2008-09 Issue 14 Loquitur

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

YOU SPEAK, WE LISTEN

Radnor, Pa.

CABRINI COLLEGE

Pacemaker Winner Vol L, Issue 14

www.theloquitur.com

Obama ignites hope

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The 44th President of the United States Barack Hussein Obama takes his presidential oath. Thousands of people gathered in Washington D.C. to view the presidential inauguration on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. morgan miller staff writer

mlm737@cabrini.edu

Change has come in the form of the 44 President of the United States. Cabrini faculty, staff and students passionately applauded in the Widener Lecture Hall as

they watched the first AfricanAmerican president be sworn into office.

“He’s a leader, his choice of words, his delivery [and] his confidence came to show,” newlyinaugurated Cabrini President Marie George said. “It’s wonderful to experience this.”

People gathered everywhere from Washington D.C. to Besuki, Indonesia to New York City to Kogelo, Kenya to view this historical moment. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, will forever remain a symbol of change for America as President Barack Hussein Obama’s inauguration day.

“The only word I can really use to describe it was surreal. I remember standing there constantly saying to myself, ‘we’re going to get better, America’s going to get out of these hard times,’” Joe Johnson, senior history major, said about what it felt like being in Washington D.C.

President Obama declared the change in America and the world by mentioning “the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of hap-

OBAMA, page 3

College faces economic downturn christopher r. blake news editor

crb724@cabrini.edu

Cabrini College has not yet made a decision on what next year’s costs to students will be.

It has no plans to lay off any employees, according to Stephen Lightcap, vice president for finance and administration.

Across the nation, colleges and universities are cutting budgets, laying off employees and raising tuition.

A recent survey released by the National Association of Inde-

pendent Colleges and Universities highlighted the actions of 371 private colleges.

Although all colleges have seen yearly tuition increases over the past decade, many over 10 percent annually, the survey found 31 percent of the colleges do not plan to increase tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Cabrini is currently engaged in a process to formulate next year’s operating and capital budgets,” Lightcap said. “We have not made a decision about tuition increase at this time.”

Cabrini, like many colleges,

has been affected by the turbulent economy, forcing students to transfer, attend their local community colleges or in some cases drop out of college all together.

“The total return of Cabrini’s endowment and long-term investment portfolio has declined consistent with the stock market as a whole,” Lightcap said.

“However, the decline will have a minimal impact on the college’s operating budget, since endowment and long-term injanene gibbons/staff writer

TUITION, page 3

Freshman Ryan Wolski speaks with Anita Catalanotto in Cabrini’s Admissions/Financial Aid office.

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2 NEWS

EDITORIAL

44th president brings hope; Generation S is responsible to lead the course ahead Audiences, whether in Washington D.C. or on campus watching on television, were captivated and mesmerized by the inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s 44th president. For many college students this was the first time the inauguration of a U.S. president was celebrated, the first time their vote helped place this man before us, the first time it mattered and we cared.

Last Tuesday, history was made. President Obama took office as the first black president, a man who grew up in less-than privileged circumstances and came to be a world leader who hopes to get America back on its feet. His accomplishments once again remind us that our country can be filled with endless opportunities and doors open for those for whom it had been shut.

We are all proud to be American and it shows when our country comes together to celebrate the inauguration of our new president, despite ethnic background, religion and political affiliation.

The event has brought hope to America and the path of our country is beginning to change.

However, change will not take place over night, and President Obama will not be the solution to all that needs to be changed. Rather he will be a guide and aid in leading people to change their own destiny.

It seems as though the American spirit is ready to take on the task of helping change the course of the country.

Our generation has recently been referred to as Generation S, for service, because it is on our generation that will need to put in the time and effort to see a change before us. This is the era of responsibility and we must take responsibility for the course ahead.

Despite the hope that is now resting on our new president’s shoulders he can only do so much. He can lead but we must also lead. We must agree to help each other and work towards a more common goal. As college students, we have a chance to become part of the change. We just have to have a passion and interest in our government and current events.

Our country has been living in a fantasy world, a dream that we are the strongest, smartest and richest nation. The reality is that no nation that is the strongest would have over 11 million citizens out of work, and no nation that is the richest would be in debt to a country that only 20 years ago was considered extremely poor—China.

Americans do not have all the answers in the world. Our way is not always the right way and for us to move into the 21st century we must begin to see that we are only part of what makes the world a whole and start to listen to others’ beliefs and hopes.

We must open our eyes and see what is really going on, not only in our own country, but around the world.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

ABC political commentator to receive award for dedicat ion to journalism gianna shikitino staff writer

gls722@cabrini.edu

Called a “living legend” for her dedication to journalism and hard work, Cokie Roberts will be receiving the Ivy Young Willis Award for 2009 at Cabrini College on Feb. 5.

Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News. ABC had a weekly interview program titled “This Week” which Roberts and friend Sam Donaldson co-anchored weekly from 1996-2002.

She also contributes to National Public Radio, serving as a senior news analyst.

“I love listening to her political analysis on National Public Radio,” Cathy Yungmann, associate professor of communication, said. “Years ago when she was one of the only women to appear regularly on the influential Sunday morning television talk shows, she pressed the pundits with reality checks, but always did it in a most gracious way.”

Throughout the 40-plus years working in broadcasting, Roberts has won numerous awards including three Emmy awards.

She was cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as, “one of the greatest women in the history of broadcasting.”

Along with that achievement, Roberts has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall

of Fame.

Roberts and her husband, Steven V. Roberts, write weekly columns together for United Media.

The Roberts also wrote a book together titled, “From This Day Forward” which gives an overview of their marriage as well as other marriages throughout American history. “From This Day Forward” was on the New York Times bestsellers list, along with one of her solo pieces entitled “We Are Our Mother’s Daughters.”

Roberts wrote two other books on the bestseller list: “Founding Mothers” and “Ladies of Liberty.” Roberts also has a strong understanding of politics. Growing up as a child, both of Roberts’ parents were senators from Louisiana.

Roberts dedicates time to serve on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a part of the President’s Commission on Service and Civic Participation.

“I’ve been a fan of Cokie Roberts for years with her inside knowledge of the workings of politics,” Yungmann said. “She’s able to cut through political maneuvers and pronouncements to pinpoint motivations and effects.”

The history and political science department sponsors the Ivy Young Willis Award.

“It’s a yearly award that’s been

given since 1992, with prestigious award winners,” Dr. James Hedtke, history and political science professor, said. “There is a long history of important women who have won this award.”

The Ivy Young Willis Award acknowledges women who have been an inspiration and contributed exceptional pieces of work to the field of public affairs. Last year’s recipient for 2008 was Lisa Nutter, president of Philadelphia Academies, Inc. The history and political science department nominates a recipient each year and informs the Willis family to finalize the decision. The purpose of this gracious award is for students to be exposed to women in our society who have made a difference in public relations.

Roberts will receive the Ivy Young Willis Award on Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Grace Hall Atrium.

The event is free and open to the public.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to Loquitur@ googlegroups.com. The editors will review your comments each week and make corrections if warranted.

2008-2009 Loquitur Staff/Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Mallory Terrence Staff Writers Deputy Editor Christine Graf Christine Adolf Kirk Manion Managing Editor Meghan Smith Megan Bernatavitz Melissa Mariani News Editor

Liz Garrett Samantha Bokoski Morgan Miller News Editor Christopher R. Blake Justin Bostwick Erin Nollen A & E Editor Christina Michaluk Charles Bush Michael O’Hara A & E Editor Jake Verterano Amanda Carson Eric Povish Features Editor Britany Wright Gillian Davis Gianna Shikitino Perspectives Editor Jessie Holeva Kara Driver Andrew Stettler Sports Editor Danielle Feole Katharine Engell Matthew Stewart Sports Editor Nicholas Pitts Kerry English Tina Vitanza Copy Editor

Shannon Keough Jill Fries Jessica Wegelin Copy Editor Brittany McLeod Arielle Friscia Candice Wojnarowski Copy Editor Diana Trasatti Kristofer Genther Jen Wozniak Web Editor Megan Pellegrino Janene Gibbons Multimedia Editor Kara Schneider Sami Godowsky Multimedia Editor Brittany Mitchell Molly Kearney Graphic Designer Anna Scholl Megan Kutulis Adviser Dr. Jerome Zurek Brian Loschiavo

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The Loquitur is Cabrini’s College weekly, student-run, campus newspaper. It is widely respected as the voice of students, staff, faculty, alumni and many others outside the Cabrini community. The Loquitur has earned its position by advocating for self expression through freedom of speech, and by serving as an outlet for readers to affect change on campus and off.

Founded in 1959, the Loquitur has thrived and greatly expanded its readership. The paper now has over 2,000 online readers and 1,500 print readers on a weekly basis.

Our mission is to provide readers with an opportunity to voice their opinions freely, in an environment where their voices are effectively heard and respected.

The Loquitur: You Speak. We Listen Loquitur is a laboratory newspaper written, edited and produced by the students of COM 353, 352, 250 and 251. Subscription price is $25 per year and is included in the benefits secured by tuition and fees. Additional copies are $1 each. Loquitur welcomes letters to the editors. Letters to the editor are to be less than 500 words. These are usually in response to a current issue on campus or community area. Guest columns are longer pieces between 600 and 800 words and also are usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini College campus or community. Letters to the editor and guest columns are printed as space permits. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content. Name, phone number and address should be included for verification purposes. Personal attacks and anonymous submissions will not be printed. Letters to the editor and guest columns can be submitted to loquitur@googlegroups.com or to the newsroom mailboxes in Founders Hall 264.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

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NEWS 3

Students react to presidential inauguration OBAMA, page 1

piness.” “[Obama] really does have a passion to change the country,” Renee Maloney, sophomore communication major, said. “A lot of people are making it about black and white, but it’s not about [that]; it’s about wrong and right. He really is going to change it; I don’t doubt it for a second.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, DCalif., explained that “justice and equality made this [unique presidency] possible.”

His is a presidency that illustrates “that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness,” Obama confidently said.

“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth.”

“I’ve always been proud to be an American,” Johnson said, “but at that moment, I was even more proud after hearing Obama’s vision for his administration; it was exactly what this country needed to hear.”

