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Week of March 4, 2013 | Volume 67 | Issue 19

The student voice of Indiana University Southeast

Grenadiers clinch 6th KIAC championship

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Students in blue about parking By GAIL FAUSTYN News Editor gfaustyn@ius.edu With IU Southeast’s enrollment numbers growing, students continue to struggle finding parking places. In order to help students with this never-ending battle, Jeremy Eiler, Student Government Association treasurer, proposed the blue law or “universal blue.” The blue law, which will come into effect on June 1, will allow students who have a red student parking pass to park in the blue-pass parking spaces after 6 p.m. throughout the entire campus. Those with a red parking pass were allowed to do this in the past, but the times allowing them to do so varied across campus and caused confusion. “Previously, while students were able to park in the [blue] spots, each sign read a different time. Some said six, others said nine [p.m.],” Eiler said. “For that reason students were getting tickets unnecessarily. Most students thought all signs said that you can park after five.” While Eiler hopes that the new law will make finding a place to park easier, he said that it is mostly directed towards the students who are living on campus. “Sometimes students who live here will come home at night and won’t have a place to park,” Eiler said. “The bill got a lot of support from the police department for this reason, so students wouldn’t have to walk all over campus at night just to get to their dorms after searching for a place to park.” W h i l e many agree that the bill will be beneficial, few believe it will help with the struggle for a spot. Kara Hodges, criminal justice junior, said she wish-

es something would be done so students do not have park so far away during the midday. “Most people are here during the day time,” Hodges said. “When I get here during the day I have to park so far away and it’s really annoying. They should provide bussing systems like other schools for that reason.” Hodges said she believes teachers and students should be able to park in the same lots and spaces. “Students have to be in class just as much as teachers do. We should be able to park up front just like they do.” Cristina Turner, IUS coffee shop manager, said even with a blue parking pass, it is still difficult to find a place to park. “I get here around 9 or 10 [a.m.] for work, Turner said. “Trying to find a place to park around then with all the students and teachers becomes a nightmare.” Turner asid she believes there should be other options for parking around campus. “While the new lot is great, it is still really far away. Maybe we should look into garage parking so it can be closer for everyone,” Turner said. Eiler said that if students feel unsafe and have to walk a long distance to their dorm or car the police will escort them to where they are going. “It is campus policy for the police to escort you anywhere on campus if you feel unsafe,” Eiler said. Eiler and the SGA are looking in to other options to help those living on campus be able to park close to their dorms. Currently, he is passing out surveys to decide what should be done. Any students with suggestions should contact Eiler or the SGA.

Lack of sleep won’t make the grade College students average six hours of sleep a night, down from eight hours in 1980. 60 percent of students have disturbed sleep-wake cycles, and many use drugs and alcohol regularly to help with staying awake or going to sleep. 20 percent of students stay up all night during the weekend at least once a month, and 35 percent stay up until at least 3 a.m. 12 percent of poor sleepers miss class three or more times a month and/or fall asleep during class. Source : Medical News Today

Graphic by Hanna Woods

Students struggle sleeping, search for sound solutions By NIC BRITTON Staff NMBRITTO@umail.iu.edu

As a personal counselor at IU Southeast, Kelley Quirk meets many students in need of help. Some come to her with grade worries and need help getting A’s and B’s.

Others, however, have a harder time getting Z’s.

Sleep deprivation is a common concern among college students, Quirk said. She said that it is a troublesome issue on its own, as well as a potential indicator of more serious problems. “For some people, anxiety is the issue, and they’re kept awake by ruminating, repetitive thoughts,” Quirk said. “The other population we see a lot are people who can’t sleep because of their depression.” Numerous factors can cause it, Quirk said. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can have a variety of negative effects. According to a 2007 study conducted by St. Lawrence University, two-thirds of surveyed students pulled at least one all-nighter during a semester, and students who frequently did had lower GPAs on average. Similar studies have also found that students who lack sleep can experience a bevy of emotional and health-related issues. As these side effects have become widely known, sleep deprivation has become a more serious issue to students. This has led some of them to take action and do research – and colleges are beginning to step in as well. While sleep deprivation is a problem for

all demographics, research has often suggested that it is particularly common among college students. In a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation, it was estimated that 63 percent of college students do not get enough sleep. Some students prefer to spend their nights hanging with friends and partying instead of getting rest. Others find it tricky to balance work, school and sleep. “I don’t get as much sleep as I should,” Cassie Nichols, nursing junior, said. “It’s tough when you’re a full-time student who also works. I know a lot of students who feel that way.” In response, researchers have started to pay more attention to this issue. Studies on sleep deprivation are frequently published across the nation, and many harmful side effects have been documented. Often, poor academic performance among sleep-deprived students is a main concern of these studies. According to a study published by the University of Minnesota, students’ GPA scores were shown to correlate with the average number of days a week in which students received more than five hours of sleep. Researchers have also found lack of sleep can impair certain mental functions. In an article published on Harvard University’s website, Dr. Lawrence Epstein, instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, said that sleep deprivation can result in “increased risk for developing emotional disorders, depression and anxiety.” Sleep deprivation has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, resulting in health concerns. Perhaps most notably, Linfield College said it can increase See SLEEP page 2

Security issues, weather put brakes on parking lot opening By BRETT HANCOCK Staff brjhanco@ius.edu Parking on the IU Southeast campus has become a woe to many students during the past years. The IUS Physical Plant has been working throughout the semester to add a new parking lot, but security issues and weather problems have forced its opening to be delayed. The new parking lot, which will be next to Evergreen West Parking Lot and the Activities Building, had a tentative opening date set for early March. However, it has been delayed until mid-to-late March and must be deemed safe before opening. Jim Wolfe, director of the IUS Physical Plant, said weather was the primary reason for the lot’s new deadline.

“The ground is too wet for some of the things that still need to be done,” he said. “Crews still need to contour the dirt edge along Southern Drive, and then light poles have to be put up, among other things.” A large amount of rain has caused contractors, Temple and Temple to wait until the ground firms before they continue with their work, Wolfe said. The parking lot cost IU Southeast $623,000 and will be equipped with two security towers similar to the towers found in other lots, but with an added 360-degree swivel capability. “Unlike other cameras on campus that are equipped with a fixed-position monitoring system,” Charlie Edelen, IUS Police chief, said. “These can be rotated to see an area surrounding the security tower, which is a great

benefit.” It is as simple as IUS Police receiving an emergency alert from a tower, he said, before an officer can use the computer to select one of the two cameras and directly observe the location. Wolfe said electrical crews must first install the emergency phone base when the weather cooperates before they can install the call towers. Edelen said the IUS Police are making an effort to have cameras placed on any new security towers installed on campus. “Especially in this parking lot, which is near a wooded area, we felt the need for more-than-adequate security,” he said. “In the past we didn’t have the option to put cameras on towers, but from here on out we are making sure new towers come equipped with cameras.”

