuckerberg laid off another 10,000 employees. Zuckerburg elaborated on his reasoning for doing so in a blog post.

“To become a leaner and more efficient company” and “Restructuring plans focused on flattening our organization, canceling lower priority projects, and reducing our hiring rates,” Zuckerburg said.

The Competition

On top of all this, there is increasing competition from other social media giants like Snapchat and TikTok. TikTok in particular has boomed in recent years, which is very concerning for Facebook.

There are a lot of factors contributing to Facebook’s worry: TikTok has a wider target audience, an easy-to-navigate interface, and arguably pioneered the modern short-video entertainment format. Many others have tried

to piggyback off TikTok’s success, namely YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, but none of them has compared to the fast-growing company.

In light of all this, Facebook/Meta faces an uncertain future. Only time will tell if this media giant can get back on its feet.

“INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY” DESERVES A GOLDEN STAMP FOR ITS RAW AUTHENTICITY

Ilana Garnica (she/her) Chief Copy Editor

Who said Jesus was for everyone? Not Awsten Knight, frontman of the band Waterparks, with their latest album making a splash in the alternative community, touching on themes such as religious trauma, sexual guilt, and hypersexuality.

The band’s latest album, “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,” was released April 14, marking it as their fifth studio album. This album is heart-wrenching — it is eccentric, raw, and honest, the type of music you can cry to while still dancing your little heart out.

As always, Waterparks dances the fine line between pop tunes and loud, head-banging hits. With each song being placed in a roller coaster-like manner, Knight brings listeners on a journey of self-hatred and self-discovery.

The album opens with “ST*RFUCKER,” and immediately we’re transported into Knight’s head, where he begins to illustrate his struggles with demons, God, anxiety, and sex, themes that follow through the rest of the album.

Before Knight can finish the song, it’s interrupted by his voice, speaking normally and stating, “I’m saying picture that, but like, right before things go dark,” leading the audience directly into the next track, “REAL SUPER DARK.” The transition between songs was jaw-dropping. Knight constantly criticizes fame for the anxiety it has caused him. Musically, the song itself sounds like an intense panic attack. The loud, electronic strumming of the guitar and drum beats are purposefully confusing, as Knight screams about being, “freaked out.”

If you’re a bit sadistic, you’ll enjoy the rough nature of this song.

The album then takes an immediate left-turn and leads into more pop-type songs, such as “FUNERAL GREY” and “BRAINWASHED.” The themes of hyper-sexuality and relationship issues continue into both, while still marking them as their own beings.

“FUNERAL GREY” is the type of song you hold your own personal concerts to, the in -

strumentals and beat soft enough to guide you through your fantasy concert. While the catchy nature of the song makes the listener want to dance, the explicit nature of the lyrics outsells themselves.

“She rolled her eyes, and then she said, ‘I know your dying wish is to be baptized in my spit,’” Knight sings.

As for “BRAINWASHED,” this is the type of song you play driving down a long road with your windows down on a hot summer day. The beat is easy to follow and tap your fingers to, with Knight’s obsessive nature around relationships shining through in the lyrics.

“I’m having those same thoughts, can’t stop, thinking you’ve got me brainwashed,” Knight sings.

Knight effortlessly continues to illustrate his problems through the rest of the album; however, he manages to wrap each theme of the album up in a perfect little bow with the ending song, “A NIGHT OUT ON EARTH.”

The song begins with Knight’s struggles with fame and God: “Desensitized, the love I get is virtual, now Jesus hates my guts, it’s getting personal (yeah).”

The song picks up with beats anybody could dance to as Knight angrily begins to discuss how people only want him for his fame. But then it slows to a hallucinogenic state as a soft guitar begins to strum, and Knight begins

to yearn for his life before fame and question his morals.

The hardest-hitting lyrics of the song were, “Was I loved or was I right? I kissed a couple people in a week, am I gonna go to hell in my sleep? Or will God forgive me?”

The song begins to pick up as his frustrations around his identity, anxiety, and religious trauma begin to take over. The beat finally comes to a head as Knight sings, “It’s getting hard to keep track of everything I keep locked behind my back.”

Immediately, there’s this sense of release as Knight begins to sing the chorus of the song, and the guitar, drums, and Knight’s voice blend together effortlessly, repeating how “It’s just another night out on Earth.”

The song, and album, end with an excerpt from an old interview the band did, stating, “This is Waterparks.” The ending of the album leaves the listener wanting more and wondering where exactly the band is going to go next with their music.

This album is the perfect blend of pop, hyper-pop, and rock, standing out from any other alternative band’s music and illustrating what a lot of religiously traumatized individuals feel — the anxiety of not being good enough for God, or anyone, and struggling to find their identities.

