The Leader April 27, 2021

Leader

@elmhurstleader

APRIL 27. 2021

@ElmhurstLeader

ISSUE 11 ELMHURSTLEADER.COM

STAFF REPORT

TheLeader

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THE LEADER ELECTS NEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR ANDREW CRIPE

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10 FAVORITES FROM THE LEADER'S RETIRING CRITIC ADVERTISING

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LETTERS & GENERAL

SENIOR STAFF

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BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE LEADER'S SENIOR STAFF

AFAAF AMATULLAH

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UNIVERSITY HOSTS REFLECTION SPACES FOLLOWING DEREK CHAUVIN VERDICT

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NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD MARISA KARPES Editor-in-Chief

GIANNA MONTESANO Managing Editor AFAAF AMATULLAH News Editor

THE LEADER ELECTS NEW EDITOR-INCHIEF FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

JULIA ZAWITKOWSKA Graphics Editor

STAFF REPORT

OLIVIA JANICKE Copy Editor NIKLAS FAULK Sports Editor ERIC LUTZ Faculty Advisor

ASSISTANTS

ARTURO MAGALLANES Assistant Graphics Editor SARINA OKRZESIK Assistant Copy Editor

STAFF

JARED BOEKENHAUER ANDREW CRIPE HANNAH HORN PRINCESS GONZALEZ ESPARZA ISABELLA HERRERA JASMINE LILLIS NUJAIMAH KHOLWADIA JOSH LABUDA BAILEY HOENIG NICHOLAS REDMOND

The Leader Newspaper Elmhurst University 190 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126 Office: 630.617.3320

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ABOUT US

The Leader is the student-run newspaper speaking 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 university at large. No text, photos, or art can be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader. CORRECTION: In the April 13 issue of The Leader, a story titled “SGA senator wants EU to join global ‘Campus Ecochallenge’” incorrectly identified Samuel Shulman as a SGA senator when he is not. The “Campus Ecochallenge” is only a proposed idea and not something officially being put into place by SGA. The online version of this article has been edited to clarify these things. The Leader apologizes for this error.

The Leader has elected Gianna Montesano to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the 2021-2022 academic year. Montesano ran unopposed in a virtual election held by The Leader on April 20. Montesano joined The Leader in 2018, as a staff reporter. As a sophomore, she became news editor, and served as managing editor this past academic year. “Being elected Editor-in-Chief means a lot to me. As a journalism major, this position is going to allow me to hone my writing, editing, and leadership skills,” said Montesano. “I have been a part of The Leader since my freshman year and from my first day on staff, I knew I wanted to eventually be Editor-in-Chief and spend a year building on top of the foundation of this newspaper to keep improving it and recruiting more writers to join our staff and editorial board.” Marisa Karpes, current Editor-in-Chief and graduating senior, is proud to pass down her duties to Montesano. “Gianna lives and breathes The Leader. She knows the ins-and-outs of the paper and has been through so much with The Leader already,” said Karpes. “I have full confidence in her ability to continue The Leader’s legacy as a great newspaper. It was a pleasure to work with her these past three years, and I look forward to seeing as a reader what she does as Editor-in-Chief.” Montesano hopes to incorporate more multimedia coverage into The Leader. “As Editor-in-Chief I look forward to working closely with our advisor, Eric Lutz, and our staff to create

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more visual and audio content for the campus community to consume,” said Montesano. “I want to create podcasts, video news coverage, and so much more to engage with our audience outside of our traditional newspaper.” The Leader's faculty advisor, Eric Lutz, thinks Montesano will excel in her new position. "I am looking forward to working with Gianna and her staff," said Lutz. "She has been an important part of this paper, both in her impressive work on the page and behind the scenes, and she will use her experience and talent to uphold the high standard set by her predecessors. The Leader is in great hands." Regarding moving The Leader back to an in-person setting, Montesano wants to follow in Elmhurst University’s footsteps. “There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of COVID-19 going into the fall semester. As of now, my plan is to continue working remotely over the summer, producing the newspaper and having physical copies of The Leader on newsstands around campus again,” said Montesano. “Going into the fall, if it is deemed safe by the university administration, I'd like to host hybrid socially distanced and mask-enforced staff meetings to bring some normalcy back to The Leader, while giving people the option to stay home if they don't feel safe with in-person meetings. Ultimately, I am going to base the decisions about moving from online to in-person seriously and by listening to the recommendations of the COVID-19 task force.”

04.27.21

NEWS

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Internet Photo

Campus community reacts to concerns with Johnson & Johnson vaccine: ‘Nothing is without risk’ NUJAIMAH KHOLWADIA Staff Reporter

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will now be distributed with a label that warns individuals about the risk of developing blood clots, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

pause on vaccinations has been lifted.

On April 12, the administration of the vaccine was temporarily paused. Initially, six cases of a rare and severe blood clot were reported in U.S. patients who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All six of these cases occurred in women between the ages of 18-48, and the symptoms occurred six to 13 days after receiving the vaccination.

Rachel Holesha, ’21, who previously received the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, is comfortable with the idea of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine being administered.

Since complications with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were first reported, nine more women suffered blood clotting, raising the total number of cases to 15, according to Business Insider. Many members of the EU community were hopeful that the CDC and FDA investigations into the vaccine would play out successfully. In fact, Grace Woods, ’21, is still willing to receive the Johnson & Johnson shot now that the federal

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“I think they did the right thing to pause administration before continuing, even if it was a very low number,” she said. “Pausing means research is being directed at it to make it even safer.”

“The likelihood of my chances of getting blood clots is higher with COVID-19 than the vaccine," she said. “I would be less worried about the vaccine and more worried about getting COVID-19.” Holesha is concerned that the temporary pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine distributions will adversely affect public opinion about mass vaccination efforts. “I’m glad the CDC is being precautionary, but I am afraid that this reaction will lead to more anti-vaccine rhetoric and fear,” she said. However, there is still much hesitation around the issue of faulty vaccine shots. Rabia Amin, ’21,

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attributes much of this conflict to intersectional systemic racism within the medical field. “There is an issue with gender and racial inequality within the medical field,” Amin wrote, emphasizing that health complications due to the vaccine occurred within female patients. “I get people want answers fast and getting back to normal, but no one should risk health issues,” she stressed. “We still have different options of vaccines that are showing great results and are easily accessible in your area.” Madiha Ahmed, MA ’21, is not completely convinced that taking the vaccine is worth the risk. “While I personally would opt for a different vaccine, nothing is without risk.” Regardless of whether or not you choose to take the vaccine, she believes that it is important to stay safe. “I do hope that the issues with Johnson & Johnson are resolved and that people make informed decisions for their health,” said Ahmed.

NEWS STEVEN KOWAL COMMENTS ON LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF ELMHURST BAR MURDER

Photo From Theindependentnewspapers.com

AFAAF AMATULLAH News Editor

Following an altercation at Spring Inn on April 10, that left one dead, Ronald Dunbar was charged with first-degree murder and has since been released on bail. The deceased, 28-year-old Karl Bomba, was discovered by responding officers in a park near the bar and succumbed to his injuries at the Elmhurst Hospital. A lawyer representing Dunbar, 55, has argued that the man acted in self-defense, as reported by the Daily Herald. Dunbar admitted to stabbing Bomba in court. Attorney Steven Kowal, who teaches criminal justice at Elmhurst University, noted that if the jury rules in favor of self-defense, Dunbar will effectively be acquitted of the first-degree murder charge. “That technically means he’s found not guilty,” Kowal said.

Dunbar’s personal cell phone and vehicle were also confiscated by authorities. A DuPage County judge prohibited the materials from being returned to the defendant at a preliminary hearing of the case.

