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FROM TITLE IX TO BIG TEN TITLES Highlighting the women who help achieve victory for MSU

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC March is Music in Our Schools Month, and MSU is Full of Music

MELODIES OF MSU How MSU’s students and faculty embrace music as a community

MAKE MEMORIES WITH OTHER SPARTANS On campus and throughout the world, there are many opportunities for Spartans to connect with one another.

Vist alumni.msu.edu

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E R E H E S I T R E V AD CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM AT 517.203.0123 MYINGMAG.COM

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A TIME FOR CHANGE

A letter from the editor

BY ALLISON BERTRAM

March isn’t normally a time of change or positivity. The weather is still gloomy and we’re in the thick of spring semester, which is rarely a good feeling. March 2018 is an exception. Fresh activities, a focus on arts and culture and new leadership at MSU bring opportunities for positive change.

Creativity is all around us in the Lansing area. With Old Town’s Arts Night Out, a new show at the Wharton Center, celebrating Music in Our Schools Month and the impactful presence of melodies on campus thanks to MSU’s College of Music, there are plenty of things to listen to.

Looking for a unique outing? Sensory friendly shows for visitors on the autism spectrum are a new, inclusive tradition at Abrams Planetarium — a classic MSU gem that has educated the public about our solar system since 1964.

Ing has plenty of ideas for the spring season, ranging from money-saving road trips to responsible cleaning and indoor gardening. We’re even cleaning up our diets with a healthy shamrock shake recipe! In addition, we are looking at how to cleanse our minds by stepping away from social media.

While change can be celebrated in lighthearted, fun ways, a tone of seriousness and sincerity is always welcome. We’re looking at the #MeToo movement’s powerful impact on the awards season in Hollywood, as well as women who show true Spartan strength every day: MSU female athletes.

We hope this issue helps you prepare for the end of the school year (How did that happen so fast?) with graduation, warm weather and summer coming up. It’s never too early to cultivate positive habits and interests. We look forward to the change in seasons, as well as the much-needed change coming to our beloved university.

221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: 517.203.0123 • Fax: 517.203.3334 PUBLISHER Tiffany Dowling SALES MANAGER Jennifer Hodges ACCOUNT MANAGERS Megan Fleming Manny Garcia MEDIA MANAGER Jill Bailey EDITOR Kelly Mazurkiewicz ART DIRECTOR Mark Warner COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Ami Iceman-Haueter PUBLICATION DESIGNER Heather Thielking WEB MANAGER Skylar Kohagen WRITING Allison Bertram Cassidy Johncox Lauren Utykanski Maggie Morgan Desharra Alexander-Self Ean Montague EDITING Emily Orlando Michala White Jessica Kukla Allison Bertram Emma Moller Treandra Thomas SOCIAL MEDIA Cassidy Johncox Maggie Morgan Treandra Thomas Emma Moller DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Emma Moller

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ADVERTISING INFORMATION Call 517.203.0123

Allison Bertram is a junior studying professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing. She enjoys exploring Lansing, visiting coffee shops and greeting any dog that crosses her path. Follow her on social media at @alli_bertram.

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Give us a call at 517.203.0123 or email at ami@m3group.biz. ing Magazine is published monthly by M3 Group, Lansing, MI. All rights reserved. © 2014 M3 Group No part of this magazine may be reproduced whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher.

CONTENTS march

ON THE COVER 6 THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC 10 FROM TITLE IX TO BIG TEN TITLES 16 MELODIES OF MSU

FEATURing 8 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIVISM

QUIZZing

LIVing

LIVing

GOing

SUPPORTing

SHOWing

COOKing

SAVing

HAPPENing

HAPPENing

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IN THIS ISSUE

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Thank You for the Music March is Music in Our Schools Month, and MSU is Full of Music

BY MAGGIE MORGAN

Music affects everyone in diverse ways, but many will confirm that music ultimately changes lives. Being exposed to music brings about countless benefits, and many experts believe that music is a crucial part of education, creativity and expression. In 1985, the National Association for Music Education dedicated a monthlong celebration of music in schools to raise awareness of musical education for all students. Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM) is celebrated each March and is an opportunity for music teachers to highlight the programs in their academic community that bring the benefit of music to students at any level.

At MSU, music is a part of our daily lives — whether we notice it or not. We walk to class to the tune of the bells in Beaumont tower, we sing “Victory for MSU” and the “Alma Mater” at every sporting event, and we’ve all seen at least one amazing musical at the Wharton Center. While those things may seem obvious, there are many other ways to experience and participate in music at MSU and during MIOSM, even if you aren’t a music major.

The College of Music schedules performances that students are welcome to enjoy. From piano performances and 6

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symphony bands to jazz orchestras and wind symphonies, there are more days in the month of March that feature musical events than days that do not. These festivities are completely unique to MSU’s college experience and are free to students with a valid ID. Generous sponsors and lovers of music donate time and funds to make these performances happen, including MSU’s public radio station, WKAR. WKAR is a public radio station in East Lansing that is owned by the university and has been providing students and faculty with classical music channels since 1948.

Along with stations that play classical music, WKAR also provides some of National Public Radio’s popular programs. Fans of folk, jazz and classical music can tune in at any time of the day to catch playlists within their favorite genres. Student radio is an underrated but crucial aspect of ensuring that music is an integrated part of education, by making it accessible to anyone on campus.

