ISSUE 10 04.12.22 ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
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ELMHURST COMMUNITY GATHERS AT WILDER PARK FOR UKRAINE VIGIL
Attendees present at Ukraine Vigil at Wilder Park.
Emmy Shaffer and Ryan Windle Staff Writer and Arts + Culture Editor Blue and yellow flags flew in the air solemnly in Wilder Park as Ukrainians and supporters alike stood in solidarity with the international Ukrainian community. The City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst University, the Elmhurst Park District, Elmhurst Community School District 205, and the Elmhurst Public Library came together to organize a vigil to show solidarity with Ukraine on April 6, in Wilder Park. Diana Tkach, an EU and Ukrainian student who spoke at the event, was pleased with how it went and was glad to be given the opportunity to share her story.
PHOTO BY Emmy Shaffer
“It meant a lot to me knowing that this is a great opportunity to express my feelings and provide some input on what is really going on Ukrainian soil,” said Tkach. “I think Elmhurst has done an incredible job at making this event work by bringing Ukrainians with various backgrounds to share their story, art, and music.”
concerned for loved ones abroad, the millions who have been displaced, and those grieving lives lost,” said the April 5 email sent to the EU campus.
The event displayed artwork and ways to donate to help send relief to Ukraine.
Many people from the community came and spoke, including City of Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin, Reverend H. Scott Matheney, EU students, and Ukrainian refugees who were able to seek help and safety.
Some of the organizations receiving relief from these donations are the National Bank of Ukraine, Work Central Kitchen, and the Ukraine Freedom Fund. All organizations are listed on the City of Elmhurst website, elmhurst.org/ukraine.
“I am very proud to be part of this community where our residents – civic partners and residents – have all come together and stand united as we support the people and the country of Ukraine,” said Levin.
“Elmhurst community members will stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight to maintain their democracy, while showing support to those
The event was broadcast and posted on the City of Elmhurst YouTube page, ElmhurstTV.
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EDITORIAL BOARD GIANNA MONTESANO/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OLIVIA JANICKE/ COPY EDITOR RYAN WINDLE/ ARTS + CULTURE EDITOR JARED BOEKENHAUER/ NEWS EDITOR ERIC LUTZ/ FACULTY ADVISER ASSISTANTS RACHEL FRATT/ Graphic Editor ABBEY MARK/ Graphic Editor
STAFF KAY LOVING EMMY SHAFFER KWEEN JEÁN NUMAIR YOUNUS KEITHLEEN MENDOZA MINH NGUYEN LANA GARNICA NAYRIN BANUELOS- BOGARIN
NEWS
ISSUE 10
JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON CONFIRMED TO SUPREME COURT Jared Boekenhauer News Editor Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was officially confirmed to the Supreme Court by the U.S. Senate on Friday, April 8, after numerous days of confirmation hearings by a vote of 53-47. Jackson is the first Black woman to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. President Joe Biden posted on Instagram, “Today is a good day — a day that history is going to remember.” “It has taken 232 years,” said Jackson in her speech on the White House lawn, following the confirmation. “And 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it.”
she is replacing, Justice Stephen Breyer. Jackson is set to take her spot on the court later in the summer when Breyer officially steps down. Jackson’s confirmation was considered “bipartisan” according to NPR, with just three Republican senators voting for her placement on the Supreme Court. Prior to the vote, Sen. Mitt Romney confirmed his support for Jackson saying, “After reviewing Judge Jackson’s record and testimony, I have concluded that she is a well-qualified jurist and a person of honor.” “While I do not expect to agree with every decision she may make on the Court, I believe that she more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity,” he continued. “I congratulate Judge Jackson on her expected confirmation and look forward to her continued service to our nation.”
Jackson was a law clerk for the justice whom CONTACT US THE LEADER NEWSPAPER
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ABOUT US The Leader is the student-run newspaper to the students, faculty, and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff and are not intended to represent those of the EU atlarge. No text, photos, or art can be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson being confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Students eating at the Iftar dinner in Founders Lounge.
ISSUE 10
PHOTO BY Numair Younus
MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION BRINGS IFTAR TO CAMPUS Numair Younus Staff Writer Elmhurst University held its annual Iftar on April 4, located in the Founder’s Lounge. This was a celebration of the Muslim students of EU who broke their fast at sunset. Iftar is when Muslims gather around the dinner table with family members and get ready to break their fast. The event was hosted by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) of EU and the Spiritual Life Council of Elmhurst. The event was held to allow everyone to join and spiritually experience what actually happens during Iftar. MSA Treasurer Afrah Ahmed was one of the students who organized the event. “What I loved most about the Iftar was getting to see so many different people in one place sharing a meal together,” said Ahmed. “It was really nice having people come up to me and ask things like ‘is it okay if we watch you guys pray’ or ‘how do you know what time to break fast?’”
