SHIELD Magazine FALL 2024

SHIELD media

REIMAGINING THE CENTER FOR STUDENT LIFE KIBO CORNER TRANSFORMS TO DESSERT OASIS

CONNECT FALL 2024 | VOLUME 25 ISSUE 1

the independent student media of RCU

FROM THE EDITORS When the world feels as unstable as RCU Wi-Fi, marked by polarization, the challenges of adulthood and the quest for identity, it's important to examine our connections to those around us and to our interconnected world.

EMILY CARROLL

This interconnectedness can be double-sided. It allows us to access information from anywhere and reach out to people across the globe. It’s all too easy to become overwhelmed or numb to the evils and suffering around us — the bombs dropped overseas, the chaos in D.C., or the financial struggles faced by our own university. In a landscape filled with such suffering, it often feels like we are powerless to affect change.

Yet, especially in trying times — when we can’t rely on those in power — building community, fostering personal connections, and supporting one another become vital to our survival and ability to thrive.

DANIELLE CASTILLO

In this issue, we’ve chosen to share stories that have connected us to our community and the world around us. We hope these narratives inspire you to reflect on your own connections and the world at large in a time of division.

MISSION STATEMENT ... Shield Media is the independent student media of Rochester Christian University. As such, we are committed to engaging in thoughtful dialogue over issues relevant to our culture.

Shield Media relates to our audience by providing them with bold stories that are intended to entertain, inform and stimulate.

2 // FALL

SHIELD

... Shield Media participates in Rochester Christian University’s faithbased mission, and believes that, as ethically minded journalists, we have a responsibility to engage each story with openmindedness, compassion and nuance.

... Along with Rochester Christian University’s Department of Communication and Media, Shield Media prepares young professionals for work in mediarelated fields by teaching and honing their skills in writing, reporting, graphic design, broadcasting, videography and photography.

... Shield Media is a student and not a university publication.

Views expressed are diverse, and of course, do not correspond to all views of Rochester Christian University’s board, administration, faculty, staff, students or other constituency.

CONTENTS 04

06

09

KIBO CORNER TRANSFORMS TO DESSERT OASIS

REIMAGINING THE CENTER FOR STUDENT LIFE

RCU’S PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

12

14

16

ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON AFFECT STUDENT’S FAMILY

ESPORTS WINS THIRD ROCKET LEAGUE WHAC CHAMPIONSHIP

WARRIOR WIRE: AUDREY SOARES

Cover Photo by Olivia Duffy

18 MORSELS: WAYS WE CONNECT

OUR TEAM EDITORS

STAFF

ADVISERS

EMMA SADDLER Editor-in-Chief DANIELLE CASTILLO Content Team EMILY CARROLL Content Team ISABELA PLACENCIA Content Team JAMES SAXINGER Podcast Team OLIVIA DUFFY Visual Team

Nickolas Alayan Christian DeBruyn Sofia Di Noto Isabelle Goike Eli Hullinger Joshua Nauert Logan Pruden Allison Scott Dustin Smith Brianna Swamba Hannah Traczynski

Dr. Carol Cooper Lora Hutson Darren McCullough

WE WANT YOU! Earn a one-hour credit Tuesdays, 3:45-5 p.m.

Scholarships available All majors are welcome!

Shield@rochesteru.edu

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG | 3

KIBO CORNER TRANSFORMS TO BECOME DESSERT OASIS Kibo Corner, RCU’s coffee shop in the Student Center, is undergoing renovation this semester as it transitions to being a part of Dessert Oasis Coffee, a locally run chain with locations in Rochester, Detroit, Royal Oak and Ferndale.

Norman managed the shop’s operations, and he would travel to Uganda to bring back coffee beans for the shop. Norman retired from Kibo last year.

Peighton Douglas, student activities coordinator, was assigned to continue the operation of Kibo Corner.

She reached out to Dessert Oasis to see if it would be the new bean supplier. This evolved into a full partnership to revamp the entire Kibo Corner area, she said.