The need for the new lot, he said, came as a joint decision by the IUS Police and the physical plant because of the overflow lot becoming increasingly overcrowded. The new parking lot is taking the place of the old overflow area, which was being filled on a regular basis. “We were always seeing students driving up and down the rows, searching for a spot,” he said. “Of course, this past year we had a significant drop in student numbers and the need for a new parking lot seems less important. We assume the new lot will be essential to student parking near in the future.” He said the final decision of when to open the parking lot rests on the shoulders of the IUS Police, and they are never opened without being welllit and safe.

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Week of March 4, 2013 | NEWS |

Curator encourages art for everyone She said she keeps boxes of examples from various jobs, internships and projects and she encouraged students to save examples of their own work. Along with maintaining a portfolio, Gillenwater Mice puppet workshops for families, art installa- said internships are an important part of landing a tions at a farmer’s market and interactive DVD’s are job and settling into a career. all methods the Carnegie Center for Art & History in “You have to do a lot of these extra things if you New Albany uses to make art more accessible to the really want to make it,” Gillenwater said. Gillenwater said throughout college, she continpublic. Art is for everyone, Karen Gillenwater, curator of ued to keep her career goal in mind. She focused on taking courses that would make the Carnegie Center said. Gillenwater shared her educational and career her more marketable and decided to minor in busiexperiences with students on Feb. 21, in Knob- ness, partially out of practicality and partially at her view Hall as the first speaker of the new Curatorial parents’ insistence, she said. Internships were an important part of discoverSpeaker Series. A group of fine arts students working toward a ing the direction she wanted her career to take, Gilconcentration in art history organized the speaker lenwater said. She said sometimes internships can even help students discover what they do not want series, Hannah Litkenhous, fine arts senior, said. Carl Roll, fine arts senior, said, the small group to do. of fine arts students call themselves the IUS Art His- “When you figure out what you don’t want to do, tory Club, but the group is not an official campus that’s just as valuable as figuring out what you want to do,” Gillenwater said. organization. “I wanted them to have an opportunity to go out She said through internships, she learned she enand organize something,” Laurel Fredrickson, as- joys working as part of a team and liked educating sistant professor of fine arts, said. Fredrickson said the public about art. she suggested inviting speakers to campus, and the Now, working as part of a close-knit team is one of her favorite things about working at the Carnegie students decided to host a curatorial series. Litkenhous explained that the group decided to Center for Art & History, Gillenwater said. host the series to gain insight into career possibili- While art is important, history is also an important aspect of the Carnegie Center, Gillenwater said. ties. “We really don’t know where we want to go with She said the center strives to bring art and history our degrees yet,” Litkenhous said. “We wanted to together for the community. find some local curators and find out what their ed- “You don’t have to know all about art to walk in the door,” Gillenwater said. ucational experience has been.” Gillenwater was happy to share her experiences She said throughout her education and career, with students, she said. During her presentation, she learned how the experience of art could change Gillenwater said she has valued the advice of men- and develop over time. People do not have to like tors and coworkers with experience in the industry, every piece of art, but the more time they spend and she is returning the favor. She wants to help stu- with a piece of art, the more they can come to apdents decide what they want to do after college, she preciate it, Gillenwater said. said. Gillenwater encouraged students to discover Gillenwater said she often suggests that people spend time with pieces they do not immediately and pursue their passions. “Find the one true thing that tugs at your heart- like. Gillenwater enjoys seeing people gain new restrings and really makes you want to jump in with spect and understanding of pieces they initially did not like, she said. She said often once people learn both feet,” she said. Gillenwater allowed students to look through more about the artist or the history behind a piece, her portfolio, a binder packed with pamphlets, bro- they can gain a deeper appreciation for it. Gillenwater said art is like music or clothing— chures and photos of exhibits she had a part in. everyone has his or her own taste. “You’re going to be drawn to different things,” Gillenwater said. Gillenwater also enjoys seeing people have meaningful experiences with art, she said. She said she wants art to spark conversations that otherwise people would not hold, and she wants art to cause people to consider things they would not normally consider. “I really hope that people find pieces they are personally drawn to,” she said. Fredrickson said she was pleased with the turnout at the first speaker event. She hopes the new speaker series will benefit students interested in art history and curatorial careers, as well as, art students interested in learning how to put their art into galleries, she said. It is important for members of the community to be part of IU Southeast, and it is important for students to be part of the community, Fredrickson Photo by Hannah Ash said. Karen Gillenwater, curator of the Carnegie Center for Art and The next presenter in the Curatorial Speaker SeHistory in New Albany, shared the importance of internships with students on Thursday, Feb. 22. Gillenwater is the first of ries, Joey Yates from the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft will speak on March 21. three speakers as part of a new Curatorial Speaker Series. By HANNAH ASH Staff hash@ius.edu

Feb. 24 at 8:23 p.m. An officer was dispatched to University Center, room 122 after a noise complaint. The complaint was that people were standing and jumping on tables. A warning was given. Feb. 25 at 4:05 p.m. An officer was dispatched to take a report from a student who cut his thumb in the Knobview Language Lab. The officer provided medical services for the student and no report was taken. Feb. 26 at 6:58 p.m. An officer was dispatched on a report of a burning smell coming from the third floor of the Life Science Building. The officer found that the smell was from someone who was burning wood or trash in the area. Feb. 26 at 5:07 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the women’s bathroom in University Center to try and retrieve a cell phone battery that had fallen into the heater. Maintenance was called to assist. Feb. 26 at 5:59 p.m. Officers were dispatched to Meadow Lodge to respond to a fire alarm. The fire alarm evacuation alert activated and the fire department was called. The officer found no active fire and the system was reset. Feb. 27 at 6:05 p.m. An officer was dispatched on a report of a suspicious person pushing a key fob (wireless control to vehicles) as if looking for a vehicle to match it. An officer was sent to locate the person but was unable to locate them. Feb. 28 at 1:55 a.m. An officer observed three people walking to a car in Sycamore Parking Lot, and two leaving after a short time. The officer checked the vehicle and found a woman sleeping in the back seat. The officer woke the woman and smelt alcohol. She then entered Meadow Lodge and two males and a female were in the Great Room. The officer spoke with them and noticed the smell of alcohol. When questioned they admitted to drinking. When a Portable Breath Test was administered the three subjects, Desmond Avis, 18, Kelsey Harrell, 17, and Haylee Farnsley, 18, failed and were arrested. Harrell and Farnsley, who are not IUS students, were also issued a trespass warning. Feb. 28 at 5:32 p.m. An officer was dispatched to leave a note for students in the Life Science Building, saying the professor was stuck in traffic and would be late. CONTINUED FROM page 1

Sleep

Universities find unique ways to help students get more sleep the risk of contracting meningitis – particularly for students living in residence halls. Other effects observed by researchers include an increased risk of weight gain, frequent headaches and increased susceptibility to diabetes. “Not getting enough sleep alters insulin resistance, which is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” Anne E. Rogers, faculty member of Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, stated in an article published by Harvard. Some students have discovered methods that help them sleep. “If I can’t sleep, I’ll try to do things that are relaxing instead,” Alexis Alexander, an art and psychology student, said. “I’ll read a book that I’ve read already or watch a movie I’ve seen already. It keeps your mind half busy while you try to sleep.”