“RYE LANE” WARMS UP SCREENS EVERYWHERE

Sarah Glees (she/her) Multimedia Editor

Spoilers ahead.

“Rye Lane” was recently released on Hulu after its 2023 premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The film Raine Allen-Miller’s directorial debut and screenwriter Nathan Byron’s first feature film that he collaborated on with Tom Melia. Fun fact, this film was originally titled “Vibes and Stuff.”

This unique rom-com takes place in South London and follows the main characters Dom, portrayed by David Jonsson, and Yas, portrayed by Vivian Oparah, after an awkward meeting in a public restroom. However, they quickly begin to click and realize they have a lot in common, including having recently been through breakups.

A few months earlier, Dom learned that his girlfriend was cheating on him with his best friend. Around the same time, Yas claims she broke up with her boyfriend.

One of my favorite parts of this film is the chemistry between Dom and Yas. There’s nothing

worse than a rom-com where the two main characters have nothing but platonic energy. Much of the film centers around the two of them exploring and just conversing with one another. It’s simple; however, it’s the simplicity that really makes this film stand out.

My other favorite part of this film was the emotionally level playing field that both Yas and Dom were given. For one, they both aren’t shy to talk about their insecurities or open up with one another.

Also, throughout the film, Yas appears as the more confident and less timid one; however, later in the film there’s a moment where Dom helps Yas out of her shell when she’s afraid to perform karaoke with him.

Another thing that I loved about this film was how colorful it was. Between the costume and set designs, to the lighting choices, and the way each shot was framed there was never a lack of color on screen.

This just enhanced the plot even more because that initial feeling of attraction was visibly represented in the cinematography. Also, if you still aren’t sold, there’s a scene where the two visit a Mexican restaurant

named “Gauc-actually,” and none other than Colin Firth himself is running the shop. One thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of, though, was the use of a fisheye lens throughout the film. The first time they used it I immediately pointed it out and thought it was an odd choice. Then throughout the film, they continued to utilize it, and each time I was taken out of the story a bit.

I also felt that the third act of the film was lacking. After spending the day together, Dom and Yas split ways after it’s revealed that Yas was actually the one that got broken up with, leaving Dom upset that she lied to him. The conflict felt forced, and it was clear they were quickly trying to get to that “all is lost” point. As a result, this moment occurred pretty late in the film, which led to a very rushed resolution.

That being said, I appreciated that this ending allowed for Dom and Yas to both grow and achieve some of their personal goals before finding each other again. I also loved that this film ended with Yas going big and giving Dom the grand gesture that he was always used to giving.

MUSIC COMES ALIVE IN LATEST VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE MOZART IMMERSIVE: SOUL OF A GENIUS

Ryan Windle (they/he) Editor-in-Chief

Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago’s latest exhibition, Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius opened on March 10. Behind the same team that created Immersive Van Gogh, they took this medium in a new direction.

While Mozart was no painter, his music has stood the test of time. In this show, instead of the visuals, the main focus is the numerous compositions that Mozart curated. However, there are still captivating visuals for those to enjoy.

The creative team used AI image generation as an inspiration to design the original visuals that are displayed. The show takes you through various scenes of Mozart’s life and the destinations that Mozart himself experienced. Creator Massimiliano Siccardi emphasized that the show is intended to represent multiple facets of Mozart’s life.

“With this piece, we wanted to represent every part of Mozart’s life, from his happy times as a child prodigy and throughout his amazingly prolific career, creating some of the best music ever composed,” said Siccardi. “We want the audience to see the world through Mozart’s eyes, both humanizing him and celebrating his genius and incredible body of work.”

The exhibit is accompanied by Grammy-nominated Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Constantine Orbelian, who is a fourtime Grammy nominee.

With a unique visual and auditory experience, Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius has a new addition to a typical Lighthouse offering, which is footage of actors present.

The actor in the show, Mikhail Baryshnikov, plays Mozart’s father, Leopold.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to portray one of the most obvious, albeit controversial, figures in Mozart’s life in this truly distinctive immersive presentation,” said Baryshnikov.

He continued, “Leopold Mozart took his young

son to the heights of stardom, only to become a contentious influence on Mozart in his adulthood. Since this exhibition is an exploration of Mozart’s soul, Leopold is a character to be paid attention to.”

Co-founder of Lighthouse Immersive and producer of Mozart Immersive Svetlana Dvoretsky wanted to make sure that in order to do Mozart justice, the best talent and technology were used.

“In order to fully capture the genius of Mozart’s oeuvre of work, we brought together top-level talent from the world of classical music for the score, but we also wanted to use groundbreaking AI technology to help create the projection’s beautiful and inventive imagery,” said Dvoretsky.