Speaking of student radio, MSU’s Impact 89FM has students covered on all things alternative music. Impact is one of the nation’s largest college radio programs with over 300 students who work and volunteer for the station; this

collaborative effort is recognized across campus as students are involved with not only FM music and DJing, but also with updating the website’s written articles about music, covering all MSU’s sports teams, managing marketing and conducting professional interviews. Impact also hosts events over the course of the semester that aim to get students involved with music in any context.

One of the most well-known events that Impact sponsors on campus is Open Mic Night with the University Activities Board. Open Mic Night takes place every other Tuesday night and is a favorite of Spartan students. March 13 and March 27 are the next Open Mic Nights, so grab your friends and head to the MSU Union for a night full of music. Students are encouraged to embrace their musical, comedic and creative sides by signing up to sing a couple of songs. There are even regulars who perform; The Three Dollar Bill Crew, a huge crowd pleaser, leave the crowd laughing every time. You don’t need to be the next Beyoncé or Justin Timberlake to perform — you just need to have fun!

Music is an important part of MSU’s social and cultural identity, found in any corner of the university. There are countless opportunities for students to get involved with music whether it’s through working at one of the radio stations, performing at open mic night or attending events scheduled by the College of Music. Since March is Music in Our Schools Month, take advantage of all the music our school has to offer and make the most of this university.

Maggie Morgan is a junior majoring in professional writing with a concentration in creative writing. Hobbies include: spending all of her money on concert tickets, trying to convince Green Day to let her be their friend, geeking out about music history, dreaming of writing for Rolling Stone.

You can follow her on instagram at @swaggie_.maggie.

REGISTER NOW!

Photo by Maggie Morgan

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018 2 PM ADADO RIVERFRONT PARK LANSING, MI

Locally Presented by: NATIONAL SPONSORS

Register at: KomenMichigan.org/MMRace18

MYINGMAG.COM

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FEATURing

LIGHTS, CAMERA,

ACTIVISM

BY CASSIDY JOHNCOX

Award show season has arrived, and many of us will bask in the warm glow of celebrities’ fake-tanned skin as they dazzle the red carpet in their suits and gowns. With an abundance shows like the Golden Globes, the Grammys and the Oscars, there are plenty of opportunities to envy that Hollywood glamour on and off the red carpet.

This season, each of these shows are celebrating large milestones; the Grammys turned 60, the Golden Globes turned 75 and the Oscars will celebrate their 90th anniversary. Looking back throughout history, these glitzy ceremonies were created and used to acknowledge the arduous work and talent of artists. In recent years, 8

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however, award shows have become somewhat of a platform for activism.

Most recently (as of this writing), the 2018 Grammy Awards served as a platform for various social and political issues, including but not limited to gender inequality, sexual abuse, immigration rights and racism. Most notably, Kesha performed her hit song “Praying,” accompanied by various female artists — Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels and more — and the Resistance Revival Chorus. The song, a nod to her former producer that allegedly abused Kesha sexually throughout her contract, powerfully and explicitly displayed the impact of assault on survivors.

In addition to powerful performances, many Grammy guests wore white roses to honor the Time’s Up movement — a Hollywood movement to fight against sexual harassment. It was born after sexual assault allegations dominated the news cycles, accusing various male

Hollywood producers and actors of sexual misconduct. The 2018 Golden Globe Awards also made sure to highlight this initiative as women were encouraged to don black dresses and buttons to support the movement. Throughout the Golden Globes, many actresses and actors used their time on stage to speak more about this issue.

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In both 2015 and 2016, the Oscars were scrutinized for its inclusivity in terms of nominations and attendees.

The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, coined by blogger April Reign, was used to publicize the underrepresentation of people of color in its nominations. In both years, all 20 actors nominated in for lead and supporting acting categories were white.

Many people were outraged by this, especially after learning that the Oscar voters are predominately white (94 percent), male (74 percent) and averaging 63 years of age — a demographic that may not be very interested in films with people of color. In 2016, director Spike Lee chose not to attend the ceremony, along with actress Jada Pinkett-Smith who called for a boycott on the Academy Awards. Looking back on the history of the Academy Awards, only 14 black actors have won acting Oscars.

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At the 2016 Oscars, a few actors and actresses used the ceremony as an opportunity to discuss political and social issues, especially with the then-upcoming presidential election. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio won an Oscar for Best Actor in “The Revenant,” and used his acceptance speech to discuss global warming and climate change. After his speech, The Washington Post reported that over 34.5 million had viewed it and internet traffic about the topic increased dramatically.

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Also, at the 2016 Oscar ceremony, actor Andy Serkis spent his time on stage talking very specifically about the then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Serkis referred to Trump as a “megalomaniacal monster,” and went on to discuss why he should not win the presidency.

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Cassidy Johncox is a senior studying professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing. When she isn’t working, you can find her reading, writing, or playing video games (...mostly video games).

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It’s safe to say that American culture is shifting closer — or attempting to — toward inclusivity, tolerance and equality. Celebrities that share these beliefs are using their public platforms to spread these messages to their millions of viewers around the globe. Award shows are still the embodiment of glamour and high fashion, but now it seems there is a deeper sense of purpose that graces the red carpet.

