LUMBERJACK The
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NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT
Ice Jacks split home weekend against ASU
INSIDE News: Gold Axe awards, p. 5 Life: NAU students travel to India, p. 14 Sports: Basketball commentary, p. 18
VOICE SINCE 1914 • VOL 99 • ISSUE 15 • DEC. 6 , 2012 - JAN. 16 , 2013
BY MATT ESAENA
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AU vs. ASU. Nothing more needs to be said for hockey fans to know the intensity of the in-state rivalry, but to add some more drama coming into the two-game series this past weekend, the NAU Division II Ice Jacks were ranked No. 2 and ASU ranked No. 3. The series was split, giving each of these bitter foes a game apiece. On Nov. 30, ASU took advantage of some late NAU penalties to win 5–3, while the following contest had to be decided by a eight-round shoot-out, which ended in a 5–4 victory for the Ice Jacks. The sold-out crowd for the Dec. 1 game definitely got their money’s worth. The game was fast-paced with body checks being thrown all over the ice. ASU went up 2–1 after the first period, but the Ice Jacks regained control of their focus to battle back and head into the final stanza tied 3–3. The Ice Jacks scored their forth goal with a little bit of luck, a shot was taken from the blue line and was deflected by an ASU defenseman past his own net minder. see HOCKEY page 20
Sophomore Nathan Kundla rushes to steal the puck against ASU at the Jay Lively Activity Center on Dec. 1. The Ice Jacks tied the game 4-4 after overtime and won 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Amanda Ray)
ASA fee canceled for spring semester
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BY GARY COLLINS
he Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) suspended, for the spring semester, the $2 fee students are charged to support the Arizona Students Association (ASA) on Nov. 26. This move is only a temporary suspension of the fee. ABOR is expected to reaffirm its vote and approve a policy review calender at their regular meeting on Dec. 6. Reactions to the suspension were mixed. Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU) President Sammy Smart, a senior elementary and special education major, said she was disappointed in the decision. She had pushed for delay until the February ABOR meeting. “We were hoping to postpone a decision until the February meeting of the board so that all sides could be heard,” Smart said. Mark Naufel, ASU Tempe campus Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President,
said he was content with the decision “I am pleased with the decision . . . the only disappointment I had with the Regents’ decision [was] to postpone the permanent decision; at the end of the day this fee will be removed, postponing it just means we have to wait longer before ASUA and ASNAU are willing to work with us to create something new and more beneficial for our students,” Naufel said. This action follows on the heels of the ASU Tempe campus’s USG Senate Oct. 23 resolution to no longer associate with ASA financially and otherwise. Prior to this, on Sept. 26, ASU Downtown USG President Jeff Grossman and his Vice President of Policy David Bakardjiev resigned from ASA following Naufel’s resignation the day before. Jeffery Hebert, president of the ASU Polytechnic see ASA page 5
Rumble in the Rolle
p. 13
Kyle Martinez works to submit Dan “Mercer” Hodge during the first match of the NAU Kick Axe Wrestling event at the Rolle Activity Center on Nov. 30. (Photo by Sean Ryan)
Go to Jackcentral.com for daily updates, multimedia packages, extra content and stories before the issue hits the stands.
PoliceBeat Dec. 2 At 12:07 a.m., a resident of Pine Ridge Village reported a loud party in progress to Northern Arizona University Police Department (NAUPD). The on-call Resident Assistant (RA) was notified. The party was broken up and it was left to dorm staff to handle any future issues. At 6:48 a.m., a male subject was reported to be running around and screaming between McKay Village and Campus Heights. Officers were dispatched to the scene and the encountered the subject. After conducting a field interview the subject was given a ride to an offcampus location. Dec. 1 At 4:23 a.m., staff at Wilson Hall called to report they were in contact with an intoxicated student. Officers responded to the call and issued a citation to the student for minor consumption of alcohol. At 1:26 p.m., two residents of Sechrist Hall reported to NAUPD the theft of a pair of headphones and money from their dorm room. Officers responded and the case remains open pending further investigation. At 11:10 p.m., NAUPD received multiple calls of loud bangs from between central and south campus. Investigating officers
CommunitySpot BY GARY COLLINS
determined it was the work of unknown subjects setting off fireworks. Nov. 30 At 1:03 a.m., two residents of McConnell Hall awoke to find an unknown male in their room. Upon one of the girls screaming the man fled. Officers were dispatched to the scene but were unable to locate the suspect. The residents were told in the future to make sure their door was locked. The case remains open pending further investigation. At 2:17 p.m., staff of Sechrist Hall called to report there were suspects skateboarding in an off limits area. By the time officers arrived, the alleged suspects had left and the case was closed. At 9:31 p.m., staff of Tinsley Hall called to report a male had assaulted a female resident outside the building. When officers arrived on the scene both subjects had entered the building. The male was arrested and booked into Coconino County Sherriff ’s Office (CCSO) on one count of domestic violence assault. Nov. 29 At 2:48 a.m., the Office of Student Life called to report a professor had told them one of his students had threatened selfharm. The student was contacted by phone and advised NAUPD he was at Gateway Center. Officers arrived and transported
2 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
the student to the counseling center at the Health and Learning Center. He was released into the custody of his therapist. At 10:30 a.m., a staff member of Cowden Hall called to report students suspected of drinking alcohol in their room. Upon arrival at the scene, officers determined the allegations were unfounded. The residents were playing “water pong” and no alcohol was involved. Nov. 27 At 1:43 a.m., a student of Wilson Hall, after drinking a fifth of vodka, fell out of a top bunk and hit his head. NAUPD, along with Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) arrived on the scene and the student was subsequently taken by GMT to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). The student was released from FMC and from custody. He was cited for minor in consumption. At 8:10 a.m., faculty of the Wettaw building called to report a student had fainted and was in need of medical attention. FFD and GMT responded. The afflicted student was transported by GMT to FMC.
See more police beat entries from this past week at Jackcentral.com
Events Calendar Calendar Events THURSDAY, DEC 6
SATURDAY, DEC 8
MONDAY, DEC. 10
Film Premiere [4 p.m / Mary D. Fisher Theatre]
This is NOT a Lemon [All Day /New Frontiers Natural]
Academy Orchestra Concert [7 p.m. / TBA]
Hot Topics Cafe [5:30 p.m. /Museum of Northern Arizona]
NAU Wind Chamber Recital: A Black December [7 p.m. / The Hive]
Energizing Yoga [10:30 a.m. /Joe C. Montoya Community Center]
The Orpheum’s 10th Anniversary Show/ Head For The Hills [8 p.m. / Orpheum Theater]
TUESDAY, Dec. 11
German Table “Stammtisch” [6 p.m. /NiMarco’s Pizza]
FRIDAY, DEC 7
Combined Studios Violin Recital featuring Karin Hallberg [7:30 p.m. / Ashurst Hal]
Zion I [9 p.m. / Green Room]
“A Christmas Carol” [All Day / Theatrikos Theatre]
College of Arts and Letters Film Series [7 p.m. / Cline Library]
SUNDAY, Dec. 9
Mars Fridays [6 p.m. /Lowell Observatory]
Karaoke Sundays [2 a.m. / Green Room]
WEDNESDAY, dec. 12
NAU Chamber and Symphony Orchestra Concert [3 p.m. /Ardrey Memorial Auditorium]
Live Music Fridays [6 p.m. / Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room] Supersuckers [7 p.m. /The Orpheum]
NAU International Film Series [7 p.m. / Liberal Arts Building Rm.120]
“The Dream Giver” [10 a.m. / Coconino Community College]
Get Down [8 p.m. / Green Room]
Northern Arizona Student Film Festival [6 p.m. / The Orpheum]
WeekendPicks Picks Weekend “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 7 @ 7:30 p.m. Theatrikos
Northern Arizona Student Film Festival Dec. 8 @ 6 p.m. The Orpheum
FromTheEditors
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fter fifteen weeks of long, hard work, here we are on our last issue. As the newly hired Director of the Lumberjack, I can honestly say I have never been more proud and excited to lead a group of people. This semester has taught us many lessons—like how unhealthy our caffeine addiction is, that getting a coffee maker for the Student Media Center was probably the worst/best idea we have ever had, that sanity goes out the window when it’s 11:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night and stories are still coming in—but most importantly it has taught us the value of teamwork. As the semester comes to a close, and our staff prepares for a new semester under new leadership, we are reminded this Holiday season of the importance of family. While we are first and foremost coworkers, we are also the most dysfunctional family on campus, and without continued support from each other, this publication would cease to exist. From all of us here at the Lumberjack we remind you to be thankful for your friends and family during this season and wish you the best of luck on finals and a very merry winter break
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Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 3
InTheNews December 31, 2012 Date: ________________
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NAU’s W.A. Franke College of Business was recognized by BusinessWeek.com as “B-School Photo of the Week.” The publication highlighted how “a third of the 111,000-square-foot building is dedicated to out-of-classroom space, including 12 ‘front porches’ —interactive, technology-rich spaces at the entranceways to classrooms. It includes a LEED gold-certified café with outdoor plaza, five computer labs and 18 student breakout rooms.” (Photos courtesy of BusinessWeek.com)
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Northern Arizona University Tuition Spring 2013 _____________________
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Highland Village Apartments 2800 S. Highland Mesa Road Flagstaff, AZ 86001
NEWS:
Ramsay memorial service Criminal Justice program releases research results Fall 2012 graduation NAU included in Myanmar higher education initiative
LIFE:
Flagtaff holiday light parade
SPORTS:
Men’s basketball against Loyola Marymount
928-774-1800 | www.highlandvillagesite.com | cmadams@bellainvgroup.com *Must have been accepted for entry into a NAU and have a sign lease for the full semester with Highland Village. 4 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
Check jackcentral.com for continued updates over winter break.
