Ing Magazine April 2015

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PUBLICATION APRIL | MAY 2015

MAGAZINE

FRONT COVER

RAIN BOOTS OR SNEAKERS?

Preparing for Unpredictable Weather

FINISH THE FIGHT

Participate in MSU’s Relay for Life

CREATIVITY ON CAMPUS

Telecasters Create Entertainment for MSU Students

TRAVEL! BIKING BEYOND BOUNDARIES MYingMAG.COM

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East Lansing’s newest upscale living complex is taking applications for occupancy for fall 2015.

East Lansing’s newest upscale living complex is taking applications for occupancy for Fall 2015. The Element features spacious two bedroom apartments, each with a private walk in closet and full bath with an open floor plan, European kitchen and bath with granite counter tops, washer and dryer in each apartment and a unique outside common area.

The element has it all. During the day you are walking distance to class and at night you’re just steps away from downtown for the cities’ exciting night life. The element provides quality living in spacious surroundings that are centrally located for your convenience.

ElEmEnt 903

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903 E Grand River Ave East Lansing, MI 48823 Email: info@el903.com Phone: 517.853.1900 April – May 2015

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APRIL | MAY 2015

TRAVEL!

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COVER PHOTO BY NAVÉÉD NÚR

FEATURES

IN THIS ISSUE

6.

A LOOK AT LOCAL SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS

4.

WRITing

18. COVERing

7.

COLLEGE BUCKET LIST

5.

SAVing

26. HAPPENing

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BEAUTIFUL PLACES AT MSU IN THE SPRING

12. PLAYing

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HOW TO PREPARE FOR SPRING’S UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER

13. GARDENing

10. COMBATING A CULTURE OF ASSAULT 14. KIM VI, STUDENT MUSICIAN 16. FINISHING THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER 20. MUSIC OF THE NIGHT 22. CREATIVITY ABOUNDS WITH THE TELECASTERS 23. THREE WAYS TO CELEBRATE THIS CINCO DE MAYO 24. THE PERFECT INTERVIEW

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29. PHOTOGRAPHing

614 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: 517.203.0123 • Fax: 517.203.3334 Email: ami@m3group.biz

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ADVE RESER

RTISE

VE YO

HERE

UR SP ACE TO

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DAY

Social Media Specialist

Kalynne McIntyre Contributers

Danielle Bucco April Clobes Riley Cortright Lauren Godlesky Katie Grimes Nicole Handley Caitlin Munch Taylor Rummel Ian Michael Terry Charlie Thompson Brittney Urich

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WRITing

Making the Most of the Sunshine

BY JORDAN POLL, JADE WISELOGLE AND IAN MICHAEL TERRY

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s we once again feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, wanderlust begins to fill the hearts of young travelers. After months of difficult studying through a harsh Michigan winter, nothing seems more exciting than the idea of embarking on a new adventure abroad or taking a road trip cross country with some friends.

Soon the ideas of traveling to Chicago or Canada will turn to reality as we find ourselves frantically over packing and scrambling to find our passports and socks. Whether we’re studying abroad, interning, visiting family or completing our “College Bucket List,” Spartans are making experiences to remember. Although the preparation and planning may seem hectic, these new adventures will create some of the best memories of our young adult lives.

Whether we’re “Camping in the Mitten,” taking “A Look at Local Summer Music Festivals,” or just admiring the “Beautiful Places at MSU in the Spring,” there are journeys to be made almost anywhere, even at home.

No matter the case, the spring and summer seasons are times of the year to create lifelong memories.

What better way to make the most of the warm weather than by traveling, lying out in the sun with ing Magazine and soaking it all in?

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PH OTO BY JE SS IC A M EA DO W S

Between studying for finals and preparing for our summer escapades, it’s important to remember to take time to create unique and lasting experiences here at MSU. Before we head off for the summer, ease the tension of finals by listening to the jazz creations of “Kim Vi, Student Musician.”

SAVing

Understanding, Establishing and Maintaining Credit

BY APRIL CLOBES

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pring break has come and gone and as with many other college students, you may find that in its wake, you’re afraid to check your finances — especially your credit card statements. From overspending on lodging to using your card for restaurant visits and nights out, there are a number of common vacation spending practices that could have a negative impact on your credit this year. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to get your credit on track.

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Check your credit report. Find out what’s on your credit report by obtaining it from one of the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and EquiFax).

It will include the information used to determine your credit score, such as: the length of your credit history, types of credit in use, new lines of credit, past credit history, and amount owed. You may also obtain your actual credit score from these providers, but you will likely have to pay for this service.

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Avoid behaviors that will lower your score. Once you’ve seen your credit report, try making a list of each line of credit and loan and include the interest rate, spending limit, remaining balance, and payment due date. From there, you can prevent engaging in behaviors that will lower your score, such as making late payments, maxing out your credit cards, opening multiple accounts in a short period of time, closing accounts with a long-time history, and lowering credit limits on existing revolving credit lines.

plan to pay for with your credit card. By adopting specific spending practices from the beginning, you can prevent yourself from making impulse purchases and buying more items on credit than you initially planned.

When it comes down to it, the best thing you can do for your credit is to be responsible. By understanding what impacts your credit score and engaging in best practices to establish or maintain it, you will have the tools needed to make good decisions and set yourself up for a successful financial future.

April Clobes is the President and CEO at MSU Federal Credit Union. MSUFCU’s headquarters are at 3777 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823. Contact April at aclobes@msufcu.org or (517) 333-2254.

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Make a plan. To improve your score, make a plan for how you will pay down your credit cards. This could be each week, each paycheck, or each month, but keep your interest rates in mind to reduce the total interest you’ll pay over the course of the loan.

You may also want to consider what sorts of products or services you

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PHOTO BY AMBER STOKOSA

A Look at Local Summer Music Festivals

BY TAYLOR RUMMEL

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et out this summer. Breathe in some fresh air.

Surround yourself with other passionate music fans and let loose your horrible singing voice and horrific dance. You know you’ll have an incredible time doing so.

Millions of music fans flock to music festivals every year. The popularity of these festivals increases every year as more and more positive reviews come flooding out. Wildly acclaimed annual events like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo attract tens of thousands of music aficionados each and every year, but, as distance and wallet-dipping would have it, you’re sure to find some more suitable than others.

For those of us faithful to the Midwest, there are a number of more localized events to seek out.

Renowned electronic music festival Electric Forest is a three-day event (June 25-28) in the woods of Rothbury, Mich., that is said to give an excitement contact high just from the experience, and Detroit’s own electronic event, Movement Detroit (May 2325), is another acclaimed place to get your fix of the genre. Here in Lansing, however, we have our own annual event: Common Ground.

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Common Ground is a six-day musical festival showcasing multifarious acts of national and local prestige that begins on July 7 and runs through July 12. It’s one of the most affordable events out of any on this list with the option of buying a week’s worth of admissions for $300 or an individual day’s for less than $100. If money happens to be tight but the music cannot wait, this one’s almost a no-brainer. Definitely make sure to scoop up a ticket or two if you’re going to be in the area at the time. Common Ground tickets can be purchased at commongroundfest.com, but you might want to search the Internet for tickets to the other festivals, as their popularity means they often sell out early.

Taylor Rummel is a junior professional writing major who loves music. He has contributed to several music publications and is currently a senior writer and editor for the music blog Hillydilly. When he’s not reading, writing or finding your new favorite artist, he’s watching “Family Feud” and “The Walking Dead.”

College Bucket List

BY BRITTNEY URICH

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hether you’re finishing up your last class requirements or looking forward to your sophomore year, don’t leave campus without checking these off of your bucket list! Find us on Twitter and tell us what you’ve done by using the hashtag #ingbucketlist.