MYINGMAG.COM

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FROM TITLE IX TO BIG TEN TITLES Highlighting the women who help achieve victory for MSU

Photo courtesy of the National Collegiate Dodgeball Association

POMPON

DODGEBALL

Photo courtesy of the MSU Club Pom Team

ROWING

Photo courtesy of the MSU Club Pom Team

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Photo by Alyssa Malak

BY EAN MONTAGUE

From 2010 to now, women have won more Big Ten titles across all varsity sports than men (13-8). Since we are in the midst of Women’s History Month, it is time we recognize these female Spartans and their contributions to sports.

“It’s made me work that much harder, being one of the only girls,” Shappell said. “Because I want to be one of the people who stands out regardless of whether I’m a guy or a girl.”

At MSU, there are a dozen varsity sports that women compete in, as well as hundreds of club sports. Of course, this was not always the case. It was not until the implementation of Title IX that many of the women’s sports were created, such as the women’s rowing team in 1997, which has produced Olympic talent and continues to provide women with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the sport.

“You feel like you’re almost a special part of the school,” senior rowing team member and kinesiology major Madison Glatz said of being a varsity athlete.

However, when the women’s rowing team was established, it got some flack as its creation meant funding was cut for some of the men’s sports, such as lacrosse.

“The original [team], back in 1997, had to deal with a lot — no one really liked them,” Glatz said. “They used to be called the ‘fundies’ because they were funded by the school.

We actually sometimes still get that.”

Aside from the varsity sports, there are hundreds of female athletes who take pride in representing MSU through their club sports. Senior human biology major Rebecca Shappell is one of just two women on MSU’s club dodgeball team.

“It’s made me work that much harder, being one of the only girls,” Shappell said. “Because I want to be one of the people who stands out regardless of whether I’m a guy or a girl.”

Shappell is the president and co-captain of MSU’s club dodgeball team, which is consistently one of the top programs in the nation. Since she joined during her freshman year, Shappell has been one of only a handful of women who play collegiate dodgeball in the country.

“They’re very accepting of women in dodgeball,” Shappell said. “I personally love it because it gives me the opportunity to stand out.”

Female athletes are also heavily involved in the community, with many athletes using their off-seasons to give back.

“It’s a lot more than just our competitions,” junior elementary education major and club pompon team member Allison O’Brien said. “We do a lot of donations and performances at [charity] events.”

Whether it be rowing, dodging, dancing, diving or any other sport, female athletes are out there making an impact for the green and white. While they have enjoyed seizing the opportunity to play sports, many feel that there is more that could be done to recognize the contributions of the women’s sports programs.

“I do feel that women’s sports at Michigan State could be expanded upon,” Shappell said. “There’s a lot more that obviously goes into men’s basketball [and] football.”

Glatz echoed a similar sentiment of the rowing team: “We’re not a revenue-producing sport, so we do get overlooked in that regard.”

Women’s sports are often less attended than their male equivalents. According to statistics from the MSU Athletics website, nearly 10,000 more people on average attend men’s basketball games as compared to women’s.

“If you are an avid sports fan you should support either team, men or women,” Glatz said, adding, “I feel like women definitely should support other women’s teams more.”

Women’s sports teams at MSU have made a lot of progress since the implementation of Title IX, but the contributions they have made, for both their university and community, are still underappreciated. So, go out and see what the female Spartans are doing and go watch a game — they are free to students after all.

Ean Montague is a junior majoring in professional writing and minoring in film studies. Outside of his studies, he enjoys soccer, rock music, sleeping and breakfast food. He also edits content on the website for the Impact student radio station.

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HAPPENing

Arts Night Out

Lansing’s Unique Way of Promoting Creativity

BY MAGGIE MORGAN

Friday nights bring about a fabulous list of endless opportunities. There is often so much going on that it’s difficult to know what to participate in. In May of 2016, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing set off on a mission to create an event that brings art to the Old Town neighborhood in Lansing, and since then, Arts Night Out has become a favorite of many Lansing and East Lansing residents. The bi-monthly occasion combines street art, pop-up theater, live music and performances with local businesses and friendly faces.

Locals look forward to Arts Night Out and use it as an opportunity to become more acquainted with everything Old Town has to offer. Its small businesses, bars, coffee shops and even parking lots turn into galleries and venues. Diverse people, cultures and ideas combine to create a truly unique experience.

Sierra Richards, an advertising major at MSU, is planning to attend Arts Night Out in March. “My friend Lilly grew up around here and likes going to those events, so I heard about it from her,” Richards said. After learning more about the event, she became excited to explore her community with her friends.

“Old Town is a hidden gem for Lansing,” said Richards. Its atmosphere attracts all aspects of culture

and draws people in with its charm.

Arts Night Out magnifies that and turns that feeling into a celebration.

When the Arts Council of Greater Lansing launched Arts Night Out almost two years ago, the goal was to give locals a way to broaden and participate in urban space and creativity in unexpected ways. Arts Night Out is a creative mashup that promotes a love for this community and a love for the arts. Make sure to head to Old Town on March 2 to embrace the culture and follow @myartsnightout on Instagram.

