WRESTLING FOR THE WIN
MEDIEVAL SADIE HAWKINS
6 Duhawks are crowned champions at Pella invitational
Read the story about a girl who doesn’t need rescuing
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SEEKing for Christ
February 14, 2018 — Vol. 97, Issue 9
by ALEX RHOMBERG staff writer
Instead of taking a J-Term class this winter, a group of Students from Loras attended a Catholic conference from Jan. 3-7 titled SEEK in Indianapolis, Ind. SEEK is a conference hosted by FOCUS every other year, taking place in a new location each time. The conference brings together university students who are connected with FOCUS, and are looking for a greater exposure to Christ. It is an experience of great encounter, with thousands of other young adults from around the country, and different nations as well. All are welcomed to SEEK and are encouraged to attend with an open mind. Whether Catholic, Atheist, or even unsure about religion or God, all were greeted with outstretched arms and welcomed to attend the conference. The group FOCUS who hosted the event is by no means new or breaking the ice. The Fellowship of Catholic University Students has been around since 1998 and was founded by Curtis Martin of Benedictine College. FOCUS engages in university outreach and intends to help college students develop authentic friendships while diving deeper into their relationship with Christ. Loras currently has four serving missionaries, all of which attended SEEK, Hunter Beggs, Hayden Merkel, Veronica Kremer, and John Piccone. SEEK was an experience that offered many opportunities to grow for all who attended. The day was started with Mass, a
photo by ALEX RHOMBERG
celebration of the Eucharist with over 17,000 people. Each day offered a gender specific talk for both groups and brought forward topics of great importance for each. The rest of the afternoon was accompanied by a series of speakers giving talks about topics of their expertise and experiences. Each talk had its own message, and students could pick and choose the talks in which they wanted to attend. Each night was ended with another talk as an entire group and an entertainment event of some sort. The nights featured a comedian, a movie, a cultural festival and music group, and the last night featured a concert by the band “Need to Breathe”. One of the nights featured adoration and confession with everyone, where many hearts were touched by the true presence of Christ. The conference was concluded the same way it started with Mass as an entire group, but with a group of over 17,000
people who had been touched, and had a burning passion to share their experience at SEEK 2019. Here are just a few testimonies of those from Loras students who attended SEEK: “I signed up for SEEK because I’ve never been to a conference like SEEK before. I was unable to attend NCYC in high school so I thought why not try something similar to it in college. I had no idea what to expect going into it because I have never been on anything like it before.” – Sophomore Meredith Recker “I was expecting an opportunity to grow closer with Jesus Christ with so many amazing Duhawks. My expectations definitely stayed true because not only did I grow closer in my relationship with God, but also with so many amazing young men and women.” – Junior Jake Heidenreich “My experience at SEEK was honestly life
changing. I was able to grow in an authentic community with those around me. My biggest takeaway from SEEK would be that it is only when we deny the world’s lies and expectations about who we ‘should’ be that we are able to truly love who God created us to be, and that is when we can live authentically with one another.” – Junior Catherine Klostermann “Overall, my SEEK experience was awesome. I would give it a 10/10. The group from Loras that went was awesome, which definitely added to the experience. My favorite part was something that I think was universally liked- Eucharistic Adoration. It was so cool being in a room with thousands and thousands of other college students, being at complete peace, Adoring Jesus, there’s nothing even comparable.” – Junior Ethan Holverson Continued on Page 2
Acting like spring The nasty weather as of late suggests that winter will not be letting up anytime soon, but the Loras Players are performing the ‘Spring Play’ nonetheless
later in the semester. They began practicing in November and have been working on it tirelessly ever since. With an experienced crew, the players will be ready to put on a show. “I think most of the cast and crew are eager to perform the show, it has been a long process. We know it is a drama, but it deals by ALEX RHOMBERG with some heavy subject matter so I think staff writer we are still getting used to being so serious. The spring play is right around the cor- The Loras Players love to have fun, but we ner, and just in time for Valentine’s Day. know we have to be serious too. We want to This Thursday through Saturday, Feb. make sure we put enough emotions behind 14-16, join the Loras Players in the St. Jo- our lines. This drama is quite the opposite seph’s auditorium as they perform the 2019 from the fall play, “Around the World in Spring Play of “Hedda 80 Days”. I’m very excitGabler,” written by Hened for this play. I haven’t rik Ibsen. been in one since the fall Junior Brigid Flaherty, We know it is a drama, of my first year here at a member of the cast said, Loras” said Flaherty. but it deals with “It’s a drama that focuses The cast includes: The some heavy subject on the main character, cast includes Caroline matter so I think we Hedda Gabler, who is B r e i t b a c h ( He d d a ) , are still getting used newly married and is tryEr vin Yahr III (Tesing to fit into her new lifeto being serious. man), Morgan Muenstyle. As if her new husBrigid Flaherty ster (Brack), Brigid Flaband and in-laws weren’t Junior herty (Thea), Skye Miller enough for her to grapple (Lovborg), Amber Krieg with a couple people from (Julie), and Emily Lemire her past show up too. (Berta), with stage manThere’s a mix of love, anger, manipulation, agement by Amelia Foley, production assisand desire for power in this play.” tance and costume design by Jake Heelein, The crew first auditioned for the play and direction, scenic, lighting and sound back in September along with the Fall play. design by assistant professor Ryan M. They did not get their roles, however, until Decker. As the clock ticks, the excitement
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graphic by ANNA PETERSEN
and nerves become all the more real. Brigid said, “I keep looking over my script just in case I forget anything, but I’m looking forward to performing. I believe the cast and crew is comfortable and hitting our stride. We’re getting over any bumps in the road and the cast knows their lines, though sometimes we second guess ourselves or jump the gun. It’s hard to believe that we perform this week, but I know we’re ready. Ervin is very excited for
his performance and says “tell [everyone] I’m a feature!” His humor always makes for a joyful night of performing. Loras students can get into the show for free with their student ID’s. The stage will be set in ‘black-box,’ meaning the audience will be up close and personal with the scenes, getting the opportunity to look in from three sides. There will be limited seating so prepare accordingly and arrive early.