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December 11, 2020 Issue 6 Follow us online

Dordt ends semester with 153 total recorded positive COVID-19 cases Sam Landstra– Staff Writer

In a county that had largely balked at infected or traced into quarantine or isolation. perspective I never wanted to have.” Christensen received daily text messages COVID-19 restrictions, the virus found a home Still, by September 28 Dordt had recorded Her first quarantine came about after her from Angela Perigo of campus ministries, in late September. For almost the entire month, 18 active positive COVID-19 cases within the roommate tested positive around the time of the sometimes with voice memos of encouragement Sioux County reported daily COVID-19 case student body with a total of 135 in quarantine or late-September spike. It landed her in the Econo included. Since the beginning of the semester, numbers that cracked 200. There had been no isolation. Lodge for ten days and forced her away from the campus ministries team had directed their state government mandate on masking or social “If [case counts] would have doubled again her role in the fall mainstage theater production, resources towards reaching out to students in distancing. For the most part, people were free then I think we would have had to say to kids, “Arms and the Man.” quarantine or isolation. They offered Bible to attend school, frequent businesses, and go to ‘Hey, we’re going to finish this semester back at Christensen emerged from her seclusion studies, prayer sessions, and times to just hang church as they pleased with minimal limitations. home.’” Hoekstra said. on the opening night of the show, just in time. out. This lifestyle combined with the rising case The spike in cases at Dordt petered out in Still, she slept at the hotel for the remainder of “We lived fruitfully together in community.” numbers and average case positivity rate— the weeks that followed and hovered in the the productions to prevent any additional close Hoekstra said. “It was as good as I think it could which hit 58 percent on September 20—spurred single digits for the remainder of the calendar calls. have gone.” local health officials into action. They called year. For a brief two-week span in November, At the end of October, Christensen returned For Hoekstra and the other decision-makers a meeting between the presidents of Dordt numbers rose past ten again before falling back to her apartment. Her return to normalcy did not at Dordt, including the COVID-19 task force, University and Northwestern College and other to zero at the close of the in-person semester. last long, though. She developed COVID-19 their planning for the year always hung in the area school superintendents to issue a three-part In total, Dordt University recorded 153 symptoms and tested positive a few weeks later. balance. It was difficult to know anything with request: mandated facial coverings, maintained positive cases, around nine percent of its It was back into isolation again; her roommates surety. They could only see a couple weeks out physical distancing, and continued promotion enrollment. They also placed students into did the same. at a time but calling off the in-person semester of hygiene. quarantine or isolation 612 times. “It was not necessarily anyone’s fault, but without trying to pull it off was never an option. “That was a scary moment. But yet Josie Christensen found herself counted it just sucked. You still feel responsible,” said Leading up to and throughout the semester, personally for Dordt, I would say we felt among the latter number. Christensen spent 27 Christensen, describing the process of contact- Hoekstra communicated to students the goal of encouraged by it.” Dordt University President days in a form of quarantine or isolation over tracing her inner circle. the university to conduct the final day of exams Erik Hoekstra said. “They were saying, ‘Hey, the course of the semester. She split her time With a considerable chunk of her semester in-person on December 11, having done so all everybody pay attention to what Dordt’s trying between 18 nights at the Econo Lodge, five spent sequestered away from the university and the sixteen weeks prior. To track the feasibility to do.’” at home, and four at the Alumni House. Her into isolated spaces, Christensen stood to lose of this target, the COVID-19 task force met In contrast to the surrounding community, sentences add up to almost one third of the in- her connection with the campus. It turned out weekly and the administrative cabinet two to Dordt University had by that time implemented person fall calendar. By now, she’s an expert at better than she expected. three times a week. multiple COVID-19 restrictions—including it. “In my own personal experience, I felt very “I knew it was the right goal to have, but mandated mask wearing in public spaces and a “It was so different that anything I have cared for by Dordt.” Christensen said. “It was I also didn’t know what percentage it was contact-tracing system that placed individuals ever experienced.” Christensen said. “[It’s] a very personable.” realistic.” Hoekstra said. “We picked a road that continued on page 3 Home to quarantine: Dordt Saving those who served students to spend last two Katie Ribbens– Staff Writer Sergeant James Clinton II stands in the Le weeks in isolation Mars Veterans Memorial Park watching his two sons clamber around an old army Jeep. Hannah Kuperus – Staff Writer His daughter observes with wide brown eyes from her perch in the stroller. His hand clutches On November 25, Gideon Brandsma left turned into finishing out the year in the format. a worn leather leash. On the other end—his Dordt with his sister to drive back to Canada, “I chose to drive home this Christmas to lifeline. returning home like most Dordt students until avoid having my vehicle stuck in Iowa if Dordt The golden eyes miss nothing. the start of next semester. Unlike most Dordt did choose to start next semester online.” In the smiling face of Patton the service students, however, Brandsma faced a period of Brandsma said. “[But] Dordt has been fairly dog, they are a comforting thing. The kind eyes quarantine once home. confident thus far, and I don’t see that changing, quietly observe, surrounded by fine chocolate “Quarantine in British Columbia is a so I’m not too worried about not going back.” fur. Watching. Waiting. Ready to act. Ready to fourteen-day requirement to stay at home while Brandsma was not alone in remembering serve. avoiding close contact with family members.” the spring semester. With memories of last Clinton dedicated himself to the army, Brandsma said. “Since Dordt chose to finish the semester’s online learning, many students were sacrificing his mind and body. He sustained semester online, my quarantine will end around disappointed at the prospect of online classes physical injuries during his time in Afghanistan, the same time as my last exam.” for the last two weeks of the fall semester. but it’s the PTSD that keeps him awake at Brandsma arrived in Canada on November However, he provided a different perspective. night. So when he needed saving, the nonprofit 26, and, aside from confirming he had a place “The decision to go online was a difficult Partners for Patriots in Anthon, Iowa stepped to quarantine, he had no issues crossing the choice to make, but it has allowed many in. Their mission? To donate service dogs to border. Canadian students to avoid quarantining over disabled veterans. Dordt University is currently Although Brandsma and his sister may be Christmas.” Brandsma said. examining ways for students to get involved quarantining at home, home life still remains While quarantining for the first fourteen with the nonprofit, situated one hour from different than normal as they eat separately days home may not seem ideal to many, he campus. Contributed Photo from their family and wear masks when leaving has maintained a positive attitude and kept Clinton walked into the kennels expecting of brown. His stubbed tail furiously swishes their bedrooms. everything in perspective. a German Shepherd but came home with a through the air with all the more intensity to “We do our best to sanitize items if we’ve “I understand that some students believe German Shorthaired Pointer instead, by name make up for its lost length. touched them, but the whole process is fairly mandatory quarantine is undermining personal the of Patton. As Clinton tells his story, Patton forces common sense—wash hands, avoid close freedom, but if it has the potential to benefit “He’s like a godsend,” Clinton said. “You himself into his lap, supporting him as he contact, and monitor symptoms if they arise.” my neighbors, my younger siblings’ school and should have seen me before I had him— like it trudges through the heavy memories. He places Brandsma said. my parents’ coworkers, it’s hardly a sacrifice.” was a whole different me.” a paw on Clinton’s chest. I’m here. In addition to these precautions, Brandsma Brandsma said. “It’s also easy to do when I Patton is currently the only one of his high- Years ago, rattling and bumping as he sat in took another safety measure too after last know my community is doing the same.” energy breed to succeed in his job at Partners. the first of four trucks in his convoy, Clinton semester’s momentary shift to online classes On his dancing paws are swirled speckles comprised one of fifteen members continued on page 2 page 2 News News page 3 Marriage culture at Dordt Ed Starkenburg to retire from Is theft a problem at Dordt? Small Business Saturday University Dordt University Georgia Lodewyk- Staff Writer a life vest to some Meet Crash. The same week Combs searched for her Mikaela Wegner—Staff Writer He’s a hot pink scooter Dordt student Jaclyn Vander Waal- Staff Writer and equipping them as they flip the switch in missing scooter, Greta Haas, a freshman, spotted Eoghan Holdahl- Staff Writer Justine Combs has owned since the beginning a free chair on the side of the road. While it was After a pizza date-night, Dordt University transition from student to teacher and learn to of September. She researched quality scooters is also due to a promotional event put on by Mulder and Melissa Mulder have been married A red pen, an old teacher edition textbook, old, battered, and blue, Haas thought it would The empty halls of Dordt University students Emily Kooiman and Matthew Van Eps plan for and deliver lessons. on Amazon and settled on the razor for $95. the Chamber of Commerce, who sold roughly for 23 years, living in Sioux Center since 2001. and an empty room was all it took for Ed be the perfect edition to her dorm room. She testify that roughly 1,300 of Sioux Center’s step outside. It’s a late December night, chilly, “The challenge is to motivate students to be Combs loves Crash’s iconic pink color. He’s $100,000 in “Chamber Bucks” at a 15% They don’t remember meeting, but David Starkenburg to discover his passion for teaching. lugged it into her car, pressure washed it, and shoppers have gone and will not return until but not to the point of snow. The couple makes willing to do the hard work of teaching well,” tall; she’s tall. It was a perfect match. discount rate. said he is positive they knew each other by the In third grade, he was thrilled when the used tide pods as soap to clean it. Haas took it after the holiday shopping season has passed. a floating lantern out of wire and tissue paper he said. “Many people can do an OK job at “I was trying to think of metal names,” Chamber Bucks are gift certificates that second week of their freshman year. David and basement office in his house was emptied. back to Dordt and set it out to dry by the east For local businesses in town fighting to outlast after watching a tutorial. They light a flame and teaching, but it takes a lot of energy and a lot of Combs said, “but I thought ‘Crash’ was