Graduating seniors receive Gold Axe Awards and President’s Prize
NAU recognized exemplary seniors on Nov. 14 for academic performance, student involvement and contributions toward the university and the Flagstaff community. From the 19 chosen, three were chosen for the President’s Prize. Six students were awarded distinguished seniors from their specific academic college. (Photo courtesy of NAU News.) BY ABIGAIL O’BRIEN
E
very semester, NAU recognizes outstanding students based on their academic performance, student involvement and contributions toward the university and Flagstaff community. The Gold Axe Award is a tradition recognizing outstanding students since 1933. This award provides the honoraries with a golden axe pin which is the official emblem of the ASNAU. Sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduating students are eligible to apply for the award, but due to its prestige and competitiveness, graduating students tend to have more experience and student involvement. After the Gold Axe nominees are chosen, they are examined by a universitywide board. The committee then makes recommendations and endorses a narrower selection for the President’s Prize. President John Haeger selects the winners from there. The President’s Prize is the highest student recognition from the university. At the fall 2012 semester award banquet, there were 19 Gold Axe recipients, and among those, three were chosen for the President’s Prize: Missy Hoffman, a business accounting major; Francisco Naranjo, an instrumental music education major; and Sarah Tang, a double major in biomedical science and economics. The resumes of the Gold Axe recipients, especially the three President’s prize holders, are extensive. “I am a founding member of the Student Health Advisory Committee and have been active at the Newman Center, both of which are doing a lot of good work for the NAU
campus,” Tang said. “I have worked as an undergraduate researcher for the Department of Biological Sciences and a supplemental instructor in economics.” Even with the various degree choices the standard for these recipients are considered to be both high and ho. “There were various extracurricular activities that I participated in while at NAU, such as NAU Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education, Music Teachers National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Wind and Percussion Advisory Board and Golden Key — among others,” Naranjo said. Also recognized at the award banquet were six distinguished seniors from their college: journalism/ merchandising major Alexa DuMity for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, art education major Jessalyn Carpino for the College of Arts and Letters, hotel and restaurant management/accounting major Allison Wiltfong for The W.A. Franke College of Business, early childhood education major Marisa Wong Byrnes for the College of Education, geology major Sarah Bremmer for the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences and Martina Guy for the College of Health and Human Services. Many students, including Hoffman, credit their educators for their success. “The value of my tenure at NAU is reflected in the tremendous personal growth I have achieved from the time of my matriculation to the time of my graduation” Hoffman said. “NAU's advertising slogan — 'The difference that matters' — is not just a catchy phrase, but is truly suggestive of the school's transformational nature.”
InTheNews from ASA page 1
campus, along with his vice president of policy, Shauniece High, had resigned on Sept. 13. While these resignations were due in large part to organizational differences between some members of the various ASU campuses —ASU West Campus student leaders opted not to participate in ASA— the precipitating concerns of those who resigned were the $100,000 the ASA Board voted to spend in support of Proposition 204. These resignations were not of concern to ABOR as ASA is an independent non-profit organization of students subject to their own bylaws. What is of concern to, and within the jurisdiction of, ABOR is the mechanism by which the $2 student fee that finances ASA’s activities. Currently this refundable, non-mandatory fee is collected through the three state universities (ASU, NAU and UA) at the beginning of each semester. ABOR has no jurisdiction on how the fee is spent by ASA nor can it abolish the fee. ASA’s only authority lies in whether it can be collected through the university tuition collection processes. The fee itself was established by the ASA Board in 1997 when a referendum was put before students of the three universities asking if they supported a fully refundable $1 per semester assessment each semester rather than the $35,000 taken directly from student fees. In 2008, another referendum was held raising this fee to $2. Both of these referendums passed. According to an update on “ABOR Policy 5-201 ‘Arizona Students’ Association’ Review Process” issued on Nov. 30, the board will meet at a still to be determined date and time in January 2013 to have a first reading on the proposed changes to ABOR Policy 5-201. These changes are proposed in the Executive Summary of the Nov. 26 meeting. The draft for the January 2013 special board meeting, which are subject to change proposes that section D of Policy 5201 (the allowance of ASA to collect its $2 fee through the universities) be eliminated permanently, but also would strike most of section C, which states “ASA will educate students, serve as a collective voice to promote excellence in education and guarantee students access to the highest quality education as nearly free as possible.” As proposed in the draft it would be changed to only “ASA will operate in accordance with its bylaws.” Anyone wishing to have input on this proposed policy change may do so by contacting the Board of Regents via email to peggy.martin@azregents.edu or by regular mail at: Arizona Board of Regents Attn: Peggy Martin 2020 N. Central Avenue, Suite 230 Phoenix, AZ 85004. Any permanent changes to ABOR would be voted on at the regularly scheduled February meeting in Tucson. If ABOR eliminates this method of funding for ASA, the student association would still be empowered to seek additional funding opportunities.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 5
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6 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
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Business Insider ranks NAU one of most dangerous campuses in U.S. BY CLARK MINDOCK
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recent report by Business Insider ranked NAU as the 16th most-dangerous college campus in the U.S. After Business Insider reconfigured their numbers, NAU was no longer included in the list. The two rankings are based upon separate sets of data: the first is FBI data including surrounding areas of the campus and the second relying upon data from the annual Clery Report of oncampus only crimes. Following complaints from several universities who argued the original report was misleading because it was not limited to oncampus crime, Harvard University and Yale University — among others — earned a spot on the list. "That list is just reckless number-crunching without any context," said Thomas Bauer, director of the NAU Office of Public Affairs. "I looked at last year's list and there were 12 [unsafe schools] and only two of them are on this year's. So I guess 12 of them suddenly got safe.” NAU is one of the several schools that did not reappear on the rankings when Business Insider reevaluated with different information. A revised statement released by the publication, which included both the first report and the second report, seemed to imply the data set used was not as important of an indicator in campus and school safety as some universities claim. 16. Northern Arizona University 15. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 14. Southern Illinois University 13. University of Cincinnati 12. Indiana State University 11. Ball State University 10. Georgia Institute of Technology 9. Louisiana State University
“Although looking only at crimes that occur on campus seems like a strangely limited perspective — students do, occasionally, venture off campus — we agreed to crunch the numbers based on this report,” Business Insider said when publishing their second set of rankings. While Business Insider may feel they have good reason to defend the criticism of their rankings, schools whose reputations are at stake may feel they have reason to question the data sets. The percentage of students that live on campus or off campus was not, however, included in either ranking. Of the schools dropped from the rankings when on-campus only crime was considered, the trend was toward a higher level of off-campus living. NAU, who has a relatively low off-campus housing rate in this pool, has 68 percent of its student population living off campus, according to CollegeBoard.com. Schools that were added for having a high on-campus crime rate tend to have a larger oncampus population. Schools such as Yale, Harvard and Columbia in New York City have on-campus student populations of 88 percent or more. Exact figures and trends regarding NAU’s crime rate can be hard to determine with a growing student population and a large fluctuation between daytime population on campus and evening campus population. 8. University of South Alabama 7. University of New Mexico 6. San Diego State University 5. Vanderbilt University 4. Florida A&M University 3. Duke University 2. University of California — Berkeley 1. University of California — Los Angeles
InTheNews
NAU veteran population stagnant while UA, ASU see large increases
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BY CALEB MCCLURE
AU has been struggling with veteran enrollment compared to other in-state universities. According to Phoenix Business Journal, veteran enrollment at ASU increased 83 percent and UA increased 163 percent from spring 2009 to spring 2011, while NAU’s veteran enrollment remained stagnant at that time. NAU has been struggling with veteran enrollment compared to other in-state universities. According to Phoenix Business Journal, veteran enrollment at ASU increased 83 percent and UA increased 163 percent from spring 2009 to spring 2011, while NAU’s veteran enrollment has remained stagnant in recent years. “It’s going to take a few years to get to those numbers,” said Todd Carlson, program coordinator senior for NAU Veterans Affairs. Currently, there are more than 1,000 militaryaffiliated students out of 23,600 total students studying at NAU, approximately one hundred of whom enrolled in the past year. The slow state of veteran enrollment is due to Flagstaff 's smaller population in comparison to Tucson and Phoenix. “It’s all about population,” Carlson said. Many of the military-affiliated students often chose to stay in their hometowns once they begin their higher education or leave the service.
"My parents live in town and I have two small children, so they help watch my children while I go to school," said Amanda Bowers, Student Veterans of America President. In the past two years, there has been a surge to improve the enrollment numbers for veterans. “It was a focus of President Haegar and he realized there was a need to make NAU more military friendly," Carlson said. "We’ve invested in our military students and it’s definitely starting to show dividends." Some of the investments being made are an increase in military recruiter affiliated students in cities with more military focused areas like Colorado Springs and San Diego, as well as improvements in veteran services on campus. There are some benefits NAU has over the other two universities for veterans, however. “[NAU is] going to be more attractive for the programs NAU is more known for; our forestry program is really popular with our veterans,” Carlson said. The laid-back Flagstaff mountain vibe, which attracts many students here, will also be a factor in attracting military-affiliated students to NAU's growing population.
Despite a lower population, NAU is continuing to attempt to attract veterans to the school.