Maggie Morgan is a junior majoring in professional writing with a concentration in creative writing. Hobbies include: spending all of her money on concert tickets, trying to convince Green Day to let her be their friend, geeking out about music history, dreaming of writing for Rolling Stone. You can follow her on instagram at @swaggie_.maggie.

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Sensory-Friendly Shows at Abrams Planetarium Making Space Inclusive for All

Photos by Ella Caudill

Performances, sporting events and movies are often difficult for people with autism to fully enjoy. Loud noises and flashing lights can be triggers, making for an uncomfortable experience. That’s why sensory-friendly shows have been popping up across the country at all types of venues, from local movie theatres to the Kennedy Center. MSU is joining this positive initiative by hosting sensory-friendly shows at Abrams Planetarium, which has been educating the public about astronomy since 1964.

On the third Sunday of every month, the theater doors to the Abrams Planetarium open for a fun show that includes a live star talk and a look at the night sky. Shows run with the lights up, sound low and doors open for the audience to express themselves and move about freely.

Sensory-friendly shows can have a variety of different aspects. For music performances, the audio is usually turned to a lower decibel while flashing lights are kept to a minimum. Movie theaters usually leave the lights on while also turning the audio to a lower level. Staff members at venues are usually debriefed on best practices and things they should know when hosting these unique and inclusive events.

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Roger Ideishi, director of occupational therapy at Temple University, told Billboard in a December 2017 article that the popularity growth in sensory-friendly shows should be attributed to education from venues themselves. “Its primary growth is through education at the annual LEAD conference, and it seems to take off from there," Ideishi said.

Sensory-friendly shows are on the third Sunday of every month at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with a short break between the main show and the start of the star talk.

Ticket sales begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the show. Ticket prices for all shows are: $4.50 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens and $3.50 for children age 12 and under.

Allison Bertram is a junior studying professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing. She enjoys exploring Lansing, visiting coffee shops and greeting any dog that crosses her path. Follow her on social media at @alli_bertram.

SAVing

UNDERSTANDING, ESTABLISHING,

AND MAINTAINING CREDIT

BY DEIDRE DAVIS

Spring 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 racked up your credit card debt, negatively impacting your credit. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to get your credit on track.

1.

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.

2.

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.

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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 each loan or line of credit.

You may also want to consider what products or services you 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 and maintain it, you will have the tools needed to make good decisions and set yourself up for a successful financial future.

Deidre Davis is the Chief Marketing Officer at MSU Federal Credit Union. MSUFCU’s headquarters are at 3777 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823. Contact Deidre at deidre.davis@ msufcu.org or (517) 664-7877.

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MELODIES OF MSU How MSU’s students and faculty embrace music as a community

BY MAGGIE MORGAN

MSU’s College of Music is a hidden gem on campus. It’s listed in Niche’s top 50 music schools in America and offers many different bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degree options. It even offers non-degree programs, including a minor in music and a performance diploma.

The College of Music however offers far more than just degrees — it creates a unique community on campus by offering inclusive sessions and workshops called Listening and Healing that are enjoyed by students who are involved with the college. These events are the basis for a supportive environment in which students, faculty and staff participate in, to initiate a unanimous responsibility that embraces students’ similarities while celebrating their differences.

Casey Sherwood and Connor Bulka are freshmen who benefit from the community aspect of the College of Music. Sherwood studies vocal performance with dreams of singing for international opera companies and beginning a nonprofit that brings the benefits of learning and performing music to children, who do not have the opportunities in their daily lives to do so. Bulka is studying music performance, and his instrument is a tuba. He plans on either performing in a professional orchestra or becoming a music professor for small groups of students.

The pair are part of a tight-knit community that is created by the College of Music. “It’s two buildings;

you’re with the same people all day. You get really close, really fast,” said Sherwood, thinking of how she was instantly able to make friends when she came to campus in the fall. “The voice department all comes together on Thursday afternoons and has recital hours, so you get to see the entire vocal department perform and see what they’ve been working on. You’re there to support each other and aspire to be better together.”

Bulka has found his community by making personal connections with music majors outside of the college, especially in university-required courses. “Since our schedules are so similar, I’ll be going to my Africa Studies class and see someone from my music class, and I can go over and spark up a conversation,” said Bulka.

Sherwood and Bulka are also huge advocates for nonmusic majors participating in music on campus. “There are choirs here that you don’t need to be a music major to be in. All you have to do is audition!” Sherwood explains. This is a perfect opportunity for students who have a passion for music performance but decided not to study music in college. “Some professors even do individual lessons,” Bulka adds. The College of Music offers countless performances that are free to students and anyone who enjoys watching and listening to live music. “On Fridays, the College of Music puts on concerts in the lobby of Landon Hall,” Sherwood mentions while listing off countless musical events that

MUSIC

Photo by Maggie Morgan

Casey Sherwood and Connor Bulka Photo16 Courtesy The Community Music School MAR,of2018

Photo Courtesy of The Community Music School

Photo by Maggie Morgan

While Steinhardt cannot promise that this minor will show up in MSU’s degree navigator any time soon, he is excited to continue to work with the college of Communication Arts and Sciences to make it happen.