HANNAH TRACZYNSKI

Staff

Challenges in transition To make the transition from Kibo to Dessert Oasis, the east corner of the Student Center is undergoing renovations with new flooring, sinks, equipment, ceiling tiles and painting.

While the process hasn’t necessarily been difficult, it has been tedious, Douglas said.

Ensuring that all materials and equipment met health department standards required careful research and substantial communication with the City of Rochester Hills.

Douglas said Cami McClure, the new café manager and a 2010 RCU alumnus, has been putting in “serious effort to get everything fixed up. To keep costs down, she’s handling most of the work herself, with help from some RCU staff.”

Continuing Kibo’s Legacy

4 // FALL

SHIELD

Despite the changes, Kibo’s mission will still be part of the café’s operation. “The plan is to recoup the funds spent on renovation costs,” Douglas said. “Once we've earned back our initial investment, we’ll resume sending profits to Kibo

PAGES DESIGNED BY HANNAHTRACZYNSKI

Larry Norman, a former RCU business professor, started Kibo Corner in 2011 to serve Ugandan coffee while donating 100% of its profits to Kibo Group International, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities in Uganda’s Busoga region.

Group International.” Dessert Oasis will still rely on student workers and offer training on new equipment and processes.

would have to be the late-night Kibo events. It was awesome to hang out with friends there, and Kibo got me into drinking more coffee.”

Students like coffee & hanging out

For some, the change feels bittersweet.

Caroline Martinez, a second-year psychology major, said she isn’t a big fan of the name change. “I’m sure it’ll be just as good as Kibo though.”

Kibo Corner is not just a place to grab coffee but it also serves as a muchneeded space to unwind and recharge between classes, homework and extracurriculars. Dessert Oasis will continue being a natural meeting spot on campus, whether for group projects, casual hangouts, or simply bumping into classmates and friends.

“Everyone who worked at Kibo was always super friendly,” said Macayla Lane, a sophomore psychology major. “I’m not super keen on change, but I’m sure the name changing won’t change what Kibo brought to the community.”

Many students cherish memories of the café as a space for connection. “Kibo was always a fun and lively spot,” said Jericho Crawford, a senior sport management major. “My favorite memory from Kibo

What’s new on the menu?

Dessert Oasis Coffee will introduce an American-Italian fusion menu similar to a craft coffee shop, featuring espresso, macchiatos, cortados, cappuccinos and lattes, while keeping fan-favorite drinks with a twist.

A legacy of connection For Douglas, balancing her work as student activities coordinator and resident director with managing the café has been challenging but rewarding.

“There were a lot of late nights and early mornings. It has been exciting to be a part of the revamp and continuing something that has been offered on campus for over 10 years,” she said.

“Kibo was very special to me and many others in the past, so it has been great taking on some of the responsibility for the past year and a half.”

PAGES DESIGNED BY HANNAHTRACZYNSKI

Now, with McClure set to manage dayto-day operations, Douglas looks forward to seeing the legacy of Kibo continue through the new Dessert Oasis partnership.

This transformation of the coffee corner will bring a fresh new look and a renewed mission to the space. On its website, Dessert Oasis said its aim is to serve great coffee while also creating community-centered spaces where people can connect. This new location on campus fits in well with these aspirations.

Larry Norman started Kibo Corner in 2011.

Douglas said the hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG | 3

NEW STUDENT LIFE TEAM AIMS TO IMPROVE STUDENT EXPERIENCE In the past year, RCU’s Center for Student Life has experienced personnel changes and developed a new approach as they work to give students an experience that feels inclusive, exciting and fulfilling.

In a press conference with Shield Media in September, the Center for Student Life staff discussed their goals and services for students. They are: Scott Samuels, vice president of student life Dr. Katelyn Brackney, assistant dean of students, intercultural and spiritual life Peighton Douglas, student activities coordinator and hall director Katie Kilpatrick, student services coordinator

The Student Life team said their goals center around student well-being, building community on campus and offering a helpful chapel environment.

New approach to wellness The world changed dramatically after the pandemic, and so did the needs of college students. In response, the university redesigned the student services role to focus on one-on-one support and to connect students with off-campus resources.

