USF Vessel Feb 2024

CONCERT CHORALE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

NSIC Swimming Championship 2024

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The Importance of Remote Learning Spaces

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FCA

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Improv Club: What to Expect this Semester

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USF’s European Adventures: Art, Media, and Music Abroad

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Thursday Night Worship

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Chutes and Ladders Club

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Rally for the Cougars: USF Cheerleading Tryouts Announced

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Mad to Live

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Coo Aspirations

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Tessa Haag

Rae Voss

Cover Photo by Michelle DeHoogh-Kliewer

Madeline Fremarek

Abigail Whittington

Levi Smith

Kyndra Wonnenberg

Daniel Newman

Regan Lardy

Elliot Dickson

Isaac Beniot

Taylor Murphy

Abigael Olson

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BY: ABIGAIL WHITTINGTON

he Northern Sun Intercollegiate Collegiate (NSIC) Swimming and Diving Championships were a four-day extravaganza. Held here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Midco Aquatic Center, many USF student-athletes volunteered as timers at the swim meet. Each day featured two sessions; a morning and afternoon. Morning preliminary races began promptly at 10 AM. The top twenty-four swimmers in each event would then advance to the A, B, or C finals in session two, beginning at 5 PM. The Cougar women’s swim team finished fourth out of nine teams with

with 607 points. This is an impressive feat, as the top three women’s teams (Augustana University MSU-Mankato, and St. Cloud State University) all have diving programs, adding a substantial amount of potential points that USF misses out on. Regardless, the Cougars finished just thirty-nine points behind SCSU, the third place team. Concordia St. Paul finished over two hundred points behind USF. Throughout the meet, the Cougars saw twenty-four podium finishes, two event winners, and nine All-Conference performances.

On day one, Alessia Moro earned AllConference honors in the 1000 Free with a DII B-cut time of 10:23.40 and a third place finish.

Alongside Moro on the podium was Sarah Knox, with a fifth place finish and a time of 10:29.81. The 800 Free Relay team, consisting of Alessia Moro, Valentina Brunelli, Phini Schumacher and Valarie Childs, earned AllConference honors with their time of 7:39.00 and a second place finish.

On day two, Phini Schumacher won the 100 fly with a DII B-cut time of 55.86, earning All-Conference honors. Also on the podium were Domenica Solano Ocampo, finishing fifth with a time of 57.30, and Inn She Yap finished seventh 57.36. Emily Aten also picked up All-Conference honors in the 400 IM with second place finish and a time 4:33.12. Also on the podium for the 400 IM was Phoebe Mosley in 7th place with a time of 4:37.73.

Valerie Childs was the third Cougar to collect an All-Conference honor on day two. Childs finished third in the 200 Free with a DII B-cut time of 1:52.05. The 400 Medley Relay ‘A’ team, consisting of Domenica Solano Ocampo, Inte Pas, Phini Schumacher and Valarie Childs, finished third on the podium with a time of 3:49.08 On day three, Alessia Moro hit another B-cut time of 5:04.02 in the 500 Free with a fourth place finish. Domenica Solano Ocampo took sixth in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 57.03.

Inte Pas took fourth in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:05.06. In the 200 Fly two Cougars earned All-Conference honors. Valerie Childs placed second with a time of 2:05.59. Phini Schumacher placed third at 2:06.58. Also in

the 200 Fly was Emily Groom with a fourth place finish and time of 2:07.27. The 200 Free Relay ‘A’ team, consisting of Phini Schumacher, Inn She Yap, Domenica Solano Ocampo and Ursula DemarquetAlban, finished fourth with a time of 1:35.66.

On the final day of competition, Inte Pas claimed a DII B-Cut time with her 200 Breaststroke performance of 2:19.60. With her time Pas cemented herself in the history books, becoming a three-time NSIC Champion in this event. In the 200 Backstroke senior Domenica Solano Ocampo claimed fifth place with a time of 2:04.74. In the 1650 Free Sarah Knox finished third with a time of 17:31.00, earning AllConference honors. Alessia Moro was right behind in fourth place, with a time of 17:38.60. Valarie Childs secured a DII B-cut time of 51.90 and a fourth place finish in the 100 Free. The 400 Free Relay ‘A’ team, consisting of Ursula Demarquet-Alban, Inn She Yap, Domenica Solano Ocampo and Valarie Childs, finished fourth with a time of 3:29.35.

Listen to Season 3 Episode 2 of the Cougar Sports Show on Spotify to listen to an in depth interview with Interim Head Coach Anna Moore and fifth-year senior Valarie Childs.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF REMOTE LEARNING SPACES BY: LEVI SMITH

itting in your dorm or your bedroom to do homework has been proven to have negative results on students’ health, so having somewhere to go to get into the zone is crucial for college students.

The University of Sioux Falls wants students to know how important it is to have these comfortable spaces for both regular and online learning. USF has created unique spots on campus where students can learn in their own style. From smaller office-like spaces, to larger, group focused conference rooms, the USF has learning spaces that meet the needs of all students.

These remote learning spaces expand student’s potential. They provide students with the flexibility to attend classes or study remotely, accommodating various schedules and personal circumstances.

This flexibility is particularly valuable for students who may have work or family commitments. These spaces are also equipped with technology that supports virtual learning, such as computers, smart boards, audio equipment, and more.

This integration of technology enhances the learning experience and prepares students for the digital demands of the modern workforce.

Some of the locations on campus where you can join a remote class or study are the Prayer Room, the Conference Room 106, or the Sun Porch Conference Room (second floor), Room 209 in Glidden Hall. The Mears Library has 4 private study rooms, and 2 studios that students can use to attend remote classes. In the Cleveland Center the first floor Library, Room 119 is available along with the small Conference Room 103, and on the

Cleveland Center - Photo by Levi Smith

Library - Photo by Gunner Gould second level, the balcony and open areas. For more remote and study areas, search Remote Learning Spaces on MyUSF. When asked about her thoughts on additional learning spaces at USF, student Cierra O’Malley said, “I think we need extra learning spaces because they provide students with diverse opportunities for learning and collaboration and help with educational growth and it’s nice to leave the dorm room and have a new space to focus and get homework done.”

With each remote learning space having a different purpose and setting, students have many options to find the perfect place to get their work done. “One of my favorite remote learning spaces on campus is the Glidden Sunroom. I also like to do schoolwork in Coops. It’s so fun seeing all the students and it is nice to be able to grab a coffee and get some work done,” said O’Malley. The University of Sioux Falls appreciates their students and wants them to thrive. These remote learning areas on campus give students an extra space to lock in so they have a space to succeed in whatever they’re doing.

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES BY: ISAAC BENOIT

he Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has been growing over the last few years at the University of Sioux Falls. It has become a way for athletes and now some nonathletes to get together and fellowship with one another.

It is a way for everyone to be united, where they can be humble and vulnerable with each other, and recognize who is ahead of them every day of their lives. FCA centers its focus on God’s love and mercy for all of us, and how being an athlete or even just a college student can make it hard at times to remember that. FCA provides that reminder every week on Monday at 8 p.m. in Big Z. FCA has great leadership as well, gaining a new official leader named Jake Koenes and having the help of other USF students, such as Denver Decker.

Denver Decker is a senior, majoring in criminal justice and psychology and runs track and field. He started going for various reasons, but the main reason was because of Carson Hausmann. Hausmann was part of FCA for a while and a former FCA leader representing USF students. “Carson was a huge leader on the team with his faith, without being one of the top performers when it came to track. He drew me and many others into coming because he made the Gospel so appealing in the way that he lived. He was always filled with such joy, and I loved how much he was able to be himself,” said Decker. Decker was intrigued by Hausmann and the way he presented himself which played a part in Decker’s journey throughout college.

Decker also found meaning in the importance of having a personal relationship with God while attending FCA. “Without having a personal relationship with Jesus where you’ve fully

committed your life to him, any success that you have in anything, mainly sports for us athletes, is all useless if you don’t do it with Christ at the center.”

Jake Koenes, the new head leader for FCA has the same beliefs as Decker. Koenes believes that FCA not only provides a relationship with God, but also understands who God is. It helps you realize your identity is in who God made you to be, understanding your worth, essentially. “For athletes, there is a lot of pressure from culture, to live up to an expectation.

Whether it is from sports or social lifestyle. Culture’s idea on how we should behave and how we should look is completely different than God’s idea of how we should look and how we should behave,” said Koenes.

Koenes and the FCA are on a mission of disciplining others and leading students and athletes into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

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ove performing? Interested in meeting new people and gaining confidence while you’re on stage? Then USF’s Improv Club is just for you! The club has been around since 2011 and was created by Debbie Jones, a former student at USF. Court Anderson, the club’s current president, says that improv is “all about creating friendships as well as working on your personal confidence while being on stage talking with people.” In the club, members will play different types of games that will test their improvisational skills.

The Improv club meets every Monday and Thursday in Big Z. Clare Stephan, Improv Club’s current vice president, gave us a glimpse into what a normal rehearsal looks like. “We start off with a warm up game. Once everyone has played in

the warm up game, everyone sits back down and Court and I come up with an objective of what the club needs to get better at.” Stephan continues, “We will try and play a couple games that reflect on that. We always try and pair people up who we think have good chemistry or even need to build on some chemistry a little bit.” After warming up and playing games such as First Line Last Line and Murder Mystery, the rehearsal ends by playing one last game to wrap up the night.

First Line Last Line, Stephans personal favorite, consists of a group of four people split into two groups. One group is acting out their own scene, while the second group is acting out a different scene. At any point while the first group is acting out their scene, Stephan yells “freeze!”. The last line that the first group said is now the first line the second group must start their scene with.

Murder Mystery, as explained by Anderson, is where one person is given three prompts. These prompts include who they are, where they were killed, and how they died. While this person is being assigned their prompts, there are three detectives sent outside the room. The first detective will enter and try their best to guess the prompts. The second detective enters and must guess the prompts explained by the first detective in gibberish. The third and final detective must also guess the prompts explained by the second detective. After all detectives have been given a chance to guess, each must say who they think the person is, where they were killed, and how they died.

IMPROV IS “ALL ABOUT CREATING FRIENDSHIPS AS WELL AS WORKING ON YOUR PERSONAL CONFIDENCE WHILE BEING ON STAGE TALKING WITH PEOPLE.”

The rehearsals are in preparation for shows. The Improv Club has roughly three to four shows a semester, or one each month. They look very similar to rehearsals, with some slight differences. Each show has a different theme. The people selected for these shows will dress up according to the theme and snacks will be served in accordance with the theme as well. The warmups that are done in rehearsals are now done before the show starts, so that the audience doesn’t have to wait. Games typically played at rehearsals are also played at shows, but the rules will be explained to the audience by Stephan or Anderson. Stephan describes the club’s February show as “a Court versus Clare showdown. Each of us have picked four different people in improv to be on our teams.”

Each team will compete for the most claps and best reaction from the audience. The show was Thursday, February 29. The Improv club would love to see you at future shows!

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ART, MEDIA, AND MUSIC ABROAD

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-term for the University of Sioux Falls kicked off with a journey across the Atlantic for numerous students.

The USF choir embarked on a musical adventure through the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany under the direction of Dr. David DeHoogh-Kliewer.

Simultaneously, the Art and Media departments whisked students from various majors away on a captivating exploration of Italy, France, Monaco, and Spain, totaling seven countries visited.

While many destinations were new for the Art/Media trip attendees, a familiar face awaited them at the Milan airport: Bianca Obradovic. Bianca, having met the trip’s leaders and select students during a previous tour, delighted everyone once again with her extensive knowledge of the area, peppered with her trademark comedic timing and European charm.

“Exploring new places and forging unforgettable memories have been the highlights for me. From ticking off bucket list stops to sharing laughs with friends and savoring delectable cuisines, and above all, Bianca.

She’s been our guide on the last two trips, and I eagerly anticipate traveling with her again!”remarked Erica Sunde, a ‘23 USF graduate.

A particular highlight of this excursion was its emphasis on art and artists found in the area. Students were given the opportunity to visit

renowned art museums such as the Picasso Museum, the Prado Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum.

“Being able to behold iconic works of art like Guernica, Las Meninas, and Saturn was truly a privilege. I cannot speak highly enough of the experience of traveling with USF and Explorica.

Having been on two trips already, I am eagerly looking forward to my third in 2025!” added Erica Sunde.

The Choir trip also reunited with a familiar face, as their tour guide, Yvonne, who had previously led tours for the group.

Senior Paris Whalen shared, “We had the opportunity to share our chorale literature during morning and evening masses, along with staging a combined concert with a local choir in Munich. Our tour was brimming with city explorations and visits to significant musical landmarks such as Beethoven’s grave.”

photo by nick poppens

Erica Sunde (left) Bianca Obradovic (right)

photos by madeline fremarek

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choosing and through the things that you say between worship songs. You’re helping people understand God better, and the goal really is to have people draw close to him,” explained Hamilton. The group’s goal is to provide an environment of worship and vulnerability, which can be seen from the large audience who joins in on the worship. The number, though varying, always seems to fill up Cooper’s Cafe.

hursday nights on most college campuses are usually the time for students to get ready for the weekend, prepare for plans after classes, study for tests/homework, or just take a break from classes until the next day. Thursday nights at the University of Sioux Falls have a different approach. An approach that brings people together to worship God and just forget about school for a while.

Thursday Night Worship is led by groups of students and faculty who come together to share their musical talents, testimonials, and love of God with the intention of worshiping God. Two of the leaders, Elijah Hamilton and Rachel Spenst, pick out a list of songs and talk about their own experience with the group to bring Glory to God. Elijah Hamilton joined the worship team his freshman year and has loved it ever since. “I really connect to God well with music, and I’ve done that for a long time…it’s just a really good way, I think, to not only praise God for who he is; but, worship leading is also a chance to teach in some ways because through the song’s you’re

“As we sing these truths about him, as we express the full range of emotions through worship, a couple things that are really important to me in worship are different cultural expressions. Including things like lament, to show that we can present God with our whole and real selves, also to show the cultural stuff that the church is bigger than just America,” said Hamilton. “So I wanted to stay on the worship team and stay in that leadership position to keep bringing those things, and ultimately I want to see people really worship in freedom, without caring what other people think, and just really expressing themselves to God in an authentic way.”

If you are interested in joining or talking to the worship team, reach out to Austin Ludens in the Student Life Office, or reach out to anyone on the worship team like Elijah Hamilton or Rachel Spenst, and let them know you are interested.

hutes and Ladders isn’t only a game from your childhood, it’s now a popular club on the campus of the University of Sioux Falls. The President of the club is Daniel Newman, the Vice President is Dylan Haugen, and the head referee is Chylee Thompson. The club often plays the official Chutes and Ladders rules we all know and love but sometimes they have games with a twist. In order to keep everyone engaged, the team comes up with new ways to provide entertainment for their following.

on the legacy to Newman and Haugen saying “Continue the club”. The Chutes and Ladders Club meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m., usually at Cooper’s Cafe or on the Quad, weather permitting.

The club has had a Dice Night, where instead of a spinner, you use dice and whichever number it lands on dictates how many spaces you move forward. The team is also coming up with an Uno Night.

Whichever number is on the card, that’s how many spaces you move. The skip and reverse cards will have a place in the game as well.

The club has a tournament based system.

If you come in first place, you get the opportunity to sign the trophy, but if you end up in last place, you have to carry around an old textbook. The club was started by a former student named Cale Engelkes. Engelkes started it because he thought it would be a fun club to do with his friends and when he graduated, he passed

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BY: TAYLOR MURPHY xcitement is brewing as the University of Sioux Falls gears up for its upcoming cheerleading tryouts, set to take place on March 23rd from 9-11 AM at the Stewart Center. Open to all new and returning USF students for the 2024-2025 season, the tryouts promise an opportunity for students to showcase their spirit and skills alongside the guidance of experienced coaches Traci Osterberg and Kayla Slate.

Traci Osterberg sheds light on the tryout process, stating, “At tryouts, our current cheerleading captains teach participants a dance, our school song, and a few chants. Once everything is learned, there is additional time to practice before the actual tryout begins. We typically have each participant complete their tryout as a small group.”

The role of cheerleading in promoting diversity and inclusion within the college community is also emphasized. According to Kayla Slate, “Cheerleading is a great opportunity for anyone to be involved on campus and support school spirit. It allows students to feel a sense of belonging within the athletic community without the pressure of competition.”

When asked about the desired outcomes for cheerleaders, the coaches express a sentiment of fostering a supportive environment. “We always hope that cheerleaders on the team feel included and supported by us, as a coaching staff, as well as others on the team and that they gain a real love for USF and the athletic teams that we support,” says Osterberg. “We love having a tight-knit team that bonds and carries friendships outside of their time at USF.” Regarding the origin of cheers performed by the team, Slate explains, “Most of the cheers and dances are passed down from each year.

We do often add and make changes to make sure we’re staying relevant.”

In essence, the University of Sioux Falls cheerleading tryouts promise not only an opportunity to showcase talent but also a chance to become part of a supportive community dedicated to spreading school spirit. So, lace up those cheer shoes and get ready to join the Cougar family! photos by traci osterberg

photo by rachel mikaela photography 17

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enior theatre major Raelee Voss presents her senior show, Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk’s, The Mad Ones.

The show tells the story of high school senior Samantha Brown, played by Annika Leewarner, as she does her best to navigate her final year of high school without the guidance of her best friend Kelley, played by Raelee Voss. The show also featured Abigail Holmes as Beverley, Sam’s overbearing mother and Toby Knutson as Adam, her well-meaning boyfriend. The show was directed

by USF alumnus Josh Werre with help from musical director Rosalind Hofer and stage manager Tessa Haag. Voss has planned on putting on this show since August of 2023, saying, “Us seniors (in the department) met around April or May of last year to sort out what semester everyone would be doing their project in. At the time I was between two shows, but it wasn’t until August of this year that I really decided that The Mad Ones was the right fit.” The show featured lighting design by Hope Dunkle and sound tech

by Gunner Gould. The Mad Ones struck a chord with Voss, saying,

“I picked The Mad Ones because I felt like I could relate to Sam in a way. She’s just about to graduate high school and is uncertain where her future will lead, if she’ll go to college or go be wild and free.As someone who’s about to graduate college, I sit here with the same conundrum.” The show holds an important message for those going through a big change in their life, and despite heavy themes of death and anxiety about the future, there are many funny moments and features a charismatic cast that keep the mood light. Voss feels that she relates to the show, asking, “Do I further my education or go out into the world on my own? It’s scary to think about but I think the message of the show is helping me feel comfortable in making that choice for myself, just like Sam does.” The show ran from February fifteenth through the seventeenth, marking another milestone bringing Voss closer to graduation. As she contemplates the decision of her future, Voss can remember that she can be, “Mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved…”

Photos by Tessa Haag

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BY: KYNDRA WONNENBERG any majors and minors are pursued here at the University of Sioux Falls, 40 plus to be exact in just the undergraduate program. With multiple options available, the opportunities are endless. Here are just a handful of current students and what they are planning to do with the degree they earn from this university.

Christina Schmidt is studying within the Criminal Justice department. She said she chose this major because growing up her mom would always have a crime documentary playing on the TV and she would watch them with her – each time she watched it, it drew her in more.

Giving society the opportunity to find justice is also why she is aspiring to work within the law system. Schmidt said, “I have always been familiar with it since my parents both used to work as guards in the prison.” After graduation, her goal is to continue with school, attend a law institution, and eventually make her way up to become a prosecutor and possibly enter into family law. She would love to work higher up in the court system too, “My dream job would probably be to work in the South Dakota Supreme Court” said Schmidt.

Raygen Diede, a sophomore, has entered a new beginning as she recently switched her major to Business Administration. Choosing this concentration came easily to Raygen as she explained it was “versatile” and would give her knowledge to start up her own business. Two options come to mind when deciding what business. Woodworking is what she is leaning into more because of her grandpa who has passed. Continuing with carpentry is her way of connecting with him; making furniture along with home decor is business option one. The other option is entering the realtor market to buy and flip houses. Menno or Parkston, South Dakota is her ideal location for where she’d base these businesses since she loves the small-town lifestyle. Coaching for sports like basketball or throwing (for field) is another

Christina Schmidt

Raygen Diede

thing she aspires to do. Diede says, “Sports have been really important in my life so I want other kids to have that experience”. Overall, Raygen wants to work an 8 to 4 job having people work for her giving her time with family, and coaching.

Rebecca Cutler, a junior, is majoring in Social Media Marketing while also minoring in Communication Studies and Theater. “I chose this major because I am creative – I want to learn how to market my own business and I love social media”, Cutler said. Working with the company YoungLife from high school to the present day and running their social media has given her knowledge in the area already.

This year she joined the Cougar Activity Board (CAB) to expand her understanding of the planning world. Her goals after graduation include becoming an event planner and starting up her own business in the Black Hills.

Holding events for churches and non-profits is what she is aiming for in her career. Alongside that, Cutler’s dream is to do event planning for weddings and collect enough money to host free events for individuals or companies who deserve it.

Avery Roth, a sophomore, is currently a Nursing major. Choosing to pursue this specific concentration was not complicated. Inspiration for nursing stems from her mom who is a nurse practitioner. “It was easy to see how hard she worked and how rewarding being a nurse was for her,” Roth said. She has always felt a calling to become a nurse because of her love for helping and providing for people. Currently, Avery is a CAN/MA at the nursing home Prince of Peace – interacting and building relationships is her favorite part of the job. In the future, Roth hopes to finish her accepted program and pass the NCLEX exam following with a job as a grad nurse. One day she wants to be a Labor and Delivery Nurse and would want to work at Avera in Sioux Falls.

Rebecca Cutler

Avery Roth

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