“You could tell they were genuinely curious, which that itself meant so much to me,” continued Ahmed.
People celebrate Iftar in different and special ways, and each family has something traditional to their household.
Iftar, for Muslims, is a daily practice during the month of Ramadan. For the students at EU, this is something they get to experience once a year. Curious students ask questions about the entire process and what Muslims eat after fasting the whole day.
“Our Iftar usually consists of fruits, spring rolls, mozzarella sticks, and some Indian dish my mom decides to make [at the] last minute,” said Ahmed. “It’s a random selection, but it’s got something for everyone on the table.”
As demonstrated at the event, Muslims break their fast with a date and water, as this is what Prophet Muhammaed (PBUH) did when he broke his fast. It is accustomed to break every fast with a date and to also say a blessing called Bismillah, which translates to in the name of God. Then, they start eating with the right hand as that is what is accustomed as tradition. EU senior Erum Atcha recalled her feelings toward Iftar when she was younger. “When I was little, I didn’t like dates, but slowly, I grew to appreciate its caramel-like, sweet, sweet taste,” Atcha said. “I could eat a million in a single setting.” PAGE 03
EU senior Farah Qureshi also recalled her family’s Iftar tradition of fruit, a small dessert, and prayers. “At home, we always break our fast with a date and water. It is followed by paties and fruit chaat,” said Qureshi. “After prayer, we have some type of food and then a very small dessert. The dinner meal always varies for us, but last night it was beef stew [nihari].” Everyone has their own types of food they crave throughout the day, and ultimately they get included in the Iftar. “This changes every year for me, but I definitely have some type of food every Ramadan that I am absolutely obsessed with,” said Qureshi “This year, it’s Ghirardelli dark chocolate with sea salt caramel squares.” 04/12
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ALL RISE: EMERGING LEGAL ISSUES LECTURE TALKS SUPREME COURT NOMINEES Nayrin Banuelos-Bogarin Staff Writer Students gathered in Old Main on Thursday, April 5, to discuss “Emerging Legal Issues” by pre-law adviser Lisa Woods and adjunct professor Steven Kowal. Kentanji Brown Jackson’s photo appeared on the first slide as Woods began to discuss that Jackson is the newest Supreme Court nominee, nominated by President Joe Biden.
C O N TA C T GIANNA MONTESANO
Woods and Kowal explained the confirmation process for Supreme Court justice nominees has become more contentious and politicized over time. Former President Donald Trump was cited as an example when describing his nominations of three justices confirmed under his term. This was noted as an issue that generated much controversy in his term because of the fact that Former President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland as a Supreme Court justice and the Republican-led Senate decided it was too close to the election to vote to confirm or deny Judge Garland. Kowal began his portion of the presentation explaining that the senate vote results for the confirmation of a Supreme Court justice have changed over time. Today, they are evenly split. It was brought to the group’s attention that there have been 15 justices confirmed by Republican presidents and eight justices confirmed by Democratic presidents.
@ gmont0454@365.elmhurst.edu
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President Biden’s administration has put together a committee that would propose several different methods that could address the court packing issue seen today. The first proposal discussed changing the number of justices in the Supreme Court. The constitution does not specify how many justices should be put in place. This proposal would emphasize on restoring balance. Another proposal that was discussed included imposing a systematic approach to the timing of nominations. PAGE 04
As it stands today, Supreme Court justices end their term when they retire or die. Implementing a fixed number of years for a term could remedy the issue of having some presidents nominate more justices than others. Woods and Kowal opened the discussion up to the students at the end of their presentation with students asking, “What is the best policy direction for the Supreme Court?” and “Should we continue with the current selection process?” When discussing the matters for which Jackson was criticized for her actions as a judge during her questioning by the Senate, Kowal explained the potential rationale behind the questioning. “The senators used the questioning to raise questions that will be supportive of their political interests and directions,” said Kowal. “This has moved it to what can be partisan.” Kowal admitted that he would hate the idea of making the Supreme Court more responsive to political issues. “Justices shouldn’t be focused on a litmus test that they have to gain before being a justice,” said Kowal. Woods agreed by saying, “If you have a case that goes before the Supreme Court, you want that justice to know the law and do their job well.” While she stated this, she also acknowledged that there are different ways that the constitution is interpreted, which is what essentially makes liberal thinkers and politicians different from those who are conservative. Update: Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court on Friday, April 8, by a Senate vote of 53-47.
