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REASONS TO BE EXCITED FOR THE

HOLIDAYS

Holiday events

Fiesta de Navidad Friday, Dec. 6 Buses leaving LMU at 5:30 p.m. from the Tree Lighting flagpoles on Almuni Mall on Saturday will

d 1. We wrap our palm trees in Christmas lights. Christmas lights!

2. You might finally get that iPad Mini you’ve been wishing for since that time your normal iPad and MacBook Pro were too large, but your iPhone 5s was way too small.

3. You’re done with the current classes you hate, and aren’t yet aware of how much you’ll hate next semester’s classes.

4. You will have one month off from having to watch that guy in the matte purple Bentley drive by.

5. You’ll save money not eating at Mendocino Farms four times a week.

6. Starbucks’ winter-themed cups are back with a vengeance.

7. Your parents bought the Barenaked Ladies’ Christmas album “Barenaked for the Holidays,” and they say it’s quite good.

8. Your neighbors at home don’t harass you when you park on the street.

9. Being an LMU student is impressive to people who don’t go to LMU. 10. Winter break knows nothing of 8 a.m. classes.

whisk students away to Fiesta de Navidad, an annual holiday party jointly hosted by Ignatians service organization and Underwings Praxis service club. The event itself will take place at the Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights and will last until 10 p.m. with dinner served.

Christmas season is set to break into full swing with ASLMU’s annual Christmas tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

Themed as Candyland and featuring everything from hot chocolate to performances by on-campus a cappella group Notetorious, this year’s event, to be held at Regents Terrace, will be sure to spread holiday cheer.

Friday, Dec. 6

CLC Formal Thursday, Dec. 5 This Friday at 8 p.m., the Christian Living Laser Squad Communities will be hosting their annual winter formal at the Bird Nest. All students Bravo Show are welcome to come out and participate in the Candyland festivities with the $10 entrance fee going directly to the organization’s Adopt-A-Family sponsorship this year.

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This is the opinion of Asst. Opinion Editor Devin Feldman; Graphic: Patrick Josten | Loyolan

at LMU

Saturday, Dec. 7

If finals have you stressed and you find humor to be the best remedy, be sure to check out LMU improv comedy group Laser Squad Bravo at their last show of the semester. The holiday themed event kicks off at 10 p.m. on Thursday in the Living Room, and entry is free for students.

Information compiled by Tyler Franklin, News intern; Graphic: Sydney Franz | Loyolan

Cover: Sydney Franz and Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan Information compiled by Mary Grace Cerni, asst. Life+Arts editor; Graphic: Mo Haley | Loyolan

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Senior talks about preparing for her early graduation.

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Water polo releases three upperclassmen

The players were let go from LMU men’s water polo program this past week.

Dan Raffety

Managing Editor @DanRaffety

Matthew Balentine | Loyolan

LMU Head Coach John Loughran (center) addresses his team in the huddle during a game earlier this season. The Lions finished fourth in the 2013 WWPA standings after a two-goal loss to UC Davis in the semifinal round of the WWPA Championships. This is the third consecutive year that the Lions have not won the conference championship. To read the rest of the story, see Page 11 of Sports.

Redshirt sophomore Seth Coldren, redshirt junior Matt Stipanovich and redshirt junior Peter Olson dropped from the LMU men’s water polo program, according to sources.

Coldren was released in a meeting Tuesday afternoon that lasted approximately one minute and 20 seconds and consisted of Head Coach John Loughran, Assistant Coach Marty Matthies and Associate Athletics of Internal Operations Director Dan Smith, according to Coldren.

“They seemed like they had made up their minds, so that was that,” Coldren said.

Stipanovich and Olson were not available to comment following their meetings with the coaching staff on Wednesday, but according to former goalie Gavyn Wild, both players were released.

In a statement, Loughran told the Loyolan, “The men’s water polo program will be making roster changes like every program does every year. From graduation to players deciding to leave or us asking players to move on, these changes are a part of water polo and all college athletics.”

Former LMU water polo player and current graduate assistant Jon Colton confirmed that redshirt sophomore Kyle Etrata also had a meeting with Loughran and Matthies on Wednesday, but was asked to remain on the team. Junior utility Joe Ferretti confirmed he met with coaches Wednesday as well, but his status remains unchanged.

Coldren said that LMU would grant him a release from the program, meaning he could sign with another program, but it had to be outside of the Lions’ Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) conference.

As of Tuesday, Coldren was not sure if he would transfer, but confirmed he was not aware of his dismissal from the program ahead See M. Polo | Page 11

Students protest unforgiven student loans March on campus highlights college students taking issue with present student loans.

Julia Sacco News Intern

@_Juliasacco_

As the future of our country and economy lies in the hands of the next generation, a serious issue comes into play with the system that is arguably denying them the right to successful future.

This past Tuesday at Convo, there was a march to shed light on the problems within our education system regarding student loans. The protest was led by senior communication studies major Abegail Campbell, hoping to bring awareness to the crisis and promote changes in the system.

Campbell originally became interested in the issue when researching for a project.

She stumbled upon some arresting facts and statistics regarding student loans and the overlooked, average citizen.

“Seeing that 70 percent of our economy is a consumer economy, bailing out students would reinvest money that would be going to the banks, back out into the economy,” Campbell said. “Students are in the perfect position to start businesses, buy homes, cars, etc. This would create jobs. Bailing out students is not just good

for one segment of society – it is good for society as a whole.”

Campbell did not encounter this issue alone. She was working on the project for a Public Activism and Advocacy class with sophomore political science major Randy Vazquez and junior communication studies major Hayley Lobel, who both found student loans to be something they felt strongly about.

“The three of us noticed that college students like ourselves are fearful of what the future holds for them because of their student loans,” stated Vazquez. He believes, “Everyone deserves a fighting chance for success, and these student loans are holding people back from their fullest potential.”

Similarly, Lobel found it necessary to take the awareness beyond the assignment.

“Young people cannot buy homes and purchase cars on their own because they are working off their student loans. By forgiving student loans, we can get our economy back to where it needs to be,” Lobel said.

All three advocates hoped the march will show that the issue of student death is relevant to not only the students of LMU, but students all over the country.

“The media constantly depicts See Protest | Page 3

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

Students took part in the “Unforgiven March” on Tues. Dec 3 at Convo hour. Led by senior communication studies major and student worker Abegail Campbell, students gathered to bring light to the corrupt student loan system. For more on the Unforgiven Protest, see Page 3.

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Holiday shopping features deals and violence Is Cyber Monday stealing the post-Thanksgiving hype from Black Friday?

Tyler Franklin News Intern @LALoyolan

For Black Friday this year, shoppers marched into the madness of retail discounts and deals galore as this year’s holiday shopping season kicked off with a bang. All across the country, many Americans excused themselves from Thanksgiving dinner to stake out spots in lines stretching around store corners, some even choosing to camp out overnight.

According to a CNN article titled “Target’s Black Friday deals draw big lines,” die-hard shoppers even went as far as skipping out on Thanksgiving altogether. Instead of sitting around the table to a warm meal, some fans of the big shopping day found themselves waiting in line at a Target in Philadelphia close to 12 hours prior to the doors opening. Many were willing to wait it out for deals on big-ticket items, hoping to save big while checking off every item on their wish lists.

