Rack-A-Thon Dance -A-Thon Students Danced All Night to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research
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THURSDAY INSIDE February 24, 2011 Justin Bieber’s journey News..........1-3 to the top. Opinions......4-6 LIFESTYLES PG 7 Lifestyles..7-9 INDEX Is our culture desensitizing Sports.....10-12 the issue of rape? Vol. LXXXVIII No. 13 OPINIONS PG 6 State University of New York College at Cortland Rack-a-Thon Dance -a-Thon Students danced all night to raise money for Breast Cancer Research By Megan O’Brien Staff Writer Last Friday night, Cortland students danced their ‘racks’ off at the first ever Rack-a-thon Dance- a-thon. From 8 p.m. until about 2 a.m., Corey Union Function Room was transformed to raise money for breast cancer research. Upon entering, students donated five dollars and had the symbolic rib- bon for cancer drawn on the back of their hand for re-admission. Jill Cole, President of RHA, said their goal amount of money to raise is $2,000 or more, with all the proceeds going to a breast cancer organization through Syracuse University Hospital. Cole said, “RHA and NRHH are sister organizations, so they usu- ally work together for events, but this is the first time we are working with CSA for an event, and it has been a success.” Lima Stafford, a CSA mem- ber said, “I like that we’re doing something different by collabo- rating with the residence halls. Now we can have a bigger event and bring even more people out.” DJ Tumbo played bass- thumping dance tunes as people photo by Jonathan Rodriguez See DANCE , page 2 Jason Carriero and Lima Maria Stafford dance to various types of music to support breast cancer research last Friday night in Corey Union Stilettos to Sneakers Freedom Aprons Alumni Laura Buitrago Speaker explains hard- tended Johnson’s presentation. Johnson proceeded to literally will compete in the San ships of slaves and the act out the feelings and emotions Diego Marathon Underground Railroad of slaves and slave masters. Each “act” featured a different person that existed during slave times. By Daniel Harding, Jr. By Adam Dejesus Gonzalez Her first story started off with Editor-in-Chief Staff Writer three separate “toots” that were used to notify other members of the railroad that slaves were com- “Do you remember the an- Cortland Alumni and former ing through. Johnson took the role cestors? It means that we are of a young girl that had to get the member of the Sigma Delta Tau aware, for we did not make our- sorority, Laura Buitrago won’t blankets for the slaves that were selves. It’s easy to forget, we jumping off the trains that passed hesitate to admit that she was were not the first to suffer. Forget no athlete while at Cortland. through Syracuse. She embod- and die,” sang Vanessa Johnson ied the emotion of the young girl In fact, when she first decided to set the mood for her presenta- to give running a try last fall as she acted out the situation. tion entitled: “Freedom Aprons.” Johnson also took the role of she could barely run two miles. Vanessa Johnson is a Griot, or This Spring, Buitrago, a Long a fleeing slave mother who ran African story teller. She uses her from her slave plantation with her Island resident, will be competing research of slaves in the Syracuse in the San Diego Marathon as a husband and newborn son. The area in order to raise awareness act depicted the family making it member of The Leukemia and about the role the city of Syracuse Lymphoma Society’s Team in to Syracuse after much difficulty, played in freeing slaves using the but after a few months the Fed- Training, an international running Underground Railroad. Johnson club that raises money for Leu- eral government passed the Fu- dressed in “slave garb” which gitive Slave Act of 1850, which kemia and Lymphoma research. was a basic grey, long sleeved Team in Training helps in- required all runaway slaves to be dress that drooped down to her returned to their previous masters. dividuals complete their goal of feet. She also wore an orange, completing either a marathon, The family fled north to brown, and yellow head wrap. Canada but during the journey half marathon, triathlon, century Johnson is the creator of ride(100 mile bike ride) or hiking the couple lost their baby and the “Imagine Syracuse” pro- tried to commit suicide from adventure. In exchange for pledg- gram that exposes 4th, 5th, and ing to raise funds for the society th grief. This is just one of the 6 graders to college campuses many difficult situations slaves during your training, they provide in Syracuse. The purpose is to their athletes with everything from faced when trying to run away. motivate young children to at- Johnson stirred many emo- photo provided by Laura Buitrago tend college after high school. See TRAINING , page 3 Inspired by a cancer patient, Buitrago