Angelina Russell, biology freshman, said she takes a different approach. “I listen to music and do a muscle relaxer technique that a therapist showed me a couple years back. Those normally do the trick,” Russell said. “And if those don’t work, I count sheep.” Andrew Smith, English sophomore, said he has found that drinking milk has helped him sleep, noting that it appears to have “a psychosomatic effect.” He also said he sleeps best in cold temperatures. “It has to be 60 or lower for me to sleep. I can’t sleep if it’s hot,” Smith said. Quirk has also discovered some methods that help the students she counsels. She recommends setting aside a “worry time” in order to help students get their anxieties out. “If you give yourself permission

that ‘I’m going to worry about things’ from 5 p.m. to 6, it gives your brain relief before bed,” Quirk said. “I recommend it morning or midday. It’s not good to worry before bed.” She also recommends exercise, as she has found that many of her students “are kept up by spare energy.” Some colleges have even started to step in with their own potential solutions. University of Louisville started a new “flash nap” program this year, inspired by the popular trend of flash mobbing. As part of the program, the students involved all take a break from their tasks and nap at the same time. The naps usually last from 20- to 40minutes. IU Southeast teaches new students about sleep in its First Year Seminar course. In this class – which is required by the university for freshmen - students are required to read IU Southeast’s

Editorial & Production Senior Editors Bryan Jones jonesbry@umail.iu.edu Hanna Woods hrwoods@umail.iu.edu News Editor Gail Faustyn gfaustyn@ius.edu Profiles Editors Kim Kerby kdkerby@ius.edu Brittany Powell bripowel@ius.edu

Features Editors Stephen Allen allen68@imail.iu.edu Samantha Frazier sefrazie@ius.edu Newscast Editors Jonathan Cates jdcates@ius.edu Cassidy Teague casateag@ius.edu Adviser Adam Maksl amaksl@ius.edu

Staff Hannah Ash Nic Britton Ethan Fleming Mychal Harris Jude Mattingly Tina Reed Aprile Rickert Raymond Shutt Rachel Smith Sam Weber

College Success Guide, which discusses the concept of “sleep debt.” The book describes sleep debt as “accumulated sleep loss” and briefly details the negative effects it has on students, such as a decreased ability to pay attention or remember new information. The majority of colleges, however, do not give students any information about sleep. According to the latest National College Health Assessment, only 24.6 percent of students have received sleep-related information from their universities. The percentage of students satisfied with their sleep amount has remained similarly low. According to the same study, only 9.9 percent of surveyed students reported having “no problem at all” with daytime sleepiness. In addition, 41.8 percent identified themselves as having “more than a little problem” dealing with daytime drowsiness.

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Week of March 4, 2013 | SPORTS|

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Grenadiers win sixth KIAC championship By APRILE RICKERT Staff apmricke@umail.iu.edu

The IUS men’s basketball team brought in their sixth consecutive Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship title Feb. 26 in the Activities Building, in the final conference game against the Asbury Eagles. In a nail-biting first half, with the lead changing four times and the teams tying five times, tensions ran high on the court and in the stands. Jake Simpson, sophomore guard, said he respected the fight the Eagles put up. “Asbury’s a very good team,” said Simpson. “You gotta give it to them. It was a good game, just at the end of the game we beat them out for the ‘W.’” Simpson and Cameron Mitchell, junior guard, led the game in scoring with 19 points each, followed closely by Kevin Mitchell, junior guard, with 14 points, and Terence Billups, senior forward, with 10. The Grenadiers, with a season record of 247, have been on an 8-game winning streak since Feb. 8, when they beat IU East 98-93. Leading up to the KIAC Finals, they overtook Alice Lloyd with 77-68 in the quarter-final, and Photos by Aprile Rickert crushed Cincinnati Christian in the semi-final Cameron Mitchell, junior guard, fights to keep control of the ball as the Asbury Eagles swoop down on him during the with 91-61. KIAC conference tournament final Feb. 26. Mitchell was one of the leading scorers of the game with 19 points. The 74-62 win over Asbury means the Grenadiers have secured a spot in the National Associa He said he attributes this win to the team staying together during the game tions of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II Men’s and keeping their heads up even when victory was uncertain. Basketball Tournament, which beginning on March 6. Wiley Brown, men’s basketball head coach, said the team put in a lot of hard “I know we were down in the first half, but we’ve been in this situation before,” Mitchell said. “Coach Brown prepared us for this. We don’t put our heads work to earn the KIAC title. “This is the moment right here that I’m so proud of these guys, because they down and lose it, we just find a way to get back into the game. That’s what we fought for this and they definitely deserve it,” Brown said. “They really do. It did tonight. We stayed, played as a team, and came out with a dub [Win].” Kegan Clark, junior forward, said the Grenadiers brought in the win against was a great season.” Brown said by finals, the team was made up of those players who persevered Asbury, because they fought harder for it. all year, while many of the other players were lost due to injury, grades or quit- “I think we just had more heart than they did,” said Clark. “We knew what we wanted and we just went out and took it.” ting the team. “These guys here tonight stepped up and said it don’t matter who or what’s The Grenadiers headed to Point Lookout, Mo., on Sunday for the first round going on, we’re gonna represent IU Southeast,” Brown said. “They did that all of the NAIA tournament. They are slated to play Valley City State, N.D., March year long. We played a tough schedule—they could’ve quit some games and 6 at 6:45 p.m. “Their goal all year long was to win the conference again, be the conference they never did.” Mitchell said the strength and unity of the team is what has brought them tournament champions, and then win the national championship,” said Brown. “They’ve done two of them, so now they got another one to go.” this far. “It’s a real special team we got—a brotherhood, like I always say, a family.” Mitchell said.

IU SOUTHEAST

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Jordan Thompson, freshman forward, cuts off a piece of the net after the Grenadiers won the KIAC Conference tournament title on their homecourt.