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The MSU Community Music School is located on Hagadorn road, right across from campus. It was founded in 1993 with the goal of providing everyone in the community with an access to music education.

They are inclusive of everyone, regardless of age, ability or income. The music school offers private lessons, group classes and ensembles, summer camps and music therapy. Jamie DeMott, director of the music school, is an MSU alumna who has always had a passion for music. DeMott graduated from MSU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and pursued her master’s degree in arts and youth development in 2009.

As director, she “oversee[s] all programs, all faculty

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Professor Joseph Steinhardt, Ph.D., is a perfect example of how music courses can become inclusive and reach even non-music majors. He teaches in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences under the department of advertising and public relations. He may be a professor now, but back in 2003 he started Don Giovanni Records while in college. The record label started while Steinhardt was in a band at Boston University, and he moved the label to New Brunswick after graduation.

Don Giovanni typically focuses on bands local to the New York and New Jersey scene and has a formidable reputation for backing female and LGBT artists. Now that Steinhardt is a professor, he shares his wealth of knowledge in the music industry with his students. In his Independent Music Culture and Society course, students from any major can spend a semester learning about the operations of an independent record label by gaining hands-on experience in the manufacturing, distribution,

“The idea of this class is that you don’t have to be a musician or a music major to work in the music industry,” Steinhardt said. “The culture side fosters community and it fosters political change. It has a significant impact on culture. Music can’t just be a product; it’s more important than that.”

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The College of Music aims to share its community spirit with the rest of MSU by making it easy for students who are not music majors to get involved in all the fun; music is a universal language, and everyone has some sort of experience with music. While music can provide a personal experience, it’s also a factor in creating a fiercely inclusive community. Concerts, open mic nights and karaoke at Crunchy’s all contribute to the community aspect. There are also plenty of courses that non-music majors can enroll in and get their fix of music education.

press and marketing functions of a label. The goal of the course is to prepare students who are interested in working in music-related fields for any sort of job they could possibly apply for. Through this course, Steinhardt came up with the idea to create a minor in indie music production.

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are free to Spartan students. “Music enhances life in the right ways.”

Joe Steinhardt Photo by Maggie Morgan

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— basically the operations of the Community Music School as a whole. Every day is different.”

music students, giving students hands-on experience as music educators.

The range of services, sessions and courses that the MSU Community Music School offers to members of the community is expansive. “We offer music education and music therapy from birth through senior adults,” DeMott said. “It truly runs the gamut. We have had students as young as just days old.” One of the most special aspects of the school is the use of music therapy to help children and adults. The courses aim to use “the therapeutic use of music to address anything from closed brain injuries to autism.” The sessions are taught by MSU music students, professional musicians and music educators who each bring unique methods and style to each class. The school also functions as the lab for MSU

Music is a force that has the incredible ability to create community and culture. It brings people together every day and serves a critical role in students’ lives at MSU. From music majors and professors to students studying an array of different topics, music is one thing that connects them all.

Maggie Morgan is a junior majoring in professional writing with a concentration in creative writing. Hobbies include: spending all of her money on concert tickets, trying to convince Green Day to let her be their friend, geeking out about music history, dreaming of writing for Rolling Stone. You can follow her on instagram at @swaggie_.maggie.

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COOKing

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BY CASSIDY JOHNCOX

As a Spartan and nature-enthusiast, I love everything green; so you can only imagine how much I love St. Patrick’s Day. While I particularly enjoy the green-dyed beer, it’s not the only holiday-inspired drink doused with artificial food coloring. Why yes, I am referring to the limited-time-only, fan-favorite Shamrock Shake offered at McDonald’s. The creamy drink has been filling tummies with massive amounts of sugar for almost 50 years now, and yet we still can’t get enough of it.

But do you really know just how much sugar is in a small Shamrock Shake? Seventy-three grams – not to mention the 530 calories and a whopping 15 grams of fat. And that is just the small; the large has 820 calories. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve fallen prey to this milkshake throughout my life, but that was before I learned it contains over 50 ingredients (most of which are obviously not healthy).

If you’re looking to curb your craving for a Shamrock Shake without the guilty heartache (and possible heart attack), try this at-home recipe that is less than 200 calories per serving*. It’s just as sweet and delicious, and you can’t even taste the spinach.

• 1 large, frozen, overripe banana • ⅛ tsp pure peppermint extract (or more to taste; some prefer ¼ tsp) • Up to 1 cup milk of choice (almond, cashew, and coconut milks are my favorite) • ¼ cup baby spinach leaves • Optional: dark chocolate chips (as topping or blended in) • Optional: low-fat whipped cream as topping DIRECTIONS: Blend all ingredients in a blender until completely smooth. Start by using about ⅔ cup of the milk and add more depending on your desired thickness. You can add dark chocolate either before or after blending. Top with desired toppings and you’re done! *Note: If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, add a cup of frozen vanilla yogurt for a richer, creamier milkshake! Though this option will add a few more calories, it is still much healthier than a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake – just be sure to use less milk if incorporating frozen yogurt.

Cassidy Johncox is a senior studying professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing. When she isn’t working, you can find her reading, writing, or playing video games (...mostly video games).

