January 29, 2015 Ke Alaka'i Issue

JANUARY 29, 2015

Volume 107: Issue 2

‘ KE ALAKA I THE LEADER

steez gets around 6-8 Student cruises island in “adventure vehicle”

Heisman winner at the PCC 13

Football legends join Hall of Fame in Laie

Marketplace a blast from the past 10 New PCC shops pay tribute to local legends

KE ALAKA I

Table of

CONTENTS

January 29, 2015 • Volume 110: Issue 2 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF H o m e r Wo lm a n R eb e c c a S a b a lo n e s

ADVISOR Le e an n Lambe r t ART DIRECTOR

COPY EDITORS E m i ly H a l l s C a m ro n S t o c k f o rd H a n n a h Pa c k a rd

He cto r Pe r iqu in

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS

ART & GRAPHICS Lau re n Ste imle Jo h n D iaz E th an T sai Mo n ica R u balcava Je f f McLe o d

Alyssa Walhood Jared Roberts Jessica Tautfest Matt Roberts Trenton McCullough Morgynne Tora Kaitlin Broyles Raechel Reed Mackenzie McLeod Siyang Chen Alyssa Troyanek Alizabeth Apgood AD MANAGER Jo s h u a M a s o n

INTERNS Samo n e I so m He cto r Pe r iqu in

[5]

El e ctro n i c D an ce Musi c co me s i n to th e l i me l i gh t

[6-8]

No te d Lai e mural o n wh e e ls draws a crowd

[12-13] [11]

Po ly n e s i a n Fo o t b a l l H a l l o f Fa m e e n s h r i n e s m o re f o o t b a l l l e ge n d s

Si e r ra P h i l l i ps re tur n s f ro m sur real En gl i sh te ach i n g tr i p to C h i n a

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ke lsie C arlso n Mo n ica R u balcava Milan i Ho VIDEOGRAPHERS Je f f C o llin s Vlad T ro p n ikov Jo sh u a Maso n Yan -Fu C h e n

CONTACT

E-mail: ke a l a k a i @ by u h . edu Ad Information: ke a l a k a i ads @ gmail.c o m Phone: ( 8 0 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 6 9 4 Fax: ( 8 0 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 4 9 1 Office: C a mp u s , A l o h a C e n te r 134 N E W S C E N TE R

PUBLISHER

BOX 1920 BYUH LAIE, HI 96762

P r in t Se r vic e s

Editorial, photo submissions & distrib u t i o n i n q u i r i e s : ke a l a k a i @ by u h . e d u .

To s u b s c r i b e t o t h e R S S F E E D o r t o view additional ar ticles, g o t o ke a l a k a i . by u h . e d u .

Share with us your photo of the week and we may feature it in our next issue. e-mail us at kealakai@byuh.edu ON THE COVER: Malia Parker and friends take a photo beside the Steez, a van painted on the inside and out. Photo by Monica Rubalcava

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Photo by Benjamin Garcia

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FRIDAY The Blood Bank of Hawaii will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in mobile unites parked outside the CAC SATURDAY Give ‘N’ Take clean up service project meets at Little Theater at 8:45 a.m. and lasts from 9 a.m. to noon.

F e b r u a ry 7

SATURDAY Stop and Serve hosts clean up at Gunstock Ranch from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Little Theater to carpool there.

THE WEEK IN QUOTES

“America, for all that we have endured, for all the grit and hard work required to come back, for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this - the shadow of crisis has passed and the state of the union is strong.” — President Barack Obama during the 2015 State of the Union Address.

“There will be so many IP addresses ... so many devices, sensors, things that you are wearing, things that you are interacting with, that you won’t even sense it.” — Google Chief Eric Schmidt, on the omnipresent Internet of the future.

WORTHY

NEWS HEADLINES

LDS Church calls for balance of gay rights and religious freedom B Y S A MON E ISO M

BYU-Hawaii students said the LDS Church’s press release concerning its position on religious and gay rights on Jan. 27 was a good reminder about loving others despite differences.