Junior finance major Matt Nutting, an LMU student that joined the ranks of other Black Friday shoppers, expressed his gratitude in having a much easier

experience than most.

“I went to the store at 6 a.m. in Marin, and I was lucky enough to have it be completely empty,” he said. “I was in and out in five minutes with everything we wanted.”

Traditionally, Black Friday marks one of the largest shopping days of the year in the United States. Though there is some speculation as to how the term began, Black Friday is thought to have received its name around 1961 in Philadelphia. At the time, businesses would move from operating at a loss to achieving profits – from being “in the red” to being “in the black” – on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

In many ways, this year’s Black Friday was no different than those of the past. Though some expected the earlier Thanksgiving sales to detract from overall sales on the big day, consumers still pushed forward with their shopping sprees. From tablets to Uggs, Black Friday raked in $12.3 billion in brick-and-mortar stores nationally, rising 2.3 percent from last year according to a CNN article titled “Thanksgiving eats into Black Friday sales.”

Walmart, one of Black Friday’s biggest participants, listed big screen televisions, the iPad mini, laptops, the XBOX one and the Playstation 4 among its top selling products, according their corporate website. The company is estimated by their own numbers to have sold 300,000

Information compiled by Allie Heck, managing editor; Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

bicycles, 1.4 million tablets, 2 million televisions and 1.9 million dolls on this past record-breaking Friday. With these tallies and others taken into account, the corporation recorded over 10 million registered transactions in its stores throughout the country.

While sales climbed with consumer demand on the rise, shoppers also climbed over their fellow competitors to score the best purchases. As reported by the Huffington Post in an article titled “People Beat Each Other Up Over Towels At Walmart On Black Friday,” as the title suggests, patrons of a Walmart in West Memphis, Ark., wrestled with each other over towel sets going for under 2 dollars. In a YouTube video posted online by an onlooker at one of the incidents, shoppers yelled as they pushed and shoved against each other for one of the few, coveted bundles of towels available.

Worse still, two women physically fought with each other at a Philadelphia mall during the shopping craze. In another YouTube video posted online, astonished passersby watched helplessly as the two shoppers threw punches at each other and pulled each other to the ground.

The incident was brought to an abrupt end when one of the women used a taser, then causing fellow shoppers to step in and separate the two before security guards took control of the scene.

Turned off by the large crowds

Associated Press

Black Friday enthusiasts ignore the holiday spirit and shove their way into a store fighting for the post-Thanksgiving sales. and fierce competition, many shoppers looking to avoid the frenzy sought out the convenience of online purchases, choosing to fill up their virtual shopping carts instead. Though throughout the weekend online sales spiked, e-commerce traffic peaked on Cyber Monday as consumers tried to take advantage of deals online.

In fact, Cyber Monday spending proved to eclipse that of Black Friday by 32 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal article titled “‘Cyber Monday’ Sales Up 21%, IBM Reports.” A large number of shoppers opted to purchase on the go with mobile sales increasing by 55 percent from last year, accounting for 17 percent of

the total sales on Cyber Monday.

Discouraged by the chaos of Black Friday, some LMU students decided to take time away from their studies to surf the web for deals.

From his laptop, junior recording arts major Koe Langdon also decided to take advantage of Cyber Monday, despite his initial confusion.

“I didn’t know that it was a real thing,” Langdon said. At first, I thought it was a joke. I ended up checking it out and getting a few good deals though.”

Overall, despite Black Friday’s previous dominance, these trends suggest that online shopping will continue to push Cyber Monday to greater popularity.

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‘Tis the season on campus ASLMU will host its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Ali Swenson

Asst. News Editor @aswenson

This issue, Asst. News Editor Sonja Bistranin sits down with Mimi Jacobie, one of two student leaders who will lead the Ignacio Comanion trip to Chile this winter break.

1

How did the trip come about?

I heard about it through Campus Ministry because I went on an IC trip a couple years ago, and it was the biggest thing to ever happen to me. Patrick Furlong in Campus Ministry made a connection with an LMU alum … and he’s doing JVC [Jesuit Volunteer Corps] in Santiago. So he and Patrick have been setting up this trip. It’s brand new this year, and it’s really awesome to have that LMU connection because whenever I’ve gone on a service trip before, it’s really cool to work with the organizations, but it’s really cool to have a personal LMU connection there.

2

How does it feel to lead the first group to go?

It’ll be really cool to meet the communities and make that first connection. On the other trips I’ve been on, the connection between the University and the people is already established.

3

What thoughts are running through your head as you prepare for the trip?

I think it’s really important to get on the plane and not have expectations, and when you land being completely in the moment and letting the experience of traveling and meeting people wash over you. The thing I keep thinking about is I just want to be intentional about being a good leader.

4

How has service impacted your life?

I’ve finally figured out in the last few months that service and being informed about social justice issues is great because it can create change in the world. The trips push two human beings from two different worlds to be with each other and be in solidarity. When you realize that human beings are all very different and complex, but at the end of the day we can always find something we can connect on, that’s what pushes the world forward and creates progress.

Now that the palm trees on campus are decked with bows and the nativity scenes are out, the last step to bring LMU into Christmas mode is ASLMU’s annual Christmas tree lighting, set to take place Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m.

This year’s theme will be Christmas in Candyland, according to Megan O’Meara, ASLMU chair of programming and senior marketing major. Candy-themed lights and a candy bar for snacking will bring the theme front and center, according to Jessica Mejia, ASLMU director of special events and senior psychology major.

Mejia has been planning the event this year, and is eager to make the most of the theme. “I was so excited,” Mejia said. “I’m definitely a theme person.”

ASLMU’s annual event is well known for its cider and hot chocolate, photo booths, carriage

rides, fake snow and freebie gifts.

For sophomore biology major Katie Orban, giveaway items are a major draw to the event.

“Last year it was super crowded and they had lots of free stuff,” Orban said. “But they cut off the free stuff right before we got there.

I’m excited to see it get lit again, and for more free things.”

Carriage rides were a highlight at the 2012 tree lighting for junior screenwriting and chemistry double major Iftin Abshir.

“It was like a fairy tale,” said Abshir. “Like Cinderella in real life.”

New this year will be a different carriage company that provides blankets and other amenities.

There will also be an increased amount of hot chocolate at the event.

“I know in the past we’ve run out really quickly,” said Mejia. “That seems to be something people really enjoy.”

To bring the Christmas spirit to those less fortunate, students are encouraged to bring items for donation to a children’s toy and canned food drive that will be collecting at the event, according to ASLMU’s Facebook posting for the tree lighting.

For musical entertainment, in addition to an iPod playlist of Christmas favorites, the tree lighting will feature a performance

by Notetorious, LMU’s largest a cappella group.

Senior theatre arts major and president of Notetorious Maddie Dial is excited to perform for a larger and different audience than the group gets at regular concerts.

“The Christmas tree lighting is one of our favorite performances of the year,” said Dial. “It’s a wide range of audience because a lot of people are coming not just for the performance but also to enjoy [the event]. It’s great for us.”

