#2 V30
Winter Issue
Jets player visits Molloy By Diana Shorthouse Student Features Editor
Author inspires freshman class
By Alexa Sussman Academics Editor
At this year’s Convocation, Ernest Cline, author of this year’s common reading book, Ready Player One, addressed the class of 2017. He presented the attendees with his life story; one filled with video games, Star Wars, and a rise to stardom. This seemingly average Ohio native is now an accomplished screen writer and author, all thanks to his enthusiasm for all things technological and science fictional. Cline wrote his first screenplay in 1996, a sequel to the cult film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. He wrote the screenplay for fun and viewed it as fan fiction that only he would enjoy. However, he made it available to the internet world and soon discovered that other fans of
Buckaroo Banzai were reading and enjoying his screenplay. Then, as buzz for the new Star Wars film, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, began to increase, Cline had an idea for another screenplay. This time, he would base what he believed to be just more fan fiction on his desire to see the new movie. His fan fiction would turn into an actual movie, Fanboys, that would finally be released in 2009. After many problems with the Fanboys production company, Cline decided that he wanted to write something that would be untouched by outside parties. He wanted to write something and present it to the general public exactly as he had intended it to be. Because of this, Cline was driven to write his first novel, Ready Player One. He drew his inspiration from the video games and culture of the 1980’s, the decade in which
Cline spent much of his formative years. He decided to write a story that would combine a Willy Wonka type competition and the mysterious “easter eggs” that video game designers would hide in their games. Cline was able to sell his novel to Random House Publishing Company in June of 2010. A film adaptation of the book is currently being made. Ernest Cline does not like the terms nerd or geek. Instead, he prefers the less negatively connotative enthusiast. There is one thing that no one can argue, and that is that Cline is most definitely an enthusi-
ast. His presentation on serves as a shining example of the “American Dream.” Cline liked something, then wrote about it, and eventually became famous. He became a successful screenwriter and novelist writing about topics which he loves. If anything, Cline’s story is an inspiration. He is a regular guy who has a movie and a New York Times best-selling book that is being turned into a movie. And he still is happy to come out on stage for an hour with nothing but a bottle of water and talk to an audience of college students as if they were his peers.
Some say it’s who you know, and for freshman Robbie Elkin he really knows some important people. On Nov. 14, 2013 Elkin held an event called ‘Jump Rope for Hearts’ in the Public Square. This event consisted of a silent auction with many special prizes, along with jumping rope for a good cause. To make this event extra special, former New York Jets player, Marcus Dixon attended. “I am very happy to be at Molloy to help out with this event. One of the silent auction prizes was for me to play touch football with students while the event was going on,” Dixon stated “This all started off as a Philosophy project. I was truly amazed at the turnout of this event, “ said Elkin. All of the proceeds collected were donated to the American Heart Association.
Josh and Marcus Dixon at the Jump for Hearts Event in the Public Square at Molloy.
Toy drive brings joy to children during holidays By Vivian Stein Student Media Secretary The holidays are right around the corner, which means it’s time for the 2nd annual “Maria’s Toys for Tots,” sponsored by Molloy College Student Media. Maria’s Toys for Tots was started by Molloy sophomore, Maria Pulella. Maria started this fundraiser at the age of nine when her cousin was sent to the hospital. When Maria called her to see how she was feeling, she explained to Maria how upsetting and depressing it was in the hospital, so Maria took charge and asked her parents if she could do something to help. She eventually came up with the idea of this toy drive. The next year she saved up $300 of her own money, asked her family for some
help, and went out to buy all new toys for these children, which would then get delivered Christmas day to them. It is now years later, and she is keeping up the tradition. Every year, it has grown bigger and has brightened up so many. Maria continued it into high school and has now brought it here to Molloy College. Last year, Molloy students and faculty donated 600 toys, and 750 more were donated from Lawrence High School. Maria has taken initiative and put others before herself, but she would like to say “I couldn’t do it without the help of every person who donates and every person who helps me along the way. I can’t wait to have another amazing turn out!” If you have any questions regarding the toy drive please email mpulella@lions.molloy.edu.