Krista Muaina, a senior in elementary education from California, said she thought the press conference was not meant for members of the church so much as the public. “Even though we know how we are taught to love everyone regardless of sexual preference and how we believe in religious freedom, the public need to be reminded.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “Because we are frequently asked for our position on these matters, the Church asserts the following principles based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and on fairness for all, including people of faith: • “We claim for everyone the God-given and Constitutional right to live their faith according to the dictates of their own conscience, without harming the health or safety of others.

• “We acknowledge that the same freedom of conscience must apply to men and women everywhere to follow the religious faith of their choice, or none at all if they so choose.

• “We believe laws ought to be framed to achieve a balance in protecting the freedoms of all people while respecting those with differing values.

• “We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic circumstances or differences in gender or sexual orientation.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson said this press release does not indicate a shift in the LDS Church’s doctrine.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks speaks at press conference about the LDS Church’s stance on religious and gay rights.. Photo by AP.

Elder Oaks shared several examples of infringement on religious freedom that have caused these concerns. He said in “one of America’s largest cities, government leaders subpoenaed the sermons and notes of pastors who opposed parts of a new antidiscrimination law on religious grounds.” He also mentioned how the “head of a large American corporation was forced to resign from his position in a well-publicized backlash to his personal beliefs.”

“When religious people are publicly intimidated, retaliated against, forced from employment or made to suffer personal loss because they have raised their voice in the public square, donated to a cause or participated in an election, our democracy is the loser,” Elder Oaks said. “Such tactics are every bit as wrong as denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender.”

Sister Neill Marriott, a member of the Young Women’s general presidency, was part of the press conference panel. She said the church believes sexual relations other than between a man and a woman who are married are contrary to the laws of God. “This commandment and doctrine comes from sacred scripture and we are not at liberty to change it,” she said. “But, God is loving and merciful. His heart reaches out to all of His children equally and He expects us to treat each other with love and fairness.”

McKinzie Norton, freshman in graphic design from Kansas, said, “I’m sure there’s at least some opposition against the church for this announcement, but it’s important that everyone is treated fairly.”

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Surfing Champion Tragically Shot Ricardo dos Santos dead at age 24

BY M O R G YNNE TO R A

T

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he new year brought tragedy to the surfing community when 24-year-old professional surfer, Ricardo dos Santos, was allegedly shot by an off-duty police officer in front of his family home in the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina. CNN affiliate Record News reported the officer and dos Santos were arguing, and the altercation ended in the off-duty officer shooting three bullets in dos Santos’ chest. Though doctors performed four surgeries on dos Santos but were unable to stop the bleeding. He passed away on Jan. 20.

Luke Shum, a sophomore majoring in accounting and an avid North Shore surfer from California, said, “He was a role model for me because he was the anomaly. No one expected him to succeed because of where he came from, and then out of the wood works comes Ricardo, consistently riding the craziest tube.”

According to witness reports, the off-duty officer was identified as Luis Paulo Mota Brentano. Brentano has been arrested but claims he shot dos Santos in self-defense, according to Record News.

“He represented all of us very well and was very well recognized for his hard work and also was a very good person,” said Gabriel Medina, Brazil’s first surfing world champion. “There are certain things that we do not understand.”

Surfer Magazine praised dos Santos as “a fearless, worldclass tuberider” who “captured the surf world’s attention” at the 2012 Billabong Pro event in Tahiti, for which he took home the Andy Irons Forever Inspiration Award. Dos Santos also broke Kelly Slater’s 11-time winning streak when he won world champion in 2012. In addition, dos Santos won the Surfline Wave of the Winter for riding an “incredibly deep, blue, massive pipeline tube.”

Slater and other surfers in Hawaii paddled out to form a circle in tribute of the late dos Santos this past week. Slater later wrote on his Instagram, “Condolences to Ricardo’s friends and family around the world. Our small community has lost another way too soon.”

Though there have been conflicting reports about the intention of the police officer in the altercation and whether or not dos Santos wielded a weapon, the surf champion will be missed.

When it comes to mourning the loss of such great talent, Paul Kiering, a junior majoring in psychology from the Big Island of Hawaii, said it best: “The surf community shares a bond to each other as strong as the bond we feel to every wave we ride. I never knew Ricardo dos Santos personally, but I know that his legacy will carry on.”

