The Leader September 22, 2015

THE LEADER

2015 THE AWARD-WINNING STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT ELMHURST COLLEGE. VOL. 50 48 SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 22, 10, 2013

Am I beautiful? Pageant and Dames

Emails at Elmhurst College hacked

See page 8-9

See page 5

EC holds Black Lives Matter event Elizabeth Imbrogno staff writer Elmhurst College administrators, faculty, and students united on Sept. 14 in a circle for a discussion on recent issues that Black Lives Matters (BLM) activists have protested over recent months. The group spoke on the Frick Center patio of the importance of having black voices heard not only on the EC campus but outside the community as well. In an interview after the BLM group dialogue, EC Chaplain Scott Matheney spoke about how events like BLM can spur people to glue back together our broken society. “I hope that it [BLM] will show support for a concern for the reality of a brokenness in society and that we are thinking together about what we are doing individually,” Matheney says. “It’s really about healing and education, about being able to address hard issues and to know that there are people really hurting, and that we have a responsibili-

ty to act and respond to that.” Along with stating the importance of voice in their community, some students shared their personal experiences of being treated differently and unjustly both inside and outside of EC. Senior student Brandon Thompson talked about the goals of Black Lives Matter discussions on both the EC community and society as a whole. “I hope these events give people who attend tools to be engaged with the rest of the community,” he says. “I hope this helps us find the leader inside ourselves so we can engage with those who may hold certain prejudices on campus and beyond.” A large concern for the BLM movement is raising awareness for the groups important issues. Sophomore Malaysia Wray shared her insights as to how the movement could pick up momentum and support from more people. “If people are using social media as a platform to raise

Photo by Hannah Jasinski Chaplain Scott Matheney speaks to students gathered for the Black Lives Matter movement.

awareness, then people will be more educated. People don’t know this is going on or realize it’s an issue,” she says. “There are reasons behind why these [tragedies] are happening, and if people can see these reasons maybe they’ll do something to

change it.” Matheney also added that current students at the college can use the knowledge that they gain in class and group gatherings outside of school. “There are young men and women who will take roles

of leadership here now and do great things that they will integrate into the world instead of compartmentalizing,” Matheney says.

Second City office burnings recall history

Internet Photo Fire fighter extinguishes burning Second City office building.

Evely Ortiz staff writer Tina Fey. Chris Farley. Steve Carell. Bill Murray. John Belushi. Chicago might not be the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning these comedy legends. Yet, the city is the one thing they have in common. It’s

where they got their start. The famed Second City Theater was first introduced in 1959, taking the place of a run-down Chinese Laundromat. Founded by Paul Sills, Howard Alk, and Bernard Sahlins, The Second City immediately became a Chicago staple for its improvisation comedy.

A Chicago Tribune article from the time of the theater’s opening referred to the charming site as the “center of comedy culture.” As the years progressed, the theater only grew, opening locations in Hollywood and Toronto and three stages in Chicago. With many of the theater’s

alumni going off to perform on Saturday Night Live, in movies, and on Broadway, the theater drew the attraction of several aspiring performers. Because of the theater’s fame, the burning of its offices after an extra-alarm fire caused by an adjoining restaurant caught the city’s attention last month, causing the company to cancel shows until Sept. 20. Tyler Alexander, The Second City’s vice president of brand and marketing, explains the severity of the damage done to the theater. “Our offices have been pretty much mostly destroyed and are a complete loss. However, the only things that we lost in there are some personal items, office furniture, and office equipment. The restoration process hasn’t really even begun. We’ve done some clean up to those areas, but not a tremendous amount,” says Alexander. The theater also suffered from smoke and water damage, affecting several of the theater’s spaces, but, leaving the stages unscathed. While the damage to the

theater’s stages are minor, the temporary cancelling of performances came as a disappointment to the performers. “We love performing for audiences and that’s why performers come to us and want to work at The Second City, so they can perform, and we haven’t been able to do that. People are okay, but creatively, we haven’t been able to perform. It’s something that we all enjoy,” says Alexander. Alexander attributes much of The Second City’s success to the performers and individuals who have gotten the opportunity to call the theater their home. “As far as fires go, this was probably the best possible outcome. No one got hurt and the interruption isn’t tremendously significant. There’s been a tremendous amount of support in the community. Alumni have been very supportive on social media. All things considered, this was the best possible outcome,” says Alexander. See Second City burnings on page 5

NEWS

September 22, 2015

ecleader.org

Sarah Astra editor-in-chief

Iran frees five Al-Queda members back to the group It was released on Thursday, Sept. 17 that five senior members of Al Qaeda were freed back to the terrorist group earlier this year by Iran. This was in hopes of a prisoner swap between the two. One of the men released was the terrorist group’s interim leader after Osama bin Laden’s death and also had a $5 million bounty on his head. While it is still unknown when the prisoner swap

actually took place or when the prisoners were detained by Iran, The New York Times did report on Sept. 10 that Iran denied that the five men had been freed at all. Allegedly, the terrorist group was surprised that the prisoners were released back to them, especially given their seniority in Al Qaeda, according to analysts tracking the group. Internet Photo Members of Al-Queda

New Australian Prime Minister sworn into office Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s former communications minister, was sworn into office on Sept. 8 as the country’s new prime minister. Turnbull explained that the government would remain strong even after an internal party revolt, ending in him replacing former Prime Minister Tony Abbott after his two-year

tenure. “There’s been a change of prime minister, but we are a very, very strong government, a very strong country with a great potential,” he said, according to the Chicago Tribune. The revolt that made Turnbull the nation’s fourth leader in about two years could potentially create deep divisions in

the administrative ranks of his government. According to an article written on Sept. 16 by the Chicago Tribune, he is currently trying to build trust with not only the public, but also among his ranks and working to better Australia’s economy.

Refugees blocked at Serbian border A riot broke out on the Serbian border Sept. 16 when refugees broke through a razor-wire fence while attempting to enter Hungary. Hungarian riot police were called to the scene before the migrants broke through and were at the ready when they did. This type of violence was unexpected to the migrants in the crowd. “We fled wars and violence and did not ex-

The awardwinning student newspaper at Elmhurst College

pect such brutality and inhumane treatment in Europe,” an Iraqi man shouted during the riot, according to the Chicago Tribune. The migrants have come from different parts of the Middle East and have left for different reasons, seeking shelter and aid in Europe. It is still unknown whether North America will provide any aid for these refugees in their time of need.

the

Leader

Editor-in-chief: Opinions Editor: News Editor: Beat editor: Sports Editor Graphics Editor: Photo editor Copy editor: Business Manager: Adviser:

Sarah Astra Chrissy Croft Gianfranco Ocampo Daniel Wiggin Nick Cegielski Fabian Vasquez Hannah Jasinski Michelle Wrzesinski Matthew Westhaver Eric Lutz

Internet Photo Malcolm Turnbull sworn in as new Prime Minister

Internet Photo Serbians and Hungarians brawl through the barriers.