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ISSUE 10
SGA ELECTION APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Jared Boekenhauer News Editor As the school year comes to an end, Student Government Association (SGA) opened their senator applications on April 6, for students interested in running for the 2022-2023 school year. The following senator positions are open for election: Senator for academic affairs, commuter and transfer students, community service, student affairs, alumni affairs, diversity and inclusion, clubs and organizations, residents, sustainability, information technology, student services, and the ELSA program. “SGA is seeking candidates that want to make campus a better place for everyone and are motivated in doing so,” said SGA Vice President Isabely Hernandez. “We are looking for candidates
that are dedicated to listening to students and responding to their needs in a way that will impact campus in a positive way.” Hernandez said that anyone who is hesitant should, regardless, reach out for information about the positions available. “Each position that is open targets many different aspects of student life and campus life which is why I am confident that many people will have interest in these positions,” said Hernandez. “I joined SGA because I knew that it would give me the opportunity to help better the experience of students on campus.” Students have until April 21, to apply with elections taking place on April 28, during protected hour. The applications are available at the Office of Student Involvement or by scanning the QR code on SGA’s Instagram page. INTERNET PHOTO
SGA PRESENTS A NEW FOOD DRIVE EVENT AT ELMHURST Minh Nguyen Staff Writer SGA accepted a proposal for an upcoming food drive event at Elmhurst University during their meeting on March 31.
“This event will be a great opportunity to serve for needy families,” Atcha continued. “But also to come together as a community to do something small — but one that adds more positivity and warmth into the world.” The food drive will be on April 12, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Prospect North of the Frick Center.
The event is a student-oriented event as EU students will gather around and pack food and ingredients for families in need within the Chicagoland area. Some of the ingredients they will pack include sugar, pasta, flour, tomato sauce, Kool-Aid, rice, dry beans, and other things. “The organization I will be working with is ICNA Relief Food Pantry,” said SGA senator Erum Atcha. “Their office is in Glendale Heights. This event will be during the holy month of Ramadan for Muslim students on campus.” The food drive event is an opportunity for EU students to come together and create a positive impact. “My goal for this event,” Atcha told The Leader. “Is to bring the Elmhurst community together, Muslim or not, and make 20 boxes with necessary food items for the pantry.”
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EU GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM MOVES UP IN U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS’ RANKINGS Nayrin Banuelos-Bogarin
work and strength of the program at EU.
Staff Writer
“Receiving this distinction over time is an indication of consistent excellence in teaching, and preparation of students for advanced nursing roles,” said Salvador. “We look forward to recognition next year of our new DNP program as well.”
In March, record-setting rankings were given to Elmhurst University Master’s Program in Nursing in U.S. News annual rankings.
The DNP was approved by the higher learning commission in Oct. 2021, and was announced to campus the same month as part of President Troy VanAken’s 150 anniversary plans. The DNP will be EU’s first ever doctoral degree available to interested students.
The program moved up 11 spots in the U.S. News list of best graduate schools for nursing in the United States. EU’s program now sits at number 135 in the nation. EU ranks high and not far behind research-based institutions like the University of Illinois at Chicago and Rush University. The Graduate Nursing Program on campus consists of multiple graduate degrees. These include the degrees for Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice, Master of Science in Nursing, and soon the program will include a new addition of a graduate degree for Doctor of Nursing Practice. In the Fall semester of 2022, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will welcome a new graduate degree program. Diane Salvador, executive director of Elmhurst’s department of nursing and health sciences, reflected on this sentiment, in an article released on March 29, 2022 by the Office of Marketing and Communications. “We are excited to again be recognized at the national and state levels for our excellence in master’s level nursing education,” Salvador said. The addition of the doctoral program is indicative of the
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GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
TWO-DAY POWER OUTAGE SHOCKS EU CAMPUS Minh Nguyen
working either.”
Staff Writer
“I called public safety and asked them how long this will take,” Dang continued. “But they said that they did not know either. Luckily, I asked one of my friends who was also staying on campus for the break, and he told me that they still have power in Cureton. So, I immediately packed all my stuff and brought the whole kitchen to Cureton’s lounge.”
The unprecedented two-day-long power outage at Elmhurst University left Bluejays not knowing whether to laugh or cry. An unexpected hit on the power lines during utility construction resulted in the power shutdown in some residential halls and academic buildings from March 26, through March 28. Students on campus were utterly unprepared for the incident. “It was around 2 p.m. when I just woke up,” said Phuong “Peter” Dang, a Stanger Hall resident. “I did not know the power was out until I asked my roommate whether he could use the Wi-Fi. Then I came to the lounge to make something to eat. However, the lounge’s stove was not
Since only three buildings, Cureton Hall, R.A. Faganel Hall, and A.C. Buehler Library, had power, many students had to walk in the dark to eat and shower. “It’s like camping,” Dang joked. “The whole campus was pitch black. There was not even a single ray of light. Yet, I had to walk back alone from Cureton to my dorm [Stanger Hall]. I felt like I was a protagonist in a horror movie.”