MYINGMAG.COM

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SHOWing

ART FROM DESTRUCTION Explore Post-apocalyptic life in Dog Act at the Wharton Center

The world has ended. Only little of what once was remains, and the few survivors struggle to find meaning in the rubble.

“It highlights the value of art,” Allen said. “Without art, what is the point of survival?... What kind of world would we have if people can’t see the value of art?”

This is the world of Dog Act, the unique stage performance being performed by the 2018 master’s degree acting candidates this month. The play, written by Liz Duffy Adams, follows a theatre troupe as they navigate the apocalyptic wasteland that was the U.S., searching for China where they are set to perform.

Today, when art programs are being cut from schools, Allen says this message is as crucial as it has ever been.

“If the scavengers can see the value in [art] certainly we should be able to,” she said.

“It’s more about the relationships between characters and what is revealed on their journey,” third-year MFA candidate Kristy Allen said. “In a world where everything has been lost, these individuals are trying to establish what is still valuable.”

Allen plays Vera Similitude, who joins protagonist Zetta Stone, her companion Dog and others on their journey through the wilderness to perform their vaudeville act.

“She is razor sharp,” Allen said of her character. “[She] has learned how to survive in this post-apocalyptic world using her wits.”

While the play may be set in a dismal future, many of the themes from the production are relevant to modern life in America.

20

MAR, 2018

The production is the capstone thesis project for the MFA candidates led by director and professor Christina Traister.

“She is a very… heart-oriented individual,” Allen said of Traister. “It’s going to be a gutsy production.”

There are 10 performances of Dog Act scheduled starting Friday, March 16, and ending Sunday, March 25. The performance on Sunday, March 18, will be preceded by a discussion with Traister, and there will be a second discussion following the performance on Thursday, March 22. With nine days of performances, there are plenty of chances to “come see how you would behave if the world was destroyed and you were left to fend for yourself,” as Allen puts it, adding, “Which character would you be?”

Ean Montague is a junior majoring in professional writing and minoring in film studies. Outside of his studies, he enjoys soccer, rock music, sleeping and breakfast food. He also edits content on the website for the Impact student radio station.

Photo courtesy of Kristy Allen

BY EAN MONTAGUE

SUPPORTing

SPRINGSGIVING

BY TREANDRA THOMAS

Spring is right around the corner! It’s hard to think that we’ll be enjoying shorts and walking outside soon, without shivering so hard that we spill our coffee or being that kid who slipped on ice in front of everyone at the bus stop.

Rather than waste good clothes or food, you should partake in lending a helping hand and possibly changing someone’s life — you could make a stark difference. Being in college and struggling to make ends meet can make it seem impossible to make a difference within your community, but it is not all about how much money you can give.

It’s safe to say that spring brings a lot of positive vibes. This is the time when you should go through Haven House not only takes your apartment (or dorm) and donations, but they also get rid of the things that you welcome volunteers to come in do not use or that you simply and play with kids or even cook don’t want anymore. Getting for families who are staying old things out makes room for there. Opportunities like these are not only new things but the fresh what can shape a person, and these start you promised yourself as you types of activities help not just the brought in the new year. So, yes, adults, but children who may just need this means letting those floral pants Photo by a friend that day to make them smile. So, from high school go, because let’s face Treandra Thomas this spring, join ing in our attempt to do it — they are no longer in style. Now comes a little spring cleaning — and lend a helping hand in the question: What should I do with the things I no the process. longer want or need? The answer is simple: donate them!

There are many charities around Lansing that take clothing and food donations, including St. Vincent de Paul Society, Haven House and Volunteers of America. Each accepts donations year-round for families or individuals in need.

Treandra Thomas is a senior majoring in professional writing. Treandra’s imagination has always been huge, and she explores that through writing in her free time. She is shamelessly obsessed with reality TV shows and also cooking. You can follow her on instagram @treandras_world.

MYINGMAG.COM

21

GOing

BY LAUREN UTYKANSKI

22

MAR, 2018

It’s finally time for spring break! If you’re looking to spend the beginning of March on the open road, then follow this guide.

Schedule a time for everyone to get together and talk more seriously about the trip. You need to clarify a few things before you can really start planning. Where do you want to go? How many hours are you willing to drive in one day?

Do you want to spend time outdoors and sleep under the stars, or spend time on the town and book cute rooms in hotels or Airbnbs? Once you make the big decisions about the trip, you can move on to the finer details.

If you have a destination in mind, using Google Maps to look at your route can help you visualize your trip. Google Maps also allows you to create a custom map so that you can save routes and locations, label them and share the map with your friends. You can also download your map so that you don’t need WiFi to access it — an essential for driving through dead zones.

It goes without saying that if you’re worried your car might not make it five miles to the grocery store, it’s not the right car to drive 1,000 miles southwest. Take some time to prepare it for the long journey ahead. Change your oil, check the air in your tires, make sure all your lights are functional, etc. If you have a really handy friend (or a really handy parent) have them take a look at it. You can’t prevent every disaster on the road, but these simple checks can help prevent a few.

Road trips aren’t cheap, but with some extra planning even the tightest budgets can afford them. Once you decide how much you want to spend on where you’re sleeping, it’s time to estimate gas, food and souvenirs. Use GasBuddy, a mobile app and website, to look at gas prices across the nation.

When it comes to food, make sure you pack some snacks to save money on the road.