PRODUCTION STAFF Jonathan Knitter Cat Jones Evely Ortiz Kayla Hoffer Lauren Kuehn Vincent Lotesto Zakiyah Toor Trace Nardi Kelli McQuaid Sara Groppe Abigail Smith Katrina Mioduszewksi Elizabeth Imbrogno

ABOUT US The Leader is the studentrun newspaper speaking to the students, faculty and administrators of Elmhurst College. 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 College at large. No text, photos, or art can be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.

PUBLISHING INFO The Leader is funded by the student activities fund and advertising revenue. The paper has a press run of 1,500. It can be picked up in all campus buildings and certain offcampus sites.

ADVERTISING Lauren Kuehn c/o Leader Advertising 190 Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, IL 60126 Advertising: 630.617.3321 theleaderadvertising@gmail.com

NEWS

ecleader.org

September 22, 2015

“Rethink Greek” spreads to EC Sara Groppe staff writer

EC has recently jumped on the bandwagon to the “Rethink Greek” campaign which advocates a change to how Greek Life is viewed by students; hanging posters around the campus and handing them out at the informa-

tion desk in the Frick Center. “’Rethink Greek’ encourages everyone, whether they participate in Greek life or not, “to find a way to be a better version of themselves,” Jose Zamora, the interfraternity council president said. “So what it’s promoting is … a chance to be a

part of something bigger than yourself; to be able to say that that you’re giving back. [‘Rethink Greek’ shows that] fraternity and sorority life is more than an average club … it is more than what it used to be.” In the effort for EC to improve the views of Greek life the college has a pro-

gram every year called iValU, that all potential fraternity and sorority members must complete as part of the application process. According to Elizabeth Doyle, the assistant director of student affairs and greek life, this program helps the students to evaluate their values and determine how these val-

ues can help them during recruitment and beyond. IValU has been a part of the recruitment process for the past five years. Since then, it has spread to sororities and fraternities on campuses throughout the nation.

CRU attends “Feed My Starving Children” event organization who’s mission of feeding children has spread throughout 70 Elmhurst College’s Cam- countries. The volunteers pus Crusade for Christ pack ready made meals for (CRU) attended a “Feed the organization to ship My Starving Children” around the world event in Aurora Sept. 16. Andrea Boeyink, an adThe “Feed My Starving visor for CRU, stated in a Children” is a non-profit phone interview that the Gianfranco Ocampo news editor

goal of CRU was for “People to be more connected to each other and God,” and the charity work they do is why they attend one event per semester. Melissa Bohorquez, a member of CRU, participated in the event and stated, “No words can de-

scribe this feeling of giving ger impact,” Boeyink said. back.” 20 EC students attendThe group is hopeful that ed the “Feed My Starving next semester’s event will Children” event. have more of the schools clubs/organizations attend as well. “We’d love to connect to other student organization to join us and make a big-

Elmhurst’s two ROTC students begin their second year Abigail Smith staff writer

The two members of Elmhurst College’s Ranger Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Michael Gibson and Matthew Brachman, have begun their second year in the program. They are set to be the first two ,from EC, to enroll in the army upon graduation. “Being in ROTC means everything to me because it gives me the ability to be completely selfless; it gives me the opportunity to sacrifice my needs and wellbeing and put those of

my country and fellow cadets first,” said Brachman when asked what being a cadet meant to him. “I get to be thrust into this group of people that will become like my family and I won’t ever question if somebody has my back because I will always have theirs.” Elmhurst’s College ROTC program (linked with Wheaton College) provides students with the opportunity to complete regular courses for their selected major and also undergo training for the army, air force, or navy. The contracted cadets re-

ceive full tuition for two to four years along with a monthly stipend. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays the cadets are up at 5:30a.m. to start physical training that could consist of a six mile run one morning and then running up and down bleachers for two hours the next. Thursday nights the cadets gather at Wheaton College for lab and mandatory study hall where they learn basic training. The cadets are held to a high standard, as they are required to maintain at least a 2.75 GPA and

attend all training sessions and lab. According to Jeremy Giacomino, Elmhurst’s military program coordinator, “For students who want to become military leaders while simultaneously pursuing their academic goals, ROTC is an excellent opportunity. ROTC provides scholarships that can help students pay for college while also teaching them leadership skills they will need in the military and beyond.” He also believes that the program benefits the college by providing a “diverse student

Photo courtesy of Matthew Brachman Brachman is one of the two Elmhurst students in ROTC program

population” which is what makes Elmhurst College “so great”. Giacomino states Brachmann and Gibson “seem to be pleased with the program and are excited about the prospect of becoming United States Army Officers. “ For more information on joining the ROTC program, students can visit the Veterans Affairs Office and venture online to Wheaton’s website.

NEWS

September 22, 2015

ecleader.org

SGA to have upcoming fall elections Gianfranco Ocampo news editor

For the past few weeks, EC’s Student Government Association (SGA) has raised efforts to bring in freshman and transfer students, for a chance for them to become to be leaders. “We want to give new students an opportunity to be leaders on campus right when they start,” says vice president of marketing, Pat Ackerman. The goal to bring in more freshman/transfer students into the SGA proved difficult in the fall term, according to Ackerman and SGA president Grace Bellino. “The elections at the start of school are often difficult to facilitate, especially this year when all of our dates were pushed up a week, hence the decision to extend the deadline so more new students were able to turn applications in since they would have originally been due the afternoon of the activity fair,” Bellino

says. “Fall elections are designed to include the new students but if they don’t have enough time to learn about our organization then it’s a moot point.” The SGA set up tables in front of the Frick Center on both Sept. 10 and 15 in an effort to bring more awareness to the upcoming election “We were hoping to spread general information about what SGA is and building awareness for the organization as a whole. Applications were handed out and people were able to engage ... us with questions about SGA’s purpose on campus,” Bellino said. “Part of increasing participation with SGA is creating more interest in the organization because word of mouth can be one of the most effective means of promotion, and who doesn’t love a Frisbee,” she continued. Ackerman’s effort to raise awareness for the upcoming election used social media as another platform.

“As VP of marketing, I have been sure to take great advantage of social media. Our Facebook group is going to be kept very up to date this year, and our Twitter account has also been utilized. My plan for both has begun with this election. I feel social media connects us, and so, my work is to connect all the student to us with social media,” he said. “Overall, I think we promoted this fall’s election better than last fall’s.” There are nine spots available on the board, and by application deadline seven applications were received. “I think it’s important for students to share governance of the institution that they are paying money to attend. Not only is it crucial for students to be able to share their point of view on the various councils and boards SGA sends representatives to, but it’s important for students to realize that as a student body, we have the power to instigate change

Ballot Freshmen Sophomore Junior Senior

Graphic created by Fabian Vasquez

on campus to make sure The SGA will have their our interests are protect- elections on Sept. 22 and ed when the faculty and 23, and swear the new administration make and members in on Sept. 24. enact policy,” Bellino says.