Samuels said he and his team want to better understand the unique needs of students. “The transition from the way the position was structured previously is really a response to our perception of what the students need,” he said.

Katie Kilpatrick, who took over as student service coordinator this fall after several years working in RCU’s advising office, has reshaped the way student life approaches student well-being.

Her role addresses challenges that many students face, such as financial strain, family issues and health concerns. She wants to offer direct support to ensure students have fewer barriers to success.

EMILY CARROLL

6 // FALL

SHIELD

Editor

In addition to on-campus assistance, Kilpatrick, a long-time social worker, is helping students receive assistance through off-campus partnerships.

Kilpatrick connects students with resources for mental and physical health and academic support.

She also promotes an open-door policy.

“Students are welcome to come in and talk to me about anything,” she said.

“Some students need support with food, some just need someone to talk to, some might be dealing with a crisis. I assist whoever comes through my door.”

Building community

focused on creating a campus where real friendships can grow.

This fall, the Student Life team has ramped up efforts to engage students with campus events.

Fostering resilience & support

Samuels is experimenting with a series of meetings with student groups and employees to better understand what students want from their college experience. “You’re going to get classroom instruction, but we want the college experience to be more than what happens in the classroom,” he said. His goal is to create an environment where students feel that their voices are valued, and he wants to deliver an experience that reflects students' aspirations.

PAGES DESIGNED BY EMILY CARROLL

Campus events, such as Homecoming, showcase RCU’s commitment to engaging student life, Samuels said.

Oakland University, a Division 1 university, came to campus to play the RCU men’s and women’s basketball teams for Homecoming. The university hosted several events around Homecoming for student engagement. Events like these, along with theater productions and capstone projects, unite the community and contribute to an experience students can cherish, he said.

Brackney said she loves seeing students connect with each other, and these interactions are “a sign of life and goodness.” Whether students are hanging out at events, chatting at chapel or just meeting new friends, RCU is

One of RCU’s greatest strengths lies in the support students show for each other. Kilpatrick said, “I have seen so much resilience, so much support for one another… it helps us to do a better job because we see that in you.” RCU aims to reflect this resilience back to students, embodying a spirit of mutual support, she said.

CL+W: Changing perspectives At RCU, the chapel requirements and Community Life + Worship programs are changing to make the student experience better and more meaningful, Brackney said. Instead of only earning CL+W points by going to chapel, students can earn points for worship, community and life.

Brackney said this change is meant to help students grow in different areas, from their relationship with God to how they connect with others and prepare for life beyond college.

Chapel services and spiritual formation activities count under “worship,” helping students learn more about God and their faith. Community events, include activities such as Warriors Serve, where SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 7

students get involved in helping out in the local community. The “life” category is new, and it’s about learning practical skills, such as personal finance workshops.

Brackney said with these changes, CL+W is less about just attending events and more about building a balanced life.

An inclusive chapel Brackney said she also works to make chapel feel inclusive for students from different Christian backgrounds. “Chapel isn’t supposed to feel like a regular church service; it’s a space where we can explore faith from a range of perspectives without saying one way is the only right way.”

Moving forward By investing in health and wellness resources, providing opportunities for student input and celebrating campus traditions, RCU strives to build a college experience that is both supportive and enriching.

The Student Life team is always looking for guest speakers from different Christian traditions, and they listen to what students want to learn about too.

The university’s emphasis on student input highlights the administration’s commitment to a collaborative approach.

Samuels said, “I want to hear from the students, and I want to know what it is you want for your experience, and I’m going to do everything that I can to deliver.”

The goal for CL+W, Brackney said, is for it to be something students actually look forward to, rather than a requirement.

Overall, the staff is putting effort into making CL+W points feel valuable, so they’re working on this balance between encouraging participation and making it feel meaningful to students.

By focusing on health, community and resilience, RCU is creating an environment where students not only learn but also thrive. The university’s mission to enrich student life speaks to its dedication to nurturing the next generation—both academically and personally—so that students leave with lifelong skills, strong relationships and cherished memories of their time at RCU.