Snowbowl to begin snowmaking BY ABIGAIL O’BRIEN
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fter a continuous legal battle, Arizona Snowbowl expects to start its first winter with the snow-blowing machine this weekend— a project on hiatus due to controversy since 2005. Eight tribes, various conservation groups and 10 different locals have sued the city of Flagstaff and the U.S. Forest Service, stating the creation of snow infringes upon the religious freedoms of the Hopi tribe, as well as the environment and human health. Snowbowl designed the units by hooking up pipes along the ski trails that provide reclaimed wastewater to power suppliers. The snowmaking machines are designed to create an initial two to three feet surface of snow, allowing the natural snow to last longer. This is
inteded to also result in a longer snow season. The machines will supposedly provide a safer ride down for the skiers and boarders by spreading the snow evenly and packing it down. Each snowmaking unit has a specific computer depicting the weather and the units are programmed according to the humidity, air speed and temperature gathered. This new project will provide steady funds toward the resort ensuring snow through the full winter season and possibly beyond. In future years, Snowbowl hopes to open the ski resort after Thanksgiving. The tourists Snowbowl attract help local Flagstaff businesses and add to the city’s revenue. Though this project has resulted in controversy, snowboarders and skiers are excited for this long winter sports season. Snowbowl is anticipated to be open prior to Dec. 25.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 7
Editorial&Opinion
NAU’s violence ranking unfair, inaccurate
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Political Cartoon by Brian Regan
n Nov. 20, Business Insider published “The Most Dangerous Colleges in America,” with a list of 25 colleges deemed the least safe in the nation. Crime reports from 2011 determined these choices and only schools with at least 10,000 students enrolled were eligible for the ranking process. To the surprise of many NAU students, our very own Flagstaff Mountain campus was on this list, ranked the 16th most dangerous American college campus. According to Business Insider, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report identified 2,696 violent crime incidents and 87,160 incidents of property crime in the United States on or around college campuses. The business site stated NAU, with a student population of 25,197, had 20 incidents of violent crime and 328 property crime incidents in 2011 – murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault constitute as violent crimes, while a property crime consists of burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft or arson. To calculate violence amounts, Business Insider counted violent crimes as carrying four times more weight than the property crimes. The fallacies in this article are threefold. The article includes crime reports from outside the campuses, rankings are per-capita based and the level of accurate crime reporting varies from each university. Many universities filed complaints regarding the methods used and the factors ignored in the creation of the list. An article was released the following week to rectify any incorrect or skewed data. Due to many objections, Business Insider posted a new list based
on only on-campus crime. NAU was not in the top 25 after the erasure of off-campus and Flagstaff community crime but instead ranked 39. Unfortunately, the new and lessened crime results were not listed for NAU. Despite these updates, the list is still misleading. NAU has a relatively small population in comparison to other universites and thus is at a disadvantage with the per-capita method of measuring violence. Obviously, larger campuses like ASU have more crimes — both violent and property — but with such a large ratio to work with, those numbers seem less significant. Business Insider also refused to acknowl-
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edge the vital difference between crimes committed and crimes reported. While Gus Lubin, the writer of the revised article, mentioned “Some colleges probably are more aggressive in reporting crimes . . . and some colleges do not participate in the survey at all,” he did not state the list’s related inaccuracy. NAU strongly encourages victims to report crimes, especially violent or sexual assaults. It is not fair this administration must suffer a negative light by media scrutiny for having both safety initiatives and accurate records. Business Insider is essentially punishing schools who pay more attention to the well-
Phone: (928) 523-4921 // Fax: (928) 523-9313 E-mail: lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Bertram
Faculty Adviser Rory Faust
Creative Director Jessie Mansur
Managing Editor Kierstin Turnock
Sales Manager Marsha Simon
Assoc. Creative Director Kyle Huck
8 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
being of their students, faculty and nearby residents by encouraging them to report crimes. The schools not participating in the survey by refusing to release their records are exempt from ranking, which is also unfair. The least Business Insider could have done was provide knowledge of which schools chose not to participate. Looking past the statistical biases with Business Insider’s two articles, there is some good news: College campuses are fairly safe, at least compared to other places. Howard University, ranked the most dangerous college based on on-campus records from 2011, had less than 30 incidents of violent crimes; not a low number, but not significantly high, either. To compare, Flint, Michigan, ranked number one on Business Insider’s “The 25 Most Dangerous Cities in America” list, had an unbelievable 2,337 violent crimes reported per every 100,000 people in 2011. Although, coming from Business Insider, who knows how truthful this statistic is. Neither NAU nor Flagstaff, in all their humble glory, would be anywhere near these lists had the lists been put together properly. Perhaps this calm mountain town simply breeds those willing to speak out against crimes more so than other schools. The idea NAU could ever be the 16th most dangerous school in the U.S. during our lifetime is laughable. Business Insider clearly has no authority to determine the status of campus safety and damage the reputation of highly regarded and truthful universities. Associate Copy Chief Caitlyn Rogers wrote this article on behalf of the staff.
Student Media Center Editorial Board Copy Chief Maddie Friend Assoc. Copy Chiefs Sara Weber Caitlyn Rogers
A&E Editor Mykel VernonSembach Assoc. A&E Editor Daniel Daw
News Editor Bree Purdy Assoc. News Editor Aurelia Acquati
Sports Editor Travis Guy Assoc. Sports Editor Cody Bashore
Life Editor Dani Tamcsin Assoc. Life Editor Maddy Santos Opinion Editor Rolando Garcia Assoc. Opinion Editor Tom Blanton Comic Editor Brian Regan
Photo Editor Sean Ryan Assoc. Photo Editor Holly Mandarich Web Director Maria DiCosola Assoc. Web Director Daniel Daw
Political Cartoon by Brian Regan
Political Cartoon by Brian Regan
Editorial&Opinion
Palestine’s status in the U.N. upgraded
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Women seek opportunity to perform in combat, sue DOD
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our women who have all served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are suing the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), challenging policies that prevent women from serving in ground combat jobs. The technology of modern warfare places women and men in dangerous areas, but because of Pentagon policy, they cannot perform in about 240,000 positions in the military. Women are therefore barred from a number of promotions AMANDA and pay raises, as an abHORNER solute law, despite each individual woman’s competency to perform the essential duties of a combat operation. One of the plaintiffs, Major Mary Jennings Heager, was awarded a Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. Her helicopter was shot down while she was working in Afghanistan; she was shot, but still completed her mission and helped save the lives of her comrades in the process. She clearly demonstrated competence and strong leadership skills, but these go unacknowledged when being considered for promotions, because women are barred from ground infantry combat and special operation forces, despite being placed in similar scenarios by circumstance. This is only one example of how women are ca-
pable of intense combat, yet they are still prohibited. Sexist and misogynistic supporters of current policy argue women are not physically capable of handling the rigors of being assigned to ground combat units. However, women make up 14 percent of the U.S. military, and if they satisfy the necessary physical requirements, discriminating exclusively on the basis of gender is completely absurd. For the government, DOD and military to intentionally discriminate on such illegitimate bases, and simultaneously advocate the protection of equality, freedom and justice is beyond contradictory — it’s repulsive. Few Americans have capitalized on their immaculate absence of thought as successfully as the cast of Jersey Shore and Rick Santorum. Voicing his obscene beliefs, the former senator said women in a dangerous combat zone would put men in “compromising scenarios” — considering the source, it is not surprising the intended meaning of this comment is hopelessly unintelligible. Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin is another strong advocate for the Santorum school of thought — or patriarchy, as the ancient Greek said. He said policy reform is an attempt to reduce military standards, and allowing women to serve in a wider range of positions would place “an extraordinary
burden on commanders.” No such burden would exist under a female commander, a possibility Boykin failed to consider. He also said, “The commanders should be focused on accomplishing their mission and protecting their troopers and bringing them all home alive, not worry about where soldiers do their personal hygiene and normal body functions.” Every person in America is justified in being offended by those remarks: they do nothing but degrade and stereotype women. Boykin’s beleifs and those similar should be left in the 18th century where they belong. It’s astonishing to see, in the 21st century, women are still being publicly undermined, ridiculed and disenfranchised by government agencies and officials. If women can satisfy all necessary entrance requirements and demonstrate equal competence compared to males on a uniform examination basis, additional considerations are irrelevant — to rely on them is to discriminate without cause, an ingrained social parasite the U.S. has been working to eliminate for several decades. Women who satisfy all requirements essential to the execution of a combat operation have the same right, founded on justice, as a man to be assigned the operation: it’s time we eliminate policy systematically and continuously violating the natural rights of women.
mid conflict leading to scores of deaths in Palestine, the General Assembly has voted to upgrade the state’s status in the United Nations (U.N.) from observer entity to observer state. The U.S. and Israel strongly contested the move and argued it would be detrimental to the peace process. Contrary to what these nations purport, it has been clear their opposition is partly due to the potential an upgraded status would give the state to seek membership in the International Criminal Court. Despite opposition, giving Palestine state recognition is necessary to promote COLTON protection of human rights. In becoming DARGER an observer state, Israel now has the ability to engage in dialogue at the U.N., which will lead to the General Assembly doing what it was established to do: to act as a conduit for negotiations and dialogue between opposing states. Furthermore, Palestine being granted membership in the International Criminal Court would produce independent resolutions on territories currently occupied by Israel. As detailed by the U.N., the purpose of the General Assembly is to “provide a unique forum multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues.” A higher level of membership for Palestine will give more authority to their claims, and perhaps facilitate conflict resolution by the U.N. Nonetheless, the U.S. has adamantly objected to the decision. Ambassador Susan Rice, the U.S.’s ambassador to the U.N., went so far as to post on her Twitter account how the decision by the General Assembly was “unfortunate and counterproductive.” While the ambassador spends her time pouting on social networking cites, innocent people are trapped in a conflict involving U.S.-endorsed war criminals. It’s time the U.S. recognizes Israel’s actions violate international law and stop using the U.N. as their personal club, excluding states they disagree with. The principal reason why the U.S. opposes Palestine’s upgraded status is because of fear that Palestine will join the International Criminal Court. Only then could an independent body officially recognize Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank for what it is: a violation of international law. While the upgraded status of Palestine in the U.N. is largely a symbolic victory, it has clearly been a blow to the United States’ hegemony. Attempting to use a democratic institution to deny a state the ability to facilitate negotiations and engage in constructive dialogue in order to support their allies is intolerable. This new policy is a significant step forward in mitigating the conflict that ravages the state of Palestine; it’s a shame our country has invested interests against peaceful resolutions and justice.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 9
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Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 11
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Life
Rumble in Rolle
NAU Kick Axe Wrestling club keeps the drama of professional wrestling alive
LEFT: Kal-El Martienz is choked on the ropes byTautimez. ABOVE: Dan “Mercer” Hodge hits Matias Tautimez with a metal chair in the last match of the night. (Photos by Sean Ryan)
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BY CHRISTIAN BOOZ
ile drivers, head locks, jumping from the top ropes and showmanship: all of these are vital parts of professional wrestling. With athletic moves, acrobatics, and drama-filled storylines, many are inspired to get on their feet and cheer on their favorite heroes or heckle their most hated villains. This is true for a large portion of Americans, because World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) programming reaches nearly 14 million viewers in the U.S. each week, according to the WWE corporate website. NAU students are no exception to this love of professional wrestling. On Nov. 30, over 50 students in a standing-room only Rolle Activity Center came to enjoy the Kick Axe Wrestling (KAW) “Rumble at the Rolle” put on by the NAU professional wrestling club. The club was started in Spring 2011 by Matias Tautimez, who has loved wrestling since he was three years old.