Campus Security confirms no undercover cars

Photo by Sarah Astra The alleged EC security undercover car.

two of the previous patrol cars had no air conditioning, in the simplest of Despite many students’ terms. suspicions, there is not an The Leader had been undercover Campus Secu- approached by some sturity car on campus. dents who had inquired The reason why you as to whether there was might have seen a Campus an undercover Campus Security officer cruising Security car patrolling EC. around in a silver Mercu- After looking into this, and ry Sable is simply because interviewing the Executive

Sarah Astra editor-in-chief

Director Security & EmergencyManagement,Jeff Kedrowski, The Leader obtained information regarding this case: No undercover officer, we promise. One of the main reasons for the use of these unmarked Campus Security cars is because of air conditioning issues and high mileage on the two previ-

ous patrol cars, according to Kedrowski. Because two of their patrol cars were in the shop, EC’s Facilities Management lent two fleet cars to Campus Security, one silver Mercury Sable and a black Mercury Milan. Students can normally see the Milan parked outside the Mill Theatre. These cars are easily identifiable as Elmhurst College cars because they don the EC license plates, each with a single digit embossed on it. It can be noted that Campus Security isn’t trying to give off the impression that this is an undercover officer. “The ‘undercover’ car is often parked in front of our office,” said Kedrowski in an email interview. “We aren’t trying to be sneaky about it.” Compared to other campuses such as the University of Illinois in Champaign or Illinois State University, Elmhurst College is a rather small campus. So why do Campus Security officers really need these cars? Wouldn’t it be more economical to just have the officers walk everywhere? But the answer isn’t to

transport offenders like many would think, but to patrol the campus and carry certain equipment essential for the job such as vehicle lockout tools, battery jump packs, first aid kits, and more of that nature, Kedrowski said in the interview. “The cars help us meet those demands in a timely manner.” “We don't use the vehicles to transport offenders, as they are not equipped to do so,” said Kedrowski. “That duty would fall on the shoulders of the Elmhurst Police Department.” In addition, Kedrowski mentioned these vehicles could help the Elmhurst Police Department and the Elmhurst Fire Department find the exact location they are needed. According to Kedrowski, as of Sept. 16 the silver Sable has been added to the Campus Security fleet and equipment will be added to the car, for instance, a PA system and low profile lights to help the officers with their daily activities. This will also help make the car look more like a Campus Security vehicle.

NEWS

ecleader.org

September 22, 2015

Second City burning from page 1 Evely Ortiz staff writer

A long time fan of Second City’s alum Steve Carell, DeMuro used him as motivation to attend the theater’s improvisation program. After attending a workshop at the theater, DeMuro’s mind was set and he saved money to move to the city. “It was definitely the best decision I made because the learning you get there is phenomenal,” says DeMuro. Like many Second City performers, DeMuro hopes to one day perform on Saturday Night Live and follow in the footsteps of the several Second City alumni who’ve made it to “the big stage.” While he admits it’s a lofty goal, he believes it’s one he can accomplish. “The thing with Second City is because they’re so good at what they do, if

you commit yourself 110 percent to them you can’t fail. They give you the tools to succeed in whatever you decide to do after you’re done there. They make sure you’re ready,” says DeMuro. A series of pictures of Second City alumni cover the halls of the theater’s training center, motivating students to continue their studies and achieve success. “The list of alumni who’ve gone there are some of the greatest comedians of all time and for them to have attended Second City is not just inspirational to me, but they’re an inspiration to a lot of people. The fact that they went there first and learned the ways of their craft at Second City is inspiring to me,” says DeMuro. DeMuro is only one of the several students at The Second City who hope to go on and achieve suc-

Internet Photo The Second City before the tragic fire.

cess through their studies and become one of the theater’s famed alumni. The Second City Theater’s considers its student’s and performers, past and present, as the core of its success.

“In between today and when The Second City started, there are hundreds and hundreds, probably even thousands of people who’ve contributed things to this company, both onstage and offstage. It’s

really remembering our people. The Second City is who we’ve got working for us and that’s really important for us,” says Alexander.

Emails at Elmhurst College hacked Sarah Astra editor-in-chief

“Hello! Important Message.” This is the subject theading of many emails received by Elmhurst College students and faculty members. These emails may be from people you know but beware … these are spam and will cause your own email to send out these same emails. On Sept. 6, Elmhurst College Google account emails started sending out these messages baiting recipients to click on the link included in the body of it. These links range in subject from being about radio portals to currencies, all with the intention of gaining information about the person who clicks on it. It is still unknown where these emails originated from or how the initial emails were compromised, but it’s sure that EC has been unable to stop their spread. According to Linda Selvik, EC’s director of technology support and project management, Google suspended approximately 60 emails on that first day due to malicious behavior, though they were not necessarily the ones responsible for the emails.

On Sept. 8, EC attempted to warn students and faculty by sending an email out to the campus, explaining that many accounts had been compromised and not to click on the site, though the number of compromised emails only rose. On Sept. 17, 50 more accounts were suspended for sending the mass emails, putting the total at 110. While the emails may seem like a minor nuisance, these emails could potentially be harmful to individuals who open them. According to Selvik, individuals may receive these ”phishing emails” which will tempt someone to divulge their email username and password. A reason for EC’s change from Gmail accounts to Office 365 was potentially increased security, however it may not have been helpful in this instance. “Many of the spam emails that were being sent did get through to the Office 365 email accounts that would normally not have gotten through,” Selvik said. Spam filters are normally in place to prevent these kinds of emails from spreading to many people. However, because the initial Google

Graphic created by Fabian Vasquez

accounts had been compromised and the 365 emails will never quarantine Gmail accounts, these emails got through the filters. As for how one can protect themselves from these emails, Selvik has an answer. “First and foremost – never provide your password in an email or link within an email,” she said in an email interview. “If you receive a suspicious email, just delete it – never open it or respond to it.” If you have clicked on the link listed in the email, contact the Help Desk at EC at (630) 617-3767.

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September 22, 2015

opinions

•Editorial•

}

ecleader.org

Choose the President our College needs most They won’t get printed onto currency or given an Oval Office in D.C., but the next EC President will still be granted an incredible amount of influence over the institution as a whole. As a result, the Presidential Search Committee has a monumental task ahead of them. After all, any appointment of great power comes with great responsibilty, but it is even more cumbersome for EC because the College is weighed down by controversy: the budget crisis, the past lack of transparency, the recent reduction in staff, etc. But most of all, pressure is on the institution to choose someone who will best serve the holistic needs of the student body. Below is our list of qualities the future President of EC should have, beyond the fancy credentials they will hang on the wall of their office.

1. They know how to balance a budget A well rounded knowledge of finance, as well as background in sustaining (or saving) an institution’s budget, will be crucial qualities for the next President. They will need to tackle monetary issues head on and consistently facilitate conversations that are tense and uncomfortable. Whether it’s evaluating programs or cutting utility costs, the President needs to be able to identify a weakness and create solutions quickly. However, their quick decisions can’t be made at the expense of the student body. So risk/reward analysis will be key.

2. They are connected to the student body Higher education is theoretically paid for by tuition and fees. Although we know there are other forms of income, the essence of higher education is an institution built by the students and for the students. Our next President needs to hold this ideal. This includes valuing student voices and experiences, as well as attending student-run events. We aren’t just talking about the big ticket events, either. President Ray would

occasionally attend event’s like Union Board’s Hump Day celebration and the Finals Week Breakfast, but he was not frequently spotted at small intercultural gatherings or intramural sporting events, for example. A President who is in tune with the campus will make appearances whenever possible. They will find ways to directly speak with student leaders, and will make an effort to utilize the input of powerful student groups. Simple visits would suffice, but more complex surveys or means of feedback would also be beneficial to assess the real Elmhurst Experience, according to the students.