Bar owners may be held legally responsible for the violent actions of patrons if the facility is found to be in violation of the Illinois Liquor Control Act (or the Dram Shop Act), Kowal stated.

Investigators are entitled to withhold an individual’s belongings for an indeterminate period of time if incriminating evidence is uncovered, Kowal explained. “The government could retain those items as long as necessary to obtain whatever is necessary,” he said.

The law is applied in criminal cases where a bar continues to serve an apparently intoxicated individual. “The bar could be held liable for damages the impaired person causes after he or she leaves,” Kowal remarked.

“On the phone, there might be text communications or fingerprints. The car, for instance, could have bloodstains in it or something,” Kowal theorized. “If they were regarded as evidence, [investigators] might never return them.” The arraignment for Dunbar is scheduled to occur in early June.

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Though unlikely for a dive bar the size of Spring Inn, it may be the case that the establishment is found civilly liable for the damages incurred by the family of the deceased in a lawsuit. “It might be conceivable that they would have a legal obligation to provide security,” said Kowal. “If they fail to do that, then they might have to pay money damages to compensate the victim or the family.”

04.27.21

NEWS Naperville resident weighs in on ICN's mosque proposal AFAAF AMATULLAH News Editor

Courtesy of Shahnaaz Sakkaria

ICN discussed the mosque’s revisions to the expansion plans, as reported by NCTV17. ICN is considering relocating some parking spaces further away from the proposed establishment and will utilize support from local law enforcement officials to control traffic. Less than one-third of the 531 speakers have been heard during live comments at the PZC’s hearings as of yet. To date, nearly 13,000 individuals have submitted a position of support or opposition for the project, as displayed on the Naperville PZC website. Graphic by Hannah Horn

Shahnaaz Sakkaria, a pre-med student at Elmhurst University, recalls finding a community through the Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN) during her childhood. Since the beginning of this year, Sakkaria has attended Naperville’s Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, where public comment on ICN’s proposed expansion project on 248th Ave., which has been ongoing for months.

the concerns raised by community members in response to ICN’s proposal for a community center on the 13.3 acres of land.

“I have been involved in ICN ever since I was born,” Sakkaria shared. “I was involved — before COVID-19 hit — in the youth program that they had. They would have all the kids come over and like, listen to all the lectures and the sermons.”

However, Sakkaria believes that the debate about traffic congestion as a result of worshippers attending daily prayers has been “over-exaggerated.”

Currently, ICN has three existing branches within Naperville limits. Land for the fourth proposed facility was purchased approximately a decade ago, according to Sakkaria, and development plans span over a 40-year period. As a resident of the township, Sakkaria understands

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At a hearing early this month, the Ashwood Pointe Homeowners Association presented a digital simulation of potential traffic that would be generated by ICN’s plan to include 900 parking spaces surrounding the complex.

“I think with the summer hearing, we could possibly show it in a more realistic way,” she said, referring to the upcoming public hearing scheduled for May 5. “We're kind of trying to reinforce that 900 people are not going to come to the masjid all at once,” Sakkaria added. During the most recent opportunity for public comment on April 21, an attorney representing

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For those in support of ICN’s proposal, the construction of a new mosque in their neighborhood presents an opportunity for fostering a more inclusive community. Sakkaria mentioned that during public comment, residents took note of Naperville’s rapid population growth and a corresponding shift in racial demographics. “A lot of the people that were in favor of the masjid [mosque] were obviously Muslim, but there were a handful of people that were non-Muslim, and they were saying, look, I want to increase the diversity of Naperville,” Sakkaria said. Hopeful that members of the community will reach a resolution in the coming months, Sakkaria mentioned that ICN’s leaders are continuing to review plans for the project. “Islam plays a big role in respecting your neighbors and not bringing them any troubles,” Sakkaria said. “If there were issues that were continued to be brought up, I think the committee would do their best to compromise.”

NEWS Greenjays call on Board of Trustees to divest from fossil fuels at first student-led climate strike GIANNA MONTESANO Managing Editor

Photo by Gianna Montesano

Elmhurst University Greenjays organized the first student-led climate strike on April 23, where they announced the “Elmhurst Divest” campaign. The aim of the campaign is to work with the Board of Trustees Investment Committee to divest from fossil fuel investments and invest in renewable energy. “We call upon the board of trustees to phase out fossil fuels from our investment portfolios and to purchase 100 percent renewable energy credits to offset the energy used by our university by 2030,” said Hannah Bacon, Greenjays president. The Leader does not know how much the board of trustees have invested in fossil fuels through their investment portfolios. #Elmhurstdivest was developed by the Greenjays over the span of a month after the suggestion of community organizer, and event guest speaker, Andrew Ruggiero Van Gorp. “I also felt like Greenjays needed to have something stronger to unite the club in order to pass it on to other generations, so this campaign came to life,” said Bacon.

The climate strike took place on Brune Patio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with two speakers and a wall of cardboard posters with various messages about environmental conservation written on them. Rabia Amin, co-vice president of Elmhurst minoritized and allies, spoke about the impacts of environmental racism in her community. She noted how two sides of the same town experience differences, with one side of her town always suffering bad flooding from storms and the other sustaining storm flooding easily. Van Gorp, community organizer at Sustain DuPage, spoke to the crowd present about environmental conservation and individual change one can make to preserve the human species. “Never before in the history of our species has our survival been more threatened,” said Van Gorp. “We are an endangered species.” Van Gorp continued explaining that scientists warn us about the destruction happening, but there is little being done by governments to preserve humanity. “Climate change can disrupt systems

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Graphic by Isabella Herrera

of power,” said Van Gorp. “If we value democracy why are corporations allowed to tyrannize our government with bribery?” Van Gorp explained in his speech what he calls the great contradiction, the clash between human values and the government’s attitude of preferring profit over the values of humanity. “The great contradiction of our lives: That our values are not used as a metric of success by the systems of power that shape our reality,” said Van Gorp. “They [the government] don’t value what humanity actually values.” Van Gorp continued with examples of humans valuing freedom while the government compromises it by profiting off the mass incarceration of people of color. Bacon announced there will be a petition to sign in coming weeks for campus community members to show their support for ending investments in fossil fuels. “This may be the beginning of a long road but we choose to believe that we can make change.”

04.27.21

NEWS

Study abroad programs to resume in the upcoming academic year NICHOLAS REDMOND Staff Reporter

Graphic by Princess Gonzalez Esparza

The Office of International Education has decided to re-open applications to Elmhurst University students for study away programs beginning in 2022. Currently, the office is marketing its programs with a lot of disclaimers asking for flexibility from applicants. “One question we are waiting on an answer to, is whether or not COVID-19 vaccination is going to be a requirement for international travel,” said Kathleen Head, director of international education. “We’re very carefully planning and monitoring what’s going on.” After COVID-19 put travel plans on hold for most of 2020, Head is looking forward to early 2022 being the year that students will be able to study abroad. “We canceled all of our Elmhurst programs, for the latter half of 2020 and 2021. Right now our position is that we are cautiously optimistic that we are going to be able to run programs in 2022.” Head mentioned that there are programs that have suffered due to COVID-19 restrictions and

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unfortunately won’t be making a return for the time being. “A couple of the activities included going to concerts but there’s a possibility that they won’t be able to do that,” she said. The concerts were unable to be added to the student itinerary because there would be gatherings of large groups of people. The decision was made partially due to the safety standards that are recommended by the university and the host countries. Although studying abroad has come back, nothing is set in stone. “We are going to be really careful about where we send students, so if we feel if they’re going to be going to a place that is experiencing really high rates of infections, we are probably going to pull the program,” Head explained. However, there are steps being taken that would allow students to enjoy studying abroad in other ways. “Something our faculty is reviewing; they are coming up with contingency plans,” said Head. “We are planning on making those decisions earlier than we normally would.” With limitations put in place due to the pandemic,

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EU has allowed students during the fall and spring semesters to study internationally through virtual platforms. For instance, the Spanish immersion course in Argentina, and programs offered by Japanese universities were instructed as online courses. Head hopes to keep some of these virtual opportunities around so students can still enjoy the experience without having to worry about traveling to another place. With studying abroad returning in 2022, Head encourages students to keep an “open mind.” “We provide the nuts and bolts, but we try to coach students so that they are prepared to make the most of their experience, knowing that there’s going to be an adaptation process,” she said. “This experience, no matter how short or long, it’s poised to be transformational.” Head believes that COVID-19 has better prepared students for the adaptation process. “We’ve shown during this pandemic that when forced to, we are able to adapt. It’s shown us that we can be resilient and we can be flexible.”