TUESDAY, March 5, 2013 From 5-8 PM Hoosier Room, University Center

enjoy live music, dance & a delicious dinner buffet Above: Kevin Mitchell, junior guard, and Jake Simpson, sophomore guard, attempt to take the ball out of an Asbury player’s hands. Simpson led the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Below: Caleb Brown, ball boy for the men’s basketball team, makes the final cut on the net after the Grenadiers took down the Asbury Eagles to win their sixth consecutive KIAC Conference Tournament title.

from around the world! Tickets $5.00 Students/Seniors and $7.00 Non-Students Available at the door This event sponsored by IUS International Programs and the Student Government Association with assistance from student programming funds. If you require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to participate in this event, please call 812.941.2365 IUS IS LOCATED AT 4201 GRANT LINE ROAD IN NEW ALBANY, IN. EXIT 3 FROM I-265


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Week of March 4, 2013| EVENTS |

TOP EVENTS Tuesday

Saturday

Thursday

International Festival

Hamlet

Baseball

Where: Hoosier Room When: 5 - 8 p.m. Experience different cultures at the 15th annual International Festival. The festival will feature different foods and music from around the globe. Student tickets are $5

Where: Robinson Theater, Ogle Center When: 8 -10:30 p.m. Thursday will be opening night for the IUS theatre department’s rendition of “Hamlet.” The students and director have put a modern twist on the timeless classic. Student tickets are $6.

Where: Koetter baseball complex When: 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Grenadiers will play a double header series. First game will be against Indiana Wesleyan and the second game will be played against Indiana Tech.

MONDAY

March 4

Tie- Dye

Counseling

8 p.m. Meadow Lodge IU Southeast Put that favorite pair of sunglasses on let your hair down and feel groovy. Meadow lodge is hosting a free tiedye event. To participate bring your own item to tie-dye.

3 - 4 p.m. University Center, room 124 Suffering from the stresses during mid-semester? IUS will be hosting a free support and counseling group that will help students reduce stress and anxiety.

TUESDAY

Find the Path

3 - 7 p.m. Koetter Baseball Complex IU Southeast The Grenadiers will face off against the Mid-Continet Cougars. Admission is free and students are encouraged to attend and cheer on the Grenadiers.

6 p.m. Woodland Lodge, IU Southeast Woodland lodge will be hosting a free game playing event for students. Come down and enjoy the new interactive game. This event is free and open to all students.

WEDNESDAY 7 - 9:30 p.m. University Center, room 127 “Spellbound” is a 2002 documentary that follows eight competitors in the National Spelling Bee, showing how stiff competition can be outside of the sports world.

THURSDAY Job Fair

4 - 6 p.m. University Center North, room 127 Students will be able to meet with professionals within their chosen field. This event is free but students are encouraged to dress professionally.

WEEKEND Pink

March 8 8 p.m. YUM! Center Raise your glass! Pink is coming to the KFC! Yum Center. Let the inner-teenager in you out and let loose at her concert. Tickets are around $125

To submit material to The Horizon for the Events page, call The Horizon at 812-9412253 or e-mail us at horizon@ ius.edu. Events should be submitted one week in advance.

Buddy and Johnny

7:30 p.m. The Kentucky Center, Louisville Kick back and relax to the soothing blues sounds of Buddy Guy and Johnny Lang. Guy was a major influence on many famous guitar players such as Jimi Hendrix.

March 6

Credit

12:20 - 1:10 p.m. University Center South, room 122 This free workshop explains to students the importance of improving their credit score and tips and tricks to maintain their score after establishing it.

Softball

3 - 7 p.m. Koetter Baseball Complex, IU Southeast The Grenadiers will take on the Hariss-Stowe Hornets. All students are welcomed to come down to the field and cheer on the team while they play.

March 7

SGA

4:30 p.m. University Center, room 127 If you have ever wanted to run for the Student Government Association, now is your chance. Application packets are due to the SGA office this Thursday.

Harassment

9 a.m. - noon University Center, room 128 This free program educates students on the definition of sexual harassment, university policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment incidents.

Photo by Leah Tate

At a previous International Festival held at IUS The Kyene Drum Ensemble performed West African and African Diaspora music on March 1. 2011. Also During the performance, IUS students and other festival-goers participated in African dances

March 8 - 10

Four Seasons

March 8 8 p.m. Kentucky Center Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the singers of “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” will be hitting those famous Frankie high notes at the Kentucky Center. $45.

Plagiarism

March 8 10 - 11 a.m. Writing Center Learn how to properly cite sources so you do not fail your English class or any other class. The workshop will be held in Knobview in the Writing Center, this is a free event.

Whitney Tribute

March 9 7 p.m. Ursuline Arts Center “A Tribute to Whitney Houston” is a live performance honoring the life and influence of Whitney Houston. Tickets range from $18 $22.

Massage

Whitehorse

Mommy Nest

March 10 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Woodhaven Road, Louisville The Mommy’s Nest will be hosting a kids carnival. They will be collecting dimes in order to benefit the March of Dimes Foundation. The event costs a dime to participate.

Revealed

March 8 - 10 Various Speed Art Museum Drawing on the state’s largest collection of Kentucky art and antiques, Kentucky Revealed will feature work by the state’s most significant early artists.

NOTICES

UPCOMING

LOCAL Vinyl Soup

Right on beat

March 5

Baseball

“Spellbound”

SUBMISSIONS

Parade

Daylight Savings

FAFSA Due

March 8 Hideaway Saloon, Louisville Vinyl Soup describes themselves as a “psychedelic neo-hippie rock band.” They will be playing at The Hideaway Saloon on Bardstown road. Tickets are $5

March 5 Rainbow Blossom, Louisville Suffering from headaches or persistent back problems? Kammaleathahh, a licensed massage therapist, will provide 15-minute consultations for free.

March 8 Zanzabar, Louisville The smooth sounds of Whitehorse and Daniel Romano will be playing live at Zanzabar in Louisville. Tickets are $10 - $20. Must be 21 or older to attend this concert.

March 9 3 p.m. Louisville In order to celebrate St. Patricks day, The Ancient Order of Hibernians will be hosting it’s 40th annual Parade that takes place on Baxter Avenue and Bardstown Road.

March 10 All Day Everywhere Do not forget to set your clocks forward and prepare to be angry come Monday Morning. Happ Daylight Savings time. Cheer up though, spring is almost here.

March 10 Midnight Indiana Statewide For students wanting to continue receiving financial aid for classes, the Indiana deadline to fill out the FAFSA application is midnight on March 10.

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Sherrie Austin

Live Music

St. Patricks

SGA Elections

Spring Break

Tax Date

March 8 7:30 - 10 p.m. Ogle Center Sherrie Austin, country and folk-esque singer, will be preforming songs from her new album “Circus Girl” Tickets are $10 dollars for students.