KE ALAKA‘I

Richardo dos Santos rides in the tube of a wave during a surfing competition. Photo by AP

Partygoers raise their hands in excitement as Kaskade, an EDM artist, plays his music. Photo by Jared Roberts

Music in the Digital Age EDM drops into the popular music scene

BY JARED RO BERT S

E

lectronic Dance Music (EDM) is beginning to surge to the frontlines of the music industries as the sounds of synthesizers and bass are taking over the music charts.

Acts like Kaskade (who, according to ldsliving.com, is an active church member), Deadmau5 and Hardwell have come forth out of the EDM movement as world-renowned artists and have achieved international adoration on groundbreaking and revolutionary levels, according to DJmag.

BYU-Hawaii student Fabrizio Botalla, an undeclared sophomore from Italy said, “The music is really popular where I’m from.

Kids start listening to it as young as about 13. People are always blasting it in their cars too. It’s normal.”

However, EDM has only recently began to achieve the mainstream tag. The genre, in its entirety, is anything but new. It began as an underground movement in the 1980s, according to The Huffington Post, similarly to how hip-hop crossed over into the mainstream in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

“It’s a popular genre, but not my style. I know a lot of people who do listen to it, and I respect it as it’s own genre,” said Reed Segura, a junior from California studying political science.

EDM has dozens of sub-genres such as the polished sounds of trance, dubstep, glitch, break, hardstyle, bigroom and house.

Festivals are another part of the EDM scene. Events like Electric Daisy Carnival, Global Dance Festival, Decadence and To-

morrowland are a few successful festivals that can bring over 500,000 people together.

Tickets for events like these can range from an average of $200 to $350. EDM artist Tiësto reportedly makes over $250,000 per show, according to Forbes.

“The experience of Electronic Daisy Carnival is truly something unique. Everyone is just so happy and in love with the music.

I think everyone needs to at least experience one day,” said Alanna Norwood, a junior from California studying biochemistry who has attended the Electronic Daisy Carnival multiple times.

Although EDM is a genre on it’s own, it has influenced the pop charts as well. Producers like David Guetta and Zedd have found success by joining forces with pop sensations such as Nicki Minaj, Akon, Kid Cudi and Ariana Grande.

Forbes magazine wrote “dance music’s convergence with pop music has made it more accepted as well as opened up the genre to a host of new listeners.” Pop fans are slowly opening themselves up to the EDM genre through what they already deem as familiar.

Whether or not the general public will accept this new emergence of music, it is clear that EDM is here to stay. The music industry is beginning to brace itself for what EDMbiz coined as an exploding genre.

EDM has already created a massive scene for itself and, at the rate it’s growing, it may be this decade’s definitive genre.

JANUARY 29, 2015

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THE ST

BY KAITLIN BROYLES

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TEEZE

THIS IS THE PRIME ADVENTURE VEHICLE; WHERE ADVENTURE IS, THE STEEZ APPEARS.

B

YU-Hawaii student Malia Parker, a sophomore from Idaho majoring both in biology and peacebuilding, is experiencing and sharing the island with others via her newly purchased van, the Steez. An extra-long van with murals painted down the sides, the Steez is hard to miss.

Parker fell in love with the van last semester when it was under different ownership.

“I thought it was the coolest car ever. Then they put it up on the ‘sell your stuff’ Facebook page, and I was like ‘no way’,” Parker said with a child’s gleam in her eye.

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Parker’s roommate, Minlief du Plessis, a freshman from Wisconsin majoring in business, has caught the Steez spirit as well.

“Steez stands for style with ease,” Plessis continued, describing the unique features that give the Steez it’s style. “It came as is with all its quality features like the couch, Jesus painted on the ceiling and no reverse.”

Parker and Plessis are anxious to share the Steez spirit with others. For just $5, anyone can enjoy the Steez. “This is the prime adventure vehicle; where adventure is, the Steez appears,” Plessis said admiring the van. “So if anyone is interested in a ride because they’ve noticed how cool it is on campus, they’re totally welcome.

Every weekend it’s going somewhere.”

Maddie Christenson, a sophomore from Utah majoring in special education, is a regular rider in the Steez. Christenson, who goes for drives daily, said there is room for anyone who wants to as well. “There is plenty of space. You could fit a lot of people in the back,” Christenson said.