ASLMU’s annual Christmas tree lighting is considered by many to be ingrained in LMU’s culture as a can’t-miss event. Junior psychology major Pierce Massie attended the event his freshman year, and described how it changed his views about the school.

“It was a wonderful experience that made me love LMU so much more,” said Massie.

The event will occur on Regents Terrace and Alumni Mall this Friday.

Additional reporting by Chris James and Kevin O’Keeffe, Loyolan staff.

Classifieds Students take a stand against debt For Rent

Protest from Page 1

students as lazy partiers. If we don’t define who we are and what we stand for then we allow the media and other people to define that for us,” Campbell said.

The three agree that the march was mostly effective, and that they accomplished what they intended.

“As long as some people learned something about our cause today, I think that is all that matters. We want to encourage people that if they feel strongly enough about an issue, they can make an impact,” Lobel said.

Even though the turnout was not as large as they had hoped, possibly due to finals next week, they still received positive responses from students who seemed passionate about the cause and intended to get involved.

“I noticed people nodding their heads in agreement, showing their

support. This movement might start small, but it can grow like a wildfire once the winds start to pick up,” said Vazquez.

There were, however, mixed reactions from the student body and staff. “I got a few nasty looks from adults on campus, probably because they think of people who protest student loans as lazy people who don’t want to pay the government back,” Campbell said.

She acknowledged that older adults might not understand because they entered into a different economy than today’s. “My parents started out with nothing. The funny thing is students graduating today would love to start out with nothing. It would give them a fighting chance.”

Campbell, Vazquez, and Lobel plan to continue to advocate for the hope of student loan forgiveness.

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Crossword Puzzle: LMU Bookstore

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So since you’ve been on other service trips before, how do you think this time will be different?

I think being a leader is the biggest component for me this time. And I also think it’s a completely new experience, so of course it will be different … but I don’t know how that difference will present itself yet. One thing I love about the IC program is that it’s incredibly intentional about doing service and there’s a service component, but it’s also intentional about creating solidarity and having the participants of the trip really connect with the people they interact with and listening to their experiences and what they have to say is the most important thing we will encounter.

MORE QUESTIONS

Want to read three more questions with Jacobie?

Check them out at laloyolan.com.

Across 5. Building the secondary bookstore specializing in technology is located in 6. The LMU bookstore accepts ______ on students’ OneCard as payment 7. The building the main bookstore is located in was renovated and reopened in the year ______ 9. The main LMU bookstore is closed on ______ 10. Both LMU bookstores are open until _______ p.m.

Monday through Thursday 11. Building the main campus bookstore is located in

Check your answers at laloyolan.com/puzzles

Down 1. Number of different scantrons the bookstore sells 2. The secondary LMU bookstore sells ______ computers at a discounted price to students 3. Textbooks rented from the bookstore in the current fall semester must be returned by December ______ 4. The bookstore buys used ______ from students for cash 7. True or false: You can buy toiletries at the main bookstore 8. Number of flash sales held at the LMU bookstore this semester

Loyolan Crossword is sponsored by Fresh Brothers Pizza and LMU Graduate Division

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Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.

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Lions facing escalating levels of finals work need dead week LION

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ecause Thanksgiving fell so late in their full academic potential.

As stated in the LMU Academic Calendar, the November this year, the last two weeks of school feel like a sprint to the fin- University does offer Reading Days. However, ish line. Students focused on completing last- those designated days fall on the weekend minute items before the first break, only to separating the last week of school from finals come back to final assignments and drafts due. week. The weekend before finals is not a dead But it doesn’t stop there: Finals week is loom- week – it’s a weekend. We have these days for ing like a heavyweight prizefighter in the oppo- studying anyways.

USC designates two days – Monday and site corner.

We understand that this scheduling con- Tuesday – as Reading Days. Finals begin on Wednesday and progress until flict was inevitable. We can’t the following Wednesday, choose when Thanksgiving Appropriately planned which allows for two weekfalls. However, LMU should be proactive in planning and Reading days would not ends of studying on top of the enforcing Reading Days, time only allow students to feel two reading days. Occidental traditionally set aside where less stressed, but would College gives the entire week before finals week as Reading no assignments can be due, the also benefit professors. Days. Ours, meanwhile, fall on week before finals. This would a single weekend. give students a chance to sepaAppropriately planned Reading Days would rate final projects and papers from the final not only allow students to feel less stressed, but examination period.

Finals week tends to be stressful, but what would also benefit professors because students increases the intensity of that stress is the would have more time to solely focus on the combination of final projects and papers with final exam, rather than cramming for the final project or paper only to cram for the final soon final exams following days later.

Increasingly, professors assign projects after.

The University has a responsibility to stuthe week or two before final exams to avoid a potential conflict. This action, however, places dents to give them the best chance to succeed. an incredible amount of pressure on students A week, or at least a few days, to separate the who are too busy closing out the academic academic semester from finals week would not semester to even start thinking about the exam. only give the students less stress this time Additionally, this discourages healthy sleeping of year, but could potentially correlate to habits and keeps students from performing at higher scores and ultimately more learning.

Millennials tired of U.S. politics Danni California Danni Wilson Opinion Intern

@LoyolanOpinion

B

etween the War on Terror, the great 2008 recession, the recent government shutdown and the new healthcare website that seems to be more outdated than the still up and running “Space Jam” webpage, our generation’s faith in the government barely had a fighting chance.

I remember the first time I realized I was completely disillusioned with our government. I was raised in a hardcore political family – I was the kid that had to go house to house asking if the owner wanted a Republican candidate’s sign in their yard.

In 2008, when the economy took a turn for the worse, I couldn’t understand how the government could justify giving money to corporate CEOs, rather than helping its citizens keep their house another day.

We are Generation Y, and after what we’ve seen, we know our government is flawed, to put it lightly. With the government shutdown being one of the most recent butts of the joke, our generation has no problem laughing at the ridiculous problems that keep arising in D.C. – even when they’re not funny. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor’s statistics, 223,000 government employees were out of work during October. While we may have been busy making memes, our generation still understands that our government is not protecting its citizens like it was set up to do.

This isn’t anything new. The 1960s hippie movement stood up against the Vietnam War in the name of promoting human rights. The punk movement made a name for itself by saying no to pretty much everything the government had their hand in. And as ineffective as they may seemed at the time, both movements in fact had incredible historical impact.

The hippie movement was one of the first massive shifts in modern American society when people began to write off the American dream as a myth. A new generation, even those

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Unlike the masses that rallied at Kent State in 1970, the millennial generation is disengaged from politics. Not from a lack of interest, but from a lack of faith in current American democracy. in a drugged stupor at times, knew women couldn’t stay in the kitchen for much longer, and that ending racial division in America didn’t stop at desegregating schools.

The punk subculture of the ’80s was even more extreme concerning drugs, sex and violence, but they were also some of the first collective groups to push against homophobia in America.

Our generation is seemingly doing less than subcultures in the past. The only thing we have close to a movement is a twerking craze – wait, twerking epidemic.

We know our government needs to change to support the lower and middle class. We know the elusive one percent is still running rampant, but as young adults we seem to be passive about our economy and political future. We never hear anyone complaining about how Social Security will be the mystical unicorn of American society by the time young adults reach the retirement age, which at this

rate could be up to 80 years old when it’s our turn.