March 8 Dillingers, New Albany Three bands, Fair Fjola, Majesty Upside and Alabama Brown are performing at Dillinger’s on E. Main Street. Show begins at 8:30. Show is $5 and for ages 21 and older.

March 17 All Day Everywhere Put your 50 shades of green on and celebrate the luck of the Irish. Share your St. Patricks Day stories and photos from festivities with The Horizon on Facebook.

March 11-14 8 - 4 p.m. IU Southeast The SGA will hold their elections Monday-Thursday of next week. Students can vote online. If unable to vote electronically paper ballots are available in the Campus Life office.

March 25- 31 All week IU Southeast Hopefully, those weightloss resolutions are paying off, because Spring Break is near. Students are invited to share their Spring Break with The Horizon on Facebook.

April 15 Midnight Nationwide The IRS tax filing deadline for 2013 is April 15. This is the last day to file your state and federal taxes without penalty. Taxes can be filed online or with a professional.


5

Week of March 4, 2013 | OPINIONS|

Senior shares tips on avoiding stress By KIM KERBY Profiles Editor kdkerby@ius.edu We all have it. We all experience it. Stress. Stress is a normal, everyday part of a college student’s life. College is one of the most stressful times we will face in our young adult lives. In college, things just seem to get piled up and piled up on top of each other. Papers are assigned, chapters need to be read, book homework must be written out, research done, group projects worked on, quizzes and exams prepped for, etc. Add all of that school work on top of 15-40 hour work weeks, issues at home or with friends, financial worries and other everyday worries facing college students today. Stress is inevitable. But lucky for us, there are plenty of ways beat to that stress and make it through those tough college classes. I’m graduating this year and I, like many of you, have had my fair share of stressful days. Trust me. My first three years of college were full of so much stress that there were multiple times I wore myself down and got myself sick. But I learned a lot in those three years about how to handle stress. So here are a few of my tips I’ve learned over the years on how to handle the stress for these next few weeks of midterms, due dates and tests before Spring Break and graduation. 1. Try to be organized. Clean your room or work space. Clearing that clutter before you sit down to focus will give you one less thing to worry about and it will help clear your mind. You will also know where

to look for things when you need them, such as notes or study guides. 2. Manage your time and try to avoid procrastination. Even as a senior, this is a hard one for me to do, but it is important. It’s not healthy to cram for a huge test four hours before. If the test is on a Monday, try to spend a couple hours each day of the weekend studying just a little. If it is on a Thursday, spend two hours each night during the week studying. The more you study, the more you reinforce the material that you need to know and the more confident you will feel with the material and the less stress you will feel on test day. 3. Get a good night’s sleep the night before that big test or presentation and eat a good breakfast the morning of. I know these two do not sound like a big deal, but they really are. Studies show getting a good night’s sleep will lead to improved memory and easier recall of information. Loss of sleep will increase your stress level, decrease your test performance. Last minute bits of information will be useless. Loss of sleep can lead to serious illnesses such as diabetes and depression. Eating a good breakfast increases your concentration and helps keep you energized and alert during a test. By eating breakfast, you do not have to worry about your stomach growling or feeling tired in class. 4. Control your environment to help you focus better. If you are the type of person that gets easily distracted, like me, you may need to eliminate the distractions around you. Work in a room without a TV or a lot of foot traffic, put your phone on silent or listen to music to drown out your roommate. Have snacks and a drink nearby, so you will not have to leave the room and get sidetracked. Create

Teen pregnancy comes at no surprise

Media, lack of education lead to misconceptions on contraception

That is where we can rely on parents and the education system, right? Wrong.

By CASSIDY TEAGUE Newscast Producer casateag@ius.edu

The Education System

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 329,797 babies were born to teen women from ages 15-19 in 2011. Only 50 percent of these teen moms will receive their high school diploma by the age of 22. Because of this and other factors, teen pregnancy is having a serious effect on our country. “In 2008, teen pregnancy and childbirth accounted for nearly $11 billion per year in costs to U.S. taxpayers for increased health care and foster care, increased incarceration rates among children of teen parents, and lost tax revenues because of lower educational attainment and income among teen mothers,” the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated. Hear me out. I am not knocking teen moms. I do not hate children, and I am most definitely not advocating abortion. I just want to point out that the root of this problem starts in two places: the media and the education system.

The Media

The media is notorious for glamorizing everything. Unfortunately, sex sells, so naturally it is the go-to topic. The covers of most magazines geared toward women are trying to relay the same message: learn to be better in bed. Magazines put those topics on the cover because it draws readers in, and it sells their product. However, 15-year-old girls do not need to learn how to have better sex. The good side of sex is published in the media, but the repercussions of sex are not. With uneducated sex comes unplanned parenthood or disease, which the media conveniently forgets to talk about. Not to mention, reality television makes parenthood look glamorous. Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant and Juno are not accurate depictions of motherhood.

Don’t even get me started on the education system. I could write an entire column about the education system, but let’s focus on sex education in school. I cannot speak for all schools, but I know that New Albany and Floyd County schools require only one semester of health class in four years of high school to graduate. The class is not even solely a sex education class, it is health class. So in that class, diet, exercise, sex etc. are all taught in that one semester. Am I the only person that finds this odd? With a combination of the media and lack of sex education, is it really a surprise when all of these teens end up pregnant? If schools are not going to assume the responsibility to educate their students, then it falls on the shoulders of the parents. The only problem with this is that society has made sex a taboo subject and many parents, like mine, shy away from the awkward ‘be safe and be smart’ conversation. I am not here to give advice on raising children, but it seems like a no brainer to have a short, awkward conversation that could keep your child from becoming a typical teen-mom statistic. I never really understood why sex was such an awkward topic to begin with. As a procreative act, sex is simply reproducing, and there is nothing unnatural about that. So start talking about it. The Solution On the CDC’s website they state that 329,797 babies is a record low for U.S. teens in the age range of 15-19, so we are making progress. As a whole, we are educating ourselves more and being more careful. However, I am still not comfortable with this number. Since we do not have control over what the media publishes, and it is more than likely not in the schools’ budget to teach sex education, I believe talking about it is a good starting point. The more we talk about it, the more comfortable we get with the idea. The key is open-mindedness and maturity.

the best environment for you to study in. 5. Avoid using alcohol to relax. Having three or four beers after an intense study session may sound like a great way to unwind, but in reality all that stress will still exist once your buzz disappears. Besides there is always the chance that you will overindulge and then you will have to deal with those unpleasant side effects in the morning. 6. Focus on one assignment or test at a time. Trust me I know how easy it is to get stressed once you realize how much homework you have due in the upcoming week. Just this week, I have two papers, one project and two class assignments all due. Personally, I make a list of what’s due when. I go down that list working on one thing at a time and I cross off the assignments I get done, until everything is finished for that week. OK, my final tip and truthfully I feel like it is the most important one. It has been the hardest for me to learn to do, but trust me it works. So, you’ve spent the last five hours, cramming for that huge midterm or working on that projects that is worth half of your grade or writing that paper that needs to be 10 pages long... take a break. It’s healthy to step away for a couple of hours and let yourself get distracted. Try to do something fun. Take a study break with a group of friends and have a midnight breakfast or have a mini-game night for a couple of hours. Go see a movie, take a walk, work out or even take a long hot shower or bath to relax. The goal is to get your mind to concentrate on something else other than school for a couple hours. And when the time finally comes for that test or presentation, I’ll share with you a piece of advice my dad told me a few years ago that has gotten me through many, many tests. Tell yourself to go in there and do your best, because that is the best you can do. Oh, and do not forget to breathe!

