ELMHURST UNIVERSITY ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER 14, 2023 ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
PAGE 1 Editorial: Elmhurst University should establish a Food Recovery Network
COVER BY Rachel Fratt
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NEWS
ISSUE 5
RELAY FOR LIFE HOSTS POP TAB FUNDRAISER organization’s name out there in time for our big event in the spring,” Cedillo continued.
Lily Morgan (she/her) Staff Writer Relay For Life of Elmhurst University is running a collection of pop tabs to raise money for the American Cancer Society through the end of the fall semester. Bluejays are encouraged to locate one of the five buckets the student organization has placed around campus and donate any extra pop tabs to help with fundraising efforts. The buckets are located in the A.C. Buehler Library, Faganel Hall (Tyrrell Fitness Center), the Jean-Koplin Memorial Hall, the Schaible Science Center building, and the last one is waiting for approval to be placed in the Frick Center. EU’s Relay For Life Treasurer Itzel Cedillo emphasized how any donation helps, and while raising money for charity is paramount to the club’s mission, they also want to raise awareness. “We thought this would be a fun event for our Elmhurst campus community to engage with us and bring awareness to Relay for Life on campus,” Cedillo explained. “We would be happy to get $100, but it is probably more realistic that we are getting less than that, which I understand is not a lot; however, we wanted to prioritize getting our
That big event in the spring Cedillo refers to is still in the works, but one Relay For Life looks forward to getting off the ground. If approved, EU’s Relay For Life team would be working in partnership with an organization called Be The Match, which helps connect patients in need with potential bone marrow donors. “In this event, we are only providing access to getting tested if you would be a match with a patient and sign you up on the bone marrow registry,” Cedillo clarified. “Afterwards, the organization would contact you if you do end up being a match with a patient, and you can decide if you want to donate.” Given that everything lines up, the event will take place early in the spring semester and is another opportunity for Bluejays to help those in need, as well as raise awareness for those who need bone marrow donations for various conditions. Looking for more ways to help? Cedillo can think of a few.
“Spread the word!” Cedillo said. “Our Instagram handle is @elmhurst.relayforlife, and reposting and sharing can help bring more people up to date with what is happening with our organization.” PHOTO BY Adriana Briscoe
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EDITORIAL BOARD Adriana Briscoe (she/her) Editor-in-Chief Ilana Garnica (she/her) Managing Editor, Chief Copy Editor Rachel Fratt (she/her) Head Graphics Editor Abbey Mark (she/her) Head Social Media Graphics Alyssa Kuehne (she/her) Assistant Copy Editor
Sarah Glees (she/her) Multimedia Editor Sabrina Scola (she/her) Social Media Manager
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Jennie Bosas (she/her) Staff Editorial Cartoonist
ADVISER Eric Lutz (he/him)
Marty Munguia (he/him) Photo Editor
STAFF Lily Morgan (she/her) Staff Writer Karissa Esposito (she/her) Staff Writer
Eve Hvarre (she/her) News Editor
Relay For Life of Elmhurst University has general committee meetings every Thursday and is always open to new members looking to stop by and collaborate on new ideas.
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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.
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NEWS
ISSUE 5
ALPHA MU GAMMA INVITES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CAMPUS TO LEARN ABOUT DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Adriana Briscoe (she/her) Editor-in-Chief When Paul Sebedyn, marketing and social media coordinator of Alpha Mu Gamma, Elmhurst University’s National Collegiate Foreign Language Society, saw a group of elementary school students looking at the ofrendas and altars on display on campus, he felt touched. Sebedyn felt like there wasn’t a lot of Hispanic and Latino representation where he went to high school, and he said that seeing the kids relate to EU’s Día de los Muertos events, “Made my day.” “It was just very inspiring, and I just felt really happy because I’m going to be a future educator as well in the future, so I’m all about representation and just making sure that we’re a multicultural society or classroom, so honestly, just yeah, I’m very touched by that,” Sebedyn said. Alpha Mu Gamma prepared ofrendas and hosted elementary school students from Bensenville Public School District 202 to come to Elmhurst University and learn about Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. On Nov. 1, they hosted 45 second-grade students from Wesley A Johnson School, and on Nov. 2, they hosted 35 students from Tioga Elementary School.