As Obama briefly listed the changes needed for this country, he motivated his audience by stating that “starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. All this we can do. All this we will do.”

Rather than stressing policies, Obama conveyed the necessity to rebuild America’s foundation and the responsibilities of our country for itself and the world.

Lauren Reilly/submitted photo

People gather in front of the Washington Monument on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 on the 44th presidential innaguration of President Barack Hussein Obama.

“The speech was value laden, which I think was great,” George said. “It’s inspiring [and] hopeful, but yet truth-telling for where we’re at as a nation, what got us to this place and the responsibilities we have to the world.”

Obama informed his attentive audience that the United States needs to stop focusing solely on itself and help the less fortunate.

“To those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard

to effect.”

This selfless change for Americans is being introduced at Cabrini by George. The new Justice Matters curriculum will allow students to participate in ECG courses that will instill these same values that the president of the United States broadcasted.

Obama then addressed the rest of the world personally, “To all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born, know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, wom-

an and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.”

Various aspects of this speech, from addressing the need for the United States to be part of the world to America’s recent decrease in spirit, appealed to each individual in their unique respect.

“People [might] look at him as a black man but they don’t see an intelligent, educated, strong, regal man that won’t settle for less,” Maloney said.

Lamar Fisher, sophomore communication major, agreed

Small private colleges to face cutbacks in economic crisis TUITION, page 1

vestment income comprises less than 1 percent of the college’s annual operating budget.”

Although the survey found that 50 percent of colleges had frozen hiring or planned on doing so, only 8 percent cut or were planning to cut student-aid budgets.

“Over the last semester, working with the Financial Aid office, we closely monitored those students at greatest financial risk and worked with them and their families to enable them to remain at Cabrini,” Lightcap said.

According to the Cabrini College Fact Book, the largest entering freshmen class was 529 in fall 2006. Close to 80 percent of the colleges surveyed said that spring enrollment will stay the same or decrease slightly.

“We anticipate next year’s fulltime undergraduate enrollment to remain at current year levels,” Lightcap said. “Cabrini expects a first-year class of about 500 students for the fall of 2009.”

By placing student’s financial needs first, colleges must decide what is most important for their

Government Career & Information Fair

college and students future.

Colleges have decreased spending by cutting faculty hiring, salary increases and construction projects.

Forty-nine percent of respondents said they have slowed down or halted future construction plans; 42 percent have reduced salary increases; and 39 percent have slowed down maintenance renovations.

“We do not anticipate a reduction in staff or faculty,” Lightcap said. “The college does not have a hiring freeze. In fact, several searches are currently in process.”

Wednesday February 11, 2009 1-4 p.m.

A SEPCHE Event held at Cabrini College Radnor, PA Representatives from Federal - State - Local Government agencies offering internships & year-round employment

Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com.

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that, “[Obama] really has the power to change [America].”

Obama has already begun to change the American image by addressing those that have yet to demonstrate a willingness to change. “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.”

Although Obama is bringing change, the values with which the country will face its challenges are old and true: “honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism.”

Christina Cimmino, senior English and communication major, emotionally expressed the return to patriotism she feels this country needed. “[Obama’s] inaugural address brought me to tears,” Cimmino said. “I don’t think I’ve had this much pride in America since 9/11. My cousin was killed in [the attack] and I haven’t seen America or anybody as patriotic since 2001. It’s really the change and the uplift the country needs right now.”

Marcel Bassett, senior political science major, said, “Only time will tell the truth [of what will become of America].”

President Obama summed up his call to Americans: “Let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.”

Cabrini College- Grace Hall Atrium For directions to Cabrini go to http://www.cabrini.edu/directions Campus map can be accessed at http://www.cabrini.edu/map

4 NEWS

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

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College science department awarded grant andy stettler staff writer

ads725@cabrini.edu

Cabrini College recently became one of 12 colleges awarded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Initiative. The grant will give almost $1 million per year and allow the science department to begin a new research-based curriculum aimed toward incoming freshmen students, both science and non-science majors.

Incoming students will be given the opportunity to study phages, extract real DNA and perform their own experiments that do not come from kits where the outcome is always already known.

“What we learn from bacteriophages might be able to give us better tools to prevent many microbial diseases,” Dr. David Dunbar, associate professor of biology, said.

Dunbar and another recipient of the award, Dr. Melinda Harrison, an assistant professor of chemistry, will be traveling to Washington D.C. this week to be trained on how to teach this innovative, lab-based, research curriculum.

“What is really great about it is that it is original work and students are going to get hands-on experience working in a lab setting,” Harrison said.

“We’re hoping that this will be the wave of the future as far as education goes for science because a lot of people learn more, in the sciences, by doing rather than just having information thrown

Cabrini college

Dr. David Dunbar, associate professor of biology, stands alongside Dr. Melinda Harrison, assistant professor of chemistry. The professors were chosen to travel to Washington D.C. to be trained on teaching the new innovative, lab-based, research curriculum. to them over a PowerPoint or a projection screen.”

HHMI, as Dunbar and Harrison refer to it, was created by Howard Hughes Jr. Hughes was not only an American aviator and philanthropist but also a film producer, making films like “Scarface” and “Hells Angles.”

In 1953, Hughes created HHMI in order to understand the “genesis of life itself.” Today HHMI invests about $1 million in each of their “investigators,”

each year, amounting to more than $450 million a year.

For Cabrini, the initiative plans are not only to pay each student’s lab fee, but also to train college faculty members like Dunbar and Harrison so that students can work in the correct HHMI environment.

A key aspect of the initiative is that students will gain handson lab experience and eventually be able to work alongside faculty members on their research inter-

ests. Students therefore will gain more experience than the traditional student would without the initiatives help.

“A lot of time students in the sciences do not get to do original research until they are juniors or seniors,” Harrison said. “I learn the most from making mistakes earlier on.”

The initiative will give Cabrini students a head start on experience in the lab so that they can learn from their research mis-

takes during their college education instead of learning while working in a lab.

“What we want students to see is that science can be exciting, especially if they do make some good discoveries and get some good data because it will be exciting for students to be recognized by a national institution,” Harrison said.

Professor examines video games in book megan kutulis staff writer

mmk725@cabrini.edu

Megan Kutulis/staff writer

Cabrini psychology professor Dr. Melissa Terlecki has recently had her book, “The Effects of Long-Term Practice and Training on Mental Rotation,” published.

Ask any college student how they feel about video games, and the first words you hear probably won’t be “stimulating” or “mental rotation.” But in a new study published by Cabrini psychology professor Dr. Melissa Terlecki, video games mean more than an afternoon of putting off homework.

In her recently published book “The Effects of Long-Term Practice and Training on Mental Rotation,” Terlecki chronicles the effect that repeated video game playing had on mental rotation. The study, which also hoped to study the relationship between gender differences and mental rotation, was part of Terlecki’s doctorate work.

Mental rotation, in a simpler definition, is the ability to rotate objects in the mind.

“Closing your eyes and picturing an object upside down— that’s mental rotation, even more simply like if you picture like what an outfit will look like, how things will look together,” Terlecki said.

Although mental rotation might sound like it’s only used for puzzles, or, apparently, the

perfect outfit, Terlecki’s study put the cognitive skill to work when she chose a group of participants to play Tetris, the classic video game that involves the flipping of objects to fit correctly into empty spaces.

“I never really thought of Tetris as more than a game I have on my cell phone to keep me occupied. It’s a fun video game, but I’m surprised that there’s actually an entire process that goes into flipping those objects,” Corinne Grasso, junior English major, said.

Like Grasso, the participants in the study were college-aged.

To begin the study, Terlecki and other observers gathered the group of players and a control group who did not play the games, whose mental rotation wouldn’t be used as often as the first groups. The gender neutral video game was also chosen so that gender differences could be accurately studied.

“We wanted to look at gender differences too, because men tend to be better at mental rotation than women. And there are a lot of reasons why—there are biological reasons and environmental reasons why,” Terlecki said.

Participants played Tetris for 12-14 weeks for one hour per

week. Throughout the semester, Terlecki noticed an improvement in the mental rotation of both the male and female participants.

“We saw an improvement in both the male and female players.

I wasn’t really surprised because any kind of spatial game like that where you have to think of the position of an object before it happens, it involves some type of mental rotation,” Terlecki said.

“I think it’s kind of cool to know that while you’re playing Tetris, you’re also using mental rotation because it’s something you really don’t think about at all—I always kind of pictured it as this, like, mindless fun game, but it’s interesting to learn it’s more than that,” Grasso said.

Although the results came from studying strictly college students, Terlecki hopes the results are generalized, and that mental rotation would improve under other circumstances as well, no matter what age or gender.

Please send your comments to Loquitur@googlegroups.com.

The editors will review your comments each week and make corrections if warranted.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

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NEWS 5

Barack Obama enters the White House arielle friscia staff writer

af728@cabrini.edu

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, with around 1.8 million people packed at the Washington National Mall, the country’s first African-American was sworn into office as the 44th President of the United States. The man whose motto was “Yes We Can” finally did it.

President Barack Obama gave a heartfelt speech where he stated what he hopes to overcome. Obama also said that things wouldn’t change over night and also mentioned that we are friends to all countries.

One of the biggest points that Obama mentioned is that we must take responsibility. “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America,” Obama said.

Gaza strip ceases fire AMANDA CARSOn/SUBMITTED PHOTO

Nineteen members of the Cabrini community including students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteered their time at the Norristown Police Athletic League on Monday, Jan. 17.