She continued, “With the help of Maestro Constantine Orbelian, we have created a magnificent, melodic soundscape to accompany the visuals crafted by our creative team.”

Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius runs through May 29 at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago.

PHOTOS BY Ryan Windle (they/he)

“LILO AND STITCH” LIVE-ACTION REMAKE SLAMMED OVER WHITEWASHED CASTING

Gabriel E. Galindo (he/him) Staff Writer

As of this point, Disney has made it a goal to remake every successful animated film into a live-action film for the sake of profit. From “Cinderella,” to “Mulan,” to “The Lion King,” and even “The Jungle Book.”

Right now Disney has its “The Little Mermaid” remake set for this year, and Dwayne the Rock Johnson is in talks of remaking “Moana,” a film that isn’t even ten years old.

One of these remakes in the works is “Lilo and Stitch,” with controversial casting over certain actors.

For those that don’t know, “Lilo and Stitch” is a 2002 animated film centered around an alien creature known as Stitch, who’s adopted by a little Hawaiian girl named Lilo.

The film touched on the themes of found family through the Hawaiian concept of Ohana (Family), meaning nobody gets left behind or forgotten.

The movie was a success at the box office at that time and the first to represent modern Hawaii and its people, predating “Moana.”

The live-action adaptation has already gotten casting for the main characters. Among them are Zach Galifianakis as Jumba, Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, and Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles.

Chris Sanders, the writer of the original film and the voice of Stitch, will come back to voice the titular character.

The controversy started with the casting of Lilo’s family.

Lilo is set to be played by Maia Kealoha, and her sister Nani played by Sydney Agudong. Agudong has been reported as being of partly Hawaiian descent but is light-skinned compared to other native Hawaiians.

This has led to widespread criticism over whitewashing and colorism towards the crew.

Whitewashing and colorism have been issues regarding representation in the media through various outlooks. Yet, it also begs the question

of just how “ethnically pure” an actor must be to play such characters.

In “Crazy Rich Asians,” Henry Golding, who played the main love interest, was accused of not being “Asian enough” since he’s half British. Another Disney film, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” was advertised as being a “Southeast Asian film” when a majority of its voice cast was of East Asian origin, with the exception of Kelly Marie Tran.

Also, the live-action “Aladdin” remake casted Naomi Scott, who’s half Indian and half British, to play Princess Jasmine, a middle eastern character.

Adudong herself was slammed with attacks on her Instagram account for agreeing to play a role that was meant for a “darker skin” actor.

This debate just raises more questions and opinions regarding who gets to represent an ethnic minority based on how dark or light their complexity is, or if they’re mixed or ethnically “pure.”

THE FIVE K-POP SONGS THAT DEFINED MY COLLEGE JOURNEY

Ryan Windle (they/he) Editor-in-Chief

The time has come for the dreaded end to this iconic column.

It was hard for me to think of what to do for my last Keeping up with K-Pop, especially since there is no new music right now.

But for my last one, it won’t be a review or recommendation, but moreso my college journey defined by the K-Pop songs that got me through it. And know if we were not boycotting BBC, LOONA would be every single song.

“Russian Roulette” — Red Velvet

The song that started it all, long before it was trending on TikTok.

If you knew me before COVID-19, you know I was the biggest K-Pop anti. I thought the fans were annoying and childish and swore I never would become one of them.

Guess what Ryan, you became one of them. When I first met my boyfriend at the time, one of the first things he did was play K-Pop music for me, and this was the first song he played. Something shifted, I actually enjoyed a K-Pop song. I didn’t care that I did not understand anything outside of a few words — something about this song hooked me, and slowly, I was doing research on various K-Pop groups on my own. This song was my gateway into the world of K-Pop, and since my initial listen, I have only immersed myself further in the music.

“Likey” — TWICE

I knew I liked this song before I even knew its name.

During COVID-19, I turned to TikTok and heard this catchy instrumental I was obsessed with, and wanted to find the song in full.

Lo and behold, the instrumental was to this song, and my love for my all-time favorite K-Pop group TWICE began.

I found myself watching the behind-the-scenes, watching their music show performances, and learning their fan chants; I became their biggest

supporter.

Through my love of TWICE, I was able to break the ice when I first got to Elmhurst University, and meet some of my first friends here. Bonding over our love for K-Pop eased my anxiety, and I was able to start to settle in to my new home.