Also, this year, the Latino Student Association set up an ofrenda in El Centro de la Promesa Azul in addition to the ofrendas Alpha Mu Gamma set up in the A.C Buehler Library and Founders Lounge. Alpha Mu Gamma has been celebrating Día de los Muertos since 2013, and this was the third time they hosted students from the Bensenville Public School District 202 for the holiday. Beatriz Gomez-Acuna, professor of Spanish, explained that EU has a strong partnership with the school district and offers a service learning opportunity through them.
“The idea is to open it up to the community to allow the community [like] DuPage and the surrounding communities around the university and bring them to that expanded knowledge of this cultural heritage tradition,” Gomez-Acuna said. “So, that’s the goal that we had in mind, and then also of course for our students to provide the service to the students,” Gomez-Acuna continued. Alexi Littmann, vice president of Alpha Mu Gamma, explained that Alpha Mu Gamma is big on educating people on culture and language. She added that the group wanted to not only teach people about other cultures, but also make students feel represented. “Bensenville has a large Hispanic and Latino population, and we wanted the kids to feel that they knew that they had somewhere to come in the future that wants to work with them … so I think that it was a great opportunity to interact with the community,” Littmann said. Littmann continued, “Not just the Elmhurst community, but also the community at large that we serve, so I felt like it just was very meaningful for not only our students in the organization who are of Hispanic heritage but also for the students at Bensenville.” Gomez-Acuna reflected on this opportunity for both education and representation.
Hispanic population, then the curriculum should represent that, we should have Hispanic authors in the books and the things that we see so that the students are exposed to various cultures,” Sebedyn continued. Ana Zaragoza, secretary of Alpha Mu Gamma, wanted the kids to understand the importance of celebrating and embracing their culture. “I just want them to see how important the culture is and how important it is to represent and show it off, and show everybody how beautiful the culture is and hopefully broaden their cultural understanding of what Día de los Muertos is, and honestly I just really hope that they were able to enjoy the community at Elmhurst,” Zaragoza said. Gomez-Acuna said that a few departments helped coordinate the event. Service Learning provided funds to put together a goody box for the students, the Office of Equity and Inclusion provided money to buy cookies, and the Office of Admission made small T-shirts. In addition, Gomez-Acuna shared that a couple of people who sent photos of loved ones to be displayed on the ofrendas sent emails thanking them. “It’s just really heartwarming for us to know that we are doing something that people are appreciating and that it’s meaningful for them,” Gomez-Acuna said.
She explained that for many Alpha Mu Gamma members, it was an opportunity to display their culture; for EU students at large, it was an opportunity for those of Hispanic and Latino origin to feel represented.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY Beatriz Gomez-Acuna
The children participated in reading a short story, watching a short film and discussing it, decorating paper skulls, and an explanation of the ofrendas, all of which were led by Alpha Mu Gamma members.
She added that Alpha Mu Gamma’s goal was to open their tradition up to the community.
For students of other heritage and/or traditions, it was an opportunity to learn, and for the elementary school students, it was a chance to show them that they belong and that college is for everyone. Sebedyn touched on the need for Hispanic and Latino representation. “I feel like we all need to be represented through different events, the curriculum, the books we read,” Sebedyn said. “It’s important that if you have like a heavily NOVEMBER 14, 2023
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The Gratitude The Gratitude Challenge ARTS NEWS & CULTURE
ISSUE 5 GRAPHIC BY Jennie Bosas
Challenge
Take a few moments to reflect on each of the following topics. For each identify something grateful for. It could be aFor Takeone, a few moments to reflectyou're on each of the following topics. specific person, a moment, a possession, or an experience. each one, identify something you're grateful for. It couldWrite be a down your thoughts or simply ponder them your mind. specific person, a moment, a possession, or an in experience. Write down your thoughts or simply ponder them in your mind.