1. Take a picture with Sparty 2. Get in line early enough to get in the front row at a home football game 3. Climb onto the roof of the Munn Ice Arena (and don’t get caught) 4. Take a tour of Beaumont Tower 5. Feed the squirrels one last time (not that they need it) 6. Swim in the Red Cedar (or maybe just dip your toes in to say that you did) PHOTO BY NICOLE BA LJET

7. Participate in Spartans Vs. Zombies 8. Visit your freshman dorm and relive your glory days 9. Sit in on a random lecture, don’t take notes, then walk out after five minutes (leaving all of the freshman confused) 10. Go to a campus a Capella concert 11. Eat in every cafeteria on campus 12. Feed the ducks in the Red Cedar 13. Pull an all-nighter in the library (even if you spend the entire time on Facebook) 14. Join a random campus tour and ask questions as if you’re a high school senior all over again 15. Walk at graduation!

Brittney Urich is a junior professional writing major specializing in public relations. She is a travel lover, sports enthusiast and self-proclaimed baker extraordinaire. When she’s not blogging or reading, she can usually be found outside.

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Beautiful Places at MSU in the Spring

BY LAUREN GODLESKY

t’s hard to deny the beauty of Michigan State’s campus in any season. Coupled with the bloom of the springtime, that beauty flourishes even more in every corner of campus. When the bleakness of winter snow melts and lush greens finally come back in view, it truly is a breath of much needed fresh air. So take the time to look around just a little bit more on the walk to class, kick off the snow boots and relish in the fact that spring is back and half-hour walks around campus become enjoyable once again. For this issue we have rounded up some of the best places at MSU for you to visit in the spring. Here are some of the most beautiful places at MSU in the spring.

WJ BEAL BOTANICAL GARDENS: Don’t overlook this one. The gardens have a long history, dating all the way back to 1871 when Professor William James Beal decided that the campus needed a botanical garden.

Two years later, Beal made his vision a reality by planting 140 species of forage grasses in test plots. Fast forward to present day and we’re met with a beautiful garden showcasing hundreds upon hundreds of plants and flowers, foliage and endangered plant species. It’s MSU’s very own little appreciation of what nature has to offer, bundled up in a cascade of greens, colors and refreshing smells.

MSU RIVER TRAIL: While we may not border one of the Great Lakes or the ocean, the Red Cedar River snakes through campus and looks quite picturesque in just about every season. Along with being in the opening statements of the MSU fight song, most students get a daily view of the river on their walks to class, and therefore overlook its beauty. Take

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a moment to admire the sights and sounds the Red Cedar has to offer. Lounge near the river and complete your homework with the calming currents of the water at hand.

BAKER WOODLOT: This spot is another hidden gem just off the path of campus. The northeast corner entrance is located off of Bogue Street near Service Road.

For the observant nature lover who likes to get away every so often, the Baker Woodlot is the perfect escape to appreciate a walk through the woods. Complete with plants, insects, animal life and short trails, it makes for a beautiful place of discovery during the bloom of spring.

And what better time to go then when the leaves begin to bud on the trees and plants begin to bloom? Take the time to check out Baker Woodlot and to explore a little bit more than just the usual spots.

What are your favorite spots on campus? Share photos with us on Twitter or Facebook and you could be featured on our social media accounts!

Lauren Godlesky is a senior majoring in journalism and specializing in public relations. She spends the majority of her time at The Loft, working firsthand with artists, booking shows and marketing for the concert venue. When she isn’t attending shows or finding new music, she enjoys reading, writing and finding places to hike with her dog.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA MEADOWS

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How to Prepare for Spring’s Unpredictable Weather

BY DANIELLE BUCCO

pring in Michigan can be a very unpredictable time, so knowing what to wear and how to dress is going to save you from the many downpours of rain or, in some cases, snow. As someone from New Jersey, I know all too well how difficult it can be to adapt to Michigan’s weather. Below are a few tips that you can use when you are unsure of how to prepare for a Michigan spring.

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The first thing you are going to want to do is invest in a pair of sturdy rain boots.

This will save all of your other shoes from the certain drenching that they will receive if you do not wear rain boots. Even if it is not raining, there are many deep puddles, especially around campus, that are impossible to get Carry an umbrella with you everywhere! through without implementing your best freestyle swim stroke to avoid drowning — oh, and getting your shoes wet. Also when Carry an umbrella with you. Similar to the it rains it is bound to be muddy, so even if there are first tip, carrying an umbrella with you will no puddles, rain boots will help protect you and your prepare you for the unexpected downpours freshly broken out Sperrys from the mud. that Michigan is known for. Always keep an umbrella in your backpack or purse. No one wants to arrive Layers! Layers! Layers! Dressing in layers somewhere soaking wet, so carrying an umbrella will will help you prepare for the fluctuating save you from the uncomfortable feeling you get as temperatures of a Michigan spring. When the you look at the threatening sky and know in your temperature is below zero in the morning, you’ll want heart that you should have grabbed your umbrella your winter coat and every pair of sweatpants you’ve instead of tempting fate. You will be grateful you have ever owned, but by noon when it’s nearing 70 degrees, it when you get caught in a torrential rainstorm! you’ll be glad you wore a tank top and shorts under that down and fleece. Checking the weather in the morning can also help you decide how many layers Danielle Bucco is a junior professional will be necessary throughout the day. Wearing layers writing major with a specialization in can also prepare you for spring indoors. Spring is a editing and publishing from New Jersey. time when people are still unsure of whether they She dreams of working for a publishing want the heat on or off, so being able to take off layers company in either London or Boston in a building that’s 80 degrees will save you from and one day plans on writing her own book. Her favorite sweating indoors as well. hobbies consist of reading, traveling, eating, shopping and listening to music.

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PHOTO BY LAUREN DESSINGER

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Combating a Culture of Assault SACI volunteers offer support to survivors of sexual violence

BY KATIE GRIMES

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pril is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness for and preventing sexual violence. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every 107 seconds; that makes approximately 293,000 victims of sexual assault each year. In light of these and other similarly sobering statistics, we at ing have decided to use this space to provide some basic knowledge about sexual assault and to highlight the vital work of MSU’s Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention team (SACI). This dedicated group of student volunteers operates a 24-hour crisis line, provides medical and legal advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and organizes community outreach events that focus on peer education. SACI strives to create a world in which everyone is confident in their safety, regardless of whether the sun is above or below the horizon.

Sexual violence is a naturally heavy topic, and therefore not a common topic of conversion — its dark nature prompting avoidance. Knowledge, however, is key if we want to reduce the number of sexual assaults that occur on our campus. Kyra Stephenson, SACI’s president and a senior with a double major in Arabic and comparative cultures and politics, was able to provide some important information about the key terms and concepts often used in conversations about sexual violence.

DEFINING SEXUAL ASSAULT Stephenson defines sexual assault as “unwanted sexual contact, whereas harassment is unwanted sexual conduct.” This means sexual assault can be categorized under the broader umbrella of harassment, assault being a much more severe form of harassment. Rape is even more limited, defined on SACI’s website as “nonconsensual, forced or coerced sexual penetration.”

Though rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment all have different levels of severity, they all share a supreme lack of dignity for their victims’ physical and mental well-being and can be detrimental to their victim’s health.

RAPE CULTURE Stephenson says that the prevalence of sexual violence in America today is heavily influenced by something

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RESOURCES

If you are a survivor of sexual violence and want to seek help or counseling, below are some of the resources available to you.

• • • •

MSU Counseling Center, Sexual Assault Program (517) 355-3551 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Line (517) 372-6666 Listening Ear 24-Hour Crisis Line (517) 337-1717 MSU Safe Place (517) 355-1100

For more resources, visit endrape.msu.edu/resources.

called rape culture. “Rape culture,” she explains, “refers to the glorification and sexualization of violence … this cultural imagery encourages misogyny and sympathy with perpetrators while blaming victims of sexual violence for their assaults.” The effects of rape culture are all too real, leaving survivors feeling responsible for their own assaults. RAINN notes that 68 percent of sexual assaults are never reported, allowing 98 percent of rapists to roam the streets without ever spending a night in jail.