“I made the club because I love wrestling and there wasn’t any outlet for it in Northern Arizona,” Tautimez says. “So, I thought I’d go for broke and do it.” He believes wrestling is dynamic because it gets the crowd involved and cheering while getting caught up in the drama of it all. The club shows an inspiring dedication to professional wrestling. Much more work goes into putting on the events than just the show. The club is completely student run; students referee, wrestle, film, write scripts and organize the wrestling events themselves. “Rumble at the Rolle” began with a match between Mercer, an obvious villain judging by the audience’s immediate booing of him, and Paralax, a hero played by Kal-El Martinez, an NAU employee. Through the match, both wrestlers played the crowd with increasing verve and intensity. Paralax made sure to keep the crowd on his side while Mercer made sure he was hated by doing cheap moves like biting. Mercer, played by Dan Hodge, a senior physical science major,
came out on top, much to the dismay of the audience. “Being a villain is much more fun than being a face (hero),” Hodge says. “I get to do whatever I want and love getting a rise out of people when I do evil things.” Chants of “knock him out” and “tap out” filled the room. Many audience members came because they either had friends in the show or they just genuinely love wrestling. Sophomore criminal justice major Matt Guffy went for the love of the sport. “I always liked wrestling when I was growing up; it’s really fun to watch with the various storylines and drama,” Guffy says. “I will for sure see another match.” Peppered through the wrestling matches were amazing performances by the NAU Wushu team and music performed by Swamp Wolf, a local metal band. The last match of the night was one for the ages. Another villain, Torres, played by Tautimez was in the ring with the new wrestler in the league. The fight was long and intense, with both wrestlers almost getting
tapped out multiple times. On top of it all, Mercer entered the ring with a chair. He proceeded to knock out the referee followed by a brutal beating of the extremely exhausted Torres. When all was said and done, Mercer walked away with his second victory of the night and Torres was carried out of the ring by Paralax, his ally. The performance definitely turned personal feelings about wrestling around. The show was well put together, had great drama, and got everyone excited and on their feet. Mercer’s definition of wrestling is right on point. “[It’s] theater for the common man,” he says. “I mean, what’s more exciting than seeing someone getting blasted in the face with a chair?” Anyone interested in joining NAU’s professional wrestling club, either as a wrestler or behind the scenes, can go to their meetings on Thursdays in room 246 of the Communication building. Students can also email the club president, Matias Tautimez, at jmt225@nau.edu.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 13
Life
Exchanging gifts of knowledge Merry Christmahanakwanzika NAU students spend holidays in India
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BY MADISON SANTOS
hile many of us will be exchanging presents, filling up on cookies and relaxing with family over winter break, a few others from NAU will spend the holidays sleeping on the floors of a Buddhist monastery in the refugee camps of Mainpat, India. Eight faculty members and 16 students from NAU will depart for India on Dec. 15 to provide assistance to Tibetan refugees. The two-week trip is called the Mainpat Interdisciplinary Global Learning Project (the Mainpat project, for short). Leslie Schulz is the Executive Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, and the organizer of the Mainpat project. Schulz witnessed the poor conditions of the Tibetan refugee camps firsthand when she traveled to India in 2010. Recognizing Mainpat was in need of more help, Schulz decided to bring several NAU students and professors to India during the winter of 2011. “It became very clear to me that if we wanted to have this opportunity for students where they can go and provide some kind of service in an educational environment, we needed to make a fairly long term commitment to this,” Schulz says. According to her, the students thought it was a life-altering experience. This year, students from seven different NAU departments are going to India, including dental hygiene, public health, nursing, physician assistants, photojournalism, forestry and English. Each department will have various duties to perform while there. “The overall goal is a threefold,” Schulz explains. “We bring something important to the Tibetan camp, we learn something from the Tibetans in the camp and we learn from each other.” Bringing a team of dental hygiene students to Mainpat is crucial, because there is no available dental work in the camps. Erik Curtis, a dentist from Safford, Ariz., will also be going on the trip. “I will be working with the dental hygiene students, who will be teaching oral hygiene, providing teeth cleaning services and performing fillings to the refugee population,” Curtis says. He was nominated to go to India by his daughter, Jillian Curtis, a senior dental hygiene major who is also a member of the Mainpat project. “I think it’s going to be really cool for both
14 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
of us,” Jillian Curtis says. “I am really excited, but a little nervous for the long flight.” The group will fly from Phoenix to London, London to Delhi and then Delhi to Raipur, which will be followed by a 16-hour bus ride to Mainpat. Each person is only allowed one personal bag and one extra bag of supplies, tools and equipment. In hopes of distributing everything in an organized manner, a “packing party” was held in the health professions building Nov. 30. “I am bringing a lot of learning supplies for them, like books that they can keep,” says Rommy Sekhon, a second-year graduate student in the English rhetoric program. Because Sekhon’s packing load is rather small, he will also carry supplies of the other departments who have more to pack, such as the public health group. In addition to condoms and other sexualhealth related supplies, the public health team also packed items such as onesies, dolls and Frisbees. “The monks in the monastery are really young, so we thought it would be nice to take some gifts,” says Betty Brown, professor of public health. Another department carrying a great deal of equipment is photojournalism, as they will be doing documentary work using cameras, tripods, light kits and more. Laura Camden, assistant professor of photojournalism and documentary studies, will be working with three other students to capture and preserve the Mainpat residents’ cultural heritage. “[Students] can put into sound and images not only the refugees’ stories, but also the stories of the caring and compassionate work other NAU students are doing there,” Camden says. After the strategic packing and hours of traveling, students from NAU will begin their once in a lifetime learning experience while providing for the people of Mainpat. “When you are there and you’re sitting in the bus for . . . hours and you’re sitting in the airport for hours, you are thinking, ‘Why am I doing this?’ Then you get back and the students come back and they tell you that their lives have changed,” Schulz says. “It is definitely worth it.” Those not going to India can still contribute. Donations can be made online at http:// ytdr.org/en/ and the money will help buy mattresses for the Buddhist monks of Mainpat. After a donation is made, email Betty.Brown@nau. edu with the name and the amount donated.
A guide to holiday events in Flagstaff
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BY ALYSSA TILLEY
eing away from family and friends during the holiday season can be tough for students. Fortunately, there are plenty of events happening around Flagstaff and NAU to help spread the holiday cheer to students. WINTER WONDERLAND
The “Winter Wonderland” is an event being put on by the Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Services on Dec. 7. According to the Parks and Recreation Services website, the event starts with the lighting of the wreath on the Southside Downtown Tower at 6:15 p.m. Immediately following, Santa Claus and Mayor Nabours will arrive at Heritage Square at 6:30 p.m. to light up the tree. Children and cheery NAU students can visit with Santa and attend storytime in the Public Library, before enjoying the First Friday Art Walk. “They’ll have free arts and crafts, hot cocoa, churros and cotton candy, to continue the holiday fun,” says Dillon Morrison, recreation leader for Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Services. All events are free and the holiday cheer will be plentiful. PARADE OF LIGHTS
On Dec. 8, the 14th Annual Parade of Lights is being put on by the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. According to the Chamber of Commerce’s website, the parade will have dozens of twinkling floats and marching bands gliding through the downtown area. It will begin at 6 p.m. and last a little over an hour. PERFORMANCES
If you’re looking to be entertained this season, there will also be several holiday performances occurring through the month. On Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, Canyon Movement Company is presenting the 9th annual “Nutcracker Suite in Modern Bare Feet.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee at the Sinagua Middle School Auditorium on Dec. 8. Gina Darlington, director of Canyon Movement Company, states the performance is “in bare feet and modern style” and the “ethnic dances are authentic.” Ac-
cording to the company’s website, the show is a “21st century interpretation of the holiday classic.” The dancers range in age from seven years old to around 55 years old. The wide age range alone attracts a large audience. Darlington says around 1,200 people attend the event each year. Tickets are $9 in advance and $12 at the door. A concert of carols called “Christmas in the Mountains” is another holiday performance that will take place in the Ardrey Auditorium on Dec. 16. It features the Master Chorale of Flagstaff, the Arizona Mountain Chorale, the Children’s Chorale of Flagstaff and the Harold M. Harter Memorial Handbell Choir, and the carols will be performed with brass, percussion and organ. The show starts at 3 p.m. and student tickets are $8. GIVING BACK
Another important aspect of the holiday season is giving back. The NAU club New Student Government (NSG) is pairing up with the Office of Student Life and the Salvation Army. Sally Barnes, senior secondary education Spanish major, is the NSG club adviser. Barnes’ goal for the club is to “give the opportunity of having a great holiday season to as many people as possible.” Within the University Expansion, there is a tree filled with angel and mitten-shaped tags. Students and faculty can take a tag off the tree and purchase the gift described on it. The gifts on the angel tags needs can be dropped off at the ASNAU office; the gifts on the mitten-shaped tags can be taken to the Office of Student Life. All gifts need to be turned in by 5 p.m. on Dec. 6, because they will be dispersed to the families on Dec. 7. Although the tags end on Dec. 6, Barnes also emphasizes NSG “appreciates any help this holiday season with helping families in need,” whether it be through the tags, volunteering with the Salvation Army for bell ringing, or donating to food/collection sites. NAU students have plenty of options to join in on the holiday fun in Flagstaff and at NAU. Whether it be attending events or giving back to the community, students can choose to spend the holidays however they please and partaking in Flagstaff community aspects of holiday cheer.