1. Friendships: 1. Friendships: Who among your friends are you grateful for? Who among your friends are you grateful for? Reflect on the support and joy they bring to your life. Reflect on the support and joy they bring to your life. 2. Personal Well-being: 2. Personal Well-being: What aspects of your health and well-being are you thankful for? What aspects of your health and well-being are you thankful for? 3. Adventures & Explorations: 3. Adventures & Explorations: What experiences have brought a sense of gratitude? What experiences have brought a sense of gratitude? 4. Personal Achievements: 4. Personal Achievements: What are are youyou grateful to have accomplished? What grateful to have accomplished? 5. Self-Discovery: 5. Self-Discovery: What insights or lessons areare youyou thankful for? What insights or lessons thankful for? 6. Independence: 6. Independence: What aspects of your independence and growth What aspects of your independence and growthare areyou yougrateful gratefulfor? for? 7. Fun & Spontaneity: 7. Fun & Spontaneity: What brings gratitude in those carefree moments? What brings youyou gratitude in those carefree moments? 8. Connectivity: 8. Connectivity: What or platforms contribute positivelytotoyou? you? What techtech toolstools or platforms contribute positively 9. Acts of Kindness: 9. Acts of Kindness: made a positive impact your throughtheir theirkindness? kindness? WhoWho has has made a positive impact onon your lifelifethrough 4
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RECIPE BY JENNIE BOSAS
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ARTS & CULTURE
ISSUE 5
WHAT DO YOUR FELLOW EU STUDENTS TRULY THINK ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT’S 1989 (TAYLOR’S VERSION)? lesser-known song like “Clean.”
Karissa Esposito (she/her) Staff Writer
It has been nine years since the original 1989 album was released, and on Oct. 27, Taylor Swift released the re-recorded 1989 (Taylor’s Version) album. As a moderate Swifty myself, I was ecstatic when the album was released. I woke up that morning and instantly listened to the album from start to finish. Being able to hear a more mature and revamped version of some of my favorite songs was a great start to my day. Clearly, I have nothing but great things to say about Swift’s new release, so I wanted to get some insight into what other Elmhurst University students thought about the album. A survey was distributed via the EU Snapchat story, where students from the classes of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 could respond. First, survey takers were asked which re-recorded track was their favorite — a very tough question to ask. The track “I Know Places” got the most votes with 18.2% of votes. The rest of the students’ responses were spread across a wide range of songs, with some voting for popular songs such as “Shake It Off,” or some voting for a
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I cannot get over “Out Of The Woods,” it sounds more mellow and less like Swift was out of breath and yelling the lyrics instead of singing. When asked if there was any reasoning behind why a certain track was their favorite, students had a similar theme throughout their answers. Alex Rodgers, a survey respondent, said, “‘You Are In Love’ was my initial favorite song on the original album, so hearing it in a more mature voice and clearer just made it ten times better.” Respondent Tommy Calderone had a similar response, “It’s always been one of my favorite songs on the album and her matured vocals on the re-record make it sound so good.” With a nine-year gap between the original and the re-recording, Swift’s voice has matured along with the equipment used to record the album, leaving better-sounding audio. Students enjoyed being able to hear a more mature, cleaner, and new version of their favorite songs. Most people have heard the popular song “Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar),” which was released in 2014. Swift also decided to include a re-recording of this song on the deluxe version of 1989 (Taylor’s Version). Over three-fourths of survey respondents were
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moderately or extremely excited to hear the track, while the other one-fourth of respondents were slightly excited or not at all.
