10 | PERSPECTIVES
Y O U SPEAK
Friday, April 15, 2005
www.theloquitur.com
PERSPECTIVES ...
Waiting, watching for new pope ALYSSA SCHOENLEBER STAFF WRITER AMS725@CABRINI.EDU
I do everything possible to avoid anything having to do with death. If it deals with someone I know or even a complete stranger, just the word death absolutely terrifies me. When I learned about Pope John Paul II’s “grave state,” for some reason, I became intrigued. Not intrigued with his soon to be passing, but with what would happen upon his death. As much as I wanted to ignore the news and pretend the pictures of the Pope lying in state weren’t
real, I found that I couldn’t help myself from watching. In the 11 years I attended Catholic school, the process of electing a pope was never discussed. I can imagine this was because there wasn’t much of a reason to after all. Pope John Paul II was in good health and there wasn’t any concern for having to elect a new pope. Although it was inevitable, I never gave thought to seeing a new pope. It wasn’t until recently that I learned what a big deal it really was. Upon the Pope’s passing, I immediately became preoccupied with the news coverage on television and in print. I absolutely love Al’s Morning Meeting, a column through
Poynter Online, a website for journalists, which provides story ideas. Al, in my opinion, provided a plethora of information regarding the Pope and his passing. There were various websites that dealt with how to handle coverage as a journalist and also information about what happens now. Although overly interested, I have to admit that without Al’s help I wouldn’t have gone looking for information on my own. I began reading through the websites he provided on the conclave. I’m absolutely fascinated with how much effort goes into the process. I had no idea about the tradition that involved a silver mallet and calling the Pope by his bap-
tismal name. I think the only fact I knew about was the ringing of the bells upon his death and the white smoke appearing when a new pope was chosen. I only knew these facts because of the movie “Eurotrip.” Had I not had a love for humorous movies, I wouldn’t have even known that. I’ve done some reading about the possible elects and I am actually really interested to see who is chosen. So much has changed in society, there are many who follow old traditions and there are those who are, ready for new. Even though I feel as if I am probably the only college-age student who has become so informed with the whole process, I can’t help but wonder what it is like to be outside the Vatican
right now either as a pilgrim, a native to the area or as a journalist. I would think that everyone there is in as much sense of wonder as I am. Although I know I now have to wait at least two weeks from Friday, I will most definitely be sticking with the daily coverage. It is not only an interesting change of such a powerful figure, but it has already taught me a lot about society and the way different countries handle the coverage of such an event. The ways of covering it have obviously sparked my interest and I would like to think it has done the same for many others.
Anticipating busy, productive summer ASHLEY WEYLER NEWS EDITOR ARW723@CABRINI.EDU
Summertime for many means no school, going down the shore, no school, going to baseball games, no school, getting tans, no school, wearing flip-flops, no school, going to concerts, no school, barbequing, no school, eating water ice and yup, you guessed it, no school! I am looking forward to all of these things, as much as the next person. But summer to me, at least for the last 10 years, has also meant summer plays. This program is designed for kids ages 12 to 18 to have something to do so that they don’t have to stay in all summer bored out of
their minds. Since the summer of 1996, I have been involved in my grade school’s summer theater program. All summer long, two nights a week if not more; I practice in the sweltering-hot parish hall, dancing, singing and acting. In August, I help put our finished project on stage. This process is repeated every summer. I have appeared as a dancer, back-line chorus, the lead role and the director. This upcoming summer, I will be completing my 10th year involved in the organization and my fourth year directing. I know you must be thinking I am crazy. If you don’t think so, let me explain. As director, it is your job to make sure every single solitary aspect of the show runs smoothly. And if you think this job starts in June, you all are sadly
Congratulations to the following faculty and students who will be inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta, an international honor society for students in the field of sociology: Dr. Jeffrey Gingerich Deidre Beadle Jennifer Brown Katie Hogan Christine Kedra John Mathis IV Ian McDonald Philip Nicolo Amy Ortiz Lauren Penney Rachael Perrault Jacqueline Tomasco Caitlin Watson
J ~ ifr-acA,:~IJc:, The new members will be inducted into AKD Friday, April 22 at 5 p.m. in the library conference room.
mistaken, my friend. It starts around January. You have to shop around for different musicals. Once you pick one you have to make sure it is in your price range. This is a non-profit organization and money is always tight. Once that is taken care of, you have to pay for the right to put on the show. You have to book a venue to have the show because my parish does not have a stage. You have to find people to help you out. You have to find a band to play the music throughout the summer and during the show. You have to find cast members. This all has to be finished before you start practicing, which is in May. Then the real work begins. Practices can be very frustrating. I am only 21 years-old. I started directing when I was 18 yearsold. The problem is a lot of these
Tired
cast members are my age or not far-off. It is hard to demand authority because it is easy for them to walk all over me. As a result, every single show for the past 10 years has been behind schedule. It becomes way too overwhelming juggling this, my regular job and a social life all at once. Last summer started out to be the worst yet. I thought I had everything under control when I became sick. For two weeks I had no idea what was wrong with me. It turned-out I had mono. It wiped me out for a good month. The doctors all said it was brought-on by stress and I was just worn out. It was the truth; I wasn’t sleeping because I was worried sick about the show. As soon as I started to feel better I forced myself back without fully recovering, and as of today, I
of the
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have yet to have a real break. As soon as the play is over, I am right back to school. Another nerve-wracking thing that happened last year was that as of three days before the show opened, we didn’t have a piano player. We had taught the kids all summer from a CD. My high school chorus teacher came through and saved the day, but it was a close call. I am proud of every end product. I know it may be tons of work and added stress, but it is always so worth it in the end. This summer will be my last year directing. I have decided that I need to move on and do something else with my summertime. It is a bittersweet feeling. Throughout my entire adolescence, it served as my definition of summer.
me Old Thing?
a Semester stralia
abroad!
and More!!