Life
Chanukah away from home T
BY JUSTIN REGAN
he Jewish holiday of Chanukah (Hanukkah) is fast approaching, and because the Jewish holidays move around the Gregorian Calendar, most of Chanukah occurs before the end of the semester this year. NAU students who celebrate Chanukah will not be home for the holiday; however, there are plenty of upcoming events right here in Flagstaff where people can celebrate and have a good time. “Chanukah is a very fun holiday,” says Rabbi Dovie Shapiro. “It’s probably the most popular holiday for many different reasons. It’s an easy way and a fun way to get involved with something Jewish. Lighting the menorah, dradles, doughnuts, latkes – what could go wrong?” Shapiro is the Rabbi for Chabad at NAU, the organization for Jewish students on campus and in the greater Flagstaff community.
Chabad is organizing various events in the coming days to celebrate Chanukah. The Chanukah Family Festival is held every year by Chabad of NAU and is one for the books. The event involves a full buffet dinner with the usual Chanukah cuisine such as latkes and doughnuts. There will also be a menorah lighting, candle making, sand art and a performance from the magician Jolly Roger. For the first time this year, the festival will incorporate the city-wide Chanukah art contest. Any form of art can be submitted as long as it remains Chanukah themed. Those looking to participate should also know all art must be present at the Chabad center by 4 p.m. on Dec. 9. The judge’s panel for the contest will include special guests such as former Flagstaff mayor Sara Presler. The festivities do not stop there. In honor of the mayor, a menorah lighting will be held at city hall on Dec. 10 from 5-6 p.m. This particular menorah is one of the larg-
est in northern Arizona and it stands six feet tall. There will be latkes, doughnuts and crafts at the lighting as well. In attempt to tie Chanukah to the Flagstaff area, Chabad will also conduct a lighting at the Grand Canyon on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. With all the events and festivities, many Jewish students are getting excited for the celebration. “I love Chanukah; it’s my favorite time of year,” says Jenna Wright, a freshman history secondary education major. “I just love the sense of community that it brings and how everybody is excited. Even my friends who don’t celebrate Chanukah, they’re like ‘Oh, it’s Christmas time,’ [with] Christmas carols and snow and all these fun things. I just like how they [the holidays] fall at the same time, so it’s that peaceful happy time of year.” Through events such as the menorah lighting and the festival, students can find comfort and enjoyment from celebrating
away from home. “You have to celebrate with your friends,” says Megan Blumenthal, a senior nursing major and president of Chabad at NAU. “It’s different, but it’s kind of nice though because you all bring your own traditions.” All students are encouraged to attend the festivities, regardless of faith. It is a holiday of family, fun and a common message. “The message of Chanukah is a universal message,” says Shapiro. “Light over darkness; that, ultimately, good always prevails in the world, and all it takes is one good deed. Just like with the menorah we light one candle, and every night we only light one more.” The festival will be on Dec. 9 from 4-6 p.m. at the Chabad Center located at 1254 W. University Ave. It is free for NAU students, $8 for general admission and $30 per family. For more information about the events visit www.jewishflagstaff.com or call (928) 255-5756.
Lighting up campus
To kickstart the holiday season on campus, over 2,000 luminarias lit up campus on Dec. 1. The luminaria lighting is a long-standing tradition at NAU and happens every year in December. The NAU Transfer and Commuter Connections organization organized it this year, and recruited students to help build, set up and scatter the luminarias through campus. Several students who participated used the luminarias as symbols for religion, love or in remembrance of someone’s death. By 6 p.m., all of the bags were lit, and the magical glow of north campus was appreciated by many. (Photos by Amanda Ray).
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 15
SPORTS WINTER TERM
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Accelerate Your Education NAU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution
Winter Term classes can help you earn 3 credits in 4 weeks. By enrolling in Winter Term you can: > Lighten your spring course load > Take a class you need to graduate
For more about Winter Term and the courses offered visit nau.edu/winter, then enroll at nau.edu/LOUIE
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C Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 17
SportsReport
A
fter winning only three games against NCAA Division I schools in their previous season, the Lumberjacks have already equaled that total this season. Head coach Jack Murphy’s home debut win against the Sam Houston State UniCOMMENTARY versity Bearkats broke an eightgame home losing streak dating back to Dec. 29, 2011 and moved NAU’s record to 3-4. The CODY crowd of 1,807 was BASHORE the highest home attendance since the 2010 season, hopefully a sign of things to come for the program and its new direction under Murphy and his staff. ROGER’S SLOW START Senior Gabe Rogers opened the game with a horrible first half, shooting 2-of-13, including 2-of-9 from behind the arc. Following the game, Rogers revealed he had been battling the flu. “I was basically working up on fumes,” Rogers said. “If you guys saw me at practice, it was bad. I couldn’t run up the floor one time.” While he struggled early, Rogers closed the game out by going 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3. He finished with 19 points in 34 minutes of playing time. “Hopefully, next week I am fully back to health and I can shoulder some of that load,” Rogers said. Through the team’s first seven games, Rogers ranks third in the Big Sky Conference with 15.6 points per game to help create the most potent scoring backcourt currently in the conference.
Gabe Rogers shoots the ball while playing against Sam Houston on Dec. 1. NAU won 77-60. (Photo by Jenni Solberg)
RUSSELL’S ROLE The other half of the high-scoring back court comes from freshman DeWayne Russell, who has begun his Lumberjack career better than anyone could have imagined. Currently, Russell ranks second in the conference in scoring with 16.3 points per game, fifth in assists with 3.6, fourth in free-throw percentage with 93 percent and fourth
in steals with 1.7. “I don’t think anybody could have expected this, not from a freshman. I mean, he has got to be one of the best freshmen in the country,” Murphy said. “I watch other highlevel teams and more ballyhooed about freshmen and they don’t perform like he performs on a night-in night-out basis.” For his part, Russell is just hap-
SportShorts Men’s basketball
Women’s basketball
• vs. Montana State
• vs. Utah Valley
6:35 p.m. Dec. 17
2:05 p.m. Dec. 15
at Walkup Skydome
at Rolle Activity Center
18 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
py to help the team in any way possible. Despite his current status in the starting lineup with senior Stallon Saldivar now coming off the bench, Russell doesn’t stake a claim to being a starter. “Stall is hurt right now; I am just filling in my role. Whatever coach wants me to do; I am there to do it,” Russell said. “If I got to start this game, I’ll start. If not, I’ll come
Go online to NorthernArizonaNews.com read weekly blogs about NAU basketball. Sports Roast is at noon every Friday on 1680 AM and KJACK.org
off the bench. He is the starter; I am just playing my role as best as I can.” Murphy said he is happy to have Russell producing as he has been. “Did I think he was good? Yes. Did I believe in him? Yes,” Murphy said. “I didn’t know he was this good; I didn’t know he would be this consistent this early on. It’s been a pleasant surprise, but one we’re excited about.”