Student Opinion As a college student do you think you get enough sleep?

Brittany Bown Graphic design freshman

No, schoolwork on top of everything and plus some procrastination.

Lori Hoffman Business marketing sophomore

No, I have too heavy of a workload.

Andrea Marcelb Nursing sophomore

No, I’m either at [cheer] practice or doing homework.

Nick Lawrence Business sophomore

No, I’m always studying, a lot.

Alex Lattis Psychology freshman

Yes, I go to bed early enough to wake up energized.

Letters

Student support for athletics makes difference Dear IU Southeast students,

Ruben Borrego IUS Police Officer

I wanted to thank you for your support during the 2012-13 basketball season. We had the highest student attendance ever this year and that support created a terrific home-court advantage. Our teams combined for a 22-5 home record this season. Our men’s basketball team has not lost a home game in more than a year, and that is because of your support. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff cannot thank you enough, and we hope you join us at our spring sports home games and matches throughout the spring semester. A complete game schedule can be found at iusathletics.com. Once again, thank you and we hope you enjoy the rest of your semester here at IU Southeast. Sincerely, Joe Glover, IU Southeast Athletic Director

I honestly think students focus a lot on studies and sleep during the day. A lot of students are seen studying after midnight. There are a lot of students working third shift.

ONLINE


6

Week of March 4, 2013 | PROFILES |

Student trades leash for stethoscope Sault said there are not many opportunities to move up as a vet tech. “Being a tech, there’s definitely a cap,” Sault said. “I wouldn’t consider a vet tech as being my ideal career, beCollege is a time when most cause I would like to be able to move students discover who they are forward more.” and who they want to become. Bryant said he thought the career Through classes and friendships, change was great. many suddenly find the key to “I encourage her as much as I can their futures. to better herself,” Bryant said. “She Emily Sault, biology sophohas a very strong work ethic, and she more, found her calling in a veteriis really generous. She strives for nary clinic. perfection and really loves helping Sault is a native of Sacramento, people, and this is re-enforcing everyCalif. She moved to Louisville with thing she is learning and doing.” her boyfriend Scott Bryant five In addition to being inspired by years ago. Since then, she has been her boyfriend, Sault said she has two giving up her Saturdays to work at very important women in her life Barbour Lane Animal Hospital as a whom she admires. veterinary technician. “I want my mom’s positive outAt Barbour Lane, Sault said she look, my Great Aunt Ruth’s work has many responsibilities throughethic and her infallible need to help out the work day. others,” Sault said. “She was a RN. “There are usually four techShe did a couple of tours in differnicians,” Sault said. “We walk ent wars. She went from taking care the dogs, feed the dogs, mediof her own family and then took care cate them, and, if they have had of her parents. When my grandfather any accidents overnight, we clean died, she took care of my grandmoththeir runs [cages]. If we have any er. She lived a life of service, and it hospitalized patients we check to was powerful. She was fantastic.” make sure their IV catheters are For Sault, the transition between still flowing and take their weights animal and human medicine has not and temperatures and make sure been an easy one. everyone is doing OK.” Courtesy Photo “It’s kind of heartbreaking,” Sault Sault said once the routine morning checkups are done, a nor- Emily Sault, biology sophomore, has her dog Muppet in a Baby Bjorn at home. An animal lover, said. “I love the thought of helping mal day consists of many appoint- Sault has worked as a vet tech at a local veterinary clinic for the past four years. Recently, though, animals, but I don’t want to own my ments. she decided to move from animals to humans and go to medical school with the aspiration of be- own clinic, and it’s really hard to get a good job at a really good clinic.” “If it’s routine stuff, we have coming a nurse. While the transition may be hard 15-minute appointments, because for her, Sault is sure she has made the we’re really busy,” Sault said. “I right decision. will check an animal in, take a brief history, pull up for a career, she recently had a change of heart. “I originally came back to school to do nursing “I know I want to be in the medical field, and I vaccines and then the doctor will come in and if everything is healthy. Then we vaccinate the animal school, but I am actually going pre-med,” Sault said. know that I love helping people, and after medical “I am going to be a doctor. I am changing from ani- school I will probably volunteer at an animal clinic,” and send them on their way.” Sault said if an animal is not acting normal, then mal to human medicine. There are just so many vets Sault said. “I either want to go into infectious diseases or onthey will do diagnostics, take blood and analyze the coming out of school every day. Whenever you are in a recession, one of the first things to go is mainte- cology. I would love to work in a lab all day and get blood at the clinic. to play with bugs. It just seems awesome.” While Sault had planned to work with animals nance pet care.” By RAYMOND SHUTT Staff rshutt@ius.edu

Music teacher puts ‘pep’ in IUS pep band By TINA REED Staff tinkreed@ius.edu One, two, three, four, ready… The sounds of trumpets, tubas, clarinets, mellophones, trombones and percussions echo against the concrete walls of the Activities Building. The vibration of the instruments rumble through the bleachers as Jennifer Gordon, IUS pep band director, conducts her band, The Southeast Sound. “Nothing beats bringing excitement to the games better than a live music group,” Gordon said. “That extra presence really helps get the fans and teams into the game.” Denny Williams, assistant athletics director, enjoys the new addition of the pep band. “Last year was the first year for the pep band,” Williams said. “Starting from nothing, she has done better than I expected. Both basketball coaches have mentioned how they have enjoyed the pep band, especially the heckling of the opposing team. It helps to cover the awkward silence from the fans.” Williams said he also knows this is only a starting point for Gordon. “I know her career goal is to become a band director,” Williams said. “I know it will happen, and I will hate to lose her. She’s done an excellent job of recruiting for pep band, especially from high schools.” Growing up in Southern Indiana, Gordon played clarinet in sixth grade, and, as a result of a music degree from the University of Louisville, she now plays all instruments pertaining to band. “I knew in eighth grade that I wanted to be a band director,” Gordon said. “My only true interest besides