NEWS University hosts reflection spaces following Derek Chauvin verdict: "We're part of a bigger structure" AFAAF AMATULLAH News Editor

Photo From The NewYork Times

In light of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s conviction on all three counts by a grand jury, the university has offered students and faculty spaces to discuss the aftermath of the trial. University Chaplain Scott Matheney administered a service last Thursday, April 22, on the steps of the Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel following the long-awaited verdict. Earlier that day, students were encouraged to gather in-person and consider the enduring effects of Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd. “This is a historical moment,” Matheney told The Leader. “I asked everybody — do you remember where you were Tuesday at four o'clock when the verdict came out? And pretty much everybody could remember that.” Matheney believes that reflection spaces for the campus community are instrumental in uniting individuals and initiating difficult conversations. “Elmhurst has a history of being good at trying to speak out, and to create space.”

Recognizing centuries of racial injustice in the U.S. is critical to understanding the weight of the verdict, Matheney maintains. “It's not individuals — we're part of a bigger structure,” he stressed. “That's the structural oppression, racism that a lot of people, especially people that are like white, are oblivious to.”

Photo From us.hola.com

Students often lead initiatives to address inequities in institutions of higher education and beyond. “You hear students on campus say they want to see racism eradicated in their lifetime. This is a really important, noble goal,” said Matheney. Matheney mentioned that he will be convening with members of the Black Student Union at his home to continue exchanging ideas about the significance of the Chauvin verdict. “There is kind of a sense of safe haven. This is Scott, as a chaplain, inviting people to come together and just talk out fear, frustrations, anger, history, and tell the story,” he said.

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Photo From us.hola.com

04.27.21

NEWS NO ARMED SUSPECT IDENTIFIED FOLLOWING EU LOCKDOWN AFAAF AMATULLAH News Editor Elmhurst University issued a lockdown on Wednesday, April 28, following reports of an armed individual on campus. No suspect was taken into custody.

Police Department inspected the buildings for the suspect. EU’s Public Safety Department and Elmhurst PD declined to comment.

An EU alert sent out at 3:36 p.m. notified students and staff of an armed person near Dinkmeyer Hall.

At 6:01 p.m. an all-clear was confirmed from university officials and the campus lockdown was lifted.

A second alert was distributed at 4:06 p.m. and noted the suspect was seen near Niebuhr Hall.

In a campus-wide email addressing students, President Troy VanAken acknowledged "anonymous Internet phone calls" as being the source of the reported sightings. He also applauded the campus community for quickly responding to the situation and assured that the incident is

There were no reports of shots fired on campus. Several alerts notified individuals on campus to seek shelter in a “locked room” while the Elmhurst

being investigated. “I know this was a disruption, and while no danger was found on campus, we take any threat to our community seriously. Thus, we needed to be extra sure before we called an all clear,” said VanAken in his email. “The Elmhurst Police will continue to investigate the origins of these calls and I hope they are able to hold those responsible accountable.” Following the incident, university counselors and the chaplain held group counseling sessions in the Frick Center.

CONTACT GIANNA MONTESANO

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GMONT0454@365.ELMHURST.EDU

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TO LEARN MORE & JOIN

NEWS Temple Grandin encourages audience to indulge in hobbies — "Get out and do things" BAILEY HOEING Staff Reporter

“Autism is an important part of who I am, but being a scientist — being a professor — that comes first,” said Temple Grandin, who teaches animal science at Colorado State University, during her presentation to Elmhurst University students and guests on April 14. Pairing her information with anecdotes, Grandin put an emphasis on the kinds of thinkers and the ways that children should learn in order to become more successful in their future endeavors. “This is a really big problem. I am seeing a lot of problems with a lot of smart individuals on the spectrum not learning life skills,” emphasized Grandin. “We gotta get kids doing more stuff and exposed to a lot more.” During her teenage years, Grandin was exposed to the cattle industry. Grandin then pursued a career in science and livestock equipment design under the mentorship of her science teacher and aunt. Many courses are being pulled from education including the arts, mechanics, and cooking. The removal of these skills is putting children at risk because they are not as easily able to note their interests. “The worst things the schools have done, they’ve taken out art, sewing, musical instruments,” noted Grandin. She was involved in theater at a young age, but was not interested in acting. Instead, Grandin designed costumes and scenery. Visual thinkers, like Grandin, are characterized by an appeal to art and building which is suitable for a career in photography and graphics. Verbal thinkers typically have a fascination with factual information and history which is

Photo by Rosalie Winard

paired well with sales jobs. Math thinkers have an attraction to mathematics and building things. These skills could translate into a career in computer programming, music, or engineering. “The thing about people on the spectrum: Good at one thing, terrible at something else. We need to be building up [our] strength,” said Grandin. She used her drawing abilities as a child to build the basis for her design business. Parents of individuals with autism are potentially not exposing their children to differing abilities. Grandin encouraged parents to get outside of the “autism box” and uncover children’s abilities and engagements through exposure to differing involvements. On her slideshow, she noted, “Nobel prize winners are 50 percent more likely to have an arts and craft hobby compared to other scientists.” Grandin notices that individuals are losing their ability in crafty skills.

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“Twenty percent of the people I worked with were either autistic, dyslexia, or ADHD,” discussed Grandin. These individuals designed complex equipment and owned metal companies. Grandin also discussed the importance of neurodivergent thinkers being present in the production of systems. Because many workers do not receive the credit they deserve, Grandin highlighted the individuals who build critical material for NASA including the Mars rover camera and the women who sewed the spacesuits at the Playtex company. Grandin also provided some tips for working with individuals with different minds. These include never overloading working memory, providing task lists, limiting screen time, reaching beyond the comfort zone, and providing choices with hands-on activities. “What really helped me was learning that other people think differently,” she said. “When two kinds of minds work together you can create some really good stuff.”

04.27.21

NEWS EU administers 600 COVID-19 vaccines in Jewel-Osco partnership GIANNA MONTESANO Managing Editor Elmhurst University partnered with Jewel-Osco to use Faganel Hall as a mass vaccination site to distribute 600 first doses of the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on April 16. Elmhurst residents over the age of 16 received an email from the city of Elmhurst on April 14, stating they would be eligible to receive the vaccine, including the EU community. “We would be happy to be a host site for [the] Elmhurst community as long as our people faculty, staff, and students were able to get the message at the same time,” said Phil Riordan, vice president of student affairs. While it was advertised that Pfizer-BioNTech would be offered to everyone who signed up, Riordan revealed that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was originally supposed to be administered at the event. “When the news broke this week, [about Johnson & Johnson] they switched to Pfizer,” confirmed Riordan. On April 13, the FDA announced there would be a pause in the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after reports of six people, women aged 18 to 48 years old, developed a severe and rare blood clot. After a week of deliberation, the CDC and FDA have deemed it safe to continue the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 23, noting the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. The manufacturer however is now including updated informational guides for doctors and recipients of the possibility of developing blood clots as a side effect that has primarily affected women under 50. Jennifer Szutowicz, sophomore nursing major, received her first dose and describes the process of getting an appointment and the vaccine as easy and quick, noting it took her a few minutes to sign up and she was quickly directed to the vaccination table. Throughout the event, there were student workers and employees from the city of Elmhurst working

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Photo by Gianna Montesano People waiting 15 minutes after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Faganel Hall

on checking in those getting vaccinated. Among them was junior nursing major Gabriella DeLeon. DeLeon stated that the department of student affairs emailed the student employees if they had any availability to work Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “I decided to work the vaccine event since my boss at work asked for volunteers and I thought it would be a good experience to have as a nursing student,” said DeLeon. The university hopes to continue working closely with Jewel-Osco to continue serving as a popup vaccination site in the upcoming months with Riordan noting they are attempting to plan a vaccination date for Elmhurst students only. “We’re working with Jewel [Osco] to see if we can be a pop-up site just for our students,” Riordan said.