“Pirate”

— EVERGLOW

When I first joined The Leader, I always wanted to start a K-Pop music column. I had no idea how to write a music review, but what I knew is that I wanted more people to be exposed to the music. With my new arts and culture editor position, I had free will over what went into that section. Now was my chance to finally start the K-Pop music column of my dreams, and Keeping Up with K-Pop was born.

It was a rough start to my column, and reading it back, I did not do this song justice. But with my first column down featuring this song, I was unstoppable and passionate about making this column the best it could be, despite everyone around me telling me it was a bad idea.

It was a bad idea at the start, but it’s fun now.

“Talk

that Talk” — TWICE

The day before the fall semester started, as I parted ways with my best friend before they went down to school, we happened upon this album in the mall a couple of days before it was released.

Too excited, I bought it and ran. Instantly, I put the CD in and listened to the album in full in the parking lot, amazed at the music.

It helped me feel excited for the school year, and every time I felt down at the start of my EIC experience, I remember the joy I felt this day, and it motivated

me to work harder and not sweat the small stuff.

“Hot Sauce” — NCT DREAM

I am infamous for not liking K-Pop boy groups. Every time someone mentioned K-Pop, I have my long list of girl groups that I recommend, and boy groups are almost nonexistent. But when opportunity calls, suddenly I am their number one fan.

Being from a small college and getting the opportunity to interview a K-Pop group, let alone one from SM Entertainment, was a fever dream. From just my tiny music column that I did mostly for myself, I was being noticed, and given the experience of a lifetime.

It still amazes me that this happened to me and was the perfect end to my time here at The Leader.

I can’t believe it is the end of this column. Thank you all for your support and for reading. Hopefully, soon we will meet again to keep up with K-Pop. scan me to listen to the hits

RyanWindle Windle

I am the most indecisive person you will ever meet. My whole life, it seemed a new week brought on my new dream career. I never was able to stick with one, I never wanted to limit myself to what I could do.

The idea of college always was scary for me, because I had to pick a major and live by it for four years, and the rest of my life.

Still not knowing what I really wanted to do, I made the safe bet to go to community college, and said by the end of my two years, I should have it all figured out.

I did not get it all figured out.

When I was starting to apply to schools to transfer to, I always paused at the major section. Scrolling through the list of options, none of them connected to me. Yet, my finger always clicked journalism at each and every school.

Two years ago, I did not even understand what journalism meant. AP style? Never heard of it. To this day I still confuse ledes and headlines. I’m very new to this field, and I still am not sold if I want to do it.

This is what has caused me to spiral. All this money that I soon will be in debt for, all this time, all this effort has felt like a waste because I simply made a choice that I felt forced to do, but I look back at my start and am grateful for this journey.

Walking onto the Elmhurst University campus for the first time, I was ready to walk right out. I felt underprepared and undeserving of this education, but more prominently, I was scared.

I knew I was enrolled in the credit to do the newspaper, but I was about to meet with my adviser at the time, Dr. Miller, and tell her this all was a mistake and that I shouldn’t be here.

I had never written a news story, interviewing strangers scared me, and I just was not ready

emotionally. I had a whole speech planned for Dr. Miller, but then in my first-ever class on campus, that mindset instantly changed. Leave it to me to sit next to the Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper on my first day. Gianna quickly learned about me, told me about the newspaper, and promised me a bright future.

I lied that I had class during The Leader meeting times. Soon I learned that protected hour was a thing, and eventually I stepped into my first meeting, and the meetings became my safe place.

When I look back at some of my first pieces, I laugh. They are cringe, all over the place, and just embarrassing.

But look at me now, two years later I am signing off my time here at EU being the EIC, and feeling confident in my writing skills. My two years here at The Leader have transformed me, and have made me into the person that I am today.

Thank you to my editorial board and staff for this year, we did it! It was never an easy journey, but as I end my reign, I am full of nothing but gratitude. Tuesdays will never be the same for me now.

To my parents, I feel like an apology is overdue. You were right, this is not what I wanted to do, but thank you for supporting every step I made and immersing yourself in The Leader almost as much as I have.

Dr. Miller, you have changed my world. I will miss our meetings, our emails, but most importantly I will miss your words of encouragement and kindness. If it wasn’t for you I would have dropped out; you motivated me to push forward and to smile.

Eric, what a year. Thank you for teaching me some of the most valuable journalism lessons, and putting up with my K-Pop column. I may have been mad at a critique or two, but they always were insightful, and helped me in my growth.

To Gianna and Olivia, you are why I am here today. Your support has guided me through this year, and I was happy to laugh at my mistakes with you all. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy adult schedules to always make time to comfort and console my insecurities.

Lastly, to Rachel. We knew this day was coming, and here it is. It is wild to think that I have only known you for such a short amount of time, yet now I can’t imagine my life without you. You have made my college experience what it has been, and thank you for forcing me out of my shell.