3. A new face in Blume Board Room The Blume Board Room is the Mount Rushmore of EC. It displays the historical leadership of the College, and reflects the findings of past Presidential searches. Truth is, there are only pictures of white men lining the walls. At the very least, we hope the Presidential Search Committee is considering a diverse candidate pool and that they will remain open minded to hiring someone who can spice up the outdated images of EC’s past - particularly a woman. According to a 2014 report by Forbes, only 26% of College Presidents are female., although 56% of College students are female. This low representation clearly does not reflect an overall incompetance amongst women, but rather a cultural norm that excludes women from positions of power. Let’s make EC an example for women who might be interested in leadership roles, while simultaneously diversifying our administration. As the search continues, we hope our input is considered. But most of all, we hope the President is informed of the most important duty - a day with The Leader Editorial Board. It’s tradition to take the President out for a day of recreation and conversation each summer. So please, be sure to pass that on. We don’t want to get stood up two years in a row.

•Op-art•

ecleader.org

•Resistance•

Will work for praise

Chrissy croft opinions editor

I spend my Monday and Wednesday mornings in traffic, commuting to my unpaid off campus internship. I jam out to various love songs and sometimes cry at stop lights. I typically eat breakfast on the road, because I leave before the cafe opens. And I try my best to not blink for too long, in fear that my all–nighter fatigue will come back to haunt me. Please don’t tell the police; I’m pretty sure that tiredly clutching a breakfast burrito while crying tears of true love can be considered distracted driving.

The issue is not EC’s requirements or resources, it’s the job market as a whole. Traffic laws aside, I don’t understand why internships have become such a necessary part of our college careers – seemingly without question. Internships are, at their core, a privileged person’s activity. Just like community service or pro bono work, internships require the willingness and ability to simply give away skills for free. Need your phones answered? Tell the intern. Need an infographic for your Social Media site? The intern can handle that. Want your entire marketing campaign revamped and made relevant to a broader audience? The intern, who isn’t even studying marketing, would love to take on that task! That’s not to say that I don’t see value in internships. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I find internships to be highly valuable, particularly in today’s job market. The “education” section of the resume has become nearly as obsolete as the home address. No one cares about your 4.0 GPA if you weren’t a founder, a captain, and a co–chair of some very important organizations. And your self–proclaimed

passion for your field can’t be demonstrated through the countless hours you put into class time and assignments. Oh no, everyone did that. You need to propel yourself ahead of the curve. You need to have experience hours in the field. You need to prove that you are worth this position by explaining how you allowed a company to take advantage of your skills and knowledge in exchange for an added line item on your cover letter. The issue is not EC’s requirements or resources, it’s the job market as a whole. It’s a culture that believes college students need to be at consistent peak performance while preparing for a career, and that nothing should stand in their way.

What if I didn’t have financial support from my parents? What if I had children to raise? Truth is, there isn’t much in the way for people like me. Sure, the gas is annoying. And the driving time would be better spent catching up on sleep. But at the end of the day, my parents can help me with gas. And I can find time to nap between classes usually, even if it’s in the library. But let’s analyze this scenario from a less privileged lens. What if I didn’t have financial support from my parents? What if I had children to raise? What if I needed to work multiple minimum wage jobs just to make my monthly tuition payments? Suddenly, those hours spent at my internship would feel a lot less rewarding. Or, more realistically, they wouldn’t be there at all. Because at the end of the day, those who don’t have time and money to waste simply won’t. Instead, they will carefully choose the cost and reward of their actions. And, when you look more closely, internships just don’t always seem to measure up. If you had to choose between picking your kids up from school (after class, before the second of your three paying jobs) or participating in an unpaid internship, which would you choose? I’m assuming it wouldn’t be the option that leaves you stranded in traffic, singing to your breakfast burrito with tears in your eyes. But who knows, maybe you really care about that resume.

opinions

September 22, 2015

•Modern Renaissance•

Red, white, and booze

Sarah Astra editor-in-chief This weekend I went to Madison, Wisconsin and wasn’t carded the whole time I was in a bar. This came as a bit of a shock to me. I have been carded at every bar I’ve been to in both Chicago and Elmhurst. In Elmhurst, they won’t even let you buy alcohol if your ID is vertical. So, why isn’t the same thing happening in Wisconsin? Maybe this is just my Millennial expectation – if alcohol is involved, I need my card to be ready. Some of our parents have shared stories about how they were drinking from an early age. My dad mentions that he would buy from a liquor store when he was only 16. While the good ol’ days may have been

fantastic for underage drinkers, it also provides a social point about alcohol and drinking in American culture – it was a commonplace piece of the teenage experience. Today, it is something that Millennials do in secret, hiding from their parents and the cops, hoping they won’t get caught. This causes them to take risks, maybe partying at a friend’s house and driving home late at night, so their parents won’t find out. With the drinking age as high as it is, there’s potentially a greater risk for teenagers and young adults to harm themselves simply because they haven’t been exposed to mature ways of consuming alcohol. Look at Europe, where the drinking age is only 18. While Europeans are some of the highest alcohol drinkers in the world, according to The Daily Beast in 2011, they don’t have nearly as many alcohol-related deaths as Americans (who only drink about three-fourths as much). Many speculate this is the case because Europeans tend to take public transportation after they drink – but I think it is deeper than this. After spending a semester in England, and spending a bit of time in pubs there, it seems as though Europeans drink for social reasons. It’s a way of getting to know a person, to hang out and enjoy someone’s company. Americans tend to drink with the singular goal of getting drunk, and look how that works out for the country.

Over 1.2 million drivers were arrested in 2011 for driving under the influence, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Knowing that piece of information, why wouldn’t someone card a person who looks under 40? It honestly makes no sense in my mind; especially in a large city like Madison, where many people could die from this mistake. I’m not saying alcohol is bad, because it isn’t. It’s just that American society has created the idea that alcohol isn’t to be touched until a person is 21. And, let’s be honest, if you tell someone to wait to do something, they are going to do it right away. Carding a person is essential in this day and age. If the legal drinking age is kept at 21, then it needs to be enforced, or else more deaths and accidents could potentially ensue. If the drinking age were to be lowered, however, carding would be less relevant. And, as a result, the attitude of the American people towards alcohol could change. The crude intention to get drunk might change into something similar to the European state of mind. Imagine a future where we gather, hang out, and simply enjoy each other’s company with alcohol not at the center. It’s like any current American party – sans the alcohol poisoning, DUI, or morning regret.