Students still face a financial penalty if they miss the required number of CL+W points, but after hearing from Nilla Kanjoma, student body president, the school reduced the fee from $25 per point missed to $10 per point missed. The funds collected from chapel fees help support other student life activities.

Dr. Katelyn Brackney

Katie Kilpatrick

Peighton Douglas 8 // FALL

SHIELD

Scott Samuels

Presidential

TRANSITION

President Brian Stogner at commencement.

Stogner has been a staple at RCU for over 25 years, serving in many roles from provost to director of the Health and Behavioral Sciences Institute and chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences.

Stogner became RCU’s interim president in 2016 and was appointed president in 2017.

Under Stogner's guidance, RCU developed its open table concept, a metaphor Stogner described that strives to inform how this university operates.

On the RCU blog, he wrote: “That principle creates for us a foundation for our emphasis on diversity, equity and

Everyone is welcome at the Table of the Lord.

inclusion. It means we will be welcoming and inclusive of all believers and unbelievers, all races and ethnicities, all political persuasions, all socioeconomic statuses, all orientations, and citizens of every nation. In our commitment to loving and valuing every human, we adamantly stand against racism, Christian nationalism, homophobia, sexism and any other doctrines that work to further oppress marginalized groups. The marginalized are always welcome at Christ’s open table at Rochester Christian University.”

Additionally, under Stogner, RCU has developed other strategic planning initiatives, developed a cohesive brand identity, and gone through a bevy of changes, such as building the Garth Pleasant Arena, purchasing the Rochester Church of Christ building, and selling 7.9 acres of property behind campus for $2.5 million to Pulte Homes.

He also led the university through two name changes, the development of the School of Nursing, and the establishment of two new master’s programs and multiple undergraduate programs.

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 9

PAGES DESIGNED BY EMILY CARROLL

Dr. Brian Stogner announced his resignation from the presidency of Rochester Christian University in September to become president of the Michigan School of Psychology in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Interim President Tom Rellinger, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said one of Stogner’s legacies is teamwork. “We have worked as a team to implement several strategic initiatives. We will continue to work collaboratively as we roll-out our new short-term strategic initiatives. Dr. Stogner is gifted to see life as a story. His ability to bring people into the RCU story has been a benefit to this institution. Very few people can tell the story of RCU, our student successes, and our place in the kingdom like Dr. Stogner,” he said.

He also credited Stogner for his heart for people and for how he has stewarded the university for the past several years.

“Personally, I will miss his calming presence in all situations. He has been a thoughtful and insightful leader. His desire to be a life-long learner has allowed him to think outside the box and inspire others to do the same.”

Interim President Tom Rellinger at Partnership Dinner.

A 1980 alumnus, Rellinger will serve as the interim leader of RCU until a permanent president is found. He will then return to his current role.

The RCU Board of Trustees has begun a national search for the next president. It hired FaithSearch Partners, a Dallasbased executive search management firm to create a pool of qualified applicants. After creating and screening the potential presidents, the organization will provide RCU’s search committee with a short list of candidates to interview.

Rellinger said the board hopes to have the short-list of candidates in the spring of 2025 and to make its final selection by July 1, 2025. However, the timeline is fluid as the board and FaithSearch find the best candidate for RCU, he said.

Dr. Joe Alexander, chair of the RCU Board of Trustees, said in a news article on RCU’s website, “As we select our next university president, we are crafting a search that will be national in scope, ensuring that we identify the top candidates and to ultimately select the best possible next leader for RCU.”

President Brian Stogner shows off his RCU jacket.

He said the board remains “committed to our historical mission of being a leader in providing ‘values-based’ education and to doing our part in showcasing Rochester and the surrounding community.”

DANIELLE CASTILLO

10 // FALL SHIELD

Editor

ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON AFFECT STUDENT’S FAMILY Tensions and military attacks in the Middle East have hit close to home for one RCU junior student, who was granted anonymity out of concern for his and his family’s well-being.