As a member of the millennial generation, I understand that there are flaws in the government, and what’s worse is that for some reason I don’t feel like I can fix it.

When does our passiveness stop, though?

We complain about social problems on Facebook, but as long as the next season of “Grey’s Anatomy” is on Netflix, the government couldn’t be that bad off, right?

We can get more involved. How long can we be disgusted with the problems in our government, but willingly sit idly by? We may be disillusioned, but maybe it is time that we try to fix it so that the next group of hippies, punks or twerkers has a chance.

This is the opinion of Danni Wilson, a freshman screenwriting and French double major from Brandon, Miss. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

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A week away from   being an alumna    Christmas Issue? 

What What did did you you think think about about our our

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tweet tweet us us at at @LALoyolan @LALoyolan

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@LoyolanOpinion

art of the excitement of graduating college is doing so with your class. Leaving college with 120 or more units, after participating in a variety of jobs and organizations and evolving your approach to things based on your experiences and the people you’ve met, is quite an achievement. Bonding over that is meaningful. Sharing that with hundreds of other students must be quite the feeling.

I don’t know what that’s like. I wish I did. I’m graduating in a little over a week, and I am freaking out.

Don’t get me wrong - I am proud of all that I have accomplished and am blessed to have met the people I did at LMU. I do not feel like I wasted one moment. However, not having many people to share that accomplishment with is a little intimidating.

I saw countless posts on Facebook about second semester senior schedules. I have friends who continue to talk about how they “only” have a few more months of senior year. I’m bummed about my LMU gym membership expiring and I am constantly questioned about what I am doing after graduation. When people ask about my life after the big day I have a mini heart attack, since it’s basically starting now.

It’s difficult to wrap my mind around graduating when it seems like everyone but a handful of students are not focusing on that.

With only a little over 200 people petitioning to graduate early, I feel lost. I usually feed off of others, but recently, I’ve been feeling pretty isolated. I feel like I’m leaving all by myself – without any big celebration, until a very delayed one in May when I’m already six months into my life after college.

However, I knew I’d have to graduate a semester early at the beginning of freshman year. I came in with about 70 units because I had dual enrollment credits from my high school. Graduating a semester early would help my parents out a lot. I knew I was fortunate

enough to attend LMU, and leaving one semester early was something that helped me stay here.

I could not agree more with senior psychology major Katrina Otto, who is graduating a semester early with me. “Honestly, I know that I have wrung my parents dry over the past couple of years at LMU,” said Otto. “I am so thankful to have parents that support me to the extent that they do financially, and graduating early is, in a sense, my way of showing that to them.”

And as I look back, I can see that everything I’ve accomplished and experienced is priceless. There has never been a dull moment in three and a half years – from formals and retreats to countless meetings and celebrating a birthday in the fountain. As much as I get down about graduating from somewhere I’m not ready to say goodbye to, I’m slowly starting to appreciate how honored I am. I may not have a permanent job lined up yet. I may not be surrounded by all of the seniors in the same mindset as me.

I may not want to have the title of aluma just yet. But, I know I have the skills to find employment. I will be walking with my class in May. I will have the opportunity to use what I gained here to propel myself.

As another senior graduating this semester, political science major James Ruyle, said, “I’m feeling nervous about leaving the college atmosphere, but I feel like I’m ready for a new challenge.”

I, too, am ready for a new challenge. In certain moments, I may have thought I spread myself too thin, but looking back, I’m proud I did. I’ll still be around. I’m going to go to senior events in the organizations of which I’m involved.

I’m excited to submit my last undergrad essays and projects. I’m happy I can get a head start on that daunting life off the bluff. I’m going to take a deep breath and proudly represent my alumni title.

It is quite an honor for all of the students heading into the “real world.” For those of you graduating early with me - congratulations, Fall 2013 graduates. We did it.

This is the opinion of Brigette Scobas, a senior communication studies major from Chandler, Ariz. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email bscobas@theloyolan.com.

life+arts

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Alumni to premier plastic surgery short Karen Kennedy teamed up with two fellow alumns for “SLICE.” Marissa Morgan

Asst. Life+Arts Editor @marissamorg

This Saturday on Dec. 7, LMU alum Karen Kennedy will make her directorial debut in Santa Monica with her short film “SLICE.” The film also stars two other LMU alumni: Tara Kirkland and Shanna Brown. Kennedy, who currently works as a story editor for Bunim-Murray Productions, is no stranger to the world of entertainment. She sat down with the Loyolan to discuss the challenges and rewards of making her own film for a change.

Marissa Morgan (MM): Tell me about your time at LMU. Karen Kennedy (KK): I started as a film major at LMU and then switched to sociology. College is a tough time because you think you know what you want to do and then you change your mind and still aren’t sure. The best part of my experience at LMU had to be the friends I made, and some are in my movie “SLICE.” MM: How did you first become involved in entertainment?

KK: My cousins were working in reality TV and they kept telling me I should jump on the bandwagon. Reality TV seemed to be where all the jobs were. I think in

the beginning, people thought it was just a fad, but since I started my first job in reality TV in 2003, I have never been out of work. I have been employed as a story editor for years.

MM: What has been your favorite project to work on thus far?

KK: I worked on the reality show “Project Runway” and I had never watched the show before my first day on the job. I was riveted every day at work. I knew nothing about fashion, but I was hooked. And who wouldn’t want Tim Gunn as a mentor? To watch endless footage of him was a dream.

MM: Because you have such an impressive career in television, what inspired you to take on “SLICE” as a film project?

KK: One regret I had was that I started LMU as a film major but switched to sociology. That I wasn’t ready to be a director was the only thing I can chalk it up to. I was very shy back then, and though it’s true that some very famous directors are shy, for me, it was too much at that time.

Majoring in sociology was great though — anything that helps you learn about why we do the things we do, as humans, will lend its hand to directing and writing.

You could say that directing this film was a way to erase that regret and prove to myself that I could do it.

MM: What was the inspiration behind your film?

KK: “SLICE” follows a local newscaster as she struggles to decide whether or not to get plastic surgery to keep her job. I wanted to tell a story that examined the pressure that is placed on women to be perfect. I try to have a sense of humor about these social issues that I’m interested in because if you don’t, then your film just becomes preachy, and you never want that. People will throw popcorn at the screen if you’re preachy.

MM: Was this your first time working as a director?

KK: Yes, this was my first time directing, and they say it’s like jumping out of a plane or running a marathon, and I can vouch for that. It’s overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. I knew I didn’t have to get everything perfect “on set” because I could watch several takes and edit the scene in my head and know that I had enough. Having editing experience allowed me to have a more flexible attitude.

Raw footage doesn’t scare me.

Give me some raw footage and I can make a scene out of it.

MM: What was the most challenging aspect of making the film?

KK: Oh my goodness, where to begin? Time management, for sure. The idea of “making your day” became the phrase I worried about the most. No day goes by faster than when you’re on set.