That kid’s name? Ahmed Mohamed. Now picture this same scenario, but with a kid named Tom. It’s hard to imagine that a smart, well-to-do European boy would be suspected of anything other than innocently wanting to work hard and impress his instructors. Of course no one would dare to think that good ol’ Tom had brought a bomb to school! Before you absently think the authorities would be alerted regardless, chew on this: there are several students in the United States who have brought homemade clocks to school before. They were all white. And Mohammed is the only one out of them to get arrested. This has been well documented by a variety of news sources in the recent weeks. Articles covering this story show pictures of Mohammed in handcuffs. His skin is brown, mouth slightly ajar in confusion and fear. It is always difficult to look at the face of a person in peril when you know they are innocent but are being treated as a criminal anyway. I don’t say these things in the hopes that I will piss off every white person who happens to read my column. I say it because the media’s portrayal of minorities is so much more important than we think. The way the media perceives a person or a group of people is likely going to be how those absorbing that media will perceive them. So if that particular media is spewing hatred about a minority over and

over again, it will then become an engrained part of society – as it already has. Next time you consume news media, reflect on how crimes are portrayed based on the suspect. When Dylan Roof, a white man who sported Confederate flags and swastikas, waltzed into a black church in Charleston, SC to massacre nine people, it was not called terrorism. Instead, the media portrayed it as an isolated incident in which a white man was unable to control himself or acted in a way “no one expected.” Roof, and many other mass shooters, may have committed acts of domestic terrorism, but the label never touches their privileged skin. Why is it that the only people portrayed as terrorists — or accused of being terrorists — are those with darker skin and Arabic names? We know the answer, but we are afraid of it, and we shouldn’t be. Because the truth is, if we are scared to admit that people of color are ignorantly portrayed by the media, and if we continue to allow ourselves to believe that “all lives matter” while turning a blind eye to the constant hate and discrimination that minorities face, then we have already lost as a nation that is supposed to only move forward. Be careful what you read, be critical of what you watch, and be open to the idea that you’ve got it all wrong.

0 to 100• • Creativity is not a crime

Zakiyah Toor staff writer

On the morning of Sept. 14th, a freshman attending MacArthur High School in Texas brought a homemade clock to class, eager and excited to show his teachers the hard work he had put into his new machine. It was quite a feat for the 14-year-old. But once he arrived at school, one of his teachers grew suspicious and alerted authorities based on her assumption that the student freely brought a bomb to school. After police arrived and handcuffed him in front of everyone, the ordinary clock was inspected and still believed to be of harm. This 14-year-old child was then held at a detention facility and indefinitely suspended from school.

According to medical studies certain heights and ages of people have corresponding weight requirements that they need to reach to be considered healthy. So, it is not necessary for a pageant girl to be a size zero, two, or four but we must accept that the girls that do workout and diet are more likely to fit into their “corresponding weight,” therefore having a higher chance of winning.

A couple years ago, Miss Iowa USA was considered a non-stereotypical pageant contestant and still got very far into the competition, the crowd loved her and she got many positive remarks. It is important to understand that all the judging that goes on is subjective; each judge has their own opinion and, even though they must follow the guidelines and judge girls on their “healthiness”, they are still giving out points based on their own personal feelings and opinions. The majority of one of Lexi’s pageants was based on appearance, which much of society believes is making contestants cover up as much of their “flaws” and fit the mainstream “beauty” standards as best as possible.

By Katrina Mioduszewski Well, let’s check what the unrealistic standards chart says. Are you a size 0 or 2? Better start a diet. Do you have clear skin? Cover it up with makeup. Is your hair pin-straight? Damage it. Are you tan? See yah at the tanning booth. We are trained to think that there are set standards for beauty, that if we don’t fit into certain categories we have no right to be confident, no right to strut down the sidewalk to class just because we think we’re lookin’ good that day. When speaking to returning pageant contestant Lexie Dames, she defined beauty as being: “happy with the way you look because that’s how God created you.” When Lexie first started college, she decided she needed to change some things in her life and in a spur of spontaneity decided to send in an application for Miss Teen Illinois USA. “ I didn’t want to continue floating around, like I did in high school, I wanted to make changes in my lifestyle, step outside my comfort zone, get more involved”. After sending in a photo and her basic information, a couple weeks later she received a questionnaire about herself and three days after that was breaking the news of her acceptance into a pageant. Her parents, totally oblivious to what she had planned, demanded proof. “I first went up to my dad and asked him what he would do if I told him I would be competing in a pageant, he said he would be very confused and my mom said she would think I was kidding.”

After the initial (positive) shock they showered Lexie with support. Her mother started making her meal plans and her father was always there to talk to and make things a bit more lighthearted alongside her brother.

Girls alter their natural look with makeup, tanning, dying their hair, and whatever else they think will make them look the most “beautiful”. But, Lexie experienced first-hand that contestants alter their appearance as much as they want. “These women are not walking around a stage, they become role models to the audience that is watching and voting for them, they are praised for letting some of their so-called flaws shine and taking pride in their heritage.” Some contestants have gone on stage proudly strutting with tattoos, birth marks, stretch marks, and cellulite, while some choose to cover it up with makeup. It is possible to go on stage without any makeup on, but it could be argued that their chances are significantly lower of winning while surrounded by women who have altered their natural appearance with the purpose of hiding their imperfections and falsely enhancing their “beauty” to look “perfect”. Lexie emphasized that “all judging is subjective” and we cannot control what a judge thinks of a woman’s appearance but it’s essential for us to remember that all types of women walk those stages and because they can take confidence in what makes them unique, we can all do the same. Flaws make us individuals, scars carry stories, and imperfections are what make us, us.

When asked about the shows and stereotypes revolving around “pageant girls”, Lexie immediately stood in their defense. “Those shows are completely overdramatized, not once have I seen a “crazy pageant mom dancing in the crowd”, although there were a few girls that were more focused on the winning aspect, it’s because they grew up doing pageantry and it’s become a lifestyle; these girls have expectations to reach from prior pageants and feel the pressure to succeed. The majority of the contestants cared about making connections and friends during their time there. “81 girls competing for one title yet they were all concerned about each other rather than themselves”, Lexie saw girls running around helping others finish their hair and makeup before even having their own done. In the end, she’s met a handful of genuine, lifelong friends that did leave a positive impact on her journey. For Lexie, the hardest aspect of pageantry was the lifestyle change. With one goal in mind, becoming healthier, Lexie transitioned from eating whatever she wants, whenever she wants, to having set schedules, pre-planned meals and working out every day. “I wanted to become healthier, and now it is not a routine anymore, eating healthy is part of my regular daily life, it give me energy and makes my body happy.” Women of any body size can take part in pageants, but because guidelines call for a contestant to “be healthy”, most of the girls decide to take on a more active and nutrition based lifestyle. Photos Provided by Katrina Mioduszewski

Photos Provided by Katrina Mioduszewski

Lexie Dames

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Oc tob er

E C C u l tu r a l E v e n t s UCC Youth/Confirmation Day Wheel of Wisdom Saturday, October 3, 2015 | $12.00

Godspell Elmhurst College Theatre Thursday, October 8, 2015 through Sunday, October 11, 2015 | $7.00

11th Annual Alumni Art Exhibition Elmhurst Art Alumni Saturday, October 10, 2015 through Saturday, October 24, 2015 | Free

Grad Schools 101 Dr. Don Martin & Dr. Earl Thompson, CPE Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Jazz Combos at Fitzs

Student Ensembles Thursday, October 15, 2015 | Free

Godspell

Elmhurst College Theatre Thursday, October 15, 2015 through Saturday, October 17, 2015 | $7.00