GIVING CONSENT When asked this question, Stephenson refers to a poster hanging up in her house that defines consent as “the voluntary, willful and unambiguous agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity during a sexual encounter.” A great concern among many college students is the occurrence of accidental rape, in which one partner assumes incorrectly that consent is given.

Questionable situations like this can crop up at parties, especially when alcohol consumption is involved. One important thing to remember is that a person cannot give consent when they are incapacitated or not in the right mind to make decisions — an example of this would be being intoxicated to the point of stumbling or slurring. Another key point is that consent must be clearly expressed to exist: the MSU Counseling Center’s website explains that silence, the absence of resistance and/or previous sexual activity do not imply consent.

To avoid any ambiguity, simply ask.

“IT’S ON US” CAMPAIGN Stephenson explains that “It’s On Us” is a federal program to encourage bystander intervention. “The goal,” she expounds, “is for us to recognize our complicity in this problem and work together to stop it.” “It’s On Us” is exactly what it sounds like; we are all responsible for educating ourselves about sexual violence and seeking to eliminate it. Sexual violence isn’t the result of a few twisted individuals — it’s the product of an entire culture, and as such, we all have the power to work against it.

VOLUNTEERING WITH SACI SACI volunteers are all too familiar with the facts, figures and terms surrounding sexual violence, and they do their best to educate others about sexual violence and to provide survivors with the resources they need to recover. This work requires some extensive instruction: a SACI volunteer is required to undergo 40 hours of training before becoming an official member. Gabriella Abalo, a SACI member and junior pursuing a degree in social work, explains that the majority of this training takes the form of role play and lectures on topics such as stalking, rape culture and victim blaming. The role play focuses in particular on helping volunteers establish empathy with the victims who call the crisis line. “When you empathize with a person, and you just listen to what they’re saying and address the fact that you understand what they are going through, it is very impactful on calls.” Volunteers are given specific verbal cues to help convey empathy for callers and offer them proper support. “We are taught how to use specific words that show that you are empathizing and … not judging them.”

Once SACI members complete training, they are given shifts, usually 24 hours long, during which they are “on-call.” Jaeyong Cho, a SACI member and senior psychology major, explains that being on-call includes carrying around a special phone that survivors of sexual assault call for support. SACI has a special process for talking to callers. “When someone calls, if I’m in class or if I’m in in a public spot, I usually go to a private spot so I can talk to them privately,” Cho says.

“First I just listen. The caller usually defines a problem

they are having, and then I want to make sure they’re safe, so ask I them their location. And then we move on to offer support, whether that’s empathy or giving resources.” After giving the caller several options for what they can do next, the SACI volunteer asks them how they want to proceed. “The last step is to make a commitment that they will go through what we just discussed.”

DOING OUR PART SACI does some amazing work, but answering a crisis hotline isn’t the only way to combat a culture of sexual violence and support those who have survived it.

Knowing about proper consent and informing others about it can greatly reduce the occurrence of sexual assault on campus. In addition, if a friend, colleague or fellow student discloses that he or she was the victim of a sexual assault, Stephenson gives us four points to remember. “I like the mantra ‘I believe you, I support you, it’s not your fault, here are some resources,’” she says. “It is also important to empower the person to make their own decisions about next steps and be there for them through the process.” We cannot and should not force a survivor to report their assault, but we can be there for them every step of the way, assuring them that they were never to blame.

If you are interested in becoming a SACI volunteer, find an application at endrape.msu. edu/volunteer-intern-information and submit it to the MSU Counseling Center. If you have questions about SACI, email or call Bianca Segura, SACI’s advocacy coordinator, at biancas@cc.msu.edu or (517) 353-1669.

Katie Grimes is a professional writing and religious studies student. She enjoys using obscure words (such as “colloquial” and “pastiche”) in all contexts and has a strange fascination with Star Trek. Her varied interests include feminism, reading Shakespeare and drinking caffeinated beverages.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

Take Back the Night is a yearly event held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month that seeks to end sexual violence of all kinds. This year’s event, themed “Ask, Listen, Respect,” will be held at MSU from April 7-9th. It will feature guest speakers Wagatwe Wanjuki, a feminist writer and activist, and Ali Safran, the founder of Surviving in Numbers, an online-based nonprofit that shares survivor stories and develops prevention curriculum for high schools. On Wednesday, April 8, there will be a rally and a march to the capital, concluding with a candlelight vigil honoring both living survivors and those who have passed as a result of their trauma. For the more information about the times of these and other events, visit takebackthenightmichiganstateu.wordpress.com.

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Camping in the Mitten

BY KATIE GRIMES

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RECOMMENDED CAMPSITE: Burt Lake State Park. For

more information on site rentals, visit michigandnr. com/parksandtrails and search for Burt Lake State Park.

TRAVERSE CITY Whether it’s because of its soft, sandy beaches and nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes or its sweet cherry treats, Traverse City is the place to be in the summer months. If you visit in early July, you’ll be in for a real treat; according to its website, the National Cherry Festival held yearly in Traverse City includes an arts and crafts fair, an air show and, of course, a cherry pie eating contest. The beaches of the Grand Traverse Bay offer several great places to swim and sunbathe. If the Great Lakes are more to your liking, Lake Michigan is just a short car ride away. The surrounding pine and oak forests provide a comfortably shady place to set up camp.

RECOMMENDED CAMPSITE: Timber Ridge RV &

Recreation Resort. For more information on site rentals, visit timberridgeresort.net.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS Making the journey to the Upper Peninsula will be worth it to view these magnificent rusty falls, which

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Sunset on Burt Lake are the second largest east of the Mississippi. Fishing, hiking and kayaking are just a few of the many outdoor activities available within Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The wildlife in this area abounds, and on the four-mile hike from the Lower to the Upper Falls you might just spot a whitetail deer, a moose or even a black bear. You won’t want to forget your camera on this trip.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park. For more information on site rentals, visit michigandnr.com/parksandtrails and search for Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

RECOMMENDED CAMPSITE:

PHOTO BY KATIE GRIMES

INDIAN RIVER If you’re looking for a calm lakeside retreat, camping in Indian River may be the perfect vacation for you.

The Burt Lake State Park campground hugs the peaceful Burt Lake, providing gorgeous views and many canoeing and swimming opportunities. Up for a water adventure? Take a day-long boating trip through a chain of rivers and lakes to end at Lake Michigan.

If boating isn’t your thing, drive 30 miles north and spend a day exploring Mackinac Island, ditching your car for a bike and indulging with some specialty fudge. Regardless of what you like, Indian River has something for everyone.

PHOTO BY CAITLIN MUNCH

tching to roast some marshmallows, reconnect with nature or breathe in that woody campfire scent? Camping is a great, low-cost way to get out of your house and hometown and to enjoy the great outdoors. Michigan is full of natural beauty, and its gorgeous landmarks and forests lend themselves to some wonderful campsites. Read on for some great suggestions for where you can next pitch your tent.

Lower Tahquamenon Falls Katie Grimes is a professional writing and religious studies student. She enjoys using obscure words (such as “colloquial” and “pastiche”) in all contexts and has a strange fascination with Star Trek. Her varied interests include feminism, reading Shakespeare and drinking caffeinated beverages.

GARDENing

How to Make Your Own Portable Indoor Garden

BY NICOLE HANDLEY

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pring is right around the corner, which means traveling is on everyone’s mind, making this a great time to talk about indoor gardening. You may be wondering what traveling and indoor gardening have in common; not only is indoor gardening a great way to grow your own produce, but it also allows you to enjoy fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers anywhere, at any time. Whether you’re in a dorm room or taking a trip for spring break, you can enjoy your own personal indoor garden. No matter where you go, what you choose to grow, or who you’re with, your travels will always include amazing plants to enjoy year round from your indoor garden. Here are some tips on how you too can make your own unique indoor garden.