You have to really pace yourself, the cast and the crew. You think

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Karen Kennedy

Karen Kennedy’s film, “SPLICE,” which depicts a woman’s decision whether or not to go through with a plastic surgery procedure, premiers Sat. Dec. 7. it’s going to be all about getting the performances out of the actors, but for me, it was about everything else.

MM: You are working with three other LMU alums Shanna Brown, Tara Kirkland and Amberlee Colson (’05) as well, how did they become involved? Did you know each other during your time at LMU? K.K: I was classmates with Shanna and Tara and I met Amberlee Colson in acting class in Los Angeles. Shanna is an HR director in real life so naturally, I cast her as one. Tara plays the lead Monica

Mason and is an extremely talented actor and friend who I have known for 20+ years. The three of us lived in Desmond Hall together back in 1988 and 1989. Amberlee Colson plays Buffy and has a real knack for comedy. I knew she’d get all the laughs if I cast her, and she does. She’s the baby of the LMU group.

For more on Karen Kennedy and “SLICE,” visit laloyolan.com.

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life+arts LMU choirs join together

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‘Fit vs. Curvy’ an for their holiday concert unhealthy feud The annual choral Christmas concert has been held since the 1970s.

Julia’s McQuery Julia McQuade Life+Arts Intern

Mary Grace Cerni

@juliaGmcquade

Asst. Life+Arts Editor

“L

@LoyolanArts

Finals season doesn’t have to be filled with fear; it should be celebrated with the sound of holiday cheer. Students who drop by the Sacred Heart Chapel this Thursday or Saturday night to experience the LMU music department’s annual Gala Christmas Concert — the only Christmastime event that combines all three student choral groups in one performance.

The annual Gala Christmas Concert has brought LMU faculty, staff and students together for the holiday season since the mid1970s. Every year the program is different, but choral Christmas music is usually the music of choice.

Even though it will keep with the classical choral music tradition, this year’s concert is special – the concert will celebrate what would have been composer Benjamin Britten’s 100th birthday. The Consort Singers will be performing Britten’s 20-minute “Rejoice in the Lamb” as well as other extended and short works by 20th century composers. The program will also feature arrangements of well-known holiday tunes.

Mary C. Breden, the Director of Choral Activities, told the Loyolan in an email that each song will “reflect in some way on the Christmas celebration and the Christ-

via Mary Breden

The Christmas concert, to be held in Sacred Heart Chapel on Thurs., Dec. 5, will bring together three different LMU choirs for the holiday event. mas message,” and she confirmed, The practices can be difficult, “there will be some arrangements according to junior theatre arts of familiar Christmas carols.” major Cameron Tapella, a memAlso different about this year’s ber of both the Consort Singers Gala is the lack of a fund-raising. and the Concert Choir, but as he According to Breden, the proceeds said, “The satisfaction in the end of the concert will go towards the outshines every flub we made in event’s production instead of the rehearsal.” choirs’ overseas tour. The music Students can take a study break department decided to fundraise this Thursday or Saturday at 8 through other means, such as sell- p.m. to hear what Breden says will ing food. be “beautiful choral singing preThe choral groups are raising sented by their friends and to help money to tour France for the first kick off the Christmas season.” time, and Europe for the third time Sophomore theatre arts mathrough all-you-can-eat nights in jor and Concert Choir member the lair.

Mike Rose agreed, saying, “You The Consort Singers, the Wom- shouldn’t graduate without at en’s Chorus and the Concert Choir least hearing the incredible trahave been practicing for the Gala dition of the LMU choirs once.” since the beginning of the semesTickets are $5 for students for ter. Breden said, “Rehearsals are both Thursday and Saturday. For hard driving and fast-paced.” community members, Thursday According to Breden, the choirs tickets are $12 and Saturday tickonly rehearse for a maximum of ets are $12 or $15, depending on the three hours a week leading up to seat. Tickets can be purchased at one of the choirs’ biggest perfor- the Central Ticketing Agency and mances. on Thursday at Convo Hour.

Goodbye Paul Walker, my childhood hero Chris Culture Christopher James Life+Arts Editor

@cwj92movieman

P

aul Walker was my childhood hero. I will always remember where I was when I first saw “The Fast and the Furious.” I was almost nine, scared of violence, loved car video games and was amazed by the art of filmmaking.

As with most things in my life, I snuck into the movie theater because my daring best friends wanted to, and I got dragged along.

From the moment the film started, I got wrapped up not just in the cars, the racing and the girls – I was entranced by the complicated and interesting relationship between renegade Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Conner (Walker).

The other day, I found out Walker died when the Porsche his friend was driving crashed and burst into flames. It is surreal to hear that your childhood hero, the person you grew up thinking was invincible, died so quick and suddenly.

While I still devour the “Fast and Furious” movies like I did when I was almost nine – the story, characters and action only get richer with each installment – I never re-

alized how formative Paul Walker was in my life.

As a kid, we would play games pretending to be characters from the movies, and I always wanted to be Brian O’Conner. To this day, those movies are my fantasy life. In fact, throughout my middle school years, I wanted to be Paul Walker in every movie he was in. Who didn’t want to be the golden boy football star from “Varsity Blues,” the 1950s perfect person from “Pleasantville” or a guy who solves mysteries while scuba diving with Jessica Alba like his character in “Into the Blue?”

I came home this Thanksgiving for a funeral of a close relative.

While at the funeral, I got the news that yet another relative died suddenly. On Saturday, reading the reports of Walker’s death, all of the news suddenly hit me. Three people who were important to me growing up – and still are – are now gone all in the span of a week.

As we get older and go through college, the traditions and people from our past start to fade away.

That may seem scary and foreign at first, but it will happen. My uncle, my aunt and Paul Walker will always be in my heart and I will always remember them and the impact they have had.

Paul Walker was a great childhood hero and I will miss him because of this tragedy. I’m sad to see you go, but I know I have to move

Associated Press

Paul Walker died on Sat., Nov. 30, in a car accident in Valencia, Calif. on. I’ll just marathon “The Fast and the Furious” series first.

This is the opinion of Christopher James, a senior screenwriting and marketing double major from Lodi, Calif.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cjames@theloyolan.com.

For more on Paul Walker’s eulogy, visit laloyolan.com.

adies, for all of you who are not happy with your figures, I know. ... Do you try to lose weight or do you just try to love the body that you have?”

This was the opening line from a CNN anchor introducing a segment titled “Fit Mom vs. Curvy Girl” where Curvy Girl Lingerie owner Chrystal Bougon and fitness expert Maria Kang were going to enter a debate. Curvy Girl Lingerie is a store for women size 12 and up, and has recently started a campaign urging women to send in unedited pictures of themselves wearing the line’s lingerie to show that “real women” appreciate their bodies as they are.

Maria Kang found some of these pictures – of borderline obese or obese women – to be promoting an unhealthy image of women. She posted her comments on Facebook, but was banned after Bougon reported her as using hate speech.

We live in a society that tends to polarize arguments. At first glance, I thought about how innovative and inspiring Bougon and her company were. I commend her for providing a service for women who might not have another outlet to do so.

She stated, “You may be fat today, you may not be fat tomorrow, but whatever you look like today, you get to feel as beautiful and sexy as possible.” I am a firm believer that weight should not define a person, and it certainly doesn’t dictate how beautiful someone is or isn’t.