September 22, 2015

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September 22, 2015

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Riot fest holds true to name

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Cat Jones staff writer

Chicago’s tenth Riot Fest took place the weekend of the Sept. 11-13, and the fest has aged smoothly, while still bringing out the danger that American punk is losing. Held in Douglas Park, maneuvering through the grounds was especially easy this year. The final layout of the festival allowed for a straight-shot between the two main stages and their

companion stages. As one set ended, another started on a neighboing stage, making for a smooth transition. But the rioting almost didn’t happen. St. Anthony Hospital and Riot Fest initiated a lawsuit in the days before the festival because the Hospital claimed that the “extreme noise” would disrupt the patients. Luckily, the lawsuit was dropped because Riot fest agreed to add sound monitoring equip-

ment within St. Anthony’s. Hometown heroes, Alkaline Trio signaled the rise of Fall with their Friday night set. Matt Skiba’s black eyes opened to the crowd as the band projected their 90s Chicago punk into 2015’s air. Some of their more well known songs included “Armaggedon” and “My Little Needle”. With Skiba now playing in Blink-182, and Dan Andriano having just returned from his own tour, the trio brought an added fresh-

ness to their repertoire. The heightened sound was met with a common criticism of the weekend; fans split between a band’s “new” and “old” music, and a lack of the over-the-top energy necessary to turn concert goers into full rioters. Rainfall Friday morning set the ground for the weekend, creating the swamp pools that would keep through the last night and providing for annual muddy shoe posts (r.i.p. festival shoes). Temperatures at night never became unbearable, and the sunlight during the day restored the drylands. Saturday night hosted stage to the transsanity of System of a Down. In the initial carnage, multiple people nearly-suffocated in the mud, trampled by a moshing dogpile. Halfway through “B.Y.O.B.”, security signaled the band to stop and the crowd to open for the efficient movement of emergency carts. After a little time, the band resumed; but guitarist Daron Malakian commented that“it’s extremely awkward to sing when there are people who look like they’re dying right in front of me.”

Since System of a Down paused their performance, no one died during their set. But in the open air of the day, there was ample space, sunlight, fresh air, and dry land for friends to powwow on. It was easy to share the day, the air constantly filled with someone’s music, and a current of acceptance running level with all the fest’s attendants. Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, the real queen in pop, along with Ice Cube and Motorhead, set the bar with their Friday night closers. At 10p.m., rioters slugged through the exit gates with an energy that would carry through the next 50 hours. Snoop Dogg’s act was cut short after he arrived late and experienced technical difficulties. The festival closed with the marching rhythms of Modest Mouse as they came back for their encore. At the heart, Riot Fest remains a punk festival complete with volume/mixing swells, and a true sense of danger epitomized by System of a Down’s killer performance.

Straight outta the box office Zakiyah toor staff writer

Grossing an estimated $152,822,600 since its release last month, Straight Outta Compton has proven to be one of the biggest movie hits of 2015. Throughout its 150 minutes, the musical beginnings of Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and MC Ren are shown as they form the group N.W.A. in the mid-80s. Each one of the men come from humble beginnings, and in one way or another have experienced violence in their hometown of Compton, California. As the movie progresses, this violence seems to follow the group in different ways, sometimes even with each other. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young struggles to help his mother provide for their family, and because he has a child on the way, is desperate to succeed in his musical career. O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, portrayed by Ice Cube’s real-life son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., is seen working hard at writing raps while attending high school. The rest of the group get together and form N.W.A. under Eazy E’s label

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Ruthless Records. Soon after, Eazy-E hires Jerry Heller as So important are the graphic depictions of police violence towards the black community that mirrors the situation the demographic still faces today. their manager, who can be credited for both the rise and fall of the group.

The album Straight Outta Compton is released and instantly becomes a hit. The group goes on tour, finally making the money they always wanted, but encounter several problems along the way. After a fallout, they eventually go their separate ways, only to start working together again several years later. So important are the graphic depictions of police violence towards the black

community that mirrors the situation the demographic still faces today. It is nothing short of disturbing to watch as the young group is shown being brutalized and handcuffed simply because of the color of their skin. It is after one of these incidences that the group writes and produces the single “Fuck Tha Police” which faces criticism on a nationwide level. As captivating as it is, the film does have its faults, many of which lie in the portrayals of certain characters. Dr. Dre is notorious in real life for his abusive past towards women, yet none of that is shown or even hinted at in the film. In fact, Dre is portrayed as the all too likable good guy, constantly breaking up fights and standing up to violent bully Suge Knight, played by R.

Marcus Taylor. There is also very brief mention of Eazy -E’s drug dealing, which seemingly disappears as soon as N.W.A. takes flight. Dr. Dre is notorious in real life for his abusive past towards women, yet none of that is shown or even hinted at in the film Ending on an all too emotional note, Straight Outta Compton is definitely worth the long watch, important in its portrayal of the struggle of the group, and how, even decades later, the problems of black youth shown in the film still prevail.

Internet photo Corey Hawkins plays a cool Dr. Dre in Straight Outta Compton

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September 22, 2015

Chicago international film festival plans to steal the show Jonathan knitter staff writer

Thanks to the Chicago International Film Festival, you will have the opportunity to see potential blockbusters before they become household names. This year, the Chicago International Film Festival takes place Oct. 15-29. Like many of Chicago’s endless opportunities and events, the Chicago Interna-

Internet Photo This film shows challenges of a lesbian couple in 1950s New York

tional Film Festival showcases one of the city’s greatest strengths: the arts. With downtown right next door, this will be a must-see for movie junkies and the casual theatre-goer alike. The festival’s official website states that “this year, our mission remains the same: to bring Chicago the unique opportunity to see worldclass cinema, from new discoveries to international prizewinners, and hear directly from the talented people who’ve brought them to

Internet Photo Another one of the films featured at the Fest

us.” One of the better-known features that anyone, including the casual moviegoer, might enjoy is Hitchcock/Truffaut, which delves into the cinematic genius of Hitchcock as he created a unique style for each of his movies. With clips from interviews with the iconic director, this film is a treat for those who wish to see the evolution into the modern era of filmmaking. Another well-known classic makes it to the festival this year: Sherlock Holmes. With a deep and rich history, a silent film featuring one of the most famous actors to play the part was found last year in a French cinema archive and is ready to be shown to the world. Sherlock Holmes fans (and more modern Robert Downey Jr. fans) should definitely check out this tribute to the private eye. Carol, directed by the wonderful Cate Blanchett, will also make an appearance at the festival. Based on the novel, The Price of Salt, this

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tale highlights the struggles of a romance between two women in 1950s New York. Not only will you be the first to find a good film, but you can learn and meet the talent that goes into making Another wellknown classic makes it to the festival this year: Sherlock Holmes. a successful movie. Even if money is a concern, the event has plenty of opportunities for free movies and

workshops that bring out the best in the industry. By attending the festival, you articulate your love of movies and the city of Chicago. The Festival Committee reinforces this notion by stating on their website that “we strive to promote a deeper understanding of a diverse body of cultures, thus contributing to Chicago’s identity and orientation as an international city.”