Follow the Lumberjack Sports reporters on Twitter Travis Guy: @TGuySports Raymond Reid: @YAC_TheeReid16 Cody Bashore: @CodyBashore Kevin Bertram: @krbertram Alli Jenney: @allijenney
SportsReport
The origin of the Timberdoodles N
NAU spring 2012 graduate Lindsay King runs with the ball during a rugby match. (Photo by Andrea Sanchez)
BY VINCENT PEÑA
AU is home to one of the most original mascots in collegiate sports: Louie the Lumberjack. However, not all athletic teams and clubs at NAU use the school’s nickname. The men’s rugby team, for instance, goes by the Landsharks, the hockey club is called the Ice Jacks and even the quidditch club bears a unique name: the Narwhals. Perhaps the most original and interesting nickname of any club of campus belongs to the women’s rugby club, branding themselves as the Timberdoodles. A timberdoodle is another name for the bird, the American Woodcock. Legend has it the origin of the Timberdoodle name was the result of a losing bet with a Landshark player. According to the club’s website, the team originally selected the name Timberdoodle, but subsequently went through a series of name changes like the Lady Sharks and the Piranhas. The origins of the club are hearsay, being created in the early ninties’, and even the name of the founder is unknown, only being refered to as “Boo Boo” “The name is a dumb story, but it’s true,” as told by club founder “Boo Boo” on the Timberdoodles’ website. “I was writing a paper, looking up a word in the dictionary and came across the word Timberdoodle. When I found it is the American Woodcock, I thought about how cool that was, especially with the hidden name. The girls voted with some other names, but Timberdoodles was selected.” In 2002, the fateful bet was made, which gave the club back its original name, and the name has not changed since. The Timberdoodles have been a club at NAU since 1991, and were founded by a player from the men’s rugby club. Because of the club status, they finance their season by holding fundraisers and mandating everyone pay dues so they can travel to play. “We started talking, and [Nancy Purdin] asked why we didn’t have a women’s club,” Boo Boo said.“It just so happened that a couple of girls had approached me that month who had played but . . . [had] no team . . . and I was busy. I told Nancy I’d put together 10 girls to have an exhibition match the following 10s. [I] did some school advertising in the fall and ended up with about a dozen freshmen.” Club president and sophomore Jenna Rodriguez says there are benefits to running things by themselves. “We set everything up — the refs, fields, team travel and everything, so if anything I think it helps
us stay organized,” Rodriguez said. Like most club sports teams, the Timberdoodles face a multitude of challenges, ranging from a weekly lack of continuity in team size to the overwhelming number of injuries they have faced due to their lack of experience. Head coach Wally Nolan acknowledged these problems, but went on to say his team is off to a good start. “For the experience that most of the players have, they’re doing very well,” Nolan said. “When they play teams of similar experience and similar capabilities, they win. Then they’ll go play in other tournaments against teams with a lot more experience and they’ll get beat up a little bit, but they’re doing very well.” Rodriguez added having to re-teach new players every year also presents problems. “With new freshman, we have to learn and teach again,” Rodriquez said. “It’s great to have people out and play and love the game as much as [they] do, but it’s also great to have people out there who have been playing for a few years.” Coach Nolan added, “Most people don’t play rugby until they get into college.” The 2012 squad is off to a great start this semester, winning all three of their Tens Tournament matches for the first time since 2002. The Timberdoodles also fared well at the High Dirt Tournament in New Mexico a few weekends ago, albeit with only 11 players. Sophomore second-year rugby player Madison Ashley Santana said this team is one of the better teams they have had in a few years. “Considering the fact that we only had about half a team, we did really well,” Santana said. “We had roughly eleven [players], so because of injuries and stuff we had to ask more players to play with us.” Asking around for replacement players or subs is a normal thing in rugby, especially with the number of injuries occurring all the time. Additionally, with the number of college students on the team, practice and conditioning usually take a backseat to schoolwork because of how busy they are. In addition to the first few tournaments, the Timberdoodles have a number of upcoming matches and tournaments for the rest of the semester, including a round robin tournament in New Mexico and several other away matches, until their union season starts. They are a part of the Arizona Rugby Union, and play clubs not only from Arizona, but also from New Mexico, Nevada and Utah; they occasionally play collegiate teams like ASU or UA too.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 19
SportsReport Swim and dive cruises past New Mexico State
Lumberjacks swim against New Mexico State in the Wall Aquatic Center. NAU won 176-116. (Photo by Xiaozhen Wang)
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BY TATUM ROCHIN
espite losing the past two meets against Idaho and Washington State at the beginning of November, the NAU Lumberjacks came back fighting to beat the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Aggies on Dec. 1. The Lumberjacks dominated the meet from the start with the help of freshman Kendall Brown, who placed first in the 800-meter freestyle. The Jacks ended the day with a final team score of 176–116. “We just wanted to come out strong and win a relay and win a distance event and I think we did a pretty good job of that,” said head coach Andy Johns. “[NMSU] has two really good swimmers in Tricia Kiss and Jess Legge, so we were concerned about those two and what event they were going to swim in, but we felt pretty good about the rest of our line-up.” Brown also helped NAU sweep the top three spots in the 200m butterfly by taking second behind junior Rachel Palmer and finishing just ahead of junior Andrea Derflinger. Brown admitted to feeling some pressure com-
peting, but overcame those thoughts, knowing she was prepared. “After hearing what everyone else was saying, I was a little bit worried,” Brown said. “But I just practiced really hard up til this weekend. New Mexico is really good and I am really excited that we did well against them.” Junior Stirling Smith, who shined in the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:40.39, also commented on the rivalry the Lumberjacks share with the Aggies. “Based on last year, they were our biggest competition throughout the dual meets,” Smith said. “We have kind of been going back and forth with them. We know the girls on the [NMSU] team and some of us are friends, so it is really a fun rivalry.” Both Brown and Smith, along with their coach, agreed their number one goal this season is to win the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). “We are all really focused on the WAC championship,” Smith said. “We are all really motivated and want to do well.” Brown also stated some individual goals she’s working hard to accomplish.
20 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
“I want to make NCAAs,” Brown said. “I’ve had that dream since last year. I want to be the freshman that makes it and I think I’m capable of doing it. I just hope that conference goes well first.” Other first-place accomplishments from Saturday included senior Fi Connell in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke, freshman Ellie Morrissey for the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, junior Emma Lowther in the 200-meter freestyle and sophomore Caitlin Wright for the 400-meter freestyle. The Lumberjacks were in command of the diving boards at the Wall Aquatic Center as well. Senior Kristy Ardavanis placed first in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 301.80 and teammate junior Gwen Smithberg came in second with a total of 285.08 points. NAU had another sweep of the top three spots in the 1-meter diving competition with Ardavanis’ score of 305.33, freshman Chelsea Jackson’s score of 279.08 and Smithberg rounding out third place with a total of 271.13. The Lumberjacks next competition will be against Florida Atlantic, Northwestern and Denver in Florida on Dec. 21.
from HOCKEY page 1
ASU, though, capitalized on a power-play ending regulation with the scoreboard showing both teams at four tallies each. After overtime ended scoreless, the game had to be decided in a shootout. Sophomore forward Vinny Eck buried a goal in the second round after an ASU shooter equalized the contest; there were no more goals until the eighth round when senior forward James Terry faked the ASU goalie and slid the puck into the back of the net to seal the win for the Ice Jacks and ignite the crowd. “Everyone was trying to go high,” Terry said. “I figured if I could just get the goalie to move I could slide it past him.” Junior goalie James Korte got the start in between the pipes for NAU and ended the game with 30 saves. Senior forward captain Carter Achilles, freshman forward Corey Briody and senior Rocky DeAngelo all had goals during regulation time. Eck scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season on a short-handed play. Nov. 30 did not have the best of outcomes for NAU. After junior defenseman Dillon Butenhoff tied the game at three midway through the third period, the Ice Jacks let the game slip away by taking too many costly penalties and giving ASU’s power-play unit the opportunity to break the tie and add an insurance goal to end NAU‘s 10-game win streak. Senior forwards Johnathan Isbell and Taylor Dustin took care of the other two goals for NAU. Senior goalie Quinn Mason started in net for the Ice Jacks and recorded 29 saves as he did all he could to keep his team in it. “We just have to sleep on that and learn from it,” said head coach Travis Johanson. “We shot ourselves in the foot with those penalties.” NAU had some roster moves for the series. Sophomore forward Dedrick Wiese was activated from the injured list, but NAU also suffered an injury to a key player. Junior forward Ryan Greenspan had an early exit in Nov. 30’s game due to a knee injury and was unable to skate in Dec. 1’s game. It was later discovered Greenspan suffered a torn MCL and other ligaments in his knee and is expected to be out at least 8-to-10 weeks. Also, seniors Justin Frechione and Rob Brown played their last home game in an NAU jersey. The two defenseman will graduate later this month and finish their NAU hockey careers this weekend when the Ice Jacks travel to Tucson to battle the Divison I UA Ice Cats.
SportsReport
Freshmen phenoms shine in debut campaign
C
BY JASMYN WIMBISH
ollege freshmen have many obstacles to deal with, like leaving home and settling into a new school with a new group of people, but freshmen athletes have even more on their plate. Adjusting to constant travel and missing massive amounts of school can be tough, but the ease of playing a sport can help. There are many differences between high school and college-level sports, however, the main difference is the level of play. The competition in college measures at a different standard than high school sports because each team recruits good players and every game can be a challenge. “The pace of the game is definitely a lot faster, and I definitely think it’s more fun to play in college,” said freshman volleyball defensive specialist Trianna Henry. “You have a lot more competition, so everyone you play is really good and you know that it’s going to be a challenge every time.” The NAU women’s volleyball team added three freshmen to its roster in August and these women have impacted the team in a positive way. Middle blocker Payton Bock and Henry are both Arizona natives, while outside hitter Janae Vander Ploeg hails from Colorado. “Their impact has been off the charts this season,” said head coach Craig Choate. “There is no way you can deny what they have done this season; it’s been amazing.” Through the season, the freshmen all received ample playing time on the court and contributed to the team in their successful season. Vander Ploeg recorded the most kills on the team, totaling 370. Vander Ploeg was named a Big Sky Honorable Mention for the season, and has become a dominant force in the outside hitting position. She helped the Jacks finish with an impressive record of 24–7 overall, and 15–5 in the Big Sky Conference (BSC). Bock is one of the starting middle blockers for the Jacks and led the team with the most blocks at 143. She was named Big Sky Outstanding Freshman, as well as a member of the All-Big Sky First Team, while Henry made a sizable contribution in the back row, totaling 197 digs on the season. “Trianna is digging as well as anyone on the court,” Choate said. Most freshmen deal with the anxiety of leaving home for the first time and having to be accountable for themselves without their
Freshmen volleyball players Trianna Henry, Payton Bock and Janae Vander Ploeg (Photo by Sean Ryan)
parents helping them along the way. For some freshmen, it can affect them enough to go back home, but most stick it out and adjust to the college lifestyle. “I miss my family and friends, because you’re used to seeing the same people every day, like some of my friends since kindergarten,” Vander Ploeg said. “I think that’s the biggest change because you’re used to always seeing them and talking to them but you kind of get used to it after a while.” With such a successful season, the Jacks have had their fair share of being on the road, which means a large amount of flying. “Flying was an adjustment, and I do not like it at all,” Henry said. “It doesn’t bother me, but it feels like because of our schedule that we’re always out of town, and I would rather drive. It takes a lot out of you and when you get back you’re just really drained.”