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Parker wants other students to know the Steez is open to anyone who wants or needs a ride. While Parker does not rent the van out, she is willing to drive other people. Driving the Steez requires a special driving technique that Parker is most familiar with.

“The Steez doesn’t have power steering, so it’s a workout every time we turn a corner,” Parker said.

Plessis has driven it before but does not plan on doing it again in the future if at all possible. “I drove it once, and it was a bumpy ride! That’s all I will say,” Plessis said, laughing.

Parker plans to add to the unique style of the van by having every passenger add a little of their own personality to the interior of the van. “We keep sharpies in there, so people can write little words of wisdom inside, and we’re going to put some paint in there,” Parker said.

Despite all of its unique qualities, Parker said, “She always manages to make it back home. Knock on wood.”

Left: A front view of The Steez. Right: Malia Parker sits in her van.

Photos by Monica Rubalcava

World Fest Brings New Members New clubs see growth as students sign up

BY JESS IC A TA UTFES T

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ewer BYUHSA clubs said their membership has gone up during the Winter Semester World Fest club sign-ups where every chapter and club has its own table to promote itself and its purpose.

This gives students the opportunity to see the diversity of BYUH and allows students to be a part of several chapters and clubs. The event, which was held all day on Jan. 22 and 23, was located in the Aloha Center.

Hailey Rice, a senior in biology from Canada, said she really enjoyed World Fest. “Everything is very exciting here. Being a biology major, I am always a part of the Health Care Professionals Club. I want to pursue a career in medical care.”

A few of the smaller known clubs on campus were glad to report there was an increased interest in their clubs this semester.

For example, just three-semesters old, one of the new clubs this year is the Baseball Club. Current member Kemjai Koide, a sophomore math major from Japan, described how the club was born when he said, “Two students started to play catch together in the fields in front of campus. They played catch often and started thinking it would be nice to have a baseball club because there wasn’t already one in existence.”

Koide also said he never had the opportunity to play baseball in Japan, but he always wanted to play. The Baseball Club gave Koide the chance to play. Because the club is a mere introduction to baseball, Koide said, “You don’t have to be good to play.”

Another relatively new chapter added to BYUHSA is the Native American Chapter. This chapter is going on its second semester, according to Adam Conte, a sophomore in EXS from Arizona.

Conte said, “Fall Semester was our first time, so we didn’t really know what to expect and kept things very simple.” The chapter hopes to grow this year, although Conte pointed out that Native Americans are a minority on campus.

He said they are trying to create a club that everyone wants to participate in although they may have no cultural bonds to Native Americans. They look forward to making a new video and beating their $500 raised at last year’s Food Fest with their Navajo taco sales.

One of the busier tables at World Fest, crowed with TVs, gaming systems, and students, belonged to the Gamers Club. Sitting behind the table as a representative was Sydney Diamond, a senior art major from Utah.

According to Diamond, the Gamers Club meets every Thursday night from 7-11 p.m. to play games with each other. Diamond said everyone brings whatever game they want to play.

“On a weekly basis, 20 to 40 people show up. It also depends if we are having an event or not.” About 100 students come to the club when there is a tournament, she said. Last semester, the club has a League of Legends tournament, and 80 people were there to compete.

Like any other sport, Diamond said, “For the tournaments, they usually form some sort of team and there is usually someone in charge. Within teams there are rankings and stuff. Everyone gets together and we give out prizes.”

The Gamers Club will have its opening social on Thursday, Jan. 29, and its traditional semester Super Smash Brothers competition.

Students from the Tongan and Malaysian chapters help students register at World Fest. Photos by Milani Ho

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Going to the Hukilau New PCC marketplace now open to the public

BY KAIT LIN BRO YLES

M

embers of the Laie community and any travelers of the Kamehameha Highway can experience what life was like in Laie during the plantation era right outside the Polynesian Cultural Center with the opening of Hukilau Marketplace.

The name of the marketplace, “Hukilau,” comes from back when fishermen in Laie would “hukilau” or “throw nets around schools of fish” and “bring them to the shore for the community to enjoy,” according to a press release from the PCC. This practice became very popular, and visi-

tors to Laie would come to watch and enjoy the music and food afterwards on the beach alongside the community members.