DECIDE ON A STYLE OF GARDEN There are two general styles of indoor gardening: container (the typical soil in a bucket) or hydroponic (the use of water instead of soil). They are both great options for indoor gardening, and both allow you to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPACE It’s important to pick the best spot indoors in order to have a successful garden. Select an area that has a lot of windows and sunlight.

CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT This step greatly increases the success of your garden.

Take the time to control air temperature, water frequency and soil condition.

DECIDE ON YOUR PLANTS Some popular fruits and vegetables to grow indoors include tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and grapes.

If you want to grow herbs or flowers, you can choose from basil, chives, marigolds or peace lily.

ENJOY YOUR INDOOR GARDEN Now that you’ve created the perfect garden fit for you, don’t forget to have fun and love what you’ve designed wherever you are!

Nicole Handley is a senior majoring in professional writing. She is an avid writer and reader. She has an associate’s degree in writing from Lansing Community College, and can often be found thrifting for Nora Roberts books. She loves the smell of book pages, chocolate peanut butter ice cream and her dogs.

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Kim Vi, Student Musician MSU Jazz Major Performs Across the Country

BY KATIE GRIMES

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usic surrounds us every day, but there is something particularly magical about attending a live performance, witnessing the creation of song and seeing a musician connecting with their craft. MSU senior Kim Vi offers us an alternate perspective, that of the human behind the instrument and the microphone. Vi, a music student, is a vocalist and keyboardist for Kim Vi & The Siblings. The band is comprised of four MSU jazz students: Judson Branam IV, Louie Leager, Olin Clark and, of course, Vi himself.

Two years ago, the band formed under some accidental circumstances. “I was just doing some Kim Vi playing the keyboard singer-songwriter stuff on the side, and I booked I bring it to (the band) bare bones with an acoustic a tour on the east coast,” says Vi. When the bass guitar or the piano. Then we really work on building player of his backing band bailed at the last minute, Vi the song and arranging the song and making it what found himself in a difficult situation and had to resort you hear on recordings or what you hear in a show. to Plan B. “I ended up calling all of the guys that are in the band with me now,” he explains. “We started KG: What’s your favorite part about being a musician? playing shows after (that) tour because it went well and went to the studio and recorded some tunes. And we’ve KV: My favorite thing about being a musician is being been playing together ever since.” And how did they part of something that brings people together. Music come up with the band name? “We all ended up being brings people together, and it’s such a beautiful thing. roommates, and that kind of gave birth to the moniker People who would not necessarily get together, they Kim Vi & The Siblings.” come to hear the music, and it’s cool to be part of that and to facilitate that. It’s not just with the audience as When Vi called me, he was in the San Francisco area, well, it’s between other musicians. When you go play on tour with Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers. with people you’ve never played with before you get connected to them because the music brings musicians KG: How would you define your band’s music? What together as well. kind of genre do you fit into?

KV: We’re kind of on the fence about it a little bit. It sounds a little bit pretentious, but it’s not really the motive behind it. We call it “Smartpop” just because it’s informed by a lot of music styles ... We’re all jazz musicians so it’s very jazz influenced. We tend to do a lot of soul, Motown, a little R&B, things like that. But it’s definitely pop music for sure — it’s very standard songwriting format.

KG: Do you all participate in songwriting, or is there one person who takes on that role?

KV: Usually what happens is I write the song, and then

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KG: What’s the most challenging part?

KV: The most challenging part for me is always having the intensity and the willingness to play. Sometimes when you do it for a living, when you do it to make money, it’s easy for it to slip into a business thing, “business as usual.” And the hard thing is to get in the zone every night and really play like it’s the last time you will play. And in other situations too, sometimes the crowd isn’t digging it, or something’s not right with the sound or your equipment. Just trying to get over that and really give yourself completely to the music. That’s a challenge, but … it’s something you can overcome.

PHOTOS BY ALI PRENTICE & KARLY KOGGENHOP

Kim Vi & The Siblings, band members And just remembering why you play music in the first place: because you love it. That also helps a lot.

KG: How did you first begin playing instruments and singing?

KV: My dad is an excellent classical guitarist; he’s really, really good. He ended up becoming a doctor, but he definitely could have become a professional concert guitarist like he always wanted to. So I grew up with

MAJORS: BA in music in jazz piano and BS in biomedical laboratory science

BAND: Kim Vi & The Siblings

Other Bands He’s Played In: Ari Teitel Band, Jahshua Smith (local rapper), Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers

SOLO Pieces

ALBUM: Forever Hold Your

FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS AND BANDS: D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Radiohead, Herby Hancock

FAVORITE GENRES TO LISTEN TO: Black American music, jazz, funk fusion, ’50s and ’70s music

him, and my mom is a really amazing classical pianist.

So my family was very musical. At the beginning of when I was young, I tinkered with instruments, but I didn’t necessarily think that was what I was going to do. When I was six or seven, I started messing around with the piano, and they decided to start me with piano lessons. And I picked that up pretty quickly. And then I picked up the guitar when I was twelve.

KG: How do you envision your future in music?

KV: I’m planning on becoming a professional musician (and) pursuing this full-time after I graduate. [I’m] probably going to relocate to either New York or Los Angeles. This is my passion, this is what I love doing.

Maybe down the road I might do something in the medical field, but for now, I really love playing music.

That’s where my passion is.

For more information about Kim Vi & The Siblings, view their press kit at kimviandthesiblings.bandcamp. com. For more on Vi’s solo project, visit kimvi. bandcamp.com. Look for performances by Kim Vi & The Siblings at Mac’s Bar and other Lansing venues.

Katie Grimes is a professional writing and religious studies student. She enjoys using obscure words (such as “colloquial” and “pastiche”) in all contexts and has a strange fascination with Star Trek. Her varied interests include feminism, reading Shakespeare and drinking caffeinated beverages.

MYingMAG.COM

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Finishing the Fight Against Cancer

BY BRITTNEY URICH | PHOTOS BY SPARTANS FIGHTING CANCER (SFC)

O

n April 17, nearly 2,000 students will gather to “finish the fight against cancer” at Michigan State University’s 2015 Relay for Life. This event will take place in the famous Jack Breslin Student Events Center, where students will stay from 6 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Saturday “because cancer never sleeps.”

Students will hear from cancer survivors, walk laps around the Breslin, have onsite fundraisers and attend a luminaria ceremony to honor those who lost their lives to cancer. There will be performances from student a Capella and dance groups, a dodgeball tournament and a few surprises for the participants throughout the night. The event is planned and executed by Spartans Fighting Cancer, MSU’s chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Colleges Against Cancer program.

Last year, MSU’s Relay for Life event had more than 5,000 participants and raised $250,000. This year, the event’s goal is to raise $300,000 for the American Cancer Society. Participants sign up with a team then compete against other teams to raise the most money for the cause. So far, 61 teams are signed up, with nearly 2,000 participants. The teams range in size from five to 300 people and are made up of MSU clubs, local sponsors, Greek Life, Spartans Fighting Cancer and many more.

Throughout the night, there are three ceremonies: Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back. The Celebrate

“DURING OUR REMEMBER CEREMONY, WE REMEMBER THE LOVED ONES WE HAVE LOST TO CANCER BY HAVING PEOPLE EXPRESS WHO THEY RELAY FOR. WE TURN THE LIGHTS DOWN AND HAVE GLOW STICKS. IT IS THE LIGHT OF OUR LOVED ONES.” - SARAH HOFFMAN

Ceremony is to recognize the cancer survivors at the event. “We have a survivor speaker and do a survivor lap around the track. Survivors are our heroes,” says Sarah Hoffman, president of Spartans Fighting Cancer and a cancer survivor herself. Later in the night is the Remember Ceremony. Hoffman says that participants are invited to walk down to the stage and share who they Relay for. “During our Remember Ceremony, we remember the loved ones we have lost to cancer by having people express who they Relay for. We turn the lights down and have glow sticks. It is the light of our loved ones.”

The Fight Back Ceremony is last, and is to advocate cancer prevention. At the end of the night, the team that raises the most money is announced and the total amount of money raised is revealed.