With flying comes missing school, which for most students seems like an exciting topic but for most student athletes, missing school can lead to missing important projects and tests. “Skipping a lot of school is tough too because I just had an exam over the stuff we learned in class and since I’m never there, it’s kind of hard,” Bock said. “But my mom is a flight attendant so I’m used to always being at the airport, but always flying is hard.” Adjusting to a new environment can be challenging, and for all freshmen, they had to get comfortable with living in a new room, sleeping in a new bed, eating food not made by their parents and staying with someone other than a family member. “My dad would always make me breakfast in the morning and now I have to eat the food here, plus the beds here are super tiny and my
feet hang off,” Bock said. In addition to homesickness and academic stress, these three newcomers had to adjust to getting to practices on time and playing in front of larger crowds during home games. “Yes, I was nervous for my first home game,” Vander Ploeg said. “I think it’s just because everyone is watching you and with the start that we had to the season everyone was expecting the team to be really good. So, I know I was nervous, but I was excited too.” Aside from all the nervousness home games bring and the constant traveling, these freshmen have shown it is doable, while still managing school. They excelled on the court, helping the Jacks go to the Big Sky tournament, and finished with a winning record. Overall, these true freshmen have displayed playing a sport in college can be difficult, but rewarding too.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 21
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Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 25
Arts&Entertainment The Nutcracker comes to life on Ardrey stage
A
BY KATHLEEN KOMOS
lonely nutcracker watches, unmoving from the shelf, as the girl he loves is asleep on the floor beneath the sparkling Christmas tree. The peaceful night is broken when Clara awakens to find herself as small as a mouse and in the midst of a terrifying battle between her nutcracker and the evil Mouse King. The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (FSO) partnered with the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy Ballet Troupe to perform Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. In addition to two full performances on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the two groups also performed a condensed matinee. Normally, the show consists of two acts. Within the first, a little girl named Clara receives a nutcracker for Christmas from her godfather during a family party. That night, she falls asleep in front of the tree and wakes up to find she has shrunk to the size of a toy. The Mouse King and his mouse minions are in a battle with the Nutcracker and his tin soldiers. When all seems lost, Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, which stuns him long enough for the battle to be won. The Nutcracker and Clara travel to the Land of Snow, a magical place of dancing snowflakes. In order for children to better enjoy the
show as much as possible, the matinee only had Act Two. The second act takes place in the Land of Sweets ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Both Clara and the Nutcracker watch dances from the different people of the land, including Chinese Tea and Spanish Coffee. In the end, Clara returns home to find her Nutcracker back on the shelf and wonders if it was all a dream. Afterward, there is a surprise visit from Santa Claus, who, along with Emily Wells, the outreach coordinator, sang Christmas carols alongside the large crowd. Wells was very pleased with the turnout and loved how both groups were able to give back to the community. “This event was a big success. The matinee was even sold out,” Wells said. “I think it’s important that the children see this show. Not only has The Nutcracker become a holiday staple, but the show is a mix of both theater and music which is great for the kids to watch.” Along with professional musicians, some NAU students joined with FSO in this performance. Although they had only been practicing for a week, the students hung on and dealt with unique challenges arising from Tchaikovsky’s music. Chris Vennel, a senior and music performance major, played percussion. He thought the music was difficult because it demanded specific sounds and tones from his instru-
ments. “Although I did not have a huge part in the music, it was hard to get the sounds exactly right for the cymbals, for example,” Vennel said. “Tchaikovsky’s score could be really nitpicky, and we only had minimal practice this week.” Shea Campbell, a senior and violin performance major, had similar thoughts as Vennel. “The violin music was really exposed during some of the pieces,” Campbell said. “This means not many other instruments are playing at the same time and it would be really easy to tell if the players were not playing together or if it’s bad.” Despite the challenges involved, the students enjoyed their time working with the ballet company. In fact, the dancers were an exciting and fun new element the students had to work with. “Along with the fantastic music, the dancers made it fun and added a great atmosphere,” Campbell said. In order to be a part of FSO, the students had to audition. In some cases, the auditions could be very competitive and even some NAU music professors were a part of the orchestra already. Ian Gryzb, a junior music education major, saw the audition as a challenge and a op-
portunity to push himself. “I am a percussionist, which means the audition was pretty competitive,” Gryzb said. “I was auditioning against six other percussionists, but I really wanted to rise to the occasion.” As a performance major, Vennel looks forward to the chance to play onstage as often as he can. “Being in a professional symphony looks great on the resume,” Vennel said. “Plus, I get paid to play music and it’s a great opportunity to perform in a larger venue.” In the end, all the students found working with the orchestra to be a great experience. “It is more challenging than school orchestra,” Campbell said. “The rehearsals definitely have a faster pace to them.” Carolyn Snyder, a senior viola performance and music education major, loved working with the other people involved in the orchestra. “It was a great experience working with professors and members of the community,” Snyder said. “Plus, it was fun to see the dancers and the little girls were so cute.” For more information on FSO and upcoming performances, visit their website at flagstaffsymphonyorchestra.org. Student tickets are $8.
LEFT: Josiah Cook and Rebecca Langstrand perform the “Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier” during Act II of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Nov. 30 at Ardrey Auditorium. ABOVE: The dancers
conclude Act II with the final dance of The Nutcracker. (Photos by Andrea Sanchez)
26 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
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Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 27
Arts&Entertainment
Scholarship pageant encourages leadership role among young Native American women
BY ELLY CAIN
T
he Miss Indian NAU Scholarship Pageant was full of bright colors and patterns, traditional song and dance and the creative cultural expression of five exceptional young indigenous women. The purpose of this pageant was to find and reward a young woman who could be a student ambassador in cultural awareness along with someone who could radiate cultural pride, dignity and honor as a diplomatic leader. The contestants for Miss Indian NAU 2013 must go through a very demanding, lifechanging process to prove they are worthy of such an honorary title and responsibility. Contestants for the Miss Indian NAU 2013 had to submit a nine page application, write personal essays, submit recommendation letters, complete preliminary interviews and be a part of a federally recognized Native American tribe. In addition, an entire month of preparing for the pageant competition itself is required. According to firsttime contestant Chelsea Natseway, a freshman music education major from Seattle, preparing for the pageant is a lengthy process taking a considerable amount of work. “We’ve been working on everything for about a month,” Natseway said. “This last week has been crazy, because we have met every single day, on top of doing homework and school work. It was really difficult, but we got it done.” The pageant consists of three categories: the evening gown presentation, the tradi-
tional attire and talent and the impromptu question. The evening gown presentation tests confidence and public speaking skills, as the contestants shared their platform of what they plan to promote if they were elected as Miss Indian NAU. Each contestant had a unique and creative platform ranging from community involvement to ending discrimination. Each contestant also had a personal reason as to how and why she had chosen her platform and what it meant to her. This evening gown portion of the pageant had a specific impact on newly elected Miss Indian NAU First Attendant Charnelle Williams, a sophomore speech language pathology major, because of the emphasis placed on public speaking skills. “I’m usually kind of a shy person, but having to go out in front of other people has kind of opened my eyes to all that I can be and how I can benefit from everybody and how they can benefit from me,” Williams said. The traditional portion was a bold presentation of traditional native attire and traditional talent, which showed the contestants’ cultural awareness and pride. The traditional talents the contestants displayed included storytelling, medicinal plants, traditional dancing and singing. The part of the competition extra challenging for the contestants was the impromptu question. Each contestant remained unaware of the question until they heard it for the first time onstage. Once asked, they only had three minutes to give their best answer. This year’s question was as follows: “As an indigenous woman, what leadership skills and values do you consider to be important for success?” Contestant Natseway explained the Miss Indian NAU title is a major leadership role for the Native American community in Flagstaff. “I think being able to have an admin for the native community at NAU is really awe-
28 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
some in the fact that we have a leader, or an idol, to look up to. Miss Indian NAU has to be a role model and really positive,” Natseway said. This representation of personal culture was important to all the contestants who participated in this year’s pageant. “[It is important] to show my history, my heritage and be proud of it, and also to show that I am not only a Navajo, but multicultured,” said Tanya Genack, a sophomore criminology and criminal justice major. “For me, it’s always been about how I grew up and that is all I know how to do. If I don’t have that and if I don’t see that, then I kind of lose a part of me. I want to keep it going as long as I could and do my part in sharing the tradition and teaching it to everyone else,” Williams said. After each part of the competition was completed, the judges took an intermission
to confer. The judging panel, consisting of five Native American NAU faculty members, christened Tyesha Ignacio, a sophomore environmental studies major, worthy of the title and awarded her a generous $1,600 scholarship along with a quilt and gifts donated by the previous Miss Indian NAU’s and Miss Indian NAU First Attendant’s families. Erin O’Keefe, a first year graduate student in sustainable environments and the winner of the Miss Indian NAU pageant in 2012, has taken her role as a spokesperson seriously. “I entered into this journey with a view that the role of Miss Indian NAU encompasses not only a positive role model and ambassador, but also serves as a visionary and a catalyst. This title bestows a very privileged but humble position to perpetuate a vision of positive change and exude inspiration to others,” O’Keefe said.
TOP LEFT: Former Miss Indian NAU Erin O’Keefe performs a song during the fare-
well address at the pageant. The pageant took place at Ashurst Auditorium on Nov. 30. ABOVE: The contestants for Miss Indian NAU came together during the pageant before the results were read. (Photos by Jeff Bucher)
Arts&Entertainment
ABOVE: Lowell Observatory’s Clark Telescope Dome surveys the stars from Mars Hill during the “Red Planet in 3D” exhibit. (Photo by Keenan Turner)
Lowell Observatory hosts new “New Perspective on Mars” Exhibit BY JAYSON BURNS
T
he possibility of life on other planets has long been a field of interest for astronomers and laypeople alike. Of all the candidates to choose from, none seem more capable than the planet Mars. This particular idea may never be known for certain, but there is still much more to the Red Planet than whether humanity should be concerned with War of the Worlds becoming a reality. “A New Perspective on Mars: the Red Planet in 3D” is a new exhibit at Lowell Observatory aiming to engage and educated visitors on what makes Mars such an interesting subject. Founded by astronomer Percival Lowell in 1894, this same observatory was responsible for the discovery of
Pluto and study of the Martian canals, what he previously thought could be evidence of life. “Lowell was sure he could see the canals and drew elaborate maps to chart their paths,” said Lowell Observatory Curator Samantha Thompson. “He believed the canals were built by an intelligent civilization to help conserve a dwindling water supply and move water from the poles down toward the equator.” Despite his research, and the countless science fiction stories published under its influence, recent explorations of Mars have not come across any concrete evidence of extraterrestrial life. The lack of life found is due to a variety of factors, including the planet’s atmosphere and size. “Because Mars is small, there is
much less gravity, making it harder for Mars to hold on to its atmospheres,” Thompson said. “As a result, the surface temperature is colder, pressure is lower, and without an ozone layer, there is little protection from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.” Still, the possibility of life existing on Mars is open for investigation. “There is evidence that liquid water used to flow on the surface, which suggests that there must have been a thicker atmosphere in place to keep the surface warm,” Thompson said. “In this environment, life may have once existed.” “Furthermore,” Thompson continued, “we know of places on Earth where life exists in very harsh environments, places scientists previously thought could not sustain life.”