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Dealing with spoiled food in the fridge was another common difficulty for EU residents during those two days. “My roommate threw away the whole fridge,” said Schick Hall resident Sebastian Lara. “When I came back to my room after spring break, my room smelled so bad. I thought it was the smell of some sort of dead animal. So, I went around the room to inspect what caused the smell.” “Then I realized that it was my roommate’s fridge. I saw a brown liquid leaking through his fridge;” Lara continued, “I opened it, and it was his milk that all went bad. So, I called him, and he said that just [threw] the whole thing away because it is impossible to clean up that mess.”
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ARTS + CULTURE
ISSUE 10
STUDENT ART SHOW Check out student art in Founder’s Lounge until April 24.
Elmhurst student artwork.
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PHOTOS BY Ryan Windle and Rachel Fratt
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ISSUE 10
“Theory of Relativity” cast taking their bow after the performance.
PHOTO BY Ryan Windle
ELMHURST UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PERFORM “THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY” ON THE MILL THEATER STAGE Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor “We have missed much. We have missed live theater events. We have missed the enthusiasm of crowds. More importantly, we have surely learned much about ourselves in missing each other,” said Janice Pohl in the director’s welcome. The most recent musical to be presented by Elmhurst University’s department of theater and dance, “The Theory of Relativity,” was performed on March 31 through April 3, with performances the following weekend on April 7 through 9. “It felt nice to finally be working on a live musical again after the pandemic,” said EU sophomore Amelia McNeil, who played Mira in the production. “We had virtual cabarets last year, but it really wasn’t the same.”
This one-act musical contains a variation of songs and monologues of various different characters that are connected to each other. The music and lyrics were composed by Neil Bartram and the book was written by Bryan Hill.
held on May 7 and 8.
There are a wide variety of musical selections, with a typical musical theater style in the songs “End of the Line” and “Julie’s Song”; some jazzy numbers such as the song “Me and Ricky”; and more stripped-back songs such as “Promise Me This” and “Footprint.” A question of this musical, posed by Janice Pohl in the same director’s welcome, states “What happens when a theory about the relationships of light, mass, and energy intersects with a song cycle?” As the musical progresses, the question slowly begins to answer itself. The next performance set to be on the Mill Theater stage is their One Acts, which will be PAGE 09
POSTER BY Andrew Sobol
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ARTS + CULTURE
THE TIKTOK BOOM OF 2020 AND ITS IMPACT TWO YEARS INTO COVID-19 Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor Ever since COVID-19 has taken over the world, the TikTok app has slowly risen to the top. The reason for this rise in popularity can be attributed to bored students left with an endless amount of time on their hands. In a small survey containing 10 Elmhurst University students, six of the 10 students reported first downloading the app due to quarantine and having nothing else to do. A quick download of the app left students obsessed, with some spending most of their free time on the app. Half of the students in the survey reported using the app every day, but even then, all over campus students huddle together in groups, scrolling through their For You Page (FYP), laughing amongst their friends about the latest TikTok trend. While TikTok is a nice way to relax, students have raised concerns about how distracting the app can be from their everyday life and the stress it may cause. “It’s easy to relax by watching TikToks,” said EU senior Jessie Goodreid. “I usually try to not use TikTok during weekdays because it can be distracting, and I have frequently had periods of time where I stop using the app altogether for various reasons.”
appreciation for this app getting them through quarantine. There are various reasons why the app is so popular amongst students and many praise TikTok for having short videos that grab attention instantly. “The shortness of the videos while still being informative (sometimes) grabs attention,” said EU junior Bailey Hoenig. Other students agreed the shortness of the videos is what grabs their attention, but some students mentioned their main reason for enjoying the app is the community that has been created through it. EU senior Marieli Urquizai enjoys TikTok for this reason, stating “I’m a content creator so I have the joy of getting to be much more involved with the act of creating videos and interacting with my followers.” However, the main appeal to everyone is the FYP, which generates content for each user, specifically tailored to their likes and follows. Not one FYP is the same as the next, obscuring the definition of a “popular” TikTok. “I am fascinated by the capacity for knowledge and creativity humans have,” stated Goodreid. “I also like
EU senior Sarina Okrzesik stated, “I was an avid TikTok user in the past, but not anymore. I stopped using it because it stressed me out so much.” Even though TikTok may have some downsides, students have a lot of love for this app and expressed GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
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ISSUE 10 to watch animal videos on TikTok.” “For the most part it is a fun way to interact with content I am interested in,” said Urquizai. Most students agree their FYP is a great reflection of what they are most interested in using TikTok for, and there are some features on the app which can help users tailor the content they are shown. “I find that it better reflects me the more often I tap ‘I am not interested in this video’ if it is something I’m not interested in, rather than just scrolling away,” said Goodreid. Another driving feature of this app is that most celebrities do poorly on this platform. Most of the famous creators on the app are average people who happened to gain a large following by posting TikToks, and their popularity is thanks to the algorithm, not status. “You need a personality on TikTok,” said EU senior Janet Perezchica. “That’s why celebrities don’t really do well on there because they treat it like it’s Instagram.”