Even if you can listen to NPR for hours, you’re going to drive through places with terrible radio reception. There’s a few alternatives to radio: Buy XM radio, buy your favorite albums on CDs, buy blank CDs to burn your own mixes, or create a collaborative playlist using Spotify to play music through the AUX input. Not only is the latter free, it gives everyone a chance to play their style of music. You can also test your knowledge of your friends’ music tastes by playing a game where everyone guesses who added the song, which helps to pass the time.

The freedom of driving anywhere you want with your friends makes the open road the ideal spring break for college students. If you stay organized, make a solid plan, and a solid backup plan, and stay adaptable — this will be easily the trip of a lifetime. Good luck and have fun!

Photos by Lauren Utykanski

Lauren Utykanski enjoys blueberry green tea, the farmers market and travelling. They told her Olympic dog walking doesn’t exist yet, so instead she decided to study Professional Writing with a minor in Museum Studies. Keep up with her on Instagram at @laurenuty.

MYINGMAG.COM

23

LIVing

SELF-MOTIVATION Step away from social media

BY DESHARRA ALEXANDER-SELF

When you’re constantly on social media, your perception of what’s real is warped.

Has there ever been a time when you felt down about yourself? Like you weren’t doing anything with your life, but everyone else had it figured out? Yes? Well, part of the problem is social media.

“People compare themselves to who they see on social media. The con is that you put too much effort into being a perfectionist for social media,” said MSU student James Honey*. “After a while of only seeing pictures of people being successful or seemingly happy, self-comparison occurs and it can be a bitch to deal with.”

When you’re constantly on social media, your perception of what’s real is warped. “People pay too much attention to it,” said MSU student Eve Banks*. “Just the idea that people can post themselves being happy all the time, so you have this idea that if you have a bad day or something like that, other people are doing so much better than you, which can bring you down more. I think that’s something that happens to a lot of people.”

Many people weigh their self-worth based on how many likes and comments they get from complete strangers.

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MAR, 2018

Research shows that people who use Facebook frequently report higher depression rates and decreased well-being.

According to the New York Behavioral Health website, “Every day chronic social media use may affect trait self-esteem negatively, while state self-esteem can also be affected by incidental use. In fact, research shows that people who use Facebook frequently report higher depression rates and decreased well-being.” It’s seriously unhealthy, especially when you’ve got other things in your life going on.

So, what do you do? Start by doing a social media detox.

Delete and deactivate your social media accounts. Take a break from it and turn your attention away from your phone.

Taking a break from your daily feed is hard, but not impossible. Think of it as a chance to do some serious self-inventory. Make a list of your goals and surround yourself with motivation. Follow through and JUST DO IT! The only person who can make you feel better is yourself. Download a productivity app to keep track of your improvements. Do some meditation; get back in touch with yourself.

Photos by Desharra Alexander-Self

For Sarah, it started with a simple quote.

With auto insurance through AAA, Sarah enjoys reliable protection and an accident-free discount that makes every drive worth smiling about.

Many people weigh their self-worth based on how many likes and comments they get from complete strangers.

If deleting all of your social media seems too extreme, try scheduling mandatory breaks from browsing social media. Consider using the Forest app; it’ll prevent you from picking up your phone to scroll through Instagram or Twitter. Even better, just put your phone out of reach and focus on yourself. Also, remember this very important detail about the social media post you’ve looked at: ALL YOU’RE SEEING IS A FRAGMENT FROM SOMEONE’S LIFE, AND THAT FRAGMENT MAY NOT EVEN BE REAL. Now go detox your way to stability. *Student preferred to stay anonymous.

Desharra Alexander-Self is a senior majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing and minoring in Japanese. Some of the things she enjoys is Tumblr, Japanese/Korean media, video games, DIY beauty videos, free food and finding random things to be excited about (like sheep, mythology and Italian literature).

You can follow her on social media under @Queen_Aelise.

Let us get you started with a simple quote. As your local AAA Agency, we will help ensure you have the right coverage and are getting all the discounts you deserve.

Get a Quote Today AAA Lansing 3415 E Saginaw St G, Lansing, MI 48912 517-487-6171 aaa.com/lansing Insurance underwritten by one of the following companies: Auto Club Insurance Association, MemberSelect Insurance Company, Auto Club Group Insurance Company, Auto Club Property-Casualty Insurance Company, Auto Club South Insurance Company, Auto Club Insurance Company of Florida

MYINGMAG.COM

25

LIVing

r u o Y e v Gi s e u l B r e t n Wi New Hue a

BY LAUREN UTYKANSKI

You’ve probably been stuck indoors daydreaming about the color green for months. You’re not alone! One strategy to beat this symptom of the winter blues is to start keeping an indoor garden. In addition to improving your overall happiness, keeping indoor plants can actually improve the air quality of your apartment or home. According to a study by NASA, there’s evidence that house plants reduce the amount of formaldehyde, ammonia and carbon dioxide, while also increasing the amount of oxygen. To find the right plants for your lifestyle, do your research and start small. Good plants for beginners are aloe vera, succulents, cacti, spider plants, lucky bamboo, varieties of ivy, varieties of rubber plants, varieties of pothos and more!