Community members honor Dr. King through volunteering ing storage closets, replacing old staff writer chairs and cleaning baseboards, arc726@cabrini.edu kept students busy. The Wolfington Center sponsored this service Nineteen members of the trip, allowing those interested to Cabrini community honored Dr. participate in the 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday Greater Philadelphia Martin Luon Monday, Jan. 17, by volun- ther King Jr. Day of Service. teering at the Norristown Police Cabrini students spent three Athletic League. Among the hours helping to maintain the 19 volunteers were 14 students. cleanliness and organization of Faculty, staff and alumni also the building. Each student’s conparticipated. tribution stemmed from personal For one student volunteer, motivation. serving the community com“I wanted to do something on memorated the ideals of a histori- Martin Luther King Day. I feel cal figure. “Martin Luther King really good about it,” Quiana Jr. did not just stand for civil Volney, freshman business adrights, he stood for every right ministration major, said. and freedom: religious, sexual “I thought it would be fun. If orientation, gender and the list I have the time, I like to do somecould go on,” Bridget Flynn, se- thing to help others,” Heather nior elementary and special edu- White, freshman early childhood cation and Spanish major, said. and elementary education major, For Flynn, whose birthday fell said. on the same day as King’s naThis PAL serves as a recretional holiday, volunteering was ational facility for about 1,000 a form of birthday celebration. Norristown youth ranging in ages Five friends accompanied her, five to 18. Numerous sports, art fulfilling her birthday request. and educational support pro“I don’t normally like to make grams are offered for a fee of $10 a big deal out of my birthday and a month. Suggestions for new I do not really like material, well program ideas are encouraged. anything material. So, I thought it “If you name it, we do it or we would be perfect to just celebrate are willing to try it,” Brett Wells, with friends the night before and director of PAL, said. continue to celebrate a joined “[It is] one of Cabrini’s comholiday into the next day, in the munity partners that a lot of same great town, in the name of a students volunteer at or do their great leader,” Flynn said.

Seminar 300 service hours with.

By gathering her friends to So, that is why we chose to work serve, Flynn ensured that more with them for the MLK Day work could be accomplished. “If of Service,” Elizabeth Miller, he [Martin Luther King Jr.] as one Cabrini’s coordinator of commuperson could do so much, then I nity outreach, said. thought what if I was able to get After volunteering, students even a dozen ‘one person’ or even gathered for a group discussion. half that, how much could we do? Students reflected on the values Martin Luther King Jr. is a great of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and symbol,” Flynn said. shared how they were personally Activities, such as sorting affected by their service. Many through ink cartridges, organiz- agreed that being able to join amanda carson

together as a Cabrini team and serve the community was both fulfilling and inspirational.

Cabrini’s volunteers only represented a portion of those who served the community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Residents from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were all encouraged to help out. The day of service was entitled MLK 365 and was hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

“It’s not only about celebrating King, it’s about celebrating his legacy of turning the most pressing conflicts into a coalition by building ongoing partnerships,” the director of the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Todd Bernstein said.

After learning of Cabrini’s participation in the day of service, Bernstein said, “I hope they use this day of service as a spring board, I would hope that they have a better understanding of King and his life by serving others and will continue to be inspired to turn one day of service into a lifetime of volunteering.”

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Fighting for 22 days straight, the cease-fire has finally made Palestinians come out of hiding in a state of shock. Hamas is giving Israeli troops seven days to get out of the Gaza strip, and to prepare for more bombings.

Israeli troops stated that they will have their troops out.

Officials are speculating as to if the fighting is over or not.

Recession impacts military recruitment Recent reports have shown that the military has been recruiting more Americans and they are willing to be in the military. With recession being a hard-hit to many American families with many Americans being laid off from jobs, the military seems to be the only choice. It pays and Americans these days are looking for money. The military’s recruitment goals have been rising since 2004.

Caroline Kennedy steps out of the running Now that Hilary Clinton has been voted as Secretary of State, the real issue is who would take her Senate seat in New York. Caroline Kennedy was interested in occupying the vacant seat but it is said that Gov. David Patterson of New York would not have voted for Kennedy. Some sources have said that it could be the deploring health of Kennedy’s uncle Ted Kennedy, some say it has to do with taxes and a house employee. Right now the answers are unclear. Gov. Patterson already has picked Representative Kristin Gillibrand, a lawmaker in New York.

Obama addresses economics The economy has been in a rough patch for a while now. Obama has offered details to his stimulus plan.

The plan would protect the unemployed, college students, citizens from losing healthcare, modernizing schools and roads and lower taxes and energy costs. The Republican side feels that it is wasteful spending. Obama feels strong about the plan and feels that it is beneficial to the American people.

Guantanamo Bay to close After only one day in office, Barack Obama has made an order that Guantanamo Bay Prison will close in one year. This order is to undo the detention policies of former President George W. Bush as well as bring an end to where suspects of terrorism were kept secret for months and years. There are many problems that also come from closing the detention center such as how many prisoners will be prosecuted and where will the prisoners go.

6 PERSPECTIVES

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Perspectives

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Poverty becomes reality in Ecuador IN MY OPINION

SHANNON KEOUGH copy editor

sek723@cabrini.edu

To be with the people, rather than to do for the people. Those were the words we lived by for the week we spent in Duran, Ecuador.

Nine other Cabrini students, along with one professor and our campus minister, traveled to Ecuador the week before Christmas. There, we lived in community with one another and we lived in solidarity with the Ecuadorian people. Why? Facts don’t mean anything. Numbers, statistics, percentages; I don’t care about those things. But faces, names and stories mean everything. Meeting a person and hearing their story is when those statistics become a reality.

Each person we spoke with reminded me of other people in my life, thinking that my sister, father or grandparents could just as easily be in these situations if they were born into different conditions.

I thought of my 10-year-

old sister only being able to eat one meal a day, a meal that consisted of one piece of bread and one banana.

I saw my father in our neighbor Walter, a welder that will work until he dies because he doesn’t have the luxury of retiring. “This is my life and I will live this way so my children can have a good life,” he told us.

The faces of my grandparents were reflected in those we met with Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, some of whom have been isolated from their families because of the negative connotation that labels this disease as contagious.

So why didn’t we give them food or build them a new home? If we weren’t doing anything for them, what was the point?

Well, while to some it may not seem true, we actually were doing something for them, something intangible. Everyone in Duran has a story and we were there to listen to them, bring back what we learned and act on it.

Although all of these people live in economic poverty, by no means are they poor in spirit. They are some of the liveliest, welcoming, most loving people I have ever met. At times we were jealous of them because of their simplistc lifestyles and value of relationships.

At times we did feel sad

for them but we weren’t there to pity them; that’s not what they need. We went to be transformed in our mind and spirit and it was a transformational experience to say the least.

Feeling sad and angry is inevitable, but when those feelings turn into empowerment that is when change begins.

Dirt roads. Poor education. Parasite-infested water. These are all things I witnessed on a daily basis.

However, I only lived that way for seven days, and still had more luxuries than they. We were protected by security guards, we weren’t forced to get a job and earn enough money to support our families and we didn’t all have to share one bed.

How is that fair? Who can justify those conditions in their minds?

I personally have a responsibility to the people of Duran, Ecuador, but all of us have a responsibility to the world. At the same time, to me, Duran represents the poverty that exists all over the world. It’s no longer just a fact that one billion people around the globe live in extreme poverty. We need to ask why these ways have been set and how they can be changed.

I don’t have all the answers; I’m still trying to process the experience in my mind. All I know is that their lives are just as valuable as ours.

christa angeloni/ submitted photo

Cabrini students meet children at Manos Abiertas, an after-school program in Duran, Ecuador, where kids complete their homework and play with volunteers.

christa angeloni/ submitted photo

While in Ecuador, members of the Cabrini community visit the Damien House, a hospital and clinic for patients with or recovering from Hansen’s disease, formerly known as leprosy. Hansen’s disease is often misunderstood as contagious. When contracted in the U.S., it can be easily treated when caught early.

Pros and cons to credit card use IN MY OPINI ON

JEN WOZNIAK staff writer

jlw729@cabrini.edu

Debt. The word itself can cause people to cringe.

How much debt are you in? What about college students? America as a nation?

It’s a touchy subject and can be a very scary thing to think about. I know I’m scared of having to pay off my student loans, especially when there are so many other expenses to worry about.

Any students who have student loans are in debt until they pay them all off.

Then there is credit card debt. Debt is defined as anything that you owe to lenders.

The good thing about debt is that we can afford to go to college or enjoy big ticket items, such as furniture or cars, now without having to pay for them until later. But buying items on credit can also turn out to be a bad thing.

When people take on too much debt than they can possibly handle, they could go into extreme debt and have a huge problem on their hands- one that completely disrupts their financial plans and future.

With the bad economy these days, people need to be smarter about how they spend their money. Prices are on the rise, includ-

ing necessities like food, and jobs are in jeopardy.

Splurging on items by using a credit card, as so many have done in the past, does not seem like the best idea any more.

At the beginning of this year, the Federal Reserve announced that in November 2008, credit card debt totaled $973.5 billion. I would definitely say that Americans are living at standards above what they can afford.

One of the problems with Americans going into debt is that credit cards are so easy to obtain. I receive credit cards in the mail all of the time. People can be irresponsible and start swiping these cards left and right, only to have the bill come in the mail and find that they are unable to pay.

When credit card bills

are not paid fully at the end of the month, then interest, or a finance charge, will be added to the amount you have not paid, and will make the amount you owe even higher. This could be avoided by paying the entire bill on time.

I tried having a credit card for a store, but honestly I hated having to pay the bill when it came. I got rid of it because I would rather just pay when I buy the item instead of worrying about it later.

So, because I do not need a credit card at this point in my life, I’m avoiding it.

This way I am absolutely positive that I am only buying what I can afford. Also, I know that I would tend to splurge more if I had one.

Studies show that consumers with a credit card spend up to 33 percent more than if they shopped with cash.

Students who do have a credit card, however, can use them to establish a good credit report that will look good in the future if they manage money responsibly and pay bills on time. A credit report is a credit history of all of your transactions and payments.

Remember, getting out of excessive debt is a lot harder than getting into debt. However, if you find yourself struggling to pay bills, there are ways to fix the problem.

First of all, start spending less than you earn. Use the additional money to pay your bills. If you have several bills, or loans, to pay and find yourself unable to pay all of them, try to at least make the minimum required payments on all of them.

After that, pay off the bills one by one, start-

ing with the bill with the highest interest rate first, because interest on the amount you have not paid will add up. Keep going until your debt is paid off.

Yes, credit cards and loans can be a good thing, especially for necessities.