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G WITH THE BEATS Gianna Montesano Editor-in-Chief Shawn Mendes is gonna miss you when you’re gone In his comeback single, “When You’re Gone,” Shawn Mendes ushers in a new era of music for his fourth album in juxtaposition to his 2020 album “Wonder,” and its themes of finding yourself and intense love for your significant other. The latter is explored in Mendes’ new single, an upbeat pop song backed by a constant light drum beat inducing an infectious foot tap as you sing along to missing an ex who you could never imagine breaking up with. For Mendes, it’s Camila Cabello. A light synth is echoed by an occasional triangle, which brightens up the song when Mendes mentions Cabello with the lyrics, “I don’t wanna know what it’s like when you’re gone for good.”
The lyrics of heartbreak are simple, a Mendes specialty, but they effectively convey the feelings of a postbreak-up. Reeling in the past and scrolling through your camera roll, only to be thrown into a mental hell of what was and what could have been. In the bridge, as he delves into his emotions lyrically, he pulls back the instruments, stripping the synth to be replaced with a heavier drumbeat that sonically is slower than the rest of the song, showing that the shiny beat is masking an otherwise sad song. While a relatively safe pop single, it works for Mendes, taking him back to his 2017 “Illuminate” roots of simplicity, while maintaining more mature production and instrumentals. No word on when Mendes will be releasing the fourth album, but this is the second single to follow the heartbroken Mendes era. This is Harry’s House, not Harry’s Home It could have been an April Fools prank, but Harry Styles did not clown around with the release of his debut single “As It Was” off his third album, “Harry’s House,” set to hit streaming services and stores on May 20. “As It Was” starts off with static audio of a young kid saying, “Come on Harry, we
wanna say goodnight to you,” before jumping into a whimsically high 80s pop synth that loops into the listener into a daze with the beat continuing throughout the song. This song feels like summer. W i n - dows down as the warm summer breeze fill your car with your arms jiving to the beat of the song as you drive off with friends to forget your problems for a day at the lake. It’s simple, but profound, sounding like a modern twist on the Beach Boys with daddy issues. The song is speculated to be about the divorce of Styles’ parents because of the lyrics “Ringin’ the bell and nobody’s coming to help. Your daddy lives by himself, he just wants to know that you’re well,” and about growing up when life isn’t the same anymore. Life has not been the same for Styles. People are finding him in a lull of nothingness at home, a homage to the album about Harry’s house throughout the years. His vocals are mellow but sharp, hitting each word perfectly, revealing the state of his mind — especially with the music video that depicts a never-ending spiral with one person trying to revert to their old ways. But as the song says, “you know it’s not the same as it was.”
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LOOK, IT’S ME: MODERN DIVERSE CAST REPRESENTATION IN ANIMATION IMPACTS VIEWERS ACROSS ALL AGES Keithleen Mendoza Staff Writer In light of the release of films such as “Soul,” “Encanto,” and “Turning Red,” some may wonder why cultural diversity within animation matters to many. Those who aren’t as impacted by the topic of representation might ask why it’s necessary, or why it’s been such a long, ongoing discussion in recent years. For people of color (POC) who have often felt either stereotyped or invisible, this is a conversation that has good reason for being long-standing. It’s especially important in a type of media that often shows children and their families how they are perceived in society. What someone sees every time they turn on the TV or go to the movie theater matters. If they’re constantly met with the same type of character, then there’s room for them to feel like their experiences aren’t as valued in comparison. When remembering characters that shaped their childhood, POC often turn to those they felt represented them and their community. Even as adults, people can still experience the impact these films make. This can be in the form of having more people express interest in their culture, or feeling like their family has a connection with what is happening on screen. When asked about their favorite POC characters, Elmhurst University students had a few on their minds.
‘Encanto,’ even though ‘Coco’ is my favorite movie of all time,” said EU senior Princess GonzalesEsparza, graphic designer for The Leader. “I just resonate so much with her character.” “Mine are Static Shock, Luz Noceda, Miles Morales, Joe Gardner, and Kuzco,” said EU junior, Gabriel Galindo. The importance of these characters often lies in the conversations they spark through how they are portrayed. One can argue that companies like Disney have had representation for a long time, yet that argument fails to mention the type of portrayal POC have had.
“WE ARE NOT TWO DIMENSIONAL AND WE ARE MUCH MORE THAN TYPICAL HOLLYWOOD STEREOTYPES.”