Well. I did it. I couldn’t tell you what’s next for me, but I know my journey at Elmhurst has shaped me into who I am today, and that I will soar wherever I end up.

(THEY/HE) EDITOR IN CHIEF

Emmy Emmy

Shaffer Shaffer

By the time the semester rolled around, I was excited to finally be back in person and to feel like an actual student again. While I was excited, I was nervous, too, since I hadn’t been in an actual classroom in over a year. It took a little while to adjust, but I was glad to finally be in person and make new friends. I was starting to feel like my normal self again and excited for what was to come next.

It’s hard to believe that my time here at Elmhurst University is finally coming to an end. I’ve learned so much about myself in the last two years, and I’m beyond grateful for what EU and The Leader has done for me.

I transferred here after two years of community college during COVID-19, sitting at my desk in my bedroom dreading online learning. Most of my friends were away at school, and we had very limited contact with each other. I was lonely and began feeling depressed, as I felt isolated being at home. I knew I needed a change and wanted to be happier.

After looking at schools the summer before I transferred, I heard about Elmhurst and thought it would be a good fit for me. After having a tour of campus, I knew this was the fresh start I knew I desperately needed.

As I adjusted to classes and learned my way around campus, I knew I wanted to get involved. One day in my Communication Theory class, my professor mentioned that the student newspaper was looking for more writers. I was a part of the yearbook at my highschool and enjoyed writing, so I thought I would give it a shot. So I emailed the Editor-in-Chief at the time, Gianna Montessano, and asked her if I could come to a meeting and see what The Leader was all about. After meeting her and the rest of the staff, I knew I wanted to be a part of the paper.

The Leader sparked my love for writing again and how much I missed doing it. I enjoyed being able to interview people and to tell their stories. I started out as a staff writer and copy editor my first year on staff, and this year I’ve had the privilege of being the News editor.

Being a part of The Leader Staff has been incredible and one of the major highlights of my college experience. Being able to collaborate together and getting to know one another has been amazing, and I will miss them greatly. It won’t be the same without them next year, and I look forward to seeing what they do next.

(SHE/HER) NEWS EDITOR

Ericka Ericka Creek Creek

It is never too late to put yourself out there. My freshman year of college, I was not very active on campus. My practice schedule made it hard to join clubs; however, I did join GreenJays and Asian Club with my friends and attended when I could.

Unfortunately, my freshman year would be cut short by the pandemic.

I spent the last part of my freshman year and the first part of my sophomore year at home, three hours from campus. During that time, I felt disconnected from college and felt as if I was truly missing out on many experiences.

Even when I got back to campus in the spring of 2021, much of the college experience was gone. My only in-person interaction the entire semester was at track practice. While this was a difficult time in my life, I was able to break the school hammer throw record. I would argue that it is one of my favorite memories from my first two years here. Breaking the school record again in 2022 would be my favorite memory of junior year as well.

At the end of my junior year, I still felt disconnected from school. I felt I was not doing enough on campus and wanted to meet more people. I decided my senior year I would take some risks and be as active as I could on campus.

I began my senior year as a senator of student affairs and as a political science tutor at the Learning Center. Through my role as a senator and tutor, I’ve grown so much. Not only have I learned confidence and communication skills, but have learned the joy of helping others.

I was also presented with the opportunity to become a civic engagement liaison for Service Learning. My job there allowed me to promote and inform voters through

events and flyers.

This role gave me so much confidence and allowed me to meet amazing students and staff that also valued civic engagement.

My roles in the first semester of senior year mixed with a little push from my friends leads me here. Writing for The Leader was not something I thought I would ever do.

I was inspired as a political science major in sociology minor to present the good and bad our identities bring. I would not have the courage to write my articles without the support of friends and faculty.

My time here at Elmhurst is almost done, but I will never forget everyone who told me “it is never too late.”

First I want to thank my friends at the Learning Center, especially Yusra Omar, for their constant support in everything I do. I would also like to thank Mary Walsh and Michelle Reidy in Service Learning for giving me the opportunity to do what I love (getting people civically engaged).

Thank you to my amazing and encouraging friends at SGA. Thank you to the political science and business programs for reminding me of the importance of perspectives. To everyone I’ve interviewed, thank you for your time and effort in this passion project.

To my throwers and teammates, I do not have the words to describe how thankful I am for the opportunity to be a leader to some and a friend to you all.

Most importantly, I want to thank Ryan Windle and Rachel Fratt for telling me to join the Leader on a weekly basis. You never thought I’d do it, did you?

(SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER

Nayrin Nayrin

Banuelos Banuelos

(SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER

homework assignments, midnight deadlines, or even the social events. I believe it was the internal transformation that takes place within you.

You grow up, learn about yourself and the world, and develop as a person. My professors challenged me to think in new ways. Those “Aha” moments this new way of thinking produced I will hold onto forever. Through the Elmhurst University Mock Trial program, I learned about law and found a meaningful way to put my passion for writing to good use.

I began writing stories in the fourth grade after receiving some inspiration from friends and teachers. I wrote of chocolate queens and candy-filled kingdoms back then. While my writing is focused on other subjects now, I have kept my passion and now acknowledge the power of storytelling.

Deciding to pursue an English degree was an easy choice for me. Actually obtaining it was another thing.

I navigated my way through an uncharted territory with no guidance, only taking a few wrong turns, and having minor slip-ups in between. I will be the first in my family to graduate from college in a few weeks with my Literature degree.

The most important part of this experience was not the

I found a passion for law and realized my potential to pursue a law degree to become an attorney. Minoring in political science helped me to further this interest.

My senior year, I became president of the Latino Student Association and worked on highlighting issues that involve my community and intersect with the law.

Writing for The Leader has also been another highlight of my college experience. I have been able to write about important subjects not only on our campus but further beyond.

I have spent the past four years learning about the world around me and about myself. To Dr. Ron, Judge Tom, and the Elmhurst University Mock Trial Program, thank you for helping me understand the world around me and pursue what I believe is my purpose.

THE LESSONS I LEARNED IN COLLEGE ABOUT SELFEXPRESSION AND SELF DISCOVERY

Ryan Windle (they/he) Editor-in-Chief

You always hear that college is the ideal time to explore aspects of yourself that you are curious about. College is just a phase, but your journey in discovering your gender and sexuality is not.

Before I stepped foot on the Elmhurst University campus, I thought I had it all figured out, but soon I was enrolled in a self-discovery course that I am still taking.

The first lesson, it’s scary. That’s the first step, acceptance. This journey you are about to embark on is scary as hell, especially in the world that we live in today.

It’s scary, but worth it.

Make sure that you are taking time to find inner peace so that when the world around you gets chaotic, you can ground and validate yourself and your existence.

Fear only is a distraction. It’s hard to feel safe, but trusting yourself and knowing what is right is essential when exploring your gender and sexuality.

Something I wish I did more was explore, which is the second lesson I learned.

This may come as a shock to everyone who knows me, but I was afraid. I always spoke about how, “we just are at a tiny college, who cares?” Yet inside, I was constantly afraid and cautious of how others perceived me. This fear prevented me from exploring more than I wanted to. Now, I am ending my college journey full of regrets, and I want to make sure that others do not have the same regrets as me. Now is the time, even if it seems like it isn’t. Wear makeup, experiment with your clothing, kiss the person you think is attractive. The only person stopping you is you.

If you want to do it, now is the time — do it before the opportunity fades.

Truly, who cares? You will never see most of these people again if they are judgemental. The next lesson I learned is to surround yourself with people who are willing to be on the ride with you.

It’s emotional. There are days when you wish you were invisible because you know everything is wrong. Make sure to have people around you that support you. They will pull you out of the mud, and put you back on the path of discovery.

And the last and most important lesson, be selfish. It’s something I wished I learned sooner.

You have to put yourself and your needs first. If something is not fulfilling your needs and wants in your journey, it is okay to voice that and get rid of that toxic behavior. Do not save your friendships only to ruin yourself in the process.

If you have a friend who is judgemental, get them out of your life sooner rather than later. You cannot have the people you surround yourself with be the judgemental ones. Know when to let people go, and accept that it’s for the better.

As I am leaving college, I know that I did not make the most of it. I stayed stuck in my box, and struggled internally, just wanting for it to end.

It never is too late to be undeniably you, even if you do not utilize your college experience to explore how you want to, know that one day, you will be able to freely be you. College is just a nice gateway.

College is the most pivotal time in one’s life. While we are learning how to be adults, we are also learning so much about ourselves. Do not walk out with any regrets, make the most of it, and be true to yourself.

GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt (she/her)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Last year, I was sexually assaulted three times over the course of a week in an Elmhurst University dorm by another student.

I reached out to the Title IX office for support, and they responded to my request for assistance in a week. I was eventually able to secure a no contact order. Then, I spent the rest of my time at EU in constant fear of crossing paths with the perpetrator, which occurred on more than one occasion and resulted in severe psychological distress.

With my story in mind, perhaps one can see why the Title IX office’s comments in The Leader’s October 2022 article “Assault Crimes Heighten on EU Campus” came off to me as tone deaf.