The marketplace includes a variety of shops including retail, fashion and food.

The marketplace has historical significance and some shops have a story behind them.

According to David Fonoimoana, who was the retail assistant merchandising manager at PCC and now the manager of the BYUHawaii Bookstore, the Laie General Store is a souvenir shop created after the legacy of the Goo family in Laie. The Goo family owned a

Pounders restaurant welcomes visitors to Hukilau Marketplace. It is scheduled to be opened Feb. 20. Photo by Kelsie Carlson

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plantation store in Laie that was closed down in the 1980s.

“The décor and memorabilia are reminiscent of … family-run community stores ... including an exact working replica of the old jukebox that sat in front of Goo’s Store for many years,” says PCC’s website.

The fashion store, Nona’s Tropical Threads, is named after a seamstress who was well known in the Laie community for 50 years, said Abby Carlson, retail assistant operations manager. “The story behind her is that she was able to look at people, know the size and cut the fabric,” said Carlson. “She was a really awesome and talented lady.”

The marketplace is aiming to stay true to the community with specialized food, products and entertainment. Along with different shops, the marketplace will also have about five carts and kiosks, said Fonoimoana.

The marketplace is open to the public and parking is free. “It is a huge feat for the PCC that people can come and experience the marketplace without having to pay admission,” said Alfred Grace, PCC president, in a press release about the marketplace.

The main purpose behind opening the Hukilau Marketplace is to get repeat customers, Fonoimoana said. “A lot of people think, ‘I’ve already been there so I’ve already seen it,’ but now people can stop for lunch or stop for an hour and then head on. They don’t have to commit the whole day,” he said.

Eric Workman, executive vice president of the PCC, said, “Hukilau Marketplace is bringing together in one location goods, activities, and special foods associated with the heritage of Laie, the North Shore and Polynesia. It’s exciting to see this new, fun, family-friendly gathering place come to life and give residents and visitors another reason to enjoy the North Shore.”

The marketplace is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Grand Opening for the Hukilau Marketplace is scheduled for Feb. 20, says PCC website.

SIERRA PHILLIPS Working near China’s ‘Dr. Suess Mountains’ B Y JAR ED R O B ER TS

Sierra Phillips, a sophomore from California studying psychology, spent the last four and a half months teaching English to elementary school aged students in Nanjing, China, a city with a population greater than New York City.

Phillips asserts the biggest and most memorable thing she learned during her trip was, “sometimes the smallest minds are your greatest teachers, and the brightest students are those who are the most eager to learn.”

Phillips explained, “I worked with a program called the International Language Program teaching English to six second grade classes and three fourth grade classes on top of additional classes like art, drama, kitchen and shop.” Phillips said she heard about the program through a friend who taught in Ukraine through ILP.

The program used full immersion to teach the children the English language, meaning that, even though Phillips taught on a Chinese campus, she was only allowed to speak English with the students. However, if students were struggling enough, Phillips would address the questions to the students in both English and Mandarin.

“I spent a short amount of time studying the language with a good friend of mine before I left to Nanjing,” Phillips stated. “Fortunately, I was able to arrive with a little background on the language. It was difficult at first, especially when it came to asking for directions.”

To overcome these difficulties, Phillips explained using visual or hand gestures was the best way to express what she was trying to say when she was at a loss for words.

Along with teaching, Phillips was able to explore some of the culture and beauty China had to offer. On her off days, she would find herself riding down a river on a bamboo raft, surrounded by mountains on all sides filled with dips and twists, creating a silhouette on the horizon like that of a rollercoaster, she said.

“Sometimes the smallest minds are your greatest teachers,” says Sierra Phillips about her experience teaching in China. Photo by Hector Periquin

“The mountains are known by many residents as the ‘Dr. Seuss Mountains’ and I can truly say that after being there I felt like I was in one of his books,” Phillips stated. “At night the residents would throw lights into the sky and everyone would be out on the streets singing and playing flutes into the night air. The whole city was very surreal.”

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Left: The Polynesian Cultural Center is the home of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame exhibit shown here.