It only takes a quick Google search before controversies such as the blatantly racist scenes present in the Disney movies “Aristocats,” “Peter Pan,” and “Pocahontas” pop up. These are films that raised a generation, but at the same time, these films ridiculed a good portion of it. What makes the positive difference is the media that has been made using research and the input of POC creators. Having people who can actually relate to the character be part of the process is an
“My favorite POC character is Luisa from
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extremely important aspect and is a big reason why recent releases have been more successful amongst a more diverse audience. Take the scene in “Static Shock” where Virgil comes across his friend Richie’s racist father. It was a moment in television that exposed young viewers to the experiences Black children often go through growing up and is a conversation otherwise unspoken in other shows. This series put the spotlight on a Black superhero in a time when the ones in TV and film were predominantly white. This show gave the audiences a POC hero to look up to in a time before a film like “Black Panther” hit the theaters. Having a POC character simply be there, speaking their own language and practicing their culture, makes an impact on its own too. Seeing characters be written in a true, authentic way that isn’t a mockery is such an important way to include diverse audiences. “I’ve always believed film, media, and TV should represent the world we live in, and our world is filled with people from all different types of backgrounds,” said Gonzales-Esparza. “I think it’s so important to advocate for representation because it helps us realize our voices and stories are valued and appreciated.” “We are not two dimensional and we are much more than typical Hollywood stereotypes.” G onzales-Esp ar za emphasized. “I believe having representation of POC in animation does make an impact because people connect with the characters they see on the screen,” said Galindo. “It inspires them when it’s a positive and rich connection with the character.”
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Student looks over hand of cards.
ISSUE 10
PHOTOS BY Numair Younus
MY EXPERIENCE PLAYING THE CARDS AT ELMHURST UNIVERSITY’S FIRST “YU-GI-OH” DUEL MANIA Numair Younus Staff Writer Elmhurst University’s first ever “Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Mania” took place on April 1, and taught me more about the game I grew up loving. After seeing the poster in the Frick Center stating “Elmhurst University eSportsPresents: Duel Mania, April 1, 1:30-4:30 @ Frick Center,” I thought it was an April Fools joke. As I approached the Frick Center, I did not know what I was going into, but it was evidently not a prank. Little did I know, I was about to experience the greatest loss of my life. I approached the table and was ready to duel with my opponent for most of the event, EU student Rodrigo Perales. “Yu-Gi-Oh” originated as a player versus player (PvP) Japanese trading card game first introduced in 1996 by the company Konami. The anime series was first aired only in Japan in 1998 with the same title “Yu-Gi-Oh!” and ran a total of 27 episodes before being renamed “YuGi-Oh! (LAS).” The show was aired to the rest of the world in the early 2000s. At the event, the first match started with us both discussing our main deck of choice, I instantly knew I was in uncharted waters when I told Perales I’d be using a fire or predominantly light deck. A student asked if I was an ‘OG’ player and I faltered in my gaming confidence. This comment made me realize all my hard work was not going to pay off; I was way out of
the loop and was not aware of any of the other variations of “Yu-Gi-Oh” other than the original one I grew up playing.
to the card game first and I eventually [got] into the anime,” Perales said. “But everyone in the neighborhood got into it and for me it just stuck.”
For the first match, I sat confused, but I still was eager to play and the people in the room were willing to teach me the updated version.
Personally, I remember running around my school and holding my “Yu-Gi-Oh” cards with pride. I knew there would be others just like me at school, ready to duel at a moment’s notice.
Using a loaner deck that was provided at the event, I sat down and went through all the cards, to choose the ones I felt would be something I could be comfortable using. The deck which caught my eye was the volcanic deck; it consists of lava, monsters, and fire spell cards, similar to the old deck I had brought with me. It was a new experience for many at the event, as people were speed dueling for the first time. This concept was introduced in 2019, and something I had not heard of until I sat down ready to battle.
The anime reached popularity in America and throughout the world, setting the Guinness World Record for the best-selling trading card game in 2011. Recently, the anime has been reintroduced as “Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush,” which premiered on April 3. New iterations of the game, as well as events like this have been bringing back the nostalgia of the original series to myself, EU eSports, and people around the world.
During the duel I was constantly reading the cards to figure out what each monster did, and what cards to use. The first duel hailed its results and I knew this would not be easy for the rest of the event. The disgusting taste of defeat loomed overhead while I stayed and played some more. And lost a total of three times. Ultimately, I learned no matter the difficult challenge you may face, you should face it head on. My opponent, Perales, shared how he first got introduced to the game. “Back in middle school my friend introduced me PAGE 13
Students sit looking at various “Yu-Gi-Oh” decks.