But Americans are paying for things with money they don’t have. People need to have more self control and not go overboard.

Like I said, at this point in time I do not feel that it is necessary to have a credit card. Maybe in a couple years after college it will be essential and I’ll be more prepared to handle it.

Students may graduate with debt because of student loans, but by saving and being responsible with their money, they can map out a good financial plan for their future.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Cars go ELECTRIC

I N MY OPINI ON

JILL FRIES staff writer

vjf722@cabrini.edu

With the economy the way it is today, what could be better than a car that doesn’t require all of our paycheck on gas!

While we are purchasing that gas, we are polluting our environment and adding to the ongoing global warming predicament. Why are automakers taking so long to create the perfect vehicle?

Could China be the answer to our prayers?

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year is holding a showcase of automobiles from around the world; many focusing on energy efficiency. One of China’s automobile companies has built the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car.

BYD, Build Your Dreams, is a Shenzhenbased company that beat out Chevrolet and Toyota on the plug-in hybrid. It is a midsize sedan called the F3DM. The F3DM runs off electricity after charging in an ordinary wall socket for nine hours.

The car has a gasoline engine that will kick in after 37 miles per hour.

The hybrid can travel up to 60 miles just on the lithium battery.

How does this affect my wallet, you ask? BYD claims that consumers will save 75 percent of costs than by filling up a gas-powered vehicle. I can’t complain there. But this model is right now only sold in China for $22,000.

Where would I charge my vehicle if driving long distance, you ask?

BYD is 10 percent owned by Warren Buffett who owns MidAmerican Energy.

BYD and MidAmerican plan to team up and create charging stations all over the world.

China proves again that they are much more technologically advanced and are showing great initiative here to help the hurting environment.

American automakers are still working on the answer to efficient, affordable, safe and quality-made cars.

But China is not yet ready to expand their sales on the new invention into the United States, because they think it will take time for the new technology to be accepted.

They are also very concerned about American’s priority for safety and quality, because Americans are major consumers of vehicles.

The price of this new car is very affordable for middle class individuals with a steady income.

And for the new technology and this economy, it’s an even better price.

I’m not too sure if the idea is what a lot of us picture when we think “plug-in hybrid.” There must be some sort of scientific reason why we don’t just get rid of the gasoline idea altogether.

I think you literally plug in a chord connected to the car into an outlet and that’s that.

The charging stations are a great idea if the car evolves, but I wonder what the station would charge because we all know, nothing is free!

Although the F3DM is not environmentally green as it should be, I think and hope that these cars will take off.

We need to start to accept more of these environment―friendly vehicles because we are making things worse for the world.

Did we pinpoint your viewpoint?

E-mail your opinion to LoqPerspectives@googlegroups.com

PERSPECTIVES 7

www.theloquitur.com

DOWN WITH TV!

Get your TV fix online

jake verterano/a&e editor

I N M Y O PI N I O N

JUSTIN BOSTWICK staff writer

jnb724@cabrini.edu

Is technology booming so much that televisions are going out of style?

As of right now, that’s probably a little ridiculous to even imagine, but who knows what’s around the corner.

That show you might watch every Monday night after dinner is no longer merely available on that precious “boob tube” sitting in your living room.

There’s this thing called the Internet and it seems to be taking over everything.

An unbelievable amount of those separate technologies are all being compact-

ed into the Web. It is possible and has been now for a while to find episode after episode of multiple television programs on the Internet.

I’m not talking about Web sites like YouTube either.

YouTube is great for short snippets of video.

However, it is rare to find a full episode of anything on there.

Two years ago, I was introduced to a Web site named Alluc.org. One of my friends was all about it so I decided to check it out.

To my surprise, I found that I could watch a full season of pretty much any show I could think of.

At the time, I was a rather big Family Guy fan. The Web site was great because I no longer had to wait for the show to come on at a certain time and I had the privilege of choosing an episode of my choice.

To me, this was up there with some of the best convenient inventions ever to

have been created.

To top it off, I could even watch full-length movies off of this Web site.

If it’s so convenient for me to watch my favorite shows as I’m sitting at my laptop, why am I going to waste time sitting in front of the television when I could be multitasking?

Before this phenomenon, I had only heard of downloading shows and movies illegally from peerto-peer networks such as Limewire.

I wasn’t shocked though.

At the rate technology moves today, it’s only expected that something new happens where something old becomes replaced or made much easier.

The problem that arises with Web sites that allow people to view television shows and movies for free is that not all of the Web sites are legal.

You might be watching a show on a Web site you stumbled across one day, and the next day to your

displeasant surprise it’s no longer running.

TV.com is a Web site that you probably won’t encounter that problem with due to the fact that it is owned by CBS. Another site is Hulu. com. NBC Universal and the News Corporation run this particular Web site.

TV.com actually receives most of its shows and video from Hulu.

The best thing about these Web sites is that they are free to the public. As long as the shows are free on television, they should be free on the Internet.

But then why do we have to pay for a DVD? Isn’t it basically the same thing?

The Internet is obviously not going to give you the same quality of a show on DVD, so if you’re a hardcore fan and need the best possible quality, go spend $40 on a season of a show.

If you don’t need that, then I highly suggest you try watching a show online. It’s your call.

New Year’s Resolutions IN MY OPINION

KARA DRIVER staff writer

kad727@cabrini.edu

Getting fit, being more organized and quitting smoking are very familiar ideas that people share for their New Year’s resolution. Around Christmas time and New Year’s, you hear conversations everywhere about how people want to better their lives.

The tradition of the New Year’s resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. when Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar.

There is always a lot of talk about it but do people actually stick to their resolutions?

Tara Parker, the “Pope on Health,” states that “four out of five people who make New Year’s resolutions tonight will eventually break them. In fact, a third won’t even make it to the end of January.”

Some other popular ideas that seem to go around are getting out of debt, quit drinking, help others, learn something new and just enjoy life more. Some of these ideas seem pretty easy but mostly never happen.

A couple of the hardest ones for people to quit in my opinion is quitting smoking and drinking, getting fit and losing some weight. Some people are not equipped to make such drastic changes in their life.

It is very hard to quit cold turkey if you smoke heavily or are a heavy drinker.

Weight loss is ranked

as one of the most popular resolutions that people make. More than 66 percent of people in the America are overweight so this is not too surprising.

Some of the easier ones that require just determination and will-power are just having more fun and spending more time with your family.

I feel the best way to follow these resolutions is to plan them out ahead of time. How are you going to make time to see your family and friends?

What needs to be organized in your life and what is the best way to do this?

Another goal that seems hard for people to overcome is debt. Since the economy is so bad, this was a big one for a lot of people. Around Christmas time, so many people were saying how they do not have any money and this is going to be a cheap Christmas.

I feel that for this New

Year it was kind of a must that a lot of people take it easy with their money.

I will admit that I have tried to make New Year’s resolutions and follow them, but it is hard to change your lifestyle which you are so use to living.

Since I do play lacrosse, I find it a little easier to start working out and sticking to it because I kind of have to.

I feel if people have to do something, they are more likely to stick with it.

It seems like in a lot of situations people just say they are giving up or changing something because that is the thing to do, but most of the time they do not really have their hearts set on it.

New Year’s resolutions are a very popular thing that I feel just require determination. People can change their lives if they set their heart to what they want.

Thursday, Jan. 29 2009

www.theloquitur.com

8 FEATURES

FEATU

The HOOT ERS experience Is Hooters considered a family restaurant, a laid-back sports bar or an adult restaurant?

You decide. janene gibbons staff writer

jmg727@cabrini.edu

“We are not out there to steal your boyfriends. I know that there is a certain stereotype that surrounds Hooters. When people don’t know something about a specific topic, they go off of what other people say,” Sam Randol, a waitress at the King of Prussia Hooters and senior English and communication major, said.

Upon entering a Hooters restaurant, one would see waitresses dressed in uniforms consisting of wide-strap white tank tops with cleavage popping out of the top and orange bottoms so short they might as well just wear underwear.

It might seem easy for people to get the wrong idea about this popular “family restaurant” with an attire like that, but those who are associated with Hooters either by being a customer or waitress tend to have a much more openminded point of view.

“As a society, over time we have become more comfortable with sex and being more provocative. We were very behind on that. It has become much more accepted because it has expanded. There are things that have become much worse, like porn, which makes Hooters seem more tame,” Randol said.

The image that Hooters portrays does carry a certain misconception that the girls who work there all have big breasts. Randol said that it is true that Hooters does have some girls who do fall into the stereotypical image but it is not a requirement to be a certain size or measurement.

She said, “We have girls there that are more flat-chested and have more of a butt. We have girls that are a little more on the bigger side.”

Randol, who grew up in a beach community and spends a good amount of time in her bathing suit, is comfortable with her uniform.

She said that she was more uncomfortable in her track uniform for school because her legs were completely uncovered.

“People underestimate the stockings,” Randol said. She de-

scribes the stocking that goes along with the Hooters uniform as very thick. She said if the uniform didn’t have them, then she would feel uncomfortable.

When asked about the customers motives in response to the uniforms of a Hooters girl Randol said, “Guys will go there to look at a pretty girl and to flirt but I don’t think that is specific to Hooters. If you go to another restaurant and you think the waitress is pretty, you’ll keep going back to try and see her. Yeah, perhaps we are a little more conducive to that type of thinking because of our uniforms but it’s not specific to us.”

“Usually, there are a token two or three girls in here,” Lauren Fulginitti, a waitress at the King of Prussia Hooters and junior business major, said. Hooters doesn’t just bring in the men though. There was a group of older women, lots of couples and a dad with his 14-year-old and 12-year-old sons. Fulginitti said, “Kids eat for free on Saturdays.”

“We get families all the time.

We have all kinds of little kids and older kids. I have seen children of all ages there. People don’t believe that families do come here.

We get groups of straight girls

because the food is good. I know a ton of my girlfriends like going there for the food,” Randol said.

Michael Stevenson, a retired father of two sons, agrees for the most part. Stevenson said, it really does depend on a child’s age, when trying to discern if Hoot-

ers is an appropriate restaurant or not.