Photo by Hector Periquin. Right: Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota attended Saturday’s Hall of Fame ceremony. Photo by Mike Foley

Mariota honored at Hall of Fame PCC welcomes Heisman trophy winner and new inductees B Y M A TTHEW R O B E R T S

Recent Heisman winner Marcus Mariota visited the Polynesian Culture Center along with Polynesian football royalty for the dedication of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Jan. 24. The second class to be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame was honored with an enshrinement ceremony following the dedication.

“This is a significant moment and historic day for all who love Polynesia and football. We hope this will allow us to share with future generations the incredible journey and impact of Polynesian football players,” said Football Hall of Fame Chairman and Founder Jesse Sapolu.

Prominent players such as: Jesse Sapolu, Reno Mahe, Manti Te’o, and Vai Sikahema attended. However, the player that attracted the most attention during the events was this year’s Heisman winner Mariota.

Mariota was the first Polynesian player to win the Heisman while leading the Oregon Ducks to the College National Championship game. Friday night, Jan. 23, Mariota received the inaugural Polynesian College Player of the Year Award. Fans waited throughout the ceremonies to take their picture with the Heisman winner or get his autograph.

The dedication ceremony included speeches from some of the association’s board members, including Jesse Sapolu, before the opening of the Hall of Fame exhibit with a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony. After the dedication the 2015 inductees to the Hall of Fame were honored in an enshrinement ceremony. Each of the inductees received a Hall of Fame jacket and ring. The class of

2015 includes: Luther John Elliss, Manase Jesse Sapolu, Raymond Frederick Schoenke, Mosiula Faasuka Tatupu, Mark Pulemau Tuinei, and Russell Ross Francis.

“We are here today to celebrate their accomplishments, they are the greatest Polynesian football players in their era and our,” said Vai Sikahema, who sits on the Board of Directors.

All of the players had impressive college and NFL careers, including a number of Super Bowl winners. Each inductee expressed gratitude and excitement about the historic event and emphasized the impact that these events have on the younger generation.

“To all the young people here today, this is really about you, hopefully giving you a dream and casting a vision; set some goals, believe, dream, go for it,” said Elliss, who played his college ball at the University of Utah before entering the NFL where he played for the Detroit Lions.

Other inductees echoed Elliss comments about the impact the Hall of Fame will have on the younger generations, while also talking at length about the Polynesian spirit and the impact it has had on American Football. “This is what being Polynesian is all about. It’s the warriors heart, it’s the way you focus and strive to be the best you can be,” said Sapolu.

The Hall of Fame exhibit is located near the main entrance of the PCC and is now open to the public. It has an impressive display of the now two classes of Hall of Famers, complete with video profiles.

“To all the young people here today, this is really about you, hopefully giving you a dream and casting a vision.”

-Luther John Elliss

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The BYU-Hawaii Lady Seasiders Basketball team is enjoying a year of success.

Saturday, Jan. 24, the team won its seventh straight game in a row, tying a school record. They beat Academy of Art 72-68. The last time the women’s basketball team won seven straight games was in the program’s inaugural season back in 20062007, says BYUH sports information.

Along with the impressive winning streak, the Lady Seasiders are enjoying one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history with a 12-5 overall record and a 9-2 record in the Pacific West Conference. The last time the women’s basketball team had a winning record was in the 2008-2009 season. Since that time, the program has gone through some significant struggles.

Considering the rough season the Lady Seasiders had last year, finishing second to last in conference with a 4-21 overall record, it was no surprise that the Lady Seasiders found themselves at the bottom of this year’s preseason polls. However, after being picked to finish second to last, the Lady Seasiders have surpassed all expectations and find themselves in second place behind Hawaii Pacific University.

One of the keys to the Lady Seasiders’ success this season has been the vast improvement of their inside game. With Whitney Fieldsted being the only starting inside player returning from last year’s team, Coach Craig Stanger recruited three other inside players: junior Emily Nelson, freshmen Taryn Skahill, and sophomore Mata Tonga, to bring some much needed inside presence to the team.

Though Skahill suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the season, the other inside players have stepped up their game. Fieldsted is having a fantastic year averaging 10.8 points and 10 rebounds. She leads the team in double-doubles with seven double-doubles on the year. With Skahill injured, Tonga has seen more minutes and has made the most of it, both scoring points in the paint and getting rebounds.