Even without looking for extraterrestrial life, Mars is a topic of great interest to the astronomy community. “This exhibit features large-format still 3D images and two short films of 3D images taken by the Mars Express research satellite,” said Tom Vitron, media and communications coordinator for Lowell Observatory. “Visitors put on a pair of 3D glasses and walk by large panels and the space theater in the exhibit hall. Other panels provide information about the exhibit and Mars.” These images come from the Mars Express research satellite under the direction of European Space Agency and DLR, the German Aerospace Center. The satellite shared a part in observing the landing of NASA’s Curiosity rover this year. “We’re lucky to be hosting this ex-
hibit so close after the landing of Curiosity and I think many people come in with an interest in Mars,” Thompson said. “What this exhibit is especially good at is showcasing the many ways Mars appears similar to Earth.” Mars’ history is a topic that may still be explored for generations to come, but the knowledge gained from such missions as the Curiosity rover exploration could one day shed more light on the Red Planet. “Has life ever existed on Mars? We might well find out via Curiosity,” Vitron said. “Does it exist there now? I personally am skeptical, but there may be some form of life beneath the surface.” “A New Perspective on Mars” will be open until Jan. 13, 2013 at Lowell Observatory during regular hours. Students get in for $9 with student ID.
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 29
Baha'i Evening Fireside presents
Education Under Fire
Education in Iran has been 'under fire' for Baha'i students. They have been denied the chance to attend college in Iran due to their Baha'i Faith. Thus, the Baha'i in Iran set up an 'informal' college to which their students have been attending. Universities in US have accepted the course credits earned at the college. The government of Iran then closed these classes and arrested the persons involved in the college. These persons are now sitting in prison. Those attending the Fireside will be shown how this is a potential threat to us. Facilitator: Ernie Bruss Date: December 14, 2012 Venue: Macys European Coffee House 14 S. Beaver St Flagstaff, Ariz Time: 7 pm Tel: 774-2243 "He who is educated by the Divine Spirit can, in his time, lead others to receive the same Spirit" - Baha'u'lla'h
30 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com
SoundCheck
Arts&Entertainment Flight
Artist: Ke$ha Album: Warrior Genre: Pop
Directed by Robert Zemeckis Starring: Nadine Velazquez, Denzel Washington and Carter Cabassa Running time: 138 minutes Rated: R
BY DANIEL DAW
F
rom the generation that made terms like YOLO and swag actual vernacular comes Kesha Rose Sebert’s—better known as Ke$ha — brand of party-dance-pop on her newest album Warrior, and really, it is not that different from her past work. The album starts off with title track “Warrior,” which actually sounds promising at first. The Auto-Tune has been turned down, but the annoying background noise sinks back to its low expectations. “Die Young” is clearly an anthem for the whole YOLO craze, perfectly exemplified by the following: “Young hunks, taking shots/ Stripping down to dirty socks/ music up, gettin’ hot.” They are truly classy lyrics — really. The lack of substance in this and many other songs on the album is simply astounding. The fun keeps going with a song clearly written for revenge on a past boyfriend or lover. “Thinking Of You” is an uncreative attack on an uncreative song topic and it sounds pretty much like all of the others. With its annoying vocals and the weirdest use of autotuned vocals, it sounded like a music break. Saying “But now my song’s on the radio/ and you see my face everywhere you go” may tell why popular music is in the state that it is. “Wherever You Are” is a very generic cheesy love song you could really hear the gist of on most other cheesy pop albums; there is really not much else to say about it. Also, it’s kind of awkward having a song about loving
someone wherever they happen to be and love never dying follows a song about how much a past boyfriend sucks. Somewhat a divergence in musical style, “Dirty Love” featuring Iggy Pop, who introduces Ke$ha in the creepiest voice ever, meshes rock elements into the normal electronic style of the rest of the album. However, what is being said or sung is pretty much along the same lines as the rest of Warrior. The album takes a more reflective tone with “Wonderland,” a slower song with actual instruments instead of the heavy electronic music backing the rest of the music in the album. With this song, she proves she does have a good voice. When Sebert’s voice is not burdened with heavy effects or strange rhythms, it can really shine. This song is easily the strongest on this album, which, of course, isn’t hard, considering the rest this record has to offer. Similarly to “Wonderland,” “Love Into The Light” is rather slow. However, it is not very welldeveloped and the vocals, while sounding better than the rest of the record, are still awkward, especially paired with the general trashy lyrical style. It’s really a shame artists like Ke$ha, despite the negative viewpoint many have on her, can actually sing, but the talent is squandered by songs with no substance and so many effects making her voice inhuman and bothersome. If the songwriting matched up with her vocal quality, she might be a class act — probably not, though.
Best Track: “Wonderland”
BY MACKENZIE CHASE
F
light opens with airline pilot William “Whip” Whitaker (Denzel Washington) in a hotel room with Katerina Marquez (Nadine Velazquez), a flight attendant, the morning he is due to fly to Atlanta. Short on sleep from the previous night of drinking and partying with Katerina, Whip opts for a breakfast of champions: more alcohol followed by cocaine to straighten himself up as he leaves to fly the plane. Bad weather and other circumstances beyond Whip’s control cause both engines to fail, but Whip calmly talks through the steps he wants to take, while co-pilot Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) panics, clearly with no faith in their chances of surviving. Whip is a flying expert though, even while intoxicated, calmly instructing co-pilot and stewardess Margaret Thomason (Tamara Tunie) what to do in order to exe-
QuickFlick BY SHELBY LANDROCK
F
ollowing the conclusion of the 2012 presidential election, it is only proper to celebrate the Democratic win with a controversial and subversive film on the mafia’s struggles during the beginning of Obama’s first term in 2008. Killing Them Softly follows Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a hitman hired to restore order within the mafia and its collapsing economy. Amid bloodshed, Pitt’s character frequently quips at the unrealistic campaigns, the current government and its inability to maintain the economy. Co-
cute the successful crash landing. Not even 30 minutes into the movie, and there’s already been full-frontal nudity, jaw-clenching action shots and plenty of drug use — which is what most popular movies tend to be composed of these days. Somehow, it still managed to not be overdone. Whip is praised as a hero for saving all but six of the passengers, one of the deceased being Katerina, but when the toxicology tests taken in the hospital reveal his blood alcohol content was over twice the legal limit, the investigation of the plane’s failure is turned into a manslaughter charge. Facing a minimum of 12 years of jail time, Whip tries to quit in order to appear at his best when the press and law officials observe him, insisting he was the only pilot who could have pulled off such a miraculous landing. This isn’t a movie about addiction, though — more like the predictable cycle most addicts go through and the internal struggle
they face. Washington acted the part perfectly, with the right amount of denial and anger about being charged with manslaughter. His acting was believable, as well as the portrayal of an alcoholic fighting against his addiction. When Whip is informed Katerina was among those who didn’t make it, he dumps out all his hidden and not-so-hidden bottles of alcohol once he returns from his stay in the hospital. The stress turns out to be too much and he eventually goes back to the bottle. Despite the film’s well-executed performance, it lacked originality. If it weren’t for the opening scene of Whip crashlanding the plane, it would just be another movie about an alcoholic struggling to quit. The directing and performances were spot-on, causing the audience to reconsider parts of their lives. However, there are only so many ways a story about reformed addicts and “heroism” can be told.
Killing Them Softly gan’s “killing them softly” means to not drag out victims’ pain: he’d rather get rid of the “problem” quickly and easily. This film is set during the 2008 presidential election between Barack Obama and John McCain. One of the first visuals shown at the beginning of the film is a billboard featuring the two presidential nominees and their slogans: McCain’s “Keeping America Strong” and Obama’s “Change.” Jaw-clenching violence and suspenseful scenes keep audience members alert and hesitant for the next surprise. The filming style of
this movie was creative enough to make a murder look artistic. Wonderful lighting techniques help to make a killing simulate a drug trip; slow motion requires the audience to analyze a man being shot through a car window and the massive amount of energy the small scene requires. The impressive cinematography accompanied by the intriguing political theme helped make the film a success. In reaction to Obama’s hopeful preaching, Cogan briefly summarizes the film’s ideals with a snide retort: “America’s not a country. It’s a business.”
Dec. 6, 2012 - Jan. 16, 2013 | The Lumberjack 31
northern ArizonA University’s coveted Gold Axe Award is presented to graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions in academic performance, service and extracurricular activities. nAU salutes all 2,200 of its graduates, who will be conferred with degrees at graduation ceremonies on december 14.
FALL 2012 Gold Axe AwArd winners:
Matthew Bovyn Heather Davis Daniel Driss Physics and Mechanical Mechanical Engineering History Engineering
Missy Hoffman Accountancy
John Hunt Secondary Music Education
Catherine Hunter Elementary Education
Sariah Faith Computer Information Systems
Haley Lawrence Physical Education
Additionally, distinguished seniors were selected by each of the six colleges:
Nathania Garcia Sociology
Pictured are journalism/merchandising major Alexa DuMity for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; art education major Jessalyn Carpino for the College of Arts and Letters; hotel and restaurant management/accountancy major Allison Wiltfong for The W.A. Franke College of Business; early childhood education major Marisa Wong Byrnes for the College of Education; and geology major Sarah Bremmer for the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences. Not pictured is public health major Martina Guy for Alysyn Leonard Secondary Art Education the College of Health and Human Services.
President’s Prize Award Recipients
Francisco Naranjo Jr. Instrumental Music Education
Brianna Oliphant Psychology
Andres Preciado Elementary and Special Education
Samantha Roan Psychology and Sociology
Richard Schweichler Music Education
Marina Smith Nursing
Sarah Tang Biomedical Sciences/ Economics
Brandon Williams Secondary Education/ History and Social Studies
Arianne Rogers Biology
Missy Hoffman, Francisco Naranjo Jr. and Sarah Tang were singled out among 19 students receiving the coveted Gold Axe Award for their achievements. The three also received the prestigious President’s Prize for their exemplary leadership, academic excellence and service to the NAU community.