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PHOTOS BY Ryan Windle GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
OPINIONS
ISSUE 10
LET’S GET UP AND YELL GAY ALL DAY Ryan Windle
gay people are going to take over the world.
Arts + Culture Editor
Ever since gay marriage was passed legally in 2015, there have been numerous attacks on the LGBTQ+ community for having too much representation, fearing that it would make all children gay.
When you are taking away the mention of being gay, just how far do you plan to go? Eliminating the mention of any LGBTQ+ members that have paved the way through society will cause harm to LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. Not being able to see themselves represented will cause damage, I know it did for me. Growing up, I always hated history. The people seemed boring and not relatable. It wasn’t until I had to do my own research to learn about people who inspired me and made me want to be a better person, that I became interested in different types of history. First off, it was a shame I had to do research on my own. When I asked my history teacher about Marsha P. Johnson, I was met with judgment. He told me that she did not matter to the coursework at hand.
These laws are removing the mention of being gay everywhere, but will they go as far as to make children stop saying these harmful words? It is sad to assume that they won’t, and now queer kids will be forced to go through namecalling with no resources to help, as their teachers can’t
Growing up, I was subjected to American media’s favorite trope: heteronormity. Straight kisses in the media, straight sex-ed, straight everything, almost, and I still turned out the way I am.
But it does matter. Representation leads to normalization and is a validating experience for a group of people that has historically been made to feel like an outcast. Gov. Ron DeSantis passed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida on March 8, restricting LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools and forcing teachers to out students to their families if word gets around that a student is queer.
These bills are discouraging kids from living as their true, authentic selves. In states such as Florida and Texas, these lawmakers think by erasing and straight-tuning history, the world will go back to being “straight.”
Why is it okay for children to be force-fed straight figures throughout history and media? Are legislators saying through the non-inclusion of the curriculum that LGBTQ+ figures do not matter to our history? Are they too “weird’’ to include?
That is not the case, because the community is here to stay, whether homophobes like it or not.
04/12
Will these teachers discourage this bullying even more? Or are the lawmakers only concerned about what happens inside the classroom, and not outside? Being called the f-slur by my bullies was a defining moment of my adolescence. It got to a point where I just had to accept this word as a defining characteristic of myself, move on, and make them positive. Not everyone is like this, and it is sad that I have had to take harmful language and turn the meaning into something positive for myself.
Through providing LGBTQ+ representation, people may learn more about themselves which may make more youth come out, but this should be encouraged, not discouraged. Seeing different ways people live their lives is reflective of a broader way of life, instead of fitting people into boxes they don’t belong in.
While these are all valid questions to have, it is evident to me the main reason why this legislation is being passed. They are afraid that
environment where we feel unwelcomed by our peers. It shuns queer people away from society, from a normal life experience.
LGBTQ+ historical figures and events are being banned from schools, but how far will teachers and legislators go in removing the language that bullies use against queer youth? The language used against queer youth is harmful, especially having to grow up in an PAGE 16
even help. These bills are harmful. During the most developmental times in a person’s life, this will cause further confusion and hurt by removing this education for all. Even if you are straight, there is something everyone can learn from LGBTQ+ history, as it is essential to the growth of the nation and the world. In a world where we are making so many steps forward, we are reminded of how easy it is to step back. Through these trying times, we must uplift queer youth and remind them of how much they are loved and seen. These children are the future, a future full of strength and resilience. Passing these laws only makes us stronger, as we will fight back until the day that we are finally seen, heard, and represented in the correct light. GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt & Ryan WIndle
ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
EDITORIAL
ISSUE 10
EDITORIAL ELMHURST UNIVERSITY IS HITTING THE MARK IN SHOWING SOLIDARITY, BUT IS MISSING A FEW STEPS With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Elmhurst University is doing a superb job with marketing, fundraising, and support efforts for Ukrainians abroad and on campus during this tumultuous time in history. The war in Ukraine is not a light-hearted subject, it’s traumatic for those caught in the crossfire and for EU diaspora having to see their families up and leave to neighboring countries in the Eastern bloc. Standing in solidarity is crucial in showing a sliver of humanity when it seems to have been lost, whether that be through media coverage, question and answer sessions about the situation, and fundraising opportunities through student run initiatives. The effort put toward supporting Ukraine, however, does not match up to prior efforts put forth by EU in recent years, as conflict arises in countries where students and faculty come from. At the same time, it is important to remain consistent, and ensure that first world,
predominantly white countries are not the only ones receiving the attention of EU. From Myanmar, to Palestine, and many other countries in crisis require our attention. The campus community is diverse hailing from various countries and having descendants from countries impacted by war. Opening up the conversation, offering resources, and standing in solidarity with these afflicted countries is key to ensure everyone on campus feels supported.
with the ability to localize it back to Elmhurst. Ensuring students feel supported is important and in a Feb. 25 email from President Troy VanAken, he sent out resources for students to feel supported which is amazing, given past instances where students have been left to deal with their grievances on their own.