But then I started listening to Kang’s argument, and I found myself agreeing with her as well. There is an obesity problem in our country, and it is a fairly accepted fact that being severely overweight can lead to multiple health issues. I didn’t see her words as spewing hate; instead, I thought she was trying to empower women to take control of their lives, get a handle their health and feel beautiful while doing it.

As a life-long vegetarian with a recent interest in living the healthiest lifestyle possible, I found Kang’s argument to be uplifting, especially when she said, “I think you should love, accept and desire to progress yourself.” I don’t see why loving your body and losing weight or liv-

Flickr Creative Commons

Fitness expert Maria Kang criticized photos by Curvy Girl Lingerie (above) for promoting unhealthy body image. ing a healthier lifestyle has to be mutually exclusive. I don’t see why a “fit mom” and a “curvy girl” have to be pitted against each other in a girl fight for everyone to watch. Polarizing conversations like this only hurts progress.

What also bothered me was that these women in the photos were only being shown in very revealing lingerie, on the Internet for the world to see, and this exposure is how they were supposed to be seen as beautiful. It wasn’t celebrated that Bougon was clearly a very successful and talented business owner and self-love promoter, or that Kang is a successful entrepreneur, wife and mother, and both can be seen as inspirational women.

I’m tired of hearing what a “real woman” should look like, sound like or act like, because last time I checked, if you have the parts, you’re part of the club. I think it’s very unfortunate that people don’t feel beautiful or worthy of love because of a physical attribute, and that we live in a society that promotes only one image of beauty. But I think it’s even sadder that women are still confined to whether or not they feel attractive as the measure of their success – and that our perceived physical attractiveness is a “daily struggle” that we are inherently born with, just because we are women.

This is the opinion of Julia McQuade, a sophomore communication studies major from Los Angeles, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cjames@theloyolan.com.

sports

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A Lion sports Christmas list Sam’s Slam Sam Borsos Asst. Sports Editor @sborsos13

W

alking around LMU right now, it quickly becomes evident that the holiday season is here. From the huge tree on Alumni Mall to the Christmas music playing at the coffee cart, we are surrounded by holiday cheer. Seriously, someone painted fake snow on my dorm building’s windows the other day. This is not a drill.

In honor of the upcoming holidays, I decided to make a wish list for what I want to see in our sports teams this season when we return from winter break. So grab your peppermint hot cocoa and enjoy my 2014 LMU sports wish list.

1. Men’s hoops grabs a 2014 winning WCC record

Last year, I came to LMU ready to watch some basketball. After saying goodbye to watching high school football, I was ready to cheer on our Lions.

However, the men’s team had a disappointing season in the West Coast Conference (WCC) with a single win against Santa Clara University. This season, I want to see the team – who is currently 6-2 – come out of conference with a winning record. The air at LMU will feel different next semester if our men’s team dominates the

conference. Freshman forward Gabe Levin and senior point guard Anthony Ireland will play a big role on the team this year, and hopefully we’ll see a lot of wins.

2. Women’s water polo succeeds in challenging schedule

This season is a little different for the women’s water polo team, as the Lions face their first season in the Gold Coast Conference (GCC). The Lions have a tough 2014 schedule, which was announced on Nov. 27, playing six of the eight teams from last year’s NCAA Championships.

The Lions will also host the first GCC Championship in April at the Burns Aquatic Center. My wish is that the Lions put up a challenge for these nationally ranked opponents and take this season one game at a time. It’s not going to be easy, but the Lions finished with a winning record last season.

And I want them to do it again.

3. Women’s basketball proves rankings wrong

At the start of the season, the women’s basketball team was ranked to finish sixth at the end of conference play. Last season, the Lions clinched the fifth seed in the WCC playoffs, and I think they’re capable of that and better this season. With a mix of young and old talent – like freshman guard Olivia Lucero and senior point guard Hazel Ramirez – the team can prove that they can finish better than people expect them to, and I’d love to see that happen.

4. Men’s baseball makes conference playoffs

I know it’s a little early to be talking about the end of the baseball season, but it’s my wish list, right? Last season, the Lions finished sixth in conference play, missing the chance to go to the WCC playoffs by two spots. I think the team had a roster capable of making it – they were projected by Baseball America to finish second in the WCC. It just didn’t happen though. This year, I want to see us compete in the NCAA tournament by the end of the season.

Once the LMU Christmas tree is taken down and we are all sick of peppermint-flavored candies and drinks, it will be time to say goodbye to 2013 and hit the restart button for our sports teams going into the upcoming year. There’s a lot of potential in our Lions for both the men’s and women’s teams, and I hope to see us make some noise in conference play this year. Whether it be to prove predetermined rankings wrong or to set the bar for seasons to come, I expect us to come out with confidence next year. To quote Katy Perry and end this wish list on the cheesiest note possible, “They’re gonna hear us roar!”

Yeah, that was awkward. Go Lions!

This is the opinion of Sam Borsos, a sophomore communication studies major from Palo Alto, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email sborsos@ theloyolan.com.

LION SPORTS

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‘He was just waiting for the perfect day’ Engagement from Page 12

bragging about her new best friend.

His contact in my phone is actually, ‘Chase, Betsi’s BFF.’” Metter said, “When I first started talking to him I trusted him from the beginning, and we’re really honest with each other and upfront and competitive.”

“We’re like the same person,” said Flint. “It’s easy.”

After speaking on their feelings for one another and the beginning of their relationship, Metter and Flint started talking about marriage.

Sitting together on the locker room couches in Burns Recreation Center, Flint and Metter had been shy and reserved in their joint interview with the Loyolan. But, once the proposal was brought up, they lit up.

According to Flint, he talked to Metter’s mom weeks before and to receive permission to propose. Flint was coming back from a basketball tournament in San Diego when he told his friend and teammate, sophomore LMU basketball center Ben Dickinson, that he wanted to propose that night. Nov. 9 felt right.

“I was pretty shocked, but I had a feeling it would happen,” said Dickinson.

Once he returned to Los Angeles, Flint had 15 minutes to run to Trader Joe’s to pick up the flowers he wanted to use as part of the proposal.

After receiving the call that Flint wanted to propose that night, Razzeto helped him set up a circle of candles and petals in the shape of a heart on the lifeguard tower.

Metter went to Flint’s house near the beach later that night to hang out, and then they took a walk.

“He was being really serious,” said Metter.

Flint tried his best to get Metter to follow his predetermined path to the tower, but Metter was making it difficult.

“I was walking this way, and she was walking that way,” said Flint.

In the interview, Metter then looked at Flint and asked, “Why were you so nervous? Did you think I’d say no?”

Flint responded, “I had to get you to that freaking lifeguard tower.”

They came up to lifeguard tower 45, and Metter saw “Bets” in the sand next to the tower. They walked up the sloped tower ramp and saw the candles around the petals, with the ring at the center of the heart-shaped pile of petals.

Flint then got down on one knee.

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

Junior basketball player Chase Flint and senior volleyball player Betsi Metter’s teammates were excited when the pair told them the news.

Lions rebuilding after down season M. Polo from Page 1

of the meeting with the coaches.