funny can be redeemed at any Sioux Center business Melissa got married in the summer after their There, he set up a classroom with his pen and entrance of Covenant Hall. She brought the a pandemic, this occurence spells doom. On set it off into the sky. When it reaches about ten resilience to teach well.” because it was a scooter.” that is a member of the Chamber. Among the junior year. textbook. And he played school. cushion to her dorm room, and then left a sign November 25, the US Department of Commerce feet, the whole lantern sets ablaze. He doesn’t just hold high expectations for When Combs first bought her scooter, she Platinum supporters of the 15% discount are “It didn’t seem odd to us at all at the time, Many years later, Starkenburg’s excitement on the chair: “Not up for grabs- please don’t reached out to the nation’s consumers, asking Like lanterns, marriage is complicated his students, however. Starkenburg also strives left it by the bike rack during her classes and American State Bank, Walmart, and Interstates. but in the longer view of things, in some ways for education was rekindled when he began a take.” for their support of small businesses on Small and can have unexpected turns. Still, some to keep himself accountable for his teaching outside her dorm at night. But that changed in Kristi Segar, Executive Assistant at we were kids [and] we didn’t know what we field experience as a student in Dordt College’s Between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm, Haas’s Business Saturday. university students choose to get married during approach. September. While scooters are commonly stolen Interstates, offered her company’s opinion on didn’t know,” David said. “Do I regret it? Not a elementary education program, where he spent blue chair disappeared. She contacted Dordt “Whether it is in-person or online, take or immediately after attaining a degree. He thinks it is important to find the balance around campus and found later at different the matter. bit. I definitely do believe that was a good thing time practicing math facts with third- and maintenance and they checked the Covenant time this Saturday, November 28 to shop at According to a study from Katherine between the art and science of teaching. buildings, this was the first time Crash had “We believe that the Chamber Bucks program for us where we were at in our relationship.” fourth-grade students. lobby security cameras. The blue chair was your local small business,” the Department of Burgess published in The Washington Post, Teachers must get to know their students gone missing for more than five minutes. It was is a tangible way to encourage people who live Although making his decision to marry “I remember having one little boy who was never brought into the building. Because Commerce said in a statement. the post-secondary schools where people are because it allows for tailored instruction that nowhere to be found. In response, Combs made in Sioux Center to shop locally,” Segar said. “As Melissa on his own, David has wondered if never very motivated, wasn’t very interested, Dordt does not have outdoor cameras, Haas The department’s encouragement of in- most likely to find spouses are usually Christian meets individual student needs and interests. posters asking for information about Crash. we all know, dollars spent locally have a direct there is unspoken pressure at Dordt for students and then, all of a sudden one day, he got very was unable to see who stole the chair from the person shopping is rare at a time when pleas and institutions. Yet, he said teachers also must be practical “I swear I will hunt you down and you will impact on the economy in our community.” to get married young. interested,” Starkenburg said. “And I mean so Covenant east entrance. demands to stay home are pouring forth from Kooiman and Van Eps are both 21 years old. because students need to be able to understand have to catch some hands,” the poster read. The Chamber Bucks impact, while felt at It’s jokes like “don’t date until Tristate,” and interested that he would sit up and look at me Haas was confused. nearly every official outlet in the country. Small They were engaged in September, having dated the lesson itself. “Violence can be avoided if and only if you the mall, did not fully make up for the students “MRS. degree” that David believes contribute very intently. And, suddenly, he knew all of his “Who wants a dripping wet chair?” Haas Business Saturday has existed for the past 10 11 months before that. “You need the science, but you also have return my scooter to Covenant’s lobby.” who usually sit hunched over their laptops at to this implied culture and expectation. Not facts.” said. “It was still wet when they took it… and years, but businesses this year have used it At the end of their sophomore year during to have that personal artistic way to bring it The poster also included Combs’s phone Butler’s Café or roam the aisles at Walmart. having known it at the time, David admits Starkenburg remembers being surprised by they don’t have the cushion.” as a call for in-store customers to once again finals week, Kooiman made banana bread for about,” Starkenburg said. “The nice thing number and was posted to Instagram by When asked about Saturday, Paul Albert, part of the reason he originally attended Dordt the quick turnaround of this student, and he Combs’s and Haas’s stories bring up an browse the aisles of local stores or look beyond her roommate’s boyfriend. They dropped it off about that is there is no one right way to teach. student-run accounts Zesty Dordt Memes and owner of Butler’s, said business was slower was out of hope to find a spouse. According began investigating. interesting question on campus. In 2018, the Amazon during online shopping. together, and Kooiman met Van Eps for the first God uses many different personality types and Dordt Rants. than usual. to David, Christian universities and Dordt in “He was looking at the reflection in my crime statistics at Dordt show a relatively safe “We felt like Saturday was a very good day time while he was studying for an engineering individual teachers.” Combs was hopeful when her phone rang “I think that’s because we’ve started to particular, are places that allow students to meet glasses,” Starkenburg said. “He could see the campus: no reports of burglary, robbery, or for the mall,” Dean Gabhart, the manager of the test. They started dating the October of their He clearly sees this when he comes home later. lose some of the Dordt students,” Albert said. others their age with shared worldviews and answers on there. And that’s why he was so motor vehicle theft. Crimes such as a missing Centre Mall, said recently. “Most of our stores junior year. to his wife, who is a Covenant Kids Preschool “[expletive] your scooter,” the caller said. “They probably make up thirty percent of my similar belief systems. intent, and that’s why he knew the answers.” scooter or chair are not included in the annual that I’ve talked to have been very pleased with “I didn’t go to Dordt to find my significant teacher in Orange City. They enjoy taking time While Combs thought the prank call was business.” At the end of the day, David said he is happy Since then, Starkenburg has served as an report because lack of proof and severity make the turnout on Saturday here.” other. It was more of an added bonus I guess,” to share their classroom experiences and often rude, it was “a little funny”. As the holidays approach, 30 million small he met Melissa at Dordt but would have been educator for 41 years. He taught third- and it difficult, but should Dordt students be more Gabhart was pleased to see many of the said Kooiman. “It was just a really cool moment are left awed by the work their partner does at Four days later, Crash re-appeared in the businesses are hoping for a shopping season equally happy to meet her somewhere else. fourth-grade students for twelve years before concerned about unreported theft? mall’s stores participate in the event and use that [God] brought my person now rather than the other end of the education spectrum. Covenant lobby and the two were reunited. that will bring new life to a business sector that “I think of it more in a sense of [Dordt] was training future educators at Northwestern “It’s interesting that it’s such an issue on a the Saturday to promote their business. Another after college.” In his retirement, Starkenburg hopes to Combs decided to not leave Crash outside carries the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis a really formative place for me in my life, for College and Dordt University for nearly three Christian campus. It surprises me that people part of the success of Small Business Saturday Both Kooiman and Van Eps believe there volunteer in different educational settings with again, carrying the scooter to class and into the Missy too,” David said. “The fact that we met decades. Now, after teaching around 1,400 just take stuff.” Combs said. “Dordt doesn’t do are students that attend Dordt solely for their his wife and even plans to pick up part-time lobby of the Commons during meals. But her here and that’s where our relationship began, education students, he plans to retire to travel anything about it… I get there’s no way they MRS. degree, a term thrown around on campus hours at Dordt. He would also like to find a job period of unification did not last long. Crash boy if other people would find that same kind of with his wife and serve people in interesting could… but I wish they could do more.” that references those who go to college for the in the service industry because he has always went missing again a month later in October, joy in their lives, what a great thing.” new ways. Combs suggests that Dordt should send purpose of getting hitched. From his experience, wanted to try working at a hotel or as a waiter. and Combs has not seen it since. Although David would have been happy to To his students, he is a joyful, engaging, mass emails or make announcements to the Van Eps has seen girls with this intent more Regardless of his plans for the future, Combs isn’t the first person on campus to meet Melissa somewhere other than Dordt, he empathetic man who wears a continuous smile student body when something goes missing. Students on campus during often than boys. He believes girls feel more Starkenburg will miss watching students grow lose something and, unfortunately, she won’t doesn’t think he would have. David grew up and is excited and passionate about learning. While Greta Haas thinks Dordt should pressure to get married. and develop because he thinks it is the one be the last. Derek Buteyn, director of Dordt in a big city in California, while Melissa grew They never saw him angry or frustrated, only invest in outdoor security cameras to prevent With her Dutch background, Kooiman superpower God has given him. In fact, on the Residence Life, has heard the complaint before, up in a small town in Minnesota. Had they not happy and excited to share his knowledge. They more incidents, she says there are other factors online learning believes this culture contributed to her views on wall of his office, a sign says, “I teach. What’s but only once or twice a semester. Zac VanderLey.– Staff Writer gone to Dordt, David is sure he would never felt heard, valued and understood. to include. rather large lines at the Grille is gone. marriage. She said her uncles and grandparents, your superpower?” “Having something taken from you is have met his wife. “He has a heart to serve his students in any “It is Northwest Iowa. There’s not a lot of The thrash guitar riffs of Metallica from especially grandpas, would tease her “all the really frustrating… but a lot issues resolve The white tree inscribed on the flag of “We have a weird culture around dating and way he can,” said Emily Kooiman, a senior crime here.” Haas said. East Campus D ED 5 add some vibrancy to the time” about boys and marriage. This teasing themselves,” Buteyn said. “We simply Gondor welcomes Colton Ott after a good marriage here at Dordt, but it’s also not a bad elementary education major. “From answering For students such as Haas and Combs, the strangely clear Iowan ground. “Enter Sandman” was directed more often towards girl cousins don’t have the resources to look for missing night’s rest in East Campus. The flag sits on culture,” said David. questions in the classroom to opening his office main issue is plain frustration. fades to Ed Sheeran, and Ott brings the alocasia than boy cousins. Kooiman said some people scooters… we’re focusing on academics or the wall accompanied by the American flag, the Ultimately, David does not believe Dordt is doors to discuss possibilities with students, he “I just want my scooter back before I go plant into the shower with him in order to may feel pressure to get married because of COVID.” Austrian flag, and a WWII 48-star flag. the answer to finding a spouse. In a family of has always demonstrated a heart of service.” home for Thanksgiving.” Combs said. provide it with the humidity it needs to survive. this environment, but she simply saw it as her After Ott awakes, he begins working on three other kids, David and all his siblings were Annetta de Jong, a junior secondary English The other plants rest in direct room light away relatives joking. abstract geometry homework while eating Dordt graduates. David and Melissa are the only education major, said he inspires her to be from the frosted windowsill, which has claimed Although Dordt has a significant number of breakfast. Before leaving for one of his two Dordt couple, while the rest of David’s siblings patient and caring for students while still setting the lives of other plants. individuals getting married after or even before work-study jobs with the mailroom and Dordt found their spouses outside of university. high standards for them. On Thanksgiving Day, Ott played Jackbox graduation, Kooiman and Van Eps believe Media Network, Ott waters his plants and the David said his wife did not attend Dordt to Though he enjoyed teaching elementary games over Zoom with his family. They Dordt does not overtly promote this culture. Dordt ends semester with plants of his friends: an alocasia, multiple cacti, find a husband, as the MRS. degree gender-bias students because of the hands-on impact he struggled to answer any Murder Trivia Party “I don’t remember going to a chapel or and a dragon plant. proposes. had on them, Starkenburg is happy to leave a questions correctly but enjoyed experiencing hearing any Dordt staff in particular say any “It’s honestly pretty quiet,” Ott, a senior “She was here for her education and legacy through future teachers like Kooiman 153 total recorded positive their instinct of survival in the mini games. pressure. In fact, I feel like it’s otherwise. math education major, said. “The entire block is happened to meet a guy,” David said. and de Jong. Now, he guides the people who Ott capped off the day with one of his favorite They’ve told you it’s okay if you don’t end up gone which means I can play my music as loud will impact those students, which “grows meals: chicken fettuccini with broccoli. marrying when you graduate,” Van Eps said. as I want.” exponentially.” COVID-19 cases cont. Due to new COVID-19 restrictions in certain Two Dordt staff members have walked a Dordt’s decision to undergo online classes The most rewarding aspect of teaching states around the US, many others within the similar route as Kooiman and Van Eps. David for the two weeks after Thanksgiving messed educators for Starkenburg has been enabling cont. from page 1 Dordt community partook in Thanksgiving Contributed Photo with Ott’s travel plans since he has no vehicle celebrations similar to Ott order to slow the we felt balanced responsibility for some degree three quarters to one million dollars into on campus. But he felt happy when a few jobs spread of the virus which has now claimed the of case count with some degree of normalcy.” this semester. If Dordt wanted to replicate a became available. lives of over 290,000 Americans. Saving those who served cont. Only ten days into the start of classes, though, testing system like that of larger schools on the Around 100 students are still lingering In the midst of daily record setting new the number of active reported COVID-19 cases east coast, one that tests half its student body around campus after most students went home cases and deaths, changing restrictions, and cont. from pg. 1 husband and a father from his wife and three that his true battle began. blue vest stating in white stitches: SERVICE on campus reached 28, with 78 in quarantine weekly, this number would multiply to four or before Thanksgiving. Both men’s and women’s varying viewpoints, there is a sense of united children? The pills meant to alleviate Clinton’s pain DOG. DO NOT PET. He even has his own or isolation. This early spike ended up tallying five million. varsity basketball teams are continuing to community within Dordt students. . . .of his platoon. His job—to serve as a 50 And then it was his turn. Another day, and turned against him. In no time, he became business cards. But as soon as the vest is off, as the highest total case count for the semester. “It was always wanting to be a responsible practice and play games throughout the end of “I’m having difficulty finding motivation to Cal gunner and offer personal security detail for another firefight ruthlessly pursued Clinton as addicted. After he was cut off from the Patton sheds one identity for another: playmate At the time, Hoekstra doubted if he and the member of the broader community that we are the semester and into parts of Christmas break. do schoolwork,” confessed Ott. his battalion commander. On only his third day he lay stuffed in the gunner’s turret atop the medication, he resorted to heroin—and drinking and guardian for his handler’s children. university had made the correct decision. responsible for as Christians.” Hoekstra said. Also, the indoor track team had a meet on the Because of the preparation of Dordt of the job, escorting his commander back from truck. Suddenly, Clinton found himself laid out on top of it. He forged a friendship with a fellow As Clinton’s daughter toddles around the His bi-weekly interactions with local health It was this guiding philosophy that also 4th and 5th of December, which resulted in professors, online learning for the two a meeting with the Afghan government, Clinton with a punch to the gut. Then he saw the blood. addict, then just as quickly lost him. He died park, Patton walks in step with her, hips gently officials and the governor’s office assured led Dordt to divert from their originally stated many of their participants staying on campus to weeks after in-person classes has been more experienced his first gunfight. In one sudden, With the realization came waves of pain. with the needle still in his arm. swaying in tune. His back provides the perfect him not to lose faith, however, and to place goal and cut the in-person semester short at practice. intentional and organized. But as the semester explosive moment, the Taliban attacked. “I couldn’t even explain,” Clinton said. With 2015 came a ray of hope. Clinton met handhold as she fights a losing battle with trust in Dordt’s virus containment measures. Thanksgiving break. With the fourteen-day Even though the campus is not completely comes to an end, motivation seems to lower “The stupid thing in my eyes is that we “Anything other than like somebody else his wife, who turned his life around. But he balance. Even as he stands across the lawn, he’s They recommended over the summer, on top quarantines awaiting Canadian and Illinoisans empty, there is no one to break the calm of the no matter if the student is home, at Dordt, or always go back the same way we went in,” getting shot, and I’m feeling it.” knew he needed another partner to support him checking in on Clinton. of general guidelines on social distancing, a students upon their returns, on top of the red grass in the December prairie, and there staying somewhere else. The slog to the end of Clinton said. “It always gave the enemy the A methodical approach greeted Clinton in through the struggles ahead. A look toward. A look away. Do you need COVID-19 testing system, which Dordt put potential health risk of hundreds of individuals is no snow to hide the emptiness the students’ final’s week is universal. knowledge of like, ‘Hey they’re going to come the moments after the bullet went through his A few weeks after he gave up drinking in me? into place. traveling to and from campus, the pitfalls absence brings. Taylor believes it’s good that Dordt’s back this way,’ You know, all they got to do is groin, taking with it some of his intestines. September of 2019, he met Patton. And he’s It’s at about this time that Clinton’s daughter In order to keep up with the quicker-than- seemed to outweigh the benefits. “We miss our students,” Robert Taylor, campus feels wrong without most of the just wait.” He stubbornly held onto consciousness as the been sober ever since. begins to cry. In one well-practiced maneuver he realized spread of cases on campus and in the Hoekstra knows the disappointment of Dordt’s dean of students, said, “They bring the students. This feeling reflects the values of It wasn’t in the cards for Clinton to escape medics placed him on the ground and sliced As Clinton stands up again, the ghosts of swoops her into his arms. Her shoes and socks surrounding community, Dordt also made not reaching December 11 but reflects on the energy and curiosity to campus, and it just feels the entire community; school is more than an unscathed. His friend, a fellow gunner, never through his clothing, yanking off his boots. his past cling to him. But now, Patton is there. mysteriously disappeared, so her button toes are available the Alumni House and local hotels semester largely defined by the COVID-19 wrong without them.” education or a paycheck. Dordt is a calling to made it home. Rather than flip Clinton over, they cupped their He weaves around his legs and looks up at his exposed to the cold Iowa wind. Clinton gently when the designated area in West Hall for pandemic in a positive light. He thinks the Taylor and other Dordt faculty carry on the serve, nurture, and continually define purpose. Clinton watched as his friend, assigned to hands and slipped them behind him. They came partner. He releases a high-pitched whine. Are massages warmth back into them, nuzzling her quarantined students filled up in days. Christian worldviews held by students enabled same workload as before. They attend the same As Ott finishes drinking a mountain dew and another truck, hit a roadside bomb. Numbed back red. There was an exit wound. you okay? hair and whispering sweet nothings to her. These COVID-19 restrictions came at a cost them to remain calm and vigilant through meetings and still help students, albeit mostly reading through from the shock, he didn’t believe it. Not until Clinton remembers the chopper, then “It’s a distraction,” Clinton said. “To take His sons say that Patton is their best friend. too. With the expenses of off-campus lodging uncertainty. virtual, but the infectious energy which students “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” he later. Only then did he recognize the finality everything went black. When he opened his your mind off of what you’re thinking and put it They were just as excited to welcome him into and food, personal protective equipment, and a “It was a virus that we couldn’t control, and bring when they rush to class on longboards, comes upon an epiphany: “I think more than of the situation. Then the hatred came. Toward eyes again, he found himself in Germany with to something that’s better.” the family. But they know that he’s no ordinary the enemy, toward God. Clinton wrestled with contact-tracing system that required additional people did their level best and I’m just grateful.” chat with professors after class, and create anything now is a time to think.” a colostomy bag for a companion. But it wasn’t It’s clear that Patton takes his job seriously. dog. When the vest is on, he’s working to keep hires to manage it, Dordt poured an estimated Hoekstra said. the questions. Why would God take away a until he was back in the States a few weeks later He single-mindedly focuses on Clinton, his royal their father safe. page 4 Feature Feature page 5 A fractured faith Married professors share De Vries’ agricultural journey Aleasha Hintz- Staff Writer Sam Landstra—Staff Writer their story Within the agriculture department, Holly University. She taught a chemistry class part “It didn’t happen overnight.” Scott to his website—on decried on the “unlawful Gerrit Van Dyk spent his summer under “It’s a constant uphill battle” Van Dyk said Jayden Hoksbergen – Staff Writer De Vries is a familiar face. She now stands to time, and learned to love teaching as well. Two Culpepper said. “It’s very poignant for people censorship and discrimination” of COVID-19 a self-imposed house arrest. He only left his on his relationship with the church over the become even more of one as Dordt University more years went by and another path opened [of college] age who are beginning to serve in restrictions on religious gatherings across the After Sanborn Christian, the couple went home for groceries, to see his girlfriend, and to pandemic. “I wouldn’t say it’s easy for me to In the last week of the summer of 1992, recently hired her to work full time as a up. the church. It’s such a contradiction to the ideals nation. their separate ways career-wise; Valorie taught hike. He did not go out to eat, did not work, feel like I’m being heard.” Ryan Zonnefeld and a group of his friends went professor. Throughout her life, De Vries has This past summer, a full time position that you’ve been taught.” “That’s a problem too.” Culpepper said. at Western Christian High School, and Ryan and did not attend church in person. (His family Van Dyk watched the father of a close and cruising. It was almost time to pack up their high been focused toward one particular calling: became available in the agriculture department Culpepper teaches history at Dordt “Just the stark contradiction between the worked as principal of Hull Christian School did stream it every Sunday though, with near- Christian friend cast the only dissenting vote school years and head off to college. Later that working the earth. It’s taken many forms along at Dordt. De Vries, though slightly hesitant, University. He also pastored in two different message of love, the message of grace the and later taught at Northwestern College. perfect attendance.) against a mask mandate for his hometown. He night, after cruising to their hearts’ content, they the way. felt a nudge to pursue work full time at the churches for seven years in Louisiana. From the church is proclaiming, and then these political When Valorie was hired to work full-time at It got old fast. With seven siblings and two saw on social media other believers posting decided to go for a swim at Sandy Hollow, but From the very beginning, De Vries was university. Though teaching was always an South to the Midwest, he has seen the full scope movements which seem to sort of hijack Dordt in 2009, Ryan still planned on teaching at parents sharing the house, it was bound to. But scripture to defend disobeying public health the campground charged entrance fees and was nudged towards a vocation in agriculture. She alternative in the back of her mind, De Vries did of the younger generation’s disillusionment Christian imagery.” Northwestern. But due to an unexpected death the Van Dyk family did it anyway to protect guidelines. It forced him to grapple with his closed at night. Not to be deterred, the group grew up on a small dairy farm in Nova Scotia, not expect to transition so soon. God had taken with the church—and even experienced it These matters of national proportion also in the education department at Dordt, Ryan was their two youngest who suffer from respiratory faith and identity. of friends climbed the fence that surrounded Canada where she learned the ins and outs of the over the direction of her calling. himself. trickle into local communities. hired at Dordt only a few weeks before the 2009 health issues. They also did it for the members of “It threw me off. As someone I thought I the property and jumped into the lake. It was business. Dairy farming is incredibly involved, “I kind of tiptoed into it rather than jumped Before Dordt, Culpepper taught at Louisiana Josie De Jong remembers the concern she fall semester. their community they did not know personally, trusted, as someone who believed in some of this same night that Ryan finally mustered up and sticks to a consistent schedule. in,” De Vries said. College, a Baptist institution in the Bible Belt. felt upon seeing a social media post showing The Zonnefelds admitted that it’s hard for but who could also be at risk. the same values as I did.” Van Dyk said. “I felt the nerve to ask out Valorie, a friend of his who “When you grow up on a dairy it gets in your By starting in an adjunct position, De There, he worked under a leader he described over a hundred Dordt students sitting together them to keep their work and home life separate. “Just out of the principle of loving your like I was betrayed.” was entering her senior year in high school. She blood,” De Vries said. Vries found the change less jarring than if as “a raging study in incompetence” and “a on the campus lawn for a semester-kickoff “We’re terrible at that; we always have neighbor.” Van Dyk said. “I truly believe that’s This isn’t the only time large scale later became his wife. Thus began her deep-seated calling to work she were to come right from a veterinary job. known, pathological liar”. While at a Christian worship event. been,” Valorie said. one of the most important things we can do as disillusionment with the church and other “He asked me out the week before he went the earth. It was on her family farm that De Her experience as an adjunct prepared her for college, Culpepper found himself constantly “In a way that sort of built this seed of “I don’t know if there is separation,” Ryan human beings.” established societal structures has occurred to Dordt,” Valorie said. “Real dumb timing to Vries learned to love the outdoors. working full time, but the change still brought a needing to defend his morals against attacks. frustration with Christians that I had always had said, laughing. But when Van Dyk returned for his junior either. ask out a high school girl.” She also found interest in science— few pleasant surprises. When he left Louisiana College for Dordt but amplified over COVID.” De Jong said. However, the couple does place emphasis on year at Dordt University, the attitudes he In the 1920s—following the prosperity of The two dated throughout their time at Dordt specifically, in medicine. By putting these two “Being able to take what I have done in University, Culpepper conducted his job search De Jong, a senior at Dordt University, does interacting professionally with each other. They encountered towards COVID-19 left him the Gilded Age—economic disparity fueled College and eventually got married during the passions together, De Vries found the second veterinary medicine and apply that in the in secret. The leader was known to head off the not go to church anymore. She has not since her have a rule that they will not sit by each other at stunned. the Great Depression, the Spanish flu spread Christmas break of Ryan’s senior year. form her calling would take and decided to classroom to a lot of things that we’re teaching job applications of people trying to find a way parents divorced when she was younger. She no meetings or any other professional setting. On a trip to Walmart for apartment across the world, and tens of millions died in Years later, Ryan and Valorie Zonnefeld both become a large animal veterinarian by her has been, for me, come full circle,” said De out. longer sees the need to. “I think it’s important that people respect furnishings, Van Dyk walked multiple aisles World War I. These catastrophic events formed work at Dordt University, one of about twenty junior year of high school. That was that. Vries. “That was hurtful.” Culpepper said, “It’s Her absence from the pews makes De Jong me for me, and people respect Ryan for Ryan,” into the store before spotting a person wearing a a generation of grief-stricken individuals with married couples employed by the college. She knew exactly what she wanted from a De Vries did not expect to enjoy the student something I can’t forget. I could forgive it, but feel estranged from her hometown of Orange Valorie said. mask—even though they were required. no higher entity to cling to. With part-time workers and adjunct professors young age: what she wanted to do for work, and factor as much as she does, and she is finding never would trust myself completely to those City, Iowa, where almost every street corner The education and math departments at These were people Van Dyk had seen at Almost one hundred years later exactly, included, married couples make up about 12 who she wanted to marry (not a dairy farmer). she is able to do much more than just relay cultures again.” houses a church. It sometimes seems easier to Dordt do work closely together at times, and church services, people from a town that prided history has mimicked itself. COVID-19 has percent of all staff and faculty working at Dordt. So she planned for her life, she pursued her information. It doesn’t take long to find other climates find a person there who attends church twice on the Zonnefelds do as well. Valorie said they’re itself on its Christian values; and they were taken the pandemic helm from the Spanish flu, Ryan and Valorite serve as full-time plan, and she got it... sort of. “I’m always learning right along with my similar to those Culpepper experienced that hold Sunday than not at all. The same goes for Sioux each other’s “best colleagues.” The two taught shirking public health guidelines. and social unrest in the form of the Black Lives professors, working in the education and math De Vries graduated from Dordt College with students,” said De Vries. together conflicting messages of Christianity, Center too, where Dordt resides. a class for elementary math at Dordt together “That baffles me.” Van Dyk said. “The fact Matter movement has signified a discontent departments, respectively. They were hired an animal science degree in 2000, interned as an Agriculture is an ever-changing field, and especially in relation to COVID-19. “I don’t feel connected. I never have.” De for several years. They said they always had fun that you can claim to be a Christian and them with the current status quo. together full-time in 2009. Before, Valorie assistant herdsman at the old Dordt Dairy, and De Vries is relearning the theories she forgot Take for example Liberty University, one Jong said. “I don’t like being cynical about it teaching that class. almost go out of your way to protect your “We are already sort of used to living in this coached the Dordt JV volleyball team for a year went on to veterinary schools at Iowa State right while practicing, as well as learning from her of the biggest Christian colleges in the nation, either. I know that there are good parts to Sioux Additionally, they work on scholarship yourself, put yourself first and make sure you’re state of anxiety.” De Jong said. “A lot of us are and worked as an adjunct professor for two after. In 2005, Central Vet Clinic officially hired students’ various agriculture experiences. where its president Jerry Falwell resigned this Center and Orange City. It’s just that some together. They often present at conferences and ahead of your neighbors.” just exhausted by that.” years. her on as a large animal veterinarian where she So far, De Vries has served God through fall after a sex scandal. Before his resignation, people experience those good parts more often travel to math and science foundations. Valorie Van Dyk is not alone. Culpepper worries about people like De Jong Dordt is not the only school where the worked for 13 years. multiple avenues. She served as a child on her Falwell also came under criticism during the than other people do.” is the primary investigator of the Noyce grant, Across America, young people are feeling and Van Dyk losing a sense of the importance Zonnefelds taught together. When they first De Vries was living her dream, but God family’s dairy, through her academic pursuits, early months of the pandemic for partially De Jong is just one member in the growing and Ryan works as one of her best Co-PIs for it. alienated by their churches. They are witnessing of their engagement with culture. Their voices began their careers, they taught at Calvin had more in store for her. On the tail end of her internship on the Dordt dairy, her career as a reopening the Liberty campus for in-person population of young people leaving the church. Even though they try to separate themselves a lifestyle they view as incompatible with the still matter, he believes, even when others try to Christian School in Southern California. her veterinarian career the one thing De Vries veterinarian, and her teaching at Dordt. learning. He believed it their “responsibility as According to LifeWay Research, 70 percent while working professionally, they make sermon and are questioning their faith because silence it. After a few years, the couple moved back to knew she did not want to do, happened. She She also serves through her role as a wife a Christian university” to keep their doors open. of Protestants stop going to church for at least an effort to get together for social things of it. For some, their cognitive dissonance “We’ve got to meet strident rhetoric and Northwest Iowa. got married to a dairy farmer. Though it wasn’t and mother, and helps on her husband with their Just recently, Sean Feucht of the CCM a year between ages 18 and 22. Of this group, throughout the school day. They go to chapel forces them to abandon the religion altogether. irresponsible use of information with gentleness, “I was super homesick,” Valorie said. what she planned, she was happy. A few years trucking business, replacement heifers, and group Bethel Music held a “Let Us Worship” 26 percent said their decision came as a result together frequently, and they try to meet up for Although COVID-19 has forced many of these with the fruit of the spirit.” Culpepper said. The Zonnefelds taught in some of the area later she had her eldest daughter, followed by organic farm. She is truly a Jill of all trades and concert on the steps of the Washington Mall of judgmental or hypocritical church members, lunch. They love that they can attend social issues to the surface, it’s a trend that extends far “Still care. Still be engaged.” schools after they moved. While Valorie taught another, and she quit working as a vet to stay at a master of agriculture, but her first priority has with 15,000 invitees. The event has roots in and another 15 percent claimed it was due to events and work together at Dordt. beyond the pandemic. at Sanborn Christian School, Ryan split his home with her children. always been to serve God. a right-wing evangelicalism that—according members acting unfriendly or unwelcoming. time between Sanborn Christian and Sheldon “I had to wrestle with this career change “I don’t think it really matters what you’re Christian School. calling a bit,” De Vries said, “because, you doing as long as you’re serving Him,” De Vries know, when God calls you to something said. “That’s your calling, is to serve Him.” different, I really feel like you have to, in some De Vries, as well as the rest of the agriculture Rain or snow, hot or cold, 712 Nutrition has the healthy ways, shut the door on one dream in order to say department, presses the importance of serving yes to another one.” God through agriculture. She truly has a wealth treat for you Custom Clips and college In 2018 she decided to begin working again, of agricultural knowledge and plans to serve and picked up an adjunct position at Dordt God here at Dordt for many years to come. Sydney Brummel – Staff Writer

When I stepped out of my car on a late their lives.” Afterward, I paid, said goodbye, and exited Oort said. “The shakes are very protein-tasting, profits Tuesday morning this semester, I was rudely Walking inside the shop, many Sioux Center 712 Nutrition with a hot shake warming up my but it’s something that doesn’t bother me.” Eoghan Holdahl – Staff Writer Buker brought to Dordt greeted by a post-blizzard gust of wind straight natives may have their minds immediately hands. Once I was seated back into my car and to the face. The below-freezing air bit into my called back to the original Subway in town. As delicious as customers may find their turned on the ignition, I took my first sip of Last year as Ben Schmidt, then an RA in East Veldhorst and a Nick Veldhuizen.” Jayden Hoksbergen– Staff Writer anymore,” he said. cheeks and quickly stiffened my gloved hands. While the familiar tan wallpaper remains in ordered tea or shake, the price of their item my hot shake. My shivering body and hungry Hall, made his rounds, he often came across a Kolton has had an eye for business since he Buker gave one example of that kind of It was the sort of weather that should have had 712 Nutrition, the shop itself is rearranged. may hinder them from quickly returning to 712 stomach immediately thanked me for today’s lineup of guys outside the kitchenette. Inside, was around eight or nine years old growing up Marcus Buker, Dordt’s new professor of event. When he was looking to sell his house me cozying up on my apartment couch under a Instead of a sub-making bar, there now stands Nutrition. lunch. Despite the slight after-taste of protein Kolton Korthuis wielded a pair of scissors in Lyndon, WA. In second grade his class raised mathematics and statistics, believes that God in Lacombe, Illinois, and move to Northwest blanket with a large mug of coffee in my hands, high, angled countertop, behind which are an “I don’t go often, as it is quite expensive,” powder when I had my shake, I was pleasantly while trimming away at a student’s hair. chickens. This inspired his first business, which led him to his new position at Dordt. Iowa, the housing market was terrible because staring through a window at the winter day impressive ensemble of smoothie and shake Van Oort said. “I would recommend everyone surprised with the sweetness and warmth of my Korthuis decided to start his haircutting he shared with his brother. Raising chickens Before coming to work at Dordt, Buker of all the layoffs in the area. Houses frequently rather than experiencing it. Yet there I was, in ingredients. To the right of the bar is a table, at least try it, if their wallet allows.” pumpkin cheesecake order—seasonal indeed. business, Kolton’s Custom Clips, after a taught him how to be cost effective—he grew taught at Western Illinois University for 11 stayed on the market for years before selling. the parking lot in front of Sinclair’s gas station, upon which rests a large markerboard with Still, Evers’s business successfully appeals Dordt students, even if you have to drive a conversation he had at the end of high school. his own corn instead of purchasing feed. More years. But Western Illinois struggled with The house across the street from where the which had attached to it one of the newest an impressively extensive menu, featuring to college students by offering healthier—but few minutes across town as I did, I recommend He was worried about where he would manage importantly, it taught him how to network and enrollment, and under Governor Rauner, a Bukers lived was bigger, newer, and better than businesses in Sioux Center—712 Nutrition. variations of different shakes, coffees, and teas. still delectable—alternatives to typical junk dropping by 712 Nutrition, whether it be for to get a haircut, so he asked his father. gather clientele. budget crisis hit Illinois. In one year, the state the Bukers’ house. It had been on the market for A lot of buzz has been circulating in the “Everyone can find something they like, food and energy drinks. a quick, healthy meal that will help you feel “There’s usually just a guy in the dorms who The advertisements he put up in the dorm cut 70 percent of the university’s budget, eight years. Buker was faced with the possibility northwest Iowa area about the new smoothie/ including kids,” Evers said. “All of our products “Our energizing teas are healthy and won’t energized or for a little treat to get you through cuts hair,” Kolton’s father said. buildings, while eye-catching, were only one forcing it to lay off much of its faculty and staff. that he would have to pay off two mortgages at shake shop that opened this summer in town. come from Herbalife products.” give you a crash effect.” Evers said, “Not the day. Consider making a visit to the little Then the idea struck him. way of getting the word out. He has since Buker made it through the first round of one time after he moved. But when he put his Word has spread via social media and word of Brooklyn Van Oort, a junior nursing major, to mention that we have an athletic line that shake and tea shop off of 75 if you have a “I want to be that guy,” he said. expanded his presence with posts on Instagram, layoffs, but lost his job in the second round, house on the market on the morning of July 10, mouth, and many Dordt students have likely has visited 712 Nutrition several times over the college athletes love.” few extra dollars in your pockets, especially Korthuis started out cutting his roommate’s which the RAs cannot take down like the despite being tenured. He was informed of his he received and accepted an offer before noon heard of 712 Nutrition. Located right off of past several months and appreciates the diverse As an athlete and someone who works out on Tuesday, when all items are 10 percent off hair, but now his clientele is composed of over unapproved advertisements hanging in the layoff in 2019. Because of his contract, Buker of the same day. Highway 75 on Frontage Road, close to Hy- selection of shakes. frequently, Van Oort felt especially grateful for for college students. Don’t worry about if the a hundred students. According to him, “The dorms. was able to teach one more year. “Things like that kind of pointed pretty hard Vee and Wal-Mart, the new business is easily “I like taking friends and watching them the health-based menu. weather is sunny and hot or bitter with snow; ingrained business mindset is, ‘how can I take a “A lot of the RAs were hesitant when I first In September of 2019, Buker started to towards ‘God wanted us here,’” Buker said. accessible. With its only sign being a pink sheet choose a shake or tea from the menu,” Van Oort “Personally, I really appreciate that Dordt 712 Nutrition’s menu has got what you need to hobby and make money from it.’” started cutting hair in the dorms, and they were apply at other universities. He expanded his Despite knowing he was going where God of paper attached to the front door, however, said. “Whether you are a lover of chocolate students have a healthy option when they want feel happy and healthy every day of the year. With that mindset he has continued to like, ‘I don’t know about this,’” Kolton said. search to places looking for a teacher in a math- was leading him, the transition from Illinois a potential customer needs to keep their eyes fruit, vanilla, coffee, or any flavor in between, to eat off campus or need a meal to go,” Van develop his business for the last four years “And then in a couple weeks I was cutting related field, rather than just his current field of was not easy for Buker. He had to leave the peeled lest they accidentally miss it. there’s a flavor for you.” with the analytical practicality his friends probably 85% of the RAs’ hair.” atmospheric science. Dordt was one of those school he thought he’d teach at until retirement. Danielle Evers, the owner of 712 Nutrition, Although the shop was empty when I first know him for. Every haircut Korthuis has As he nears graduation, Kolton has places. He knew he would be teaching in a field first opened her shop this summer on June visited, I felt welcomed by the music quietly done is meticulously recorded in a large Excel considered continuing Kolton’s Custom Clips At the time he applied at Dordt, Buker different than what he had gotten his PhD in and 1 after getting the idea from a college friend. playing from overhead speakers and the array of spreadsheet. on the weekends while he pursues his full- had hopes of staying at Western Illinois. The had been teaching before. He had to leave all Her hope for the business is to encourage and tables and chairs. When the woman behind the In the spreadsheet he had listed every client’s time career. His passion is in construction university had canceled some of its layoffs, and of his friends behind, and he wasn’t even able support Sioux Center inhabitants to pursue a counter, Evers, asked what I would like to order, major and emphasis, which serves as a talking management, which, he says, is hard to start he hoped to be one of the people they allowed to give them a proper goodbye because of the healthier, happier lifestyle. I was at first skeptical. It felt a bit odd, ordering point for the half-hour he cuts their hair. He your own business in until you have some to stay on. But when he started to look into what COVID-19 pandemic. “I got into health and nutrition after I needed a shake when the weather outside demanded hot also has a description of what instructions they experience. While he’ll probably put Kolton’s Dordt believed as an institution, he became However, Buker said his new colleagues to do something different in my own life because chocolate. Thankfully, Evers provided me with had for a haircut and when it occurred. This Custom Clips on hold temporarily, he says the more interested in Dordt as well, even before he have made him feel welcome in his new I just didn’t feel good and wasn’t performing to several personal recommendations, and I was is indispensable knowledge for remembering mindset will continue to benefit and steer him officially lost his job. environment, even with the difficulties of the the best of my ability,” Evers said, “Once I saw struck to learn about a “hot shake.” Per Evers’ which client is which. toward self-employment. Buker said that many strange and seemingly pandemic. He also enjoys the freedom he has the difference becoming healthy made in my suggestion, I ordered from the seasonal menu, “I’ll be cutting, you know, five different random events happened that allowed him to at Dordt to teach his students using a biblical everyday life, I decided I needed to help others. purchasing a Pumpkin Cheesecake hot shake. guys with the same name Tyler. Sometimes I get teach at Dordt. perspective in all of his classes. I absolutely love watching others transform My order appeared in a matter of minutes. them mixed up,” Korthuis said. “I have a Nick “At some point, you aren’t surprised Contributed Photo page 6 Art & Entertainment Art & Entertainment page 7 The Last Vermeer: movie The Mandalorian part two: Are mullets coming back? Break of Day review Rochelle vanderHelm – Staff Writer review the fanservice strikes back “I like the idea of reclaiming things that Aleasha Hintz - Staff Writer Those born in the late 90’s or later have are not viewed fondly,” said Sophia Marcus, Daniel Ketchelos- Staff Writer Gretchen Lee—Staff Writer probably only heard about the mullet from their a Junior Environmental Science major at parents or seen it in old yearbook photos of that Dordt. Marcus wears a shag, the slightly less Nazi collusion, renaissance painters, and art plot and van Meegeren’s character. If the first After a thrilling opening to the second that more and more “well-known” characters mile-high hair paired with colorful, metallic aggressive cousin of the mullet, but is hoping to forgery are typically not spoken of together two acts had been as intriguing as the third, the season, “The Mandalorian” has started are being incorporated has me feeling a bit eyeshadows and shoulder pads. They look at venture into a full-on mullet after growing her unless when referencing Han van Meegeren. film would have been more effective. connecting more to other Star Wars content, and uneasy. I don’t want the show to lose the level the photos and wonder who convinced Dad that hair out some more. The Last Vermeer, released in theaters on Cinematography, sound design, and editing I’m not sure how to feel about it. of anonymity and disconnect it has carried thus a bi-level was a good idea. “We’ll see what the summer brings,” Marcus November 20, follows the story of a struggling are as typical as any modern release. There While “The Mandalorian” is incredibly far. Although the man-mullet gets most of said. Marcus describes herself as an artistic artist as he sits on trial for collision with the are no innovations in the filmmaking, just the creative and fresh, its plot can be whittled down Another major reason why the disconnect the flack, with “historical” figures like David person, and she loves to see when young people Nazi party. experience that most other films also provide. to this: Mando is on a mission, but first he must was nice with this show was the fact it kept the Bowie and TV heroes like MacGyver traipsing now experiment with styles that teenagers from Based on John Orloff’s book, The Man Director Dan Friedkin accomplished the style complete 50 side-quests in order to get to where fanbase around the series relatively discourse- about in their aggressive bi-levels, there is also later decades would have worn. Who Made Vermeers, The Last Vermeer aims of post-WWII Europe well. His decision to he needs to be. Part of the entertainment of the free. Of course, there were some arguments the femullet, a mullet for women deserves just “Fashion is a great way of expressing to tell the story of historical figure Han van show street executions of those found guilty of show is watching this tired space dad jump about the show on Twitter and other social as much attention. yourself day to day when you’re not actively Meegeren (Guy Pearce), a failing Dutch artist Nazi conspiring exemplified a potential future through an obscene number of hoops to take media platforms, but it was relatively low-level “It was the 80’s,” said Rachel Wordes, a making art,” Marcus said. who managed to swindle high ranking Nazi for van Meegeren. The acting in this film is care of his alien son; from fighting an actual compared to how volatile the Star Wars fandom Junior Education major at Dordt. The 80’s were The mullet has always been something of officers out of millions by selling a replicated believable, but nothing outstanding. Lead dragon with a sci-fi cowboy, to retrieving an has been known to be. This show brought an just like that. a rebellious hairstyle, especially popular in the Vermeer painting instead of an original. actors Guy Pearce and Claes Bang performed egg for the people who stripped his ship for entirely new set of characters and helped But was it? The mullet has actually been 80’s and 90’s rock scene. However, there is Van Meegeren then had to prove to Dutch well, with Guy Pearce delivering the most parts, “The Mandalorian” is delightfully weird. unite fans after the controversy surrounding around for quite some time. According to another major demographic that is drawn to the officials his conspiracy as illegitimate to avoid memorable performance. His character drove It’s a show that takes its sweet time getting to the sequel trilogy and Solo. Fresh faces and Linda Lacina, author of The Mullet Wasn’t style. execution. The story is told through the eyes of most of the storyline despite not holding the the point while still presenting an interesting storylines meant that fans could watch the show Just An ‘80s Thing: Rebels Have Rocked It Matthew Poling, a Freshman Agriculture Joseph Pillar (Claes Bang), a Dutch Jew who status of a main character. Pearce brought a plot that keeps viewers hooked. Throw in a without prior prejudices. Now, by bringing for Centuries, perhaps the first reference to major, has rocked a mullet for 3 years. fought with the Resistance and investigator of quirky touch to his character, which worked western theme, an adorable alien child, and a back old characters and tying Mando’s story mullets in literature comes from the Illiad Vincent Van Gogh was an extraordinary “I think it looks good with my cowboy and clearly designed for quick changes. In act van Meegeren’s case. The Last Vermeer occurs well for a struggling artist. lead who manages to be incredibly attractive— into stories started long ago, I can already when Homer describes a group of spearmen, artist. Even today, his work holds its swag. I love my mullet, especially after a fresh one, a faux mound served as the entrance to a post-WWII and is set in Holland. It’s purpose is This film is interesting for those who enjoy even though we never see his face—and Disney see fandom discourse picking up and the pot “their forelocks cropped, hair grown long at the prominence. Starry Night is still among one of perm when it’s all nice and curly,” Poling said. mine. Later on, a door and a table or couch was to showcase the aftermath of the war for those historical fiction, especially post-WWII Europe. has the recipe for the perfect show. beginning to boil. backs.” Apparently, such a “do” made it harder the most recognizable pieces of art history. The Both Marcus and Poling remark how low- enough to recreate the Van Gogh residence. To who helped benefit the Nazi Party. The events portrayed are accurate and focus on Since “The Mandalorian” gained such a Fan service can be a good thing, when for warriors to be caught by their hair while also artist, however, is usually remembered as just maintenance the style is. sum it up- the set design held practical, with the This film had potential, but overall, its the same paintings that van Meegeren forged in massive fanbase during its first season, it makes done the right way, and creative liberty is protecting the neck from the sun and cold. that: an incredible artist, and maybe even a man “I like the fact of when I get my hair wet that exception of one permanent feature on stage: performance felt lackluster. While featuring history. sense that it would begin taking more risks this important for the people who are creating “The Lacina writes that gangs of Roman frat who cut off his own ear. But in reality, Van Gogh I can dry it like a dog and just shake my head,” a tree. The looming object used the familiar believable acting and an interesting concept, the Mainly, the lack of interest in the season. One such risk is in connecting more Mandalorian.” However, the characters can be boys, fans of different chariot racing groups, led a misunderstood and deeply emotional life. Poling said. Maybe this is what the 2001 film, palette and brushstrokes of Vincent Van Gogh. overall storyline was not interesting. The plot characters throughout the first two acts hurt to “Star Wars: The Clone Wars; the wildly tricky to balance, especially in a show where would terrorize the streets in these hairstyles, Break of Day, by Stephen Fife, tells his story. Joe Dirt, meant by “business in the front, party Blues, browns, oranges, and greens decorated moved slowly, and the first two acts were not the performance of this piece and might drive popular animated show that marked Star Wars’s each episode has a different director and lead “a senseless fashion” according to, Procopius, Break of Day takes place in the early 1880’s in the back.” the cutout, and added a rather whimsical easy to invest in. It was hard to connect with non-historically inclined moviegoers away. first dive into serial television. This season of writer. Hopefully the fan service will be handled a 6th – century scholar. and follows Vincent through major events in his creation to the stage characters and moments that could have felt The average acting and cinematography do not “The Mandalorian” has seen Mando interacting well and major Star Wars characters from other lifetime. Namely, his time spent as a preacher What really helped to liven up the sparse very dramatic fall short. accentuate any parts of this film, but there are with Bo-Katan, Duchess Satine Kryze’s sister media will remain in the series as short cameos, in a mining town in Belgium, his return home, set design were the various props littered on Not all the scenes in this film were bad some redeeming scenes found throughout the and the person currently vying for the position not regulars. Let the storyline focus on nobodies his decision to pursue a career as an artist, and the desks, placed on the table, and hung on the though. The most memorable part of this film, third act. For those not interested the events of leading Mandalore, and Ahsoka Tano, the who explore parts of the galaxy far, far away we his misplaced love for his cousin, Kay. The walls. Vincent’s desk was often rather messy, the trial of van Meegeren, brought much needed of the past, it may be best to skip seeing this. former apprentice of Anakin Skywalker and one have not yet seen. show’s script showcases the depths of Vincent’s which revealed a little of the disorganized, even dramatic conflict to the third act. Constant Overall, The Last Vermeer receives a rating of of the last remaining Jedi. Happy birthday, beautiful emotions: both his love for the people around chaotic, nature in the man. But one prop in the opposition to claims and previously hidden 6/10. While it’s exciting to see the live-action him and the deep anguish that seemed to plague Caleb M. S. - Staff Writer design caught my eye- a replica of Van Gogh’s information created a better connection with the renditions of these characters and gain insight him. painting: The Potato Eaters. The painting into what happened to them following the pounding 808s. I was barely aware of Kanye Ten years since the release of Kanye West’s features a peasant family eating dinner together, end of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series, I West at age 11 in 2010; my musical exposure My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the album with the muse for one face being revealed at have mixed feeling about how much “The did not reach much beyond the local Christian Schnell portrayed holds even more weight than at its release. the end of the show. The painting was rather Fighting fast Mandalorian” is starting to tie-in to the rest of stations my parents played in the back of our Equally parts retaliatory and prophetic, Kanye’s impressive- at least from the audience- and was Star Wars. Personally, part of why I like the Dodge Grand Caravan (same model and color the confusion in Magna Carta now holds an unofficial top done by the students in the art department. show is because it shows the lives of people as the vehicle on the cover of Kendrick’s Good ranking in his vast catalogue of albums. But there was more to the show than stylistic fashion with fashion in the galaxy far, far away who aren’t caught Kid, m.A.A.d city). The first rap I was exposed the character quite The 2009 VMAs recolored public perception set pieces and striking paintings. This show Rochelle vanderHelm- Staff Writer up in the Skywalker family drama. It has done to a year later was Jay-Z and Kanye’s Ni***s of West when the rapper staggered onto the proved that lighting design can be an art as well. in child labor worldwide, many of them in an excellent job of showing how the average in Paris, then a bootleg of Fantasy. I vividly well. awards stage to seize the microphone from It used many reds, greens, and blues, which Pants are superior to dresses for staying textile sweatshops. While many think of human Joe has been impacted by the actions of other remember sitting with my iPod Nano, running 20-year-old Taylor Swift. The now infamous created a stage often rather dark. This was fitting warm in winter. It is a well-documented fact trafficking as sex exploitation, of the 20.9 famous characters and I really like the fact around my basement at 1AM, unable to sit still “I’mma let you finish,” interruption from Kanye of the play’s overall mood, and proved tasteful. that dress-wearing women everywhere, and the million people trafficked globally 67.9 percent that the main cast is composed of a series of as I blasted “POWER” from the MP3 player. The passionate nature of the show demanded forced a change in public perception. West, During more intense moments, the lights burst average Scottish man, will testify to. Although, are involved in forced labor exploitation. nobodies. While Bo-Katan and Ahsoka aren’t Today, ten years later and almost twice as old, much from the cast—especially from the roles of once the out there creative with innovative in a flashing red, but during romantic moments the Scotts arguably have it better in their plaid “98 percent of these workers don’t make a joining the show as series regulars, the fact “POWER” still has the same effect. Vincent, his parents, and Kay. These roles were Contributed Photo sounds and masterful projects, was now a bully the light itself seemed to swell with warmth. wool and stockings. living wage,” Jatho said. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy lays played by Nicholas Schnell, Aaron Medberry, in the highest order. The show was beautifully done and tugged Despite this, thousands of women, and Dressember only lasts for one month. Jatho out the psyche of a hip-hop god, wrestling with Sarah Holmberg, and Brittany Bloemhof West retreated from the public eye after the at the audience’s heart strings. The acting occasionally men, around the world commit became concerned about what happens the rest his own mortality. Kanye equally draws off his respectively. All of the cast performed well, VMA debacle, self-exiling on Oahu, Hawaii combined with the technical design and the to wearing a dress every day of the month of of the year. Whirlwind of concerts cap off intense egoism, then only a few songs later is but Vincent’s character proved captivating. He in a recording studio surrounded by a Mount professionalism of the run crew resulted in a December. The movement is called Dressember, “I was wearing a dress, and that was great, wallowing in the depths of his own humanness. was easily swept up in fits of romance, at one Rushmore of hip-hip—Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Pusha striking show. This was the second time that and it is a small part of the growing fashion but that dress was from Ross, and a child made West is a self-recognized imperfect perfectionist point actually twirling around the stage. Still, semester T, and Nicki Minaj. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver the theatre department found a way to safely activism movement. that dress for Ross,” Jatho said. on a musical rampage seeking to set his own this was but one small portion of his character. Tabetha DeGroot - Staff Writer made an appearance, Q-TIP penned lyrics, and produce a show, and hopefully it won’t be the “As Christians we should spend, like, a She began doing research on sourcing for image before it is taken from him. Kanye’s Vincent would also experience moments where RZA threw melodies at West until they stuck. last. second thinking about the clothes that we clothing brands and was shocked to find the lyricism is at its peak on Fantasy, as he throws he wasn’t quite lucid, and Schnell portrayed the Before most students left Dordt for 29 when he walked onstage for November 24 “Camp Rap,” as it was dubbed, focused so wear,” said Anika Jatho, a junior social work kind of exploitation—against both people gems like “They say, I was the abomination of confusion in the character quite well. Thanksgiving, multiple concerts filled the performance. much collective brain power at one project it major. Jatho, along with several others at Dordt, and the environment—that takes place in the Obama’s nation,” The actors also took on the unusual last days of the on-campus fall semester with “The concert was interesting with such little was amazing no one spontaneously combusted. participates in Dressember and is passionate fashion industry. Kanye is loud, brash, abrasive, vulgar, challenge of acting with face masks. The music. The ensembles performed arrangements practice, especially since I’m not particularly Kanye and Camp Rap debuted My Beautiful about fashion stewardship. Jatho felt convicted to work against those and at sometimes a downright a**hole, as he white masks used a clear panel that allowed featuring a mix of classical and contemporary gifted when it comes to music” Ott said. Dark Twisted Fantasy to an awestruck hip- “There’s a lot of places where we’re like, actions that “not only allow, but encourage, readily acknowledges “Lets have a toast for the the actor’s expressions to be seen. Initially, the music. Both the audience members and He prepared as much as he could while hop community on November 22, 2010. The ‘Yeah, I wanna live better, and love Jesus,’ but slavery.” d*****bags / a toast for the a**holes / every masks present on the actors felt a little jarring, musicians wore masks and attendance was in quarantine and felt “determined to enjoy cover, which at first glance looks like a heavily even if I’m going to love Jesus in the way that According to the World Economic Forum one of them that I know / …Runaway as fast as but the feeling disappeared quickly as the actors limited by social-distancing guidelines. performing.” pixelated mess, features a depiction of West in I sing, or love Jesus in the way that I do my (WEF), every year enough textiles are thrown you can.” did their best to project through the masks. “Just didn’t quite have that ‘boom’ that Due to members in quarantine or isolation, intercourse with an armless, neo-angelic, white job, that’s still only a portion of your life.” Jatho out to fill Sydney Harbour. That’s around 85% My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Some had trouble with the masks pressing on it usually does with a big group” Ryan Smit, Dordt’s music groups had spotty attendance woman. You can’t judge a book by its cover, said, “Clothes are really unique in the fact that of manufactured textiles. purposefully sets up Kanye as the unhinged their face or sliding up, though it was not too director of Concert Choir, Choral, and Canons throughout the semester. Concert choir did not but Kanye wanted to be damn sure any listener everybody wears clothes, every day of their “Washing clothes, meanwhile, releases genius we still see him as today, a decade later. distracting from the show. of Dordt, said. have the entire ensemble in one room together could judge his project by the visual alone. The lives.” 