He said his kids like the wings but they also like seeing the girls and he thinks that is good to expose his sons to that type of atmosphere. He went on to explain his feelings that your first experience at Hooters is a lot different than your fifth and for his sons the novelty has worn off. Stevenson said, “Women enjoy being admired. It’s a natural thing. A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman.”

Hooters is defined by many as

a laid-back sports bar and a guys’ kind of a place but a lot of couples go there as well.

Sarah Barr, sophomore biological science major at Montgomery County College, feels comfortable going to Hooters with her boyfriend Michael Warner II, sophomore software engineer major at Montgomery County College.

The couple described Hooters as a place where all their friends can hang out. Barr says her boyfriend also likes to come to watch the fights and Fantasy Football and that she doesn’t have a problem at all with the girls because she grew up in a family with a lot of girls. The couple said they are both very liberal and that misconceptions that Hooters is degrading towards women comes from closed-minded people.

Fulginitti explained that normally a girl will take her boyfriend to Hooters as a treat so she will be the one who is paying.

Fulginitti is talkative with the girl in this case, which she says is fine because she loves talking to girls.

If a group of guys does come there to flirt, both waitresses can attest to flirting.

“I have friends that are serv-

mct

Hooters can carry a certain misconception that all the girls who work there are big-busted. It, however, does not hire employees based upon the stereotypes associated with it. The restaurant can be considered a laid-back sports bar, a family restaurant or an adult restaurant.

ers at other places and they turn on the charm. The nicer you are to your customers, the bigger tip you get. As a server it is important to make sure that your customers feel welcome, have a good time and want to come back,” Randol said.

When asked if she thinks the direct marketing of sex appeal is a cheap shot to attract more men, Randol said, “There are so many things that are marketed towards women these days and men are very simple. You give them the combination of beer, wings and women and it will get people in the door.”

It was made clear by both Randol and Fulginitti that Hooters girls are not allowed to be touched and if anyone says anything out-of-line the manager kicks them out immediately.

On the topic of venues such as strip clubs, Randol said, “I guess people that are supportive of places like that, their mentality is ‘if you have it use it.’ I guess it’s power. It’s not perhaps the best way to use it [but also] not necessarily a bad thing. Personally, I don’t feel like being put on the same level as that because it’s two completely different things. I am a waitress. I am a server.”

Misconceptions, judgments and backlash are definitely something both Randol and Fulginitti know something about.

“I find that people are very hypocritical. Nobody likes to be outwardly judged. Some girls just give you the look. I mean that’s your opinion but I find it kind of insulting,” Randol said.

When asked about the negative views others have towards her current occupation, Randol said, “People who are naturally more conservative aren’t going to like anything that is a little provocative.”

Both Randol and Fulginitti say the same thing when they are asked what they like about Hooters. Fulginitti said, “I love everything about it. It’s fun.”

Randol said, “It’s the first time I have a job I like going to. I like the fact that they encourage you to talk to your customers. I feel like it’s a very welcoming atmosphere; it’s fun.”

We speak your language.

MAT 113 EXAM 1 REVIEW Thursday, February 5th 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. IAD 118 Presented by Mrs. Lavely

URES

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

www.theloquitur.com

Major video game systems compete eric povish staff writer

efp722@cabrini.edu

Video games that have come out in the past few years have been described as Hollywood blockbusters by video gamers. These video games, designed for similar systems, have seemingly created competition between the various companies.

Of the three systems out today, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are tailored for the more hardcore gamers, whereas Wii is more a family friendly pick up and play experience. Compared to the other two, Wii may not seem to be that big of a competitor when it comes to graphics and games, what it lacks in power, it makes p for with innovation. With the Wii’s motion controls, Nintendo has been able to virtually push kids off the sofa and into the games. Literally.

“Wii has introduced video games to whole new generations.

Now it is possible for little kids and grandparents to play the same games together,” Matthew Connelly, senior liberal arts major, said. “But Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are very similar to each other and that allows for competition.”

Most say that any competition is healthy and that it pushes the competitors to strive for excellence, in this case seeing who comes up with the most innovative ideas. But will it ever come to an end? Who’s to say that one day we might just have one system that does it all?

Leon Wilson, senior psychology and religious studies major, has similar thoughts. “[It would be] beneficial for everyone by having all the games on one system for everyone. This one system would unify everyone and would be a great system if it were made. If it could take all the best aspects of each system and make one super machine, that would be perfect,” Wilson said.”

FEATURES 9

Small claims molly kearney staff writer

mwk723@cabrini.edu

eric povish/staff writer

Nintendo has been one of the major gaming systems for almost 25 years.

Other companies have entered the spotlight, designing systems such as Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

Nintendo has been in the gaming industry for almost 25 years.

They have always been about one thing: fun games. Sony and Microsoft have been in the home console business for 16 and 10 years respectively, with a main focus in cutting edge graphics and game play. For each company to either give up or merge, something drastic must happen. Whether it be the public’s cry of victory for one over the other or something else entirely different. Only time could possibly tell.

“On paper it sounds like a great idea, but in reality I don’t see it happening anytime soon,” PJ Smith, employee of the Pottstown Game Crazy, said. “It would be close to impossible to get all the other gaming companies to stop making game systems to allow

room for one. We aren’t anywhere close to seeing a day when Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo merge together.”

“I agree that all the systems do share some similarities, but that is something that happens in about everything in life,” Connelly said.

“I don’t believe for one second that it would be beneficial for there to be just one video game system. I think that it would be the downfall of an industry because each system brings something unique to the table.”

“The spirit of competition is what has driven America and it is what drives the video game industry,” Connelly said. “I hope I never see the day when there is only one company running the show.”

All around the country each day, citizens file lawsuits. It has almost become fodder. You touched this, I didn’t want you to, see you in court. Neighbors sue neighbors and family sues family. Many because they can, or maybe just to get on a television show such as “Judge Judy.” In one case, a man sued his exwife in over $4,000 worth of unpaid babysitting fees.

But there are real reasons small claims cases are filed. Many view small claims cases as a quick way to get your money back. However, in reality, to file and pursue a case in small claims court requires many steps.

First, you must go to municipal court. The Municipal Court of Philadelphia on South 11th Street deals primarily with landlord/tenant and small claim/contract cases.

There is a monetary cap of $10,000. If someone is looking for more than that, then they must go to a different court.

Kathleen P. Stockton, partner with Archer & Greiner, said that “claims are typically filed for cases such as breach of written or oral contract, property damage and consumer complaints for defective merchandise.” Many other reasons qualify. Stockton went on to explain that many cases that are pictured on television court are probably filing a claim for attention or even as a joke.

Small claims court itself is informal and most of the cases are filed as a way to recover money.

Since a lawyer is not required, both parties must be knowledgeable about the issue and provide evidence such as documents or images.

A judge alone will decide the case, and many

scenarios are possible. The trial in this type of case is between whoever filed and the defendant.

Arianna Bennett, sophomore psychology major, has been involved in a court case herself, although not a small claims case. Bennett was tailgating at a football game where she tried to break up a fight and was then assaulted. “I had to file a complaint against the guy for simple assault at the N.J. State Police barracks there, identify him and then about two weeks later we decided to drop the charges because the guy was already being charged with several other violations,” Bennett said.

Bennett’s ordeal did not end at the court house that day. She was required to appear as a witness to her attacker on other charges.

“Court is a long process and if you are there and decide to continue with the charges, be willing to sit through everyone else’s first,” Bennett said.

With that experience in mind, when taking a small claims case to court one must really think about the situation. There are no guarantees that the case will be won. What happens after the time, effort and money is put in? It is recommended that most small claims cases try to settle out of court.

If the person whom you are filing against does not show at trial, you will be granted a “default” judgment for the amount of your claim, and your filing and service costs. But even if you win the judgment, it is hard to actually collect the judgment if the defendant decides not to pay you.

Filing a small claims case is almost like a game of dice; you win some, you lose some. The outcome could be positive but in most cases, nothing is won at all.

Confused about complements? Unsure about unions? Stumped where to shade?

MAT 114 EXAM 1 REVIEW Wednesday, February 4th 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. IAD 118 Presented by Mrs. Lavely

mct

“Judge Judy” is one of the numerous court case shows seen on network television.

10 A&E

www.theloquitur.com

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Arts & Entertainment

Nominations announced: box office gold

ACADeMY AWARDS QUIZ This year will mark the ---- annual award show?

Who is this year’s host?

How many categories appeared on the first Academy Awards?

Which actor has won the most awards?

Which movie holds the record for most nominations without a single loss?

Who won Best Picture last year?

Has an X-rated film ever won an Oscar?

Which actress has won the most awards?

Which 1993 best picture winner was a black and white film?

Has there ever been nudity during the show?

All answers will be posted online @theloquitur.com.

EVENTS: Jan. 29 - Feb. 5

Social Justice Student Activist Forum

SEaL & Recreation Ski Trip

Donuts & Diversity

Cabrini will host a forum on social justice and student activism, sponsored by CRS ambassadors.

All are invited.

Cabrini students will have the opportunity to go skiing, snowboarding or tubing at Blue Mountain. $15. Sign ups are in SEaL Office.

Bring items for discussion, to present information or just to hear different perspectives on diversity.

Donuts will be served.

Thursday, Jan. 29 6 - 8 p.m. Grace Hall

Saturday, Jan. 31 8:30 a.m. Founder’s Hall Parking

Tuesday, Feb. 3 3:30 - 4:20 p.m. Founders Hall, Rm. 370

START - Sports Official Training Students of Today Are Referees of Tomorrow, START. Aimed at recruiting officials for baseball, softball and lacrosse.

Feb. 4, 11, and 18 Time: 6:30 p.m. Dixon Center

A&E 11

www.theloquitur.com

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Gallery debuts fresh new art mike o’hara staff writer

mto722@cabrini.edu

Philadelphia, a city rich with culture, offers many opportunities to view some incredible artwork, and not just at The Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Old City district of Philadelphia is home to many art galleries that display some of Philly’s best art. One of these galleries is the Knapp Gallery, located at 162 N. 3rd Street in Old City Philadelphia.