Besides the improvement of their inside game, the Lady Seasiders’ back court continues to improve. Sharp-shooting senior Brydgetter Tatupu-Leopoldo continues the strong play that earned her a spot on the Preseason All-PacWest women’s basketball team. Currently, Tatupu-Leopoldo leads the team with 15.9 points per game. Alongside Tatupu-Leopoldo, junior transfer Celeste Claw has been a key to

BY MA TTH EW ROBE RT S

On the way to their most successful season ever

Lady Seasiders making history

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Two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks; New England’s Tom Brady, (Top) and Seattle’s Russell Wilson (Bottom). Photos by AP

Makana Borden, a guard/forward and BYUH senior, is part of the women’s team that is having its best season since 2008-2009. Photo by Hector Periquin

Super Bowl XLIX will feature a clash of dynasties as the AFC Champions the New England Patriots face off against the defending Super Bowl Champions, and this year’s NFC Champions, the Seattle Seahawks.

With the players ready and the stakes set high, this Super Bowl promises to be an intense battle. “I am always excited to watch the Super Bowl,” said Nate Rhoades, a sophomore business major from Modesto, Calif., “but this year being the Patriots against the Seahawks, it should be an even better game.”

The Patriots comfortably defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7, while the Seahawks had to come from behind to beat the Packers in overtime 28-22. The two teams will face off at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, Feb. 1 at 1:30 p.m.

Hawaii time.

The New England Patriots have been the NFL’s most recent dynasty winning three Super Bowls in a four-year span from 2001-2004, including back-to-back Super Bowls.

The Seattle Seahawks have been an up-and-coming franchise that is looking to create a dynasty of their own. The Seahawks hope to win back-to-back Super Bowls after winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl last year.

The Seahawks resurgence has been a surprise for many, due to their considerable struggles in the past, but the franchise looks poised to begin a new dynasty in professional football.

BY MA TTH E W RO BERT S

“A steady climb in power combined with the ‘legion of boom’ and the intangible force of the ‘12th man’ has created not just a talented team but a culture of winning where the entire state of Washington is behind them like no other team in the NFL. The final 2 minutes of the NFC Championship game was a testament to the power of the 12th man,” said Casey Akana, a junior business major from Seattle, Wash.

The game features a matchup of two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks; New England’s Tom Brady, and Seattle’s Russell Wilson. Brady has been Mr. Clutch for the Patriots in the playoffs and is considered one of the greatest playoff quarterbacks in NFL history with an impressive 20-8 record.

At the age of 37, Brady knows his career is coming to a close and wants to take this chance to get his fourth super Bowl ring.

“I am really excited about this matchup, and I think Brady is going to tear it up,” said Caleb Ermshaw, a junior business major from New Hampshire.

Facing Brady will be one of the young quarterbacks in the NFL, Russell Wilson.

Wilson, 26, has been at the head of the Seahawks rise in recent years. With his team down 19-7 with four minutes left in the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, he rallied his team and forced the game into overtime. Wilson then threw a 35-yard pass in the opening drive to give the Seahawks the win and send them to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl: Battle of the quarterbacks

the Lady Seasiders success averaging 13.4 points and 6.9 assists a game.

The Lady Seasiders have put themselves in a great position to possibly win the regular season conference title or to win the PacWest tournament and earn a spot in this year’s Regional Tournament. The Lady Seasiders will go for their eighth and ninth consecutive wins this Thursday, Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Cannon Activities Center against visiting Azusa Pacific, and Saturday, and Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. against California Baptist.

CAMPUS COMMENT

What is your favorite thing to do while taking a study break?

“Watch Netflix or browse Pinterest.”

Alyssa Asplund, freshman from California studying graphic design

“Go to the beach.”

Foster May, sophomore from South Africa studying computer science

“Sleep, eat and watch funny videos.”

Sahlia Masiasomua, a senior from California studying psychology

BY JARED ROBE RTS

“Go on an adventure.”

Fabrizio Botalla, sophomore from Italy – undeclared

“Grab something to eat.”

Kelly Hess, freshman from California – undeclared

“Break? I don’t know what that means…”

Devyn Hartman, senior from Arizona studying political science

Photos by Monica Rubalcava

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KE ALAKA‘I