It was disappointing to see Everfi training being promoted as one of our best and only campus outreach efforts even though Everfi training is the bare minimum requirement on college campuses.

Additionally, it was disturbing that the Title IX office made the claim that assault cases are not actually increasing, but rather numbers are rising merely because, “students are feeling more comfortable in reporting.”

This statement diminishes the urgency of the case reports that did occur, especially since no concrete evidence was presented to support the statement. It left me with the impression

that it was a generic excuse designed to suppress the concerns that were brought up in the article.

As a survivor who worked with EU’s Title IX office, I can confidently state that the Title IX office needs to re-evaluate how they handle sexual assault cases, especially in regard to no contact orders.

In the article, no contact orders are described as an effective measure to keep students safe. However, what the quote in the article fails to mention is that a no contact order can be intimidating to survivors.

As stated in the article, violation of a no contact order results in “very severe consequences.” This is the case not only for the perpetrator, but for the victim of the assault crime.

When given a no contact order, the survivor and the perpetrator sign a document that describes it as a “two-way agreement” under which a violation “can result in student conduct action.” Frankly, I find it problematic to imply that there is mutual responsibility in a sexual assault case.

As can be inferred from the examples I’ve cited, the no contact order places immense pressure on survivors. After emerging from a situation where I faced gaslighting and manipulation from a perpetrator who stole my agency, it was a terrifying experience to

sign this document and feel the weight of the circumstances fall onto me.

After being assaulted, the no contact order not only did not protect me from encountering my rapist again, it also caused me to be fearful of what would happen if I somehow violated the broad, vague terms that I agreed to, only adding to my stress.

Title IX office, I will not remain silent any longer. I do not want another person to go through the pain I went through when it could be alleviated.

Consider these recommendations: I propose that you work with survivors to form a plan of protection that ensures the survivor will not cross paths with the perpetrator. I propose that the perpetrator is severely limited in where they can go on campus and is the subject of surveillance and check-ins to ensure they are not intimidating or otherwise harming the survivor.

If it is impossible to enforce limitations on the perpetrator, I propose that you explicitly and intentionally offer to have a security guard escort the survivor wherever they need to go within campus bounds.

Survivors at Elmhurst University deserve better, and I hope that the Title IX office takes my voice into consideration as they implement appropriate changes.

be 300 words or less in length. The editors retain the right to edit letters before publication. Don’t forget to spellcheck. The Leader is the student-run newspaper speaking to students, faculty and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff, and are not intended to represent those of EU at-large. All text, photos and art cannot be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.

to the editor can be submitted below or sent to leadernewsec@gmail.com. Letters must include your full name and Elmhurst University affiliation. All letters should

EDITORIAL

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY NEEDS TO EXPAND THEIR ALL-GENDER BATHROOM OPTIONS

In a world where gender expression is being antagonized, Elmhurst University needs to set a precedent and include more all-gender bathrooms on campus.

It is noted on the campus map on the website, despite it being from when EU was Elmhurst College, that all dormitories on campus include at least one all-gender bathroom for students on campus to use.

While it is good that those who live on campus can safely use a bathroom, it is important to note that for the typical EU student, they do not have access to the dorms, as most are commuters.

There are some buildings that promote having all-gender bathrooms, with the more notable ones being Schaible Science Center, Old Main, and the A.C. Buehler Library.

Out of the 24 buildings on campus, it is advertised that 10 buildings on campus have an all-gender bathroom; however, six of those are all dorms.

It also is interesting to note that the Schaible Science Center is listed on the campus map online as not having one, when it is one of the few that actually have a correct all-gender bathroom.

The Frick Center has one single stall all-gender bathroom, but for the main part of campus, there needs to be a full bathroom for students to use.

There needs to be more all-gender bathrooms on campus for all students to use. Students should not have to walk across campus just to simply use the bathroom, or have a friend let them into their dorm.

All buildings that hold lectures should have an all-gender bathroom, and proper ones at that. Most all-gender bathrooms on campus are notably single-stall rooms, and some even have a changing table. It is evident that EU just took a family restroom and slapped an all-gender bathroom title on it. While it works and does its purpose, it is

singling out individuals who have to use this bathroom.

With the all-gender bathroom in Schaible, there are built in stalls for multiple people to use at once. This is an ideal space for students and staff to use, and this style of all-gender bathroom should be implemented more.

On top of making sure that all-gender bathrooms are suitable for all genders, EU needs to make sure that the proper products are available in each bathroom.

In Schaible, only one all-gender bathroom has a slot for period-care products, similar to the female bathroom above it.