Some students even mentioned how they thought Kendrick Lamar “Carried the song” or said, “He ate.” One student commented on how they believed that “He’s a better artist than Taylor Swift for sure.” Regardless of how the track sounds compared to the original, I am just thankful that Kendrick Lamar pulled through and agreed to do a re-recording because, without him, it wouldn’t feel like a true revamp of 1989. Swift also released five more songs from “The Vault” on this album, meaning they were written in the past but never made it onto an album until now. These five tracks, “Is It Over Now?,” “Now That We Don’t Talk,” “Say Don’t Go,” “Suburban Legends,” and “Slut!” are being devoured by fans. TikTok dances have been created, and theories of who the songs are about are circulating all over the internet. Most EU respondents thought that “Now That We Don’t Talk” and “Slut!” were the most likable vault tracks. The vault track “Suburban Legends” had the most varying survey results. Six students said they strongly liked it, while six students said
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they were indifferent about the track. It also had the most votes, with five students saying they strongly disliked it out of all the vault tracks. EU students had great things to say about their favorite vault tracks. Student Kayla Tutunji said, “I really wish ‘Now That We Don’t Talk’ was longer because it is so good!” Student Ella Hardy commented on how the vault tracks affected the 1989 album as a whole. “I loved all the vault tracks,” Hardy said. “I think they add greatly to 1989. These vault tracks may be my favorite that Taylor has released.” Having new songs for fans to enjoy adds to the value of the re-recorded album. Fans get something new to listen to while also getting to listen to an updated version of the songs they already know by heart.
ARTS & CULTURE
ISSUE 5
We all know Taylor Swift is the queen of eras; she is constantly reinventing her public image for each album release. This Era of Swift, the Era of 1989 (Taylor’s Version), includes the Eras tour, releasing a movie, and dating an NFL superstar. Swifties and non-Swifties have lots to say about what Swift has been up to recently. When asked how students felt about the current era of Swift, 81.8% of respondents said they were satisfied with her current era, saying, “So happy for her.” and “My fav!” While 18.2% of respondents said they were strongly dissatisfied with her era, commenting about how “It sucks.” and that it “Does feel a little different and almost empty, maybe it’s the proximity to the last era but it does feel stranger.” I love this era of Taylor Swift; she is on top of the world right now, having a world tour with 146 dates, releasing a movie that received more than $100 million in pre-
sales globally, and getting all 21 songs from her new album on the Billboard Hot 100. She’s making history in the music and film industries like no other artist has before. Regardless of what people’s opinions are about Taylor Swift, we have to take a minute to admire the amount of work she is putting into her career and congratulate her for fighting back and finding a way to gain the rights to her songs. Like many other fans of the 1989 album, I wish we could go back and relisten to everything for the first time, but the re-recording does a great job of creating a new listening experience. With the re-recording, fans can listen to their favorite songs and think about the good times associated with the original album. Now that this era of Taylor Swift has started, I would wait forever and ever to see what it has in store, or is it gonna go down in flames? INTERNET PHOTO
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OPINION
ISSUE 5
TOO BUSY TO REST, TOO EXHAUSTED TO KEEP UP: CYCLES OF BURNOUT EXHAUST STUDENTS Eve Hvarre (she/her) News Editor
behind. Trying to catch up, while keeping up with current assignments, is a struggle that is draining and mentally taxing.
I was so burnt out that I could not write this story.
I fell behind before midterms and am just now catching up over a month later. Assignments, papers, exams, and projects, all can take a long time to complete, and many students sacrifice their mental health to complete them.
Originally, I was going to write a news story depicting stress and burnout across our university campus and get perspectives from other students to give advice and tips as we get closer to finals, but what is more telling about the subject than experiencing the exact thing I was supposed to cover? Post-midterm season can be a rough time for many students. Midterm season kicks off at the start of the second half of the semester, which is busy and filled with project after project. As finals approach, the second half of the semester is almost always busier than the first. Trying to balance academic life and personal life can be a constant cycle of feeling like there is not enough time for both. That cycle has been all too real for many. Throughout the semester, I have found myself having conversations with friends and classmates about always feeling behind and like there is not enough time to do everything.
