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April 4, 2019 Issue 5 Follow us online

Theology department bands together after loss Spencer Short -- Staff Writer grace is enough, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.” Just a few short weeks after gaining a new And what of the upcoming Prodigal Love of theology professor, Dordt College suddenly God Conference, hosted by Dordt in partnership lost another. Unexpectedly placed on leave, with the Andreas Center? Emily Rowe, one of Dr. David Henreckson, Assistant Professor of the other board members for the conference, Philosophy, left students and faculty wondering said the conference will continue as planned how classes would play out. and will run as smoothly as possible. The event Henreckson was also set to be a major is months in the planning, and with almost three part of the upcoming Prodigal Love of God dozen volunteers at the helm, it shows no signs Conference, a grouping of theological seminars of cancellation. with many prominent speakers in the American “We have sold out of our full registration; and international Christian community. fantastic plenary speakers will be coming; “What I’ve observed and heard from both and we have 40 other pastors, theologians, colleagues and students are expressions of Photo by Spencer Short educators, etc. coming to present,” Rowe said. concern, but also support for Dr. Henreckson,” become a bit more intensive, and that Tazleaar out. “I’m grateful for getting to work at Dordt and to said Professor Mark Tazelaar, another asks more of them than Henreckson previously Rebekah Earnshaw, Assistant Professor be part of this community.” philosophy professor. had. Although he doesn’t see this as a negative, of Theology and Department Chair, put out Whether or not Henreckson will return is Tazelaar is filling in for two of Henreckson’s the difference in teaching styles was a bit personal initiatives to be as open about the currently unknown. classes now left behind. Things are running jarring at first. situation as possible. Earnshaw meets and talks “I have a lot of faith that [Professor smoothly with Tazelaar at the helm and, “Everyone in class has been supportive and with students who were close with Henreckson. Henreckson] will be back,” Funk said. “Now although there are differences in teaching styles, gone with the flow,” Funk said. “Professor “Sin sucks,” Earnshaw said, “[but] we is the time to look at what’s happening and the information continues to be topical. Tazleaar is doing his absolute best to create continue to love God, love our students, and get down to the root issues of the problem and AJ Funk, a sophomore double majoring in a calm classroom.” Even in this time of flux, work for their education and formation in redeem ourselves.” philosophy and theology, feels that class has Funk holds out hope that it is all going to work Christ. These are difficult circumstances, but Kansas City business Talk to the hand: tools for trip: taking advantage of job-hunting at Dordt Emma Stoltzfus -- Staff Writer the education department that sends out a opportunities promotional list of senior education majors to Outside Amy Westra’s office sits a cheerful various schools around the country. Yee Lim Shin -- Staff Writer “The main point of the business trip is to yellow chair in the shape of a hand. The yellow This is helpful for education majors like expose club members to different companies hand is a calling card from Handshake, a Daniel Seaman, who found a job teaching in in order to do some networking and learn how website Dordt uses to help connect its students California through Prospectus. He advises they operate,” Dordt junior and DCBC board with employers, one of many tools the Career students looking for work or internships to member Alan Park said. Development Center (CDC) has in its belt. network and uphold a trust that God can use you Several of the companies students visited had Westra is the Associate Director of Career wherever you end up. Dordt alums as employees, which made the idea Development and one of Dordt’s two employees “The Dordt family and the Dordt grads are of working with businesses like those more of in the CDC. She and Missy Mulder, the Career very good at watching out for the younger a reality. Development Coordinator, work to connect generation,” Seaman said. Students saw what it took to make their way in Dordt students with jobs and other opportunities. Inside Westra’s office are several neatly What has 44 people, one bus, six industry the business world. The two put on several events throughout stacked posters for summer job openings at visits, and seven hours to Kansas City? If you “A lot of people we met with were in higher- the school year. Etiquette dinners, job fairs, Blue Bunny, an ice cream parlor in Le Mars. answered the Dordt College Business Club’s up roles,” said DCBC co-president Bethany graduate school panels, on-campus interviews, She intends to put them up around the campus (DCBC) 2019 Trip, you’d be right. A Business Van Eps, “and all of them talked about what and one-on-one discussions fill the calendar. center later in the day. Club tradition since the 90s, business trips have working their way up looked like.” They use the Handshake platform to interact “There’s nothing that gets me more excited grown over time to give DCBC club members This trip gave students an opportunity they with students and connect them to jobs and than hearing how student’s dreams, hopes and a chance to network and branch out to different would not have been able to get otherwise, like internships sent to the CDC by prospective goals get fulfilled,” Westra says. businesses around the U.S. talking to the vice presidents of organizations employers. But the two-woman staff of Dordt’s career “Each trip gives students the opportunity to and connecting with people that could help Every Dordt student is given a Handshake center doesn’t often hear back from students take what they are learning in the classroom and them land their first job. account using their Dordt information; whether after graduation. Did they get the job? Is it see it at work in the business world,” associate Throughout the whole trip, the industry or not students use it is another matter. The going well? They often never learn the outcome business professor Tim Klein said. representatives stressed the importance of account activation rate is currently at 58%, a after a student leaves Dordt. This year’s business trip had students visiting taking advantage of their opportunities. They huge jump from the old program, according to Regardless, Westra enjoys her work in helping John Deere, Maps Coffee Roasters, Kansas talked about the many ways you can earn a job, Westra. Two years ago, before they started using Dordt students and thinking about the kingdom City Fellows, Made to Flourish, Waddell & the importance of customer interaction, how Handshake, around 16% used the old system. impacts they’ll make down the road. Reed and the Kansas City Chiefs. Visiting these internships could lead to jobs and how we are Dordt’s Handshake has around 4,800 different “That’s what gets me jazzed every day,” she companies gave students a chance to learn and called by God to do everything to the best of job postings. That’s enough for just over three said. “I can’t imagine a better fit than where I’m interact with industries of different sizes. our ability. jobs for every student at Dordt. Also listed at right now.” are approximately 1,300 internships and fellowships. The platform has an app which allows students to make appointments with the CDC. Handshake itself is comparable to other job sites like LinkedIn, but it’s geared specifically toward connecting students and recent graduates. The program’s website boasts that 14 million students and over 700 schools use the service. Another project that CDC works through Photos by Nick Geels is called Prospectus, a joint program with Contributed Photo · News· page 2

Welcome to Walmart: superstore’s new greeter policy Sam Landstra -- Staff Writer A Sioux Center native, Van Maanen has In their February statement, Walmart gave the problem. worked at Walmart for 9 years. This past month its greeters until April 26 (60 days) to find “What’s your birthday?” Van Maanen asks. he made the change from door greeter to self- employment elsewhere, should they not make He punches a code into the kiosk and the light checkout attendant due to Walmart’s recent the transition to customer host. However, turns green. The man thanks Van Maanen and changes to the position. the news was met with significant social heads towards the exit with his bags. In February, the corporate superpower media backlash. The plea of Adam Catlin, a “Have a nice day!” Van Maanen says. began replacing their iconic greeters with greeter affected by cerebral palsy, went viral. Another store-goer walking towards the “Customer Hosts” at over 1,000 stores across Days later, President and CEO of Walmart doors and recognizes Van Maanen at his post. the nation. Expanding upon the responsibilities Greg Foran stated the company was “taking He checks her receipts and the two exchange of a greeter, customer hosts assist in security significant steps to support them” and extended well wishes. In a small town of 7,000, longtime detail, helping shoppers with bags and checking indefinitely the 60-day transition period for greeters are recognizable figures in the receipts. These new tasks come with additional disabled workers. community. requirements, as well. Customer hosts must be The switch from greeter to self-checkout Dordt freshman and Sioux Center native able to lift 25 pounds, climb a ladder and stand attendant has not yielded many challenges for Rylan Brue remembers the day the store opened. for extended periods of time. Van Maanen. The superstore remains the largest shopping Photo by Sam Landstra Affected by cerebral palsy, Van Maanen “People… I like talking to people,” Van center in the area to this day. weighed only three pounds at birth and Maanen said. The new position still allows for “Not many companies have a space for Harlan Van Maanen sits hunched over in his cannot walk without assistance. For disabled high amounts of human interaction. disabled workers,” Brue said. “Walmart is red walker at the back of the self-checkout area individuals like himself, a future at the company “I’m thankful Walmart found a spot for doing a good step to not totally write them off.” in the Sioux Center Walmart. His neon yellow appeared to be in jeopardy. me,” he said. In the