Miley, what’s good? Daniel wiggin beat editor

It is crazy to think that each and every one of the nearly 3000 students around campus has a unique and highly personal story. Elmhurst College students express themselves in many different ways, such as posting on Facebook, sending

Photo Courtesy of Daniel Wiggin The dorm ladders at EC make getting to the top bunk a serious challenge

text messages, and taking rainbow-puking selfies on Snapchat. The Leader has decided to investigate one of the simpler forms of expression on campus. On the third floor of Stanger hall, some roommates decided to put bubble letters of the phrase “Miley what’s good?” in front of their window. The Leader wanted to figure out why. But first, I had to get into Stanger and figure out which room had the Nicki Minaj quote on display. My initial thought was to use a dorm ladder to climb up the wall of Stanger and knock on the window. While the dorm ladders are ridiculously long, (see the picture to the left) I doubted that they would reach all the way to the third floor of Stanger. Because of this, an alternate route had to be taken. After ditching the ladder, a friend let me in through the front door of Stanger and helped me find the room I was looking for. A sophomore by the name of Sarah Dalicandro opened the door and was more than happy to answer my ques-

tions. According to Sarah, the roommates put up the poster for a few reasons. The first being that “[they] thought it was funny when, Nicki Minaj confronted Miley Cyrus at the VMA’s.” Minaj took momentarily control of the VMA’s when she said“back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press. Miley what’s good?” Minaj’s question went viral on the internet and the roommates saw a picture of the phrase in a dorm on Tumblr. Sarah’s group of friends also had an “ongoing joke where [they] would say ‘Miley what’s good’ to each other”, so they decided to put it on their window. Sarah and I also talked about some related issues including the Nicki Minaj/ Taylor Swift twitter argument, and Taylor Swift’s new controversial music video “Wildest Dreams.” This music video is set in sub-Sahara Africa, but includes a cast that appears to be all white. Critics have

Photo courtesy of Daniel Wiggin Student expresses herself with display outside of the room window.

called this music video racist for “romanticizing white colonialism, and for using Africa as a backdrop for a story about white people” (USA Today). Sarah believes that Taylor Swift uses “cultural appropriation to gain fame, and she should do something that doesn’t hurt other cultures.” This is a glimpse into the perspective of one of the nearly 3,000 students at Elmhurst College. What’s great about our country is that you

can choose whether or not you agree with it. Each and every individual is entitled to his or her own opinion and has the freedom to express it. Whether you are putting a poster outside of your dorm room or sending a strangely animated Snapchat, remember to be thankful for your freedom to do so.

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September 22, 2015

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• Nick’s Picks •

Is football the problem?

Nick Cegielski sports editor

NFL players are similar to modern day gladiators. The stadium is their arena, their pads are their armor, and violence is their game. Yet, where is the line between game and reality for these players? Is this violent game causing more harm than good? From a viewership standpoint the NFL is a booming success. But with the recent negative media exposure and return from superstar running back Adrian Peterson, along with the recent Ray Rice domestic dispute, is the integrity of the NFL in trouble? Both of these players have been suspended for the entire 2014 regular season due to domestic violence cases. Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens was caught on tape knocking out his wife in an elevator and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was charged with negligent injury to a child after he reportedly beat his son with a switch, according to the Boston Globe. These may be the most covered examples of violent behavior happening off the field, but they certainly aren’t the first. In 2012, Aaron Hernandez, an emerging tight end for the New England Patriots was charged with double homicide, as reported by CNN. One-year prior, the New Orleans Saints were punished for paying their players a bonus if they injured an opposing teams player. Unfortunately the list for domestic violence cases in the NFL goes back many years. Is there a correlation between the violent aspects of the game that bleed into these players’ real lives?

Impressions Dr. Kathy Sexton-Radek, a psychology professor at Elmhurst College, believes that this problem is related to the individuals at hand as opposed to the game as a whole. “The rate of domestic violence charges in the NFL is lower than that of the general population within the same age range,” said Sexton-Radek as she pulled out a graph from the USA Today NFL Player Arrests Database. The graph portrays that the NFL domestic violence arrest rates are lower than the

national average of 25 to 29 year old men. The average age in the NFL varies from 25 to 27. “What we need to look at is the individual and the selfthought that they place on themselves, or how they think they are supposed to behave,” she said. “Could their persona be the reason they have trouble regulating the violence they perform in their job versus how to act in reality?” Social context and perspective may have more impact in violence related issues off the field than on the field. “If young children see the negative consequences of bad behavior on television or through social media, perhaps they will feel more inclined to avoid making a wrong decision,” she said. Negative media exposure on domestic violence cases could potentially decrease the problem in the NFL because of how impressionable the youth is. York High School’s football head coach Matt Monken believes more rules are needed at a young age, even high school. “I know some coaches who hit, hit, and hit in practice, and maybe that’s when there can be some carry over from a coach to a player, especially at a young age.” Monken said. “I think they should explain why you have to wear two days of helmets, and then three days of shoulder pads in the summer practice. Why and what specifically are these rules for? There needs to be more guidelines from the IHSA (Illinois High School Association).” According to the IHSA football proposal, law 3.157 states, “During the summer contact period, schools may not participate in any football activities that involve ‘full contact’ or allow players to be in full pads, even if ‘full contact’ doesn’t occur.” Do these three weeks of summer limitations really keep the kids safe? Once September strolls along and the school bell rings, now the kids can have at it? Although these rules have been placed with good intentions, coach Monken also believes the coaches should receive more information on what they are actually trying to accomplish. For instance, a set criteria for what they should be practicing while they are not hitting. Learning football as a child, or an adolescent, is a delicate process. When teaching such impressionable minds how to play an aggressive game, these coaches emphasize the importance of understanding the proper techniques in order to limit the amount of violent behavior. As each level of play increases, so does the talent and intensity of the game.

The Big Show College and professional football takes a giant leap when it comes to violence. No longer are children playing the game, rather men who have been playing their whole lives. These men who move on to the amateur and professional level are some of the best around the world. A game now turns into a job. The NFL makes about $9 billion a year in revenue according to Forbes. These controversies seem to turn the NFL into a must watch soap opera as Forbes reports that the league wants to make $25 billion in annual revenue by the year 2027. With close monitoring on a popular game, these athletes become famous almost instantly, whether that be for a great play or a dumb decision off field. Most of the fame begins in college, and the Elmhurst College football head coach, Ron Planz, thinks these players should be held to a higher standard. “Once you chose to be an athlete or play football, you immediately throw yourself in the spotlight. You aren’t just a student anymore,” Planz says. “The microscope gets zoomed in more on you now, so guys need to understand that they now have a status as an athlete, especially a football player.” Does this status get misconstrued as a stereotype? Are all football players violent criminals? These recent cases of domestic violence have only furthered the idea that the culture of football breeds violence. Super bowl champion Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks believes the violence ends when the game does. “As NFL players, we do not play a gentle game,” admits Wil-

son in the article he wrote for the Player’s Tribune. “But our hits, our anger, our aggressive behaviors need to be regulated and confined to the field.” When playing such an aggressive game, how is it possible to confine that behavior only on the field? When you are being paid to sack a quarterback, or punish a running back, doesn’t that make you a violent person? “I don’t know about that,” says Planz as he releases a deep sigh and sits back in his chair. “The best analogy I have is [that] my grandfather was a world war two veteran and he was a kind, gentle, person. He obviously did some things in war that were violent and extreme. I don’t think it’s a game issue or a sport issue, but it’s a people issue. Some people can’t handle transitioning what I am on the field to what I am off the field, to what I was as a soldier to what I should be in life.”