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SGA announces election results JARED BOEKENHAUER Staff Reporter

The SGA executive elections took place April 19, through April 21, to determine who would hold executive positions in the coming fall semester. SGA announced the results of the executive elections on their Instagram page. The following students will be serving on the board for the 20212022 academic year: President Hiba Anees, Vice President Isabely Hernandez, Treasurer Juan Sandoval, Secretary Shahnaaz Sakkaria, and Parliamentarian Sonali Rajput. Within the coming weeks each candidate will be sworn in to begin their terms in the fall semester.

ARTS + CULTURE

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04.27.21

ARTS + CULTURE But despite those hardships, I loved what I did. Having that position made me realize my love and passion for editing — something I now want to pursue as a career. I also learned that I did not need individual recognition to be proud of what was being done at The Leader. It was rewarding in itself to produce an entire paper every other week — one where I had touched nearly every story. I was proud of the work my staff was producing. One of the best moments of my entire life was when The Leader won first place in General Excellence at the ICPA awards. It made all of the late nights and frustrations well worth it. The Leader also made me feel like I was having a direct impact on the campus community, working on stories about allegations against a professor on campus and breaking the news of the hate crimes on campus. Being part of something bigger in collaboration with such a talented staff made me feel like I had a greater purpose, that what I was doing was meaningful work.

would I never thought I surreal moment. ty et pr a s wa it , who I worked with itor-in-Chief Leader and those e When I became Ed Th th wi e nc rie t my previous expe make it there, bu o the role. e my for me to grow int made it possible a pandemic wher r-in-Chief during ito Ed be the uld nt wo se I re wsroom. I d I think that together in the ne Though, never di l al of ad te . er ins th am toge rking remotely ntinued on as a te co entire staff was wo we t bu in, t pu s the situation I wa fact that this was a virtual much less one in r in any capacity, pe pa ws ne e th sn ing I wa ’t doing id of leading rd on myself, think ha I honestly was afra s wa I d an lt, d hard for every ar was very difficu through and worke d lle capacity. This ye pu at th am te ays, I had a great enough. But, like alw r them. fo ul ef at gr to The forever be that I contribute single issue. I will of the last things e on be ll wi oir that this mem . It is crazy to think k while I was here t enough of a mar lef I at th pe yself being less ho I . Leader rson today. I find m pe a as am I o wh nce in ntly contributed to ect for and confide The Leader significa s. I have more resp ing th o int ader. ht Le e rig e Th I did with willing to div wherever I go, like bashful and more am te t ea gr a th eaningful work wi myself; I can do m

To everyone I worked with over the years at The Leader, than k you for being so great and for believi ng in me as your colleague. It is going to be so hard to be without The Lead er, as it has become a core pa rt of who I am. But I am so excited to be an avid reader and fan for ye ars to come.

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SENIOR MEMOIRS find come where I could ac pl a ht ug so I never stitution, old Julia would Entering this in home. 18-yearm fro pe peca ex es d tions an munity and an credible connec in e th e se re fo rta to few impo nt have been able e presents of a th t ou ith W e. d mad riences she ha re I am today. I would be whe at th re su t no people, I’m

Andy Cripe, The Leader’s film critic and longest standing memb er, was the first person who truly encouraged me to use my skills by getting involved on campus. Unbeknownst to Andy, I was struggling to find a fit on campus and was too afraid to make personal connec tions. So, I forced myself to attend that first meeting, where I met a wonderful group of people including Sameeha, Nova, Noah, Juan, Alexa, Marisa, and Gianna. Finally, I had found a fit on campus, making poorly rendered graphics and shitty photo edits. To my surprise, I was promoted to Graphics Editor after a short semester, and I was freakin g out. I had never done editorial design, let alone produced an entire newsp aper. So, I went to the only person I knew who could help.

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SENIOR MEMOIRS Andrew Sobol, my pro fessor and mentor, was the person I we to for guidance on nt anything graphic de sig n. In a brief hour, he taught me the funda mentals of editorial design and what I ab solutely had to know to layout a newspape r. From that moment, I realized that Andre w had a drive to cultiv ate his student’s wo like no other profess rk or. He treated me an d other students as competent profess ionals, and this helpe d to validate the ha work I was doing in rd class and in The Lea de r and MiddleWester Voice. Thanks to Andre n w, I feel a little less sc ared and clueless as to what life will be like outside of academia.

rience would college expe y m re he w , er e Midpoint, howev ched me at th There was a lanes approa al ag M y. He ro tu da Ar e ally. hurst on change drastic e Taste of Elm th g rin the du e on ice tabl signers for graphic de dleWestern Vo gs in en op y red to ask ere were an e had ever ca on asked me if th no d, on sp re he had a know how to iately see that ed m team. I didn’t im d ul I co eding the team. start of an incr me about join is became the Th d. ha er, t gn en si hic de other stud grow as a grap spark that no to e m ed lp nd -fou that has he ve me a new ible friendship ce in my life ga en es I now pr e. ’s lif ro n tu . Ar over my ow ge and a person ar ch ng ki ta s ago. I at led to me y life four year confidence th used to be m at th at. ity iv ss fo the pa to thank r th gag to think of d I have Artie an t, ilo -p to my life in au no longer live

To be honest, college has been so difficult. But thanks to a few special people, I am glad to say that I can look back on these years fondly an d without regret. I’m out.

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ARTS + CULTURE

Coming from Harper College, I didn’t know what to expect from a small college. Things were mu ch larger at Harper. More space, more buildings, more people, mor e resources. Though community was nowhere to be found. Fac es would easily be lost within an hour; people had places to be. No one stayed around campus unless they absolutely had to be there.

antg, I knew I w transferrin re fo ing e B th . y e it f som mmun be a part o rovided co to p d t rs r te u n h a a w m El The Le de ehow. I out about d volved som n in u t fo e I g . w n o to ed t desig ght, “w , as good a ) and thou V w I W d e (M v e ro ic Vo that p leWestern onto this.” r, and Midd own ideas y m newspape e d lu c in to so fun it would be

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04.27.21

ARTS + CULTURE out in the cafeteria and One day, free ice cream was being given going to go sit alone I stopped by to enjoy a delicious treat. I was ly smile. “Hey! You’re at one of the tables but was met with a friend me!” A friendship was in my graphics class, right? Come sit with (the graphics editor) is born. My friendship with Julia Zawitkowska I’ve never met anyone the best thing that happened at Elmhurst. and design. We inspire else with such a strong passion for art ther, we make a great each other endlessly through art. Toge to join the newspaper. team. She knew that, and she invited me