knitt i n g a n d

Jennifer Gordon

besides knitting and archery that I have only recently taken up, has been music.” Gordon’s husband Scott said she is committed to the band members and encourages them to do their best. “Jennifer is always communicating with the band members to make sure they understand the music,” he said. “I’ve never seen anybody more dedicated to students than she. We’re not married when we are at pep band.” Gordon said she met Photo by Tina Reed Scott in 2009 on a bus heading to a drum corps The IUS pep band, The Southeast Sound, playing at the KIAC men’s basketball game. Jennifer Gordon, IUS pep band director, started The Southeast Sound last year. The band is made up competition. “He was a trouble- of IUS students, faculty and some local high schoolers. They play regularly at most basketball maker, so I made him games. sit in the front seat with me,” Gordon said with a laugh. “I’ve never been she will soon get a full-time teaching position. “My cats wake me up every morning and then I able to get rid of him since.” wait for the phone to ring to sub at a school,” GorScott said there is no confusion about who is in don said. “I am thrilled I am living my dream, becharge when they are working together. He said he cause music is my life.” offers suggestions only to the students. Gordon said she uses different teaching tech“She changes every life she touches,” Scott said. niques she learned from her previous band instruc“As far as I know, tors. every one of her One of these instructors is Philip Thomas, IUS students look up to concert band director. Thomas was Gordon’s band her.” teacher at Floyd Central. Bryan Jones, “He was very detailed in his teaching, and that’s Floyd Central High how I teach band kids today,” Gordon said. “He School senior, is one would also tell me stories and make me laugh. of those students He made it a lot and has known of fun.” Gordon for six Austin Mertsin, years. Borden sophomore “She taught me and trombone playbagpipes in sixth er, has worked with grade,” Jones said. Scott Gordon Gordon in marching “She’s a great teachhusband of IUS pep band band for two years at er. You can ask her director Jennifer Gordon Borden High School. anything, and she “She makes it won’t make fun of even more fun at pep you. She is always band,” Mertsin said. calm when she teaches small kids. She’s such a great “She can, and has, person. She loves music and she cares about it.” made a difference at Since learning the bagpipes, Gordon said there IU Southeast.” have been some inspirational moments in her life. Gordon’s mother, “Every year at Floyd Central’s graduation I have Nancy Spainhour, been asked to play ‘Amazing Grace’ with the bagsaid ever since Gorpipes,” Gordon said. “There’s always a standing don started playovation after it’s over. It’s pretty emotional. I also ing the clarinet in played my sister’s graduation in 2009. That meant sixth grade she was a lot to me.” She has Gordon, better known as “Scooter” at Borden hooked. been a band geek High School, works with its band director Jenny Jochim teaching music, as well as marching band. ever since, she said. Gordon currently substitute teaches, but is hopeful “It’s what she loves,” she said.

She changes every life she touches. As far as I know, every one of her students look up to her.


7

Week of March 4, 2013 | DIVERSIONS |

Los Angeles Times Crossword Down

Across

1 Rebounding sound 5 Early newspaper magnate 11 “So-o-o cute!” sounds 14 Vietnam neighbor 15 List of printing mistakes 16 Game, __, match 17 WANTED: Dimwitted loiterer, for pie-tasting without intent to buy 19 __ urchin 20 A–o Nuevo month 21 Popular exercise choice 23 WANTED: Boy on the run, for unwanted kissing

27 Fun and games 29 Uncle’s mate 30 Singles 31 Dart thrower’s asset 32 Turn off, as the lights 33 Crime lab evidence, briefly 35 WANTED: Delinquent minor, for breaking curfew and inappropriate dress 41 Isn’t missing 42 Bump into 43 __ sequitur: illogical conclusion 44 Church recess 47 Up to the task 48 Do bar work

49 WANTED: Musical shepherd, for sleeping on the job 53 Harrison Ford’s “Star Wars” role 54 Dispenser of theater programs 57 Pasta suffix 58 WANTED: Merry monarch, for smoke pollution with his pipe 62 Mythical giant bird 63 Takes care of 64 Charity donations 65 “For shame!” 66 Came next 67 Digs made of twigs

1 Otherwise 2 Brother of Abel 3 Dodger Stadium contest, to the Dodgers 4 Fish hawk 5 Half a giggle 6 “Thinking, thinking ...” sounds 7 Onassis nickname 8 Type of missile engine 9 Small, raised porch in front of a door 10 Dramatic ballroom dance 11 Designate, as a seat 12 Hot dog 13 Oater transports 18 Lav in Leeds 22 “Ouch!” relative, in response to a pun 24 Train tracks 25 Noisy shorebird 26 Left hanging 27 Tiger’s foot 28 Untruth 32 Sorento automaker 33 Nerd 34 Picayune point to pick 36 Sharpens, as a knife 37 Wriggly 38 Space under a desk 39 Electrified particle 40 Finish 44 “Java” trumpeter 45 Baby grands, e.g. 46 Jolly old Xmas visitor 47 Homes 48 Florence native, for one 50 Free from restraint 51 Funny DeGeneres 52 Haul 55 Big shade trees 56 Break at the office 59 Sunflower St. school 60 Suffix with Israel 61 Silently assent

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

This week’s difficulty level: 1

»»»»»«««««

Horoscopes

By Nancy Black Tribune Media Services

Aries (March 21-April 19) Keep your feet on solid ground, and let fantasies dissolve. Figure out what you really want. A woman you respect has great advice and numbers to back it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A private conversation could be quite revealing. Take the considerations of others into account. Double-check facts and present them to one who disagrees.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Set your imagination free, within practical limits. Create romance with thoughtful words and deeds, rather than expensive gifts. Take pride in your accomplishments without bragging.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Practice being gracious, especially with someone rude. There’s more going on behind the scenes than you know now. Consider options carefully, and travel later. Make plans and include lots of detail. Listen carefully.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Accept responsibility, not more work. Don’t rush off in the wrong direction. Handle disagreements in private. The possibility of misunderstanding is high, and patience could get tested. Cancer (June 21-July 22) A female challenges your opinion. Make sure you have the facts. Ask for more than you think you’ll get. Don’t forget an important job. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Don’t heed the advice of a skeptic. Get the facts and make your own decisions. Challenging authority could be appropriate. There is a lot to do close to home. Limit spending and decrease waste. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Reassure someone who’s anxious. Analysis of the data plus intuition equals understanding. Get the message across. Handle local errands. Prepare a unique dinner and a relaxing evening.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22Dec. 21) Keep the most interesting things, and get rid of clutter. Discover a hidden problem; romance interferes with business. Find a way to work smarter by delegating. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t make expensive promises, and postpone travel. Get into studies and organization, which are much better investments. Don’t reveal secrets at the dinner table. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Modify a fantasy and stick to the practical route. Someone close by doesn’t like anything now. Don’t let your friends get into your secret treats. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) The news today is unsettling. Avoid getting involved in another’s affairs, financially or otherwise. Something at home gets messed up. Decrease new projects this week, and postpone expansion.