In 2021, a military coup took place in Myanmar while a EU student lived there working on school remotely. With a student caught in the crossfire, there was no outward solidarity or support shown to encourage the campus community to think, pray, or learn about what was going on where a student is present. While it is not fair to call out a lack of support for students in conflict-ridden countries without looking inward, The Leader actively tries our best to have localized coverage about pertinent global issues in our coverage, but our small staff makes it difficult to cover every issue abroad
Letter to Editor Submissions Letters to the editor can be submitted below or sent to leadernewsec@gmail.com. Letters must include your full name and Elmhurst University affiliation. All letters should be 300 words or less in length. The editors retain the right to edit letters before publication. Don’t forget to spell-check. The Leader is the student-run newspaper speaking to students, faculty and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff, and are not intended to represent those of EU at-large. All text, photos and art cannot be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.
Your your Have heard voice
Column Here
W n u a n r it e a b ou ce d is sue t s
C O N TAC T GIANNA MONTESANO
@
gmont0454@365.elmhurst.edu
TO AUDITION
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04/12
ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
SPORTS
ISSUE 10
BLUEJAY BUZZER: ELMHURST SPORTS ROUNDUP Kween Jeán
Women’s Golf:
Baseball:
Staff Writer
The team competed in the Carthage College Firebird Spring Invitational on April 9 and 10, in Kenosha, Wis. Taylor Fuchs, EU junior, placed in the top 10 at the invitational out of 80
In a doubleheader against Wheaton College on April 1, the team dropped both games but picked up their first conference win against Wheaton on April 4. EU lost 4-16 in game one and 2-14 in game two on April 9, against Illinois Wesleyan University.
Men’s Lacrosse: At the home conference opener on April 2, Elmhurst University defeated Carroll University 25-4. Sadly, their nine-game winning streak ended in a 13-9 loss against Transylvania University on April 9, at Langhorst Field. The next competition is at North Central College on April 16.
Men’s Tennis: EU dropped two matches against Wheaton College on April 4, and North Central College on April 8.
Track and Field:
Women’s Lacrosse:
Men’s and women’s track and field meets have been canceled due to inclement weather. The next competition is on April 11, hosted by Wheaton College.
The team competes against Carthage College on April 13, after falling to Cornell College, the University of Chicago, and Alma College in the first week of April.
Softball: EU fell to Carroll University 5-1 in game one and 7-5 in game two at the conference opener on April 9. The team had a quick turnaround and played two home games against Millikin University. They came up short 3-9 in the first game and 4-5 in the second. Their next doubleheader is against Carthage College on April 11.
PHOTOS BY Elmhurst University
04/12
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ELMHURSTLEADER.COM ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
SPORTS SPORTS
ISSUE 08 ISSUE 10
ELMHURST UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM SLAM DUNKS INTO SWEET 16
PHOTOS BY Elmhurst University
WE SUCK, BUT TRANSYLVANIA DOESN’T: ELMHURST LACROSSE BREAKS MONTH-LONG WINNING STREAK Kween Jeán Staff Writer Despite their first conference loss, the Elmhurst University men’s lacrosse team led a nine-game winning streak and became “the first team in program history” to have an undefeated March. EU took advantage of their non-conference season, rallying against formidable teams in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. The Bluejays went 8-0 in March, setting the standard for seasons to come. “Being the first team in program history to have an undefeated March is a big stepping stone that sets the precedent for the future of men’s lacrosse,” said senior midfielder Braden King.
At the home conference opener, Carroll University fell 25-4 posing no threat to EU’s record. The lax team handled business on both sides of the field, shutting down Carroll and dominating offensively.
From goals from Ben Luke and Parker O’Leary to ground balls from Trent Nyberg and King, saves from Noah Mickelson, and turnovers from Jake Grebe, the men’s lax team has a stacked roster paired with the strong desire to succeed.
Their unwithered tenacity and team goal of “winning conference and playing in the NCAA tournament,” is easy to witness on the field.
“Our main goal is to win [the] conference and play in the NCAA tournament,” said King. “It was great to go on such a streak but we are pushing to achieve so much more this season.”
Even in a tight game on senior day, when the Bluejays lost to Transylvania University 13-9, the team decided to use their defeat as motivation. “We kept the game close while not playing up to our standards so it will be exciting to see how we can build off of this loss,” said junior midfielder Jakob Lemke. “We discovered not only what we did wrong but also our potential as a team.” PAGE PAGE 16 19
For their third CCIW contest, the Bluejays go head to head against North Central College on April 16.
03/08 04/12
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