The Leader was an incredible place for me to flourish on campus. Nova, Noah, Sameeha, Marisa, Gianna, Lexi, Josie, and especially Julia created such an inviting environment from day one. It was incredible to see everyone so passionate about all that was going on around the world and on campus. These people wanted their voice to be heard. Everyone was so kind to me, and we all became friends very soon as we bonded over production days. Wow, I deeply miss production. Rushing to design multiple pages, trying to make it look beautiful, randomly deciding to update the logo, leaving campus after midnight — all so fun.

t on this ery presen v is m is c naa. Ra eech and ll la-dee-d of hate sp t wasn’t a s rs se I u a h c m in le El y , terrif g, r, multip Though pus. It was t semeste m a rs c fi y d f n o m u t e In a targ read aro campus. would be I a were sp d g n n a ri a g a fe d p ro ates I applie , tionalist p my classm vity when st si u lu tr c t in o n d n ould seen rsity a felt that I c ts are only mised dive ck studen la t. I was pro B n e d ced n id a c la p in n and Brow a hate tokenized delivered. r re e a v e e n d W . s y a e mon ignored an but that w ool to make yet we are h , te sc si e b th e u r w of the ridiculo s as a way fo ven more omepage e h s e t’ th a , h rs W e . y , fl ke their attend on banners e actually way to ma w st n e e b h e w th e e sid cided e on nt of polic tossed to th ampus de the amou ents, the c id se c a n in re c se in e n printed o was to is after th feel safer t my desig o ts g n I e st d a u le st us. At non-white g to camp ted comin a h I urst. s. u p El cam ome, mh You’re welc . ts ir sh le multip

After the challenging semester, things got better. Andrew Sobol is the most incredible professor I’ve ever had in all my years of educat ion. Never have I met a professor with that much dedication and passion to his craft, his teachings, and his students. He pushes me to do great, provide s effective feedback, and motivates me to get my work seen. He will always be there to help no matter the issue, and he does it with a smile. He was the first teacher to ever say my name correctly, Arturo, in Spanish — and I am grateful for that. My involvement with MiddleWestern Voice allowed me to build a stronger connection with him. He helped me grow a lot as a designer and an artist. Without his eye for design, I feel that I would be so behind in my career. But because of him, I feel confident going forward into the industr y. I’m scared, but I feel that he has provided me with the knowledge I need to succeed.

Thank you, Andrew. Thank you, Julia. Thank you, Lynn Hill. Thank you to everyone at The Leader. You all made Elmhurst an amazing experience. I hold you all in my heart forever.

ISSUE 11

THE LEADER

ARTS + CULTURE

! a e T e h t h G wit “MALDITA POBREZA" THIS WEEK IN POP CULTURE

GIANNA MONTESANO Managing Editor

Bad Bunny for PLAYBOY

strikes Bad Bunny fans with Ticketmaster tour prices

Bad Bunny fans logged onto Ticketmaster for Bad Bunny’s “El Último Tour Del Mundo” tour on April 15, only to be met with a crashing website, hours of waiting, and the wrath of resellers. The tour, set to begin in 2022, went on presale where fans were able to buy tickets at around $59 to $270. Tickets were going fast and as fans waited in the virtual queue, Ticketmaster released more dates because of the high demand, including three dates at Allstate Arena from March 10, to March 12. However, resellers purchased plenty of tickets at face value and began reselling them at inflated price points with tickets that originally cost $99 going for over $7,000 in the 200’s section of Allstate Arena. As a result of this inflation when it was time for the general sale Ticketmaster increased the value of the standard admissions tickets from an average $79 to $189 for the 200’s section and released their platinum seats charging over $1,000 in the same 200 section where they have $189 tickets. Fans have complained to Ticketmaster for inflating their standard and platinum tickets and asking for there to be restrictions on price gouging from resellers, but Ticketmaster has not answered.

Allstate Arena Ticket Prices

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04.27.21

ARTS + CULTURE

SPOKE TOO SOON,

INTERNET PHOTO

it’s Jenny without the rock

Friends, if you recall a few weeks ago I wrote about how Jennifer Lopez, JLO, is still Jenny with the rock. I spoke too soon, she and Alex Rodriguez, A-Rod, officially called off their engagement on April 15. The pair released an official statement on the TODAY Show, where they announced their split stating, “they’re better as friends.”

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Rumors began swirling after JLO posted images from the set of her movie, “Shotgun Wedding,” where she was not wearing her engagement ring, and fans began speculating of her relationship status.

Former Olympian and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner announced on her twitter she would be running in the election for California governor in a potential recall election against Gov. Gavin Newsom. Jenner, who supported Trump in 2016 and is a known Republican, confirmed she would be running as a “socially liberal, fiscally conservative” candidate. While her official staff hasn’t been announced, former Trump officials including campaign manager Brad Parscale and pollster Tony Fabrizio have shown support for Jenner’s campaign. Speculation arises that the Jenner-Kardashian family are not going to support Jenner because of political differences, but one can only await for this political run to make its way into a limited series now that “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” is moving to Hulu, away from E! News.

Caitlyn Jenner announces her campaign on Instagram @Caitlynjenner

KEEPING UP ISSUE 11

with the (potential) California governor, Caitlyn Jenner

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ARTS + CULTURE

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04.27.21

ARTS + CULTURE

Feminism, environmentalism, and anti-capitalism are themes heard throughout Marina’s latest single drop “Purge the Poison” and in true Marina fashion, it’s done angelically and effortlessly. Marina dropped “Purge the Poison” on April 14, the second single off her fifth studio album “Ancient Dreams in A Modern Land” set to debut on June 11. “Purge the Poison” and “Man's World'' are more promising than her lackluster 2019 album drop “Love + Fear.” The single features heavy drums and an infectious synth that’ll make you want to get up and groove within the first ten seconds of the song. If you’re a veteran Marina fan, however; you’ll be transported to her 2012 project, “Electra Heart.” This single drop serves as a reminder of how Marina excels in indie-pop and synth-pop with her melodic and mezzo-soprano voice that makes you forget about how all of her songs are beautifully crafted think pieces on our society.

I am your home,” followed later on in the song by “need to purge the poison from my system Until human beings listen Tell me, who do you think you are? It's your own decision But your home is now your prison You forgot that, without me, you won't go far.” “Purge the Poison” is a song written from the perspective of the Earth, with Marina conveying the message that change needs to occur now or humans are going to be planetless. But the Earth, through Marina’s lens, continues on noting the lack of women in politics and how the rise of capitalism is keeping humans poor while the one percent keeps getting rich. Overall, this was a standout single drop by Marina, coming home to her indie-pop roots. She has a powerful pen and conveys a timely message full of impact with an infectious beat that’ll keep you listening and grooving as you reflect on the horrors of 21st century society.

“Purge the Poison” sonically sounds similar to her track “Bubblegum Bitch” on “Electra Heart,” but the messages couldn’t be more different. On “Purge the Poison,” Marina is speaking out to the public about the past few years and the toxic and historic cultural events society has endured calling out on us to quite literally purge the poison from our lives. Specifically, in the second verse, she makes references to quarantining and the awareness people developed for the Earth and climate change. “Quarantined all alone, Mother Nature's on the phone. What have you been doing? Don't forget

Album Cover Art

Photo by COUGHS

ANCIENT DREAMS IN A MODERN LAND OUT JUNE 11

ISSUE 11

THE LEADER

Tracklist

ARTS + CULTURE 10 favorites from The Leader's retiring critic ANDREW CRIPE Film Critic Since Fall 2017, I have been the film critic for this university’s newspaper, and have been proud to be in the same pages as so many immensely talented fellow students, again and again. During my tenure, I have reviewed dozens and seen hundreds of movies. With my time at Elmhurst University drawing to a close, I thought I’d make a list of the ten best movies to be released while I’ve been a student. I don’t just intend for this to be a tribute to film, but to The Leader, which has continually given me a place to share my voice and love of movies with you, the readers, whom I am just as deeply grateful toward. According to my film diary, I have rated 21 movies released during my college career 5 Stars, which is my highest rating. Narrowing those amazing films into a list of ten was difficult, so I’ve included the names of the honorable mentions beneath the main picks.