now runs for the cause Some of these children also at- See RAILROAD , page 2 2 February 24, 2011 The Dragon Chronicle NEWS RAILROAD What’s Going On? FROM COVER PAGE IAC Breaks It Down tions from the crowd, and au- Calendar of Events: February 24 - March 2 dience members wiped away their tears and hid their faces. The International ter the 18th day of protests, Today: Even the children present in the Awareness Club President Mubarak stepped audience felt the pain and an- down and fled to a resort on 12 p.m. Susan Rayl, Kinesiology and Africana Studies Departments will guish in Johnson’s tone. John- explains world issues the Red Sea with his family. son was able to recreate events Now: Though President present, “The Mighty Burner: The Life and Legacy of G. Larry By Erica Frerking Mubarak has stepped down, from the Underground Railroad Contributing Writer James,” at this Black History Month Sandwich Seminar. Located tod remin people during Black there is still a lot of prog- in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge. History Month of the difficult ress to be made in Egypt. past African Americans share. People continue to demon- Friday: Where? Egypt. strate, showing their unity Who? Egyptian Peo- and determination to establish 3 p.m. Get information on how you can study abroad at the Study ple vs. President Hosni a representative democracy. Abroad Informational Session. Please contact the James M. Clark Mubarak & his supporters. Plans to amend certain What? Anti-government pro- constitutional clauses are Center for International Education to sign up: studyabroad@ tests in Egypt break out on in effect, though the people cortland.edu or (607) 753-2209. Event located in Brockway Hall January 25 calling for change. hope for more dramatic re- Jacobus Lounge. Why? After weeks of anti- form, eventually rewriting government protests in Tu- the constitution as a whole. 8 p.m. The Performing Arts Department presents, “The Drowsy Chaper- nisia, resulting in Tunisian Why we should care: Egypt is president Zine al-Abidine Ben the most populous country in the one” at the Dowd Fine Arts Theater. The show will run March 25, Ali stepping down from of- Arab world, and thus it carries a 26, 27 and April 1, 2 and 3. fice, protests in Egypt began. lot of weight in the Middle East. Protesters demonstrated Additionally, the Suez Saturday: against the ongoing pov- Canal sees a lot of trade traf- erty, corruption and unem- fic, and unrest in the country 11 a.m. Cortland Chill-a-Bration celebrates all things winter at Court ployment the country had could affect the prices of goods House Park. The event features ice sculptures and good food. been facing since the 30 year that travel through the canal. rule of President Mubarak. The demonstrations by Continuing protests and Egyptians, especially by the Sunday: numerous deaths and casualties youth and the labor groups, 4 p.m. Hear the SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir and other choirs sing at saw the resignation of the rul- have inspired many populations the Gospel Choir Cultural Celebration, located in Old Main. ing party on February 5, though in other countries who are un- President Mubarak stated he happy with their governments photo by Adam Dejesus Gonzalez would stay in power until elec- (namely Yemen, Bahrain, Al- Monday: tions were held in September. geria & Morocco) to voice Johnson shows freedom apron On February 11, just af- their opinions and concerns. 5 p.m. The Dowd Fine Arts Gallery will be showcasing, ”Bògòlanfini, Patterns of Bamana Culture,” an exhibit that explores authentic mudcloth methods practiced by people belonging to Bamana in the residence halls and I’d like as Allison taught steps to “Livin Culture in Mali, Africa. The artwork is from the personal collec- to do more teaching, especially la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin. tion of Kassim Kone, professor of anthropology and linguistics at DANCE for such a great cause. Some They also danced to “Jai Ho”, people pick it up very quickly andt “Don’ Stop (Wiggle Wig- Cortland. FROM COVER PAGE ands it’ rewarding to see a re- gle),” by the Outhere Brothers. sult.” His partner Richards picked At 10 p.m., Danceworks Tuesday: up swing dance from Keefe, and and Kickline demonstrated ex- started to arrive. Students enjoyed they exchanged spirited high treme feats of flexibility and 1:15 A faculty senate meeting will be held in the Park Center Hall of a huge spread of food, including fives after a successful lesson. gave high energy performances. p.m. pink frosted breast cancer ribbon- Stephanie Vitale, a Resi- The crowd was pumped up and Fame Room, D242. shaped cookies, pink cotton can- dent Assistant Senator in RHA returned back to the dance floor dy, pink snow cones, and many said,s “It’ rewarding to see for more Zumba, and then some other snacks.