Coldren said that he and four other players were informed of an “after-the-season individual meeting” by the coaching staff.

The Reading, Penn., native said that this was the first time he had been asked to attend such a meeting after the season throughout his time at LMU. The entire team has a meeting scheduled for this afternoon, according to Coldren, but when asked if he would be in attendance, he said, “I guess not.”

The three upperclassmen are the latest players to either be dismissed from Loughran’s team or voluntary leave this season.

Wild quit the team in midOctober.

With the loss of Coldren, Stipanovich, Olson and graduating senior John Mikuzis, Ferretti is the only player on

the roster older than a redshirt sophomore.

“We had a disappointing season, and in our rebuilding efforts, we will be making some difficult decisions and changes to our roster,” Loughran said.

“For those student athletes moving on, we wish them the very best and success in the next stages of their lives.”

For more developing news on this story follow @LoyolanSports on Twitter and visit laloyolan.com/sports.

According to Flint’s younger sister, Megan Hill, “He was very articulate of what type of ring and what he wanted to do.” Flint knew Metter loved the beach and decided that would be the perfect spot to ask her for her hand in marriage.

“I was in shock,” said Metter. “I felt like everything slowed down and I kind of blacked out.”

Alme, Razzeto and Flint’s parents were there, but Metter called her mom and older sister right away.

Flint texted his friends, including longtime friend from Utah, Colby Berg. “He texted me right after with the picture,” said Berg. “He was in his classic hoodie and shorts hanging out.”

Metter called an emergency team meeting on Sunday. Her teammates thought they were in trouble, but then she spilled the news.

“I’ve just never seen him treat a girl like he treats Betsi. ... They are a perfect match,” said Berg. via Betsi Metter

“I didn’t cry when he did it, but the first time I actually got emotional about it was when I told my team,” said Metter. “It finally hit me then.”

Both of their coaches are thrilled.

Men’s basketball Associate Head Coach Mike Scholl said, “Everybody was very excited for him.” According to Scholl, Flint had a conversation with him before proposing.

“He wanted to have a conversation on where his intentions were,” said Scholl, which he thought was very respectable.

“It’s a new dynamic for us as a coaching staff.”

In his six seasons of coaching at LMU, Scholl has never had an engaged or married player. It may be considered out of the ordinary to get engaged in college but Flint explained to Scholl that in his home state of Utah, it’s normal to be married in college.

In regards to young couples,

Junior basketball player Chase Flint proposed to senior volleyball player Betsi Metter on Playa Vista Beach lifeguard tower 45 on Nov. 9.

Metter said, “When you know, you know.”

At the end of one of the basketball team’s first practices after the proposal, the volleyball team was coming in to begin their practice. According to Scholl, it was fun to see them come together while everyone cheered.

Women’s volleyball Assistant Coach Meagan Schmitt is “overthe-moon excited” for them.

Schmitt has been coaching Metter for three seasons and saw their progression.

“I really like Chase and seeing them happy and together makes me happy,” said Schmitt. “Our entire coaching staff is really happy for her.”

After their first practice back, Schmitt’s immediate concern was her ring. Metter hid it safely during practice, but all the girls went immediately to her left hand to

see it when it was back on her ring finger.

“I’ve heard all of Chase’s girl stories,” said Berg. “I’ve just never seen him treat a girl like he treats Betsi. She makes him a way better person. They are a perfect match.

He actually cares about wearing a collared shirt and dressing up around her.”

“I love how he makes me feel special,” said Metter. “He makes every day like Valentine’s Day. He’s fun and really optimistic, so it’s easy to be around him.”

Flint looked at her and said, “I love how excited she is to see me every time I see her – it’s like I haven’t seen her in months.”

They are planning on tying the knot in summer 2014. They will start preparing during winter break. For now, Metter and Flint just want to get through finals week.

Host your event at Tower Pizza!

Great food! Great location! Great times!

Perfect for club, sorority, fraternity and work events!

sports LIONBITES M. BASKETBALL The Lions beat UC Riveride 73-69 on Monday night at SRC Arena in Riverside, Calif.

Freshman forward Gabe Levin (left) LMU Athletics scored 13 points and collected 14 rebounds to log his third double-double of the season. Senior point guard Anthony Ireland added 16 points, while freshman guard Evan Payne pitched in 12 points. LMU’s 6-2 start is its best start since 2006-07.

W. BASKETBALL The Lions will be in Fort Collins, Colo. to play against the Colorado State Rams tonight at 6 p.m. for their last game before LMU Athletics begining WCC play. The Lions last played at the DoubleTree Los Angeles Westside Thanksgiving Classic over break, but the team lost against UC Irvine 63-60 and Montana 49-47 in the consolation game. Senior Hazel Ramirez led the Lions with 11 points against Montana.

For daily LION BITES, like Loyolan Sports on Facebook and visit laloyolan.com/sports.

SCORES UPDATE M. BBALL

LION

73-69 W

at UC Riverside

SPORTS

77-68 L

vs. Vanderbilt

W. BBALL

49-47 L

vs. Montana

63-60 L

vs. UC Irvine

Follow us on Twitter @loyolansports for up-to-date scores.

Page 12

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | December 5, 2013 | laloyolan.com

An off-the-court engagement LMU athletes Chase Flint and Betsi Metter are engaged after falling in love on the bluff.

Brigette Scobas HR Coordinator

@LoyolanSports

She initially ignored him in the athletic training room.

But then they started messaging over Facebook and texting. After being close friends for a couple of months, they told one another that they liked each other. A year later, she has no intention of ignoring him anymore.

Close to midnight on Nov. 9, 23-year-old junior communication studies major and LMU basketball guard Chase Flint got down on one knee at Playa Vista beach lifeguard tower 45 to propose to his girlfriend, 21-yearold senior natural science major and LMU volleyball libero Betsi Metter.

Without planning on any specific date to propose, Flint knew it was the right night to ask Metter to marry him. “We won our game - she won her game,” said Flint.

Flint’s mother and father were in town as well as Metter’s younger sister, Sophia Alme and her step-father. “I said, ‘I’m doing it.’ I called her roommate Claudia [Razzeto] and said ‘We’re doing it,’” said Flint.

Razzeto, a senior health and human science major and LMU tennis player said, “I knew he was going to propose to her. He was just waiting for the perfect day.”

Razzeto met Metter in classes when they first came to LMU, and then they ended up living together. Flint would come over to hang out a lot. According to Razzeto, “It was funny because we all were really, really close friends and I could tell that they liked each other. But they wouldn’t do anything.”

Metter’s younger sister, Alme, said, “The first time I ever heard about Chase was her See Engagement | Page 11

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

Senior volleyball player Betsi Metter (left) and junior basketball player Chase Flint (right) are planning to wed in the summer of 2014, after Metter’s graduation in the Spring.

LMU swim headed to winter nationals Four swimmers will head to Tennessee today to compete against top competition.

Karen Ruiz Sports Intern

@LoyolanSports

Though the fall semester is coming to a close and almost every LMU student is preparing for finals, four LMU swimmers are excited to participate in the 2013 AT&T US Winter National Championships and show how much they have improved up to this point of their season.