Hoffman says that this year’s Relay for Life will be full of surprises. “Spartans Fighting Cancer is very excited about

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this year’s Relay. This is our second year with Greek Life and this year we have a Greek Chair on our Executive Board. We are planning on having ‘Midnight Munchies,’ which will be late night bites from restaurants in East Lansing.” Last year, the event was confined to the main gym of the Breslin, but Hoffman says that Relay will take up most of the building this April. “We are utilizing the Breslin to our full ability. We will have access to the meeting rooms on the Mezzanine level for the survivor dinner and are going to be using the practice gym for our dodgeball tournament.”

Hoffman first became involved in Relay for Life in 2008, when her best friend was diagnosed with brain cancer. She participated in Relay for Life in her hometown of Saginaw, Mich., until coming to East Lansing. Hoffman says that Relay for Life is important because everyone has a connection to cancer. “Personally, it is important to me because I had cancer, and many of my loved ones, including my best friend and my first love, have died from cancer. I know the pain of going through treatment.

I know the pain of watching a loved one die of cancer. No one should have to go through either of those things.”

You can register for Relay for Life at relayforlife.org/ msumi or visit msurelay.com for more information.

Brittney Urich is a junior professional writing major specializing in public relations. She is a travel lover, sports enthusiast and self-proclaimed baker extraordinaire. When she’s not blogging or reading, she can usually be found outside.

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BIKING BEYOND BOUNDARIES ONE JOURNEY, ONE MISSION, 6,500 MILES OF IMPACT

BY LAUREN GODLESKY PHOTOS BY NAVÉÉD NÚR

Thomas Smith passed away suddenly of an enlarged heart in January 2011. He was a 17-yearold senior in high school from Flushing, Mich.

A son, a brother, a friend, a teammate and more, lost. A community, shaken. A family, mourning.

But in the midst of grief comes a spark of life. Four years later, one MSU student is paying tribute to his high school friend by biking 6,500 miles across 23 states over the course of 75 days.

Derek Blalock, a senior advertising major, remembers the moment he learned of his friend’s passing. Browsing Facebook, words he didn’t expect to see appeared on his newsfeed, words he didn’t want to believe were true. In fact, he didn’t believe they actually were true to begin with. Then reality hit him; the news of one of his best friends having passed away glared at him on the screen with a piercing, stabbing truth.

Looking back, some of Blalock’s fondest memories with Thomas included hunting for the first time with Thomas and his brother, Jacob, or taking German class in the eighth grade together because he was generally just that fun and laughable to be around.

About a year after Thomas passed, Blalock came up with an idea to honor his friend. This idea would linger in Blalock’s mind for three years and his journey will finally begin this May. “I felt like my life was going way too fast. In college, it goes so fast, so I wanted to do something before I graduated,” Blalock said.

From Thomas’s unexpected death, sorrow overtook his family, the community and Blalock. But in the midst of sudden trials come inspirations, which can be transformed and made anew. The 1994 film Forrest Gump plays a role in this story as one of them. Inspired 18

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by Gump’s own impromptu run across the United States, Blalock grasped the idea and made it his own, mapping out and planning a biking path that would begin in Charleston, S.C., continue to the West Coast and end in Greenville, S.C. “I wanted to push my limits more,” Blalock said of researching and planning his own route.

Blalock has sought help from the MSU Alumni Association, his networks between the five different states he’s lived in and from his mom, who Blalock credits as the reason he wants to help others and move forward with his journey. A small percentage of proceeds raised before the trip will help fund Blalock along the way. With that, Blalock set a main goal of $25,000 to go toward the Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation, which Thomas’s family initiated after his passing. The foundation funds heart screenings during mandatory health physicals for high school athletes and helps to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in young people. According to Thomas’s mother, Mary Smith, this foundation has been able to administer EKG screenings to 1,500 students so far, finding 18 critical heart ailments. Blalock hopes to receive funds through

COVERing awareness of the trip. He is also receiving help from his mom, former high school teachers (one who donated his bike) and even a sponsorship from Subway, which already donated gift cards to help fund food for the trek.

“No one ever takes the opportunity to test their limits,” Blalock said. “That’s the reason I was doing this after my senior year, because everyone I know is so stressed about getting a job.”

Blalock remains unnerved by the prospect of the unknown during his journey, viewing it as a prime opportunity both physically and mentally.

Inexperienced with biking long distances, Blalock created his own training method, biking about two hours per day indoors as a starting point to gain a taste of the upcoming journey. He plans to bike 100 miles per day during his trek, starting off at 50 miles for the first couple of days until he eases into it.

“The last couple of years I’ve been trying to expand, just do different things to make myself a more diverse individual,” Blalock said of choosing biking. Although long distance biking is something he lacks experience in, Blalock sees it as an opportunity to push himself.

One could compare Blalock’s biking mentality to his view on his own life, diverting off the path of how we’re taught to get an education and get a job, and creating a path of his own.

“Everyone believes that if they don’t have a job right out of college, they’re kind of a failure, which I understand because you’re paying so much for college. You want that instant gratification,” Blalock said. “But at the same time, I don’t believe you should just let your life get into a whirlwind and let it snowball. I think you should take some time to worry about another person’s cause, rather than just yourself.”

“Everyone has a story, and that’s what interests me during the ride as well,” Blalock said. “I’ve been impacted by the kindness of strangers and for the most part, when they see you doing something for people other than yourself, they’re all about it.”

While Blalock’s biking path is a solo project, the entire journey is a shared one, with the underlying factor of what and who he’s biking for.

“I think this is very important because of the number of people these kids could impact in their lifetime,” Blalock said. “Tommy could have impacted hundreds of people.

These kids have bright careers and bright futures ahead of them.”

Fueled by the compassionate spirit of his lost friend, the support of his family and his own undeniable ambition, Blalock will be more than ready to take on a journey three years in the making.

“I think of it in this way; I’m not just helping a couple thousand kids keep their lives,” Blalock said. “I’m helping thousands of thousands of people being impacted by those kids as well.”

For more information on the trip, organization or donations, visit bikefortommysheart.com.

Lauren Godlesky is a senior majoring in journalism and specializing in public relations. She spends majority of her time at The Loft, working first-hand with artists, booking shows and marketing for the concert venue. When she isn’t attending shows or finding new music, she enjoys reading, writing and finding places to hike with her dog.

Blalock’s words speak as loud as his actions, unequivocally positioned as a biker on a solo mission that he hopes will help make an impact within the larger picture. And he’s motivated by the good-heartedness of his friend.

“It was weird because (Thomas) died of an enlarged heart, but that’s kind of how he lived. He had a huge heart,” Blalock said. “He honestly cared about everyone he knew, and he had big things in front of him.”

Blalock saw this type of genuine candor in his good friend, and he’s looking forward to discovering new people with these qualities on his trek.

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Music of the Night The Phantom of the Opera Comes to Wharton Center

BY BRITTNEY URICH | PHOTOS BY MATTHEW MURPHY

T

he magic of the Paris Opera House will be coming to Michigan State University’s Wharton Center this April. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history.

The show follows a deformed composer, known only as the Phantom, who falls madly in love with his protégée, Christine Daaé, a chorus girl.

As Christine’s fame rises, the Phantom grows jealous of Christine’s suitor and terrorizes the Paris Opera House.

Phantom celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011 with three sell-out performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 2012, Phantom was reimagined for the 21st century by Cameron Mackintosh. The show was wildly successful in London, with a soldout tour. The updated Phantom came to America in 2013 and has been on tour since. Morgan Cowling, who plays Meg Giry, says that Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production of Phantom has been popular with the audiences. “It’s really chilling, but magical.”

Cowling took over the role of Meg in November 2014.

Meg is daughter of the ballet mistress, the lead dancer in the corps de ballet and Christine’s best friend.

When the star of the opera quits, Meg suggests to the theater managers that Christine take over the lead role. “Meg feels like she owns the place,” Cowling says.