This student’s family is from Lebanon and his mother was in Lebanon visiting extended family when Israel launched airstrikes at the country in September.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes were targeted at Hezbollah, not the people of Lebanon, yet the residents are facing extreme hardship.

According to the United Nations, as of October 2024, the death toll in Lebanon

has risen to more than 2,200 people, and 809,000 civilians and peacekeepers have been displaced.

The student's mother was able to evacuate Lebanon, but he and his immediate family are terrified for their extended family who still live in Lebanon.

The student said the latest airstrikes are “kinda like a domino.” Though his family was not harmed in the October attacks, the student said he fears the clashes will lead to more conflicts until they reach where his family lives. “If this domino falls, what will be the next attack and will it stop there?”

The student’s parents immigrated from Lebanon when they were young, and he said they “don’t want me to know that they’re scared.” He said his family is protective of one another and did not ISABELA PLACENCIA

Editor

Map of Israel’s airstrikes on Lebanon (CNN)

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 11

OVERVIEW OF THE PALESTINE -ISRAEL CONFLICT & LEBANON’S INVOLVEMENT Before 1948, Palestine was controlled by Britain until the United Nations intended to divide Palestine into two states — one for the Jewish population, Israel, and one for the Arab population. Instead, violence broke out due to disagreements over territories. This resulted in the 1948 ArabIsraeli war, which displaced over 700,000 Palestinians and killed over 15,000 Palestinians, according to britannica.com.

Many Arabs refer to this event as “Nakba,” which means “catastrophe” in Arabic.

In the aftermath of the war, Palestine lost 77% of its land and Israeli Defense Forces occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. More than 100,000 Palestinian refugees fled to southern Lebanon, where

some formed the Palestine Liberation Organization, which exchanged fire with Israel along the border.

In 1982, Israel invaded southern Lebanon, and that is when Hezbollah was founded.

Hezbollah opposes Israel’s treatment of Gaza, and its leaders say they will not stop attacking until Israel ceases its hostilities in Gaza. According to AP News, Hezbollah said it fired in solidarity with the Gaza Strip.

From 1987-1993, Palestinians rose up against Israel with different types of protests, some peaceful that eventually turned violent, according to CNN. This period is called the first intifada, which means “shaking off.”

In 1987, Hamas was formed to liberate occupied Palestinian territories through violence. After Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, Israel put a blockade on Gaza and strengthened its restrictions on Palestinian movement throughout the Israel and Palestine region.

A second intifada lasted from 20002005. During both intifadas, Palestinians took part in nonviolent resistance that sometimes turned violent in conflicts with Israeli security forces.

PAGES DESIGNED BY ISABELA PLACENCIA

want the student to be named out of fear it would harm their reputation or wellbeing. The family’s concern goes back to the roots of the Lebanon-Israel conflict, which started with the formation of Israel in 1948.

Jewish Settlers Israel Palestine Israeli Occupation

Map of Israel-Palestine 1917-1995 (Al Jazeera)

OCT. 7 HAMAS ATTACK All of this historical conflict continued when Hamas, a Palestinian armed group and political movement in Gaza, launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages.

Israel launched a massive military offensive against Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack. It started with air strikes and was followed by a ground invasion of Gaza. As of August 2024, AP News reports that Israel’s retaliation have killed more than 40,000 Gazans.

The Israelis then launched “extensive strikes” targeting Hezbollah, an Iranbacked militant group in Lebanon, along the southern Lebanon border and northern Israel, according to the BBC.

ZIONISM & CULTURAL TENSION The RCU junior with Lebanese roots said, “I’m afraid Israel will do the same thing they did to Palestine. Some people believe that God gave them that land.”

This belief is known as Zionism, a 19thcentury movement founded by Theodor Herzl who believed the Jewish people needed a homeland of their own. The Associated Press said Zionism “is based on the promise of God in the Book of Genesis that Israel would forever belong to Abraham and his descendants as a nation.”

Zack Beauchamp, a senior correspondent at Vox, wrote in an 2018 article that “Zionists believe Judaism is a nationality as well as a religion, and that Jews deserve their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel, in the same way the French people deserve France or the Chinese people should have China.” He wrote that some Israelis use their Zionistic beliefs to justify settlements in Palestine.

Aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut suburbs. Photo by Al Jazeera

Though often conflated, Zionism and Judaism are not the same thing.

Zionism's perceived relationship with Judaism has led people to believe this is a religious conflict leading to antiZionists being labeled as antisemites. In reality, this is a clash between nationalities as Zionism designated Judaism as a nationality.

This designation disrupted the lives of Palestinian Jews, Muslims and Christians as it made them out-groups in the newly established Israeli society.

Antisemitic and anti-Islamic sentiments have risen in the wake of Oct. 7. The Anti-Defamation League recorded about 2,000 antisemitic incidents in America with the Council on American-Islamic Relations recording 2,171 incidents.

When asked about the cultural tensions, the student said, “I don’t want every Israeli to die. I just want the helpless bombings to stop.”

To learn more about the ongoing conflicts between Lebanon, Israel and Palestine, go to news.un.org.

If you want to help, visit the websites of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to donate.

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 13

ESPORTS

THREE-PEAT ESPORTS TEAM WINS THIRD CONSECUTIVE ROCKET LEAGUE WHAC CHAMPIONSHIP The Rochester Christian University esports team claimed its third consecutive WHAC Rocket League Tournament Championship on Nov. 2, defeating its rival #2 seed Sienna Heights University in overtime.

The esports team, which consists of about 20 players, competes in the following video games: League of Legends Overwatch Rocket League Super Smash Bros Valorant In late October, RCU’s esports squad competed in the Great Lakes Esports Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Rocket League team came in at number

14 // FALL SHIELD

four after a hard-fought loss in the semifinals with Indiana Tech.

RCU’s Valorant Crimson team delivered an impressive performance at the conference but fell to Michigan State University in the final. After completing the third day of competitions, they competed against Grand Valley State University, securing their spot in the grand finals.

RCU's Valorant Grey team achieved a milestone by winning its first-ever match.

However, Grand Valley State University defeated them in the next round.

ALLISON SCOTT Staff

Freshman Thomas Geer said the team is successful because of “the hard work everyone puts in, everyone at RCU for supporting us and our program, and Coach [Chris] Ainhorn.”

Junior Valorant player Gadiel Herrera credits the team's success to having “good players and knowledge.” He said the players want to: “Go and win it all.”

ESPORTS HISTORY OVERALL

CONF

2022

25-7

19-6

2023

17-0

16-0

2024

16-3

14-3

PAGES DESIGNED BY ALLISON SCOTT

In the 2023 season, RCU’s Overwatch team won silver in the WHAC tournament after sweeping through its first two opponents. The Valorant and Rocket League squads were undefeated in the National Association of Collegiate Esports play.

As of November, three RCU Rocket League players have received AllConference honors: Luca Alfaro and Branden Nytsch made First Team AllConference, while Mark Spikula made Second Team All-Conference.

In July 2024, RCU’s Valorant team earned recognition at the NACE awards with nominations in Coach of the Year and AllStars Second Team.

Created in 2022, RCU’s esports team is led by Coach Christopher Ainhorn.

Before coaching the Warriors, Ainhorn helped start Oakland University's esports program.

Mark Spikula (left) was awarded Second Team All-Conference. Braden Nytsch (middle) and Luca Alfaro (right) were awarded First Team All-Conference.

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 15

SMALL TOWN TO BIG OPPORTUNITIES Coming from a small town, college athletics was always the gateway to bright opportunities for me.

Since I was young I knew that I wanted to do a lot with my life and I decided that I wanted to create an identity in sports. My family hopped on board with that decision and ever since I was 7 years old, they have supported me every step of the way.

PUSHING LIMITS: BECOMING A MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE The first step I took on my athletic journey was moving to West Branch, Michigan. My parents decided that to help me make friends, they would sign me up for T-ball, and the next thing I knew, I was a softball player.