past, he has not been so “By rethinking their action, Walmart is now Walmart vest covers a blue Henley shirt. Long, Greeters have been a Walmart staple since fortunate. Using a motorized scooter to move opening the door to actually help individuals wispy white hair peeks out from underneath an the early 1980s, when founder Sam Walton around on the job, Van Maanen worked at Link realize their full employment potential,” Iowa Hawkeyes baseball cap. Large wire-frame formed the position based off a Louisiana store Manufacturing for 25 years until he was fired. said Cheryl Bates-Harris, a senior disability glasses and a thick mustache adorn his face. worker suggestion. In 2003, when Walmart The company claimed they “didn’t have a spot” advocacy specialist at the National Disability Van Maanen watches customers scanning launched their “Diversity and Inclusion” for him anymore. “They wanted me out like a Rights Network. items and placing them into bags with attentive initiative, many disabled and elderly individuals criminal,” he said. Midway through his shift, Van Maanen takes eyes. Around him, the mechanical whir of found employment due to the light demands of The green light above kiosk #4 turns orange his break. Using his walker, he lumbers towards automatic doors usher shoppers in and out the job. However, in 2016, Walmart announced as a middle-aged man in a grey hoodie sweatshirt a motorized scooter stationed at the returns of the store with carts of food and household a plan that would phase out the position as scans a bottle of alcohol. Van Maanen notices area. A Minnesota Twins bomber jacket drapes items. The beeps from checkout lines form an an effort to keep up with companies such as the alert, stands up from his walker, and uses its over the seat. Van Maanen boards the scooter electronic chorus. Amazon, who use online shopping. assistance to hobble a few short steps towards with care and drives off to break. Authors answer questions at Canada Night shares tradition Writing Club event from our northern neighbors Erika Buiter -- Staff Writer to the publisher in person. Haemi Kim -- Staff Writer Ally Visser and Abby Smith performed “Lost “She was furious,” Baart said. “That’s not Boy” by Ruth B., “Hotline Bling” by Drake, how you’re supposed to do it.” The publisher Saturday, March 30: Decorated with ice- and “Baby” by Justin Bieber, where students set Baart’s manuscript in her “slush pile,” or skating shoes, hockey uniforms, Canadian flags, sang together with Visser and Smith during stack of unsolicited manuscripts. Months later, Canadian sweets and Canadian maple syrup, their performance. after reading Baart’s work, the book was picked students were welcomed into 55th by students Other performances included senior Kylie Van up, and Baart’s writing career began. from Canada. Held by the Business Club, Wyhe and junior Andrea Veldman performing For Lee, a career in writing wasn’t on her Canada Night gave students an opportunity to “The Summer of 69” by Bryan Adams and “My radar. She had aspirations of being a ballerina, learn more about Canada through presentations, Heart Will Go On” by Céline Dion on the piano but an injury and college changed her interests. trivia questions, games and performances. and violin. After writing her first manuscript, she “was The two emcees for the night were Canadian The night continued with games. hooked.” sophomores Jake Thorsteinson and Janaya First was the Maple Syrup Shot: four “I wrote my first novel, and it took about six Hirsch. They started off the event by sharing contestants drink Canadian maple syrup in Photo by Erika Buiter years for me to finally sell it,” Lee said. Her short facts about the different provinces in four shot-sized cups and, after drinking each advice to the crowd? “Write the book, and Canada and shooting off trivia questions and shot, flip the cup upside-down to right-side-up At 7:30 p.m. on March 27, Kuyper Loft then you get your agent, and then you get your giving out Canadian sweets to those who from the edge of the table. Sophomore Colton filled with Dordt students, high schoolers and editor.” answered correctly. Ott won by not only finishing the game in first community members ready to participate in Brauning, on the other hand, always knew she “I was honored to be asked by the Business place, but also drinking the last drop of maple conversation with published authors. wanted to write. Club to emcee the night,” Hirsch said. “It was syrup that another contestant had given him. But the authors were absent. “When I was 12, I was essentially writing a cool opportunity to see the joy we were able “I really enjoyed the syrup challenge.” Ott Event organizers Anna Jordan and Professor fanfiction,” Brauning said. “It was one of the to bring, along with the many talents that were said. “I felt a little jittery afterwards, but I Howard Schaap paced and texted, trying to things that let me get away from all the rules, to shared to the students of Dordt College.” enjoyed the concept.” find the missing authors. Chips and salsa sated write for me, and write to love it.” After trivia, students came up to the stage After a round of the Maple Syrup Shot, the the crowd--and 30 minutes later, the authors After playing with fanfiction for years, and performed talents from Canada beginning trivia questions continued, but this time, two arrived, late from a prior event. For Jordan, Brauning turned her pen towards novels. with senior Ian Smit rapping his original song, contestants had to come up and answer three their arrival signified the culmination of months “A first book is kind of like a first child--a “Canada, Eh.” questions to win. When both of the students of planning. practice round,” Brauning said. ‘How We Fall’ “Canada Night was awesome,” Smit said. got stuck on a question, they got some hints “The English profs are wonderful at teaching was the second book she wrote after college. “I “It was such a good time gathering a bunch of or phoned a friend. This didn’t always help us how to write, but something that’s been wrote it in six weeks.” Canadians together to celebrate our heritage the contestants, but it gave the students an neglected is how to publish our writing,” Those weeks produced a 60,000 word and our country.” enjoyable night. Jordan said. “As president of the Writing Club, manuscript, which is now an 80,000-word Emcee Thorsteinson and freshman Hannah The night ended with Burgsma back up on I wanted to give new writers a chance to learn published work sitting in a neat pile on the table Burgsma performed “Under the Snow,” a stage, this time playing “O Canada,” when all how to publish from real authors.” of books for sale by the authors. parody of The Little Mermaid song, “Under the the students stood up and sang together with the The event featured a quartet of authors: Nicole “Six weeks?!” Stuart said, jaw dropping. Sea.” Canadian students. Baart, Kimberly Stuart, Tosca Lee and Kate “6,000 words in a day is a blistering pace.” “I loved when a bunch of Canadians decided “It was so cool to see a bunch of students Brauning. Of the four, both Baart and Brauning Attendees leaned elbows on rows of tables, to sing ‘The Hockey Song’ together on stage. coming to celebrate a country that may or may attended Dordt; Baart’s husband, Aaron, serves eyes focused forward on the four women as It’s such a classic, and I remember listening not be where they are from,” Hirsch said. “I as Dordt’s Dean of Chapel. Seated on four non-traditional publishing paths, letting others to it growing up, so with the nostalgia and the believe that it was a great event to hold; it added raised chairs before several packed rows of read your work, writing strategies, and more patriotism, I think that made it my favorite,” to the community at Dordt, as many students attendees, the authors smiled, chatted with each were discussed. Some chimed in with questions Thorsteinson said. across all grade levels came to share talents, other and settled in for an hour of questioning. of their own; others were content to sit back and There were also non-Canadian students who loads of laughter and Canadian trivia.” Jordan moderated the event, tossing out listen. Anneke Wind, a senior English: Writing performed songs by Canadian artists. Juniors questions about how they got into writing and major, came because she wants to write books publishing. one day. Stuart, a former Sioux County native, initially “I liked what Kate said about central ideas, had no aspirations to become a writer. because I struggle a lot with that in my writing,” “I didn’t start writing fiction until after I had Wind said. “Knowing what the story is about at my first kid,” Stuart said. its core, and letting it grow from there, is really For her, writing became a way to stay busy. good.” But for Baart, her journey to publishing had a At 9:10 p.m., the questions ended and students more Cinderella-like arc. After her husband flocked to the table of books to make purchases talked her up to a publisher on vacation, Baart and chat further with the authors. wrote her first novel. “It went amazing. I’m so impressed,” Jordan “I had no idea how to write a novel, but I said. “Publishing is terrifying and amazing all plunked out 50 pages and sent it to my husband,” at once. If you can do it, you should do it and Baart said. Her husband handed the manuscript have no fear.” Photos by Haemi Kim · News· page 3

Bringing a nation together: Sioux Center’s newest clothing impacts of Cyclone Idai in store: Outlet 75 Danielle Schultz -- Staff Writer more furniture for the store. A few wooden Zimbabwe chairs already stand scattered around the space, Rochelle VanderHelm -- Staff Writer Cyclone Idai was the worst natural disaster In a small building just south of Sioux waiting for more to join them. Boxes of clothes to plague Africa in many years. The last major Center, customers peruse racks of discounted are piled high to the left of the workers, waiting cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere was brand-name clothing, occasionally holding to be unpacked. Because the organization Cyclone Flores in the 70s. up items that catch their eye. Although many depends on volunteers, Outlet 75 is always Kim and Stephen Marques are Dordt students of these customers are older women, one is looking for new people to help balance the from Zimbabwe. Kim Marques first heard about Dordt College sophomore Fey Rodriguez. She workload. it when her friend called her, saying, “Hey, I just is visiting Outlet 75 for the first time since it “I think we always want to grow,” Bosma heard about the cyclone. How’s your family?” opened on March 13. says. Even though Outlet 75 already has Marques didn’t know. But she googled it Fey wanders the store, taking in the unique between 20 and 25 volunteers, she encourages and soon found out. She hadn’t heard from her assortment of shoes, shirts, leggings, dresses, college students to consider helping when they family back home at that point. winter coats, collared shirts, dress slacks and are looking for service projects. “I just went with, ‘no news is good news.’ It jeans. Even baby clothes hang on a few racks in It took one and a half years for Sioux Center Photo from World Health Organization was the strangest thing at first,” Marques said. the back. Brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Christian to make Outlet 75 a reality, and now The Marques family is alright, only Hilfiger peek out from the necklines of shirts one of their goals is to be debt free from the loan Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique experiencing heavy rains from the cyclone, but or the waistlines of pants. Heavy flannel coats they had to take out. The number of cars filling on Friday, March 15, before chewing its way many others in Zimbabwe are still struggling. hang on a rack for only nine dollars each. the parking lot on this beautiful March morning into Zimbabwe and southern Malawi, causing Despite the suffering, Zimbabweans have used The space, formerly the home of Centre is a promising sight for accomplishing this goal. unprecedented destruction. ReliefWeb posted the disaster to come together. Music, has been transformed into a cozy Sporting a purple jacket her mother picked frequent updates over the duration of the “It’s been amazing to see the mobilization “deals-hunter destination,” as the Sioux Center up at the store, Dordt sophomore Ashley Zwart cyclone. of the nation, especially through the church,” Christian website advertises. The outlet’s goal only has good things to say about Outlet 75. In Mozambique on March 21– “At least 242 Stephen Marques said. The disaster has brought is to provide an alternate revenue source for the “I think it’s kind of a unique way to have the people have died and more than 1,400 have out many stories of people sacrificing their own school, according to manager Bethany Bosma community support SCC,” Zwart said. “I know been injured in the aftermath of the Cyclone livelihood for their neighbors. One such story, and assistant manager Melissa Punt. for me, as an alumni there, I still care about that Idai...The death toll is expected to continue to which has gone viral, tells of a 71-year-old “College students were actually the main place. It’s a big part of this town.” rise in the days ahead.” woman who walked several miles to Highland targets,” says Punt, referring to not only the low- Outlet 75 is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. On the 26th – “The official death toll rose... Presbyterian Church with a load of clothes to priced clothing, but also the affordable furniture to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to some 468 deaths as of 26 March, with more help with cyclone recovery. Those clothes were and the Banana Boxes—packages of food sold than 1,500 people injured.” her only source of income. for a fraction of the retail price. Everything Now the cyclone has dissipated, but cholera In recent years, Zimbabwe has suffered from breakfast bars to salad dressing sticks outbreaks are increasingly concerning. On through a time of political unrest. According out from the tops of Banana boxes sitting on March 28, the first cases of cholera were to Kim Marques, Zimbabwean politics has been shelves by the counter. confirmed by the World Health Organization the military versus the people for a very long As for furniture, Outlet 75 boasts a comfy (WHO). Since then, 11 cholera treatment time. She thinks the cyclone has given the couch, a variety of colorful chairs and a desk facilities have been established, along with people of Zimbabwe a way to help each other. among other pieces. During her exploration, measures to prevent malaria. All in all, an They feel like they can do something, instead of Fey takes a seat on a gray, upholstered couch estimated 1.8 million people in Mozambique, being the victims again. Although Cyclone Idai soaking in sunshine streaming through a Malawi and Zimbabwe need humanitarian has devastated many lives and displaced many window. It would be nice for her apartment next assistance, with pregnant women giving people, Zimbabwe has pulled together under year, she tells her friend, before getting up to birth on dirt floors and at least 91,000 homes the stress of flood, wind and rain. examine a couple of metal bookends with goats destroyed in Mozambique alone. on them. In the warehouse part of the building, several elderly volunteers work on assembling yet Photo by Danielle Schultz Robert Mueller investigation concludes Nursing students host health Connor Van Hulzen -- Staff Writer “The Mainstream Media is under fire and being fair at Grille scorned all over the World as being corrupt and After almost two years of controversy, FAKE. For two years they pushed the Russian Evangeline Colarossi -- Staff Writer that identified dry, oily, dead, or healthy skin arguments and relentless hypothesizing about Collusion Delusion when they always knew through a varied color spectrum. Several tables what he would find, Robert Mueller has finished there was No Collusion. They truly are the Wednesday afternoon found the Grille flooded down the row, nurses tested blood glucose levels his investigation into allegations of collusion Enemy of the People and the Real Opposition with students getting tips on how to live their and identified blood types. Students could play between President Trump’s election campaign Party!” healthiest life. Sophomore and senior nursing a matching game to determine what blood types and Russia during the 2016 election. With both Republicans and Democrats students presented on a variety of topics with are compatible for which donations. With the completion of the investigation, claiming the final Mueller Report as a victory, handouts, hands-on activities and visualizations Vital signs, body mass index, and mental Robert Mueller submitted his finished report, the actual contents of the report are yet to be to educate Dordt students on aspects of health were other tables in the lineup. These which is rumored to be nearly 300 pages long, seen. However, both President Trump and obtaining and keeping a healthy body. stations let the nursing students practice to Attorney General William Barr, who then members of Congress on both sides of the aisle One group covered what the ideal healthy running tests and explain the importance of gave Congress a four-page summary of the have so far come to a consensus that the full meal looks like and how your portion sizes those subjects to the inquiring students. longer document. report should be shown to Congress. might be underestimated. They used examples Once a student had gone through all of the According to Barr’s summary, after 2,800 However, the copy Congress will receive of seemingly healthy foods from the Grille, tables and gotten their “health passport” signed subpoenas, 500 search warrants, and 500 will not be the report in its entirety. According such as smoothies and chocolate milk, and off, they could enter into a prize drawing. witness interviews, “The Special Counsel states to Attorney General Barr, a redacted version of comparing their sugar content to a suggested Students also received encouragement to go that ‘while this report does not conclude that the Mueller’s report could be presented to Congress daily intake. donate blood through the visiting blood drive President committed a crime, it also does not as soon as mid-April. Students were also encouraged to guess on campus on Wednesday and Thursday. exonerate him.’” Until the time when the report is presented several trivia questions for a prize of, The Health Fair gave the nurses the Despite the fact that this statement to Congress and then the American people, surprisingly, a piece of candy. Another group opportunity to collect data from student polls, specifically says that President Trump has not all concerned parties can focus on the results had gathered data on the average energy needed obtain more hands-on experience and share been fully exonerated of any wrongdoing, of the investigation which have already been to walk across campus (30 calories) and other their passion with others. All the presentation shortly after the summary’s release Trump presented. Through the investigation, Robert Dordt-related health facts. boards were made specially for the fair. tweeted, “No Collusion, No Obstruction, Mueller was able to indict 34 individuals Three tables included hands-on activities, “I’d say we’ve been working on preparing Complete and Total EXONERATION. KEEP and three companies. George Papadopoulos, or in one case, “heads-in.” The nurses manning for the fair for the better part of the semester,” AMERICA GREAT!” Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, Michael Cohen, and the skincare table worked alongside a lightbox senior nursing major Holly Hiemstra said. A second tweet subsequently followed saying, Paul Manafort plead guilty to crimes unrelated to the alleged Russian collusion and struck plea deals to lower their sentences in exchange for providing more information to Mueller relevant to the investigation into Trump’s alleged Russia ties. For now, it looks as though Trump will face no charges relating to Russian collusion in the 2016 election. How this investigation will influence the legacy of his term and the upcoming election will remain to be seen, though there promises to be more newsworthy events in the near future. Photos by Evangeline Colarossi Photo from Getty Images · Arts & Entertainment· page 4

This Bright Darkness: a book Review: imaginative Dumbo review doesn’t satisfy Erika Buiter -- Staff Writer summer blooms. Without this context, understanding the stories Harrison Burns -- Staff Writer competes with the elephant’s to be the main behind the poems can be difficult. One poem, story of the film. They all do a decent job with “Demeter Tells Persephone about the Night From its colorful opening of a surging circus acting, but the script provides little for them to That She, in Her Grief, Disguised Herself as a train launching across the United States, work with other than cliché-riddled dialogue Nursemaid and Tried to Burn away the Baby’s Tim Burton’s Dumbo promises an exciting and a copy-and-pasted plot of a single father Mortality,” refers back to an obscure part of adventure that retells the Disney classic. While trying to connect with his kids. Demeter’s myth in which she does just as the the film visually succeeds in providing this I do not deride the film for trying to add to title says. exuberant atmosphere, every other aspect of the slim source material. The parallels between With the context to guide the reader’s the narrative ends up flat and uninspired. Dumbo’s and the family’s conflicts held understanding, McKinstry-Brown’s writing is This is not to say the film is wholly potential, but could have been executed better. clear, carefully chosen and undeniably poetic. unsuccessful. When it focuses on the animal Unfortunately, all the human characters are She works within the summertime of the myth, plotline of Dumbo and his mother, the film wasted as means to an end. The talented cast, using her poems to outline Demeter’s grief, shines. This remake of the original 1941 including Danny DeVito and Eva Green, try Persephone’s guilt and the effect that sexual animated picture largely follows the same basic their best, but end up as caricatures rather than violence has on mothers and daughters. Poems story of a baby elephant born in the circus and characters. Michael Keaton’s villain is also like “Persephone Advises Girls on the Cusp” separated from his mother. It wouldn’t be a a walking cliché; however, while his corny invoke images of survival, while “Demeter’s Disney story without a touch of magic, so this escapades would be unwelcome in most films, Statement” uses famine and fire to show abandoned elephant has the classic abnormally his over-the-top presence actually works to Demeter’s rage. large ears that allow him to fly. energize an overall dull movie. These “persona” poems, told in Demeter’s In many ways, the whimsical premise This mediocrity carries over to all areas of Photo from Black Lawrence Press and Persephone’s voices, are broken up by would seem like a perfect fit for the infamously the film, from a surprisingly mild score from “Chorus” poems, which bring in modern whimsical director Tim Burton. The director’s Danny Elfman, confusing editing, unsatisfying On Thursday, March 21, Sarah McKinstry- themes to ground the poems in today’s world. flair for atmosphere is on full display throughout pacing and blunt themes that are practically Brown visited campus to read from her The first poem of the book, “Chorus: After 14 the film with the 20s aesthetic of circus life and spoon-fed to the audience. recently released poetry collection, This Bright Months of Searching, the Girl’s Body is Found amusement parks that engulf the viewer in the Ultimately, Dumbo is disappointing despite Darkness. Five Miles from Our House,” is a poem based world. inklings of Burton’s imagination in the visuals The innocent-sounding title sits above off of McKinstry-Brown’s real-life experience. Burton wisely makes use of the iconography and, as Keaton’s character embellishes, the McKinstry-Brown’s name and an artistically Originally published in her first poetry of the original 1941 film, from firefighter “mystique” of the film. The mystique proves to rendered silhouette of a girl on the cover of collection, “Cradling Monsoons,” this poem clowns putting out a fake burning building to be a hollow shell that lacks the joy and wonder it the book. What lies inside deals with darker found its place in “This Bright Darkness” after Dumbo holding a feather to help him fly. The promises, much like the nefarious “Dreamland” themes. Split into three sections, “Return,” a friend advised McKinstry-Brown to use it most evocative image of Dumbo and his mom that the movie admonishes. Dumbo is not “Summer” and “Departure,” this collection of as her opener. Its last three lines are striking, locking trunks through cage bars is just as terrible, but it’s also not good. Save your money poetry uses Greek goddesses Persephone and describing the decomposition of the girl’s powerful here as it was eighty years ago and for renting it for the small screen instead of a Demeter to tell the story of a mother grieving body: “each pearl of larvae working to ease / acts as the emotional core of the film. theater outing. over a daughter lost to sexual violence. the burden, to release her / from the body that The film also does an excellent job at The original myth served to explain the caught his gaze.” displaying the inner anxiety of Dumbo in pivotal changing of seasons for the Greeks. It goes If read individually, McKinstry-Brown’s scenes, a feat more impressive considering his like this: Demeter, goddess of agriculture, has poems are filled with vivid imagery, clever character is purely CGI and cannot speak. The one daughter, Persephone, goddess of spring. line breaks and a poignant voice. Read as a CGI throughout the movie can sometimes dip Persephone is kidnapped by Hades, god of collection, “This Bright Darkness” is a cathartic in quality, but it is clear the filmmakers put time the underworld, and while there, she eats the reading experience that can make women feel into making the baby elephant come to life, seeds of a pomegranate. Now bound to the heard, and open men up to emotions that female allowing him to be expressive and interesting. underworld (thanks to those seeds), Persephone sexual violence victims experience. In particular, Dumbo’s eyes are often featured must return to Hades for 4-6 months of the year. Rating: 9/10. Brush up on your Greek prominently and capture a range of emotions Demeter grieves her daughter for those months, mythology and this collection will speak to you often lacking in many CGI creatures. Whenever creating winter, but when Persephone is home, in ways you won’t expect. Dumbo succeeds in flying, the audience feels right along with him—the only moments to capture the sense of wonder that the rest of the film tries to accomplish. After months of work, Pre- Unfortunately, when the film diverts from the basic Dumbo storyline. Whatever wonder the plot produces is quickly overshadowed by Mortem recieves recognition bland human plotlines that clog the story. The Alicia Bonestroo & Erika Buiter -- Staff Writers On Saturday, DeKleine, Dirksen, and VanDyk animated film was just over one hour long as traveled to FairField, IA, for yet another award. opposed to this nearly two-hour outing, and Last semester, Adam DeKleine along with his Nominated for Best Student Production, the trio the numerous human characters feel like mere crew and cast presented a short film titled Pre- accepted an Award of Achievement from the tools to extend the run time. Mortem. A Digital Media Major and director Iowa Motion Picture Association. Colin Farrell’s character and his children, the film, DeKleine created the film for his Short “I was excited to be a part of something so played by Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins, Film class—but the work for the film began respected and honored by other filmmakers and become the central human plotline that Contributed Photo before Fall 2018. actors,” VanDyk said. “There’s just something Digital media students collected scripts of so powerful in being surrounded by people who films they wanted to do in the summer prior to are passionate about the same things as you.” the class. One of those scripts was Pre-Mortem. And the film isn’t done racking up awards yet. The opera goes to school DeKleine and his crew, which included Kendra Pre-Mortem has also been submitted to Nydam, Emi Stewart, Elizabeth Eckels, several other film festivals, including the Upper Rochelle VanderHelm -- Staff Writer series of quests to earn the hand of Pamina and Zach Dirksen, and Mackenzie Peterson, held Midwest Emmies, in which Pre-Mortem is Papagena—Papageno’s true love. auditions on September 12 and 13. nominated for a Students’ Emmy award for long The Des Moines Metro Opera’s touring Gretchen Pille serenaded the audience as the Ultimately, they cast a variety of students in form fiction. That film festival will take place troupe, OPERA Iowa, performed the German Queen of the Night. Her vocals were especially the roles. Freshman Gerrit VanDyk played the on April 12. fairy tale The Magic Flute by Mozart in the B. commendable, clearly ringing a very high F. film’s protagonist “Evan,” an ordinary guy, J. Haan Auditorium last week. The vocals were, The audience’s socks where figuratively and junior Erika Buiter played antagonist “Death,” well, too good to be true. unceremoniously removed. and sophomore Jessica De Jauregui acted the The Magic Flute is a tale of young prince OPERA Iowa is a group of singers from part of homeless-woman “Faith,” rounding Tamino, who is sent on a quest to find the around the world who bring the opera to schools out the three main characters of the film. Sam beautiful princess Pamina by her mother, throughout Iowa. They also performed Little Landstra, Bethany Van Eps, and Ben DeKleine the Queen of the Night. He travels with a Red’s Most Unusual Day at Dordt and made also acted in the film. bird-catcher named Papageno. When Prince their appearance in schools around Sioux After practicing lines, choosing locations, Tamino finds Princess Pamina, he unexpectedly County. Later this month, they will be playing filming, and hours of editing, DeKleine’s crew discovers something quite surprising. Act II in Sioux City, Des Moines and Kansas City. and cast presented their work in the Campus follows Prince Tamino and Papageno through a Center to an audience of students and family. “I thought it would end here [in the Grille] at the screening, but I’ve been proved wrong so far,” DeKleine said. He’s talking about the awards the film has won so far in film festivals. At the Mindfield Film Fest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the film won a Gold Award for Best Short Film, a Diamond Award for Best Direction, and a Platinum Award for Best Editing. Contributed Photo Contributed Photo · Arts & Entertainment· page 5

Empath: beautiful chaos Janelle Cammenga -- Staff Writer but no cohesion. “Requiem”—Showcases Townsend’s skill in “Sprite”—Bird narration, animal imagery, choral and symphonic arrangement. This past Friday, progressive metal legend pretty gentle without a focal point (although “Singularity”—A 23-and-a-half-minute beast. Devin Townsend released Empath, a one hour, there are growls thrown in for good measure). It goes from ambient to acoustic to metal and 14-minute album that refuses to fit a single Nothing that really stuck with me. Some back. While most of the songs on the album adjective. ominous rasping at the end takes us to… were overwhelmingly positive, “Singularity” Empath is not like anything Hevy Devy has “Hear Me”—The heaviest track of the album, uses its longer run time to explore some of given us before, although it has elements of which features Anneke van Giersbergen (a the depths of the human experience, while many of his earlier albums. He told fans on guest on both Addicted and Epicloud). The still embracing themes of companionship and Instagram that each track was its own world, rhythm and rhyme of the main lyrics are almost mutual encouragement. It has some shining and he wasn’t lying. So I’m gonna break this a direct lift from part of “Ziltoidia Attaxx!!!” moments, but I wouldn’t rank it equal to down, track by track—as briefly as possible. from Townsend’s earlier Ziltoid the Omniscient. Townsend’s 16-and-a-half-minute track in the “Castaway”—Carribean island vibes and a “Why?”—Starts out like some internet game middle of Deconstruction. choir lead us into… soundtrack, then leads straight into love ballad/ All in all, it’s not Townsend’s strongest album “Genesis”— Fun to listen to, but not relaxing Broadway musical territory. You can practically by any stretch, but the mixing is heavenly. It has or unifed. A lot of strong moments, but every see bunnies and baby deer frolicking in a plenty of great moments dispersed in almost time it starts building towards a musical climax, meadow at moments (albeit with some growls every track, but that’s just the problem: Those Contributed Photo it suddenly switches genres. The “Let there be and heavy bass thrown in on occasion). One of moments are too disjointed to create a unified healthy mindset from which to create art and is light” section might count as our focus, where the album’s strongest tracks. whole, which ruined the overall experience letting that positivity into his music, I won’t be Townsend lets ‘er rip, at least a bit. “Borderlands”—Begins with a very “chillin’ for me. I enjoyed the sense of positivity that listening to Empath on repeat. “Spirits Will Collide”—The cohesion I was on the back porch” feel at its outset, then encompassed the album, which hearkens back If you want to see Devin at his finest, you have missing from “Genesis”: The uplifting lyrics takes you straight to space, a rock concert, a to what Townsend wanted to do with both plenty of albums to choose from. Addicted and and heavy undertones build to a celebration, and nightclub, and maybe a demolition derby? The Epicloud and Addicted. Where Addicted had Ocean Machine are great ways to get introduced then dwell there for a while in all its rocking, track ties the disparate sections together with a some underlying foreboding that led directly to the man. But if you need me, I’ll be blasting exultant glory. Nothing mind-blowing, but it’s few musical threads. The ambient section in the into a following album (Deconstruction), Deconstruction. great at what it sets out to do. middle got a little long, as did the 11-minute run Empath seems to really believe its positivity. “Evermore”—Once again: Good moments, time. But, while I’m happy that Devin is finding a Review: Jordan Peele’s Us Dordt senior signs on with intrigues and challenges record label Tess Hemmila -- Staff Writer mimicking the actions of their above-ground counterparts. Zach Steensma -- Staff Writer itself, they still really liked [my piece] and The complexities of the film’s plot have asked me to do it with a beat they had,” she said. sparked many theories and sent viewers “Now I’m looking at getting that recorded this searching for the many Easter eggs hidden week.” Although she received the message over throughout the movie. Viewers point out the break, Groninga didn’t share the news on social absurd amount of times the number 11 is used media until late March. through the film, a reference to a Bible verse “I wanted to pray about it first,” she said. shown at the opening of the film. Other Easter Shortly after receiving the offer, Groninga spoke with Jon DeGroot, director of Worship Arts and Contributed Photo eggs include various references to The Shining and Friday the 13th. Campus Ministries at Dordt, for advice. Jordan Peele’s second film Us has surpassed Another unique aspect of “Us” was the use Groninga felt the label was a good fit was his tremendously successful debut film Get Out of music throughout the film. While the movie because it was fairly new. (2017). Us brought in over $70 million in its does use some creepy background music, Peele “They’re pretty much starting out the same as opening weekend, making it the largest-ever also managed to slide in songs like “F*** Tha I am, but they have a few producers and artists box office opening for an original horror movie. Police” by N.W.A., “I Like That” by Janelle already,” she said. The success of Us should not only be attributed Monae, and “I got 5 on it” by Luniz—far from Being part of a record label means more to the movie’s beyond-unusual storyline and the typical horror movie soundtrack. The music opportunity for Groninga to continue pursuing its brutal plot-twist, but also to Jordan Peele’s was used strategically and the few moments of music after graduation. reputation for incredible filmmaking after Get comedy in the film relied largely on the use of Contributed Photo “I can get features from other artists, feature Out. rap music. them on tracks, and get more shows,” she said. Us opens in 1986, when a young girl, The film’s unique plot is not the only reason If you visit Dordt, you’re bound to run into a Groninga is the only female artist currently Adelaide, is attacked by her exact double in a Us has been such a successful movie. Many student musician, and not all of them are music signed on with the label, which could mean house of mirrors by the Santa Cruz boardwalk. viewers are eager to see more of Peele’s students. From talent shows to open mic nights, even higher demand for feature performances Fast forward to the present: Adelaide is married uncomfortably thought-provoking films. Peele’s the campus community brings together a host and recordings. Groninga says she already has with two children and is going on a vacation to now-signature themes of societal critique are of young artists. offerings from three other artists. the exact same beach. Adelaide senses that her also especially apparent in Us. He uses this film One such artist is Rebecca Groninga, or Rezin, “I’ve kind of been stalled on stuff. I have double is close and, sure enough, a family that to examine symbolic and overblown examples as she is known on stage, a senior engineering multiple things I’m working on,” Groninga is an exact double of Adelaide’s family breaks of classism, consumerism and racism. major and music minor at Dordt. Although said. She has three or four songs on the way in into their house and holds them hostage. Radically simplified, the real people in Us she has been writing music since high school, the coming months, but for now, you can find From there on, the film follows the family’s could represent the privileged upper-class, it wasn’t until her junior year debut at Dordt’s Rezin on iTunes and Spotify. flight from “the tethered”—exact copies of while the tethered could represent the lower- Talent Extravaganza (TX) that she started to put people made during a government experiment class, stuck in place and mimicking the actions her work out in the open. that have escaped from underground tunnels. of their upper-class counterparts without any Since then, Groninga has appeared in a The tethered, led by Adelaide’s double, have results. Peele’s film takes an unsettling and number of Dordt events, from the big crowds taken over the surface in mass, seeking revenge profound look at classism that makes viewers of TX and NC/DC to quieter worship arts after living their entire lives trapped in tunnels, both dislike and sympathize with the tethered. gatherings and chapels. “If I could actually go full-time in music, then I would. The difficulty is actually being able to do this type of music full time,” Groninga said. “When you go to school for music, you usually go to be a music teacher. With this, it’s something where you need to build a fanbase.” For the most part, Groninga writes the lyrics for her rap and then finds other artists to write or sell her a beat to complete the song. And up until now, most of her opportunity for shows and performances came through Dordt-related events. All of that changed over spring break, when Groninga received a message from Enoch Flow Records, a Christian hip-hop label based out of Shell Lake, Wisconsin. According to Groninga, the company was impressed with her work in a competition she had entered. They wanted her to do a remix of a track from one of their artists, with whom Groninga was already familiar. “Even though I didn’t get into the competition Contributed Photo · Feature· page 6

Math Teachers’ Circle: Friendship after Dordt a time for learning and College Justin Banks -- Staff Writer For Brower, it will be hard saying goodbye, but she is excited to attend a few of their discussion For many seniors, graduation being six weeks weddings this upcoming summer. She has not Evangeline Colarossi -- Staff Writer algebra, not just unhow to plug numbers into an away is too surreal to even comprehend. spent a lot of time thinking about how she will equation and write down the answer. There is a mix of feelings in regard to May keep up with her friends after graduation, but Cal Jongsma, a former Dordt mathematics Even when the lesson was over, the learning 10: Some are enjoying their time until then; she is sure that she will miss them. professor, returned to the classroom on Saturday, didn’t stop. The group discussed ways they some are in dreadful anticipation; and others As the school year comes to an end and a March 30, to share his love of two different had each taught in their classrooms over the are unconcerned. Regardless of which category chapter comes to a close for the last graduating subjects: math and historical philosophy. years. The shared knowledge between teachers a senior fits into, most of them will be parting class of Dordt College, hearts are heavy—but Twelve current and future teachers joined in on targeting all age groups was a way to share ways with their Dordt friends in a few short still optimistic about the future. Senior Daniel this meeting to learn the roots of algebra and what they had learned on their own, while also weeks. Ebmeier believes social media will be his way how it has developed into math today. gaining ideas from others on how to make math One of Dordt’s major selling points is the of keeping up with friends. Instead of a casual get-together for math more exciting for students. community. The smaller enrollment numbers at A group of senior girls sits in their Kuyper teachers, the Dordt Math Teacher’s Circle For many, this wasn’t just a chat about math, Dordt allow students to form connections with living room talking about weddings that have featured papers covered with math problems but also a time to get back into a classroom teachers and other students in ways they might not been planned, trips that have not been spread across the table, though they were where they were taught, so they can continue not have been able to do at a larger university. scheduled and other future memories they interspersed with pieces of chocolate. growing as teachers themselves. “I’ll remember all the things that my friends hope to share after their time at Dordt comes The Math Teacher’s Circle isn’t just for Cal Jongsma is currently writing and and I have gone through,” senior Jo-Anna to an end. While classes together may stop, the Dordt students and professors. Half of the publishing his own textbook for discrete Vollink said. memories don’t have to. attendees were teachers from surrounding mathematics, signed on with Springer Some note the location of the college as a “We’re all going in different directions, and schools. Six teachers from Sioux Center, Publishing. When he taught at Dordt, he never downside, but senior Kaylee Brower believes it would be nice to keep in touch because [my Rock Valley and Kinsey Elementary came found a textbook he felt helped his classes well, it allowed her to form close relationships with friends] have been a part of my life for the past to learn alongside three Dordt students and so he compiled his teaching notes to make his people she now considers lifelong friends. four years,” senior Michaela Schotanus said. two Dordt professors. This lesson was geared own textbook. toward middle-school concepts, but even a Kindergarten teacher was present to learn what he could apply to his classroom. The coffin, the tunnel and The lesson was titled “The Historical Case for Non-Symbolic Pre-Algebra.” While that may make no sense to the average reader, it being homeless for one ties in to Jongsma’s math techniques. During the meeting, he approached middle school math concepts in multiple ways and brought in night historical pieces to show how algebra was done before it was even known as algebra. Joshua Meribole -- Staff Writer That week, the temperature had been generous, During his time at Dordt, Jongsma taught but on Friday the temperature dropped. a middle school math education class. He On a cold and windy Friday, five people “I was kind of hoping it would be cold,” changed his curriculum for this class every stared into the darkness, shivering, wondering Fagen said. “I wanted this to be an impactful year, narrowing down on two questions, which how they would get through the night. The experience, and the colder it is, the more you are he asked the group on Saturday. temperature sat at 36 degrees with the low for going to remember.” Over the summer, Fagen “How did the human race learn algebra over the night estimated at 25 degrees. worked for the Covenant House in Alaska, time? And will this help middle school kids “What can I do to raise awareness for where she helped with their shelter house for really learn algebra?” homelessness?” is the question junior Caitie homeless people. To answer this, Jongsma worked through Fagen asked when she decided to have the “Growing up, it was always something that I Egyptian, Arabic and modern math problems, Sioux Center Sleepout. A few people came to was really saddened by,” Fagen said. asking his audience to try to solve them on their listen to the speakers talk about homelessness, Before people had to endure the harsh reality own. Then he outlined the best ways to solve but only four Dordt students and a middle- of Iowa’s bone-numbing winds, Fagen invited these problems, although there were several schooler stayed behind to endure the cold. two speakers, Dordt graduates Joshua Louwerse options. Those methods of problem-solving The girls present for the event built a tunnel and Jesse Walhof, to speak about homelessness. can be taught in classrooms to help students to sleep in. The only guy present slept in a long Louwerse was Fagen’s boss during her summer of different learning types truly understand Photo by Evangeline Colarossi box, which, by the end of the event, they called internship, and Walhof works at Living Water a coffin. Community Church in Sheldon to help the After setting up some last-minute wind and homeless population. cold fortification with cardboard boxes, they Although a pastor, Walhof did not look the tucked themselves in and went to bed. However, part of a clean-shaven, button-up Sioux County Theology and English sleep did not come easily as the wind howled preacher. He wore three-quarter shorts, chain and the cold cut into their bones. necklaces and a long sleeve shirt. “There was definitely a time that I was “I wear this because I like to… and it’s more departments hire new thinking my toes might fall off,” Fagen said. “Is presented to the people I am hoping to minister it worth staying out here if my toes fall off and I to,” Walhof said. Throughout his talk, he called have to go to the hospital?” for Christians to learn to look at the homeless as professors She managed to make it through the night, but people and to treat them as such. two Dordt students went into the church several “We put people in positions where we don’t Benjamin Boersma -- Staff Writer responding to Dordt’s mission statement. times during the night. value them as person; we value them as a “The standards are pretty high,” De Smith Emily Wicker came prepared with several problem,” Walhof said. Last month, Dordt hired two new professors. said. “Teaching is an important part of the job, layers of warm clothing, including several Walhof asked for Christians to be quick not Dr. Shaun Stiemsma will join the English but we also want someone who understands layers of socks. Although she felt warm, it was just to give handouts, but to be willing to start department after Dr. Mary Dengler’s retirement, the Reformed faith. The challenge is to find still hard for her to sleep. She was positioned at a relationships with those who are homeless. while Dr. David Westfall will take over the someone who has both.” the end of the box, but when it came open at one He also talked about the misconceptions of vacant position in the theology department. After several interviews winnowing down point, it made Wicker want to go inside. But it homelessness, such as unemployment. Walhof “It’s not always as simple as hiring someone options, the remaining candidates visited Dordt. was already 4:00 a.m., so she felt that she could went on to tell a story about a father who did who does the same thing as the previous They taught class for a day and went through not give up and persevered. The frustration have a job, but found it difficult to pay rent. professor,” English Department chair Dr. Bob several in-person interviews with faculty and allowed her to get a glimpse of what homeless “A lot of homeless people don’t live. They De Smith said. “The job description is pretty staff members. people go through when they have to sleep like just exist,” he said. “Are we as a Church fine open to make sure we get the right person.” Stiemsma earned his bachelor’s in Secondary this. with that?” Stiemsma will be teaching the CORE English English Education from Calvin College, and requirements and a couple of Pro-Tech classes. his Masters and Doctorate in English Language The other English classes will be divided and Literature from the Catholic University of among the other English professors. In the America, where he currently teaches. He’s also theology department, Westfall will be teaching taught at the University of Maryland and the the Biblical studies as well as Greek classes U.S. Naval Academy. next school year, and adding Hebrew the year Westfall earned his bachelor’s in Classical after that. Studies and Greek from Calvin College, his “We used to offer Hebrew in the past,” Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theology Department chair Rebekah Earnshaw Theological Seminary, and his doctorate in said. “We’re excited to be able to offer it again.” New Testament from the University of Saint Each theology professor, including Westfall, Andrews, where he studied under theologian will also teach a section of Biblical Foundations. N.T. Wright. The search for professors began with Both Stiemsma and Westfall will be moving advertisements for the new positions, telling to Sioux Center this summer to get ready for the candidates to send in their resumes. Stiemsma upcoming school year. and Westfall both also had to include an essay Photos by Joshua Meribole · Sports page 7

Dordt men’s volleyball season Football’s forgotten season: comes to a close Springball Caleb Pollema -- Staff Writer Dordt’s two seniors, Ben Tiemersma and Connor Van Hulzen -- Staff Writer time outside. The football team struggles to Austen Scammon, have been with the program consistently find time to practice. Defensive from the very beginning and have seen successes Dordt football’s season begins each year in Line Coach Griffin Pelot says the team tries to grow throughout their four years on the team. the summer with minicamp and training camp, get in three practices and three lifting sessions a “Ben played a powerful role and led our followed by a regular season filled with a week. conference in kills per set through much of the slate of 10 or 11 games over much of the fall “With the academic calendar, and then the year,” Hanson said. “Austen led our conference semester. The part of the season which comes demand on the field and facilities in the spring in digs per set through much of the year. That after doesn’t get its fair share of attention: with other sports and public events, throwing kind of production from these two men was Welcome to springball. weather into the mix, too, creates a full-blown phenomenal, and we relied on them each time Springball is part of the offseason process nightmare,” Penner said. This nightmare means we took the floor. Further, their heart to serve for the football team. During spring semester, the team has practices at odd hours, both early God and their teammates is what will leave a the team maintains a routine of practice and and late, to be able to use Dordt’s facilities. tremendous legacy for the future of this young weightlifting in order to better themselves for Springball is a key time for the football team. program.” next fall’s return to competition. Even though the larger supporting audience The team grew tremendously off-court, as “Every year, I choose a different emphasis doesn’t focus on it or talk about it a lot, it’s the well. For the team, this really began on their based upon where the team is at,” Head Coach portion of the football team’s year that has the spring break trip that took them to Missouri and Joel Penner said. “Springball is used for laying most impact on the team overall. Springball Wisconsin for matches. the foundation. We go over the fundamentals culminates in the football team’s Spring Game, “The best part about getting to travel over that will be necessary for the team going which will take place at 6 p.m. on April 27th on spring break,” sophomore defensive specialist forward.” the football field. and opposite hitter Jeremy Van Belle said. The team will also begin to practice new “was the amount of time we could spend as a concepts they can fully put in place later, along team, just hanging around in the hotels or in with practicing against each other to see who’s the cities that we were in. It brought us together Photo by Nick Geels ready to take the next step. as a team, as we did lots of things other than “We also use springball for culture building, The Dordt men’s volleyball season came play volleyball, such as spending an afternoon and as a chance to get out and be together and to a close on Saturday with a 0-3 loss to Park with some kids in an after-school program and grow as a team through competition,” Penner Pirates in the American Midwest/Great Plains/ spending time at Camp Summit.” said. After the relaxed period at the end of the Kansas Tournament Quarterfinals. Senior Ben These activities translated into better season, reestablishing contact with teammates Tiemersma led the Defenders with 11 kills and communication and teamwork on the court for and continuing to grow closer together is a five digs that day. Garrett Vander Zee added the Defenders. The returning players are proud significant part of the motivation for springball. seven kills. of what they were able to put together on the Late winter and early spring in Northwest The Defenders finishED the season with a court this year and are looking forward to what Iowa are not kind to those seeking to spend Photo from Dordt Football Twitter 5-16 record and a 1-10 record in conference next year has in store. play—their best record in program history. “We have established ourselves as a strong They will look to build off that performance in and up-and-coming program,” sophomore future seasons. outside hitter Gideon Brandsma said. “Our “We wrapped up our season today against a coaching staff has done a great job recruiting, strong Park team that played hard and executed and I’m excited to see new players added to the Opinion: I hate Duke well,” head coach Chad Hanson said. “Some program.” successes at points in this match were exciting With another season in the books, possibilities Sam Landstra -- Staff Writer The team is worshipped by legendary for us, yet challenging to sustain. We will miss of what the future has to offer as the men’s commentator Dick Vitale to the extent that our senior men who helped lead us through our volleyball program continues to grow. Let me be clear -- I hate Duke. watching Duke games announced by him is most successful men’s season to date.” I always have and likely always will. The borderline unbearable. Duke Blue Devils are a team that strips success “I don’t like Duke because of how over-hyped and happiness from other basketball teams and they get,” Dordt freshman and fellow-Duke- monopolizes it for themselves. hater DJ Droog said. The past three years, Duke Spring golf season swings in- A Michigan native myself, I’m a die-hard has acquired the number one preseason ranking Michigan State fan and could not have been in college basketball and failed to make the happier when Cassius Winston and Co. knocked Final Four each time. to action off the Blue Devils to punch their ticket to the Droog roots for the North Carolina Tar Heels, Sawyer Strelnieks -- Staff Writer “I’d also say that fall season is different, too, Final Four. a team that, unlike Duke, does not exploit the because we come in after playing all summer Two weekends ago, when Duke squared off one-and-done recruiting system. Tar Heels Spring is in the air, and the golf teams hit the and the consistency of play is better,” junior against 9-seed UCF, you’d be hard pressed to like Tyler Hansbrough and Luke Maye have courses this past week after being cooped up all Molly Banks said. “I am looking forward to find anyone in America rooting for the Blue stayed loyal to the program through their senior winter due to the Iowa arctic freeze. However, being with the team again and getting in as Devils. After a heartbreaking loss for the seasons, rather than jumping ship for an NBA with such a quick thaw this spring, the teams much golf as we can before the year ends.” Knights, a locker room video revealed 7 foot 6 contract. had a chance to take a few swings outside on the Having the chance for players to dust off their center Tacko Fall crying into the shoulder of his “Every single game I root against Duke,” local course before their first tournament. clubs and head south to Arizona helped build coach, his teammates in tears as well. Droog said. The Blue Devils are also the Tar The men’s team played last Monday and up that consistency again before the start of the Following their down-to-the-wire loss to Heels’ biggest rival. Tuesday at the Midland Spring Invite in spring season. Michigan State, a similar scene can be witnessed Nonetheless, Droog needs Duke. Fremont, Nebraska, where they placed 5th out “It’s always fun to see how we can improve for Duke. Freshman Tre Jones sat motionless “I’m glad Duke exists just so North Carolina of the 14 teams at the meet. Senior Kyle Colyn as a team from the first meet to the last,” junior at his locker, clutching a towel with tears in has someone to beat on all the time,” Droog and sophomore Ryan Feauto led the Dordt team Alyssa Fedder said. his eyes while teammate RJ Barret talked to said. “North Carolina needs Duke to keep the with scores of 75 and 76, respectively. So far, this spring has been fairly mild for reporters with a somber tone. best rivalry in sports going.” The women’s team played last Thursday Dordt, letting the teams get in some local I’m not sorry for them. Despite my hatred, I also need Duke. in the Bulldog Invite in Lincoln, Nebraska, practice before their tournament. This wasn’t Unlike UCF, the agony of defeat will not College basketball needs Duke. where they placed 8th out of 10 teams. Alyssa possible last year, thanks to late snow making a last for Duke. Freshmen sensations Zion The thing about teams so widely disliked is that Fedders and Molly Banks took the lead with 84 short season with no practices outside until the Williamson and RJ Barrett will bounce back people watch them. Apart from their first round strokes and 87 strokes, respectively. What was GPAC tournament, which takes place around by being selected in the first round of the NBA walloping of North Dakota State, I watched initially intended to be a two-day tournament late April. draft, complimented by multimillion dollar every single Duke game of the tournament. The for the women’s team turned into a one-day The men’s next tournament is the Midland contracts. Coach Mike Krzyzewski will return rest of America did too. The Duke-UCF game competition due to inclement weather on the tournament this coming Saturday at the to the tournament next year with another top- earned an 11.9 rating, the second-highest rating following day. Wild Rivers golf course in Blair, Nebraska. tier team. in that time slot in tournament history. Canceled tournaments are very typical of the The women’s team plays next in the Kaitlyn Am I jealous of Duke? Yes, but only of their When our favorite team gets knocked out, we spring golf season, with winter trying to stick Erickson Invitational. This tournament will take success. I hate Duke because of everything else need someone else to root for, or sometimes around as long as it can. With Sioux Center’s place at the Wilderness Ridge Golf Course in they stand for. simply someone to root against. harsh winters and no large area to hit balls Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2015, ESPN produced the 30 for 30 Sports need a villain, and Duke fills that role. indoors, the teams can go months without documentary “I Hate Christian Laettner,” Don’t believe me? hitting a single ball. covering the polarizing 1992 Laettner-led Blue Consider the 2010-2014 Miami Heat. When “I can’t think of another sport where you are Devils. During their championship run, Laettner LeBron James took his talents to South Beach expected to not be able to play or practice for infamously stomped on the chest of Kentucky on primetime television and assembled the “Big five months at a time and then one day show up forward Aminu Timberlake in the East regional Three,” the Heat instantaneously became the to the course and compete,” sophomore Ryan final. most hated team in sports. After their formation, Feauto said. “Really, the only way to get any Former Duke guard Grayson Allen made however, NBA ratings skyrocketed more than practice in during the winter is to head south.” a name for himself by tripping opposing 75 percent as people tuned in to root against the Over spring break, some players from the teammates. Heat. men’s and women’s teams traveled with Coach Coach K. is known for profanity-laced tirades I didn’t like the Miami Heat, and I don’t like Christians to Arizona to play some rounds in the directed at his players. Duke, but every good story needs a villain. warm sun after being stuck in the frozen tundra Any dedicated college basketball fan can tell Batman is only Batman when he has the Joker. of Iowa for months. Photo from Dordt Athletics you that Duke teams always get the calls. The Back Page page 8

Opinion: the America we A conversation on the now live in: an executive challenges of being a order on free speech single parent Caleb Pollema -- Staff Writer Joshua Meribole -- Staff Writer community help she desperately needs. This worldview that is ever prevalent in our society. video set the groundwork for the rest of the He explained to us how today’s colleges and On Tuesday, the junior Social Work class night’s discussion. universities have fallen away from the true had three speakers talk about helping pregnant Klaassen went on to say that we need to be university model and embraced the model of a teenagers and making pro-life choices. engaged with single parents and not let them be so-called “multiversity.” The room filled to a point where the by themselves. She also said her organization The true university is united amongst diversity coordinator had to open the divider that splits is focused on the well-being of both an unborn because, in the midst of its many diverse the CL1148 classroom. Nursing majors as or already-born child and the mother. She said subjects, the institution is united by a singular well as Social Work majors listened carefully that the Alpha Center offers help to women who Truth that is the study of theology and how it as two documentaries and each speaker talked have had an abortion. protrudes into every square inch of study. about how to help teenagers who are pregnant. She also talked about single parents’ struggle Unfortunately, today’s schools have accepted The social work students explained that the to provide for their children, as things like the idea of the “multiversity,” and this idea discussion was prompted by several states diapers can be expensive. She said she doesn’t of diversity in diversity. They have accepted ruling to extend the period in which abortion want them to feel like they have to choose a postmodern worldview that has led to the is allowed. abortion. pursuit of solely getting a job and joining Invited speakers included Shanae Klaassen Reyes, talking about her walk with Photo by Chip Somodevilla Getty Images the conversation of the world without a true and Alyssa Blankespoor, who both worked for Community Health Resources in Orange City, purpose. Alpha Center; Ashley Van Engen, an adoptive said we must learn not to judge or look down President Trump recently signed an executive Now, what does this have to do with Trump’s mom; and Kelley Reyes from Community on single parents. order to increase free speech on college executive order? Health Resources. Van Engen talked about the reality of campuses to ensure all voices, whether that’s I think it shows us that, once again, our “As Christians, we are called to love people adoption, as she has two adopted kids. political stance or other opinions, are equally country is deeply broken and flawed. Most who don’t think and look like us,” Klaassen She talked about the waiting game and the heard among students. schools and institutions across the nation have said. She talked about her work with Alpha occasional unpredictability in child adoption. Yes, you read that right. been consumed by a culture that prevents the Center and the support they provide to women She also mentioned mothers who give up their I found this mystifying because, last time I protections of free speech. They have become who are about to give birth or have already child out of love and a hope that the child will checked, this was a constitutional right outlined less concerned with the purpose behind our given birth. have a better life. in the First Amendment of the United States doings as children of God and more concerned Beginning with a documentary about teen “They left the hospital with nothing, and their Constitution. with pursuing a career and molding a student’s pregnancy, the event showed the difficulty a story doesn’t end there,” Van Engen said. I find it troubling that the president needs to mind for the wrong reasons by teaching them teenager faces when she is pregnant and the issue an executive order regarding a right that from a solely liberal point of view. is clearly outlined in this land’s governing This is one of the many reasons that I am document. Unfortunately, this has resulted from thankful for Dordt College and the blessing to a clear concern with this topic on campuses. pursue my degree here. I am thankful for its Floods devastate Nebraska This is a topic that needs to be addressed, and unwavering defense of the Gospel despite what quickly. the world has thrown at us. Christianna Marcy -- Guest Writer the floods. Luckily, that changed on March 15, According to a study reported on by the As for the free speech executive order, it’s when President Trump tweeted, “The people of Washington Post, liberal professors outnumber quite frankly disappointing, not because it was Nebraska & across the Midwest, especially the conservative professors on college campuses issued, but because it even got to the point Farmers & Ranchers, are feeling the impacts by a ratio of 12 to 1. Frankly, this doesn’t look where our Commander-and-Chief had to issue from severe weather. The first responders & like a stable or likely breeding ground for free such a document. emergency response teams have done a great speech on college campuses. This executive order reminds us that our world job dealing w/ record flooding, high winds, & I was blessed to have a high school Bible is broken and that we need Jesus more today in road closures.” After this, the national media teacher by the name of Mr. Sutherland that had our nation than ever because, whether we like it began reporting the floods. put extensive work into the study of a Christian or not, this is the America we now live in. Out of the flood come stories of redemption. philosophy of education amidst the postmodern Across the flat plains rise a strong and generous Across the Midwest, the intense snowstorms people. Story after story came up of strangers of winter caused high anticipated for the arrival helping one another. A police officer rescued a of spring and warmer weather. However, the frozen calf. Farmer James Wilke lost his life in GENDER rising temperatures wreaked havoc across the a tractor attempting to save a stranger. Stories state of Nebraska. like these show the resilience and kindness of WORKPLACE This winter brought record-breaking snowfall Nebraskans. When: April 9, 2019 - 7:00 PM to the Midwest. However, when spring came, There is no doubt that Nebraskans will rise Where: CL 1144/1148 built up snow started to rapidly melt, and warm from the flooded fields. Hosted by Dordt Communication Club rain fell. The combination of melting snow and Cookies and beverages provided rain became dangerous as the soaked plains Working in the #MeToo movement era began to fill with water. Appropriate conduct in the workplace Billy Graham Rule – Smart/safe and/or discriminatory against women in the workplace Farmers and ranchers were hit the hardest. Question and answer session with audience Their fields turned into lakes, and cattle were isolated in the treacherous floods. Many cows gave birth in the hazardous weather, resulting in a loss of countless calves. Over spring break, Nebraskans prepared CATHERINE BLOOM KARI SANDOUKA their houses by sandbagging, moving furniture Catherine Bloom is the Chief Kari Sandouka has been for- upstairs and watching weather reports. One Financial Officer at Interstates. She tunate to be involved with has 20 years of experience in the RANDY TEN PAS technology for the past few house sitting at the base of a hill had water seep accounting and marketing fields. years. She spent a few years into the kitchen and living room. Many families Catherine previously worked for Mr. Randy Ten Pas is in his 13th assisting engineers in the Ernst & Young and DuPont Pioneer. year as an administrator at Space Shuttle program and did not have such an opportunity to prepare, and Catherine enjoys asking questions to Hull Christian School. He has now works alongside stu- challenge the status quo and pursue been in education for over 20 dents. entire homes were swept away by the floods. a better way. She believes each years serving first as a middle National media outlets were slow on reporting employee is equipped with unique school teacher, coach Photos by Christianna Marcy skills and experiences, and enjoys and athletic director at helping individuals tap into their Oskaloosa Christian School. talents to reach their full potential. He also taught in the physical education department as an assistant professor at Trinity Christian College in EMILY TUSCHEN Palos Heights, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s Emily Tuschen is a Co-Chief Diamond Staff 2018-2019 degree in education from Executive Officer of Promise Dordt College. Mr. Ten Pas Community Health Center in TERESA TER HAAR earned a master’s degree Sioux Center, Iowa. A nurse in physical education from by trade with over a decade Chief Editors: Photography Editor: Evangeline Colarossi Connor Van Hulzen the University of Northern Teresa Ter Haar is in her 14th year of experience in different Iowa and later his master’s Janelle Cammenga Sawyer Strelnieks Tess Hemmila Rochelle VanderHelm teaching at Dordt College in the facets of healthcare includ- degree in administration Theatre Arts Department. She has ing emergency care, labor & Garth Van Donselaar Haemi Kim Sarah Widener from the University of Sioux been in higher education for 18 delivery, postpartum, medi- Falls. He has been married Copy Editors: Sam Landstra years, serving at both Trinity Christian cal/surgical, clinic manage- for 22 years to Kristi, who College and Calvin College before ment, and operations. Now Story Editor: Janelle Cammenga Joshua Meribole Staff Advisor: also teaches at Hull Christian joining the Theatre Arts Department Emily specializes in clinical School. They have three Joshua Meribole Anneke Wind Caleb Pollema Lee Pitts at Dordt. In addition to serving as program development and daughters, ages 16, 14 and a faculty member and directing is passionate about patient Danielle Schultz 10. theatre productions, she also ser vice and advocacy. Emily Layout Designer: Staff Writers: Yee Lim Shin serves as Chair of the Theatre Arts is responsible for integration Justin Banks Spencer Short Department and as Division Chair for of services, quality improve- Retasya Badudu the Fine Arts and Communication. ment, and current expansion Benjamin Boersma Zachary Steensma Teresa’s husband, Dan Young, is on efforts within the health cen- Assistant Layout Alicia Bonestroo Emma Stoltzfus the faculty at Northwestern College, ter. When she isn’t working, and their two girls (11 and 8) attend you will find Emily loving on Designer: Erika Buiter Sawyer Strelnieks Orange City Christian School. her 3 favorite little humans. Emma Stoltzfus Harrison Burns Alex Van Den Top