“She’s the queen of the ballet, and a little mischievous.”

Cowling says that in some ways, Meg reminds her of

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herself. “Playing Meg has reminded me of my own youth. When you’re young, you think you know everything. You think you have everything figured out, even though you have no idea what the world is about.”

Before joining Phantom, Cowling worked for Disney Cruise Lines and was part of the original cast of Disney’s Wishes. Cowling grew up in Australia, and graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, where she studied opera for five years. Cowling says that her love of performing started at a young age. “My mom put me in gymnastics and ballet when I was three. I saw my first show at age five. My mom and I went to see 42nd Street. I could only see half of the stage because there was a beam in the way.

That’s how far up our seats were,” she says. “It was magical. It was the first time I remember wanting to be on stage.” Cowling was the drama captain of her high school and has numerous Australian and American show credits. She says that her dream role changes daily, but for now, she is honored to be playing Meg. “Meg has been my favorite character so far. She reminds me of myself, and she’s been a lot of fun to play.”

Cowling says that the updated Phantom is sure to surprise audiences. “The original is absolutely brilliant. When they updated the show, they made changes that would make things more realistic. It’s got this heightened drama to it.” Cowling says that the

set has also been updated. There is a lot more prop design, and a new chandelier. “Our director brought in things to be true to the time period. There’s a scene where all the ballerinas are getting ready in the dressing room. We’re helping each other get ready and all in a sort of panic. It really makes it feel like you’re backstage at the Paris Opera.” Cowling says that most of the costumes have stayed the same, and the script has a few changes to help “create the sense of panic that comes with a phantom in an opera house.” “ T H E O R I G I N A L I S A B S O L U T E LY B R I L L I A N T. W H E N T H E Y U P D AT E D T H E S H O W, T H E Y M A D E C H A N G E S T H AT W O U L D M A K E T H I N G S M O R E R E A L I S T I C . I T ’ S G OT T H I S H E I G H T E N E D D R A M A TO I T. ”

thus far, and that she can’t wait to bring the show to East Lansing. “What this production has created is a grand spectacle. It’s taken a beautiful, scary, dark and magical original and just added more. I think the audience will be incredibly surprised by what we’ve done.”

Tickets for The Phantom of the Opera can be purchased online at whartoncenter.com or in person at the Wharton Center Ticket Office. Phantom will run from April 1 through April 12. Michigan State students can purchase up to two tickets for a student rate of $25 each with valid MSU ID. You can keep up with the cast of Phantom by liking the show on Facebook at facebook.com/phantomontour, or by following the show on Twitter or Instagram @phantomontour.

-MORGAN COWLING

Cowling’s favorite scene, however, is the final one of the show. “This sounds selfish, of course, because I’m in it,” she laughs, “but in our production, the Phantom disappears in a very ‘magical’ way, and Meg gets to help. Meg ends up finding the Phantom’s mask to give to the police officer. It’s a very chilling moment, knowing that the Phantom is so powerful that he could escape an entire police force.” Cowling says that the show has been a hit with audiences

Brittney Urich is a junior professional writing major specializing in public relations. She is a travel lover, sports enthusiast and self-proclaimed baker extraordinaire. When she’s not blogging or reading, she can usually be found outside.

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Creativity Abounds With the Telecasters

BY IAN MICHAEL TERRY

A

s the semester comes to a close, groups of students with cameras, lighting and audio equipment and strong visual creativity push to get the last seconds of footage for their shorts before they call a wrap for the summer. These projects could easily be for a class, but they are actually for the MSU Telecasters, a student organization that creates YouTube content in the form of comedy sketches, full length sitcoms and dark dramas. Though the deadline for the end of the year award ceremony, the Albies, has passed, they are still shooting episodes and having fun with friends.

The MSU Telecasters consists of seven unique shows: the longest running college sitcom in “The ShoW,” a variety of sketch comedies in “Sideshow,” “The Giraffe House” and “Short Attention Span,” an anthology drama series called “TURN,” a satirical news show called “Beaumont Bulletin” and the broadcast news show, “MSU&U.” Executive Producers Jessica Niskar and Alex Byers and faculty advisor Bob Albers oversee all seven shows, and each show has their own set of producers who create the episodes with their writers, crew and editors.

“Telecasters started 60 years ago as a communication broadcast club,” Alex Byers explained. Around 1990, The ShoW became part of Telecasters, won several awards and is now America’s longest running collegerun sitcom. Sideshow would show up five odd years later. With The ShoW and Sideshow, Telecasters gained recognition for their work as student broadcast television.

In the late 2000s/early 2010s, The Giraffe House, TURN, Short Attention Span, Beaumont Bulletin and MSU&U sprang to life, sporting different storytelling styles and ideas and increasing the scope of Telecasters.

“The root word is creativity,” Byers said about Telecasters.

“If you have any creative bone in you, join Telecasters.”

From the writing process to shooting episodes to editing the final cut, Telecasters is an immense creative process.

Members of Telecasters don’t have to specifically be 22

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media and information major — members study a variety of majors. “I’m blown away by the shows’ content,” Byers said. “It’s amazing.”

Telecasters hold an open house every semester for new members who wish to join, but students can also join throughout the year by searching the MSU Telecasters on Facebook, asking for them in DMAT in the Communication Arts and Sciences building or looking for posters and flyers on campus that advertise their meetings and go to those meetings.

Ian Terry is a professional writing major.

He is the head writer for the Telecaster show TURN and a first-degree black belt in karate. He has a self-published a novel, Monster Seeker 2: Rise of the Phoenix King, and a short story, Bad Liar Society.

Three Ways to Celebrate This Cinco de Mayo

BY CHARLIE THOMPSON

T

his year, the fifth of May falls on a Thursday, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way. So whether you come from Mexico, China or the United States, here are three ways to celebrate this year: 1. FIND OUT WHY WE CELEBRATE Cinco de Mayo is not like the Fourth of July; it’s not the day that Mexico celebrates its independence.

Cinco de Mayo is actually celebrated because of an event that occurred 50 years after Mexico declared their independence. On May 5, 1861, Mexican troops in the city of Puebla fought off a superior French army that outnumbered them two to one. The day is now remembered as the day Mexico fought off the French. But don’t take my word for it, find out more about the holiday and why now more Americans than Mexicans celebrate this event that happened more than 150 years ago.

2. LISTEN TO REAL MEXICAN MUSIC Get out that sombrero that is collecting dust in the back of your closet and make sure you dance to some authentic Mexican music this year. East Lansing has three different Mexican radio stations you can listen to: 640 AM, 810 AM and 1080 AM. So rather than listening to Pitbull’s “Fireball” or “Timber,” make sure you check out what regional Mexican songs are topping the charts on Billboard. “Levantado Polvadera” by Voz de Mando and “Soltero Disponible”

by Regulo Caro are two regional songs currently listed on Billboard.

3. TASTE SOME MEXICAN DISHES Even though Chipotle, Panchero’s Mexican Grill, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Qdoba are worlds better than anything at Taco Bell, this year try some other Mexican restaurants right here in East Lansing. If you are going to simply order some food try Trippers, El Azteco, Art’s Bar & Grill or Tacos E Mas. If you like to go out for dinner, there is El Oasis at 2501 East Michigan Ave. or Los Tres Amigos at 1227 East Grand River Ave. It’s impossible for you to not try Mexican food this Cinco de Mayo with all these local eateries.

Charlie Thompson is a junior majoring in professional writing. A windy city native, he is a fan of Chicago hot dogs and the Cubs. Last summer he interned at American Trade Magazine as a writer. He enjoys watching Oscar nominated films and going to art museums and fairs.

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The Perfect Interview

BY CAITLIN MUNCH

H

ere’s the thing about interviews: they are stressful, address points from the exact posting in case there is scary, intimidating and a lot like a first date. You any confusion as to what you are applying for. Bring spend hours planning your outfit, you spend extra some samples of your work as well as a reference sheet time on your hair and with contact information you even practice what of references that the

BY SHOWING CONFIDENCE IN HOW you will say in front of a company can call.