Freshman Hannah Calton, sophomore Kristen Clarno, junior Kjirsten Magnuson and redshirt senior captain Rachel Dekar will all compete for LMU. The Winter Championships will take place at the University of Tennessee’s Allan Jones Aquatic Center from Thursday to Saturday.

“All four of them are very talented. The people who swim at this level are in the top one percent in the country. They combined this with strong work ethics, especially in the weight room,” Head Coach Bonnie Adair said. “I give a lot of credit to Drew Rossi, our strength coach. The strength training benefits our pool. It’s really brought them to a different level. They’re all at best times right now, which is unusual for midseason.”

At the Arena Invitational that took place a week and a half ago, Calton set two LMU records that helped her qualify for the upcoming Winter Championships. Calton set an LMU record with her 100 butterfly, taking fourth with a time of 55.62. She also broke another LMU record by placing second in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:02.53.

LMU Athletics

Freshman Hannah Calton is one of the four LMU swimmers who will compete in the Winter National Championships in Tennessee this week. Calton set two LMU records for the 100 and 200 fly at the Arena Invitational two weeks ago.

“My goals are to go get best times in both of my events. I have 100 fly on Friday and 200 fly on Saturday. I got a best time at the last meet we had in 200 fly, but I was a little off on the 100 fly,” Calton said. “It would be good to see myself get some personal bests. I also hope the other girls on the team get personal bests.”

Preparing for this meet has been a lot different than what the team is normally used to, mostly because of Thanksgiving break and having to double taper with the Arena Invitational and these upcoming Championships. The team has also been cutting practices shorter to get more rest and has been holding them at earlier times to get adjusted to the time difference because Tennessee time is about three hours ahead.

“This is our second big meet in a row, so

we’re extending the tapering. It’s tricky to do a double taper with four very different athletes but we’re drawing it out and improvising,” Adair said. “It’s very individualized. We want to keep them swimming well during this period. It’s been a very difficult stage but we’re hoping for the best.”

The swimmers going to the meet range from new to experienced, but nevertheless, each of them shows excitement.

“It’s my first time going to Nationals, so that’s really exciting to represent the college, which will be fun. Olympians such as Missy Franklin [of UC Berkeley] will be there. It’ll be cool to be at the same meet as all those people,” says Calton.

While Calton enters this new territory as a freshman, senior Dekar has a more

experienced mindset ahead of the Championships.

“This will probably be my last national meet as a senior, so it’s a little emotional.

I’ve had five years of college swimming, so I’ve learned a ton, especially learning how to approach a meet like this with some Olympic athletes who are just out of this world,” Dekar said.

What’s next for the swimming team after this Championship? According to Dekar, it’s a lot more swimming.

“After this, we go into finals and December is a bit of a dead month. Winter training is a lot of swimming,” Dekar said. “We’ll have several meets and February we drop off meets, and focus on our conference championship at the end of February.”

Holiday

laloyolan.com Page H3

Cinematic pleasures for the whole family Chris Culture Christopher James Life+Arts Editor

@cwj92movieman

I

t began in 2005. My family was sick, and we hadn’t stepped foot in a movie theater. It was time to binge. We saw five movies in five days, and now it’s a yearly tradition. This year is rich in movie choices, not only in theaters but on DVDs to be stuffed in stockings and on TV to be watched as you sit down with family. Here is the guide for everyone in your family.

For the ‘70s Parents

Theater must-see: “American Hustle” Whether or not they understand the ABSCAM scandal of the 1970s, your parents will eat up “American Hustle,” opening on Dec. 20. The film sets con artists (Christian Bale and Amy Adams) against an FBI agent with a bad perm (Bradley Cooper) in the middle of a mayoral election. The real reason to see it: the film includes an epic girl fight between Jennifer Lawrence and Adams.

Stocking Stuffer: “Argo: The Declassified Extended Edition” Have your parents stopped talking about “Argo” or how happy they are for Ben Affleck? Didn’t think so. This new edition features nine more Affleck-filled minutes, plus new features and a

64-page booklet filled with lots of cool pictures. It is available now.

What’s on TV: “I Love Lucy Christmas Special” They won’t admit it, but your parents were around when “I Love Lucy” aired, and they loved it. Two classic episodes “Christmas Episode” and “Lucy’s Italian Movie” – are now colorized and will air on CBS at 8 p.m. on Dec. 20.

For the Wild Child

Theater must see: “The Wolf of Wall Street” Believe it or not, that crazy relative of yours will sit through a three-hour movie. “The Wolf of Wall Street,” opening Dec. 25, chronicles the rise of Jordan Belfort, a corrupt stockbroker. In reality, it’s Leonardo DiCaprio throwing money at hot naked girls for three hours while Jonah Hill laughs. It’s also directed by God himself, Martin Scorsese.

Stocking Stuffer: “Indiana Jones” on Blu-Ray Who doesn’t still wish they were “Indiana Jones”? Well, the first three films will be on BluRay on Dec. 17 – no one mention “Crystal Skull” – so he or she can relive your ambitions in 1080p picture quality.

For the Young at Heart

Theater must-see: “Saving Mr. Banks” Who cares about “Mary Poppins”? The Disney fanatic relative does. Chronicling the con-

via CBS

Need something to bond over with your parents during this holiday season? Christopher James recommends the “I Love Lucy Christmas Special,” a classic that will appeal to multiple generations, airing on CBS at 8 p.m. on Dec. 20. tentious making of the classic, “Saving Mr. Banks” will suit their tastes just fine. Plus, Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney, and Emma Thompson is a treasure. In other words, you won’t pull your hair out – unless your relative loves to tell you Disney trivia.

Stocking Stuffer: “Despicable Me 2” The highest-grossing animated film of the year comes out on Dec. 10. Indulge them and stick this in their stocking.

What’s on TV: ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” They surely have already marked their calendar for when “Toy Story” and “The Santa Clause” are set to air. In case they haven’t, inform them of what’s coming, and make sure to sit down for “National Lampoon’s

Christmas Vacation.”

For the Cousin

Experimental

Theater must see: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” You know him, you love him and, despite his oddities, you even spend time with him. He may have not ever thought he would see a Ben Stiller film, but “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” opening Dec. 25, is different.

Telling the story of a meek daydreamer who learns to live life, the film has cool trailers filled with allegorical, visual splendor.

Plus, Sean Penn is in it, and you know your cousin loves him.

Stocking stuffer: “Nashville” Criterion Collection Don’t know who Robert Altman is? Your cousin does, and wants

the new Criterion Blu-Ray of his formative ensemble film “Nashville.” He’ll come for Lily Tomlin and stay for the new making-of documentary.

What’s on TV: “Christmas in Washington” Your cousin may not be the one for Christmas concerts, even one with such a diverse mix of artists like Demi Lovato, Diana Ross and Scotty McCreery. However, it is Christmas at the White House on TNT at 8 p.m. on Dec. 20, and no one is immune to wondering what music President Obama likes and what Michelle is wearing.

This is the opinion of Christopher James, a senior screenwriting and marketing double major from Lodi, Calif.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cjames@theloyolan.com.

Resolutions compiled by Kevin O’Keeffe, editor in chief; Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan