theweathervane.org
January 30, 2020
THE
WEATHER VANE
VOL. 66 No. 12
E M U ’ S S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 3 9
Students push for transparent climate conversation EMU President hosts Climate Town Hall Rachael Brenneman & Adam Moyer Staff Writers
Senior Clara Weybright and first-year Aden Weybright speak out at EMU’s Climate Town Hall with President Susan Schultz Huxman.
PREVIEW: NEWS & FEATURE
Father-Son Duo Showcases Art Michael and Alden Hough’s art exhibit is on display next to Common Grounds until Feb. 14.
McKenzie VanHandel
Students grieve tragic loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant Adam Moyer Managing Editor
On a gusty December evening in 2008, seventhgrader Christian Newborn entered the safe hands of Capitol One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. Beaming with excitement, he arrived hours before the 7 p.m. tipoff between the Lakers and Wizards. Not only was Christian about to experience his first NBA game: he was about to see an icon in Kobe Bryant. Kobe, who earned MVP
the previous season, came out of the locker room to warm up an hour before any other player. Christian was fascinated watching him work on the little things. He had watched Kobe play since the 2001 NBA Finals. It felt like a dream to see the basketball legend in person. Kobe would go on to score 23 points, including a 12-foot shot and two game-winning free throws, making the Lakers 16-2. Inside Capitol One
“I’ve always loved to put found objects together.” —Michael Hough
PREVIEW: CANVAS
Basketball Win This week’s Canvas page features photography by Kiana Childress from last night’s women’s basketball game against Bridgewater.
FRIDAY Cloudy with a high of 47°. Make sure to catch the special CAC trivia night in Common Grounds at 9 p.m.!
Kiana Childress
Senior Christian Newborn’s Kobe 7 shoes, displaying the late legend's number and the word "mentality".
SATURDAY
High of 45° with a chance of snow. Compete in The Great EMU Baking Battle, at 8 p.m. in Northlawn Great Lounge.
Kiana Childress
SUNDAY
Sunny with a high of 51°. Don’t miss the CAC Super Bowl party at 6 p.m. in Common Grounds!
Arena, more than 2,500 miles from Los Angeles, “MVP” chants rained down from the stands. The same season, Kobe went on to lead the Lakers to an NBA Finals victory, also winning Finals MVP. He would go on to accrue both of those achievements again the following season. *** “What hurts the most is I never got to meet him,” EMU senior Christian Newborn said on Monday. “If I could’ve just have a 30-minute conversation with him…” For Christian and many others, it felt like the world stopped turning on Sunday afternoon. At 2:32 p.m, TMZ, an entertainment tabloid, was the first to tell the world—in a tweet—that NBA legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash. The pure weight and shock behind the news threw the social media platform into a state of chaos.
Students crammed into SSC Room 104 Monday morning to attend the EMU Climate Town Hall. Some stood in the back, others lined the walls as the last seats were filled. Senior Emma Yoder, President of Earthkeepers, Professor Doug Graber Neufeld, and President Susan Schultz Huxman all participated as panel members to share perspectives from the student body, faculty, and administration. The panel, organized by senior Emerson Brubaker and working with the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS), was designed to begin honest conversations between the student body and administration about addressing climate change at EMU. The town hall “showed the necessity of dialogue needing to be achieved,” Brubaker said following the event. “The fact that it was a Monday morning, it was poorly advertised, and yet at least 70 people showed up, I think makes it pretty obvious that there needs to be a channel of communication between administration and students.” Though not the first conversation with administration, it was one of the first instances where students could speak directly with President Huxman. Students voiced concerns about past, current and future sustainability efforts at EMU. One major topic of conversation was the natural gas-powered microgrid EMU installed in 2018, and differing opinions on the costs and benefits of the installation. The absence of an appointed Sustainability Coordinator was another area of concern, as student leaders have expressed frustration about a lack of true support from administration for sustainability projects. Coverage of the EMU Climate Town Hall event will appear in next week's issue as the Weather Vane seeks to connect with additional sources and individuals involved.
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MONDAY
Sunny with a high of 65°. If you’re feeling musical, check out the hymn sing in Martin Chapel at 9:30 p.m.
TUESDAY Cloudy with a high of 60°. Come support the women’s basketball team at 7 p.m. in UC!
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January 30, 2020
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NEWS & FEATURE T h e Weat h er Va n e
Students reflect on life and legacy of late Kobe Bryant Continued from Page 1
The 19 minutes it took for ESPN to confirm the news felt like an eternity as fans clung to hope that TMZ made a huge mistake. But it was true. Kobe Bryant, one of the most talented and influential stars in NBA history, was dead at 41. Media reports began conflicting on the number of casualties as first responders dug through the horrifying scene in the fogged hills of Calabasas, CA. The world would soon learn Gianna Bryant, Kobe’s 13-year old daughter, and seven others were also killed in the crash. It’s hard to understate the impact Kobe Bryant had in his 41 years of life. Athletes and fans everywhere are crushed. Tributes started pouring in from every corner of the world. From the United States to China, from Paris to Moscow, millions of people— men, women, kids, parents, grandparents, athletes, non-athletes, students, teachers, doctors, plumbers, accountants, politicians, and taxi drivers—lost a life-long inspiration in Kobe Bryant. EMU students were personally impacted by the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant. The Weather Vane spoke with students this week who agreed to share their reactions to Kobe’s tragic death, their memories of his career, and ways that Kobe impacted them. Sammy Thomas was at home on Sunday afternoon. Things were normal. His mom was cooking, and his sister was playing with her cat. When he saw the news from TMZ, the first thing he
felt was confusion. Confusion soon turned into disbelief, and disbelief turned into shock. Somewhere between eight and ten years old, Sammy met Kobe while on vacation with his family in California. He and his dad were in their parked car outside a grocery store when they spotted him. Of course, they followed him inside, where Kobe would give Sammy an autograph and pose for a picture. A former basketball player himself, Sammy watched YouTube videos of Kobe’s fadeaway to learn from his techniques. “Everyone grew up wanting to be like Kobe,” he said. “He inspired people to pick up a basketball.” He has four or five pairs of Kobe shoes. Dion Harwood and Cere Sawyer are both new members of the EMU men’s basketball team. Dion was in Yoder Arena playing basketball when he found out. “All I could do was sit there,” he said. He said Kobe felt like family and that it hurts to lose him. Cere’s old jersey number was 24 because of Kobe. Cere was always mesmerized by Kobe and would study his defense. Cere “just wanted to go to the gym” when he found out. Casey Hertzler was picking up his brother at a rec center in Harrisonburg when he found out through a group chat message. He thought it was “some sort of joke.” Casey remembers Kobe’s alreadylegendary status in the mid2000s and vividly remembers the 81-point game. He noted the outpouring reactions from the sports world and from friends on social media. “[Kobe] inspired just about
everybody,” Casey said. One of Casey’s old high school teachers posted on Facebook that she would cancel her classes on Monday, dedicating class time to studying Kobe’s poem, “Dear Basketball.” Kei Grey didn’t believe the TMZ tweet. Kobe was someone Kei looked up to; a mentor. He learned from the relentlessness and the fearless mentality Kobe brought to the court every game. Also a big fan of Allen Iverson, Kei remembers the Kobe-AI matchup in the 2001 NBA Finals, specifically Kobe’s 31-point performance in Game 2. Kobe taught Kei that every day you’re alive is a happy day. Jared Bergman was in Hartzler Library on Sunday afternoon. When he saw TMZ’s tweet, he didn’t believe it. After reports confirmed, he still didn’t want to believe it. Jared drew from Kobe’s intensity and competitiveness, and he said he’ll never forget Kobe’s 60-point final game. “Insane” and “surreal” are words Coleman Briguglio used to describe the moment he found out. Recognizing Kobe as the obvious focus right now, Coleman hopes people can also grieve, remember and hold space for the other eight members on the helicopter. He remembers how everyone growing up used to yell “Kobe” when throwing things away. Justin Odom also reflected on the “Kobe” shots he and his friends would take growing up. Only if you were fully confident, though, would you yell “Kobe,” Justin said. He remembers friends would bite their shirts in celebration like Kobe did. Justin’s best memory of Kobe was watching him in
the Olympics, where he was “just better than everyone skill-wise.” Alex Mondestin didn’t watch Kobe growing up, but he was inspired by how much he gave back to his community, including with the foundation of the Mamba Sports Academy
Ernesto Verdeja presented a topic entitled, “Predicting Genocide and Mass Atrocities.” Verdeja works as a professor of political science and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame. As the lecture was about to start, people flooded in, both students and community members filling the Strite conference room. Three rows of chairs were even brought in to accommodate the amount of people. To preface the lecture, Verdeja gave an analogy of signals that indicate someone may be about to have a heart attack. He talked about how, if someone has a pain in their left side, it is “highly correlated but not causal” when related to a heart attack. This is the framework he used
for the model for predicting genocide and mass atrocities. His point was that the models he shares do not guarantee a future tragedy. “We work in probabilities,” Verdeja explained. Verdeja focused on two main points: early warning indicators and risk assessment factors. Things that were mentioned as early warning indicators for genocide or mass atrocities were fragmentation, hate propaganda, and increased support for armed weapons. Verdeja then incorporated these indicators into the risk assessment models. According to Verdeja, these models are “a systematic system that provides a country watchlist.” This watchlist compiles countries that have triggers or
accelerators similar to those seen in the past. “Think holocaust,” said Verdeja. Risk assessments are done in order to give organizations like the United Nations information about at-risk countries so that they can be proactive in stopping mass atrocities. Watchlists have worked with countries that were predicted to have violence boil over about two years out. This is signifcant, as Verdeja explained that “by the time [genocide or mass atrocities] happen, it’s too late.” After the lecture there was a Q&A where students and community members were given a chance to interact with Verdeja. Sophomore Andrew Nord asked, “What are some examples of things
for young kids. Kendra Oguamena said Kobe’s death helped her recognize and appreciate the impact that Kobe had on women in basketball. Rest in peace Kobe, Gianni, John, Kerri, Alyssa, Christina, Ara, Sarah, and Payton.
Senior Christian Newborn poses with his Kobe 7’s, which he has inscribed with various words and numbers related to Kobe Bryant.
Kiana Childress
Keim Lecture Series: “Predicting Genocide and Mass Atrocities” by Notre Dame professor Ernesto Verdeja Brynn Yoder Staff Writer
To kick off last Friday, history professor Mary Sprunger shared a bit of information about the history of the Keim Lecture series prior to the lecture itself. She said the Keim Lecture Series was founded in the “academic year 2012-13, so eight years ago. The idea of it is to provide our students exposure to a new perspective of some expert scholar… in something related to history and political science.” The lecture gets its name from Albert N. Keim, former professor and academic dean here at EMU. He died in 2008, and this lecture was established in his honor. At this year’s lecture,
that these watchlists have prevented?” This led Verdeja to the topic of Kenya. In 2007 there was violence surrounding the election where “thousands of people were killed.” In 2013, Kenya was gearing up to have an election with the same indicators as before, and concerted efforts were made by the UN to help rulers mediate. Such efforts likely helped avoid mass violence in Kenya. Senior Gabby McMillan said it was interesting to see “practical implications and examples of some of the stuff I’ve learned.” McMillan is a Peacebuilding and Development major. “In peace-building theory and action we go over developing risk assessment models.”
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NEWS & FEATURE T h e Weat h er Va n e
Found objects, metal scraps make father-son art exhibit to find relationships between those elements, and once I do, I will start tacking them together.” Michael also teaches art at Bridgewater College. EMU VACA Assistant Professor Anna Westfall knew of him and reached out, organizing the gallery showing. But rather than a solo show, Michael opted to include his son, Alden. The pair have a strong relationship as artists and often work together, giving each other feedback. “It’s really exciting to be with him, because he’s actually a better welder than I am now,” said Michael. Michael told the story of promising Alden he could learn to weld for his 12th birthday. “Literally the day he turned 12, he said, ‘when can we start?’ About six weeks later I came home and there was an 11-foot dinosaur made out of cut up bicycles sitting in the driveway.” Alden is now working on his Masters in Structural Engineering at
Kate Szambecki Editor in Chief
Students and staff flooded into the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery last Friday for an art opening by Associate Professor of Art Micheal Hough and his son, Alden Hough. The pair create art out of scrap metal, welding it together to form sculptures and wall art. They also dabble in other art forms not displayed in the gallery. Michael has been sculpting since high school. His craft has developed and morphed over the years, and now his specialty is the welded metal scrap sculptures displayed in the gallery. “I’ve always loved to put found objects together,” Michael said during his talk at the gallery opening. “I don’t come to a studio with a formulated idea for a finished piece. I always start with organizing; I gather objects, bits and pieces that are similar or connected in some way… then I start 1
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UVA. VACA Department Chair Cyndi Gusler found the father-son aspect of the show to be what made it particularly special. “It’s really cool to see him working with Alden,” Gusler said. “You can see the father-son influence… the two of them work back and forth as father and son but really as two artists. They share DNA and they share studio space, but they kind of work differently and I think it’s probably beneficial for both.” Gusler also appreciates the creativity and lightheartedness Michael portrays in his sculptures. “What I love about his work is that it’s got a sense of humor that comes through… I mean, they’re found metal, what’s funny about that? But it all has to do with his sense of design. He has a really sharp sense of design and also a sharp sense of wit and he somehow manages to pair them together. There’s
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so much whimsy. Who can make a rusty piece of metal whimsical? Michael.” But why is this important for students? First-year and Art Education major Molly Piwonka thinks EMU’s art openings are “very inspirational. It’s nice to be able to see what other artists are accomplishing, especially
Michael Hough, Associate Professor of Art at Bridgewater College, speaks about his art at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery last Friday.
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EMU students are suggesting ways to make campus crosswalks safer in response to a student being hit by a car two Fridays ago. It was a normal night for this student as she made her way back from the gym on Jan. 19 around 6:45 p.m. As she approached the crosswalk between the University Commons and the Woods dorms, she waited for a campus security car to pass by on her right. When she looked to her left, she saw what looked like a car slowing down for her. She began walking and the car did not stop. She jumped, hit the hood, and rolled off. EMU sophomore Kate Stutzman, who came on the scene after the collision, explained the way one of the passengers in the car described
the student’s reaction: “she jumped like a gazelle!” Amazingly, the student only came out of the fiasco with a few bruises and a short trip to urgent care. Other students, however, are reflecting on ways to be sure this dangerous incident does not happen again. “I think it’s night time when [the crosswalk] is most dangerous … either light it or put a reflector sign by it,” suggested Sophomore Emma Cordell. Sophomore Ike Esh commented, “It’s because the bus stop is there. Cars can’t see people coming,” pointing to an obscured view as the main problem. Police officers made sure to tell the student that it wasn’t her fault, and the couple that hit her offered to pay any of her medical bills. If anything, it has sparked questions as to what EMU could be doing better to keep students safe on the streets.
Photo Highlights: Town Hall, Prince Bellerose
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Student struck by car
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nowadays. You can see an art book and see what people did in history, but [I like] being able to see the up-and-coming movements, because artists are always transforming into different things.” The Houghs’ work will be displayed in the gallery until Feb. 14.
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Left: President Susan Schultz Huxman speaks at the Climate Town Hall.
Kiana Childress
Allison Shelly
Right: Prince Bellerose performs Friday night in Common Grounds.
theweathervane.org
January 30, 2020
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REVIEW T h e Weat h er Va n e
Knives Out a witty and suspenseful mystery, lacks thrill Jenna Lile News and Feature Editor
Following his 85th birthday party, popular crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead, prompting an inquiry and a sophisticated detective to take the case. Detective Benoit Blanc arrives to the estate to figure out what happened on the night in question by interrogating Thrombey’s eccentric and allaround dysfunctional family and his dedicated staff, not leaving a stone unturned. Despite the many twists and turns, wellcrafted lies, and deceits, Blanc is determined to uncover what happened that night and the truth behind Harlan Thrombey’s death. “Knives Out” is the perfect mix of funny and dramatic as we follow the murder mystery that Thrombey’s family finds themselves involved in. The
Knives Out follows the murder mystery of the Thrombey family and is as much of a comedy as it is a murder-mystery film.
movie jumps between the present and flashbacks that follow the story and offer an interesting look into the fabricated lies given to the detective.
Media Rights Capital
As expected, nothing in this movie is as it seems, which is what initially captivated me. There were countless twists and turns that kept me guessing. Just when
I thought I had figured out what was going to happen, another twist brought me right back to square one. I am not going to give away any spoilers for the movie — just be sure to stay on your toes. I think the cast that was chosen for this movie really added to this deception and attracted me to this film even more. Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ana De Armas are just a few that stuck out to me before watching as I knew and loved them already. However, after watching the movie, I think that most of the actors did a fantastic job at keeping the audience interested, and their personalities added to the quirky mystery. “Knives Out” is labeled as a drama-thriller, but I find that to be slightly deceiving. If you go into this movie expecting a thrilling murder-mystery, you will be
sadly disappointed. I would label this movie as a dramatic comedy, and would applaud it within this genre. “Knives Out” is witty with some dark humor thrown in but does not have the thrilling aspects that I was expecting or wanted. Thrilling, to me, would be one step down from horror. After a quick search for the trailer, you will most likely understand that this movie is not in that category. Although lacking these thrilling aspects, I would add that there are plenty of suspenseful scenes that take this movie up a notch. The film is light while talking about dark subjects and tastefully adds in enough drama to keep me interested. I would fully recommend this movie to anyone looking for a fun yet dramatic story that will keep you guessing up until the last minute. “Knives Out” remains in theaters.
Kangnam Style a hidden gem for Korean food on a budget Amanda Hergenrather Editor in Chief
Tucked just a sharp left turn away down Reservoir St. is a food truck so delicious, I am convinced their obscure lot serves as a deterrent against the hordes of college students which would storm their truck daily, were they in a more central location. On the morning of my visit I was the first customer of the day, having pulled into the spacious lot just a few minutes after Kangnam Style opened for business a 11:30 a.m. The unassuming red trailer was identifiable as an eatery only by the black-lettered name and laminated photos of entree options which hung by the “Order Here” window. As the sun started to come out, what I assumed would be a stop for fast food to eat shivering in my car turned into a solitary picnic
at one of the tables which were set up behind the trailer. When my order was ready and wrapped up for me, I returned to my seat and pulled the first steaming styrofoam package from the carryout bag, which thanked me profusely in red lettering. Box number one: the Hosi fries. They had the delicate sort of spice that tickles your nasal cavity. As I pondered the meaning of “Hosi,” (was it barbecue sauce? Hoisin, maybe?) I found it impossible to cease in stabbing the soft and vibrant orange, generously coated, sticky crinkle-cut fries. I was digging my white plastic fork back into the box again even before having swallowed the previous bite. The sweet heat caught up with me after the tenth consecutive fork-full, but a Sprite palette cleanser left me fully prepared to entertain the next course: shrimp fried rice. An over-medium egg
rested atop a mound of rice, sautéed with corn, green beans, carrots, spinach, peas, and bite sized, chopped-up shrimp. The vegetables were all cut into manageable pieces, save for the green beans, which, at an inch long, were the largest component of the dish. This made it far easier to fill my spoon as much as possible, without oversized hunks of shrimp or carrot falling from my utensil, thus slowing my ardent shoveling. My egg’s yolk was slightly gooey, nearly neon orange, leaning towards the fluff of one over-hard. With only one egg to portion among the massive sautée, I rationed my precious yolk and shrimp: one protein per spoonful, please. Unsurprisingly, I was incapable of finishing both hefty portions in one sitting, and the next day I popped my Hosi fries into the oven in a little aluminium foil packet (to
maintain the sauce’s integrity) and microwaved a massive bowl of leftover fried rice. For $15.50, pop included, Kangnam Style gave me two meals worth of authentic, delicious Korean cooking. Though I’m grateful for the
leftovers, next time I’ll be certain to bring a friend. Kangnam Style is located off of MLK Jr. Way, at 1006 Reservoir St., just a short drive from campus, and is open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day but Sunday.
Amanda Hergenrather
Hot and sweet Hosi fries and shrimp fried rice from Kangnam Style.
Bear Fence hike short, scenic and delightfully terrifying Kate Szambecki Editor in Chief
With late winter comes warm winter afternoons, and with these afternoons comes hiking. On one such Saturday a couple weeks ago, after a couple friends suggested a spontaneous hike, I reluctantly agreed after they reiterated how non strenuous it would be (only a couple miles round trip). After all, I hadn’t been to the gym since last year. We hastily gathered our things and drove the forty minutes to Bear Fence, a hike nestled within Shenandoah National Park. My friend had a parks pass, so we got in for free, but for anyone without one it would have cost around $30 to enter by car. However, the website does list some free entry
days for those interested. We parked just off the main road in a small lot, already a fair bit up in the mountains. The air was crisp but I was still plenty warm in my fleece sweater. After the other carload of friends arrived, we crossed the highway to the slightly secluded trailhead. Luckily we had a few veterans of the hike along. The first and longest bit of the hike was just uphill walking, the mossy dirt peppered with rocks that made looking down necessary. It had just rained, so everything was shiny and the naked trees dripped on our shoulders every once in a while. The trees were really the only scenery save the occasional gap that showed us the barely-visible
valley to our left. After a fair bit of uphill, we reached a stretch of rock scrambling. Despite the light mist that had arrived, making the rocks slightly slippery, this quickly became my favorite part of the hike. The rocks broke up the monotony of walking and the sore thighs that came with the constant uphill. A more appropriate word for scrambling might be climbing, because the rocks were solid and big, with foot holds and ridges for us to navigate. We had to step and grab carefully, often hoisting ourselves up only to jump or slide down a slippery rock face. After some intermittent rocks, they began to become the only terrain, and the right side
of the mountain dropped out. With the mossy gray on one side and a steep drop to the other, the climbing was terrifying and exhilarating. If you are afraid of heights, this may not be the hike for you. Rather than evening out to a clearing, the overlook at the top of Bear Fence was… more big rocks. We sat atop the boulders and gazed out over the mountaintop, frigid wind whipping our hair back and forth. It felt dangerous, balancing precariously on top of the world. We drank in the beautiful mountain landscape and took some pictures. When we finally decided to head down, speculating that real rain may be coming soon, we were hit with a violent gust of wind
that caused us to crouch, yelling that we were probably going to die. While melodramatic, it was slightly concerning because of our height and exposure. But once we carefully worked our way down the mountaintop rocks, we reached the shelter of trees and carved-out footpaths once again. From there it was an easy downhill, and we laughed and let the slope carry us back to our cars. It only took us about an hour to complete. The hike was not terribly hard, even for someone who doesn’t frequent the gym, and free with a parks pass. With some friends and maybe a clearer day, I would highly recommend this hike to all for a warm winter afternoon.
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January 30, 2020
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SPORTS T h e Weat h er Va n e
Revamped men’s volleyball program shows promising signs in season opener, outclassing St. Andrews 3-1 Adam Moyer Managing Editor
EMU’s volleyball men are 1-0 after beating St. Andrews in their home opener on Sunday, Jan. 26. It took nine games last year for the volleyball men to secure their first win; this year, it took just four sets. Leading the team with 11 kills each were first-year Ben Childers and sophomore Josh White. Sophomore Drew Bennett added 10 kills. Junior Wyatt Bolinger supplied 26 assists while senior Martin Pou was a force on defense with four block assists. “It feels great,” Pou said after the game. “It’s a lot of weight off the shoulders, especially with these young
guys and how last season went. We wanted to start off right and win, and have that winning mentality.” Pou, a 6’7” outside hitter, is the team’s only senior. He is joined by five first-years, two sophomores and three juniors. The 2020 team is the product of a rebuilding process that took place over the past two years. Following a 21-13 season two years ago, the men’s volleyball program collapsed last year to 4-19 after several talented players graduated. Micah Buller ‘18, Tim Callahan ‘18, and William Raglund ‘18 were among those who formed the backbone of the program for several years. Their departure left a gap. The 2020 crew is young,
rebuilt and re-energized. Head Coach Danielle Lickey reflected on the changes after the game. “It’s a completely different team, really, completely different starters,” Coach Lickey said. “Being able to come out and take that first game starts the season off on the right foot moving forward.” Pou said he feels confident about the season and looks forward to the work that lies ahead. “We did a lot of great things today, but we also have a lot to work on,” he said, “It was messy, we lost the first set. We definitely need to work on the basics, working together and getting that chemistry going.” The St. Andrews Knights, from Laurinburg, NC, were
Jeremy Blain Top: Junior defensive specialist Andrew Livioco steps forward as teammates cheer him on during lineup announcements. Bottom: The volleyball Royals celebrate after defeating St. Andrews 3-1 in their first game of the season on Jan. 26. Sophomore Jacob Durren, seen on the left, secured the Royals’ final point in the 4th set as EMU bested St. Andrews 3-1.
Men’s Basketball* The men’s team were handed their 15th loss of the season in a home game against Hampden-Sydney on Saturday, Jan. 25. The 68-58 defeat to the ODAC opponent extended their current losing streak to 5. EMU shot 42% from the floor and were up for all but 35 seconds in the first half before being outscored 40-28 in the second. Senior forward DJ Hill and center Josh Wheelan led the Royals with a doubledouble, each racking up 12
points and 11 assists. EMU will play an away game against Randolph this Saturday at 2 p.m. Women’s Basketball* The women’s basketball team came up short on Saturday, Jan. 25, losing to Washington and Lee 81-60 at home. EMU Guard Chloe Roach led both teams in scoring with 25 points. EMU fell short despite Roach’s strong performance as the visitors had more rebounds, assists and a
Royals Recap Avery Trinh Staff Writer
better field goal percentage. The team will host two upcoming home games: one on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:00pm against Roanoke, the other on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m versus Shenandoah.
Jacob Durren (front), Martin Pou (left), and Wyatt Bolinger (right) line up in front of the net before the Royals serve.
Jeremy Blain
a team not to be messed with in mid-south volleyball last season. They went 15-0 in their conference and ranked 10th nationwide in the NAIA. The Royals’ nerves were on display in the first set as the Knights took over. Down 115, Lickey called timeout before the Knights went on a scoring streak, pulling away to 20-11. St. Andrews took the first set 25-19 after holding off a late EMU surge. EMU regrouped in the second set. White kicked the team into gear on the first play with a kill off of a short back set from Wyatt Bolinger. Sophomore Jacob Durren played a crucial role on offense and defense. His two blocks kept EMU ahead 8-5 and 1614. Leading 24-23, Durren clinched the second set with a kill. “Fighting back, even after losing that first set and being able to bring it back together, I think that’s a really good sign for us in the future,” the 6’7 middle blocker said following the game. The Royals and Knights went to battle in the critical third set. EMU pulled ahead from an 11-11 tie with four straight points. The Royals led 22-21, then 24-22. A St. Andrews blocking error won the Royals the third set, 25-22. Ahead 17-10 in the fourth set, EMU looked on their way before the Knights crawled back to within one at 21-20. EMU regained their
composure before Durren iced the game for the Royals with a solo block and a kill. Lickey, in her third season as head coach, said the team has a long way to go. “We have to continue to work on the details; the little things,” Lickey said. “A lot of that, again, is just experience and knowledge and IQ on the court. So being cognizant of those weaknesses and vulnerabilities that we have we’re going to work really hard to have the skill set needed to counterbalance those weaknesses.” In the locker room, Coach Lickey congratulated the team on holding off St. Andrews and relieved them of practice on Monday. Ben Durren, an EMU graduate and older brother of Jacob Durren, serves as an assistant coach. Durren said intense practices prepared the EMU volleyball men for Sunday’s season opener. “A big thing is making sure we’ve had high-intensity practices,” Durren said. “Also, we were able to come back a week earlier than most schools, and so that’s definitely helped. We haven’t been afraid to try new or unique things in practice.” Of seeing his brother out on the court, Ben said he couldn’t be any prouder. “I’m so glad to see how much fun he’s had with the game.”
Indoor Track and Field This past weekend, EMU shone brightly at the Finn Pincus Invitational hosted by Roanoke College in Salem, Va.. Not only did the indoor track team earn six top 10 finishes over the two day meet that ran from Friday to Saturday, they set three new records in the EMU Top 10 Record Book. First-year Jansen Miller, Junior Justice Allen and Sophomores Alijah Johnson and Isaac Alderfer ran the 1600m distance medley relay with a
time of 10:48.00, placing them 5th in the race and resulting in one of the fastest times in school history. First-year Kendra Oguamena ran a 200m in 28.33, beating her PR and making her time the fourth fastest in EMU history. The team will go back to Salem this weekend for the Roanoke Division 1 Invite on Saturday. *See Canvas page for updates on Wednesday night’s games at Bridgewater College.
theweathervane.org
January 30, 2020
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OPINION T h e Weat h er Va n e
Editorial: Makeup is artistic expression regardless of gender
Amanda Hergenrather Editor in Chief
“I felt like a heroine,” senior Hannah Nichols said. “It feels like going against community at a large... like breaking free... at the same time it’s something taboo... it can feel debilitating.” Nichols and I were seated in a sunny spot in the Commons. She went on: “In elementary school... I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup. I would sneak
it. I distinctly remember seeing this group of girls on the bus doing their makeup. I remember them putting it on me... makeup was a part of the check-list for growing up.” Now, Nichols wears makeup on occasion to lengthen lashes or cover a spot, but for the most part she goes without. It’s empowering to her and many other women. But this non-action, the decision to forgo makeup as part of a morning routine, isn’t a simple or straightforward choice. It can leave a woman feeling exposed, “debilitated” even, as Nichols said. “Now [makeup is] just annoying,” she said wryly, and I know exactly what she means. Some men who wear makeup experience it in a starkly different way. Seniors James Paetkau and Jared
Bergman have, on occasion, dabbled in the art of makeup. “I felt pretty,” Bergman said, “Frankly...It made my eyes pop.” But while Nichols and other women say they wear makeup for others, Bergman and Paetkau were in agreement that they felt no differently about their bare faces after wearing makeup. They also agreed that it isn’t something they would like to do often, but for special occasions. “It’s just fun,” Paetkau said. “When you’re getting ready for an event and it’s just the same shirt, same pants, same tie... It’s an extra accessory.” Makeup should be able to exist as an accessory and a form of expression. For many men, makeup truly is a form of empowerment: it is counterculture, a rejection of
the idea that the feminine is bad and off limits to the masculine, whereas the masculine is good and accessible for all, i.e., a girl may wear a suit, but it is taboo for a boy to don a dress. If makeup-wearing men become more accepted by society, however, “I can totally see the makeup industry advertising ‘makeup for men,’” Paetkeau said, “Which wouldn’t be good either.” For years, Nichols felt dependent on makeup to make her feel whole, and shedding that dependency is still a daily struggle. Though neither of us wear it on a daily basis, a swipe of mascara might make us confident enough to leave the house, but leave us feeling shallow and vain at having been so concerned with our faces to begin with. When Bergman and
Paetkeau get gussied up with a smoky eye, they feel beautiful, but know their beauty is not dependent on the makeup they have chosen to wear. With the acceptance of makeup on men comes the threat of the makeup industry further spreading their web of cultural dependence, commodifying this form of empowerment. As men and women challenge socially accepted gender norms in these ways, we need to talk about that dependence impressed on women by a society that has made an unattainable standard of beauty the norm. As men begin wearing makeup as an accessory, for the sake of confidence and self-expression alone, allow women this same freedom.
staying at the settlement of Efrat. We split into small groups to converse with Yeshiva students, and they graciously allowed us a period of time to ask them anything that we wished to know. Having recently experienced the conflict from the Palestinian side, and the student being one of theology, our conversation quickly moved towards pacifism and the allowance of violence within the Torah. Our questions were answered thoughtfully, and the student posed a counterquestion in reference to the majority of our group’s professed pacifism. He carried a handgun at all times for the sake of defending himself and his family since he lived on a settlement in Palestinian territory. He queried whether or not we as pacifists would be willing to respond with violence to a threat to our loved ones. In terms of pacifism, this is an entirely valid question and one I deem important for any pacifist to consider: what are
the limits of our nonviolence? These ideas were expanded by an encounter with Professor Moshe Shner, a Jewish theologian and good friend of our group leaders. He has lectured at EMU, and his encounter with our group began by recollecting the Shenandoah Valley. He described the beauty of the rolling green fields, blue skies, and the mountains surrounding our campus. After a wistful pause, he stated
simply that “it is easy to be a pacifist in such a place.” It was a thought that I had never considered, but is incredibly valid. We live in a wealthy country far away from war and strife. Yes, we have problems of our own, but we do not have to consider daily whether or not we will be attacked. This short interaction was far more impactful than the extreme hypothetical offered at the Yeshiva, for it made me realize that pacifism at its core
is an easy question to answer. Do you support violence? Of course not, why would I want to bring violence into my life? However, for those living in situations surrounded by violence, the question becomes more muddled. Thus, I would pose the question: are we pacifists out of true conviction, or are we pacifists for the sake of being able to reject conflict scenarios simply with a voice of opposition?
What is the basis of our pacifism and where are the limits?
Thoreau Zehr Staff Writer
In an increasingly radicalized and conflicted world, pacifists of all backgrounds are forced to consider their beliefs in a more serious light. This reality has reminded me of my time in Israel during the Middle East cross cultural last spring when many of our group were forced to consider their pacifism due to the realities of life in that region. Two main occurrences from this trip spurred this consideration. The first occurred at a Yeshiva, essentially a Jewish seminary, on a settlement in the West Bank when we were
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Students, faculty, and administration engaged in a Climate Change conversation to address growing concerns from students. The only thing we’re trying to be neutral about here is the carbon. This Friday is the start of Honors Weekend. Time to pretend to be hip with the kids. Is Fortnite dancing still cool? The Weather Vane has an entirely new format! Adobe Garamond Pro has never looked better. It’s supposed to be 65 degrees on Monday. My heart tells me it’s the start of spring, but my local weatherman tells me the warmth won’t last for long. We’re already done with two full weeks of classes. Those other wannabe weeks don’t count. Dogs exist. Cats too. I just think they’re neat, that’s all. There was garlic bread at the caf today. Thanks, Bruce. What would we do without you? This was really hard to think of both sunbeams and storm clouds this week. I guess this means... Things are going okay?
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Several cases of the new coronavirus have been found in the United States. Don’t forget to carry your government-issued hand sanitizer. Do you ever think about the fact that one day you came in from playing outside, and you didn’t know it would be the last time? That’s just one of the little things that keeps your friendly neighborhood weather reporters awake at night. “Friends” was removed from Netflix at the beginning of January. Now what am I supposed to watch to relax in the evening? Black Mirror? It’s gotten to the point of the winter where there are no more holidays to look forward to. I guess it’s not like we can make huddling under an electric blanket something worth celebrating. It’s official. We’ve all forgotten our New Year resolutions. Ignorance is bliss, baby. There’s never a time like the present to get in touch with the feeling of dread that you’ve forgotten something. Did you leave the headlights on in your car? Did you forget to get your laundry two days ago? Did you miss that Moodle deadline? You’re welcome. Now we’re all having a bad day.
theweathervane.org
January 30, 2020
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OPINION T h e Weat h er Va n e
We must release our propensity for violence, choose hope
Elliot Bowen Contributing Writer
When I first heard the news that President Trump ordered the killing of Qassem Soleimani only three days into the new year, I did not feel relief that the architect of Iran’s shadow wars in the Middle East had been killed and could do harm no more. Nor did I feel anger at the United States for making such a reckless and uncalculated decision. I thought of Soleimani, and I felt sadness. I thought of the Iranian people, and I felt sadness. I thought of President Trump,
and I felt sadness. I thought of the ease at which Soleimani designed and carried out plans to take the lives of others, and how with the same ease my country took his life and the lives of those he was with. I felt a sadness so troubling at the thought that we have not only made killing come with ease, but that the killing of someone we are told is an enemy of our country brings relief and is cause for celebration. I began to hope: not in war. Not in sanctions or nuclear deals. Not even in peace but against all I had left: hope itself. Violence permeates and thrives not only in relationships between governments but also in the relationships we have with each other here in our own country, in our own state, even here at Eastern Mennonite University. Violence is not always a clandestine operation meant to push our own ideology on someone else or a drone strike meant to kill in the name of
peace. Violence is a physical touch meant to leave a bruise. It is a word meant to wound the mind. It is intimacy, sexual or emotional, that has been violated or abused. It is trust that has been shattered. It is the passing of judgment in the name of religion. It is hoping against hope, desiring for an end instead of a beginning. I was not in Iran when Soleimani was killed, and the tension and the fear in the aftermath of the killing was not tangible to me, but I felt the presence of violence. I continue to feel its presence in class or casual conversation when someone is attacked with a punch or a kick or a word sharpened with vengeance and a longing to be safe. I have witnessed violence. We have all witnessed violence. I cannot ease the tension between the United States and Iran. I cannot bring back to life Soleimani or the lives that he took. I am not calling on us to do this either. I am telling this
story to remind us that we all have experienced violence of some form. Whether it is a war of drone strikes and bullets or a war of words and eyes sharp enough to leave a scar, we all know violence, and we carry it with us. I want to remind us that we have the capacity to be violent ourselves. We do not all have the power to order a drone strike, but we have hands and mouths and eyes and the history of violence we carry with us. I must also remind us that we have power over the violence we carry. I am not going to say that we must simply have hope and be done. No, we must have hope and not be done. We must put away our potential for violence and our desire to give endings. With trembling hands and voices and a fear
Life needs some pain and sadness
Fatimah Subhi Circulation Manager
Now that you are reading this, I assume you are a human being living on planet Earth, and every day you encounter at least one thing that makes you sad and wish that bad thing would just fade away. We are always in an endless fight with our emotions. We try so desperately to make them positive and to feel satisfied, but what if all the things that made us or are making us sad never existed? Would life still look the
same? Take a minute to pause, and think about the dream-land that’s empty of all problems. How long would you like to stay there? Let me guess. Maybe one day or two? Then what? You would start vomiting the joy you were surrounded by. As much as we might hate to admit that, we need to feel negative emotions in our lives to a certain degree. As Laurell K. Hamilton says, “They say there is no light without dark, no good without evil, no male without female, no right without wrong. That nothing can exist if its direct opposite does not also exist.” I will not tell you how to overcome sadness. Instead, I will tell you how to live it. First: Get a tissue box because you will cry until you look at the mirror and you see a potato instead of your face. Second: Honor yourself
for the ability to feel. You do not want to live in this world numb. Feel the pain in your whole body and watch how it shapes you. Third: Listen to your body and what it is trying to tell you through these feelings. It’s not about overcoming the feelings; it’s about knowing why they are occurring within you. Fourth: Go out there and be sad with someone. We all complain about loneliness, but are we really lonely, or do we hide ourselves from each other? We all want to feel needed, and that’s basically why we do everything in our lives—from waking up in the morning each day to choosing a career path for ourselves. You need people today and they will need you tomorrow. This is how life’s wheel keeps moving forward. So, it’s normal to breathe, smile, and be sad.
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in the prospect of hope, we must have mercy in our ideas of what is “right” and what is “wrong.” We must remember the relationships we have here at EMU and wherever else we may find home, and we must give ourselves and the people we know and the people we will meet a beginning instead of an ending. Let there be no knives in our handshakes, no bullets in our words, and no damnation in our gaze. This is not an easy task, and it may not seem relevant to all of us. But we cannot see what people carry in their bodies and on their minds, and others cannot see what we carry on ours. In a world of veiled wounds where violence comes with such ease, what else are we to do?
WEATHER VANE Editors in Chief Kate Szambecki Amanda Hergenrather
Front Page Editor News & Feature Editor Review Editor Sports Editor Opinion Editor Canvas Editor
Kate Szambecki Kate Szambecki Erin Beidler Adam Moyer Rachael Brenneman Kiana Childress
Managing Editor Adam Moyer Copy Editors Kate Szambecki Anali North Martin Hannah Leaman Silas Clymer Amanda Hergenrather Brynn Yoder Puzzle Master Cameron Byer Photography Editor Jeremy Blain Web Manager Silas Clymer Business Manager Amanda Hergenrather Circulation Manager Fatimah Subhi Faculty Adviser Kirsten Beachy The Weather Vane is published weekly by undergraduate students of Eastern Mennonite University. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the university or its affiliates.
On The Sidewalk with Amanda Hergenrather
“What color is your aura?” “Light blue.” -Aaryan Thapa, first-year
“Sunset orange.” -Gabe Nafziger, first-year
“Bright yellow.” -Neo Carter, first-year
“Blue.” -Prasamsa Thapa, firstyear
theweathervane.org
January 30, 2020
CANVAS
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T h e Weat h er Va n e
Royals Men’s Basketball at Bridgewater Photos by Kiana Childress
Juniors Tie Evans (top), Tim Jones (right), and Michael Williams (bottom) compete at Bridgewater last night. The Royals won 80-67.