The Knapp Gallery is currently holding an exhibit featuring the work of two young local artists, Adam Lee Farrell and R. Michael Walsh, both graduates of the Tyler School of Art, Temple University’s art college.

The current exhibit at the Knapp Gallery showcases the talent of these two artists by displaying some of their most powerful work to date.

Farrell’s work, all oil on canvas, focuses on the imagery of the world around us and alludes to the current state of society and culture. “I do not choose the image for what it typically represents, but for how it can be represented through paint while set in an unexpected context,” Farrell said.

Farrell continued, “Ultimately, the images become symbols that create a visual language challeng-

ing the viewer to draw their own conclusions.”

Walsh’s work, also oil on canvas, uses animals as symbolic icons. “Recently my subject matter has become simplified to a combination of iconographic animals and symbols. I assign different roles through the representation of animals as humans, as spiritual idols and the traditional use as submissive workers,” Walsh said. By using animals as the focus of his paintings, Walsh opens the interpretation to the viewer.

“My intentions are not to be the absolute representation of my painting. My concept is no more valid than the interpretation that the viewer arrives at themselves,” Walsh said.

According to Jeffrey Frederick, the Knapp Gallery’s managing directors, Farrell and Walsh are part of what has become known as “The New Philadelphia School” a dynamic group of artists made up of Tom Brady, Chuck Connelly, Giappo DiFederico, Jon Eckel, Adam Lee Farrell, Kenneth E. Parris III, Karl Slocum and R. Michael Walsh.

“The group that makes up ‘The New Philadelphia School’ through their art, explore the conflicting views and beliefs which color contemporary life and culture and paint their vastly different experience. They depict the

Mike o’hara/staff writer

Knapp Gallery director, Jeff Frederick, explains the story behind the art to gallery viewer Jeremy Morgan.

The \gallery is currently hosting the art of Adam Lee Farrell and R. Michael Walsh. cutting edge of contemporary life while remaining close to the rich history and cultural network of the city,” Frederick said.

Frederick feels that it’s important to focus on local artists and their diversity, and the current exhibit accomplishes that. Frederick said, “This is a great exhibit because it features two local Philadelphia artists who both graduated from Tyler School of Art, but they have distinctly different styles. The current exhibition is

a wonderful juxtaposition of the styles of these two artists.”

Frederick continued, “We’re a Philadelphia gallery that primarily represents local artists, but we also bring international artists to the city.”

Those who attended the exhibit at the Knapp Gallery were impressed. Jeremy Morgan, a Villanova graduate, said, “I love the shows at Knapp. Every time I come here I’m always impressed by what’s on display. They al-

ways have fresh, new art here.”

Those interested in finding out more about the Knapp Gallery and their current and upcoming exhibits, can visit their Web site at knappgallery.com.

“The Knapp Gallery has quickly established itself as one of Philadelphia’s leading contemporary fine art galleries and our exhibits enjoy much success and positive feedback,” Frederick said.

Eastwood directs and stars in ‘Gran Torino’ charles bush staff writer

MCT

Walt Kowalski, Clint Eastwood, from left, Thao Bee Vang, Vu, Brooke Chia Thao, Grandma Chee Thao and Sue Ahney Her in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ drama “Gran Torino.”

cab 724@cabrini.edu

If you are looking for an intense and stunning movie experience, then look no further than Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino.”

The movie will steal your attention and grab your heart for all 116 minutes.

However, some people are still skeptical about the movie.

“It just looked weird. It’s not my kind of movie,” Liz Zimmer, junior marketing major, said.

But don’t fall into the trap of being misled by the trailer, for “Gran Torino.”

It is a great mixture of something unique, action and morals that is sure to tug at any of the viewer’s heartstring.

“I enjoyed it. If you like Clint Eastwood, I definitely recommend seeing it,” Andrew Ciccaroni, junior history and secondary education major, said.

“Gran Torino” named after Eastwood’s 1972 car in the film, is about Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski played by Eastwood.

Kowalski is a gun toting widower living in Detroit in an Asian immigrant neighborhood that is consumed by gangs.

When Kowalski realizes that these kids have much more to their lives than the gangsters that they portray, Kowalski becomes a father figure to a few, while getting rid of the bad ones in a “violent”

and “action” packed fashion.

“It is a very good story. Picture ‘Dirty Harry’ 40 years later,” Christian Hoffman, junior history and secondary education major, said.

Throughout the movie there are heavy violent scenes loaded with guns and explosions, while also having explicit language and countless racial slurs.

“I think Eastwood managed to offend every ethnic group in the world except poles, since his character is Polish in the movie,” said, Ciccaroni.

There is a great story that teaches diversity, purity in the heart, award winning acting and “a reflection of our economic problems in Detroit,” Hoffman said.

The movie never lets up with something special happening from start to finish on the screen.

“I think Eastwood should at least be nominated for an award as best actor; he was amazing,” Ciccaroni said.

So whether you like Clint Eastwood or not, you should definitely go see “Gran Torino.” If not because it is a fantastic drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time, then because at the end Eastwood actually sings a few verses in the end credits song.

12 A&E

www.theloquitur.com

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Captivating memoir helps author cope erin nollen staff writer

ekn722@cabrini.edu

Every once in a while, a book will come along that will shock, yet deeply impact readers. “The Boy Who Fell From the Sky,” a memoir by Ken Dornstein, is a captivating and enthralling novel that retraces the lasting affects of one man’s tragic death.

Dornstein lost his older brother, David, in the tragic Pan Am Flight that crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland in December of 1988. Caused by a bomb planted

by Libyan terrorists, the flight had 270 casualties, among them, Dorenstein’s older brother who was returning home to surprise his family for the holidays.

The book traces the life of Dorenstein, an aspiring writer, complete from his days at Brown University, to what he had for his final meal prior to boarding the fatal flight.

Most attention-grabbing about the book Dornstein has dedicated to his older brother, is his ability to weave throughout the work old documents and journals that were left by his brother.

When the flight crashed, Dornstein was a 19-year-old student at

Brown, following in the footsteps of his brother. After grappling with his older brother’s death, the only was to cope was to devour anything left by his brother.

The result is a powerful book, “The Boy Who Fell From the Sky.” Throughout the book, readers become aware of the lasting affect the death of a sibling can produce. Almost painful to read at times, each page turn reveals sad, almost depressing details about the daily struggle the Dornstein family endures.

Through his work, Dornstein finally begins to cope with what happened to his brother, and is able to help his brother relive.

David Dornstein is immortalized in the memoir; former teachers, classmates and former lovers all reveal facts about what an influential and commanding person David was.

The book appears as an attempt to resurrect an individual whose life may have been more than what it was at the time of death.

A novel about life, love and loss, “The Boy Who Fell From the Sky” is a satisfying book, yet at times, becomes almost too much to read. Dornstein becomes obsessed with the life of his

brother and that obsession comes across very clearly in his writing.

While it is impossible to not feel any sympathy for Dornstein and his family, the sympathy diminishes at times.

Without giving an insensitive judgment and review of the book, it is crucial to remember that every individual has, or will, deal with the loss of a close family member. Dornstein sometimes conveys the idea to readers that he is suffering more than others dealing with loss.

“The Boy Who Fell From the Sky” is a poignant reminder of the importance of family members and the impact of death. While at times the book and Dornstein can be a bit much, it is important to keep in mind that the memoir serves as a release for the author and is his way of coping with his older brother’s death.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story and any other stories. Please send your comments to loq@ googlegroups.com.

jake verterano/a&e editor

“The Boy Who Fell From The Sky” is a memoir written by Ken Dornstein.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

www.theloquitur.com

SPORTS 13

Sports

referee training Swim team travels to Miami ‘START’ to be offered in February jessica wegelin staff writer

jw729@cabrini.edu

From Jan. 5 to Jan. 11 the Cabrini men’s and women’s swim team took a trip to Miami to compete against Division I programs. The Cavs swam against Florida International University and Kansas State University.

Not only did they get a feel for a much warmer climate but they got a taste of what it’s like swimming against Division 1 schools.

“Being in Florida was awesome. The weather was great.

Swimming against schools like Florida International University and Kansas University was a great experience and great competition,” junior exercise science and health promotion major Anne Konicki said.

Every morning, the Cabrini swim team would wake up to 70 degree weather and practice from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. in an outdoor swimming pool which was 50 meters long.

They would practice in the morning and evening in preparation to compete on the second to last day spent in Florida.

For the women, freshman MacKenzie Stewart finished fifth in the 100yd breaststroke, handing in a time of 1:09.94.

Andrea Carbello brought in two eigth-place finishes in the 50yd freestyle and the 100yd freestyle.

Konicki also placed 8th in the 500yd freestyle, clocking in at 6:13.75. Coming in fourthplace was sophomore Emily Yurick who swam in the 400yd individual medley with a time of 5:28.60.

The Cabrini ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams placed third and fourth during the 400yd freestyle relay.

“I had a lot of fun hanging

tina vitanza staff writer

nmv722@cabrini.edu

lisa somers/submitted photo

Freshman MacKenzie Stewart during a race on the team’s winter break training trip.

anne koniki/submited photo

Cabrini’s swim team poses for a picture during their trip to Miami. out with the team on the beach, and working hard during every race that we competed in. On the beach, or in the pool racing against two competitive programs made us really come together as a team,” sophomore social work major Lisa Somers said.

On the men’s side of the pool, sophomore Kyle Teliszewski came in first in the 100yd freestyle with a time of 51.98 beating three Cabrini teammates to the finish line.

Sophomore Bill Boylan came in second place with a time of 52.07. Finishing in third and

fourth were sophomores Matt McGuriman with a time of 52.28 and Matt Piontkowski with a time of 58.32. The 200yd medley relay team came in with a time of 1:48.85.

Not only did they spend a lot of time in the pool practicing and hanging out but they also got the opportunity to experience the night life in South Beach.

“It was a mixture of hard work in the pool and fun on the beach.

At the end of the day though, all of the hard work and early practices really paid off,” Boylan said.

Students interested in becoming a sports referee, umpire or official can get started in a basic training program offered at Cabrini in February.

The Colonial States Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association have teamed together with four other National College Athlete Association Division II and III conferences to publicize the launch of the START program.