Staring at the screen, trying to will the words to write themselves because I am too exhausted to work, does not get me anywhere. When I try to prioritize my mental health and give myself room to breathe and rest, I am suffocated once again, because assignments do not complete themselves, even if we wish that they did. Focusing on my mental health causes me to fall behind, but focusing on my academics causes my mental health to drop, which in turn puts me behind due to exhaustion. There is no good answer, and many other students also face this same never-ending cycle. Burnout is not only a mental collapse, but also a
GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
That feeling is even worse when you actually do fall
However, when I found my mental energy low, it was harder to stay motivated, and it took longer to get through even the simplest of assignments.
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physical one. On top of the lack of motivation and interest, irritability, depression, feelings of failure or uselessness, and trouble concentrating, burnout can also cause symptoms like insomniac tendencies, headaches, stomach and muscle aches, and a weakened immune system. How are students supposed to work hard and do well in their classes when they are mentally and physically exhausted? We are told to take care of ourselves, but there is no time. Sacrificing rest or sacrificing academics, both continue that never-ending cycle. When someone gets sick, they are supposed to rest in order to heal and get better, but how are we supposed to get the rest that we need without letting the workload pile up? The school does offer some options to help overwhelmed students, such as tutoring in the Learning Center, counseling in the Wellness Center, and a plethora of professors who want to see students succeed. However, those only help so much when the pressure to do well is on us overwhelmed students from all sides.
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OPINION
ISSUE 5
EDITORIAL ELMHURST UNIVERSITY SHOULD ESTABLISH A FOOD RECOVERY NETWORK College campuses nationwide produce 22 million pounds of food waste each year, according to the National Resource Defense Council. Elmhurst University does not have to be part of the problem. By collecting, packaging, and donating leftovers to hunger-fighting organizations, EU students can help reduce food waste. We suggest that EU students and staff work together to create a Food Recovery Network chapter.
a huge difference in preventing them from going hungry. There are over 230 Food Recovery Network chapters at college campuses across the country, including nearby schools such as the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University. This collective network has recovered and donated millions of pounds of food and meals since 2011, which is equal to tons of thousands of carbon dioxide emissions prevented.
The Food Recovery Network is the largest student-led network to reduce food waste in the country.
If EU starts a chapter, it can contribute to this nationwide movement to reduce food waste and advocate for equitable access to food.
Implementing this solution would offer community members many benefits. For community members who are food insecure, having accessible, ready-to-eat meals would make
Students can also help prevent food waste by simply being intentional about saving leftover food. If you end up not finishing all your food, ask for a to-go container, or use your own
container, to save the food for later. This will not only reduce food waste but also save you money and a trip to the dining hall. Food is a vital resource for all of us — let’s be sure it doesn’t go to waste.
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.
PHOTO BY Food Recovery Network
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ISSUE 5
SPORTS
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ISSUE 5
BLUEJAY BUZZER: ELMHURST SPORTS RECAP Alyssa Kuehne Kuehne (she/her) (she/her) Alyssa
Sports Editor Assistant Copy Editor The Elmhurst University sports recap of the last two weeks, Oct. 9 - Oct. 22.
THE ELMHURST UNIVERSITY SPORTS RECAP FROM THE LAST TWO WEEKS, OCT. 29 - NOV. 11.
BOWLING Oct. 27-29 at Valpo Bowling Classic 7-5 Record, 12 of 17 teams Nov. 8 at Dominican University W, 840-682
FOOTBALL Nov. 4 vs North Park University L, 31-8 Nov. 11 at Illinois Wesleyan University L, 13-49
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Nov. 11 at Benedictine University W, 76-55
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
WRESTLING
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Nov. 9 vs Augustana College W, 26-22
Nov. 11 vs Concordia University Chicago W, 77-72
Nov. 1 at North Central College W, 3-2 Nov. 3 vs Concordia University Chicago W, 3-0 Nov. 7 at Carthage College L, 3-2
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