Is football the problem? The violence of football is inevitable, but at what cost? The numbers indicate that the national average of domestic violence is lower in the NFL than it is in the general population, and coaches and players believe that the violence can be contained on the field. So why do we keep hearing about players beating their wives, or getting in a brawl at a bar? Perhaps it is because the punishment does not always fit the crime in the NFL. If a player is caught for drug use, this could be anywhere from injecting steroids, to driving under the influence, or smoking marijuana, the highest degree of punishment against that player for a first time offense is up to a four game suspension, according to the NFL. However, in July of 2014, Ray Rice’s punishment for violating

the NFL’s personal conduct policy with his domestic violence arrest was only a two game suspension, reported ESPN. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received scrutiny from the media, fans, and the public who did not believe this was a strict enough punishment. “At times, however, and despite our best efforts, we fall short of our goals. We clearly did so in response to a recent incident of domestic violence,” wrote Goodell in a letter to all the NFL owners. “I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values. I didn’t get it right. Simply put, we have to do better. And we will.” Rice was then suspended from the NFL indefinitely, and has yet to play since this incident. Goodell implemented a new domestic violence policy for the league. According to ESPN, a first time offender will be suspended for six games, and any instances after that will result in a lifetime suspension. If we go back to the prehistoric times of 2005, before social media was born, there were nine cases of domestic violence. Only one of those players was suspended for one game, while the rest were only fined, reports Louisa Thomas of Grantland. Domestic violence is not a new issue for the NFL. Is the violent nature of the sport the problem? Or are the ethics of making money and keeping players on the field the real dilemma? Football players are to gladiators as the NFL is to the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar changed the nature of the Roman Empire, and perhaps Goodell will fix the corruptness of the NFL. Only time will tell.

The Baltimore Raven’s running back, Ray Rice, was accused of hitting his wife.

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Trace’s sports round-up Trace nardi staff writer

Women’s Soccer On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Elmhurst women’s soccer team landed a big victory over Benedictine University with a 4-0 win. Senior forward Anna Garritano earned a hat trick by scoring two goals within 90 seconds and a third goal 54 minutes later to seal the shut out for the Bluejays. Junior Megan Hart assisted Garritano for two of the goals while Garritano scored a third goal on a Benedictine defensive error. Freshman Sidney O’Keefe scored her first goal of the season 27 minutes in to give the Bluejays a 3-0 lead. Sophomore goalkeeper Melinda Vickers earned the win with three saves and shared the shut out with junior goalkeeper Emily Gordon who blocked for two saves. The Bluejays hope to add to their 4-0-1 winning record when they host UW-La Crosse on Sunday, Sept. 20 at noon.

Women’s Volleyball

The Elmhurst women’s volleyball team scored two wins on the opening day of play at the Carthage College Tournament on Friday, Sept. 18. The lady Bluejays opened with a 25-15, 25-22, and 25-13 win over Carroll University and closed the day with a 25-23, 25-13, and 25-17 win over Bethel University. Ranked No. 14 in the latest AVCA Division III poll, the Bluejays have powered their way to a record of 9-2 for the season.

easily in the second and third sets for the victory. The Bluejays hit for .240 for the match with 36 kills and 13 errors in 96 swings. Rogers and Lawrence both had 11 kills. Lawrence hit a team-high of five blocks and Nimrick tallied six kills. In the final day of play, Elmhurst will play fifth-ranked UW-Stevens Point and UW-Eau Claire on the second day of the tournament.

September 22, 2015

Men’s Soccer On Friday, Sept. 11, the Elmhurst men’s soccer match ended in a scoreless draw against Albion College. The Bluejays out shot Albion 17-11. Elmhurst put four shots on goal compared to Albion’s two shots on goals. Freshman Jake Cohen had one shot on frame during the first half. During the second half, sophomore goalkeeper Nick King made a huge save during an Albion one-on-one

attempt. During the final seconds of the second half, senior Jeff Kading sliced a shot that was blocked by Albion. In the second overtime, Kading kicked again from 20 yards, just missing the frame. King made two saves in the game and recorded his first shut out for the season. The Bluejays will travel to Spaulding University (Ky.) for their next match on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 5p.m. eastern time.

Elmhurst 3, Carroll 0 Elmhurst totaled seven aces in the three-set sweep of Carroll. Sophomore Mel Lundin led the lady Bluejays with 12 kills while sophomores Alli Rogers and Mary Lawrence each totaled 10 kills. Junior Hannah Nimrick added eight kills, 30 assists and eight digs. Sophomore Amy Schyver racked up 15 digs to add to the victory.

Elmhurst 3, Bethel 0 The Bluejays battled a tight game in the first set, but scored

EC football team starts off season at 2-0 Nick Cegielski sports editor

In a close win against Hope College on Sept. 12, the EC Bluejays start off their 2015 season 2-0. The Bluejays held on to a 13-7 lead with some struggles on offense but a strong performance from their defense. EC started the game with some steam and took advantage of their first three possessions on offense, scoring

their 13-point total within this span. Marching from their own 10-yard line the Bluejays strung together a series of successful plays only to be capped off by a field goal. One of Elmhurst’s CCIW Players of the Week, running back Josh Williams, battled for 68 of the 80 total yards accumulated in their opening drive, and then settled for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Forcing Hope College to punt allowed EC their second

Elmhurst’s Andy Warsen takes down Hope College player.

chance on offense. In another tough series, EC drove 73 yards down the field ending in Williams’ only touchdown run. The defense held tough yet again causing Hope to have to punt the ball for their third time in a row. This time EC went 56 yards in 13 plays and Brett Bayer, CCIW Player of the Week, kicked his second field goal of the game and a 13-0 lead. Hope College ended the first half with a spark of mo-

mentum. They went to work on their two-minute drill and scored a touchdown through the air with 20 seconds left in the half. EC nearly doubled Hope’s total yards in the first half and appeared to be on their way to a blowout win, but both defenses would play exceptional second halves and the score would remain the same, ending in a Bluejays victory. In the first two games of the season, EC is executing

a strong run game and solid work on defense. On the ground the Bluejays tallied 318 yards and only 64 yards in their passing game. Williams had his second consecutive big game rushing for 243 yards and EC’s lone touchdown. Throughout the first two games the Bluejays have only allowed 24 points on defense, and have scored 44. Continued on page 16.

Photo by Hannah Jasinski

September 22, 2015

sports

ecleader.org

1 51 411 5 9 20 Infographic by Fabian Vasquez

EC fall sports conference and overall record.

EC football team starts off season at 2- 0 Nick Cegielski sports editor

Next Saturday, Sept. 26, EC will play their first away game in Iowa against Simpson College at 1p.m.

See EC football on page 14

Photo by Hannah Jasinski

ELmhurst linebacker Trent Howard takes a moment to celebrate after his defense recovers a fumble.