START, Students of Today are Referees of Tomorrow, has the goal of getting new officials in all sports on collegiate campuses.

“As the years go by, referees get older and older and they need to be replaced, so in getting students and staff members from schools involved we are giving back to sports,” CSAC commissioner Amy Friedman said.

“With officiating fees and other costs, it was a bit of a challenge to find officials, especially in lacrosse and softball,” Friedman said.

After many years of discussing what a great idea starting a program like this would be, five commissioners signed on to help register more referees.

To get more publicity drawn to their creative program, each commissioner sponsored a school from Cabrini to Penn State University satellite campuses had signed on to help in the goal of recruiting new officials.

Not only is the program helping students become registered sports officials, it is also opening increasing opportunities for scholastic officials to advance to the intercollegiate level and “allows students to catch a financial break

because they get paid for helping out,” Friedman said.

The program is aimed to help recruit potential referees for baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse.

The program will be held on the first three Wednesdays of February.

The three sessions will run approximately 75 minutes, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Founder’s Hall in Room 358, the Iadarola Center Lecture Hall, the Grace Hall Board Room and the Library Conference Room of Cabrini College.

They will be serving pizza as a dinner treat and although the program is primarily for students from any college, others interested in becoming officials are most definitely encouraged to attend.

“It’s not about the number or people that show up, as long as one or two show, we will continue to train officials,” Friedman said.

On the third meeting, students will be offered to take the PIAA officiating test for the sport of their choice free of charge.

Those who pass will receive a clicker as an equipment gift to help starting out the newly registered sports officials.

They will also have the opportunity to be assisted in getting involved with local officiating chapters so they can begin officiating PIAAsanctioned events as soon as possible both at school and in their hometown.

“It is such a great way to keep people active and participated in the sports they love to do,” Friedman said.

If there are any questions or concerns, e-mail Amy Friedman at: afriedman@csacsports.org.

Freshman breaks Cabrini shot put record gillian davis staff writer

gbd722@cabrini.edu

It is difficult to imagine that a calm, giggling girl would have a fierce arm to throw a 8.8 pound shot put 39’11 ½’’.

That distance is a little less than the length of a tennis court net.

Katie Visentin, freshman business administration major, broke the Cabrini record for shot put at the women’s Division II and III shot put at the University of Delaware meet on Jan. 9.

The previous record was 32.

“Before the record throw I was relaxed, so when I threw the shot and saw it land near the 40’ mark, I turned and said,‘Did anyone see that?’ I was stunned

cabrini athletic department

to say the least,” Visentin said.

Visentin had been a track star since middle school. She had started in seventh grade where she had practiced the shot put,

running and jumping. Visentin had given up running and jumping in her freshman year of high school and concentrated on throwing.

Visentin tore the ligaments in her right ankle when training for cross country in her sophomore year in high school.

Then as a junior, Visentin was demonstrating the discus and tore the ligaments all over again.

Three days before her indoor state opens in her senior year of high school, Visentin had tore the ligaments yet again.

“I’ve been injured my entire career,” Visentin said.

She had been awarded most valuable player for her sophomore, junior and senior years at Cheshire High School in Connecticut. She was also

one out of 10 athletes from New England to compete in Australia for the Down Under Games.

“I consider Katie as a valuable player. She has the ability to compete nationally and we are looking for her to come through in a lot of meets to put points on the board,” Chrissy Taylor, junior history and political science major, said.

“As a captain and an athlete of the track team, I am proud to have Katie as a teammate as she can learn from me and I can also learn from her.”

Visentin is competing in indoor track but is ready for outdoor track which begins on March 10.

“I am extremely excited about outdoor track,” Visentin said. “Just to be outside and

throw shot put and discus would be awesome.”

Along with looking up to her parents and brother, Visentin said she can not play without the support of her teammates.

“I love my teammates.

They gave me the nickname ‘cannonball,’” Visentin said.

“She’s a great thrower and she’s qualified for a couple big meets like the New York Armory Gotham Cup. Her throwing success definitely has helped our team become more well rounded and more of a threat as a team,” teammate Dana Nardello, sophomore special education and elementary education major, said.

Visentin will be at the next match at the University of Delaware on Jan. 31.

www.theloquitur.com

14 SPORTS

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Dance team’s ‘Haunting’ earns spot in competition danielle feole sports editor

df727@cabrini.edu

The Cabrini Dance Team participated in their first dance festival at West Chester University on Saturday, Jan. 24.

With the help of Dr. Michelle

Filling, English professor and Cabrini’s new Dance Team coach, the girls were able to submit a successful audition tape and made it in the highly competitive competition over many other schools in the Philadelphia area.

“I’m really proud of the girls, they’ve grown a lot since the fall,”

Filling said. “It was a great honor for them to be selected, it inspired them to be performing with other dancers and representing their school.”

Filling began working with the girls this year, and is part of the WCU alumni dance chapter.

“Having Dr. Filling as our

coach has really helped the team and has given us so many more opportunities,” Elle Bowers, freshman undecided major, said.

“She brings our dancing to a new level and challenges us with different activities and events.”

Among 18 performances, the Cabrini Dance Team’s “The

michelle filling/submitted photo

The Cabrini Dance Team poses in their costumes at the Winter Dance Festival at West Chester University on Jan. 24. The girls are in character as zombies for their performance, “The Haunting,” to Disturbia by Rihanna.

Haunting” performance to Disturbia by Rihanna captured tons of attention. The girls wore eye-catching pink, white and black zombie costumes.

“It was a bonding experience for the girls,” Filling said. “It was nice to see a bigger dance scene and see them noticed more on campus.”

The team learned the first part of their dance for their audition tape. Once they were selected, they had over a month to learn the rest and make sure it was perfect.

“They love performing for the basketball games, but it was nice for the team to perform at a venue where the audience is there to see dance and appreciate all the hard work they had put into it,” Filling said.

The winter dance festival’s proceeds went to a dance scholarship at WCU. The University set up a whole day of events.

The girl’s attended a master dance class and rehearsals throughout the day.

“It’s nice to award students who are interested in arts, so they can pursue their education,” Filling said.

“Being invited to the dance festival was a big thing us. It gave us great publicity and gave us a lot of confidence about our team,” Lauren Bariglio, freshman special and elementary education major, said.

This week in sports matt stewart staff writer

mls734@cabrini.edu

Upcoming Games

Rickets picked as top bidder for Cubs The wealthy billionaire Tom Ricketts was the highest bidder to manage the Chicago Cubs. He is optimistic on helping the team win its first championship since 1908. “My family and I are Cubs fans,” Ricketts said on Thursday. “We share the goal of Cubs fans everywhere to win a World Series and build the consistent championship tradition that the fans deserve.”

In total, the deal is worth about $900 million and would include 25 percent interests in a regional sports network.

High School team has regrets over win

Thursday, Jan. 29 Men’s Basketball @ Baptist Bible College @ 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball - Home vs. Rosemont College @ 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30

The girl’s basketball team from The Covenant School in Texas has remorse after their 100-0 blowout against their rivals, The Dallas Academy.

By halftime, The Covenant School was up 59-0. The Covenant continued to sink three-pointers in the fourth quarter and finally eased up. The Dallas Academy has eight girls on their team and 20 girls in their school overall, who struggle with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia. Over the last four seasons the school has not been able to pull out a win against The Covenant.

School officials met with one another to formally apologize and to praise each member of the team. None of the players had any ill feelings despite the loss. In a late breaking development, the head basketball coach of The Covenant was fired.

No games

NHLPA declines Collective Bargaining Agreement opening

No games

The board of the NHL Players Association rejected an opportunity to re-open the Collective Bargaining Agreement on Friday ensuring labor peace throughout the 2010-2011 seasons. The Union chose to make the announcement early during NHL All Star weekend rather than by the deadline in May. The association is able to extend the deal which ended the League lockout in 2005 for another season, but that will not be determined until May of 2011.

Saturday, Jan. 31 Women’s Basketball - Alumni game @ 9 a.m.

Men’s Basketball - Alumni game @ 10: 30 a.m.

Track and Field @ University of Delaware - all day Women’s Basketball Home vs. Cedar Crest College @ 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Home vs. Marywood University @ 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 1

Monday, Feb. 2 Women’s Basketball Home vs. Centenary College @ 6 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Home vs. Centenary College @ 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 3 No games

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

www.theloquitur.com

SPORTS 15

Catching up with your Cavaliers Lady Cavs remain undefeated in CSAC Thriving under Kahn christine adolf staff writer

cna722@cabrini.edu

The Cavalier women’s basketball team posted a 5-2 record over winter break, with three of their wins coming against conference rivals.

With those three conference wins, Cabrini currently sits second in the conference standings with a record of 4-0 and an overall record of 9-3.

The women defended off Franklin and Marshall College in the Nerney Field House, 70-61, on Friday, Dec. 12.

Senior forward Brittany McLeod tallied her second double-double of the season scoring 16 points and recording 16 rebounds.

Junior point guard Deana DiAmico led the team with 17 points and converted 10-of-11 shots from the foul line.

The blue and gray then met up with Randolph-Macon College and Elizabethtown College in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for the Sunsational Hoops Classic where they split their games 1-1.

The lady Cavs went on to beat Randolph-Macon, 60-53, on Monday, Dec. 29.

McLeod, DiAmico and junior guard Alyssa Brady each tallied 11 points in the game.

The ladies then met up on Wednesday, Dec. 31, for a New Year’s Eve matinee with Elizabethtown College, which they dropped 63-58.

After coming back from their trip, the ladies hustled on Sunday, Jan. 10, gliding to a 76-63 CSAC win over Baptist Bible College.

“The time that we have put into practicing is worth it after you win a big game like that,” Maryellen Anastasio, sophomore communication major, said.

DiAmico once again paced

the Cavaliers with a team-high 12 points in the victory. Brady gathered 11 points while senior reserve guard Kate Ryan put up nine points.

“It is important being undefeated. It is sending a message of what the Cabrini women’s basketball team is all about. We let our opponents

cabrini athletic department

Senior Kayleen Smith looks to pass during a game earlier this season.

know that every game we come ready to play,” Julianne Bonomo, sophomore marketing major, said.