10. Madeline’s Madeline (2018, Josephine Decker) There’s a distasteful detachment, a pokey-pity to most movies about mental illness. Not since John Cassavettes’ “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) have we received a movie so sympathetic to the reality of mental deterioration, but unlike that film, director Josephine Decker experiments with everything we know about cinema to give us an otherworldly-yet-wholly-grounded perspective into a troubled teenager’s mind. My favorite performance of the last decade, without question, is Helena Howard’s as Madeline. 9. Roma (2018, Alfonso Cuarón) There is a ghostly love pouring through every shot of Alfonso Cuarón’s masterpiece. It is simultaneously the most understated and epic film of his career, foregoing the impressive-yet-gimmicky nature of films like “Gravity” and embracing an ethereal, incantatory tone that can best be compared to the poetic surreality of Andrei Tarkovsky. “Roma,” on a minute-to-minute basis, achieves what few other films muster in their entirety. 8. Vox Lux (2018, Brady Corbet) A film so masterfully original, it all but murdered the filmmaking future of Brady Corbet. In his own

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words, “nobody really asked for this,” and while that’s certainly true, it’s also the truest possible testament to what is so special about this haunting, shocking, and achingly beautiful musical drama. It quietly entered the scene and exited with as much attention as it brought (next to none), but those who have watched it know that its spirit is anything but mousey. Indeed, there’s so much that’s mind-blowing about “Vox Lux,” one feels astonishment when it is over that it didn’t create a bigger splash. So it is my hope that by including this film on my list, I am also extending it to all of you as a gift for a movie night when your senses need something completely, unpredictably different. If you need further incentive, Natalie Portman gives the performance of a lifetime. 7. A Hidden Life (2019, Terrence Malick) It’s a given by now that Malick is a love-him-orhate-him director, so for many of his films I err on the side of caution when I recommend them. But, if I had to send intergalactic life one film to explain the human race, it would be “A Hidden Life.” It is Malick’s return to the straightforward narrative, but there’s nothing simple about this WWII-set story that isn’t about the war so much as the people who opted for peace, and were torn asunder because of it. Few films contain every emotion. This one has them all, and like the most powerful poetry, imparts new feelings onto the viewer. 6. Waves (2019, Trey Edward Schultz) There will come a point in “Waves” when you think it will be impossible for light to shine through the lives of these characters ever again, and in a completely realistic and honest way, hope still manages to find a way, even as it showers none on the worst

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events. This is not a film that believes everything happens for a reason, even as it exists in a medium where you will be continually taught “everything must happen for a reason.” There is tremendous horror and beauty in the inexplicable. Here is an American cinematic masterpiece: An electrifyingly truthful story about life prospering in the wake of unforgivable events. It is as grim as we’ve come to expect of Trey Edward Schultz (director of the traumatizing “It Comes at Night”), and yet it is still a glorious experience that will leave your heart full. It is a movie that is so powerful, you will be confused by how effortlessly it reaches inside you, takes the broken pieces from your own life, and returns them in shapes that finally seem to make sense. 5. You Were Never Really Here (2017, Lynne Ramsay) The briefest film on this list, and as such, it comes across as a frantic rush when compared to the several three-plus-hour experiences I’ve included. But the execution of “You Were Never Really Here” and the unforgettable mark it leaves on the viewer is a miracle when you consider an entire hour of the original Cannes Film Festival cut isn’t readily available to us. Rather than be dismayed and pull a Josh Trank and blame the world for maiming their passion project (let’s face it, “Fantastic Four” (2015) was going to be terrible no matter what), master filmmaker Lynne Ramsay used the shortened span as an opportunity to make the story creepier, more elliptical, more horrifying, and more poignant. It’s a movie that succeeds in the power of its seconds rather than its extensions, of which there are none: This is a movie with no extra room to spare. Every frame is fundamental to telling us a story told entirely from the exhausted tornado of post traumatic stress disorder.

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ARTS + CULTURE 4. An Elephant Sitting Still (2018, Hu Bo) I can’t imagine many of you would want to spend four hours of your day watching a film soaked in the specter of suicide. Just from that sentence, I would not cast blame on you for skipping this section. But “An Elephant Sitting Still,” the first and last feature film by Chinese filmmaker and novelist Hu Bo before he tragically took his own life after producers threatened his artistic vision, is undoubtedly an important, life-altering experience. I sincerely believe that anybody who gives it a chance will see what I mean, and I also must stress that this isn’t a difficult film to physically pay attention to: The cinematography is breathtaking, every long shot is a short film with how much it contains. The performances are naturalistic yet enthralling. The writing boasts some of the fiercest, most spine-tingling lines of the last decade. This movie looks into the heart of the abyss, and yet it still contains so many returns. It really must be seen. 3. Twin Peaks: The Return (2017, David Lynch)

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My friends and I have gone back and forth about whether this is a gigantic movie or truly a miniseries that should be treated as such. At the end of the day, I am not sure it matters, I’m just infinitely pleased that it exists. It provides lifelong fans of the short lived early 90s series with an ever expanding story, but it is also David Lynch’s platform to do whatever the hell he wants for 1,000 minutes. This kind of freeflow artistic freedom would be nauseating in many other hands, but in Lynch’s we get an overwhelming summation of themes, emotions, and ideas that have been gestating in the great man since long before “Twin Peaks” was even an idea. This isn’t a head-scratching fall into nowhere, but a tear-jerking rollercoaster ride through the best and worst of ourselves: As consumers of media, as artists and dreamers, as survivors making it through the human race. Reality seems less real after binging “The Return.”

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2. Too Old to Die Young (2019, Nicolas Winding Refn) Where it is hard to pin down what exactly “The Return” is, I do believe this batshit crazy 2019 project is a film, but one that is way too long to ever find life in a theater. It is Refn shedding all of the pretensions of his early career and coming fully into his own as a modern master of the horrific art film. “Too Old to Die Young” never wants to be scary in the ways we expect cinema to scare us; it wants to damn near drown us in the kinds of darkness that’s impossible to articulate in language. Instead of Good vs. Evil, we get Evil vs. Worse Evil, and the complex, broken minds and hearts operating on both sides. More than being a constant shock to the senses, “Too Old to Die Young” is frequently hilarious, bizarre, wonderfully moving and exceptionally well acted, boasting career best performances from Miles Teller, John Hawkes, and Jena Malone. Watching this truly was one of the most intense engagements I’ve ever had with art of any kind.

Honorable mentions (in no particular order): Let the Sunshine In (2017, Claire Denis) Parasite (2019, Bong Joon-ho) Good Time (2017, The Safdie Bros.) The Florida Project (2017, Sean Baker) Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2018, Bi Gan) Call Me by Your Name (2017, Luca Guadagnino) Climax (2018, Gaspar Noé) John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017, Chad Stahelski) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019, Quentin Tarantino) The Irishman (2019, Martin Scorsese) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Bob Persichetti)

1. Phantom Thread (2017, Paul Thomas Anderson) It is always a head-scratching shock to find out what the next Paul Thomas Anderson film will be, because the writer-director is never somebody to pin themselves into a single, predictable corner. Like the fiercest artists, Anderson is always striking out of expectations and creating stories that contain new ideas, thrilling images and distinct energies. “Phantom Thread” feels like the end of an era, as it sports a final, towering performance from Daniel Day-Lewis, but in keeping with both the actor and director’s total commitment to story, “Phantom Thread” isn’t mournful, but darkly romantic and twistedly riveting. It is a lush, psychotic love story ensnared in clothes, deception, insecurity, and poison. It makes one of the grandest statements in romantic storytelling, suggesting that sometimes the things which tear us apart are exactly the things that keep us together. In the words of Ja Rule, “love is about pain.”