500,000 tons of microfibers into the ocean Before the memes, before the tweets, before the The show, directed by Kaitlyn Baljeu, was However, both the audience and performers until the day of the concert and Choral still had cover was designed intentionally to be banned, Dressember’s moto is, “The dress is our each year—the equivalent of 50 billion plastic SNL skits and before the presidential run, there squeezed in just before the start of Dordt’s early felt grateful for the opportunity to hear live one member in quarantine on the day of the Kanye needed Fantasy to be aggressive, over uniform.” The movement is particularly bottles” WEF’s research reports. “The fashion was “All of the Lights,” Kanye, and “Monster,” winter break. It was produced for three nights music, as many concerts around the country performance. the top, monolithic, and sprawling. concerned with raising awareness about human industry is also the second-largest consumer of Kanye—the drunk thirty-year-old waving a on November 19, 20, and 21 in Dordt’s very have been cancelled over the past year. Despite the obstacles encountered, Smit West got his wish. Clocking in at just over trafficking and modern slavery. water worldwide.” According to WEF, it takes microphone in one hand and a near-empty own Fourth Avenue Theatre. Though the show Dordt’s music program put a lot of time and counted the concerts as successes. “I was really an hour and featuring a more star-studded With increased demand for cheap garments, around 700 gallons of water to make one cotton bottle of Hennessy in the other—redefined his went well, its black box format proved to cause effort into ensuring that they could perform in happy with the level of performance.” Smit lineup than most Grammy Award ceremonies, apparel companies turn to third-world countries T-shirt, and cotton farming requires so much own persona with an album never-since rivaled some difficulties for the set design. some capacity this semester. Dordt arranged said, Fantasy delivered on all fronts. Critiques and with lax labor laws that allow for the exploitation water that one of the largest lakes in the world, in the cult-classic sense. Swizz Beatz best sums In its nature, a black box theatre caters an alternate date for each concert before the “I think the choirs really rose to the fans expected the artist to write to Taylor, or of children and vulnerable communities, the Aral Sea, is now a desert surrounded by a it up on the 7th track of the album: “it’s like that to shows requiring few set pieces and props, confirmation came that the university would challenge” about Taylor, but Kanye didn’t need to. He according to the Dunken Law Firm. few small ponds. sometimes, this s*** ridiculous.” something true of Break of Day. Still, the be going online for the last two weeks of the Many other colleges have limited musical wrote about the one thing he could control— The average American buys 70 new clothing Jatho recommends shopping brands that multiple locations featured in the show meant semester. Even so, with less rehearsal time and performances to small sectionals, virtual himself. West embraced the villain label so items each year—or about a new item per are transparent about their sourcing and that no matter how simple the design, set musicians constantly in and out of quarantine, concerts, or canceled events entirely. Dordt many reviewers wanted to put on him and week—according to Maxine Bedat, the CEO of manufacturing methods and saying “no” to changes were needed. In Break of Day, these preparation was difficult. managed to have live concerts with audiences expressed in equal measures his invincibility Zady, a clothing company trying to challenge excess. set changes proved awkward with long and “We had several people who got out of to celebrate the approaching holiday season. and vulnerability. these consumer habits. Americans tend to wear “As much as Dressember has a really cool sometimes distracting durations during the quarantine either the day before or the day of “I promised myself that even if people Instrumentally alone, Fantasy is a their clothing only seven times before throwing mission and things like that do bring out a lot of first act. The crew handled these periods quite the concert—which was scary” Smit said. couldn’t see my entire face, I’d be smiling masterpiece. Power ballads lead into orchestral them out. change,” she said, “it’s honestly way too small professionally, though and the classical music Colton Ott, a member of the Canons of Dordt, through every concert this year,” Ott said, “and suites, lead into simplistic piano, lead into The International Labor Organization compared to the way that we are hurting our played in between scenes was delightful. that was no different for this concert.” classic west-cost inspired beats, lead into estimates over 170 million children are engaged planet.” had not sung with the group since October The set design itself was beautifully done Contributed Photo The Back Page page 8 Defender football dominates Dordt dives “Into the Fire” in regular season finale with Doubt Night Caleb Pollema - Staff Writer

Imagine beating your opponents with a performed a perfect 9 for 9 on field goal combined final score of 129-0 in your final two attempts and 41 for 46 on PAT attempts. This games. Regardless of the sport, this feat would was the second week in a row that Zachman be truly remarkable. received GPAC honors. The Defender football team made this With the dominate victory over Briar Cliff, outlandish and extremely optimistic feat a Dordt finished the season with a 7-2 record, reality. In the final two games of their regular which is the best season in the program’s 13- season they beat the Hastings Broncos with a year history. final of 65-0 in Sioux Center and the Briar Cliff “I’m proud of how these guys finished Chargers 64-0 in Sioux City. through the line, not just to the line,” Penner After Dordt’s win against Briar Cliff, said. “The truest character of a team shows up recognition for their quality of play followed in November and I couldn’t be more proud of as the Defenders swept the GPAC Player of the this team.” Week honors for offense, defense, and special With the conclusion of the regular season, teams. Dordt will begin an offseason that is anything Wide receiver, Levi Jungling, was but normal. The COVID-19 pandemic not only recognized as the GPAC Offensive Player of eliminated any non-conference contests for the Week with four receptions, 141 total yards the Defenders, but also pushed the postseason Lexi Schnaser - Staff Writer of offense, and three touchdowns. playoffs to April 2021. questions texted in by the audience to panelists One of the touchdowns came on a long This summer has featured protests and Since several other conferences around the Penner and Dr. Barb Hoekstra as they sat on the pass from Dordt quarterback, Noah Clayberg. debates around the world about racial prejudice. NAIA also elected to push their regular seasons, stage of the B.J. Haan. Jungling made a leaping catch that will go down This semester that conversation came to Dordt official NAIA rankings will not come out until The questions included “Where have in Dordt history as arguably the best play ever. in the form of a documentary and night of the spring. [Penner and Hoekstra] experienced racism on The catch was so impressive that it received discussion. This presents a challenge for the Defender campus?” and “How can we change racism national attention and was recognized in November 11th appeared to be the first football team and coaching staff as they begin within ourselves?” SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays of the day. campus-wide event to specifically target the the long wait to determine if they will receive The theme of the discussion revolved around “Levi is one of those ‘once in a decade’ kind topic. The first Doubt Night of the year, housed an at-large bid to the NAIA playoffs. student experiences with racism on campus and of players who possesses the character traits all in the B.J. Haan auditorium, revolved around For Dordt, an at-large bid to the postseason how students can approach racism. coaches hope for in a player,” said head football the theme of racial tension and reconciliation. is still within the realm of possibility after the Penner, in his short review of the coach, Joel Penner. “Believe it or not, he has Doubt Night is a tradition that has been Defenders lost to two most likely top five teams documentary, told his players he was proud of impacted this team off the field, even more than ongoing for the past several years at Dordt. in Morningside and Northwestern. Both losses their vulnerability. he has on the field.” Baart describes the events as a venue for the were close and could have fallen either way. Recalling the morning after George Floyd The weekly recognition continued with Dordt community to address hot-button topics Dordt is hopeful that for the first time in died, Penner said he wept when he first saw the safety Jalen Placide of Oakland, California, from a Christian perspective. program history, a postseason berth could be in now-famous video. being named the GPAC Defensive Player of the “Sometimes we just have a larger panel store. “I thought, ‘Why am I forty-two years old Week. discussion,” he said. “Sometimes we interact In the months between the conclusion of the and this is the first time this is breaking me?’” Placide finished his day with 14 tackles, one with a piece of media.” regular season and the potential for a postseason This self-revelation led to Penner praying for a loss, and one interception. This pushed his Doubt Night 2020 kicked off with the bid, the Defenders will continue to train and what he called “a dangerous prayer.” interception total to three on the year. world premiere of Jake Brouwer’s 12-minute practice. “Jesus, break my heart for what breaks Dordt kicker Brett Zachman received a documentary “Into the Fire.” The documentary 2020 was a tough year for many, but for yours,” he said. “Then, see what happens, see GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week after followed Dordt’s football team and their the Defender football team this year made a what doors God opens.” going a perfect 6 for 6 on PAT attempts. response to the current racial tensions in monumental step forward and a season that will For the Dordt football team, one door was Through the 2020 season, Zachman be remembered for years to come. America. Brouwer is a graduate of the digital media and history programs at Dordt and to start a racial oneness group for the players. currently works in the university’s marketing Organized like a small group or Bible study, department. teammates and coaches met over Zoom to listen Featuring interviews with head football to experiences of their Black teammates. They coach Joel Penner and various players, both also discussed how these conversations would black and white, the documentary aimed to affect their relationships on and off the field. highlight the diversity on Dordt’s football team In the closing minutes of the Doubt Night and how racial tensions would affect their discussion, Penner spoke on behalf of his response on the field this season. players, saying most felt more than welcomed The documentary concluded with a montage to Dordt’s community, but belonging was a of all the interviewees noting that every human different question. is an image-bearer of God, no matter their race The somber audience left the building with or creed. Baart’s closing words echoing in their ears: After the documentary finished, the audience “Our Christianity demands us to step in and moved into a time of discussion. fight injustice.” Baart facilitated the discussion, posing Contributed Photo

Contributed Photo Diamond Staff 2020-2021

Chief Editors: Staff Writers: Hannah Kuperus Yee Lim Shin Emma Stoltzfus Aleasha Hintz Jaclyn Vander Waal Zac Vanderley Sam Landstra Alicia Bonestroo Jayden Hoksbergen Aaron Eshelman Caleb Pollema Katie Ribbens Tabetha Degroot Copy Editor: Caleb M.S. Lauren Hoekstra Tess Hemmila Connor Van Hulzen Lexi Schnaser Gretchen Lee Daniel Ketchelos Mikaela Wegner Faculty Advisor: Elise Wennberg Rochelle Vander Helm Lee Pitts Layout Designer: Eoghan Holdahl Sydney Brummel Anneka Bakker Georgia Lodewyk Troy Harvat