With one day’s rest, the Cavs traveled to Baltimore, where they carried on their undefeated conference record by beating Notre Dame 71-48.

The Gators rallied early in the second half to come within one of the Cavs, but they responded with a 15-4 run to reclaim the lead that they held onto for the win.

The blue and gray then went on to beat Marywood University, 75-69, to remain undefeated in the conference on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Smith led the Cavaliers with 20 points and McLeod had another double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Cavs took a break from conference action to face No. 18 DeSales University in the Nerney Field House on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Cabrini suffered a loss, 68-60, ending a three-game win streak.

DiAmico sank seven field goals and three from beyond the arc.

As winter break wrapped up, the team posted an overall record of 9-3 under new head coach Bernadette Laukitis.

“Our new coach is wonderful.

She teaches each one of us valuable lessons on and off the floor. Playing for Coach Bern and for this team has been a blessing.

She cares for each member of this team like we were her little sisters,” Bonomo said.

Track and field prepare for outdoor janene gibbons staff writer

jmg727@cabrini.edu

The men’s and women’s track and field teams, currently in between their indoor and outdoor season, have to find ways to stay motivated during midseason.

The team, although eager to reach individual goals and statistics, also collectively stressed the need for constant determination and effort despite injuries and long hours of practice.

Lauren Gambescia, senior criminology major, said that if you want to do track that you have to devote at least three hours a day to practice. Gambescia also said that two stand-out people who she really admires are Christiana Taylor and Dana Nardello. She says that these women are not only good athletes and captains, but have great ethics and are just really good people in general.

As a distance runner Gambescia’s personal goals are,“to be in the best shape possible for the outdoor season, get strong at the 3,000 meter race and to get [her] endurance up.”

Quiana Volney, a sprinter for the team and freshman business major, has another goal, to

overcome an injury she got in practice when she was running the first race of 55 hurtles. Over break, she received news that the injury was more serious than she originally thought. She had a stress facture of the fibula in her right leg.

“It’s all about your determination,” Volney said. “I am not a quitter.”

When she needs a lift she can get it from her role model on the team, Christiana Taylor, who teaches her to be aggressive, and her sister who was the one who first influenced Volney to take on track in middle school.

Sophomore English and secondary education major Brianna Conner’s personal goals include beating her personal record for javelin. Nilah Smith, sophomore communication major, is looking forward to see what she can do in the jumps.

“As long as I have my endurance and strength, the speed will come,” Smith said.

Anthony Girolama, freshman undecided major, can’t wait for the NCAA tournament, the 800, the 500, the outdoor 152, 800 and 400 hurtles. Junior history and political science major and three-time All-American Christiana Taylor spoke of the

importance of being a leader to the underclassmen.

“I try to be hard on them but to be a friend at the same time,” Taylor said. “If they don’t have somebody to push them or they see someone with a bad attitude, their talent goes to waste. One thing we don’t need is negativity.”

Katie Visentin, freshman business major, made the Cabrini school record in the shot put, posting a mark of 39’ 11 ½”. Her personal goals for the season are to beat her 39’ 11 ½” so she can qualify for Nationals and to have a career best throw.

Head Coach James William’s personal goals for both the men’s and women’s field and track are to have a better season than last year by working on how to run better and focusing on the fundamentals of the sports. He is also really eager to watch the freshmen develop.

When asked what he thought makes the team succeed, William said it is their lack of nerves when they go to meets. “We come prepared.”

The Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com.

cabrini athletic department

Christiana Taylor competes in an indoor track meet ran earlier last season.

nikki duggan staff writer

nlz723@cabrini.edu

Over Christmas break, the Cabrini men’s basketball team traveled to Marymount University in Virginia on Jan. 3 and 4 to compete in the Marymount University Comcast Challenge.

In the first round, the team played Mount St. Mary’s College out of New York and defeated them, 83-64.

Junior forward Kevin Misevicius led the Cavs with a team-high 17 points while grabbing five rebounds.

The next day in the championship game, Cabrini battled the host team Marymount University.

The Cavs jumped out to an early lead, 49-30. Their success continued in the second half and they went on to win 84-62. Washington led all scorers with 27 points, which included 9 threepointers, while earning the tournament’s most valuable player. Misevicius also earned all-tournament honors.

Now, more than halfway through the season, firstyear Head Coach Marcus Kahn has the Cavaliers at an 11-4 overall. This is the team’s best record in the past four years.

“We have a good coach and it’s a new system that the whole team is buying into which is making us play well,” Lamar Fischer, sophomore communication major, said. “Our whole team gets along really well and our chemistry is better this year.”

Misevicius leads the team in scoring with an average of 18.6 points per game. Washington is currently ranked fifth nationally in three-point field goals per game with an average of 4.3. Junior point guard Charles Bush is currently No. 10 in the nation in assists per game with an average of 7.3.

“We are strong on the offensive side of the court.

We know that we can score but we have to stop teams from scoring on us,” Fischer said.

Cabrini is currently tied for second place in the Colonial States Athletic Conference with Keystone College.

www.theloquitur.com

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

SPORTS 16

‘Nets for Nets’ more than the score nick pitts sports editor

ndp722@cabrini.edu

A lay-up finds it’s way into the hoop and through the net, generally good for two points.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, however, the swooshing sound meant so much more.

For each Cavalier basket scored, Catholic Relief Service Ambassadors pledged to donate a Malaria net to West Africa as part of Nets for Nets.

“With every basket scored by the Cabrini team, I was visualizing a child receiving the gift of life and protection from malaria,” Arlene Flaherty, CRS justice and peace partnership liaison, said. “Cabrini not only ‘educates for the heart’ but also ‘plays with a global heart.’ CRS is proud to be partners in global solidarity with Cabrini.”

Malaria is the leading cause of illness and death in The Gambia, an area of West Africa suffering under extreme poverty. The bed nets are the cheapest and most effective way of fighting Malaria.

One bed net can last a family up to four years.

“Research has found that every 30 seconds in Africa, a child dies of Malaria,” Brittany Mitchell, CRS migration ambassador and senior English and communication major, said. “I really wanted to bring awareness to such a devastating statistic.”

The idea came to Mitchell in August, during a meeting with the Catholic Relief Services in Radnor, Pa. Arlene Flaherty and Maureen McCullough, CRS Northeast regional director, were discussing the possibility and Mitchell was thrilled to bring this event to Cabrini.

“It was really a team effort, between all of the CRS community, the sponsors and the athletics department. The entire college was really supportive,” Mitchell said.

“This was really a student generated event and that’s what makes us feel thrilled that the spirit of compassion and social justice is not just something that comes from the faculty and the staff, it is lead by the students,” Director of International Partnerships Dr. Mary Laver, said. “Nets for Nets builds on our partnership with CRS and it allows Cabrini’s staff, faculty and students to make a difference along side with our partners.”

A double-header was the stage for the fundraiser as both teams played Immaculata University at the Nerney Field House. Both the men’s and women’s teams were victorious, with the lady Cavs winning 70-51 and the men’s 7966.

Eighty baskets were scored in all, meaning that 80 nets would be donated at a cost of $560, but since $700 was raised through ticket sales and donations, the ambassadors were able to pledge 100 malaria nets.

The nets cost $7 a piece and were purchased through Catholic

Relief Services.

“It was great to be able to do what we love, yet help others out at the same time,” Brittany Mcleod, senior forward, said. “It was great to be a part of a good cause.”

With an all around combined effort from starters and bench players, Cabrini was able to cruise out to a commanding lead and hold their ground.

The team shot at 43.1 percent and leading the way was junior Alyssa Brady who earned 14 points overall.

Senior Casey Kyler finished right behind Brady with eight points.

With the win, they remain a perfect 6-0 against Colonial Sports Athletic Conference opponents.

The men took the court shortly after the final buzzer and got right down to business, forcing Immaculata to commit 18 turnovers in the first half alone.

Junior Kevin Misevicius scored 21 points in the win in just 21 minutes played. Sophomore Glenn Washington recorded 14 points and sophomore Dom Farello earned his first doubledouble of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Cavs, who improved their record to 10-4 overall.

“Though Immaculata is usually a big game anyway, this definitely gave us much more to play for,” Misevicius, business major, said.

Though the mid-season wins were important for both teams, one could sense that the games both had much more significance than points in the standings.

Men’s Assistant Coach Saleem Brown saw the game as an important life lesson for his players.

“It was a great experience because it teaches our players to do something for somebody else,” Brown said. “We preach to our players not to be selfish, both on the court and in real life.”

“I told the players about the event a week before the game,” Jessica Zawrotny, senior psychology major and CRS ambassador-at-large, said.

“Everyone was excited and willing to invite friends and family to come out and support the cause. They were also very interested in how the fundraiser came about.”

Zawrotny also noted that even non-Cabrini students and visitors were supportive and excited about the fundraiser.

“It was just so neat to see how many people were excited that weren’t even a part of the event, yet participated and wished us good luck,” Zawrotny said.

“You live the gospel message not only by doing it within your own community, but by sharing it with others,” Laver said.

When asked if the event was a success, Laver said that being able to buy 100 Malaria bed nets is quite a measure of success, but she also saw another positive.

“I think another measure

Brittany mitchell/multimedia editor

Catholic Relief Services justice and peace partnership liaison Arlene Flaherty buys a raffle ticket during the Nets for Nets event on Jan. 22.

nick pitts/sports editor

Men’s coach Marcus Kahn wore a blue ribbon during the game on Jan. 22 to support Nets for Nets. of success is a little harder to pinpoint but equally important is that now there are a number of people on campus who may or may not have been aware of how preventable Malaria halfway around the world is and how much of an impact we can make on that,” Laver said. “That’s not something that we can tally up the same way we can tally up dollars or nets, or baskets, but to me I think that’s just as important and maybe more important because now there are members of this community who have seen and experienced what its like to be involved in a global solidarity issue and that is why we are here.

That’s what education of the heart is all about.”

nick pitts/sports editor

Junior Charles Bush dribbles the ball up the court in front of a large crowd at the Nerney Field House on Jan. 22.