YO U E X P L A I N YO U R S K I L L S , YO U W I L L mirror. You give yourself Finally, bring a notepad I N S TA N T LY LO O K A N D F E E L M O R E pep talks and tell yourself and a few pens to write that you can do this. down anything you feel C O N F I D E N T A N D T H AT W I L L D E F I N I T E LY When you get there with is necessary, a bottle of C O M E A C R O S S TO T H E I N T E R V I E W E R . sweaty palms, you ask water, and breath mints. yourself, “What if they don’t like me? What if I’m not what they’re looking 3. KNOW YOUR SKILLS AND for?” Finally, you sit in front of the interviewer, smile QUALIFICATIONS and wait for the ice-breaker and get-to-know-you questions. They’re checking you out; you’re checking You always want to talk positively about yourself when them out. You’re trying to see if it’s something you you’re on a date, and you want to do the same thing in could see yourself doing for a long time, looking to an interview. Not in a sense that you’re bragging, but see if it could go somewhere. And when it’s over, know what you’re capable of. When they ask you what you wait for them to call you, with an offer or a you will bring to their company, know the answer. You second interview. should know what your skills are and how you can benefit the company. In addition, you should be able Just like when you go on a date, you always want to to explain how your past experiences and your skill prepare yourself for an interview. You can’t just throw sets apply to the position that you are interviewing on a nice outfit and wing it. You wouldn’t do that on a for. By showing confidence while explaining your date, and you definitely shouldn’t do it in an interview. skills, you will instantly look and feel more confident, Here’s a list of things to help you be successful in your and that will definitely come across to the interviewer. interview so that you land that dream job.

4. DO YOUR RESEARCH 1. WRITE DOWN THE DETAILS OF THE INTERVIEW Facebook stalking is a major thing when it comes to dating nowadays. When you meet someone new Write down the date, time and the person you you always do your research and try to find out as are meeting with, the location of the meeting, much as possible about them. It’s the same for jobs. contact information and the job title that you are Do your research on the company. Look them up. applying for. If you write down the specifics, there Find out what their mission statement is. Are they is no chance of confusion and knowing that you international? How big is the company? When was it know exactly what you are doing and where you founded? Find interesting topics to discuss with your are going will help to ease the stress of interviewing. interviewer. Ask questions and make yourself seem extremely interested. While on a date, you might look 2. BRING HELPFUL MATERIALS creepy for admitting to stalking that person, but in an interview you will look more promising because you When I go on a date I always pack my purse in case of actually took the time to get to know the company. emergencies. I pack things like gum or mints of some Not only will you seem interested, you will seem both sort, a small bottle of perfume, money, lipstick, and dedicated and passionate. pepper spray (a girl can never be too careful). So just like on a date, you want to pack helpful materials for 5. HAVE QUESTIONS an interview. Bring extra copies of your resume and the original copy of the cover letter that you sent them.

Let me say that again; HAVE QUESTIONS. When Print out a copy of the job description so that you can you go on a date, you have millions of questions about

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that other person. You’re thinking about a relationship, or wanting to see that person again.

KNOW YOUR Therefore, you have to ask MATERIALS SKILLS questions to get to know that person and find out if they are worth seeing again. You have to do the same thing in an interview. Employers DO YOUR expect you to ask DETAILS RESEARCH questions. Not asking THE PERFECT questions makes it INTERVIEW seem like you’re not interested in the job, or that you didn’t care enough to put any HAVE THANK time or thought into QUESTIONS the interview. So think YOU of questions that are important to you; what will the job entail? What does the REFLECT interviewer like most about the company? What does he/she like most about her job? Ask things that make you seem interested in not just the job but the company as a whole. over regardless of how it went, and you should do YO U R S E L F T H E S E Q U E S T I O N S , B E C A U S E the same for an interview.

After a date you give A W E E K L AT E R W H E N YO U G E T T H E J O B It’s polite. Not to mention yourself a second to O F F E R YO U ’ R E G O I N G TO N E E D TO employers will really reflect. Was the person appreciate the fact that K N O W I F YO U W A N T T H E J O B O R N OT. nice? Do you like them you took the time to enough to go on a second thank them. It speaks date? What did you like most about that person? You highly of you if you can recognize that they are busy, should do the same thing after an interview. Go to but they took time out of their schedules to meet you. a coffee shop right after the interview, sit down and 6. REFLECT

M A K E S U R E YO U F O L LO W U P A N D A S K

write down your thoughts. Do you need to follow up on anything? Was there anything they asked you to send that you need to send immediately? Who do you need to send an email or thank you note to? Did you think that the interview went well? Why or why not? Most importantly, ask yourself, “if offered the position, do I want it?” Your initial reaction to the interview will tell you what you really think about working there. Make sure you follow up and ask yourself these questions, because a week later when you get the job offer, you’re going to need to know if you want the job or not.

7. SEND A THANK YOU NOTE Make sure you thank the company for taking the time to see you. You always thank a date after the night is

The interviewing process is scary, but it doesn’t have to be. If you can handle a first date, you can handle an interview. Be confident. Be excited. But most importantly, be yourself.

Caitlin Munch is a junior professional writing major with an emphasis in publishing and editing. Her list of books she wants to read is always being added to, and she watches more TV shows than she probably should. She writes best when there’s a thunderstorm, and she has a weakness for Rice Krispie treats.

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HAPPENing

APRIL – MAY 2015 EVENTS

ARTS 4/1-4/12 – PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Following an acclaimed sold out tour of the United Kingdom, Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success, The Phantom of the Opera, will come to Wharton Center as part of a brand new North American Tour. Hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before,” this Phantom features a brilliant new scenic design

by Paul Brown, Tony Award® winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award® winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and a new staging by director Laurence Connor. Students can purchase up to two tickets for $25 with their MSU ID. For more information and to buy tickets, visit whartoncenter.com.

4/10-4/26 – MASTER OF FINE ARTS EXHIBITION The 2015 Master of Fine Arts Exhibition showcases works by up-and-coming artists completing their degrees in the Department of Art, Art History and Design at Michigan State University. Over the course of an intensive three-year research program, MFA students work closely with members of the faculty to develop conceptual and technical skills for their studio practices. Focused study in an area of concentration, as well as a multidisciplinary environment that encourages exploration and experimentation across media, prepares these artists to contribute to the field of art and design.

The creative research of Kiel Darling, Mary Fritz, Julie Johnson, Lane Kaufmann, Sarah Odens and Keri Weber-Davies stands as evidence of their achievements and promise. For more information, visit broadartmuseum.msu.edu/exhibitions.

4/14 – ACCESSIBLE ART This one night exhibit — a collaborative effort by “Exceptions Journal” (an art and literary journal for students with visual disabilities), the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

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(RCPD) and the Broad Art Museum — will showcase a collection of studentgenerated poetry and “accessible art” pieces.

Poetry with Braille translations and tactile elements in the paintings will invite audiences to touch the works. In a world of museums where “do not touch” signs are the norm, Accessible Art seeks to allow for a more inclusive artistic experience that involves those with and without visual disability. The event will take place in the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum from 7-9 p.m.

4/17-4/26 – HAIR The American Tribal Love-Rock musical celebration of an era! This powerful and emotional musical will inspire a new generation as it journeys through a tumultuous time in America’s history.

With an unparalleled score of crossover pop/rock hits. Tickets are $20 for the general public, $18 for seniors or faculty, and $15 for students. For more information, visit theatre.msu.edu.

4/27 – MUSIQUE 21 (PART OF LATIN IS AMERICA) Based in part upon the poetry of Frederico García Lorca, the concert will include poems in Spanish and English — both spoken and projected — about the nature of the ancient lineage of family connection through generations. The event will take place in the Fairchild Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free. For more information, visit music.msu.edu.