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THE LEADER

OPINIONS

Editorial Issue a vaccine mandate for the fall As Elmhurst University prepares to incorporate more opportunities for in-person learning next academic year, there are some factors to consider. With vaccine eligibility and accessibility on the rise, EU should consider issuing a vaccine mandate for those returning to in-person learning in the fall. About a quarter of the population is fully vaccinated and over a third have received at least one dose. Vaccine eligibility is expanding, and more groups of people are able to be vaccinated. Additionally, the vaccine supply is on the rise, being increasingly available to meet demand. With three whole months between now and the start of the new school year, it looks promising that a good amount of the population will be, or in the process of being, vaccinated by then. A vaccine mandate set up come fall would not only be feasible, but would be a necessary measure in keeping the campus safe. Universities across the nation have already made the decision to enforce a vaccine mandate for those returning to in-person learning. In the Chicagoland area, both DePaul University and Columbia College have announced their vaccine mandates, and EU could benefit from modeling after their guidelines.

Both DePaul and Columbia are requiring students to be fully vaccinated when they begin in-person learning in the fall. However, at Columbia, students can return to campus unvaccinated, as long as they agree to be tested at least once a week and begin the vaccination process. For EU, this is a pretty good model to follow. Like DePaul and Colombia, EU hosts many international students who may not have the vaccine readily available in their home country. Still allowing them to attend classes as they look into vaccination options in the United States is a fair consideration. This model still rewards students for being vaccinated even if circumstances over the summer got in the way of their vaccination plans. DePaul and Columbia also are both acting as vaccination sites for their campus community. EU has already done this, so we know that it is possible to make it a vaccination site again in the future. Providing students with the vaccine directly, makes it easier for them to comply with the mandate. EU should make it its mission to make vaccines accessible and equitable for all those involved. EU should not ask students for proof of insurance or residency to ensure those without access to health insurance, or who are undocumented, are eligible to recieve the vaccine through the university.

As the COVID-19 Task Force and the Cabinet consider a vaccine mandate for EU, they should take into account what local schools are already doing, as well as the overall positive impact they can have on the vaccine discourse amongst those who still may be hesitant.

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DePaul and Columbia are both offering exemptions for medical or religious reasons, and as a so-called inclusive community, EU should oblige by this as well. With all of the additional resources put in by EU to sustain online learning during the pandemic, those tools can still be used for those who are not able to, or are not comfortable with, in-person learning. DePaul and Columbia have not issued a requirement for faculty and staff to be vaccinated, though it is strongly encouraged. EU should also consider a requirement for faculty and staff, as it would make the rest of the community feel much safer. In having a vaccine mandate, EU is not only ensuring a safer community to return to in the fall, but it is also incentivising people to get the vaccine in general. It is safe to say that college students — for the most part — want that in-person experience back, so they will be more inclined to get vaccinated (if they were already on the fence for example).

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04.27.21

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ISSUE 11

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SPORTS

NIKLAS FAULK Sports Editor The final edition of “This Week in Sports” for the semester is here and ready to fill your mind with sporting news. The NFL draft is less than a week away and it is one of the most underwhelming drafts in recent history for the Chicago Bears. For the rest of the league, it’s wide open and exciting. The Cubs and Sox have turned it around and are showing signs of shaking off the spring rust. The Blackhawks season looks all but over after getting two out of a possible four points against Nashville. The Bulls have been pushed out of the tenth and final slot to qualify for the play-in round of the NBA bubble tournament and are struggling to stay consistent.

the offseason, quarterback Justin Fields from Ohio State University has been placed anywhere from second overall to fifth overall. That leaves the next biggest quarterback in the draft, Trey Lance, out of North Dakota State University, who could end up going as high as eighth overall. The Bears have been rumored to go after Lance if they were to make a move to move up in the draft. This has been one of the more unpredictable drafts when it comes to quarterbacks in the first couple years, but outside of Lawrence and Fields, it’s relatively thin at the quarterback position.

Winds of change: Cubs’ offense returns after disappearing.

Draft Talk: Bears’ pick looks grim; the rest of the draft is unpredictable. Round one of the 2021 NFL draft is set to take place on April 29, and the Bears hold the twentieth pick. While not much can be done picking twentieth overall, there are still faint rumors that General Manager Ryan Pace is going to make a blockbuster trade to move up into a top five position. In the likelihood that Pace keeps the twentieth pick, there is very little for Bears fans to be excited about. Some of the potential prospects available at twentieth overall would be quarterback Mac Jones out of the University of Alabama, although he could very well be taken within the top fifteen. Rondale Moore, a wide receiver out of Purdue University is who the Bears will most likely pick at twentieth overall instead of a quarterback. After Pace has missed on several draft picks like Adam Shaheen, Kevin White, and most notably Mitch Trubisky, there is very little faith that Pace will impress in this year’s draft. Despite low draft expectations, the rest of the league is up for grabs. Trevor Lawrence has been the only player to be guaranteed to go first overall to Jacksonville. With the Jets parting ways with Sam Darnold over

The White Sox have also found themselves only a game and a half out of first place in the AL Central. After starting the season 1-3 and failing to get over .500 for the first eighteen games of the season, the White Sox have cleaned up their defense and the bullpen is starting to come around. Tim Anderson has looked like the 2019 league MVP like he was since he has come back from injury. Adam Eaton remains clutch for the White Sox with extra base hits. Nick Madrigal has made contact with every baseball he’s seen except for seven of them. Luis Robert has been stealing base after base for the White Sox and is providing quality at-bats. The White Sox next upcoming series are against divisional rivals the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians.

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White Hot: Yermin Mercedes continues to impress; White Sox turn record around. Just over ten percent of the season has been played and Yermin Mercedes has not cooled off a bit. Leading the entire MLB with a batting average well over .410, the 28-year-old rookie has proven every time he is at the plate that he is a threat. Not only can he hit home runs, but he has also shown incredible patience forcing walks and has shown the ability to just get the ball in play when needed. While being in and out of the lineup recently, Mercedes continues to stay hot when he plays. He has 27 hits in the first 24 games played. This includes the game on April 23, against the Rangers where he had four hits and three RBIs. Mercedes’ success has helped the White Sox replace the offensive presence of Eloy Jiménez, who was injured in spring training and was ruled out for six to eight months.

THE LEADER

The start of the 2021 season was something the Cubs would rather forget, and it seems they have done that after a four-game winning streak in which they swept the New York Mets and beat the Brewers in the first matchup of their series. Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant, and Willson Contreras have all broken out and provided the offense for the Cubs with Nico Hoerner building off his successful 2020 season. The Cubs outscored the Mets 23-8 in their series and beat the Brewers 15-2 in their opening game. Jake Marisnick has been a solid pickup for the Cubs in the offseason. He has four hits and seven RBIs in his last handful of games and has been a competent replacement for Ian Happ in center field.

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SPORTS The pitching for the Cubs has been better but is still in need of production from Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies. In three starts, Davies has posted an earned run average (ERA) over eight points and Hendricks is sitting at 5.5. This has been both pitchers' worst career starts to a season in their careers and will more than likely bounce back but are overwhelmingly underperforming as the number one and number three starters in the Cubs rotation. Adbert Alzolay has been disappointing as the back anchor of the rotation. He is winless in three starts and has yet to go six innings so far this season. Trevor Williams has fit nicely into the fourth spot leading the team in strikeouts. Craig Kimbrel looks to finally be the player the Cubs paid for back in 2019 with an ERA of 0.00 and four saves. The Cubs will finish up three games against the Milwaukee Brewers and then take on the Atlanta Braves.