16 // FALL SHIELD

SENIOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR AUDREY SOARES COMPETES FOR RCU VOLLEYBALL. HERE IS HER STORY IN HER OWN WORDS. I had spent countless hours putting my energy into the sport to become an athlete. When I got to the 8th grade, I decided that I wanted to be a part of another sport because one just wasn’t enough for me. I decided to try volleyball, which led to one of the best decisions of my life! From then on, I knew that I was not only a softball player, but a volleyball player too.

Freshman year of high school came about and I sat down with my parents and told them I was not feeling challenged as a competitive athlete. I wanted to do more with my high school career athletically. My goal was to be a three-sport athlete and be awarded by my senior year for my hard work.

So during the winter season, I decided to join the basketball team. Three sports still was not enough for me, so in my junior year, I decided I was going to go all out and become a cheerleader. At this point, I was a four-sport athlete juggling my identity in athletics, my identity as a student, and my identity in my faith.

REBUILDING: FROM SURGERY TO REDEMPTION In my junior year, I was on top of my world until one day my world shattered, alongside my leg. I fell to the floor during a volleyball game holding my leg knowing something wasn’t right. I heard people in the crowd gasping, yelling, and pointing at what would be the biggest challenge of my athletic career. I woke up the next day from surgery face-to-face with a decision that would not only show others the type of person I am but prove to myself the person I wanted to be.

FAITH, FAMILY AND SUPPORT: THE KEYS TO MY SUCCESS

PAGES DESIGNED BY EMILY CARROLL

A year and a half later, I heard my name get called alongside one of my lifelong teammates, which meant the world to me. I accepted the three-sport award that I felt had been taken away from me with my athletic identity with injuries setting me back. At this time, I had also been blessed by God with the opportunity to play the sport in college that once broke me. I proved to that same broken girl that I could do anything I worked hard enough for.

MY MESSAGE TO STUDENT ATHLETES I rapidly approach my final semester with gratefulness for the people I have had a chance to connect with along the way — who guided me and shaped me into the woman I am today.

I have had many difficult experiences, decisions, and trials that I have overcome during my time here at RCU. Every single one of these trials and tribulations has made me the person I am today.

I will continue to use my experiences to lift the strengths and abilities that God gave me to glorify His name to the world and community around me.

Finding my identity as an athlete and as a follower of Christ has led me to be strong and to walk through life ready for whatever is to come. I hope that my story can inspire other athletes to persevere during times when you might feel discouraged.

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 17

Instagram, Reddit, X‌

Movie Characters ‌we ‌CONNECT‌with the most‌

Deadpool and Wolverine, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Ken, Barbie‌ ‌(2023), Anxiety, Inside Out 2 (2024)‌

Albums & Artists‌we feel most ‌CONNECTED‌to‌‌

The Secret of Us, Gracie Abrams (2024), Stick Season, Noah Kahan (2022), The Battle at Garden’s Gate, Greta Van Fleet (2021)‌

PAGES DESIGNED BY EMMA SADDLER

Girls Gone Bible (2023), Ayyrabs (2024), Very Really Good (2018)‌

Podcast(s)‌that ‌CONNECT‌us to the world or others around us‌

Our favorite ‌social media‌platforms to ‌CONNECT‌with others‌‌

Experiences‌that ‌CONNECT‌us with others‌

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023-24), San Diego Comic Con, Pitbul: Party After Dark Tour (2024)‌

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020), Minecraft (2009), Super Smash Bros: Ultimate (2018)‌

The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood (1985), Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling (1997-2007), Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney (2007)‌

Video Games‌that allow us to ‌CONNECT‌with others‌

Books‌we feel most ‌CONNECTED‌to‌

We asked RCU students what ways they ‌CONNECT‌with others on campus...here’s what they said:‌ ‌ Campus Ministry Events

Shield Media

Greek Life

Athletics

Warriors Serve

Looking to ‌CONNECT‌? Join Shield Media!‌

SHIELDMEDIA.ORG // 19

The EVENTS we’ll remember The PEOPLE we’ll never forget The STORIES we’ll retell

shieldmedia.org shield_media ShieldMediaTV ShieldmediaRU shield@rochesteru.edu