5/2 – FLY GUY AND OTHER STORIES This inventive musical revue is based on favorite children’s books and may include Fly Guy meets Fly Girl, in which Fly Guy has met his match, and he is totally impressed ... and totally smitten. In Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig, Fluffy enters a Best Pets Contest, but a pesky flea threatens to derail the entire competition. Three mice promise

to be best friends forever in Horace & Morris but Mostly Dolores; and hungry and inquisitive Kitten has a busy night in Kitten’s First Full Moon. Lilly’s teacher is getting married in Lilly’s Big Day; and Princess Elizabeth comes to the rescue in Paper Bag Princess. Don’t miss these charming renditions of contemporary storybooks. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased at whartoncenter.com.

5/26-5/31– KINKY BOOTS Kinky Boots is the exhilarating Broadway musical that will lift your spirits to new high-heeled heights!

Winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Musical, this inspirational story follows a struggling shoe factory owner who works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible ... proving that, when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. Students can purchase up to two tickets for $25 with their MSU ID. For more information or to buy tickets, visit whartoncenter.com.

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS 4/10 – UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND ARTS FORUM (UURAF) The annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) provides Michigan State undergraduate students with an opportunity to showcase their scholarship and creative activity.

Held each spring in the historic MSU Union, UURAF brings together an intellectual community of highly motivated students to share their work with faculty, peers and external audiences. UURAF provides a unique educational opportunity for aspiring researchers. MSU undergraduates will present their research answer questions about their work from audience members and guests and receive constructive feedback from judges. For more information, visit urca.msu.edu/uuraf.

4/15-4/19 – MSU SCIENCE FESTIVAL The MSU Science Festival is a free, multi-day celebration of science, fueled by some of the basic elements essential to scientific inquiry: curiosity, wonder and discovery. There will be events for the whole family to enjoy, on topics ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary. And it’s all free! For more information, visit sciencefestival.msu.edu.

contemporary Islamic thought and medieval Islamic history. He has served on the board of the Pluralism project at Harvard University and is the co-chair of the steering committee for the Study of Islam at the American Academy of Religion. Before joining Duke University, Dr. Safi was a professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The event will be held at 7 p.m. For more information, visit religiousstudies.msu.edu.

4/12 – DAY AFTER DEBT: A CALL FOR STUDENT LOAN RELIEF Troubled by the rampant debt culture that has developed around higher education in the United States, Kurdish artist Ahmet Öğüt has enlisted leading contemporary artists to produce imaginative responses to this crisis and the pressures it places upon graduates. Presented jointly by the Broad, MSU and the Istanbul-based art organization Protocinema, Day after Debt comprises a series of sculptures designed and produced by Öğüt, Natascha Sadr Haghighian, Dan Perjovschi, Martha Rosler, Superflex, and Krzysztof Wodiczko.

For more information, visit broadartmuseum.msu. edu/exhibitions.

4/7 – DR. OMID SAFI (DUKE UNIVERSITY) ON RELIGION IN AN AGE OF EMPIRE: ISLAM, AMERICA AND THE LEGACY OF DR. KING Dr. Omid Safi is a professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University and is the Director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center.

Dr. Safi specializes in Sufism/Islamic mysticism,

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SPECIAL EVENTS 4/07-4/09 – TAKE BACK THE NIGHT Take Back the Night is a yearly event held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month that seeks to end sexual violence of all kinds. This year’s event, themed “Ask, Listen, Respect,” will feature guest speakers Wagatwe Wanjuki, a feminist writer and activist, and Ali Safran, the founder of Surviving in Numbers, an online-based nonprofit that shares survivor stories and develops prevention curriculum for high schools. For the more information about the times of specific events, visit takebackthenightmichiganstateu.wordpress.com.

4/17-4/18 – MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY RELAY FOR LIFE Put on by Spartans Fighting Cancer, Relay for Life is a 12 hour event where students stay up all night in the Jack Breslin Student Events Center.

Participants form teams and raise money for the American Cancer Society. For more information or to sign up for the event, visit msurelay.com and relayforlife.org/msumi.

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4/18 - 12TH ANNUAL FUR BALL, BATH. Grab your pooch and spend an evening at the Capital Area Humane Society 12th Annual Fur Ball, There’s No Place Like Home. Enjoy an evening of dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment, the ultimate doggy spa and more.

Formal attire is encouraged. This year’s Fur Ball will be held at Eagle Eye Golf Course beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets to attend are $75/pampered pooch, $100/person until April 8, $125/person beginning April 9 or $1,250/sponsored tables of eight. All proceeds benefit the Capital Area Humane Society. Visit adoptlansing.org, email events@adoptlansing.org or call (517) 626-6060 x. 120.

4/26 – EAST LANSING 2030 COLLEGEVILLE RE-ENVISIONED Collegeville Re-Envisioned invites architects, landscape architects and urban designers from across the country to join us in envisioning a future East Lansing. Since November 2013, designers have presented their past work and ideas as part of an ongoing discussion of themes as they relate to East Lansing. This dialogue will continue as the designers develop speculative projects set in East Lansing and will culminate in an exhibition of the completed designs opening November 14, 2014. Participants will select the themes — and eventually programs and sites — for their projects with the most potential impact as a means of speculating on the long-term future. Visiting the area and beginning their work in sequence, each designer will respond not only to East Lansing as it appears today, but also to the real world projects underway and the designs being developed by preceding participants. By the time of the exhibition, the designs will collectively envision what could occur incrementally over the course of the next few decades. Out of this process will emerge both a speculative vision of a future East Lansing and the connections between that and the daily decisions negotiated by a community. For more information, visit broadartmuseum.msu. edu/exhibitions.

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HUMANS OF EAST LANSING COLLECTED BY LAUREN GODLESKY | PHOTOS BY BRITTANY BOZA

SARAH POLEGA What’s your favorite travel memory?

Going to Sri Lanka. I worked with monks on the beach in Ambalangoda and that was my favorite memory ever. I loved them and they were great.

I took a semester off to travel and that happened to be one of the places that I went. I had been planning it out a lot. I was going to do a study abroad, but it was too expensive, so I decided to a travel abroad, and I wanted to work somewhere that had beaches, mountains and animals.

What’s your dream travel destination?

Cambodia, because I heard that people there are great and I really like Southeast Asia.

ALEX FLANAGAN What’s your favorite travel memory?

Definitely my cruise. I went to the Cayman Islands and Jamaica and that was on my 21st birthday just with my friends. We took a Jet Ski tour [in the Cayman Islands] and we went snorkeling and swimming with some of the stingrays, so it was a lot of fun.

What’s your dream travel destination?

I would like to go visit the pyramids or just somewhere overseas or anywhere. I love sightseeing and being able to take different pictures of different sights in nature would be awesome for me.

ALEX VONMACH What’s your favorite travel memory?

Probably this past winter going to Aspen. I went with Spartan Ski Club. The mountains were beautiful, and I was with my friends.

At the end, we did a Bum Run, or whatever. That was pretty cool.

What’s your dream travel destination?

Swiss Alps because it’s even more beautiful, and I feel like it would be pretty cool to go to a different country and ski.

CAILIN ASHBAUGH What’s your favorite travel memory?

This summer I went on study abroad to London, and after London I spent two weeks in Italy. When I got to Florence, I dropped my stuff off at the hostel. I was going to find a place to eat when this guy walks past me and he says something in Italian. I think I’m in his way or something, so I apologize because I don’t speak Italian at all. And he says it to me again in kind of a more impassioned tone of voice. I’m like, “I am so sorry, I don’t know what’s going on!” He does the frustrated Italian-hand motions, looks at me, says, “You speak English?” … “Yes, yes that is what I speak.” He waves his hand up and down my body and says, “I like!” then storms up the street. And I’m like, you just looked pissed off because you were hitting on me and I didn’t understand you?

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Campus Branch Locations MSU Union, 49 Abbot Rd., Rm. #108 523 E. Grand River Ave. 4825 E. Mt. Hope Rd. 3777 West Rd. 30

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