Starting hot, finishing cold: Blackhawks quickly sealing their fate late in the season.

After having a strong first half of the season and holding a playoff spot for most of it, the Blackhawks have found themselves in sixth place in the central division behind Dallas and Nashville. With just six games left in the season, the Blackhawks had a crucial three-game series against Nashville where they needed to win at least two of the games to stay in the final playoff spot. Instead, the Blackhawks lost two of the three games, and their only win was a game in which they were down 4-1 and had to force overtime. Over their last ten games, the Blackhawks have gone 5-5 and have been outscored 31-26. The special teams have been struggling and the star players have been struggling to produce. Patrick Kane has just three goals in the last 15 games and was held pointless in their last game against Nashville on April 23. Dominik Kubalík has just one point in the last five games. Rookie forward Philipp Kurashev was on fire in the beginning of the season but has just two points in the last ten games and four points in the last twenty.

Approaching the end of the wacky 2021 NBA season, the Bulls are ten games under .500 and have recently been bumped out of the tenth and final playoff spot by the Washington Wizards. The defense has been there for the Bulls, but they have not been able to close out games late. The Bulls have also started slow and have gotten so far down early they have been unable to come back. In four out of their last six games, the Bulls have given up 30 points or more in the first quarter. Lousy late game decisions have cost the Bulls wins. After being down 20 points to the Miami Heat on April 24, the Bulls pulled to within four points with 52 seconds left. Shooting guard Denzel Valentine had possession of the ball and decided to launch a three-pointer from over 30-feet out and completely airballed. The shot negated any chance of coming back even though they still pulled within three points before two free throws were made by Miami.

Kevin Lankinen has been solid in net since the beginning of the season but has also shown signs of fatigue from starting so many games. While Lankinen has a .911 save percentage on the season, he has had a mediocre save percentage of .861 which is well below NHL level. Lankinen was pulled and replaced in his last start against Nashville on April 19, after giving up five goals in a 5-2 loss. Malcolm Subban has been very inconsistent and has let in soft goals that have cost the Blackhawks valuable points in the standings. The injury bug has bothered the Blackhawks all season and continues to be a burden. The Blackhawks are without defenseman Adam Boqvist due to concussion protocol, and defenseman Calvin de Haan has also been added to the injured list with a hip issue. Dylan Strome has not played since April 19. These injuries on top of the players that have been on long-term injured reserve since before the season started have only made the situation worse in Chicago. The Blackhawks now face the challenge of beating the top three teams in their division to keep their playoff hopes alive. They have one more game against the defending Stanley Cup champions, Tampa Bay Lightning, two more games against Florida, three against Carolina, and two games against Dallas to close out the regular season.

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ISSUE 11

Failing to capitalize: Bulls falling out of playoff picture with bad decisions.

THE LEADER

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In the final two and a half weeks of the season, the Bulls will have to face eight different playoff teams, including two games with the top team in the Eastern conference, the Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls won the only meeting of the season so far against Brooklyn back on April 4, and shared an even record against the Miami Heat. Their next opponent is the red-hot New York Knicks, who they will play on April 28.

SPORTS Bluejays Sports Update

NIKLAS FAULK Sports Editor Welcome to the final Bluejays sports update for the semester. There has been plenty of action across the different sports on campus over the last few weeks. The men’s lacrosse team is looking ready for the playoffs coming in May. Men’s soccer is taking advantage of the remaining exhibition games on their schedule and won their last official matchup. It has been a disappointing season for baseball at Elmhurst and it continues to get worse. Women’s softball has not been able to play a game since April 12. MEN’S LACROSSE

Finishing strong: Elmhurst looking to bounce back just in time for tournament. Despite falling to top-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University 25-16, the Bluejays are looking to close out the regular season on a positive note. The Bluejays have had a relatively successful season, currently at 9-4 with two games left on the schedule. Attackman Ben Luke continues to light it up, notching his fiftieth goal of the season and a seven goal performance in the loss to Illinois Wesleyan Unviersity. At 9-4, the Bluejays have put together a solid season compared to last year where they started the season a mediocre 2-5 before COVID-19 cut the season short. Youth has been the strength of the 2021 Bluejays roster with sophomores Ben Berke and Jake Grebe combining for 48 points this season. Luke leads the team with 65 points on the season, leading the entire conference. Ending the first quarter with a lead has been one of the key points of success. In their last six games, the Bluejays have entered the second quarter with a lead four times. Goalkeeper Jake Delgado has been competent and everything you could ask for. He currently has the highest save percentage in the conference and is top five in fewest average goals allowed posting a 9.56 GAA. The CCIW lacrosse tournament is right around the

corner and the Bluejays would be holding the fourth spot in the bracket. The Bluejays would likely face Augustana College in their first playoff matchup. Their last two games are against last place Carroll University on April 28. MEN’S SOCCER

Taking advantage: Men’s soccer capitalizes on exhibition and final regular season games. The 2021 has been far from a normal season for the Bluejays with their games being divided in half between official and exhibition games. At least one of their regular season games were postponed and the Bluejays have a 1-2 record overall. Having a shortened season has not stopped the Bluejays from racking up wins as they won their last official contest against Millikin University in shut out fashion, 1-0. In their most recent exhibition game against Carthage College, the Bluejays kept the pressure on all night and pulled away with yet another shutout, winning 2-0. Defense looked solid as most of what Millikin University and Carthage College threw at the Bluejays was shut down and turned into scoring chances for Elmhurst. One of the goals against Millikin University featured a highlight reel header from James Serrano off a kick from the corner. The rest of the season features two exhibition matches on the road at Concordia University Chicago on April 29, and the season finale against Carthage College on May 5. BASEBALL

Struggling Mightily: Bluejays in major slump towards end of season. There are only three weeks left in the 2021 regular season, and the Bluejays are falling further to the bottom of the conference standings. They have scraped together just two wins in the last eleven games. In the last five games, the Bluejays have been outscored 43-22. 15 of the 22 runs came in a 15-2 win against Carroll University.

THE LEADER

The same narrative has been repeated all season. Pitching has been the biggest sore spot for the Bluejays. Despite winning 15-12, starter Jaysn Miller gave up nine runs on 10 hits and walked two batters in five innings. J.D. Knight gave up six runs on seven hits in just four and two-thirds innings in his last start. Ace, Alex Kielion, has not started since April 12, but gave up seven runs on 12 hits. Reliever Cole Bozzi has been the only positive on the Bluejays pitching staff racking up four saves and has an earned run average (ERA) slightly over 2.00. With four players hitting over .300 the offense has been doing their part to keep the Bluejays in games. In the last five matchups, the Bluejays have averaged over nine hits a game. Trey Romay has been the Bluejays MVP since the start of the season and has eight hits through his last five games including two home runs against Carroll University and North Park University. At 13-17, the Bluejays have time to turn their record around, but will need to do it fast. Only ten games remain and the Bluejays will need to take advantage of seven home games. They have played better at home going 5-5. The next upcoming games include matchups at home, Dominican University on April 27, and Illinois Wesleyan Unviersity on April 28. The Bluejays will be at North Park University on May 4, and then will be at Wheaton College on May 7. SOFTBALL

Unfortunate Idol: Bluejays inactive since April 12. After snapping a five-game losing streak, the Bluejays have had the last twelve games postponed and have not played since their win on April 12. Some delays are due to inclement weather, but it has not been disclosed why the rest have been postponed. There is no word on whether the rest of the season will be played, or if the Bluejays will just go straight to the CCIW tournament. The next games, if played, would include a three-game road trip against North Park University on April 27, and a double-header against Millikin University on May 1. The final home game is a double-header against Carthage College on May 2.

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