Period care products have slowly started to make their way into EU bathrooms recently, all thanks to Girl Up Elmhurst University. But, students on campus should not be the ones raising money to have this accessible to students: the University needs to make this change.

If it is an all-gender bathroom, period products are a necessity. They cannot be in just some of them or, worse, none of them — they need to be in all of them.

Not every single bathroom needs to be all-gender, but there needs to be more, especially in the prominent buildings on campus that all students have access to.

Making sure that more all-gender bathrooms are included will help more students feel welcomed and safe on campus. Elmhurst University, it is time you do better.

Letter to Editor Submissions

Letters to the editor can be submitted below or sent to leadernewsec@gmail.com. Letters must include your full name and Elmhurst University affiliation. All letters should be 300 words or less in length. The editors retain the right to edit letters before publication. Don’t forget to spell-check. The Leader is the student-run newspaper speaking to students, faculty and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff, and are not intended to represent those of EU at-large. All text, photos and art cannot be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.

GRAPHIC BY Abbey Mark (she/her)

BLUEJAY BUZZER: ELMHURST SPORTS RECAP

MEN’S LACROSSE

April 22 at Carroll University W, 21-1

April 29 at Transylvania University L, 16-12

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

April 19 at Augustana College L, 17-0

April 22 vs Carthage College L, 24-0

April 24 at Illinois Wesleyan University L, 22-4

MEN’S TENNIS

April 18 vs North Central College L, 9-0

April 19 at Augustana College L, 9-0

April 21 at Carroll University L, 9-0

April 25 vs Millikin University L, 9-0

April 27 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin L, 5-0

SOFTBALL

April 18 vs Carthage College Doubleheader

L, 7-3; L, 5-4

April 20 at Beloit College Doubleheader

W, 15-2 (5 Inn.); W, 5-1 (6 Inn.)

April 24 at Wheaton College Doubleheader

W, 6-4; W, 4-3

April 25 at North Park University

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

April 21 Augustana Meet of Champions T, 4 of 22 teams

April 22 Don Church Twilight 9 of 10 teams

April 28 Elmhurst Invitational 3 of 12 teams

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

April 21 Augustana Meet of Champions 8 of 25 teams

April 22 Don Church Twilight 9 of 9 teams

April 28 Elmhurst Invitational 5 of 14 teams

MEN’S GOLF

April 26 vs Wheaton College L, 320-332

WOMEN’S GOLF

April 18 Benedictine University Spring Invite 2nd of 9 teams

BASEBALL

April 18 at Augustana College L, 7-6

April 22 at North Central College Doubleheader

L, 16-7; L, 3-2

WOMEN’S TENNIS

April 20 #1 North Central: CCIW Tournament L, 5-0

Doubleheader W, 13-5 (6 Inn.); L, 10-1 (5 Inn.)

April 29 at Illinois Wesleyan University

Doubleheader L, 4-2 (8 Inn.); L, 4-3

April 23 at Carthage College W, 12-4

April 26 vs Wisconsin Lutheran College W, 10-3

April 29 vs North Park University L, 5-1

Alyssa Kuehne (she/her) Sports Editor

The Elmhurst University sports recap of the last two weeks, Oct. 9 - Oct. 22.

Alyssa Kuehne (she/her) Sports Editor

THE ELMHURST UNIVERSITY SPORTS RECAP FROM THE LAST TWO WEEKS, APRIL 16 - 29.

ALUMNI WIN FIRST EVER ELMHURST UNIVERSITY CROSSOVER BASKETBALL GAME

Alyssa Kuehne (she/her) Sports Editor

Alumni truly flew out of the nest at the first Elmhurst All Star Crossover Basketball game on April 28, winning the game 101-94.

The alumni were still learning their team through the first half, with some mistakes that left the bleachers chuckling, some air balls, and fumbled passes.

Despite the mistakes, through most of the first half both teams met each other point for point. The current student team broke away ten minutes into the first and were leading 55-48 at half.

The start of the second began another seesaw of points when the alumni started rolling. They stood neck and neck with 11 minutes left and had a nine-point-lead six minutes later.

“It was a great experience having alumni and

current students together in the gym in front of the students and fans,” said the winner of the MVP award and ‘21 alum Dominic Genco.

“It was a good event, a fun event. It was great playing against guys who came through Elmhurst,” said senior Wesley Hooker.

“It was competitive, but warming to play with the guys who came through.”

PHOTOS BY Alyssa Kuehne (she/her)

Current Students and Alumni teams coming together after the game.

Class of ‘14 Nick Sanford going up for a layup during the last half.

Class of ‘07 Nick Michael dunks frow the last score of the game.

Senior Ocean Johnson dunking on the alumni during the first half.