»»»»»«««««

Brewster Rockit by Tim Rickard

»»»»»«««««

Your ad here! Get noticed on the comics and crossword page of The Horizon. Email horizon@ius.edu for rates.

Solutions


8

Week of March 4, 2013 | FEATURES |

By HANNAH ASH Staff hash@ius.edu

STUDENT CONQUERS CHALLENGES Justin Meredith wants to be like Superman.

He does not want x-ray vision or the ability to fly — he wants to fight for people that cannot fight for themselves.

“That’s why I joined the Army,” Meredith said. Kris Applegate said that Meredith is known for his Superman T-shirts: he even has a patch that says “Superman” on his Army uniform. Meredith said he is just trying to return the favor. Meredith spent his early years in government housing with his family, where he said he endured numerous beatings. He also said that every day after school he was forced to stand in front of the mirror for an hour and repeat to himself that he did not deserve to exist. When Meredith was 7, he spent several years in and out of foster care. “As a little kid, I didn’t have anyone to look up to, so I tuned into Superman,” Meredith said. He said he was drawn to the way Superman helped others without asking for anything in return. Meredith said one of his caseworkers told him the most he had to look forward to in life would be flipping burgers. She also said he would grow up and become abusive to his own children. “I was bound and determined to rise above that, to overcome it,” Meredith said. “I refused to be like my mother. I refused to be a product of the system.”

Plants are not the typical apocalyptic scenario in my head. However, seeing Derby Dinner Playhouse’s performance of “The Little Shop of Horrors” can make one re-think the different possibilities for the end of mankind. In the play, a talking plant mysteriously appears to young Seymour, played by Ricky Cona. Seymour nourishes it to its blossom stage by giving it sun and water like most other plants. He soons finds out, though, that the plant, which is named Aubrey 2, is not like the others. Audrey 2, does not photosynthesize, Audrey 2,

-Kris Applegate, Meredith’s coworker and classmate

In the spring of 2013, Meredith will graduate with four Bachelor’s degrees— a double major in political science, a degree in Spanish and a degree in general studies with a social sciences concentration. He has already earned two associate degrees in Spanish and general studies. Meredith began with one major and realized that with a few more classes, he could add another major and another. Before he knew it, he was a quadruple major. “I thought, ‘Why stop there when I’m so close?’” Meredith said. After graduation Meredith said he plans to work for the FBI, but he said if those plans do not work out his education will allow him to have several options to fall back on. Meredith says a great deal of his ability to remain positive comes from his faith. Meredith attends Full Gospel Tabernacle in Sellersburg, Ind., where he volunteers at the soup kitchen and vacation Bible school. “I was always drawn to the intangible qualities of

Feed me Seymour By BRYAN JONES Senior Editor jonesbry@umail.iu.edu

“He’s the hero-minded guy. He’s always going to help the little guy.”

Superman— the integrity,” Meredith said. “I realized that Jesus was that guy. Jesus is the original Superman.” When Meredith was 18 years old, he and his brother were adopted. Meredith’s brother began to turn to self-destructive habits, but Meredith did his best to remain positive and could not understand why his brother was acting out. One day, Meredith was getting ready to show his girlfriend a video of him playing the drums, when he noticed something strange on the video camera. He helplessly watched one of his brother’s friends being molested as the video played. After an investigation, police discovered four more video tapes like the one Meredith found, a chest filled with pornographic films and thousands of dollars in money orders addressed to the Ukraine for pornography. “I was overwhelmed. I felt like it was my fault,” Meredith said. After leaving their former step-father’s home, Meredith spent a few nights living in his car. He got an apartment, but he could not afford heat that winter. For a year, Meredith worked three jobs. He saved his money and budgeted carefully. Then he applied at IU Southeast, where he met his wife Kathleen Meredith. “We met in the coffee shop,” Meredith said. “It’s kind of like a story book romance.” Kathleen said her husband inspires her each day. “Without him pushing me forward, I wouldn’t have my own Etsy shop selling my creations.” Kathleen said. “I wouldn’t have published two books. I wouldn’t be a freelance photographer, and I wouldn’t be working on my first comic book. He has been the one to nudge me out of my comfort zone. He’s my Superman.” While Meredith remains positive, he said his past does affect him. “It affects me in my drives and motivations,” Meredith said. “I feel like I have to separate myself from my past as much as possible.” Applegate said in some ways, that drive and motivation is demonstrated in Meredith’s stubborn streak. “What he thinks is right, he’s going to stand up for it no matter what,” Applegate said. Meredith said he wants to help other foster children overcome their circumstances. He has already presented speeches and plays telling his story, and he was invited to speak to a group of foster children in Washington D.C. Meredith said his message to others trying to overcome difficult circumstances would be, “Don’t give up. It’s going to get crazy, but hold on.” Meredith also said having a role model can make all the difference. He encouraged struggling youth to find a positive symbol or role model to inspire them. He said he is dedicated to helping others discover that they do not have to be a product of their circumstances, that they can play the hand life dealt to them and win. “Find a friend. Maybe I can be that guy for someone. Maybe my story could help someone else,” Meredith said.

“The Little Shop of Horrors” Review

commits homicide. I have not been to Derby Dinner Playhouse since I was a child and their rendition of “The Little Shop of Horrors” was more than I ever could have imagined. I was really impressed with everything. They did some musical numbers not featured in the 1986 movie and the ending is quite a bit different. I was worried about Jillian Prefach playing the role of Audrey, a young, scantily-clad girl with low self-esteem and her head in the clouds, because the character’s voice has to be right in both her speaking and singing parts, but Prefach showed her talents as an actress and a singer. What really made the show for me, though, was Chiffon, played by Tymika Prince, Ronnette

played by Illy Kirven and Crystal, played by Tamika Skaggs, because their musical numbers went along so well with each situation and the energy each of them showed while singing and acting as people in the play inspired me and made me fall in love with the characters themselves. I tip my hat to Derby Dinner, not only because they put on a much better performance than I thought was possible on that stage, but also because they reminded me that Broadway is not that far from home. I can get a little taste of it by seeing local actors and actresses perform. Not to mention, eating a good dinner, as well. If you see nothing else this year, go see “The Little Shop of Horrors” at Derby Dinner. You will leave with no regrets.


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