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MAR, 2018

Indoor plants have three simple needs: good sources of light, water and nutrients in their soil. According to the University of Georgia, maintaining the source of light is the most important thing for your plants. The part of your room, house or apartment that gets the most light for the most hours of the day is the best place for your plants. Plants in darker living spaces would benefit from an LED lamp, which can be found at hydroponics shops and websites like Amazon. Hydroponic shops tend to offer more complex and expensive solutions, but Amazon features very simple LED lamps that will only cost you $10.00 to $20.00, and significantly improve your plant’s light source.

The biggest mistakes that beginners make are overwatering and not fertilizing. The easiest way to avoid the first is to only water your plant when the soil is completely dry. You can also use a calendar to keep track of the days you watered. As you select varieties of plants for your garden, research how often they require fertilization. By keeping up with fertilizing, your plants will grow much more quickly.

So, you’ve learned how to get going, now where should you go to buy your plants? If you don’t have many options for gardening stores in your area, don’t fret! Large grocery stores often sell succulents, cacti and aloe vera. You can also explore The Sill, a website that offers indoor varieties starting at $5. On March 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the MSU Horticulture Gardens is having a Spring Make & Take event where visitors will create spa blends, make kokedama moss balls and more! The MSU Horticulture Association also features an annual show and plant sale on April 21 and 22. You can find more details for both events on Facebook.

Now stop daydreaming about the color green, and go start your garden!

Lauren Utykanski enjoys blueberry green tea, the farmers market and travelling. They told her Olympic dog walking doesn’t exist yet, so instead she decided to study Professional Writing with a minor in Museum Studies. Keep up with her on Instagram at @laurenuty.

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27

QUIZZing

THERE’S A MADNESS IN US ALL

How Do You Celebrate Basketball’s Biggest Month?

BY EAN MONTAGUE

How you fill out your NCAA Tournament bracket could reveal something about you. Take the quiz below about how you fill in your bracket to see what your defining personality trait is.

1.1.

HOW EARLY BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT DO YOU FILL OUT YOUR BRACKET?

a.

b.

c.

d.

As soon as they release the match-ups — I can’t wait A day or two after the teams are chosen so I have time to do my research After the First Four games are played — can’t risk getting those wrong A week into the tournament because I forgot about it

5.5.

7.7.

2. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS FOR SELECTING WHO WINS.

I follow my gut; I just choose the team that feels right I look through all the stats to see how the teams match up I usually pick the team with the higher seed It varies between whoever has the prettiest colors or coolest mascot

a. b.

c. d.

Just one, upsets are going to be crazy this year Two, I think the committee got their research half right Three or more, they’re 1-seeds for a reason Are those the numbers next to the names?

IF YOU GOT MOSTLY D’S YOU’RE: CREATIVE You’re not too into basketball, so you must put your energy into other things. March is just another month for you to express yourself, so go crazy.

IF YOU GOT MOSTLY C’S YOU’RE: LOGICAL The numbers don’t lie, so you follow them. It doesn’t always work out for your bracket, but it still has to count for something, right?

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MAR, 2018

HAVE YOU EVER WON YOUR BRACKET POOL?

a. b.

c. d.

Never, but I keep trying Yes, once but I put the money back in the pool the year after No, but I’ve gotten close a few times Yeah, but it was totally on accident

a.

b.

c. d.

9.9.

HOW WOULD YOU CELEBRATE IF YOUR BRACKET WON THIS YEAR?

a. b.

c. d.

1.

10.

As many as I can, definitely whenever MSU plays I try to watch them all, especially the teams with good stories All the ones that matter for my bracket I’ll watch it if nothing else is on

I’d throw a party for all my friends I’d be really happy, but I wouldn’t brag too much I’d probably gloat until next March I’d be surprised, but I wouldn’t really care

LASTLY, PICK AN OUTFIT FOR THE IZZONE.

a. b. c. d.

Green morph suit Green and white overalls Standard student section t-shirt Horse head all the way

IF YOU GOT MOSTLY A’S YOU’RE: LOYAL A true spartan, you love to rep the green and white. Hopefully, you’re as passionate about the people close to you as you are about March Madness.

HOW MANY 1-SEEDS ARE IN YOUR FINAL FOUR?

Penn State Nittany Lion Stanford Tree Duke Blue Devil Dayton Dragon

IF YOU GOT MOSTLY B’S YOU’RE: CONSIDERATE You look at all the options before you choose what’s best. May the effort you put into filling out your bracket flow over into your school work.

4.4.

a. b. c. d.

8. HOW MANY GAMES DO YOU WATCH EVERY MARCH?

3. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS FOR SELECTING WHO WINS.

Winning it all—this is our year Winning it all, as long as we keep the turnovers down Not winning it all—we’ll probably get upset Winning it all—we’re really good this year, I think

Just one Two, just in case one is a bust At least 5 Sometimes none

8.

3.

a. b.

c. d.

a. b. c. d.

6. WHICH NON-SPARTY MASCOT DO YOU PREFER?

6.

2.

a.

b.

c. d.

HOW MANY BRACKETS DO YOU FILL OUT?

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE YOU A SKILLED PHOTOGRAPHER? WANT TO BE PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE? ing Magazine is looking for freelance photographers to contribute to the monthly publication.

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